Brentford vs Everton

I hope Alcaraz starts. Other than that, I can't see too many changes and still think Doucoure will feature. He didn't actually have a bad game on Saturday in my opinion.

Either way, we're looking up now. a win puts us on 34 points. That will be good enough, but we'll get more than that.

For me and where I live now, Brentford, at about 7 miles, is the closest Premier League stadium to my house. But a shocking kick off time for those having to travel from Merseyside and other parts of the country, getting home in the early hours.

An opportunity to cement our position, and, dare I say, push on for more.

Any game of football is winnable. We can go into this believing.

A win would be ecstatic, but I would be still happy with one point nearer to guaranteed Premier League status and the Promised Land!

"Any game of football is winnable. "

If you're the better team on the day!

Reluctance to beat Man Utd or runaway leaders, who have only lost once this season, to battle to the end for a point against the soon to be title winners, to have a blatant penalty turned down on Saturday and two free kicks being the only thing Man Utd threw at us all afternoon..

In regards to James Garner, he was one of the best players on the pitch last Saturday; Doucoure justified his inclusion with a goal, although I would consider giving Alcaraz a start on Wednesday.

With the troops he has got left, to go unbeaten in 6 games, you are being a little hard on the manager.

I am expecting another good performance from Everton, key could be towards the end of the match, when legs will tire once again, all in all we would have snatched anyone's hand off to pick up so many points in such a short turnaround.

Let us hope, after Wednesday's game, we can get a couple of the players back for the Wolves game.

I am expecting a tough game on Wednesday, but the way these players are rolling their sleeves up, I fully expect Everton to put in another good performance with a nervy end to the game.

2-1 Everton win

Up the Toffees.

Doucoure will definitely start after a goal and an assist, but if Tarkowski's reaction is any indication, he abandoned his post on the free kick and the ball went in right where he was supposed to be.

The only way Alcaraz starts is on the right side in place of Lindstrøm, who played pretty well despite being a bit under the weather.

Brentford is plenty good. We can win, but truly I'd be fine with a point. The primary mission has already been accomplished.

It's a tough place to go and get something, if we play like we did against Palace, we will get beaten. Play like we did against United and you never know.

It's such an alien feeling actually looking forward to watching the Blues play instead of the dread that has followed us around for over 2 seasons.

With players back for next season, and new signings, it could be a very good season in our new stadium; that's my longer term plan, anything now until the end of the season is a bonus.

Start Alcaraz here, then bring Doucoure on. It's a squad game, especially with a match every three days. It's not all about the first XI.

It would not be a crime against the footballing Gods to drop Doucoure – Alcaraz scored the winning goal and was left out – which was a horrendous mistake by the way.

Start Alcaraz, he's a good footballer. We really want to sign him. Don't fuck about, Moyes, just play him!

Regardless.... COYB!

But as Moyes Mk II has (mostly) shown compared to Dyches use of basically the same squad, Bananarama have it to a tee...'It ain't what you do - it's the way that you do it.'

In a simple, no knives to a gun fights world, Alcaraz starts at home with Doucoure as back up.

Does the reverse apply for away games though?

Does Moyes Mk II still believe that, especially away from home, we start with 1 point / 0-0 and this is to be defended to the hilt with KIT and that P1 is an optional extra.

When Doucoure is good he's worth his place and with his running will always find it very hard to get dropped from a Moyes team.

I'd drop Harrison and play Alcaraz for Ndaiye.

With Moyes, who knows??...I've always thought the less options he has the less he can over think and second guess himself.

Yes, it's a hard game, they've been good at home but most of that came about before Christmas.

They have lost at home to Plymouth, Forest and Spurs since January began; that tells me, as good as their home record is, they are a team we can go at and create chances.

The difference between Moyes and Dyche has been night and day.

Under Dyche, we would never have taken games to the likes of Man Utd, Spurs, Leicester, as proven earlier this season in mind-boggling shit shows away to Southampton, at home to 10-man Brentford ironically where we could have played until midnight and not scored.

It's a perfect opportunity to get that second half from Saturday out of out system and go into this 10-day break on a high note.

People soon forget how poor this same group of players were just weeks ago. The transformation is startling.

The thing is, there are people with long memories that won't let go. I have. I'm very happy that Moyes is back. I'm looking forward to tomorrow evening again.

"To be fair to Michael, there have been such murmurings on here."

