I feel the need, the need for Mead.
Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
I feel the need, the need for Mead.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Leicester City vs Everton
12th December 2026
Ferguson made a few changes for the trip to Leicester, at the back it was Zubeldia alongside Matsima, John Hepburn got his first start in midfield next to James Garner as Lars Samardzic was ruled out with a groin injury. Carlos Alcaraz came in behind Karim Konate who was back from suspension and Gonzalez started on the left. Lucas Digne was back on the bench after a recent injury. Five minutes in and Garner played it forward to Alcaraz who ran forward and played it forward for Konate, he knocked it past the keeper but was he onside? It looked tight. The goal was ruled out as Konate was clearly offside. Carlos Alcaraz was having a decent game but after a collision with Soumare he couldn’t continue and Cunha came on around the 33rd minute mark. Leicester were getting on the ball but unable to make it count with limited chances. Everton were finding it frustrating and something needed to change. Changes came around 65 minutes when Lucas Digne came on for Alex Valle and Amadou Onana replaced John Hepburn. Time ticked on and Ferguson made his next change, Roony came off and was replaced by the Evertonian Mead and Everton went to a front three in an attempt to win the game. Everton got forward and their best chance came from a Lucas Digne free-kick on 90 minutes which the keeper done very well to get across to, it was cleared away by Leicester. Everton stayed forward as Zubeldia played it back down the left for Digne but he couldn’t keep it in play. Everton won the ball back from the throw and Cunha played it inside to Garner who had a go and hit the bar from 25 yards. Everton committed men forward and were almost caught out by a Leicester counter attack but the referee called time on a dull affair and Everton go five games without a win.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Aston Villa
19th December 2026
The halfway point of the season was approaching and Crystal Palace were occupying second in the table after beating a struggling Liverpool earlier today. Arsenal led the pack and were trying to win back to back titles but Man City and Man Utd were not too far behind. Brighton sacked Danny Cowley after a bad start to the season and brought in Ipswich’s Ryan Mason. Tottenham also decided to bring in Antonio Conte for his second spell in charge after he was sacked by Manchester City in May 2026. Everton were in action against Enzo Maresca’s Aston Villa who were fighting for Champions League football this season but Everton are a team that also have European ambitions and will want to return after an almost ten year absence. Carlos Alcaraz was injured so missed this one but Onana and Branthwaite were back after being rested against Leciester City. 12 minutes in and Diaby went past Valle easily on the left, he cut it back to Tielemans who almost lost it but the challenge from Branthwaie was weak and the ball was knocked to Nwaneri in space who scored past Pickford to make it 1-0. Komate put the ball in the net but he strayed offside after Roony’s ball forward. Roony came down the right on 22 minutes, he went past Aceves and played in Gonzalez, he took two touches to control it but the finish was exquisite from a tight angle and Everton were back on level terms! Pickford made a great stop from a Tielemans free-kick not long after the second half started but not a lot of action from either side since. With 20 minutes to go, Ferguson showed his intent with an attacking change. Cunha came off for Beto, Konate came off for Danny Mead and Gonzalez went off for Moleiro. Lucas Digne came on for Alex Valle with ten to go. It was Villa who took advantage when Tielemans found Rabbi N’Goma in acres of space on the right and he curled one into the bottom corner, 2-1. Lucas Digne was nowhere to be seen. Everton had a free-kick on the far right a minute later, Mead fancied it and he put in a great cross which Martinez couldn’t get to and Beto headed into the gaping net! 2-2! What a cross from Mead to get his first assist! Digne cut out the Villa pass on 86 minutes and played a long ball for Mead to chase, he got there ahead of Konsa and looked confident on the ball, taking it into the area, he cut it back for Moleiro and his shot was saved by the fingertips of Martinez. Everton with some late pressure, Roony put the corner in and Martinez came out to punch clear, Mead got it on the edge of the box and tried the dink which came back off the crossbar and eventually cleared away. It ended at Bramley Moore with an Everton fight back and they could have took all three points but what a game of football on show this evening.
DF: I think we were unlucky not to win it, Martinez is a fantastic keeper and he showed why he is world class tonight. Danny Mead got his first assist and what a ball in, Beto thrives on that kind of service and he put it away to get back on the scoresheet. We need a win, we are desperate and we have to keep fighting for it.
