04 May 2021 13:01:05
Reading the latest posts and comments, it's clear to see that there is a bit of a split in our fan base. Some see a bigger picture, others don't. Some want, or expect, instant improvement whereas others are happy to show a bit of patience. There is no right or wrong, football is about opinions and we're all entitled to our own with regards to the club we support.
In the intervening years since Moyes left for pastures new, we've seen a few managers come and go. They were all given a decent war chest to build a team. With each manager came a period of transition as they tried to fashion a team. Now, some years later, we are still in a transitional position as the latest manager, CA, puts his own stamp on a squad that includes a lot of the same players that got other managers sacked. As annoying as it is, that's where we're at right now. I feel a lot happier with Brands and Ancelotti in charge of player recruitment than I did with Walsh and Fat Sam! It takes time to build a team and, when you compare the calibre of player we've bought in the last two windows, it points to the fact that things are getting better. The likes of Allan, James and Doucoure have improved us in the middle of the park, an area that was extremely weak not so long ago. I'm excited for the next couple of windows to see who else will come in and improve the squad.
Plenty of people mention that the current squad isn't good enough and I think we can all agree. So, whether we like it or not, we have to be patient as some of them will be shipped on at the first opportunity to make way for better players.
This has also been an unusual season, not just for us but for the entire league. Our home form has been shocking at times but, when you look across the league, it has been pretty much the same for the majority. Correct me if I'm wrong but I'm sure there have been a high percentage of away wins across the board? Could even be a record for a season. So, for me, this C.V. plays a part too, it's been disruptive and fans not being in the grounds has given the away teams an extra impetus. It's not just us that have these problems, it's been the same story for a lot of clubs.
The fact that no team had a proper pre-season is also a factor. Injuries have been common place for all teams but we have seemed to have been ravaged by them since the start. We massively improved the midfield last summer but haven't been able to play all three in the same team as much as we'd like. In effect, we're having to play the same midfield from last season that we all know needed a massive improvement.
CA isn't above reproach. I agree with some of his detractors when they question some of his decisions or tactics. But just look at what he has at his disposal. The majority of this squad has seen at least 3 managers come and go so are they tactictally astute and do they carry out instructions properly? Will better players be able to a better job? Time will tell, I suppose!
I'd like to see more youth come through the ranks but I also want to give the kids time to settle with no pressure on their shoulders. It's a big step up from playing in the Premier League 2 and, for me, that league is no barometer of how a kid would fair in the first team squad. The reserve structure needs addressing, in my opinion. Go back to the old days of no age restrictions and it would become more competitive. Maybe our youth set-up isn't as good as it's made out to be, maybe some of our better kids aren't quite ready to be unleashed just now. If that's the case then I'd rather they didn't have their confidence shattered by playing in a home defeat to Burnley or Leeds, for example. Send them on loan and let them sink or swim!
Off the pitch, the club is in a better place than we've been in for as long as I can remember. We have a new stadium to look forward to so now it's all about getting in quality players to grace that new pitch. Exciting times!
Some may see some of these points as an excuse but I disagree. I see them as reasons and that they can all be ironed out as the CA tenure evolves. We all want the same end goal, we all want to be challenging for the top spots in every competition. We all want Everton to be successful once again. It seems we just have different ideas of how the club will get there.


1.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 13:14:19
Spot on Blue Potato.


2.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 16:21:44
Blue patatio 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻Great post.


3.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 16:29:42
Good post and really well put. I agree with you on many things. Particularly that recruitment looks to be heading in the right direction, and CA deserves as much credit for that as Brands does - he is clearly a huge draw for a lot of players.

My concern around CA is more about the development of tactics, and identity. Or lack of. We have chopped and changed first 11 way too much, admittedly much of this has been enforced but simply put we have no identity as a team on the pitch. We look lost a lot of the time. That more than anything needs addressing over the summer.


