09 Jan 2022 11:53:53
There is a saying "if it's not broke then don't need fixing". Or words to that effect. Under Ancelloti the defence was satisfactory. Last season no one could fault Godfrey. Keane was an England squad member. We all know Keane has been found out on numerous occasions this season. Is that because of zonal marking, because he's getting older or what. Suggest Rafa goes back to how they played defensively last season.
Deliveries into the box from set pieces this season have been in the main pathetic, don't they practice this in training.

Thought new signing Mykolenko did reasonable getting used to new team mates and considering not played for a few weeks did okay. Obviously no one wants him getting injured considering the Digne situation.

Why oh why were the 2 youngsters not given an opportunity to perform up front, one playing in each half of the game. Continuing to play Rondon up front poses no goal threat whatsoever, and why he was given a contract at this club I will never understand.
Two things from yesterday was we won the match and Iwobi didn't come on.

2or 3 years ago I was not in favour of Rafa coming to Everton, not because he was ex Liverpool but because of his Everton are a small club comment. When he came I thought, well he is the manager, support him. Now I am not confident he is the man for the job, wrong fit for the club.

We get banners displayed saying "Rafa get out of our club", and comments on these pages in agreement. Who then would they like to see as manager. Moyes is probably the one that springs to mind but firstly I don't think he would be asked to come back, and secondly I don't think he would come back. The atmosphere around concerning Benitez is not what I want as an Everton supporter and could develop to how it was at Leeds many years ago when Brian Clough replaced Revie as manager. That must not happen and Rafa or the club board must change things that are causing this.

Ultimately, Rafa, if you read these pages, then you must change your mindset before it's too late. I am not in the Rafa out group yet, but am starting to go in that direction.

With Leicester game on Tuesday obviously he wants to spread the game time across the squad.

1.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 13:11:36
Morning Blues,

All great points Brian, as fans we are sometimes blinkered to everything that goes on.

Personally I think he is a horse caught between two stalls. He knows we need to start playing better more attacking football but I think he knows the players are either not capable or don’t back him to perform better.

We have had really good Man Managers over the last 5 years all credited for being great with the players, Silva, Carlo and even Sam, we now have the polar opposite a supposed master tactician.

Our injury record this year is horrible! Don’t get me wrong the players out will be injured but there will be an element of some of them not wanting to play In this current style or for this current manager.

Digne been a case in point he has question Rafa and essentially been shown the door.

In a way I applaud him for taking a hard line I think we have lack that over the last 5 years but there has to be a middle ground.

Ashley Williams question his training of set pieces last night on the BBC and I would agree we are all over the shop. that is a coaching problem as they could do it last year.

Middle field has been an issue for a few years now and the full backs are hopefully getting sorted with the two new lads.

My worry is that Rafa is not a long term solution even if we limp over the line this year what happens long terms?

For me there is Still a lack of direction fingers crossed I’m wrong.

2.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 13:19:05
Good posts from you both. We need a manager who is up-and-coming, good tactician, good man-manager and does well with limited resources. Diego Martinez is our guy.

3.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 15:34:46
Before rafa came, some were saying Gallardo? I think that's who it was.

I'll repeat myself but whoever comes in needs 2 to 3 years. I say this because I think rafa days are numbered. I think its gone too far for him to reclaim fans support.

4.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 15:35:34
Not too hard to find one that matches that list, Hugo! I'll be honest mate, as long as we have a manager in charge that gets a tune out of this substandard squad, then I don't care if he's a master tactician or up and coming. We seem to have tried the lot so far with little success.

5.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 16:50:18
A couple of things to get straight here. Ashley Williams shouldn't be commenting on how to defend and Michael Keane isn't a defender.

6.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 16:54:02
I would give my left-hand for Gallardo. Not asking much am I, bluepotato! Haha.

7.) 09 Jan 2022
09 Jan 2022 20:06:40
Zonal marking doesn't work for this Squad.

{Ed025's Note - no type of marking works for our defence DFS..