Everton vs Tottenham Hotspur

I predict 2-1 to the blues.

I just wonder how Robles will feel back on the bench?

I'll be cheering with crossed fingers. 1-0 Blues

Still, I'm hopeful of a result tomorrow. Business finally starts again tomorrow.

I expect to see a lot of commitment from both sides which should raise the crowd.

Cant see us keeping a clean sheet yet so I'll go 2-1 to the Blues.

Who knows if Koeman is the man, but let's show him what it is to be the manager of a Everton FC, this is his first real experience and test as our new manager.

It appears he is going to take no crap from anyone so I would expect the players will be up for a big performance against a very good Spurs side – a top result could set the tone for the season.
COYB.

3-1 to the Blues.

I just can't share the sentiment. I don't feel we're ready on opening day. Throw in our rather abysmal opening day recent record - and hell it might be a positive, winning record for all I know, I just can't get past the scars of that Arsenal opener (Lescott douche-fest) - and I frankly fear the worst.

Spurs look dangerous to me. And we just... I dunno I don't have a warm-fuzzy about this one.

How the feck can you play Jags (45 mins pre-season) although great excuse by Jag lovers to shout out "He's been injured all pre-season"! Also, play Gerry central and high.

Again, how can anyone think that Mirallas deserves a jersey? He's done feck all for 18 months, and the same goes for that useless twat people call a centre-forward. These two could play blinders all season, I wouldn't give a feck – they still don't do enough for the team consistently... fecking waste of a jersey!

Please don't come back with Lukaku and his goals, he's missed twice as much has he scored. Also, his overall game is fecking shite! When will we ever learn! Clean slate, get rid!!

Our preparation again is poor. Players going or could be going. Manager sends the excuses early. Not fit. Might take a month to get going with new players.

I would love to be wrong, 1-3 score!!!!!

Here we are, as ill-prepared as ever for the start of a new season.

All the anticipation, talk of budgets in excess of £100m, daily links with the sort of player we can evidently still only dream about, new owner, new manager, new director of football: yet hopes are hanging in tatters with just over 12 hours until kick-off in the first game.

Once again, we have to resign ourselves to the soul-destroying deja-vu of what looks another season of anti-climax, unrealised potential, un-rectified squad deficiencies, silence from the powers-that-be and what still looks very much like a firmly-entrenched ‘sell-to-buy' modus operandi.

For whilst we have all been remarkably patient with Ronald Koeman and quite rightly given him and Steve Walsh the requisite time to ‘settle and assess', we are worse off than we were at the start of last season, the year before and certainly the year before that?

After weeks, nay months, of constant speculation about the likes of Witsel, Milik, Mata, Koulibaly, Arnautovic, Carvalho, Wijnaldum, Indi, Hart, Forster and Schmeichel, we've ended up with Fulham's downwardly-mobile keeper, another defensive midfielder from the worst Premier League team for years and a 32-year old centre half, who isn't even fit!

As is the Everton way nowadays, we have discovered a belated hunger for the scraps left on the transfer table – but not who we really hoped for and certainly not at the ludicrous prices being quoted.

Opinion on our latest apparent targets seems divided, although it has been fascinating to read some of the panic-inspired, talk-them-up psychology on ToffeeWeb, as Evertonians try to reassure themselves that Kone (who cost a rumoured £5m in January and now is valued at £18m after just 15 games for Sunderland) and Bolasie at a staggering £25/30m, are just what we need.

Most worryingly of all however is that this beyond-the-eleventh-hour flurry of activity only began to happen after John Stones was sold. Clearly, it would appear, Everton are still very much a sell-to-buy club.

It seems clear that in reality, nothing has changed in that department. One really could be forgiven for asking ‘where's the money Mr Moshiri?'

I am sure that I am not the only one now dreading taking my seat tomorrow. Key players missing, new ones not bedded-in (or unfit), and a poor pre-season of Martinez-like performances.

In short, not a lot to get excited about against one of last season's worthy front runners and I can see us getting whipped tomorrow. That's not pessimism by the way, just resigned realism.

But if you know your history, there may be a ray of hope: the last time we opened with Spurs at home, followed by West Bromwich Albion away, we lost 1-4 and 2-1 respectively – and went on to win the league by 13 points in 1985!

So I guess if we do lose tomorrow, there's no reason to get too depressed…

... who has been in charge for a grand total of no league matches.

