May We Live in Less Interesting Times

FA Cup: 5th Round

Carabao Cup: 4th Round

We seem to still have some room in the transfer situation but could do with those who may go to go now rather than last-minute flurries with deals being too late to complete.

If Everton begin to play more progressive football, then I expect this would suit Patterson once he recovers from his latest injury, but we definitely still need cover in this area of the pitch.

I think we have got a few players who can do a job out wide although, because none of them are exceptionally quick, that's all they do. But looking at the squad through different eyes, playing slightly infield will probably suit a lot of our attacking players.

With this in mind, it wouldn't surprise me to see Everton look to try and sign a player who can play as a left-sided wingback; this would give the squad a much greater dimension, and might even suit us because it now looks like we have got three very strong central defenders.

I expect a better season, but I'm still worried about the lack of Premier League experience that none of our new signings possess. This makes me slightly worried about the early part of the season. If we get off to a good start and get the crowd feeling more positive, I think Everton might just surprise a few people this season.

My wish for the season is those gobshites across the park have to burn that flag that keeps going up by a higher number each fucking year! 🤞

My fear is that Dyche will persist with last season's tactics and players and he will remain reluctant to embrace the skills and the real potential for improvement that Ndiaye, in particular, and Lindstrøm bring. I suspect a monumental groan/sigh when Doucoure appears on Saturday's starting team sheet as he surely will.

However, a stress-free season will do me just fine provided there are some true highlights and magic moments. (And a genuine alternative to Ashley Young at full back… or anywhere else!)

The lack of a No 10 since the little Columbian left is a major concern; Doucoure is not it, never was. Central midfield may be stronger but it's the lack of creativity that will be our biggest problem. Goals come from either wide play or creative play — we have been doing neither, hence our open play conversion was almost non-existent last season.

Hoping for a change of play from Dyche is probably wishful thinking, but it looks like we will be tight through the middle with teams continuing to ping long crossfield balls behind our ageing full-backs where they think we are vulnerable. (We are!)

Overall, I think we will do okay, as long as we don't get stuck in another tench warfare battle trying not to lose points! More trepidation than excitement precedes this season for me… I guess it's called pragmatism!

I would be very happy with mid-table, my sons have only been following Everton since we have been flirting with the drop, so to them it would be like winning the league.

Here's hoping 🤞 COYB 🔵

The cups will be dominated by the usual suspects; if Dyche can deliver a semi-final or final, then just maybe we are turning the corner at last.

It's a historic season ahead, very emotional. I just really hope it's not de-railed by off the pitch matters, and the Premier League.

We want to enjoy the occasions of the last games at Goodison vs teams we have been playing for over 100 years, but there's a strong likelihood that we will end up dominated by VAR and PSR as the Premier League probably haven't finished with us yet.

Takeovers and debt restructuring should take a back seat, but there's too much at stake, thanks to Moshiri.

But on a positive note, UTFT!

I am keen to see Dyche play better football and Ndiaye and Lindstrøm should help enable that — although they will need to prove to Dyche that they can operate within the well-drilled defensive shape before they are trusted. Many fans will criticise Dyche for this but that defensive shape got us a 12th-place finish last season against tremendous odds and we compromise that at our peril.

Otherwise, we need to see partnerships with the chemistry of Branthwaite and Tarkowski emerge in other areas of the pitch — notably flanks and centre-midfield. If we can do that, then an underwhelming finish in 2024-25 could pave the way for a more exciting start to life in the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

The two big questions for me are:

Will the central defence be as solid as last season?

Who (plural) is going to step up and bag some goals this season?

My guess is a comfortable 14th or so. That comfortable void between the top half and the relegation scrap.

Not from Mike Gaynes, Neil #4.

And I'm sure he'll be on here soon to tell you why.

Sean Dyche had very few options last season, now he has some. This is a chance for him to show his versatility.

I would give just about anything for a final derby win.

As we eagerly await the first game of the season, the performance and result will not define our last full season at Goodison Park, but may give us some clues regarding formations, depth of squad and new additions.

A mid-table finishing position would be perfectly acceptable, given worrying times over the previous two seasons, and, as mentioned, clubs around our level have recruited to strengthen plus newly promoted teams will have the ambition to survive and thrive.

