Everton make nightmare start to Goodison's long farewell

We're just treading water. The longer Moshiri dithers, the worse it will get.

Dyche doesn't help things though. Does he expect different outcomes by playing Keane and a geriatric squad player?

Why buy pace and creativity and leave it on the bench?

Why haven't we addressed the age old problem of no cutting edge?

It's going to be a long, hard season.

That is all.

The penalty was awarded. He was called to the screen. The screen didn't work. Therefore the original decision should have stood. That penalty is scored and the game is totally different.

I really hope Everton call this out and demand an explanation.

Until Moshiri pisses off and someone mildly competent takes over, this is what we have; Dyche and his no-hopers.

I don't know who will be our next owner, Textor, Friedkin, Kim Jong Un etc…but what I do know is Dyche will not be leading this team out at the new stadium.

Andy, Joao Cancelo is available to buy or loan.

That's all I can think of for any manager who starts both Keane and Young in the back four and dozy Doucoure.

Play them and you get what you deserve!

Surely a passing (ie, more open) team like Brighton are easier for Lindstrøm and Ndiaye to face than a more physical team or indeed a good team like Man City, Arsenal etc?

So were they more Thelwell signings like Vinagre that the manager doesn't fancy?

That was absolutely embarrassing today, I hate that he is our manager and have said so since he walked through the door. I absolutely despise him and can't wait til he is fucked off.

Michael Keane, for fuck's sake, and that better be the last time we see Ashley Young who has stunk the gaff out since he arrived.

I'm sick of watching alehouse football under this gobshite!

3-0 certainly is not a true reflection of the game, but no doubt many of the negative fuckers on here will say otherwise. The lads I go with who sit in the Park End say it was a definite penalty on Mykolenko in the first half. Then the penalty awarded only to be overturned by a blank VAR screen when instead the referee went on the word of the VAR official.

Of course, there were one or two ridiculous decisions by Dyche, bringing on Holgate for a start, but by then the game was over and for me it was more damage limitation, only for Brighton to go and score their third. Ashley Young needs fucking off. He is, and will always be a liability, and should be nowhere near the first team.

I could go on, but why bother with all the negative fuckers on here. Oh, and by the way, so glad to see Amadou Onana score for Villa and also get MotM in their 2-1 victory at West Ham. We will without doubt definitely miss him.

You can see it here in a black case opened up:

And, yes, the game was gone by the time Holgate came on, no way we were coming back from that. So I suspect he was being given game time in advance of a possible start next week.

Andy Duff #3 — spot on.

The difference being that Dyche learns sweet diddley squat every time each day concludes.

Hurzeler's game plan was efficient and played to his side's strengths. Dyche set us up for the 1970s and, next week, Keane will be making the same diagonal passes to Harrison that hang in the air forever and allow the defenders to reset.

It is very hard not to be a negative fucker about a manager who has us playing negative fucking football.

That said, I thought Iroegbunam had a good first half and Harrison did okay.

Me and brother saw it early on. Everton huffed and puffed but Brighton had far better players and looked clinical.

Everton create hardly anything and already it's apparent we will struggle unless we find a striker.

Tim Iroegbunam made a good debut.

Hopefully we can find the money for a new right-back in the next fortnight. Otherwise, an inevitably difficult season will be even harder.

Good promising debut from Iroegbunam. Shame we couldn't take one of the few good early chances. Might have been a very different result.

Surely not more future embarrassment this season? Why Keane, Holgate and Young are allowed to represent EFC by Dyche is a scandal. They're all finished.

I will make judgement after 10 games, not 1, though. Why do our players always look shattered though? There is never any zip in Everton teams!!!

Jekyll & Hyde in terms of the 1st and 2nd halves. The last big stink out was Chelsea away last April.

I hope Roman Dixon now gets a chance at right-back. What happened to Ashley Young is on the cards in most games.

Now to take the medicine, be honest, and show a massive improvement at Spurs.

UTFTs!

I think I'm quite realistic about Dyche (I accept that, for the time being, he will be the manager… but I wish that this was not the case), but I can understand why after this game some people are reacting passionately and strongly against Dyche.

But that comment — "a very strong home performance" (plus his shitty dig at the fans) — is bizarre. Does he have a sense of reality?

It will be so good when we get rid of him with appropriate thanks and best wishes because it will mean that we are in a comfortable enough position to ditch him. Mind your, half-a-dozen more like today and we will be in and around the basement area where he thrives.

There is a chance for Dyche now to review today and do some thinking that might put us in a better position for a very tough game next week.

But, I forgot, silly me, it was "a very strong home performance".

Cleanout from top to bottom in preparation for the new chapter at the new stadium. Performances like that make me say "Sod this!"

ps: Get rid of Calvert-Lewin before the window closes. Even if we get nothing for him. He's a liability at this level.

"I hope Roman Dixon now gets a chance at right-back."

Paul, I like the way Dixon gets forward, with pace (and he got himself on the scoresheet last night, albeit with a lucky goal; and provided an assist).

But I would imagine his brief for the first team would be clearly "Don't venture over the halfway line", nullifying his strongest suit; his defending is average for the U21s.

But let's be honest: Ashley Young should never have been in that untenable position in the first place. At 39, while his brain might still be willing, his legs gave out years ago… and so are we bloody surprised? Hell no!!

While it was a travesty we have not brought in a new right-back, it was an even bigger fuck-up to put Ashley Young to mark Mitoma — and that blame lies purely at the door of Dyche and no one else.

I agree with many of the posters who have indicated Keane should be nowhere near the first team as well. He was also finished at least 3 years ago and I do not care about his so-called experience as, when you are past it, you are past it.

There definitely is no way back for Young or Keane and neither should be considered for the first team again. We need Branthwaite back quickly and a new right-back before transfer deadline day as Patterson has no future — Dyche does not rate him — before the start of this season is going to get really ugly.

Tactics:

1. Pickford boots the ball long;
2. Centre-backs kick long diagonal balls;
3. Play two of the slowest wingers in the Premier League and who are incapable of beating a man or crossing the ball with their right foot;
4. Play a striker with little or no support and expect him to run around pressuring the opposition defence;
5. Leave substitutions until too late to make a difference.

On top of all that, Michael fucking Keane? Was he not figured out 5 years ago?

At least Moyes is available.

I thought we played positively and well most of the first half.

I think he has the guts to play and do a good job for Everton, but the whole team has to play as a unit.

I've watched the U21s with interest the last few seasons, actually looking at an old programme today, when Liam Walsh was running the show. Amazing that most of our former young players do well in the lower leagues.

The 1st half, more than a few times, Brighton had the freedom of the park, and in the 2nd half, Everton lost hope and belief far too early. It was almost surrender. That was worrying; no leadership on the park, so it seemed.

