Dyche exudes calm as he appeals for unity in first presser

Sean Dyche held his first press conference as Everton manager at Finch Farm this afternoon with his theme very much on unity and making the most of the talent that exists in the squad he inherited when he took over from Frank Lampard.

The 51-year-old looked relaxed and assured facing the media as the Blues’ boss for the first time and fielded questions about the club’s failure to bring in any players during the January transfer window, how he hopes to pull Everton off the bottom of the table, and the current fitness concerns in the team.

Dyche faces a baptism of fire on Saturday when Premier League leaders, Arsenal, come to Goodison Park for his first match in charge, and he once again expressed his hope that supporters would put aside their grievances with Everton’s ownership and put 100% of their backing behind the players and the team.

“We have to unify. We have to,” Dyche said, acknowledging the rancour off the pitch and the schism between fans and the club’s hierarchy that has reached unprecedented levels after Everton ended January having lost two players in Salomon Rondon and Anthony Gordon but failing to add any new faces. “Even the most disgruntled Evertonians. I'm reaching out to them. We'll give you honesty, work ethic and all we ask is give us a window to breathe and get ourselves going.

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“I'm aware of the recent noise around the club. I'm learning why there is noise. What I know about Evertonians is they stick by their club, look after it and that's what we need now. We want them to support us from the off and wear their hearts on their sleeves – even the ones who have questions. If they can park it for a little while and hopefully reconnect with us.”

Dyche will almost certainly be able to count on support from the stands from the majority of fans but Goodison Park will likely see more protests against owner Farhad Moshiri and the Board of Directors before and after the match this weekend.

The former Burnley boss will have had just a few days to get familiar with his players, although he was reunited with three from his time at Turf Moor in James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil and Michael Keane, and he revealed that, just as he did when he first arrived at the Clarets, he canvassed the players for their opinions and feelings on what had gone wrong in recent months.

“I've had a good chat with a few of the players, just sitting and chatting with them generally,” Dyche said. “Just trying to build that bit of rapport with them, We had a Q&A session — complete anonymity — about their feedback.”

When asked how he had approached trying to mend their broken confidence, Dyche said:

“Reminding them of the players they are. Alongside that, some of the basic principles of what we want to build here. There is technical prowess here. We can share a tweak maybe on the base they work from. A lot of information has been shared.

“There's a reasonably mature group here. They know the feeling of how to win a game. There's certain things we think can help with that, but equally, you can get a scruffy one or a lucky one and everything drops back into place. That's the Catch-22.”

Perhaps the biggest concern coming out of the window with no new attacking reinforcements will be the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin who, alongside Neal Maupay, is the only fit senior striker at the club. Ellis Simms has remained with the team after being recalled from Sunderland at the start of the month and he can be expected to be much more involved as well.

Dyche didn’t suggest that the one-time England striker was fully fit but he gave no indication that Calvert-Lewin wouldn’t be in the squad for this weekend.

“He’s had his ups and downs with his fitness, I’m aware of that,” Dyche said. “Getting him truly fit and his body strong enough is going to be the key. I’ve spoken to him, I think he’s a lot closer than he thought he was.

“Obviously, he’s an important player, but there’s lots of important players here. It’s not just him, but with his scoring record here and his level of performance not so long ago before the injuries hit him, he’s a very good player without a doubt.”

He said that Michael Keane and Ben Godfrey were making progress from their respective injuries and would be available soon but that James Garner, who has been recovering from a back injury, is still some way away from making his return to action.

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Calm under pressure and unity are key.

He is the same age as me. If he get's a win at the weekend, which I obviously hope he does, we can move several places up the table.

I have another few sleepless nights ahead. Poor dogs.

If Dyche keeps us up with these pansies, then he deserves a statue.

My only gripe would be him saying that the most important areas of the pitch are the attack and defence. He clearly hasn't seen our disfunctional midfield which doesn't help defend, create or assist.

The engine room is vital. I sincerely hope the team sheet v Arsenal doesn't include the awful Gueye.

Wishing him the very best of luck and, as Colin says, if he can keep us up, he deserves a statue.

He certainly talks common sense and seems to be confident in his approach and experience; However, we all know he has inherited a broken and dysfunctional set of players and it will be a minor miracle if he can turn them into a winning combination.

I just hope we give it a real go on Saturday, with a better formation and a desire to get the ball forward and away from our goal. With a little luck and supporters in good voice, you never know. But if we get anything from the game at all, it will be thanks to the manager and his new support team.

This is a man who knows now he has a free shot at this. He wouldn't've taken the job if he thought it was a lost cause. It's not his doing that's got us here.

Now, with no new players, it's another obstacle in the way — but can you imagine Frank's beaten look if he didn't get any players? He would've been on the verge of tears… again!

I think Dyche is looking at the table and thinking it's definitely achievable. He can speak from a position of knowledge, that he's been here before, knows what it takes, and hopefully the players will take on board what he preaches.

Lampard didn't know what to do since the World Cup. The players seemed not to trust the plans he was giving them in games. If a manager looks lost, the players feel that.

I'd have taken him last year!

"I know where he's coming from. He's lifted our skirt and seen what's underneath."

Would that be a kilt or one of Dominic's numbers? I really think, although early days, we have landed the best possible appointment for the situation we find ourselves in, and possibly for any situation at all. Let's just hope (there's that oft-used word again) that we get a surprise in the next two matches but we need the players both to realise the gravity of the situation, which they have partly contributed to.

Colin,

"If Dyche keeps us up with these pansies, then he deserves a statue."

Too right, but hopefully not made of Dresden China! I believe the players will know what's hit them by the time they come out tomorrow, and the task ahead. A result of any nature would not only be helpful points-wise but could apply the brakes in a U-turn, and above all, instil confidence for all future matches, that nothing is impossible.

Peter @ 3 "Personally, I'd like to hear from Thelwell."

I think we all would, but he's been locked in Trap 2 since Transfer Deadline Day, so not easy. :-)

Something as simple as a bleep test would have shown Lewin, that, the more he runs, the looser he will become, so I hope he doesn't break down now!

