Sloppy start costs rusty Blues in Baltimore

I would like to see Niels Nkounkou given a run out, on the left side of midfield instead of left back, reckon he could link up well with Gordon.

Hoping to see a bit more of Stanley Mills as well.

Don't watch.

Looking forward to seeing the stadium and seeing what some of the younger players have to offer. Also intrigued as to how the team will line up. I don’t think too much can be read into games like this other than players fitness, will still be interesting though and looking forward to it.

Oh, and very impressed with DC and Baltimore which have been great so far. The people are very friendly and fascinated with the accent (which is mild these days so not sure what they would make of proper full on scouse twang).

I've never been to Baltimore but had a great time in DC with family from England a few years. Pedestrian friendly, clean, lots of things to do. Anyway, enjoy the game and I'll see you on Wednesday in Minneapolis.

Looking forward to meeting up in Minneapolis and yes, see you on Wednesday.

Oops sorry it hasn't started yet, the season... got a bit carried away there, lol.

Watching Ozzie's little studio interviews online, the players look exhausted, which is great. Frank is obviously focusing on conditioning. Doesn't seem like he has them rolling on the ground and puking like Conte at Spurs, but he is certainly grinding them.

Can Calvert-Lewin and Godfrey regain their form and fitness from the 20-21 season?
Can our new defender shore things up at the back?
Can Patterson give us a young attacking right-back?
Can Frank revitalise Dele Alli?
Can Iwobi continue his form?
Can Gbamin be our defensive midfield answer?
Can Simms and/or Dobbin score goals at this level?
Can Gordon add end product to his game?
Can Welch or Price force their way through?

Lots of questions, reasons to be optimistic, and it could all fall apart but isn't that what football is all about?

Let's go!!!

It may not be at all a bad thing to build from within. It'll be tough I think and it will take a fair while but let's create an identity and be a serious team which tries to entertain. It can be done.

Let's keep what's left of our soul and see what can be redeemed.

DC Toffees! Great bunch. I'm sure they'll be in Baltimore for the game.

If any ever find themselves vacationing in DC during the footy season, drop into Across the Pond, a DC restaurant/pub where the DC Toffees gather to cheer on the Boys.

No longer meet at Fado in DC, which unfortunately had to shutter in 2020 due to Covid. Went there several times over the years to watch the game.

He definitely has the physical attributes for a defensive midfielder, and it would fill a huge void in the team. It's the one position we're totally lacking.

As it stands now, for Warrington and Dobbin, it is sink or swim this season, so forget about loaning them out.

Link

Let's Go!

Hoping for a good pre-season and a decent start to the new season before our tricky fixtures kick in during September and October.

Have fun, Blues... wish I was there!

Link

Can Mina stay fit?
Can Tarkowski stabilise our defence and make a difference defending set-pieces?
Can Holgate build on his good end-of-season form?
Can Richarlison's replacement bring his goals or assists?
Can our new midfielder(s) transform the team to Top 8 material?

As an aside, I do not like Rugby... I can't stand the All-Blacks but, with being half-Irish, I am thrilled that Ireland beat New Zealand tonight and have won the Series. Well done, the Greens – now let's see what the Blues can do!

Thanks to this season's recruitment, I expect nothing less than a 6-0 win tonight, some weird trophy for it🏆, five straight wins at the start of the season, and relegation all but confirmed by late April.

I know, I know. My glass is half empty and a crack in the bottom is leeching all contents away from it, but hey... it's not my train set so what can you do?

Lewis Warrington to get some time as well as Godfrey, Holgate and Broadhead.

https://www.vipleague.st/football-sports-stream

If we have different expectations and look for small but important incremental gains then there are things to look forward to. I was feeling quite pessimistic about the season but you have helped to change my mind (there's always something to hope for before the season kicks off!).

ps: Hope all the Blues over there have a fab time tonight.

Won't be much to take out of the pre-season games. Last season's pre-season was good and look what happened!

These games are obviously an opportunity for some fringe players to ''stake'' a claim. The main thing is that nobody gets any injury, serious or otherwise.

Baltimore is an amazing blue-collar city. Many parallels with Liverpool.

For anybody visiting first time from the UK, have a drive around the dock lane areas. Their docks are on a scale that I have never seen before in my life and really blew me away.

I wish I was there. Some nice bars and eateries around the Fells Point area of the harbour.

Enjoy!

COYB

Anyone with a link?

I hope it works when the time comes...

Try again, Peter.

Also, Live Forum not up. What the fuck???

Only US station to broadcast the game.

3-5-2. Might work!

Thanks!

Lol. The formation appears to be 8-2!!! And what happened to our US supporters? Looks like only a handful in there, lol.

Parking the bus in a pre-season friendly is a new low.

I know that Lampard has said that we are mostly concentrating on fitness so far, but I'm surprised at how poor we look.

I'm away to bed, I've had enough of Lampard's inability to learn from previous mistakes. A 5-man defence is for the fucking birds.

We are fucked.

So disappointed in Everton for the last 25 years. Hate them but love them, if that makes sense!

2 down as I was typing!!!!!!

Bad things: Every-fucking-thing else.

Brett, Dele has played in 11 games so far.

He can bomb forward alright, but he is and has been very poor defending every time I have seen him play.

If anything it should be Spurs to pay us £10M for taking Alli off their book! He is god awful!!

We can forget about taking anything from our opening few games unless we sign some proper players! We'll be in the Bottom 3 by this dross come December!!

And Lampard should find some ways to get results with a half-decent squad if we were to splash some cash on new blood because this is exactly how we used to play last season!

Yes, we can not play him and then just pay his £100k plus contract for 2½ years. Either way, it's bonkers.

You know, Everton would never let anyone hang around on a wage without playing for years.

Only Doucouré and Pickford have played decently. Nkounkou and Godfrey might as well have stayed in bed, closely followed by Patterson, Holgate and Dele Alli.

Our passing and movement is atrocious and we look totally static and clueless. Wholesale changes for the second half, please.

Watching what I assume is the Arsenal feed, quite biased, understandable if so.

Reality is this team is a very good Championship side and Bottom 5 Premier League side.

No form, sold our best player! Simply, we will struggle more!

A heavy defeat will wake the Board up! Got lucky last season! We can't rely on 3 worse teams to keep us up!

It's glaringly obvious that Patterson and Nkounkou are not ready yet. Martinelli and Saka are running riot. Nkounkou looks good going forward but defending is poor and Patterson just isn't that involved.