But I agree, Brent, it will be auto foot lock at 45 yards from his goal line. Spurs is gonna be a test of character for Everton.

I think the one thing going for Dixon defensively is that he doesn't shirk a tackle, just not sure about his positioning (a Patterson issue as well?).

Yep, this season is gonna be tough, very tough, but hopefully the whole club can galvanise and ride the storms that lie ahead.

If a takeover of Everton is achieved soon, it could help lift the tension over Goodison after today.

I'm an optimist, it's only the 1st game, but a massive improvement is needed next week.

Roman Dixon could become the Praetorian right-back, Everton need so badly.

I don't think booing is the answer. If anyone thinks Beto is a better player than Dom, then think again, he is awful.

Yes, Dyche's system is simple and certainly isn't the most forward-thinking; however, our lads are having trouble executing even the most basic techniques.

In Dyche's defense, he has very few healthy and skilled bodies to choose from… particularly on the right side. One would have thought that getting a reliable right-back and a speedy right-wing who can make a simple cross would have been priorities… but I guess it was too obvious.

I am not sure people were booing Dom.

From my seat, the booing was of the decision to take him off, exactly the opposite.

Patterson is a woeful defender, Dyche knows it, Ashley Young knows himself that starting Premier League games is beyond him, Coleman (great servant that he has been) feels the same. Why hasn't this been addressed? We only have one left-back in the squad, why?

The game was even when we went behind today, I thought. Their second was totally against the run of play. But we were countered easily by pacey, tricky players, which we lack, or sit on our bench because they don't suit the Dyche style of play.

Brighton have a brave 31-year-old manager, making his way, on the back of Potter, De Zerbi. They unearth good managers, quality players…we don't.

We are bound by financial constraints, our squad is very limited, so I understand why Dyche plays percentages; why flowing football is absent. I hope we can limp through this season, but it won't be nice.

For what it's worth, the fan relationship with Calvert-Lewin is in danger of becoming toxic, that would be a huge own-goal.

At the end of this I will thank Sean Dyche for his integrity, honesty and for keeping us in the top flight, But then it's time to move on, I've been going to Goodison for 52 years, this is right up there with the worst football Everton FC have given me.

I'm watching re runs of Life on Mars currently, I'm stuck in1973 and I can't get out…..

Dyche has got to go… now, now, now. I'm better than him. I know I am.

Sack him now. He's prick up his own arse. Fuck off, Dyche.

This football is shite. I am fucking angry!

The changes to the starting eleven have to be made now. Dyche got it wrong big time when we all hoped he had seen enough of the mistakes last season.

Some of the dross we have were not sent packing in the Summer and for some reason were on show today.

Enough is enough!!

Young should never have been kept on for another year; as soon as I heard he was starting today, I feared the worst — even before he was sent off. Up against Mitoma, what a farce.

Holgate and Keane still around. Why???

Doucoure gives us nothing up front.

Come on, Dyche, show some guts.

Dyche is a decent bloke but that shouldn't be a defence for what we saw today. So many times we have a "good" 20 minutes without scoring and then lose the game and people still defend Dyche.

There is a common denominator in all of these shite performances… (It's Sean — in case that wasn't obvious!)

Grow some ambition or move on, please — we are not Burnley.

Not because he couldn't make an impact, but we are compelled to buy him after a certain number of appearances and that's one that didn't need wasting.

Don't get me wrong; from what I've seen, I'm convinced he's a force for good: but not worth accumulating appearances when we aren't sure.

Put Dyche aside for one minute. The club has had a horrible summer. After so much anticipation, expectations, false green lights etc, we haven't moved on.

Whilst our rivals have toured the world in pre-season, obviously taking in the cash, we've made do with Ireland and the UK.

Until the hierarchy is solved, we'll still flounder. The Dyche model is old-fashioned nowadays against more technical sides. That now includes the majority of Premier League teams.

I feel Dyche still is fighting the flames and feels survival this season is seen as another success. Maybe he sees that as his goal.

So where from here?

I see some mentioning Moyes. Please, No! It will be more of the same.

Let's wait till 8 or 9 games in. If there are no improvements, we should make moves to change — providing we're not paying massive compensation payments.

There are many potential candidates out there with European experience who play with flare and without fear.

The long ball tactics today just didn't work, and won't work against the majority of Premier League teams.

The next 2 months are crucial.

Tim Iroegbunam was superb today, always looking forward and intercepting, but why Keane instead of O'Brien at centre-back? And why the fuck is Young even in the squad?

Why not start the new lads who look like they can unlock the opposition? If Harrison is on a wing, why not left so he can get balls across the box? Calvert-Lewin is (allegedly) a 6-yard-box predator but no fecker plays to his strengths.

A decent tactician might get us playing better; however, the pragmatic Dyche might over a season keep us 17th or higher when his hand is forced.

I am away in Greece, watched in a pub with supporters of many ilks, and in discussion, all I could offer was that we are a Premier League turd that just won't fecking flush!!!

I'm still hopeful though that the tide will turn — just a bit of proper coaching or forced formation luck needed.

Brent @13, the minute the Brighton player ran towards the ref drawing a square, I had a feeling that the penalty wasn't going to be given. But I just hope it was decided by the on-field referee after looking at that picture of an empty VAR screen @10.

Teams that we think will struggle, ie, Southampton, Ipswich, and Bournemouth, actually looked good.

It's going to be a long season — and hopefully not the season we flush!

Home defeats, some very heavy defeats, on the opening day of the season have been a feature of our history over the last 5 decades. The likes of Norwich, Coventry, Nottingham Forest, Spurs, Leeds, Arsenal, and more recently Chelsea and Fulham have all enjoyed victories on the opening day.

After the opening 25 minutes, we were poor today. Although Tim Iroegbunam did well on his debut, as a unit, the midfield was far too open, leaving our painfully slow back line hopelessly exposed.

We need to be patient until Branthwaite and Garner return and the new players gel together.

If we were to give out an MoTM after such a nightmare, I think everyone here would pick Tim Iroegbunam. I can't remember the last time I was so impressed with a 21-year-old's debut in Blue.

He tackled like Gana, attacked well off the dribble and did not hesitate for an instant on that scoring opportunity. He even waved his arms in frustration at one of his older teammates. Not a bit shy.

I expect Onana to go on to great stardom, but I think we may have a star of our own. And the extra $54 million in the tradeoff is pretty nice too.

Tony #46, agreed. It was a powerful, courageous and completely legal challenge.

And while the ref evidently breached the VAR rules in calling off the Calvert-Lewin penalty because of what he heard in his ear, the fact is that the correct ruling was reached. Dunk aborted his challenge and kept his feet close, and Calvert-Lewin simply stepped on his foot and slipped down. No penalty.

“There are places I'll remember — Goodison Park“

Astounding!

