Blues narrowly defeated by Salford City

Watched him a couple of times for the U21s and looks a prospect (I know, I know). Stylish, reminds me a bit of Kevin Sheedy.

Good job it's only Salford with that back four.

But you need to be a logged-in and paid-up Official Member.

The club was founded as Salford Central in 1940. In 2014, Salford were taken over by former Manchester United players Nicky Butt, Ryan Giggs, Gary Neville, Phil Neville, and Paul Scholes, who each own 10% of the club, with Singaporean businessman Peter Lim owning the rest; David Beckham purchased a 10% share from Lim in 2019.

A bit like Everton advertising how you can watch live matches then changing how you can do it on the day of the game — so season ticket holders can't watch the game unless they subscribe to being an official member and paying to do so.

Ah for fuck's sake, Everton!

They never played in red, homeshirts and their official colours were orange.

Link

Everton fans always look the more likely group I would be comfortable with at a bar.

What are we paying him for???

Another word against DCL and you're on a yellow.

What a miss by Doucoure! Oh dear, oh dear...

Or did he dive?

It is like the Twilight Zone.

Thanks for the link but, when I logged in using my email address and new password from 2 weeks ago, it showed me how to become an Official Member and the cost of buying one in order to watch today's game.

As I said before, Everton are a pain in the arse when it comes to live streaming. Good job it is only a friendly!

Did you not get an email from the club with a tab straight to the coverage?

As a season ticket holder, you are classified automatically as a member so you shouldn't need to pay anything.

How have we not ditched this pair of chancers?

You do translation too?

What have I missed?

If so, why are some of these players in the starting line-up? It's only 3 weeks to the start of the Premier League.

Did you see how #9 got the treatment?

I remember McAleny came off the bench as a kid v Arsenal and almost scored from a 30-yard volley. I thought "Wow" the next Rooney.

Didn't go as well for him after that.

Cue Garbutt to McAleny 2nd half for a headed goal…

Let's hope the new lads and Chermiti get on second half and score!

https://www.vipbox.lc/football/salford-city-vs-everton-3-live

I can't get to see the game though, not very disappointed missing it but I thought I was supposed to get it

No, I never got anything about the Salford game. I got an email on Thursday from the Royal Mail saying I would receive a package from Everton FC on Saturday, which I did. It was my season ticket for the new season, a bit early this year, I think, and this nonsense to follow today.

I doubt I will be the only one who has missed out on this game and there is Bill Gall above trying to get the game and paying for it and still not getting it — and Bill lives in Canada!

A really good finish from the midfielder.

Calvert-Lewin, Harrison, Virginia, Holgate, Keane and Doucoure have all been replaced, with Maupay, Welch, Tyler, Armstrong, Okoronkwo and Iroegbunam coming on.

After his brace against Sligo Rovers last weekend, he has already impressed in the time he has been on the pitch here.

I signed up as an International Member yesterday and received an email today at 12 o'clock with a link to the game, that worked okay for me and I watched the first half.

I tuned out and now tried again and it won't work, so back to Square 1.

Good old app added on it and get all the games.

Literally just bought a new membership but it doesn't give me access to the game and asks me to pay £9 for the match.

I remember paying in years gone by for atrocious feeds.
So I've now paid and am having to find a hooky feed. Sigh.

Titan or Daddy 😉?

2-1 now.

I remember one time, must have been 10 or 15 years ago people kept complaining about EvertonTV access etc which you paid for to get highlights etc and some bright spark did a reply all to hundreds of fans -- myself included -- acting like it was some kind of one off issue with just individuals -- but the fact they sent the same email to hundreds gave the game away.

For a while thereafter, various fans kept doing reply-alls including all the subscribers affected until the club finally acknowledged and addressed the issue.

Daft not leaving any senior players (other than Maupay) on. That's the eason we're losing this match.

Oh wait, it's Everton, it was turgid.

We need an experienced 3rd goalkeeper. Pickford and Virginia ain't going to be enough if one of them gets injured.

