Season › 2024-25 › News Blues narrowly defeated by Salford City Michael Kenrick 27/07/2024 121comments | Jump to last Salford City 2 - 1 Everton Everton players got a decent run-out in their second pre-season game this afternoon against Salford City but could not stop the home side edging a narrow win at the Peninsula Stadium. Everton are without several senior players for the game against the League Two side. Centre-back duo Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski continue to be missing because of injuries, as well as Nathan Patterson and Vitalli Mykolenko after the full-back pair suffered issues towards the end of last season. , Idrissa Gana Gueye also has a knock, while Tarkowski has travelled with the squad to the Peninsula Stadium but continues to struggle with a glute complaint. Summer signing Iliman Ndiaye is absent while Jesper Lindstrøm, who signed on a season-long loan from Napoli yesterday, needs time to settle in and does not feature. Jordan Pickford remains absent as he is on holiday having helped England reach the final of Euro 2024. Dele Alli, who is training with Everton to regain fitness despite his contract expiring in June, is seemingly still not ready for match action, assuming Everton have retained his registration. Dyche uncharacteristically goes for two up front with his main goal threats, Clavert-Lewin and Beto pairing up. And there is a slew of youngsters from the Under-21s on the bench. James Garner scored from a free-kick on 50 minutes. But Everton bundled the ball into their own net after Campbell's header hit the post and bounced along the line behind Tyrer before Campbell's attempted clearance hit the other post and went in. And the home side scored again 3 minutes from the end. Article continues below video content Everton: Virginia (60' Tyrer), Coleman (46' Dixon), Keane (60' Welch), Holgate (60' Onyango), Young (46' Campbell), Garner (73' Metcalfe), Doucoure (60' Iroegbunam), Harrison (60' Armstrong), McNeil (60' Okoronkwo), Calvert-Lewin (60' Maupay), Beto (46' Chermiti). Subs not Used: Whitaker Reader Comments (121) 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 () Brent Stephens 1 Posted 27/07/2024 at 13:57:38 Looks like a 17-year-old on the bench for today's friendly, Harrison Armstrong. 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. Jay Harris 2 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:26:47 Bit worrying that neither Tarkowski nor Branthwaite is in the squad.Good job it's only Salford with that back four. Michael Kenrick 3 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:36:31 The link to live streaming of this game via the official Everton website is: Everton Live.But you need to be a logged-in and paid-up Official Member. Michael Kenrick 4 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:44:18 But of misinformation in ma heed regarding today's opposition, who I thought were founded by the Nevilles: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. Dale Self 5 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:49:29 Hey Yanks, it is on Fux Deportes. Dave Abrahams 6 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:54:53 I just googled “glute complaint” which is what Tarkowski is suffering from, it is literally a pain in the arse caused by muscle strain. 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! Joe McMahon 7 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:55:51 Micheal, as the process of the ex-United players and Lim, the club badge was changed as well as their colours. They never played in red, homeshirts and their official colours were orange. Brent Stephens 8 Posted 27/07/2024 at 14:56:56 Dave does this work?Link Dale Self 9 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:00:22 Former Blue Luke Garbutt playing for Salford. No glute prob for him. Everton fans always look the more likely group I would be comfortable with at a bar. Michael Kenrick 10 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:06:59 Did Calvert-Lewin make any effort whatsoever to get on the end of that peach of a cross? What are we paying him for??? Brent Stephens 11 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:08:13 First warning, Michael. Another word against DCL and you're on a yellow. Michael Kenrick 13 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:14:32 Since Beto legitimized us card-carrying 'haters' and confirmed that we are a source of inspiration for him (and therefore of course, for all players in Blue) to better themselves, I feel it's my duty not to hold back anymore, so it's best to give 'em both barrels from the outset. What a miss by Doucoure! Oh dear, oh dear... Michael Kenrick 14 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:15:34 Penalty!Or did he dive? Kieran Kinsella 15 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:15:41 Eight years on from the horror of Koeman's era and Holgate and Keane still appearing together as our centre-backs. It is like