Int'l Break: News Roundup and Academy Progress

After missing a match we’d all like to forget, the ATP Is back to capture all details of a 2-0 victory over Notts Forest in a massive weekend for Everton and its future.  Alex and Ryan get into all the drama of a match where the VAR and xG Gods seemed to finally show favor to Everton.  While the match wasn’t pretty, it definitely had its share of moments from bangers from distance to incidents of violence.  We also bring in a ton of listener comments to talk about the lineup changes, the wildly inconsistent officiating of Anthony Taylor, the bizarre post-match Twitter response of Forest, and conclude with a bit of analysis of the relegation battle.  We also hope everyone in enjoying Toffeefest in Chicago this weekend – wish we were there – and hope for the best for Beto. LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Production: Alex Johnson Intro: Steve Barkwill Outro: Kenboib  

The inevitable finally happened – Everton get 3 points in a match with a victory over Burnley at Goodison Park.  While it was anything but pretty, Everton did enough to give them a much needed victory, albeit against a very poor Burnley side.   The ATP explores some of the reasons for the lack of quality from the style of play to the conditions as well as Everton missing several key players.  James and Ryan also get into a ton of listener comments, critique some dubious calls in the second half, and explore the relegation battle in a bit of detail by analyzing future schedules.     LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Intro: Steve Barkwill Production: James Boyman Outro: Kenboib

While maybe not deserved, Everton scrape together a much needed point with a 1-1 Tony Sampson special at Newcastle, and the ATP is here to bring you all the drama.  From the pathetic on pitch officiating to the poor structure and organization of the Toffees, at times it felt like it wasn’t meant to be until it was.  James and Ryan get into some of the reasons for the poor performance for much of the game, get into the singular individual performance that kept Everton in it, as well as the changes that helped Everton get the draw.  Are the football and VAR gods finally shining some light on Everton?  Do we finally have some reasons to be optimistic?  The dynamic duo and their loyal listeners give their takes!   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Intro: Steve Barkwill Production: James Boyman Outro: Kenboib

After getting a well needed 3-week break, the not-so revitalized Toffees were back at it again today with a 1-2 loss vs. the Cherries in Bournemouth. While the result was probably undeserved, the performance also wasn’t anything to brag about as it was a sloppy affair, albeit one not lacking its share of controversy. Alex and Ryan bring you all the details and questionable decisions from the non-penalty to the Dyche setup and personnel choices. We get into a ton of listener comments and share in the frustration of all in a match that could have and maybe should have a different outcome. LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Production:  Intro: Steve Barkwill Outro: Kenboib  

The penalty gods took revenge on finally giving a penalty for Everton last week and two big mistakes lead to a 2-0 loss vs. United in Manchester.  The ATP is at full force with Alex, James, and Ryan trying to analyze what was a very frustrating performance from the Toffees.  They get into the clear difference in halves, highlight a few positive performances, but otherwise take the rest of the team to task for individual mistakes.  They also ask the question about how much of the results are the fault of the manager and what Everton can do to right the ship during an extended break likely away from England.  And yes, we talk about Alex Iwobi for no good reason at all.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Intro: Steve Barkwill Production: James Boyman Outro: Kenboib

Good news is that we’ve got the full power trio on the pod this week.  Bad news is that it’s after a terrible or perhaps an unlucky performance by Everton Football Club.  The power trio try and make sense of what was a chaotic affair led by Captain Chaos himself,  Norberto Bercique Gomes Betuncal, who finally gets a start for Everton.  Everton also finally create some chances from open play AND get a penalty.  Unfortunately it wasn’t enough and the ATP gets into the reason why. Taking a queue from the discord, is that because everyone stinks?  Tune it to find out! LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Production: Alex Johnson Intro: Steve Barkwill Outro: Kenboib  

Despite being on the back foot for the majority of the match, Jarrad Branthwaite's brilliant finish had Toffees worldwide hoping for our first win of 2024. Optimistic feelings were bolstered after Billy Gilmour was shown a straight red for a shocking challenge on Amadou Onana. Instead, it's now 4 draws in 5 matches for Everton, after Lewis Dunk's stoppage-time header brought the hosting Brighton level today at the AmEx Stadium.  James and Ryan break down the match per usual, examining the relative weakness of Brighton's lineup, EFC's ongoing ineptitude from open play, atrocious refereeing (AGAIN), and the merits of "packing it in" to preserve a lead. As always, some insightful listener comments help drive the dialogue as the Blues finish the day 1 point outside the drop zone, still waiting for news on the points deduction appeal.  Be sure to reach out via DM on our socials if you would like and invite to our Discord community! LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Intro: Steve Barkwill Production: James Boyman Outro: Kenboib  

In maybe the ugliest match we’ve seen this year under Sean Dyche, Everton manage a point vs. a deficient Palace side where most Toffees would’ve expected to see 3.  We have the full ATP with you this week and Alex, James, and Ryan bring you all the highlights and lowlights of a messy match.  Did Dyche get the lineup and the tactics wrong?  Does Everton just struggle when they actually have the ball?  Is the team worn out due to all of the drama?  We bring in a ton of listener comments and wrap things up with a healthy discussion about the odds of getting points back and the impact it could have on the rest of the season.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Intro: Steve Barkwill Production: James Boyman Outro: Kenboib

This one goes out to all the folks getting up at super early hours to watch what felt like an inevitable result to City in Manchester.  The full ATP brings you all the details of what WAS a pretty good defensive performance against a Pep side that is pushing for multiple trophies once again. Alex, James, and Ryan do get into some interesting stats and listener comments to discuss the tactical battle of the two sides and how much that mattered vs. the performance of several outstanding individuals on City.  They also take a look going forward to the upcoming fixtures, the potential midfield combinations, and why there’s no reason to feel too disappointed about this one. LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Production: Alex Johnson Intro: Steve Barkwill Outro: Kenboib  

While it’s fair to ask "when will those clouds all disappear?" and it’s obvious there’s no money in Everton’s coats, the Toffees still managed to get a point from a match at Goodison and might’ve deserved more vs. Ange and his rolling Spurs.   The ATP gets into it’s usual post-match review with a ton of listener comments as well as a fair bit of trolling on the Discord about one of their favorite topics. This week James and Ryan push on without the Podfather, but still get into the match details and lots of telling metrics that highlight the differences in styles of play, but also results.  They also have one of the easier MOTM decisions in recent memory and wrap things with a bit of a look at the table and Everton’s chances moving forward.       LINKS: https://linktr.ee/usatoffeepod Intro: Steve Barkwill Production: James Boyman Outro: Kenboib