Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Everton

Can't see that our new boys will make much of an appearance, but who knows!

COYB!

Even if Mina doesn't know the system very well yet I would still prefer to have him anchoring the defense instead.

I believe Gomes is still carrying an injury and can't believe Silva would consider any of the others until they actually meet their teammates and have at least a week's training and assessment under their belts.

A good performance regardless of the score is important for morale..

As usual our fans will be full of good voice beer and cheer...

There is no reason why we can't get a result there, but with the staff available, it won't be easy either. Looking forward to the game, but doubt if any of the late arrivals will feature at all.

COYB

I'm excited for this coming season but fans must play their part too and have some patience... it will take a little while to gel... but they will get there in the end.

Wolves will come out fast from the blocks and it will be a tough game.

As Lyndon says, it won't be the end of the world if we lose this one. The new coach will have a brief honeymoon period while the half-dozen new signings settle in. A home win against Southampton will be essential to generate belief among players and fans.

At this point a tactical change might be better than a change in personnel – the new guys have only just turned up.

Having Pickford back is a positive however.

I don't think it will be long before most of the new faces have integrated and replaced the utter rag bag of losers we have all lost faith in.

Your concluding sentence nails it, Lyndon: it is only the start of the project, and I hope it's good for the lucky band of Blues making the trip to Molyneux, but I just want to see some guile and craft? I still find it incredible how steep the decline was under Koeman; let's just hope we can get that out of the system and rediscover the Everton mojo. COYB

Richarlison will play and he will probably try to fit Bernard in to try to change things a bit and provide better service to the forwards. Schneiderlin will play, but will be expected to step up a gear. Lookman will come on as a sub, as will Niasse if the game proves tight.

The most interesting thing will be how the forwards react to being supported and receiving manageable ball throughout the game. I can't see Silva not wanting to try to see what effect it would have on the forwards. Silva will be true to his high pressing tactics and make adjustments around that. Our previous centre-backs weren't up to it and trying to hide deep won't be an option for them.

Well this is what I think, but it depends on how good Wolves are and Silva's assessment of the players. It's the start of new season and I am a bit more optimistic than the start of last season, which is a distant predictable nightmare.

Has anyone noticed that the Wolves Manager name is like a Latin Prayer?

Victor #3, sorry but that's just silly. Mina's last game was July 3 against England in the World Cup. He has not even practiced with Barca since. We just landed him Thursday. No way in hell he's even remotely ready to step in to a Prem game after more than a month off, especially with teammates he hasn't even met yet. Give him three weeks at least to get fit and learn Silva's system and his mates' names. I believe he speaks only Spanish.

Stephen #11, weeks for Gomes would be the best possible outcome. A couple of months is more likely. I saw the injury happen. Not good.

I predict a busy afternoon for Pickford.

Make your match day more enjoyable with hassle free parking available at various locations around Molineux:

Post Code

Birch Street WV1 4JW

Redhill Street WV1 1NR

Whitmore Hill WV1 4RU

Car Parking Map

To book a match day parking pass contact the Ticket Office by calling the Ticket Office on 0871 222 1877

What could possibly go wrong???

The only new men I'd play would be Richarlison and Zouma, if it goes through. Have Digne and Bernard on the bench.

We all know how we'd like us set up in 10 games time when the new boys have got up to speed.

Pickford - Coleman, Jagielka, Keane or Zouma, Baines - Schneiderlin, Gana, Sigurdsson - Walcott, Tosun, Richarlison.

Subs: Stekelenburg, Keane or Zouma, Digne, Davies, Lookman, Bernard, Niasse.

Looks really strong considering there's no Mina, Holgate, Kenny, Gomes, Calvert-Lewin, Sandro

Exciting times!

Under this manager, Wolves romped away with the Championship and, with their new signings, look a good prospect for this season.

With our defence and Silva's preferred style of play, I expect a high scoring game. I just hope we score more. COYB

I'd love to be wrong but until we get our new players up to speed I can't see a positive result.

Every player in the team with the exceptions of Pickford, Coleman and to a degree Tosun has somebody waiting for his shirt. Think Baines will get the nod as much for the fact that the existing back four has worked together longer, though he and Richarlison need to click for this combination to work. The same can't be said for Coleman and Walcott who looked in the final part of the season to be the only area of the field where Everton seemed to show a threat.