There have been a handful. Enough to merit a mention on a game preview though?

IMWT2

He has already proven this version of him is not afraid to have a go at teams and that is with an absolute bare-bones squad.

We can absolutely get a result here, they are good but unpredictable. Need to keep Mbeumo quiet.

All this week's games are on TNT, Scott.

He's come in with little more to do than keep us up. But I thought (and said) that at the time, that the teams who will go down were always going to go down. They are very poor. In many ways, this stint has been a free hit for him.

"IMWT"? Where's that bucket? I got sick of people saying that last time around — only for him to bottle every big game.

Pleased with the speed at which he has turned things around and made going the match a pleasure again. Very pleased to give him credit for the nice worry-free sleeps I'm now enjoying, but Michael is right.

The nightmare of points deductions and the threat of opening the BMD in the Championship are fading. We now have loftier ambitions. It won't be long before people are voicing anger over our inability to deliver victories in games against the worst Man Utd seen in decades.

This surely is still a short-term solution. Leopards do not raise their glass ceilings.

Enough is enough!

Yes, let's treat him at face value but giving him some more time because of the genuine reason that this is a very threadbare and limited squad regarding injuries and skill.

He has managed the team for just eight games, six of them have been at Goodison Park which I think is a big help to the team and manager.

The two wins out of the six were against an injury ravaged Spurs team with more injuries than Everton and we nearly lost that game through silly mistakes and possibly late substitutions — the other win was against a very poor Leicester City.

Everyone was proud of the draw against Liverpool when the team ran themselves into the ground and got a draw and possibly deserved a win like Dyche got last season when we bullied and battered Liverpool in a 2-0 win.

Moyes has got two away wins with the one against Brighton won in the same way Dyche got many of his wins — by an ultra-defensive battle from start to finish. Fine by me as the gathering of points is more important than the performances.

The Palace game wasn't our best performance but, coming right after the tremendous efforts of the derby game, it wasn't a time for criticism but praise.

Therefore I think I will give the manager more time to get the injured back now and in the summer, let's see what the squad looks like after the departures and newcomers form it.

If he isn't given game time, signing him would seem to be a waste of time.

Now we're not going to win the league. So Moyes is not good enough…

But we're not going down.

And in honesty, there have been a few groans and moans at times, mainly over substitutions, but the manager has few options. Although with the options he does have, sometimes he could maybe do it quicker, but when the game is tight, Moyes generally won't do that; don't change it.

Also, the last half hour against Tottenham when we nearly blew a 3 - 0 lead, the second half against Brighton, when we did go Moyes of old. The first half against Palace until Alcaraz and Beto put us in the driving seat. Anxiety or discontent? Take your pick. I don't think the storms clouds are gathering just yet, and I hope they don't.

I hope this doesn't turn into another Moyes yes / Moyes no debate. Let's see what he says today. That might give us an idea of what team to expect, but it's pretty much picking itself right now aside from the Alcaraz for who decision.

Mark has chosen an easy place to find tomorrow, close to the ground, so looking forward to it.

If we lose, and I don't believe we will, then the response won't be anything like at the end when Benitez oversaw a defeat. Storm clouds? That was a Cat 4 Hurricane that carried on to the fixture at Carrow Road.

Who says we won't win the league?

I think he should drop Harrison for Alcaraz and get him to play in the slot where Ndiaye would normally play. Persist with Doucoure (he will) and Lindstrøm and bring on Iroegbunam for whoever tires first.

I wouldn't be surprised if we nicked this one.

Up the Blues!!!

But you never know what the future holds…

A measured post as usual mate.

The thing people have to accept is that, as miraculous as the turn around has been, it hasn't turned us into a Top 4 side and we will lose games. It'll be interesting to see the (over) reaction when that inevitably happens.

I'd be happy with a draw tomorrow depending on the actual performance.

Unrealistic maybe, but we can focus on moving up the table over the next few fixtures.

Yes, Brian. There is no such thing as a free pass and April looks daunting, but who knows? Anything can happen. Wouldn't it be great to do them at Lucifer's Den, with Doucoure running over to the dugout and doing his salute thing to Slot?!!

I go the game and speak to many Blues during the week, so where you hear these murmurings of discontent I don't know, or maybe it's just voices in your head from the past.

