Match Thread Everton 1-1 Arsenal. Sat April 5th. 12.30pm

[Moderatelywarmwater]

Not overly hopeful about this one. 1-1?

Well I want wrong. We really really need a win now though

 

[Connor mcloud]

Whys Goodison so quiet? Was the same against West Ham too

Because we're safe, nothing at stake nothing to play for.
We're just seeing the season out

 

[Vaughan]

As soon as Saka came on Young's appearance was inevitable.

I can only think Moyes knew before the start that Saka would be on the bench, that's why Patterson got a start...and did f.a. to impress btw.

The good news is he didn't get injured and so hopefully he stays on the bench from now on and out the door in the summer.

great takeaway from my post fella

 

[Vaughan]

Whys Goodison so quiet? Was the same against West Ham too

really frustrating, yes there’s nothing to play for but there’s a handful of games left. it should be a party

 

[davek]

great takeaway from my post fella

It's more of a case of Patterson being out in the shop window. I hope he doesn't pick up any more injuries before he leaves and costs us a fee...whatever that is we can fetch for him.

 

[NathDogg]

I think everyone now knows that ref standards in the UK are very poor. I think because of a lack of refs they have to stick with anyone who is qualified. Not a surprise that fewer want to be refs these days with the abuse they get, starting with games at grassroot level.

I have a lot of respect for the grassroots refs, thankless job with some of the idiotic parents on the touchlines, and also the Sunday league refs with the bevvied loonies who just want a scrap. No ta.

I have a lot less respect and sympathy for the professional refs, who have all the advantages of technology, massive support teams behind them and extensive training, yet still make routine glaring and obvious mistakes, or maybe it’s a bit more sinister than simple mistakes?

There is zero consequences for their terrible, inept performances, and all we get is wishy washy apologies, which leads me to believe they are performing exactly as they are instructed to, and so fixing matches.

 

[IllinoisBlue]

Missed the game but heard there was a tribute to Kevin Campbell on 9 minutes that was applauded by both sets of fans. Nice moment I bet.

 

[Khalekan]

Have we missed any? Or even had any others.

Yes.

Beto missed versus Hammers last season.

I am hard pushed to think of any others.

 

[JobForTheMoyes]

End of season game at the beginning of April. They'll be a lot more like that due to the early finish of the Championship and relegation battles.

It wasn’t an end of season game for Arsenal. The players deserve credit for getting something out of the match against a team packed with excellent players.

 

[JobForTheMoyes]

In his couple of starts, Alcaraz linked up really well with Beto and helped create a few chances each game. Doucoure playing in that same role offers nothing and whoever is playing CF is left trying to create chance for themselves.

He offers a high press. Doucoure is obviously an important part of the team who offers qualities appreciated by managers.

 

[JobForTheMoyes]

Most probably they way we play has something to do with it—-when we attacked with a bit of spirit and aggression the volume of sound increased noticeably after we scored the penalty and a few minutes after that, but mostly we were not very good and the crowd didn’t have a lot to inspire them.

The crowd are meant to inspire the players, not the other way around!

 

[Dwight K Schrute]

Dusag

Disagree with almost everything you have said there. Must be great going the game with you. Ta mate.

Disagree all you want mate. Tell me another decent side (or even a bad side) who have an attacking midfielder in the side purely for what he offers defensively.

 

[Ged G]

Disagree all you want mate. Tell me another decent side (or even a bad side) who have an attacking midfielder in the side purely for what he offers defensively.

Thanks for agreeing to let me disagree.

 

[Ged G]

No. He is a terrible player and costs us when we attack. You could say the exact same above about Jack Harrison (apart from goals). And as for goals - Doucoure has scored a couple of crucial ones over the years - but he causes the breakdown of so many attacks, I genuinely believe it is a significant net negative. He's only contributed 3 goals and 1 assist in 30 games and plays as an attacking midfielder.

By contrast, Alcaraz has a goal and an assist in 9, hasn't started many and gives so much to the team. He is young with high potential. He also works hard. Where's the negative?

You talk about what so many Evertonians do with scapegoating players. Let me tell you something else so many of us always do - sing the praises of really poor footballers who hold us back just because they run about a bit. That attitude has been held by many of our managers and is infecting Moyes now with Doucoure. It is one of the biggest reasons we have never got back to the top. Top sides would not accept such mediocrity. It's not just now when we are toward the bottom of the league - we've always had it.

I didn't sing his praises as you put it. I just see some positive things in his play as have several managers including experienced ones like Moyes.

 

[JelavicBrate2]

Because we're safe, nothing at stake nothing to play for.
We're just seeing the season out

Plus it was a 12:30 game, too early for a bevy in my opinion. Add to that Arsenal are going for title with RS.