I have never known a football team that looks like they have never played football as a team before, like this team does. I think you could rope some supporters off the street and get them playing more like a team than these bunch of charlatans.

Holgate truly is a legend in his own living room. The only Everton player that has shown any level of professionalism in that half was Doucouré.

Like every manager before him, Frank and his backroom staff have their work cut out with this bunch.

Managers seem to come and go but they all seem to want to persist with trying 3-5-2. Why? Does it give Lampard any joy watching our back line go all over the place trying to keep the ball but – as sure as fuck – lose it or, even worse, pass it straight to an opposing player???

Not sure how but our 2 central midfielders seem to be up against 5 Arsenal central midfielders… is that Arteta doing a nice bit of cheating or are we just all over the place trying to play it out from the back?

Warrington already looks tidy.

Anyone know much about his contract status etc?

Warrington looking tidy though.

Bill, I still have hope Rondon will prove useful. I think a lot of the shit he got since joining was unfair.

Is anyone captain this half? Haven't spotted anyone with the armband?

Rondon looks about two stone lighter and can actually run by the looks of it! Still can't play football but he could probably beat my dad at a 100-m sprint now!

Gbamin showing excellent movement also.

The play-by-play moron was bad enough, but you'd think a World Cup winner like Heather O'Reilly would at least get the players' names right.

Did you notice "Doucouré Gray" in the first half...!

Arsenal looked like they had three extra players on the pitch and it is plainly obvious that the coaching staff and manager just haven't got a clue. There is little evidence that a team is being brought together and it will only take a bit of time. We looked like amateurs.

"Sick and tired" is the best way to describe how I feel towards Everton and I bet I am not the only one. The incompetence of the Board is being brought home in all its glory and two or three signings won't ease our pain.

Still, never mind eh? Let's vent our collective spleen on the alleged incompetence of our current young manager whilst ignoring the tumours within all of the vital organs of our club.

You know it makes no sense, surely?

I was pleased for the young lads in the second half. A much better showing all round although Arsenal did ease up a bit.

Iwobi, Gordon and Tarkowski will be very important players for us this season.

Tarkowski looks like we've picked up a decent player there.

Need to get another striker in.

Arsenal controlled the midfield in the first half and are going to be a strong Top 6 contender next season if they sign Zinchenko from Man City. Arsenal had a lot possession in the second half but never really tested the keeper.

As I watched the second half, with a lot of passing around the back and a lack of movement in the midfield, I felt like switching off but just kept saying "It's supposedly just a friendly," but I never believed it was ever just a friendly game, as it proves nothing.

Last season, the opposition knew Richarlison was our danger man and they made sure he was marked; this season, it will be Gordon and I hope he is used more on the right than the left to try and fill the Richarlison position.

I suppose we can take some satisfaction in we are a team who were fighting against relegation last season, against a team playing for a Top 6 position. The downside is we look no better than last season.

In 1985, I took my son to an NFL pre-season game in Columbia, South Carolina, between the Buffalo Bills and the Chicago Bears. It was an awful, boring game and we left convinced that neither team would threaten my Dolphins or his Broncos. How wrong could we be. The Bears won the Super Bowl in a trouncing of the Patriots.

Pre-season is about preparing, trying things out, getting match fit. We will have a better idea of our immediate future in a few weeks time.

Much improved in the second half. We didn't actually test their goalkeeper but we looked a lot more competitive and Arsenal never really looked like scoring another.

On this showing, both Patterson and Nkounkou are still way off Premier League standard but Mills and Warrington impressed.

You watch them consistently doing the close-quarter pressure-passing stuff in training, but they can't do it with more time and space on the pitch.

Putting aside pre-season excuses, fitness, players, tactics etc, some of our players just seem unable to shake the shell-shocked opossum thing.

It's going to be a long season.

By chance, I couldn't watch this one. In any case, you don't learn much in pre-season that we don't already know. The squad lacks quantity and quality.

But there's one thing that stuck out for me...

We still have Rondon? I thought he was only contracted to the end of last season. Surely there's no point in him being there. How on earth does he have a contract?

Apart from not being able to watch the game live, I would be so worried by a first pre-season friendly but more if additions aren't made really. Sounds boring being so repetitive but that's my opinion. With our terrible injury record, we at least need three players I believe.

As Andy Duphrane says in The Shawshank Redemption, hope is the last thing we lose. (Or some similar words!)

COYB!

On the flip side, I also recall Stones and Anichebe (I know he has his detractors but I thought he did pretty well for us) making their mark on US tours.

So I'm hopeful plus Frank managed to be the kid whisperer at Chelsea. What's frustrating to hear is the usual reports of mistakes, lethargy and disinterest from Alli, Holgate etc.

It was as if two people were just shooting the breeze about this or that with a muted TV somewhere near them. Every now and again, one of them would glance at the TV, make a brief comment about what they see, then go back to shooting the breeze about this and that.

All 90 minutes. Not even a pretense of professionalism. Pretty shocking.

James #178, the feed was from Stadium, a sports network I never heard of before today. It's operated by Sinclair Broadcasting, which is a corporate piece of shit promoting right-wing politics through local TV newscasts.

O'Reilly was an absolute embarrassment, a World Cup winner with 231 caps for the USA who couldn't even pronounce the players' names correctly. I turned off the sound most of the game, except when the hilarious Roger Bennett was on as a guest commentator. Roger is the Pope of American Toffees.

My only observation was how deep we sat and how isolated Calvert-Lewin was on more than one occasion.

Like I say, I'll try not to read to much into it.

Oh I forgot, we haven't bought any.

Past USA Everton players were noted in a video on the big screen. Flags both large and small were given away to Blues fans. All the Everton anthems were played over the stadium sound system, we even came out to Z-Cars.

The Everton USA soccer academies were heavily promoted. We may have lost the game but won the marketing battle – Arsenal did not put the same effort in. New replica shirts were sold – I counted 3 in my row alone. So finally, after years of bleating about it, the commercial guys did a good job.

As to the performance, the back 3 in the first half and the attempts to play out were awful. Mina tried to lead but Godfrey and Holgate were just off the pace.

We could not get out – Doucouré's distribution is not his strength and Tom Davies just was anonymous. Dele tried, but there was no width to our attacking play.

Granted, the goals we conceded were poor. a Pickford flap at a corner and a total defensive breakdown for the second, but with the possession conceded, no way were we not going to give up goals.

Both teams were on paper weaker in the second half – we were far better relative to the opposition. Iwobi and Gordon gave us attacking width. The back three were far more accomplished on the ball and moved it quicker, and the wingbacks - Mills and Mykolenko did well.

