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Reader Comments (103)

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John Davies
1 Posted 15/03/2025 at 17:54:19
Until the injured players return, this sort of performance will always be on the menu. They have nothing of any depth to be any better.
Ian Bennett
2 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:02:21
Poor game, and poor approach from the Blues for most of the game. But credit to them for staying in it, and with a bit more composure from Alcaraz, it should have been 3 points on the death.

Doucoure, Harrison, Beto were pretty poor, I have to say.

VAR is killing it. Even when you score, you're looking around to see if it's going to be ruled out rather than enjoying the moment.

Jeff Armstrong
3 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:24:55
Referee was a disgrace at the end, only 4 minutes added on despite multiple subs, injuries, goals etc, and then he knocked a full minute off the injury time as the game restarted at 91:40 and he blew at 94:30

I was fuming because we had momentum and, had we played 6 minutes as should have been added, we would have created at least another chance.

Tony Abrahams
4 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:34:50
I'm starting to get paranoid about some of these absolutely incredibly poor referees.

How he could point to the spot for that Beto incident actually had me wondering if it was pre-conceived, which is ludicrous when thinking logically, but because most of his other decisions favoured the away team, this had me scratching my head.

We can't expect Everton to suddenly start opening teams up when you look at the complete lack of craft in our starting eleven. It was another valuable point, even though I wasn't particularly happy with the way we set up at times today.

Shaun Parker
5 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:35:04
We need a reality check here. Many of the players are simply not good enough; as the old saying goes “ You can't polish a turd”.

Moyes was brought in with one single objective: keep Everton in the Premier League. I think that objective has already been achieved.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves expecting the players to become world beaters; over half the team are Championship standard.

We should give credit to Moyes for getting the points we needed… but there is massive work to be done come the summer.

Eric Haworth
6 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:43:23
The Return of Dithering Dave; however, he can't be blamed for the totally abject performance from almost the entire team.

But that also meant there were no lack of candidates worthy of being withdrawn, although some were more worthy than others, such as Doucoure, Harrison, Beto, Garner and Mykolenko.

That was a game that was there for the winning, together with a valuable 3 points. Because despite our abysmal display, they were as bad, if not worse, and if he hadn't dithered and made those substitutions when he should have, 10 minutes into the second half, we would never have gone behind, and would have run out comfortable winners.

Which was proved when he finally relented his dithering and made the changes that were obvious to everyone in the ground in the final 10 minutes, when we proceeded to camp in their penalty area, and still very nearly took all 3 points, but ran out of time. The sheer frustration… arghhh!!!!!!

Ian Wilkins
7 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:48:21
Poor game today. Felt a bit end of season with nothing on it.

They have a bit more quality up top with Kudus, Bowen, Paqueta. We were reminded how ordinary our squad is and a few had an off day.

We all know we need to let a few go and strengthen in the Summer. It's going to be a pivotal few months…

Christy Ring
8 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:56:10
Thankful for the point.

I thought Chermiti and Broja made a huge difference, Alcaraz a lot more effective in his proper position.

Doucoure, Beto and Harrison need to be dropped. Gana and O'Brien joint MotM for me.

Craig Scott
9 Posted 15/03/2025 at 18:57:11
"Titanic sense of pride and comfort"??? Er, no not really. The only thing 'Titanic' is that we're still languishing near the bottom. But there's relief that we're not in a relegation scrap, I suppose.

Not a particularly good performance at all today. It definitely would be good to get Ndiaye back and move Alcaraz into the centre instead of Doucoure, who was particularly poor today. It's obvious isn't it why Leeds sent Harrison out on loan???

Pickford and O'Brien were my picks as the best from that performance.

Paul Hughes
10 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:09:32
Well, it's a point. And with the bare bones of a squad I'll definitely take it.

But Dithering Dave made an unwelcome reappearance. Lindstrom was ready to come on for a least 5 minutes and there were several opportunities to make the chance. I said to the chap next to me “Moyes will wait until we are a goal behind before changing anything”. And so it proved.

Doucoure and Harrison were having a shocker, the game was passing Alcaraz by, but nothing changed. Let's hope the return of some of the injured players will enable some better football.

Still, 9 games unbeaten, I shouldn't complain. I couldn't have imagined at Christmas that we'd be in this position now.

Mark Murphy
11 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:23:34
“Lindstrom was ready to come on…”

Problem is, that's hardly a game changing sub, is it? Our bench is not game-changing. So I don't really blame Moyes from making changes when we're still in the game.

Let's not forget – we were fighting relegation when Moyes came in; we're safe”-ish” now but still fighting for our place.

Tony Abrahams
12 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:32:27
With Harrison ready to take a corner, my mind went back in time to when the great Evertonians started a whip-round to sign Terry Curran for £80,000 because our club was skint.

If it's true that Jack Harrison is receiving that same amount of money every single week, £80.000, then we must be absolutely nuts, putting so much time, effort and money into watching our team.

It's beginning to amaze me how football remains so popular!

Mike Price
13 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:33:35
Obviously delighted with 9 games unbeaten and pulling away from the bottom but we need to get real about some of our players.

Thanks to Beto for his flurry of goals but he's such a bad player; hopefully that few-week period may help us unload him. Mykolenko is probably the worst full-back in the league, Doucoure has been a decent servant but needs to go, along with Coleman, Patterson, Keane, Harrison and Lindstrom.

Please… no more charity contracts and also no more expensive crocks like Richarlison! Just because he liked it at Everton, people want him as our marquee signing; Tottenham fans are desperate to see the back of him.

We've got to be a lot more ruthless and savvy with our recruitment moving forward.

Jeff Armstrong
14 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:46:47
Agreed, Mike, Beto is not good enough.

His flurry of goals where a godsend, unfortunately for him defenders and goalkeepers have done their homework on him and he's been sussed out pretty quickly.

Thanks, Beto, let Chermiti have some games as he did more in the last 15 than Beto did in 75 minutes. Broja is made of glass and shouldn't be signed so Chermiti should be given his chance.

Harrison, Mykolenko, Lindstrom should be shown the door… and £70 million for Branthwaite on current form would be good business.

Jon Atkinson
15 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:46:49
As I said pre-match: bore draw.

I can't see us winning till Ipswich and they'll come and have a go at us with the pressure off; Southampton won't be a gimme.

Oh Lordy… still leaving Goodison with a whimper, and once again mass exodus towards the end — another goal you've missed, eh, lads?

