Everton banter 4

10 Jan 2026 11:02:47
I was at Wembley in 1995 to watch us lift the cup after Paul Rideout scored the only goal in the match verses Manchester United. I was 55 and left the ground believing that we were going to win many more trophies in the coming years. Now 30 years since that memorable day and not one trophy, years of frustration and now my son is the same age as I was then.
Today we play Sunderland who in the 1994-5 season finished 20th in Division 1 under then new Manager Peter Reid.

I think it is fair to say that today we are the underdogs since we have so many players missing. Please David Moyes and the player chosen to play make an old man proud, let's give ourselves a chance at this years cup, hopefully when the net round is played we will have players back and will still be in the competition.

10 Jan 2026 12:03:52
My first boy was born that year Mike and apart from the Chelsea final, were I believe we bottled it. He and his brothers have seen little to get excited about. They got tickets for the final game at Goodison (cost them a fortune) , and they had to watch an old man cry.

When I explained to them that I had seen some of the finest football players play here in blue, it just breaks my heart at were we are now. Still there’s always tomorrow I guess.

10 Jan 2026 12:15:24
Good goal that mate and the passion.

10 Jan 2026 10:54:38
I'm already very, very MoyesOut, but I think today really might be the last straw for me.

I don't know about you, but I would far, far rather he actually took a risk here, gave Aznou a chance, let Dibling play as an actual winger instead of basically a second right back, maybe even give 1 or 2 from the u21s some time, and tried something different - and even if we lose 3-0, we know we gave it a go and it was a risk, and maybe there was a glimmer of home from one of the youngsters.

But what we all know will happen is that he'll play the same ineffective 4-2-3-1, Myko at left back, Dwight on the wing and Barry/ Beto up front (and he may even push the boat out and put 3 keepers on the bench this time) , and we'll absolutely grind out a 2-0 loss which isn't enjoyable for anyone involved.

I cannot fathom the mindset of a man who would rather stick with a player he Knows will give a 1/10 performance as opposed to risking giving a young lad a chance. We may not have a future superstar hidden in the youth teams, but there has been several performances this season where my 90 year old Nan would have been, at worse, as ineffective as Barry has been, so what is there to lose giving a young lad a go?

Anyway, fingers crossed for today, but let's just say that I would stake a lot of money on the fact that it's not going to be enjoyable!

10 Jan 2026 12:07:27
I think he's picked the strongest team available to him, which was the right thing to do.

10 Jan 2026 09:24:55
I try never to be this negative about my club but with the players we have missing afcon and suspension's and Moyes reluctance to blood younger players I can only see us dumped out of the cup and a Sunderland win and us trying to hang on to staying in the top half of the premier League table desperately hope I am wrong what say you fellow evertonians ??.

10 Jan 2026 10:32:32
You never know, hopefully a few opportunities taken by youngsters, there chance to show supporters and the manager what they can do.

10 Jan 2026 10:41:45
Current situation is just a reflection of where we are. A good first XI, but bitterly short of any depth; we have been missing several key players, the back up players are simply not good enough and it has cost us. Moyes has got 60 points from 40 games since he took over which is worth remembering, we have improved but it will take more time to really fix it. We had several years of mismanagement, being run poorly and signing terrible players on inflated fees and wages.

This season won’t be amazing a mid table finish at best, but I feel with the right recruitment, next season will be the one where things really start to get better. That said, I think the signings of Barry and Dibling were misjudged, we needed prem ready players, like KDH, so there is, as always with Everton, an air of caution.

10 Jan 2026 11:12:19
If we had a LB, RB and Striker who were prem quality, I’d agree the first team was good.

Moyes’ lack of using youth is frustrating and one dimensional tactics makes for hard viewing when games start to get away from us with no way back. He’s done well from where we were - I’d like to see some decent recruitment this window (LB and RB) with a proper striker in the summer.

