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Seasons 2019-20

Opinion & Articles

Contributions from our editorial team, featured columnists and readers.

Tricky Dick Forshaw: From Goal King to Outlaw

Jamie Yates
30/10/2020

The only player thus far to win the League title with both Everton and Liverpool, the inside forward scored a hatful of goals before making a surprise move across Stanley Park. Quite the character, he fell into a life of crime after his career ended.

Lewis the Fire Bobby

Tony Onslow
29/10/2020

Bangor-born and a regular Wales international, Billy Lewis joined Everton for their inaugural Football League season in 1888 but his time with the club was short-lived

Review: A Grand Old Team To Report

Lyndon Lloyd
29/10/2020

As a slice of Everton history, David Prentice's new book is a fascinating and frequently humourous skip down memory lane; an insider’s insight into the way football used to be recounted with the enthusiasm and love of a devoted Blue.

A simple but fair redistribution of football revenues

Paul The Esk
29/10/2020

A look at a possible solution to the massive imbalances that exist in the professional football game in England and a simple solution

Saints defeat and selection problems throw up early-season issues for Ancelotti

Lyndon Lloyd
27/10/2020

Injuries, suspensions and, perhaps, an emerging dilemma over how best to accommodate James Rodriguez are some of the things that will be on the manager's mind as he prepares for Newcastle

Everton given bracing reality check as Saints burst early-season bubble

Lyndon Lloyd
25/10/2020

Richarlison’s unnecessary sending off against Liverpool last week felt like it was going to be costly and, in combination with the loss to injury of Seamus Coleman and fitness concerns over James Rodriguez, that proved to be the case as the Toffees put in their worst performance since the final day of last season

Ponderous green-shirted dross of old too easily defeated

Michael Kenrick
25/10/2020

An Everton side well below par, wearing a hideous green and grey kit, rocked up at Saint Mary's seemingly determined to surrender all the good work so far this season

Can Dominic Calvert-Lewin Become Everton’s Harry Kane?

Gary McCarty
23/10/2020

The striker is fortunate to be working with both Ancelotti and Ferguson who, between them, will positively refine elements of his game. Should the 23-year-old surpass the 20-goal mark this season, then he’ll have undoubtedly put himself in the frame for a Euro 2020 call-up, as well as being in with a shout of winning the sought-after Golden Boot.

Red Myopia and An Embarrassing National Outcry

Lyndon Lloyd
21/10/2020

The levels of pearl-clutching and near hysteria that has dominated the aftermath of Saturday’s controversial Merseyside derby really have been something to behold

Keane’s Emergence from his Comfort Zone One of Ancelotti’s Early Everton Triumphs

Matt Jones
21/10/2020

It didn't always look as though Michael Keane would become one of the first names on the Everton team sheet but the England international is emerging as a consistent and dependable presence in Carlo Ancelotti's defence.

The Development of Ellis Simms

Phill Thompson
21/10/2020

Everybody has heard of Ellis Simms... not everybody has seen him but everybody will have an opinion; he’s potentially next in line to become an Everton Academy graduate playing in the Premier League. So I thought I’d look back at his development. As ever, most of the facts are accurate, but opinions of course are just my opinions.

The Loosening of the Devil's Red Pact

Lyndon Lloyd
17/10/2020

Despite being well below the best of what they’ve shown this season and never seeming to get out of second gear, Everton managed to grab a draw against what Klopp described as his side’s best away performance of his tenure, even it needed an intervention from VAR in the final reckoning.

VAR saves off-colour Blues after Richarlison madness

Michael Kenrick
17/10/2020

Exactly 10 years to the day since their last Merseyside derby victory, Premier League leaders Everton face local rivals Liverpool at Goodison Park with a full-strength side looking to extend their 100% start to the season.

Big Picture proposals put the emphasis on Everton’s international development

Paul The Esk
15/10/2020

Despite the initiative being rightly canned, the issue of international broadcast rights will be back. It is almost certain that the largest clubs will want to see an element of selling exclusive rights off their own platforms in this next round and those with the greatest numbers of overseas supporters are going to be the initial winners.