We have a manager who has us playing front-foot football – not 10 men behind the ball, relying on set pieces for goals. The whole atmosphere has changed around Goodison, fans actually going the game believing we can win whoever the opposition is.

I believe under the previous manager I watched some of the worst football I have seen at Goodison and was delighted when he was sacked. As his record shows, Moyes has done more in a few weeks than the previous manager did in months in both wins and goals per game.

100% deserved a point against Liverpool and Villa, cheated out of 3 against United, and won the rest of the league games with the bare bones of a squad.

Front-foot football that got the crowd involvement going. Some of them comments are piss poor.

If you are referring to my post, it definitely wasn't tongue-in-cheek but just as I saw all those games.

I expect you were at the game on Saturday so I think the crowd, or a very big proportion of them, were angry when we lost control of the game and gave those two goals away and getting angrier and more worried as we panicked with each United attack.

It looked like Dyche was still manager of the club! Or maybe you were calm and saved your anger for the referee losing his bottle and striking our goal off?

I was happy to take the point in the end.

I like Alcaraz a lot but I would not drop Doucoure — no way. Play Alcaraz instead of Lindstrøm, Moyes might feel though that sticking him on when the opposition is tiring is the best option.

Good luck for those going to the game. 6 weeks more for me yet.

Which goal did the ref strike off?

Are you talking about the penalty... ? We might have missed that!

Unfortunately, Brentford seem to be playing well recently, which makes this match all the more demanding. Be nice if we can keep our almost perfect record for February unscathed.

Feel for the away fans making another arduous journey on a Wednesday evening, just hope they come away believing it is was well worth the visit. Fancy a hard-fought 2 - 1 to us, but hope Alcaraz starts too.

And now we can whinge about incorrect subs rather than either being bored silly or truly fearing that we will go down.

Long may the moaning continue.

Yes, the penalty, which has taken over one thread since about 3:00 pm last Saturday and is still going on, when I saw Charly with the ball before Tarkowski took it off him to protect any nerves he might have, I just presumed he was going to score it.

He was so much as outstanding and having loads of shots but he was worrying United's mediocre defence and had them well on the back foot.

Maybe in a perfect world Alcaraz would have come on but played out wide right, who knows what impact that would have had?

Young came on and in fairness he didn't do anything wrong but he just can't get forward and cause opponents issues anymore which, at nearly 40, it's expected and again, not his fault.

I wasn't angry with the team or the manager, they're giving us everything they have. We dropped too deep and let Fernandes show what a talent we all know he is. My only gripe was not trying to man-mark Fernandes with someone, as they lack quality anywhere else, and he's likely to get a red if you get in his head.

O'Brien and Garner were blunted by two harsh yellow cards. We lost any threat down the right when we lost Lindstrom, and I thought Young was lucky not to get punished for several fouls he gave away – but we didn't have much better option for the right. Beto stopped running the channels, but we had no one of that level to put on to replace him. The squad is stretched.

Alcaraz could have come on earlier, but Doucoure was having a decent enough game. We then got punished by a foul, that I don't think was, then a hand ball, which Pickford gets done on for the subsequent free kick.

The second goal was rash by Doucoure. Am I angry that Iroegbunam and Alcaraz didn't come on much earlier? Not really. Moyes thought he had enough to see the game out with experience, and probably felt they weren't ready to be thrown in much earlier.

What words of wisdom will the great man have to say...???

Not many, it seems. Already 10 minutes late and counting…

Pedalo to a press conference? [Maybe too soon for that one!]

The only other sub we have is Young, who is paradoxically nearly 40. This is why we got pegged back on Saturday, our midfielders are mid-30s, and with a mediocre squad having to then cope with ten injuries we've got nout on the bench.

Still, thankfully the Moyesiah has as Michael said had an almost magical impact since he arrived, so now we wait for the exciting Summer rebuild. I can't help having the nagging suspicion though that with Virgil leaving 'they' will be 'reaching out' to Jarrad.

I think he's looking for a favourable outlook from them, going forward.

No point in pissing 'em off when you can't change what's already passed.

Fair enough, you give a good summary of how you saw the game and the use of subs.

We all see the game differently and have different opinions,. After seeing Alcaraz in just three games before Saturday, I would never leave him out of the starting line-up – especially after a full week's rest; his skill and energy are vital to this squad – I think we are a lot short of both.

