RuffRob

I know, I just can't get my head around how a complete new midfield four of Allan, Dacoure, Gomes and Rodriquez with not one pairing ever having played together have just slotted in together and it works. It difficult enough bringing one or two player in to the heart of a team. I was expecting a few 'horror show' collective midfield performances to start with given the extent of the changes made - but it almost the opposite. As the 'luxury' player I was expecting Rodriguez to maybe suffer the most in a completely new midfield - but no that does not seem to be happening. 
I suppose we just not used to seeing real quality coming to the club - as you said a player of such ability, it doesn't really where he plays football - just give him the ball and he is just oozes quality with it. 
But less than a month in, this midfield is only going to get better once they get to know each others and the rest of the teams game.
Massive credit to Ancelotti and then the board for backing these transfers.  

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54328590
Not that I hold Garth Crooks in any particular high regard, but Rodrigez has made it in to all three of his 'team of the week' picks so far this season. Not just us Evertonians drooling over his performances  
What is he going to be like when he actually gets use to his team mates and the cut and thrust of the Premier league!! 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/54328590
Not that I hold Garth Crooks in any particular high regard, but Rodrigez has made it in to all three of his 'team of the week' picks so far this season. Not just us Evertonians drooling over his performances  
What is he going to be like when he actually gets use to his team mates and the cut and thrust of the Premier league!! 

I know, I just can't get my head around how a complete new midfield four of Allan, Dacoure, Gomes and Rodriquez with not one pairing ever having played together have just slotted in together and it works. It difficult enough bringing one or two player in to the heart of a team. I was expecting a few 'horror show' collective midfield performances to start with given the extent of the changes made - but it almost the opposite. As the 'luxury' player I was expecting Rodriguez to maybe suffer the most in a completely new midfield - but no that does not seem to be happening. 
I suppose we just not used to seeing real quality coming to the club - as you said a player of such ability, it doesn't really where he plays football - just give him the ball and he is just oozes quality with it. 
But less than a month in, this midfield is only going to get better once they get to know each others and the rest of the teams game.
Massive credit to Ancelotti and then the board for backing these transfers.  

Theo is out of contract in the summer. I personally wouldn't knock back any suitable bids of a few million ... He's there as cover and that's it. Sooner see Gordon play. 

Sorry StevO, he definitely has the look of a player who wants to move.  I am not after him doing a stupid dancing celebration or back flips, but I have no doubt he's making a point by looking so surly after scoring a goal. We have heard all the stories about him wanting to go, we have a idea what his 'character' is like, so not too hard to put two and two together. Club are not going to let him go for what Juve want to pay an he's not overly happy about it. 
if we can get most of our coin back for him, i will not lose any sleep in him leaving, not because I don't think he could turn out to be a cracking player, it's more because he just seem a bit on an arsehole.  i would rather the money available to spend on somebody who wants to be here.
 

It the 15mins Ancelotti afforded him at the end of an already won league cup game, he did OK, and took his goal well. 
Like many others, in the 12months he has been in the club he just hasn't seemed to got his head and really show or try and proof to us why we paid £28M of him as a 19 year old. There seem to have been as much negative vibe about him as there has been positive. Not seen cameo appearances from him that make me go 'wow', not enough to justify any sort of 'attitude' or 'swagger' yet. Hasn't earned any sort of pass in my eyes.
Now I don't know his true character or real attitude anymore than you do.  Maybe he isn't an arsehole, and he might be the kind of youngster you would like to take your daughter out!! but there have been enough incidents in only 12months for me not to really warm to him as a person.
If he does want to go back 'home' (like all the stories are saying thin past month) to Juve after a year in lockdown in the UK (and who could really blame a young lad), then having a face like a slapped arse after scoring a goal to make a point to the club and fans is kind of the thing I would expect him to do (based on all I have read about the lad). So when this sort of thing happen, it no surprise that as many fans are talking about his miserable reaction as they are about him scoring.  And this kind of sums up Kean's 12 month with us. 
Why do Juve want him back, because he is young and has the potential to become a very good player, then are in need of a backup striker, and think they might get him cheap, and he want to go back. Perhaps!
Give me DCL any day of the week.  he could take my daughter on a date if he wanted to 😀😂
 
 

It’s hard to follow your stance on this. He’s petulant and immature but he doesn’t have a bad attitude? He is being judged by his actions. We don’t know how he is behind the scenes so we are just making a guess but everything so far points to a player that isn’t happy at the club. Yes, things can change but it’s not a leap to say where there is smoke there is the possibility of fire. 

Sorry StevO, he definitely has the look of a player who wants to move.  I am not after him doing a stupid dancing celebration or back flips, but I have no doubt he's making a point by looking so surly after scoring a goal. We have heard all the stories about him wanting to go, we have a idea what his 'character' is like, so not too hard to put two and two together. Club are not going to let him go for what Juve want to pay an he's not overly happy about it. 
if we can get most of our coin back for him, i will not lose any sleep in him leaving, not because I don't think he could turn out to be a cracking player, it's more because he just seem a bit on an arsehole.  i would rather the money available to spend on somebody who wants to be here.
 

