Wiggytop

Pull string: "Shouldn’t have sent Simms out on loan bad timing."
Pull string: "Shouldn’t have sent Simms out on loan bad timing."
Pull string: "Shouldn’t have sent Simms out on loan bad timing."
Pull string: "Shouldn’t have sent Simms out on loan bad timing."
Pull string: "Shouldn’t have sent Simms out on loan bad timing."

With DCL injured did we know before kick off we need a striker? yes, so no real surprises.  Rondon did help show we are much better with a proper striker on. Lampard said before the game Rondon not fit enough for full game, so in this heat he would have been done by half time. I am guessing as we almost stole a point at the end - Rondon was more effective coming on later in the game than he would have been if he'd have started - could maybe argue 10-15mins earlier should have been the call.
The club are working on bring in another striker, so the part of the pitch is going to improve. 
Defensively we are much much better already this season even though we have still had to chop and change the CB in our first two game. 
Last season we would have lost this game 3 or 4 to nil. This season we where ultimately unlucky not to nick a point in the last 10mins. So green shoots of improvement for me.  
Given all the changes this summer, I am not yet expecting us to go away and beat better squads of player just yet. So no need for any sort of inquisition or panic buttons.
 
 
 
 

Game lost in midfield, 2 there is just not enough, we looked much better when we were forced into 4 at the back. If we do t get a new striker before next week, Rondon needs to start, he’s not great but at least he fights for possession. Onana didn’t let his error affect him, he was the spark that dragged us back into contention, can only get better with more playing time.
next week has become a game where we definitely  need 3 points to take the pressure of Frank and the squad

Good to see Onana getting involved so much already. 

Rondon and Onana have earned a spot in the starting XI next time out

For their goal, if it works he takes 3 players out of the game. Risk / reward and all that. 

Pretty sure the only times he's been out because of some other reason than suspension or dropped was for a skull fracture and his dad dying (I believe).
He's never played less than 30 league games for us, despite the criticism he gets. His form is like a yo yo, much like the rest of the team but especially hard at CB with so much chop and change, but "saving face" couldn't be further from the truth of his character. He always gives his all, it's just that 30-40% of the time that's not been good enough.

I’ll defer until end of the window

Sounds like a winner.

How refreshing is it when we sign players that fans are sad to see leave? How many times over the years have we seen fans ecstatic that they've offloaded their dross for over inflated prices? 
 
Welcome Conor! 

Another good solid player added to the squad, I’m liking what Frank and his tram are doing so far👍

Rondon is back for Villa, so one game.
I'm not even sure he's a good target man any longer going on his past "performances" for us but at least it'll make sense us launching the ball forward. Whereas the amount of times we did it on Saturday made zero sense.

Coady in and Mina out would be ideal

Absolutely, all the more difficult now though when he shows he can injure himself jogging, he’s just a feckin liability on all levels.

Absolutely, all the more difficult now though when he shows he can injure himself jogging, he’s just a feckin liability on all levels.

Absolutely, all the more difficult now though when he shows he can injure himself jogging, he’s just a feckin liability on all levels.

Absolutely, all the more difficult now though when he shows he can injure himself jogging, he’s just a feckin liability on all levels.

His performance spoke for itself, but the thing I liked was how much he was organising everyone. Even getting into the midfield and telling them, joining in with the penalty antics with Mina too. 
Also, played in all three centre back positions today. 
Really happy with him. 

Great debut. That is all.

Even on the pitch he wasn’t our best defender though. Made a couple of blocks, that’s it all game. Holgate came on and challenged.
Enough is enough. Time to move on.

Again, just one mistake did for us, thought we were solid, and looked a lot better organised,
Not going to get to upset, think we are on the right lines.
Terrible luck with injuries. 

Mina out the door more like

I think, despite the result, we've got to try to look at the positives here. 
We did alright, despite having no striker, against a decent team. They could only get a daft penalty. Chelsea had more shots on goals, but I wouldn't say they were dangerous. Lots of their players were quiet today.
We blatantly need more options up front. I don't think we were shit, but we had absolutely no cutting edge.

Okay was expecting to lose 0-3. We have them a soft goal & lost 2 of our CB’s. Add a striker to that line up and some more depth on the bend and I’m okay with it going forward.
Iwobi MOM for us imo. Gordon & Gray both poor. Tarkwoski will be a huge player for us. Myko & Patterson looking good.

Thank you Steve, much appreciated. Another year of never predicting an Everton loss. Hopefully this year goes better than last
Everton 1 - 1 Chelsea
Gordon