If he sticks to his trusted 4-4-2, it means that Seamus will return at right-back with the usual suspects filling out the other 3 unless he tries to fit Mina in there somewhere. Mina's in-your-face attitude might appeal to Sean.

But if he goes with 4 in midfield with 2 wide players and 2 in the middle, I fear we will get ripped to shreds.

I think his trust in McNeil will see him start out wide and maybe Gray as well leaving 2 spots up top for Calvert-Lewin and Maupay or Simms? Can Calvert-Lewin find his jumping boots somewhere and win some of Pickford's long punts downfield so we don't piss around at the back?

Is Simms any good? We will have found out come Saturday lunchtime (7:30 am here) and either a cheerful or miserable long weekend!

The lying cowards on the Board have already announced, due to their lives being in jeopardy, they won't be attending the match, and unfortunately as they are made of teflon, won't be resigning this season, if ever, therefore might it not be an idea to ease back on the protests this week?

Finally, the media are seeing through the never-ending lies of our Chairman, the incompetence of our CEO, and the waste of space that is Sharp and Ingles. Everyone, including the Board, know exactly what the majority of fans think of the Board and that there is no going back.

Everything has to be channelled on the coaching staff and squad on every matchday from now until the end of the season.

Not only do the players have to know they are fully supported – even though many don't deserve it – but football in general have to know who we supporters are and what we can achieve.

Saying this, however, should the liars and cowards decide to roll up at Goodison at any time ,then they should get pelters.

We are in the shit and unfortunately needs must. Forget the shithouses on the Board and concentrate on the team.

Just to understand you then – with McNeil and Gray playing wide in midfield, you think we'll get ripped to shreds? I agree!

Are you saying then that Dyche will do this? I can't see it but therein is the dilemma. Leave McNeil out and have fewer crosses or leave Gray out and diminish the goal threat?

What does this statement mean? "I think he's a lot closer than he thought he was"?

Does he mean "I think he's a lot closer than he thought he was" as in he's been skiving off acting like he's not match ready but we tested him and found out he's a faker?

Or does it mean "I think he's a lot closer than he thought he was" meaning previously he was unfit but now he is fit?

But I'm guessing he's looked at the squad, the club and the mentality and thought hard about it. He came across diplomatically in comparison to what I suspect and think what he's really thinking about what he's dealing with. He must be thinking "What the fuck is this?"

[Sorry again. Filter removed for a moment.]

Kick up the arse, stop feeling sorry for yourselves, stop torturing the likes of me. Go fight on that pitch on Saturday and be competitive.

Of course I want 3 points, but if you compete and give me hope, I'll give you my nod for whatever that is worth. Just stand up and be counted. Just show the commitment that me and thousands of other Evertonians do every day of our lives.

You don't have to win every battle. Just win the War. I'll be there with you. Just be with the rest of us.

I need some calming mechanisms. I'm going over to top as always. I love them more than they will ever know. They owe me and thousands of others more than they know. Start on Saturday, Everton. You can do it. Believe, because I do and always will.

I had a season ticket for 25 years and the soul has been sucked out of me. Last season was amazing; this season, I'm struggling to have any positive energy left for the fight.

Therein lies the problem. It's unfair anyway to expect us to save the club again.

He's reiterating the point Jonathan Mortimore made in his article. I think he has a point.

Whilst Frank wasn't the problem, he had problems and his departure hasn't suddenly lightened the mood. But, having a new man at the wheel offers a chance for a bit of hope and positivity, which could get drowned out by the ongoing frustrations.

I am not talking necessarily about the anti-board protests as I think during the games the fans will abstain from that. But, if we see Iwobi running around in circles, or Tom Davies meekly kicking the ball out of play from point blank range as he's too afraid to shoot, Mina pulling up lame, Keane scoring an own goal, etc then the instinct among fans will be to sigh, jeer, etc just as we've seen it all before.

But maybe we should not do that for a bit and see if it helps. Anyone going to the game can channel their frustrations on the Live Forum at half-time.

So, 4-4-1-1 or 4-4-2? I'd guess: Pickford Coleman TarkowskiCoady Mykolenko McNeil Onana GanaIwobi Gray Calvert-Lewin

What really are his options? Sacrifice threat for being more solid??

Play Doucouré or Maupay instead of McNeil, Iwobi or Gray? That's basically the limit to our options till Townsend or Garner return.

No-one's expecting anything from us, so who knows!?!

You say that ,if we see the sorts of errors from Iwobi, Davies, Mina and Keane that you list, then "the instinct among fans will be to sigh, jeer, etc".

Maybe just a collective "tut-tut","deary me" or even silent back-of-hand-to-forehead would do the trick? So we don't discourage our lads.

I would say just bring a pencil and paper and jot it down. Then, at the end of the season, have an extravaganza of highlighting all the pent-up frustration on the Live Forum.

We can have a special forum for each player. Obviously some will likely be busier than others.

Straight-talking person who I think Evertonians will warm too. Direct and to the point. Get results and we could like him.

Some would say a deflection tactic about the lack of transfer activity, but he makes a good point. We have good players. We just need to get them playing and motivate them.

He talks about the board and Chairman, but I get the impression this guy is his own person and won't be pushed around. He's a straight talker. I think Frank bought into that too much.

Unfortunately, like you, I can see the frustration spilling over to the players if things start to go wrong. I promise to bite my lip when Iwobi goes tearing about the pitch arriving too late wherever to put a tackle in, when Davies puts in another mistimed tackle or misplaces another pass etc.

Whatever the limitations, I'll support the players as long as they put maximum effort in.

If it's tough to bite your tongue, you could also just direct the abuse at the referee. Just practice beforehand watching videos of the last two seasons and train yourself like Pavlov's Dog that, every time you see one of our players do something stupid, you automatically say "Are you blind, ref?"

Aside from shielding the weak-minded players from hurt feelings, this will also put tremendous pressure on the referees and may lead them to question their own sanity and start taking directions on calls from the home crowd.

I have no issues with supporters getting on to the players' backs for football incidents. I remember us getting on the back of Young, Vernon, Temple et al – far better players than this present lot. It's part of footy.