4.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 17:19:41
Think the patronising start to your post "some see a bigger picture, others don't" is a bit wide of the mark. I am one of the fans that is honest enough to say there has been zero improvement in performances or results in the last 18 months, but that doesn't mean I want ancelotti out or that I don't have patience. It will take a while to unpick the mess of a squad that we have, but not sure why any of us who are unbiased enough to state facts about the lack of improvement thus far in the ancelotti era should be castigated for that? I would be quite happy if next year we could be in the mix for top 6, ideally with some games where the players look motivated and hopefully the odd game here and there that is okay to watch.


5.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 17:22:48
agree. good post bluepotato.


6.) 04 May 2021
04 May 2021 17:56:54
EFCONE, I share the same concerns mate but think that this might not be a problem with better players. We will get some kind of indication with the players that we sign over the next couple of windows.
TD, you could argue that it was patronising, especially when you take the sentence out of context, as you certainly did. Read it again, I was actually acknowledging the two angles that seem to split our support. In no way was I attacking anyone, just putting my own 2p's worth into the conversation. As I also said, it's about opinions and nobody is right or wrong. I never mentioned anyone wanting Ancelotti out either, not sure why you've totally misjudged my post, TD?


7.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 00:33:28
Potato great post. It is all, about patience and backing the club. After all we are just fans. We make no decisions or apppint any staff or buy players.

Remember it took klopp 4 years to win trophy. Carlo just needs time to identify and bring players in as well as promoting kids.

Davide has a big say in things now and the players like him so maybe our succession plan there.

Just a quick point for davey. performances have been difficult to watch but it is typical Italian. try to be defensively solid and go for 1 nil win. but you can't argue that results have not improved. We beat top 6 teams a lot this season even away from home.


Fingers crossed for a decent summer with no injuries at the euros and some new players in.


8.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 06:46:24
Yea that's fair enough geoffjohno and I'd rather we won than were entertaining so I can live with us being the worst side to watch in the league.
Results wise - we may have done better against the big teams but that just shows that we have done worse against the rest. I've said a few times that 57 points is what's required to match points per game under ancelotti last season. Its still possible we'll get there and possibly slightly beyond but think the facts show there hasn't really been improvement results wise.


9.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 08:45:29
I get the Italian of playing is to not concede, but you can play that way and still play entertaining football. Let’s face it how many people actually look forward to watching the team play right now? People keep saying we are short of players. Simms another two last night, would have been handy to have had him in the squad.


10.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 11:07:00
Simms isn't as far on as king and he isn't getting a look in. Moise kean looked awful last night.
We need a young pacey kid just don't know who that is.


11.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 12:05:00
geoffjohno, I sincerely hope that the club aren't going to pass the job down to his son when he retires. If they are going to go for continuity, I'd much rather they gave Dunc a go.
TD, I think you're overplaying the 'worst team to watch in the league' mate, I'm pretty sure that title goes to Sheff Utd. Quickly followed by WBA and Fulham. There a few others further down the table that have been much worse than us.
Woburn, I think that Simms will get a chance pre-season with us and hopefully he will take it. He needed to go out on loan to further his development and the lad's done well in the lower leagues. Agree with smit, if King can't break through as a seasoned prem striker then Simms would have had no chance without his spell away from the club. Fingers crossed the lad can break through next year.


12.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 15:21:47
We will never know if our youngsters are good enough because we never play them.
People saying Simms isn’t as good as King? How would you know he’s never played in the first team. If ever their was a season to give youngsters a chance it’s this one.
Don’t send them out on loan, keep them around the first team and give them a go. You become the best by working with the best. Not sitting on a bench in Preston because a different manager has come in. What good is that doing that young lad.


13.) 05 May 2021
05 May 2021 15:36:15
I agree with you to an extent, woburn. I believe the U23's league isn't good enough for us to be able to judge how youngsters would get in proper, competitive games. As I said, sending them out on loan is a sink or swim situation and Simms is certainly swimming right now. I don't know who the better player is between him and King, I was just alluding to the fact that if a seasoned pro isn't getting game time then I doubt trust will be put in a kid who hasn't got much experience. His loan spell should stand him in good stead, hopefully we will see him next season in our squad.