Ifs, buts and Maybes

[Btay]

10 hours ago, Hafnia said:

2-0 Villa. Get in.  We should have got Matty cash in the Digne deal. 

Can’t stand him personally - like a mini Grealish wannabe.

Still think of the teams towards the bottom we are the most likely to go on a little 3/4 game winning streak. 

Regardless though, this season has shown that it’s a privilege to be in the top tier.

[Elston Gunnn]

On 10/03/2022 at 19:28, RPG said:

Low 30 points might be enough now.

I’m hoping for 36.  And how pathetic is that?

So, I’m watching Brentford-Burnley, and I guess I’m hoping for a draw.  That would give Brentford 28 after 29 matches, Burnley 22 after 27.  Leeds are 23 after 28 but will likely be 26 tomorrow, as they are home to Norwich.  We’re on 22 after 25.

Others of you prefer either Brentford or Burnley to win today?

[Hafnia]

17 minutes ago, Elston Gunnn said:

I’m hoping for 36.  And how pathetic is that?

So, I’m watching Brentford-Burnley, and I guess I’m hoping for a draw.  That would give Brentford 28 after 29 matches, Burnley 22 after 27.  Leeds are 23 after 28 but will likely be 26 tomorrow, as they are home to Norwich.  We’re on 22 after 25.

Others of you prefer either Brentford or Burnley to win today?

Brentford to win. Psychologically being in the bottom 3 isn’t good. 
 

if Burnley continue to have Mee missing then I see them conceding more goals and will struggle.  Brentford are not out of it. Worst case scenario is Burnley winning 

[RPG]

20 minutes ago, Elston Gunnn said:

I’m hoping for 36.  And how pathetic is that?

So, I’m watching Brentford-Burnley, and I guess I’m hoping for a draw.  That would give Brentford 28 after 29 matches, Burnley 22 after 27.  Leeds are 23 after 28 but will likely be 26 tomorrow, as they are home to Norwich.  We’re on 22 after 25.

Others of you prefer either Brentford or Burnley to win today?

A draw puts Burnley above us on GD. A Brentford win means Burnley stay below us but Brentford have points on the board and are then very difficult to catch. A Burnley win opens up a can of worms for Leeds, Everton and Brentford. Anything other than a Burnley win for me. I guess 0-0 is the least bad result for us but it all counts for nothing if we don't start winning games very soon.

[dunlopp9987]

5 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

Brentford to win. Psychologically being in the bottom 3 isn’t good. 
 

if Burnley continue to have Mee missing then I see them conceding more goals and will struggle.  Brentford are not out of it. Worst case scenario is Burnley winning 

I'd usually say I'm pulling for a draw, as then at least both sides drop points, but I want us to stay out of the bottom 3 at all costs. We've already seen that our side have the mentality of a ladybug, I think if they see that they're in the bottom 3 headed into tomorrow, it could be disastrous

[Elston Gunnn]

24 minutes ago, dunlopp9987 said:

.... our side have the mentality of a ladybug....

An entomological interpretation of our predicament?

But wait, aren’t ladybugs ferocious predators?  That doesn’t sound like us, Richarlison a possible exception.

[dunlopp9987]

3 minutes ago, Elston Gunnn said:

An entomological interpretation of our predicament?

But wait, aren’t ladybugs ferocious predators?  That doesn’t sound like us, Richarlison a possible exception.

Have you seen Michael Keane play lately? Single-handedly devouring our chances of staying up.

The T-Rex has nothing on him

[Hafnia]

Brentford 1-0…. Set up by eriksen 

[Elston Gunnn]

Brentford goal!  So worst-case scenario now highly unlikely.

[dunlopp9987]

Glad to see Brentford get one, I'd prefer for them to stay up. Though obviously not at our expense. Burnley don't play for almost 3 weeks after today, that sort of layoff after 3 straight defeats could be huge for our chances of staying up

[Hafnia]

Just now, Elston Gunnn said:

Brentford goal!  So worst-case scenario now highly unlikely.

Hopefully knocks the stuffing out of Burnley.   Tarkowski was playing brilliantly by all accounts.

imagine us having mee and tarkowski….. I know mee is injured but I think with him in the side they don’t lose their last 2 games the way they have. 

[dunlopp9987]

And now without Collins for their next few!

[Bailey]

3 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

Hopefully knocks the stuffing out of Burnley.   Tarkowski was playing brilliantly by all accounts.

imagine us having mee and tarkowski….. I know mee is injured but I think with him in the side they don’t lose their last 2 games the way they have. 

