Report Bright start descends into miserable farce Everton began their final season at Goodison Park with a lively start against Brighton & Hove Albion but an early goal disallowed was just the beginning of a ridiculous descent into laughable farce with everything going wrong that could. Michael Kenrick 17/08/2024 148comments (last) Tim Iroegbunam makes his Everton debut Everton 0 - 3 Brighton & Hove Albion Everton began their final season at Goodison Park with a lively start against Brighton & Hove Albion but an early goal disallowed was just the beginning of a ridiculous descent into laughable farce with everything going wrong that could. Despite Sean Dyche and his coaching team taking an ultra-cautious approach to the management of niggles that could develop into more serious problems during a particularly strenuous pre-season, his team selection has been knocked for six by the absence of Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson, Jarrad Branthwaite, James Garner and Youssef Chermiti — along with promising youngster Stan Mills — all sidelined by significant injuries. Of the young and inexperienced newcomers incoming during thee transfer window, only Tim Iroegbunam makes it to the starting line-up, the others on the bench where U21 players Metcalfe and Armstong make up the numbers. Everton got the final season underway in the hazy sunshine with a wonderful upfield punt from Pickford to give Brighton the ball. An excellent challenge by Iroegbunam stopped Mitoma in his tracks. A second punt from Pickford went straight into touch. Jack Harrison burst into the Brighton area and lashed a meaty shot that forced Steele into a good save at the expense of a corer that Harrison put into the net for Everton's first goal... but no, he was declared offside having stayed pretty close to Steele as the ball was played on to him. Iroegbunam was keen on the midfield challenge but the other blue shirts failed to anticipate his liveliness. Everton escaped a penalty call on Tarkowski when Joao Pedro went down before Doucoure broke at pace with McNeil in support and fired onto the post before failing to net the rebound when he finally discovered the offside Flag was raised. Article continues below video content In some lively action, Joao Pedro fired a surprise shot past Pickford and onto the post! No shortage of excitement in the first 10 minutes! Calvert-Lewin did well to set up Jack Harrison but he was put off by a defender as he shaped to shoot feebly wide. Wieffer fouled Iroegbunam in an advanced position, McNeil taking charge, Tarkowski heading over his free-kick off the top of his head at the far post. But Everton kept pushing forward in a fairly positive way until a poor pass allowed Brighton to break at pace until Tarkowski got in their way at the expense of Brighton's first corner, headed behind. Mitoma got inside, easily past Young, but Tarkowski again blocked him. Some really lively challenges excited the crowd, with Everton winning on points but still awaiting the first goal, as more crosses from Harrison went astray. Iroegbunam stole the ball off a poor Brighton clearance and strode forward but curled his shot wide when he really should have at least kept it on target. From Pickford, a good flick-on by Calvert-Lewin was followed by a dreadful return cross from Doucoure. Brighton's attack looked to have some better shape and a Millner cross could have easily been converted. Keane played a great ball out to Harrison but he overran it and the turnover saw Brighton scamper upfield for Mitoma to score very easily off Minteh's cross to the far post. Brighton realised they could slice through this Everton defence at will, Minteh spooning his shot over. At the other end, a cleared cross came out nicely for Gana to lash his customary shot off target over the bar. Iroegbunam worked his way forward but Doucuore had strayed offside before his shot was blocked. Milner was booked for his very late studs-up challenge on Mykoenko. Calvert-Lewin collected a dropping ball very well but then lost it immediately. Calvert-Lewin got another good flick-on but Doucoure lost it almost immediately. Everton countered the lively Brighton press but again both Dooucoure and Calvert-Lewin were offside for the forward ball. Iroegbunam again got forward but was deemed to have pushed a defender. Pickford finally punted left rather than right before the ball was switched across to Harrison, Iroegbunam keeping the attack alive without creating a proper chance. Everton tried to build again and McNeil played in his first cross from the left – which perhaps showed why he had been denied the ball played down his side. Mykolenko was released only so he could reprise the shocking crossing skill that had been very much the theme of this half. Minteh came in hard into Mykolenko as he cleared a dropping ball in the Brighton area, and managed to hurt himself in the process, eventually withdrawn for concussion, with Mykolenko walking away unscathed. McNeil got in a quick cross but again it only found a yellow shirt. Another forward ball over the top; another yellow flag for Docure again offside. It looked like a lively and entertaining half but any meaningful critical analysis would surely show that Everton's play was riddled with technical mistakes which Dyche should have been doing a lot more to counter and rectify in pre-season. No changes, of course, as Brighton restarted. Iroegbunam again stopped a poor attempt to play out and eventually the ball fell to Calvert-Lewin who was clattered by Dunk and Simon Hopper gave a penalty. But then of course VAR had to get involved and, in the slo-mo, contact did look very limited as Calvert-Lewin went down in overly dramatic fashion. No penalty. Harrison's was headed by Doucoure but deflected off Veltman and it grazed off Dunk's arm but VAR again said No Penalty. Meanwhile, Veltman needed treatment but was not withdrawn for concussion. Gueye then simply gifted the ball away and Welbeck strolled forward to slot far too easily past Pickford. Shocking defensive play by Everton. Everton laboured to create anything, Harrison getting a millsecond to shoot before two defenders blocked him out. Pickford out quickly to nullify a good out ball by Brighton that would not have been offside. Harrison again got forward but again the cross was easily snuffed out. It had of course taken Sean Dyche over an hour and two goals conceded before he would concede this probably wasn't working. But the only change was Ndaiye for offside exhibitionist Doucoure. Iroegbunam was next to give the ball away and Mitoma came so close to beating Pickford. Everton cleared the corner but Calvert-Lewin, who had been offside for Pickford's previous punt, was now way too far back in defence to profit from it. Another ridiculous moment made this shitshow go immediately from seriously bad to absolutely shocking — Young getting done by Mitoma, grabbing his arm to stop him escaping, and getting an obvious red card. Somehow the ragged Blues defense prevented Mitoma from scoring Brighton's third off the free-kick. Tarkowski was lucky not to see a yellow card for his clumsy tackle on Joao Pedro. Tarkowski was called upon for another superb stop on the other side of the field to stop Adingra. Beto replaced Calvert-Lewin with 15 minutes left. Iroegbunam's first attempt to feed him wasn't accurate enough. The yellow card that Tarkowski had been working hard for finally came when Joao Pedro spun him and needed stopping illegally. Another Brighton attack sliced through the beleaguered Blue shirts and Pickford had to make a crucial interception. Everton managed to clear the following corner but again, no-one forward and Brighton free to build their attack again. Harrison's replacement by Holgate 5 minutes from the end signalled that resistance was futile; Adingra found it very, very easy to scamper forward and slot past Pickford again. What was meant to be a wonderful start to the final season at Goodson Park had begun brightly with Everton getting forward but crucially with nothing gained before the game descended into a dismal farce before a rapidly emptying Goodison Park as a ridiculous 9 minutes were added as Brighton scored their fourth goal – clearly offside. Everton: Pickford, Young [R:65'], Tarkowski [Y:78'], Keane, Mykolenko, Gana, Iroegbunam, Harrison (85' Holgate), Doucoure (63' Ndiaye), McNeil, Calvert-Lewin (76' Beto). Subs not Used: Virginia, O'Brien, Maupay, Lindstrøm, Metcalfe, Armstrong. Brighton & Hove Albion: Stelle, Dunk (75' Webster), Milner [Y:31'] (82' Gilmour), Joao Pedro (82' Sarmiento), Minteh (45+1' Adingra), Welbeck, Mitoma (89' Ayari), Wieffer, Van Hecke, Veltman, Hinshelwood. Subs not Used: Rushworth, Barco, Baleba, O'Mahony. Referee: Simon HooperVAR: Darren England Reader Comments (148) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Mike Hayes 1 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:00:39 Fingers crossed for 3 points 🤷💙 Simon Dalzell 2 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:18:24 Team as expected. Can't argue with it. Will watch on TV. Wishing I was There. Hopefully an enjoyable and safe day for all who are. At least it seams we have one or two options off the bench as well. COYB. Dennis Stevens 3 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:22:30 I know nobody seems to do 442 anymore, but I do wonder whether Maupay playing off Calvert Lewin might be quite effective, especially at home. Mark Ryan 4 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:22:48 Holgate & Maupay on our bench. God help us Steve Shave 5 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:25:28 Looking at that squad we need back up LB, RB another winger and a starting CM. Good lord. We can do this though, have to stay tight, hopefully the improved bench will keep the starting 11 on their toes. COYB. Robert Tressell 6 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:25:29 Exciting to see how Tim Iroegbunam fares in midfield.Well done, Jenson Metcalfe. Hope he gets some minutes this season to help his development.COYB. Alan J Thompson 7 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:29:48 Well, I suppose he has made some changes to the bench.Otherwise, it's the same old spots, but did we have three keepers to put there? Christine Foster 8 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:34:29 I'm surprised Keane got the nod, not surprised at the line-up, First home game of the season: handed the initiative to Brighton with our team selection. Safety and caution first, so a bit disappointed with that but it's up to the guys, create the chances and we will win this! Will Mabon 9 Posted 17/08/2024 at 14:53:07 Very cautious start. Harrison — so inspiring. Si Cooper 10 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:06:04 Our injuries have really stacked up (on a thin squad) and it's hard to gauge when we will have enough to choose from that Maupay and Holgate will drop out of the matchday considerations.Let's go with ‘Life is Bluetiful!' The steady eddies will keep it tight for 70 minutes and then the flair from the bench will be given a run-out and wrap up the points with a late flourish.COYB / UTFT! Neil Lawson 11 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:06:15 Said it this morning. So predictable. So depressing. A half of tedious bollocks – only likely to improve when the subs come on – may be too late. I just do not understand the rationale. Sean Kearns 12 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:21:27 Same team, same usual shit. Get Lindstrøm, Ndiaye, O'Brien and whoever else on. Brain-dead twats!!! I can't wait til the new lads are in the team… Mitoma runs the length of the pitch, makes and scores the goal. But McNeil can't even score from 3 yards!!! Wankers!!! Dyche was right to say the entire team is for sale! Ernie Baywood 13 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:38:57 This is just incredible from Doucoure. Setting new standards.He can't possibly come back out in the second half. Anthony Jones 14 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:43:12 The best footballers are on the bench.Shocking that we went one-nil down, isn't it? Nicolas Piñon 15 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:48:42 Get Doucoure and Mykolenko off. McNeil left-back, Lindstrøm left-wing and Ndiaye on as a No 10 and see what happens. Good player, the Villa guy, Iroegbunam. Alan J Thompson 16 Posted 17/08/2024 at 15:57:23 A funny first half which could be 6 all instead of 1-0.We started by playing the long ball for a few minutes which came out to Harrison and stayed like that for almost the entire half. Iroegbunam apart, the midfield looked disjointed and I couldn't fathom why McNeil stayed so wide left instead of coming inside more often, especially when it was with Harrison.The goal was a bit soft – almost as if a slow defence had been caught too far up the pitch – but I hope Mr Dyche has enough time at halftime to explain the offside rule to several of the players, Doucoure in particular. Ernie Baywood 17 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:06:57 I'll never wrap my head around the concept of Doucoure as a Number 10.It doesn't compute on any level. John Wignall 18 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:09:18 Penalty! Ernie Baywood 19 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:11:22 So VAR is fucked.New season. Same old shit. John Wignall 20 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:12:49 No penalty for me. Ernie Baywood 21 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:14:31 Soft. But I don't see how VAR overrules when there's clear contact. Stephen Davies 22 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:22:45 From the BBC:Hang on, just on that Everton no-penalty...It turns out there was a technical issue with the VAR screen so referee Simon Hooper wasn't able to see any replays. He overturned his decision on VAR's advice! Kieran Kinsella 23 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:29:13 Young was crap all game — the red just capped it. Calvert-Lewin wants more than £130k a week? Hilarious. Harrison and the new guy were good in the first half. Danny Baily 24 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:30:08 Embarrassingly predictable stuff. Pretty much the worst start we could have made. Ernie Baywood 25 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:33:20 I thought Calvert-Lewin was good first half, Kieran.Based on what we're seeing, we can't afford to lose him. And the words "Mason Holgate is being readied" are uttered… Ernie Baywood 26 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:37:01 Probably 20 minutes left.Are we just not bothering? Simon Dalzell 27 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:49:27 I'll just be true to what I've said from the start. Dinosaur Dyche OUT. John Wignall 28 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:52:00 Awful. Enough said. Andy Mead 29 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:52:38 100% on Dyche. Picked a negative side and has paid for it. Holgate on at home with 10 minutes left and 2-0 down? Your joking. Creative players left on the bench whilst we watch the same shit who can't pass 5 yards. Get him out right now! Long ball punt it into the corner rubbish. Complete humiliation. Ernie Baywood 30 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:53:30 No argument from me, Simon. You change a game when things aren't working but it's still winnable. That's not what happened here. We just persisted with smashing the ball towards Harrison while Doucoure stood offside.That was the plan, right? Dave Lynch 31 Posted 17/08/2024 at 16:54:23 So let's get this straight... we have no attack (again) and Dyche has done nothing about it.They have a young inexperienced forward thinking manager.We have a fucking fossil who couldn't organise a gang bang in a brothel.Gonna be a long season. Neil Tyrrell 32 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:00:04 Sometimes teams look galvanized when down to 10 men; we just look beaten. Thanks to our wise old heads Gueye and Young for their contributions to Brighton's cause. Doucoure and Calvert-Lewin need to gain some awareness of what offside is, must have been off 10 times between them in the first half. McNeil was useless too. Very sobering way to start the season. On the bright side, Harrison and (especially) Iroegbunam looked good in the first half. Mark Tanton 33 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:00:48 We all deserve better than to start yet another season in a mess. Calvert-Lewin the main waste of space but not the only one out there. We are so far off, it's almost laughable. Mike Gaynes 34 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:00:49 100% on the players. Veteran defenders making amateur mistakes -- Young, Gana, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Doucoure offside 6 times. You can blame Dyche for putting on Holgate, but the game was already gone by then. Veteran players are expected to perform to their appropriate standards. Only the oft-derided Harrison and Keane did so. And the debut of Iroegbunam was all we could have hoped for. Lindstrøm must be in the lineup for Gana next week. Perhaps Ndiaye for Doucoure. Tragically, Holgate will be at right-back. Sickening. Phil Smith 35 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:01:02 Disgusted by that performance... from Dyche. Made 4 positive signings, 3 with serious goal threat, and only starts the one who doesn't. What did he expect? The same team and same start as last year. On top and should be taking the lead. Don't and pay the price. Carbon copy of last year. Young and Coleman not up to it. No pace in the side. Up against one of the quickest and trickiest wingers in Mitoma and what happens? Bloody obvious. Game crying out for Dixon to have a go, who must be one of the quickest players in the league. I'd rather a young kid be given a chance and make mistakes than a has-been who'll be hanging his boots soon. Criminal from Dyche. 