Elston Gunnn

I am intrigued by several of RM's comments in this short piece, assuming he's being quoted accurately. http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2014/09/october-return-for-injured-duo/ 1. The news is, at first glance, that Kone and Oviedo will not play in any of the September fixtures, but will be ready "when September ends." That might simply be interpreted as Krasnodar (10/2) or ManU (10/5). 2. But Martinez is more precisely quoted as referring to "a big block of games, seven games in three weeks," which clearly refers to WBrom (9/13) through ManU (10/5). So I continue to think of the League Cup tie at Swansea as the least important -- as a purely practical matter -- of a very demanding 7-in-3-weeks. I understand Newty82's dissent from my view, and so will be interested to see how Martinez juggles the lineup over 7-in-3. I tend to think of this as, "Which 14 lads will play in this match?" And I speculate that against Swansea, Martinez will field a slightly less experienced team. 3. Back to Kone and Oviedo, and to this from RM: "We would feel confident if we can replicate the work we are doing in the next international break, and then wed be confident they will be available for the next block of games." I interpret this to mean that he's planning for Kone and Oviedo to return -- to "availability" -- beginning with the Aston Villa match on 10/18, i.e., after "the next international break." 4. So, to state the obvious, if Lukaku misses much more than the WBrom match, some combo of the following must surely happen: Eto'o will be exhausted, Mirallas will play striker in many matches, and/or Naismith will have to play up front, as opposed to his ideal role as AM. 5. Martinez is looking not merely at September fixtures, 5-in-2. He's looking at 7-in-3, the fixtures between this and the next international break. Lukaku's setback, Kone's tantalizing not-quite-readiness, Oviedo's will-he-even-be-"available"-in-October, and Barkley's no-news-isn't-good-news combine to portend, well, portentousness, or something. 6. But on the "Predict our result" thread, I'll probably predict 3 points every time. Maybe a draw v. Swansea. Just so we can play an extra match at Goodison, When more of our lads are available.

As I am so new to this board, I'm hesitant to begin a new thread. Still, given the disappointing start to the season -- acknowledging, too, the exciting football when on the attack -- it's hard not to start looking forward to better results next month. Our August results have put us in a hole; there is surely general agreement that we "gave away" 4 points. So, September. Not merely WBrom, about which a thread will begin at later date. "One game at a time" is sound advice, but the bigger picture also beckons. For me, of the 5 fixtures upcoming, the least important is Swansea in the League Cup. Before that tie, we have an international break, then 3 winnable games. And we badly need to win them, for obvious reasons: 9/13 @ WBrom, 9/18 Wolfsburg, 9/21 CP. The international break should provide needed time to improve the defense. Unfortunately, pride in having 3 of ours on England/international duty -- plus others for other countries -- is undercut somewhat by our feeling that we need Stones, Jags, and Baines, and all the others, to practice for Everton! Even so, we should and must defeat WBrom. A draw won't suffice. A win, plus sufficient time to recover physically before the much-anticipated opening of our Europa League campaign, might plausibly provide psychological/emotional uplift in front of the Wolfsburg tie, another must-win. As is the Goodison fixture 3 days later v. CP. Mediocre play -- especially on defense -- in any of those 3 ties will be discouraging, dismaying, even. We will expect to see Stones, Besic, Gibson, Atsu, not to mention Eto'o, possibly Pienaar (Kone? a September 1 loan?). It will be interesting to see the lineup for each of these 3 matches: WBrom, because of the poor start; Wolfsburg, because it's Europe; CP because it's a quick turn-around, but one that we should be able to handle, given that it's Goodison after Goodison. Do we or do we not have pretty good squad depth? These 3-in-8-days won't provide a definitive "yes," but they might suggest an ominous "no." We need 3 wins. Actually prefer 3 impressive wins. Am I off-base in thinking the Swansea match is far less important than the 3 that precede it? Right now, it looks the least winnable. Only 2 days after CP? And much less important than the derby 5 days later. Really interesting to compare lineups in the 3-in-6-days (Wolfsburg, CP, Swansea). Again, a real test for squad depth, managing injuries, integrating new lads. A win at Swansea would perhaps provide nice momentum going into the derby, but the other 3 matches are bigger. I'll gladly hope Ossie, Alcaraz, and Hibbert lead us to a 3-0 smashing of Swansea, but I'll be investing much more energy in the other 4 September fixtures. Indeed, if we are "desperate" to defeat Swansea in the League Cup, then things will have gone desperately pear-shaped by September 23.

