Everton chalk up another loss in their rapidly crumbling quest for Europe
West Ham United 2 - 1 Everton
Everton head to the capital this Saturday to face West Ham United, looking to banish the ghosts of a painful derby defeat and keep their European aspirations alive in David Moyes’s return to his former stomping ground.
But Everton let West Ham take the initiative by conceding from yet another corner before fighting back well to equalise near the end. However, the winning goal was again conceded well into added time and the defending was Keystone Cops stuff.
Jarrad Branthwaite is out for the remainder of the season. Michael Keane steps back in alongside James Tarkowski , with Jake O'Brien retained at right-back.
Up front, Beto is ruled out after suffering a concussion that caused him to be withdrawn from last weekend's match against Liverpool . Barry replaces him in the giant centre-forward role. Moyes makes no other changes, leaving the bench full of young, enthusiastic, but largely unused potential talent... and Seamus Coleman .
Another glorious afternoon of Spring Sunshine and a 3 pm Saturday afternoon kickoff – what more could you ask for? A win, that’s what. As David Moyes returns to West Ham for his 750th Premier League game as a manager, let’s hope he has something to make it big... or if he goes all soft on his former club and the jeopardy they find themselves in near the relegation zone?
First Half
The Hammers kicked off and probed forward into the massed latte and charcoal-kitted Everton side. Mykolenko looked to release Barry down the left and he looked a bit more lively than last week.
Everton built down the right and McNeil had a moment before he was closed down. Everton continued to work the ball back and around, Pickford 's low punt far too strong for anyone but Hermansen. Another long ball almost fell for Ndiaye , bouncing behind off his thigh.
Walker-Peters was in sharply on Mykolenko, giving him a long throw chance, headed on well by Barry that no one seemed to expect. Another forward ball from Mykolenko went straight through to Hermansen.
The first Hammers attack saw Bowen looking very dangerous but Mykolenko blocked him. Next, Summerville beat Gueye but Garner was across to brilliantly clip the ball off his toes... but somehow that was a foul? Tarkppwski was livid. Soucek headed well over from the free-kick.
Keane was sandbagged by two but KDH broke forward with the ball and McNeil clipped a cross to Barry at the far post but he tried some acrobatic move that failed to connect. Pablo was fouled by Tarkowski; a good ball forward had to be headed behind by O'Brien. The corner was half cleared but Fernandes saw a chance to shoot and a vital deflection took it high over the bar.
A great break by Dewsbury-Hall saw him play what looked like a perfect pass to Barry who just stepped off it and let Hermanasen gather... why didn't he lunge for the ball?
West Ham got forward again, a great ball in behind the Everton defence but the pull back was initially stopped. But they had second and third bites at the cherry, the ball falling for Bowen who again needed to be blocked well at source as he set to shoot.
Summerville was fouled by McNeil, although again, he may have actually got the ball. Thankfully, the free-kick was wasted by Fernandes.
West Ham had had a good spell but Everton got forward and won their first corner off Mavropanos . Garner with a great delivery to the far post, but it was Mavropanos headed well clear, and they were up the field quickly.
Ndiaye had a nicely little cameo to get the ball out to McNeil but his cross in was cleared and O'Brien then fouled. The ball in saw a good bout of head tennis before Hermansen cleared.
It was highly contested in midfield, good play from Dewsbury-Hall, then Mavropanos intercepting his pass to Ndiaye. But it was now pretty even and fairly open, both sides looking for an opening,
Gueye looked to have fouled Walker-Peters but the play was allowed to go on, and Ndiaye looked to release Barry again but he was no match for Disasi , boy against man.
Everton tried to keep it tight, but a hospital pass to Dewsbury-Hall saw Keane handle the rebound. Diouf got behind the line well, but then overplayed it behind. A bizarre clash with Diouf almost kneeling to try and dispossess O'Brien. The long throw almost fell nicely... but not quite.
Barry then saw a chance but didn't quite connect properly with his low shot... but at least it was a shot. Ndiaye worked hard after a great recovery by Mykolenko and tried to exchange passes with McNeil but could not fashion a shot in the crowded area.
Summerville was blocked by O'Brien for the first yellow card of the game. Diouf's free-kick was booted in straight to Pickford. But The Hammers had a couple more efforts to get balls in, not making much of them in the end.
Everton worked it around well down the right until O'Brien overhit his cross. Everton then had to defend, Ndiaye and Gana teaming up well to deny Walker-Peters.
A great move from back to front ripped through Everton but Bowen shot across the face of goal. West Ham looked to finish on a high, but the whistle went with them still working their attack. A pretty even half with each side looking to create, but largely failing to do so.
Second Half
Dewsbury-Hall's up-and-under bounced out of play. It was scrappy before Diouf pushed over McNeil, no foul, so Tarkowski body-checked Sommerville: yellow card. West Ham got upfield, Mavropanos with a short long throw.
Summerville did brilliantly to get through and cross for Castellanos at the far post but Pickford came out all arms and legs, catching him after deflecting the ball behind for a corner. VAR checked: no penalty. But Soucek was positioned perfectly for an unstoppable header from Bowen's brilliant corner to the near post.
Barry was again easily defeated by Disasi as Everton tried to up the ante. Everton needed to respond, but went for the slow backwards, forwards, and sideways until Garner got to the byeline only to pass the ball softly to Hermansen, while Moyes dithered and dallied, with Irvine and Baines wondering what to do.
Bowen dribbled in and went down but wasn't fouled. Bowen then stalled an Evertob attack down the left. Ndiaye won a corner. Garner's low corner didn't get past Bowen at the near post as Moyes acted,
Garner was booked for his body check on Sommerville, who stayed down after falling awkwardly... but strangely not required ot go off after treatment? Moyes finally ,made changes 12 minutes after going behind, leaving Barry on the field.
A cross into the Everton penalty area and Disasi went down after feeling Garner's hands on his back, no penalty. But Everton were still slow in the build-up. Ndiaye drew a foul off Sommerville. Garner's delivery not great, Iroegbunam 's effort woeful.
Barry finally pressured Disasi and forced a corner. Dewsbury-Hall, delivery wwas cleared to Gana who played through a lovely ball to Iroegbunam but he neither shot properly nor crossed it as it bobbled in and was easily cleared.
Ndiaye was challenging Diouf, winning another corner that was worked around very well, Barry's header coming off Soucek's head on the line and up, onto the crossbar!
Everton had successfully ramped up the pressure on the West Ham goal, Nuno using subs to break the tempo. George got called for a very marginal offside by the linesman. Somerville got forward and almost set up Wilson before Everton resumed the slow build-up.
A clear handball by Fernades behind Barry in the West Ham area. No Penalty!?! Grappling motion??? What? Should at least have been a corner but the referee gave the Hammers a goal-kick.
Sommerville tried to dribble in again, but Iroegbunam did very well to come away with the ball. Everton went upfield again, and this time, the ball worked around until it was set up beautifully by a lovely cushioned header from Tarkowski for Dewsbury-Hallto hammer it into the net.
Everton kept working it forward and it looked like a good attack until the deep cross was overhit, That meant it was an opportunity for West Ham to attack and what a mess as the Everton defence were in as a ball chipped to the back post was nodded down by Diouf for Wilson to score easily from close range.
Tyrique George did his best to create space and curl it into the top corner but the ball flew past the angle. Everton did their best to work it forward but West Ham kept trying to break, Alcaraz booked for a foul on Sommerville.
Everton pressed forward again but the cross in was laimed by Hermansen and the referee finally blew the whistle after 10 minutes of added time, with Everton chalking up another loss in their rapidly crumbling quest for Europe.
West Ham United:Hermansen, Walker-Peters, Mavropanos, Disasi, Diouf, Fernandes, Soucek, Summerville, Bowen, Pablo (81' Wilson [Y:90+5']), Castellanos [Y:71'] (79' Potts).
Subs: Areola, Traore, Todibo , Wan-Bissaka, Magassa , Scarles , Kante.
Everton:Pickford; Mykolenko, Keane, Tarkowski [Y47'], O'Brien [Y:38'] (65' Iroegbunam); Garner [Y:64'], Gueye (86' Alcaraz [Y:90+9']); Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, McNeil (65' George); Barry.
Subs: Travers, Patterson, Dibling, Coleman, Rohl, Armstrong.
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Reader Comments (214)
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Frank Fearns
3 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:01:37
I'm outraged, Darren, but I will see in a few hours!
Paul Murray
4 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:04:08
Out of touch with us, Davie.
Not happy travelling down here to see that twat up front.
Kevin Naylor
5 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:04:58
As predictable as night following day.
Alan J Thompson
6 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:07:11
And an overwhelming number of strikers on the bench, almost outnumbered by right backs...
So who knows who will get ready at the usual 70th minute?
Si Cooper
7 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:33:44
If Barry does need to be subbed, there is no ‘like-for-like' replacement so we may get to see the alternate attacking options many of us think should have been utilised more already this season.
Bowen and Walker-Peters on the right, Diouf and Summerville on the left are the players we really need to nullify.
Dwight may be willing but will he actually be able to stay with Diouf? If Summerville and /or Bowen get away from the full-backs will our centre-backs be agile enough to plug any gaps?
It's away and they desperately need the points, so I think keeping it tight to start with is sensible, but we can't be too passive or simply reactive and need to go for the coup de grace if we do engineer any sort of lead.
Come on, you swashbuckling Blues!
Dave Abrahams
8 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:41:00
I'll bet anyone that Barry scores a hatrick today...
In fact, I'll give 10-1 to anybody who doesn't think Barry will score three — minimum bet £25.
John Collins
9 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:41:03
That's us out of the top half of the table.
Another progressive manager has joined the 3 above us in the table. Man City to come next... we will get nothing out of that game.
Today's game sees us with a chance to get back in the top half of the table. Will that see a more positive approach from David today?