Well played to Mills particularly; Gbamnin got around and was active and physical – he's a specimen. But he did that in Orlando last year, then stunk the joint out back in the Premier League His midfield partner back from Tranmere had a lot of touches and rarely gave the ball away.

Again playing Arsenal's second string but the second-half group were much more mobile as a unit and had more joy pressing the ball.

I did appreciate the guys stuck up for one another more so than years past. for example, Mills was being roughed up by the Arsenal No 9, Eddie Nketiah – Tarkowski intervened, then to put an exclamation point on it, wiped the same Arsenal player out at the earliest opportunity. Good stuff - and about time.

Obviously a loss. Arsenal are ahead maybe in their pre-season fitness levels but clearly based on this, we are learning the coaches' system, and Lampard is making decisions on players.

Arsenal's movement was way superior and how they dealt with our pressure was clinical. So… much to do for the management team in the coming weeks.

Last season, Lampard abandoned attempts to get us to play it out from the back fairly quickly. I wonder how long he will try it this season? Tarkowski is better passing out from the back than most would realise but you also need central midfielder with good technique who show for the ball and can retain and distribute ball, not sure we can expect Warrington to make the step up so quickly and we've no-one else who can really do that.

It will most likely be another long season I fear and I wonder if Lampard will last the course. I hope so. Though I'm not sure what I saw last season left me convinced.

As for conceding another straight after... well, that's our trait – fit or not fit.

The key factor will be how the promoted teams adapt. If one or two of them do well (one inevitably does), then we're in trouble.

Just on that, I've had a good look at all the squads for the coming season and I think we're in a pack with Leeds, Southampton, Brentford, Brighton, Wolves and Palace – and ahead of the three promoted clubs Fulham, Bournemouth and Forest. Some of these have a better first XI than us but injuries can hit etc.

The critical thing for us is keeping Calvert-Lewin fit. If we can do that, there are 9 clubs we can finish above. Obviously takes good management and a bit of luck too.

Seems unlikely we'd finish above Aston Villa, Leicester City, Newcastle Utd or West Ham Utd though.

At least they haven't built our hopes up.

Welch, Mills and Warrington did well. Rondon still absolutely garbage, Alex, and it's taken him a year to get there! He can't win headers, can't hold the ball up, can't run fast, can't run ¾ pace for long bursts, and is on £60k per week for another year.

I was hoping to see Simms establish himself in the squad. Looks like Frank is going with 5 at the back but the 3 midfield players need to be a well-oiled machine for that to work. I think we are better suited to 4-3-3 but we have to trust Frank and be patient.

Just rename us "Everton lose" or "Everton nil", as that's what the season looks like.

Everton 5/1 to go down with Bet Victor, I'd take those odds early.

The spread betting markets on betfair corroborate that, there is not much liquidity but they indicate an expected 11th place finish. This is impartial consensus so even though it is hard to stomach it is true to say that anything better than 11th represents progress over and above neutral expectation.

Arsenal have already played two games so are ahead of us in terms of match fitness.

Let's judge towards the end of pre-season and hopefully some new signings.

I think the commentary crew last night were the back-ups for the commentary team from Channel Ocho in Dodgeball, but I'd still employ them over all the ex RS 'experts' infesting our media.

Pickford captain? Don't make me laugh. He showed with both goals exactly what a liability he is and always will be.

First half was a facsimile of last season. Gormless shadow chasing, slack marking, sloppy challenges and poor distribution.

Instant improvement in second half. So refreshing to see young players doing the basics correctly and playing with inventiveness.

I sincerely hope Lampard has the courage to continually select these youngsters. Otherwise expect a repeat of last season's relegation woes.

No midfield general... more like Corporal Clots. The kids showed some fight and creativity in second half and Tarkowski looks like a solid unit.

We need a goalscorer and some midfield additions to stay above the Bottom 3 or Bottom 4.

Judging by some of the comments on this thread, it seems I made the right choice, but watching pre-season games has always bored me, just like some of the comments on this thread.

If Moshiri doesn't come good on his promise, then a very long season it'll be, but I think this is something every single Evertonian already knows?

Moshiri wants out, but he can't sell without taking a massive hit, and Kenwright wants to stay until we move into our new ground. In the meantime, it's us Evertonians that will continue to suffer.

As you say, I also hope we ditch the 5- / 3-man defence. It just robs us of an extra body higher up the pitch, invites pressure, and pins us back in our own half, posing no threat to the opposition.

Obviously it's meant to release the full-backs into midfield – but it never works that way because our back 3 and midfield aren't very good.

I'm not going to get too down about a friendly but the team selected for the first half was awful. There were 8 defensive players. I trust Lampard won't choose that XI in Premier League games; otherwise, we will be in terrible trouble...

If we all relax a bit, mentally, then we may be pleasantly surprised. That goes for the players too.

It's an excellent point about just how defensive the team actually was. Frank's comments about “we have to play 5 with this squad” are concerning.

Why do we “need to” play 5? Didn't Tarkowski help? Is it because the other 4 centre-backs are so shit they can't be put in a 2? Is it the fullbacks? Is it no Number 6?

I just don't get why we need to play 5??? Even more concerning is why haven't we addressed whatever it is stopping us going with 4 and having a midfield and attack.

I'm also getting very nervous that we are offering no real goal threat. Gray seems to have lost any threat, Gordon's best game is stretching and countering at pace down the flank (not at Number 10, imho), Dobbin and Simms not even on bench. Dele making runs but nobody to thread it through. Richarlison has gone. Townsend may never get back to early last year levels, and Doucouré pegged back to defensive mid again.

The whole thing is really confusing.

Imho, Frank needs to grow some balls, go to 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, and play on the front foot from the off. If it means playing Holgate or Godfrey at right-back or left-back, then so be it, albeit I would much rather stick with the young lads and let them settle in more.

If Gbamin ain't the answer in the anchor role, then try Warrington. If Warrington isn't the answer, then for fuck's sake, buy or loan someone quickly. If Gray keeps firing blanks, then try Dobbin or Mills on the right. If they don't work, then for fuck's sake buy…

5 at the back will be okay if 2-3 up and wanting to shut up shop or hit on counter, but it's a dead plan the second you go down by one! With our defence, that one is inevitable.

I don't get why one of the best goal scoring midfielders in our country's history can't see the need to make teams think twice about throwing players forward against us.

