Everton Banter Archive July 22 2017

22 Jul 2017 20:42:06
Against a competitive side (imo no better than top league 1) and with most of our recent signings we did not look any better than last season. Lived in Belgium for 3 years so I know their system well.

22 Jul 2017 21:03:59
Was that 3 years or 4 years. You seem to be uncertain between posts.

22 Jul 2017 21:23:38
yeah sorry toffee, 3-4 years, in that time I was posted away for a while, but Belgium (Liege) was my base and where the family lived. Standard were my team and I played for their Rugby side. Hope that helps.

22 Jul 2017 22:31:11
Bill your talking like you've never seen football before. This is preseason with focus on fitness and a bunch of players learning how to play together for the first time.

Sandro and Pickford have just played their 1st 45 minutes of football and Cuco his second. We'll be ready for the start of the season without doubt.

I actually think we look much fitter than last year and already there are some good combinations of players. We look much less reliant on individuals and a more team ethic seems be developing.

A bit of patience bill. We'll get there.

22 Jul 2017 21:42:12
You put Genk against Celtic now and Genk win, no question. Belgian football is buzzing, how many decent footballers come out of the SPL? What do you want us to do? Be Brighton and win 6-0 at Crawley OR play a team better than our Europa opponents and improve match fitness and chemistry? There is no pleasing some people.

22 Jul 2017 19:13:32
Next Thursday's match will be live on ITV4.

22 Jul 2017 21:04:26
Excellent.

23 Jul 2017 12:06:10
They've taken off highlights of the TT and Goldfinger to accommodate it, gutted, my favourite Bond film ;)

22 Jul 2017 17:37:16
I've just watched Everton draw 1-1 in their pre-season match that was broadcast on the Everton official club website.
Another good workout, with most of the first-team squad getting a good run-out.
We aren't yet up to speed sharpness-wise, but there were some good bits of play and the team is gradually beginning to take shape and get match-fit.
Stekelenburg (a second-half sub for Pickford) did well and should be an adequate backup, although RK reportedly wants a third goalkeeper if (when? ) Robles moves on.
We clearly miss Coleman as an attacking/ crossing threat. Martina and Holgate aren't as productive, while Kenny may need to get more competitive (on loan perhaps? ) experience.
Connolly looks like RK's preference as Baines' backup.
Keane is fine at centre-back, but Williams (and Jagielka - plus the injured Funes Mori) might need to be improved upon.
Besic looks great bringing the ball out of defence, but he's a mistake (a bad tackle or misplaced pass or caught in possession) waiting to happen as a centre-back.
Barry is a class backup for Schneiderlin in front of the centre-backs.
Gueye works his socks off and is more forward-thinking when he has a Schneiderlin or Barry behind him.
Davies is sound.
McCarthy (and Besic as a midfielder) might now be surplus to requirements - especially if we make more signings for the midfield.
Sandro did fine - he set up Rooney's goal - but clearly needs to get up to speed. He's not a traditional target-man, but he will trouble opposition defenders with his work-rate, aggression and ability.
Dowell, Mirallas and Lookman were reasonably busy, but didn't really stand out consistently.
Calvert-Lewin was a late sub, so didn't have too much time to impress this time. Whether or not he's ready to be our target-man is a moot point, so RK may want to recruit someone more experienced.
The classiest player on the pitch was Rooney. He and Klaasen linked up well on several occasions, which bodes well.
It'll be interesting to see who RK starts with - and who's on the bench - for the Europa League match.

22 Jul 2017 18:07:32
Great info thx mate.

22 Jul 2017 18:38:19
I like the look of Klaassen. He's very busy in mid field and when he gets the ball is always looking forward, particularly to Rooney. We've got a good one there. Also Sandro will be a pain for any defence, not letting them settle. He also as you'd expect from a Barcelona academy player got a lovely touch. Something we've not seen a lot from a previous striker I care not to mention.

We will still need to strengthen attacking options as I think Mirrallas will be inconsistent and DCL needs to develope still.

22 Jul 2017 18:52:22
Can't argue with any of that Bobby. Great post 👍🏽👍🏽.

22 Jul 2017 22:38:49
Really like the look of Sandro. He needs to stop coming so deep and instead keep bothering those defenders. Pickford was really good as well.

I am concerned with Williams though and Holgate is not a right back. Apart from that it was a good run out and we look good enough for the Europa.

Roll on Thursday!

22 Jul 2017 16:38:52
Where was Jags in the squad today?

22 Jul 2017 17:03:59
Felt his groin in training so left out as a precaution.

22 Jul 2017 17:44:23
Cheers svenny.

22 Jul 2017 16:17:02
Klaasen is looking klass linking well.

22 Jul 2017 15:53:16
Bit of a player this Sandro lad.

22 Jul 2017 13:59:46
HI is our match on IPTV anywhere does anyone know thanks, GuernseyBlue.

22 Jul 2017 14:42:41
saw someone sayin it is on tv2 sport premium 2, or tv2 sumo,

22 Jul 2017 11:30:06
{Ed's Note - We have posted a new article entitled, Southampton Season Review

21 Jul 2017 23:35:19
Red here (not to annoy anyone)
Just wondering who is the best player from an Everton fan's perspective to have signed this summer? Personally I think Henry Onyekuru is an absolute gem and when he's back next season he may be a massive player for you lot.

Good luck next season (Not too much though ;)

22 Jul 2017 01:59:05
I am very pleased about our signings thus far, but as far as the best, that is a little hard to answer.

I think the most important player we added was Keane. We need more quality at the CB. He was a must-buy.

The player who has to perform is Pickford. We've put all our eggs in one goalkeeping basket, and that investment has to pay off for Everton to have a great season.

I think Sandro is intriguing, but how his skills will translate to the PL only game time will tell.

The player I am most excited about seeing play is Rooney. I know the passion and desire are there, and I hope that his enthusiasm rubs off on the whole squad. Some of excitement is just waiting to see which Rooney has joined Everton. He has played less the last two years, so my hopeful heart sees him rising to the occasion and knocking in 10 to 15 goals. The back corners of my mind wonder if he has less in the tank than he or RK know. We'll find out.

And I do not believe RK is finished filling out the squad.

Good luck to you, Jeme and the Reds this year (except for the two Derbies) . I would love to see Liverpool finish second in the league this year (with Everton first and Man-U relegated)

22 Jul 2017 02:07:00
I think coutinho will be r best signing. 🤣🤣.