David Moyes

[Gash]

As @Bluedylan1 posted the other day, we're 4th in big chances created only behind Brighton, City and Bournemouth so we must be doing something right. Stats will always be used as a positive or negative depending on which side of the argument someone is on.

[AllyBlue14]

I’d say that’s quite worrying for us considering the standard of opposition we’ve had so far.

Newcastle were the worst team I’ve seen for a long time and that table proves how bad they are.

People will say XG is wank or whatever but it always catches up with you in the end.

Last season was a perfect example of that for us.

Id say that table is more useful than looking at a premier league table after nine games.

I don't really understand "considering the standard of opposition" - we've played half the league, pretty much 1.5 pts per game.

If we're going off that table, doesn't it say we're performing better points wise (albeit marginally) than we should be?

[Gash]

592nd game in charge tomorrow, equaling Harry Catterick's record.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2026/nov ... on-record/

[Shogun]

Who won more?

[TheRam]

I don't really understand "considering the standard of opposition" - we've played half the league, pretty much 1.5 pts per game.

If we're going off that table, doesn't it say we're performing better points wise (albeit marginally) than we should be?

Hull, Ipswich, man united, Newcastle, palace, you can throw spurs in there considering how bad they were at the start of the season.

Played three good teams and got one point at the death.

The XG table has us 12th which I find a bit concerning considering how favourable our fixtures have been so far this season.

After Coventry we’re going into a run of fixtures where we’ll really see what our level is, coming up against the likes of Villa, Brentford and Brighton.

Certainly don’t think anyone should be getting carried away if we beat Coventry and find ourselves in the top five come the break.

We’ve not been anywhere near that good imo.

[Granite]

And we’ve seen that a decent start can amount to fuck all, come May. I’m certainly not going to wish the season away but I’m far more interested in how we end the season than start it, given our recent capitulations.

[brap2]

No but just take the points we can imo as we’re gunna need em.

Just will be less of a surprise when we get pumped by the worst shite side in years and anyone else with a functioning midfield.

Drop off is coming but we’ve bought the ticket now we have to just get through it.

[Bumble]

We were in the box seat for a European place last season, just needed to be sensible and treat each game like it's own mini cup final. Rotate the side and tactics, plan for each opponent.

He bottled it like a rabbit in the headlights. Same team, same subs, same dithering as we wilted before everyone's eyes and he still couldn't bring himself to change anything.

I'll not be getting too excited. History doesn't always repeat but it rhymes.

[AllyBlue14]

Hull, Ipswich, man united, Newcastle, palace, you can throw spurs in there considering how bad they were at the start of the season.

Played three good teams and got one point at the death.

The XG table has us 12th which I find a bit concerning considering how favourable our fixtures have been so far this season.

After Coventry we’re going into a run of fixtures where we’ll really see what our level is, coming up against the likes of Villa, Brentford and Brighton.

Certainly don’t think anyone should be getting carried away if we beat Coventry and find ourselves in the top five come the break.

We’ve not been anywhere near that good imo.

But we beat Palace, Ipswich and Newcastle! While Spurs certainly and United (although they weren't as bad then as they've become since) were winnable games, objectively, I wouldn't say we'd be "expected" to win them. By the same token, Hull were on a decent run and hadn't conceded at home (if I remember rightly) before we played them.

I don't think anyone is getting carried away or saying we have been that good. I think most are pretty realistic about the challenges that lie ahead, while also recognising there will be better opportunities to pick up points against other teams.

Surely it's a good sign if we're in 7th or 5th but haven't been playing well? If our performances improve, we might consolidate our position. If we struggle, at least we'll have points on the board.

If we were to win tomorrow - which we should but Coventry have shown enough this season to suggest they'll be tricky - is it not okay to be happy that we're 5th and in the quarter-final of the cup? Doesn't mean you have to be a happy clapper and suddenly think we're going to win the lot.

