Everton Banter Archive December 24 2017

 

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24 Dec 2017 22:02:31
special xmas lunch for the remaining sam haters, roast spuds, peas, sprouts, and a nice large portion of humble pie. That will be followed with a sweet of barr humbug. This will be followed by party games, of stamping their feet and insisting that thay are right.

Believable5 Unbelievable5

24 Dec 2017 19:17:25
Just like to wish all the blues s very merry and happy Christmas. Let's hope 2018 will bring a cup . Really enjoy reading all your posts through good and bad times
Hope Santa comes to all as we have had a tough few months and deserve a pick me up. Enjoy yourselves. Limerick blue.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

24 Dec 2017 17:23:14
Can anyone answer me a question I have just had my seat relocated due to my ill health meaning the stairs to the top balcony were very difficult for me to use, my new seat is Block PK2 row Di which I gather is a disabled seating my question is, is the PK block in the paddock or park end as the steward directed me to the park end but the seating maps I can find say the PK block is in the paddock anyone know?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

24 Dec 2017 19:12:10
I think it maybe the park end, If it is you will be in the first row of seats/ wheelchair spaces (I sit in the second row)

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24 Dec 2017 21:41:33
thanks I thought I had been shown to wrong seat as the seating maps say PK designation is in front of the Paddock.

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24 Dec 2017 21:43:12
well if I am in park end GLT look for the Fat lad on crutches that will be me :) I'll be there New years day.

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25 Dec 2017 00:24:01
Will do, good luck.

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24 Dec 2017 13:22:37
Can not belive people are asking for sams head because were not good to watch get grip
He has got us defending again an not leaking goal we are on an unbeatin run draw at anfield draw against chelsea an wins swansea newcatle huddersfield
Not to forget he has players like bolasie baines mori coleman ross mcarthy and no natural striker with what he has got infront off him am saprised we are were we r big sams doing a really good job get of is back judge him when the players are fit an see what football we play then and we get a striker come on people give ya heads a wobble.

Believable10 Unbelievable1

24 Dec 2017 14:12:42
I don't think anyone is calling for his head. I believe all that is being said is that people calling what we are being served up "good form" are mistaken. Nine men behind the ball and when in possession kick it in the general direction of Calvert-Lewin is not what the club should aspire to. In the short term it may be a necessity and should be appreciated as such. Allardyce has a proven ability to do what he has so far. It is what happens next that concerns people. Allardyce's statements may be encouraging but his track record of delivery of more expansive football is more limited. He may prove doubters wrong but has yet to do so. However, if the same as we are seeing now was being delivered in March I doubt that fans would be so sanguine. What is 5being served up currently has a limited shelf life.

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24 Dec 2017 15:04:33
Blimey Evo, i hate to be judgmental about spelling, punctuation and what have you, it's not everyones strong point, but that really is poor! I almost resorted to google translate.

I don't see people calling for him to be sacked at all. A few, perhaps fair, comments about our current style of play but on the whole i think everyone is happy about our turnaround in form. I doubt he will be our long term solution but he has certainly won me over from my initial thoughts upon appointment. Please don't attempt to cause dissent where none exists in the first place.

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24 Dec 2017 15:37:31
Glennk

His track record at Bolton was amazing with the finances and players he had to work with. You mention March being when fans will turn, just what are you expecting out of the January transfer window? Not a great deal will change this season, we will churn out results and bolt the door firmly shut when required.

We wanted fancy football with RK and came away from the transfer market with high hopes, look where that led us to, now you want the same thing with big Sam.

Everton are not ( nor have we ever been ) a club to buy our way into league positions, unlike the 2 Manchester teams and Chelski, we are a building club, and at the moment we are building from the back, like it or not Sam is doing it that way and with the correct backing from some of our so called fans he will get it right.

We don't want fans who are waiting for the slightest thing to go wrong so they can shout out that they are one's who never liked Sam. We are a team that will make mistakes, get used to it, don't slag off the management team because of it.

Sam was in a no win situation yesterday with some fans, If he had played a side that was going to go all out for a win you would of moaned about it as we would of been hammered, He plays for a draw and you moan about it because you think it unattractive, Personally I am dreading the January window because you will be so quick to condemn him if we are not up to Man Cities level of playing within 5 weeks of it closing (First week in March) .