I despair.

FFP says we can't spend like fools before we sell – that's not a failing of the club, it's adhering to the rules as they stand.

Idrissa Gueye has better passing stats than N'Golo Kante and almost matched him for tackles and interceptions – I don't care where he played before, I just want players of that ilk in the Royal Blue.

To write Ashley Williams off as an unfit 32-year-old is ridiculous... he's a vastly experienced defender, better than Stones at this moment in time and is likely only just on his way down from cloud 9 after a spectacular effort in the Euros.

We may lose tomorrow (God knows our opening day performances are usually off the boil) but this will be a better season than last and if we are honest with ourselves, that's what we want every year!!

The Martinez disposal could have been executed earlier. It could. Would that have allowed Everton to have secured Ronald a moment earlier?
Surely having Ronald and Co in earlier must have made certain that we weren't faced with an unfit, incomplete squad at seasons start. No.

We HAD to wait until the season was well and truly finished, over and into "downtime" to snare Ronald and Co. To catch them away from work, when they were more pliable, open to persuasion, OK simply off guard.

Without the right man at the helm, the plan is only a plan. So, we waited. Predatorially, and then enacted the plan.

It wasn't ideal that the Euros were being played out, but Everton aren't the only club with a player or two involved, are we?

The PL season commences today, but doesn't complete until all 20 clubs have played 38 fixtures.

Under ideal circumstances we would already be better equipped, but then, under ideal circumstances we wouldn't be entering a new season with a new manager, replacing a disfunctional squad, would we ?

This, is EVERTON !
COYB !

We have got rid of Martinez and his 4th division backroom staff.

We have replaced him and his cronies with one of the most highly rated management teams in the Prem.

We have got rid of a brooding player "with potential" who cost us big time last season and brought in one of the defensive stalwarts of the Euros and very experienced and highly thought of Premiership defender.

We have brought in a DM whose performance stats last season put him on a par with Kante and we have brought in a very experienced keeper and GK coach.

Spurs are a fine team, but if we get in their soft southern faces from the first whistle and have a bit of luck - then we can win.

Let's have a cauldron of an atmosphere!

I make no apology for my optimism. A better manager with proper focus on a strong spine, fitness and effort allied with skill can only have us going in the right direction.

Every year, fabulous players and managers enter this league and they often get caught out by it. We've got an experienced one and the fact he's going for PL players tells me he's learnt quickly.

For our existing players, this season could be the last chance saloon, so surely we'll see some improvement?

Onwards and upwards - COYB!

Spurs are a well honed outfit with two added class players. They press and are together as a team and pass well and break well.

Idrissa and Holgate are big plusses and I am looking for improvement and impact from Ross and Del boy.

Looking for Idrissa to intercept a few today and launch Rom, Del and Barks on powerful forays!

Fingers crossed today and completion of three signings this week and upwards and onwards.

COYBB's

Kick ass, boys. COYB.

1-0 in stoppage time will do me!

No idea what today holds. Don't know what team we or they will put out so wouldn't like to predict. OK, 2-2.

Our fitness level at 70% of what Koeman wants is probably 10% fitter than under the Spanish manager.

2-1 to the Blues, scrappy, nervous game but the start of a new era
Come on you Blues!!!

Deulofeu, Mirallas & Barkley. They don't work hard, create enough chances or score enough goals. We need to replace at least two of these players to improve as a team. They are luxury player's, you can maybe afford to carry one but not three !

In saying we're a bit too nice, RK seems to have identified this weakness and is trying to buy the type of quality player that's required to rectify this long standing problem.

Regards to the lack of signings, you can't pressgang players into coming to Everton, knock them out and carry them to Goodison, signings take time, they will come before the end of August. Koeman is a very good manager but he can't produce miracles, especially after a few weeks in charge of the job. Patience and more patience is needed.

Let's get behind them and be the best 12th man that we can!!!

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/Everton-transfers-ronald-koeman-frustrated-11741383

Don't expect similar outcomes today or this year but today for all fans should represent excitement and hope if not expectation. We will be a better team this year. We will be more difficult to beat. We will sign another 3/4 players before the deadline. We will finish in the Euro spots, perhaps via the cups.

Stuck in Italy today so can't get to the game. Anyone know any decent streams we can tap into? Also got MOBDRO on the phone, is it being shown on any of those channels?