Short-sighted and hubristic, the Cabal's grand plan would kill the goose that lays the golden egg

Lyndon Lloyd
13/10/2020

The "Project Big Picture" proposals cooked up by two of the big six and their Trojan Horse in the EFL, Rick Parry, would slowly and ironically erode what has made the Premier League the exciting competition it so often is today

The Battle of Edgware Road

Stephen Vincent
13/10/2020

Recounting the events of 12 October 1985, which were no minor skirmish!

'Project Big Picture' exposing the self serving interests of MUFC and Liverpool

Paul The Esk
12/10/2020

The proposals have exposed the these two clubs' seek to secure their current economic advantage and protect their future revenues.

Richard Williams – An Everton Goalkeeper

Tony Onslow
12/10/2020

The Bromborough Pool-born player played over 70 times for Everton after joining them when they were reigning Football League Champions in 1881

The Finnis Family – An Enduring Everton Love Affair

Rob Sawyer
09/10/2020

Harold Finnis is one of 90 players, to date, to make a solitary first team appearance for the Blues in peacetime football.

Window Dressing

Martin O'Connor
09/10/2020

As the long Covid-impacted transfer window has closed (with a few days of the domestic EFL window still open), how have the Blues performed?

Everton’s Midfield Revamp: What Counts as Success for the Toffees?

Gary McCarty
09/10/2020

The recent additions of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Allan, and James Rodriguez have sparked something of a competitive revival at Goodison Park.

Shrewd moves and decisive action: Everton can view summer window as a big success

Lyndon Lloyd
08/10/2020

Everton have emerged from the close season with an impressively upgraded squad and go into the international break sitting on top of the pile having far exceeded expectations and infused long-suffering Toffees with overdue optimism

‘Football Is Simple’: Ancelotti Can Be Everton’s Anchor to Calm in a Chaotic Premier League

Matt Jones
07/10/2020

Although the circumstances are undesirable, Carlo Ancelotti feels like a man who will come into his own in them and Everton’s high-class performances indicate he’s doing just that.

The 2020 Summer transfer window from a financial perspective

Paul The Esk
07/10/2020

Analysing the business done across the Premier League and a nod to the turn-around in the overall levels of the squad at EFC with such relatively small increase in costs

Lean, Mean and Young

Jay Wood
07/10/2020

With the transfer window now officially closed (other than signings of free agents or players from the Football League), let's take a look at the first-team squad...

Everton press on with another goal glut

Lyndon Lloyd
03/10/2020

Dominic Calvert-Lewin and James will have grabbed the headlines but this was another game that featured strong performances in almost every part of the team

Brilliant James is the star of Everton's 4th win

Michael Kenrick
03/10/2020

Everton took on a very lively Brighton side at Goodison Park but Calvert-Lewin set them on their way with a fine far-post header for his 9th goal

Opposition View: We Are Brighton

We Are Brighton
02/10/2020

Speaking with Scott from We Are Brighton to see get their fans' take on their start to the season and this weekend's clash at Goodison.

A second Calvert-Lewin hat-trick seals Blues win

Michael  Kenrick
30/09/2020

Everton’s Carabao Cup journey continued with their most difficult assignment in the competition thus far in 2020-21 as West Ham United come to Goodison Park.

The James Rodriguez Effect

Matthew Parry
29/09/2020

The Colombian superstar is already proving skeptical pundits wrong by settling straight into the Premier League and, in concert with Carlo Ancelotti and Everton's other new signings, transforming the club's prospects this season

Jordan Pickford: The Diamond Getting Rougher

Matthew Parry
28/09/2020

As each game passes, it seems the debate over whether Jordan Pickford is good enough to play between the sticks for Everton only gathers momentum. Since Pickford’s arrival from Sunderland in 2017, he has not been able to offer that consistently. What, then, has gone wrong for what was once an exciting young prospect?

Eddie Wainwright – A Bright Light in Dark Days

Rob Sawyer
28/09/2020

The immediate post-war era for Everton was one of austerity which made it hard for local youngsters to through the ranks to develop to near their full potential. Eddie Wainwright was, perhaps the sole exception.