Start supporting him and start enjoying what we are doing instead of gloating about how we are not playing attractive football.

Agree5 Disagree1

24 Dec 2017 15:42:01
And so say all of us cheers mate.

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24 Dec 2017 16:09:39
All I can say is that you must be too young to remember the "Merseyside Millionaires" John Moores era and record purchases like Gordon West, Tony Kay and Alan Ball.

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24 Dec 2017 17:47:10
I do indeed remember, I remember it being totally different to todays game. We were not setting records with our purchases every season.

Anyway Happy Christmas to yourself and your family.

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24 Dec 2017 18:15:12
I do remember Tony Kay, one of the best midfielders I have ever seen. Hard as nails and a great player. He signed for us in 1962 (I was 22) and his career was cut short because of the life ban he received for betting on his Wednesday team. Nothing to do with us but we lost a great player. Wish we could get another one like him (without the problems) .

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25 Dec 2017 05:12:21
In reply to Grumpy Toffee

1. Historically we have been a team that has been prepared to purchase success. In recent years we have not had the means to do so
2. In the January window I expect a net spend of around £25 million and a gross spend of not much more
3. I expect the style of play to have expanded earlier than March. I put March as the limit of fans being prepared to argue that no shots on target in a home game represents "good form"
4. I accept that some more pragmatic approach was necessary but to state that a nine man defence and "tippy tappy" are the only alternatives seems extreme to me. Is our squad that much worse than say Huddersfield or Brighton both of which seem to want to have shots on target in home games?
5. Allardyce's record at Bolton was one that allows him to be seen as the man to revive the School of Science? Do you refer to the Bolton side spearheaded by Kevin Davies?
6. The Okocha's of this world now choose to spend their declining years in China or America rather than struggling English teams
6. Is it too much for you to read what I actually write e. g. "Allardyce may prove doubters wrong" rather than overlay it with the filter of your own prejudices

Have the very best kind of Christmas. The kind that cures grumpiness.

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25 Dec 2017 13:01:09
Actually Glennk when Sam took us over I would say yes to number 4 we were a lot worse than them teams, they may have shots on target but come the end of the season they will both be near the bottom of the league, If Everton are there you will no doubt whinge again about Sam. Try to remember we have had the same players that both RK and DU could not knock into shape. Sam is doing that yet you are not happy. 6 games no defeats and two of those games against top tier teams.

Now to put a time span on that with a net spend of £25m (your guess) is absolutely ridiculous, We all want us to play better but it will take time, RK left the club in a bad way and that will take more than a few months to turn around.

It is apparent that no matter what he does (Sam) you will always dislike him and anything he does. If Silva or Dyche had joined us and done the exact same thing you would be saying how great they are, Don't bother replying that they would of done it different as the point is if they had done the same.

I would say that our form is OK as we have only dropped points against Chelski and those across the park, that's 2 games by the way that everyone expected us to lose and we didn't. The fact that we gained 2 extra points from those 2 sides fills me with hope, and I hope and pray we do the same when we play the other top sides at least until the end of the season, If we can get a 0 - 0 against the top sides both at home and away, and we don't have a single shot on target then I am happy. Had we 0 shots on target playing a team like Westham then I would worry, but for crying out loud it was a top team.

I sadly do not understand your logic that you would want us having attacking football against these top sides, when other teams do this against them they tend to lose yet YOU want us to do this. Please explain to me why you would be happier with us playing like this against the TOP sides especially the league champions, is your desire to watch us play attacking football that great you don't mind us losing? or is it something different? ( You probably won't answer that )

As for the grumpiness you will find none in this household today as we are too busy laughing at all the doubters and those people crying we did not play attacking football against the current champions. You cry when we lose, you cry when we draw and you cry when we win, To think they call me grumpy but I don't have a tenth of what some people have.

Fancy having some humbugs with me I have plenty to spare?

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26 Dec 2017 12:10:49
Grumpytoffee,

Give it a rest with telling everyone else what they would say and what they will think regarding Allardyce and other managers. Your words say more about you than they do about anyone else.