COYMB

Mirallas and Deulofeu on the scoresheet.

http://worldsoccertalk.com/2016/08/12/find-Everton-vs-spurs-us-tv-streaming/?

http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/1980427/Everton-vs-tottenham-hotspur/

Tottenham have one of the most cohesive squads but we are at home - which I hope starts to mean something again.

0-0

As long as Moshiri genuinely wants to invest then we will be fine - but business so far has been fairly typical of the last ten years.

I guess we'll know where we are at come the end of the transfer window.

Will definately have the crowd behind us today, so hope we are pragmatic enough to stay in the game, and then hopefully the fans will push us on, and help us win the game.

ps: I can let you have the number of the Samaritans if you are as suicidal as you sound.
COYB

We've just got rid of one daft twat, please don't let this fella start talking bollocks.

Just concentrate on getting them where they need to be.
We have to be positive today, The crowd will be up for it. I'm expecting a win

Koeman hasn't highlighted fitness as a concern and by bringing in Williams has gone a long way to sorting out the defensive anarchy that we witnessed with Booby.

A word to my namesake David(#21)-keep calm and watch the game

Undertaking null and void if Kone A gets a start today or the manager comes out with Martinesque excuses if we lose.

Not confident enough to bet on a home victory and expecting 0-3 !

I've made it 1-1 in the Super 6. Hope you're right.

Everton V Utd, 0-0 (a night game) and the effect was..lasting.

In a few minutes I will be jumping on the 81 and heading there to watch our opening game of the 2016/17 season.

That's..50 seasons.

50 seasons of pain, frustration and (some) joy.

(did I mention pain?).

It's also (more or less) 1000 portions of curry and chips*, 17,000,000 Bensons, 5 trillion frustrated cries of 'Oh for fuck's sake Everton!' and 700 shouts of 'Moyes/Bingham/Lee/Walker out!' (each)

(* that one's accurate but doesn't include cup games).

Up the Toffees!

Aww snap...! is a regular occurrence and often the site simply won't refresh.

Like I say - no geek but any help or advice welcomed.

I should also make it very clear I think we have a fabulous manager in Koeman. I particularly love his calm, good humoured, but assured and authoritative approach.

I have no doubt whatsoever that he will, given the right support and resources, put us back where we belong.

But I still maintain that we are far from where we should - and need to - be on the first day of the season.

I'm just a bit disappointed as a fervent Evertonian. Not depressed or moaning for the sake of it. I want the best and believe that at the time of writing, we are far from ready.

But come 3.00pm, I'll be roaring our team on with the rest of you.

So irrespective of my concerns, COYB!

Martinez' legacy includes a whole host of negatives, but securing Geri for a second spell was a big tick against his name. Yes the Spanish speedster is inconsistent and infuriating, but without his electric pace and dribbling ability we would face an opposition today ready to push up. I noticed that team's became more confident of holding a higher line against Lukaku as they felt more confident of one on ones, but not so with Geri where they would drop deep to nullify him. We could not take advantage as we lack aerial prowess in the attacking areas, or indeed a goal scoring midfielder who could come late from deep - someone like Cahill.

Our recent record vs the Lilywhites is patchy so a draw would be a fair result.

I hope the Sunderland model isn't the future of Everton.

From here until Christmas, he should have more than a good perspective into the players he inherited, before possibly dipping into the January window. So, for the short term, we are in for an interesting ride.

But back to topical issues. Been champing at the bit for today to come around and Just hope this kick off to the season doesn't become an anti climax. A win today would be more than I expect but would be a hell of a start and what a message it would be.
COYBB

The positives are a new manager, plus the first game of the season, so Goodison should be rocking, especially if we can get off to a good start.

All in all I'd take a point now though.

I'm in Koh Samui, Thailand on holiday and found a bar showing our match. 9pm our time, so excited for the new season.

Long shot here but don't suppose anyone's out here in Chaweng, Koh Samui and fancies some COYB?

Stekelenburg
Davies Holgate Jags Funes Baines
Gueye Barry
Barkley Mirallas
Deulofeu

Stekelenburg
Holgate
Jagielka
Funes Mori
Baines
McCarthy
Gueye
Barry
Deulofeu
Mirallas
Barkley

Once again? It's his first game in charge. What a whinge arse comment. Made even worse by the fact Holgate gets a start.

Maybe should have waited for the guy to actually name the side before having a go at him over his team selection?