1998 team v this lot.

[Buzz Lightroom]

The difference between the team listed above and the team we have now is the leaders on the pitch. in 1998 we had Short, Bilic, Watson, Hutchinson & Dunc that would all give a rally cry when needed and they'd have a word with players if mistakes were made. Who does that in this 2022 team? When was the last time Everton had a leader on the pitch to pull the entire team together to raise their game?
It goes back to the poor recruitment over the last few seasons. Players may have been brought in for their talent in a certain position but very few have been brought in because of their leadership and the potential to be a club captain.

 

[JLW]

 

[adi dassler]

Don Hutchison had more steel than our current crop of midfielders. Slaven Billic was alright too.

Peter Beagrie wasn't in that team so don't know why you have mentioned him.

Beagrie played in the arsenal game mate

 

[adi dassler]

Every defender in that 98 team is better than what we have now.

Hutchison and Judas walk into our current midfield.

Ferguson was levels about Calvert Lewin

 

[grandjoeblue]

People massively overrate our current side. The worst form in the whole of Europe over the past 5 months tell the full story. One of the worst squads we have ever had.

 

[Death]

Every defender in that 98 team is better than what we have now.

Hutchison and Judas walk into our current midfield.

Ferguson was levels about Calvert Lewin

Levels? Different dimension to Lewin.

 

[The Penalty Box Dancer]

Beagrie played in the arsenal game mate

Ah he was on loan. I don't even remember that.

 

[Sharpies volley]

Saw someone elsewhere say this was worst squad ever in terms of ability. It certainly is in terms of mentality but feel rest is OTT.

This was 11 for final two games of that season v Arsenal and Coventry:

Myhre

Carl Tiler
John O'Kane
Craig Short
Bilic
Ball
Dave Watson
Beagire
B***by
Hutchinson
Dunc

Not a clue what defence or midfield was put out in that one!

Madar and of course Farrelly were the only two changes from that for Coventry.

Better than this current shower? They did actually get to 38 points that season.

At least we had a few in there with a strong mental attitude

 

[Drico]

Saw someone elsewhere say this was worst squad ever in terms of ability. It certainly is in terms of mentality but feel rest is OTT.

This was 11 for final two games of that season v Arsenal and Coventry:

Myhre

Carl Tiler
John O'Kane
Craig Short
Bilic
Ball
Dave Watson
Beagire
B***by
Hutchinson
Dunc

Not a clue what defence or midfield was put out in that one!

Madar and of course Farrelly were the only two changes from that for Coventry.

Better than this current shower? They did actually get to 38 points that season.

People make the mistake of separating technical ability and mentality, but they are equally critical in determining overall effectiveness. All of these players can play - that's why they are pros - but mentality is very often the key differentiator. Take snooker. Pretty much every top 64 player can score a 147 or compile a total clearance. Most can do this habitually. But only the select few can do it under extreme pressure. They can all pot balls, but some are strategically superior and bring that to bear.

In terms of the 1998 team, Craig Short, Bilic, Ball, Watson, Barmby, Hutchison, and Big Dunc walk into our current side.
So, yes, they were better.

 

[teppic]

Tiler, O'Kane, Short, Bilic, Ball, Watson, Hutchinson and Dunc walk into this side, 7 of the 8 would be captain if they were here now (Sorry John O'Kane) and even though I wasn't Myhres biggest fan, I'd have him over Pickford any day.

Madar was quality as well, much maligned, mostly because of the Derby miss, which was horrific tbf.

Madar wasn't 'quality'.

 

[wainy]

Imagine a player of Dave Watsons stature being in our dressing room now. Heads would be cracked all over the shop.

 

[Blitz9999]

I refuse to believe the 1998 team talent/ability wise was better then the current rabble. Not even close.

The difference is most of these players are filthy rich divas who are already planning their summer holidays and couldn't pin point the city on a map.

 

[Kever10]

Madar wasn't 'quality'.

I thought he was a really good player who had a good impact for us, scored some good and some important goals, and just wasn't fancied by Smith. Granted we got him nearer the end of his career, but we have had many worse strikers before and since and he played a big part in keeping us up. We would kill for a striker scoring 6 goals in the run in now.

Like I say, the miss against Liverpool was horrendous, and even more baffling because he almost scored goal of the season in the 1st half, then fluffed the easiest chance he could possibly have had.

 

[gianthogweed]

That 98 team compered to this one had a lot of leaders in the team not great footballers
This team are mentally weak hence so many injuries with certain players using football as a means to other activities plus they don't care about the future of this club it would seem money and lifestyle is more important than professional pride
Anthony Gordon not included in that the lad gives everything on the pitch for this club

 

[Sussex]

ABility wise, todays one is far better than 98.

Today's team though, has far less back bone and fight than a slug in a pot full of salt.