Begovic available on a free. He had a good season at QPR where he was Captain.

So many changes during a game plus a lack of match sharpness make it difficult to pass sensible judgment on any players.

Hang your head, Pat. lol

As for today's coverage and comments, it seems Everton's technical staff can't fathom out how to show a game to its paid-up membership.

But then nothing surprises you about this club. Maybe some Merseyside supporters could get either one of their kids or grandchildren to show them how to do it.

Yet why are they still better prepared to beat a bunch of millionaires who are several divisions above them?

Doucoure looked like he was pulling a tree trunk behind him while trying to move forward in treacle, certainly not match fit yet.

I thought Michael Keane looked one of the better players today, played some decent passes.

Overall, a bit worrying that we couldn't score in open play against the mighty Salford with Beto and Calvert-Lewin looking as if they couldn't be arsed.

From the other two, Maupay and Chermiti, neither will be a starter in the Premier League, and Maupay will likely have been sold. Granted, the starting eleven in the first half was pretty decent, but spurned a few good chances to have put the game to bed before half-time.

It's one of the reasons, therefore, why I don't bother with pre season friendlies anymore, because you never see a proper team or a proper game due to so many substitutions. So, unlike some, I won't be bothered by this result today.

I thought you were doing well with your analysis until I came to "and Maupay will likely have been sold".

Fitness is the best thing, some youngsters might put their hands up too.

And sadly it won't get any easier against Coventry City either.

Main thing is our heads didn't go down and we put up a performance against a side who will be looking at European…
Oh shit, sorry err... football this season?

Physical endurance is one aspect but winning games is important. It instills a winning mentality. When we play to win, it's automatically a good runout and practice for the players.

Hoping that, apart from being fit physically, these players should also have ideas on how to create chances, score and improve finishing.

This season, our focus should be more on utilizing the attacking talent correctly and playing to the strengths of the players we will have at our disposal.

I remember we were very insipid last pre-season and then performed fairly well when the season started (though results didn't reflect that).

Let's hope injuries clear up fast. Still not much depth.

Sounds like we are using the same people to stream our games as the Post Office. It is only you that has a problem.

I don't read too much into pre-season fixtures. Especially as I didn't even recognise a lot of the players who lined up in the second half. We effectively were missing a starting back four.

Nicely taken free kick from Garner. For some reason, our defender headed it towards our goal as if he was trying to score a goal and hit the post, only for it to cross the goal for another Everton player to put it in on the next post! It looked like we were trying to score for them!

And why don't our players loft the ball in one-on-one situations? I know the primary aim is to get the ball on target, but there seems to be a frequent trend of shooting low, which plays into the keeper's hands. Maybe I'm being overly critical.

Once again, young Dixon impressed. He's got pace. Not many will catch him once his jet-powered boots get going.

I won't get carried away with a pre-season result. The important thing is to get the players fit for 17 August against Brighton.

It was nice to see some youngsters get a run-out and, as Danny mentions above, Dixon looked impressive on the fly but Maupay couldn't bring down his pass.

Watching en Español, this site was invaluable looking up squad numbers to see who's who. Thanks to our proprietors for that.

The coaches (Baines) need to teach him the art of defending, or push him further forward and teach him to pass to a blue shirt, track back to help his fullback, and we've got a decent option on the right side.

How can a professional paid a fortune to do what he does fail to score today; or even hit the fucking target from around 10 yards?

Cue the “It's preseason”, “He's not fit and playing through the pain”, “His chakras aren't aligned” apologists.

At the game, it was amusing to hear both sets of supporters chanting about there is only shit in Manchester!

A game lacking any real quality and typical pre-season 1st gear stuff from Everton. I thought we were comfortably the best team until we made all the changes and could have been well ahead by the time Salford equalised without playing particularly well or at least not as a team.