Assuming nobody comes in, the next friendly we should try something like this for at least 65-70 mins:

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Welch Mykolenko
Dele Alli Gbamin Iwobi
Mills Calvert-Lewin Gordon

Still really lightweight in the front 3 though.

Or, if he *has to* accommodate Gray, try 4-4-2. Can't stand the system personally, but with Gray, Gordon, Nkounkou, Mills on the wings, and a big lad (Simms or Rondon) next to Calvert-Lewin, it may suit us more than this 5 at the back shit.

Being serious, it was quite a depressing watch... Arsenal put their best team forward in the first half but Frank split the Everton team over the two halves, with Mina first half and Tarkowski 2nd half. I'm guessing we will see Mina and Tarkowski together with Keane as the 3rd centre-back.

If you want positives – Gordon, Tarkowski, Warrington and Iwobi... for me, Tarkowski and Mina will not concede too many goals.

Too many negatives but the real bad negatives were - Holgate at right-back, Davies as holding mid, the boy who played left-back 1st half and Rondon up top 2nd half. And playing out from back 1st half, that was embarrassing to watch.

He goes with an extra centre-back because he hasn't got a specialist holding midfielder to protect a 2-man defence.

But he then exposes his 3 centre-backs with a 2-man midfield that gets easily overrun. Especially when one of them, Jesus wept, is Gomes.

It would make more sense to use 3 midfielders even if they don't include a specialist holding player to shield 2 centre-backs.

What did concern me was that apparently we played 5 at the back, seems like Lampard is insistent on this system. Every time we play this system, it immediately puts us on the back foot so no surprise we conceded 2 early goals.

I, along with many, wanted Lampard, mind the only alternative seemed to be Pereira, and he soon realized he couldn't play the type of game he wanted when he joined.

Seems like 4-4-3 suits the top 2 teams who dominate the Premier League, so hard to see why Lampard doesn't operate the same successful system. Everytime Southgate has moved from a back 4, the national team seem to struggle.

The loss of Richarlison will haunt us for most of the season, although I can't blame the player for wanting away he practically carried us over the line with the help of Pickford.

To be honest, I have never been a fan of Calvert-Lewin, I think he is a very limited player. He doesn't create much for his team mates and relies solely on crosses into the box for his goals.

Make no mistake, in both midfield and attack, we are desperately short on quality players, but overall we had some positives. Tarkowski looks like a decent addition in the defence, Mills and Warrington both had decent games.

Iwobi and Mykolenko both had decent second halves when they came on.

It all comes down to who we can bring in, we cannot go into the season with Rondon as the main backup.

I looked at the overall team and the defence looks a bit more secure with Mykolenko, Patterson and Tarkowski there, could be the making of Michael Keane with those players around him.

I would go all out to bring in an out-and-out striker, and somehow try to get Connor Gallagher in as the midfield general.

Saying he was played out of position as a right-wingback, I thought Mills did a good job, he is even better when played in his attacking midfield role. In the next match, I would play Mills just behind Calvert-Lewin.

It's now a question of who we can bring in, but I would not get too down just yet. Let's see how we do on Wednesday, but this time forget about the result, start with a stronger starting 11 and get the players' fitness up.

I would start with Pickford, Patterson Tarkowski, Keane and Mykolenko at the back, Doucoure, Gordon, Warrington, Iwobi in midfield, and play Mills just behind Calvert-Lewin.

Give that starting 11 a run-out, might get a bit messy when we make the changes to bring Davies, Holgate, Rondon etc on, but the next game should be about starting the game with a more balanced team, and players who impressed against Arsenal.

Frank is testing out some of his players and, by the sound of it, the youngsters did themselves no harm at all in the second half. As regards the first half we were without Allan, Gordon and Iwobi who would surely have made a big difference in our constructive play.

I didn't see the game and am intrigued by the comments on Patterson – some say he was poor whilst others, such as Mike Gaynes who generally knows a player when he sees one, say he did well.

Could Mills make a push for the first team? Maybe Warrington can be our defensive midfielder, or Gbamin (miracles do happen).

I hope we see Dobbin and Simms in the next game – Dobbin looks a real player to me.

Keep the faith people, Frank has to be given time and surely a couple of new players will come in?

We're in danger of being left behind here as nearly all top teams are buying well. According to reports, West Ham have three bids on the table: £30M+ for Broja, £30M+ for Onanna – both of whom we've been linked with – and £30M for Scamacca. All of which shows where we are at the feeding table.

It looks like a hard long season with the possibility of another new manager at some point? Onward and downward for us, me thinks!

The first half was a bit grim, but Arsenal are a much better side and have already played two friendlies. The long ball was fine by me as our midfield was rubbish and Arsenal had left space at the back. The most concerning thing was the defending of set pieces.

The second half was much better. I actually enjoyed it. Mills was great. Tarkowski made several trademark blocks and showed leadership at the end when dealing with Pepe (who was squaring up to Mills). That final tackle was quality. Admittedly, we rarely looked like scoring, but it was pre-season for fuck's sake.

What is it with you and ears, mate? I recall a similar comment a few weeks ago and I thought it was in bad taste then!

Perhaps you would care to post a photo of yourself for closer inspection.

Nice to see that Iwobi seems very fit and hopefully he will continue as he left off last season, very good that is. Tarkowski, no disappointment there. He is what we've needed in defence, imo.

He said that he played with 3 centre-backs because he was making 11 changes at half-time and the travelling squad leant towards 2 teams with three centre-backs in, not because of the make-up of the first team squad in general.

He wanted to give everyone 45 minutes and the best way to do this was with 3 centre-backs each half.

However, we all know we need to bring in a few quality players to improve the first team and Frank is still very much learning on the job.

It's always good to see some of the young reserve players playing with and against experienced professionals of a good standard.

I don't want to be negative or make silly predictions so I'll simply end with that. I hope a couple of youngsters can have a breakthrough season.

His opinion, not mine, but Welch impressed him as did Mills. Warrington, a player I really like, apparently done okay, but looked the least ready of the youngsters. All opinion-based obviously.

Also, as suspected, Tarkowski brought much-needed leadership. I've just watched that crunching tackle on the player near the corner flag. Again, not getting carried away, but I feel that he could become popular, despite being viewed by many as a bit of an uninspiring signing.

So we need three to come in including a striker and most likely we can't afford three so a youngster needs to step up – Warrington? (Or Gbamin???)

I honestly don't know if that's worse than playing the system because you mistakenly think it's the best one. The players need minutes, agreed, but we need to find a winning system in the next 3 weeks or risk getting off to a horrendous start in what already feels like a tough season.