If we could just take out the Board stuff during and after the game it might help. Who knows, it might… and right now anything, including a team psychologist, might help.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Doucoure or Davies and Maupay replacing Gray and McNeil in your 11.

Basically “roll the sleeves up and get stuck in” in midfield and get the ball up front early to Calvert-Lewin and Maupay to see what they can do

Besides not seeing what we have for the last 20+ years, he just wants to crack on. He isn't stupid, he has to toe the line to a certain degree to begin with.

On a human level, he has everyone including the toad Kenwright blowing smoke up his arse so it's hard for him not to be diplomatic.

I believe that, if Dyche can't keep us up, then no-one could.

The disloyalty is that of the Boardroom & Owner, who have trashed Everton's reputation and standing in the game. They also threw the fans under a bus to save their own necks.

The team will get our loyalty whatever happens. All's we ask in return is 100% effort on the pitch. It's not too much, is it?

Hello mate. I agree with you re Doucouré in the midfield but I'd guess at least one of McNeil or Gray will play to supply the crosses for the front two.

I'm not sure Iwobi is a Dyche-type player. I'd play Onana as a second forward, dropping back into midfield when necessary. Seriously!

I think what Conte, said asking why is it that only the manager ever has to front up to the media, has some resonance here. There are others I'd much sooner hear from.

If nothing else, it would give Dyche more time to perform his miracle-working on the squad, whereas any of the rest of the senior management would hardly be missed if they spent the entire year non-stop briefing the media.

If the board don't show up against Arsenal, that will be just about the most useful thing they can do, however cowardly it is. Dyche deserves what he's asking for. There's no point in barracking the players unless they lack effort. We know they are pretty dire, it will hardly be a surprise if they mess up.

Before and during the game, they should get full support. The displeasure, anger – call it what you will – can come afterwards. It would be even more powerful and poignant if it came after an unlikely win.

I said on another thread, we need to be Janus-faced. Everton are in effect two clubs. The one we love and the part consumed by a cancer.

Shaun Dyche, January 2023 = “They know the feeling of how to win a game.”

To be fair, he didn't say they know how to win a game… 😂

I think Dominic has looked stiff which is what will happen to anyone who spends so much time in the gym. (I do wonder if swimming has been part of his rehabilitation?) When you are stiff, I think players are scared to really stretch when playing football, just in case they have a recurrence of an old injury.

I believe doing more running, especially the bleep test, which involves a lot of turning, might have made Calvert-Lewin realize that he's actually a lot stronger and sharper than he thought he was and now it's time to stop worrying about his old injuries.

All conjecture, but plenty of running and loads of little drills with the ball should serve him well, especially if he's going to be getting a partner to play with. I hope so anyway!

I know there's a long list but those two out of the team would be a good start.

They have to show leadership. That means being present and showing face. Giving direction beyond sweeping statements on the media.

They expect their managers that they appoint to be in the dugout and take the music from the fans, whilst they look out from the Main Stand with smiles.

Well, I'd like to be sat next to Bill on a train to Euston on my next trip back. I might not be the most educated Evertonian, but I think I could give him a run for his money on all things Everton. I fucking breathe them. Swear jar moment.

Sorry, but back to not attending a match is shithouse behaviour. How can you not want to go and attend an Everton match if you are privileged enough to do so? As an Evertonian, I don't know how you wouldn't if you could.

I really probably need to calm myself before Saturday.

Early days though and a big test on Saturday. Good luck, Sean.

The team and manager will get our support. I don’t expect the board to be at the game and in many ways that could be a good thing as we can concentrate on the football (or lack of it).

I always look forward to the match and always go believing that we can win. Saturday is no different other than I am looking forward to it more than usual

Can we do this! Of course we f******g can - we are Everton. COYB get into ‘em!

UTFT!

He comes across rather well, no BS about him. Hope he can find 7 wins from somewhere.

Turning up is probably not beyond their capability but I still think it would help if they didn't.

Good point on the health and safety risk of the live forum lol

Look what he did for Burnley, no cash to spend but he certainly kept their heads up for almost 10 years.

What he needs from us is our support to give him a lift.

That smacks to me of saying "no excuses, give your all".

I thought it was usually players convinced they were fit enough and trying to convince those around them. This sounds like the opposite with Dom.

My sense with him is still that he's not really hungry. Remember when he looked like the young lad desperately trying to prove the world wrong? That's been gone for a long time.

Dyche has a huge call to make on him. He can't just play him half arsed because he's the only one available. We might have to look at players who will give their all in the role. Even if that means youth or players out of position. He's been a passenger for too long, with some sympathy for his injury issues.

My guess is that Stone, will want to see the players giving absolutely everything, even more than Dyche and Woan, so he might have upset a few of the Burnley players, with this attitude, having just been promoted from the under 21’s.

Stone was a very hardworking runner, so he will definitely want the players to run, and he probably won’t be shy in letting the shirkers know this. We will see?

My advice would be bin the wastrels and put the kids in asap if these scoundrels are still walking around like frightened Mary Ellens. And let the fans know why.

We're all big boys we know bar a miracle we're going down but one thing is sure Goodison will respond to unknowns pulling their tripe out compared to pretenders going through the motions no matter the result.

We've had enough of semi retired mercenaries and shrinking violets besmirching the royal blue. If you know your history you will know the very origins of this club were built on defiance. No one thought we could build Goodison so quickly after telling Houlden to shove his rent rise it's high time that beligerance returned

If Dyche remains true to himself and takes no shit from players, board and the few crazies we have among the fanbase he will be revered like few others.

Time to get stuck in it's that simple

The Leeds game may give us more of an indication as to what Dyche can do with this squad, in selection, tactics and energy. It will be interesting to see which players gets their chance and if performances improve, and what Dyche will do with those individuals who don’t take up the challenge.

In what he said, he repeated 'not criticising what the previous guys did, but' on a few occasions leads me to believe he was not exactly impressed with how the other guys were doing things, no big surprise there.

Lampard, through the summer and all season would keep lamenting the fact that 'Calvert-Lewin is injured' or 'Calvert-Lewin' is still not 100%. He repeated this more and more as the results got worse. He didn't find solutions, find a way round, and with this he only increased the burden, the pressure on DCL.