Also given these changes in personnel, I hope the club now do the honourable thing and give Jagielka and Baines testimonials for their loyalty and service to the club before their contracts run out and the captaincy passes to Coleman as in the new picture he seems the only 'senior' player who will be a first choice in the coming season.

3pts, up the mighty blues!!

Our forward line of Walcott, Tosun, and Richalison looks a handful for any outfit and I think we will see Sigurdsson growing in stature this season.

I think Colin's shout of a 2-2 draw is a good one.

I never like to play a newly promoted team first game of the season. They are all hungry and their fans would be loud. I would rather play a top 4 team with no expectation as the season opener.

Wolves will start like an express train and it will be up to us to frustrate them and their expectant crowd. That is they key to us winning this game. Defending and breaking the play up for the first half.

Once we have done that they will be there for the taking in the second half . They will be pushing for the win and will will get them on the break. Richarlison and Walcott will be on fire, if they don't score themselves the will put it on a plate for Tosun or Siggy running into the penalty area.

For tomorrow only

Pickford
Coleman Keane Jagielka Digne
Walcott Siggy Schneiderlin Gana Richarlison
Tosun

I see we are only 4/1 to finish among the top 6 which I think is definitely doable, whereas I couldnt see that happening last year. Arsenal might struggle this season they don't look as strong as usual.
I've read many post saying that last season was a disaster etc, it was poor on the player recruitment but we still finished 8th chaps, thats never a catastrophe in my books.

Mind you, as Keane and Jags will probably start... OK, 2-2 it is then.

Agree with the general consensus but I'd caution against putting too much on the new signings; remember Siggy last season, it took him 2-3 to look 85% fit. At least we haven't got the brutal start we had last season.

And Jerome(#19) it's more than that. If he had signed Son and Jesus, we would've been playing the real holy trinity!

This team is the same team bar Richarlison that shipped goals for fun last season and had to be rescued by Big Sam's Route One hoofball safety-first tactics in order to plug the leak and grab some points.

Nothing has changed; we've been shite in pre-season and been spanked by everyone we've played, including fucking Blackburn!

It'll be weeks before the new signings are integrated and then we've got to see if they are any good in our league.

I'm not falling into the trap of believing the false hope that new faces bring just like I did last summer.

It's going to be in a few weeks probably, after the international break and once Gomes is fit and they get used to playing with one another, that we will see if there is any improvement.

Pickford
Coleman Zouma Jagielka Digne
Davies Gueye Sigurdsson
Bernard/Walcott Tosun Richarlison

It's obviously going to be tough but, as long as we don't lose, I will be happy as that would set us up nicely for Southampton.

Hopeful for a draw but I think we'll get beat tomorrrow as it's far too early for our new boys to play.

Hope I'm wrong. Full support. 💙

Obviously Everton take the lead in the first half hour through a fantastically executed counter attack! Tell the defenders and most of the midfield to concentrate solely on defending. Leave Walcott, Richarlison and Tosun (set away by quick balls from Sigurdsson and Pickford) to do the business. Weather the storms either side of the half then finish them off in the last half hour. Wolves will inevitably tire after their all-action start leaving opportunities for our subs to score. Niasse gets his first of 10 super-sub goals this season and Bernard lights the place up with a 25-yard screamer in the 90th minute. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Considering the situation with new signings and playing a pumped-up team play a little deeper than Silva would normally. This would actually leave more room for a front 3 to operate in as long as we keep them involved. None of our front 3 should come any deeper than the halfway line to keep their defenders occupied.

Due to a lack of match fitness I'd only start Digne and Richarlison with Bernard and Zouma, (is he our player?) on the bench. If Zouma isn't our player then our centre back cover isn't great. Digne looks a better out-and-out defender than Baines which would fit the/my tactics for this game. The deeper back line would also (hopefully) help cover the frailties of Jagielka and Keane at the back.

Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Jagielka, Digne
Gueye, Schneiderlin
Sigurdsson
Walcott, Tosun, Richarlison

Subs: Stekelenburg, Zouma (or Feeney), Martina ('kind of' covers both full backs), Davies, Bernard (or Dowell), Lookman, & Niasse

I think we'll just have to go in with what we finished with last year, plus Richarlison. And maybe with a system that makes more of Siggy.

