Palfy

But that was more through lack of options in the middle not because of performance.

His problem will be he hasn’t shown anything to Ancelotti, with 3 new mids coming in 2 of them Ancelotti’s picks I can see him struggling to get a slot which in fairness is what we want, most will disagree with me, but if we go with a 442 I can see Iwobi Bernard and Walcott getting picked to go with Rodríguez out wide and Allan and Doucouré in the middle, if we go 433 then I think it will be Rodríguez Allan and Doucouré then Richarlison right or left with DCL up top and either Iwobi Bernard or Walcott taking the last wide position. I can see Ancelotti rotating the pack so he will fill in for Allan and Doucouré, so unless either of them don’t live up to their billing I don’t see him as an automatic first choice anymore.

For me that’s always been Brands role to look for younger players with potential who could be then brought through the ranks. Ancelotti will be more concerned about bringing players in who can do a job for the team right now not 1, 2 or 3 seasons down the line.

If we secure the 3 MFs we are chasing then I see Gomes losing his place in the starting eleven, since Ancelotti’s arrival he hasn’t shown the manager anything to say I should be on the team sheet. I see a tough season a head for Gomes, I would like to think he could change his fortunes around but he may not get many opportunities to do so, Allan Rodríguez and Doucouré will be coming here to play and rightfully so, our MF was embarrassing last season.

If rumours are right and we are being linked with keepers which would suggest Ancelotti feels the need is now required, should we be looking for older established keepers or younger up and coming.

If they are accurate the loan to buy would be the way to go, I think that’s what’s referred to as a no brainer.

I think Pickford’s earnings reflect his cost so doesn’t really surprise me that much.

Or we know how to make youngsters multi millionaires by 22, I’m not envious of course

That was published in January when he was on 20k a week he signed a new contract end of Feb beginning of March for a reported 100k a week.

A lot more than that mate

Not much chance of it sinking then

If both teams agree fees and the deal is still in being drawn out, could it be because the players agent is trying to eek out every penny he can, and Brands is trying to save every penny he can.

Now that would be something, but I fear that won’t happen until their contracts expire sadly

Are you crazy

No we need to strengthen the defence so I can see a defender or two coming in and a keeper. I can’t see Ancelotti leaving that part of team untouched we shipped far to many goals last season, and we lack pace at the back.

How’s the road trip going mate, looks like a wet one in the picture.

I’ve supported Everton for 54 years and it wasn’t to long ago that not giving your all would never be accepted by the faithful, you could lose but as long as you tried you would be forgiven, and if you weren’t good enough that was a decision for the manager to sort out, but now there is an element of support for players who don’t give their all every time they put the shirt on, because of what they did a few games ago and what they say about the club in the media, if that isn’t based on sentiment then I don’t know what is. I don’t think Davies deserves his place in the team I don’t pick the team, I don’t believe he deserves the flack he gets when he puts maximum effort in, and the guy next him doesn’t yet comes out unscathed from criticism. For me that’s not the way it should be at Everton.

Also the more established stars like Gomes for instance are given a free ride when they play abysmally, he’s been piss poor of late yet hardly a raised eyebrow, yet a young lad who has been given an opportunity, but not through his own fault isn’t really ready or good enough gets completely slaughtered, and yet he is giving his all but the fact he’s surrounded by dross isn’t helping him, but many would quite happily slaughter him and say nothing about Gomes.

He must have been on the Gin that day.

Even I’m made up to be able to say I wasn’t born when they last won it, and I don’t get to say that to often

How would we make a profit if we sell for less than we paid.

The contract makes no difference theses days, if he wants to go he will find away to get what he wants.

I hope not, I don’t think I could manage another Gana in the team. The thing with a pressing game is you do it as a team not one man running around exposing the space and players behind them. It won’t take Allan long to realise that as a central defender Keane has no pace so will hang back as close to 18 yard box as humanly possible for fear of a ball over the top and a race back, if Ancelotti wants to play a an out and out pressing game he needs to get a lot more pace in the back line.