He scored a few good goals for the U23s – check out the goal he scored against Sheffield Utd. He took the ball from midfield, went on a run, and unleashed a beauty from outside the box.

Rusty is not a word that applies. It's only 5 minutes since the last season ended and I am sure many dedicated players have kept themselves fit.

However, despite that, Everton were a shambles in that first 20 minutes and the first Arsenal goal was coming.

Everton are an enigma. They are the only team that can have eleven men back and still be wide open!!

The wholesale changes at halftime proved that the result was unimportant but to give everyone a run-out.

It's quite clear to all of us that big improvements are necessary all over the park… but will they happen?

If that was Arsenal's third game, then they are definitely further down the line than Everton, with regards to having a bit more proper football in their legs, and this is not about looking for excuses.

We need players, and if the fans know this, then I'm certain that the players will know this? After Moshiri's latest interview, people have began to back off putting pressure on the people who need it the most. But this is very worrying, because we are definitely in the middle of another crossroad, and we could quickly fold like a pack of cards without some reinforcements.

This really has to stop and is one of the problems in the club's philosophy. Yes, we all understand it boosts fitness but a loss is a loss and is unacceptable.

Let's face it, this was more than a loss, it was humiliating. Arsenal went through the motions in the second half. It was pathetic. It shows they are nowhere near – that includes the coaching which is quite frankly sub-standard or not being mirrored by the players on the pitch.

Recruitment is dreadful, we should be looking for two central midfielders at least who can boss a game. With that, the team become more impenetrable and therefore the play moves up the pitch towards their goal rather than our goal, meaning attackers don't worry as much on defensive duties and more on how to roast the opposition.

Will they go for two central midfielders? No – and that is why we will continually go round and round in circles until the relegation bomb drops.

Then do the same next game but change the defenders (must be their fault and not the system) and result is the same.

Everton that.

The squad is not good enough to achieve anything other than survival but not I'm confident of that. Pointless changing the manager time and time again with no real quality added to the team. Frank is no Carlo, Moyes or Allardyce and sorry they would struggle without additional players.

Those expecting more! Don't! A further season of staying positive getting behind our current squad is crucial. The gap between us and the Top 4 is wider than when the premiership was created. We are one of the founder members and fighting to stay in it. Realism is needed to help Frank and the players.

Stay positive all!!!!

My main feeling about the game is that Ben Godfrey and Mason Holgate both have to improve in possession – and fast. Godfrey's passing is just so slow, one-dimensional and tentative that it makes playing out from the back almost impossible against any side that presses well.

Mason Holgate thinks he can dawdle on the ball and pick a pass, but too often his judgement and execution is so poor that he ends up coughing up possession on the edge of our box; only a fantastic save from Pickford stopped Jesus scoring after an early Holgate disaster.

If Lampard wants to play 3 centre-halves, and play out from the back, then I don't think Godfrey or Holgate are currently good enough or reliable enough.

I understand the logic in letting Branthwaite go out on loan for his long-term development but he might have solved that problem for us, as his passing is generally good, as is his composure on the ball.

I don't think Godfrey can or will improve to the requisite levels; although I really like his tenacity and passion, he would probably be a player I'd be happy to offload as we could still probably get a decent fee for him and reinvest that elsewhere.

Nkounkou was lively, but a liability defensively. Tom Davies went through the motions (although apparently he never hides, or so I regularly read on here...), and Dele Alli worked hard but was starved of good possession.

Calvert-Lewin came to life a couple of times but was too isolated, possibly because Demarai Gray continues to struggle to assert himself.

Positive steps forward from Reece Welch, Stanley Mills and Lewis Warrington – none looked out of place, and Mills in particular showed pace, aggression, skill and ambition down the right side in the second half.

Gbamin showed signs that he might be ready to contribute something, but I've said that before and been proven wrong. Tarkowski looked decent enough, as did Mina and Keane.

Mykolenko was very good, and Iwobi was everywhere and continues to look like one of our best players – along with Gordon, who is going to be a massive player for us going forward.

But the pick of the bunch for me was Doucouré. His performance in the first half was absolutely excellent on all fronts.

These days, a lot of these games are used for promoting the 'brand' but that wasn't always the case. Clubs have always played pre-season, friendly, warm-up matches. Everton used to have a Probables v Possibles game at Goodison Park on the Saturday before the season started.

Training matches are no substitute for competitive games. That's why a player who's been out injured for a while often looks off the pace when they come back.

God help us this coming season. More of the same rubbish.

We picked up a feed with Arsenal commentators. Not ideal but probably better than the US crew.

So here we are, about to start a season with our biggest hope being that our relatively new young manager can produce some miracle and keep us in the Premier League.

I know I am pinning my hopes on him but he's been given the perfect excuse for failure by our owner who, just like the rest of us, is just hoping it goes okay. He doesn't feel it like we do though and money means nothing to him.

Great to see some of the young lads given a run out last night and I get the feeling they are all going to get lots of game time this season due to the paucity of our squad and poor bookkeeping by our owner.

Moshiri and Kenwright Out!

These matches are useful for the manager and the coaches, especially to see how the young players cope.

We are bound to make a few additions to the squad and, with luck on the injury front, we will probably finish around the 14th to 16th position.

That's about where we are at. I don't think it's realistic to expect more after the loss of Richarlison.

The youngsters looked good especially Mills and Warrington. There is a team in here with a few additions. To me, Gray is talented but can be effective. Not a great game from him.

Davies is so frustrating. Nkounkou is not the best defensively, that will cost him a place in the team. Poor on both goals.

I thought Jesus lead the line well for Arsenal, something where Calvert-Lewin can do better. Tarkowski looks good. If Mina can stay fit, that will be a good partnership. Nice to see Patterson too.

What the heck did Gordon do to his hair. I thought I was back at the Billy Idol concert. A lot will be relied on him this season. He can take it.

I wanted to mention here I bumped into an Everton fan in St Lucia about 6 years ago. I saw him yesterday., That was a holy crap moment.

Also. Leon Osman was around talking to the fans. Fun to see him. Sorry to the guy I photobombed

The second half was much better thanks to the subs and Arsenal easing up with Mills, Warrington and Tarkowski showing well. Gordon and Iwobi stood out but could not create the chances we needed to score.

I know this is our first pre-season game but the tactics and some players' performances were very concerning. I expected a lot more, particularly from Godfrey and Nkounkou who, as I said, were atrocious but the most worrying thing was Frank's insistence on playing 3 centre-backs and only 2 in midfield.