[AllyBlue14]

And we’ve seen that a decent start can amount to fuck all, come May. I’m certainly not going to wish the season away but I’m far more interested in how we end the season than start it, given our recent capitulations.

We've also had our fair share of awful starts though. So, regardless what happens at the end of the season, surely for now, this is better? Of course it's not perfect but I'm not sure who's saying it is.

I just find it a really weird argument. Ironically, Moyes would be espousing the same idea of not getting carried away - we've not been at our best and we have a small squad that may tire as the season goes on - but that'd make him a dour dinosaur.

[TheRam]

But we beat Palace, Ipswich and Newcastle! While Spurs certainly and United (although they weren't as bad then as they've become since) were winnable games, objectively, I wouldn't say we'd be "expected" to win them. By the same token, Hull were on a decent run and hadn't conceded at home (if I remember rightly) before we played them.

I don't think anyone is getting carried away or saying we have been that good. I think most are pretty realistic about the challenges that lie ahead, while also recognising there will be better opportunities to pick up points against other teams.

Surely it's a good sign if we're in 7th or 5th but haven't been playing well? If our performances improve, we might consolidate our position. If we struggle, at least we'll have points on the board.

If we were to win tomorrow - which we should but Coventry have shown enough this season to suggest they'll be tricky - is it not okay to be happy that we're 5th and in the quarter-final of the cup? Doesn't mean you have to be a happy clapper and suddenly think we're going to win the lot.

Yes and part of being realistic is that we haven’t played that well against poor opposition so a drop off in results is most likely to come very soon.

I’ll be happy that we’re 5th and in the quarter final of the cup myself, don’t think anyone wouldn’t be?

[AllyBlue14]

Yes and part of being realistic is that we haven’t played that well against poor opposition so a drop off in results is most likely to come very soon.

I’ll be happy that we’re 5th and in the quarter final of the cup myself, don’t think anyone wouldn’t be?

I don't really see the relevance of the point you're trying to make, though.

We've not been great but we're still pushing for 5th. Before the last match, we were 14th. It's a tight league and we might struggle against better teams. As far as I can see, that's our situation in a nutshell.

Hopefully win tomorrow and go into the international break on a high. Worry about what lies ahead when we get there.

[TheRam]

I don't really see the relevance of the point you're trying to make, though.

We've not been great but we're still pushing for 5th. Before the last match, we were 14th. It's a tight league and we might struggle against better teams. As far as I can see, that's our situation in a nutshell.

Hopefully win tomorrow and go into the international break on a high. Worry about what lies ahead when we get there.

The relevance is someone posted a graph that had us midtable in terms of expected points which I think is a bit of a concern as I think we’ve had a very favourable fixture run.

I’d rather be realistic about things than think being 5th after ten games is reflective of the team we are.

[AllyBlue14]

The relevance is someone posted a graph that had us midtable in terms of expected points which I think is a bit of a concern as I think we’ve had a very favourable fixture run.

I’d rather be realistic about things than think being 5th after ten games is reflective of the team we are.

But again, who's saying differently?

7th currently and the quarter-final of a cup is decent - may even have been better but could also have been worse. Every team in the league rues chances/games where they could've done better.

Doom-mongering about what may or may not happen weeks down the line is just needlessly exhausting. And no-one is even getting carried away anyway!

[TheRam]

But again, who's saying differently?

7th currently and the quarter-final of a cup is decent - may even have been better but could also have been worse. Every team in the league rues chances/games where they could've done better.

Doom-mongering about what may or may not happen weeks down the line is just needlessly exhausting. And no-one is even getting carried away anyway!

You are? You said you don’t understand my point about us playing poor opposition as seem to be taking exception to my opinion?

It isn’t doom-mongering at all. That’s massively over the top. If you want relentless positivity I suggest an Everton forum isn’t the place for you.

It’s just realism taking into account our performances this season, what happened last season, the size and quality of the squad and the teams we have to play.

As someone else said, I’m happy we have the points on the board, because we’re going to need them.