100% blame squarely on his shoulders. Have some balls, man.Calvert-Lewin doesn't move anymore. Beto is shite but at least he tries. Doucoure is a waste of space. Is always offside and offers nothing. McNeil is way off the pace and was all pre-season. Only one who gave a shit was Harrison, who did look bright pre-season. Pete Ellingham 36 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:01:07 These are the games we should win! No excuses — it just isn't good enough. I mean, Holgate… for fuck's sake – I am a better player than him and I'm 47 and my body is knackered! I give up, I'm not doing this anymore! Pat Kelly 37 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:03:36 I said a few days ago that this squad would do well to stay up. We need at least a couple more in. But what's the point really, when Dyche continues to field Young, Keane, Holgate and leaves new signings on the bench? Yes it's only the first game, but this isn't Dyche's first rodeo. We know what to expect. And it's invariably crap. Mike Doyle 38 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:06:54 Same old, same old. No pace on either flank. Manager refusing to make changes before 60 minutes despite being required much earlier.Difficult to see how this season is likely to be any better than the last two. I think we are in for a long hard season.Well done, Tim - easily our best player. Harrison had a go too. John Hall 39 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:09:44 That was a shocker. Hoof ball from the first minute and silly errors from experienced players.Another long hard slog to try to get to the new ground still in the Premier League.New season optimism has already evaporated.Put your suit back on, Dyche. Mike Gaynes 40 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:10:05 I'll say this for Thelwell: The Iroegbunam - Onana swap, +$54M, was absolute genius. Skinned Villa clean on that one. Steve Brown 41 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:12:02 Get ready for next week, Roman Dixon. It would be an exciting surprise to see a right-footed player on our right flank, given that every quality long diagonal ball was wasted when it landed at Harrison's feet. He tried hard but should not be considered there again. As for Young, he might be able to manage at left-back… but right-back against Mitoma?!Gana, Tarkowski, Doucoure, Young were all atrocious, as was Dyche's game management when we went a goal down. His decision to bring on Holgate should have been accompanied by a laughter track over the tannoy.Dyche surely has to change the team for Spurs; he will probably play a back three now. Arnez Desmond 42 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:12:22 Please Everton do not renew Sean Dyche's contract. He is total rubbish. Why play Keane, Young and Doucoure? All useless. Why play 4-4-1-1 when you can play 3-5-1-1 just to fit Young and Doucoure in the team? This was a disaster waiting to happen. Lee Courtliff 43 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:17:53 Can't wait to hear people defend Dyche and Young on here, it's going to be hilarious. Ian Edwards 44 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:18:00 Brighton turned up with 2 up front. We play one at home. Dyche schooled by a 31-year-old. Get Gueye out the team. Terrible, terrible player. My dog could protect the defence better. Peter Gorman 45 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:18:43 There has been too much ding-dong between fans over Dyche as manager, boiling down to whether or not there is a better candidate out there who would actually take the job?But at least the consensus seems to be that, as a manager, he is dog-shit. We can take some comfort in the consensus. Ray Jacques 46 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:19:44 Keane, Holgate, and Young should be nowhere near a Premier League club. Young sent off, what a surprise — who would have predicted he would cock it up?The failure to sign a right-back is criminal. It's going to be another long and joyless season. Spurs away next so we will still be bottom.I was optimistic this morning… within 4 hours, Everton have destroyed that!!! I thought Brighton looked very good. Steve Brown 47 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:19:49 That is not the consensus at all, Peter. Kevin Molloy 48 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:20:33 We had half a team out, and can't play the new lads yet cos this team needs workers like Harrison and Doucoure, we soon notice them when they're not there. We've seen this 3-0 loss play out loads of times now, it's what happens. The first goal is the key. There is a negativity and sense of entitlement about the club sometimes, we are lucky to be competing in this league, given the horrible errors that have been made. Leaving early and booing players on day one, disgraceful. If you don't like what you see, don't go. Annika Herbert 49 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:20:35 A truly awful performance, it has to be said. But, given our current financial state, do any of you people calling for Dyche's head seriously believe there will be a change of manager?Personally, I think he will keep us up again but it won't be pretty. We clearly need cover at both full-back positions if Patterson isn't going to be given a decent run at right-back. Maybe Dixon can step up?A sickening start to the new season admittedly, but a change of manager? Absolutely no chance.I, along with many others no doubt, can only hope to see both Ndiaye and Lindstrøm in the line up next week. Things can only get better. Can't they!!? Phil Smith 50 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:20:36 I see Dixon got 2 assists for the U21s on Friday night against Blackburn as well.Get him in the squad. Dean Williams 51 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:20:58 Type your post at your own peril on here. Too many who think you can't have your own opinion. Dyche is a cunt who would rather repeatedly give old Ashley Young a game, than a young kid a chance. I'd rather see a young player make mistakes and learn, than that old man at right-back. Another shite season of struggle with that arsehole at the helm. Que all the Dyche lovers now. Bring it on. Andy Meighan 52 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:20:58 One game in and we are staring down the barrel.That was an absolute shambles from start to finish – and all down to Dyche.Makes signings and only played... One, and that was by default because, if Garner would have been fit, he plays.Only one player came out of that with any credit: Iroegbunam; the rest were atrocious.And while I'm on, I've never seen a substitution empty a ground out like Holgate's – who, by the way, starts next week.Thanks for ruining my weekend, boys. David Connor 53 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:21:40 Brighton are a good outfit. But that one lies 100 % at shit player selection by Dyche. Young! O'Brien had a good pre-season and gets totally ignored in place of Keane.Then he brings deadhead Holgate on. Ndiaye and Lindstrøm surely need to start the next game. Truly awful opening-day performance. Andy Crooks 54 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:22:51 A line can be drawn under that dreadful performance — if the coach sees where he went wrong and makes the necessary changes. He won't — and that is why the stink of that show will linger for quite a while. Christy Ring 55 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:23:43 Thelwell is trying to bring in players with one hand tied behind his back. I still thought he should have tried to bring in Phillips, who would be an upgrade on Gueye, but Dyche said in his press conference that was