Everton Show Grit to Maintain Winning Start to 2020-21

Lyndon Lloyd
26/09/2020

The decision for the penalty that ultimately proved to be the difference in terms of the scoreline has dominated the post-match discussion among pundits but there is no question that the better team won on the day

Football Shorts – Part V: The Reality of Reducing Income and Fixed Costs

Paul The Esk
23/09/2020

A look at the impact of virtually no crowds in the Premier League this season, the impact Covid-19 is having on broadcasting revenues and the volume of transfer business

Dazzling Richarlison sets the required tone

Michael Kenrick
23/09/2020

Everton saw another slew of goals in their latest Carabao Cup venture to Fleetwood Town on a wet Wednesday evening, two brilliant ones from Richarlison in a scintillating first half.

Graft to Goals: Calvert-Lewin’s Changing Tastes Offer Everton a Fresh Edge

Matt Jones
21/09/2020

Saturday against West Brom it felt like another significant step forward for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who fired in his first hat-trick for the club which felt like a rubber stamp on this section of his development at Everton.

Photographing a Rhino

Martin O'Connor
21/09/2020

Are the recent changes at Everton's Academy involving David Unsworth and Leighton Baines the right ones to foster a more productive farm system for the Blues' first-team?

A Knight of the Round Table at Inside-Left?

Jamie Yates
21/09/2020

Did you know that Everton once employed a player with the Christian name of a mythical legend?

Calvert-Lewin treble ensures Everton pass Baggies test

Lyndon Lloyd
19/09/2020

Dominic Calvert-Lewin may have flown under the radar a bit despite scoring the winning goal against Tottenham but he grabbed the lion’s share of the limelight with his first hat-trick to bury a spirited West Brom

Calvert-Lewin hat-trick beats a brace of red cards!

Michael Kenrick
19/09/2020

Everton eventually built on their impressive start to the new season when newly-promoted West Bromwich Albion were well beaten at Goodison Park in Saturday's lunchtime kick-off.

Don't Be Fooled... This Season Could Be Very Tough

Matthew Parry
17/09/2020

The win at Tottenham was one very small step on a deceptively lengthy road and the high-calibre signings only tape over the cracks until they prove they can improve our dynamic on a weekly basis

Second string see off Salford City

Michael Kenrick
16/09/2020

Everton continue their busy start to the new season with the first step of what they hope will be a long journey in the Carabao Cup as they host Salford City

Toffee Soccer – Everton and North America

Lyndon Lloyd
14/09/2020

Lyndon Lloyd chats with David France ahead of the release of his new book

Transformed Everton Deliver a Statement of Intent

Lyndon Lloyd
14/09/2020

A trio of unwanted statistics tumbled in North London with a victory founded on a completely revamped midfield and an eye-opening team performance.

Bill Kenwright – Everton Legend

Kevin Prytherch
11/09/2020

Since 1999, Bill Kenwright has overseen the second most consistent period in Everton's history. The record of consecutive 8th-place finishes or better between 2006 and 2014 has only ever been bettered once.

Vastly improved Blues hold on for great opening-day win

Michael Kenrick
13/09/2020

Everton open the season at Tottenham where three new players make their debuts after signing last week.

The Man Who Created Merseyside Football

David Kennedy
10/09/2020

In his new book, David Kennedy recounts the sporting legacy of John Houlding, the former Lord Mayor of Liverpool who was responsible for the rise of two of English football’s biggest and most successful football clubs — Everton and Liverpool.

Summer 'Evolution' Primes Everton for Better Things

Lyndon Lloyd
10/09/2020

After last season, Evertonians have been understandably cautious in their optimism and outlook for the new campaign but with a significantly strengthened midfield and Ancelotti at the helm, there is hope that 2020-21 will be a season of marked progress

Will James Rodriguez & Co Be Successes At Everton?

Richard Coleman
09/09/2020

Could this be the dawn of an era of genuine quality recruitment under Ancelotti or simply a continuation of the trend of expensive acquisitions who fail to gel and live up to expectations?