Bill Gall
11 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:53:00
Difficult game that will not matter on the formation, and it will be more on the attitude of the players and who will have the desire for the 3 points.
The threat of relegation against a possible European spot.
Jim Bennings
12 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:53:15
All the hallmarks of a narrow loss...
Jay Harris
13 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:56:47
Dave he’s more likely to get 3 yellow cards than 3 goals. lol
Dave Abrahams
14 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:59:07
Jay (13)
Do want to take the bet or not — that Barry will not score 3 today — 10/1 odds you are getting!
Si Cooper
15 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:59:42
At least we won't have the terrible assistant referee who was flagging for extremely marginal offside calls when we looked threatening last week.
He was at it again today in the Fulham v Villa fixture. I recognised him by his actions before they showed his mug on screen. James Mainwaring (from Bury); a name to dread seeing on the match officials list if his hair-trigger flag raising isn't appropriately addressed.
Sean Kearns
16 Posted 25/04/2026 at 14:59:51
Barry FFS!!… worst forward I’ve ever seen for us
Christy Ring
17 Posted 25/04/2026 at 15:38:22
Sean, you mustn't have seen Brett Angel 😳 😳 😳
Dan Parker
18 Posted 25/04/2026 at 15:41:46
Poor so far, it's almost like the lads know without Beto offering some resemblance of a threat up front, it's a bust.
Garner has been a bit quiet since his England call-up too.
Michael Kenrick
19 Posted 25/04/2026 at 15:51:37
I just don't get it when a defender kicks the ball away from an opponent... but that's given as a foul?
Hard to tell which side is threatened with relegation.
Alan J Thompson
20 Posted 25/04/2026 at 15:52:38
We've had our fair share of possession but nowhere near any idea.
Too many players not getting into the game Gana and McNeil mostly while nobody seems sure of where Barry is or where he's going.
We seem to be screaming out for the ball down the touchline for a cross for an old-fashioned centre forward to attack. Just hope Moyes had some sort of game plan as it's difficult to see what it is and before that bloke Summerville tears us a new one.
Bill Fairfield
21 Posted 25/04/2026 at 15:52:46
Barry.
Surely Moyes has seen enough by now.
Dave Abrahams
22 Posted 25/04/2026 at 15:55:32
Not a bad game to watch between the two penalty areas but not much happening when the ball goes there.
Bowen has not been in the game as much as he usually is but still wary of him as he showed just before half-time when no West Ham player read his pass across the 6-yard box.
It's anyone's game in the second half when, hopefully, our subs will turn the screw and get those 3 points for us.
John Collins
24 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:00:05
What colour is the relegation threatened team playing in?
Jay Harris
25 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:03:40
Players don’t seem to know what to do with the ball without Beto
Dan Parker
26 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:10:22
Pathetic performance with an opportunity for Europe at stake.
Sean Kearns
27 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:12:12
Only goalie in the Premier League who doesn't come for crosses in the 6-yard box… costs us many goals.
He went down with Sunderland, almost went down with us a few times, and no big teams have ever wanted him.
I know he makes many great saves but he also keeps us under pressure. If he came for the ball and calmed the game down every now and then, maybe he would have less to do.
Because we rely on players clearing the ball from crosses, the ball always gets recycled which keeps us under pressure…
Also, Moyes is being told to play Barry and Beto by the owners, in the hopes they score a couple and keep their values up.
If we bench him, then we wipe £10M off his value. The game is a business now sadly… Moyes would have Alcaraz up top I am sure. Just like Cahill and Bowen before….
In reality though, our new owners came in after all the PSR struggle and were supposed to be a new dawn, but in reality they just paid £30M for a player who is worth around £5-10M and continued the awful business trend; nothing has changed.
Moyes has got us to top half of the table in sppite of the new owners, not because of them. Any other manager with this embarrassing forward line would have struggled.
Many managers around the Premier League are blessed with good forward players and still can't get results!! Moyes has got us flying with nocredible striker!!! 🫡
Sean O\'Hanlon
29 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:17:48
Agree, Sean @27.
A complete coward in the 6-yard box.
Dan Parker
30 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:30:39
Far too easy for West Ham.
I haven't seen us play this badly for a while.
Neil Tyrrell
31 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:44:42
How is that not a penalty?
Unbelievable!
Dan Parker
32 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:45:31
Does VAR not bother with Everton penalty claims at all, or what?
Insane.
Simon Dalzell
33 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:46:40
That's shocking.
Deliberate handball.
Chris Leyland
34 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:52:01
Can't defend crosses.
Absymal defending yet again.
Derek Thomas
35 Posted 25/04/2026 at 16:53:36
Got to keep the West Ham - Spurs thing going for a few more games.
We'll rock up and roll over for Spurs to celebrate avoiding the drop on the last day.
How shite must Chelsea be? -- They made us look good.
Moyes will be Moyes... I said it on Day One.
Mihir Ambardekar
36 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:00:09
Disgusted.
We can kiss Europe goodbye.
Sean Kearns
37 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:01:57
3 points off 6th lad… Fuck off Mihir you Redshite troll 😂 get a life ya nerdy twat… You'se watch a different game than us every week. Don't you think the RS wouldn't have got that penalty?? As if!…
The title race, the European race, and the relegation battles have all been very close all season -- every season since VAR was introduced. They use VAR to keep the Premier League entertaining, not fair.
Sean O\'Hanlon
38 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:02:13
Moyes = Mid-table mediocrity.
John Collins
39 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:02:33
Cowardly tactics in a must-win game.
Again.
Bottom half of the table with Man City to come next.
Colin Glassar
40 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:03:58
Goodbye, Europe.
Hammers super fan, David Moyes, never had any intention of winning that game. His presser is evidence of his continuing love affair with West Ham and his desire to see them beat the drop.
He's gifted them 4 points this season. Next season will be more of the same with Dour Dave and his cowardly tactics.
Tom Bowers
41 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:05:29
Another typical expected Moyes result. Cannot score first when needed and then a struggle against poor opposition.
Time for the board to consider calling an Uber for Moyes.
The faint hope of Europe prevented Moyes from starting some youngsters and persisting with average underperformers.
They have to look to next season now, so for God's sake, make some changes.
A half-decent season has rapidly disintegrated.
Mihir Ambardekar
42 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:06:32
We trully want to be in Europe, we need to get rid of these players. They are not good for the top-level football we aspire to:
1. Barry
2. Tarkowski
3. Keane
4. Mykolenko
5. McNeil
Unless we sign younger and technically strong players, we are not going to qualify for Europe.
Craig Walker
43 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:06:43
Knowing Everton, we'll turn up and give Man City a game. Whenever we have a chance to make a statement, we fail to turn up.
Should have signed Wilson just to stop him scoring against us. Is that 9 goals he has against us, now?
Typical Everton this past 6 days, I'm afraid.
John Collins
44 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:08:58
Shocking to see how fast the decline of Tarkowski is happening.
Keeper's ball though, the goal.
Merle Urquart
45 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:09:11
Get the fuck out of our club, you fucking hex...
One miserable manager... there are no cup finals left for you to shit your pants!
John Wignall
46 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:09:16
No bottle.
Everton so predictable... bores me to tears watching them.
Geoff Williams
47 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:09:51
Moyes's use of substitutes is baffling.
Alan J Thompson
48 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:10:30
I didn't see a game plan, any idea, or a great deal of effort... and I didn't understand the substitutions as they were made -- all that has to go down to Moyes.
The impartial bystander would have been hard pushed to correctly say which team was in danger of relegation. It appeared that all Moyes had done at half-time was to tell Pickford to stay nearer his goal.
Having said that, how was that handball not a penalty!?!
His hand has gone around a player's waist and knocked the ball out and there's no way that can be called a "natural" position! How many interpretations of a rule can there be?
And how many times are we going to give away goals to corners to the near post!
We've just seen why so many think Moyes is not the man for the job: no imagination.
Tommy Coleman
49 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:12:25
Fortune favours the brave.
Moyes is too afraid. We got what we deserved.
Mark Ryan
50 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:14:43
Moyes planning for next season:
"I'll go out both cups really early again and focus on getting us to 10th."
He'll say "Well, it's progress on last season"... and then onto the 2027-28 season... and repeat.
Mike Price
51 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:15:55
We've been very lucky in quite a few games this season which, as we all know, is very unlike us. We won't get away with 2 useless strikers and no or useless full-backs again.
Moyes has done what was asked and stabilised things, but he needs to go now and let us look forward to some progressive football and the chance of progress.
Andy Meighan
52 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:17:51
Sean @36.
I've praised Moyes to the hilt, but that was on him today.
Picking Barry was an insult to every Evertonian going, offers absolutely nothing and the chance he did get was harder to miss.
Mykolenko, Tarkowski and Keane are marinated in mediocrity, and once again, without Branthwaite, we are done for from a corner. O'Brien isn't blameless either.
Moyes has shown no ambition whatsoever in picking that team today. I'm convinced Alcaraz, George and Ndiaye in a front 3 would have caused them no end of problems.
But no... Rigid-hole plays his lone striker model. I got news for him: it's not working. We virtually create nothing unless we are chasing the game.
We are all sick to fuckin' death of it.
I'm excluding Dewsbury-Hall in all this because he's been a revelation as witnessed by the number of goals he's got from midfield.
At least one small mercy: we won't have to see them twats parading a trophy around the city. That's how bad it's become.
Grant Rorrison
53 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:17:58
Mike @51.
Why does Moyes have to go when you're claiming the problems are the strikers and full-back options?
Jay Harris
54 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:20:32
We lost this game when Beto was ruled out. Barry was pathetic for their first goal and totally anonymous for the rest of the game.
Moyes's tactics need a target man... so, if we haven't got one, change the tactics, Davie!!