never in his plans. Mark Ryan 56 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:24:05 Right now, I'd take Moyes over Dyche. The idea of Holgate playing alongside Keane is scary. I can see Branthwaite reaching for his phone "Get me out of here!" Such a disappointing start to a season. Paul Hewitt 57 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:24:59 Andy @54. Dyche has never changed in his career. He's a terrible stubborn manager. Mike Gaynes 58 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:25:47 Peter #45, no consensus at all on that. Christy #55, I trust Thelwell completely, and I believe he will succeed in bringing in a right-back. Frank Fearns 59 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:27:13 It was all summed up beautifully by bringing Holgate on near the end. The straw that broke Dyche's back. Colin Malone 60 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:27:32 Sack the cunt tonight. He threw the towel in when he took Harrison off.We're going nowhere fast with this horrible football. Terry Farrell 61 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:29:55 Mike, spot on. Tim Iroegbunam was brilliant but, on 60 minutes, he was spent but stayed on… why? Young is the Joe Biden of the Premier League — nowhere to be seen on the first goal and killed us with the red card. It must be frustrating for him knowing what his capabilities used to be. I am a fan of Sean Dyche except for his use of substitutions. He doesn't put enough fresh legs on. At 2-0, go shit or bust. Give the new signings a run. Danny Baily 62 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:30:23 One winnable home game wasted. We don't have many these days, and we need to chart a path to 10 wins.A simultaneous gut punch and reality check. I had one eye on the Ipswich match earlier, as we'll be down in the mud with them come May.I still think the manager is the right man for the job. And I think we've done as well as we could reasonably have expected to in the transfer market. Andrew Merrick 63 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:32:14 Mike 40, You found something positive to comment, when today's game offered us nothing to enthuse about. If Thelwall can magic up an all-round full-back happy on either side, then we can rebalance our back line...I can only repeat what others are saying though, what are Young, Keane and flipping Holgate doing in the first team?Oh boy, here we go again Blues... Ian Edwards 64 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:32:52 3-0 down at home and at no time did we have more than one forward on the pitch. I believe Calvert-Lewin will leave before the end of the window. Beto is awful. So is the injured Chermiti. Not sure where the Onana money is but a new forward is needed. What is needed more than anything though is a spine and a pair of bollocks for Dyche. Mike Gaynes 65 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:32:53 Phil #50, those here on TW who have watched Dixon in person are pretty much unanimous that he's not ready for the Premier League. Exciting going forward but positionally clueless at the back. I've only seen him once, on TV in the preseason, but observers like Dave Abrahams know their stuff. Colin Malone 66 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:33:31 We need this player, that player. We need a coach / manager. I'm an angry fan watching horrible football and a one-trick pony as a manager. Jeff Armstrong 67 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:33:34 Dyche won't take risks with Dixon, Metcalfe, Armstrong Lindstrøm etc — but he takes risks with Young, Keane, McNeil Doucoure, every week.Have some balls, Dyche, and stop picking the same old same old with the same old results. Ajay Gopal 68 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:34:03 Well and truly beaten by a superior side. What a team Brighton have gotten themselves. They did not panic when we were on top in the initial phase.For us, we had a good start but nowhere near the finishing quality that Brighton have. The turning point was when Calvert-Lewin went down for the penalty claim. Watching in my living room, I was surprised that the penalty was given and it felt like Dom had gone down too easily. I was unfortunately proven right. Lack of confidence from Dom is my conclusion. After that, it was a one-way street for Brighton. The mistakes from Gana and Young proved to be fatal.The positives:Tim Iroegbunam – looked looked good in the 1st half but faded badly later on.Harrison – he kept running and was the only attacking outlet for us in the 1st half. I can see why Dyche plays him.The others:Young – you've got to feel sorry for him, the game has gotten faster and he is getting slower. Can't blame him for getting selected.Keane and Tarkowski – just not the same as Branthwaite and Tarkowski.Mykolenko – not his best game but kept trying.McNeil – same as Mykolenko above.Gana – his mistake apart, he was decent, but the lack of passing ability is a huge handicap.Pickford – very iffy performance, got beaten 3 times on the same side.Holgate – it wasn't nice for the camera to focus on one very angry individual who was mouthing obscenities when he came on. Sad to see a once decent player being mercilessly hounded by the home crowd. Hope he moves on for his own good.Beto and Ndiaye – came on too late, and the 11 vs 10 situation clouded their performance.Calvert-Lewin – he did not have a good game and, although I am a fan of his, I thought he chickened out of the goal-scoring opportunity. Poor!Doucoure – had a really poor game and his flurry of offsides were the prime reason for the tide to turn in Brighton's favour after such a bright start. So, where do we go from here?I wanted desperately for us to sign Kalvin Phillips. It is too soon, in my opinion, for Tim Iroegbunam to be expected to be our midfield anchor. He needs someone experienced to guide him through – Gana and Doucoure are not those players.But, we might have a solution in the squad – Dele Alli. If I were Dyche, I would do everything in my power to get him fit and playing. Even 50% of the Dele of old would bring a calmness to our play. He is the ideal player to replace Doucoure in the starting XI.Secondly, the right-back position needs to be addressed urgently. Hopefully, we sign someone before the window closes… but, if not, get Garner fit and playing there. He did well in that do-or-die game against Bournemouth. And hopefully, Patterson will get fit again soon and play there.Not the start I predicted and not what we all hoped for, but it is early days and Dyche won't panic, as he shouldn't. Let us hope the players turn things around for the club. Mike Gaynes 69 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:35:43 Andrew #63, for what it's worth, I was very pleased with Keane today. His long diagonals out of the back were excellent. Jamie Crowley 70 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:35:53 I'd actually be defending Dyche normally.We played very well for the first 30 to 35 minutes. They pulled a smash-and-grab goal against the run of play.Mike Gaynes is right, this was down to individual player mistakes.Sans one glaring thing for me.Why in the hell do you put Holgate on? It's like a big "Fuck You" to all the fans. Unconscionable! Terrible sub that just took any positives from the game and soured them beyond repair in my opinion. Pissed me off to no end. Mike Gaynes 72 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:38:49 Jamie, no argument on that one. You know how I feel about Hagar Holgate The Horrible. But it has to be said that the game was gone by then. Tommy Carter 73 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:39:32 Out of the tens of thousands of Evertonians. How many felt picking Ashley Young was a good decision. I would guarantee that it would be less than 1%. Yet the most important person. The manager, insists on playing him. It makes absolutely no sense. Stuart Sharp 74 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:40:20 Dean #51You don't have to be a Dyche lover to think you're talking rubbish. Dyche worked miracles last season under unprecedented circumstances. His line-ups and subs are often maddening and I ain't no lover, put people have short memories and, in my view, can't see the bigger picture. Who was he supposed to play at RB anyway? Not making FBs a signing priority is odd, but that's not all Dyche. One game and all the haters are out in force. Sad. Kunal Desai 75 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:42:19 Probably need to take a step back here. Plenty including myself