Royal Blue

Just how big is the rebuilding job ahead of Carlo Ancelotti at Everton? The Royal Blue podcast team get their teeth stuck into trying to answer the burning question at Goodison, in today's episode. Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Dave Prentice and Gavin Buckland to assess the challenge facing Ancelotti and the worrying trends that emerged from the final part of the season. The panel wonder if the transfer window, with only a handful of signings expected, will provide all of the answers to Everton's problems or, as is more likely, will Ancelotti's coaching acumen be the bigger deciding factor next term. Systems, formations, mindset and the club captaincy are all up for discussion. Enjoy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Emma Sanders, Kathryn Batte and Sarah Halpin join Sam Carroll for a special Royal Blue podcast focusing on women's football. Sanders, a reporter for the BBC, features on the panel alongside Daily Mail journalist Batte and Everton Women media maestro Halpin to discuss the challenge of growing the women's game and how clubs can work with the media to allow better coverage. The trio also assess the upcoming season for Everton and Liverpool as well as their route into the media and any advice they may have for aspiring young journalists and broadcasters listening. Everton finished sixth in the Women's Super League under Willie Kirk last season while Liverpool and Vicky Jepson suffered relegation on a points-per-game basis following the early curtailment of the campaign due to coronavirus. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's end of season review time on the Royal Blue podcast.Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Dave Prentice, Gav Buckland, Adam Jones and Sam Carroll and asks them to argue their choices in four categories.The panel make their case for Everton's player of the season, goal of the season, performance of the season and disappointment of the season. And in the spirit of debate, discussion and entertainment, the lads were asked to make sure they each chose differently in every category. Let us know if you agree with their picks and, ultimately, which one was deemed the winner. The panel finish by talking about Leighton Baines' decision to retire from football. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's the final Royal Blue preview podcast of the season as host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Adam Jones, Sam Carroll and Dave Prentice to look ahead to Sunday's final game at home to relegated Bournemouth. After the panel answer Phil's question about important it is to finish such a disappointing campaign on a high, they pick the players who most need to make a point against the Cherries, who must win to stand any chance of staying up. Talk then turns to the message sent by Blues boss Carlo Ancelotti in his pre-match press conference and the need to get any transfer business done early. And, as well as usual (this time wildly positive) score predictions, Phil and Co talk about the two team who have already been promoted to the Premier League and some former Evertonians now plying their trade in the Championship who have not been as fortunate. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

After four games without a win and four pretty miserable performances, excuse the latest Royal Blue podcast, hosted by Phil Kirkbride and featuring Chris Beesley and Dave Prentice, for being positively upbeat after Carlo Ancelotti’s side returned to winning ways with a well-deserved 1-0 victory over Sheffield United. There is praise for Andre Gomes’ vastly-improved display while there is a question for Blues boss Ancelotti over whether he should stick with the 4-2-3-1 formation given it brought the best out of the Portuguese, along with Gylfi Sigurdsson, who also showed signs of form at Bramall Lane. The match-winner, Richarlison, is also hailed, while Phil surprises Prenno with a stat that he can’t believe but which underlines the Brazilian’s huge potential. The panel also look at the winning goal itself and wonder whether it is the latest example of a marginal gain Everton must make the most of going forward. And of course the podcast cannot fail to mention the composed display of teenager Jarrad Branthwait

Phil Kirkbride is joined by three former Everton youth-team players for this special Royal Blue podcast – Plymouth Argyle midfielder Conor Grant, Macclesfield Town winger Ben Tollitt, and the Liverpool ECHO’s own Sam Carroll, who pulled on the shirt of his beloved Blues before moving into journalism. The trio talk about how they came to be signed by Everton, and the buzz at achieving what so many young players dream of doing, but also just how hard it is to take the next step in what, at even a young age, is a fiercely competitive environment. There is the disappointment of leaving the Blues, but also great stories of great times, friendships, coaches and parents. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been another difficult week at Goodison as Everton limp towards the end of the season and the Royal Blue podcast panel are back to try and make sense of it. Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Dave Prentice, Gav Buckland and Adam Jones as they reflect on a 1-1 draw at home to relegation-threatened Aston Villa and analyse why the Blues could only muster one shot on target. The fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin is discussed as are the chances of Moise Kean featuring more before the end of the season - why won't Carlo Ancelotti start him? Would having Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg in the team on Thursday night have made a difference? Everton want the Southampton midfielder and the lads look at how he would potentially fit into the team. One of few positives to emerge from the game with Villa was the performance of Jarrad Branthwaite and the panel talk about his potential before finishing this week's pod with a look at Monday's trip to Sheffield United who have the stinging criticism of manager Chris Wilder ringing in