Lads, lads… oh shit, they've gone!

Jeff Armstrong
16 Posted 15/03/2025 at 19:51:41
Jon, people wouldn't leave a film or play with 10 minutes to go before the final outcome, yet you get the same people leaving around me despite last minute drama against Liverpool and Man Utd recently.

They can't wait to leave Goodison at 85 minutes, but will be crying crocodiles on the very last home game, before exiting on 85 minutes!

Tony Abrahams
17 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:03:36
I left early today, Jeff, but I suppose I'm just becoming more and more disillusioned with watching football in the Premier League, mate.

Got in the car and my daughter said "It's 1-1, Dad, Everton have scored!"

I asked who scored before adding Chermiti, possibly because I can see a bit of talent in this kid, and when she replied O'Brien, I just carried on driving home thinking, that was another poor game.

I've left a few films and plays early in my lifetime but, other than a few away games over the years where I left early because we were shite, getting hammered, and I wanted to get back on the ale, I have found myself leaving more and more home games before they have finished and this is something that I never, ever really used to do.

Football has always been such a massive part of my life but lately I find it can sometimes suck the life out of me.

Robert Tressell
18 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:05:21
Moyes has done a great job and we're still on a decent run. The win rate was always going to slow down. Moyes is polishing a turd here. The squad needs investment.

Dig deep for a big performance against our horrible neighbours, please, Blues.

Jeff Armstrong
19 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:11:49
There's people who would give their right arm to be at Goodison for the last 10 minutes of these last few games, and then there's people who want to beat the traffic or catch a train…

0-1 with minutes to go and the football not being great is a poor excuse to leave – why go in the first place? It's not like it's going to be an exciting end-to-end game with this squad, is it? It was always going to be a turgid slog today, regardless.. imo.

Dave Abrahams
20 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:23:18
Another draw, another point, and another poor performance, did any player have a good game? What's happened to Branthwaite? He was half-asleep for most of the game! The usual suspects are consistent, Mykolenko, Doucoure, Harrison while Beto reverted to type.

O'Brien won me a good few pound with that equaliser, so I can excuse him, but he's never a full-back. Maybe in his own position, he will show up better – or convert him to striker, he can belt a ball – and possibly get ourselves another Fred Pickering.

Mark Murphy
21 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:24:58
I missed Bob Latchford's hat-trick goal vs Coventry and haven't left a game early since.
Christy Ring
22 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:35:37
It's good to have Chermiti and Broja back, they offered a lot more than Beto in just 10 minutes.

I just saw where Dele Alli came on for Como in the 81st minute, red card in the 91st minute.

Jeff Armstrong
23 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:39:37
He must be after a rest, Christy, what with not making Tuchel's England squad and all.
Tony Abrahams
24 Posted 15/03/2025 at 20:49:33
"Why go in the first place?" is a very relevant question, Jeff.

I've always gone to watch Everton but it wouldn't bother me not watching them play at the minute, mate.

For years now, I have thought about how emotional the last game at Goodison is going to be, but my thoughts today were different.

People would give their right arm to be there… so maybe I should give my ticket away? Especially because I also don't expect to get much excitement out of our current squad, but I think I'm just disillusioned with the horrible view of the way I see that football is currently evolving.

It's littered with cheating, it's littered with inconsistent officials, and it's littered with a system called VAR, which has slowly begun to suck the life out of me.

Football has never felt more robotic, and sometimes this can feel very draining.

Jeff Armstrong
25 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:17:58
Tony, I think you really should give your ticket away for these last few games, some poor fool will be delighted and you will feel much better about someone else getting to go the game for the last few kicks at Goodison Park.

Honestly, it's win win for you.

Danny O'Neill
26 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:30:24
Tony,

That's why going to watch League 2 Bromley was so refreshing on Thursday.

On an aside "they" are here in numbers. The red mist has arrived.

I couldn't help myself when earwigging a conversation. They're in a cup final tomorrow and the leader of the group mentioned our new stadium, suggesting it would be sponsored by Kleenex, which, according to him was appropriate as it was bog roll and BMD would smell of a bog.

I asked if they were jealous. No reply.

And they call us bitter!!

Allen Rodgers
27 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:35:04
The weird couple who sit behind me leave every game early, maybe at just before 90 minutes. They tell me they live in City Road.

Today, they left just before O'Brien's equaliser.

I sit just behind the padded seats and I'm used to seeing them leaving before half-time but I was astonished to see them going downstairs when the penalty was first given – without even knowing the outcome!

Jeff Armstrong
28 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:39:19
It's habitual behaviour, Allen, even in a live situation they cannot break their habits.

They'll probably turn up at Goodison Park for the first game of next season.

Mark Murphy
29 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:43:23
I need a ticket for the Arsenal game, please; otherwise, I'll be travelling 250 miles to sit in a pub outside the ground!

Murph 07708 615684

Mark Murphy
30 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:47:35
Jeff, not sure if you're being serious there but I'm a poor deluded fool who will happily take that ticket and stay to the end.

Murph 07708 615684

Danny O'Neill
31 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:56:57
Not sure what you mean by that, Jeff. Maybe explain? I'll be at the Everton Stadium personally. As well as nearly 53,000 others will be.

Mark, if needs must, we'll find somewhere to watch it.

Jeff Armstrong
32 Posted 15/03/2025 at 21:58:28
Sorry, Mark, I'm not giving my ticket away and I'm not suggesting any Everton supporters are fools…

But maybe a couple of supporters who can't be bothered anymore staying until the final whistle might consider giving up their ticket for people like you who travel the length and breadth supporting our club.

Explain what, Danny? It was a direct response to Allen Rodgers's comment about the people who sit around him at #27.

Bill Fairfield
33 Posted 15/03/2025 at 22:03:25
A poor performance. Though they stuck at it and got something.

The usual suspects were garbage again. Can't wait to see the back of them.

Danny O'Neill
34 Posted 15/03/2025 at 22:05:43
Fair response, Jeff.

I never leave until the players do.

Last season, I had a seat in the front row of the Upper Gwladys. Bonus, I thought.

No. My seat was right in front of a post meaning I had to move left and right to watch the match.

I came back for the 2nd half and a lad next to me told me to move along to get a good view. Apparently, the season ticket holder never comes back for the 2nd half!!

