This weekend West Ham welcome an Everton team who we are currently sat 2 points behind us in the table, for the Saturday 5.30pm kick-off match. Hopefully we can continue our recent winning streak at the London Stadium against a team that although we beat earlier on in the season, historically we have performed poorly against. Ahead of the game I spoke to my old sparring partner and lifelong Everton fan James Coke aka the disabled chef to talk about the up and coming fixture, and the season past and future.
Hi Jim the last time we spoke was just before we played you for our fifth game of the season, when we were still pointless, and if my memory serves me well you were at the time unbeaten: (you won’t need reminding that we secured a rare victory at Goodison Park on that occasion) – how do you judge your season since then?
That was a chastising event. Yes, we were unbeaten but had been shipping poor goals and had drawn a lot, but you made us pay with some clinical finishing that day. It should have been a wake up call. We bounced along alright for a few weeks afterwards but Pickford’s injury time howler at Anfield, ripped the guts out of our season and it’s been an uphill slog since. The defence has been very porous and there are too few leaders prepared to step up to the plate which has led to many insipid performances. In recent weeks there have been some shoots of recovery and we’ve played some really nice football. If the Mad Mackem in Pickford hadn’t materialised at Newcastle, Silva might have been up for MOTM but I did expect more from the season, especially after the underhand way we appeared to secure his services. I’m hoping he’ll come good in the long term but still fear he is our next Mike Walker.
Your new manager has not been the great saviour that Everton fans expected, and I heard BFS on TalkSport last month banging on about he did a better job than Silva is doing. More Big Sam hot air, or does he have a valid point?
BFS’s failure on the Apprentice recently showed that the man likes to think himself a player but is in fact full of hot air, which he proved at Everton. He moaned about the players and the fans and drilled the team to defend and play one dimensional. It was boring as hell and annoyed everyone, apart from himself. Silva on the other hand delivered some excitement at first, a bit like Martinez, but the consistency has been poor. Personally at times it’s been hard watching Everton under either, but Silva’s style, vision and intensity (he reminds me of Rafa) means he gets my vote. Six more months of Sam would have been terminal for most Evertonians.
I read the other day that after the two Manchester Clubs, Liverpool and Chelsea, Everton have spent the next most money over the past five years: you must be disappointed not to have cemented your place in the top six teams in the country over this time. Which players over the past 5 years have been worth the money, and who has been best value?
I know its been embarrassing. I don’t think we are used to spending money after years of austerity under Kenwright and much of Moshiri £300m+ has just been pissed away into the Mersey. It’s not helped by the astronomical price of players but we’ve bought some right donkeys paraded as thoroughbreds. Cases in point being Tosun and Klassen who we paid £50m for. The former couldn’t hit a barn door from 5 yards and the latter looked like a startled rabbit every time he hopped onto the pitch. There’s then the case of the loanees like Vlazic and Onyekuru who are bossing it in Europe but still overlooked by the mothership. On a positive note though the signing of Idrissa Gaye for £7m was a fantastic piece of business and adding Richarlison, Digne and Bernard looks like shrewd work. I’m most excited by our youth set up which is the future. Five of our lads played for England under 21’s in the week and I think Domonic Calver- Lewin will go onto become a great centre forward – we’ve just got to keep him.
Do you think you need to spend again during this summer, or does Silva have the players to improve your standing?
I hope not. We’ve definitely been a gravy train for a lot of players and their agents recently and that’s got to stop. I’d like to see us off load a few like Walcott, Tosun and sadly Jags and good old Bainsey. I’d bring back some of the boys on loan and work with what we’ve got. There is some real talent in the squad like Lookman. He is under utilised despite being outstanding for Dortmund last season on loan and has to be given more game time. Gomez has settled in well and could be the leader in the pack we have been missing. He’s got a bit of Arteta about him and can only become more influential the longer he is with us. Finally we have some real talent in the under 21’s we should keep integrating. Calvert-Lewin, Tom Davis and John-Joe Kenny have shown the way and I’m excited by the crop currently leading Premiership 2.
Who are your picks for the top four in the League at the end of May this year, in order.
1. Man City 2. Liverpool 3. Spurs 4. Man United
It will be tight but I think City will nick it (I hope). Liverpool have been awesome but I’ve sensed the odd crack recently. The look of fear in Jordan Henderson’s eyes at Goodison the other week on hearing the air raid siren, Z Cars and 38k screaming Toffees made me laugh as will Jurgen Klopps meltdown which will inevitably come before the end of the season.
Who do you think will be relegated?
Fulham, Huddersfield and….Southampton.
Despite spending more money than us Fulham have been awful. 3 managers says it all so they are down as are Huddersfield who were always going to be against it. The last place is a bit of a toss up but I tipped the Saints to go down and down they will go! Dyche and Warnock are wily old dogs and probably still have a few tricks up their sleeves. Cardiff have the hardest run in but Southampton have been hovering over that trap door since they duped us with Ronald Koeman and I tip Ralph Hassenhuttl to crack under the pressure and lead them to relegation.
We are both amongst the ‘also rans’ this season: where are Everton going to finish up in the League, and will they finish above West Ham? I should let everyone know we’ve got £50 riding on the outcome of this.
It’s disappointing for both of us that this fixture has become so pivotal in our seasons as we both expected more but I’m buzzing for Saturday. We are going to have a good run in and I expect to finish 7th which obviously will be above you and result in the replenishment of my wallet.
Which of your players has had a good season, who will be getting your vote for player of the season, and who else gets a look in?
Digne has been good at left back and Sigurdsson has matured as a sole number 10. I’ve liked the look of Richarlison but like many players he’s drifted in and out of form or not been given a fair run in the team. The most consistent player is Idrissa Gaye so he gets my vote but it might be his last as PSG beckons.
Who on the other hand has had a mare this year?
Well Tosun has disappointed and Walcott never looks interested so those 2 are top of the list and then there is Mina. He was our banker signing in the summer but has laboured at times even when he has been picked. I think he’s been going through a period of self-doubt after he missed that sitter against Liverpool last year but he’s another one that can only get better next season
Which West Ham players if any have caught your eye?
Anderson has looked a class act and super sub Hernandez has a canny habit of scoring goals for you. Nasri is a also a great signing and Declan Rice has a promising future if he can sort out his identity and surprisingly Noble has been a revelation but like many Everton players too many of yours have had indifferent seasons. Marko was well out of order when he had his tantrum as it can only affect the team and your finishing position.
What are Everton’s priorities for next season?
Firstly finish above West Ham so I can cash in and then find some consistency in our form. I’d love to say we’ll break into the top six but sometimes you have to be realistic.
How will you line up against West Ham this weekend? Team/Line up?
Pickford, Coleman, Digne, Keane, Mina, Gaye, Gomez, Bernard , Richarlison, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin
Prediction for the score?
3 – 1 Everton: we are beginning to play well and I reckon you are on for a good beating.
Well many thanks to Jim for his time: he is correct in noticing that Nobes has had his best season for ages, although I think he is obviously deluded in his prediction. I’m hoping that we can gain another home victory, but with a little less stress on my heart than last time out against Huddersfield. I’m going for a 2 – 1 win to West Ham. COYI