That means we will be stuck with the Keane/Jags combo that alarms us all so much, and with Schneiderlin quite possibly stinking up midfield again.

On the upside, Wolves have the same issue in integrating new players plus this is after all a step up for them, albeit one I can see them managing better than most. Also while our new signings won't play, one cannot underestimate the value of the feelgood factor created by a sense your club is being dynamic and forward looking. That might just make a difference, just as I can imagine Man U maybe struggling tonight, faced with almost exactly the opposite scenario.

I'd take a draw quite happily and see the new faces in maybe a fortnight or so, assuming we avoid alarming collapses in the meantime.

The last few days has changed the feeling around the club. We have real quality options now, we haven't gone out and bought 3 of the same player. There is a balance to the squad... and l trust Silva can get the best out of them. Everyone's been given a lift.

You might remember how many injuries we had last season to crucial players. Wolves will be a tough game tomorrow; they possibly would've finished top ten in the Premier League last season.

We have good players too. The game against Valencia highlighted where we're at perfectly. Not too shabby going forward but shaky at the back. I'm more confident this time around than the last few seasons — that's for sure.

I would be happy with a draw. This is a long-term project and won't bear any fruit until next season.

I do think that we will be challenging hard for the top six this season and causing upsets all along the way.

COYB.

I thought that Richarlison did much better combining with Baines in the first half than he did in the second when combining with Digne. Obviously very early days but I did not think Digne and Richarlison gelled at all well and we were not a threat whatsoever going down the left that day in the time they were on the pitch together.

I liked the fluid movement of Digne and the lad obviously has a degree of pace but positionally I thought he struggled which I found surprising and a little worrying. Hopefully, he will find his feet.

Link

You need to skip through to 13:00 minutes for Marco's entrance.

The gist of it is:

* Zouma is done. It's just a matter of time today before confirmation.

* NO option to buy on Zouma or Gomes.

* The TDD recruits will NOT feature against Wolves for two reasons:
1) no time to bed them in. Some of them aren't yet in the country!
2) out of respect for the existing squad and players who have trained and worked hard in pre-season

* Once the new players are on board, they will have to get up to speed with what Silva wants and then earn their places in the starting XI on merit

* When asked about the CB situation and in particular Jags, Silva shrugged. 'Nothing has changed. We sold Funes Mori, loaned Williams and so needed two new CBs to replace them. Everton even hired Managala in January, so nothing changed.'

* He described other new recruits in similar ways. 'We needed a new left back as last season we only had Leighton. Kevin Mirallas is loaned out, so we needed a new wide man in Richarlison. Gomes represents a good opportunity for us in a difficult market.'

* Interestingly, when talking about Bernard, Silva said: 'Bernard can play wide left, right, or centrally. He gives us something different from Gylfi and Kieran.' He actually mentioned Kieran twice in the interview, which must encourage the lad.

* When asked about why the Mina deal took so long, Silva again was very matter-of-fact. 'That's the market. Players who want to play in the PL want a lot of money. Everton has to compete with that.'

* He acknowledged things were more complicated because of the WC and the early closing of the window. He was full of praise, specifically for Brands and the owner Moshiri, and named others involved in deals as well (with a passing reference to the chairman, without naming BK).

* He gave another very Portuguese shrug of the shoulders and downturned mouth look when asked about the collapse of the Besic deal and the possibility that other players may still leave on loan before the end of the month. 'I really don't know the details. The deal looked on, but then wasn't completed for some reason, between the club, the player, the agent. We will respect all players who are still our players.'

The above is not a verbatim report, just a paraphrasing of what I recall across a near 15 minute interview.

Very refreshing listen.

** Quick addition. Forgot to say he was also asked about Lookman and said he is our present and our future. He is our player and we will be working with him to improve him.

With that being said it's still a last chance for him to prove he wants to be part of the team and with all the new blood coming in he can use that as an incentive to perform well and give 100 percent, for me though the Gana-Schneiderlin partnership looks like it offers very little.

Pleased that Gomes says he's "working his ass off"... if he's able to work, that means the injury wasn't as bad as I feared, or as first reported by the Barca media. Good news.

Adam #29 and Paul #35 and others, I still think Baines will start tomorrow. We'll see.

Lee #65, I'd expect to see Zouma soon enough. None of the others will be game-fit for a while. As I mentioned on another thread, we'll all need to be really patient through the first few bumpy weeks until everybody's fit, integrated and on the same page.