DCL, being someone with fitness issues and who has openly talked of his struggles with mental-health, wasn't exactly being helped by this pressure. Hopefully, Dyche's method will help him find his best, and his fitness. The 'he's closer than he thinks he was' suggests that DCL was not confident in his own fitness, which would suggest not wanting to risk further injury - less running, less energy spent, more bottling out of challenges. DCL will be key in our survival bid, so hopefully Dyche can get him to his best.

A new manager, a new perspective, new ideas, opening the floor for opinions...all this could give a morale boost to players who have been underperforming.

Here's hoping.

I think we can't expect much from the Arsenal game, but we want to see fight and the beginnings of some structure. A defeat is likely - they'll beat most teams they meet this season. But hopefully not a hammering.

Then the real work begins. A result at Liverpool is very possible - they are very much below par themselves. A result at Liverpool could be the kickstart we need. Then 3 winnable games. Hopefully between 6-9 points from those 4 games. If so, then I think we'll get the momentum to keep us safe.

Hopefully Mykolenko can find his form. If we do go 4-4-2 (or 4-4-1-1), then I'd like to see Godrey at right back, Tarkowski and Mina centre backs, and Mykolenko at left back. Alternatively, Holgate at right back, Tarkowski and Mina, with Godrey left-back. I'd prefer to see Coleman as a sub. Coming on with 20 minutes to go to bring leadership and experience when needed.

Midfield, in the middle is clearly Onana, but i'd be intrigues to see if Dyche can get a tune out of Doucoure, or maybe Davies until Garner comes in. Gana has been poor, but I guess everyone is starting with a clean slate let's see. But a midfield of Doucoure and Gana could be interesting, energy and power and attacking ability and I guess we'll be doing less of the aimless passing that has cost us so many goals that Doucoure's giving ball away issues may be minimised in a Dyche team. There is also the wildcard of Isaac Price.

Out wide we are pretty limited. Essentially, Grey and McNeill until Townsend returns. And there is always Iwobi - wing is not his best position, but in a 4-4-2 it's the only place to accomodate him. If Dyche can get him to play a disciplined game, he should have the talent to do a job, Also got Stanley Mills who could get a few chances.

We have to prey that DCL and Maupay can strike a partnership - a traditional Little n' large attack. Maupay has been poor, but it's all about clean slates, and hopefully a new system can help him thrive - cause he is better than what we have seen so far. Simms too as an extra presence and competition - maybe he can get a goal and go on one of his scoring streaks. Or Iwobi behind DCL in a 4-4-1-1.

Membership family season ticket holders, friends. None of them will give in

I'll watch this from afar. Respect for all and everyone of you. I wish I could be with you

Speaks volumes for our supporters. We won't let go. Never will..

It is imperative that we adopt a siege mentality and support Dyche, his staff and the players for the remainder of the season.

Goodison Park will be rocking on Saturday and I wish the blue boys every success.

COYB! IDWT!

A good few Burnley fans were really surprised that SD brought him with him.

He will go 4411 I think. Mina will come in for Coady , Doucoure will come back into the midfield. A toss up between Maupay and Gray to play off Calvert-Lewin.

He will need every player on the pitch who can sometimes grab or create a goal. I think Iwobi will be retained because he has some creativity in his locker and has by far the most assists for us.

Pickford

Coleman Tarkowski Mina Mykolenko

Iwobi Doucoure Gana Onana

Gray

Calvert-Lewin

There’s six players there who on a blue skies day could grab a goal. Lewin Gray Iwobi Doucoure Onana Mina.

It’s a balancing act for Sean Dyche from now until the end of the season. Keeping it as tight as possible but still having something to offer on the goals front.

Good luck to Sean and all the lads.

Forget all of these shiny new faces with “exotic” names paraded by all of our fellow strugglers, there’s not one of them that can exert the same level of influence or have such a significant impact on there respective teams as Sean Dyche can have on us.

Also, his press conference comment from a purely objective perspective of an experienced & professional coach following his & his staffs assessment of the merits of what they’ve inherited has real substance. We have 11 attackers/midfielders, 10 defenders & 2 keepers, (2 full teams) many with top level experience & international pedigree.

So while we all have our different favourites & whipping boys, the fact remains that’s they’re not “mugs”, and with proper professional levels of management, organisation, coaching & tactics, which I’m convinced Sean Dyche can bring, they can be a force to be reckoned with, perhaps not worldbeaters, but more than comparable with any other outfit from mid-table down, and other than for a few positions, we’re man for man as good as any of them.

But make no mistake, without the introduction of Sean Dyche, Frank Lampard would’ve taken us headlong into the Championship with his blinkered stubbornness of trying to stave off relegation with his blueprint of over complicated passing the ball to death, playing out from the back & thro the lines & losing the ball before we even got to the halfway line. We then had the reoccurring site of all our defenders & midfielders haring back towards our own goal & facing the wrong way to try & defend.

But with Sean Dyche, I for one am convinced we can do this, but to a man, woman & child we need to get behind both him & the team & starting Saturday. COYB 💙 & Good Luck Everyone 👍

Will be like a new Iwobi, when the penny dropped and they played him in a more favoured central position.

“Whats Our Name?”

UTFTs!

Gray and McNeill on the wings.

Onana and (pick one, probably Gueye) in the middle.

Back 4 is much of a muchness.

UTFTs!

a) We stay up with Dyche, (18 games to play, so quite possible)

or

b) We go down with Dyche.

Do we stick or twist with Dyche. NB (Hypothetically) with the club itself as it is. I.e. No new investors, no new owner, and the same board.

Simple answer; stick or twist.

From me, it's a 'Stick'.

What would you do if we went down with him?

Oh, and it's good to know that you're still here. :D

I had a day 'off' yesterday, I just needed to do some quiet thinking about everything EFC.

Off the field, I think we have three power structures (Bill, DBB and Moshiri) all pushing and pulling in different directions.

The good thing off field, I believe is Thelwell.