I went to the game expecting a win because we were playing a team who are having a dreadful time and they were more than dreadful in that first half but we allowed them to get back into the game and eventually take it over.

A more attacking second half might have got the third goal that would have seen the fight taken out of United. With Young coming on, I saw it as Moyes putting up shop and defending the 2-goal lead instead.

As I said in my opening paragraph on my initial post, Moyes deserves more time with the depleted squad in disarray and injuries adding to it. Let's see what he's like when he has more cover when those injured come back.

Doesn't deserve a mention in the pre-match report, considering he's probably up there for manager of the month in my opinion.

Maybe he'd like to go back to Dyche. Some people are never happy.

These boys are going to deliver you a result tomorrow, you can guarantee they will put a shift in and try to win the game, 2-1 Everton, Beto to continue his scoring.

Up the Toffees.

ps: If anyone has a spare ticket for the Wolves game next week, give me a shout and I will take it off your hands.

This is ToffeeWeb.

There'd be murmurs on here if we'd just won the treble because we didn't win the quadruple.

Moyes, in the last month or so, is destroying the legacy of what we have achieved in the last 35 years.

Mike Walker, come home — only you can save us.

I do enjoy your cynicism, my friend!

And he's in the Colchester Utd FC Hall of Fame (!) although as I'm sure you'll be quick to point out, he never scored a goal his whole career.

He has done it with a very small squad because of injuries but I have always thought David manages a lot better with a small group of players.

I didn't mind him putting Young on although my own preference would have been Alcaraz, with Doucoure moving outside for another 15 or 20 minutes before reshuffling the midfield again.

It had become absolutely awful going to Goodison by the end of Dyche's tenure and it's been a lot better attending Goodison since Moyes came back.

What more can we ask than players fighting for the cause?

Not a lot after the previous 12 months, because our team was badly regressing, but with fifty thousand spectators soon to be descending on Bramley-Moore Dock, every second week, it's going to be interesting to see who we sign in the summer…

The standards and the consistency levels of most teams have been nothing more than mediocre this season, so hopefully Everton can start to push on and build quickly for the future.

Tomorrow is interesting because it does look like the players are becoming a lot more confident, and this is something that cannot be underestimated considering it's been a long time since we could say this. We will see!

Injury list and squad limitations mean that there isn't some genius tactical move to deploy – it's about attitude, workrate, organisation and continuing much more cohesive play going forwards.

Since Moyes came in, the same players Dino had done all he could with suddenly became the players most fans knew they were – they started playing in a way to get the fans up off their seats and cheering rather than being bored to death.

Moyes may not be everyone's cup of tea but he's done better in 7 games than Dino did in 70 — long may it continue, especially tomorrow night. UTFT COYB 💙

Moyesy enters the cauldron and 14 points later as we witness someting we all wished for but never thought would happen we find ourselves looking up the table rather than almost accepting relegation.

What more can the man do to convince some people?

I listened to some pundits today saying Man Utd are still in with a chance of CL places and we are a point above them having just showed them up.

Anyway, Brentford will be a tough game as will Wolves away so I'm hoping for the points but accepting that the number and intensity of the games (3 in 10 days) is going to take its toll on a threadbare squad.

Perhaps a bit of tolerance and support from the anti-Moyes brigade would bring us more togetherness.

A reluctance to use substitutes in a timely manner that cost is the win against Man Utd;

An inability to beat the supposed big clubs (Man Utd and Liverpool) when the chips are down (knife to a gunfight?);

The perennial inability to win us a trophy, as we were dumped out of the FA Cup… oh no, sorry, we weren't going to mention that again!“

Absolutely pathetic Michael.

Or should I say Bara Brith ? :-)

A result tomorrow night and 10 days rest, which is badly needed, and maybe a few players back in the warm weather training, would be a huge boost.

Let's not go there. Many had and still have reservations about the longevity and the ambitions of the club, moving forward.

Here and now is fine and we're enjoying the job he has done to date. But now that we are practically safe, attention will turn to next season and beyond.

On Saturday, 4 fine players and servants of Everton were paraded on the pitch to be honoured for their achievements. I and we all want that for future generations, whoever is sat in the dugout.

Let's get back on theme and the title of this pre-match review. Brentford tomorrow and a win, although not mathematically, will see us safe in my opinion.

Just hope it's a decent match for the dedicated away fans –although not an away win, obviously.