PLAYER RATINGS
West Ham United vs Everton
26th December 2026
Winless in six, Everton wanted to go and make a statement at the London Stadium against David Moyes’ West Ham who were having a similar start to the season, two points above Everton. Ferguson changed the back four bringing in Digne and Maffeo at Full Back and Godfrey and Zubeldia in central defence. Amadou Onana was in good form and partnered Muhammed Cham who came in for his first start. In his only appearance of the season, he scored against Leeds United but hadn’t seen the pitch since. The biggest inclusion of the afternoon was 16 year old Danny Mead being handed his first start in favour of Konate and Beto who could only watch on from the bench. David Moyes holds a much better record over Duncan Ferguson having won five times and Ferguson with no wins against West Ham in his managerial career. Digne played it to Gonzalez on the left and he had Bowen and Kudus around him, he dribbled through both of them and was away down the left, he got the pass back to Digne who found space on the edge of the box and smashed a left footed shot low against the post and in! Everton one up after a minute! It’s not going to be Digne’s goal as it came off Bamba before going in off the post, down as an own goal but Everton lead! A few minutes later Gonzalez lost the ball to Zirkzee and it was played forward for Bowen, he doesn’t miss when he’s one on one and he found the bottom left corner, 1-1. West Ham turned on the style on 14 minutes, Ward-Prowse’s cross was headed away by Zubeldia, Cham couldn’t get to it and Kerkev won it on the edge of the box, he crossed to the far post and Ward-Prowse headed past an onrushing Pickford to make it 2-1. West Ham were playing some nice football down the left and Kerkez got his second asssist when he crossed into the box and Zirkzee tapped in from close range, 3-1 on 35 minutes. Two minutes later Kerkez set up Paqueta for one from long range and he found the bottom right corner, too easy. Game over. Onana with a ball forward, Gonzalez flicked it on, Cunha controlled it on the knee and then volleyed towards the top corner but Lunin got across to tip it away, fantastic save. Everton started the second half just like they played the first and on 53 minutes Ward-Prowse’s corner was perfect to the far post for Kurt Zouma to head in the fifth. Ferguson made three changes, Digne went off for Valle, Gonzalez went off for Moleiro and Garner came on for Cham. Valle and Moleiro looked lively and Valle’s cross found Roony but his header was just over the bar. Roony played a short free-kick to Moleiro. On his right foot he went for goal and found the net with a curling effort, 5-2. The board went up for Mead to come off after 70 minutes and he was replaced by Beto. Ferguson stayed slumped in his chair and West Ham had Everton’s card marked this afternoon and ran out deserved winners. Ferguson took a risk making so many changes and it didn’t pay off and it’s certainly a tough run for the manager.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
A poor run sees Everton slip away from the pack and move into mid-table, however with two games in hand they can make up six points on their rivals. Arsenal were in a comfortable lead and looked good going unbeaten in 19. Arteta's side doing all they can to win back to back titles. New signing Yuri Alberto had ten league goals and was looking like a fantastic acquisition. Liverpool were going through a tough time but Klopp brushed off any concerns and hit back stating Liverpool will be fighting for the rest of the season. Crystal Palace were the surprise package this season and Nagelsmann's side were on a good run having beat Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks. At the other end Brighton and Middlesbrough were struggling. Brighton escaped relegation last season but early performances have not been good and The Seagulls were not performing as well as they could with the talent at their disposal. Ryan Mason has been in charge for two weeks but may not be the ideal manager to take the team forward.