On-field, we have an under performing semi-talented squad, with some bright prospects in the U23/21s and a couple out on loan. I hope with Dyche, he can pull all these disparate parts together, and make the team greater than the sum.

Here's hoping.

I'm really looking forward to Saturday now, and not with just morbid curiosity either.

Onwards and Upwards!

I agree Dyche came across well in his presser. I have a sneaky suspicion that the players had lost confidence in the way they were being asked to play - I reckon Dyche will probably ask them to play in a way that they will buy into - 442.

I am also guessing that he will pick players to suit that set up so I am expecting a few surprise omissions in the starting line up. The major threat from Arsenal will come down our left flank. Someone has to shut Odegaard down. I am nominating Tom Davies.

Pickford,

Holgate, Mina, Tarkowski, Mykolenko

Gueye, Onana, Davies, McNeill

Maupay, DCL

I haven’t written us off for getting a result in this game - unlike any since Bournemouth week. Thank you for that Mr Dyche.

Up the Blues!!!

Pete @ 59, great idea, but unfortunately, more chance of Admiral Lord Nelson getting his eye back. It pisses me off, and has done many a time, when like Danny, I have been clambering for a Ticket (unsuccessfully) so I watch on the TV and see a few empty seats. Even worse in the heady and Halcyon days when we used to be regular visitors to Wembley, you can't get a Ticket for love nor money, and then you see some woman in a big hat sitting in the prime seats, not showing one iota of interest in the game, talking to another one in an even bigger hat, or Fur Coat and no knickers, about shite probably, but definitely not about the game ! Grrr!

Brian @ 63, glad you are going mate, after all you have been through these past few weeks, sorry I can't join you for an apres match gargle, and post mortem, but there will be more times to come, still be cheering from 30 miles away, you'll probably hear me when we score, or win ! Take care. 👍💙💙

I couldn't give a flying f#ck who the players like or dislike, they've been treated like pampered little boys for far too long now, no leadership, no guidance, allowed to become slackers with no expectations.

Good to see a few of them out on their knees after recent training sessions wasn't it?

Anyway, what's clear and obvious is tomorrow we are going to need to "Burnley" the Arsenal, if that makes sense?

In other words we need to get in Arsenal's face, gusto, direct nasty football because if we try to play them at actual football it could become a very damaging result goal difference terms.

Hopefully Dyche knows how to perform magic tricks and miracles.

Let that sink in.

Amongst all the offload unrest, protests and hate, Everton Football Club have not won a game of football since October.

That has to change and fast.

At one stage we had one of the best defensive records in the premiership, clearly something went drastically wrong and that needs to be resolved.

The lack of goals is worrying and may well be our undoing, but all we can do now is get behind the new manager and pray the players face the significant challenges ahead with a renewed sense of purpose, the alternative doesn't bear thinking about.

Help us Obi Wan, your'e our only hope.

Dyche likes to play with a deep no. 10, who can flit between supporting the midfield and the main striker, as and when required - who this might be I don’t have a clue. I doubt he will play with two wingers though, which is a good thing as we’ve been shite when we do.

He also likes making sure his team has an ‘out ball’ when they win it back so I hope we don’t see 11 men constantly behind the ball, as oft witnessed in recent years - how many times have we won the ball back and had no quick, long option? I think he might initially simplify things which could be good for our players. Time will tell, tomorrow is a bit of a free pass in many respects but the other lot are shite and we have a better chance against them IMO.

Maybe I’m mad, but I like the guy and think he might well be what we need.

Seemed to happen when Lampard moved to 5 at the back – up until that point we looked pretty solid with a back 4, we just wasn’t scoring enough. Hopefully if Dyche goes with his favoured 4-4-2 and keeps it simple we’ll stop leaking goals.

For Arsenal, I would just load the defence with our four biggest "shithouses"--Godfrey, Holgate, Tarkowski, and Mina (if all fit). That is not a group anyone is going to feel comfortable playing against. I would be surprised if the midfield four were not Onana, Gueye, McNeill and Gray, but look forward to the energy and enterprise of Garner when he returns. Up front it would be interesting to try Iwobi in a more forward role, playing off Dom. He is probably our best passer, has good control, can beat people, and can even slot the odd goal. They have linked well in the past.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/sean-dyche-everton-snoods-training-26145542

I think you right Frank had no idea how to reverse the situation.He was continuing with his formula though it wasn't working and did not appear to have the players to make it work.Unlike others I never thought that Frank had a formation other than what was allowed by the opposition.But there where weaknesses in his style of play right from the start and he never had the players with the awareness to fill the gaps.

Dyche will from the start have a formation and will have supported forward attack.I agree that Dyche believes he has a sporting chance to avoid relegation.I also think that he knew that he might get a loanee, but would have to base his plans on the existing squad.

He also knows joining Everton at this time, is probably the right time, with inevitable change in the Club Management. He is also aware that Everton is a massive Club, with a new stadium nearing completion.Simple put survival in the Premiership, puts him on the right track managing one of the big Clubs, something he always wanted to do, since his journeyman days from Chesterfield to Northampton Town.He has been in every type of dressing room there is.

Some may argue Everton is not a Big Club, but it does have a very large long suffering fan base who have watched drose for years, who could pack most stadiums and are still largely determined to continue.Everton have training facilities that impressed Ancelotti and have a landmark stadium about to open.They also has a reputable reputation of been of a recognisable Community roots which is a extremely power as a marketing tool.

Hopely Everton will be able to look back on these dreadful times as their Munich.

I am sure Dyche will be working on our shape and our physicality but these things take time, and as he said in his press conference I hope the fans give him and his coaches the space to turn things around. I would have been a lot more positive if this change had been made prior to the World Cup as I think if we had made that change I think we may have been in a better place.

I don't agree with Rob in his post that if we get stuck into Arsenal they will wilt, that may have been the case in some other Arsenal teams but not this one. You can see the Guardiola influence that Arteta has brought to Arsenal, seems no coincidence that the people who have been influenced by Guardiola are all doing very well in managing their respective teams. Kompany at runaway Championship Burnley, Xavi at Barcelona and Arteta at Arsenal. I cant think of any coach in World football who has had such a major impact and now every team capable or not want to play out from the back. All the managers mentioned have all bought players who are comfortable on the ball and even the ones that they didnt buy have been tutored to improve this part of their game.