Shit is as shit does. Starting with woeful players who have successfully, season after season, failed on all levels, ain't gonna bring anything but what we saw today.

Thelwell has failed massively. No pace. No right- or left-side defenders. No goalscorers. All his signings benched. Would have been 4 if Garner wasn't crocked. Him and Dyche are miles apart.

Dyche fucked up massively today. But was his titty lip stubbornness the reason that the Thelwell academy players weren't starting?

Okay about Calvert-Lewin: Has he ever spoken to McNeil (who is shit every game) or Harrison (shit but a trier).
Like… Oh I don't know… Plan a fucking move.

"Dwight, hit the front post area, each cross, about 8 feet high and I will run across the defender to win that ball."

Or: "Harry, I'm dropping to the far post so put it in deep." No… Clueless!!! Like nowhere near beating a defender or getting near the cross. And then just aht the fuck was that stupid dive about???

Miscontrol the first so it's launched groin-high, then fall over backwards with my arms in the air. "Penalty, ref!" No, Dom, you ballsed it up proper. Jesus tonight.

Pickford and Iroegbunam did okay, the latter being the best out of the two. The rest… read a book on making Choux pastry or other useful pastime. Coz football aint your gift.

I met some of the usual stalwarts at the Harlech, on what was a decent (weather) day for football. I have usually defended Dyche, although often queried his team selections, and criticised his use of subs and timing of them too.

Today was no exception and, as many have said, a fairly decent (hopefully not finished yet) transfer window with what we had in our budget and from outgoings. As many have said, why bring in attack-minded players and then play defensively and cowardly (imo) in the opening game of a new campaign?

The main positive, if there was one, was again another brilliant performance of 'Iron Tim' — a great pity his team-mates didn't match him in effort.

Doucoure, who I have often criticised, was even worse than ever before, a total waste of an Everton shirt and team place. Keane was not far behind him either.

Correct me if am wrong but these are the two highest earners at the Club! Pity it wasn't washers that was the currency… even then, washers can be useful. Although the centres summed up their collective contributions.

Throw in another totally incompetent referee, and if VAR needed scrapping, today's farcical failure of the screen, yet amazingly exemplified that. What is the point of having a screen that doesn't function, and how can a decision be made from that scenario?

Very frustrating today. Shocking officials. Poor calls from Dyche and a stretched squad.

But it's one game.

You, when you brought Holgate on at 0-2. That for me was giving up; don't blame the fans for following your lead.

On the Onana Iroegbunam debate, I know after watching both games today and Onana for two seasons, I'd rather have the player in blue plus £40M as a bonus. Tim will have a better season than Amadou imo.

Once Garner is fit, it will be Garner and Iroegbunam or Garner as right-back with Iroegbunam and Gana in centre-midfield.

Total speculation on my part, but it's very reasonable to think that way as a Toffee right?

Back to the game, our biggest issue is right-back right now which is meant to be a simple role.

Blessing being, Tim Iroegbunam playing so well might put James Garner into right-back which might eventually be his best position?

I thought you thought you had brains? On the contrary, you're an idiot.

Why would anyone make it difficult for themselves? Or is someone pulling your strings?

What a fucking embarrassment. Shameful.

I can't blame him for much of the recruitment or poor individual performances even. However, his tactics and team selection are fair game.

How he can be claiming any positives from the performance is hard to fathom. It was inept and so predictable.

I hope we battle our way to the new stadium but look forward to the day we are in a position to show some expectation for better football and higher standards.

I think most fans would be more positive with a young lad learning on the job at right-back and making mistakes than seeing Ashley Young line out and inevitably make mistakes. What is the gain?

The other was that Brighton played through our lines rather easily whereas we were hoofing cross-field passes in an effort to get it over the top. That's easily defended in most games.

Everton need to learn to play through the midfield or the opposition will easily absorb anything we throw at them in terms of Route One football.

I'm sure you will dispel all this doom and gloom and turn it into a positive.

Jonathan Tasker @50,

The fantastic banner at the Gwladys Street end that said: “There are places I'll remember — Goodison Park“

It was brilliant, and my all-time favourite Beatles song mate.

Young cost us points all last season and should not have been re-signed.

And 5 subs allows the game to be changed from half-time onwards. You see players cramping up and he doesn't bring on fresh legs. He never uses the full 5 and never uses them early and never goes shit or bust!

We all know that we need pace and we brought in a centre-back for £17M, that Dyche said is not ready.

We need a Gana replacement; we need two fast wingers; we need a Number 9 to replace Calvert-Lewin. We play Young and Keane when both are walking liabilities, and Holgate, rejected by the Championship.

Dyche should have been booed, not Holgate. That too is on Dyche. We bring in good players like Gray and Danjuma, respectively wouldn't play them, and Lindstrøm ("no Premier League experience"), Ndiaye, we haven't got a full back — Coleman injured but past it.

Patterson has speed but is not played, even when he is not injured; Young is not for that position, Brighton predictably targeted him. Give the right back in the Under-21s a go.

Dyche on that: too risky — but played him pre-season and he is fast. Bringing Ndaiye (rationalised, English experience, mentioned Championship, tried to allude that is better than where Lindstrøm played) on when the game is over — is quite genius.

All the effort that went into Gwladys Street, with those flags and banners and everything, Dyche though he needs our fans behind him, he will rapidly lose them.

By the way, I know fuck-all about football, but I am not thick.

Tim Iroegbunam had a good solid first game, I can't see why Jake O'Brien did not play and Keane did. Then bring Beto on instead of Jesper Lindstrøm.

I don't really get Harrison — he does some good things but loses the ball more often. If only we had some of Dixie Dean's genes we could inject into our forwards… at the moment, they just don't look like scoring.

Passing the ball to our teammates still seems to be an issue. And the one thing I never get my head around with Everton is why do we buy players to rot on the substitute bench when the players on the pitch are playing so much better?

Brighton are a good team and have strengthened, the young manager needs to stop playing out from the back or he'll be ruined by better teams.

Give him one more outing at Tottenham and, if all then goes as expected and nothing changes, give his seat on the bus to one of our wonderful travelling fans.

And why oh why are players cramping up and just looking plain knackered after 50 or 60 minutes? They get fucking paid enough as 'professional' athletes, have a dietitian and most probably have a personal chef, physio and medical staff, personal training regime, data analyst to tell you what you need to be doing to stay fit.

Dyche can't be blamed for lack of addictionsat right-back and a much-needed striker (Lord knows how much we have needed one for at least 3 seasons now) — he can because he should have been banging on Thelwell's door every waking minute telling him how much we needed match ready players in these areas.

Dyche can be blamed completely for the woeful performance yesterday as he selected the team, sorted tactics, refused to make changes when needed, and then tried to tell us it was a strong performance.

