Everton vs Southampton

I would like to see Digne in place of Baines though, who I felt wasn't up to the pace in the last match. I figure Bernard and Zouma are likely to be subs and come on some time late in the game depending on how we're performing.

I picked out Southampton for relegation this year. No easy games in this league but you have to think this is as good a chance at 3 points and 3 goals as you're going to get.

And for those who naively believe that Prem referees are held accountable when they fuck up, both Pawson (who so obviously blundered in our game with Wolves) and Dean (who somehow missed an obvious pen for Fulham) have been assigned games this weekend. Well done, PGMOL.

Baines started BOTH goals -- the first with a lovely cross to Keane and the second with a sharp pass to Tosun -- and completed 53 passes to lead the Blues. Plus he had five tackles, two crucial interceptions and won every important contested ball he went for.

Not up to the pace? My left ass cheek. Outside of two bad passes in the late minutes, he was damn near perfect.

Gary #4, certainly hope so but keep in mind he hasn't touched a ball since March. #5 is spot on, though I'd be willing to bet Everton showed them the graphic of the egregiously misplaced free kick.

Honestly couldn't be arsed what your left ass cheek thinks (pun intended).

I'd like to see some new faces coming in, but as long as the old guard are playing well then the incoming signings are already having a positive affect.

The left side seemed to work ok so I'd keep Baines in for now.

If Lookman was to take minutes from anybody it would be Walcott after his last performance. That said, I reckon Theo is still getting up to speed too.

The back line is an interesting one, having conceded two goals - but Holgate and Keane seems reasonable for now until the new boys are in the routine.

Should have plenty of options in a few weeks, which is good.

It will take a while before I'm convinced by Schneiderlin but at least he seems a bit more motivated at the moment.

Hopefully we can get a bit of game time for Bernard, even only 15 mins. Give us an idea of what we have and him an idea of what the Premier League is about.

I can't wait to get Mina and Zouma fit and ready.

I appreciate that he did quite well versus Wolves but, at the same time, he relied far too much on Gana Gueye when he wanted to deliver the ball going forward; he seems scared to make a mistake.

I hope he can find improvement this season if Silva is sticking with him as I feel there is a player in him but I haven't seen it yet.

Will we at least see him on the bench this week?

Not bothered if the new boys start – I want to see if Silva has had a positive effect on the old guard... the new boys will be icing on the cake if all goes well.

The reason he does my head in so much is his mentality on the pitch. When he first came he was breaking up the opposition's play, making incisive passes and getting up and down the pitch.

I'm not sure what the hell happened but at some point he decided to give up all those attributes and settle for sauntering between the halfway line and his own 18 yard box. The bloke has absolutely no desire to make a forward pass.

I can accept a bad run of form. I could even accept it if he was just plain shit. But he's not. There's a player in there, we've all seen it, he just doesn't try hard enough.

I know Championship and European clubs can still sign players but doesn't that leave English clubs at a massive disadvantage?

It's amazing how far we have come in just three months, when you compare see last season's finishing squad and this season's new squad, astonishing! The turnaround is amazing, the faithful must be excited.

Favouritism for all to see... makes me heave.

I haven't felt like this since November of last year and I genuinely can't wait. Not because I think we are going to win the league or anything like that, but simply because I now have a manager I can get behind.

The thought of being entertained by my football team is a feeling I'd almost forgotten.

Full support. Onward Evertonians. 💙

If Silva can get him playing, he can do a job for us.

I hear what you are saying but I am pretty sure that, if the window was open until the 31st (or 1st of September), that Mina would have signed at that date, and probably Zouma and Andre Gomes as well. It would have meant we had to wait longer, it would have taken longer for them to adapt etc. I think that from an Everton-perspective it actually is beneficial the window closed earlier, this specific transfer window.

Of course, if Tosun and Pickford break a leg tomorrow, we have a whole new story, but as it is right, now, earlier closing time is a good thing for Everton.

I have made a "new season resolution"; after this post I am not going to rave on any more about the olden days, past glories etc. I am going to look to the present and the future.

We have a new young coach, a new fairly young DOF, several new young players, and a new attitude going by the way we handled going a man down last week.

And I'm feeling good.

Up the blues!!

A bench of Stek, Zouma, Digne, Davies, Lookman, Bernard & Niasse would be good to see too; sorry DCL but we now have some depth for a change and you need a few u23 games to get your preseason goals in.

Anthony #13 – I would tend to agree with you but, if Schneiderlin plays as he did last week, Gana can leave him without fear of needing to cover and press 15 yards further up the pitch – so not a CDM.

COYB!!

Just my opinion, of course,

Holgate should be in the starting line-up. Others will need a few weeks to bed in... but Zouma should be close.

I would actually like to see Digne in the line-up. Baines might have performed well but Digne can raise the bar. He is the current and future and should be brought in sooner rather than later. However, Holgate for Jags is the only replacement I expect in the starting line-up.

It will be very interesting how it will look when Bernard is ready...

I reckon a lot of Evertonians must feel that the Brazilian is already justifying the amount we paid for him. I don't think the same can be said for Siggy. My worry is that he won't and probably can't.

I think Digne is injured, isn't he?

This tells me one of three things:

That he never saw our line up last Saturday, which only included one new signing;

Southampton have not made any new signings (bar a RS on loan) and so their team should be firing on all cylinders;

Hughes has not seen Lyndon's predicted line up for tomorrow. 😂😂😂

Seriously though, I watched Southampton against Burnley last Sunday, and it was one piss-poor game. I know we can't, and shouldn't get carried away after one game, but we looked good, even with only one summer signing starting, and should be able to turn them over.

COYB. FTRS.

I agree he deserves to keep his place and I think he will stick with the two that finished the game last week.

I think we can all accept that the likelihood is that they'll both start, but it leaves room to make the lineup more attacking later in the game. We're likely to have at least three from Bernard, Lookman, Sandro, Dowell, Niasse and Calvert-Lewin on the bench, and hopefully we can establish control of the game early on.

Remember, the same players as last season won't necessarily produce the same performances under the new manager. We don't need to judge the Gueye - Schneiderlin axis on what we've seen from it before, we can judge it on what we see from now on.

Until André Gomes is fit, then Tom Davies is the only real option there anyway, and I see his long-term future as a Gueye-type player. He'll have to get physically fitter and stronger as he ages to offer more.

Come on Marco, COYB!

Let's really get behind the lads – and bring back the atmosphere again.

Right now, I'd settle for a bit of passion, a desire to play and a narrow victory... that will constitute progress for me.

If he keeps performing then he stays in the team for me.

Last week (before the dismissal) I still thought we looked disjointed between defence/midfield and attack. With Wolves tending to have a go it wasn't a big deal. There was space to hit the likes of Richarlison, Walcott and Tosun early.

Southampton are going to get behind the ball. If we go in with a midfield combo of Schneiderlin and Gueye we won't get the ball out of defence. Neither of them have anywhere near the ability – and Schneiderlin doesn't even have the courage to give it a go. We'll have 70% possession with most of it on the halfway line.

I'd like to see Sigurdsson start deeper in this game.

I thought he had a decent game last Saturday, If Silva can coach and highlight not just to Schneiderlin, where they can improve, then for me Silva will be one of our most iconic signings for years.

What a breath of fresh air seeing a Manager waving his team forward instead of looking at his shoes, making a tactical substitution when needed.

People must have been tired of reading my relentless post over the last year or so wanting Silva.

Was made up when we finally got him onboard and looking forward to this season more than I have in previous years.

Already looking forward to meeting the big boys and not fearing backs to the wall in the hope for a nil-nil.

I thought last weekend at Wolves that we saw the Walcott the Arsenal fans wanted gone. Sigurdsson is way too slow for his position, the same applies to Tosun. We all know Schneidelin and his failings.

Soon as the new guys are ready, this mob will be bench warming hopefully. Everton appear to be evolving to greater things than what these players can offer us.

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Zouma Digne
Schneiderlin Gueye Sigurdsson
Walcott Tosun Richarlison

Silva will most likely go with Keane (costs a goal per game min) and Baines though. I would like to see Lookman and Bernard at least involved from the bench, simply no point in Sandro being on it.

They always seem to have a mistake in them, no matter how well they play.

Keane was beaten on the cross last week. Schneiderlin did absolutely nothing to close that cross down. Simple mistakes that hurt us.

Both of them make these mistakes far too frequently.

Keane I feel for - he puts in a shift and the effort is there. He'll get better. He just scares the bajeezuz out of me.

Schneiderlin not so much. He continually passes sideways and switches off / lolligags.

For me, despite Marco Ferns's warnings, I'd play Gueye instead of Schneiderlin (Davies and Gylfi, Bernard subbing Davies at 60 minutes or 70 minutes) and I'd give Zouma a run.

Southampton, Bournemouth, Huddersfield I believe? Three games we really need to win if we're on the right track and beating the teams we should.

We have to take care of business against the teams below us. Last week was acceptable due to the effort and down to 10 men. The next three games need to be wins (maybe a draw thrown in) if we can say we're on the way up. No losses.

I hate to think what it will be like on here if we get beat! We should have enough to shade it though, 2-1 for me.

Unfortunately we don't really have a deep-lying midfielder available at the moment, otherwise Marco would at least have options. I make no secret of my dislike for the guy, mainly because of his lethargic attitude.

Ask him to defend and you will get a decent performance from him.

Silva prefers a high line, with quick defenders who are better 1on1 than as a mass block. That's the kind of chance we are likely to yield in this game.

Southampton, much like West Ham, have been a premier league bunny for us at Goodison Park. I'm expecting a high tempo game, which will get an already eager crowd off their seats, 3-0.

It's still like a fish bone stuck in my throat seeing him in an Everton shirt. We seem to have form doing this with players that no other club would put up with, things will improve when he's been royally fucked off, I'm aghast there are TW's who still have faith in this fella his performance at Wolves was the absolute minimum that was expected and in doing so he achieved being satisfactory nothing more. I still see a player with a "How come I'm stuck here" demeanour. I would rather have a semi-fit Bernard than a fully fit you know who

That aside this is the first game at Goodison I'm looking forward to in a long time and I think we will win... despite Morgan Schneiderlin.

Sugurdsson is a good player in the hole. If we continue to play him left midfield,he will be wasted. If we can inject greater pace into the back four and compress games more quickly, he could move central, behind Tosun, and there would be a greater likelihood of us seeing the best of him.

Silva has been fairly ruthless so far. If he couldn't see a place for Gylfi in the team, I suspect he'd have been sold. Watch this space.

Makes you wonder what you have to do to be a football correspondent.

Excited for the game, think we will have a go for once, screw what Mark Hughes thinks, 3-1.

Peter #57, that's where Siggy was playing last Saturday until he was taken off early.

As for Schneiderlin, the debate has been done to death but he still seems to have conned three managers and keeps getting picked. We do not need two defensive midfielders at home against a team I predict will be struggling down the wrong end of the table.

That said, it'll still be a tough game because they'll get men behind the ball and they'd be delighted with a point. Patience is the keyword It won't be the walkover some are predicting.

If Marco can teach him to move forward and take his duties seriously as a defensive midfielder, that would be a start. If he proves incapable of that brief, we look to replace him in January or the Summer.

I would be content if we see a continuation of what was on show at Wolves last week:

* greater application and determination than seen in many a long moon

* a manager who held his nerve, even when reduced to 10 men before half time, and still tried to go for the win rather than re-enact the Alamo

* the team played with more verve, movement, pace, attacking intent, were far more forward-looking and displayed more technical skill than almost anything else we've seen in two years

If the team can replicate that, or even improve on it, methinks the Goodison Roar will be back and the connection 'twixt the team and supporters restored.

The issue with Schneiderlin, for some of us, isn't beating a dead horse. You're correct – it's been done to death!

The issue is Gueye is a better option.

Allardyce does not half talk some shite. You really have to watch it to see it. West Ham played scintillating football when he was there.

He did a fantastic job at Everton, and played good football. We had attacking football thanks to him, and his signing of Walcott and Tosun. No mention of the fact that he never got a shot off in two consecutive games and we were 19th on most attacking stats under him. It was all down to the negative tag he has been given and can't shake off.

This gravy swilling, pint of wine drinking, dinosaur of a manager doesn't half talk some shite, and there's two lap-dogs kissing his arse and patting him on the back. Unbelievable Jeff.

I still think he's a very good player though, so it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up playing deeper as the team evolves.

With regards to Walcott, he could make your comments look silly by tomorrow night? But not to me though because I've got no real problems with Theo when he plays at Goodison Park. It's away from home where I think he goes missing a bit too much.

Then we'd have to watch as Gueye continuously gave the ball away as he tried to be more adventurous with his passing. I'd just be happy if he could kick the ball 20 yards without bouncing, that'd be an improvement for him. Gueye is brilliant at what he does, he just cannot play as a single pivot, he lacks the skills.

That's bang on the money.
And, it's exciting times ahead...

