🎙ToffeeWeb Podcast: “Our First Punch Back”

Our form is good. With the appeal, we should get back to where we should be. And we have a quarter final to look forward to as well as a winnable FA Cup 3rd round fixture.

Garner played well and was deservedly man of the match. McNeil & Mykolenko can be great players for us. McNeil's finish was sublime and his delivery is fantastic. Beto just needs his Andy Gray moment and a goal. Maybe change his number? Branthwaite is a gem who just keeps getting better.

This is a relatively young squad that can develop, lead by experience in the form of Pickford, Gueye (who does the ugly stuff) and Tarkowski.

The manager is keeping the team focussed despite what is going on around them. We have a lot more energy about us.

Nervous watching Everton? I do occasionally stop breathing at matches, but never nervous.

The national media have never liked us. In the 84-85 season, they were desperate for Tottenham to win the league. We upset that apple cart with the victory at White Hart Lane. In 95 we disrupted their hope of a dream final of Tottenham and United. We won both matches.

Forget the names. Newcastle and Chelsea? To coin the Accrington Stanley advert, who are they? We are Everton. We go into then next games with confidence and belief.

There is only one best left footer. Kevin Sheedy. No debate. A better left foot than Liam Brady. He also had the ability to slow the game into slow motion. Watch him setting up that third against Bayern. And a much less well know one, but him stopping in front of the Norwich defence and scooping an improvised lob pass for Adrian Heath to finish in front of the Gwladys Street. Football poetry!

Statue for the 80s team at Bramley Moore Dock as it seems debatable as to whether we're taking Dixie or the Holy Trinity with us.

I haven't a scooby about the next two games as Newcastle are not good away from home but we are not hot either at home. Chelsea are a work in progress so anything can happen with them. I just hope we ignore Anthony Gordon. No booing to get him going.

As for the question about the best left-footers. My initial reaction when you asked the question, Lyndon, was go immediately for Sheedy as the best undoubtably. My next thought was Dave Thomas. Just ask Bob Latchford how good his left foot was. The assists for Thomas must be mega numbers. Gareth Barry was class and Leighton Baines and Pat van den Hauwe also come to mind but for different reasons.

Still it's all about opinions and how different generations see their own particulay heroes. No doubt those from the '60s would mention Johnny Morrisey and Ray Wilson. I'll go for Sheedy. The joy he created amongst Evertonians with what was a Wand for the Ages, up there with anything in Harry Potter was magic. Also Kendall stole him from the RS, which makes it even better.

Here's to 6 points from Newcastle and Chelsea – we can but hope.

ps: McNeil has a good one too.