The question is Iwobi. Would Dyche play him on a more central role or on the side allowing to drift inside?

For CB, who has the most consistent long passing range? Seems Keane, Tark are quite close. In terms of consistency, Coady and Mina are the least error prone, but the later one is injury prone. Tark has mistakes in him which makes him and Keane actually fairly close contested. WHat about Holgate and Godfrey?

How about a 5-3-2? Would it work?

I'd like to see Simms involved more, purely because he's netted at lower levels. If media is to be believed, we were prepared to spend money to bring in Championship strikers, when he's already our player. On that basis alone, He deserves a go..

Derek, really appreciate that. We'll catch up in person soon.

a) stickb) stick

If they don't show up. I'll stop there and keep my dignity!!

Weeding in the garden or maybe mowing the lawn. 😭

If we go down then so be it, neither us nor Dychie can do anything but our best. He could be our saviour but if not then I fully support him in the task of reforming us and bringing us back.

He has inherited a shit show and it will take him a lot of time to turn things around. If the worst happens and we do go down I think he is the right man to bring us back up. But lets hope it doesn't come to that. A new dawn tomorrow, nothing but our full support for our manager and players.

Remember Iwobi taking last season about one time he gave the ball away and rather than boos, he heard our fans clapping him and the lift that that gave him. That's what these players need. They may be shit at times but they are our pieces of shit. Lets show them some love, rebuild their confidence and maybe we can salvage something this season after all.

Although I thought there should be no need to name U21 players as my understanding was that any who are with the club can be played for the first team.

I think playing alongside Gueye on occasions would have been really good for his development. And we still have Onana who himself is only 21.

I don't have a guarantee for tomorrow, but at the blink of an eye I will travel. She will crucify me and I will get accused of running away to watch Everton. It would be an early start for an early kick off and a long day as always, but I don't care. I'd probably be on the same train as Bill, but in a different carriage.

My fallback plan is to sit in a London pub surrounded by Arsenal supporters. I'm used to that and can hold my own!

“Coleman's Dark Secret” then you read it and it rambles on for half a page about his life story before the shocking revelation that he drinks coffee without milk.

They've got about five stories now that are all variants on Dyche's comments about having honest discussions and they're all written by various 15-year-old school kids. I've taken to looking at pictures in the Daily Star to get more concise Everton news.

“you're not allowed to wear hats when you play on a Saturday, you're not allowed to wear snoods when you play on a Saturday and you have to, by the rules, wear shin pads. It is not rocket science. …. You train how you play, how can you train how you play if you have 14 snoods on, 15 hats and leggings, no shin pads, white socks, it's not relevant.” — Liverpool Echo

I agree… who wears 15 hats when they train, eh?

I was just looking at training photos from the Southampton game. No surprise to see Calvert-Lewin is the most dressed up with a snood, wooly hat, gloves, tights etc. Davies and Doucouré in snoods and tights, Mina likewise plus gloves.

Coleman, Price, Godfrey, Tarkowski, just in shorts and shirts. Why doesn't it surprise me that the biggest skivers and weaklings are dressed up like they're going skiing?

PickfordHolgate Coady Tarkowski GodfreyIwobi Gueye Onana GrayMaupay Calvert-Lewin

Hard work. Tackles. Forward passing and crosses and see where it takes us. 🤞

Apparently we turned down Haaland not once but twice.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/64373064

I won't be surprised to see Dyche play some players who are not particularly fans' favourites – like Holgate, Davies, Maupay – and keep the much admired Gana and Gueye on the bench.

Mykolenko is a solid defender who has suffered a dip in form and confidence – perhaps in no small part to the tragic events in his country – but Dyche could get him to do what he does best, defending like a Tony Hibbert on the left side.

My predicted starting XI:

PickfordHolgate Tarkowski Godfrey MykolenkoIwobi Davies Onana McNeilMaupayCalvert-Lewin

It's a big ask for a result tomorrow but I feel we have more chance of getting something out of the game now – especially if all Blues supporters can get behind the team and keep that carnival atmosphere going even if the game gets a bit difficult.

Agree with your rationale. However, Godfrey is allegedly out injured until 13 February (Premier League Injuries app), although that's not necessarily as accurate as it should be.

Have you got a space for Coady instead? Otherwise, in line with what you are saying, there may well be a few non-regular starters. We shall see, I'll take a point now. 🤞

The bird is blue. As will the northern docks be.

We fight tomorrow. By hook or crook I might be there. If not I will be fighting in London surrounded by supporters who know little about football. Not physically obviously.

But then I will fighting next week at the Devil's Place. I hope I don't meet that bloke who stomped on my sausage roll in 1988.

Wherever we are, we are going into the fight tomorrow and they had best feel like I and we do. I've fallen out with family over Everton. But I'll never fall out of love with them.

Don't let me down blue boys.

More than life itself.

“Everyone was working very hard etc, But so do washing machines, Sean.Forget that shower of …….. !

Let's stick it to Arsenal. They need it!

Also, remember we have won three out of the last four against Arsenal at Goodison and drawn the other.

As to next Saturday, the shite are running on empty at the moment. The crowd will get agitated if they don't start well so it's no lost cause. I am looking forward to enjoying the contrast of our always well-turned-out new manager and his opposite number, who always looks as if he has spent the previous night in a cardboard box in Lime Street.

I wouldn't be averse to Keane or Godfrey coming in for either of the two central defenders, and I don't understand why Mykolenko continues to keep out Vinagre. Maybe it's to do with Eurovision…

It will be interesting to see what Dyche makes of Iwobi. Maybe he can turn him into a £10M player.

The two that can't read or write.

I'll take 2 points now, 4 would be great. However, 0 points from the next two games is not the end of the world.

For the doom and gloom merchants, let's get the next two games out of the way, and then start judging Dyche, I think he'll surprise a few of you doubters! Still going to be tight, but I'm optimistic Dyche will pull us through.

The board is the board and that's not going to change. Save your energy by getting behind the team. If it's true that Thelwell offered to resign, why is he still here? Maybe, just maybe, Sean has had a word with him.