10 Jan 2026 11:15:06
Sensible supporters knew this period would come, we were relatively lucky with injuries in the first half of the season and the bench always looked poor. Hard I know, but some perspective has to be applied. We can expect to ‘go big’ in the summer. Last few seasons we didn’t have two fivers to rub together. Be nice to nick a result today.

10 Jan 2026 11:33:37
Pickford
Patto Tarks O'Brien Micky
Tim Garner Armstrong
Dibbers Barry/Beto McNeil
Would be amazed if this wasn't far off the team he puts out.
I would love us to go 4-4-2 and play the two stinkers sorry strikers up top, and just go for it.

Tell McNeil and Dibbers they are not allowed to make a back pass, and Kickford sorry Pickford can spend all game doing what he likes best hoofing it down the pitch. Sorted.

10 Jan 2026 12:07:24
We don’t have a good first eleven. Need a striker and two full backs. Oh and an attacking midfielder who can pass a ball.

10 Jan 2026 09:01:59
Cmon you lot the sun is shining a lovely day, so it’s time to predict, today a very squeaky xxx time but 2-1 to us bring it on.

{Ed025's Note - 0-0 and us to win on pens..

10 Jan 2026 09:30:16
1-1, lose on penalties.

10 Jan 2026 09:52:30
We will win this game 3-0.

10 Jan 2026 10:19:17
1-1 I reckon.

10 Jan 2026 10:28:30
Sunderland will win today 2-0.We are a bad lot and David moyles doesn’t know how to set a home team up for a victory. He plays away football at home sitting back in our own half 11 men going side to side defending. Moyles is too old now and never plays to win always not to get beat. Why not go and blow wolves out of the water in the first half other night get the crowd into it and go beat them 3-1 4-1.We sit back far too much Moyles starting to look his age on the sideline as well reminds me of Roy Hodgson in his final years as a manager.

Hopefully get someone who isn’t pension age for next season.

10 Jan 2026 10:32:11
Not sure who would take our penalties in a shootout but, with Illy away, I feel less confident than most.

10 Jan 2026 10:35:31
I'm going to stick to my usual optimism and say an appalling 3-0 loss.

10 Jan 2026 11:08:20
Keane being banned will work in our favour means obrien will move to centre Patterson at right back who I think given a run of games will be a good rightback plays regularly for his country and plays well knows how to get forward unlike miko him n dibbling on the right worked v forest.

10 Jan 2026 11:35:22
0-0 then they score and we fall apart.

10 Jan 2026 07:39:06
{Ed's Note - BRD has posted a new article entitled, Still Reeling From Amorim's Exit at Manchester United

09 Jan 2026 19:17:51
How about playing Reece Welche tomorrow alongside O'Brien see how good the lad is. Got to give these young lads a chance .

09 Jan 2026 20:17:21
Agree mate been saying that for a while, look at Armstrong a breathe of fresh air in our depleted Team.

09 Jan 2026 21:02:47
We have a goalscorer called Graham and he made bench the other week. Mainly striker but can play in no10 or on wings if needed. But next game it was seen more beneficial to take him away from 1st team and put extra keepers on bench.

How often do you see a keeper subbed on nevermind 2. Total waste of space on bench when a youth player could benefit.

{Ed025's Note - it beggars belief Dentie..

09 Jan 2026 21:25:24
Some of the youngsters who are sat on the bench every week will surely get a chance of some more involvement tomorrow given that we will have a bare bones first eleven.

09 Jan 2026 22:55:52
Moyes won’t change much he doesn’t know how. Just another season come and gone. But hey we won’t get relegated, maybe.

09 Jan 2026 23:24:44
He might play two up front BMD… but we’d have to be losing to do it.

Starting to get annoyed with our one dimensional tactical approach and like for like subs.

09 Jan 2026 23:58:58
I follow the youth teams and I honestly believe Moyes won't put em in because he doesn't trust them. There's a few players who would give us abit pace and attacking threat.