Everton 3-2 Chelsea Mirallas

Spurs have easier group than Everton, but much tougher travel. Their exhaustion factor looks high. Match locales are crucial for Nov. 27 ties. I'll hope their Nov. 27 tie is away, and ours is at Goodison, as we play Spurs Nov. 30 in London. Definitely bad schedule if we are away at Krasnodar Nov. 27.

Everton 2-1 Arsenal Lukaku

Worth a read: http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2014/08/getting-used-to-the-new-everton/ I suspect "Martin Liptrot" is some anagram nom de plume for one of you lot.

Ok. Hard cheese, Bob's your uncle, give us a biscuit. More to the point, transfer-window-wise, I expect to feel gutted, chuffed, arsed, and made up. Over the next 48 hours, and probably the next fortnight.

Besiktas have missed 2 very promising opportunities. Ba missed wide from what should have been an easy goal. Another Besiktas player curled a good chance just wide. Arteta replaced in second half, limped off injured. Ramsey just got second yellow, gone with 10 minutes left.

Just want to check something in this rumour-piece. http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2014/08/rumour-blues-to-sign-song-on-loan/ Specifically, this sentence, the likes of which I read pretty regularly, re numerous teams and players:"Toffees boss Roberto Martinez could be set to make a move to add Song to his squad." The trifecta of "could be," "set to," and "make a move" bespeaks a rumour of a rumour. There's probably an American version -- a rumor of a rumor -- of such obfuscation masquerading as information, but English football writers provide a lofty standard. Any guesstimation as to what percentage of the time managers who "could be set to make a move" actually sign the lad? I'm asking.

Maybe it's a marginal advantage for Everton that Arsenal have to travel to Istanbul for a CL playoff-round match tonight?

Leicester 0-2 Everton Jagielka

If this word -- a perfect description of our preseason -- is a witting invention, it's way beyond witty. If unwitting, it's still brilliant, worthy of inclusion in all future dictionaries of footy-slang. Sobbing at really, even surreally, awful play is something with which all fans can identify.

Can't find this posted, so hope I'm not repeating. Here's a blogger who recommends confidence in Martinez as a manager who "is not one for dithering," who "has his cash ready and waiting," and who "acts quickly and with quality." http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2014/07/robertos-train-wont-call-at-the-panic-station/ Should you feel so frustrated as to contemplate shooting a messenger, please aim at the blogger rather than at me, as I am innocent, and an innocent. Like most Americans ........

Anybody seen this? Worth a read. Not sure whether "positional determinism" is quite right, but at least it's intriguing, as is "endearing vanity." http://www.therussianlinesman.com/blog/besic-mccarthy-endearing-vanity-martinezs-central-midfield-fixation/

I suspect that this is the gentlest of jibes at me, for my, um, lengthy disquisitions in posts above. If so, I accept the good humor at my expense, as (1) it's humorous, and (2) I deserve it. So I'm laughing with you and at me. Still, I got a lot more to say about our lads. But I will refrain just now, expecting some constructive criticism of my analysis. Maybe after the Tranmere match.......

There's a big omission in my post #6 above. I neglected to mention an emerging Everton star, attacking midfielder Ross Barkley. He runs at people fiercely, with good dribbling skills, power, and great balance. Sometimes tries to do too much, loses possession, but he strikes fear into opposing center-halves, as he's got a rocket shot from distance. Backed up by veteran Everton loyalist, Leon Osman, clever passer, best years just behind him, still will play some at several midfield positions. I also didn't comment on your question re season expectations. Pretty sure there's a separate thread on that very subject. Right now it's a dicey question, as Everton have yet to secure the several new, and absolutely needed, players that Roberto seeks. Absent any additional signings -- somewhere between a disappointment and a catastrophe -- the consensus here might be 8th or 9th in the table. But most expect another couple of signings; depending on said signings and their quality, the predictions here would range from 4th (and UEFA Champions League in Fall 2015) to 7th (behind Man City, Chelsea, Arsenal, Man U, Liverpool, and Tottenham). Great hopes for this Fall (2014) and the UEFA Europa League, where Everton are automatically in the Group Stage, beginning play in September. But absent additional signings, the fear is squad exhaustion, as Europa League play is always on Thursday nights, and long trips especially to eastern Europe make for a difficult match back in England on Sunday. We really want to nick into the top 4 in the table this season, where some big money awaits in the Champions League in Fall 2015 (and we hope into Spring 2016). As very much a financial have-not, Everton are right now -- this season -- just on the cusp of bigger things. But several things -- signings of proven or promising players, continuing squad unity and special spirit, and especially a relatively injury-free season -- must break good, not bad. We're excited, and nervous.