thought we were all getting relegated after the first three home league defeats of last season.Brighton are still a quality side, who tailed of last season when there manager made up his mind to leave long before the season finished.Back to us, we'll be fine. Probably lose a few more than we win and some draws in there. Let's remember half of this league is garbage. Dyche will still pull off results. Expect us to get between 45-50 points.I think fan pressure really does need to start cranking up again and this time on Moshiri to move forward with selling the club. Taking over a year to sell the club is scandalous. Mike Gaynes 76 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:42:46 Tommy, who would you have started instead? Zero alternatives. Jamie Crowley 77 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:42:56 Yes Mike, but the few minutes he did get he was abjectly awful.The offside goal was 100% down to him, he's lucky it didn't count.Holgate is a League Two player. He shouldn't even be on our bench. And to put him on is just inexplicable. What was Dyche's motivation to do so? Give literally anyone else minutes FFS! I admit it's focusing on something that wasn't ultimately game-changing, I just can't get over it. Terrible. it's stuff like that which turns fans against you. We can't afford to introduce avoidable bad mojo into the landscape this season! Jeff Armstrong 78 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:44:47 Hes probably brought Holgate on cos hes our right back next week. David Cooper 79 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:45:47 Onana scores a header from a corner in 4 minutes! Jamie Crowley 80 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:46:14 Jeff -Please, please no. Just no. Anyone else. If that happens I'll be distraught. Ralph Basnett 81 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:46:26 Doucoure was a passenger, Keane still making the same mistakes, Young old, Holgate really!The only shining light was the lad from Villa.Fucked whilst we have Dyche as he wont change. Mike Gaynes 82 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:46:36 Jamie #80, I despise Holgate, but watch the replay of the offside goal. It was down to Tarks, not Holgate. As with the first goal, Tarks was not alert to the danger on his shoulder. The guy came right down the middle and Tarks didn't run with him, just jogged back. Holgate tried to get over from his position to cover him but couldn't get there in time. Tarks had his worst game since joining us. Hopefully it was just a one-off. Jeff Armstrong 83 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:47:11 Jamie 83, its the only reason I can think of as to why he brought him on. Jim Bennings 84 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:48:09 You wonder what the logic was in opting for Michael Keane over a 22 year old center half we have just shelled good money on.Michael Keane who has basically been placed in football limbo this past two years, all of a sudden is a better choice than a central defender you started last week with?Bringing Holgate on, another forgotten man and complete walking disaster area?Is Dyche trying to make a point I wonder in saying "this is all I have at fullback, one old man that's fit, another old man that's never fit and a Scottish lad that's made from glass"?I'd have given the fans a huge boost by playing O'Brien, Ndiaye AND Lindstrom.We know what we get from McNeil, Harrison, Young, honest hard work but any type of attacking cohesion, any type of pace, guile, creativity is not even on the agenda.Same disjointed attacking play, same isolated forward, same poor end product, same poor final passes.We had a good purple patch around April where some of us felt quite optimistic but games like this, and most of last season has had us scratching our heads at how inept we can be in so many aspects, from managerial decisions to simple basic footballing skills on the pitch. Neil Lawson 85 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:48:09 It is only one game but it was utterly predictable from the moment the team was announced and it's the 3rd time today I have said this. This morning. At kick off and now. If it's so blatantly obvious to me and to many more , why is it happening ? Tim for Onana. Otherwise the usual and often inadequate suspects. Not a jot of progress despite purchasing 2 talented, hardworking and effective forward players. And A Young esq? Heaven help us. It looks like a very very long year ahead unless our esteemed and much lauded and vaunted manager pulls his head out of the sand and demonstrates some positivity and courage. Tommy Carter 86 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:50:31 @79 MikePlay a back three. If he insists on believe it Keane is a good player then put him in a three with wing backs. Or better still. Instead of giving him another contract, sign any other available right back Andy Peers 87 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:51:20 Mike Gaynes 79, Not sure if you watched pre season but the best right back was Roman Dixon and Dyche won't play him because of lack of experience. I guarantee he will not make as many mistakes as Young. Of course he will start Holgate at right back next week and it won't be good. Mike Gaynes 88 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:52:45 Jeff and Jamie, unless Dyche goes three at the back -- which I consider very, very unlikely -- Holgate is the only possible starter at RB next week. Every other possibility is suspended or injured. Some here have speculated that O'Brien can play the position but I've been unable to find any evidence that he has ever done so. I will have the same sick feeling at seeing Horrible on the pitch. Alan McMillan 89 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:52:47 Same as it ever was... attacking talent on the bench while we persevere with DCL, who was dreadful and does not want to be here, and Doucoure who was as inept as he has ever been. McNeil anonymous and Harrison is the worst crosser of a ball I've ever seen. Young should go to a retirement home. Beto looked like he couldn't be arsed when he came on. Dyche needs to take a good hard look at himself in the mirror, that team selection and game plan was so predictable. The cross field pass from tarks to Harrison is not working. Speaks volumes that the ground looked like it did during COVID 10 minutes from time. Danny Baily 90 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:54:55 Genuinely surprised to see Tim start in the middle today. Preseason is fine, and he's shown a little promise, but I thought he was a makeweight in a PSR loophole transfer. I certainly don't rate him as a regular starter at this level. Jeff Armstrong 91 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:55:06 Its so predictable, he will play Holgate over Dixon next week purely on games played on his CV, experience.But hes dogshit, we ALL know it will end horrifically at Spurs with Holgate, except for the man who picks the team. Kevin Prytherch 92 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:55:53 We started off well. We played positive, pressed in their half and created half chances that were often let down by silly offsides or poor final balls.They had one real chance and scored. For their first, I dont feel that goes in if Branthwaite is there as he would have been closer to the goal than Keane to make the angle of the pass different - and Young didnt pick up the winger.The VAR was laughable. Calvert Lewin clearly stands on the outstretched boot of Dunk and his standing foot visibly slides half a yard. Its impossible to stay upright in that circumstance, you immediately lose your balance. If you slide through a player its a foul - and you are effectively sliding under them. This is no different - and that changes the game completely. You could visibly see our heads drop immediately after that decision.2nd goal is exactly what many are afraid of every time Gueye plays. He can have excellent games but is always prone to a stupid mistake. Again - Brighton were clinical where we would likely have missed.Red card was inexcusable. I would have played Young today as we dont have another right back option - but hes proved today that he just isnt up to it anymore - especially at full back. Hopefully Coleman is back for the next game or I dread to think what Dyche might do. Holgate might, unfortunately, be our only realistic option. Id love to see Dixon played, but if he plays in a weakened team and makes a couple of mistakes that could be worse in the long run. Jeff