Jeff Armstrong
35 Posted 15/03/2025 at 22:13:02
It's odd behaviour, Danny, there's a guy in front of me on the front row of the Top Balcony, he comes for the first half and joins in the Gwladys songs when they reach the Top Balcony, tries to rally the people around him (it's the TB, FFS). H

e disappears on 42 minutes… and then you don't see him until 3 games later!

He obviously sells his seat and only comes to selective games, but gets bored halfway through!!

Fuckin weird.

Mike Gaynes
36 Posted 15/03/2025 at 23:53:30
Dele Alli made his Serie A debut for Como today. Came on in the 81st minute against Milan for his first appearance in a little over two years.

And lasted 9 minutes.

Red card for spearing Loftus-Cheek from behind.

John Raftery
37 Posted 16/03/2025 at 00:23:42
Always great to equalise in the closing minutes, just as we did recently against the RS and earlier in the season against Fulham. Other than that, we had little to shout about in a game in which we had the greater share of possession but were unable to exert sustained pressure.

In regard to the Lindstrøm substitution, my recollection was he had been ready to come on for several minutes but the ball did not go out of play. Not much a manager can do about that.

West Ham looked a half-decent outfit, on the whole better balanced than two other recent visitors to Goodison, Manchester United and Spurs.

Under Moyes, if we had lost every match, other than the one against Leicester, we would still not be in the Bottom 3.

Ernie Baywood
38 Posted 16/03/2025 at 01:31:03
There were definitely breaks in play, John.

I couldn't understand the delay as we were crying out for a change. Not so much Lindstrom, but getting Doucoure out of there.

Lester Yip
39 Posted 16/03/2025 at 03:26:51
A fair result. Overall, West Ham team is more balanced but Everton's form is better.

I'm happy that Broja and Chermiti got some minutes that Moyes can assess them in real matches.

As we're safe from relegation, not a bad idea to test out different formation and players on different roles to see what players we need in coming window.

Derek Thomas
40 Posted 16/03/2025 at 07:04:03
Tony A @ 24; If you really want to give your ticket away for the last game ever, I'll have it.

I'll fly from Brisbane to pick it up – and buy you Guinness all Friday night.

+61four2four58four9two2

Steve Shave
41 Posted 16/03/2025 at 07:35:41
Please can we drop the “dithering Dave” comments for our manager, who has led this team down to its bare bones on a 9-game unbeaten streak? Chermiti and Broja have been out so could only sensibly get a few minutes. Lindstrom, yes, perhaps he could have come on earlier.

Phrases like that spread quickly and give fuel to negativity. He's barely got anything to work with, judge him mid-season next season when he's got his team together. McNeil, Calvert-Lewin and Ndiaye all instantly and greatly improve this team, add a quality right-back, a new striker, and a right winger to that, plus someone to challenge Mykolenko, then let's see what he can do and whether his is slow at making decisions.

Danny O'Neill
42 Posted 16/03/2025 at 07:45:35
I don't think that tag will be dropped, Steve. It's been there since his first tenure. I think then, it was more to do with his deliberations in the transfer market. Okay, I get due diligence, but he always seemed overly cautious.

Good job so far. We'll be able to pass more qualified judgement next season to see where we are as a squad and a club.

I personally don't like the 'People's Club' tag that he labelled us with. For me, it smacks of 'plucky little Everton'. Maybe that's just me.

Ian Bennett
43 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:07:02
Dithering Dave? - he made 4 good subs which changed the pattern of the game for me, and which Alcaraz had the quality to have taken 3 points with a bit more composure.

Would it have been deserved? Probably not, but how often have we seen that in the Premier League?

Teams will start showing us a bit more respect, we will get more possession, so we will need the quality to do something with it.

Everton have been scrapping to get by for the last 5 years, whilst West Ham have spent good money. Yes, they had good players in Bowen and Kudus, and moved it around with better players, but if you're a West Ham fan, I'd be thinking, Where's this going? How long before those two want out, and they're in for a relegation scrap?

Sam Hoare
44 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:10:00
An interesting matchup up for someone who, though a Moyes fan, would have preferred the opposition manager to be managing us. Bar a win at Arsenal, Graham Potter has had a pretty mediocre start at West Ham. I'll be interested to see how they look next season but they looked pretty solid yesterday without doing much with the ball.

In general, it felt like two teams now safe from relegation going through the motions somewhat. We lacked precision in the final third and, if Beto is not scoring, then his other contributions often don't suffice.

Overall, we struggled to create. Although (interestingly for some) we won the xG battle, just as we did against Wolves, Brentford and Manchester United. Ironically, the last time we had a lower xG than opponents was our win against Palace.

We will almost certainly finish between 13th and 16th and one eye is probably already on the summer. It will be interesting to see how we line up with Ndiaye and McNeil back. I am not sure Alcaraz is at his best out wide and, maybe at full strength, his best offering will be as an impact sub?

Pete Clarke
45 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:10:26
Very important to get that draw and keep a bit of confidence going but it was a very scrappy affair. The obvious lack of quality from some of our players was on show and Moyes will point to this as a reason for the display.

I thought West Ham were the better team with the ball and it shows how far we have to go when they are nowhere near the top either.

Got to be happy with our progress since Moyes returned though. O'Brien, Branthwaite, Alcaraz, Ndiaye and Chermiti to build the team around but we have to stop holding on to players who can't pass a football to save their lives.

Norman Sayle
46 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:11:38
Danny @42,

It's not just you, Danny, I agree with your last paragraph, the whole phrase makes me squirm, it's horribly quaint and patronising too.

Danny O'Neill
47 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:18:42
John @37 gives the best explanation of the substitution debate.

It often happens and if the ball won't go out of play, the manager can't do a lot about that.

Jerome Shields
48 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:22:29
Moyes with the backing of the backrooms has done well to pull clear of relegation… but now there are two limiting factors:

Having pulled clear, the pressure is off to pull together and it resorts back to doing the job in the knowledge that there is no threat. The objective to stay in the Premier League has been achieved.

Secondly, Moyes's effective tweaks have been analysed to death by the opposition from every angle and now counter measures such as marking up certain plays, putting pressure on the originator of the through-ball, and pressuring plays that are likely to cough up possession, are effectively in play.

Moyes's tactics have remained the same, though slightly with less effort, and now look more Dycheball. Only when he made unexpected substitutions did Everton look on the front foot again.