My thoughts are that Sean referred to him as Kevin, whilst referring to the others as 'owner' and 'chairman'! Perhaps I'm looking on with tinted glasses.

Despite the transfer debacle, we will come through 👍👍👍

Looking forward to the game. COYB.

Maybe, just maybe, it is time for somebody to say 'Stuff 'this how we do things' and say 'this is how it is from now on'.

I must admit to thinking at the time that Señor Benitez might have been the one to "kick the wasp's nest", but it didn't turn out that way.

As you say, just maybe Sean Dyche might be the person who kickstarts the whole club, not just the season. I'm right behind him and the squad. COYB!

I agree we need someone who changes Everton — not 'gets' them.

I think we may well get relegated but I still think he may prove the most popular manager we've had in a while. Just a shame he's dealing with such a terrible board.

What's all this about Thelwell offering his resignation? Where has this been reported please?

For me, the whole team get a clean slate from now.

I don't think (FWIW) that Dyche will slip into 4-4-2 mode against the Arsenal, as they have the weapons to play round that.

Personally, I think he'll be 'pragmatic', not defeatist though, and go with either a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-5-1. Not that the formation matters, it'll be the players selected.

I can see Sean going with the following players:

Pickford

Seamus (Holgate) Mina Tarkowski Mykolenko (Vinagre)

Patterson, Godfrey are injured, and Coady might be 'disciplined' for the training field altercation with Gordon.

Idrissa as the CDM in the 4-1-4-1 or 4-5-1 (Davies)

L-R

McNeil (Gray) Davies Onana Gray (Iwobi)

Doucouré is unavailable for selection for disciplinary reasons.

Calvert-Lewin (Simms or Maupay)

Tactically,, I can see Dyche asking the back four to sit on the 18-yard line, with Idrissa in front, maybe with Davies too, and try and pull Arsenal onto us, and then try and use McNeil, Onana, and Gray or Iwobi to break and push up to Calvert-Lewin...

All bollocks probably, but I am very interested to see how Sean lines his team up, and how he gets them to play.

I agree, Everton as we knew it, is a museum for now. The School of Science currently has no lecturers, and we have no divine 'Holy Trinity' either just now.

A combination of hard work, hard running and hard-nosed effective football will do me for now.

The past is gone, and the future will be determined by what we do now!

What is the old mantra "I'd rather win ugly, than lose in style!"

As time passes, and the team get used to winning, then we can start developing skills and finesse. I might take three seasons, it might take eight or more... Who cares, as long as we win?

As Al Davies (Ex-Owner of the LA Raiders) said, "Just win baby!"

For those of you who prefer the more prosaic, the great Vince Lombardi gave me two quotes to remember regarding winning;

"Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence." and

“Winning means you're willing to go longer, work harder, and give more than anyone else.”

For Everton, that means we have to be patient whilst the team try to embrace those ideas, hopefully!

If you look at our two most successful (post-war) managers, Catterick and Kendall, they were pragmatists, who needed time to mould their teams, although both did get the benefits of financial support for the players they needed.

Under Dyche, I have a strong sense of optimism that we'll stay up. 18 games, 5 wins, 6 draws and 7 defeats, and we stand a chance of staying up, turn a defeat into a draw the odds get better, turn a draw into a win and the odds get better, just two of those events and we stand an excellent chance to stay up.

Forget the board, they are as of now inconsequential; well, until the end of the season anyhow.

Good wishes, Sam.

Spot on, mate.

Above all – absolutely above all – we as fans must hold our nerve.

I've/we've been here to many times before.

I'm stoking my current meagre enthusiasm with something completely left-field – EFC have a ‘ginger' dependency and we are back to meeting our quota!

My mind has formed a loose association with redheads tending to do pretty well for us (thinking Ball, McCall, Gough, Moyes, etc) and I'm sticking with that! Losing Anthony Gordon isn't an issue because he obviously wasn't ginger enough.

Should Sean Dyche prove to be a reasonably decent manager for Everton (I'm not setting the bar too high) and keep us up, I will be covertly encouraging the club to always maintain a reserve of copper-topped karma in the future (maybe I can get EitC to go with a ‘Job for a Ginge' initiative).

Before anyone makes assumptions, I'm a plain old brunette (well, somewhere amongst the rising tide of grey).

Tomorrow, I will be watching (perhaps peeking over the back of the sofa) and will be hopeful this is the start of a new, positive ‘era' for our club.

C'mon you Blues! UTFT!

Both Coady and Doucoure are available for selection. Why wouldn't they be?

We should support the NSNOW 'protest', I believe, regards sitting in post-match. However, why sit there chanting something that is meaningless, like 'Sack the Board'? Meaningless, as to just who is going to sack the board? How are they going to sack the board?

What about either sitting in silence; or sit there and sing Everton and Goodison anthems and songs. Sing songs about the new manager and sing support for the team.

I even support the pre-match march tomorrow.

I'd rather see the pre-match march inspired as a New Orleans funeral march, rather than an insipid, 'Down with the board' (If that's alright?) or 'Sack the board.' (Please excuse us.)

Don't give the board and the media the 'oxygen' that they crave! Give the fans something to smile and laugh about. No 'ugly negative' messages, no chance of the march being 'hijacked; by ne'erdowells or scallies. No reason for anyone to be afraid, just a celebration of the club by the fans.

Get the fans to dress up in their 'funeral best', get that coffin of the Red Shite's and give it centre stage... Get some ladies and girls to dress as the Toffee Lady, and hand out toffees... C'mon, turn this around! Make it a media event for the right reasons. :D

Imagine a 7-ft coffin draped in an EFC flag with "EFC RIP 1878 - 2023", with a trad-jazz band playing some decent jazz. A picture of the Everton crest in a big picture. Or favourite players and managers.

Here's an example;

This is how to do it!

The band in front of the 'mock' coffin, the fans following, and everybody remembering, and celebrating the true 'good times'.

European Cup-Winners Cup9 1st Division titles (4th)5 FA Cups (=10th)9 Community Shields

Even when we went down, we came back up as 2nd Division Champions, not runners-up or 3rd...