To cap off a totally miserable day the mist turned into a pea souper and the ref had to call off the game.

who is on Pens?

#HowToManageEverton-Rule1
Baines on Pens.

The Walkabout pub was a designated away fans pub last time I was in there some years ago. Bouncers on the door to keep out any stray wolves. Not far from the station heading up into town and on the way to Molineux.

He can still get a loan to Boro and get paid his current contract with us paying the difference. How long does he have left on his contract? It makes more financial sense for him to run it down and go on a free. Frustrating for the club though as ٤ million was a great deal.

I am taking this positive... hopefully this will be the last time we see the panicky, slow, sideways passing Jagielka/Keane defence anchored by the painfully lethargic Schneiderlin playing just in front, followed by the gaping hole in the middle of the park, and then our front three 200-yards further on.

Let's hope the front three are really on it and that we can at least score as many, but hopefully one more, than Wolves. Their midfield will certainly dominate ours but our attack is stronger if they are up for it.

And even if we do loan him out, it wouldn't necessarily be to Boro, and there'd be no guarantee he'd find another situation so perfect for him. So I think unless he has an agreement with the club about another Boro loan, he may have made a foolish decision.

Of all our new signings, however, he's the one I'm least excited about. For all his versatility and great touches, he has always seemed a step slow to me. And I think it's no coincidence that he didn't make the cut for Portugal's World Cup squad.

Just read your previous comment about Mina. I agree entirely and believe that he would have come as a double deal with Digne if Barcelona hadn't heard about Utd's interest. They were hoping to drive his price up. It is clear that Richarlison, Bernard, Digne and Mina have all come to play under Silva. I expect they all discussed it with each other before they agreed to the moves. Brands mentioned the South American market when he first arrived. These are not last minute panic buys. There has been a plan, and Brands has led it like a General.

I also believe that Bernard and Mina were agreed days ago but saved for the excitement of TDD. Sky pay the clubs a huge amount of money for entertainment and TDD is a highlight for them. Announcing deals a day or two in advance would spoil their fun.

Pickford
Coleman Mina Zouma Baines
Gomes Gana
Bernard Sigurdsson Richarlison
Tosun

The players need to get to know each other and learn to function as a team. If we play all our new players tomorrow it'll be as a collection of individuals.

...then there's a small matter of captaincy.

It'd be great to play our strongest team based on specific players but I suspect Silva will go for team strength first, then introduce the newer players in the coming weeks.

Either way, I think Schneiderlin needs to pull his finger out seeing as his still gonna be in and around the team for the next few games or longer, I'd like to think he'd perform a bit better.

I actually had the same thought as you.
Once everyone is fully fit and trained as to what is expected of them; Baines/Jagielka may not be on the pitch so there will be a new Capt. I hope Seamus gets it.

Let's get off to a flyer!

Remember, though, Silva is starting from ground zero with these players, not judging on history. He may look at Sigurdsson's leadership skills -- four years captain for Iceland, two years for Swansea -- and give it to him.

However, I have this nagging concern that if we have a great season then 4 of our new signings could leave and there would be nothing we could do about it. 2 loans without options to buy, 1 player with a buy back clause, and another with a fairly low release clause (reportedly).

I hope we're not simply being used as a shop window as this season is about getting the foundations right, and we don't want to have to start again next summer.

Pickford
Coleman Zouma Mina Digne
Gomes
Walcott Bernard Sigurdsson Richarlison
Tosun

It's a shame our signings came so late and won't feature, but Wolves have to incorporate a load of new players and that won't be easy. They'll have pressure to win at home.

I like Silva's 'can do' attitude. We have to give him time to get the players playing his way and we can't jump all over them at the first (or even tenth mishap). It's going to take time.

All the new guys predominantly came for him. A guy they want to play for. If we have an improved season and start to play attractive football, maybe make Europe, more players will want to come (and existing ones stay).

New thinking. New players. New style. A bit of luck. Maybe a fun season ahead?

It's just got to be better. Fact!

I'm just saying it's not necessarily a done deal.

Would love to see us take the game by the scruff of the neck tomorrow and have a go.

You never want to play the newly promoted teams early on, but I agree with Lyndon. It'll hardly be the end of the world if we lose.