I can't believe he still has faith in Young (how many more red cards?), Calvert-Lewin (8 goals in 3 seasons?), Keane… to name just a couple.

The team as a unit needs to put that royal blue jersey on and take a fucking good look at themselves before next weekend.

I am starting to wonder, with now the third potential buyer given a period of exclusivity, if Moshri even had any intention of selling the club?

Textor has to get rid of his shares in Palace before anything can be done to move forward with the purchase of Everton. Which will leave us in limbo for how long before he looks at the dubious loans and thinks "Fuck that for a game of soldiers!"

Our best player was a young lad we got from Villa. So Dyche needs to realise that and put a whole load of fresh blood in.

Dyche treats every match like we're fighting relegation — but this was the first game of the season. If we'd have lost playing new fresh football, I think the excuses some people come up with would be fine, but this was so predictable, team selection, performance, long balls, aimless attacks. Brighton must have been pissing themselves.

And no, just because we traditionally lose heavily on the first game, we don't just write it off. Crazy.

Firstly — those who booed Calvert-Lewin off shouldn't be allowed back in the ground and clearly know sweet fuck-all about football.

The lad chased every fucking long ball hoofed up to him all game. Isolated and surrounded by 3 centre-backs, what the fuck is he supposed to do???

I watch Salah miss 7 or 8 gilt-edged chances in a game before he scores and he is hailed as a fantastic striker. Oh how Calvert-Lewin would love to have 2 or 3 of them in any game.

He lives off scraps as Everton's Number 9. No wonder he's lost all hope and wants to go somewhere he gets some decent service — like under Carlo.

If you don't know that strikers need decent service and chances (not a single chance in a whole game) to score goals, then perhaps you need to think about that before booing off a player who ran his socks off for nothing.

To boo a player when all the others played so poorly — except Tim Iroegbunam — is unforgivable!

Secondly — I'm a bird and even I can see that putting Young on to 'take care' of Mitoma, one of the fastest in the Premier League, was just tactically inept. While Roman Dixon may lack experience, he is 'Kyle Walker' quick, so Mitoma's pace may have at least been nullified.

I have been to the pre-season games and McNeil has been absent without leave in every game. Why is he still being selected? We have just bought a pacey player who can play on the wing. Why did he remain on the bench?

The team played poorly with the exception of the first 15 to 20 minutes. Even Tarkowski had a bad game and that is a rarity.

We can only hope that a) selection improves and those out of form are dropped and b) those players who are normally dependable just had a bad day at the office.

Rant over (well for today)… and breathe!

Totally unacceptable.

I agree with your assessment of Dominic's performance, Karen, and think this is surely one of the main reasons he hasn't signed a new contract, yet.

I heard boos, but because I didn't boo myself, I don't know if the anger was directed at the manager or the player. I think Dominic might have been equally bemused by the substitution and suddenly realized he hadn't clapped the crowd because he was already running quite quickly off the pitch, and suddenly heard a few boos.

Others will see things differently — the anger might have also been because it looks like Dominic wants out?

Last season, after a full preseason of training and friendlies, it was his decision to select Keane in the starting lineup for the early games. His decision. His assessment of a player's qualities, abilities and performance.

It was only after a run of inadequate performances by Keane that he was dropped and Branthwaite selected. The rest is history. Does that speak volumes? I think so.

How many other players are being overlooked or will be overlooked because "the gaffer does not yet deem them ready" whilst clinging on to the indifference and inadequacy of his chosen favourites and his tedious systems and tactics?

Just a thought!

We were shit. It's all very obvious. Basically the same team as last season — too many aging players and a manager afraid to use younger players when other teams are doing just that and running rings round us.

Young had to pull back Mitoma and thus get a red card. I'd have done the same thing and so would you once he'd been beaten. He's still too old regardless.

Keane isn't too old, he's just not all that anymore. He was alright once but his days feel like they're past him. Tarkowski looked shite yesterday too. Even Mykolenko looked off the pace.

Play the new boys. What's the worst that can happen?

I'll lay a tenner we get pumped at Spurs.

I think McNeil, Young and Keane are all his favourites, he had 2 of them at Burnley and Young is his mate from Watford.

Why did he buy O'Brien as, going by yesterday, Keane and even Holgate are ahead of him? One game in, Dyche has managed to have a dig at our fans and carry on his "hit the channels and play balls into space" football.

It's only the first game but the lack of final ball or any kind of quality from the midfielders or full-backs is a big worry. If we don't score a lot of setpiece goals, we are not going to score many.

Anyone claiming this and that Mykolenko should have had a penalty are clutching at straws. You get what you deserve in football.

I am saying that booing one player off when the whole team were piss-poor is not on.

You say you chose not to boo. Why was that? Maybe because you can see the bigger picture with Calvert-Lewin, ie, that his lack of goals comes from lack of decent service.

And no, I don't agree with not being able to voice your opinion, but booing a player who has worked his socks off for absolutely fuck-all service is not a way to treat an Everton player.

I don't expect everyone to be happy clappy with such a poor team performance, but I don't expect Everton fans to boo a player when they have worked hard, as in this case.

Karl at #76.

Yeah, I know those 3 are his buddies, but he is supposed to be a professional manager. Surely that is not a reason. He can see that McNeil is not in form and hasn't been since halfway through last season, and Ashley Young is not a match for Mitoma, purely just based on speed alone. Given Young used to be a winger, why is he incapable of crossing a decent ball?

Maybe last season he couldn't drop McNeil, as he didn't think he had an option (although he could have given Dobbin a chance), but we now have an option in Lindstrøm.

I know that you know that being buddies doesn't mean you shouldn't be dropped if you are not performing. God help us if that's going to be the case all season.

Dyche needs to stop treating our fans like we're stupid. He could regret that, if he doesn't change. Anyone of us could probably do at least a basic job of managing Everton, have better game management than Dyche.

I don't subscribe to this Premier League management is hard. It comes down to even shit players having that opportunity, not necessarily football management talent.

No, Brighton weren't brilliant but they were light-years ahead of us.

Let's be fair, that could've been a lot worse than what it was.

We started okay the first 15 minutes but after the non-penalty on Calvert-Lewin, our heads completely dropped.

Brighton out-passed us, out-pressed us, and obviously out-scored us. So for me, they were good value for the win.

On another note, those calling for changes against Spurs next week are pissing in the wind, the only change will be Holgate for Young because we all know Sean doesn't do changes.

Dunk made a desperate challenge. H]e gets absolutely nowhere near the ball and his arse sweeps into Calvert-Lewin's standing foot, denying him the chance to shoot from a few yards.

It's bizarre to read Evertonians argue in favour of a shite decision against us in their desperation to be right.

Penalty all day long.