Armstrong 93 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:56:29 Danny 93, Tim was our best player today. Stuart Sharp 94 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:57:12 Andy #90You guarantee he'll make fewer mistakes? Guarantee? A player who has never played in the PL, and in preseason looked very rapid but very naive? Nobody wanted to see Young but most managers in that situation pick him over a kid with 0 minutes. Mike Gaynes 95 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:57:17 Andy #90, as I mentioned above, I have seen him only briefly on TV, but those here on TW who watch the U21s and have seen Dixon regularly are in unanimous agreement with Dyche on his lack of defensive experience. Exciting but definitely not ready is the consensus. Ian Riley 96 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:59:23 Everton do it best!Sadly, the line-up told everything. Shame the manager didn't get it. Staying up is Success!! Ian Edwards 97 Posted 17/08/2024 at 17:59:54 Just seen short MOTD interview with Dyche. Clear pop at the fans. He was asked about the ground being empty before the end. He said that's the reality at this club if you're not winning. Jeff Armstrong 98 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:01:03 Id pick an inexperienced 18 year old before Holgate every time, but yes Young was his only choice today. Dave Cashen 99 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:03:13 Wheres the nearest cliff ???? Clive Rogers 100 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:03:19 A very worrying performance. Young completely off the pace. Gueye and Tarks were also. DCL and McNeil completely anonymous. Doucoure very poor. No real bright spots at all. The new guys should all start next week. Andy Peers 101 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:04:13 Mike 98 maybe so but the mistakes of Young and Holgate are inexcusable. Dixon could have those mistakes in him but he also adds another dimension that the other two do not offer. It is 90% likely we will lose next week so take a risk and play him. Young, Keane and Holgate are an immediate advantage to the opposition. David McMullen 102 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:05:03 Hope we sack Dyche fucking can't stand the twat. Get out of our club c**t twat Andy Peers 103 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:06:50 Stuart 97. He did not make any in Pre-season. That was what I was looking at. Stuart Sharp 104 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:10:38 Danny #93He was our best player preseason and our best player today bar none. Doucoure, on the other hand, is absolute pants every week. He gets less stick than Iwobi used to but countless attacks break down through him. To me, he was pure garbage today but Young gets all the bile. Young is past it. Doucoure is poor. And he made at least as many mistakes. George Cumiskey 105 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:11:48 We bought two players with pace which we were desperately in need of and what does Dyche do leave their on the bench and plays the two slowest players in the premiership on the wings ? He's got to go before it's too late, try and get Potter for god's sake. Clive Rogers 106 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:13:56 It was a completely ridiculous decision to give Young another year, he was poor last season. Jobs for the boys. Typical of this club, bad management. Colin Callaghan 107 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:14:27 Individual mistakes because we had them for the first half hour. Mykolenko rarely gets beat so easily. I blame him more than tarkowski because I wouldn't have expected myky to get beaten so easily either. No excuses for tarkowski but I think if you asked mykolenko he'd take all the blame. Gana for the second.Ash was our only option at RB. He made a mistake trying to bring the ball down. Not many others but after the red we were done. Brighton hold the ball to wellMost prem teams have people on the post so Jack wouldn't normally be offside and I'm still not sure it wasn't a penalty. Is that true Hooper never got to see the replay??Was loving Holgate not coming on for 20 mins but was furious we ended up bringing him on anyway. Anyone else. Sadly Michael Keane is like a QB and I haven't watched Obrien but Jarrad and Tarkowski can't hit diagonals like Keane. Shame he's an awful defender who isn't sure where to step next.Does Doucoure know what offsides is?? Soren Moyer 108 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:15:28 How!? How Dyche is still here? Holgate, Keane, Young, Gueye, Beto, Patterson, McNeil, Harrison and Coleman are still here? How the fuck are they all still here? Anthony A Hughes 109 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:15:40 Well Dyche maybe if you produced some attractive, attacking football that involved some goals being scored then maybe us long suffering fans would be there till the death.Prick Ian Edwards 110 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:17:47 Dyche lost me today. Had a chance to send out a fresh pacy team and he delivered a slow turd. Then he has a pop at the fans for not staying. Jerome Shields 111 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:18:22 Had to work and missed the game, which I am glad I did.Seems player errors where the main Everton problem. Ian Bennett 112 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:21:02 Traditional horror show to get the season going. I find it unfathomable that Dyche plays players who have let him down constantly in the past. Definition of insanity right?Pickford - poor kicking, and too easily beaten for 2nd and 3rd. Why he is still here is a mystery.Young - absolute liability. How you can go into a season with him as the only fit right back reflects where the club is. You might get away with 5 minutes here or there, but 100 minutes of football he's going to get punished & did. 1 game ban, wish it was 4.Mykolenko - skinned for the opener and no real quality through the game.Keane - heart is in your mouth with him. No where near good enough for the Premier League.Holgate - just amazing he got on the pitch. A terrible player on £70k a week. Again tells you everything about this club that he got on the pitch when he's so bad.Tarkowski - picked up a yellow, and was plugging the gaps of a piss poor back 4.Gana - lost a lot of duels and short range passing was wasteful. Gave away the second goal. Looks past it.Iroegbunam - good footballer, but tired in the 2nd half and started giving it away.Mcneil - lacks pace, quality, desire etc. I think he's terrible to play in a front 3 and contributed nothing, but stays on the pitch..Harrison - probably his brightest game on the right, but final ball is poor.Doucoure - gets forward, but is so limited. Constantly offside at 30 odd is just embarrassing.Dcl - robbed of a penalty with var having no right to take it off him. Scraps of service, his body language said what the fuck am I doing here.Dyche - poor. Team started bright enough, but end product is so lacking. Only one game but in for a long season if you're relying on Keane, Holgate, Gana, Doucoure, Mcneil, Harrison and Young. Clive Rogers 113 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:21:32 Colin, 110, Young was about 40 metres behind his man for the first goal. His fault. He wasnt even on the tv screen. Ed Prytherch 114 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:21:42 Most our players had poor games today so lets throw invective at Holgate. I hope that he does not read this crap. Chris Lawlor 115 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:22:40 Sack him today, plenty better options out there. Andrew Cronin 116 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:23:51 Another Shit ShowWere all in for another relegation battle Its clear Dyche can't make brave decisions he still hasn't learnt lessons from last seasonHe can't set his team up and his in game decision making is old school Jamie Crowley 117 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:25:37 Ed -Holgate should not be playing at this level. He's doesn't have the talent. It's that simple.And Dyche putting him on is another thing that's entirely reasonable to bitch about. John Charles 118 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:25:56 Well that was depressingly familiar. Decent start when we needed to score, incredibly poor second half. McNeil offering very little, Doucoure atrocious. Young ok until the sending off but that says everything about him. Not even going to comment on