Bees have been very up and down recently but secure for a 5th season coming up in the Premier League which is an amazing achievement for a club with a tight budget and limited resources.

There has been some great football played and the front three of Schade, Wissa and Mbeumo, with Damsgaard pulling the strings, will trouble any team.

Well done to David Moyes for restoring pride to the Toffees.
I think it will be quite a tight match but hope for a home win, we're due one.

It should be a close encounter tomorrow.

I've got a soft spot for Brentford, having lived in Uxbridge for several years.

Not tomorrow night, obviously, but the club has come a long way, since I remember and deserve credit for how they've been run.

The stadium is nice, but how they fitted it into that space was some feat. Then again, our new one is built on water, reclaimed by sand from the Irish Sea.

It generated a bit of redevelopment as well. If I had one of those apartments that overlook the ground, with a view of the pitch from their balconies, I'd be offering it to supporters on match day.

Best wishes for the season. After tomorrow!!

With professional owners, a new stadium, and improved finances, to accept anything else would not be right. We know this from long experience.

Moyes may be doing well with what he has, but the ability to challenge at the levels that the size of Everton Football Club should be demands Everton continually strive to go beyond that.

Moyes needs to take points off all comers and win games.

Good luck tomorrow... but not too much.

Incremental improvement is the realistic goal we can/should aim for.

Personally, I don't believe it is in any way possible that we finish in the top 6 next season. Our squad is too weak. I know Forest might do it this season but they've been building to this for a few years of very high spending and now it's all come together.

Never say never - but much will depend on spending levels and injuries. Moyes and Thelwell are in control of neither of these things. Let's hope they get plenty of luck of money.

There's rarely a smooth path to making a team more competitive. Moyes admitted today that even he's surprised at the speed of the turnaround, so I can understand that he's still cautious, he knows that there will be results like the weekend in the remaining games.

The sqauds so thin, and the players who can come off the bench are not really like for like with the starting 11, who we are getting results with, so the subs will change how we are playing, so I can see why hes reluctant to use them.
I wouldn't say its him reverting to type, I'd say its a case of him not having the players he'd like to come on.

With the squd being so thin, I'd say we need to utilise what subs we can to conserve energy and prevent further injuries.
Tricky game this Brentford, I'm going for a tight 1-0 win.

I however, say give him a chance. He has imo, rescued a site that, following a takeover, could have gone down the drain and given us hope that it might have a bright future.

But I will give you this - you have stirred us up and brought ToffeeWeb back to life because I thought it was looking finished.

I am very glad it isn’t because I have been coming on here for many years and enjoy reading all the posts and taking in the different points of view. So here is a thank you from me.

Tony # 58 - “ What more can we ask than players fighting for the cause?” At this stage of proceedings, and considering how every single one of us was feeling just seven games ago - nothing.

But when we move in to the best stadium in England next season things will be different. We are on our way back and we will be great again.

Finally, I am enjoying going into this game “down South” feeling we can get a result. It’s good isn’t it?

A subdued or private expression of discontent or dissatisfaction; plural noun: murmurings.

"murmurings of discontent from the fans" — an insinuation.

It is not like he said the lynch mob were out demanding Moyes be sacked.

On Match days the Balconies are crowded, with invitees over to watch the Match with friends and Families.
I don’t know if there are any restricted views, but I doubt they can complain!

Probably similar to the recent Palace game where we were probably a bit jammy to take all the points. So I’d take a point, but if Beto scores a winner then we’re really on the up.

I like a spicy match preview rather than something sanitary and beige. Going out of the FA cup at home was a massive disappointment, especially with the improved performances since.

Moyes deserves credit for sure, it’s been an extraordinary turnaround. This game at Brentford is a nice indicator for how far we have come. I’m looking forward to it. UTFT!

I find him knowledgeable of the game, he does know his football and how players should be playing it.

I do value his opinion and I am confident that he does know the way Everton should progress and will keep that line alive for us all in his reports and feedback.

Brentford are in decent form and the next step on our journey will be to compete with and overhaul the likes of Brentford, Palace and Fulham in mid-table which I imagine will be the goal for next season.

For now, I'd be very happy with a draw and no more injuries. Looking forward to having McNeil and Ndiaye back.

ATB

Murph

Anyone who's read his writing over the years know he's not afraid to say how he feels, isn't that why we enjoy the debates that it sparks ? Agree with him or disagree, there definitely was "murmurings" of people believing Moyes could have done more with subs etc.

