Pamplemousse

We're going to win.

I trust the board on this one. Welcome aboard Lyanco.

This is going to be horrific viewing. Our only hope is that at home against the "bigger sides" last season, we didn't do so badly (narrow defeats by Man Utd and City, draws against Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham, beat Liverpool). Spurs the only team out of the top 7 who comprehensively beat us. Just got to go with pace and hope we counter attack at lightning speed. Tella has to start.

Stephens is a solid back up for this level. Hopefully the black box has already identified our new signing, because we're going to need them. Fast.

The only reason to go to Aston Villa is money. Anyone with ambition would avoid - hence why their best player just left them.

Will everybody attending the game have to present proof of double vaccination or a lateral flow test result? Not all fans will be asked to provide evidence of a double vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result. There will be spot checks taking place around the ground and all fans aged 12 or over are encouraged to bring with them proof of a negative lateral flow test no more than 48 hours before the kick-off of the fixture or be able to present proof of double vaccination via the NHS app. https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2211094/return-of-fans-202122-faqs

Unless the finances at the club are worse than we realise, makes no sense to sell Ward-Prowse at all. His value is hardly going to go down next summer.

Looks like proof of vaccination or negative test is required

I don't think we'll go down. There are worse teams than us in this division, and we have a better manager as well. 11th-15th is a reasonable prediction. It'll be three from Burnley, Newcastle, Palace, Watford, Norwich, Brighton and Brentford.

Bertrand starting at Wembley

Will Richarlison play? He's been at the Olympics

Tino surely our second choice left back, unless KWP is injured. But then you could just put JWP there.

Oh yeah forgot about him. I was going to say Redmond as a third choice, but yes, Walcott too. Suppose can start all three. Tino ahead of Redmond as well on the wing.

Got to be Adams and Tella up front next week.

Sorloth would be a mistake. I think our only chance of getting Abraham is on deadline day when nobody else has come in for him and Chelsea's best offer is our loan with an option (or even obligation) to buy

Cagey 0-0

I wonder how much events at Everton have impacted them? Can't have been easy. And yes, would be awful for the away end to mention it.

I remember the meltdown when we signed Jay Rodriguez, he was overpriced apparently.

Neither had Rickie Lambert Nor had Ollie Watkins before AV signed him... Championship strikers tend to do well in the Premier League.

Almost certainly we'll sign Adam Armstrong now.

Let's see how we look against the Spaniards. That's the real test. Still encouraging to know we can swat away Championship opposition. Think we'll be fine this season (depending on whether we add a couple of players...), and improve on where we finished. Top half would be nice, but let's not get carried away.

Villa are going to massively flop next year, with or without Grealish.

If Spurs want him that badly, they'll pay now. Leave it and Ings will have the pick of much bigger clubs than Spurs. If Man City or United came in for him, our position would be far weaker as we know he'd probably end up there anyway.

Welcome to the maison de fous!

Was also in the youth team at Nice when Claude Puel was in charge. Can only be a good thing to have learnt from world-class managers like Puel.