12th December 2026
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Ferguson made a few changes for the trip to Leicester, at the back it was Zubeldia alongside Matsima, John Hepburn got his first start in midfield next to James Garner as Lars Samardzic was ruled out with a groin injury. Carlos Alcaraz came in behind Karim Konate who was back from suspension and Gonzalez started on the left. Lucas Digne was back on the bench after a recent injury. Five minutes in and Garner played it forward to Alcaraz who ran forward and played it forward for Konate, he knocked it past the keeper but was he onside? It looked tight. The goal was ruled out as Konate was clearly offside. Carlos Alcaraz was having a decent game but after a collision with Soumare he couldn’t continue and Cunha came on around the 33rd minute mark. Leicester were getting on the ball but unable to make it count with limited chances. Everton were finding it frustrating and something needed to change. Changes came around 65 minutes when Lucas Digne came on for Alex Valle and Amadou Onana replaced John Hepburn. Time ticked on and Ferguson made his next change, Roony came off and was replaced by the Evertonian Mead and Everton went to a front three in an attempt to win the game. Everton got forward and their best chance came from a Lucas Digne free-kick on 90 minutes which the keeper done very well to get across to, it was cleared away by Leicester. Everton stayed forward as Zubeldia played it back down the left for Digne but he couldn’t keep it in play. Everton won the ball back from the throw and Cunha played it inside to Garner who had a go and hit the bar from 25 yards. Everton committed men forward and were almost caught out by a Leicester counter attack but the referee called time on a dull affair and Everton go five games without a win.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Aston Villa
19th December 2026
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The halfway point of the season was approaching and Crystal Palace were occupying second in the table after beating a struggling Liverpool earlier today. Arsenal led the pack and were trying to win back to back titles but Man City and Man Utd were not too far behind. Brighton sacked Danny Cowley after a bad start to the season and brought in Ipswich’s Ryan Mason. Tottenham also decided to bring in Antonio Conte for his second spell in charge after he was sacked by Manchester City in May 2026. Everton were in action against Enzo Maresca’s Aston Villa who were fighting for Champions League football this season but Everton are a team that also have European ambitions and will want to return after an almost ten year absence. Carlos Alcaraz was injured so missed this one but Onana and Branthwaite were back after being rested against Leciester City. 12 minutes in and Diaby went past Valle easily on the left, he cut it back to Tielemans who almost lost it but the challenge from Branthwaie was weak and the ball was knocked to Nwaneri in space who scored past Pickford to make it 1-0. Komate put the ball in the net but he strayed offside after Roony’s ball forward. Roony came down the right on 22 minutes, he went past Aceves and played in Gonzalez, he took two touches to control it but the finish was exquisite from a tight angle and Everton were back on level terms! Pickford made a great stop from a Tielemans free-kick not long after the second half started but not a lot of action from either side since. With 20 minutes to go, Ferguson showed his intent with an attacking change. Cunha came off for Beto, Konate came off for Danny Mead and Gonzalez went off for Moleiro. Lucas Digne came on for Alex Valle with ten to go. It was Villa who took advantage when Tielemans found Rabbi N’Goma in acres of space on the right and he curled one into the bottom corner, 2-1. Lucas Digne was nowhere to be seen. Everton had a free-kick on the far right a minute later, Mead fancied it and he put in a great cross which Martinez couldn’t get to and Beto headed into the gaping net! 2-2! What a cross from Mead to get his first assist! Digne cut out the Villa pass on 86 minutes and played a long ball for Mead to chase, he got there ahead of Konsa and looked confident on the ball, taking it into the area, he cut it back for Moleiro and his shot was saved by the fingertips of Martinez. Everton with some late pressure, Roony put the corner in and Martinez came out to punch clear, Mead got it on the edge of the box and tried the dink which came back off the crossbar and eventually cleared away. It ended at Bramley Moore with an Everton fight back and they could have took all three points but what a game of football on show this evening.
DF: I think we were unlucky not to win it, Martinez is a fantastic keeper and he showed why he is world class tonight. Danny Mead got his first assist and what a ball in, Beto thrives on that kind of service and he put it away to get back on the scoresheet. We need a win, we are desperate and we have to keep fighting for it.