I think they are premature, and are probably the fans who didn't really want to except Moyes returning and are just waiting for any chance to have a go at him !

I think the thing about Moyes is most were “not quite what we wanted but he will do a job but has his own glass ceiling and negative tactics.”

Obviously getting 3 wins on the bounce made us all happy but Moyes is Moyes so it's naive to think 3 wins on the bounce turns into 50 and Champions League. So there will be murmurings but it's not to say people want him sacked.

If anything, I think the murmurings are more to do with frustration Moyes who's a competent coach actually holds himself and the team back to an extent. But again 6 months ago we we were looking at 777 Partners and Dyche so, all-in-all, things have clearly improved allround.

So I'm not worried about the lack of drive from the players. It's more about the manager to come up with the right strategy.

I think we can win this one.

Moyes looks noticeably more relaxed, confident and comfortable in his own skin this time around. His news conferences are very different. I think he sees this job as a great way to crown his career and appreciates it.

If he is bringing that mindset into the dressing room, it will help his man-management. He is also showing willingness to be more positive in-game tactics, and greater confidence in his substitutions may come when he has some injured players returning. If it is his last big job, he should be brave and really go for. The fans will support him to the hilt if he matches competence with a higher risk appetite.

But, as someone who was surprised to see him rehired, it is a thumbs up so far.

"Moyes is Moyes" yeah, but that doesn't mean he hasn't picked up a few things. His game management may or may not be the same -- I'll wait to judge that until he has actual subs to select -- but his man management seems significantly different. Dour Davy has been succeeded by a guy who clearly knows how to inject confidence into slumping or neglected players (Beto, O'Brien, Harrison, Branthwaite), and I don't recall that being one of his strengths the last time around.

I look forward to the time - hopefully very soon - when I can come on here and berate the 7th-ish Moyes, saying the dour, dithering twat should have us 3rd or 4th at minimum.

All 'runs' good or bad, don't last forever but it's how you react in your next game that really counts.

It is not unreasonable that with : a high paid Manager;high paid players(some over paid ) ; fans who buy high priced tickets ; travel long distances ; watch their team in Sub standard conditions ;Seen their Club hollowed out ; widely acknowledge as badly run and not been competitive in competitions for years, expect the highest standards when a well financed new professional regime takeover.

After all it is the Fans that have kept Everton in the Premier League.Moyes had done well to start with, but some of his performances stats remain the same.

Tackles,
Duels won,
Aerial duels won,
Sprints,
Distances ran,
High turnovers leading to a shot.

That tells me he's got a group that's largely failed for many of year to do something that is best in class. He's a coach, not a miracle worker. He can organise, but he can't stop individual mistakes, nor can he turn limited players into world beaters.

He is going to lose games this season, and next season. The bigger picture before the collective meltdown is: a) Is he bringing in younger players that point to a better future? b) Are we in a league position that points to progress compared to what has come before? c) Are we proud of the team but understand their limitations that will exist for maybe the next 2, 3, 4 years?

There will be bumps in the road.

We can't really judge his substitutions, with the threadbare squad at the moment, but his changes, starting O'Brien and Lindstrom, has made a huge difference.

Listening to him yesterday, he wants to get to 40 points as soon as possible, and he's definitely thinking of the summer, mentioning the new owners and a big upgrade in the squad to bring us to a lot higher level.

When he mentioned Brentford, no disrespect, he said we should be way above that level? This is his last big project, and he's definitely up for it, in his demeanour.

I saw the same thing I always witnessed with a Moyes team, when West Ham beat Everton, in another of those games that Michael Oliver, showed his hand and sent off Michael Keane, at a time when we were under real pressure and he (Oliver) was suddenly refereeing us a lot more and sending off Everton players for fun.

West Ham, were doing very well and had a Europa League (not conference) semi final to look forward to, but they looked very, very tired, and although they beat us, you could see they had very little in the tank.

I spoke to a couple of Hammers fans, at the station and they all agreed with me and said they had been running on empty for a few weeks.

Moyes will do for now and hopefully put us on the right pathway (his second stint has started fantastically) but I’m not sure if he can work and rotate with regards having a bigger squad of players, and when he doesn’t, there will always be times throughout a season that it looks like his players are dead on their feet.

Hopefully he gets the chance to prove me wrong, because I only want success for our football club.