If I remember correctly, his Chelsea side started leaking goals using this system just before he was emptied out.

I am still fully behind Frank and his coaching staff but we need to see better than this.

Also, Rondon was just as effective as Calvert-Lewin so I think some of the criticism is unfair.

Ian #192, of course you would.

Danny #222, agreed. I'd never seen Warrington or Welch and I'd never even heard of Mills, but none looked out of place against Arsenal's reserves. Love Mills's aggression.

Andrew #234, agree with all your assessments. Personally I would not offload Godfrey yet as he provides something we otherwise lack -- pace -- but his passing has always been very poor.

Raymond #239, not an unreasonable perspective, but we're only 2 weeks into a 9-week transfer window, and I remain confident we'll replace Richarlison's goals.

Stanley Mills, what a beautiful 1940s/1950s English name that is.

He's definitely going to be a top centre-back but, as we've all seen, they need time to mature. He has plenty of time. People need to see the longer-term picture. Pointless buying all 30-year-old centre-backs as no value long term.

Tarkowski is a good short-term signing while the likes of Godfrey and Branthwaite are polishing up their games. Holgate is nowhere near the player Godfrey is.

The basis of a good young defence is there with Patterson, Mykolenko, Godfrey and Branthwaite. We have to be patient, we've seen the money splurged and wasted. Let's build slowly and surely. Were not going to be challenging for titles any time soon. We need to back these young lads.

I'm hopeful Frank and Kev will add some young quality players to the team. I think Frank maybe a manger in the mould of his uncle Harry. An excellent man-manger who players love to play for. He's done wonders with iwobi!! Gordon seems to have come on under him.

Time and patience is what is needed from Blues or we will be back on the manager merry-go-round.

Mills and Welch are consistently good performers at U21 (as now is) level, as was Warrington prior to his spell at Tranmere.

I was glad to see these lads included in this tour and I have to say I have a special spot for Warrington. Really hope this lad can make it. Uncomplicated and a great engine. Great experience for all of them.

Has Price been training with the first team this pre-season??

As people may have noted my beef is the midfield, or sometimes the lack of it. Last night I thought Doucoure had a decent defensive game but attacking and providing the forwards young Mills didn't do his future no harm, and Davies never impressed at all.

It was just a preseason game in, that the more experienced players just used it for fitness and the younger players tried to impress. With all the injuries he has gone through I thought Gbamin was steady, the young French L/B will not replace Mykolenko, Rondon is a back up and there may be someone in the under 23 that may even replace him.

I thought Arsenal with having played a couple more games looked quicker and with most players from last year where more organized.

We seem to have enough players for the back 3/4 and liked Tarkowski who showed he has that nasty streak in him and constantly encouraged the young players.

First friendly and I think Lampard and his coaches done a good job in the changes they made to see how the majority of the squad performed against a strong premier team.

With the team we presently have it looks like a mid table position, to improve that it will depend on the quality of any new signings.

Granted a really small sample, so maybe being unfair, but he was (to be kind) not great that day.

Andrew @234 is right, I'm not sure he can play in a back three where all the centre-backs really need to be able to pass the ball around a bit. Perhaps he'll get better but I'm not that confident. Not the best business one again by us I fear and we'” may have been better off getting Guehi, Salisu or Joachim Andersen all of whom were cheaper.

Think he could do better alongside Mina or Tarkowski in a centre-back pairing where his pace could be vital.

Serious question after reading the comments (and I fully admit I'm not a fan at all). But if Davies was transfer-listed, how much do you think we would get?

Time for us both to retire. Kenrick will be running us out of here for crimes of elderliness.

Whether it is at Everton or not, I just think in the longer term, he will be utilised as a left-sided winger.

A bit like when Seamus used to play further forward. Not a bad idea while a player lacks defensive awarenesses.

The Echo had an article last week saying “contrary to reports, The Echo understands Everton didn't have to sell Richarlison due to a cash crisis so they could pay wages.”

I hadn't heard those reports until Prentice had his teenage stooges at The Echo refute them. Then we have Moshiri's statement which mentioned new signings possibly coming from new investment. The new sponsorship after we suddenly ditched the moral high ground.

I'm not a conspiracy theorist but one could think we are pretty screwed but Moshiri and Kenwright are pulling a USSR after Andropov died and acting like he's still alive.

This then would need one full-back getting forward occasionally and one midfielder getting into attacking positions, supporting or playing off Calvert-Lewin when needed, and one winger also coming more central as play dictates.

Encouraging on one level but extraordinary that we have been so lacking in the basics. How on earth has that happened over such a long period - inability to retain possession, to do the sort of stuff that most of us were taught when we were kids?

I just hope the lad continues to impress and leave an indelible memory with Frank to include him in the squad.

I also remember being impressed by Kieran Dowell not so long ago, who went on to disappoint given several opportunities. Just hope Lewis can rise above that.

The youngsters made a difference in the second half? What difference? Whoever you àre talking about made no difference whatsoever!

The whole team were bang average, the only person who tried was Iwobi, and he just ran around like a headless chicken.

No-one in that team will do sod all for us this coming season, and if we think Gordon dying his hair blonde passes him off anywhere near a replacement for Richarlison, then God help us!

He looked out of his depth and was clueless, as was the rest of the team. If that lot manages to not get relegated, then it will be a major miracle.

Nowadays, they are bereft of a class striker and, with the sad prospect of Calvert-Lewin and Rondon to start the season, one can only be dismayed at the kind of season to follow.

Sure, we can all hope something will emerge to give us a competitive edge but we need to get away from the current strategy Lampard is using.

Everton are very poor at passing the ball out of defence and also very slow. They make easy pickins for teams doing the high press and it showed again yesterday.

The big boot downfield is okay sometimes when you have speedy front runners and Everton don't, especially when the only speedy player is Gray who has to play deep too often and the others, Calvert-Lewin etc, have poor ball control.

We can make all the excuses about this being the first pre-season game but the evidence is that Lampard still has his work cut out to make something of this bunch.

Come on, first preseason game and just read some of the comments on here, you would think we are already relegated! Who gives a shit if we lose this match? We've had many seasons where we looked great pre-season and not carried it forward to the season.

Probably the same people would be on here if we won saying "It's only pre-season". It's like a sport in itself now putting the club down. It's detrimental. By all means constructive criticism is fair and welcome. None of us can say how the season will go yet. Cut them some slack.

After 10 games of the season, we will know what kind of side we have and what sort of season we will be looking at. A pre-season game in the USA in stupid heat with full team changes is no way to judge them.