10 Jan 2026 10:21:33
When you see the numbers of youngsters in around other Prem teams it’s hard to understand why we have so few. Armstrong looks like an absolute Rolls Royce. Welch has been around the club for ages, let’s see him, he couldn’t be much less effective than Tarks this season could he? Let’s see Aznou as well please.

10 Jan 2026 10:27:59
I'd definitely give braidon Graham a chance up top today what's the worst that can happen he doesn't score no difference from the 2 we play week in week out but he might just surprise us.

09 Jan 2026 18:11:02
Bugger Senegal won and Ndiaye scored.

09 Jan 2026 18:42:15
Yep through to the semi finals.

09 Jan 2026 18:50:03
Exactly what I was thinking, Ndiaye and Gueye should now be available for Leeds match on Monday 26th, provided free from injury.

09 Jan 2026 16:43:33
Just a small thought, but on Jacks sending off, he’s had a previous booking for alleged dissent along with the two on Wednesday.
Is it that, when at City, those sorts of decisions weren’t given against City and he’s having difficulty adjusting to the way things are when you play for Everton.
This season alone
Tarkys alleged handball
KDH alleged handball
The foul on Barry spring to mind there are probably many more.


I could even go back to Jags’s sending off in his final season allegedly out of control or. The only time the retrospective red card committee sat and decided that Niasse had dived and received a three match ban for simulation.
I’m no conspiracy theorists but something smells and it ain’t teen spirit UTFT COYB.

09 Jan 2026 17:01:07
Jack should know better. He’s used to getting fouled and often actually plays for them. City we’re happy to let him go because they have better players.

09 Jan 2026 17:47:46
Both Keane and Jack were bloody daft, should they have been red probably not but that ref we had has only officiated 3 premiership games so far and went to VAR for help end of story there, Everton hardly ever get the rub of the green, but then both of them should have known better, top professionals and all that jazz.

09 Jan 2026 19:29:28
That was a deliberate pull of the hair, new referee applying strict rule (albeit under guidance from var) was correct. Grealish was an idiot. Both of them seasoned pros'. Instead of appealing Keane should have been fined and Grealish. Moyes is being angry at the wrong target.

09 Jan 2026 19:57:20
They might have got off if they had apologised instead of acting daft.

09 Jan 2026 21:17:36
Only women pull hair lol, Keane deserved to go.

09 Jan 2026 14:53:45
Wonder if we will go for a cup run this season or play some youngsters tomorrow as are squad is so thin. is there a limit to how many keepers we can put on the bench.

{Ed025's Note - we might need the 3 keepers between the sticks the way our defence is playing Ron..

09 Jan 2026 15:00:09
He will play youngsters.

09 Jan 2026 15:07:59
He’ll play youngsters because that’s all we have left.

09 Jan 2026 17:02:41
Or try playing a different system, i'm sure he must know one?

09 Jan 2026 17:12:48
I am bringing my boots, there is a chance he’s looking for some old gits.

09 Jan 2026 19:34:32
Last time I thought that, hamstring said I'll show you you old fart.

09 Jan 2026 14:40:04
All ok your end GB mate?

09 Jan 2026 15:09:29
Yep fine mate fair bit of damage over here but all ok mate winds topped 95 mph, bit windy to say the least.

{Ed025's Note - good to hear mate..

09 Jan 2026 15:45:01
Bloody hell mate, as long as all ok GB that is the main thing! Glad to hear it.

09 Jan 2026 16:37:47
Us Guerns are made of strong stuff mate ??.

09 Jan 2026 14:12:00
Everton cocked up here. Keane and Grealish should have just apologised, apparently that works these days.

{Ed025's Note - good point mate..

09 Jan 2026 14:39:56
Yep very true mate.

{Ed025's Note - have you took your tin hat off yet GB, or is it still very windy mate?..

09 Jan 2026 15:10:31
All clear this morning mate but it was rough last night but all good.