I was wondering when John, our resident Brentford fan was going to come on ToffeeWeb. If you do manage to bump into Mark tonight John, I’ll make sure Danny, gets you a couple of pints, and I’ll reimburse him at a later date! Hopefully we see a good game🤞

I understand why those fans want Everton to be in Europe but, with the squad we will have in the next two or three years, European games will take their toll when it comes to getting up the league ladder, too many games added to the 38 we play in the league.

Concentrate on the league and go for Europe when we have the numbers to combine both, also the League Cup and the now devalued FA Cup.

Oh, and 5 away wins tonight would suit me down to the ground.

COYB!!

Completely agree, walk before you can run. We need to build our squad up first.

Didn't Middlesbrough and Fulham get relegated the season they were playing in the Europa League, their squads couldn't cope, maybe wrong here though just going from memory.

Moyes's win rate against Top 4 Clubs remains the same.

Tony #9,

I agree. Hopefully the intent we see from Moyes means he will be able to address his past weaknesses. He can't be allowed to sit mid-table and not challenge in competitions.

Think it will be something like 2-1 either way. Should be decent match. Looks as if Mbeumo might be joining your esteemed neighbours in the summer. He deserves it, top player.

Re Thomas Frank... he doesn't slag off other coaches, scream abuse at refs, try to intimidate officials, so I think his remarks re Lindstrom etc should be taken at face value.

Good to hear from you again.

I rate Brian Mbeumo very highly — what would we give for a wide player who scores goals and has a fair number of assists? Apart from Salah, who is in a different class, I think Saka, Mbeumo and Bowen all show how important goals from wide players are.

This has been perfectly illustrated since Saka has been injured: Arsenal don't carry the same threat. Our 2 wide players at the moment, Harrison and Lindstrøm, haven't scored a goal all season, yet under Moyes we have gone from a team who sometimes didn't have a shot at goal in games to a team scoring regularly.

I also rate Thomas Frank very highly; when we sacked Dyche, he was one manager I would have loved at Everton. I remember Guardiola saying Brentford caused Man City more problems at the Etihad than most teams.

I used to be on the BBC fans forum many years ago and you got to hear from fans of every club, just wish that we had something similar today. So good luck for the rest of the season just not tonight.

A showing in the League Cup and FA Cup would show a developed squad. If that can't be addressed, Europe is a small town outside wishful thinking.

After Xmas for years it was only the League, no extra work and then a blip about Easter as they prepared for the Summer Holidays.

Qualifying for Europe would not be viewed enthusiastically. Not even Ancelotti could change that.

I always was confident enough work would be done to survive in the Premier League. This is the attitude that the new owners and Moyes have to change.

It goes a long way to highlight just how much he has turned it around, fair play David Moyes!

If a continental manager had come in and done what Moyes has he would be spoke of as a genius.

He was a risk free appointment, you got great experience with a record when he was here on the money he had to spend that was very hard to beat.

Sure we didn't win anything but that was hardly suprising when money buys success ie top 6 clubs.

I'm not a Moyes disciple by the way and I think we have probably been on a purple patch when things seem to go your way, so I've no doubt we will get the reverse.

Maybe its already started with the penalty we didnt get!

For this reason, if we walk away with a win tonight it might be the most impressive of all,
particularly given Brentford’s own good form.

I really like TF, the Brentford manager but pray he is on the wrong side of tonight’s result!

Tony, I think Mark will now have me as designated pint buyer now!!

Raymond, Moyes is getting the credit he deserves. From sceptical Evertonians and the media.

John, I met Cliff Crown about 10 years ago, whilst on holiday in Italy.

He came across as a very approachable, friendly guy extremely enthusiastic about all things Brentford. He was also very complimentary about Everton.

Brentford were, if memory serves, in Division 1 at the time and I must admit I was sceptical about his obvious ambition for the club. Well, how wrong was I.

Got to go down as one of the recent success stories of the Premier League alongside Bournemouth and Brighton. I wish you and your club all the very best for the future, as long as it doesn’t conflict with the Toffees, of course.

If any Blues can’t get to the game and/or have a ticket going for tonight, then I can be contacted on 07769188274 - I live nearby and can be at a pub near the ground by 6PM.

I’ve been going to watch Brentford for many years but I’ve never managed to watch in the away end with my fellow Toffees, would love it!!!