A win tomorrow would be a fantastic result and would really put the cat amongst the pigeons at Finch Farm. Even the new boys would know they will have to fight to get in the team.

Competition for places! Alleluia

While massive changes are never a good thing I would have liked Zouma to have started personally. Given the alternatives.

Here's hoping we get off to a great start tomorrow. 2 nil to the blues.

Not sure about the importance of name checking Dowell as Silva name checked Mirallas and Besic (along with Dowell) a few times in Portugal. Then as now, he talked in terms of other people offering "alternatives." At that time, I took "alternative" to mean someone as a back up to the main man. Given events since (Mirallas gone, Besic almost gone) I suspect "alternative" means "someone better than the existing player."

Also, on the whole number 6 thing. He has said said times "IF Schneiderlin is the number 6." The IF implying he is far from certain. But if Schneiderlin is a 6, what exactly is Gueye? Is he also a 6? He certainly isn't a 10, 11 or 7. If Barkley, Gomes and Arteta are examples of an 8, he doesn't fit that profile either. So what the heck is he?

Another thing, he has been referring to Lookman as an "important player" although he goes on to talk about having to improve him. He also referred to Walcott as an "important player." Does he use that word in the same way as Martinez (Atsu is an important player) or Moyes (Gueye is important, he is our secret weapon) e.g. they're pretty crap but he have them as a Hail Mary option but we want to keep them happy by saying they are "important".

Pickford Coleman Digne Jagielka Keane Gueye Schneiderlin Sigurdsson (Dowell 80'') Richarilson (Lookman 70") Tosun Walcott

Deoending on how its going, chances for niasse or Davies

I'm Just not convinced our lads will be up for it as much as Wolves definitely will be.

* 5-2 vs Northampton in 1965/66
* 2-1 vs Watford in 2006/07

Link

He obviously knows his way around the transfer market and is well respected which bodes well for the future for us and nicking more Barca players :)

I'm very excited for the season ahead, time to get behind the the manager and the team were back in the big league and no more boo boys!

I'm believe the clear deficiencies we have in the back line are ripe for exposure, however showing an attacking intent should help alleviate that weakness.

If we sit back we are asking to be punished, Silva has promised an attacking side and that's what I want to see. The edge of my seat is still shop ready, whilst the back is almost worn through.

Digne over Baines I'm afraid. We all adore Leighton but to my eye he has faded badly after 50/60 minutes in the pre-season games.

Leighton should seek a move in January, I hope to US.

3-1 to the snidey South America Toffees.

Fitness levels will be key especially if its warm.

Fingers crossed.

The point is that Schneiderlin doesn't seem to perform any role in the team, he's not quick or mobile enough, he can't get the ball forward quickly enough and offers us nothing.

My hope is that we only play one holding mid in Gana and play Gomes or another as an 8.

Defend as a Team. Get that ball and attack, attack, attack.

Same as always.

COYB

But maybe Silva's original idea of competition for places will focus a few of our comfortable, "I am doing nicely" squad members, to put a bigger effort in.

If Everton come away from this game with team members obviously not putting an effort in, we will know the problem was that they were stupid all along.

It's very rare that I don't take to, or support an Everton player, but him and Martina, I just can't, they are basically robbing a very good living off Everton, and getting away with it.

Until the new lads are match fit (and that will happen at different times), we'll have to make the best of last season's squad plus Digne and Richarlison.

My concerns aren't really about the line-up, more the formation / tactics. Silva clearly wants his full-backs to press high and become auxiliary wingers but that leaves us wide open to a counter-attack in the space vacated (Premier League teams would love that).

This happened countless times in pre-season. This tactic makes it even more important for the holding midfielder to be disciplined and sit it, be vigilant and cover the out-of-position full-back. In fact, I can't see it working without having two ‘sitters' to cover not only the full-back but also the run of the opposition's attacking midfielder.

Therefore, I suspect that most of the formations suggested appear flawed as the midfields suggested have an overallocation of attacking players; the balance (with two high full backs just isn't right).

In Silva's system we'll need more cover otherwise we'll just get picked off at random. A dedicated holding midfielder who doesn't venture outside of his midfield arc plus another who is happy to curb his otherwise attacking instincts appears a must to make the system work. Without this, we'll struggle massively.

New players need to blend in ASAP.

