🎙ToffeeWeb Podcast: ‘A Strange Sensation’

Thanks for the pod chaps

I always get a little nervous when we predict wins: almost as if it could be a jinx. And I’ve seen us mess up so so many times

But I get it: if we play like we did against Brentford against Luton & Bournemouth then we should have enough and can afford to start looking up.

I don’t think Dyche gets enough credit in the media for the job he did last season and what he’s trying to do this season: we were all apprehensive when we saw that starting line up v Brentford yet it was played superbly. Even last season, don’t forget we beat them with a fit & firing Toney too.

Both Beto & Cheemiti have a similar profile to DCL and that’s the biggest asset: if we have a presence we can gain territory and have a threat.

McNeill, Brandthwaite, Garner all tremendous and Beto will hopefully get better still.

So nice to revel in a victory: up the toffees!!

Ben, I agree with all of that. By the end of the season I am hopeful that we may be able to add the likes of Mykolenko, Patterson, Onana and Harrison to that list of consistent performers (which also already includes Pickford, Doucoure and Tarkowski). All of our players have weaknesses but as they get more and more familiar with a system, their roles in that system and each other, things should improve.

Like everyone i’m sure, I looked forward to this podcast far more than the previous “spiral of despair”!! Indeed it’s amazing how the world is a better place after any win, but also coupled with a good all round performance. The debate about the team was interesting and positive which was great to hear. To build on those observations, and also Robert’s comments would add as follows;
- to the team that played Fulham we now have available, either because of prior injury or new additions, DCL, Beto, Harrison ( just), Mcneill and Danjuma. One or two of those would have guaranteed a win
- indeed, a clear run with those guys from day 1 would ( lets be kind and accept defeats to Villa and Arsenal) could well have us now on 12 points with the two home games to come
- it remains gross negligence that Beto did not arrive pre season ( per later comments I do not mean Thelwell or Dyche)
- I think great credit should be given to Thelwell in particular for the trimming he has done with the squad. We only need to look at the performances of Holgate, Simms, Davies, Maupay etc since they left. We will miss Iwobi’s industry and energy and his transition skills but definitely not his limited outputs
- what we now have is a far tighter, albeit smaller squad, with more defined roles but certainly more options
- the first choice defence has cover from four internationals. The attack has those additions I listed earlier plus Cheemiti. Critically three centre forwards that give a clear leader up top. We now have width if required in Harrison/Mcneill/ Danjuma and the ability to rotate. The midfield, whilst maybe missing the classic creative no 10, again have options. Garner and Mcneill could both play more central and Doucoure playing further forward can be covered by Danjuma
- the age profile is looking more positive. Personally, in a team playing with more confidence and higher up the field, I would persevere with Patterson and let him both settle and flourish. In the most likely starting line up that would leave only Tarkowski and Doucoure over 30 and if, for arguements sake replace Gueye with Harrison it gives an average age of just over 24. Probably lowest in prem?
- that gives a bench of Virginia, Coleman, Keane, Godfrey, Young, Gueye, DCL, Danjuma, Cheemiti, Dobbin plus a Gomes, Onyango as back up. Sure, a few injuries ( and AFCON in Jan) can leave some gaps but give credit this team suddenly looks to have a lot more about it than recent years
- finally, I think we have unearthed some exceptionally young talent. Just hope we can hold on to Branthwaite, Garner et al.
As you can tell, the most optimistic I have felt for a long time. I hope its not a false dawn and we can build on Saturday’s performance.