Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 A steady, rather than spectacular, start to the season which would have been a fantastic start if we'd held on to the 2-0 lead we blew at home to Liverpool The early table has us on the fringes of the European places, but only 2 points off the leaders Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 27, 2020 Author Share Posted August 27, 2020 1 hour ago, Deisler26 said: Tommy E is faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaancy I didn't want to spend so much on him, but I felt that if we are going to get in the top 4, he's the type of player we'll need to get there. Really need more firepower up front though, but with no money left, that'll have to wait for next summer. I have a long list of potential targets lined up, dependent on what our budget is. Farhad Moshiri is starting to make noises about leaving, so he might not be keen on giving me a big budget next summer, if he's even still here. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 Not a bad September in terms of points gained, but we aren't scoring enough goals in games we're winning, and we're conceding too many in games we don't win. A recipe for a bang average, rather than a very successful, season and that leaves us where we finished last season, just outside the Champions League spots. Farhad Moshiri needs to either put up some money in January, or make way for someone who will, as this team still needs strengthening, and there's nothing left to do it with Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 Apart from a shock cup defeat to Championship outfit Sheffield United, October was a perfect month, as we finally located our shooting boots only to disastrously misplace them against The Blades, causing us to lose a match we should have romped but that league form does see us go third, in a Champions League spot, so as long as it's not the start of a slump, I won't be too bothered Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 28, 2020 Author Share Posted August 28, 2020 Sad news in November, as my successor at Home Park has lost his job and, having finished 12th in the Championship last season, I don't think he has too much room for complaint I won't be returning to the Home Park dugout. Not this time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 November was also one match from perfection but, having beaten Tottenham, it was massively frustrating to throw that advantage away by not taking chances against Crystal Palace and although we end the month top of the table, games in hand for those around us make it unlikely we'll stay there, and only add to the frustration of the Palace defeat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 Moshiri is gone but I must have missed something at the end of last season, as despite finishing 5th, we aren't in Europe Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 The new board immediately offered me a new contract. I've signed it. I'm intending to stay until we win something, then review the direction of the save. It's definitely not going to turn into a journeyman though. Essentially, once Everton have got a trophy, preferrably a league title or Europa League / Champions League, I'll look to either end the career, go to international management, or return to Argyle for one last stint there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 I have found the reason for our non qualification for the Europa League. Newcastle won said tournament last season, qualifying for this season's Champions League. Bournemouth won the FA Cup, and Chelsea the EFL Cup, meaning we miss out. Gutted, but it might help us make the top 4 this season. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 29, 2020 Author Share Posted August 29, 2020 December was unbeaten, but not perfect as we failed to beat Aston Villa and dominated Chelsea, but had to settle for a point which was just enough to close 2025 on top of the league, with just over half the season gone Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Unbeaten for a second month in a row in January and it should have been a perfect month, as we failed to beat a Bristol City side we utterly dominated We remain top of the table, 1 point ahead of Liverpool, but more importantly we're 15 points clear of 5th placed Man City. The boys are determined not to risk heartbreak by finishing 5th again Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Two arrivals and four departures since my last transfer update Azzolini was signed by my DoF, but he's an absolute diamond and Amaefule is a striker who I've signed, initially on loan, hoping to make permanent, who I hope will replace Calleri, who has started to decline significantly Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Another unbeaten month in February, but this time we went one better, and it's a 100pc winning month, including getting revenge on Man City and we are now 5 points clear of Liverpool at the top, but far more importantly, 20 points clear of 5th placed Man City. I'm not ready to believe that Everton's 39 year wait for a league title is over, but I am willing to admit that I believe for the first time that it's possible I'll win the title with Everton Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 The unbeaten run came to an end in March, but only in the FA Cup, as we enjoyed another perfect month in the Premier League but Leicester were more than a bit fortunate to win a game we dominated, just days after thrashing them in the league We're 5 points clear in the league, with a game in hand on our nearest rivals, and the gap to 5th is 17 points, but again we've got a game in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 We had a bit of a wobble in April, and I've no complaints with the defeat at Crystal Palace or the draw at West Ham but I hope those dropped points don't come back to bite us. We're 7 points clear with only 9 to play for, but our next two matches are Liverpool away and Man Utd at home. We finish the season with a visit to Fulham Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Two wins out of three to finish the season. I was worried after the Liverpool game that it might go to the last match, and that our morale might suffer if we lost two, but we were excellent at home to Man Utd and fully deserved the win which was a pretty special way to confirm what I had been denying was going to happen for so long. We did it, Everton are Champions for the first time since 1987. 39 years of hurt are over and this is how the Premier League table ended up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 It's been an incredible season, and it is inevitable that we were going to win some awards for it. The first to win one was our goalkeeper, who took home the Golden Glove I was next, with Manager of the Year Team of the Year was dominated by us, as we had 8 players in it. There were 2 from Liverpool, and 1 from Leicester Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Here are the winners from our club awards night the stats behind an incredible season and the snapshot showing how we recovered from an indifferent start to hit the front and held on at the end for a memorable title win and here is how the squad performed as a whole Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 30, 2020 Author Share Posted August 30, 2020 Things haven't got any better for my old club either, as Argyle are relegated for the second time in three seasons since my departure, and find themselves playing in League 1 next season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share Posted August 31, 2020 Preseason results were one match from perfect, but despite playing games against Monaco and Barcelona, it was lowly Groningen who inflicted our only defeat Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASY Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share Posted August 31, 2020 Two players were released at the end of their contracts We made three signings, with four players leaving Kevin Wilshaw is a central midfielder, and a replacement for Pike Amaefule's loan did become a permanent deal, replacing Calleri and Tagliafico was brought in to replace Miranda as second choice left back This is the squad that will defend the league title, and try to win the Champions League Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share Posted August 31, 2020 6 minutes ago, Deisler26 said: EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEASY Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deisler26 Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 2 minutes ago, Northernpilgrim said: Go back to Plymouth. Bring them up. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted August 31, 2020 Author Share Posted August 31, 2020 1 minute ago, Deisler26 said: Go back to Plymouth. Bring them up. If the job comes up again, that's the plan. Dani Parejo took over last November from my replacement, Savo Milosevic, but couldn't keep them up. They've given him the benefit of the doubt and he is in charge for the next season. If that changes, I will quit Goodison and apply. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitner Posted August 31, 2020 Share Posted August 31, 2020 Congratulations. We're all waiting for the return of the King. Cheers, Bitner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 The Champions League draw has been made, and hopefully it's a group we can qualify from Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 1, 2020 Author Share Posted September 1, 2020 A reasonable, but not spectacular, start to our title defence, and no complaints about any of the games we didn't win and that leaves us in the Europa League spots after the first month. Board will be happy, but I set the squad a target of Champions League qualification Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 2, 2020 Author Share Posted September 2, 2020 Two more signings, one departure before the window closed, both signings with mandatory future fees. The board are certainly willing to back me Schaffrath is a striker as is Manolo That should give us the firepower we need to challenge Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 An unbeaten, but slightly frustrating September as we got a point against Chelsea that might have been three, but wasn't a great game for either side and absolutely battered Lyon without reward leaving us outside the Premier League top 4 and second behind Lyon in our Champions League group Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 October was one match from perfect the only setback coming in the Carabao Cup, when we lost to Sheffield United That lifted us to second in the Premier League and we are top of our Champions League group, home games against PAOK and RB Leipzig next up. Win both of those and we'll be through before the final game in Lyon Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 4, 2020 Author Share Posted September 4, 2020 Unbeaten in November but two draws in three league games sees us drop to third although we top our Champions League group, and a draw in Lyon will see us win it Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 5, 2020 Author Share Posted September 5, 2020 (edited) Not bad in December either, and no real complaints about the draw in Lyon or the defeat to Man City which left us top of the Premier League and meant we went through in the Champions League as group winners. There are some big guns who didn't win their group though, so it remains to be seen whether we will avoid a European giant in the next round Potential opponents: Barcelona FC Bayern Dortmund Roma Juventus Benfica PSG All 5 English clubs won their Champions League groups, the other group winners were the two Madrid clubs and Inter Edited September 5, 2020 by Northernpilgrim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BadManager Posted September 5, 2020 Share Posted September 5, 2020 Nice stuff, particularly after you were going to give up on the save a while back. is the depth there to do the England - Europe double? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 46 minutes ago, BadManager said: Nice stuff, particularly after you were going to give up on the save a while back. is the depth there to do the England - Europe double? Not a great January and whilst losing at Spurs is forgivable, we should not have drawn with Fulham or lost at Wolves Those costly slips have seen us drop to third. A title challenge now looks unlikely, but we need to finish top four, and I'll be trying for the Champions League too Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 Not a good January transfer window, as several big players submitted transfer requests and I had no option but to try and stop dressing room morale being affected and sold them, but couldn't get in all the replacements I wanted I am well stocked for forwards, so decided not to replace Pedro. Mason Holgate leaves the biggest hole, as I couldn't get a centre back in, with two deals falling through during the transfer window. Celinho comes in to replace Diatta, and as a bonus, he can play central midfield as well. I also couldn't get a replacement for Gallagher, but we are better stocked in midfield than at centre back, where we now have just three players Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 6 hours ago, BadManager said: Nice stuff, particularly after you were going to give up on the save a while back. is the depth there to do the England - Europe double? After the January window, I think it's safe to say the answer to your question is, no. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
karanhsingh Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Nice career, been following this. Hope you can make Everton the best club in Merseyside 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitner Posted September 6, 2020 Share Posted September 6, 2020 Harsh to see you being undone by a transfer window :/ Cheers, Bitner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 6, 2020 Author Share Posted September 6, 2020 February was awful and our lead over 5th place has fallen from 14 points to 8. We need to get some wins on the board pretty quickly now Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 7, 2020 Author Share Posted September 7, 2020 Four wins from five is on paper a very good March but we suffered a disappointing (and deserved) defeat at Newcastle which leaves us third, 10 clear of 5th placed Man Utd, with a game in hand Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Considering we faced Man Utd three times in April, and Liverpool as well, this was a good month, with just one defeat and we're on the verge of securing top four again, with a second leg of the Champions League semi final, plus the FA Cup Final against Liverpool to look forward to Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 A decent end to the season, with three Premier League wins from four, but we couldn't see the job through in the Champions League against Inter. The FA Cup Final is still to come We finished third Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 We end the season with defeat in the cup final and Liverpool deserve their win Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bitner Posted September 8, 2020 Share Posted September 8, 2020 Not a bad season by any means, but we hope you can bring glories back to the Goodison Park! Cheers, Bitner Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Time to round up the season, beginning with club awards club stats and the snapshot review of the season Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Manolo won the Champions League Golden Boot, despite us falling short as a team Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Before the start of preseason, an interview. Attending this Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 8, 2020 Author Share Posted September 8, 2020 Quickly followed by another, this one I didn't apply for, but am also attending Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Northernpilgrim Posted September 9, 2020 Author Share Posted September 9, 2020 I didn't get either of those jobs, but my time at Goodison Park is over as I have been offered, and accepted, the England job Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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