The Greyhound is a lovely pub, my dad worked in Kew Gardens after he left the army and we had a few pints in there. Coach & Horses at the bottom corner of the Green also very nice with decent grub.

Brentford are always dangerous and most games are very entertaining - hopefully I haven’t put the 0-0 curse on it.

Just football tonight please and no dodgy referee shenanigans, I’m still not over Saturday yet.

If you can't be judged after 5 weeks in a job, which everyone said was impossible and no one wanted, what's the world coming to.

I know Moyes has won a few games, but surely that's the least we expect? If he's not targeting trophies and challenging the elite by now, then it's been a complete waste of a month or so.

I’d reserve judgment on Beto. When he was here before his strikers got off to flyers banging in goals before going sterile: Jelavic, Johnson etc we will see if Moyes has evolved over the longer term.

But, still it takes so little to trigger some posters - “disgrace, Nae-sayers, reluctant adopters, armchair managers, Anti Moyes or reluctant Moyes brigade.”

As well as being cliched, it is completely disproportionate to the posts made. Chill out and read them properly.

One for you Derek K :-)

Whether it lasts or whether Moyes is the answer? No idea. But I'm just going to enjoy it whilst it lasts!

UTFT NSNO WWHD

Dave #98, agreed. Time enough for Europe when we have a full and capable squad, which is a few transfer windows away.

Kieran #115, I have no grand illusions about Beto long-term, but his increased confidence is obvious, and that counts for a lot in a striker.

Brian and DK, be good to each other. I love you both.

I don't think the use of anti Moyes brigade is helpful. It was always going to divide opinions. I won't be jumping up and down if our good run ends temporarily saying I told you so. Neither should the other side of the opinion.

We're enjoying it right now and I hope it continues. All we want is to be entertained and see our team and club compete.

Brentford bound and looking forward to it. Once that whistle goes, I don't care who is playing and who isn't. It's the players on the pitch that matter.

And note to self. Do not watch the clock.

Next season, with an improved squad, a pre season behind him, in our new stadium, then judgement will become more relevant.
Right now I’m just very thankful we made the manager change. 7 games ago I never saw this coming.

Some interesting comments on Moyes, I can understand them all. I was underwhelmed at his reappointment and have been happily surprised at the major upturn in results, there does seem to be a real feel good factor returning to the club and Goodison is getting a much better send off - with raucous crowds and entertaining matches, it was pretty dire until the return of DM (mostly due to the fayre on display).

We are also missing our most creative players, in McNeil and Ndiaye, and are still creating chances and scoring goals.

It’s nice to be looking forward to matches again, the lads can give it everything tonight and then have a decent break - only two matches in March before we play the other lot in April. Hope the players don’t lose sharpness with such little football and that we get some bodies back from injury.

As a StHelens RL fan based darn Sarth, I was glad to visit Griffin Park when Saints were the guests of the old London Broncos there. I knew there was a pub on each corner so I took my then 10 year old son into one of them. I can’t remember its name but it was very Irish. We were one of the first in so I propped him up on a bar stool and ordered a pint of Guinness for me and a lemo and bag of crisps for him. The Irish Landlady took my money and cheerily gave me my change - a pound short! I alerted her to this and she apologised profusely and gave me my missing pound. She then did exactly the same to the next Saints fan at the bar, and then the next. I don’t know if she thought Northerners would be a soft touch but believe me Sintellensers always count their change and she got not a farthing from any of them. She wasn’t very cheery once it sank in.

She’d have made a small fortune if it had worked.

Enjoy the game - not too much obvs - and catch you next time.

Ps - bad news about Mbuemo- I quite liked him. Now he’ll get Dogs abuse!

UTFT

Would he get an Arsenal challenging like arteta given the same funds & time... probably.

Is Ange any better? I think not !!

We've got a guy who's genuinely going to give his all.
He may have limitations, but he could also be ready to use everything he's learnt to exceed his limitations.

Get us some more points this evening, former-ginge!

Hopefully the squad is upbeat, and charged up and ready to go.

Feed Beto, and he will score but winning the right to play is priority.

3-2, to Everton.

UTFTs!

It's certainly nice to actually look forward to games again with a realistic hope that we can get a result against any team - we'll have setbacks I'm sure like the cup defeat but the only real mission was to keep us in the PL and that it's been as much as done so soon is amazing!