Interesting times ahead of new owners and a new stadium.

I think Calvert-Lewin is our most important player but I'd love to see the win ratio without Doucoure in the team since he joined our club?

The most important thing is to get enough decent players so that Dyche can start making it a squad game (this is the most important thing, IMO); otherwise, he's gonna be getting some stick for not making his substitutions earlier, if he makes any at all.

Great point about partnerships and chemistry, Robert, and that's why I could see us being a lot more fluid playing with wingbacks, even though it's not a formation that I particularly like.

Interesting times indeed..!

I did wonder why Dyche didn't play 3 at the back during his time at Burnley, but I do vaguely remember him trying that in 2018 when they spent £15M on Ben Gibson, a huge amount for Burnley.

But they had an awful start to the season and Dyche gave up on the formation and reverted to his usual 4-4-2.

I have also wondered how McNeil would do on the left side of a midfield 3, I think he could do well there. Good engine, good defensive discipline, decent passing and (occasionally) blistering long-range shooting!

I'd be happy to see us try that formation but I think we'll see our new attacking signings on the bench on Saturday as Dyche sticks to what he knows and feels comfortable with.

Dyche has done a really solid job, especially when you think of our ownership position as well as a scarcity of money to spend. But my problem with Sean Dyche is his reluctance to play front-foot football; obviously there is a time and a place to play that way but, in general, he likes to keep a defensive set up.

I believe this is as much to do with our lack of goals as it is for the forwards' inability to convert and make chances.

I think the re-signing of Harrison on loan perfectly sums up Sean Dyche's approach to the game. Harrison is predominantly there to help out his full-back in a defensive duty, so when you have one of your front 3 largely picked for his defensive rather than offensive duties, it says everything about how Dyche likes to set his team up.

Now I know many will say he didn't have many options last season other than to play Harrison as Danjuma didn't impress. But in the summer, we signed Ndaiye who looks very exciting — yes, early days and I am not getting carried away — and Lindstrom who can play on both flanks, and Ndaiye looks like a Number 10 not so much a wide player.

But we know Sean will start with McNeil, Calvert-Lewin and Harrison with Doucoure playing just behind them, which was the same set-up for most of the games last season where we struggled for goals.

I hope I am wrong and Sean plays Doucouré in midfield, and Ndaiye in the No 10 role and Lindstrøm out wide.

Tarkowski mentioned earlier in the week that the dressing room was excited to have attacking players who could come off the bench to help change a game if need be.

I also wonder if Dyche might be planning to deploy Garner in the right-back role?

He's looked okay when played in that position, though being under 35, he might not be deemed old enough.

We are carrying a serious amount of deficits. Unless we can bring in a couple more decent signings, this squad will do well to stay up. Injuries, points deduction, financial problems, will continue to hamper progress. But we're still in this.

We don't know what the squad will be yet, whatever, I think 10th is rather optimistic.

I hope you're a better judge than me, Lyndon.

Talking about our players, and wanting to play Lindstrøm out wide, is the reason I would like to see how this squad would perform playing wingbacks.

We have suddenly got a few decent footballers but no real pace out wide, so it would be interesting to get our footballers and see if they could develop some clever little interchangeable link up play, and even get players running in behind.

Good positive post, Pat, but who's to say you haven't called it right?

I hope you're right about where we will finish, but we should be more attacking this season with the additions adding pace. Ndiaye in the No 10 role beside Calvert-Lewin and Doucoure can cover midfield.

We badly need a right-back, Wan-Bissaka for £15M, you won't get a better defender one v one, pity.

And we need another midfielder with Gueye 33, Phillips for me, would have filled that role.

Both Lindstrøm and Ndaiye have pace, as for playing wingbacks Dyche doesn't allow them to go forward he wants his fullbacks to stay in a back 4. Both Seamus and Young have always been attacking players and, though both are getting on, Dyche doesn't encourage them to go forward.

While we are all grateful that Dyche has kept us in the Premier League, I think you, me, and many Evertonians are getting a little fed up with his defensive mindset, and I doubt he can change. Even Tarkowski was hinting with Ndaiye and Lindstrøm we can now play a more attacking game, but will Dyche take the handbrake off?

I don't think Dyche will have the luxury of picking his best eleven on Saturday due to injuries.