Colin Glassar
55 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:22:22
How can you expect to win a game with only 9 players (McNeil and Barry are not League One standard)?
Plus his insistence on not using either Patterson or Coleman, at least for 30 minutes, is mind-boggling.
I really fear that the likes of Ndiaye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall etc… will decide their futures lie elsewhere under an ambitious manager.
Christy Ring
56 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:23:04
Moyes's tactics and selection totally clueless today, and it cost us 3 points.
How he played Barry and watched him play for the full game was unbelievable. He took off O'Brien and put Garner at fullback, another clueless decision, Patterson or Coleman should have started.
Or come on and move O'Brien to centre-back and Tarkowski on the bench -- he has been so poor.
But Moyes is too stubborn to change, and won't use any more than 3 subs.
John Collins
57 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:23:08
Commentator as second half was kicking off.
"You have to listen to Del Boy, Nuno and David:
Who dares wins."
Jack Convery
58 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:26:26
VAR - Fernandes accidentally handled the ball, whilst grappling with an opposition player!!!
So the ref was right not to give a penalty!!
Corruption, as always, where EFC are concerned.
John Collins
59 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:27:31
Christy,
He was looking for something from Garner in more forward positions. Thereby accepting he won't get that off O'Brien.
Yet, he plays O'Brien right-back every game? Tells you what his priorities are.
Ian Horan
60 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:28:25
Moyes has no idea of the modern game!! KITAP1 is history.
W L W L W L gets 9 points
D L D L W L is 5 points
Play to win as opposed to play to not get beat!!!!
Time for a fresh modern coach to entertain us.
Andrew Bentley
61 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:30:40
Both the commentators today were stunned that the handball wasn't a penalty. 'Stonewall' was the phrase they used and they were astonished that VAR sided with the onfield decision. Evertonians weren't…….
Anyway, sadly, since the defeat last week against the Reds, I feared our season would peter out and that's how it looks.
Summer build will be key but, without Europe, it's going to be hard to attract players to take us to the next level. 2 full-backs, a centre-back as Branthwaite is too injury-prone, first choice central midfielder, and a striker at a minimum.
Basically, a whole new spine of the team, not too much to ask...
Derek Thomas
62 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:30:57
The phrase -- a couple of 'must-win' games and we're in the running for -- is mentioned... and that was the end of our season
Which to be honest started to end when we went out of the Micky Mouse Cup, the Sunderland FA Cup fiasco... all cup games, all thus must-win.
Must Win games for Moyes = xL, Expected Loses
But, as a wise man said yesterday: Moyes is going nowhere this summer -- except on his holidays. Anybody expecting anything else is dreaming
Meanwhile, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall and Garner will be on to their agents saying... "I'm a decent player -- Get me out of here!!!"
Josh Horne
63 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:33:49
Squad is not good enough, the table does not lie.
Josh Horne
64 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:35:37
On the bright side, Spurs are now even more likely to get relegated.
Merle Urquart
65 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:38:40
Good point, Derek.
The brass tacks are: Who do you want to lose...? Your best players or a mediocre manager?
Charles Brewer
66 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:38:48
Jack, I think that the assessment wasn't quite right. Fernandes, while illegally manhandling the Everton player, deliberately knocked the ball out of play with his hand.
VAR Decision -- no penalty for two fouls.
Tony Hughes
67 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:41:54
Hate to be negative but i'll say it now... we won't win again this season.
We won't get relegated, won't qualify for Europe, easy street welcime back, success for Moyes... fuck off.
Mike Price
68 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:42:13
Grant #53 He sanctions signings, gave Coleman a new contract when everyone knew it was a pointless charity contract, he picks the team and sets the tactics.
A lot of us have seen enough over his 12 years to know that nothing will change while he's here. Being better than Dyche is no great achievement. West Ham wouldn't want him back despite their position.
Moyes won't take us down but we'll have to suffer negative, no-risk football and won't win a thing.
Christy Ring
69 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:43:55
Alcaraz came on in the 86th minute, he looked dangerous, involved in Dewsbury-Hall's goal.
He should have been on way earlier, did more in those few minutes than Barry did in the whole game.
The penalty decision was a complete joke, how was it even a goal-kick, when he handled the ball?
I'm not a Spurs fan, but if they go down instead of West Ham because of that decision, wouldn't you be asking questions?
Andrew Merrick
70 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:44:23
Today was predictable Moyes: Barry had a shot, McNeil was lacking.. both should have been off at half-time.
The VAR penalty decision is insulting, what a game changer that was.
Moyes had no Plan B, but he knew Beto was out, so why the hell wasn't he ready to change it?
Our defending of set pieces is truly soft, if you can't boss your own box, you're done in the Premier League.
The squad may be weak, but so are the tactics, and the officiating was scandalous.
Yes, I'm pissed off...
Mark Ryan
71 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:49:22
Name one other Premier League manager who would sign a prospect like Dibling for £40M and never give the lad a chance.
It wasn't £40, it was forty million pounds, £40M! For Fuck's Sake... and yet he persists with Barry and Beto, Everton's answer to Bert and Ernie. The mind boggles.
Michael Byrne
72 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:51:47
Today was the exemplar bar none of the stagnation and the “flatter to deceive” performances that we have come to know under Moyes during both incarnations.
Yes, we all agree that what we get with him is clearly more desirable than frequent flirtations with relegation. However, we apparently do have more resources these days.
It thus beggars belief that the new owners won't show a tad more ambition this summer by thanking Moyes for steadying the ship but politely deciding to move on from stability to ambition.
I won't however hold my breath.
Frederick Parchment
73 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:52:13
I asked a question yesterday in the Beto article:
Who comes on when Barry is subbed? That question was answered today. No one.
Moyes needs to move on.
Thanks for steering us away from relegation. But if you cannot think through or beyond Barry as our sole striking threat, with the Beto injury, then your ability to nurture talent still sucks, like when he had a Wayne Rooney in his side and he did not utilize him effectively.
We have players on our team sheet that I've hardly seen play. But what I saw of these players was positive. Aznou I think his name is, came on in our FA Cup defeat to Sunderland and created our equalizer. I haven't seen him since. What did he do wrong to not play another minute since?
I'm sought of glad this is happening. For me, it makes it easier to say "Bye-bye, Moyes". And hope to get a younger more forward-thinking (without being reckless) manager.
Just my thoughts.
Mark Ryan
74 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:54:39
Fred @73,
100% correct.
Jack Convery
75 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:54:45
I love Bert and Ernie. Scandalous comment.
Now Trump and Vance, that would be a better comparison.
Josh Horne
76 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:55:19
We didn't lose because of a penalty decision. We scored almost immediately anyway and were in the ascendancy at that point. Despite having the momentum, we failed to capitalise, or even to keep it tight.
We lack in key positions and, unfortunately, we don't get to play Chelsea every week.
Shaun Parker
77 Posted 25/04/2026 at 17:55:56
I don't often have a go at the manager but this one is all on him in my view. Why is he so stubborn as to not try something different, try some youth???
For fuck's sake, forget about qualifying for Europe, it ain't going to happen. Drop the shit from the team and put some hungry young players on the pitch. 🤷♂️
Terry Downes
78 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:00:11
Mr Moyes is a brilliant talker, he makes people think he's the only manager who can manage Everton effectively.
He also makes fans think he's the Moyesiah but actually he's a very naughty boy and a bang average out-of-date manager.
Frederick Parchment
79 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:01:38
Thanks Mark. I appreciate that very much.
Jack Convery
80 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:03:23
Agreed Terry.
John Collins
81 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:08:43
How dare anyone slag David Moyes.
He took over a load of shit but has still got us into 11th.
Tony Hughes
82 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:09:21
Shaun, have a go at Moyes more often.
You'll see the light and have your soul replenished and realise the man is a £100k a week blagger.
Andy Riley
83 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:11:42
Look on the bright side -- we are now mathematically safe from relegation!
We have 47 points and the most Spurs can get is 46.
Mike Price
84 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:24:26
Shame we didn't cash in on Beto, retain Calvert-Lewin, take Callum Wilson on a free, and not buy Barry.
We'd have a strike force and have saved about £50M!
Our recruitment, retention and sales are astonishingly poor.
Joe McMahon
85 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:27:55
How many millions a year is Moyes on to start the same predictable rigid line-up? No imagination to try and out-fox a team near the bottom. That's 4 points West Ham have had off Moyes this season.
Sick to my back teeth of this predictable boring outlook that is Moyes. We've had nearly 13 years of this man, who's won us Bo Diddly.
Oliver Molloy
86 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:36:57
Result was not a surprise for me. West Ham, fighting for their lives, got the result they needed.
The non-deliberate handball VAR decision was the most embarrassing one I have ever seen. VAR people should be named and shamed.
How they haven't seen what every other person has -- the defender moving his hand to the ball and tipping it out -- is really unbelievable.
You can bet the West Ham player and all connected with them will be saying "How the fuck did we get away with that???"
Even if we had got that penalty, I still think the Hammers would have won the game and, for me, I would rather see the Hammers stay up at the expense of Spurs.
Moyes is what he is, a negative manager with loads of knowledge in how to make his teams difficult to beat; however, he simply lacks a lot in tactics, knowledge, and the balls to have a fucking go for a change.
The Chelsea result, when most Evertonains got overly excited, has masked Moyes's ability in my opinion.
Yes, he is a good defensively-minded manager... So, if flirting round mid-table and crashing into the Top 8 now and again for a bit gets you excited, he might be your man, but not for me.
I would like TFG to say "Thank you, David -- we are moving on come the end of the season."
That probably won't happen.... but I for one would be over the moon if they did -- it would send out the right message.
I predicted after the derby, our season would just peter out and remember someone saying that Moyes would not allow that to happen; well, it's happening.
Message to Moyes: Try something different, for fuck's sake!