My view of Dominic, right now, is that he must be looking around the changing room, and thinking about some of the players we have lost over the last 6 years, only to replace them with players who he mustn't have any real confidence in, with regards trying to carve out chances for the team, and this is the only thing that centre-forwards really thrive on, imo.

Then I watched Dyche give a post-match interview, actually praising them for a first-half performance (reminder, we were losing at half-time), and making a snarky little dig at the fans leaving. He needs to remember we have seen the best in the world and the worst managers in recent years and he is fast slipping down the rankings.

The only bit of his interview assessment I agreed with was the non-penalty. Yes, Calvert-Lewin stood on a foot after the defender slid in, taking Calvert-Lewin's foot from under him, it was the defender's attempt at blocking that took Calvert-Lewin's foot away from him. I watched it several times. Sorry guys, for me, that's a clear penalty,

Doesn't matter now but it could have changed the game.

I hope Branthwaite and Garner are back soon, I hope McNeil and Doucoure are dropped... I must be dreaming.

Neither full-back nor the two half-backs could, the No 10 who isn't a No 10 couldn't even pass a ball or run (not amble) into space and is left bemused wondering what a one-two is.

With these players, it doesn't matter who the centre-forward is, you'll not get the ball.

All a performance like that says to me is why Calvert-Lewin has had enough.

I went down to buy the new shirt - crap by the way!
Up to County Road, every pub full. So much positiveness it was brilliant! What a great day!

Until we kicked off. Should have stayed in bed. Disgrace to the shirts, the bloody lot of them

Yes, we can all question Dyce on numerous things but, at the end of the day, it's down to the players on the pitch and not one of them gets a plus.

Oh yes, it was a penalty.

I'm not a fan of Dyche the manager. Nice bloke who comes across very well but archaic tactics. However, given the appalling circumstances last season, ultimately has credit in the bank for guiding us to safety. However, after yesterday it's very hard to defend every decision made from tye starting line up to the belated subs to effectively conceding the game with over 20 minutes to go by bringing on defenders with us 2 0 down. As a club, Everton should never be giving up in a game but that's exactly what we did. Itnwas a horrible day all round after starting the day full of optimism (yes I'm a sucker who is always optimistic especially on 1st day of the season)

I'm not sure where to start with selection and tactics really. The back 4 had little or no pace. I see comments suggesting that the young lad Dixon isn't ready but we constantly got carved up in defence time and again. Ashley Young had a nightmare, I don't blame him, the manager picks the team and then we see eventually what happens when he gets skinned for pace again by getting himself sent off. Michael Keane is very good at what he does, blocks shots and throw himself into tackles but looked a world off the pace and consequently Myko and Tarks get dragged down to that level. McNeil, how he stayed on when he was virtually anonymous is beyond me. Doucoure as others have said, is not a 10 and was constantly offside. As for the gap between midfield and the front 2, well there was just a big hole between them which Brighton exploited easily especially with their dodgy goal kick routines which never changed. How can professional footballers not see things like this and counter it. There's no point DCL and Duke closing down when there is a massive gap behind them. Dyche will have seen all this and did nothing about it.

I stayed till the bitter end, just because I always do but I don't blame the fans for leaving. It was very sparce the crowd at the end. To have the away fans singing "we are taking the piss" when playing keep ball is shameful and embarrassing and Dyche should be thinking about that rather than the fans who had done exactly what the team did, gave up.

All in all a horrible days football and everything that Dyche could do wrong he did wrong. For me, some players get a pass, Tim played well as did Gana (excepting that horrible pass that led to the goal, Harrison was OK as was DCL. Pickford was OK too. The rest, well less said the better. Dyche needs to get his head out of his backside and start picking a side to win and start utilising the new signings. An average Brighton side utterly outplayed us so the argument that new players aren't ready just doesn't hold water. Evidently some of the existing players aren't ready and or too old. It's just a good job we weren't playing one of the top sides yesterday, that really could have been carnage.

Dear rest of the team - cross the ball to Dominic.

The end.

Well my own personal thoughts is he went to his favourites yet again, we can all see the problems in the wide areas, I will make an allowance for Harrison as he does a lot of good things, but is playing on his unfavoured right side where he is having to keep switching the ball to his left foot, before cutting inside.

McNeil for whatever reason is not doing it, that would be my first change, I would move Harrison over to the left side, and try Lindstrom on the right.

Doucoure is another who seems nowhere near the player he was, I would use him as an impact sub to see if that fires him up and play Ndiaye in Doucoure role, with Guaye and Iroegbunam as the holding midfield, some of the balls Tim played through would suit a quicker Ndiaye.

My biggest worry is in attack, the switch of the wide players could help, and Ndiaye will help to support Calvert-Lewin more.

Defence wise injuries are costing us, I found it strange that two people Everton are looking to offload, Keane and Holgate both got on the pitch yesterday before O,Brien, I can only assume unless one of the right backs makes a recovery, then the message Dyche sent out is Holgate is playing right back week, if he decides to go with O,Brien, then you have to ask why did he not give O,Brien those remaining minutes at right back.

Going forward, if we do not bring a right back in, or give Roman Dixon say 15 minutes from the bench, I know he played for the u21 the night before, but if Coleman and Patterson are still struggling, if James Garner is fit, I would play him at right back, that's where he plays for England.

Once everyone is fit, the team picks itself
Pickford in goal Coleman, Garner or Patterson for right back, Tarkowski, Branthswaite, O,Brien as back up centre half, Mykolenko
Lindstrom right wing Tim I and Gueye midfield, Harrison switched to left side.
Ndiaye just behind Calvert Lewin, with Calvert -Lewin as striker.

McNeil, Doucoure I would have on the bench for tactical changes second half, Young, Keane and Holgate would get nowhere near the bench for me.

Those changes could make a difference, but we all know what the team will be next match, some no choice, but others will get overlooked and the usual suspects will start, with late subs once again being the norm.

If every manager was similar to Southgate, then Dyche is your man, pick his favs, play them out of position and late Subs. 2 unused subs yesterday, would it have hurt to give Harrison Armstrong a go for the tiring Iroegbunam, or to give Lindstrom a 10 minute run out near the end.

This defeat is on Dyche. Biggest issue is persisting with same players for far too long. I don't understand the obsession with persisting with McNeil, Doucoure & Young. I can understand Young because other options Coleman and Patterson are injured. Mcneil and Doucoure both work hard but lack quality. I don't think striker is the issue. When you don't have quality service from wings what do we expect from Calvert Lewin. He is probably the hardest working striker doing thankless job. No wonder he wants to leave.
We still need 1 winger, 1 midfielder, 1 defender and cover on both right back and left back.