Keane looked great for Burnley! 

I think its more a case of the system they play in rather than them being quality defenders.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

2 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

Hopefully knocks the stuffing out of Burnley.   Tarkowski was playing brilliantly by all accounts.

imagine us having mee and tarkowski….. I know mee is injured but I think with him in the side they don’t lose their last 2 games the way they have. 

2-0 now , definitely would have preferred the draw

Im watching it and would say Tarkowski has been steady nothing more nothing less. 

[Hafnia]

1 minute ago, Bailey said:

Keane looked great for Burnley! 

I think its more a case of the system they play in rather than them being quality defenders.

Whatever makes you right mate…. 
keane looked great for us at the start.  He struggles with confidence, consistency, mee and tarkowski are no nonsense defenders. 

[Hafnia]

Just now, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

2-0 now , definitely would have preferred the draw

Im watching it and would say Tarkowski has been steady nothing more nothing less. 

Red card for Collins so he misses next game. 

[dunlopp9987]

Just now, Hafnia said:

Red card for Collins so he misses next game. 

Next three I believe right? Straight red?

[Hafnia]

Just now, dunlopp9987 said:

Next three I believe right? Straight red?

Professional foul wasn’t it? 

[Romey 1878]

2 minutes ago, dunlopp9987 said:

Next three I believe right? Straight red?

Three games is for violent conduct.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Just now, Hafnia said:

Professional foul wasn’t it? 

Yeah clear shove when Brentford player was clean through 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Just now, Romey 1878 said:

Three games is for violent conduct.

Not a chance it was violent conduct , didn’t even tackle him.

[Romey 1878]

Just now, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

Not a chance it was violent conduct , didn’t even tackle him.

Which is why I was saying it's not a three game ban.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Just now, Romey 1878 said:

Which is why I was saying it's not a three game ban.

Yeah sorry read that wrong!

[RPG]

That's Brentford practically safe now. So, Leeds, Burnley or Everton to go down with Norwich and Watford. I know we have games in hand but that means nothing if we can't win them.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Either way that’s Brentford finishing above us 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

15 minutes ago, Elston Gunnn said:

Brentford goal!  So worst-case scenario now highly unlikely.

What do you see as worst case scenario ?

[Hafnia]

I didn’t think you could get penno and red card. Double jeopardy 

[Hafnia]

1 minute ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

What do you see as worst case scenario ?

Burnley win. Which I agree with is worst case

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Just now, Hafnia said:

Burnley win. Which I agree with is worst case

I would rather Burnley had won if anyone did. At least then they would both still be within reach

Perso ally I think Burnley will get out of it 

[Palfy]

4 minutes ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

What do you see as worst case scenario ?

A heavy defeat for us at home tomorrow, can’t think of anything worse than that at the moment

[Bailey]

6 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

I didn’t think you could get penno and red card. Double jeopardy 

Only if there is no intention to play the ball.

[Hafnia]

1 minute ago, Bailey said:

Only if there is no intention to play the ball.

A one match ban with mee potentially missing is huge for them.  I was hoping for 3. 
 

if we get 6 points from our next 2 games then hopefully the mental midgets may do a job away from home. 

[Matt]

That's a big point gap now but 4 games in hand...

Baaahaahahahaaaa, like that matters at the moment.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

12 minutes ago, Hafnia said:

A one match ban with mee potentially missing is huge for them.  I was hoping for 3. 
 

if we get 6 points from our next 2 games then hopefully the mental midgets may do a job away from home. 

Quite a big if though

[Hafnia]

3 minutes ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

Quite a big if though

It is but the fans will have the ground like it’s a cup final.   
 

never have I disliked a group of Everton players as much as this lot - bar a couple. 

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

25 minutes ago, Matt said:

That's a big point gap now but 4 games in hand...

Baaahaahahahaaaa, like that matters at the moment.

Not a chance are we winning 3 of the 4 and that’s before you take in our April fixtures

[BedfordBlue]

Every time I think we are going to drop into the bottom 3 we somehow stay out a win tomorrow would be huge

[RPG]

We need to do something in our next 3-4 league games because I can't confidently predict us getting a single point in April - before any rearranged fixtures might feature, of course.

[plaidharper]

Forget 40 points, would bite your hand off for 30 points.

[Gwlad all over]

On 11/03/2022 at 00:28, RPG said:

 

Low 30 points might be enough now.

Haha! 22 points today and 12 games to go. No chance.

[RPG]

8 minutes ago, Gwlad all over said:

Haha! 22 points today and 12 games to go. No chance.