Moyes's limitations have become apparent, especially his subs in the Man Utd game and even against Liverpool. The Brentford game showed a learned opposition, as did the West Ham game.

Moyes has now got to earn his corn with putting the backroom support into gear and vary his tactics and select to give the opposition more to think about. He also has to get rid of the 'work done' attitude around him and start to incorporate winning speak into to his words.

Kevin Edward
49 Posted 16/03/2025 at 08:23:08
To be fair, we don't have the quality to put these games away week after week. So scraping out a point yesterday in a poor game is just about what we deserve.

I would say that most of my Goodison memories are from long ago, so leaving with a whimper is not a massive disappointment for me.

At Christmas, I thought we would probably go to the last Goodison game in big trouble, so I'm happy to avoid that scenario.

Anyway, onwards and upwards we go. We really need to move some bang less-than-average players out and rebuild for a brighter future at the new Everton Stadium.

The modern game is becoming a poor imitation of what football used to be; it's now more about hot dogs and thumping loud music. I'm not surprised some fans leave early, many of the players don't turn up or can't be arsed to make an effort to ‘entertain?' us.

Up The Toffs!

Rob Halligan
51 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:00:03
I got told a remarkable stat yesterday before the match. Since the formation of the Premier League in season 1992-93, 32 years, we have only been awarded 69 penalties, so roughly two penalties per season.

I don't know if that's penalties awarded or scored though? In the last five or six seasons alone, since Salah joined the RS, he has scored 50 penalties, so about 8 or 10 per season.

Quite a staggering stat, although I don't know how true ours is, but I did hear on the radio last weekend that Salah's two against Southampton were Nos 49 and 50.

Dave Williams
52 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:00:20
Jerome,

Moyes will be able to vary his tactics once he has cleared the deadwood, got his injured players back, and brought in a few better class players.

When he came in, his task was to keep us up. Assuming he has done that, Phase Two has to be getting the injured back – remember, our best attacker has been injured missing several games?

The rest has to wait for summer but criticising Moyes when he is without most of his better players is a tad unfair.

How he fares next season, who knows… but up to now, he has done an incredible job.

Liam Mogan
53 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:03:02
Heartbreaking to read Tony's comments about football. I feel the same in many ways, but very much like Michael Corleone in the Godfather 'Just when I think I'm out, they pull me back in'. Football is in the blood.

Yesterday was a good point in the circumstances and I feel in young Jake, we definitely have a player there. The 2 passes for his goal by Gana and Alcaraz were superb, btw. Let's not forget where we were only a month ago and don't fall into the entitlement trap.

C'mon the Geordies!

Tony Abrahams
54 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:19:40
Football has been in my blood all my life, Liam, and I'm sure it will continue to be in my life forever, mate.

I don't need advice off people like Jeff because I've been giving tickets away to people for quite a while now and this was actually the case once again yesterday.

The difference is that my daughter now wants to go to the match and I enjoy spending time with her so, instead of giving away three tickets yesterday, I only gave away one.

Funny we got round by the Gwladys Street and this lad was holding a ticket above his head, so I said to the lad who I was giving a ticket, go and grab that ticket and I will phone your dad, who was in the Wilmslow, and he can have this ticket.

That's what happened, but when I phoned Brian Murray, he said "Thanks but as long as my son is in the ground, I'm not bothered about going in myself, Tony."

I phoned Danny twice, he never answered, and so I went in the ground with an unused ticket. My godson came in the ground and said "Give us that ticket, I've phoned my mate and he's waiting outside." So the ticket still got used.

I look at the inconsistencies, Danny, penalties for Liverpool but not for Everton, and it makes me sick listening to the many different vultures on the gravy train who's opinion doesn't really count, covering for these mute referees, and then I witnessed Athletico Madrid getting cheated right in front of the whole world, and it just makes me sick.

I long for the day “my Everton” can perform like one of George McKane's pre-match posts, but I also long for the day when football is no longer consumed by cheating.

It's refreshing watching football in the lower leagues, Danny, away from the absolute circus of what the Premier League has become.

Mark Murphy
55 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:23:31
Tony, if that ticket situation happens again at the Arsenal game, please call me. I am up in Liverpool anyway that weekend but can't find a ticket anywhere (I'm a member but they've sold out to touts!)

I'll even be in the Harlech with or without a ticket so handy if you do find yourself with one spare.

And you know me, I may be a wool but I'm still a good blue! Murph 07708 615684

Ian Wilkins
56 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:26:58
As many have said there is a reality check needed. We have little creative quality on the park, our few creative players remain sidelined, with no sign of return.

Moyes said he wanted a number of additions in January, followed it up with what had been made available would not improve the squad, save for last-minute Alcaraz. So we fight our way through to the end of the season.

A flurry of life from Beto really helped us, but long term answer… not for me. Similarly Harrison, Doucouré, Lindstrøm. These are very limited players.

Somehow with this squad we've found our way to 34 points with 9 games to go and relative safety. But whilst it's a hard-working and organised group, it isn't going to get you off your seat every few minutes.

We have to accept what we've got just now but expect a very different set-up next season. Say an emotional farewell to Goodison in the remaining games and look forward positively.

Andy Duff
57 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:31:16
Lindstrøm was waiting to come on for ages.

I sit next to the home dugouts. If the linesman had spotted the clear offside, the ref spotted the foul on Beto, the play would have been spotted before their goal.

I even commented if he didn't get on soon he'd have to warm up again.

So it wasn't a case of changing it when we went one down; it was a case of the game not stopping.

As for leaving early, I never leave early and never will. No matter how bad we play, I'll stay to the end.

Personal choice, obviously; you pay your money, you can do what you want. You can maybe forgive it if we are a good few goals down but when there is only 1 in it, seems odd you'd risk missing the goal.

People really have short memories: we are disappointed having only drawn to keep a 9-game unbeaten run going.

This small squad is missing some key players: Ndiaye, McNeil for example are key to us. Take the best players out of any team and they struggle; the fact we are still picking up points should be praised.

Mark Murphy
58 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:34:45
Reading back this morning.

We certainly weren't firing on all four yesterday but people saying that was Dycheball have very short memories!

Danny O'Neill
59 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:39:40
I enjoy it, Tony. I'll go to the Bromley v Salford match later this month. I don't know if they're already sold out, or just not on sale yet.

The tout situation is out of order. It's too late for the club to do anything about it now, not that they would have done. I've no time for it and it's pretty much made the £35 a season membership subscription null and void, as somehow, tickets get snapped up by travel companies and touts, who sell on at inflated prices.