the Twilight Zone. Dave Abrahams 16 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:15:44 Brent (8), 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! Liam Mogan 17 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:20:54 At least Calvert-Lewin is consistent. John Raftery 18 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:27:42 Dave (18),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. Ben King 19 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:31:32 Keane & Holgate together again. How have we not ditched this pair of chancers? Neil Tyrrell 20 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:34:27 Cheers, Dale @5, found this on the Firestick in Canada. You do translation too? Michael Kenrick 21 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:35:22 Sorry... started watching the Rugby Sevens semi-finals — just a tad more exciting — and each half only 7 minutes long. Perfect for my ADHD! What have I missed? Michael Kenrick 22 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:37:49 McAleny — wasn't he one of ours also? Hugh Jenkins 23 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:43:46 I always thought pre-season games were meant to "sharpen up" the first teamers and get them "match fit" before the league kicks-off. 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. Jeff Armstrong 24 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:45:40 I see Beto still hasn't learned the offside rules. Dale Self 25 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:45:57 Ha Neil, I can barely navigate English. Did you see how #9 got the treatment? Michael Kenrick 26 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:51:11 Oh my gawd... they just shown another horrendous one-on-one miss from Calvert-Lewin! Ed Prytherch 27 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:53:34 Offer DCL a contract extension at half of his current wages. It might be the best deal he can get. Kieran Kinsella 28 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:54:22 Michael,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. Phill Thompson 29 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:55:34 Both McAleny and Garbutt were regulars for Salford last season. Garbutt was the better he's still got a decent cross in him. Cue Garbutt to McAleny 2nd half for a headed goal… Mike Hayes 30 Posted 27/07/2024 at 15:57:58 One and a half games in and you'd think last season was still going on – no changes at all.Let's hope the new lads and Chermiti get on second half and score! Jack Convery 31 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:06:46 Link to game:https://www.vipbox.lc/football/salford-city-vs-everton-3-live Bill Gall 32 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:10:12 Thought I could watch this game as I signed up as an international member. Get into the club site and it tells me to log out so I must be logged in, I can't get to see the game though, not very disappointed missing it but I thought I was supposed to get it Pat Kelly 33 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:23:27 We're still in this… Dave Abrahams 34 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:24:27 John (20), 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! Paul Kossoff 35 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:25:04 James Garner opens the scoring with a well taken free-kick from the edge of the box. A really good finish from the midfielder. Paul Kossoff 36 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:26:11 Sean Dyche has once again rung the changes. Calvert-Lewin, Harrison, Virginia, Holgate, Keane and Doucoure have all been replaced, with Maupay, Welch, Tyler, Armstrong, Okoronkwo and Iroegbunam coming on. Paul Kossoff 37 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:28:47 It was Yousef Chermiti who won the free-kick that lead to Everton opening the scoring. It is safe to say that the forward is making quite the impression this summer. After his brace against Sligo Rovers last weekend, he has already impressed in the time he has been on the pitch here. Frank Wade 38 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:31:52 Bill and Dave, 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. Soren Moyer 39 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:32:27 We're gonna steal a point! 😁 Brian Wilkinson 40 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:37:47 Got it no problems on the Firestick. Good old app added on it and get all the games. Soren Moyer 41 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:39:27 Also here:https://freestreams-live.my/fox-deportes/ Chris James 42 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:43:23 Why are Everton's digital services always so relentlessly poor? 