Ben Crawford - We are in for an entertaining week
From Frank Lampard’s sacking to Anthony Gordon’s impending departure, it seems the wounded animal of Everton Football Club is continuing to die a slow death for all the footballing world to see.
Arnaut Danjuma’s loan deal collapsing at the final hour was the final nail in the coffin for most. The fact that it was followed by conflicting reports about Farhad Moshiri selling up added further to the disconnect felt between fans and the Everton board.
The whole mess surrounding the club seems to change by the hour so I’m loath to predict what will happen next. We are in for an entertaining week to say the least.
READ MORE: Farhad Moshiri may revert to Everton trend he ended in new manager search
READ MORE: Duncan Ferguson breaks silence on Everton manager links after taking on new role
A word, however, on the departing Frank Lampard. Never has a manager in my lifetime engaged and moulded a connection with the club as much as he did.
I believe the decision to relieve him of his duties is fair and belated if anything due to the team's form on the pitch. Away from the pitch he managed the Blues with dignity.
On the pitch I fear he was not tactically sound enough to weather this Everton storm. The relief and jubilation from the end of last season will stay in the hearts of those in attendance for a lifetime, but sadly the ending to the Lampard story is a sad one. I wish him all the best and would like to thank him for his efforts with genuine gratitude.
Paul McParlan - Even Pele would struggle
It has undoubtedly been another week of predictable pandemonium in La La Land, aka Everton FC.
Still amid all the chaos of appointing a new manager, one glimmer of light emerged. Marcelo Bielsa may or may not take the job but his analysis of the problems of adapting the current squad to his preferred style of play were acutely accurate.
He wants energetic players bursting with pace in every position and that has been something lacking in the Blues all season.
Defenders struggle to cope with someone who runs at them with pace. In other words, a winger like Anthony Gordon who, according to Opta Joe, is one of the fastest forwards in the Premier League this season.
Someone who fits the Bielsa blueprint perfectly and we are apparently about to sell! Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil prefer to drift inside and run into a congested midfield and then lose possession.
Alex Iwobi makes more sideways runs each game. Our full-backs cannot break forward with speed and deliver quality crosses. Even Pele would struggle to get on the scoresheet with this level of service.
Watching Arsenal against Manchester United on Sunday was a masterclass in how football should be played. The ability to hit opponents on the counterattack is crucial but this is something Everton never do, instead preferring to rely on a once in a blue moon wonder goal from Gray to save the day.
Teams who play with high energy create more chances, they unnerve defenders, know the value of the quick pass forward and use the flanks to best effect. Everton’s tally of 15 goals in 20 league games so far is woeful and indicates that they may end up with only 29 goals compared to 43 last season.
That lack of firepower adds up to relegation. Bielsa’s assessment of the team is that they are too slow, and they must prioritise signing players with pace before the transfer window closes. He is 100% correct.
Observing Everton’s pedestrian attempts to create chances in recent games only confirms this. Far too often a safe sideways pass is chosen because nobody is sprinting down the flanks or running behind a defender to receive the ball.
Bielsa has quite rightly demanded that the club address these concerns before he would consider taking the job. It is still unclear if the Argentinian will arrive at Goodison.
If he does not, the first task of a new manager must be to read his assessment of Everton’s deficiencies because that is the way forward. I would love Bielsa to become Everton’s boss, he would transform the team and rebuild the relationship with fans.
Either way Farhad Moshiri owes Bielsa a debt of gratitude and possibly a consultancy fee for delivering a purposeful analysis of what the club needs. This team is too slow and if that does not change Everton are going down.
Tony Scott - This club is sinking and fast
No signings, no manager and all our dirty linen being washed in the talkSPORT kitchen isn't nice, is it?
What this football club needs now is a manager of authority, power and control and is not afraid to put noses out of joint. Someone that's not afraid to tell these players what they need to hear, someone who's willing to challenge the boardroom if need be and someone who more importantly is going to pull the fans back because without the fans this club will fall as was proven last season.
This club is sinking and fast. Some will desert the sinking ship in the next few days.
We now need a strong captain to steer us clear of the iceberg that's coming. Mr Moshiri, you've employed more captains than my fantasy football team!
Leave it to the experts that you chose to do the job in the first place. The director of football, Kevin Thelwell, it's over to you.
READ NEXT:
- 'I just hope' - Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta sends Everton plea after Frank Lampard sacking
Next Everton manager odds as Sean Dyche and Marcelo Bielsa swap positions
Duncan Ferguson to take new on football role that rules him out for next Everton manager
-
Everton get £485m boost as Farhad Moshiri sale stance confirmed
- Anthony Gordon latest: Everton star may need 'transfer request' amid Newcastle valuation