Keane. Thought Tim did really well first half before falling off second half. But very Dyche like - exactly the same as much of the dross last season. Mark Andrews 119 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:33:10 Where do you start with that debacle? Everton knowing they lack pace, creativity and cutting edge, neglect to sign a centre forward and leave their pace and creativity on the bench. Spud Dyche resets to his normal mode and goes with a centre half who should have departed the club a season or two ago and puts an ageing pro against a pacey team, expecting a different outcome than the norm. The one constant you can expect from Everton is an occasional capitulation, though less so last season. This one came early. It's going to be a long and painful season with the oligarchs bagman dithering with his sale. Let's face it, Moshiri didn't make his fortune by virtue of his businesses acumen. Welcome back. I miss the closed season David Hallwood 120 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:35:35 I think it's wrong to blame Young; blame the club. How in the name of god have started a new season knowing the 'first choice' RB is crocked, and isn't in fact the first choice because the manager obviously doesn't fancy him, with an injury prone 35year old and a 38 year old as backups is beyond belief.So the recruitment team couldn't identify a RB (and a backup LB for that matter) anywhere in the world, who could do a job? Instead of waiting round for Gnonto like a lovesick teenager, they should've been addressing the obvious flaws in the squad. Sam Hoare 121 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:36:03 Terrible result. Pretty terrible performance.The knives are out for Dyche but I dont think the alternatives were obvious. OBrien has just arrived and looked rusty vs Roma. NDiaye would have been nice but Doucoure has historically had the running needed against opponents like Brighton. No options at RB. Not saying I agree with the lineup but I dont see obvious mistakes.An obvious mistake has been not recruiting a RB. Ive mentioned this several times over the summer and dont quite understand why everyone has been prioritizing a CM or RW. We could use depth there too but we have NO OPTIONS at RB who are up to scratch.Early days but Tottenham away will be no picnic. Need JB back and hopefully a new RB in the market. The prospect of Holgate is not filling any of us with joy. Mike Price 122 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:39:57 Half our team are out injured, our neighbors have a fully fit squad of internationals and could have put 2 first teams out. Our recruitment, retention and sports science department are an utter disgrace.Dyche knows he has a season left; whoever buys us will not keep him on. He just needs to firefight and keep us up and his stock will remain high because of his ‘impossible work environment. Moshiri wont sack him because hes not bothered and couldnt pay him off or be bothered to bring in anyone else.Yet again our support at Goodison will be needed to drag us over the line. Utter shambles. Ian Edwards 123 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:40:01 Seems the fans turned on the players. DCL booed off. Holgate booed on. Keane was booed for a bad pass. One game in and it's toxic. After Spurs spank us it will be really poisonous if we go behind next home v Bournemouth. Derek Taylor 124 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:42:24 With the possible exception of Coleman, Evertonians have hated right backs ever since the days of Moyes.Hibbert should have been a local hero but was derided throughout his career and only towards the end of his days did Neville get anything other than stick.Patterson is a kid thought well of in Scotland but is derided by speccies young and old alike down here whilst Young was doing his manager a favour today knowing he would be murdered at `rb` - even before he got on the field.Astute Evertonians, my arse ! Ruthless observers and long distance word warriors, more like ! Joe McMahon 125 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:42:42 The tactics he uses with predicably predicably the same player's despite some being nearly 40, frustrating use of substitutions is the Sean Dyche way, and I'm ashamed that he is our manager. Sean has been in management for years but he will never change his outlook.We don't need reminding our manager was sacked by Burnley, and was out of work for months before Everton made their move for this limited, dated manager. He got nearly 3 million being sacked by Alan Pace. He's a very lucky guy. Pete Ellingham 126 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:42:58 I just dont want Dyche as a manger- anymore. I dont want DCL to be guaranteed a start when he doesnt even want to stay, he looks lazy and predictable. I dont want Ashley Young at our club, Keane or Holgate. I want Duke to not keep running offside! I want a manager that can do more than making players fit! 0-3 to Brighton, 0-3 to anyone at home is a bloody disgrace. Its bloody embarrassing! Absolutely, completely fed up! Shane Corcoran 127 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:45:36 Sam, Im not sure I fully agree. I think Coleman and Patterson are reasonable at right back for another season. Unfortunately Coleman got injured so were down to what I think is our third choice RB. The problem I have is Dyches apparent blind spot for Young. I didnt see the incident today but Ive never seen such an experienced player make mistakes youd expect from a 20 year old. And its exactly the reason the likes of Dyche, Moyes etc wouldnt play an inexperienced defender like Patterson. Roger Helm 128 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:55:20 Very disappointed but lets not go overboard. Its a very long season and a poor first game doesnt have to define it. I hope the club has warned players not to read TW for the sake of their mental health! As for Dyche, I agree he is not the most inspiring manager but lets not forget he kept Burnley in the PL, I.e. one or two divisions above their normal place for a long time, and got another poor side (us) up to 12th (prior to points deductions) last year. Its all very well saying sack him, but then what? Sam Hoare 129 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:56:38 Shane, I dont think its unfortunate Coleman got injured, hes had injury issues consistently for a few years now. Relying on him is poor planning. As for Patterson he has not progressed and it seems clear Dyche does not trust him. He looks suspect defensively in the PL and so is a poor fit for a manager who wants to keep it tight.I assumed RB would be a priority position to reinforce this summer. Not doing so cost us today and may well cost us again. Barry Rathbone 130 Posted 17/08/2024 at 18:58:48 Not totally unexpected given a few years of no serious transfer business but 0-3!! Not a sneaky one nil defeat but a 3 nil trouncing.Quite concerning really Billy Shears 131 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:00:29 This week I'd be ringing up Chelsea to see if there willing to do a loan deal for Gallagher.If our starting line up is similar next week then another 3-0 defeat will be looming down at the Spuds! Robert Williams 132 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:13:55 Didn't watch the game today but finding that we had been turned over 0 - 3 with a team consisting of Keane, Holgate and Young does not surprise me in the least. I am totally disappointed and ashamed that we seem to be heading into a relegation fight again this year. Our dip into the transfer market was disappointing and we are still saddled with deadwood that if kept any longer will helps start our own coal mine. I was encouraged at first to see that we were signing young players, when oh when can we expect to see these grace the hallowed turf of the 'Old Lady"?Thinking of my heath and age I question whether I am prepared tp put myself through the same shite as the past 2/3 years.10 games should be enough to decide whether I'm prepared to put up to this rubbish. I can think of umpteen other ways to make myself miserable. Ask the wife!! John Charles 133 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:14:50 Ian it was by no means toxic towards the players during the game. The booing when DCL went off was because DCL was being taken off when we were 2-0 down. If anything the booing was directed at Dyche and quite rightly in my opinion. Paul Ferry 134 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:24:14 Ian Edwards 126: "DCL booed off".No he wasn't. Brent