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. Soren Moyer 45 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:46:17 Brian,Titan or Daddy 😉?2-1 now. Kieran Kinsella 47 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:47:09 Chris JamesI 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. Soren Moyer 50 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:48:20 Lol. 1-2. Phil Smith 51 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:49:11 Very impressed with Iroegbunam and Dixon for thier cameos. They look like very good players.Daft not leaving any senior players (other than Maupay) on. That's the eason we're losing this match. Soren Moyer 52 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:51:56 Maupay is shite tbh. Mike Hayes 53 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:52:13 FFS 1-2 🤣 Andrew Brookfield 54 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:55:08 Brilliant free-flowing football, dominated possession and had them chasing shadows. The Premier League quality stood out. With the pressure off, the players truly showed what they can do. Oh wait, it's Everton, it was turgid. Jack Convery 55 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:55:35 Lots to work on!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. John Raftery 56 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:59:41 For those who missed the game, you missed very little. Pre-season at this stage is just a rag, tag and bobtail exercise. So many changes during a game plus a lack of match sharpness make it difficult to pass sensible judgment on any players. Ray Robinson 57 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:59:48 Iroegbunam looked good. James Hughes 58 Posted 27/07/2024 at 16:59:48 I see Pat Kelly jinxed us with his trademark "We're still in this"! Hang your head, Pat. lol Bill Gall 59 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:02:22 Well, if these last 2 games were supposed to be against lowly opposition to give the team a run-out, I can't imagine what will happen when we play against the Premier League. The only excuse we have is that 'Gaffer Day' training session has worn them out instead of preparing them for the Premier League.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. Andrew Clare 61 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:13:04 I suppose it is Salford's pre-season too. Yet why are they still better prepared to beat a bunch of millionaires who are several divisions above them? Pat Kelly 62 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:13:19 James, I take full responsibility for my unfailing optimism. Christy Ring 63 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:19:02 I've been impressed with Roman Dixon at right-back in the two games. Brian Wilkinson 64 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:22:54 The fact Salford have already played 5 games, while this is Everton's second could be the answer. A few more weeks in training and games under our belt will get the team fitter.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. Steve Brown 65 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:24:39 Agree Christy, Roman has been a real bright spot. Jay Harris 66 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:32:48 Thought Jack Harrison looked a lot sharper and Michael Keane looked solid enough,. Roman Dixon has amazing pace but still learning and Chermiti and Iroegbunam had some nice touches. Garner was solid.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. Rob Halligan 67 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:32:52 For the last 30 minutes of that game, the team consisted of nine players who will no doubt be regulars for the U21s, and will play in that EFL Trophy, the cup for lower league teams that Premier League U21s get invited to play in it. 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. Pat Kelly 68 Posted 27/07/2024 at 17:45:02 Rob, I thought you were doing well with your analysis until I came to "and Maupay will likely have been sold". Shaun Laycock 69 Posted 27/07/2024 at 18:00:39 Working to a plan: 45 minutes last time, then 60 minutes today. Next: 75 minutes… then 90 minutes. Fitness is the best thing, some youngsters might put their hands up too. Billy Shears 70 Posted 27/07/2024 at 18:01:11 Okay, it was a makeshift team but oh for a clean sheet at some point.And sadly it won't get any easier against Coventry City either. Andy Crooks 71 Posted 27/07/2024 at 18:14:04 I thought we deserved a point today, but hey, a lot of teams will go to Salford and get a new arse ripped. 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? Mihir Ambardekar 72 Posted 27/07/2024 at 18:21:54 I know this is just a pre-season runout. But we should be winning such games. 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. Sam Hoare 73 Posted 27/07/2024 at 18:34:02 No point judging performance (either good or bad) in pre-season. Except maybe in the last game or so. 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. Phil (Kelsall) Roberts 74 Posted 27/07/2024 at 18:36:29 Kieran #49.Sounds like we are using the same people to stream our games as the Post Office. It is only you that has a problem. Danny O’Neill 75 Posted 27/07/2024 at 20:09:54 I only got to watch the second half. I had no issues with the live feed on the official website. 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. Neil Tyrrell 76 Posted 27/07/2024 at 20:59:30 In terms of entertaining football, it was Exhibit A why watching pre-season matches is a waste of time. 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. Jeff Armstrong 77 Posted 27/07/2024 at 21:05:38 Roman Dixon is superfast. 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. Scott Montgomery 78 Posted 27/07/2024 at 21:22:33 What will it take for people to stop defending DCL and recognise what he is a mid-table Championship striker at best. 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. Michael Kenrick 79 Posted 27/07/2024 at 21:37:11 Careful, Scott, you'll be added to the cadre of haters with that type of talk! Neil Copeland 80 Posted 27/07/2024 at 21:46:15 Another good day out at a stadium I may not get to normally. We had a good chat with a couple of Salford supporters before the game, interesting that they dislike Manchester as much as we do. 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… 😁 Danny O’Neill 81 Posted 27/07/2024 at 21:57:43 Neil,Many don't realise that Salford is it's own City.See you at Coventry. Alan McGuffog 82 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:02:23 Roughly this time in 1969, Rochdale – yes, mighty Rochdale – handed us our arses. That season didn't pan out too badly, though, did it? Dan Nulty 83 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:03:04 Calm down, just pre-season. Still to see some of our best new players yet. Jeff Armstrong 84 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:15:29 Alan @82 ,your memory is fantastic! Who else would remember Rochdale beating Everton in a pre-season friendly in1969? Neil Copeland 85 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:21:10 Danny, I hope you are okay and look forward to seeing you at Coventry, mate. Jimmy Hogan 86 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:23:58 Poor pre-season… Poor season. Neil Copeland 87 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:25:50 Jimmy, Apart from 1969-70, it would seem… Jeff Armstrong 88 Posted 27/07/2024 at 22:44:33 Calvert-Lewin is fantastic in the air; on the ground, he's good at holding it up; in front of goal, he's average.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. Andy Crooks 89 Posted 27/07/2024 at 23:40:04 Jimmy @86, I bet on football in the English and Scottish lower divisions You are absolutely spot on. Losing a game, no matter how little it matters, is toxic. No game should ever be written off or dismissed. The winners of the lower leagues next season will be teams who start well in every friendly.If anyone wants a bet, Colchester are the team for promotion. Martin Farrington 90 Posted 27/07/2024 at 23:40:53 It came up on YouTube. I tuned in for the last 10 minutes. 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??? Si Cooper 91 Posted 27/07/2024 at 00:26:07 I'd assume the ‘60 minuters' (and above) are the current ‘probables'. Iroegbunam on the periphery of that group? Simon Dalzell 92 Posted 28/07/2024 at 01:09:48 Jeff @88 has it spot on. How frustrating is Calvert-Lewin? He will always be the nearly man. Go on, big guy, prove me wrong. Jerome Shields 93 Posted 28/07/2024 at 01:39:09 Scott #78,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. Si Cooper 94 Posted 28/07/2024 at 02:50:00 Jerome (93), Are you actively trying to ‘tempt fate' into proving you wrong, thus ‘causing' those things to happen? Derek Knox 95 Posted 28/07/2024 at 05:28:29 Just watched the highlights of the match, which I missed today, as I have been on the Danny (crewing) and from what I did see some of our finishing, or lack of, was pretty woeful. Beto and Calvert-Lewin being the worst culprits. 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! Danny O’Neill 96 Posted 28/07/2024 at 06:34:08 Neil, 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!! Derek Knox 97 Posted 28/07/2024 at 06:53:00 Hi Danny, thanks mate, not any waves as on Manchester Ship Canal but fraught with problems outside of our own making. Mainly locks and pumps not working/failing, resulting in unscheduled delays. Supposed to finish around 17:30 – didn't get home till 22:00, from 07:30 – so a long day! Dave Cashen 98 Posted 28/07/2024 at 08:42:02 You do have to smile at the haters. They are well known for not being patient enough to even wait for the teams to be announced. Now they can't even wait until the season starts.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? Neil Copeland 99 Posted 28/07/2024 at 09:09:53 Danny, okay will do, see you there. Del, you could make a fortune ferrying people to and from BMD mate! Scott Montgomery 100 Posted 28/07/2024 at 10:18:00 Dave #98I'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. George Stuart 101 Posted 28/07/2024 at 10:49:05 For some reason, not sure why, my browser often kicks in with a link to the Liverpool Echo and its Everton coverage. The tone and factuality of the reporting is vile.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. Barry Rathbone 102 Posted 28/07/2024 at 11:01:08 The problem with Calvert-Lewin is the same as its always been - he has concrete ankles.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. Derek Knox 103 Posted 28/07/2024 at 12:05:04 I pretty much go along with Scott @ 100, as I said before, I don't believe anyone genuinely hates any of our players, (apart from Maupay :-) but I also believe we as paying supporters have every right to criticise them. 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! Raymond Fox 104 Posted 28/07/2024 at 13:21:42 Derek, 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. Andy Crooks 105 Posted 28/07/2024 at 15:01:22 Calvert-Lewin, whom I think is top player, could do with a little of what Andy Cole had. Cole was hopeless if he'd had any time at all to think, but a natural instinctive striker. Calvert-Lewin needs too much time. I'm not sure it can be coached but Calvert-Lewin has it all bar that. Derek Knox 106 Posted 28/07/2024 at 15:35:03 Raymond @ 104, in that case, you would think he would try harder, maybe he is just shite! Gizza Job like his, I could do that! :-)I could be shite on half of his bunce! Sean O’Hanlon 107 Posted 28/07/2024 at 16:08:28 Beaten by Salford City. Says it all. Welcome to the new season of mediocrity and fighting for relegation. Brian Williams 108 Posted 28/07/2024 at 16:36:53 Now, now, Sean… If you want some attention you don't have to do it like that. 😉 Rob Halligan 109 Posted 28/07/2024 at 16:44:07 Brian, I wonder if some will get uptight if our U21s lose to Salford in the EFL Trophy, rather than just a friendly? 🤔🤔🤔 Dave Cashen 110 Posted 28/07/2024 at 16:51:38 Scot 100I 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. Andy Crooks 111 Posted 28/07/2024 at 17:13:45 Absolutely spot on, Dave. 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… 😱 Mark Murphy 112 Posted 28/07/2024 at 17:23:18 So… just a week on from taking the piss out of the kKopites for losing to Preston, this!I'm glad I'm in Greece! James Hughes 113 Posted 28/07/2024 at 17:26:49 Mark M, Hopefully not too hot for you there. But as you say, neither result matters. Iakovos Iasonidis 114 Posted 28/07/2024 at 18:15:25 Pre-season games are about fitness, tactics etc... winning is always nice but doesn't matter much. Our new shirt though is really bad! Pyjamas level bad... Tony Abrahams 115 Posted 28/07/2024 at 18:52:03 I hate watching pre-season football, which is only about getting players fit and ready for the real stuff. Mark Murphy 116 Posted 28/07/2024 at 21:06:48 James - its glorious!UTFT Peter Mills 117 Posted 28/07/2024 at 21:27:43 Dave #110. Well said. Denis Richardson 118 Posted 28/07/2024 at 23:05:45 Not sure why people get so bothered by friendly results. The players aren't 100% fit, know it's a friendly, and the team isn't the one that's going to do the hard yards when the season starts. 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. Scott Montgomery 119 Posted 30/07/2024 at 06:56:43 Dave @110You 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 Jerome Shields 120 Posted 30/07/2024 at 08:07:42 Si #94I 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. Denver Daniels 121 Posted 30/07/2024 at 08:54:52 I think people have forgotten the last game of the season vs Arsenal. Calvert-Lewin absolutely bullied their two centre-backs. Dave Cashen 122 Posted 30/07/2024 at 09:10:20 Scott.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 burstingThe 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… Sam Hoare 123 Posted 30/07/2024 at 09:12:14 Dave@110, good post. 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. Dave Cashen 124 Posted 30/07/2024 at 10:05:21 That's my issue with players in the final stages of their contracts, Sam. I read so many people say we need to "cash in", but it isn't in our hands. It's in the players' hands. They are in the driving seat right now and will be in complete control in 10 months time. 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. Danny O’Neill 125 Posted 30/07/2024 at 11:20:04 I agree, Dave. We can't cash in. The players and their agents will make the decision.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. Michael Kenrick 126 Posted 30/07/2024 at 13:57:05 Dave Wilson @124,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. Andy Crooks 127 Posted 30/07/2024 at 14:24:16 Michael, did you deliberately call Dave Cashen, Dave Wilson?Please let it be true. Your battles with the admirable DW, many years ago, over, I believe, a yard, were the best of this site. Jerome Shields 128 Posted 31/07/2024 at 03:54:16 Dave #122,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. 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