Come on, guys, we have not got to the end of transfer window yet. A few signings could make a massive difference to our starting 11. Let's be positive, we all know the need for change at boardroom level but, if that happened tomorrow, it would take some time for that to manifest into improving the team.

This will be our team besides hopefully a few additions so let's give them some confidence and backing like the end of last season, not write them off after a stroll of a match that will not have any bearing on the season to come!

The Club has been so badly run, and still is, Boardroom etc, but a few positive changes could make us a serious mid-table team, or one that is hard to beat.

Then, this time next year, Rodney!

He looked pretty good last night.

People slating players in pre-season helps no-one. I have views on players that are not good enough long-term: Holgate, Keane, Mina, Gomes, Rondon. Then there are some I'm on the fence with: Davies, Gbamin, Nkounkou.

I'm willing to let Frank decide and let him see who he can improve and develop. The ones who are not good enough, we can't just get rid of them all in one window.

I've said I hope Frank becomes a manager like Harry Redknapp, with a bit more tactical nouse. He's got more from players who were missing under that Spanish waiter. I'm optimistic on the playing front that we will see improving players. It's the Board that needs updating.

I'm not even arsed about all the "Kenwright Out" shite! I don't think he holds much clout. Even if he left, I think Moshiri would still have his ear anyway, it would just be symbolic.

We need a CEO with real experience and knowledge. I've said Moshiri needs to use some of the money he's splurging on players to head-hunt some top CEO. Not sure what a CEO earns but gotta be worth a Tosun or Walcott!

Or we will never have a chance of competing.

I guess you must have found a stream that you were looking for, that brought out your usual tirade against Everton.

I am sorry that you never noticed any difference between the team that was put out in the first half and the team that started in the second – except Gordon's hair.

I am not sure what you expected from the same players that finished fighting relegation last season with the club's future on the line, to the players that played in a friendly with nothing at stake.

I guess you must have put a lot of money on Everton being relegated with a positive view of the team.

We need to invest in proper footballers in midfield, Eriksen or Zinchenko type who would go looking for the ball from the back and be able to control and move it forward. The problem isn't only the defense – it's the non-footballing midfield who are good at hiding but not good passing.

This group of players were relegation fodder last season and, unless we bolster where required, nothing will change. Please, if we are buying anyone, let it be in areas where we need it!

Some positives from the younsgsters but old bad habits in defence linger on. But there's hope for the new season and I'm sure Chelsea will be staying well away from Liverpool for when we play them.

The Goodison Park, 12th man will have a significant role this season, and the squad can grow and learn from last season.

Arsenal aren't great and Everton gave them too much respect at times and paid for sloppy mistakes.

Lessons finally learned hopefully in time for the new season.

Remember that it was our first game pre-season with 2 halves of jumbled-up teams. That was Arsenal's 3rd game, so Arteta would already have some idea of his format.

The game may have been poor to watch from our point of view, but surely that was to be expected. Please guys, give Frank a chance – he needs to see the youngsters in action as well as the more experienced players.

Just kidding, mate – hope you're feeling better!

I recall seeing Isaac Price as one of the 32 on the US Tour Bus, so hopefully they are including him in senior training.

Perhaps he'll get a showing in Minneapolis on Wednesday?

But re the game – I can understand how you all must feel, but Frank has to look at the potential of what he's got. After all, he only inherited most of them and he cannot dispose of the ones he doesn't want.

Thanks for the update on Isaac Price. Hope he gets decent game time over there and does well.

I'm tired now of reading about our play being slow and sloppy and with a general lack of goal threat.

Things at our club need to change – real fucking fast – or we'll just sink further and further in the mire, I'm afraid.

Reserves;
Begovic;
Coleman- Holgate- Keane- Godfrey;Allan - Davies - Deli;
Warrington- Dobbin- Emms.

I know I've missed some out and others in wrong positions (I don't claim to be a Manager!) but there MUST be a respectable team from those listed. It's up to Frank and his back-room to build a Premier Team. There are enough International capped players there - plus all the others I have missed out. I can even see a trophy this season!

There's only one central midfielder in that list mate. We'd get overrun all day and have nobody to actually pass the ball which was our issue last season.

Plus all our wingers have very little impact. Gray is hit or miss, Townsend will be slower after his long injury, and Gordon – whilst being direct and powerful – needs to add goals and assists to his game.

If Tarkowski gets injured, it's the same team as last season – without Richarlison – which is terrifying.

I accept that my teams are not perfect by any means, and I also accept that we do need new players fast. What I am trying to say is that with the players listed, plus those I missed out (injuries, loans etc) we don't need to panic.

I would be the first to say I don't like Holgate and Keane, for instance – but they have been known to play some decent games.

Just keep smiling and read Danny O'Neill!

The youngsters made a difference in the second half? What difference?

Whoever you àre talking about made no difference whatsoever! The whole team were bang average, the only person who tried was Iwobi, and he just ran around like a headless chicken.

No-one in that team will do sod all for us this coming season, and if we think Gordon dying his hair blonde passes him off anywhere near a replacement for Richarlison, then God help us! He looked out of his depth and was clueless – as was the rest of the team.

If that lot manages to not get relegated, then it will be a major miracle.

They would find something to moan about, if by some miracle we won 10-0!!!.

If I thought the moans here were bad, they are actually quite mild after my listening to the radio here in New Zealand! All morning, the air has been hot with people making threats against the All-Blacks being thrashed by Ireland. Being half-Irish and disliking Rugby, I'm loving it!!

For fuck's sake, take this game and result with a big pinch of smelling salts and take stock. Everton is a massive work in progress in all aspects.

Last night's game was a pre-season friendly, but Everton will learn their lessons under Frank Lampard.

But for some, don't write off this season before it's started. < Every day is a good day, it's what you make of it. This season will be a slog, but Everton will prevail, and get in boxing terms, spar and fight easier this season.

Mike #8, hopefully we will meet at Goodison one day.

The game was like a home game for Arsenal, their support outnumbered us by some distance. It didn't stop the Blues making plenty of noise and great to hear various EFC tunes including Grand Old Team and Spirit of the Blues ringing out followed by Z-Cars as the team came out.

I found the whole experience really enjoyable although a bit surreal. Nice stadium although I was pleased that the threatened thunderstorm held off, would have been drenched with no roof! Very friendly atmosphere which was a credit to both sets of supporters and the locals.