If I get the chance to go to Goodison again, I'll snap it up. But the memories will live with me for life. I'll travel for the Southampton match regardless, just to be there.

Separate, my sister, who works for Liverpool, had the chance to go to their cup final today. They have put a coach on for staff. She's not really into football and has a mixed household of blue and red. I told her she should go, but she's decided not to. I'm not saying Everton are the reason, but deep down, I was proud of her decision!!

Brian Harrison
60 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:42:30
I think in any critique of Moyes, it should be tempered with the fact that he is still trying to get results with a team who, under the last couple of managers, have found goals hard to come by. Then you add into the mix no Ndiaye or McNeil, who have been our most productive players, so maybe we should take that into consideration when we criticize.

I thought the subs could have been made sooner but maybe Moyes was trying to be patient with the same group of players who had brought him good results in the past weeks. I am sure come the summer, with Ndaiye back and a much needed couple of additions in the wide areas, we will see a big improvement.

I think Harrison and Lindstrøm wont have their loans extended, as they have shown nothing to warrant keeping them, and I don't think we will be extending Mangala's loan. I also wouldn't be surprised if Doucoure was let go and, if kept on, would be on massively reduced wages and probably only a squad player.

As the weeks have gone on, I see nothing productive from James Garner that makes me think we can improve if he is a regular starter.

I don't think the experiment in playing Alcarez in Lindstrom's position worked, and he surely needs to start instead of Doucoure in the next game to get the best out of him.

This team next season will need a massive injection of goals and our present front 4 aren't good enough. I thought Chermiti did well when he came on and would like to see how he does if he starts games. Also, with Broja now able to play, he has what's left of the season to prove if it's worth extending his loan.

Tony Abrahams
61 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:43:20
I take it that post @32 was aimed at me, judgemental Jeff!!

I've promised my Arsenal tickets to an Arsenal fan, Mark, a lad who lived with me in New Zealand, and has always loved the Toffees, because of the way I used to go on about them all those years ago.

He sent me pictures of him playing football with his son outside Goodison Park last season. He travelled to Everton the day after watching Arsenal in Manchester and ended up going on the stadium tour.

I told him that, when I played at Highbury, I loved it because when I was sitting in the changing rooms before the game, hearing the people talking and shouting outside reminded me of being in the streets outside Goodison.

He told me he had always had a soft spot for Everton because of the passion our fans have got for our club, and when he met me, this was confirmed immediately.

He has told me he might be able to get some in the Arsenal end but, if he can't, he his going to take me up on the offer. But just get the ground, Mark, because you will always get a ticket outside Goodison while Everton continue to be a very mediocre football team.

This obviously doesn't apply to the last match at Goodison, for a match that could be sold 20 times over, even though we are only going to be playing a team that has already been relegated.

I've paid my dues, and as much as I'd like to give you a ticket, Derek, I could also give this ticket to 500 people who I think might also deserve it. But the truth is, I will be going to Goodison, even though one of my favourite ever places, is not going to be going out with the bang that I have always felt she deserves.

Andrew Grey
62 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:45:08
Moyes definitely to blame for yesterday's typical 'nothing in it' 'end of season' game.

It's still March, for Christ's sake, Goodison Road should be full of blue smoke! Goodison should be shaking with passion! Even the Upper Bullens should be shaking… But no, Moyes comes in and ruins all that by getting a load of points and not losing games.

Manager of the Month... Jeez. He's absolutely ruined our usual end-of-season survive-by-a-thread, blue smoke, heart-pausing party!

Mark Murphy
63 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:46:38
Thanks anyway, Tone – don't forget me though if circumstances change!

I'm hoping a Southampton mate of mine will give me his ticket for the last game but he reckons they'll sell out as well!

Geoff Trenner
64 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:47:27
Just watched the game and I thought that a lot of the players looked leggy. Perhaps the 2-week break now will do them good and give us a chance to get a few more players back.

We are safe so I'm not too concerned about the upcoming tough fixtures. The important thing this season was to stay in the Premier League for the move to the new ground.

I thought that Chermiti looked good when he came on – perhaps 20 minutes too late given Beto's woeful performance. But my MotM, not for the first time in recent weeks, was Gana.

Ernie Baywood
65 Posted 16/03/2025 at 10:59:30
Look on the bright side. In the last couple of months, we've secured our place in the Premier League and we've scored 17 goals (in the last 8 league games). We're actually getting to enjoy games again.

We might be forgetting just how bad things were in the first half of the season when we scored 15 goals in 19.

It's great that expectations are increasing because, well, we're Everton and should have expectations.

But this is a team outperforming its first half-season standard by some distance despite now missing its main striker and main creative player.

A big one next and then it's basically all about the last 4 at home: 2 tough fixtures and 2 easier ones. I just hope we can sign off at Goodison in style.

Brian Williams
66 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:01:28
Tony #61.

As they say, Tony "it takes allsorts" and if there's people who want to play the "I'm a better Evertonian than you, because I never leave early" just leave 'em to it.

People pay their money and they can leave when they want as far as I'm concerned because I don't have any idea why they're leaving and it's got fuck all to do with me anyway.

UTFT. DLE!

Danny O'Neill
67 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:01:42
I'm quite content with not going through that again, Andrew!! I and many thousands of others have suffered 4 of them. Okay, one of them didn't quite go to the wire, but had we not beaten Palace, we faced the daunting prospect of having to get a result at the Emirates.

We got thumped 5-1, the players looked hungover and the travelling blues didn't care, singing throughout in that sun trap of a corner that is the away section.

Tony, I'd take an away ticket for Arsenal. I might even try myself, as they won't have a lot to play for.

I can see Southampton not taking the Upper Bullens section of their allocation. Mind you, once available to Everton supporters, they'll be gone in seconds.

Tony Abrahams
68 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:08:23
Your post as brought back memories, Mark, because I'm sure the last game at “The Dell” was Southampton v Everton?

My memory is vague but I'm sure I remember quite a few Evertonians ended up selling their tickets to pay for the day, and ended going on the ale instead of the match.

I'm sure this will be reciprocated by a few Southampton fans, unless those unconfirmed rumours about it being a night match end up being true.

Ian Wilkins
69 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:19:50
This rumoured night game for Southampton. I get that Goodison is great under the lights, but I want to see a lengthy celebration. Former players paraded, memories shown on screens for all to enjoy. Farewells at full time.