The Royal Blue podcast returns and, unfortunately, there is another defeat for our panel to dissect. Everton were dreadful on Sunday as they were beaten 3-0 at the hands of Wolves, effectively ending any hopes of European football next season. Adam Jones is joined by Dave Prentice, Gav Buckland and Sam Carroll to discuss the problems on display in detail. Seamus Coleman's post-match comments, Jordan Pickford's mistakes and the upcoming transfer window all are included in a lively chat. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Royal Blue podcast returns after Everton drew 1-1 with Southampton at Goodison Park on Thursday. Carlo Ancelotti will be pondering his midfield options ahead of the trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers this weekend and Adam Jones and Gavin Buckland joined host Sam Carroll to discuss Andre Gomes, Alex Iwobi and other issues in the central area. The importance of Richarlison was highlighted by his goal against Southampton in midweek but the panel also debate whether it is time for Moise Kean to be unleashed as Dominic Calvert-Lewin continues to search for his first goal since the restart. Formation changes, rotation possibilities and transfer needs are also brought to you in the latest episode as the trio build-up to the game against Wolves in what will be a short turnaround for Everton and Ancelotti. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Our Everton FC reporter Adam Jones got a chance to speak to former Everton favourite Kevin Campbell ahead of tonight's visit of Southampton to Goodison Park (6pm kick-off), which fans can watch for free on Amazon Prime Video and stream for free on Twitch. Adam and Super Kev talk the impact of Carlo Ancelotti and what he needs to do next; the transformation of Dominic Calvert-Lewin this season into a proper Everton No 9, which Campbell himself was; this summer's transfer priorities and those links to Brazil great Thiago Silva; the midfield, Anthony Gordon and Alex Iwobi, and, of course, a little bit about this evening's game versus the Saints. Enjoy.You can watch Everton v Southampton at 6pm Thursday 9 July for free on Amazon Prime Video, or fans can stream the game at no cost on Twitch. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Analysing Everton is back once more amidst a flurry of games for the Blues to get into some of the key statistical and analytical information around Carlo Ancelotti's side. Fresh from the 1-0 defeat away to Tottenham Hotspur and prior to facing both Southampton and Wolves, Dave Hughes and Josh Williams look back on the result in London. Coming in for questioning are two of Ancelotti's midfield men in Andre Gomes and Alex Iwobi. Both have struggled to give a cutting edge to the Blues in the final third of the pitch as we delve into the data to work out whether the individuals are underperforming, or whether it is the imbalance within the Blues' squad leading to the below par showings. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Twenty-four hours after Everton's dispiriting defeat at Tottenham Hotspur, the Royal Blue podcast returns to pick the bones out of a display that had all the hallmarks of so many ones that preceded the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti. Host Phil Kirkbride, along with Chris Beesley, Sam Carroll and Dave Prentice, look at what went wrong in north London, focusing particularly on the midfield. There aren't too many positives, understandably, but the performance off the bench of Anthony Gordon was definitely one of them. However, there was absolutely nothing positive about seeing the mindless damage done to the Dixie Dean statue and memorial outside Goodison Park. The panel also have strong views on that before turning their attention to the visit of Southampton to L4 on Thursday night. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Following swiftly on from Everton revealing their new hummel kits ahead of the 2020/21 season, the ECHO's Everton reporter Adam Jones has been speaking exclusively with hummel Chief Brand Officer Filip Trulsson. Catch their conversation as Filip explains the lengths hummel have gone to in order to deliver a bespoke design for their first set of Everton kits. He also explains why the brand were keen to get involved with the Blues and also touches on the guided tour he was given at Goodison Park by Graeme Sharp. Plus, we ask more about the links between Everton and hummel with their famous chevrons set to don the famous Blue shirts and also how club's iconic Z-Cars anthem is the inspiration behind that idea, with its soundbar expanded and embossed in a striking manner. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From Carlo Ancelotti's tactical "masterclass" to a new kit and a new signing, there's plenty packed in to this edition of the Royal Blue podcast. Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Adam Jones and Gav Buckland to look back over a win over Leicester City, look ahead to a trip to Spurs and the future in a new strip and with a new left-back at the club. The panel ask whether the midweek win has flown under the radar and praise Ancelotti's handling of a squad hit by injuries since the lockdown. The chase for Europe is talked about as is a pivotal game in that hunt - Monday night's trip to Spurs. Should the Blues be wary of a wounded Jose Mourinho, who will be smarting from the defeat to Sheffield United? Or is the Portuguese coach not the force he once was? Everton released next season's hummel home kit today, to widespread acclaim, and the lads share in their admiration for the designs. The signing of Niels Nkounkou, a free transfer from Marseille, is discussed as well as what it means in the future for Everton. A

