Wiggytop

I’m just watching the Newcastle games, SW first goal is offside, not by much, but more than Gray was last night, no VAR at this game, it’s a totally uneven way to run a completion, it’s either at all or none.

I’m just watching the Newcastle games, SW first goal is offside, not by much, but more than Gray was last night, no VAR at this game, it’s a totally uneven way to run a completion, it’s either at all or none.

I’m just watching the Newcastle games, SW first goal is offside, not by much, but more than Gray was last night, no VAR at this game, it’s a totally uneven way to run a completion, it’s either at all or none.

He was more like the Doucoure we first bought, and worth keeping if he keeps that up.

I’m just watching the Newcastle games, SW first goal is offside, not by much, but more than Gray was last night, no VAR at this game, it’s a totally uneven way to run a completion, it’s either at all or none.

No one, but I have  a dream 😜

They did not play us off the park, yes they have superior players and we’re more incisive, but the team that Frank put out gave them a game they would not have been expecting after seeing our performance on Tuesday. 
At 4 mins we could have crumbled, did we, no we came back and fought our way back into the game, and with a bit of fortune, DCL’s goal would have stood, and Maupay would have found the net, it could have been 2-3 as easily as it was 3-1. 
We still lack composure across the field, particularly up front, it stems from low confidence, we miss the confidence of Richarlison, even if he was having a bad game, he always seemed confident he would score.
It was my first proper away game, Ive been to a few hospitality games where it’s very clinical and detached from the Everton support, last night being in the middle of 9500 fervent fans was tremendous, everyone was behind the team, yes we called out mistakes, but the support for the team was 100%
I walked away with optimism, the absolute opposite to Tuesday night where it was like a zombie apocalypse.
The team and Frank need to approach every game with the same attitude, home or away, if they do we will be OK, with a few hiccups along the way.

We miss DCL as the focal point so much when he’s not available, he wins headers, holds the ball and puts a decent tackle in, which helps lift the team, Godfrey tackles do the same.
Ings has been discussed, atm I’d be happy to see if we could  swap Maupay for Ings, surely one of Ings and DCL would be fit for each game.

We played ok last night, lots of spirit and fight to come back from a goal down, and cause them problems.
Not having a proper striker to lead the line is a big cause of our problems, we carry little threat so teams just brush us aside knowing that we struggle to score. It also means we don't have a focal point in attack who wingers and creative players can look to play off, and we lack confidence.
If we can get a creative midfielder, a winger and striker and keep DCL fit then we will be fine.
Got to stick with Lampard and see this through. 

I thought the substitute that had the most impact last night was Doucoure he drove the team forward, he was back to his best of last season. Your right though DCL does show what we have been missing upfront, he's our outlet when we are under pressure with his hold up play, which brings me to the question of who's idea was it to bring in Maupay and think he could replicate that. Also DCL disallowed goal was the closest I've seen him look since the Ancelotti season, where he scored plenty of similar goals in that fashion, of a good run into the 6 yard box and muscling players out the way to get the final touch, liked that a lot. 

Players got a good reception from the fans at the end though. Was great to see the support this club has.

I think we played a lot better tonight and that was important. It was all about performance, rather than the result. Going out probably helps us in all honesty, but it was absolutely vital that we didn’t stink the place out. We even managed to play some decent football to add to a grittier showing.
Next time it’s more about the result, so let’s build on a performance for a change and not let it go to waste like we did after the City game. 

Part of me wants us to get spanked to speed up the inevitable sacking of Lampard.

Stubbs not getting freebies is such a none story, if all the ex players got them there would be nowhere left for the rest of us to sit.
God knows there are enough genuine grievances to be getting on with at the moment without this bollocks 

For every player that might be short of a few bob, there is a Baines or Cahill etc.
Royle also spent a long time working with Kenwright. Has he said why he left? Didnt he join the board at Wigan or was that later?
Again I just dont think that is a story. Bloke gets freebies taken away because he criticises the owner? Its hardly a shock. 
I just think there is so much you can easily criticise him for, this type of stuff isnt needed and detracts from the more important points.

I said the same to my son at 0-4, that we could end up 7 or 8, really surprised we didn’t to be honest.
The goal we got could well prove to be invaluable.

This team is capable of playing counter attacking, snatch and grab football, Frank Lamaprd is capable of putting a team on the pitch that can effectively play that type of football. So to this effect I don't see the point in hiring a Alladayce/Dyche type to do this and totally start from scratch with a new backroom staff again.
I also don't see the point in bringing a coach that wants to play with the ball, As the squad is not good enough. As managers (with better player at their disposal) have found out. 

Just got home. It was horrendous! I can’t disagree with any of the above. I was one of the stupid few that stayed to the end. We can’t afford to go down but the feeling I got inside the stadium today was like nothing I’d experienced all last season. Apathy, realisation, inevitability, predictability and just numbness to it all. No one was really angry after. No hostile arguing amongst our own fans, no bins being punched, nor even that much shouting at the players who walked down the tunnel without acknowledging the crowd. It felt like a wake. I don’t think there will be the appetite and enthusiasm to drag the team over the line again. 

Gray.
Worked his arse off, did some good work in attack, at times doesn't look up to get the ball into the box, favouring looking to make himself a shot but did get some balls into the box also.  Was up and down the pitch putting challenges and kept at it all game while others capitulated.
 

Played a good ball through for the 4th goal. Just a shame it was for them you know. Frank must have told him to try play the striker in more but obviously wasn’t clear enough.
Things to work on in training I guess.

Richarlison and Pickford were the difference last season. We’ve lost a big part of that duo with no replacement. 

Gueye can definitely not look himself in the mirror.
I do think he was one of the best performers in the first half but he plays a part in the last three goals. The 2nd he reacts too late, going to ground and not winning the ball. the 3rd, he could get out quicker once Tarkowski has been mugged off (albeit questionable as to whether it would have made a difference) and well the 4th is obvious. 
A lot of the so called leaders like Gueye, Tarkowki and Coady all disappeared in that game when we needed them to step up.

Great result, rode our luck but maybe it’s time  a few things went in our favour, time for all the doom mongers to change tack and start praising Lampard.

You know, I'm so pleased that Gray scored and stunned the moaning minnies on this forum. Just reread the comments early on: Everton will lose, we'll get slaughtered, our tactics are all wrong, yada yada. And we end up stealing a point from the champions! Why aren't we cheering our team, guys? Why aren't we believing in them? Are we going to allow the media to dictate our mood or a weird collective negativity? We tied the league leaders away from home and completely wound up Haaland. We did well!

And I predicted a 1-1 tie.

Now is the time to find out if he can stay fit (ever) again. If he gets hurt we open the checkbook. If he doesn't we might just win a few games...and we hopefully still open the checkbook  
Would be so Everton to protect him in January, not sign cover and he gets hurt in early February. His career and our season are at risk of going off the rails, time to see what he and we are made of.