With regards to Dyche, well he has kept us up and managed us well so far considering the off field and on field issues. But he is definitely not the person to take us to the next level. He hardly tweaks the formation and doesn't make faster / proactive substitutions. He will get results and keep us up but hasn't shown enough in terms of being progressive with tactical acumen. Next season, Once we have a good squad of players with back ups, we should go with a progressive and tactically astute coach who can help us play good football and get results.

It's all been said so I won't repeat.

Saw a physio about my wonky knee on Friday a Man U supporter. Know the ins and outs of a ducks arse about every aspect of Manure but has never set foot within 200 miles of Old Trafford!

First thing he said to me is your lot should stay up again this season. It summed it up for me as to how others see Everton. A ball hadn't been kicked and we're in a relegation fight.

When I think how fortunate I've been over the last 70 years having seen the best team and players in the land ( not always)I feel very sorry for our brilliant loyal supporters.

I do hope one day the view of Everton will change and we're battling for top spot.

I have been away for a few days, had a lovely relaxing day yesterday on the Norfolk Broads, got back to the hotel and put the football results on and saw our score and wished immediately that I didn't take following Everton so fuckin' seriously.

I didn't let it spoil my night but it still hurts when I realised, reading these posts how the lack of fight, composure and ability to fight back and get in the game puts a big dampener on our lives.

I wasn't there but I can imagine how hopeless some of the performances were after seeing some of these inept players numerous times and still being kept on the field for the whole game and the torture of having to watch another nine minutes of the useless overpaid bastards as well.

I hope the next eighteen home games are nothing like this one!

Place emptied out big style when Holgate came on.

Believe me I would have preferred a day on the Norfolk broads rather than watching Everton at present. I stayed to the bitter end as I always do and I doubt there were more than a few thousand left when the ref blew his whistle. But today I read on twitter what Tarkowski said to the players at the end of the match he said " I think we did a lot of things well, and prior to the sending off I believed we were still in it" Now I am all for a bit of positivity but at 2 nil we were never coming back even if Young hadn't been sent off. Now if Tarkowski had said we were the better team for 20 minutes then I think everybody would have agreed, but if he really believes we were still in it a 2 nil then we have got serious problems, if the players believe that.

We seem to start most games moderately competitive. Then, after about 20 minutes, we tail off and concede a goal at the next proper attack.

I think it's an adrenaline spike thing. I think we're "at it" until our adrenaline runs out and subsides in the player's systems. The entailing lethargy is a comedown from the spike. We drop off, leave space, and lose concentration.

If we're not 1-0 or 2-0 up after 20 minutes, we struggle.

On a different topic...

We need a much better business plan. We're going to struggle to get value on payer sales if we're shopping in Europe. The market is too sophisticated. South America, Asia, and Africa are where we should develop proper scouting networks to trawl domestic leagues for potential gems.

Does anybody know the definitive answer as to why the referee went back on his penalty decision when he had no screen to consult and the new guidance says that there's a much higher bar for VAR intervention?

Not saying we'd have won otherwise, I doubt we would with that useless pensioner Young on the pitch, but to equalise at that point would have changed the mood entirely...

Brilliant!! Love it. Made me laugh out loud, which is quite an achievement given my state of mind after being at Goodison yesterday. Please apply for a job as Everton Manager or head coach.

I agree with many of the comments re Dyche on this thread. Having said that, I do think he handled the situation last season very well. I do believe that most young managers may well have crumbled under the pressure. So last season, imo, he was the man for the job.

However, his stubborn way is preventing the team from progressing. What is the point of signing pacey, creative players and not playing them? Especially given the alternatives.

Playing those new signings could change the dynamic of the team, put us on the front foot, and even create much needed chances and support for Calvert-Lewin. But alas not.

He says that he meets people all the time who give him their opinion on what he should be doing and who should be playing. He asks them what their job is, and when they reply, “I'm a joiner” or “I'm a builder”, he laughs.

How could they possibly know more than him? He is a football Manger! I don't imagine too many Red shite fans told Klipperty how the team should be playing. Bet there's no City fans stopping Pep to share their opinion on how he should run the squad.

If Dyche was doing a good job with style of footy, tactics and subs, most fans would just say 'Great. Lovin the way we are playing.' Perhaps the fans he meets render their opinion because none of those things (style of footy, tactics and subs) sit well with any of us who watch and support our team.

You then have to ask after not winning a game from 16 December until April, our worst run ever without a win, just how bad the teams below us were?

Why we have the worst record of going a goal down and not being able to come back from it; I am sure someone with a better memory than me will be able to tell me how many points under Dyche we have picked up after going a goal down.

With no board or owner, very unlikely a manager change could be made. Everyone can jump on me by saying it's only one game — it's not, it's been happening for well over a season, but the points deductions are blotting out everything else.

It is the same old faces, week-in & week-out; he refuses to drop his favourites; everyone can see Doucoure and McNeil are out of form — have been for most of last season — but they still get picked.

In regards to fans walking out when he only brought Holgate on, a lot would have stayed had he used his last three subs then, Lindstrom for McNeil, Armstrong for a tiring Iroegbunam, and if need be Holgate. It was the fact he left two unused subs on the bench, that's what rattled a lot of Evertonians.

You will, believe it or not, find it similar to on here; with plenty telling Pep what to do. And, believe it or not, crying that VAR and referees have it in for them.

It's what supporters do.

Nice to see Tony Abrahams make a cameo appearence a cracking lad, will do anything for anyone.

Seeing John McFarlene Snr, what a gentleman and still a great knowledge of Everton Football Club, soon be coming up for his 90th birthday in a year or so. Absolute gentleman, I walked to the park stand with him and there is nothing I would not do for John. He has his grandchild now at the games who looks after him getting to the games. No matter how bad a player plays, I have never heard him call a player out. Patience of a saint, that guy.

A pity Bill or Dave Abrahams could not make it.

Anyone heard how Ste Vincent is? I've not heard from him in a while.

If anyone else can give me a heads up who was also there sat at the Harlech, I can then put a name to a handshake.

First half, I thought the performance was there, but lack of use for some tactical subs done us.

Let's see what the next game brings and fingers crossed Dyche makes a few changes.

Then Sean calls it a “head-scratcher” when we lose. It is honestly not surprising at all, and mirrored multiple performances last season.

Dyche went for a high press, the long cross field diagonals were working first half, but we were undone by: 1) an appalling defensive display; 2) individual errors by senior players; 3) playing 2 left-footed players out of position on the right flank; 4) not making more aggressive substitutions early enough to affect the game.

He made the point post-match that he is unsure if Ndiaye, Lindstrom, O'Brien and youngsters such as Dixon and Harrison are not Premier League ready. We know for sure that a number of the starting eleven and subs will never be Premier League ready — too old, too inconsistent, or not up to the standard.

I still back Dyche 100% but his conservatism might derail him this season.

