Elston Gunnn

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.

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.

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.

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.

Pass me the Holy Handgrenade.
 
Thou shalt count to 3. And the number you count wilt be 3. Not 4 and neither will it be 2. 5 is right out.

What if we get him in a dress and slap on some rouge?

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.

Just in case anyone was wondering who Everton should support in the Europa fixtures this afternoon, I put together a little information on the games and what it means for our upcoming group draw.
 
Check it out at: http://planetgoodison.com/2014/08/europa-league-watch/
 
Basically we need some favorites to get beaten by underdogs to have the chance at Pot 2; a scenario which would give us a much easier group.
 
(Sorry if this looks like shameless self promotion for my blog, it kind of is, but this is more about the Europa League than anything else).

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.

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.

Hopefully this is official soon. I still fear Chelsea might prefer him to go to one of the other English teams interested in him, some place where they have less (or simply lesser) established wingers as he might get more opportunities to showcase his abilities there which would inflate his price more come next summer. Don't think Chelsea will allow an option to buy, but obviously that won't mean we can't buy him anyway if he impresses. I don't think he's ever going to feature for Chelsea, but just having him perform for a Premier League team means they'll be able to squeeze more money out of suitors next summer. By all accounts, Atsu himself really wants to join us rather than those other teams which I like obviously and it probably is a good sign in case we want to sign him permanently next summer.
 
Nice mix in styles in our wide men if this would happen. Pienaar is more of a playmaker on the left wing. Mirallas is more of a direct player on the left wing, more of a goal scoring inverted winger, who I think has been limited a bit by playing on the right which forces him into the role of a crosser more. McGeady is a direct player, but of the traditional kind that gets chalk on his boots and beats his full back to whip the ball into the box. Atsu is the first left-footed player and likes to play in that inside right area, similar to Pienaar but on the other side of the pitch. Mirallas, McGeady and Atsu can play on the other wing as well.
 
Now on to a centre forward!

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/

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.