I think we'll have to be a bit patient (stop laughin').

Without the mad run of wins in November and April last season, we would have been in big trouble and those runs don't happen very often and may not again this season. The squad is deeper but still with flaws and little money to correct them.

I also worry that Dyche's style is suited to "them against us" defend for your lives, he's 9 out of 10 for that. But, when it's more "Okay, let's show them what we can do and be progressive" — he's more likely 6 out of 10.

So, overall I reckon 13th or 12th again.

We now have a much-improved squad with decent signings at the right age and price and with the possibilities of more to come.

Some criticize the manager's style of play but it's effective in keeping clean sheets, also in creating chances (which by-and-large we managed to miss).

This season, I believe the goals will go in, we will be much more competitive,and hopefully remain solid at the back, despite issues at full-back.

I really do expect a lot more excitement and a better watch. I actually think we will surprise a lot of football fans who wrongly assume that we are in for a relegation scrap again!

Onwards and upwards the Blues!

I haven't seen Ndiaye or Lindstrøm, but wouldn't expect them to put in the defensive work that Harrison does, and this is another reason why I think they will probably be more effective playing inside.

It's funny how the season hasn't started and a few people already have a preconceived idea of how the manager is going to set up his team. He will get things wrong and hopefully then fall on things that might just suit us.

But I'm not gonna get fed up with Dyche whilst there is so much uncertainty in the background. I genuinely don't believe we would still be a Premier League team only for our current manager after witnessing the unadulterated shite he has had to put up with since he joined our club.

Without the points deductions, we finished comfortably midtable last season. Even if they take more off us, which I would question, 10 points is 3 wins and a draw.

I'm quite optimistic as we go into the new season. No mid-table mediocrity for me. We can do better.

If you'd have told a Villa supporter they would be in the Champions League before the start of last season, they would have laughed.

I'm not saying we're going to get there, but we can do better than mid-table.

Now as the new season approaches, I'm mildly optimistic about finishing safely mid-table, which is the best we can hope for under the current regime.

It's a shame the Friedkin bid failed but a similar opportunity might be forthcoming. Who knows, this nightmare might soon be over.

We forget but the pressure on Dyche and the club last season was incredible. We are lucky to have a coach of such mental strength.

I have no expectations re style of football, we just can't afford such luxuries at this point in time. We will be fine, I think; it will be fascinating to see how Ndiaye does.

And let's not forget, we have an outstanding defensive unit if we can keep the old boys fit.

As far as Young's age is concerned you're as old as you feel; he has experience on his side that can't be denied.
Nevertheless, we do need strengthening in the right- and left-back positions, the left more than the right.

I like the look of the young right-back Roman Dixon and hope he gets his chance at Everton not elsewhere.

I think we are a stronger squad this season so we should be looking for at least a similar return that should get us around 12th.

It's not good to be starting with a player of his age anywhere, but he is smarter than the average bear. Unlike Seamus, he is not a heart and soul player. He uses his head and his positioning is usually excellent.

Mason Holgate and Michael Keane are very rich young men; by simply making themselves available next season, they will earn around another £4M each. Unless somebody wants to match that, they will be here all season. We are on the bones of our arse; if they are here, you can bet your life they will be used. We can't afford to keep them and bring in their replacements

I don't worry about the individual ability of our defenders. We defend with discipline, positioning and determination. We also defend as a unit with 9-10 players ready to fall behind the ball and make it very difficult or the opposition by fighting like hell. Only young Jarrad can really play.

Dyche's sides very rarely thrill, but unless something goes radically wrong, they are rarely hammered either. Usually they are too well drilled. People will rage when Keane, Young, Holgate play, but we will still have one of the best defensive records in the league come May.

But I was disappointed Dyche didn't bring him on for Coleman against Roma. We know what Young can do; he would have been an eye-opener, and maybe the answer to a problem position.

Maybe I'm a bucket-half-empty man but it still sounds wildly optimistic to me, even more so if you add in the 'brave' prediction on cup runs. I tried to look at it the other way around, which teams might be in the relegation fight, apart from us (and I believe we will be).

I would have those as Bournemouth, Ipswich, Leicester, Southampton, Forest, Wolves and maybe Brentford. It would be reasonable to hope to finish ahead of at least 3 of those, albeit there don't appear to be the total lame ducks that existed last season that everyone else could rely on.

I do not underestimate the massive instability caused by our ongoing ownership debacle. It's still not apparent to me just how close to the precipice we still are. However dull Dyche's tactics might be — and I think they are seriously dull — I still regard his ability to keep us competing last season as little short of a minor miracle and so I hope he can somehow shut out the noise and repeat the trick.

I can't wait to read his book about that year, when he gets around to it. I have a feeling it will be an eye-opener.

5th Round of the League Cup

Winners FA Cup

The depth of the squad will be our main concern if we don't add some players at full-back and centre-midfield.

Coleman has missed chunks for a few seasons now. In my opinion, he and Young should be back-ups to regular starters, yet one or both were on the pitch for most games last season.

It's a worry a left-back hasn't been signed, but there's still time. Start of the season usually brings a flurry of deals and loans as teams don't want players on their books who are not likely to play.

Calvert-Lewin will either play his socks off to get a move or will be found to be just a hard-working non-prolific target man, if he stays fit.

I believe Beto may improve; with genuine pace supporting him, he could prove to be as prolific as Calvert-Lewin which isn't that high a bar to reach.

Lindstrøm excites me, with the young players added like O'Brien.

A season of quiet progress, improved in front of goal, keeping our defensive record will surely see an improvement in Premier Leauge position... sounds easy doesn't???

I know it's true but my heart breaks every time our destination to "Coventry in waiting" raises its uninspiring kipper.

(Assuming Seamus and Jarrad are not fit, I'd personally go for:

Pickford Garner Tarkowski O'Brien Mykolenko
Iroegbunam Gana Lindstrøm McNeil Ndiaye Calvert-Lewin

Here's hoping — see you in the Harlech!

Coleman was speedy and so was Young when he was a winger. Sadly you don't get quicker when you get into your thirties. Both these players have been consistent over the years but not any more and I hope Dyche just uses them sparingly for the coming season.

I would sooner Garner (when fit) at right-back if needs be unless Paterson raises his game.

We have to end the trophy drought… But not the Mickey Mouse one.

Pickford
Young Tarkowski O'Brien Mykolenko
Gana Iroegbunam
Harrison Doucouré McNeil
Calvert-Lewin

See you in or around the Harlech pre-match!

Agreed. Any other lineup would surprise me.

Mark Murphy - I don't want us to win the League Cup.

Of course a few scenarios could derail our progress. If we're forced to sell DCL at the last minute when a decent bid comes in, I worry we'd find goals tough to come by yet again, though happy to have Beto and Chermiti (and Maupay!) prove me wrong.

A few long-term injuries to either our top players or the ones without solid replacements — Mykolenko, Branthwaite and/or Tarkowski, Gana, Calvert-Lewin — and we could be in trouble for spells.

But Dyche will keep us afloat and moving forward, somehow and some way. If we could generate £6-10M in sales or loans via Maupay and Holgate and/or Keane, and spend that on a versatile full-back via loan or purchase of a young player with legs, I'd feel even better. If Dele were to get fully fit in the next 2 months, even better.

But just give us a few moments that get us off our seats, Messieurs Ndiaye, Lindstrøm and Iroegbunam, bang in 12-14 goals Dom, and have us safe with a couple of months to play, and I'll be overjoyed, whether it's 10th or 16th place.

Why would you not want Everton to win a trophy??

I can't see us winning both.

It will always be known as the Mickey Mouse Cup though.

I think most of us are looking at the season with a mix of excitement, anticipation and nervousness.

I just hope Goodison remains patient when we are under the cosh.

It's a marathon not a sprint but I am really concerned about getting off to a good start and Young versus a very rapid Minteh and no Jarrad in the middle so not much familiarity in the middle either gives me palpitations.

However, I have been very impressed with Iroegbunam and Ndiaye carries more threat upfront than Doucoure who has not played particularly well since being out injured last season.

McNeil also seems to have lost a bit of pace following his injury last season. I also don't think Lindstrøm is up to pace yet so I feel he will go 4-4-2 with Ndiaye and Calvert-Lewin up front and Harrison, McNeil flanking Gana and Iroegbunam.

