c1982

This doesn’t surprise me in the slightest. Before anyone sees 56% win rate as poor it equates to 64points over the course of a season and that’s not including extra points from drawn games.

I thought that may have been the case for many- that’s without Kenny and Tosun on the list and without factoring in the high earners Bolasie and Walcott (and Besic) who will also be leaving this summer. This squad has been mismanaged for far too long - time for a proper long term plan/stability in the management.

Well Bielsa has signed a lot more than 8 players in his time at Leeds - I’ve just counted 12 in the current squad and that’s not considering loan players who helped get them back to the Prem and players like Barry Douglas who he signed and have since moved on. I’d guess the number would be at least 20 signings. Taking over a relegation threatened team? Leeds? No they weren’t - in the season before he joined they finished comfortably mid-table. Bielsa has done a great job, no doubt, but to ask could Ancelotti have done what he has? God knows... could Bielsa have done a better job with this Everton squad than Ancelotti?

The ones I want rid of more than any others are Gomes and Sigurdsson as they are 2 players who are getting so much game time and both are painfully slow! Pace, strength and energy/desire should be key components of any signing this summer.

Our performances have frustrated the hell out of me for most of the season and Carlo has to take some of the blame but he must have praise too as we’ll end up with our best points tally since 2016/17 - not great in reality but we’re not talking about a squad full of quality here. In his 17months, 14 have been in a global pandemic and we’ve been ravaged by injuries throughout that time - generally in midfield. As a result, our team has been full of over paid statues - namely Gomes, Gylfi and Iwobi - Allan and James may not be the fastest most mobile players but each has world-class aspects to their game. A big problem is that we can’t just write off too many more expensive signings as Walcott, Bolasie and Tosun already won’t return from an £80m (ish) output. We need to claw back some of the £100m (ish) from Gomes (not his fault but the injury has had a devastating effect), Gylfi and Iwobi. Add Gbamin (once again, not his fault) and that’s £200m of player mentioned there. This squad is an unbalanced expensive mess - Carlo’s here to sort this mess. We need patience and stability and now’s the time to show this because 100% Ancelotti will know we’re nowhere near good enough currently.

Ancelotti’s said a few times that there won’t be wholesale changes - we will see but who would you happily get rid of? *With the poll limited to 20 options, I’ve missed some fringe youngsters and Kenny (on the basis that he’s clearly not going to be here beyond the summer window). Pick as many as you would happily get rid of.

Our problem and it has been ever since Gueye left is midfield. I can’t say we never replaced Gueye because we did with Gbamin but we’ve really struggled in this area and have had no consistency whatsoever with Gomes’ awful injury, Delph rarely playing, Davies still learning - this season with Allan and even Doucoure. I think Ancelotti knows this is a massive weakness so has often gone more defensive and to be fair, got points. Look at the Villa 3 of McGinn, Luiz and Barkley and you’ve got so much more energy and balance than Allan, Gomes and Sigurdsson. Davies probably should have started but even then... it’s a different story when Doucoure and James are in with Allan but we need to address this area desperately. I’d happily sell Gomes and Sigurdsson (and Iwobi) to replace with pace, strength and energy.

He makes a lot of mistakes but think his versatility possibly gives him the edge over Keane or Mina to stay. I do think we’ll look for another centre back to replace Keane/Mina (or both) who will partner Godfrey. What works in Holgate’s favour is the fact that he looks better than Keane (in my opinion) in a back 3 and I think Carlo likes that option.

I agree - in DCL and Richarlison, we have 2 players linked to teams for ridiculous money yet they don’t link up enough. 2 cracking players - 2 of my favourite players but they don’t necessarily seem to compliment each other. I’d happily keep both but think we’d be stupid to turn down silly money for either. Many will disagree but if someone gets Abraham for £40m, they are getting an absolute steal compared to the £80m being touted for Calvert-Lewin.

Tonight shows why he’s not off to Man U for £80m. How much will Watkins cost? Abraham for £40m? - Dom isn’t twice as good. Ivan Toney? I think Dom is great and I’m fine with him as our main striker but he’s certainly not significantly better than others mentioned above.

Yep but we’ve been Evertonian’s long enough to know that Allan will stub his toe doing housework and be out for the rest of the season as soon as Doucoure’s back!

Probably this season to be fair. We’ve been very unlucky replacing him as he was so important- Gbamin would have hopefully done the job but we all know what happened there. Look at Leicester after Kante - they got Ndidi in and looked a top team again when he was settled but often struggled in his absence and for large periods when he was adjusting to the new league. I do think it would have been similar for us with Gbamin and he’d have eventually looked like an upgrade but we’ll never know.

He was and PSG were leading and dominating. Credit to Man C in the 2nd half, they completely dominated and no PSG player could get near them.

Agree with all of this. We need pace in this squad desperately but we need to be finding the kind of value that Leeds did with Raphinha - £17m was an incredible piece of business especially when you see Arsenal spending 3 or even 4 times that on Pepe. We won’t be spending £43m or whatever on a 28year old winger with no Premier League experience and actually not the most illustrious international/Champions League career.

Sure he does - without the cross there’s no goal so Richarlison deserves some credit.

Allan - kept us organised in a very tight game. Mentions for Pickford and Godfrey too. In a game of little quality at least Richarlison (as frustrating as his performance was at times) was positive when he got the chance to be. I feel the goal was befitting of the quality of the game!!!

Bravo

Injured https://instagram.com/stories/jarrad_b_/2556222994060161521?igshid=pgzaopnuqmeh

The players and the managers of these clubs are likely to get a huge slice of the billions on offer from a ‘Super League’ so they may not feel as strongly about it as us fans.

Well said Gary

All in here.

No link but I’m sure this is a name that’s been linked to Brands in the past - could be a name to look out for this summer.

Without question. Digne had Baines as back-up when he first joined. In reality, we should have signed a right-back last summer as we look much better with Coleman (and others) in the team.

If key players can stay fit, we could (we won’t) very easily win all of the remaining games (banking on Man C giving us a gimme on the last day of the season before their FA Cup and Champions League finals!)