Having picked up seven points from nine on offer in the first three games back after the lockdown, Everton remain within reach of European-finish to the Premier League campaign. With the action now back and in full flow, Analysing Everton makes a long awaited return to Royal Blue. Join Dave Hughes and Josh Williams as they look back on the draw with Liverpool and wins over both Norwich City and Leicester City as well as discuss whether or not a European finish is out of the reach of Carlo Ancelotti's Blues. In the focus is the improvement defensive under the Italian, how set-pieces have gone from a weakness to a strength for the Blues as well as how Ancelotti continues to adapt and remain at the top of his game. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The agenda for today's Royal Blue podcast includes Yerry Mina, Fabian Delph, the visit of Leicester City, Yannick Bolasie and Jonjoe Kenny. Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Adam Jones and Sam Carroll to preview Wednesday night's game at Goodison plus discuss what Carlo Ancelotti said at this pre-match press conference, as well as all the other Blues news. Ancelotti confirmed that Mina is fit again and will be in the squad to face Leicester while Djibril Sidibe will return to training on Friday and Theo Walcott next week. But Delph remains injured and the panel talk about their frustrations over a stop-start first season at Everton for the midfielder. Confidence is high for another Everton win as the panel point to Leicester's packed start, which has only seen them draw two of their opening three league and cup games. Bolasie is also talking in a confident mood today, declaring his intention to return to Everton in pre-season and fight for his place, but the panel don't share the winger's optimism. Yet, there

Buoyed by the victory over Norwich City the Royal Blue podcast team are back with a spring in their step today. Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Dave Prentice and Gav Buckland to look back on the 1-0 win at Carrow Road and ask how realistic Carlo Ancelotti's Europa League aims are? Also up for discussion are match-winner Michael Keane - should he score more goals than he does? - as well as the man who laid on the assist, Lucas Digne. Is the Everton left-back having a good season? The surprise social media outburst of architect Dan Meis, in which he made his feelings at no longer being "directly engaged" in Everton's new stadium project clear, is also on the agenda.The lads also discuss the news this week that Oumar Niasse and Cuco Martina will be released at the end of their contracts next week. Niasse, predictably, dominates this segment of the discussion before the pod moves onto Leighton Baines. The Blues' hero has signed a short-term extension to his contract but the club await a response to the offer of

The Royal Blue podcast returns from home - 24 hours after the last edition! - to discuss the Premier League trip to rock-bottom Norwich City for Everton on Wednesday. Everton contested an evenly-fought encounter with top-of-the-table Liverpool on Sunday but will face an entirely different prospect at Carrow Road with Daniel Farke desperately hoping to guide his team to an unlikely escape act. Host Sam Carroll is joined by Adam Jones, Dave Prentice and Gavin Buckland as the panel pick apart Carlo Ancelotti's press conference, the line-up options available to him and the differing tactics that could be employed against the Canaries. Plus, they get into the future of Leighton Baines as that was on the agenda as Ancelotti spoke with the media ahead of the trip to Carrow Road. Norwich have enjoyed 48 hours extra rest than Everton, who will be hoping to avenge the home defeat suffered at Goodison Park under Marco SIlva in November. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Royal Blue podcast returns from home to dissect the goalless draw played out between Everton and Liverpool in the 236th Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park on Sunday. Both sides were three months without football due to the outbreak of coronavirus but contested an evenly-fought encounter with Tom Davies, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin having opportunities for the home side. Host Sam Carroll is joined by Adam Jones and Dave Prentice to discuss whether Everton deserved victory, the tactics employed by Carlo Ancelotti, Seamus Coleman and the midfield performances of Alex Iwobi and Andre Gomes. The panel also talked through the impending exit of Morgan Schneiderlin to French club Nice and the news that Maarten Stekelenburg has signed a new short-term contract ahead of a summer move to Ajax, where he started his career. Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Finally, Everton are back in action this weekend! The Blues welcome Liverpool to an empty Goodison Park on Sunday evening for the 236th Merseyside derby as they return to Premier League football for the first time in over three months. What a game to have first up. Adam Jones is joined by Dave Prentice and Gav Buckland to discuss just how Everton might be affected by not having the home support behind them this weekend. One player who has stoked the flames of the derby atmosphere with no fans able to be in attendance is Richarlison. The panel also discuss the Blues' injury situation and, of course, make their ever-accurate score predictions for the upcoming game! Enjoy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices