Everton On the Opening Day

Seem to remember getting done by Wimbledon too, with an Ekoko hat-trick?

Hopefully the lads are properly up for it and stamp their superiority on the game straight away. An early blue goal and Watford chasing shadows will dampen their enthusiasm but somehow I don't feel it will go that way...

They have not decided on any consistent tactical approach or system in pre-season. They've brought in an absurd amount of players of various nationalities, and are looking a lot less cohesive than Bournemouth in particular and Norwich to a lesser degree. If we get at them with pace and power,then we can expose the frailties in their team. We need Mirallas and Lukaku in for it, and we need to play quickly.

They've got some good players, notably Deeney and Abdi, but they've got a lot of weaknesses. I wonder if it might be best playing them now, than in 10 weeks when they've had time to gel. I expect them to be relegated this season, irrespective of their financial capacity.

We need a win because we need the confidence a win would give us, especially ahead of about the toughest opening run I've seen in a long time.

You are correct it was the ninth game of the season, hence it didn't feature in my write-up.

The last time we played Watford the first game of the season we won 2-1, with us getting a penalty for a hand ball by Powell that actually hit his head.

Same again please.

Everton 2-1 Watford

He has already said that he expects Deulofeu to be playing Saturday and not to worry... Oh, hang on, he's out, just on the main site...

Well, at least Stones and Mirallas will be fully fit and available...

We were hammered 1-3 and could have been a lot more ... Robertson their left winger was superb going to the by-line countless times at the Street End... Withe and Robertson scored, could have been Woodcock with the other... not sure.

However, they won the league and we came a close second or third. Next year, they won the European Cup!

Martin O'Neill scored the third and Jim Pearson got the Everton goal. Everton finished nine points behind Champions Forest in third place.

My worst opener was against Crystal Palace when Lombardo ran the show and we were dreadful -- still in my top 5 worst ever Everton performances.

That close season Harvey went on a spree - Cottee who turned down Arsenal, Nevin on a tribunal fee (£925k) from Chelsea, McCall from Bradford for about £800k I think, and McDonald from the Barcodes for £525k.

Cottee scored after 34 seconds. Also our next game, away at Coventry, we won 1-0, Cottee again.

"We're back!" we all thought.

We weren't as it turned out.

I was out with friends then for the second game of the season against Arsenal. Hopefully it's not the same this season.

I have a three-day weekend off work this weekend and I'm going to milk it, wife permitting of course.

He went in January and look what happened...

We are at least at home, if that means anything anymore, we have had little transfer activity (up to now) key players seem to be injured, we have had a mediocre pre-season. So, little difference to last year really.

Seriously, I am a little anxious about our lack of firepower, creativity, and lack of depth in the squad. Unless some positive transfer activity is to happen, I can't see us even finishing mid-table as it stands.

I will hold my hands up as being one of those pleased when we appointed Senor Martinez, at the helm.

I am beginning to doubt whether he is really the man for the job?

I was really pleased to see Deulofeu re-sign and I think Cleverley could turn out to be a good buy.

But I think the thing this team needs more than anything else is a midfielder that can boss the team on the pitch. There is plenty of talent in the squad but it needs an injection of heart and mongrel -- a Tim Cahill type.

Watford will be straight at us from 'the off'; we should be well prepared for that. The games in Singapore showed that we have learned nothing from last season: over-elaborate, predicable play and teams able to just walk through us.

Even when we do win, it's usually a bit spasy. Like that Watford game as mentioned, a narrow victory over Wigan and a late winner at Charlton. Only the MNF victory over Man Utd holds any worth.

Pre Sky (and clubs being able to simply buy the title) we could all at least dream a little.

17-year-old me: "Norwich at home first game, then away to Forest, then home to Chelsea and Leeds, that's at least 9 points....and if we win them all there's no reason we can't have a real crack at the league....hey I wouldn't half shag that Kathy Jones off Handful Of Songs" etc.

Now, as we can't win the league (but could go down) I'm simply looking for a win to 'settle us', to get our first goal, then our first win so nerves are sorted (ahem!) 'early doors'.

It's easy to see how the pressure is applied these days if you don't get off the mark fast and it's obvious the PL/Sky (knowing only a couple of teams can 'win' their title) try to build drama in ludicrous ways.

Sky nob: "Everton are yet to score (win/win at home/win away etc) and they'll really need to get something from Chelsea and City if they want to avoid being in the RELEGATION ZONE...come er mid September" etc.

Ffs, there's even discussion over the league table after one fucking game (they never used to show a table til after 3 games).

Some come on Everton, this season, I've got a feeling we could really...have our nerves settled early.

'Some come on Everton' was possibly a Freudian clit.

Sorry I mean tit.

SLIP!!

Maybe under this regime when the club send out the season ticket it should have a health warning.

But you didn't miss much, sadly. There was a cracking goal Barkley smacked home. But we were getting spanked by Arsenal at the time...

The reason this game stood out for me was, Dougan was a colourful character. He came out on the pitch with a mohican haircut. Whenever he touched the ball, about fifty thousand Evertonians were whooping like red Indians.

Humour was great, especially winning 2-0.

Brilliant, reminds me of the time just about everyone in the ground was gleefully smacking their own heads after we took the lead against City.

(Mime for "Suck on that Fowler..you fucking horrible hoover-nosed twat!")

For those not old enough, imagine starting the season as League Champions (two years from the previous three), big spenders and scoring for fun... where did it all go so wrong!?!?!

Anyway, due to visiting Evertonians from the States, I've been *forced* to take drastic action to make sure all 4 of the Wait brothers attend the season opener. Apparently they've never been together -- WTF Jules!?!?!

So, my company is sponsoring the match ball so we can get tickets for the Wait boys. With any luck we won't get snotted.

COYB!!!