The least Pickford had to do.... The very least was to put his foot through the ball left foot out for a throw or right foot up the middle. He could then bollock Keane for a shite ball.....  Keane wasn't at fault for the goal - Pickford deciding to play about with 2 players closing him down was. 
Goalkeepers get crappy balls to deal with a couple of times a game.... It just seems our keeper makes them more of an issue than they need to be. 

few good performances -
Nilis is looking very good.
nice to see Awobi and Bernard get on the score sheet and with an assist each  , think both played really well tonight, I kept a particular eye on Awobi tonight, he had a hand if a few of the goals tonight. I think he is going to do alright for us this year playing in a team with a bit more confidence and on the front foot a little bit more. A tidy performance. So going for Awobi as he looked so happy during the press conference  

Went with Iwobi as he looked like a man playing against boys, class above today. Nkounkou a very close second, last assist was great to watch, the ball to him from Digne was top notch also. 
Thought Bernard done well when on the ball but went missing for large chunks, but not as much as the invisible man Sigurdssen who put in another forgettable performance. First half I'd say Delph put in the better shift of the three of them. 
See Pickford getting grief again for being played in to danger, this time by Keane. If anything Digne is most to blame for switching off and not tracking his man or giving the shout. Could even argue Ancelotti as he's the one pushing for this type of football and the opposition are clearly exploiting it. 

few good performances -
Nilis is looking very good.
nice to see Awobi and Bernard get on the score sheet and with an assist each  , think both played really well tonight, I kept a particular eye on Awobi tonight, he had a hand if a few of the goals tonight. I think he is going to do alright for us this year playing in a team with a bit more confidence and on the front foot a little bit more. A tidy performance. So going for Awobi as he looked so happy during the press conference  

we seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to left backs  
 

we seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to left backs  
 

we seem to have the Midas touch when it comes to left backs  
 

I'd imagine James can strike a pen.
I'd also like to see DCL and Richarilson backed to take them if they are competent (and they really should be) though.  If DCL wants to compete for top goal scorer he should be able to take pens if he can show he's capable of scoring 9 out of 10.

I agree - and didn't mean to imply anything negative against Allan. Pickford must take charge of commanding the back line, and Allan is in charge ahead of him. This is what I meant: They must work together, learn from each other's approach, and demand only the best.

I think having signed Bale, spurs are going to be lot better that they where against us on the opening day of the season. Going to be a tough old battle at the business end of the table. 

I still want every single player in the team replaced with better players, all of them, all of the time. If we could buy 11 better players tomorrow I’d want us to. 
But after a great win, and the third win in seven days, I’m happy.
In regards time Pickford, the reason I’m happy to stick with him is I don’t see us buying a better keeper. If we do go and buy a better keeper, great. If we still have money to spend I’d rather we buy a centre half. 
Of the two goals we’ve conceded so far this season, I’m not bothered about Pickford's role in them. If he messes up I’m more than happy to say so, but I don’t see anything wrong. 

I also thought the BT commentators where a little over critical of Pickford for the first goal. Its almost a case of people over scrutinising him after last seasons problems and the fact he is the England keeper. Mina should have done a better. 
I have been the first to be on his case when he screws up, and will continue to do so, but today's not a day for it in all fairness. 

That was one of the things that sold his transfer to me, when he is taking a pay cut to come and you just know there is a genuine desire from him to come and PLAY and ENJOY football  and not coming because we where offering an over the odds pay cheque to tempt him here. 
Ancelotti sold him the club and the project that is being built here, and he genuinely wants to be part of it. 
Although not big on tracking back and tackling, I also noticed that if HE loses the ball, then he does have a good go at getting it back.
As his game is based more on vision and technique as opposed to getting past a player or pace, then he is the type of player that  you can genuinely squeeze a few more year out of at the very top level. Pace is generally the first thing that starts to go with a player, so not such a big deal if your game doesn't rely on it.  If all goes well, he could be the playmaker in the team for 4 or 5 years. Plenty of time for succession planning!!!
 

That was one of the things that sold his transfer to me, when he is taking a pay cut to come and you just know there is a genuine desire from him to come and PLAY and ENJOY football  and not coming because we where offering an over the odds pay cheque to tempt him here. 
Ancelotti sold him the club and the project that is being built here, and he genuinely wants to be part of it. 
Although not big on tracking back and tackling, I also noticed that if HE loses the ball, then he does have a good go at getting it back.
As his game is based more on vision and technique as opposed to getting past a player or pace, then he is the type of player that  you can genuinely squeeze a few more year out of at the very top level. Pace is generally the first thing that starts to go with a player, so not such a big deal if your game doesn't rely on it.  If all goes well, he could be the playmaker in the team for 4 or 5 years. Plenty of time for succession planning!!!
 

That was one of the things that sold his transfer to me, when he is taking a pay cut to come and you just know there is a genuine desire from him to come and PLAY and ENJOY football  and not coming because we where offering an over the odds pay cheque to tempt him here. 
Ancelotti sold him the club and the project that is being built here, and he genuinely wants to be part of it. 
Although not big on tracking back and tackling, I also noticed that if HE loses the ball, then he does have a good go at getting it back.
As his game is based more on vision and technique as opposed to getting past a player or pace, then he is the type of player that  you can genuinely squeeze a few more year out of at the very top level. Pace is generally the first thing that starts to go with a player, so not such a big deal if your game doesn't rely on it.  If all goes well, he could be the playmaker in the team for 4 or 5 years. Plenty of time for succession planning!!!
 

Has to go to DCL for his hat-trick - just loving his poachers goals
But took a hat-trick to pinch my MoM from Rodriquez just for that pass to Richalison for DCL second goal. Seen one or two similar assists from a highlight video before his arrived, and was all gooey eye then. Second game in and he is already at it in a blue shirt!!! Oh, and he scored a goal!!