Surely this works better Saturday at 3pm?

Tom Bowers
70 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:23:28
Nobody should be surprised. We are still the same squad as Dyche had. He tried his best with a second-rate bunch and they couldn't hack it.

A new manager (or old) will get some response initially and Moyes did but, with the injuries, it's hard to put out your best team.

They will need to show more intensity with the next 5 tough games.

Ian Bennett
71 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:31:39
“We're playing him (Alcaraz) a little bit out of position but at the moment Doucs' form's been very good, Charly's scored goals (and) come on and made a difference, so I wanted to see if I could find a way where it could work for both of them.

Speaking to Everton's media channel, Moyes explained that he didn't really get the best out of Alcaraz's position.

“Well, we thought it might suit because of the way West Ham might possibly line up and we didn't want to get outnumbered in midfield,” the 61-year-old said.

“I think in some ways it did (work) but in other ways, I didn't really get the best out of maybe Charly and his position. I thought as well, you know, Doucs didn't have much space to run in behind in the first half, especially."

It's understood Alcaraz has a £15M clause in his loan deal that will be activated if he starts 6 or more games.

Based on that, I think he will stay below 6 starts, so they can opt out of the clause if he picks a bad injury. That's not to say they don't rate him, it's just they need that flexibility to back out of the deal if needed.

He's honest enough to say he tried something different, and it didn't work.

Derek Thomas
72 Posted 16/03/2025 at 11:46:10
Tony @ 61;

As they say out here — No Worries!

Danny O'Neill
73 Posted 16/03/2025 at 12:03:34
I heard the rumours of a late kick-off a couple of months ago. At the time, it seemed to be hedging bets on it being a relegation decider. Also, there might be something in TNT's coverage.

I'm for Goodison under the lights. There's something magic about it. Ask anyone who attended the Bayern Munich match and, more recently, Crystal Palace.

There is something special about night games. The atmosphere and I love seeing the club crest lit up in Royal Blue as you approach the stadium or are watching on the tele with the aerial shots.

We can still have all the celebrations, it just makes it a late night. Book a hotel, or, if you are able, stay with family and friends.

The Dell, I always remember that odd looking two-tiered structure behind one of the goals. The upper tier was terracing too!!! It looked dangerous!!

Ian Jones
74 Posted 16/03/2025 at 12:18:17
Rob, re Salah and 'In the last five or six seasons alone, since Salah joined the RS, he has scored 50 penalties, so about 8 or 10 per season.'

Not true, a quick Google search shows 34 Premier League penalties in his whole Liverpool career, still a lot.

Ignoring the fact that certain players feel entitled to go down when they get touched in the box — sometimes referred to as diving or cheating 😀 — it has to be remembered that generally the more attack-minded teams are likely to find themselves in the penalty area on more occasions, so possibly gaining more penalties.

Christine Foster
75 Posted 16/03/2025 at 12:26:47
Anyone who throws a rubber ball watches it bounce two or three times before it returns to earth. So it is with Everton, buoyed by Moyes, shackles off, self-belief and playing football with some enjoyment. A few bounces and a few more hard yards.

Moyes hit the nail on the head when he commented on our lack of quality. It's all very well complementing the players for effort but we just don't have the quality. It's not one or two… it's six or seven.

Tony, I think I know where you are coming from: watching Everton hurts. Despite a few players and kinder words, the last 20 years have drained my soul.

I want this season over, a fresh start, and a team that makes me smile. Football at Premier League level is full of contradiction, referees, VAR, teams, inequity and inequality. It's hard to watch, when you have seen quality, to accept where we are and how we play now. It's a long road back, made worse by a league I have come to despise.

Football is a contact sport that penalises contact that is over-dramatized and ignores the blatant and obvious.

My heart loves Everton with every sinew but I am angry, ashamed and hurt by the ridicule and injustice deemed suitable by some.

I want to feel pride again, I want to see quality players in a blue shirt. I want to know we can win.

Danny O'Neill
76 Posted 16/03/2025 at 12:47:04
Christine, I would go further back. Since we last won our 9th league title and declined into almost free fall on occasions.

But our unwavering support for what we love never went away and never will. Whether they deserve us is questionable, but we keep believing that our Everton will come back.

I just wish top-flight football hadn't morphed into the beast it has become.

I still love going to watch Everton and always will, but I get equal enjoyment watching lower-league football.

Rob Dolby
77 Posted 16/03/2025 at 13:05:24
A very similar game to the Wolves match. Lack of quality is evident.

First half, we attacked quite well down our right; 2nd half, we didn't go down the right nearly as much.

Doucoure played a little deeper, Alcaraz was ineffective on the left, and Beto was left without any support.

I haven't seen the penalty back but at the time it looked a soft one.

The 2nd half was played at testimonial pace with West Ham looking to hit us on the break. How did Soucek get that much time and space to score?

A draw was about right. Shame Alcaraz scuffed his chance near the end. I also didn't understand why the ref blew up 2 minutes early.

I don't recall seeing this ref before, he didn't let the game flow and was generally pretty average.

Hopefully Moyes has seen enough of Lindstrom and Harrison to send them packing.

I thought Chermiti looked like he has put on some muscle and wanted to impact the game, he had 2 or 3 shots on goal in the short time he was on the pitch.

I would also send Broja back to Chelsea, the lad unfortunately is injury-prone.

4 games left at Goodison. The Southampton game is a Sunday 4 pm kick-off which again is shite for the fans.

Liam Mogan
78 Posted 16/03/2025 at 13:11:47
Tony 54.

I have missed around half the games myself this season as my lad plays on Saturdays. But like you I always make sure that my Season Ticket gets used.

Yesterday, it was a 5-year-old who has never been before. He'd get more enjoyment than me anyway!

Andy Meighan
79 Posted 16/03/2025 at 13:14:41
Danny @26

We live rent free in their heads. They go on about how irrelevant we are yet they're obsessed with us.

I hate Newcastle and their cretinous fans but I hope they work it right up them later. Absolutely vile club with vile pub going fans.

As for yesterday, one to forget. If I have to witness that Harrison and Doucoure putting in shit performance after shit performance, I swear I'll scream!!! Them two, along with Beto Lindstrøm and Mykolenko, have to be let go at the end of the season, then a big summer ahead of us.

