Cornish Steve

What is it with England? One day, they easily win. The next, they are totally slaughtered. New Zealand crushed them in every way: batting, bowling, run rate.

It does reveal just how dysfunctional is the Saudi league.

Well-worded is unusual for the Grauniad.

Samuel Eto’o appears to be in trouble. Perhaps the most toxic individual ever to play for Everton.

Yes! But the VAR situation is farcical. As always, I’d like to know how much the gambling companies made from a Spurs win versus a draw or loss. I’d also like to know whether there would be such a fuss if we were the victims.

It’s going to take time for the new team to gel. Plus, Luton rested their players midweek while we decided to play most of them just three days ago. There’s a price to pay for that, unfortunately. Onward and upward.

Oops. Sorry.

Don’t worry. One error that leads to a goal and there will be calls for Branthwaite to be loaned to Ipswich. The truth is that we have several young players who can help build the core of our future team, and I hope we add to the list in the coming windows.

Literally huge. Branthwaite is tallest followed by Onana.

Combined for the goal.

Just had fish and chips for dinner.

The FA Cup is different because it’s prestigious still. We really don’t want to choke up our schedule with a run in this meaningless cup, though, especially with a squad with limited depth. I know I irritate several by saying this every year, so I shall keep quiet on the matter now. If we win tonight, well done to the team. If we lose, we can focus so that’s good too. Just hope and pray for no injuries to key players. (On a train about to cross the Brunel bridge from England to Cornwall. Am in the UK for a family reunion with cousins.)

Luton and Wolves played their B teams. They know the importance of winning in the league. If we have any sense, we’ll do the same.

It pained me when he made a brilliant run and delivered a superb pass to Almiron in the game I watched them play against Chelsea here in Atlanta.

There was a new gaffer at 'Ness Who wanted his players to press. When they all objected, His orders rejected, He left them, another fine mess.

Bill actually started the game. I simply took it over at one point.

Simply restart the 20-game counter. That would be in everyone's interest.

And effective captain.

Everton 5-1 Luton Beto (And here's hoping Tom Lockyer scores for Luton.)

Well done to Btay for predicting the correct score (despite mis-spelling DC-L!).

I watched the final 30 minutes of that game, and Tom Davies was simply terrible. I was reminded of my kids playing in the U-10s, what we'd call "magnetic ball", where players drift around in the vague vicinity of the ball. Davies was almost always in view of the camera but usually about ten yards from the ball and nowhere near anyone else. He'd raise his hand calling for the ball, even when in a poor position, and his teammates rarely passed to him. He simply watched as Newcastle scored their sixth goal , doing absolutely nothing as Almiron raced right past him. And, as you point out, his tame header was nothing more than an assist to the opposition for the final goal. OK, he did make a couple of good passes late in the game but was too often in poor positions. I felt rather sorry for him but so relieved he's no longer at Everton.

Go watch the replay. Jensen was unmarked on the right because McNeil trotted back. He had time to cover but didn’t. Absolutely he was culpable.

The biggest culprit for their goal, IMO, was McNeil. Maybe he was pacing himself since still not 100 percent fit, but he should not have just ambled back.

Just watched the game again, this time analysing as much as enjoying. First off, let's admit that the transfer window was very good for us. I know plenty of commentators were critical, especially when Iwobi left, but we cut the wage bill substantially, moved out a good amount of deadwood, and brought in just the players we needed. Young adds to the experience in defence; Beto gives us a point man up front; Danjuma does his job well; and we have Chermiti in reserve and Harrison to add more depth. Good job to the recruitment team. It's making a difference on the field. Second, we have very good balance on the team, with useful versatility as well. Young can play just about anywhere. Garner can play centrally or out wide. We have more options, despite arguably less depth. Third, and this may sound controversial, we now have just the talent we need to move up the table. What's needed is for those returning from injury to reach full fitness and for the team as a whole to gel. The more they play together, the more the incisive passes will work. We just need a little luck and an absence of untimely injuries. Fourth, I'm quite impressed with Tarkowski as team captain. You can see how he guides the younger players in defence, how he's always in front of the ref, and even how he runs over to injured players from the opposing team. He's a strong and vocal captain, and a fair one. Scoring one, assisting one, and saving one, he was my MotM. Finally, as the team play together more and more, not only will things begin to click, but confidence will also kick in. Take just one silly example. Do you recall Dom's run down the left touchline when he juggled rather than dribbled the ball? He was confident. He was enjoying himself. The belief was there. Multiply that by 11 and this team really could finish in the top half of the table. We didn't deserve to lose against Fulham or Wolves. We were the better team in both cases, but we had no-one who could score goals. Now we have two big, strong centre forwards, and we've got the youthful promise of another. Now, when we're the better team, we're going to win. And wasn't it nice to see that shot of Maupay sitting with Tomey? That era for us is over!

Beto makes such a difference. It's going to take him several weeks to really get used to this league and team, but, once up to speed, he's going to add a new dimension to the team. Can't wait for him and Dom to be on the field together.