Cornish Steve

Not when you suggested we should be spending on the first team and not on youth players for the future, no. Otherwise, why would I bother to comment?

You don't like Howard?

Everton 3-2 Watford Cleverley

Off we go! The rules will remain the same as last year, with a couple of clarifications. Each week, you need to predict just two things: the final score and the first Everton goalscorer. Please use the same format each week: Home-team x-x Away-team Goal-scorer For example, you might predict Everton 2-0 Watford Lukaku Here's how points will be awarded: a: 1 point for the correct outcome (win, lose, or draw) b: 1 point for the correct goal difference c: 1 point for the correct number of goals scored by Everton d: 1 point for the correct number of goals scored by the opposition e: 1 point for your prediction being better than the average prediction f: 2 points for predicting the first Everton goal-scorer g: 1 point if your predicted goal-scorer scores other than the first goal h: 3 bonus points if you get everything right Here is the fine print on these rules: You receive 2 points if your goalscorer gets the first goal and 1 point if he gets one of the other goals. You do not get 3 points if he scores both. If Everton fail to score, no one gets any points for predicted goalscorer If you predict correctly 0-0 (no goalscorer), you receive the 3-point bonus You can choose "own goal" as your goalscorer, in which case it doesn't matter who from the opposing team scores that own goal. If you predict no goals for Everton but do predict a goalscorer, you receive no points if he scores. For the technically minded, the definition of "better than the average prediction" is quite simple: (ABS[yourEvertonscore - actualEvertonscore] + ABS[youropponentscore - actualopponentscore]) < (ABS[averageEvertonscore - actualEvertonscore] + ABS[averageopponentscore - actualopponentscore]) To be listed in the points-per-prediction totals, you must have predicted the score in at least one-third of the games. Predictions are for Premier League games only, not for cup competitions. Here are some examples. Let's say it's Everton playing at home to Watford. The final result is 2-0, with Lukaku scoring first and Naismith scoring second. If you predicted 1-0 (Lukaku), you score a+d+f = 4 points (and maybe a point for being better than average) If you predicted 2-1 (Naismith), you score a+c+g = 3 points (and maybe a point for being better than average) If you predicted 3-1 (Barkley), you score a+b = 2 points (and maybe a point for being better than average) If you predicted 2-0 (Naismith), you score a+b+c+d+e+g = 6 points If you predicted 2-0 (Lukaku), you score a+b+c+d+e+f+h = 10 points Note: all predictions must be posted here prior to kickoff: no exceptions. If you want to change your prediction, please do so in a new post; don't edit the first one. The change must be made prior to kickoff. (Last year, I was lenient on this, but not this time around.) If the game time is 3:00pm, you must post your prediction no later than 2:59pm that day. If you change your prediction after kickoff, your prediction that week will be null and void. Hopefully this is a clear description of how the prediction game works, but please feel free to ask any questions. Just to add a little spice: Each calendar month, I shall donate 5 pounds toward the running of this forum on behalf of the monthly winner. At the end of the season, I shall purchase a 20-pound gift card at the Everton store for both the season winner and best points-per-prediction winner.

I didn't say that, and every indication is that there will be. I have no problem at all, though, if we spend more than most other clubs on bringing in some of the world's most talented youngsters. We've been beating out other teams in that area recently, including ManU for this Norwegian guy.

Disagree with you. We need a strategy to move up the table and stay there. Doing the same as every other club won't cut it. The youth we're bringing in right now are a major step up from the youth of even a couple of years ago. What does this mean? Hovering between 7th and 10th for a couple more years and then pushing our way up to the top four. I absolutely believe in this strategy. It will work, but it will require patience. Most clubs don't have that and scream for the manager's head when the here and now isn't spectacular. Can we dare to be different?

I have no idea. No team has yet played a single game. Ask around Christmas time.

Because he's being given the preseason to win back his confidence. If it doesn't happen, he'll be out.

Be patient. This time next year, they'll be running a story about how Everton, reigning champions, "bid 20 for Eden Hazard then 25 and could be forced to pay 30." How could Chelsea be so shortsighted as to stop Hazard from playing for a top team?

The BBC report suggest he made a great through pass for their second goal.

My comment was aimed at the suggestion that "Garbutt went on loan because he knows the state of play at our club." He went on loan because he needs the experience of playing week after week.

Utter crap.

I actually think this lad will come good.

Does anyone know anything about this guy from River Plate and how much would be the fee? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3179997/Chelsea-John-Stones-30m-bid-Manchester-clubs-monitor-Everton-defender-s-situation.html

Romey, let me help you out with this handy template. Just cross out the entries that don't apply, Another [exciting/dull/boring/brilliant] game. Such a pity that Howard had a howler and let in those [one/two/three/four/ten] late equalizers. Ratings for this game. Howard. Couple of awesome saves. Pity about the [howlers/penalties/beard]. Coleman. Great runs up the wing and enjoyed the [goal/foul on Henderson/miskick]. Sucks in defence sometimes. Jags. Great captain but too [quiet/slow/boss] at times. Wonderful half-volley to [score/crack the crossbar/knock out the ref]. Stones. Great in the air. Great on the ground. Don't believe the rumours that he's going to [Chelsea/United/City/Arsenal/Bayern/Harrogate for his hols.] Baines. Superb sense of space. Great defensive plays. Waste of [one/two/three/four/twenty] corners. McCarthy. The man is an engine. 90% pass completion to [Howard/Jags/Stones]. Has struck a real partnership with [Cleverly/Cleverley/TC]. Barry. Looked for him everywhere on the pitch. Only knew he was playing because he [came out the tunnel/got a red/held hands with Bobby] Clev. The surprise player of the season. Two great passes for the season. Only player to have [scored from 50 yards/missed an open goal/have two three Es in his name]. Kev. Doesn't seem interested, but what a [goal/hairstyle/salary]. Gerry. What trickery but too selfish and no [final product/new haircut/hamstring left] Rom. Great goals again today. The man is a beast. Can't [say enough about him/see him staying/control the ball]. Ross: Came on after [85/86/87/88/89/90] minutes. Wonderful shot with his [right/left] foot. Gibson: Nice to see him play this season. Left after [1/2/3] minutes with a torn [hamstring/bicep/shirt]. Will be out for [1/2/3] [weeks/months/seasons]

How was Oviedo? Did he look to be back to fitness?

It's mercey, else you get disciplined.

He really is not a bad player. The issue, in my opinion, is that his confidence is shot after suffering such a bad injury. Will he ever get that confidence back? I have no idea.

It drives me up the wall, too. Those are the kids who go to school with the flu or a raging cold and infect everyone else. Children should not be penalized for staying home when sick. In fact, they should be rewarded.

Goes without saying: a Cornish pasty.

You watch us win it now!

How many times does it need to be said? Don't believe a word that's said during the transfer window. It's all about positioning and negotiating. I despair sometimes!

That's what the bookmakers were saying against Jamaica.

One of my sons attended the USA-Jamaica match in Atlanta. He told me the US were outplayed and deserved to lose. The Panama-Mexico game was very violent. Players were punching each other, even though only one (from Panama) was sent off. He couldn't leave the field because of Mexican fans throwing crap and other things at him, so the Mexican goalie walked over to accompany him off the field. Apparently, the Mexican fans throughout were a total disgrace. The ref appeared to lose it because, in reality, several players should have been red-carded.

What's that exploding sound? Ah, it's Haf blowing a gasket.