Btay

There will be games that we have a lion share of the possession. In those games the likes of Gomes/James are invaluable. 35% possession and on the counter, not so much.

I think we all expected a big name to come in along with Gray and Townsend but in all honesty, they are probably out performing any big money signing we could have made right now

Not to moneyball you all here but… Statistically over his career he is averaging (roughly) a goal involvement every 232 minutes. With us, albeit a small sample size he is at 89 mins per goal involvement. Newcastle under Rafa he was 181.5 minutes. Its not unrealistic to think he could easily chip in 10-15 goals or assists this season with those numbers.

I think with the cup game so soon after this we will Gbamin, Davies, Godfrey and Rondon in that one.

Should be a good game this. They have some decent players in their squad and whilst things haven’t quite clicked for them I expect them to be challenging us for European places. Assume DCL is out & Rondon isn’t ready for 90. 4-3-3 Pickford Coleman Mina Keane Digne Doucoure Allan Gomes Townsend Richarlison Gray

I am so baffled by this. Over the 4/5 years we haven’t had a striker to come on and look after the ball and get us playing up the pitch - we have that now. Simms can probably run the channels better but Richarlison can do that and DCL does it great.

Shame he didn’t score but he moved the ball nicely and got us going. Completed just over 91% of his passes. Hopefully he is getting back to his best.

Fat Sam had no risk in joining us. We gave him £50 million pounds and he got us Tosun and Walcott. If we got relegated with him he would have held his hands up and said there was nothing he could do. We played Man city and had less possession than Fernandinho…. Rafa took this job and his reputation is on the line massively with what he knew would be a hostile fan base. We’ve given him £1.7 million and he is making it work seemingly better than all the managers we backed before him. This whole defensive Rafa stereotype needs to go as well. We’re organised and effective.

I’m the same mate, after a win I’ll watch the extended highlights while I’m at the gym ( always need a distraction for cardio ) over and over

Yeah honestly I’d love to live a day inside his head and see how he sees the world. The man is something else that’s for sure

Mina won more aerial challenges over the weekend than any other defender in the premier league.

I’ve had a lot to say about James and how I feel in certain situations he will be an asset. However in no way should we ever be considered weaker for not having Gylfi and James out there together. Genuinely believe a majority of our issues last year was down to that combination on the pitch together.

Keane would have kept them all on. He drops to the same line as Keane as the ball is played in. All 3 of our defenders are naive in that moment. Godfrey - initially wins the header which is good but rushes out when Digne was going to the ball. Keane - too deep, looks over his shoulder and sees 4 burnley players and just Mina, doesn’t react to get into any sort of position at all. Mina - Drops a yard deeper to get in line with Keane, doesn’t get his head to it and tries to buy a foul but just looks awkward.

He needed to do more but in all fairness he was the only 1 of 3 centre backs who took up a remotely useful position defending.

He said after the game if he fails here it won’t be on effort but quality. Well he has shown he has the quality in his locker, I just hope he can keep the consistency for the season.

Bargain

Has a clause though for £350K after 15 appearances.

Watching that strike and there’s so much control in it. He hasn’t just claws through it to take the leather off it, he knows exactly where that’s going.

Joint first. Undefeated. Joint third for goals scored. No complaints here. Tactically we look much more organised, we know how we can hurt teams. Ride the wave guys.

Just epitomises what an “Everton” player is. Never stops. Grateful to have him here

Andros. Quality assist and goal. Never stopped running. Keane - great header Mina - needed to do more for their goal but really dominated the second half. Gomes looked tidy. Rafa - excellent. Short corner was a clear tactic and it worked. Second half set up was perfect down the every man. Excellent subs, his attitude is evident through out every player.

What an asset. He won’t do it every game but he is capable. Steady providing much more than the mega money players before him

Everyone moving for each other and wanting the ball. Very pleased with Rafa.

Some very very good football going on here guys. Hope everyone is enjoying this

What a player Gray is looking. Brands/Rafa hold your hands up