Keegans Export

I think winning a major trophy probably does make you number 1? At least temporarily. Doesn't make you Real Madrid obviously. I suppose that's just a technicality but if you offered me regular top 6 and a major trophy in the next five years I'd be absolutely ecstatic.

Conference League winner gets into the Europa League don't they? That's what happened with West Ham anyway.

Didn't Darren Eales say a few weeks ago, on the record, that our aim is top 6 and major trophies within 5 years?

6th yeah. Top four = CL 5th = Europa 6th = Conference League 7th enough if Top 4 team wins the FA Cup?

I'd kind of assumed that the 85/70 rule would apply to Champions League, not Europa and Conference Leagues too although I've not actually seen that written anywhere. There is a massive drop-off between Champions League income and the rest so finishing just outside of those places will be a triple-jeopardy of missing out on CL money, still having to invest in your squad for a European campaign but also having to reduce your spending! Imagine a club finishing at the lower end of the table, maybe winning the FA Cup & qualifying for Europe. They're bringing in (relatively) fuck-all anyway, now they're getting their cap cut by 15%??

It's been a feature of our transfer dealings since the takeover really. Perhaps that first window was a bit of a mixed bag but aside from that. Bruno was £40m(ish) now we won't let him go shy of his release clause rumoured to be more than double that. Isak wasn't cheap at £70m but would anyone sell him for less than £100m? Gordon is the same, £40m for a 23-year-old England International who is well on his way to 10+ PL goals in his first full season here looks like great business. Livramento and Barnes we picked up from relegated teams at what we feel was good value. Botman is a tricky one because he's been hampered by injury. Tonali I'm not including because he came from a top club in a top league but we've not done that often.

Don't get me wrong, I love an old fashioned "man and ball" crunching tackle, but that's just a badly-timed, clumsy foul

I can't see West Ham overturning a 12pt deficit with 6 games to go. They've still got to play Liverpool (home), Man City and Chelsea (away)

Hopefully we end up sending more prospects to Feyenoord - Slot is a really good coach imo.

Sounds more like a refurbishment of the current facility rather than a new development?

Looking back at Howe's previous comments, I don't think he wants first XI + backups. He wants two 11's that he can switch around in-game or between games. Its the reason we have Barnes and Gordon rather than Gordon and someone less productive who can fill in. It makes sense if he wants to go back to last season's tactic of running and pressing like maniacs for 90+mins.

I miss his outrageously veiny shins

To play Devil's Advocate we're only 2½ years in, we've had one CL run and could still end up in Europe again next season despite our crippling injury situation.

As badly as @Sima 's guts yeah

It is but consider that Everton are unique in that the PL has only decided this season that punishments will be handed out straight away. If these rules had been in place last season, that initial 6pt deduction would have seen them relegated.

Two points just seems so pathetic. If the rules are that important and breaking them is such a fundamental advantage then is the difference between one win and a draw across an entire 38-game season really that much of a punishment? We've seen dodgy VAR decisions produce point swings of 2+ on multiple occasions.

Lovely weight on the pass for the assist, striker doesn't have to break stride (although it's still a tidy finish)

It's certainly a possibility. Southampton's top scorer is Adam Armstrong for example and there's enough evidence that he can't be relied upon in the PL. I'd suggest Leicester but presumably they're going to be in the shit financially.

Decent chance England overtake them though. We've got Liverpool, West Ham, Villa, Arsenal and Man City, they've got Bayern, Dortmund & Leverkusen.

It's clearly all the half/cheap season tickets they sold to people who wanted to guarantee a seat at the derby game then never returned. Makes it even sweeter. Every time they announce an attendance 10k+ above the real number, a constant reminder of their humiliation in January.

Markus (Flaming Hot Monster) Munch

How could anyone forget Marvin McCoy (who I definitely didn't have to Google)

He's at best our third choice RB so I think you're probably right In fact, we lined up today; 2nd choice GK 3rd choice RB 1st and 4th choice CBs 3rd/4th choice LB Which makes the clean sheet even more remarkable.

Would have taken 7 points from these past three games. Hopefully Arsenal & Liverpool do us a favour.

Luke Edwards' team I think...