It's a shame that we won't see any of the new signings. I should imagine that Zouma will play in the next game and Mina might get on the bench, but Bernard and Gomes need a few weeks. The former having no pre-season and Gomes injured.

My team for tomorrow would be -

Pickford
Coleman, Jags, Keane, Digne
Gana, Sigurdsson, Davies
Walcott, Tosun, Richarlison

The team pretty much picks itself until the new players are integrated.

Gana will constantly hassle the Wolves midfield, hopefully Morgan will have a proper game and will get the ball out wide, where we have players who will give them plenty to think about.

http://sport.bt.com/football/wolves-v-everton-live-stream-tv-channel-kick-off-time-odds-key-stats-how-to-watch-premier-league-clash-on-bt-sport-S11364285894260

Pickford
Coleman Digne Keane Zouma
Gueye Richarlison Sigurdsson
Lookman Walcott Tosun

Enough pace up top there to worry any back line But most definitely I think it'll be:

Pickford
Coleman Digne Jagielka Keane
Schneiderlin Gueye Sigurdsson
Walcott Richarlison Tosun

The centre-back pairing doesn't fill me with any confidence whatsoever; and as for the defensive midfield pairing of the other two... words fail me.

Schneiderlin has had maybe 5 good games since he's been here and how he warrants a place in the side leaves me flabbergasted. I just hope Silva sees through this phoney fucker and his sideways and backwards passing as quickly as possible before it's too late.

A draw today — I'll take that.

Just to see Seamus lifting a trophy for us at Wembley would be perfection!

"Gana will constantly hassle the Wolves midfield, hopefully Morgan will have a proper game and will get the ball out wide"

Without being facetious this won't happen, Gana may have a bit of work rate in him but he can't pass the ball five yards and l wouldn't piss on schneiderlin if he was on fire

Schneiderlin won't be here this time next year, maybe not even in Jan...and if were really lucky he'll go abroad before the 31st.

And hello again to all. Hope you're all having a good summer.

So now, on this Saturday morning, sitting in my writing room at the top of my House in New Brighton with Blue Skies above, The River sparkling like champagne outside my window reflecting light and brightness into my very soul and from my side window the roof of Goodison and in the foreground on the side of the Royal Blue Mersey our new Blue Heaven and to my right The Blue Liver Buildings and believe it or not just up the road the A41 leading to A50 and onto Wolves - - I remember going to Wolves when Peter Knowles was playing and stopping at The Half Way House in Newcastle Upon Lyme - - it's around 10.00am - - The Light is Shining Through The House - - bathing me, cleaning and soothing me in preparation for my/our new start (washed by Piero Della Francesca - - another great Evertonian) - - take a minute - - pause: Let some music float in the morning air mixing with the smell from The River and The Garden (all windows open) - - like sound and perfume swirling in the morning air
“There's a reason
For the sunshine day
There's a reason
Why I'm feelin' so high
Must be the season
When that love light shines all around us
So let that feeling
Grad you deep inside
And send you reeling
And let your love show
And you'll know what I mean
It's the season
Let your love fly
Like a bird on the wing
And let your love bind you
To all living things
And let your love shine
And you'll know what I mean”.

Feels good to be back - - up and ready for this season - - had a tough time first half of this year - - health and the abject misery that was in the Goodison air - - even the cobwebs were miserable - - now I see them with the sun shining through them like Golden Necklaces to be work around our beautiful Blue necks like Greek Gods walking in The Fields of Ambrosia.

This indeed feels like a new start. Message to some of those so called “experts”:
You may write me down in history
With your bitter twisted lies and laugh
You may tread me in the very dirt
but still
Like Dust
We will rise (Thanks to Maya Angelou)

For me it's been a tough summer but I have missed Everton and TW and have loved the last few days - - I had needed to fins my own “posso waves” and I did - - with your help - - Dave, John, Laurie, Steve and many others:
“If not for you
Babe, I couldn't even find the door
I couldn't even see the floor
I'd be sad and blue, if not for you
If not for you
Babe, the night would see me wide awake
The day would surely have to break
It would not be new, if not for you
If not for you, my sky would fall
Rain would gather, too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
I'd be lost, if not for you
If not for you
The winter would hold no spring
Couldn't hear a robin sing
I just wouldn't have a clue, if not for you
If not for you, my sky would fall
Rain would gather, too
Without your love I'd be nowhere at all
I'd be lost, if not for you”

So I am just about ready to go - - more next week for the First Home Game - - of course.