Anyway, he was kind enough to engage with me for a couple of minutes (I suspect we each had an eye on a fabulous Gorganzola) so I asked him what he'd have hoped to achieve with us had he too been given £half-a-billion to spend on players, as Moshiri has squandered?

He just rolled his eyes, with a smile, and said it'd have been fabulous but what really matters is several seasons to develop a club like ours into consistent trophy contenders.

Then he knee'd me in the bollox to take my place in the queue, and bought the big cheese!

Amazingly, he didn't ask me for my autograph. though.

Young will play right-back. No manager is going to stick an untried U21 player up against Mitoma. Not only could it lose us the game, it could also destroy the lad's confidence.

We will remain a mainly defensive team and I don't see any other way Dyche could go. Our 2 main centre-backs were up there with the best last season as was Pickford.

The new players have potential, but that's all it is. If Ndiaye and Lindstrøm can chip in with 5/6 goals each, I'd be more than happy. I can't see them pulling up trees. Both underwhelmed last season in Italy and France.

Dave @37, your post pretty much nails it.

No chance to see:

Pickford, Young, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Lindstrøm, Gueye, Iroegbunam, McNeil, Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin.

1. Score more goals

2. DCL getting into double figures

3. Beto and Chermiti both getting about 6-8 goals each

4. Ndiaye, Lindstrom, Harrison, Doucs, Gana, Garner, Iron Tim and McNeil getting 15-20 goals between them

5. O'Brien developing into an able Branthwaite replacement

6. Keeping our core players fit for large parts of the season - Pickford, Tarks, Jarred, Gana, Myko, Calvert-Lewin.

7. Patterson to come on as our long term right back solution

8. One of the youngsters - Armstrong and/or Dixon - to burst on to the scene.

9. Tough but entertaining football

My predictions:

- 44 points (13th/14th)

- FA Cup - 4th round

- Carabao Cup - Finals

PS: My last season's prediction (post no. 36 on the '2023-24 Fixtures Announced' thread) was 48 points! Yes, it was a fluke, but I feel that this season's teams are all very, very competitive. I would be more than satisfied with 44 points given that we are still recovering from our off-field issues.

You should have got him to countersign your Kenwright photo, which you no doubt carry in your wallet.

For fuck's sake, give your head a wobble, some of you.

As regards Patterson, someone at the club needs to get a grip of him regarding his decision-making and tackling technique. Flying into tackles after losing the ball has caused some of his more long-term injuries.

Unnecessary in most cases when all he has to do is stand the player up and stop him getting a cross in. I think there is a footballer in there somewhere, but someone needs to have a serious word, soon!

Full backs really worry me.Teams know they can skin us out wide because we play much to narrow,opposition always has an out ball.
Maybe it's just me banging on again.

I saw Moyes yesterday too.

He was running and bumped right into me, literally.

He didn't even stop, just shouted over his shoulder

"Don't go in the fuckin' cheese shop."

He's still got terrible eyesight...

We appear to lack depth in defensive positions and I do expect injuries to throw up problems. Everton need better finishing this season to take the pressure off. Dyche will have his system well instilled in training and attitude.

Good Summary of what is going on, Lyndon. If only your wish for less interesting times was true off the pitch.

On the subject of strikers, he mentioned that Beto now knows the required fitness levels of the Premiership. I assume from that, that he is now more up to speed, born out by the fact he looked dangerous against Roma and knocked two in against Motherwell so that will do him no harm.

We may yet have a potent striker on our hands and I wish him well.

I think Chermiti is going to be something special, as he seems to have the size and quick feet and an eye for goal. He just needs a bit of time… and he has loads of that.

Absolutely brilliant!!!

Is the squad capable of playing fast paced attacking football? No

Are we suited to playing overlapping wingbacks? No

Are we capable of keep ball similar to city? No

Are we well organsied and hard to beat? Yes

Don't expect to much different from last season. Hopefully the 2 new fellas can provide more goals and assists.

If I was 8 now there isn't a Dave Hickson to excite me, or when I was 16 an Alex Young or Roy Vernon to idolise. It's at best pragmatic and at worst very thin indeed.

I'm amazed at the optimism and, not including the probability of further points deductions, I still can't see us not being involved in the relegation battle: 16th or 17th at best.

The cups are so in the hands of the gods that guessing is irrelevant. An away draw against a good team and we're out at the first hurdle.