Not good is it! It's getting to the stage where we are going to need title winning form just to avoid relegation.

[Gwlad all over]

Never felt so down in 50 years of supporting my beloved Blues.

[duncanmckenzieismagic]

Think we all need to start coming to terms with the fact we are going down, this squad has no fight at all

Same again today, did ok first half but as soon as they scored the first goal we all knew  with 100% certainty it was game over, zero reaction 

[Hafnia]

1 hour ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

Think we all need to start coming to terms with the fact we are going down, this squad has no fight at all

Same again today, did ok first half but as soon as they scored the first goal we all knew  with 100% certainty it was game over, zero reaction 

I’m actually rethinking my love of the game…..   it’s not what it used to be - yeah I may not say this as passionately if we were doing well but the game is fucked.

Generally footballers now have zero passion for the game, it’s all about money, the people who run the game, the media….. it’s money.  Gambling companies, money washing.

I loved Everton players of bygone times - the only reminder of that is the way I feel about Anthony Gordon.  Such a pity that this kid realised his dream and has to play with a bunch of cowards. 

I’m prepared to be relegated and you know what….. I’ve had no shit off Liverpool fans (ones who are real football fans)…. I think they probably look at our players and think “you bunch of twats”. 
 

You get what you deserve if you accept shite for long enough.  The apathy that has been flooding our club for years has bit us on the arse at last. 

[Btay]

3 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

Think we all need to start coming to terms with the fact we are going down, this squad has no fight at all

Same again today, did ok first half but as soon as they scored the first goal we all knew  with 100% certainty it was game over, zero reaction 

If we do that we can’t blame the players for having no fight. Fans can make the difference in these moments.

We can’t forget or forgive the players who packed up tools though and there’s been a few the last weeks.

[c1982]

4 hours ago, duncanmckenzieismagic said:

Think we all need to start coming to terms with the fact we are going down, this squad has no fight at all

Same again today, did ok first half but as soon as they scored the first goal we all knew  with 100% certainty it was game over, zero reaction 

Sadly, I’m numb to whatever shit is coming our way. I’ve just accepted, if Mina’s not playing, we’ll probably lose. I’ve started drinking wine at half-time to nurse me through!

[Bailey]

I don't think its a lack of passion, I just think a lot of the players are scared and confused. 

I didn't see anyone hiding as such, I just saw players scared to take a risk. In the last 3 or 4 games the ball has gone into midfield then straight back to a CB when there were forward passes on. The passing is so slow because they want 2 or 3 touches. Lots of the passes are underhit because they are scared to ping something into someone.

We need players to shake off that anxiety and trust their ability to go out and play football.

[Wiggytop]

10 hours ago, Bailey said:

I don't think its a lack of passion, I just think a lot of the players are scared and confused. 

I didn't see anyone hiding as such, I just saw players scared to take a risk. In the last 3 or 4 games the ball has gone into midfield then straight back to a CB when there were forward passes on. The passing is so slow because they want 2 or 3 touches. Lots of the passes are underhit because they are scared to ping something into someone.

We need players to shake off that anxiety and trust their ability to go out and play football.

This is spot on, rabbits in headlights at times yesterday. 

[FairWooney]

I only listened via EvertonTV as I had a long drive home but that's exactly what they were saying early on.  The players were playing with a lack of confidence and a fear of making a mistake, I think this feeling would have been compounded by the Spurs match where we were torn apart so easily which would have been a real blow to whatever confidence they did have following decent performances against Leeds and Man City.

The Newcastle game won't make things any easier, they are a team that are beatable but in great form and in complete contrast to us are full of confidence.

With our lack of goals the players are obviously worried that an error that leaves to a goal not only gives an angry crowd but also leaves the team desperately trying to create a goal when they appear incapable of doing so at the moment.

Lampard and the coaches not only need to try to give them a bit of confidence to play their game and believe in themselves but also to work on alternative methods of creating a goal!  Even if it's getting players in the box for some route 1 filth at the end of the game.

[Romey 1878]

Right, I've dusted myself off, pulled my big boy pants up and I'm back on the 'we're surviving' train.

That starts with us winning on Thursday.

What am I doing to myself?  

[Bailey]

I still can't actually contemplate us going down. 

Sunday was as close as I have been but I just refuse to accept that it is possible.

[dunlopp9987]

The reason I see us going down is just the lack of leaders on this team. I'm just baffled when I watch us give up a goal and roll over and die (with the exception of the City game where we could've grabbed a point.)