I'd tell Gueye to be more disciplined and play deep, replacing Schneiderlin.

I don't think he's as poor a passer as some make him out to be, and winning the ball and closing down the opposition is more important in my mind, than passing it sideways.

I'm hesitant to disagree with you – you know your shit. But I think winning the ball back and Gueye getting the thing to anyone else – anyone – is better. He'd win more balls.

Silva can "train" him to not dive in. He may have already done that as Gana didn't receive his customary yellow against Wolves, and I didn't see him dive in a single time.

I say this trepidatiously to the tactics guru on TW, but we have to agree to disagree.

"My first official match at Goodison as the manager of Everton – it will be very good and a very important day for me and my staff. But it is important for the players as well. I said from my first day, it is important we build something special. At home and away – but especially at home.

The relationship between our squad and our fans means we need to always give them something special. We have to try to perform every time but if there are some moments when you cannot perform well, you must give 100 per cent hard work to win the match. It is what the supporters deserve. We will give that every time – and after try to perform well for them, so they enjoy our game."

If he delivers that, then every single one of us will be delighted.

Don't look back, not as far as Sam Allardyce is concerned.

I wouldn't have sat and listened to Allardyce's or Koeman's team talks if you had paid me. But I'd love to be sitting in tomorrow...

Snides, keeps it simple, which is something I would never really criticise, but he rarely takes the ball forward, and is even less inclined to put any pace into the game, which is something I think is vital, coming from the middle of the park?

I disagree about Schneiderlin not passing forwards. He did plenty of that in his first 6 months, and I've seen more of it in the last five games (Wolves and the last 4 or so of last season) to know he can recover that form. That's what makes him all the more infuriating, he can do it, but just won't do it. He's playing scared for me. Maybe Saturday can be a catalyst for a real return to form for him. It promises to be a special atmosphere, I cannot remember talking to so many blues looking forward to going to the game for so long.

And Darren, I'd also love to be in the dressing room for this one.

My cousin's lad who is 8 has a new season ticket as well so hopefully it shows a new generation of supporters coming through. COYB !!

I like Gana - a lot. He covers acres of space, an engine that doesn't quit, and he's an absolute gnat defending. The man wins the ball off the opposition a ton. And he'll get stuck in. Players coming through the middle know a boot is coming in when he's on the pitch.

I have a soft spot in my heart for the defensive mids / "tougher" midfielders who don't dazzle with their technical skill, but win the ball and do their role for the team. Carsley, McCarthy, Gueye, etc.

Men not overly blessed with a "wow!" kind of game, but dudes who do a job and do it well.

So in a way, Gueye is my type of player and Schneiderlin isn't.

Whether Schneids makes it or not is to be seen. But I'd prefer Gueye any day of the week, and think he comes in for some pretty silly stick on TW sometimes. And I think the team would actually be better off with him on the pitch, winning the ball as opposed to Schneiderlin.

Even if Gueye occasionally "dives in" and doesn't have the range of passing Schneiderlin does, he'd benefit the team more by closing down, tackling, and winning the ball. He doesn't hold the ball long IMO, and therefore while not entirely "Silva-esque", he can get it off his feet to another player quickly and start the attack forward.

We'll have more counters with Gueye winning the ball, rather than Schneiderlin passing the freaking thing 6 yards east to west.

Would a healthy Darren Gibson, who's range of passing when he could actually play was sublime, be a favored type of Silva defensive mid?

To get to the next level, we need to replace Schneiderlin and Gueye with someone like Matic. One guy with none of the flaws.

Playing scared, might well be the reason, because I used to enjoy watching Snides, retrieve the ball so well off the opposition, coming in on the “blind side” which is something all good midfield players do well?

I would love to sit inside a television studio, with Koeman, and Allardyce, but I think you would learn a lot more about Silva, on the training pitch than in the changing room, simply because of his supposed attention to detail?

As you so succinctly put it, he plays in a position that seldom lauds accolades, and a lot of his good work goes basically un-noticed.

I remember when I first saw Gueye playing for us in a pre-season friendly, if memory serves it was against Real Betis. He seemed to be everywhere, keen to win the ball back, and get it back into play. Needless to say he has been a favourite of mine since then.

I must admit he has had the odd poor game, but not very often, as opposed to you know who, by direct opposites has mostly poor games, then the odd half decent game and earns rave reviews, it beats me.

Steve – there's no question we need to improve. Until we win the league, we need to improve.

I think Gueye is a better option than Schneids at this snapshot in time.

Again, I take your points, but I have to disagree.

Can't believe I just typed those words, as I hang onto every scintilla of information you post. ;0)

Whatever Silva picks tomorrow, I'm 100% behind him. We need to be on 10 points come the international break.

A few have pointed to his World Cup performances and his perceived ‘better' distribution for Senegal. I did see that too but also looked at the speed and quality of the opposition in that tournament, perhaps that made him look more composed than he is for Everton were everything is done with haste and always under duress.

A shame but I'd expect him to move on next season.

As regards Lookman, he needs to get his head down and prove he wants to be a success at Everton before he gets anywhere near the squad.

Looking for 3 points tomorrow and a confident performance with the crowd alive again.

I've said a few times that Gana's World Cup performances showed something different.

You are right to point out, however, the level of competition wasn't the same as we'll see in the Premier League.

For me it's Gana for all the reasons above. If I had to list the positives and negatives for Gueye's game and Schneiderlin's game, Gueye wins.

Ergo, he plays.

Imagine Bielsa, Cryuff, Guardiola, Sacchi, and Sarri discussing football over a vino or two. They'd disagree about a lot more than you'd think.

Jamie, I'm with you in preferring Gueye to Schneiderlin if it comes down to either/or (not a hard choice at all), but it won't. I think Silva will continue to play both, at least until/unless one or more of the new signings changes the entire dynamic of the midfield.

I'd have Holgate & Zouma at CB and Baines at LB.

Silva, like his predecessors, clearly sees a player in Schneiderlin, so I'll hang back on that one and see if he makes a difference. As you were for the rest of the team, with hopefully a cameo from Bernard.

No easy games, but I'm expecting us to win this and I'm looking for a similar attitude and attacking intent to last Saturday.

The atmosphere will be fever pitch on my dining table. I hope there's loads of noise at The Old Lady tomorrow. I'd really like to be there.

Wolves was a game we should have won even when down to 10 men, in fact we almost did it bar a poor pass and a forward who gave up running at the last minute (never expect a defender to hit a perfect pass, Niasse). But while there are green shoots in the team that played particularly in the second half, there are still a lot of problems.

The pressing game, even in the first half was limited, we benefited from the fact that Wolves were even slower getting the ball over the half-way line than we were, they didn't start pressing until the second half and their back four spent half its time mid-way between the 18-yard box and the half-way line for a good part of the game.

If we want three goals tomorrow then we need to speed up the passing, start looking for runs from the front three and improve our crossing.

The green shoots; Holgate was superb from coming on until the final whistle, Keane is starting look a little bit like Stones, big errors but delivering meaningful tackles and blocks. Richarlison not only showed his composure on the ball, he also chased back and put in plenty of tackles.

I'm looking forward to the game and am starting to feel hopeful that, after the farces of the last three seasons or so, we might actually be building something for the future but I'm not holding my breath.

Glad the schedule at the start only includes one top six team so the guys have time to gel. The only thing I worry about is getting the younger players some gametime to develop them.

Everton 3 - Southampton 1

Trust me, that chant will be ours tomorrow my boys.

The likely line up will have to improve further to get a result against Southampton. Hope Walcott is sharp and we get much more from him.

There should be a great atmosphere in the ground, and also in the pubs on County Road. Might have to get to the Black Horse very early tomorrow, which is likely to mean downing an extra pint... oh well, I suppose I'll have to!! Let's hope it's a great day!! COYB!!

COYB

I'm pretty sure that's not the long-term plan.

That actually made me chuckle! I think we have one of the youngest teams in the Premier League when you look at the average age of the players...

But I agree that experience and age does not mean the same. Still, except for a settled back-four for most of the first half of the season, I can only think us changing midfielders and forwards can only confuse our opponents!

We still need the defenders to be able to swap in the odd player, but for me that comes after stability at the back!

At the outset we all said that we must cut the size of the squad and improve the squad in certain key areas. If we now look at the incomings and outgoings that we are already aware of, the numbers in the squad do not appear to have been trimmed significantly, but what has been achieved is an improvement in those key positions on a like-for-like basis.

Starting with the Goalkeeper - Robles has gone, Virginia has joined. A difficult one to call immediately - so for now the jury must be out on that one.