Apackard1 -- I'm American, too, following Everton for nearly 20 years, but because so little access to the EPL on US tv, have only begun to see lots of Everton games in last year or so. If you have NBC Sports Network, they carry all EPL games -- either on regular broadcast, or on Live Extra. You should be able to see plenty of Everton games! As to your important question re players, coaches, expectations, I'll chime in here, after acknowledging that I know relatively little, compared with the many longstanding Everton fans on this board. They'll feel free to correct my faulty impressions. Anyhow, I won't begin every sentence with, IMO. Rather, everything that follows is IMO. Everton are blessed with one of the most highly respected managers in all of football, Roberto Martinez. You will surely have heard his expert commentary for ESPN from Brazil. He's brilliant, researches players in many leagues, can explain systems, formations, intricacies far better than most. Highly respected as an analyst, thinker, manager. A sweet person, as well, treats people and players with great respect. Always optimistic -- irritatingly so, occasionally -- but that's who he is. Well connected across several leagues, perhaps especially La Liga, and more especially, at least recently, to FC Barcelona. Roberto is himself Catalan. Players, where to begin? You know Tim Howard well; he's presumably here as starter for another 2-4 years. Back line very solid, with near-world-class LB, Leighton Baines [superb at set pieces, great delivery for headers or into the top corner of the net on his own from the right distance], near-world-class RB, Seamus Coleman, solid center-halves, Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin. Many think young John Stones will replace Jagielka soon as starter. Backup to Baines at LB may be a contest between two young players, Luke Garbutt, and Costa Rican Bryan Oviedo, the latter of whom may see time on the pitch at LM, too. The holding midfielders are solid, with smart veteran Gareth Barry and rising star, runs everywhere James McCarthy, backed by Darron Gibson, excellent passer. Everton hope to sign young Bosnian mid, Muhamed Besic, soon. Wing mids look solid to me, perhaps a bit less so to others. LM is Steven Pienaar, veteran, clever. Question is his stamina, and injuries. RM is Kevin Mirallas, whom you will have seen playing for Belgium v. US. Fast, good dribbler, may play striker on occasion. Everton need goals from him! Backup, right now, for both wing mids is Aiden McGeady. Tricky dribbler, very promising, will play lots this season. Lots. Problem area is forwards. Everton trying to sign Romalu Lukaku, another young Belgian you will have seen, who played for Everton last season on loan from Chelsea. Need to sign him, as Everton's only two strikers right now are Arouna Kone, injured all last season, and Steven Naismith, good, clever, but not dominant, will not score loads of goals. Everton, the club, are different from many in EPL, which differences I will let others here explain, because they understand the club's history so much better than I. But it is different, and better, and more interesting.

I realize this link -- http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/chelseas-romelu-lukaku-transfer-hold-3885510 -- doesn't provide any dramatically new info, but the way Lukaku's situation is described here leads me to think, semi-conspiratorially, as follows. Mourinho holds all the cards. Say, just for argument, he really is reconsidering the long-shot possibility of keeping Lukaku. Fair enough, so he looks at him for the next, um, 6 weeks, even giving him a look when Chelsea play Burnley, Leicester, maybe Everton on Aug. 30. Maybe it's our unfortunate fate that we drew our first match with Chelsea just before the window closes. Having given Lukaku a look, Mourinho belatedly decides to sell. To Everton. After 8 p.m. On August 30.