Ya know speaking of the City game, I'm wondering if the VAR debacle just completely took the wind out of our sails. We've looked more or less like zombies since then.

Palace earning a draw against City yesterday, I don't see us beating them in either the cup or the league. 

Until this team can show me they can win back to back games, or even god forbid pick up fucking points in back to back games (hasn't been done since beginning of October), I have to assume we're going down.

[Bailey]

4 hours ago, dunlopp9987 said:

The reason I see us going down is just the lack of leaders on this team. I'm just baffled when I watch us give up a goal and roll over and die (with the exception of the City game where we could've grabbed a point.)

Ya know speaking of the City game, I'm wondering if the VAR debacle just completely took the wind out of our sails. We've looked more or less like zombies since then.

Palace earning a draw against City yesterday, I don't see us beating them in either the cup or the league. 

Until this team can show me they can win back to back games, or even god forbid pick up fucking points in back to back games (hasn't been done since beginning of October), I have to assume we're going down.

In some ways, I would almost like us to go 1 down to Newcastle and then come back and beat them. 

I feel like the players need to know they can do it because at the moment its like they are scared to concede the first goal because they doubt they will get one back. 

[Cornish Steve]

Current status: 38 points

Brentford (H): 3 points
Burnley (A): 3 points
Leeds (H): 3 points (actual: 3 points)
Newcastle (H): 3 points
Palace (H): 3 points
Watford (A): 3 points

Leicester (H): 1 point
Southampton (A): 1 point (actual: 0 points)
Wolves (H): 1 point (actual: 0 points)

Arsenal (A): 0 points
Chelsea (H): 0 points
Leicester (A): 0 points
Liverpool (A): 0 points
Man City (H): 0 points (actual: 0 points)
Man United (H): 0 points
Spurs (A): 0 points (actual: 0 points)
West Ham (A): 0 points

[Shukes]

9 hours ago, Romey 1878 said:

Right, I've dusted myself off, pulled my big boy pants up and I'm back on the 'we're surviving' train.

That starts with us winning on Thursday.

What am I doing to myself?  

I’m there with you mate! 
All these doom bringers don’t have a clue….. 8th is still possible! 
Ok Champions league is probably gone for this season…. But the rest!

[Shukes]

7 hours ago, Bailey said:

I still can't actually contemplate us going down. 

Sunday was as close as I have been but I just refuse to accept that it is possible.

If we show this in the ground, then the players will feel it and be galvanised. We can drag us back up.

Lets get on the pitch with them and make them feel that we’re in it together.

[MikeO]

7 hours ago, Bailey said:

I still can't actually contemplate us going down. 

Not surprising, any Evertonian with experience of relegation is well into their seventies....and we've only spent four seasons out of the top flight since the league began; that's 119 seasons, Villa second most with 108.

Spurs, Man City, Man United and Chelsea have all been relegated in my lifetime, and Liverpool were second division when I was born; of the current "big" clubs only Arsenal have been around longer than us.

I want to say it's unthinkable, but it's not. That said if the worst comes to the worst it won't make me, along with probably 99.9% of the fanbase, any less passionate about the club. What will be will be, COYB

[Shukes]

Some good places to visit in the championship MikeO! Already planning my away days haha.

[Palfy]

13 minutes ago, MikeO said:

Not surprising, any Evertonian with experience of relegation is well into their seventies....and we've only spent four seasons out of the top flight since the league began; that's 119 seasons, Villa second most with 108.

Spurs, Man City, Man United and Chelsea have all been relegated in my lifetime, and Liverpool were second division when I was born; of the current "big" clubs only Arsenal have been around longer than us.

I want to say it's unthinkable, but it's not. That said if the worst comes to the worst it won't make me, along with probably 99.9% of the fanbase, any less passionate about the club. What will be will be, COYB

I would be more disappointed if there was a 0.1% who stopped supporting the team if they went down than the team actually going down, true supporters except the blows no matter how devastating and heart breaking they are. Any way less of this negativity we will prevail whether we stay up or go down because we are Everton, and we are strong, honest, and passionate, we are REAL. 

[dunlopp9987]

1 hour ago, Shukes said:

If we show this in the ground, then the players will feel it and be galvanised. We can drag us back up.

Lets get on the pitch with them and make them feel that we’re in it together.

See but this type of galvanizing and 100% full-throttle support was what I expected and what we needed against Wolves. We needed it to be like the Leeds game, where the Goodison roar was almost omnipresent throughout the game.

That energy just wasn't there on Sunday. I'm hopeful the Goodison faithful can repeat their performance from the Leeds game and not the Wolves one