Everton give Gordon No 10 shirt in strong statement

There's no news like errr... no news.

But good news as this sends a signal that Anthony Gordon is staying given the recent speculation.

If you look at his numbers last season for an attacking player they are poor compared to what the sides above us have.

He's got loads of potential, we know that, but we've been in this boat before haven't we?

It's almost like we've made him out as this world class super talent before he's even hit the ground. He's not coming off the back of an Andrei Kanchelskis season of 16 goals from the wing for heaven's sake.

Let's see where he can go this season but not expect too much and then start killing him dead once he's not where everyone has placed him in their own heads.

Admittedly, Mount, Rowe-Smith, Foden, Barnes and Saka are ahead.

However, that lot are playing in miles better teams - and Mount and Barnes have played a lot more football.

We should be very ambitious for Gordon.

Gordon also stated he wanted to go to Spurs; we should have let him go. He is nowhere near good enough to be given the Number 10 shirt.

There's no doubt his end product will improve, he is still learning the game. I'm sure he will listen and take on board advice from Frank and the coaches. He can only get better.

Beyond the stats, what impresses me most is Anthony Gordon's willingness to take responsibility. He wants to make things happen, he's proactive and goes for it. He is brave and committed when he has the ball and challenges the defender with a bit of skill or a rapid burst of pace. He is never overawed and fights for Everton every game; these are qualities that often money can't buy. The passion radiates to his teammates and inspires supporters.

There's trepidation for the new season but one of the things I am looking forward to is seeing if Anthony can take his game to the next level with regards to primarily more assists and more goals too; I'm confident he will.

It will be more likely to happen with a stronger midfield backing him up. His progress is directly related to our central midfield being effective and it is the club's responsibility to the likes of Gordon and Calvert-Lewin to get a fast, quality young fighter of a defensive central midfielder asap.

Broja, and Gibbs-White will both be excellent signings... if they happen. But the big priority for the team functioning is the defensive central midfielder.

I think his quality will improve the more he plays. It would also help if he had better players around him.

My one big doubt about him is his stamina. He reminds me a lot of Gerard Deulofeu or Pat Nevin. At 21, I don't think his fitness and stamina is going to get better. In lots of games last season, after 65 mins, he was dead on his feet.

He developed a lot. He's got skill, but what I like about him is his change of pace to beat a player.

Yes, his end product can improve, but he's still relatively young. That can be coached and developed.

I'm no Mystic Meg (for those who remember), but I did suggest last season that, over time, I could see him becoming more of a Number 10 than a wide player.

Natives are restless and demonstrating at Finch Farm for Moshiri and Kenwright to go, so let's throw some shite out. 🤷

Typical. 🙄

Everton No 10s also include Paul Bracewell, Roy Vernon and John Hurst in just my lifetime. The list above and on the official site dredges up names who will long be forgotten and are in no way legends of our great club.

Seems to be this is just a little bit of a reward for Anthony, a psychological boost after his efforts last season. If anything he was trying too hard at times, which may have had an impact on his decision-making.

He has developed well, let's hope he continues to progress.

Now you're talking Phil.

Shame his career was cut short. A graceful midfielder who complemented Peter Reid.

They complemented each other.

Probably 7 or 8 goals.

More consistent end product, passing/crosses.

If he remains on setpieces then hopefully he works on that aspect in training also, some in the early part of last season were decent from him, but not so good in the latter part, in fact they were awful.

I think the end of 22-23 season will give us more knowledge of what he's capable of.

And this is a signal that that's exactly what Frank expects.

Where and when?

I just hope he's given time. This will be a massive season for him now as teams are aware what he can do. We need to support him as he will still make mistakes.

The crowd were always behind him, even when he put in 4 shit corners, because they see the effort he puts in. We have all seen young lads suffer if they don't kick on… so many in past we have thought to be world beaters but didn't.

If he can add that bit of composure and consistency to his play, combined with bulking up a bit to hold off the challenges that he's going to get, I think he can be really good for us. He needs to be allowed to make mistakes.

I'd like a few other young lads in to see what they can do. Broadhead would be the one I'm thinking.

Gordon got his chance and we have a player for free.

If Broadhead comes on and is better than Rondon, then hey, no-lose situation cos Rondon offers nothing!

I agree, David #26. Broadhead knows where the onion bag is. I personally can see a Robbie Fowler type player in Broadhead.

To sell a promising young player after his first full season in the Premier League, just because you get a good fee, is poor management. You will have to replace a player with potential with someone else that is better through a transfer that you hope will be an improvement.

We have enough poor players we have to try to get transferred out without losing promising young players. This season will show how Gordon will turn out as, last season, the target from the opposition was Richarlison; this season, Premier League clubs will be aware of the danger Gordon can bring.

More of my crying, improve the midfield!!! – that is the main priority.

This is it now, Anthony. You are now a primary component of the starting XI.

This shirt number thing, Phill, is yet another one of these Ancient vs Modern issues in footy today. Either you look at the team and say they should wear 1-11, like Dixie Dean had them doing back in 1933 (although I find it a fun fact that Man City wore 12-22 in that FA Cup final – just so there'd be no confusion... where's that old bloke when ya need him?) or you embrace the modern meme of a player having a unique shirt number... for the season, or several seasons... or his entire career.

I'm okay with it. I think it gives each player an identity (very woke!) of their own to promote and live up to. Just so long as we never, ever go down that ridiculous Yankee road of "retiring the shirt" – Just say No!

Of course everyone would love to see some incomings announced instead, but not at the cost of overpaying since other teams know we're desperate. We can all moan about the lack of transfers come August if it comes to pass but, given a good season for us is mid-table, we may find that a few shrewd cheaper signings to bulk up the midfield and attack are actually what we need if Lampard believes that bedding in younger players can allow us to take that step up this season.

It seems to me Lampard might need a pre-season to see where Dobbin, Broadhead, Warrington and others stand before making some knee-jerk move now that does nothing for us in the long-term. In the meantime, sending a strong signal with the No 10 shirt that this is now Gordon's (and Calvert-Lewin's) team when it comes to attack and goals and passion and heart, sends the right message to the squad and supporters.

Let's not forget that Anthony Gordon — and maybe James Tarkowski now, too, along with Jordan Pickford and Dominic Calvert-Lewin — is absolutely the heart of this team now that Richarlison is gone.

I also believe that Tom Davies is underrated by fans, and although he has more than 100 appearances, he has never had a consistent run in the team. I hope he gets that opportunity under Frank Lampard, but Tom needs to earn that by performing in training and whenever he gets a chance to play.

Davies, Gbamin (if he is fully fit) and Doucoure or Allan could be a decent midfield. But we would be much better if we can land someone like Loftus-Cheek to provide the drive and experience.

I understand others prefer to look back and may hold the 1 to 11 numbers in higher regard, but I couldn't care less.

It may point to the fact we are not shopping for another forward or striker but, regardless of numbers, we need a couple of quality midfielders.

Everyone else needs to stay fit to compete for places or be sold if not good enough.

He is young, he will frustrate us at times this season but the talent and attitude are there.

Without Richarlison, he becomes crucial to our getting forward without paying for it when we turn it over. Should he find a couple of goals, he could really be a good voice in the locker room and a linchpin to some success in fielding some local lads.

It's hard for me to see that we have enough tenacity in defensive midfield, given that Allan's legs just seem a bit old, nor creativity unless Iwobi and Dele become much more consistent. There's just not enough calmness on the ball, nor a good enough first touch among the people you listed from what we've seen the past few years. We see glimpses, but they're just that.

So yes, Davies, Allan, Doucouré, Iwobi, Dele, all on their day make for some solid mid-table midfielders, but the knock on all of them — and rightfully so — is that they're all massively inconsistent. I'm skeptical Davies can show us that consistency, but I still love the guy — always have since that first goal against Man City.

#36? He wore #20 at Spurs and that is available.

What do we think? If he gets it, he is staying. If he stays with #36 he is going?

Interesting comment about Tom Davies. First game was May 2016 when Unsy took over from Bobby Brown Shoes. He has never had more than 7 starts in a row since the start of the 2017 season. That first Koeman season, when still only a teenager, he played 18 of the last 19 games of the season. Why?

Koeman went off him? Allardyce didn't fancy him? Marco Silva not impressed? Same for Carlo Magnifico? And he was injured for Rafa Benitez. Were they all wrong?

I think it might have happened twice where a player suffered an injury in a match from which he died.

Premier League football is a business, and shirt sales matter. Players, clubs and agents all want to look at ways of building a brand – whether it just be a social media handle, or a full-on clothing line, or anything in between – so for Anthony Gordon this is an exciting endorsement from the club.

And for players, there is something very special about getting to wear your desired number. It says something about your status – and about the responsibility you hold for your team – and the Number 10 shirt is one of the most highly sought after, so seeing a homegrown talent like Anthony Gordon wear it will be terrific.

On top of that, this news also serves as a statement to other clubs and our fans about Anthony Gordon – ie, "hands off, he's ours" - and that is music to my ears at this point. And probably to Anthony Gordon's lovely lugholes too.

Giving him the Number 10 shirt is significant recognition of Gordon's achievements last season, when he stepped up from promising academy prospect to vital first-team member. At a time when it looks like we're losing a good prospect in Emilio Lawrence, and following Thierry Small's departure, the message this sends out to youngsters in the academy is very positive.

Our problem at the moment is who will score the goals.

We need to avoid losing a lot less games next season and they say offence is the best form of defence but we may have to rely on more resolute defending to get those better results.

Whilst it was no surprise to lose against the likes of Man City and Liverpool, losing at home to teams like Watford was unacceptable and that has to change.

Our biggest bugbear was being unable to hold out for, or recover for, a draw.

We lost far too many games we should have got something from.

I'd say remember Aaron Ramsey in his second season if any on here start to get frustrated if he doesn't blow it out of the park right off the bat. He's a good player, a good lad, on a minimal wage until now.

Yes, we expect…but let's not get carried away and turn on him if he doesn't hit the heights right away. He's got credit in the bank so let's be patient with him, ladies and gents.

He played in a team with a lot of weight on its shoulders in an often toxic atmosphere on and off the pitch. But being a relatively unknown to many and with little expectation, he was able to play without fear. He just focussed on his football.

Now there is expectation, there will inevitably be more scrutiny on him.

Criticise him for individual performances – I did with the likes of Tom Davies. But don't crucify the player and hound him out of Goodison Park on that basis. Look at the potential.

There will come a point when we, and more importantly the manager & coaches, will know if he's got it or not to be where we want to be.

My instinct is that he has. And the Tottenham and Newcastle rumours as well as the less-founded City ones back that up. People are watching him. People like Eddie Howe, Conte and potentially Pep. They know more than me.

He'll make mistakes, but he's an exciting player to watch. Give him time, give him patience. Let the potential develop.

He's an Everton player. And I don't mean that contractually. He's an Evertonian type of player.

I trust that you have some success in tracing the unidentified 'Old Bloke' that you seek in your hour of need.

In the 1933 FA Cup Final, Everton were numbered from 1-11 and Manchester City from 12-22. This was the first time that numbered shirts were worn in an FA Cup Final and, as I wrote in my previous post, League teams were wearing numbered shirts 5years earlier (1928).

I bow to your superior knowledge, but I seem to remember my Grandad telling me that he was at the first game to be played with numbered shirts and that was in 1914, just before the outbreak of war.

He was in the Royal Signals and had been posted to London. He went to a game at Stamford Bridge between The Wanderers and the Corinthian Casuals. (The Wanderers were the equivalent of The Barbarians in rugby.)

Davies was out for most of last season. Started twice - Watford (h) and Arsenal (a) and 3 sub appearances and the rest of the time he was injured.

Interesting statistic re Tom: In the last three league games he has started -- all at DM -- we have lost by a combined score of 15-3.

Shirt numbering officially began at the start of the 1939 season but didn't last very long, I don't think Mr Hitler liked them.

Most probably the start of the 1946 season was when they were then carried with shirts numbered, it was different in Scotland were shirt numbering was not compulsory and in fact Celtic never numbered their shirts until 1960.

Everton versus Man City was the first game when both teams wore numbered shirts in the 1933 FA Cup Final.

Of course it might just be which records you read on the wearing of numbered shirts.

I think I remember him playing poorly last season even if it was only six games.

Hopefully Anthony Gordon can kick on and grow and fight his way to the peak of his ability these next couple of seasons at Everton.

Being linked with Wreck it Ralf, as I call him, Adama Traore, with a poor end product, based on a season-on-season parity over the last few years at Wolves, for me, is going over the cycle of buying poor players and thus increasing the expectation on the team. Firing blanks?

So with Thelwell's introduction, was the existing global scouting team maintained, canned or rebuilt?

Less than 4 weeks to Chelsea, and the squad is far weaker than it finished last season in terms of players, and looking at the impact of the World Cup on next season for all teams, it's looking a very tough season ahead.

The Goodison faithful will bleed Blue to see Everton to victory, home and away, but a threadbare squad could be the undermining of this season.

Hope eternal.

Give me strength! The squad is Bottom 6 at best. He would excel with more quality players around him. Patience from us is key as the lad is learning his trade. With expectations high, confidence can go quickly.

If we make no further signings, then staying up will be an achievement. We will probably make 3 signings on transfer deadline day.

Sadly we come into the season with no form from last season. New players give hope, competition, and hunger to improve to the rest of the squad! Still, 4 weeks to bring some players in!

Stay positive all!

Never mind mindless optimism, those in charge have long since made next season a fight for survival at best.

Anything better should get Frank the Manager of the Year award given the years-long gross negligence above him.

In fact, I confess to being so. I must be.

I'm not having another staying up as an achievement.

I know you don't want that either and are probably being more realistic than me, but I can't have that.

Europe. League Cup. I'm now going to add our Number 10 scoring the winner.

I think the hot weather might be getting to me.