Annika Herbert
87 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:38:42
Another Moyes style flop and exactly what you get from this dinosaur towards the end of every season.
A slow start is usually followed by a decent run up the table. Cue the Moyesiah talks about Europe and progress. Then comes the slump down the table for another season of mid-table mediocrity.
Can't give young players any game time unless they have plenty of Premier League experience and show they can defend. So the team ends up full of good, reliable, pros who will never win anything. It's the Moyes way.
His defenders will say it's not his fault, he has had no money to spend, he needs longer to build the team he wants, he wasn't involved in the transfers etc, etc. But nothing will change with Moyes and his antiquated tactics.
The man should retire immediately, before he gets totally embarrassed with his boring, defensive-first, tactics. How many of those promising young managers, who the Moyes lovers were deriding earlier in the season, are below us now?
As soon as there are any pressure games, any must-win games, Moyes shits the bed. Hence his appallingly bad record against the top teams. Let him finish the season and then move on, I don't want to see him filling the team with his trusted players during the summer.
Yes, it was definitely a penalty, but that's no excuse for another limp performance, nor for his refusal to try something different and make full use of his substitutes.
Paul Hewitt
89 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:50:29
Moyes is 63.
Has managed in 751 Premier League games.
He ain't changing now.
Paul Hewitt
90 Posted 25/04/2026 at 18:52:21
I've a feeling you're "Moyes Out", Mark. :)
Dave Lynch
91 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:11:56
I posted earlier on another thread...
Moyes will turn us into mid-table survivors, nothing more, nothing less.
Darren Hind
92 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:20:37
John @81,
I'm more of a match watcher than record keeper, So I was very pleased to be educated by you when you pointed out several weeks ago that Moyes had not yet passed Dyche's 48 points.
Can you update me?
In this season of staggering improvement, can you tell me how many more points Moyes has accumulated than Dyche? It must be around 15-20... is it?
Peter Gorman
93 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:23:48
My son wants this thread to get to 100 comments before I send him to bed.
That's about my interest in Everton right now.
Tony Hughes
96 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:32:27
Peter, let him stay up, mate.
It's Saturday.
Mike Powell
97 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:34:00
How was that not a penalty?
Got to be the clearest of penalties this season... absolute joke of a decision.
Neil Tyrrell
98 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:49:50
I'll still watch us every week but that non-penalty decision has really got me questioning why I even watch football.
Not a conspiracy theorist by nature, but fuck me, if VAR is explaining that away, we are surely in a situation where they are more interested in keeping the relegation battle interesting than making correct decisions.
The question is: Who do they want to stay up between Spurs and West Ham? Some curious decisions in our final match might provide an answer.
John Collins
99 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:50:35
He won't add to the total next Monday, Darren.
Still one point behind Dyche's total.
Ashley Roberts
100 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:53:58
As posted by others, I knew after the loss to the shite last week our season was over, especially losing Beto and Branthwaite.
Given these 2 were missing, was there any doubt that Keane and Barry would be drafted in? To say Moyes is predictable is an understatement. I just wish for once in his life he would try something new.
Every manager playing us knows exactly what to expect. I just believe, if we were to take the brakes off and play some expansive football, it would reap rewards. Please, please, please, Moyes, try something different for the rest of the season.
Charly, Merlin and harrison all deserve a chanc... and what was the point in signing Dibling? Moyes is a mid-table manager at best and will never win us anything.
Merle Urquart
101 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:54:21
So my prediction and unfortunately its a doomsday scenario but unfortunatley this is Everton...
Moyes stays, we reluctantly sell Branthwaite and Ndiaye and our big summer signings will be Soucek and John Stones...
you heard it here first!
And the Moysistas will be creaming themselves looking forward to another trophyless Top 12 finish... What more do we want!
Paul Hewitt
102 Posted 25/04/2026 at 19:59:37
I love it that it's Moyes's fault that we haven't won a trophy since 1995.
Merle Urquart
103 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:03:38
I can recall about 12 seasons that were down to him.
Christy Ring
104 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:04:37
Moyes tactics and substitutions, the same conservative decisions every week. His press conferences, so full and sure of himself, smart answers, arrogant to say the least. He sounds like he can't be touched.
Give him his due, he came in and did a brilliant job to stabilise the club, but he won't take us to the next level. Time for a younger manager to move us forward. Today's tactics and his usual substitutions confirmed this.
Darren Hind
105 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:04:39
What???? Still behind Dyche?
But they told me the improvement was staggering...
I`ve been had!
John Collins
106 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:11:24
You're far from on your own there, mate.
Paul Hewitt
107 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:15:19
Only a blind man can't see the improvement in Moyes's team over Dyche's team.
Neil Tyrrell
108 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:22:15
Dyche keeping us up in the points deductions/absent board season was more impressive than what the birthday boy has achieved. Not a fan of either, but credit where it's due.
Dyche also had the humility to realize he'd reached his limit. Moyes, not so much.
Paul Hewitt
109 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:25:53
Dyche... the manager who took us on a 14 game winless run.
And in his last 11 games, we failed to score in 9 of them. But yeah, he's better than Moyes.
Neil Tyrrell
110 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:32:31
Only a blind man can't see that Moyes has better squad options than his predecessor. Only a blind manager refuses to use them.
Beto gets taken off after 60 minutes every week but Barry gets 90 minutes? Because there's no other way, right? Gotta have that target man, even if he isn't a football player... (Hi, Thierno!)
Ted Donnelly
111 Posted 25/04/2026 at 20:52:37
Every time the opportunity arises when we can progress -- going 6th, 2 points behind the Red Shite, and on numerous other occasions -- we always fuck it up royally. Where is the determination, the desire, the bravery, and the downright "Let's fuckin' do this" attitude?
This should be down to the players and the manager and the whole of the coaching staff. We're supposed to be Everton, for fuck's sake.
Dave Abrahams
112 Posted 25/04/2026 at 21:02:04
After West Ham scored, they gave us the initiative to attack them by trying to hold onto their lead instead of attacking more.
But we never really took over the game -- even when it was apparent that West Ham were very poor defending. It wasn't until Alcaraz came on that we really looked like scoring and he had a hand in the goal. After that, we let West Ham back into the game with more poor defending.
There wasn't much to pick from in giving ratings although Dewsbury-Hall had a very good game and he was the obvious choice for our MotM but it means nothing really when you lose.
Those travelling fans have had some good wins to cheer them this season but it must be galling for them when they see the team go down to a very poor team like the Hammers.
A poor performance and poor substitutions (again) are not helping our chances or making our weekends brighter.
Paul Hewitt
113 Posted 25/04/2026 at 21:03:21
There is not a chance TFG will get rid of Moyes, I expect him to sign a new deal in the summer.
I'm okay with that. So calling for his head is fruitless.
Jack Convery
114 Posted 25/04/2026 at 21:08:43
When we play Man City, let's have Coleman at right-back and captain.
If Belgium playecd the Republic of Ireland, then Coleman would be marking Doku. If it's good enough for them, then it's good enough for us.
Then play O'Brien alongside Keane and give Tarkowski a rest. Play Alcaraz as a false 9 or centre-forward. Put George on the left and Ndiaye on the right:
Pickford, Coleman, O'Brien, Keane, Mykolenko, Gueye, Garner, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Alcaraz, George.
The Moyesiah will pick:
Pickford, O'Brien, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Garner, Gueye, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Barry, McNeil.
Don Alexander
115 Posted 25/04/2026 at 21:19:22
Another "already on the beach" type performance, as we've had to get used to during Moyes's career with us. He's just sooo boring.
On the bright side, I enjoyed the "Bert and Ernie" comparison but they're no match for most us lot in closely resembling Waldorf and Statler.
Jeff Spiers
116 Posted 25/04/2026 at 22:13:06
Ted @111. Totally spot on.
It's been like this for too long though.
Annika Herbert
117 Posted 25/04/2026 at 22:13:09
Paul @ 102, isn't that what managers, coaches, are meant to do, win things?
Moyes previously had 11 seasons at Everton to win something. He won absolutely nothing.
He had no money, he wasn't backed etc, etc, all the usual excuses. But he didn't do too well when he left either, did he?
Joe Royle had very little to spend either, but we still won a cup with him in charge.
Mid-table Moyes and his outdated tactics are not going to add anything to the trophy cabinet. But we are making progress! Wonderful, I feel so much better now I know Dour Davie is progressing us.
I will be 70 this year and the very last man I want to see in charge during my remaining years is defensive Dave.
Paul Hewitt
118 Posted 25/04/2026 at 22:19:04
Annika @117.
Why do we as a fan base think we are entitled to win something every season?
Sure we've had small periods in our history when we have won things. But nothing like Man Utd, Liverpool and other clubs.
We live on our history and that's the problem. We think we are something we are not.
Phil Lewis
120 Posted 25/04/2026 at 22:31:52
I despair at Moyse's total lack of invention or improvisation when faced with injury crisis, suspensions. His obvious blacklisting of certain players and most importantly inability to cope with the loss of form of key players.
Patterson is not even considered when it is patently obvious that O'Brien is not and never will be a full back. Alcaraz is another out of favour who could be utilised as a false 9 ahead of the abysmal Barry. Or indeed George as an alternative in a more central role. If Moyse adamantly refuses to contemplate nothing other than a big man up front, then in the absense of Beto, for God's sake throw Michael Keane up front. He must surely fare better than the woefully inadequate Barry.
Why can Moyse not see it when every Evertonian can. He should be held accountable for todays performance.
A simple question Mr. Moyse, "Why do you continue to play Barry?" A simple answer is required? Please do not say it is because you have no other options available to you. That is a lie. You have several. You stubbornly prefer to simply overlook them.
Mark Murphy
121 Posted 25/04/2026 at 23:07:12
Another good day out spoiled by a football match.
And, apart from the Palace game, as I have a ticket, my last on the road.