Regarding the starting eleven, I thought; Jimmy Garner had a good game, McNeil played well in spurts, ditto Jack Harrison. Michael Keane had a decent game as did Holgate. Virginia dealt with the little he had to do pretty well and the rest were pretty average. Beto made a couple of half decent touches but continues to look very laboured, and Calvert-Lewin's finishing and body language are not good.

The youngsters that came on were second best and Salford deserved their win in the end. Roman Dixon has pace to burn but was woefully out of position a few times when Salford came forward. Potential, yes, but a lot to learn and do before he makes the first team.

Good to see so many blues there today, I reckoned we outnumbered the home support with a 60/40 split in our favour.

Oh, and their cheese burgers are shite!

Onwards to Coventry for another footballing treat… 😁

Many don't realise that Salford is it's own City.

See you at Coventry.

That season didn't pan out too badly, though, did it?

Still to see some of our best new players yet.

Who else would remember Rochdale beating Everton in a pre-season friendly in1969?

I hope you are okay and look forward to seeing you at Coventry, mate.

Poor season.

Apart from 1969-70, it would seem…

Overall, I'd be happy with £30M from West Ham or Newcastle or anyone for that matter, rather than nothing next summer.

I think he's run his course at Everton: time to depart ways, methinks.

If anyone wants a bet, Colchester are the team for promotion.

It seems it was okay apart from the big black (kind of see through) box in the centre of the screen with the words "Click on live chat to watch"

I did but it made no difference. Then I noticed ESPN+ in the top left corner and Canada somewhere else. But I did sort of see Salford's second goal.

Tyrer got caught out of position and should have dived into the ball or player having made that mistake. You can't get sent off for that kinda thing now.

I fail to see the point of 'friendlies" when it's clear the big players can't be arsed. Injuries are more likely to occur.

How they are so shit after a month off always confuses me.
Is there a reset button on them somewhere so, when pressed at the seasons end, their brains are wiped of how to play football, have no idea who their team mates are, or what team play and tactics are???

Iroegbunam on the periphery of that group?

How frustrating is Calvert-Lewin? He will always be the nearly man.

Go on, big guy, prove me wrong.

It is one of by biggest regrets of this Summer that th Calvert-Lewin transfer fell through. He is exactly as you described him. Only topped by the Friedkin collapse.

Are you actively trying to ‘tempt fate' into proving you wrong, thus ‘causing' those things to happen?

I hope they both manage to find new clubs, and we can get someone in who knows where the goal is and how to find it! If we have to rely on those pair as our main strike force, it doesn't inspire confidence, both in the team and amongst fans.

I know it's only pre-season, and theoretically not too much should be read into it… But these two 'overpaid oafs' are serial offenders, and must be replaced if we are to pose any threat in the season ahead!

I think I'll head into Coventry city centre first as there doesn't seem to be much around the stadium and it's out of town. But let me know if where you're going. I'll message you.

Derek, I hope the Danny rode the waves well!!

Supposed to finish around 17:30 — didn't get home till 22:00, from 07:30 — so a long day!

And why are people on social media still not grasping the situation with players who in the latter stages of massive contracts?

"Now let's get rid of Holgate." "I'd take the first offer for Calvert-Lewin." "Let's bin Keane." WTF?

Don't the legalities of contracts, players' rights to choose, reluctance of other clubs to make the same mistake you made, or the Bosman ruling apply on Football Manager?

Del, you could make a fortune ferrying people to and from BMD mate!

I'm not a hater, I'd like nothing more than to see Calvert-Lewin be successful and bang in the goals for our club. The sad reality is that he doesn't and hasn't for many years.

Look at his stats and argue that they are acceptable for the focal goalscorer in a Premier League team. I am genuinely interested what you see that he gives the team.

Not sure where you're going with the contract argument. Of course it's going to be difficult to shift him in the last year of his contract with a free transfer looming; doesn't mean we shouldn't be trying to maximise our return on a non-performing asset.

Imagine Fox News (sic) coverage of Kamala Harris for an analogy. No surprises here but I would seriously not be buying this rag were I still living in Liverpool instead of Australia.