Rob Halligan
80 Posted 16/03/2025 at 13:33:36
Ian # 74…….thanks for that.

Maybe I misunderstood what I was told, and that it is 50 penalties Salah has scored in total….. Pemier League, Europe and domestic cups. Still a lot though.

Tony Abrahams
81 Posted 16/03/2025 at 13:37:32
I can still remember the first time I saw the green grass of Goodison, all those years ago when I had just turned 5, Liam, and I was hooked.

I'm sure the kid will have had a special day because Goodison Park has always been a special place, although I genuinely believe it's been cursed by possibly the greatest (none) player ever associated with Everton Football Club.

Stuck with Moyes – stuck with Moyes Man Utd, playing football the negative way, the gleeful Evertonians sang, as we finally ended our Old Trafford hoo-doo.

But luckily for some, The Moysiah is going to be leading us into a brand new stadium. But that tactic of Beto dropping back to leave us without an outlet whilst under pressure was my biggest thought when trying to analyse yesterday's game

Si Cooper
82 Posted 16/03/2025 at 14:34:36
Rob (80),

According to one site, it looks like Liverpool have had something like 50 / 51 penalties awarded in the Premier League alone since Salah joined them in 2017. I've no idea who converted the ones they scored.

Martin Mason
83 Posted 16/03/2025 at 14:44:09
A fair result in what has been a very good run that has got us out of what was deep trouble.

I'm back in around 3 weeks and hoping to get a few games in before the end, especially one last one at Goodison where I saw my first game in the 1950s and 3 subsequent league titles.

We are a really well supported club though and demand for tickets is pretty astronomical now. I'm made up with how well they have done recently though and that it's just the start of a journey to good things.

I appreciate that it will be a tough journey given where we're at now. Best wishes, Danny, Mark, anybody else I've met away, and all Blues everywhere.

Ray Said
84 Posted 16/03/2025 at 14:57:04
Tony (81),

I agree with your point about Beto dropping deeper. When we were getting the ball ahead of him he looked much better in his runs, much more dangerous and those runs of his allowed Doucouré to follow up to make the second forward.

A productive tactic, especially in the derby, seems to have been dropped for no good reason I can see.

Rob Dolby
85 Posted 16/03/2025 at 15:22:22
Ray 84, I thought Doucoure played slightly deeper yesterday to try and combat West Ham winning the midfield battle.

It made for a pretty stale game.

I thought O'Brien was very good again and he got my MotM.

Mark Taylor
86 Posted 16/03/2025 at 16:32:50
Pretty dreadful game and we were just about the poorer for almost all of it. Inevitable really when you have a couple of clodhoppers like Doucoure and Beto leading things.

Speedy skilful wide players are a vital transfer need. We seem to have acquired another batch of Number 10s (I include Lindstrom in that, he's not a wide right player, and Ndiaye and certainly Charly are wasted there). I don't think McNeil and Harrison are anybody's idea of a solution.

Chermiti is a tease. We only see him for a handful of minutes between injuries and he leaves you wanting more. Hopefully we will get it. Broja will I think be a good centre-forward if he can stay fit… but not with us.

I hope Jarrad gets his mojo back. He is not the same player this season. Maybe that means we keep him as people don't offer us silly money.

Mark Murphy
87 Posted 16/03/2025 at 17:45:20
My Royal Blue guardian angel just told me he's got me a ticket for the Arsenal game!

You know who you are so once again, thank you thank you and thank you!

I love Evertonians me!

Jerome Shields
88 Posted 16/03/2025 at 23:36:44
Not really impressed with Moyes comments regarding quality. He kept Doucoure on who regularly lost possession under pressure and could not string a pass together.He only made Subs after 70 minutes, when it was obvious that West Ham would push up from the start of the second half and get a goal if their tactics were not countered.

Against teams who have a effective midfield trio as West Ham done ( and Moye s is well aware if) dropping back to defend just gives them space. West Ham did their home by pushing Beto and Doucoure deep.

The age old problem with Everton is when they are pushed deep the defensive line goes too deep, because of the fear of lack of pace.This gives even more space for the opposition to play and build.

Moyes has to be able to adjust tactics timely.He also has to have the players motivated and trained to do so.Quality is a cop out in this case. When Anchelotti talked about quality his tactics were up to speed.When Moyes and Dyche talk about quality their tactics aren't.

Andy Duff
89 Posted 17/03/2025 at 07:28:00
Danny, I couldn't disagree with you more about a night game as the last ever game. What about families and kids that go the game

The match can only be played on Sunday or Monday because of the FA cup. If they move it to Monday night out will be an 8pm kick off. Means the match won't be finishing until before 10, you've then got the lap of honour at end plus people wanting to stay etc. So what after 11 when we get out, that's before you then have to get home. Plus the build up to the game too, public transport will be missed if it's that late, get a hotel...ok yea that's feasible for every single fan

Having it as a night game is the worst possible thing. I've seen loads of comments about fans travelling up for the weekend, even without tickets to say goodbye. It should be a day long celebration not an afterthought on a Monday night. The overwhelming majority of fans I've seen comment do not want this.

Danny O'Neill
90 Posted 17/03/2025 at 08:26:22
I appreciate everyone's circumstances are different, Andy. This is just my preference on what I would like to see. Ultimately I don't decide.

People always find a way. You see plenty of supporters with young children at away matches in the likes of London with evening kick-offs.

As it stands, I'm the category of travelling up regardless as to whether I have a ticket or not. I'm fortunate in that I have family I can stay with.

I still don't understand why the club didn't consider having the match on the screens at the new stadium. Not for everyone, but it would still have allowed more to feel part of it.

Neil Cremin
91 Posted 17/03/2025 at 09:00:02
On yesterday's game, even the commentators on EvertonFC.com were bored but we are still unbeaten after 9 games, and at least 6 points left behind with better finishing.

Our real test will come in our forthcoming fixtures and see how the team performs.

This may be an unpopular comment but if Beto or Calvert-Lewin missed the chance that Charly missed at the end to win the game, I could imagine the derisory comments they would get.

Andy Duff
92 Posted 17/03/2025 at 09:31:30
Danny fair enough, for me, my lad and Nephew are 13 and we live fairly local so it's not that much of an issue for us.

I sit in the family enclosure and there are quite a few in there who are not happy, you see a lot of empty seats or different faces on a night game as they are too late for a lot of kids.