Brian, it was a healthy gathering and a pleasure to be amongst TW friends. I echo your comments about Tony and John McFarlane, who is fascinating to talk to and be educated by. Dave and Ian were there from the West Country Blues. If we carry on, we'll need an extended pavement!!

Wow, really? Man City fans telling Pep how to do his job??? What the Fuck? That too, is quite funny.

But then, I suppose having differing views, even though we all watch the same match, is what keeps our conversations interesting. Having said that — even being the 'know-it-all about footy' that I am — even I wouldn't deign to tell Pep how to do his job!! Not to his face or on t'internet.

Hi Danny at 112.

I really hope you are right about the booing when Calvert-Lewin went off. That it was because he was being subbed and not to do with what some may have seen as a poor performance.

I do think he does get unfair criticism levelled at him. I had a right ol' 'ding dong' with the guy who sits next door but one to me in the Upper Bullens who was particularly abusive about him. But I argued the same reasoning with him. What the fuck is he supposed to do when he gets nada in terms of service or half chances???

So thanks for your reassurance that our Number 9 isn't being unfairly judged and receiving boos as he left the pitch, and that most Blues can see the problem he encounters every week as our striker. I feel a bit better now.👍

When Bill Shankly was manager of Liverpool, Peter Robinson was secretary of the club and after Shankly retired Robinson said he got plenty of letters from fans telling him it was time for Shankly to go, especially during the 6 years he never won an English trophy.

Fans will always have opinions; on the night pamphlets were handed out saying it was time for Kendall to go, I thought it was time… Only 10 or 11 thousand at the game told a tale, he wasn't doing a good job, but I was glad he stayed!

He's actually quoted as saying he is more likely to leave than stay. Alex Ferguson moment? Man Utd haven't really recovered to the levels he achieved.

Interesting that Gary because neither Michael nor Lyndon have given the team or substitutes in their articles and I still don't know who the subs were. It would be nice to know!

He was the only person communicating, he had ready made excuses, he never took them, kept us honest.

But, his style of play is unsustainable. It is outdated, and teams easily work us out. His failure to see this, his unwillingness to change, just realise the same outcomes.

He was potted by Burnley, in his last season there, because he was stale. They replaced him with their Youth team coach who nearly kept the same team up, playing differently.

Please adapt, Mr Dyche. I know we can't throw caution to the wind, I know we have to be based on sound defence. Relying on clean sheets, nicking a goal at a set piece, won't work this season.

We have to find a different way, make teams worry about us.
You can get more out of these players (well, some of them).

Lindstrøm didn't even get on the pitch.

Keane will not be at Everton next season and O'Brien looks like a very decent long-term centre-back — yet we persist with Keane? How is O'Brien supposed to get experience sat on the bench?

As for Young being asked to mark Mitoma. 40,000 people at Goodison could predict the outcome.

I've backed Dyche since he came as the merry-go-round of managers needed to stop and we just needed some stability for a couple of seasons. However, I can't defend Young and Keane starting that game. We've had months to sign a right-back and didn't even need to play Keane.

The club should not even think about renewing Dyche's contract until the ownership saga is sorted out. I can see a new owner wanting to bring in a new manager — or at least being able to without forking out millions in compensation.

Depression start… onto Spurs. Brighton were not even that good.

Bullshit.

When did the fans last walk out on mass during a game? I can't ever remember that in the Premier League, certainly not to the same extent.

What Sean Dyche has done over the past two seasons is without doubt, brilliant. But 3 years on, we are no closer to putting those threats to bed, in fact if anything we are weaker as the same players are older, injured or cannot fight father time or poor form.

Juggling sand was a comment he made previously... but it was a snide dig at fans without whom the club and manager, would be finished.

It was disrespectful, he is struggling, but alienating fans is plain self-destructive. It's the pressure, but it's not an excuse.

Young was the biggest gaff and he will not be missed, no matter who comes in for him. I think Brighton were laughing when they knew Mitouma was in against Young.

In the end, it was another debacle after a bright opening and we have seen this happen so many times.

Not much optimism for bouncing back against Spurs but it seems Goodison gets all the poor performances when least expected.

I am afraid it has happened before; on every occasion when we have been losing by two or more with half-an-hour to play. It happens at every club, including Brighton when we won 5-1 in May last year.

I never leave early, including games we have lost heavily such as the 6-0 defeat at Chelsea last season.

The only time I can recall an exodus like that was being dumped out of the cup by Martinez's Wigan.

Others have said, but I think Dyche just needs to be careful with his words about the supporters. He's done a great job in difficult circumstances. I'm not suggesting we'll get into Benitez territory, but don't turn on a support base that has, majority-wise, stood by you.

Like John, I never leave until this end. I know some people have to get away to travel. I like to watch the players off the pitch.

John, thanks for the Chelsea flashback! That was painful. But in someways, it puts a lot into perspective for those who are understandably feeling frustrated after Saturday. Walking away from Stamford Bridge after that mauling was pretty depressing.

Not surprising given the lack of excitement and entertainment of the modern game.

nb: Before the high-horse mob saddle up, this is a general observation of the sport — not a pop at Goodison attendees.

It's not a case of sacking Dyche after one game. It's been a season and a half of the most mind-numbing hoofball I've seen in 50 years. He's a tactical dinosaur.

How he thinks the likes of Young and Keane are good enough to start a Premier League game is astounding. The only thing keeping him in a job is the mess the club is in behind the scenes.

I just wish the takeover would hurry up and happen. The new owner's first task will be to find a new manager as the one we've got is hopeless. He was never good enough to be given the job in the first place. He's done nothing in 18 months to make me think otherwise.

I also hadn't considered the position of strength Dyche is in - who has the power to sack him even if it was the right thing.

I stay to the end, even though I have a long journey home these days and don't usually like the early-darters, but after the sending off it was almost painful to watch how much Brighton were enjoying overrunning us. There's no fun in watching your team be desperate for the ref to blow up to put them out of their misery.

A few have said Brighton weren't that good; I disagree. Their defence may be a bit shaky but I think they are an excellent team going forward. They have real width and pace. I rate Mitoma as one of the best in the league.

That doesn't mean to say we couldn't beat them or that we can just capitulate to them like we did — we made it very easy at times with basic errors.

The players, the crowd, the decisions that should have gone for us, etc, etc. Dyche picks the players and the substitutions. He and not anyone else has to take responsibility for the result.

Every one and his gran can see that Young, Doucouré, McNeil are running on empty. Others should not be there (Keane, Gana, and the inevitable Holgate).

It is down to Dyche to do something about it. But he just cultivates a culture of complacency that we are wrong to accept. (I say that knowing a lot of us do not.)

Will he? He never does… and I'm not holding my breath.

You're half-right. But that means you're half wrong.

Must be that iPad of yours on the blink again!