The vast majority of people are not sniping at Allardyce and fans sharing their opinions on how poorly we are playing in an attacking sense isn't "gloating". Yes, there probably could be a little more patience throughout the game but the fan base is far more unified behind Allardyce now than they were at the time of his appointment. He has generated that feeling because of how effective he has been and long may the results continue.

These posts attacking all the "gloaters", "negative influences", "so called fans", etc, etc are more divisive than any posts people are making about our style of play. Just because people have different views to you does not make them less worthy fans or their opinions less valid. It certainly doesn't make them harmful to the club that your insults infer.

We can all have different opinions about what we want to see on the pitch and more widely in our club. Sites like this are about expressing those opinions but more usefully they are about listening to other people's opinions that may differ from our own without us resorting to the disparaging labels you throw around.

In my opinion, so far Allardyce has been fantastic for the club and in the short term he has won me over through both what I have seen on the pitch and what he has said when he has spoken. I also think he has brought in a top class team around him and when coupled with the coaching, personnel team and young talent we already have at the club it should be a real strength for us.

Yes the style certainly hasn't been pretty yet, but it has been effective. For now that is enough for me, very quickly I will want to see improvements in our attacking play against the weaker teams. As unbalanced as our squad is we still have much more quality than the weaker teams in the league and by Feb/ Mar we still shouldn't be struggling to play attacking football for 45-60 mins in matches against the weaker teams because Allardyce will have had time to get his footballing philosophy across to the squad.

If I see that small improvement before the end of the season then I will still be aboard the Big Sam train over the summer. We will then see what next season brings against the better teams and whether he should get a new contract at the end of the 18 months. I think he probably will deliver the improvement this season and I hope he does.

Looking longer term Allardyce may prove to be the answer in the long run, he may not. The first year under Martinez was positive and the first year under Koeman was positive. I was extremely optimistic at the start of this season, things can change quickly!

Allardyce hasn't been in this sort of position before in his career. Harking back to the days of Bolton is unrealistic, the game both on and off the pitch has changed drastically. He needs time to show us whether he can take us forward or not and I am relatively confident he will get that time.

Do I think he will deliver effective attacking football (irrespective of whether it is in a counter attack or possesion style) against the top teams in the long run so that we are a genuine competitors to them? Ignoring the fact that he will need to rely heavily on the recruitment team to achieve the successful recruitment on a budget that only Leicester and Tottenham have managed in the last 15 years to enable him, I really have no idea.

I have a niggling worry (60/ 40) that he was a progressive and forward thinking manager 15 years ago but that the game has moved on slightly without him since then and the best we can hope for in the long run is organised and difficult to beat against the best teams with good effective football meaning we get good results against most of the other teams and end up fighting for seventh - not a bad position to be in just not something that truly excites or takes us to where we dream of under Moshiri.

I truly hope that niggling worry is completely wrong (very possibly as it is based on zero inside knowledge) and Allardyce is as innovative now as he was 15 years ago. I hope things will turn out better for him than it did for the last 2 managers because that will mean things have turned out better for us fans but only time will tell.

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24 Dec 2017 12:43:02
Here is something to think about.

I understand you doubters out there and the thought that we should give Big Sam more time before you are all prepared to pass judgment.

Whilst this is very commendable it is also making you look very hypocritical. If Sam had LOST the last six games would the same doubters be asking for more time or would they now be saying he is the wrong choice and should be sacked.

You ask for more time when the situation suits you, not when the situation warrants it, that is wrong.

Believable2 Unbelievable2

24 Dec 2017 14:37:42
Hi Grumpy mate as usual a good post mate, you said it as it was on the tin, we could win everthing going and we would still have those CRAZY POSTS on here that we are not playing right yawn yawn yawn, i really think mate that what is REALLY hurting these moaners is that they have now NOTHING to moan about, Big Sam has come in done a fantastic job with fantastic tactics when needed, and a great backroom staff, just hope my Christmas Present this year is for Big Sam to be given an EXTENDED CONTRACT by Mr Moshiri in gratitude of keeping us up and instilling belief in the lads on the pitch and soon to have great footy back at Everton, just remind me Grumpy is it SIX GAMES AND NO DEFEATS, i rest my case, Happy Christmas and New Year mate,

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24 Dec 2017 14:49:32
If Allardyce had lost the last 6 games, he would have failed to deliver the part of the package that everyone was pretty certain he could. Delivery of the more expansive football for which he has little track record would be even less certain than it is now.