As for the game, we were poor in the first half, better in the second but really didn't create much of note. Positives I thought were:

Tarkowski (wing nut 1) who brought much-needed discipline and aggression to the defence. Good to see him backing up young Mills against Pepe who was being a dick. The challenge resulting in a yellow card shortly after was a bit OTT though and reminiscent of the one on Richarlison at the start of last season.

Mills (wing nut 2) did well overall although I am not sure he is ready for the Premier League yet. Looked more solid defensively than Patterson though.

Warrington played well in general and the midfield looked better in the second half with him there. Would be good to see him and Doucoure together.

Iwobi put in a lot of effort but ran into dead alleys mainly because of the lack of movement ahead of him.

Gordon as always not afraid to run with the ball, overdoes it but never stops trying to make things happen. Still needs to improve on corners and free-kicks or find someone else to take them.

Doucoure was okay but still passes back when there are other options. No lack of effort although more quality needed.

Patterson was good in the ball at times but pretty awful at times too. I don't think he has played much at all since his injury so happy to give him a break.

It is worth remembering that these games are all about trying different tactics and formations plus getting the players to full match fitness. If we are to persist with the passing out from the back and three at the back, we need to stiffen up the midfield before the start of the season.

I would like to see Tarkowski alongside Mina and a midfield of Warrington, Doucoure and Iwobi for the next one with Gordon, Gray and Calvert-Lewin upfront.

Met some great Blues last night after the game and a few decent Arsenal supporters before it. Overall it was great to come out here and watch the Blues and I can't wait to meet Kieran and Jonathan at the game against Minnesota Utd.

Lots needs improvement and we need at least 2/3 players before the start of the season. However, there are some decent younger players that, given time, could turn out very well.

I am hoping that Simms and Dobbin are given a run-out and it would be good to see Price too.

The formation that Frank chooses to play will be a big factor. It would be good to see us playing decent football; however, I am not convinced we have the players to to do it yet. Frank is the manager though and I trust him to deliver.

UTFT

What we need is a settled team that plays most weeks consisting of a mix of old and new. Holgate (IMO) should be nowhere near the team and should be sold. I also don't think Frank has the pulling power people think he has.

Frank should know his team by now. I guarantee you it will be:

Pickford, Coleman (if fit), Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gordon, Godfrey, Allan, Doucouré, Gray, Calvert-Lewin in a 3-5-2 formation.

The same problems of last season are still so evident.

Yes we can say it was only a pre-season game with lot's of changes at half time etc. but before that with an experienced starting eleven they showed all the same frailties.

Discipline in defence was negligible on Saturday even when they had many men behind the ball relying on last ditch tackles to stave off a cricket score. So many players are just not up to snuff, scary to say the least.

I hope Lampard has something up his sleeve to bring our smiles back and not the thought of avoiding relegation again.

Just where are the goals coming from ??

The worst part, there is no easy solution in dealing with an Everton squad that is short of top-quality players with so many who are just 'average'.

As for the game I was very pleased with the second half, Warrington and Iwobi especially. I think Frank might just throw Warrington straight into that side going forward, I don't think he fancies Gomes or Allan for what he's trying to achieve. I actually thought Tom had some nice touches and was better than most, Doucoure as people have said was excellent.

My final point is on DCL, a typical performance from him. He struggles to create anything by himself and totally relies on the side around him for chances on a plate. The ball at his feet with space to run he is found out and doesn't dominate centre backs enough for me. Personally I would cash in for as much as possible and use to further strengthen/re-build other areas.

And another tenner on us being useless at the end as well.

Not sure if the lack of transfers has much to do with his pulling power. More likely to be the financial situation IMO.

I will be surprised if Iwobi is not in his team based on the current squad. It looks like we could struggle at right back/wing back if Seamus isn’t fit. Patterson has plenty of potential as does Mills (granted that assessment is only based on 45 mins played) but not sure either is ready yet.

Hopefully the games against Minnesota and Blackpool will reveal more.

We all know we need some signings, however all through the season, people have be calling out to give the youngsters a chance, now is the ideal time to try these out, we have done that, some have looked impressive, but now still not good enough for some.

These players we are lacking, could actually be there among the squad, let’s have a damn good look, give them pre season game time, let’s not forget Anthony Gordon only got bits of game time at the start, until it became impossible for the Manager to drop him from the match Day squad.

We need the midfield strengthening and another attacker, we can only wait and see who we can bring in, but for the time being, let’s have a damn good look at some of the youngsters over the summer friendlies.

Patience is a virtue, let’s hope we get the right players in for the right price, and not just for the sake of filling the holes, in the meantime, we go with what we have.

But we'll never know until we actually play them. Much rather that than rush into yet another haphazard transfer that sets us back millions.

Let’s see if we can unveil another gem from our u23,s, they are the guys who will put a shift in, will give 100%, not like some over paid duffers we paid out for in the past, who were happy to just pick a wage up each week.

Whatever players we do bring in, has to be for the benifit of making our team stronger, not just to fill the gaps.

One player we all know who would do the very job is Conor Gallagher, that is a player Everton should be pulling all the stops out to sign, should be our number one target, even at worst if it’s a loan.

He's going nowhere.

New DoF hands tied by Kenwright.
Last minute acquisitions as usual on last day window!!!

I thought the Richarlison transfer would be the catalyst to get things moving.

Another DoF, but Kenwright in charge again!
Until Kenwright goes nothing will change.
Top half at best. I sincerely hope I’m wrong.

BK has seen off Walsh and Brands?
They may not have been up to the job, but whose still there? BK, enough said!

We will never move forward with BK involved in transfers and sales

I do.

Why? We have no form, we have 90% of the team from last season. Last season, we nearly got the open-top bus out to celebrate staying up. Winning and playing well go hand in hand. We have neither. Arsenal could have scored 5 but at 2 were comfortable and knew it! Form from last season with additional quality and there you go.

Are we going to win a friendly? The squad needed additions 3 weeks ago to train and be ready to play. Wait for it? – 3 weeks into the season bottom 3, quick do something? Buy anyone, quick, over-priced, 5-year contract! Job done!

Play the youngsters till when? Till the confidence drains from them. Remember, we have no form? You need quality with a winning mentality.

Change is needed and quickly. Youngsters thrive when the team is playing well – not struggling. Surely Frank must be concerned? If 3 signings are not made then we as a club have put Frank in a position to fail.

Preparation is key and let's pray for next season! Going to need his help again me thinks!

Does anyone have the schedule?

Lee 312, we play Minnesota Utd tomorrow followed by Blackpool away on Sunday and Dynamo Kiev on Friday 29th.