Admitedly no chance of 2 late goals on Saturday though.

Did we have a minute's applause for Super Kev because MotD didn't show it but did show Arsenal's.

And what happened with the penalty check? It said the pitchside monitor wasn't working so what did the ref look at?

The ref had a secondary monitor low down on the ground. It's visible in various photos online so any reports of there not being a working monitor are false.

There's a photo that clearly shows the ref looking down at the working backup monitor.

Never mind me being half right and half wrong — can you please name the substitutes for Saturday's game!

It's not his first pre season now, it's not the period of trying to get across his methods, it's his team playing his way now, he has to take responsibility.
We all could see how light in fullbacks we are, so he can't use it as an excuse.
1 game in and we have 1 full back.

We should be actively seeking the replacement as even if he does amazing this year, that's mid table fans don't want to watch what we are being served.
He may be a safe pair of hands for now, treading water, when do we say we don't want safe we want progress ??

Tarkowski, in his own penalty area, tries to do a drag back, fails miserably and then fouls the Brighton player, possible penalty and sending off, why? Beyond stupid!

We were lucky to get away with a three-nil defeat and 10 men, could have been five-nil and 8 men. Where is the discipline? Do that again and we won't get away with it. I'm not saying either were penaltiess or sendings-off but the Premier League hate us, any excuse is their mantra.

Brian (137), I think Dyche deserves at least the rest of this season after his efforts of the last two seasons but I was amazed to read this morning that he has never won a game, for Everton, when the away team has scored first!

There is no doubt he inherited a shit show and was able to steady the ship but he needs to show progress and direction rather than frustration this season.

Lets see how creative he can be without Young Coleman or Patteson for the next couple of games.

I think most defeats are accepted when the team have had a good go during the game and I think Saturdays mass walkout (?) was very unusual.

His answer would be what do you want? Solid or creative? You score 3 we'll score 4? We had one of the best defensive records in the league last season, for which I bet he rewards himself an extra Ginsters on his drive home after games

I agreed with Micah Richard's, who said he thought the Everton crowd was very good on Saturday, but when you sign a few new players and the manager still goes with players who the club can't shift, and who have also been around for years, then of course you are going to get a lot of frustrated fans, who maybe care a little bit too much (if this is possible?) about their club.

I see Gana is back in the groove like...sigh.

We could've played till midnight and wouldn't have scored,no guille,no energy,poor passing,too slow front and back.

I'll say it again,get Gallagher on a season long loan now...and I believe Chilwell is surplus to requirements too!!

I think the more attractive type of football, with this squad, would have seen us relegated last season along with Luton who were better to watch than us and got praised for it, so get praised and go down or be more pragmatic and dull but stay up, take your pick!

For the time being I'll stick with Dyche's approach and possible safety rather than see plenty of goals from both teams and likely the drop!

Tim Iroegbunam was shattered, why not give Armstrong 6 mins plus another 9 stoppage time.

Why not take McNeil off, again to give Lindstrom some minutes, yes the game had gone, but what little chance we had of a consolation goal went the moment

Rob, cheers for the Dyche stats when going a goal behind, I thought it was bad, but even worse than I thought.

he only put one sub on, and that being a defender.

Pickford, Holgate, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Harrison, Guaye, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Doucoure, Calvert-Lewin.

Beto coming on for Calvert-Lewin, Ndiaye on for Doucoure anyone's guess the other three subs.

I would have gone as far as if James Garner had been fit last Saturday, he would have started instead of Tim IIroegbunam.

We are a demanding bunch, but we have expectations, and we should have. Regardless of result, mostly, we will give respect if the effort and performance is there. If not, we will let them have it. Especially when you consider where most of that match day fan base comes from. They won't tolerate passion less than ours.

Brian @156. I don't have issue with people leaving early. You always have supporters getting away early to beat the traffic. Saturday there was obvious frustration. I get that.

See you at the next one. I feel like we should have stayed on the pavement on County Road!

The last time I left early was in the late 90s. A right humdinger of a match against Leeds. If I recall, we were 3-4 down. I left, not because of the score, but my sister was picking me and my son up. As soon as I left the ground I heard the eruption. We'd only gone and equalised and I missed it!!

Don't think Leicester City will have another when we play them there next month.

Following this, there was a further announcement regarding Kevin Campbell, who will be properly acknowledged at the next home game when his family will be present.

I appreciate not everyone was in the ground at this stage, but I thought the club dealt with it all pretty well.

Kevin Campbell was also included in that.

And for that reason... I'm out!!

A pre-season which was a disaster, poor performances, injuries, limited acquisitions, leaving a threadbare squad totally inadequate for the season ahead.

How do you think two geriatrics are capable of being your first-choices at right-back?

How can you start a season with only one left-back who's injury-prone?

How can you have to rely on two players already (Keane and Holgate) who were deemed surplus to requirements only last year?

We have a manager who basically is totally risk averse that he dreams up excuses not to include fresh blood, be it club youngsters or new acquisitions into the club. He'd rather go with a tried and failed set-up than take any opportunity to give youth a chance.

His aversion to try anything other than a defensive set up is a slap in the face to Evertonians who give full support home and away and expect to be entertained.

Unless Thelwell pulls multiple rabbits from his hat — and I mean 4-5 players across the team — and then cajoles or enforces Dyche to change tack, then I don't see anything other than another season floating around the bottom 4 or 5 clubs in the Premier League.

It would be the biggest disaster we've experienced if we start next season at the new stadium in the Championship.

Players did not seem up to it. They did not appear to suit the system of play or appear to be aware of the importance of their contribution. They seemed unprepared or in some cases not to have put in the work in training.

It has been a point for a couple of seasons, if not longer, that the same players in a threadbare squad are getting older and the standard will inevitably slip.

Players brought in but not tried seemed to fly in the face of the hope of a change for the better, which a lot believed was necessary. Stats that Dyche puts a lot of faith in don't appear to be heading in the right direction.

It is going to be a difficult start to the season if the first away game does not show an improvement.

Nobody wants to take on this wreck of a national institution and who can blame them ? Beware the end is nigh.

Get a grip Derek, that's embarassing.

Lindstrøm also played a full 90, was much quieter, had an assist and a free kick tipped over. He was rarely involved and will need to show a lot more I think before he is first-team ready.

Dixon looked great going forwards, but has plenty of work to do to improve defensively. I think it's a choice of Holgate back 4, or back 5 including O'Brien on Saturday.

Some neat and tidy performances from a few of the youngsters but nobody banging on the first-team door just yet in my view.

I think he will risk O'Brien but the repeated failure to recruit (or develop) even a modest striker will 'do' for us this season, whether or not Calvert-Lewin remains.

I imagine Dyche and Thelwell will hang on until Xmas — by which time, it will be way too late!