“To Hyndford Street, feeling wondrous and lit up inside
With a sense of everlasting life
And reading Mr. Jelly Roll and Big Bill Broonzy
And "Really The Blues" by "Mezz" Mezzrow
And "Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac
Over and over again
And voices echoing late at night over Beechie River
And it's always being now, and it's always being now
It's always now
Can you feel the silence?
On Hyndford Street where you could feel the silence
At half past eleven on long summer nights
As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg
And the voices whispered across Beechie River
And in the quietness we sank into restful slumber in silence
And carried on dreaming in God.”

Its good to be back - - It's good To be A Blue - - it was wonderful to meet some of you in the summer break in The City - - should do it again:
“And when heart is open
And when heart is open
You will change just like a flower slowly openin'
And when heart is open
You will change just like a flower slowly openin'
When there's no comin'
And there's no goin'
And when heart is open
You will meet your lover
You will tarry
You will tarry
With your lover?
And when heart is open
You will meet your lover
When there's no comin'
And there's no goin'”

Love and friendship and camaraderie is a truly wonderful thing.

I am sending massive Blue Posso Waves Into The Astral for Blues Everywhere - - ma Joad knew it - - We Are The People.

Your friend - - sent with a firm handshake a la Vincent to Theo - - with an open heart and cosmic grooves all the way - - George.

Never done any drugs in my life - - only in the last few months - - at comimg up to 69 years old -- am I now on Prescription for Drugs - - It All Soul Man:
Say it's all right, it's all right
Say it's all right, it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
We're gonna move it slow
When lights are low
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
And it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now listen to the beat
Kinda pat your feet
You've got soul and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
When you wake up early in the morning
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul, make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right
Say it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right

Tough start against a positive team that's created some momentum. If some players want to play for us, they'll be starting some momentum of their own today.

I'm expecting a tough afternoon, they have allegedly recruited well. I think we may do well to get a draw, but who knows? They are favs on the betting and I reckon anything can happen!

Here's hoping we get a pleasant surprise.

Great stuff.

Remember Peter Knowles, brother of " Nice one Cyril", he had a great career ahead of him with Wolves and maybe England but threw it all away to become a Jehovas Witness, wonder what he is doing now.

Have a great day and hopefully season, best wishes George.

Unfortunately I think to have any chance of a result we will have to defend deep and keep our fingers crossed.

Draw at best I'm afraid.

I too experienced a difficult period earlier this year, dark days indeed, but I suspect that because of your positive attitude, you will be able to participate in many more 'Royal Blue Gatherings' I certainly look forward to it, hopefully Dave and Co feel the same.

Gomes, if in Valencia form, could be brilliant when fit and available.

Schneiderlin seems to lack pace and we need him tackling and picking out the wide men with his long passing.

Gueye seems to run around a lot but not produce anything.

Davies tries hard and is still learning his trade, I wish him well but he does give the ball away a lot, and here lies the problem in today's match.

If we control the midfield, our wide men should win us the game...

John, don't be fooled by pre-season. Here's a number of reasons why:

1. We only played one formation.
2. We trained on the day of games sometimes twice.
3. We didn't focus at all on the opposition and instead it was all about us and trying to get used to how Silva wants us to play.
4. Everyone was still new to the system.
5. We were drastically changing how we play.
6. We weren't used to such a high tempo.
7. Silva was very frustrated at the side's inability to do what they were asked.
8. Pickford didn't play.
9. We barely saw Walcott.
10. There is renewed optimism and hope at the club now.

Now Silva is not a one system only manager. He's not Martinez. If he was Martinez and expected to just go out and play the way he's played in pre-season and hope it clicked, then I'd be worried.

Silva is an analyst. Note how he said he carried out a technical analysis. This would have been done before the first days training. Probably happened before he showed up on day one.

So, Silva will have watched a lot of tape on Wolves and I bet Porto (the club Nuno Santo was managing 12 months ago); he will also know a number of the new signings (especially Moutinho) and he will know what to expect.

The difference we will now see is he will adapt Everton to Wolves. We've not seen this yet, because he has to get his basic ideas across first. That is defensive shape (yes I know what you're thinking but more importantly Silva knows too hence the signings), the counter-attacking passing up the pitch at speed and playing at a high tempo.