However - left back out - Garbutt - left back in Digne - CB out Williams - CB in Mina - CB out Funes Mori - CB in - Zouma. Since nowadays all forwards and midfielders seem to almost "interchangeable" I will, for the purpose of this comparison therefore class them all as "Forwards" so - Forward out - Klaassen - Forward in - Bernard, Forward out - Vlasic - forward in - Richarlison - Forward out - Mirallas - Forward in - Gomes.

So, on the face of it, we have had a straight swap on a like for like basis with players for certain positions that, seemingly, has hugely improved the squad overall.

Additionally, with Martina going to Stoke today and the strong possibility that Besic and Bolasie will go on season-long loans to Middlesborough before the 31st August, all in all, it seems like M&M have certainly met their brief for this window.

An overall reduction in the first team squad of at least 3 in number but a huge improvement in the capability of the playing staff in the same window.

Who would have thought it at the beginning of July?

So it's pretty simple as far as I'm concerned. You play for the shirt and if you're underperforming then there's someone ready to take your place. This includes the much maligned Schneiderlin, who deserves to keep his place from last week. It's unpopular in many eyes on here but why not embrace his form and encourage him to keep it up, it benefits everyone if he does.

It's a bloody long, competitive season and loss of form, injuries all occur so most players will have their chance.

Can't see anything other than a comfortable win tomorrow, coyb.

It will be interesting to see if Silva is willing to change to a more attacking formation against weaker opposition at home or will he be just like his predecessors & stick to the same tired & stale 4-2-3-1 formation that's hardly set the world alight in recent seasons.

I'd pay to see Sheedy in the stand! What an absolute legend.

I'm looking forward to seeing James McCarthy back after injury whenever. I still think he has a lot to offer us.

Playing Gueye and Schneiderlin together does not necessarily mean playing two defensive midfielders, the former especially is capable of playing the box to box role.

Hope to see Bernard from the bench; think he could be the player who could really improve us enormously if he plays to his best.

Can't wait for tomorrow: at home! I love this place, and I see a 2-0 win too. STH in the place yet again.

My surprise of the season is Bernardo as I like to call him.

Time to roll...

I'm home for tomorrow mate and every home game, we made this chant up and will be released via our Goodison crowd as every season we do. I've got a few for Bernard...watch this space.

Hope his friends and family get a strong support 🙏.

After a tentative start he's had a couple of spectacular games for DC United, which speaks more for the weakness of MLS than it does for Rooney, but I'm pleased for him nonetheless.

Tough and demanding for all.

Great day I hope.

On Baines, point taken. I must have been half asleep watching the Watford game. To be fair it was 2:30am here in Australia!

How in the world did he pass away playing 5 a side?

I'll be listening on the TV for the applause at 18 minutes. I'll probably clap along in the seclusion of my living room. I sincerely hope it's a good, solid applause for the boy and his family.

Terrible to hear that, I had no idea.

I've seen the total sum of zero minutes of Gomes.

I know nothing about the player.

Some have posted hope that he'll be the answer. Some have posted caution in that he wasn't favored at Barca and I believe some of their fans were pretty critical of him?

I'll watch him when he plays and make a snap judgement after about two minutes if he's any good or not. ;0)

I thought he had a good game last week, and some times – down to ten men, your starting centre-back partner off and replaced by a (very good) younger player, Wolves pushing for an equaliser, Ruben Neves on the ball and with time to pick out a cross without being closed down, and Baines unable to squeeze in alongside you and help because there's three Wolves players in the box for the cross – you have to hold your hands up and say that there's not a lot you can do (especially considering how well Jimenez did to get his head on the cross, let alone get it on target).

In many ways it's a surprise I am saying this – I spent most of last season thinking Michael Keane was massively out of his depth. Sure, he could have stayed tighter to Jimenez, but I don't think it was a "mistake".

I am involved in grassroots junior football, and in the off-season we've got our act together to raise funds for defibrillators across the club.

Nice to hear unconditional backing for Marco. Let's see how long it lasts. We need to make Goodison Park a bearpit again and this positivity on here is all part of it.

He comes across as the type of man who we have needed as manager for a long time.

I expect we will also hear soon of changes to how, when and what the squad eats, and new match day itinerary and travel arrangements. That's what happened at Hull City - where, incidentally, their first day off came after beating Liverpool 2-0 at the KComm.

If we are to progress there's little room for error. Still really looking forward to today's game, would love to see a stonking 4-0!