All of the above will be a protest, but in a supportive fashion!

#ChangeTheNarrative #BackTheToffees

Redheads, come on, mate, the fella who could fight like fuck, tackle, inspire others, play as good as any midfield player we've ever had, an extra captain but unfortunately did a bet he shouldn't have done and ended his career.

Jesus I wish he was playing tomorrow. I'll give you three guesses which you won't need!!

For those who don't know, every matchday programme this season, she has submitted an article – something which I never read, by the way – but I will definitely look forward to reading what she has to say, particularly over the past three weeks.

Somehow, though, I doubt she will submit anything this weekend, unless anyone already has a copy of tomorrow's programme, and can maybe enlighten us all?

I guess you are referring to the best midfield player I have seen in a blue shirt. I suspect had he not been banned, there would have been no pictures of Nobby Stiles running round Wembley with the World Cup, as he couldn't lace Tony's boots.

But I guess you are talking about another redhead that came from Blackpool. Mind that's two redheads that shone at Everton and, given the circumstances, I don't think the other redhead did a bad job when managing before the Moshiri money.

Doucoure is still suspended, apparently due to disciplinary reasons. Apparently a carry-over from Fearless Frank, though his suspension has gone from the official site?

Coady has been 'spoken to', regards his actions on the training field.

I'll have a dig around after dinner, and find the articles.

I agree about Thelwell, I haven't seen diddly squat about him offering his resignation.

Allegedly Coady punched Gordon before he left after some clash over the latter's attitude.

Doucoure allegedly carried on a row with Frank after the Southampton game that involved other players but he kept at it when training resumed and he got suspended.

Right first time with Tony Kay, the fella from Blackpool wasn't too bad either!!

I know you are only the messenger but Frank did enough damage while he was here – he can't be allowed to be still causing problems with players he couldn't control or motivate when he was going through the motions of managing the squad.

Brian, you are right: Kay would have walked into that England team.

Thing is, these days, could we have ever afforded Kay, Vernon, Young, Kay? No chance

It does seem a bit like "cutting off your nose to spite your face".

If Doucour… thought Frank wasn't any good, then more recent event suggests Thelwell, Bill and Co agreed with him eventually. I suppose it depends what he actually did? How the team as a whole feel? And hopefully Sean had some input.

Then again all those thoughts might be wishful thinking.

GrandOldTeam yesterday.

Probably hot air, but I'd have more respect for him oh he did! However, I guess we will never know!

KK, I read some of that Coady, Gordon, Lampard, Doucouré stuff as well but I'm not sure if I believe it. Anyway, two of them have since left the circus so why would the two that remain still have to serve their penance?

Did anyone else have a nice dinner? I had pizza 🍕 … pretty tasty actually.

Yes, hopefully Sean Dyche can get this upside-down, inside-out club back on its feet, facing the right way, and doing things properly to at least give us a chance of coming back to life and reality.

And that wad the bottom line. Despite early promise defensively, Frank couldn't defend - and we seemed anemic in front of goal = LOSS

Stale 126, and big Sam got us into 8th place, funny that.

Doucoure was listed as suspended on the Everton OS last week, this week he isn't?

EFC List of absences

Therefore, Coady may or may not have punched Gordon?

Doucoure was 'never' suspended, just ordered to train on his own.

Coady may or may not be disciplined?

I can't find the articles I had relayed the 'news' from. I've even gone thru my browser history to find them.

I'm going to flag my comment at [163]

My apologies to all

Sam Allardyce: irredeemable turd; Sean Dyche: hard-nosed saviour.

If I added Benitez to the tricky mix the fragile universe would implode.

Perhaps those young chaps outside Goodison were merely concerned Neighborhood Watch folks saying "WTF Anthony" because they knew he had no business driving?

That's more than Anthony will do for a while.

Interestingly, I have had lots of people who I work or associate with that support other clubs all saying what a good appointment this is. All think he will keep us up,

I am hoping we get that new manager bounce and then crack on from there. We do have some quality but the key will be making the team gel and, well, play as a team.

Really looking to forward to getting a glimpse of the new Everton tomorrow and the reaction of the fans. Couldn’t care less about the board now, I think their time is over.

Chance of being spotted on this or a following occasion was about, oh, I don't know - 100%.

I'll wait to see for certain that he did drive on the road as opposed to perhaps only reverse parking the vehicle in the car park where he was photographed, as his girlfriend has apparently been driving him around in the car.

We need 6-7 wins from 18 games to be safe, and need to target the winnable ones among our remaining fixtures.

I've had a real volte-face about how to 'protest' against the board... ie, forget the board, and support the club. Doing it that way is actually protesting against Kenwright, Barrett-Baxendale and Moshiri.

We being Evertonians:

We want Everton to be the best club!We want Everton to have the best owner!We want Everton to have the best board!We want Everton to have the best manager!We want Everton to have the best team!

Now to me, even 'The greatest Evertonian ever'(sic!!) and the 'Monaco Maestro' should(..?) get the message.

I think, and feel, that all the "Board out" chants etc, just keeps the 'toxicity' (media perceived only) around the club, and gives the media 'oxygen' about the narrative of The Club vs The Fans.

The reality:

Unless there is an investor who gets at least 7% share holdings, and works in cahoots with the 'majority shareholder' to get rid of Kenwright and Barrett-Baxendale, other than Moshiri changing his mind about the board; or there is a death, then this board aren't going anywhere.

I'd love to help the NSNOW organise a New Orleans Funeral March up Goodison Road and celebrate the club's life and times. (Like I said at post 148) Whilst also pointing out to the media that the current regime are killing our club; they're just digging the club's grave, as much as they're digging footings at Bramley-Moore Dock...

Today's protest was excellent with the Goodison Road march. It was a shame that, other than Sharp, no-one from the board turned up (despite my intel?). Moshiri was never going to turn up today.

The result today was excellent, along with a good performance, and much more intensity than we've seen for most of the season.

Then Dyche acknowledging the right of the fans to protest against the current board, and the sit-in, just iced it for me.

Good wishes. Christine, and to all.

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