Teddeer

Ha ha. You're like a dog with a bone.

You overlook the two gilt edged chances squandered by Djenepo and Vestergaard both of which should have seen the Everton net bulge.

I think Ralph is to blame in much of this because he is the one who continues to pick Redmond despite the fact that the guy is clearly suffering a complete loss of confidence. If he keeps getting picked he can only try his best - I think he is doing that but his self belief is so low he can't do anything right. The manager should take him out of the firing line and leave him on the bench.

Time to be more offensive and get players running at them in the final third. Keep the tactics as they are and the most we'll get is a draw. We have to be braver rather than so predictable.

I didn't suggest taking risks and going totally gung-ho from the start. The point I was trying to make is that, as a team, we should be taking calculated risks throughout the game when the opportunity arises. No risk no reward and that is us at the moment I'm afraid. We need to be harder to defend against and presenting more of a threat in the final third because that induces panic and the chances will come.

Thought Armstrong was superb playing more central alongside JWP. One of his best games ever for us.

I don't think many of us seriously expected anything other than a defeat tonight. We battled hard and made a game of it but again had no cutting edge. Even then both Djenepo and Vestergaard should have scored - those were gilt edged chances and have to be taken. If one had gone in and we'd taken a point I guess we'd all be viewing that game a little differently - it is fine margins. Ralph does need to encourage us to take more risks because we are too safe and not brave enough to get more runners in advanced position. Hence, when we work the ball forward we nearly always end up with no options other than to turn back towards our own goal - we have to mix it up more so we are less easy to defend against and then the goals and chances will come.

Herein lies one of our problems. With 3 points for a win and only one for a draw you have to take risks all through games. Not a clever thing for the manager to admit.

No mention of Armstrong in the positives - what game were you watching, the guy played out of his skin.

Too little too late and Ralph was not brave enough to make a change at half time when he should have taken Redmond off. Even then we probably deserved at least a point out of that because Everton didn't play much football and spent most of the game conning free kicks out of Atkinson. Armstrong was absolutely superb for the whole game and ran himself into the ground. Salisu is going to have to toughen up if he wants to make a living in this league. He's a big unit and shouldn't be whinging when he gets a slight pat from a flying hand. We really should have taken a few risks and got more bodies forward because there was nothing to beat there tonight and we were just too timid. That's got to be down to Ralph's tactics. On to Sheff Utd where we must take the game to them and go for the 3 points.

They really aren't that good and, with a cutting edge, we would be winning this.

We've played the better football, passed it around well but have zero cutting edge. Redmond has been abysmal, Armstrong very good. I'd bring on Tella for Adams to give us some extra pace up front and maybe Jankowitz for Redmond but Ralph will probably sit on his hands. Everton in general have just bypassed the midfield with long balls and looked dangerous from set pieces - they are not that great. However, not expecting anything other than another defensive mistake to give Everton a comfortable 2-0 win. Prove me wrong Saints and Ralph.

Plus plenty backwards as well.

If it's any consolation the Everton fans are going apeshit at their selected eleven and bench 🤣

Let's be fair this is a fixture that few of us expect anything from and history shows this is one of our least happy hunting grounds. If we give them a game I'll be satisfied, if we scrap a point I'll be delighted and if we somehow come away with a win I'll be ecstatic but totally gobsmacked.

The only real surprise is Fraser in goal.

At least we'll hear our 'keeper opening his mouth and organising his defence.

Wow! Didn't see that coming. Many have been calling for Fraser to be given a chance while others have said leave well alone. Tonight we may find out which camp had it right.

Any leaks on the line-up tonight? Needs must so I am expecting Ralph to pull out one or two surprises.

If we can scrap out a point tonight then beat Sheff Utd on Saturday we should be in a good position especially if Spurs beat Fulham on Thursday. That set of results would put us 11 points ahead of Fulham with 11 games to play. Conversely, if we lose both games and Fulham beat Spurs we are going to be deeper in the mire 🤣

Martin Atkinson takes charge of this game with Jon Moss on VAR duties.

Not a bad shout. That line-up might have a chance depending how well the two youngsters acquit themselves.

Tella up front with Ings. Move the ball forward much quicker than of late and hit passes to feet firmly rather than half paced. Don't commit too many forward at corners or free kicks because we invariably get caught short when our opponents clear and break quickly eg Leeds when Romeu had to make that brilliant last ditch tackle - it happens far too often. Play out from the back but don't take stupid risks and be prepared to put a foot through the ball when required. Mark players particularly when they wander into our box. Tell McCarthy to open his mouth and help out his defenders. When chances come our way be clinical because I doubt we'll get many. With a large slice of luck we might get something from this tough fixture at a time when every point is vital. Under no circumstances roll over and capitulate without giving absolutely every last drop of sweat - leave nothing on the field.

Rather have West Brom's keeper.

Palace were hopeless yet Fulham couldn't beat them. They needed the win considering the run of fixtures coming up.