Opposition View: Spurs For Life

Ryan Curtis
09/09/2020

Everton kick off the new season at Tottenham, another club managed by a high-profile boss looking for a much better campaign than the one that just ended. We got the thoughts of Spurs For Life on Sunday and the season as a whole

Ancelotti Sprinkles Some Colombian Stardust with a Point to Prove

Lyndon Lloyd
07/09/2020

As signings go, James Rodriguez is arguably the most high-profile and glamorous acquisition Everton have ever made. He arrives on the back of a frustrating season at Real Madrid looking to revitalise his career under the man who has now managed him at three different clubs

Brazilian dynamo Allan promises to be Ancelotti's midfield linchpin

Lyndon Lloyd
05/09/2020

Allan Marques was unveiled as part of an anticipated £70m worth of incoming midfield talent today, with James Rodriguez and Abdoulaye Doucouré expected to follow shortly — a trio of moves that promises to radically overhaul the Blues’ massively under-performing mid-section

Who Is Steering the Ship?

Martin O'Connor
04/09/2020

Have Everton scrapped Marcel Brands's plan to rebuild the squad with younger players in favour of a return to Steve Walsh's modus operandi, with Carlo Ancelotti and Farhad Moshiri having taken the helm?

You Can’t Always Get What You Want…

Dylan Joseph
31/08/2020

You don’t need the billions, you just need a good culture amongst the club and the players and standards that are adhered to. We can get what we need, we just need to reset our club ethos and standards and don’t allow anyone who doesn’t meet them to wear the Royal Blue

How do we fund squad improvements this summer?

Paul The Esk
30/08/2020

An over-sized, over-priced, mostly under-achieving squad, financial constraints, and the impact of the Covid-19 crisis pose significant challenges to Everton this summer. Where is the money coming from for new signings?

The Short Life of an Everton Blue

Tony Onslow
29/08/2020

Isaac Roberts would play just once for Everton in February 1889

Brands's Challenges Make for Slow-Motion Summer

Lyndon Lloyd
26/08/2020

Where recruitment is concerned, the buck stops with Marcel Brands but, ultimately, his efforts will continue to be hindered by a number of factors, some of them beyond his control

Rebranding?

Paul The Esk
19/08/2020

What should Everton’s brand and brand values be?

Marcel Brands and the Missing Transfer Doctrine

Jacques Sandtonian
14/08/2020

Marcel Brands has just learned the first rule of Everton transfer business: We are the scouting arm of Tottenham Hotspur.

Can Richarlison and DCL Get the Goals That Fire Everton Into the Top Six Conversation?

Gary McCarty
14/08/2020

If Everton are to achieve any hopes of a top ten….eight….six finish, clearly there is a need to bring in a more prolific goal-grabber.

“Van Den Hauwe – One Last Throw Of The Dice…”

Pete Jones
13/08/2020

Without the benefit of the visual image, the unique medium of radio means that live football commentary comes to life in an entirely different way than television. Pete Jones recalls some of his most memorable moments experienced that way

The First Six Months: Unacceptable

Darren Hind
12/08/2020

Everton's midfield was an obvious cause for concern last season, particularly down the home stretch but was the main problem the players or a failure of management on the part of Carlo Ancelotti?

Another Season Wasted Amid Continuing Instability at Goodison

Lyndon Lloyd
08/08/2020

Marco Silva became the latest casualty of Everton's managerial merry-go-round, Carlo Ancelotti arrived before historic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic ensured that fans just wanted 2019-20 to be over as quickly as possible

The Financing and Accounting of Transfers and How We Operate in this Window

Paul The Esk
04/08/2020

A detailed look at the financial implications behind the transfer options open to us, how it's financed and what it means for Everton

Our Future Is Alternative

Robert Bresnan
18/08/2020

We're all expecting 2020-21 to be full of crippling mediocrity and the obligatory bad defeat to the gobshites but what about a different future in which things are rather rosy by the end of next season?

Away Day Blues: Tottenham Hotspur

Patrick McFarlane
07/09/2020

Since Everton gained promotion to the top flight, way back in 1954, Everton’s visits - to the original White Hart Lane, Wembley or the newly lavishly upgraded White Hart Lane - haven’t produced many victories for the Toffees.

The Project – Next Chapter

Paul  Tran
08/09/2020

With Farhad Moshiri backing his new manager with an overhaul of Everton's midfield, The Project is back on the rails and there are fewer excuses to stop it hurtling forwards. It’s time for manager and players to deliver; time for us to be less cautiously optimistic!

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Opinion articles, 2021-22 »

Fan Articles and Talking Points posts are authored by outside contributors. Their views may not represent those of the site owners and their publication does not constitute an endorsement of the views held therein.

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