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24 Dec 2017 15:15:32
Well said mate sensible post.

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24 Dec 2017 18:01:16
Good replies Glennk and as usual GB.

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24 Dec 2017 19:50:06
Worcester these schools are terrible in my days
Mate they have left me hanging on the spelling side
I was good in PE tho 👍🏻👍🏻😂.

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24 Dec 2017 22:24:47
It's a results game and where getting results.

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24 Dec 2017 22:26:00
GuernseyBlue and Grumpytoffee, we all get that you are both extremely pro Allardyce but I am very confused as to why you both seem to be taking delight in attacking anyone who isn't and seem to think that long term questions about his suitability don't exist.

Allardyce and his managerial team have done a wonderful job so far. They have addressed the key short term problems, got good results and done exactly what they were employed to do, namely, get Everton out of the relegation fight and looking upwards rather than downwards.

That said, it is not hypocritical and a perfectly valid opinion to still be sceptical about Allardyce's long term suitability for the club. I am one of those people who is concerned about our future playing style. For now I accept it is clearly a secondary issue and while I don't particularly like Allardyce's personality I have liked pretty much all of what he has said since taking the job.

He has clearly said how the playing style must improve as he gets time with the players on the training pitch and when he gets some key players back and/ or buys new players. There are many different styles and it doesn't have to be a Pep Guardiola style that we adopt but whatever style it is we have to at least be effective with the ball.

At the moment against the teams we want to compete against we are nowhere near effective with the ball. Being a defend first and counter attack team would be great if we are effective and dangerous at counter attacking against the top sides. If he can achieve that (or any effective attacking style) then fantastic. He will be worthy of an extended contract. If he can't achieve that then I would want him replaced because it isn't good enough (in the long term) against the top 6 to just shut up shop and hope to hold on for 90 mins.

I think the key question is how much better the attacking effectiveness needs to get and how long does he get to show progress in what is a sport with ridiculously short timelines and expectations. I don't expect miracles but (no matter how welcome yesterdays result was at this present moment in time) I would be very disappointed about going into next season with Allardyce in charge if we are still producing the same ineffective attacking football as we did yesterday at the end of this season.

I think the people who just assume that Allardyce will deliver a more expansive style are as deluded as the people who are convinced he won't - narrow mindedness from both sides. Allardyce isn't as regressive as his detractors say but he isn't as forward thinking as his cheerleaders argue. He is certainly exactly what we need in the short term but time will tell whether he can be the manager we need in the long term - despite my displike of him I hope he can be because it will mean we are progressing as a club.

I must admit I didn't want Allardyce as the manager but I have so far been proven wrong by his results, that doesn't necessarily mean he is the long term answer. It isn't being negative or being a "moaner" to believe that in the short term he has been fantastic but that the jury is still out on his long term suitability. It is also getting quite tiresome seeing posts from you both berating anyone who dares to be critical about anything regarding Allardyce.

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24 Dec 2017 22:44:36
I hear what your saying toffeebuds and I agree with 99% of it.

Thing is, I get why GuernseyBlue and Grumpy are annoyed. They are annoyed listening to people that won't give Big Sam a chance. Its like the law, innocent until proven guilty. Whereas it looks like the opposite to that for our new manager. A lot seem to think he is guilty until proven innocent.

Give the guy a chance and accept that he may being the best out of Everton. I'm by no means saying he's our saviour but I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt. Giving him every chance. Not saying I hope he's not here next season before he even gets a chance.

As a reminder I did say I agree 98% with your above comment. Very well said. He may not be able to bring us much further. We all get that too. That can be annoying to listen to as well. It was all that was on here for a long time too.

Imho its GuernseyBlue and Grump's way of saying they had to put with it for a long time.

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24 Dec 2017 23:33:24
I completely agree that he must be given a chance to show that he can be our future.

He has never managed to take a club forward to the point of being able to compete toe to toe with the big teams, that doesn't mean he can't do that now with us.

A few good results now doesn't mean he will be able to do that, but equally the few poor "style" performances we have seen with an unbalanced squad lacking in confidence certainly doesn't mean that he can't. The clubs development will take time and he has to be given that opportunity.