Stephens 135 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:26:11 Very disappointing. Tim the main positive.Re Roman Dixon, watched him last season for the U21s and pre-season, and again last night at Southport. He's pacey going forward - but that's U21 level. And his defending is nothing at all to write home about. It's clutching at straws to suggest throwing him in against somebody like Mitoma - suicidal, for us and the lad's confidennce.Last season Dyche waited several games before starting Branthwaite - a mistake I thought at the time, and we know how well he performed once he started games. I just hope now that Dyche quickly gets Ndiaye starting instead of Doucoure. And that we quickly get the injured players fit again.Three at the back next week, with O'Brien starting? Brent Stephens 136 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:28:49 And just to add - Tim looked very good in pre-season friendlies and certainly didn't disappoint today. Well done, lad. Ian Edwards 137 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:29:18 John, Paul 136 and 137. I gave that info based on a fan report I read. If it's wrong then apologies. Gary Ferguson 138 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:36:28 A day that started with such positivity and flag waving, despite the foreshadowing of the most Dyche like team selection announced just 75 minutes before. He's already draining the life and confidence out of Lindstrom and Ndiaye. Clearly playing football is NOT a beep test, and no doubt they're both already wondering wtf they chose.I'll assume O'Brien had an injury, if not, then using both Keane and Holgate ahead of him is sackable alone. My brain cannot process this decision. Young is a horror show, if Dixon isn't ready to replace him then find another 17-19 year old who can…..because he hasn't been premier league quality since 2015.Tarkowski had a horror show. I pray it's because his brain melted realising who was alongside him and was in flap mode because of it. However, thinking it's another “thanks for service and hope you stay for the squad”. I.e., what should have been said to Doucs a year and a bit ago after the Bournemouth goal. Holgate sub was arlarse on him and can only be seen as a FU to the fans. DCL getting brought off to boos was half “taking a striker off” and half “clearly you cba today and just trying not to get injured to keep a chance of a move.” All in all another disaster of a day from disaster of a club. It's not all on Dyche, the Moshiri rein is THE reason we even have these players here. However, he is now another big part of the rot. I never wanted Moyes back, but if he fancies it, do it now. Least he had bottle to attack players who didn't perform on the pitch. PE manager Dyche doesn't concern himself with that. Only bleep test seems to matter. Paul Ferry 139 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:38:12 Cheers Ian!Mike Gaynes 34 “100% on the players”And the next post: Phil Smith 35: “Criminal from Dyche. 100% blame squarely on his shoulders”.You couldnt make it up!With respect MG, how on earth can Dyche have zero – zero – blame for that today? He picks the team and sets it up. He has the opportunity to change things for the better as the game unfolds. He has a chance to take stock at half-time. He makes subs as and when he sees fit. He sees the players all week long. He now has the opportunity to learn from this travesty but lets see if he does. Red card for Young. Not Dyches fault. But Dyche picked him. He had no choice because of our right-back situation. Dyche has had all summer to address that with Thelwell. Dyche had a massive hand in that disgusting performance – how could he not have done, hes the manager – and then he has the fucking cheek to have a poke at the fans.There might not be a “consensus” MG, but you are in a small minority with that opinion. Is it a Yank thing!!! I think JC said something similar!Onana making a tit of himself after the final whistle.Kevin Molloy 48: “Leaving early and booing players on day one, disgraceful. If you don't like what you see, don't go”.So easy for you to type that Kevin, isnt it. Annika Herbert 140 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:40:21 As an aside, did anyone notice how well Onana played for Villa this evening? A pretty impressive start for someone many on here didnt rate Paul Ferry 141 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:51:06 LOL caller on 606: Dyche has to go!He's right, though, it's just JP hoofing it up and diagonals to players who cannot cross. MG and Chris Sutton should go out for a drink. CS loves protecting managers. Ian Pilkington 142 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:54:51 Calling for the return of Moyes on here is worse than the thought of Holgate at right back at Spurs next Saturday. Anthony Jones 143 Posted 17/08/2024 at 19:58:41 Resigning Ashley Young was insane.We really miss Garner though. He will do well with Iroegbunam, if Dyche has the intelligence to play them together.Ndiaye needs to be starting as well. Ian Horan 144 Posted 17/08/2024 at 20:00:09 Todays game is the clear evidence that to even consider selling Jarrad is tantamount to self destruction. We need a 1st choice RB brought in!!! Come leman should be a back up now. We need a cutting edge and DCL in isolation is not the answer? Maybe offer him as a swop for somebody, anybody? Simplify the game plan. 3CBs and 2 WBs. 3CMs and 2 up top. The strikers need to be clinical and DCL has never been that. Lukaku on loan and the fella from Luton or throw what ever cash we gave at Tammy Abrahams Ian Edwards 145 Posted 17/08/2024 at 20:03:36 We lost first three last season. Lost first today. Players looked tired in 2nd half. Is Dyche day to blame. I think there were 2 this pre season. Gary Ferguson 146 Posted 17/08/2024 at 20:46:45 Its scary times. Worse than last 2-3 years I fear. We are woefully short of quality and depth at RB, LB, RW, LW, ST and CM. No way in hell were addressing even 2-3 of them in next 14 days. Dyche isnt going to change his 442/4411 system at any stage. Ever. EVERRRR. He might try a 3/5 at back away to spurs but even if it does a job hell revert to type first chance he gets. So, WHY did we buy Lindstrom and Ndiaye when NEITHER will play the “track back” LM/RM roles that McNeil and Harrison currently shoehorn themselves into?? Theyre both AMs (or an AM and a secondary striker). But Dyche likes Doucoure in that role……because he too puts in the yards that is Dyches only real yardstick and metric (well, that and “experience of premier league”). So, looking deeper I think its once again an issue with DOF model and the selection of managers not coaches. Were suffered it since the day Moshiri came in. Since the 4 x number 10s days its been a disaster. It is continuing to be one. This time I cant see any depth in Dyches preferred formation, nor any Wing backs that would allow Thelwells 3-4-2-1 preferences. Maybe McNeil and Harrison could convert, but thats square pegs in round holes too. Its a mess simply beyond compare. Almost a random squad. Only hope for me is now to a) sack Dyche immediately and bring in a COACH who believes in 3/5 at back and giving youth a go, or b) sack them BOTH and bring in a manager who can identify their own players in January. Moyes, potter, etc. Inaction is suicide. This is the season where it turns for us, but the current situation means its going to get worse before it gets better. Jay Evans 147 Posted 17/08/2024 at 20:48:30 Paul Ferry, DCL was booed off unfortunately, hence the sarcastic applause. Peter Mills 148 Posted 17/08/2024 at 20:57:52 The first half was pretty even. However, we wrecked our attacks with offsides or poor crosses. Naive football. They put together decent attacks with their two fast wingers, which eventually brought about a good goal. The signs were there. Substitutions were needed at halftime. We signed a player in Ndiaye who, I am told, has guile. Such a skill was required. No change. I am truly puzzled why Sean Dyche would agree/sanction such player acquisition and not utilise him immediately. Around the hour mark, Tim, who had played well, looked like the plug had been pulled on him - I hope that is a sign of early season, and not why Villa thought fit to release him. The last half hour or so was painful. Youngs sending off was perhaps the nap of the day. The team looked battered, the touchline looked battered, the crowd felt battered. Paul Ferry 149 Posted 17/08/2024 at 21:11:10 That's not what I heard Jay and others too, apparently. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb