Elston Gunnn

I got Peacock fairly early. Don’t enjoy matches on smaller-screen Peacock as much as on NBCSN, but not a big issue, I agree. However, after this season, Peacock may be — I’d guess probably will be — useless for EPL/Everton, as NBC may well be outbid for new EPL contract. In fact, why would the EPL want to continue to work with a corporation that has done this? As noted in the article I linked, the decision to shut down NBCSN seems bizarre, as it had risen to the #2-rated sports network in the US. Surely its coverage of the EPL was a major factor in its wild popularity. Seems “bonkers,” truly.

This news and thread will interest only fans of Everton and EPL living in US. If it’s being discussed elsewhere on TT, my quick perusal of threads missed it. For me, this is big, very disappointing news. Maybe it’ll turn out well, but in the short run, it’s not good. https://the18.com/soccer-entertainment/us-premier-league-coverage-nbcsn-shuttering I’ve been able to follow Everton consistently beginning around 2013, when NBCSN got the EPL rights in US. Switching lots of matches to Peacock has been disappointing, but overall NBCSN’s coverage of the EPL has been excellent. That NBCSN is being shut down (mid-season in EPL), as one person quoted in the story says, “is absolutely bonkers.”

Usually the EUROs are played in a single country, or 2 adjacent countries — e.g., Austria-Switzerland in ‘08, Poland-Ukraine in ‘12. France hosted in ‘16, lost to Portugal in final that year. Germany will host in ‘24, and as host is automatically qualified, and so will have a “home advantage” in all its matches. Romania, Greece, Bulgaria, and Serbia intend to submit a joint bid to co-host in ‘28. Denmark, Finland, Norway, and Sweden may do the same. The 2020 (‘21) version was a kind of experiment/celebration, but spreading the matches all over Europe, from Glasgow to Baku, meant lots of travel for some teams, little for others. Five teams did, yes, have home-field advantage in group stage; 3 won their group, 2 didn’t. After the group stage, only England had home-field advantage in any match, in Round of 16 by luck of the draw and its group-finish, and in the semis and final because of Wembley as pre-selected site of last 3 matches. So England did, in the event, have lots of home field advantage. As will Germany in ‘24, for a different, more Euro-traditional reason.

Everton were close to the, if not the, most embarrassing EPL story at the end of each of the last 2 seasons. Too many stunningly lethargic performances in key matches, then Ancelotti shock betrayal/departure. If it’s Benitez — especially if it’s Benitez — we likely approach this upcoming season widely mocked as the most laughable, self-deceived big-club-gang-that-couldn’t-shoot-straight. I’ll hope for multiple miracles: 3-4 excellent signings, Benitez a wonder-strategist and motivator, few health issues for key players.

As an over-the-ponder, I agree heartily. In discussions with American mates who find association football not “real football,” my response is to remind them that in “real football,” all 22 players actually use their feet to kick the ball — foot, meet ball — multiple times in every match. I was a passionate fan of American “football” for many years, until I discovered the beautiful game.

I hesitate to enter the Sigurdsson discussion, but I do want to partially disagree here. For free kicks, Digne is not in every case the best choice. Sometimes, maybe roughly half the time, the angle necessitates a right-footer. Sigurdsson or someone else.

Brutally tough top half of the bracket. I think I recall something similar at Euro 2016.

I’m more furious at many of the players than at Ancelotti, though I’m angry enough with him, too. Second year in a row we’re pretty close to the most embarrassing story in the EPL.

He had some blunt, if carefully stated and subdued, comments about player attitude and energy after a couple of late-season matches. The combination of Real opening and his sure understanding that Everton’s European project would take at least 2 more years pulled and pushed him out.

I’m envious of the brilliant long pass Mount slotted through to Havertz.

Not too many weeks back, we were hallucinating about 4th, thinking long shot for 5th, still doable for 6th, good chance for 7th. Wind up 10th. As at finish of last season, we’re maybe EPL’s most embarrassing story. Relegation teams get some pity, they tried, just didn’t have it. We get, and deserve, awkward glances, barely masking scorn.

Happy to have the parting gift of a laugh. Otherwise, it’s grim business.

Remembering an announcer’s comment during the Wolves match that Keane had put in a call to Southgate about why he was left off the national team last time. Given his incredible stupidity in trying to dribble through 4 — 4 — City players within a few feet of him, maybe Southgate will respond with a video of this moment.

WHam likely to win at least 1 of its final 2, and they have big GD if we both end on 62. But our better chance — decent, not horrible, not great — is simply to take more points than Spurs on Sunday: win @ City with Spurs’ draw at Leicester, or draw @ City while Spurs lose.

The common, harsh, perhaps simplistic Americanism would be that our players choked, repeatedly, when faced with obvious opportunities to move up the table. I suppose the Britishism would be that they bottled it.

If the players don’t turn up from the opening whistle, I’d expect some audible grumbles from the stands. And if that doesn’t push the players to more energetic play, I’d expect boos. Season could end on a slight uptick or bad vibes.

Ancelotti’s verdict — a combination of blunt honesty and lost-in-translation. https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2146106/ancelotti-delivers-strong-verdict-on-evertons-bad-blades-display “We played really badly.... It was our worst performance of the season.” But what to make of this comment? “We are more comfortable when we play direct, but that is not the best style of play.” Huh? And then, more on style of play: “For next season, we are going to change.” Change style of play with these players? I think he was being honest, if still somewhat vague. But I don’t really know what he means. Except for the points about “really badly” and “worst.”

I do wonder whether the fans will boo the team during warm-ups on Wed. Or after 10 minutes, if things look lethargic yet again.

I’m trying to think of the concrete ways we lack quality. No pace. No short-spurt quickness. Few players who play relentlessly. Terribly inconsistent passing forward, thus giveaways repeatedly. Not a single player who combines pace with excellent dribbling and so can “get at” the opponent and glide past them with the ball. Not one. Thus, we have become, totally, a counter-attacking team who do not want lots of possession. More and more it’s hoof it upfield and hope DCL can control it or spring loose Richarlison. Our 3 playmakers have definite skills, but are so limited. James is crafty and a delicate passer, can score a rocket, but is fragile, uninterested in defending, looks dispirited and dispiriting. Sigurdsson is excellent at free kicks, will offer a wonderful pass occasionally, but looks emotionless. Gomes can pick a pass, control the ball at his feet, but has no shot, and is so slow that he’s a defensive liability. Holgate has gone from a player with real promise to one that most fans will be happy to see depart. More than any single player, his look epitomizes the lethargy that plagues this team.

All I want to hear is, “We apologize. We embarrassed the club.”

We lack pace, but short-spurt quickness, too. A collection of not-alert players. Constantly beaten to the ball this season, and today.

Not that we were likely to pass Liverpool anyway, but they scored on a header off a corner at the end of stoppage time — by their GK, no less — to take 3 points rather than 1. Keeps them well in the running for CL instead of EL, and saves their season.

Maybe 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-1-2. Get the ball to James, over and over. Surprised to see Coleman starting, and he’ll have to run a lot. Doubt Coleman and James can play more than 70 minutes.

Yes, you’re right. I originally posted prior to end of Palace-Villa match. I went back a few minutes later once I saw that result. See “Ah” comment. I can count, truly I can. Sort of like Terry said to Basil: “I can cook a paella, Mr. Fawlty.”

Spurs 2-0.