I just think the club majorly screwed up, they requested this weekend meaning it could be moved. If they had left it to the last game of the season it would have been guaranteed an afternoon and everyone could have plans in place already.

Either way it's going to be emotional, it really hit home this weekend 5 left now 4.

Mark Murphy
93 Posted 17/03/2025 at 09:40:27
If I was to be selfish, I'd prefer the Monday night as it means I'd be more likely to get a ticket in the away end from my Southampton STH mate.

But - it's got to be Sunday 4pm surely? Then it's still a stand-alone game so will be on the telly in the Harlech (for us unlucky bastards, Danny) and will suit both sets of fans* including the families.

*My mate the Saints fan reckons they are very keen to attend the last ever game at Goodison Park as well – it's historic for them as well as us.

Danny O'Neill
94 Posted 17/03/2025 at 09:52:09
I think there are quite a few like that, Mark. I thought Southampton might be one of those where they hand back to Upper Bullens part of the away section.

It was the same with West Ham.

I checked the Arsenal website yesterday on the off-chance of getting one of theirs. I could have had one for their match yesterday against Chelsea or Fulham, who they play before us. But their allocation at Goodison is already sold out.

Dave Abrahams
95 Posted 17/03/2025 at 10:03:01
Neil (91),

I don't think it would be a great surprise if Everton get a few more points from those April games than a lot of fans think. Not so much from Everton's present form but Arsenal, Chelsea seem to be struggling, the Liverpool game is a derby where anything can happen, and Liverpool – although top of the league – have struggled against Southampton and Wolves at home.

They were played off the field yesterday in a cup final; mind you, Everton haven't played well since they came back from their holiday in the sun and they have another long rest before they play in the derby game — these rests don't seem to do them much good.

I think the Fulham, Forest and Newcastle games could be tougher and they are all away.

Brian Harrison
96 Posted 17/03/2025 at 10:28:36
Saturday highlighted exactly why, as Moyes said, we need more quality. You can only get so far on effort and endeavour.

How we are supposed to win games with 2 wingers who Thelwell and Dyche brought in, who don't score and don't get any assists?

We are having to play our possible 3rd choice striker who somehow Moyes has got performing at his maximum, and a Number 10 who can't control or pass with any accuracy. Prior to Saturday, he has had very little chance to change things.

I also think it was a very shrewd move to send Armstrong to Derby, where he seems to be flourishing; it can only benefit him and us next season. We certainly lack a Bruno Fernandes type of creative player and, while he is out of our league, that is an area I am sure Moyes will be looking at.

So, given the lack of quality mainly in forward areas, for us to be almost guaranteed Premier League football next season, Moyes deserves a lot of credit.

Mark Murphy
97 Posted 17/03/2025 at 12:53:13
Personally I hate it when managers talk in the media about needing better quality. It's insulting to the players we have who are doing their best.

To my mind, that's when Dyche lost the players. He asked what we and the board expect him to do with such a poor squad. If I'd been in that poor squad, I would have told him to fuck off and use his master class to do his job with the resources he had and stop blaming anyone but himself.

I'm pleased that Moyes has turned things around but I wish he'd praise the players rather than do them down.

Jerome Shields
98 Posted 18/03/2025 at 07:20:59
Just looked at the fixture list.Glad Everton have a points cushion.Everton will get some points when they right Everton turn up.But when they don't it will be good also, because it will put the pressure on Moyes and stop him getting comfortable at Finch Farm.We also have a dreaded break coming up. Hopefully Moyes will be able to deal with his inferiority complex when playing against the top sides.His stats are still poor against top sides.
Danny O'Neill
99 Posted 18/03/2025 at 07:39:19
I'd agree with both Brian and Mark (and Moyes). But the manager doesn't need to broadcast it. Keep it to yourself, keep the players motivated for however long they will be here, while you work on identifying improvements that we know we need.

Jerome, we'll pick up points next month, starting at Anfield.

I'm not a fan of these breaks due to how the fixtures have fallen, it will have been 18 days without a game. Then it's straight in to try and influence the title race, playing Liverpool and Arsenal in the space of 4 days.

Jerome Shields
100 Posted 18/03/2025 at 07:58:30
The problem with breaks at Everton is that they are seen as rests in Everton's rest and recovery regime, whilst other Clubs keep up the intensity of their High Performance regimes.They also allow as a result a Finch Farm switch off.Everton play better when they have a busy schedule because the lack of intensity in a rest and recovery regime is compensated for.In other words it is better the buggers are working.

Hoping for a all firing Everton after a break has always been a small town outside wishful thinking.

Ian Bennett
101 Posted 18/03/2025 at 08:13:57
Yep, everyone is up for increasing the intensity of fitness abroad. But theres a time and a place.

The squad needed the break.

We were massively down on numbers with a fair chunk in the injury bay, and we just couldn't handle another 2 or 3 injuries to key players. Non of us know how many are playing with injuries either.

It might be different now, but ex players always commented that they rarely played 100% fit.

The drop off is more that the players know their safe in my view. With little to play for, they will ease off. We've seen it all before.

Tony Abrahams
102 Posted 18/03/2025 at 08:34:44
If this is the case then it tells us a lot about the way the club has been run for way too long imo, Ian.

The players should be beginning to enjoy playing without any real pressure on them for the first time in years but, I suppose this doesn’t really happen for players with limitations, players who have to play at full throttle, if they’re to be able to compete at this level?

The squad needs an influx of quality, a few better players who can help drag a few of the others, to up their game, and this is why we are facing such an important window imo.

Neil Cremin
103 Posted 18/03/2025 at 22:20:03
Dave @95
Agree
Instead of heading into this set of fixtures with fear and trepidation, I am looking forward to them to test this team’s resolve in tougher battles. Especially if we have some of the injured players back.
I’m not of the view as is so often touted here on TW that most of the players are championship at best.
Jerome Shields
104 Posted 19/03/2025 at 03:48:13
Ian#101

The poor darlings are in one competition since January and challenging for nothing, survival having been achieved.Medical Services have more couches than any other Premier League Club.

To be at the right level, at this stage they should be full on till the end of the season so as to be in the right condition for the Summer and the start of next season.Otherwise the preseason and start of next season will be the usual mediocre. The points cushion can slip pretty fast. Even Liverpool will not win the Premiership by 13 points.

As Tony says it says alot about the past running of the Club, particularly the ex player comments.

Danny#98

I agree regarding the Merseyside Derby..


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