I’m so fcuking tired of this “wool” shit at games.
Everton are Scouse!
I get it.
Fcuk all to do with me.
Chris Woods
122 Posted 25/04/2026 at 23:21:49
Paul Hewitt @118
I don’t think as a fanbase we expect to win something every year that’s just being ridiculous,
I’ve been going the match for over 50 years and all I want is for us to be competing for trophies like it used to be. This club has been shrouded in mediocrity for too long and Moyes along with kenwright has got a lot to do with it. It’s genuinely saddening to hear an Evertonian talk the way you do
Si Cooper
123 Posted 25/04/2026 at 23:27:20
Anyone blaming Pickford for their goals is being ridiculously generous to the defenders who just didn’t do their job.
Even if you are brain dead enough to believe the defender had no idea where his hands where in relation to the ball, since when has it become quite alright to fully wrap someone attempting to control the ball in your arms from behind? I understand arms are used to apply some force and to effectively steer an opponent when face to face or side by side, but actually bear hugging someone has got to be a foul in itself doesn’t it?
As Moyes said post match, only one player was grappling.
Laurie Hartley
124 Posted 25/04/2026 at 23:30:36
Paul # 118 “ We think we are something we are not.”
Too many of our number think like that. I am not one of them.
Interesting fact - Bournemouth’s stadium capacity 11,000. They have gone 14 games undefeated.
Oliver Molloy
125 Posted 25/04/2026 at 23:31:05
Paul,
I think what Everton fans want is hope and to see progress at the club ( yes Moyes was the right man man at the right time ) - now he's not in my opinion.
And of course you are correct - we haven't had the success of the clubs you mention but I can tell you one thing, our chances of catching up or winning a trophy with Moyes in charge are not good.
I hope you are wrong and he isn't offered a new contract, I think it would be mistake.
Iraola at 41 years old, a young forward thinking manager who wants to play football, gives kids a chance and is without doubt a coach who will most likely get better given the right support and trust.
Available for free - Everton and him would be a perfect fit in my opinion.
I mean are you a fan of these fucking ridiculous Moyes instructed kick offs - it's like we will keep doing this until we score to prove what exactly ! - it's embarrassing.
Tony Abrahams
126 Posted 25/04/2026 at 23:36:20
Stop Dave
Will you stop Dave
Stop Dave
I’m afraid
I’m afraid Dave.
It all makes perfect sense - the arguing helps us vent - the improvement is easy to see - worrying about relegation is history - can’t we see - it all makes perfect sense.
The feel good factor is quickly disintegrating, season tickets aren’t that cheap anymore, and it’s very hard not to believe that football is very corrupt, when you look at some of the decisions that are made by the referee and not overturned by the man in the VAR studio.
Last week it was a coming together between Curtis Jones and KDH, even though it was clear that this wasn’t quite true and today it was an accident, which is something that makes no sense whatsoever to anyone who understands the game.
Back to Dave,
Dave my mind is going
I can feel it
I can feel it
My mind is going
There is no question about it.
Can’t you see - it all makes perfect sense - cos Moyes is better than Dyche - can’t you see it all makes perfect sense.
If Rip van winkle, woke up and had to watch Everton, playing football under Dyche or Moyes, he’d probably try and overdose on sleeping tablets, and yet pretty soon we are all going to be forking out for season tickets once again knowing that the entertainment on offer is mostly very, very average at best.
Average at best = stability.
Derek Thomas
127 Posted 25/04/2026 at 00:15:19
Tony @ 126; scrap Z Cars and change to - Daisy, Daisy, (give me your answer do)?
Moyes saved us though, he reorganised, he's progressed us
Well he's certainly progressed the shit out of our last 4 results - not to mention the other 8, 10, 12(?) Pts he's managed/oversaw, to throw away.
TACO has become MACO (he always was)
Bill Gall
128 Posted 25/04/2026 at 00:37:48
Paul 118
As Evertonians we do not expect Everton to win every game but what we do expect as Annika said is competitive performances every game. D Moyes is a safety first old school manager who plays not to loose,plus strictly playing players in their correct positions even if they are not playing well, this was demonstrated today in playing Barry who will only get into the team when Beto is injured, and has offered very little in previous performances.
It is not the score but how you play that matters win or loose.
Paul Kossoff
129 Posted 25/04/2026 at 00:56:20
Andy 52.
"We won't have to see them twats parading a trophy around the city. That's how bad it's become."
That's been my idea of a successful season for decades
😀
Eric Myles
130 Posted 25/04/2026 at 01:09:46
Phil #120, you criticise Moyes for playing O'Brien, a defender, out of position in a defensive role over Patterson, a natural (?) right back, but you advocate playing Keane, a defender with no forward skills at all save a good shot now and then, over a natural (?) striker.
Bit of a contradiction there don't you think?
Eric Myles
131 Posted 26/04/2026 at 01:22:22
Chris #122, just when did it used to be that we were competing for trophies?
We won three in six years under Kendall, three in twelve years under Catterick and I believe we had some success in the 1920's which nobody alive remembers.
Besides Royle's cup win that's it in my lifetime of 67 years, and yours too I expect. When was the last time we were even in a cup final? (and who was the manager ;-) ?)
Eric Myles
132 Posted 26/04/2026 at 01:30:45
Paul #102, some idiot actually did state that on these pages one time!!
Derek Thomas
133 Posted 26/04/2026 at 02:05:25
In 20yrs The world has changed, football has changed, Everton has changed, all the players have changed.
One thing that hasn't changed is the results and the manner of them.
But one...sometimes faintly...name goes through the last 20yrs like a stick of rock.
Moyes
Take your Lytham St Anne's tram pass and fuck off will ya.
Dale Self
134 Posted 26/04/2026 at 03:45:51
Well, we have Sunderland,Palace and Newcastle just below us in the table. We play both Sunderland and Palace in our last run of matches. Newcastle has the easiest opponents in theirs.
If Moyes does not take care of business and secure victories against Sunderland or Palace, they could all climb above us.
Everton could end up 14th. Should that happen, what will be the rationale du Dour then? "We were right in the race for a European place, how long has it been since we could say that? Be careful what you wish for".
And some were calling Dyche supporters victims of Stockholm syndrome. What is this? Cromarty Firth condition?
Phil Lewis
135 Posted 26/04/2026 at 05:38:12
Eric#130
Not a contradiction as such, in fact two entirely different sets of circumstances.
Paterson's proven position is at full back, hes been denied for some reason by Moyse the opportunity to consolidate that role for himself. Instead persisting on numerous occasions with O'Brien, a centre back cruelly exposed, playing out of position.
I stated that if Moyes insists on a big target man up front and refuses to consider a false 9 or any other alternative in Beto's absense, then Keane should be experimented with there, ahead of Barry who fails every time. Its common knowledge that Keane started his career up front and allegedly performs well as a striker in training.
It is less of a risk than O'Brien in as much as Keane wouldn't leak us goals as Obrien does by playing up front. Different positions, entirely differnt outcomes. Not to be compared.
Eric Myles
136 Posted 26/04/2026 at 06:24:08
Phil, O'Brien is doing a good job at right back where no manager has fancied Patterson and he frees up Garner to play in his natural position.
You must be thinking of Keane's twin brother as Michael has neither the nous nor the legs to play in attack which is why he's a centre back.
But the point was you criticise Moyes for playing a player out of position and then advocate for him to do exactly that. If that's not a contradiction it must be a paradox.
Ajay Gopal
137 Posted 26/04/2026 at 06:45:59
For the 2nd West Ham goal, where was the right back? It was supposed to be Garner, but because he had played the whole game as a midfielder, he had naturally gravitated front and Wilson had the all the time and space in the world to smash the ball where he wanted. I have never seen such poor defending when Patterson is at right back, yet people come on here repeating the lie that he is a poor defender, he doesn’t have positional sense, etc. The second goal was one of the poorest that we have conceded all season.
Moyes has his friends in the media led by Leon Osman, etc, but the owners have to make a move and bring in change. Will that move be risky ? Yes, it will be, and we may even flirt with relegation given how tight and the relegation battles usually are and how desperate teams are to stay up, but we need to take that gamble and keep our nerve. Get the right manager in and we will progress. My personal choice - Oliver Glasner. I like that he plays front foot football, but also builds it on a very solid defensive unit, and he is not overawed by any team in the league. He has already won the FA Cup and has a chance to win the cup that Moyes won. If I were TFG, I would go all out to get him at Everton.
Paul Griffiths
138 Posted 26/04/2026 at 07:21:52
Funny how Kevin - we are chasing Europe - Molloy disappears on days like this.
Barry and Tarkowski should be fined for letting a lad on a standing jump score like that.
Garner has been crap sInce he played for the German.
Sean Kearns 27 - Moyes has got us to top half of the table in sppite [sic] of the new owners, not because of them.
LOL
Mark Steers
139 Posted 26/04/2026 at 07:25:58
I think Moyes nickname should be 'Asbestos' -- he simply can't be touched.
Once again, two so-called right-backs on the bench unused and no one asks why.
No, we continue to play a centre-back there and when he's done put our so-called best centre-midfielder there. This is gross mis-management and so bad.
Time for Moyes to go and take that robbing Irishman with him/ Good ridance to the pair of them.
Chris Woods
140 Posted 26/04/2026 at 08:10:42
Eric I said competing not winning,even in the 70s we had expected to compete and win that’s why Lee and Bingham got sacked after four year spells (who both came nearer to winning the league than Moyes ever will by the way) the eighties speak for themselves a great time to be a blue yeah we won 3 trophies and six cup finals that’s called competing.