I'm pretty optimistic, realistically so, I think; but then I haven't suffered with Everton for as long or as intensely as have many of you. I don't frequent sports pubs much, so I'm not dealing with Liverpool jerks, ever. I guess I can "afford" to be optimistic, as I'm pretty isolated. Having said that, I look at our squad, and see a good amount of talent, and emerging depth. Happy to be corrected on any of this. Obviously we need 2 more strikers, one or both of which who look better than Kone and Naismith. With our squad right now, not enough goals. But at almost every other position, surely there are reasons for some confidence. In a 4-2-3-1, depth looks something like this: LB - Baines, Garbutt, Oviedo (later) LCH - Distin, Alcaraz RCH - Jagielka, Stones RB - Coleman, Hibbert DM - Barry, Besic DM - McCarthy, Gibson LM - Pienaar, McGeady, Oviedo (later) AM - Barkley, Osman RM - Mirallas, McGeady S - Kone, Naismith If RM isn't a brilliant manager, he's close enough: creative, daring, confidence-inspiring. Back line and defensive mid a sure strength. (Yes?). Pace and cleverness on wings. Barkley maybe breaks out this season? Why not Mirallas and McGeady, maybe? Two more strikers, maybe another winger? Absent 3 semi-dependable goal scorers or one who's brilliant, yes, real problem. Buy toward solving that problem, avoid multiple injuries, and Everton look top 5 and legitimate Europa League threat. Repeat: willing to be educated where my speculation is naive.

At end of ESPN's nightly "World Cup Tonight" recap, the panel were asked, half jokingly, "What will you do on your off-day tomorrow?" Roberto's answer: "Sign some players." Perhaps just a throwaway line, but not necessarily, as RM is always on top of things, thinking, working. He's very high on Colombia/Fiorentina's Juan Guillermo Cuadrado, attacking midfielder, usually from right wing. RM's been easily the most perceptive analyst among the ESPN studio crew. He seems to know more about every team and most every player than anyone, at least among the several pretty interesting ex-players ESPN is using in studio. He's much more interesting as an analyst than when he's giving standard commentary re Everton, as his Everton remarks are -- if understandably -- so unfailingly upbeat, and, generally, vague. But his WC analysis is way more perceptive, often detailed, "inside football" stuff re tactics, formations. Among Americans who understand the game and have some knowledge of the world's teams and players, RM is going to receive very high marks. Everton have an absolute gem. When he first came to my attention, as an analyst in the 2010 WC, I was so impressed. He's even much better than I could have imagined.

Aug 29. See post #55, this thread, for a few more details.

Wonder whether Denis Stracqualursi has improved, a lot. He seems to score some goals in Ecuador. Possibly not up to the competition in EPL ........ Still, I enjoyed his effort back in 2011-12.

Just tagging on to what Steve_E says here. If Arsenal win FA Cup ---- Everton go directly to Group Stage, draw on Aug 29, play begins Sept 18 Spurs go into Play-off Round, draw on Aug 8, 2-legged tie Aug 21 & 28 Hull City go into Third Qualifying Round, draw on July 18, 2-legged tie July 31 & Aug 7; if win, go on to Play-off Round If Hull City win FA Cup ---- Hull go directly to Group Stage Everton go into Play-off Round Spurs into Third Qualifying Round Go Gunners.

My concern about failing to make Europa League is that the only way that can happen is for Everton to lose its final two, while Spurs and ManU nip into 5-6 by winning out. And that would mean that, after looking a solid chance for the CL on April 15, the Toffees would have collapsed, losing 4 of final 5, including 2 at Goodison. Now there's obviously a lively debate about the merits of being in the EL, and I'd guess this debate could simultaneously be going on among Spurs and ManU fans. But for Everton, how much, if any, psychological (?) damage will be done by a collapse from legitimate hopes of 4th to finishing 7th? I'm so far away (US) that I've no "feel" whatsoever for how discouraging it might be to miss out on Europe totally. So I'm asking.

Thanks for the welcome. I'm sort of a hermit, live in an isolated mountain cabin (but with a satellite dish!!), so really have little contact with anyone to talk football, much less Everton. I'm now a full-on Toffee fanatic, but it came about totally by serendipity. Back in 1990s, I taught several English footballers in a US university. One was a Wigan lad and lifelong Toffee fanatic. As I gradually discovered the beautiful game, and came to see it as the world's passion, I had TV access to CL games and a few EPL games, and caught a (very, very) few Everton games. Came to appreciate that the club and its supporters might be a little different, and admirable. Just lucked into supporting a wonderful, interesting club. Liked Moyes, still do, but when he hedged on renewing his contract a year ago, I began to think about who I'd like to see as a future replacement. And I had been very impressed with Martinez - his spirit as well as his analysis - during his commentary for ESPN during 2010 WC. So I was thrilled with his appointment, and obviously with the miracle additions on the last day of the transfer window. Though I don't subscribe to Andy Gray's most, uh, infamous views, I was charmed by his comment that "footballers are dead stupid." Where football is concerned, we're all dead stupid. I'm also a "Fawlty Towers" nutter. Hope that's acceptable.