Relegation 2022/23

[Daytripper]

“Leicester is a must win”
“That’s a great point. Happy with that”

 

[steven]

Absolutely spot on - I understand that there's a sense of frustration around the missed opportunity (many calling for the likes of Gray on and to be a bit more cavalier), but I think in the flurry of reactions, what's been lost is how bad last night could have been.

Folks need to keep things in perspective - if we had been beaten at their ground (especially after giving a goal up, and seeing our captain get stretchered off), morale would be obliterated and Leicester are suddenly flying. Instead, Leicester were beaten to nearly every ball on their own turf under the floodlights, and they won a point courtesy of goalkeeping heroics - just like Leeds the other week, they've lost their trump card; an "easy 3 points" against their relegation rivals at home. Imagine the mood on here if the roles were reversed?!

I think that's why Dyche was reluctant to make changes; an extra two points doesn't really change the narrative, we're still going into Wolves and Bournemouth needing 6 points; but if we get beat, 6 points from those fixtures probably isn't enough to keep us up given the GD. It made sense to be a little conservative with the substitutions (although we certainly weren't conservative on the ball) as a result in my opinion, as much as that will be absolute anathema to most Evertonians who wanted to risk it and be a bit more cavalier.

There's still plenty to play for - many Everton fans have already wrote us off against a Brighton side who have (1) the highest proportion of their goals conceded from set pieces (15!! of 34); and (2) we're quietly well set up under Dyche to defend against the way they play, see the Forest game for blueprint

It 100% would have changed the narrative.

Would have moved above three sides…and ultimately means we ‘could’ have lost all 4 games and stayed up.

There are only 4 games left…we are 19th in the prem…performances for me don’t really matter now, we got the same points yesterday as we did in a ‘poorer’ performance against palace, it’s all about results. Dyche’s inability to shore up the defence and find a way to win looks likely to be his and our downfall.

 

[Toffeepot]

Dyche has a great record against us. Could never deal with the approach from Burnley. We were 1-3-4 against Burnley in the Premier League, and the win was the first one, so failed to beat them in 7.

6 points from your last two might be enough and it's possible.

Good luck lads, hope Forest and Leeds go.

very different brighton now though tbf, much faster passing and more attacking intent
Nice1 mate!

 

[Tony’s Carp]

Would you rather we keep it tight against Brighton and hopefully nick a point? Or go balls to the wall and play for all 3?

A point would be very handy, but he who dares and all that…

The game plan is the same either way- backs to the wall, frustrate them and out battle them in midfield. If we can snatch it on the counter or from a set piece even better but whether it’s one point or three there’s only one route to get anything.

34 had an excellent shot at it now so just one point from Brighton or City would be massive as then one win and one draw might do it.

 

[billybadger]

I think a lot of people are banking on us beating Bournemouth when they are predicting the final points tally which I find a bit worrying

 

[Blue peter]

Coleman went out on his shield.

I have been a major critic of him over the last five years. He has been in terminal decline. But he was always courageous and brave. That was very sad last night, and probably a microcosm of what has happened to this once-great club.

If we had 11 Coleman’s in the team exemplifying his attitude we would be nowhere near where we are.

 

[Brennan]

I think a lot of people are banking on us beating Bournemouth when they are predicting the final points tally which I find a bit worrying

If we can’t beat an on the beach Bournemouth at Goodison on the final day then we deserve to go down.

 

[Gareth Gibson]

Superb performance from the lads and how we didn't come away with 3 points tonight I didn't know. But this is a viral away point that leaves us still in it. We have now dragged Forest into it.

The media wrote us off last week just as they wrote us off this time last season when we were 6 points away from safety. But we will not go without a fight.

The grit tonight, the determination... that was almost Dogs of War stuff.

A special mention to our away fans tonight - stunning atmosphere. We got behind the lads from start to finish.
The bookies' odds on us staying up have now changed dramatically.

The kopites might not get their relegation party after all.

Great post.

We are going to do this.

We are Everton.

 

[Tilling]

It 100% would have changed the narrative.

Would have moved above three sides…and ultimately means we ‘could’ have lost all 4 games and stayed up.

There are only 4 games left…we are 19th in the prem…performances for me don’t really matter now, we got the same points yesterday as we did in a ‘poorer’ performance against palace, it’s all about results. Dyche’s inability to shore up the defence and find a way to win looks likely to be his and our downfall.

Fair point - I suppose I'm looking in isolation at our last two games (I see no scenario where we aren't going into those 2 games nervous as a fanbase, there's no way we get 4 points clear even with a win over Leicester by the final day) but it does give us some breathing room. I suppose my point is that it doesn't change as much as if we had lost - the route out hasn't changed, win the last 2 and we'll be okay, whereas I think if we had been beaten, winning the last 2 still might not be enough. That's another presumption from me though that not everyone will share!

 

[Blue peter]

Doesn’t exactly send a positive message to their players to sack the guy responsible for signing them all with four games to go. Think that’s one that could’ve waited til the summer.

Yeah bit of a strange decision that to take action just to be seen to take action

 

[YoboCopter]

If we had 11 Coleman’s in the team exemplifying his attitude we would be nowhere where we are.

Probably still wouldnt of scored many tbh

But at least we would of put the effort in

 

[Blue peter]

Probably still wouldnt of scored many tbh

But at least we would of put the effort in

And it’s the application in my opinion that removes the threat of relegation with a modicum of ability.

 

[bullybeef]

Last night was a must win.

If we had’ve won I would have given us a fighting chance.

Unless the Ginger one knows something we don’t then I just can’t understand why he didn’t go for it with a couple of subs in the second half.

 

[Tilling]

The caveat to that Forest game example is Brighton were definitely feeling the effects of the cup loss and ET
They were the better team imo regardless and probably still should have won
It was also at the city ground
I'm not writing off the Brighton game but we are definitely heavy favourites to lose
Like the set piece stat though, something to hang our hats on for sure
Keane can't play though, they'll play him like a fidget spinner, be almost cruel to start him
game for coady this one

You aren't wrong re: the cup loss, but don't forget they play United at home on Thursday night and will be putting absolutely everything into that to avenge the cup defeat - going to be some tired legs/rotation come Monday. We're definitely favourites to lose - I just don't think the gap is quite as big as people are making it out to be!

I honestly can see where Dyche is coming from not dropping Keane but I'm aware that's a very unpopular opinion (really not sold on Coady at all, Mina a big gamble) so I won't fight you on that one

 

[woomy]

I'm not that disheartened about the result last night
Daid this before and I might be proved wrong, but I just don't see Leeds or Leicester getting another point. Maybe Forrest as well.
1 win from the last 4 and I reckon we are safe.
If we can somehow scrape 4 points, then I think we are gravy