Pickford

Coleman, Holgate, Zouma, Baines

Gana, Sigurddson

Walcott Bernard, Richarlison

Tosun

Bench - Lookman, Stek, Shneiderlein, Mina, Keane, Sandro, Dowell

I don't think Bernard will get the start but I think and hope he will bring him on at some stage.

Cant wait to see Zouma I really rated him at Chelsea and their supporters loved him which is always a good sign.

A good 3 points today

COYB

To cross The River in the morning like a modern Caesar - - in my chariot - - crossing under The Rubicon - - “alea iacta est” - - heading towards friends and soul mates assembled for drinking of The Ambrosia and conversation - - and catch up - - waking along Scotland Road - -passing St.Ollies and Daisy Street - - looking up Great Mersey Street and seeing my sister - - Colette (now sadly not with us) in her communion dress - - May Parades with lace curtains around the girls heads - - closing my eyes for a moment and hearing Saturday and Sunday Morning Radio - - My Mum standing like Ma Joad on the step - - arms folded across her ever present “pinnie “ - - supervising The World

“By and by when the morning comes
Jazz and blues and folk, poetry and jazz
Voice and music, music and no music
Silence and then voice
Music and writing, words
Memories, memories way back
Take me way back Great Mersey Street and Hank Williams (my sister Joan - - not with us anymore - - loved Hank Williams and she and my brother John - - sadly not with us now - - would sing his songs together on Saturday Nights in The Britannia on Great Mersey Street)
Louis Armstrong, Sidney Bechet on Sunday afternoons in winter
Sidney Bechet, Sunday afternoons in winter
And the tuning in of stations in Europe on the wireless
Before, yes before it was the way it was
More silence, more breathing together
Not rushing, being”

All Lit Up and wondrous and feeling Totally Blue.

I have been excited about today for months - - Silva and Brands have brought a positive feeling to the club - - yes I know it has to be delivered - -but it's good to start with hope and positivity - -and it feels good today - - almost wanna play my harmonica - - there you go a few blasts on the old gob iron - - and some of the players give me a new hope - - all I wanted was to enjoy going to the game - - seeing players who want to play for us and seem happy to be here - - maybe - - “there's only now” - -
“If not for you
My sky would fall
Rain would gather too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
I'd be lost if not for you
And you know it's true
If not for you
My sky would fall
Rain would gather too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
Oh! What would I do
If not for you
If not for you
Winter would have no spring
Couldn't hear the robin sing
I just wouldn't have a clue
Anyway it wouldn't ring true
If not for you”

Up very early this morning - - going to my daughters - - Helen - - she is 47 now and has been going to the match with me for 40 years - - my grandson Liam and my youngest daughter - - Julie (she is 42) - - coming to the game from Holywell - - I remember Me Nin and Mum tucking their skirts in to their bloomers and wading into St.Winifred's Well to be “saved” - - Memories and Thoughts - - sends me off into a daydream:

“What a day for a daydream
What a day for a daydreamin' boy
And I'm lost in a daydream
Dreamin' ‘bout my bundle of joy
And even if time ain't really on my side
It's one of those days for takin' a walk outside
I'm blowin' the day to take a walk in the sun
And fall on my face on somebody's new mowed lawn
I've been havin' a sweet dream
I been dreamin' since I woke up today”

We have to remember how great it is to be A Blue - - True - - with wonderful memories and a feeling of kinship, camaraderie and solidarity - - I will walk into TDH at around 1.55 - - cannot drink - - sadly that's finished for me - - but I will be intoxicated by the atmosphere - - the feeling - - the sheer beauty of the scene - - the feeling of being with True Friends:
“Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Throwing shadows on our eyes”

There is nothing - - Versailles - - gerraway - - nothing that compares to this feeling - - walking up to TDH - - smiling to everyone - - people saying “hello” as if it was the last game of last season just yesterday - - my camera is on charge - - mouth organ plugged in - - at the ready - - going up to Sandra at the bar - -
“She wears an Egyptian ring that sparkles before she speaks
She wears an Egyptian ring that sparkles before she speaks
She's a hypnotist collector, you are a walking antique.
Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
Bow down to her on Sunday
Salute her when her birthday comes
For Halloween give her a trumpet
And for Christmas, buy her a drum”

John Potter sitting in his normal seat - - going into the back room to say “hello” to the G n T gang - - then the Battle of Britain Crew come in - - “wizard prang hey chaps” - - Paul from Kirkby and Mick The Bookie to put on my 4 - 0 bet - - on the dot at 13.00 Gaffer - - love it - - love it - - love it.