Any of us thinking we know what Allardyce can be for Everton in the long run (one way or the other) after a handful of games is niaive. I was gutted when he was given the job and like I said before I don't particularly like the arrogant way in which he carries himself. That said, I have been extremely impressed with what he has said in every interview/ press conference he has given and more importantly the affect he has had on the club so far. He has certainly won me over in the short term and now we wait and see what he can deliver in the long term. I truly hope he can be the manager we need him to be and the manager he believes he is himself.

The only other thing I would add is that even if he doesn't succeed in getting us into a "Top 7" it won't make him a bad manager. It is a massive job in today's game to break into that elite group. Those teams above us have more money than us (even with the fantastic addition of Moshiri) and are better able to attract the top players because they are already established as elite teams.

The only way we will break into that group is by buying/ discovering young players with huge potential and then developing them and add the odd top quality ready made player when we can (which is more or less what Spurs have done over the last 5 or 6 years and looking at our recruitment over the last 18 months seems to be what we are trying to do) .

The U23s and Unsworth have been absolutely fantastic but so far we have developed some very good premier league squad players (which is an impressive achievement in itself) . To take that next step we need 3 or 4 of the likes of Kenny, Calvert-Lewin, Davies, Lookman, Vlasic, Holgate, Beningame, Pickford etc to become truly elite players.

I am hopeful some of them can because they have been really impressive at times and seem to have fantastic attitudes and work ethic. I get the impression developing players and getting the best from them is a strength of Allardyce and his coaching team so hopefully that will stand us in good stead. It is certainly something that has been important in the Everton way of doing things so hopefully that helps too.

If we get lucky enough (or make our own luck by recruiting effectively enough) and 3 or 4 of them turn into world class players then we have a great chance of competing with the best. If we don't manage that then we will always be playing catch up and only ever serving up valiant rear guard defensive performances against the best teams. The key man in our clubs future isn't just Big Sam, it is also Steve Walsh (and the rest of the team behind the scenes) . I think how Big Sam and Steve Walsh interact and work together will be the key factor in whatever future success we can achieve.

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25 Dec 2017 09:33:00
Top post toffeebuds! I could pretty much write that myself seeing that I agree with everything. I reread my post above. I took away 1% from the beginning to the end of post haha.

I especially agree with your outlook on how we stand against the rest and how to move forward. It seems to be the way things are going too.

Big Sam did take Bolton to Europe. Didn't he finish 4th with them? Started at the bottom with them. I'm not arguing with you about it. Point is if he can do it with them I have no doubt he can do it with us. Even if it was a while ago.

I'm not saying he defiantly will. Just that its possible. I guess time will tell and all will be revealed. Everyone will be wiser then.

Happy Christmas toffeebuds. Your outlook on a lot of things seem to be similar to mine. Weigh up the pro's and con's. Hopefully in 2018 Everton will have more pro's!

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25 Dec 2017 13:29:36
WOW

Toffeebuds what a great couple of posts, I really enjoyed reading them and would be happy to see similar posts on these forums.

NBTB has hit the nail on the head, I can't speak for GB but I am sick to the back teeth of people who are already condemning Sam, I also understand that he may not be our long term answer, but it would be wrong of Everton as a club if we did not at least give him next season to see what he is actually capable of whilst managing a big club such as Everton.

I don't really want my posts to look as though I am attacking, but I do see why they can look like that, Whilst people continue to not give Sam a chance, then I will continue to cast out the line with some nice juicy bait on it, I always have someone that bites as well as a few nibbles. I think I can say with confidence I am not afraid to offer my views even if they go against the majority and I stick to them, I don't tend to change them because the crowd think something else. I can't speak for GB, but have chatted with him, but I think his reasons are the same as mine. Nothing beats armchair fishing.

I wish both you and NBTB along with your families a very happy Christmas.

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26 Dec 2017 12:14:53
Fair enough. I probably did misinterpret your posts and bite a little on some of that bait that you put out there. It did seem to me like you were attacking people for having differing opinions which always drives me crazy but I apologise for coming on a bit strong.

