Gueye off to winning start with Senegal

The only thing to compare it to is a hockey player coming out of the penalty box just as the puck is coming forward and finding himself on a break-away.

Watched every angle of the replay just for the laughs. And what was the keeper thinking?

Player was off to the races getting on the end of a very astute long ball and recognition of the situation.

And the Polish defender fell asleep, and the keeper was eyeing the Russian blonde hottie in the stands.

Gueye was good. Nice to see him play well and get forward a bit.

Gana's mediocre forward passing is not such a big issue when he is winning the ball in advanced positions and it is the reason that he should not be playing in a deep position.

If they can prevent the pissing about in defence, England has a good chance to lift the cup! Gorra say I like the tenacity of Mexico, too!

I guess the other box-to-box type would ideally be Sigurdsson, he has the stamina to get up and down though perhaps not the pace to press quickly and effectively as Silva prefers. Davies, McCarthy and maybe even Besic might be our other current box to box options.

I always have a soft spot for the African squads, but it's been pretty dire up to this point. Nigeria looked mostly hapless against Croatia, while Tunisia is the sort of team that could play 1000 minutes and still not manage a shot on goal. Egypt's already dead and buried and, I expect, within a few hours Morocco will be too.

Gana kept them going with his immense energy and availability. If Silva can add to his shooting ability, we could have a diamond on our hands.

Personally, I couldn't give a toss how England do: I leave all the jingoism and flag waving to the armchair patriots from the south!

My only concern is that our players may get injured, tapped up or come back knackered, as they did in 1970.

"Patriotism is the last refuge of the scoundrel". Oscar Wilde.

I just wanted to say that your post summed up perfectly how I feel about England – and probably a lot of other Evertonians as well. I refused to take part in the World Cup in draw as it was being run by The Sun and to be fair the Geordie who was organising it was understanding about my decision.

Roll on August, eh!

Showing off, Dave, just because you were mates with him!

Hope Gana has a good WC and carries that back into his Everton performances. I just loved him when he first signed for us. I hope Silva can get him back to that, building on a good World Cup.

COME ON ENGLAND!!!!

As I had to explain to a "girl" (a mere 25-year-old casual football fanatic) at work today, I couldn't care less about football! And I then had to explain how I love everything Everton, even if we haven't really played good football for the past 20 years plus... But I still try to watch every game we play. I hope she thinks I'm just senile... ;D

I had to admit that I'd cracked somewhat this year, so I've watched the Iceland, England and Senegal games since those were almost Everton games...

I'm still not sure if I want them all to crash out and come home early... But I guess not. Damn me!

It works as if I'm just a normal football fanatic where Everton is concerned, but I know nothing about players/managers that I have not directly watched in our own games...

I know there is a Messi, a Ronaldo, and a Bale, online headlines makes sure of me picking up that! But I never bother to read those articles...

So I can't really make wise rants about why we should or shouldn't sign this player or that!

(The 25-year-old seems safe, except her mind is not for EFC, poor thing, so she's lost to the world of good. Oh, well, it takes all sorts...)

As far as patriotism goes, we English must be the bottom of the league in looking out for ourselves.

If I was young, the way the population is increasing and society changing, I wouldn't be happy, I'd be off to pasture new.

I stand corrected! You're quite right. It was, indeed, Sam (to his mates) Johnson. Just proves I don't get my quotes off Google. lol

I just can't get patriotic when we have 1000s of foodbanks, ZH contracts, a gig economy and an underfunded NHS etc etc etc.

On the football side I've never forgiven the FA for fiddling the Goodison semi final, in 1966!

As far as it only being a game, and not wanting to paraphrase a well-known false prophet from across the park, when it comes to Everton it is much more than a game.

I know my preference

COYB

Very sad to read your comments. I for one enjoy the fact that for once the country (bar some ToffeeWebbers apparently) are all behind the team. Obviously you have your opinions, which is fine, but I couldn't disagree with you more.

I would rather England won the WC than us win the FA Cup.
Say what you like, but I'm English and want to experience the feeling of winning. I have felt that once with Everton. Haha. Both would be ideal.

Now had you said win the premier league, then I may have to reconsider!

I have witnessed both, [ and in the same year at that] and I know which one gave me the greatest pleasure, I am, and always have been, in the 'Club Before Country Brigade'

If England lose a match I put the kettle on, if Everton lose a match I'm tempted to put the gas on. Best wishes John.

As for your second paragraph I am with you one hundred per cent.

You wave your flag by all means but I'll take a pass.

Bah! Humbug!

Sorry, you guessed wrong. I've been to a World Cup including all group games and a semi-final.

I'm not a flag waver, If you have experienced a World Cup and if the experience didn't make you feel patriotic I doubt anything will. I have also been to a World Cup.

Best wishes and good luck for the new season

It was England '66. These days the Premier League attracts some of the world's best players but, back then, the World Cup was one of the few chances we had to see the likes of Pele, Eusebio, Beckenbauer, Seeler and the Hungarian Albert, live.

These days we see many of the players every week on TV or at Goodison. For me, it will always be Everton first.

Trust me I have plenty of love for Everton. Especially now Sam has left the building.