Wall Writer

Good to see Dom starting. Also excited to see Harrison get his first start. Wasn't expecting 5 at the back, but ok. Interesting to see what Garner and Onana do in the middle. And hopefully we'll see a few goals.

I'm backing the build momentum, confidence and partnerships philosophy. At most rest say two players. Maybe make changes early in the second half, because we do have important games coming up. But we all know we are never going to win this trophy anyway!

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/sep/26/everton-fc-owner-alisher-usmanov-farhad-moshiri One of the reasons Moshiri wants out has to be because he’s been cut off from Uncle Alisher.

That’s my point. You can just as easy argue that our doctors were incompetent in not uncovering potential mental and physical complications, including any addictions or long term medication. At the end of the day though it’s just scapegoating. But, as I mentioned, I don’t know what you are arguing for here. Are you saying Spurs owe us or Dele something? Are you implying we’ve been somehow ripped off?

I’m not sure what you’re trying to get at @Hafnia. It’s all good finger-pointing, but you can also point the finger at our doctors. Aren’t all players given a medical before signing. Why weren’t these medical problems discovered then. I don’t see what your argument is?

We made a deal, we agreed the terms, we should pay up. Besides Levy doesn’t seem like the kind to “renegotiate” terms that are not in his favour. This idea that they owe us something is ridiculous. Fair enough, in retrospect they could have handled his situation better. But that’s with the benefit of hindsight. We can all be wise and morally superior with the benefit of hindsight.

There's 6 games between now and the next international break. I'd like to see us around the 15 point mark around then, but that might still be a big ask at this point. That's around 11 points from Luton (H), Bournemouth (H), Liverpool (A), West Ham (A), Brighton (H), Palace (A). Obviously the next two games will be crucial in this regard. We've shown glimpses of how well we can play and the amount of chances we can create. But the key will be can we maintain a level of consistency and put those chances away. There's reason to be optimistic right now, and god knows we need a slice of optimism at the minute, but I think by the next international break we'll be able to say whether this is going to be another long and depressing season or one where we can look forward to the dizzying heights of a mid-table finish.

Just a point behind Chelsea now lads. Reckon we’ll be challenging for Europe this year! Hopefully that win will lift the spirits of many on here. It’s all been a bit doom and gloom on here this last week - even more so than usual. Onwards and upwards!

Loved the improvised diving slide after his goal today. Great to see him back and on the score sheet. Fingers crossed he can stay fit.

World of difference having him at the back. Does the basics really well, puts in a solid performance and doesn’t make too many soft mistakes. The result is we look much more composed and solid.

Danjuma on for Gana and Garner into the middle

Sounds like a home match right now

Yippee!!

Sounds like this could be an exciting, end-to-end match. I don't think we'll lose today. That's my prediction.

Is he anywhere near fit? Thought he had a slight setback, but still doesn’t seem to be anywhere near the team.

Communication? Everton? Can’t be true.

I’m torn. Part of me says we need to stick with and at least give him a chance. He’s barely had time to put his stamp on the team and we’ve had key players out (in a team with no depth). On the other hand, I don’t feel he’ll last the season anyway, so why prolong the agony. But then on the other hand, we can’t keep changing managers every 5 minutes. But on the other hand, we are abysmal to watch. FFS, you need at least four arms to support this team!

The line I was taking was that we’d be sold as a package, stadium and all. Of course, they could well sell off all the assets separately, and probably make a lot more money that way. Who knows what they’ll end up doing. As I said, I’m clutching at straws trying to find a glimmer of hope in this deep dark abyss.

If these guys come in, get the stadium done, and then flip it as suggested, then isn’t that ‘ok’. I mean that in the sense that, the stadium gets done then maybe they don’t invest too much in the team, which may be difficult enough with FFP anyway, but keep us in the League, we then at least become an attractive investment for someone who might be willing to invest in taking the club forward. I’m clutching at straws I know, but surely that is a better situation to be in than the status quo? It’s going to be a long time before we are fighting for Europe again, that much is obvious. But a new stadium and perhaps better people behind the scenes inc. at board level is the best we can hope for at the moment?

They should get Better Help to sponsor the YouTube vids and provide the players with free accounts

I don’t see the point either, but it’s the way of the world. If performances and results continue in this manner the pressure will mount - from the fans and the media. If these new owners come in, are they going to accept the bad results and performances? History tells us new owners are often quick to impose their will. I totally agree that chopping and changing the manager can’t be the answer. But that’s not how the PL works. If managers are not getting results, they get sacked. He’s got to turn it around in the next few matches or it’s going to start to get ugly.

No way he’s still here come the end of the season.

My conclusions from today: we’re a bang average team at best. But I think we all knew that already. I take it as a positive that we only lost by one. Arsenal are a million miles ahead of us. And that’s the saddest part of all. We’re utterly boring to watch. Football is supposed to be a form of entertainment. You win some, you lose some, and your emotions are stirred one way or the other. But you’re not supposed to come away from the experience feeling you’ve literally just wasted 2 hours of your life.

I can see it in The Times on Monday: Sports investors, a level up all round on satan's numbers!

When you see them writing drug trafficking in the media and then find out it was basically an ounce of coke for him and his mates, it’s does seem a little exaggerated. Not that I’m trying to justify it but if we see him walking out of Wembley after we’ve snatched an injury time winner in the semifinal, wide-eyed and gurning, shouting “I want Mourinho! Everton aren’t we!”, then maybe he’s the man for the job. Anyway, on a serious note, I think there’s been a lot of bad press and I’m not sure how justified that is. I’ll be watching this space and trying to find out a bit more about them in the coming days no doubt. But at the same time, I kind of agree with what Moshiri said in his release. Times have changed. Premier League football clubs and they their ownership models are not what they used to be. We kind of have to accept that. At the end of the day, it what happens in the pitch that matters and ultimately they’ll be judged on that. They could take billions out of the club, but if we’re winning trophies not many are gonna complain.