I certainly agree with your sentiment that Sam needs time to hopefully be the success we want him to be. If he goes the same way as the last 2 it would be a pretty disappointing place to be after 2-3 years of Moshiri. As he said in a previous AGM we have a window to grab onto the shirt tails of the elite teams because the gap gets bigger each year.

I think those making the decisions at the club will see enough of Allardyce behind the scenes over the next 6 months to have a good idea of whether he can take things forward next year. A lot will then depend on what big name managers are looking for work at that point and what big clubs are looking for managers.

It will also be important how he and Steve Walsh are working together, assuming Walsh still has significant power at the club. You get the feeling the fate of Allardyce and Walsh are probably quite closely linked as Allardyce was very much Walsh's man.

I think Allardyce might need to perform this season but also have a bit of luck with the wider managerial merry go round in the summer in order to get a crack next season. I think he will do the first. the second is anyones guess.

I think it would be pretty harsh on him getting someone else in during the summer because improvement takes time.

Lets hope for another 3 points tomorrow and a better 2018!

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26 Dec 2017 14:14:57
One thing is for certain Toffeebuds and that is that an apology was definitely not required. I'm old school (ok very old) and over the years I have learnt that whilst debating providing nothing personal was mentioned or no one crosses the line then apologies are never really needed.

As for big Sam it may surprise you to know he was not my first choice, my choice would of been Raffa. I wanted Pellegrini instead of Koeman. The fact none of my 1st choices made it has not stopped me giving total support, and having total belief in the chosen management team, (my beliefs did not cover caretaker management) .

Everybody is aware of Sams lack of experience at a big club, and I would not have him as my choice to look after my families silver, but at the end of the day he is in charge and should get the respect that is due of anyone in that position. If my next door neighbours great aunty Nellie was to become our manager I would also give her 100% support. At the moment on this forum we have more negative posts about our team than we do positive, even when we win the negative comments far out weigh the positives.

After todays game you will see the negatives creeping back in, and by the time our next game is due, it will be hard to find something positive written about us. No wonder Ed002 see's Everton fans as an embarrassment to the club, because with all the negativity that's exactly what we are.

Hope to see you in live chat later on.

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24 Dec 2017 12:29:50
Remember Dogs of War? People are using that phrase again about this current squad. I would term them "Pups of war". A great bunch of kids not scared to mix it up. Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Davies, Vlasic, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Baningime. all 23 or under. In fact only the keeper is 23.the rest are younger. 2 seasons ago I was worried that we would never be able to replace our ageing squad. This lot have given me hope. It sounds daft but pups of war is more relevent.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

24 Dec 2017 09:06:57
I'm sorry lads but I don't know how much more I can stick of this backs to the wall for 89 minutes and then hope to nick something stuff yesterday was just dire and it's not the everton way Sam's turning us into Wimbledon with less skill.

Believable2 Unbelievable7

24 Dec 2017 09:30:17
The man has only been there for 5 games give him time, at least we're not leaking goals and picking up points let's see where we are at the end of the season.

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24 Dec 2017 10:08:12
billdean so you were happier with RK or RM when we were getting beat off the field like children?

Playing like men now. This kind of play is temporary. Its a work in progress. Big Sam imho has exceeded expectations. Especially in the time frame that he has had so far.

Imho he will concentrate on more expansive football once he is satisfied that the defense is in tact. Even more importantly consistent.

When that is achieved then we can build on that. Problem with last 2 managers they didn't keep the back consistent. I have no doubt Big Sam will.

Thing I love about Big Sam is there is 0% Bu**sh*te. Says it like it is and get on with it. Exactly the manager we need who already has steamrolled us in the right direction. In time he will do that with style also.

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24 Dec 2017 10:45:04
Give SA credit for what he has done so far. Also if you listen to his post match comments you can see that he is concerned with a lack of creativity. That should reassure us that playing backs to wall football is just temporary fix to get us firing without the worry and nerves that creeps in when your in a relegation fight.

Give him some time and a transfer window or two and I’m sure he’ll get it right.

I’m starting to think that our club may be the one that showcases SA as a top coach.

