The People's Forum: If you saw interviews with him at the time, I don't think Duncan wanted it or felt ready for it...

...and further, I think he was only really kept on by Lampard and his team to help get them up to speed on the state of the squad, with as short a transition period as possible so that they could hit the ground running.

He has become less and less visible as the season has gone on and I'm not expecting him to be Frank's assistant manager again next year.

Where he goes will be up to him - he might stay at Everton in a different role or maybe try his hand elsewhere - personally I don't see him as a manager - a coach maybe, and even an ambassador/role mode type role, but I'm not sure he's got what it takes to be a manager - and I'm not even sure he wants that himself.

Good luck to him whatever happens - love the bloke.

(Oh and welcome back Osmo - I hope you are well

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The older I get, the wider my view on the value of success gets. I don't know how many here share my feeling that I'd rather take a Europa League trophy with an old school ownership with higher moral than a league title and a CL trophy with some bloody oil/oligarch money, which has been gathered by endless breaches of human rights etc.
I didn't think that I'd say these words (because NSNO and all that), but I'd settle for a safe mid-table finishing, with the occasional quest for a Euro/CL qualification, if I don't have to lose the respect for my club (which would mean also losing my self-respect, if I supported a team whose values won't stand the daylight). Now I don't know what kind of immoral skullduggery goes behind the scenes at Everton, but so far the club hasn't crossed the line to the dark side, at least what I know.

And at the same time of course I'd want us to be as successful as possible, and beat the shit out of everyone, especially our next door neighbours. They have done extremely well off the pitch to be able to compete on the pitch, and as much as it pains to say that, chapeau to them for that. But the point is, the growing number of wrinkles has made me more aware of the values of things. They must be in balance.

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I didn't mean that DF should have been appointed as the manager, but rather asked, why he wasn't, when FL was. I'm sure Duncan can shake the greatest of effort out of the players (who wouldn't dare to come off the pitch having not given their all), but would it suffice? Maybe not.

I agree that a successful football club can be run as a "family" only up to a certain point/size, and all clubs in the EPL are beyond that point. Football is a huge entertainment industry, as we all know. I think Everton should be run by business oriented football people, and never by fans. As much as Kenwrong may support the club, both mentally and financially, being a fan must have been his biggest flaw. The family thing is for supporters only, and I think Everton fans have given water-tight proof that we are the backbone of the club, and no-one else.

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run the club ... get rid of the old boys, family, love culture ... run Everton like business, have a real CEO not a fake CEO, a real DOF not a fake DOF, a real manager, not a fake one ,,, i.e. Kenwright Moshiri need to take a step back ... trust in those they hire ...

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But Duncan Ferguson would have been the wrong choice.

One of the big issues at Everton is the jobs for the boys culture. At all levels there are people to whom the ways of the club are ingrained. Keep on employing these people and nothing will change. We need fresh ideas from proven winners.

Whether Lampard is up to it remains to be seen, but he’s surrounded himself with good coaches and people with a winning mentality. The crowd has certainly helped over recent weeks but the players found a new level of determination too and I give credit to the coaches and back room staff for that. Some players have flourished - Iwobi most notably, but there are others.

I think the job turned out bigger than Lampard imagined, both with the task in-hand and the size of the club, and he couldn’t play the players and tactics he would have preferred. However, he showed willingness to change when it wasn’t working - something Benitez was unable to do.

As always, we look forward to next season optimistic that some of the deadwood will go, some good new signings will come in and with a pre-season to prepare the team in the way he wants, Lampard will prove to be the man.

Good to see you back!

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Having taken a look at how the season has gone, I notice that all is not well at Everton. It looks much like the horror years of 90's, although it didn't go to the last game this time.

What is it that makes Everton – in many aspects a huge enterprise with very good and loyal worldwide following – such shambles of a football club? Why is this whole saga yet again turning into another Apotheosis of Underachievement?

I was extremely suspicious towards the Benitez recruiting, and was certain that he wouldn't last more than 16-18 months at max, but he overdid even that. Then why did we take Lampard as the new manager? Were there any signs that pointed out him being good enough? I doubt it. Why not go for DF?

To have six managers in six years tells the whole story. Obviously Moshiri doesn't have a clue.

A new season will always bring new hope, and football fans are often blind in their optimism, but I have a feeling that it can go from bad to worse, unless there's some stroke of luck.

To have ended the season in relegation would have been a terrible blow, as the gone year has been such a success to myself. Luckily there's some breathing space for another year.