PLAYER RATINGS
West Ham United vs Everton
26th December 2026
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Winless in six, Everton wanted to go and make a statement at the London Stadium against David Moyes’ West Ham who were having a similar start to the season, two points above Everton. Ferguson changed the back four bringing in Digne and Maffeo at Full Back and Godfrey and Zubeldia in central defence. Amadou Onana was in good form and partnered Muhammed Cham who came in for his first start. In his only appearance of the season, he scored against Leeds United but hadn’t seen the pitch since. The biggest inclusion of the afternoon was 16 year old Danny Mead being handed his first start in favour of Konate and Beto who could only watch on from the bench. David Moyes holds a much better record over Duncan Ferguson having won five times and Ferguson with no wins against West Ham in his managerial career. Digne played it to Gonzalez on the left and he had Bowen and Kudus around him, he dribbled through both of them and was away down the left, he got the pass back to Digne who found space on the edge of the box and smashed a left footed shot low against the post and in! Everton one up after a minute! It’s not going to be Digne’s goal as it came off Bamba before going in off the post, down as an own goal but Everton lead! A few minutes later Gonzalez lost the ball to Zirkzee and it was played forward for Bowen, he doesn’t miss when he’s one on one and he found the bottom left corner, 1-1. West Ham turned on the style on 14 minutes, Ward-Prowse’s cross was headed away by Zubeldia, Cham couldn’t get to it and Kerkev won it on the edge of the box, he crossed to the far post and Ward-Prowse headed past an onrushing Pickford to make it 2-1. West Ham were playing some nice football down the left and Kerkez got his second asssist when he crossed into the box and Zirkzee tapped in from close range, 3-1 on 35 minutes. Two minutes later Kerkez set up Paqueta for one from long range and he found the bottom right corner, too easy. Game over. Onana with a ball forward, Gonzalez flicked it on, Cunha controlled it on the knee and then volleyed towards the top corner but Lunin got across to tip it away, fantastic save. Everton started the second half just like they played the first and on 53 minutes Ward-Prowse’s corner was perfect to the far post for Kurt Zouma to head in the fifth. Ferguson made three changes, Digne went off for Valle, Gonzalez went off for Moleiro and Garner came on for Cham. Valle and Moleiro looked lively and Valle’s cross found Roony but his header was just over the bar. Roony played a short free-kick to Moleiro. On his right foot he went for goal and found the net with a curling effort, 5-2. The board went up for Mead to come off after 70 minutes and he was replaced by Beto. Ferguson stayed slumped in his chair and West Ham had Everton’s card marked this afternoon and ran out deserved winners. Ferguson took a risk making so many changes and it didn’t pay off and it’s certainly a tough run for the manager.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
A poor run sees Everton slip away from the pack and move into mid-table, however with two games in hand they can make up six points on their rivals. Arsenal were in a comfortable lead and looked good going unbeaten in 19. Arteta's side doing all they can to win back to back titles. New signing Yuri Alberto had ten league goals and was looking like a fantastic acquisition. Liverpool were going through a tough time but Klopp brushed off any concerns and hit back stating Liverpool will be fighting for the rest of the season. Crystal Palace were the surprise package this season and Nagelsmann's side were on a good run having beat Liverpool and Chelsea in recent weeks. At the other end Brighton and Middlesbrough were struggling. Brighton escaped relegation last season but early performances have not been good and The Seagulls were not performing as well as they could with the talent at their disposal. Ryan Mason has been in charge for two weeks but may not be the ideal manager to take the team forward.
mmmmsnouts
Player Valuation: £40m
Not the festive period “game adjusts to your tactic” run of bad results again!
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £80m
JimmyJeffers
Player Valuation: £80m
Fat head Ferguson.
Changing the entire back four away to a team above you in the league is enough to get you harpooned where I come from.
Giving goals away like Christmas gifts ffs. Conceding 4 AT HOME twice and then 5-2.
It makes the 0-0 away win against the rs completely meaningless. If Big Dj
unc can't sort it, it's gonna need an even bigger man.......bring.......UNSY back!!!
It makes the 0-0 away win against the rs completely meaningless. If Big Dj
unc can't sort it, it's gonna need an even bigger man.......bring.......UNSY back!!!
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Unsy would deffo unleash the Mead!
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
Harpoon polishing time in casa Friedkin?
I try not to say any words to Unsy which sounds like food/fed/feed, so Mead might need a loan away just until the dust settles
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
God job we didn't give a contract to the YTS lad Alexander Chip-Butay!
I think Unsy was looking to curry some quavers, I mean favours with getting that lad signed up
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
The only manager who when asked what was his starting eleven answered that finally a journo knows how to order off a menu.
Mind you, looking at the table, Razor Ruddock and Jan Baconframe Molby management dream team have the rs at 7th so maybe the all you can eat buffet at Smellwood is producing some results that Unsy could replicate?
The butler polishes them every morning and has them on standby at all times. Never know when you'll need to carry out an emergency harpooning.
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