Yer wha' lad???

He cant adjust quickly enough. The chance yesterday was a perfect example of his bambi-on-ice routine when a cultured touch is required.

Problem is who do you replace him with?

The game isn't overflowing with striker talent at the moment.

Let me try an analogy here, You are in a very well-paid position and you are making mistake after mistake and not producing anything. Do you think fellow workers, management and possibly the public too, if in that sector, are not going to remark about it?

I know these cossetted individuals have contracts, or con-tricks in some cases, and escape 'any carpeting' but at the end of the day, they are basically in the Entertainment Business.

So please stop trying to defend them or make excuses for them. They don't read T W or any other fan-sites that I am aware of, so you won't hurt their delicate feelings. Maybe a good thing if they did!

Beto apparently looks on forums for one and there's certain to be others, it's only human nature to want to know what fans' opinions are on their perfomance. More fool them but some will peke a look.

Yes, criticise by all means but it's when certain players are called shite and the like, I think it's going too far for me.

Michael obviously doesn't rate Calvert-Lewin at all but he restrains from expletives.

Calvert-Lewin needs too much time. I'm not sure it can be coached but Calvert-Lewin has it all bar that.

Gizza Job like his, I could do that! :-)

I could be shite on half of his bunce!

Welcome to the new season of mediocrity and fighting for relegation.

If you want some attention you don't have to do it like that. 😉

I wonder if some will get uptight if our U21s lose to Salford in the EFL Trophy, rather than just a friendly? 🤔🤔🤔

I totally believe you when you say you would love to see Calvert-Lewin banging goals in and I don't believe you are a hater — you're about 100 posts short to be in that school.

You say you are genuinely interested in what I think he brings to the team, so I will tell you. Although you may not like it.

First of all, I have to state I don't agree with you. Everton do not play with a focal goalscorer. We haven't done since Lukaku was sold. Our forwards are asked to do far more than simply put the ball in the net.

We only have one consistent means of getting into enemy territory. After playing it about for 3-4 passes at the back it goes back to Tarkowski or Pickford to play the long... err, pass.

I use the word "pass" loosely; our two heroes do not ping accurate passes like footballers. They drive their foot through the ball, launching it as far as they can away from our goal — I can't help laughing when I hear them called passes simply because they are diagonal.

This is where Calvert-Lewin comes in: despite the attentions of 2-3 defenders, he is expected to turn these hoofs into a pass. He does it brilliantly, winning headers, taking it on his chest, bringing it down and inviting midfielders into situations they don't have the craft to create for themselves. I don't see any other player in football who does this as well as he does.

Under Carlo, he also proved he can be a goalscorer if played as an out-and-out striker. The haters stats may lie, but official records don't. He is also our best defender when he is asked to come back to face opposition deadball situations. Other than that, I guess he doesn't offer much.

Better players than Calvert-Lewin have left this club. We survived and thrived and we will again. But for me, he has been the best all round footballer this club has had in a long time. For the life of me, I don't understand the bandwagon which has gathered such momentum since those injury-ridden seasons derailed a very promising career.

I reckon when someone actually creates a genuine chance for Calvert-Lewin, he is shocked into panic.

He has wasted his best years here playing in a thankless system. If he goes, just wait on what Beto has to offer… 😱

I'm glad I'm in Greece!

Hopefully not too hot for you there. But as you say, neither result matters.

Our new shirt though is really bad! Pyjamas level bad...

Well said.

Personally, as long as no one gets injured, it's all just training. Lower league teams will also try harder. We've got players not playing and (hopefully) some new faces will be added and others gone by the time we kick off proper.

I'm just happy we've got some decent looking young attacking players in during pre-season. Lindstrøm and Ndiaye haven't been signed to warm the bench. If we can add a right-back and O'Brien, I think we'll be in a solid position come Brighton.

Holgate, Keane and Maupay are all hopefully gone by 31 August too — although that may be too much to hope for.