Don't you love these home games - - Saturday 3.00pm KO - - getting up early - - full scrub down and wash behind the ears - - no tidemarks - -c lean undies and vest - - just in case:
“Woke up, fell out of bed
Dragged a comb across my head
Found my way downstairs and drank a cup
And looking up I noticed I was late
Found my coat and grabbed my hat
Made the bus in seconds flat
Made my way upstairs and had a smoke
And everybody spoke and I went into a dream”.

A whole pub - - packed tight - - talking at the same time - - swaying - - glasses raised - - talking - -arguing - - everything Blue - - and then around about 2.45 - - Moses enters and bangs his staff three times - - the door opens and like the Dead Sea parting we all empty out - - still talking and laughing - - behind us tables filled with glasses - - now empty - - with a bit of foam sliding down the sides - - like John Mill's Lager in Ice Cold In Alex - - and then a moment of silence while Tony and Sandra and the great staff get it all ready for the 5.00pm invasion and it all starts again.

So pretty soon I will have to get ready - - it now 9.35am - - have to go to Helen's soon - - can hardly wait to see Fellow Blues - - we can never ever forget this feeling - - We Are Fans - - we have had to stick together through some sad and bad times but we are here - - just getting up on The Astral sending the “possos” out over The Waves:
“Stoned soul
(Oh stoned soul)
Surry on, soul
Surry, surry, surry, surry
There'll be trains of blossom
(There'll be trains of blossom)
There'll be trains of music
(There'll be music)
There'll be trains of trust, trains of golden dust
Come along, surry on, sweet train of gold
Surry on down
Can you surry, can you surry?
(Can you surry?)”

My best wishes and Full Cosmic Grooves to all TW'ers - - hope everyone is fit and well and up for it - -
“On our way back home
We're on our way home
We're on our way home
We're going home
You and I have memories
Longer than the road that stretches out ahead”

Here is my hand - - a firm handshake to you all - - here is my heart - - take some - - here is my soul and spirit up and flying - - no matter what:
“You hold the key to love and fear
All in your trembling hand
Just one key unlocks them both
It's there at your command
C'mon people now,
Smile on your brother
Ev'rybody get together
Try and love one another right now
Right now
Right now!”

TDH is open to all - - crazies, lunatics. Mc Murphy's - - be great to see you there one day.

Cosmic grooves - - "The Love You Make is Equal to The Love You Take" - - George

Hairs on the back of the neck tingling, shiver down the spine.

Thanks George.

I didnt read all the posts yesterday and I missed yours @77.

As locals, we often take going the match as a simple choice, for those who can afford it . . Then every now and again, somebody will knock us out of our take-these-things-for-granted stride.

Welcome back to regular footie fella. I hope you and your boy have a fantastic day.

"Do I remember it? I think it was the happiest day in my life. His pockets were crammed full of gingerbread and Everton toffy, and we had three bottles of lemonade slung onto the pony's saddle-bows. I thought it was a pity that we should ever come back."

Anthony Trollope, Phineas Finn, 1869

So the DOF has done his job and the manager is starting to get his message across, just down to us fans to back the team 100% we can complain afterwards if we didnt like what we saw and whatever the result I am sure there will be some that will complain.

We are all blessed to be Evertonian's, but to live in that city must be truly special. Enjoy the day everyone..

Midnight kick-off in Australia which is about at good as it gets over here. A few beers and the AFL to warm up and then watch Everton hopefully record their first win of the season.

Last week gave plenty of reason for optimism. We still went for it after losing Jags and looked more dynamic than we have for months (years?).

Richarlison stole the show against Wolves but this week I'm predicting the glorious return of Baines and Coleman ripping it up down either flank.

Everton 3-0 Saints
Baines
Tosun
Sigurdsson

COYB

”He seems to have caught the bug, which might have more to do with the hot dogs than the footy”

Asked my daughter yesterday what she was looking forward to most about the match, “the hot dogs” was her reply. Can't blame them can yer!

Taking my daughter today and more positive than I have been for a long time. Really looking forward to positive, attacking football befitting of the great Everton FC.

COYB!

Every now and again you see odds that are over generous.
When you do you should smash into it.
This is one of them occasions.

Lovely to hear you speak each 3-00pm match day, long may you uplift us all on these days.

Brilliant; thank you George.

My 51st season and I still get a buzz from the first home game of the season!