Kenwright especially and Moyes to lesser degree turned us into the mediocre club we are now I’ve got nephews in their 30s who have never seen us win anything, with new owners and stadium it not much too ask that we should start competing ( that word again) for major trophies again we might even see us win something again before we snuff it. Moyes has done a decent job in stabilizing the club but it will never happen with him in charge
Dave Abrahams
141 Posted 26/04/2026 at 08:45:24
Eric (136)Eric I think Phil Lewis makes perfect sense with his two posts and explains them well.
You think O’Brien is doing well at full back like a lot of Everton fans but some of us don’t see it that way.
Keane is too slow in defence but up front he would be in no danger of making mistakes but he has proved he can score goals while up front— he has scored a few while in defence but for the wrong team.
With the attacking situation at a bit of a loss now why not use Keane as an attacker— Moyes is not using anyone else up there only Beto and Barry, but I’ve got to agree Moyes sees them every day in training but what the fuck does he do after seeing them, he hardly uses a lot of them denying them actual playing time so they are rusty when they are given a chance(?).
Mark Murphy
142 Posted 26/04/2026 at 08:54:21
Hey Mark Steers!
Nnnnnnnggghhhhh
NO! - I will NOT bite!
Hope you got home ok?
Paul Griffiths
143 Posted 26/04/2026 at 09:02:30
Was he there Mark M
Jim Bennings
144 Posted 26/04/2026 at 09:27:24
No real surprise that the wheels have started falling off in the last few weeks.
We are Everton and we do bottling it better than most, even just for a battle for European football we will no doubt somehow grab 13th from what could have been two weeks ago 6th or 7th.
Going right back the the 80's we've always been a club that have been chokers when it matters, despite that period of success we managed to still lose three FA Cup Finals and blow a league title and then of course the others in recent years when opportunity has arose but we've snubbed it gleefully.
Just something about this club that is averse to some kind of success.
Eric Myles
145 Posted 26/04/2026 at 09:27:58
Chris #140,
Both Lee and Bingham finished 4th in the league,-- same as Moyes has.
Lee was sacked after we finished 17th, not because 4th wasn't good enough.
Eric Myles
146 Posted 26/04/2026 at 09:32:29
Dave #141, as you say, Keane is slow, and what use is a slow forward?
I'd say Keane has not played up front; he has scored because he's been forward for corners, free-kicks etc -- 'cos of his height, not because he's a great attacker. More a right place at the right time thing than anything.
Mark Steers
147 Posted 26/04/2026 at 09:47:03
Mark, nice to talk to you at the game. Not winding you up, just asking the question: You seen him take O'Brien off and then put Garner there... surely that weakens our team?
Anyway, if I bump into you at Palace, I will buy you a pint... but it won't be Guinness.
Tony Abrahams
148 Posted 26/04/2026 at 09:51:32
Eric@136, that made me smile mate.
At least playing O’Brien, at fullback free’s up Garner to play in midfield!
What about the player who has to play in front of O’Brien? Isolated and having to do so much running because Jake, doesn’t really play up and down like a natural fullback.
I spoke to three different sets of Liverpool supporters yesterday who were all shocked when I said I wasn’t really that fond of Moyes. I can see his good points, but tell me do you want to keep Arne Slot, next season, I asked.
All of them said no, he’s got to go. He won the league last season and he’s still ahead of Moyes now, I said. It was klopp’s team that he won the league with and is football is just way too slow and boring, was the standard reply.
You think Moyes, is doing a good job at Everton, would you have David Moyes? Do I have to give their answer? No!
Our standing in the game has really diminished, none of these people were scousers, they were people from outside the city. Moyes is doing a great job at Everton, but he’s nowhere near good enough for us because our standards are so much higher than yours.
Hang on didn’t David Moyes get us to 4th once and even a cup final? The curse has gone, wake up Evertonians, and let’s start demanding a lot more, otherwise being good (never mind great) will simply never happen again.
Jim Bennings
149 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:00:36
I knew when we lost that 2012 semi-final, this club was doomed.
Losing three times to that shite Liverpool team that had all-time greats like Andy Carroll, Stewart Downing, Brad Jones, Jay Spearing in it, I knew then that this club could never rise to the occasions when it mattered.
This season is obviously on a much lesser scale, but it would be so Everton to finish 13th after beating Chelsea 3-0 and going into the Merseyside derby with the chance to put pressure on that lot who sat marginally above.
Still, as we have become very accustomed to as Evertonians, there's always some jam tomorrow.
Mark Murphy
150 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:08:08
Yes, he was, Paul
.
To give him his due he came to find me (and tell me his thoughts on Seamus…)
John Collins
151 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:08:54
Another one gone, a defeat without giving it a positive go in the chase for Europe.
Same as the low standard of last week. All down to one man.
John Collins
152 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:10:15
Mark 150.
Is your ear still bleeding?
Chris Woods
153 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:15:51
Eric,
Gordon Lee finished 3rd, mate... 9 points behind the winners.
Paul Griffiths
154 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:24:25
Cheers, Mark, mate.
Sean Kelly
155 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:27:29
Mark Steers #139,
This “robbing Irishman” comment is offensive to me and to a proud nation. That same lad served us well for many years and I'm sure he didn't go to Moyes with a begging bowl.
We all know he's finished as a player but the club sees a value in him in the dressing room and on the training ground. As for the “robbing Irishman” jibe... grow up, you cretin.
John Collins
157 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:43:29
Four tough games left. I'm going with 4 points maximum out of the four games. A total of 51 points.
Sean Dyche got us 48 points, that would put David Moyes's season 3 points better than Sean Dyche's season... Acceptable at a layout of £170M?
Brian Harrison
158 Posted 26/04/2026 at 10:46:26
I have said for quite a few years that we lack goal scorers and again another season were we struggle to create and score. This season is remarkable that we have been in the top half with a poor strike record, so far with a couple of games left nobody is in double figures.
Beto 8
Dewsbury-Hall 8
Ndaiye 6 ( 2 of which were penalties)
Barry 6
Keane 3
These are our top 5 goal scorers in the league, more like relegation than a Top 10 side with these figures.
Pickford is glued to his line for crosses whether they be from corners or open play, 2 headers inside the 6 yard box cost us again. I think we concede more goals this way than any other side in the Premier League. Despite being a great shot stopper, this Achilles Heel of Pickfords is being picked up by most teams now.
I wonder how much longer we are going to persevere with Tarkowski getting slower and slower as the weeks go by?
The last 2 games have virtually killed off any chance of Europe next season, but more worrying is, with Man City to come, the slide could get even worse.
I am a supporter of Moyes and I think he is a decent manager but questions have to be asked about our transfer dealings. This summer, we signed Barry, Rohl, Alcaraz, Dibling, Aznou and our only successful signing Dewsbury-Hall. We also took on loan Grealish and also in January took George on loan from Chelsea.
Most have struggled to get minutes on the pitch, including our record summer signing, Tyler Dibling. So, seeing most of the £100M has been wasted on these players, what is the plan going forward???
Phil Lewis
159 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:03:20
Eric# 136, ask yourself these two simple questions:
A) How many times have you seen Barry play as a striker for Everton?
B) How many times have you seen Keane play as a striker for Everton?
We all know the answer and we all know of Barry's substandard performances.
All I am saying is that, with Beto injured and Moyes seemingly unwilling to play without a big man up front, he could've experimented with a starting role for Keane in the centre forward position.
Great managers make such bold decisions in times of need. If it wasn't working he could replace him from the bench.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
Steve Brown
160 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:19:14
Barry played badly yesterday, and whatever confidence he had earlier in the season has gone. He wasn't the reason we lost.
The tactical set-up against a bottom 4 team was too negative. It was then exacerbated by terrible defending for both goals. Our inability to defend balls to the far post or corners into the 6-yard box is not new either; a number of opposition goals have come from those positions.
Also, we can thank our relegation squad battles for their efforts over the last few years, but Tarkowski, Mykolenko and McNeil are not good enough. Their performances in recent games have been atrocious.
In attack, neither Beto or Barry are the answer and we badly miss the control and assists of Grealish. Patterson, Dibling, Alcaraz and Aznou will leave because the manager won't pick them.
Stage two of a major rebuild summer and I wouldn't waste a penny on young players if Moyes is staying.
John Keating
161 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:21:34
Not a great performance all round unfortunately.
West Ham were there for the taking. The position they are in, an early goal for us would have really put them on edge but we started so slow.
Honestly, what does Barry bring to the team? In my opinion, nothing. Surely Moyes could have played anyone up there yesterday and got a lot more out of them than Barry.
As for the penalty, or non-penalty, decision, well VAR and refereeing has hit an all-time low.
Ruined my bloody weekend. Only chance of salvaging it is hearing "Sunshine on Leith" this evening at Easter Road!
Christy Ring
162 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:26:10
Why have two full-backs on the bench, and then put our best midfielder there.
And how he could look at Barry and leave him on for the whole game? Moyes's tactics and substitutions don't make sense.
He is so conservative, and how he keeps picking McNeil and Tarkowski shows his stubbornness.
Raymond Fox
163 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:29:50
It's about small margins, we have lost the last two very close games, both could have gone either way. We are still in there with a shout, as there is very little to choose between 6th and 12th.
If I'm honest, I'm not wild about qualifying for Europe -- as we are, we are not ready for it; we would need a great deal of strengthening. I don't fancy another relegation struggle.
The strengthening will happen but how much will we be allowed to spend to get us up to near the top teams' quality? Not enough probably. There lies the problem with this league, we are competing with one or both arms tied behind our backs.
On the proverbial manager question, if we must change the manager, the Brighton manager is the one to attempt to get, he ticks all the right boxes.
Merle Urquart
164 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:32:28
Steve Brown,
Barry played badly yesterday? Where have you been all season?
Tony Abrahams
165 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:48:10
David Moyes is a decent manager, and I think his record over the years will back this up.
My definition of 'decent' is that he has got certain standards that might become slightly better or become slightly worse at different times, but he will usually get you just below the top teams and in and around or just above the next set of teams.