You may be right in all you say and that I don't give enough credence to the non-goalscoring work he does. His poor stats over the last few years may be more of a reflection of the poverty of chances the team creates; but for me this only reinforces why he is not the man we need in his position.

In the situation we're in, we need an alley cat striker who can feed off scraps and take those precious few opportunities when they arise. Calvert-Lewin could sit down at a 10-course meal and only manage to taste the cheese plate.

We can absolve him of any blame for being played out of position and sympathise with his lengthy injury list, but the chess pieces you choose to attack with should suit the style of game you're playing and for me, he doesn't.

#NotAHater

I just think that Calvert-Lewin would have been better in Everton's pocket with 1 year to go on his contract.

He got 7 goals and 2 assists last season. Even with injury, this is not prolific. He was first choice for selection and may contribute to shape, but I think Everton should be moving on regarding the centre-forward position.

May be it is the way Everton play that exposes his fundamental weaknesses, like Kane in the Euros, but to miss open goals says a lot — something he does a lot.

Calvert-Lewin absolutely bullied their two centre-backs.

The guy gives you at least two options.

In the absence of creativity He can lead the line covering the whole width of the pitch, turning hoofball into our only advantage — as he does for Dyche.

Or he can play as a striker like he did for Ancelotti and give a handsome goals return.

We know for a fact that he can do both jobs because we have seen him do them. That fact alone makes him a rarity.

The problem is. His critics seem to think he should be doing both jobs.

You want a striker who will feed off scraps, but without Calvert-Lewin in the team there are no scraps.

Chermiti, Beto, and Maupay all lack either the skill, the strength or workrate to play this lung busting role.

Read what Gerd Muller, Gary Lineker and the very great Jimmy Greaves had to say about expending energy elsewhere on there pitch when they wanted to save everything they had to putting the ball in the net. Calvert-Lewin doesnt just "expend energy". The job he is asked to do is lung bursting

The next manager to tell Calvert-Lewin to stay in the box will be rewarded in exactly the same way Carlo was. I'd like to think that will be an Everton manager…

His finishing was disappointing last season but Everton will struggle to find a centre-forward who fits with Dyche's plans more than Calvert-Lewin. He has a rare mix of strength and athleticism, able to hold the ball up, run the channels and contribute defensively.

If you look at the other bottom-half teams which strikers would be an upgrade? Toney I think. And Solanke, though up till last season he had a pretty comparable career to Calvert-Lewin.

He's a good striker, who fits where we are currently. The problem is he doesn't seem to want to stay. If he won't sign a contract then we need to cash in. We need that £20/25M he's worth to put towards a new striker. Which won't be easy to find.

Holgate, Keane and Calvert-Lewin may like this club, but they were not brought up Evertonians. They will do what is right for them and their families. If their contracts are a little too lucrative, that's somebody else's fault but, by making themselves available to play for Everton, they are honouring their part of it.

As you say, they may be fond of Everton, but they aren't born into it like idiots like me, who has never known any different.

Now some players were adopted and we all know Alan Ball's famous quote, but we can't expect everyone to have the same sentiment.

If their contracts are a little too lucrative, that's somebody else's fault but, by making themselves available to play for Everton, they are honouring their part of it.

Really… that's all they have to do? Make themselves available?

Thanks for helping me out there and explaining where I've been going wrong. I really thought it was expected that they would have to put in a bit of effort. You know, actually demonstrate some degree of commitment to the club, accepting the guidance of the manager, and busting their balls to do their absolute best for Everton Football Club.

You know, like chasing after lost causes or actually hitting the ball properly when they're striking at goal.

But no. I'm wrong to expect that. All they have to do is "make themselves available". We can't expect anything more.

Your battles with the admirable DW, many years ago, over, I believe, a yard, were the best of this site.

I can't and don't see Calvert Lewin applying the necessary consistent focus on the basic forward skills that Ancelotti talked about to fulfil your correct assessment of what he should be doing.