Jaded Everton Can't Outgun Arsenal

I agree, with regards to Harrison and Doucoure. Good report as ever, thanks.

On your point about Tarkowski being our only player to approach the referee, I think I am right in saying only the captain is permitted to approach the referee. At least that is supposed to be the rule. As you suggest, it is a rule honoured more in the breach than the observance by some clubs.

I agree, Ndiaye was our Man of the Match. Tim Iroegbunam has many of the attributes, including physicality and skills, required in a midfielder. At this stage of his development, he lacks the discipline and positional sense to be a reliable presence in central midfield. At times I wonder if he would be more effective in Doucouré's usual role further up the pitch.

Regarding the Arsenal fans….have they not looked at the league table recently?

My opinion is the 'gameship' deployed by Arsenal is why they won't win under Arteta. They dived and exaggerated every tackle, they slowed the game down whenever they could.

The O'Brien yellow card was a good example, He pulled Ben White over, by the shoulder. It took the twat 3 minutes to get up.

Also couldn't understand why two players were stood directly in front of Pickford when he was trying to line up the wall for a free kick – and they got away with it.

Gana was my MotM he was everyehere. On any other player, I won't add to anything already said.

It was just great to be back there for a game in the final season. My first season ticket cost £30.00 an I would go the midweek Winter games when you wore two pairs of socks and your feet still frooze.

Everton Players could earn a massive 35 Pound per week...and crowd bonus payments, of 1 pound for every 1000 more than 35,000.

Vernon and Parker refuse to sign.. Young deliberating.

Anyone interested in Everton as it was under Catterick and Moores.. read on..

https://bluecorrespondent.co.uk/1962-63/july1962.html

Fair assessment. one minor point. Even though it was miles away, Branthwaite could be heard by myself and others around me, putting a name on that ball which led to their goal. looked to me as if idrissa had already committed. I personally will exonerate both. One of those rare occasions you sometimes see on a footy pitch where two rights make a wrong. Unfortunate.

Christine

Not sure where you dig these things out, but another fascinating find. It really used to bother me when Goodison (a ground which could hold over 60,000) could be choca and yet a crowd of 32,000 would be announced. It must have pissed the players off even more when they didnt get their crowd bonus. No wonder Vernon and Parker wouldn't sign. Either somebody couldnt count, or it was the worst kept secret tax fiddle since they turned Ken Dodd's mattress over

I want to see players outraged when a decision goes against them. It's part of the game now – and we're at a disadvantage if we don't do it.

I remember my first few because I was still a youngster, but it was a small blue book embossed with a gold imprint of Goodison Park. Inside were tickets for each game and the Central League games too which I would often go to as well before running back down Scottie to watch Doctor Who...

Arsenal have got a good team with some special players; why doesn't Arteta let them concentrate on playing football instead breaking the game up with their devious and snide injury tactics throughout the game???

I think they would benefit from it on the field and would certainly be appreciated a lot more by opposing fans and the media.

Danny, you left Branthwaite out of your ratings — I know you rate him, so it wasn't done on purpose.

Good report. I can't disagree with anything in your post.

I am afraid I have lost all patience with Harrison; we did have alternatives: Broja plays wide right for Albania and I think 75-year-old Ashley Young would do a better job.

David Moyes said earlier in the week he would like to see Ndaiye and Alcaraz play more central — wouldn't we all, Davey, but you pick the team! So, to quote Spock, "Make it happen!!!"

I thought the game passed Tim Iroegbunam by, he hardly contributed anything in the whole game. We can't keep relying on Gana to control the midfield by himself.

But two great saves by Pickford and a very fortunate penalty kept us in the game. Probably the worst performance since Moyes came back. Maybe the quick turnaround in games didn't help, and the Arsenal game highlighted the difference in quality.

Spot on Robert, it was only Ashley Youngs persistence in protesting to the referee about him being wrestled to the ground v Newcastle last season that the incident went to VAR and we got the penalty which got us a point out of the game.

Far too nice, Everton players — especially when you see Liverpool players screaming at the injustice of bleedin' throw-ins!

It was Captain Picard, not Spock, that said "Make it so."

For the love of Cliff, don't diss Star Trek in your "I don't give a damn about the details" manner.

Spock's 'phrase' was "Live long and prosper," which I hope you do despite the absolutely outrageous insult to the show and Starfleet itself.

I'm off to calm down.

Christine, as I understand it, right up until probably the '70s (?), players were paid well, albeit modestly. I think even until the early 80s, the reason for a testimonal was to raise money, so a player had a sum in the bank to set up for their next career.

Again, just my understanding, but players often felt they were not getting rewarded for being the main reason supporters went to the match and the club or board reaped the benefits. It won't be much different now, only over time, and especially since the advent of the Premier League, players justified their "cut" of the profits (although most run at a loss!!!). It's just gone too far the other way in my opinion.

I remember an article when we signed Slaven Bilic, who, at the time was a bit of a coup. The article was how Bilic was Everton's "last throw of the dice" in remaining a big club and that it wasn't the £4M we paid West Ham that financially crippled us, it was the wages.

It is worrying how many clubs pay over 90% of revenue on wages. In the business world, which football is now, I believe the target on salaries is 30-40%.

I stand corrected by your greater knowledge of Star Trek, I knew someone from the show had said " make it so". for my complete disregard of Star Trek knowledge I will now go on U tube and watch every episode ever made.
Live long and prosper Brian.