My biggest concern is that, in this modern game, football has now become a squad game, and building a squad has never been one of David's strengths.
He has built a few good teams over the years but I've never seen him build a really good squad and this is the reason why I feel that, although he offers stability, I don't believe he will leave great things in place for any successors.
Although a lot of people prefer to acknowledge that, when Martinez got 71 points, it was only because of what had been left in place by David Moyes.
David West
166 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:48:53
Tough one to take this.
European football still a possibility but really relying on others now, when we had it well in our hands. We seem to go to bits as soon as there is a bit of pressure on any game. Brentford, Liverpool... now West Ham.
There's a clear lack of true quality. Big game players who show up when the pressure is on. Too many don't perform when needed most.
When we get that equaliser, players have to stay switched on, you've just battled to get level, that's on players in my view to manage the game, know they will come back at you.
I've said for a while the Premier League is so tight that we could finish 5th or 6th or equally a couple of injuries and we can easily drop to 12th or 14th and the squad now showing its weaknesses.
When we were under the radar and no pressure was on, they put in some decent performances. Add a bit of pressure and too many crumble.
Gana, McNeil, Barry, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko all need to be replaced. Why we expect these same players to suddenly stop being mediocre when the pressure is on is stupid.
9 points from 4 games might still not be enough.
Steve Brown
167 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:50:11
Merle, I stick by my nickname for Beto and Barry - Legs Akimbo.
Watching these two try to sort their legs out when a ball comes their way is painful.
Whatever happened to forward players being skilful?
Merle Urquart
168 Posted 26/04/2026 at 11:56:37
Sorry, Steve, l think we're on the same page.
l thought the suggestion was that he'd played well up until yesterday... apologies.
Mark Murphy
169 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:01:53
To be fair to Mark, I get the impression he's fishing now... but he definitely has an unhealthy obsession with Seamus, as I tried to point out but couldn't get a word in.
He is much better-natured in person than he comes across on here though.
I think Rob must've been in my seat as Mark suddenly appeared in his face, much to Rob's consternation. “Who the fuck is this?” He asked me!
Eric Myles
170 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:02:18
Tony #48, glad I got a smile from you.
I agree, O'Brien isn't good going forward, but he's good at his main job: defending -- our new Tony Hibbert. If we want someone going forward, put a winger in there, someone to receive the ball from O'Brien and drive forward with it.
Chris #153, so he won nothing then? Same as all our managers bar a handfull.
Phil #159, accoding to Brian in the post above yours, Barry has scored twice as many goals as Keane this season. Are you, like Dave A, really advocating that a slow defender with no attacking nous be played out of position in favour of a natural striker?
If Moyes came up with that idea, he'd be slaughtered on here, and likely fired by the owners.
Tony Abrahams
171 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:08:46
Haven't you noticed the difference in performance from Ndiaye when he plays on the left rather than the right, Eric?
Dave Abrahams
172 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:12:39
Eric (146),
I don't think Phil or me said Keane was a great attacker, just that Everton are in dire straits due to lack of a good or decent striker, and Keane has scored a few when in an attacking position.
Plenty of players have played both positions defender and attacker, remember Fred Pickering our old centre-forward who was a full-back until Blackburn tried him as a centre-forward and sold him to us for a record fee(?) at the time and Fred wasn't the fastest person around at the time.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man — he's been a long time bleedin‘ coming to Everton, whoever he is!
Steve Brown
173 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:22:07
Thanks, Merle, I always assume Barry will be crap and he never disappoints.
The defence, on the other hand, have let in terrible goals in the last 2 games.
Michael Kenrick
174 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:27:17
Tony,
Haven't you noticed the difference in performance from Ndiaye when he plays on the left rather than the right?
Probably a failing of mine but I see the same uniquely brilliant footballer who somehow manages to produce very little in terms of end product, whichever side he plays on.
He can score some great goals... but he does it so rarely. He can also do some nice assists. I suppose I should look up his stats before spouting this revisionist stuff and upsetting everyone... but it's almost like he's starting to annoy me now, because I know how fantasic he canbe,
Ian Bennett
175 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:42:52
Tony 165 - who would you have taken off yesterday that wasn't?
I'd love to get the others involved, and that's where I thought European football would benefit those lads in terms of standard of opposition, pace, in the lesser tournaments.
Points are there to be won, and for me, you play your strongest players, if they're fit enough to play.
Mark Murphy
176 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:49:39
Barry should have been taken off at half-time -- if not sooner.
Even from the far distant stands of the London Stadium, his body language was obviously “couldn't give a fuck” or “I really don't want to be here.”
Alastair Donaldson
177 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:55:46
Clearly nowhere near ready to have a European campaign. This squad is not deep enough and competing in the Mickey Mouse Conference League makes no money and just drains resources.
Better we concentrate on building the squad slowly around the better players and concentrate domestically for the next couple of seasons.
Given the choice, I'd want the Hammers to stay up and Spurs to go down, so a draw or win at Spurs would make up for yesterday for me.
Top 10 finish is realistic with where we are.
Tony Abrahams
178 Posted 26/04/2026 at 12:56:42
A lad I know who has been a coach at Everton and has got a good knowledge of the game said exactly the same thing to me last week, Michael.
I asked him did he think he his being wasted by having to do so much defensive work, highlighting Salah as an example after last week's game, and he said I had a good point.
It's all about opinions but I'd hate to be a wide player playing in our team with our two full-backs.
Chris Woods
179 Posted 26/04/2026 at 13:49:30
That's true, Eric, but none of the others got 11 years to try and win something.
Eric Myles
180 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:03:03
Steve #167:
" Whatever happened to forward players being skilful? "
Like Michael Keane, for example?
John Collins
181 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:12:25
Chris @179.
Moyes is not past Dyche's 48 point season yet.
Eric Myles
182 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:15:54
Tony #171, yes I have, which is why I've said in another thread, don't buy Grealish and put Ndiaye on the right.
Dave #172, as I said, Keane's "attacking position" wasn't as an attack-minded player, he was playing from a centre-back position and more a case of tall guy goes up for the corners and free kicks. Right place, right time.
Never saw Fred Pickering play but I'm willing to bet he was not 33 years old when Everton bought him and played him up front?
Svein-Roger Jensen
183 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:27:40
Michael Salisbury on VAR is from Penwortham, Lancashire, and is restricted from officiating Everton matches so no surprise he conclusion was no penalty again.
John Collins
184 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:28:59
Just sitting here thinking how Moyes gets away with the lowering of the clubs hopes and aspirations over the 13 years.
The knife to a gunfight sort of stuff.
And is still worshipped by his disciples.
It's a form of brainwashing
Eric Myles
186 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:42:13
John #184, did the relegation battle seasons of the post Moyes 1.0 era give you hope and aspirations?
Eric Myles
187 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:44:02
What happened to #185? Paul Griffiths again???
John Collins
188 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:45:23
A similar amount of hope and aspitation as I feel with Moyes Eric.
AKA none.
Eric Myles
189 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:49:06
Yeah John, I miss those last day relegation games too.
John Collins
190 Posted 26/04/2026 at 14:54:43
Youre hopes and aspirations of avoiding relegation is one of the reasons the club is in its present sad situation.
You and the thousands giving the "be careful what you wish for" shouts have accepted mediocrity.
Eric Myles
191 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:02:47
Not me John, I always expect us to win and be the best, but the fact is we have been relegation fodder for some time and have survived by the skin of our teeth a few times now.
So not having to tear my hair out on a last match must win game signals as the start of a new era 'cos I've not got much hair left.
John Collins
192 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:13:06
We spent 170 million in the summer Eric.
Moyes is yet to better Dyche points tally of 48.
Are you happy with the job he has done?
Tony Abrahams
193 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:14:23
I never watched Everton yesterday Ian, I watched Cambridge playing against Barrow, instead.
I’m bored with Everton, I have just spoken to a very good Evertonian, at the kids footy before and he was on the other side of the fence and said he doesn’t mind Moyes.
I keep saying that I don’t think David Moyes, is a real squad builder so my view is that although he will offer us stability, I don’t believe he will offer us anything more.
Only certain teams win the cup now is another thing I often read but only certain teams go all out to really win the cups, but when teams stop trying to win cups, the only thing they are doing is existing and it just feels that way too many Evertonians, are happy just because the team isn’t fighting relegation.
Poor Leicester, back in division three (that could have easily been us only for Doucoure) but they have won each of the domestic trophies available, whilst we have just been happy making up the numbers in the premier league.
We are still called Everton, but we have stopped being Everton, imo, because even when we were shite when I was a young kid, we always fucking tried to win trophies.
Okay we never always achieved this goal but it was only when Moyes arrived that we lost our record of appearing in the most fa cup semifinals, and who wouldn’t love being at Wembley, watching Everton today?
Dale Self
194 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:14:29
Eric, at least you show up when Moyes drops a deuce. I scanned but did not see Kevin above.
You aren't really providing a defence of these performances in the affirmative. Also, you don't take into account being thrown into a relegation position by an unevenly applied points deduction. Nor do you consider the backdrop of a club in crisis, both in leadership and finances.
What Dyche did was more courageous and of greater difficulty than what Moyes is doing.
Is Moyes a better manager? Yes, but not by a margin that supports any kind of boast. Just as one could say Martinez benefited from Moyes, one could credibly claim Moyes has benefited from Dyche.
Moyes did improve play initially by taking off the shackles. Only to constrain the team by selection conservatism and lack of end-game management.
They go together. Moyes is Middle Table Man, your sad soccer non-action figure hero.
Eric Myles
195 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:28:07
John #192, would you rather we were in Spurs position right now?
Dale Self
196 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:29:16
Oh yeah, add this to my post farther above: while Leeds may not go above us in the table, they made it to the FA Cup semi-finals.