The 4-2-3-1 is so basic. It's closer to 4-4-2 than most of you realise. Take your 4-4-2. Flat back four and let your fullbacks attack like everyone wants them too (4-4-2 restricts this). Next drop the two central midfielders back 10 yards or so to balance the wingers attacking more. One midfielder sits, and one seeks out the ball (ie Schneiderlin and Gueye). The wingers are pushed right up. Then the strikers, most people want a shearer type and a Beardsley. Well, Beardsley just dropped into the hole where the No 10 plays. So hopefully you can see that the 4-2-3-1 is the natural evolution of the 4-4-2.

So silva has the basic formation set up, the players are drilled in it. They should be used to it, and now he can make his tweaks. The flat back 4 and front 3 will remain constant in terms of shape. It's the tweaks to that midfield 3 he will make initially.

There's three lines of midfield. There's the defensive midfield line the central line and the attacking line. Silva could play an attacking midfielder and two central midfielders (box to box types) or he can play one DM and two central midfielders or even 2 DMs and an attacking midfielder (having a big gap between the positions).

He's been known to use a back 3 (only at Watford) and to reinvent the 4-4-2 by playing one DM and 3 MCs in a narrow formation with strikers who played central but actually split and ran wide into the channels creating space centrally for runners from midfield (as he did at Estoril and at Hull – where Niasse was one such striker).

So Silva is a very versatile and unpredictable manager. He will study the game and adapt. Silva beat Arsenal when he was 1-0 down and he got into the dressing room at half-time and made a big change. He doubled down by putting on a second right winger and getting at the Arsenal left-back and ripped him apart to win 2-1. This is the guy we have. Smart and adaptable.

It's going to be a great season. I know it for sure.

I'll start believing in this guy Steve so worships when we have a few points on the board. Until then everything is pure speculation — particularly 'The Boys from Brazil'

All sounds great on paper. Also like every other Blue I hope we do have a great season. However, as I mentioned in my opinion if we try to play a pressing game with the team he has played pre-season we will suffer.

It's all very well pressing high up or breaking with pace but if or when it breaks down we need pace to recover. Jags and Keane will get ripped. Schneiderlin has no pace. Even at zonal marking at set pieces we've looked suspect.

Horses for courses and right now, today, in my opinion, high press might not be the way to go.

Just look at how impressed the new signings are by him. He's a footballer's manager. A man of energy and ideas. He doesn't display lots of charisma in his interviews, but he does on the training ground. Journos also say how charismatic he is one on one. He's a real people person.

Trust me, you'll love him. Just let yourself enjoy this game for starters. Blame me if it all goes wrong.

Made up your back to your old self George.

One thing that does impress me is the lack of bullshit from him, I hope he continues to tell it as it is rather than try to convince us a loss is really a victory !

This is the guy that got Estoril from bottom of the second tier to fourth in the top flight. He didn't do so by attacking sides and playing possession football.

No, he did so by sitting deep and launching devastatingly quick counter attacks. This is the trademark of Silva. Lightning fast counter attacks.

My only concern is that we lack the “spring” to launch these attacks. What we need is a McCarthy to win the ball and a Barry to launch it long down the pitch to the Wings.

Instead Silva has been working on a number of shorter passes to pass it through midfield rather than hoof it (accurately) down the pitch. This hasn't clicked yet.

You are an inspiration mate and was just telling better half how I used to love watching you with a room of "suits".

Never change and thanks for reminding me of the fabulous Kerouac.

Fingers well crossed and butterflies in tum that began yesterday are flying around even faster.

Have tried shopping, gardening, washing and cleaning but still 3 hours to go. My better half watching and smiling.

Like been 12 again!

Here's hoping for a win today lads, but more importantly a decent performance.

COYB

If we do well... then the media will be fun to watch!

Bring it on!

Get feet under table and TDH a great idea.

Best to Gosia.

Did you manage to get a taker for that "Match bet" to finish higher than Wolves?

I asked at the Betfred and after a couple of calls he offered 8/11. I left it alone, but a fella who I didn't know had overheard the conversation jumped on. That was before Thursday's transfer activities. I doubt you would get that now...

There's a win in your fella when he finds the right race