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24 Dec 2017 11:01:23
Hope you right ace. I was firmly on the fence over Sam but I'm on his side now. He has made us tougher to beat and defensively tighter as a whole.
They always say start at back and work forward when building a team unlike the reds who have done it backwards.
Let's just hope for another couple of good results and a few recruits in the window and we can start to find that balance of defence and attack.

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24 Dec 2017 11:15:39
NBTB how you got that I want us to go back to leaking goals and getting beat from my post is beyond me of course I don't I agree our results have very much improved but we are very negative now and it's just not pleasing on the eye maybe I'm being too negative impact not trying to start a row because that's not what I'm about i just like a bit more expansive football. merry Christmas my fellow blues.

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{Ed025's Note - it will come billy, he will get us solid and safe then the next part will be the entertainment, im actually warming to big sam and am quite hopeful that we are moving forward, all the best to you and yours mate..

24 Dec 2017 11:36:24
I have a plan Billy, let’s go at Chelsea toe to toe and play football, pretty sure we tried that and got spanked 6-3 previously, would you prefer the point we picked up yesterday, or a performance that leaves you exposed, how many teams have come away from our neighbours, on the end of a 4,5 even 7 nil spanking, it will come Billy, but for now we need to counter attack oppenments by nullifying their strengths, rebuild, baby steps until we get the right players in, in a more balanced team.

Let’s not forget we have a very young right back, a right sided player, playing at left back, a raw young centre forward, a young midfielder who broke into the first team last season, add also we lost Rooney and Gaye yesterday, no McCarthy, Bolasie, Barkley, Baines or Coleman, I think we are doing what we have to at the moment, not pretty but effective.

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24 Dec 2017 12:17:59
BillyDean no doubt you are fishing with some prime bait there, if not you are invited to my house for some of my humbugs.

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24 Dec 2017 12:20:38
There are positives and negatives to every situation. What I would say is that Big Sam took on the work Unsworth started and let the team settle. He didn't change much for the 1st 5 games. Holgate (although not included yesterday) was part of it. It is a very youthful team now bar one or two of our elderly players. Prior to Unsworth's last game in charge, these youngsters looked like frightened kids. Yet they have been galvenised into a fighting force who are battling out results. That is a basis for the future. I won't list them all, but you all know the kids that have been included of late. Some probably a bit too early in their development. But just think what is possible if we can now add a bit of experience and quality to that very young bunch of players. We really were playing relegation football 10 games ago. But now we are a unit and ready for the additions we need. Shame Barkley wants so much to be off, because imagine if we had a Harry Kane or De Bruyne in our squad. Someone capable of driving forwards rather than defending. Well Mr Walsh. we look forwards to your finds with a more positive new year coming. The future's bright but it is Blue not Orange!

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24 Dec 2017 13:03:09
Good post Degs.

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24 Dec 2017 13:12:56
Big Sam is doing exactly what he should be doing and that is sorting out our defense. Yes it is not pretty but it is setting the stage for the second half of the season. Also don't forget that Rooney was not playing yesterday, he makes a big difference when it comes to our ability to score. I believe that the management team will get us playing a more attractive type of football especially when we get some of the wounded back in action.

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24 Dec 2017 17:37:17
Apologises billydean. I didn't mean to be that hard. The point I was making was there has to be a give and take. Can't improve results and play like Barcelona at the same time. I'm more than willing to put up with anything if it means moving the club in the right direction. I won't be complaining.

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25 Dec 2017 10:37:18
No worries NBTB just a difference of opinions mate and we all want the same thing a good everton team winning again and competing at the top of the league happy holidays COYB.

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25 Dec 2017 23:23:56
All I have to say is unbeaten in the last 6 games, if this was the beginning of the season we would be near the top of the league, would you then still be saying the same statement, he has done a miracle on our team, we were on the way out of this league with the way we were playing, Now we haven't been beaten, is take that any day of the week than playing pretty football and getting beat by 3 or 4 goals, like any team, results breeds confidence and then hopeful a better style of football, but after 6 games I think your asking a little to much, try looking for the positives instead of the negatives.

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24 Dec 2017 07:24:54
Just heard the sad news that Leon from Gogglebox has passed away. Sincere condolences to his wife June and family. RIP Leon 🙏.

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24 Dec 2017 08:54:25
Agree Big H. Had a great fondness for him because he was a blue. Rip leon.

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