For a one postion difference in the table, that is arguably a better season than we will have if Moyes does not turn it around here.
Dave Abrahams
197 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:30:56
Eric (170) Ah come on Eric who is the natural striker that Keane is likely to replace? Unless of course Moyes is considering giving Braiden Graham a go—- a natural goalscorer if I ever saw one, well natural to me, maybe unnatural to Moyes.
Eric you never saw Fred Pickering ? How old are you? I thought you were a wily old fox, you sound like one.
Eric Myles
198 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:32:06
Tony #193," Poor Leicester, back in division three (that could have easily been us only for Doucoure) but they have won each of the domestic trophies available, whilst we have just been happy making up the numbers in the premier league ."
Are you really saying you would be happy we were in division three?
Ian Bennett
199 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:35:04
I can see that Tony, and I'll pick up on John's in the same point.
The figures that were spent last summer, on a lot of players that arent in their prime, will mean you don't get an instant return in one season. That is the way with most Premier league transfers.
I respect Sam Hoare a lot, and this is how he rated Garner last season. Ive posted it before, but it really underlines the development plsyers can make if they are focused and take their chance.
James Garner (24) C/D
I was quite tempted to give him a D. He’s a very solid professional with some useful versatility but I don’t think he really does enough in either defence or attack. He’s tidy enough but has not become the playmaker we hoped he might. His fans may say he’d do better with better players around him but I'm not sure I see it currently .
So he's gone from that to one of the best centre mids in the league in one year. That still gives me hope that the penny will drop for a number of those players in the 20-24 bracket. And that Moyes can find it.
John Collins
200 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:37:13
Eric.
I would prefer to be in liverpools position right now.
We had an opportunity to go 2 points behind them last week but politely turned the chance down.
Attitude yesterday in another must win game was don't get beat.
Tony Abrahams
201 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:38:44
I would also love to see more players involved and being integrated into the team Ian@175.
I understand what Eric says about not signing Grealish, because he thinks N’Diaye, is better on the left, but another of the problems I see at Everton, is that most things are rigidly set in stone.
Barry for Beto, Beto for Barry. McNeil usually does about seventy minutes and then after this everything else seems to stay the same.
Alkaraz, tries to play forward and speed things up, so does KDH. N’Diaye can beat players for fun, Grealish is a little bit different but there aren’t many better at keeping hold of the ball. Dibling, is another who likes the ball at his feet, and although George was poor against Liverpool, he has also showed us some good things.
Why can’t we get a more interchangeable forward system, out of these players?
Surely we could play with one holding midfielder, and two a little bit further forward at times? When N’Diaye went on the right against Liverpool, KDH, lost his link, and our best player became isolated, so why not put Alkaraz, inside right sometimes, to stop the right winger being isolated?
Our fullbacks mostly stay back, so why not just have one midfielder sitting centrally, and have two playing higher, like the old fashioned inside forwards used to play.
I’m talking shite now, but the reason I’m talking shite is to explain that there is definitely a lot more our manager could do if he wasn’t so rigidly set in his ways.
Oliver Molloy
202 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:47:59
Can I suggest ToffeeWeb do a poll on Moyes
stick or twist
Eric Myles
203 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:49:04
Dave #197, I was replying to Steve's post asking for a forward player to be skilful. I don't think Keane, who you think should be given a go there, fits that description, and I'm sure you don't either.
I'm still a sprightly young whippersnapper at 66 years young Dave, got interested in footy in the 1966 World Cup so, having looked up Pickering, I was more a Joe Royle era fan. Him and LCAB adorned my bedroom walls, which my Dad never entered being from the other side.
John Collins
204 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:52:36
Oliver.
I'll start the bidding with a twist
Eric Myles
205 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:55:58
There's the difference John #200. I'd prefer to be in Arsenal's position right now.
Kevin Molloy
206 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:57:55
what a disappointing end to the season. I really was expecting 7-9 points from the last three games. Optimistic yes, but our record this season meant that was a run we could have hoped for. But to be fair, we've not deserved much from any of our recent games. It's no good starting to pepper West Ham's goal when we're a goal down, and be as lethargic as fuck before that. for whatever reason, the air has gone out of our balloon. What is so against this season is how we've conceded the first goal in each of these games, and then hauled ourselves level. You then think, 'right the momentums back with us now, let's go and win it'. Was it fuck. We let the disappointed team come right back on us again.
Other concerning points to note, that team was built for buttons, but when everyone's fit it still is keeping out of the team £100m worth of talent recruited last season. Even when we need subs, Dibling Roll, Aznou aren't getting a look in. And Barry probably wont' play again once Beto is back. That's a fuck of a lot of money spent to not affect our playing squad.
So, if you're not going to use the new players, when the key players like Jarrad Jack Beto aren't available we do feel it really badly.
But then we come to one factor all on its own. Tarkowski. WTAF. He's singlehandedly pushed us into mid table in just the last three games alone, but all season he's been shocking.
So, not happy with that at all. I can handle the defeats just about, but the paucity of ambition is worrying. We sat off West Ham yesterday, and did the same with the other two, when we should have been in their face. There may be reasons for that, like some players just don't have the puff but are key (like Tarks Gueye and Ndiaye) but my word, the gaffer is going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat in the last four games to stop the summer being a gigantic letdown
Dale Self
207 Posted 26/04/2026 at 15:58:12
Put me on the poll as a bitter.
Fair enough, Kevin. Good to see you.
Paul Hewitt
208 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:00:40
I'm convinced that 3 week break ruined our season.
Eric Myles
209 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:01:43
Oliver #202, as Mike Gaynes has frequently pointed out TFG are not going to twist, they might even raise?
Oliver Molloy
210 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:01:48
John,
if only it was down to us !
Tony Abrahams
211 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:06:12
I said it could have easily been us going through two divisions, if Doucoure hadn’t scored against Bournemouth, even though we have been happy just making up the numbers Eric.
At least those Leicester fans have had some great days to go alongside the bad days, whilst Everton, have just been very, very fucking boring.
Moyes got us to three semifinals in eleven seasons, Martinez got us to another two in the same season, but other than a few European tours were we have failed to get past the last sixteen, what real enjoyment have we genuinely had?
When I was growing up you could have used at least twenty different adjectives to describe Everton, and you wouldn’t have found many using the word boring, but I think the word boring, would definitely be used a lot now if you only gave people five different adjectives to describe Everton now
John Collins
212 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:12:17
Eric 205.
I never said top spot because that is unrealistic.
Beating liverpool wasnt
Eric Myles
213 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:13:07
Tony #102 " Why can’t we get a more interchangeable forward system, out of these players? "
What are your thoughts on Dick Shreuder? Would he survive the EPL? He plays just as you want
John Collins
214 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:19:30
Dick Shrueder?
Is that on the menu in your local Eric? 😁
Eric Myles
215 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:21:45
Tony #211, so again I ask, would you be happy with us in the third division if we had won something along the way? Like Leicester? Wigan? Portsmouth?
" Moyes got us to three semifinals in eleven seasons " no finals?
Eric Myles
216 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:28:51
No ambition then John #212?
David West
217 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:30:04
John 193 Thought 170m seemed alot.
A quick look on tranfermarket shows £111m spent with £11m received.
NET 100M
I know it's still alot, be where you getting £170m from ?
I'm thinking it must have went on that 30 goal a season fella we've got on the bench 🤔
John Collins
218 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:30:53
Yes Eric I have.
Put me down for 2 Dick Shreuders please
Mark Murphy
219 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:43:00
"We are still called Everton, but we have stopped being Everton"
I've been considering this for a while now, Tone.
The stadiums changed, the manager, the players, the board, the post code
Were like Triggers grandads' broom.
The ONLY constant is US, the fans.
And what we (most of us I hope) as fans want from our club and expect from our team is now very very much out of synch with the current custodians.
That shower of shite on the pitch and the bench yesterday is not what I want from my Everton. I'm in love with a memory.
and I'm feeling jilted.
Mark Murphy
220 Posted 26/04/2026 at 16:55:59
Dick Shreuders sounds like a painful procedure in Sheffield or Hull.
Tony Abrahams
221 Posted 26/04/2026 at 17:22:28
Fuck the surname Eric, just stop acting like the first name mate.
Are you happy with Everton, over the last thirty years Eric?
Can you remember the highlights of the last thirty years?
One cup final, five semifinals, and one fourth placed finish, before we completely embarrassed ourselves in Europe, the following season.
I enjoyed the trip to Villareal, I enjoyed the trip to Nuremberg, I enjoyed everything about Lisbon, but the games, I had a great time in Italy, except watching Everton, in the pissing down rain. I wanted to sign into the sanitarium above the away end in Bukarest, and I have never felt so bad about a game of football, when we lost to one of the worst Liverpool team’s, I have ever seen in my life.
It was great beating United’s second string on penalties, disgraceful losing to the ten men of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, and embarrassing watching Roberto, replacing a winger with Kone, leaving our rookie central defender, who was playing fullback, totally exposed at The Etihad.
It was unfortunate that when we got to our only final we had injuries to three of our best players, right through the spine of our team, especially because Chelsea, were one of the best teams in Europe at the time… oh and I nearly forgot about the day we beat Newcastle, to come fourth.
I don’t think Everton, will ever go into the third division, especially now we have got more professional owners, but I think it would have been a real possibility if we had lost to Bournemouth and then had to face the point deduction that came our way in the championship.
Those Leicester fans will be feeling sick, but at least they have got those genuine good times to remember, which doesn’t really apply to anyone who has been watching Everton, for the last thirty years.
The real highlights have been surviving relegation, something a club like Everton, should never really have to do, and if it wasn’t for some of the most loyal fans, in the country, I don’t think we would have survived.
Instead of asking me a stupid question Eric, answer me truthfully when I ask you when was the last time you was genuinely happy watching Everton, for more than the odd game?
