Royal Blue

Marco Silva was back in front of the media this afternoon for the final time this season - and we have every word the Everton manager had to say in what was an interesting press conference. The Blues head to Tottenham Hotspur's new ground on Sunday and Silva is asked whether it could be the perfect time to play Mauricio Pochettino's men given their exerts in midweek, when they produced a miraculous recovery to beat Ajax and qualify for the Champions League final. Tottenham's success is even more impressive given they did not sign a single player in the summer or January. But if reports from Spain are to be believed, Spurs are set to steal Andre Gomes from the under the noses of Everton, who were also dealt a blow this week in their pursuit of Kurt Zouma when Chelsea's transfer ban was upheld. Silva speaks on both subjects, as well as Morgan Schneiderlin's form, the futures of Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines, the season as a whole, the excellent defensive record, and the areas of improvement for Dominic Calv

We have a very special Royal Blue podcast for you looking back on one of the most dramatic and important days in Everton's history - the nerve-shredding 3-2 victory over Wimbledon at Goodison Park on the final day of the 1993-94 that ensured the club's Premier League survival in the most unlikely of fashions. The Blues were staring down the abyss before and during the never-to-be-forgotten encounter but, thanks to an incredible comeback and results elsewhere, they got the win they needed and eventually finished two points and three places above the relegation places. And to remember the match, which took place 25 years ago today, we have spoken to three of the players who played a starring role. Dave Prentice, our head of sport, caught up with two-goal hero Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin while Chris Beesley, one of our football writers at the ECHO, caught up with Barry Horne, whose stunning long-range strike brought Everton level after the man affectionately known as 'Diamond' had halved the lead the Crazy Gang

Just like at Goodison Park on Friday night, spirits are high in the ECHO's recording studio for the first Royal Blue podcast of the week after Everton cruised to a routine 2-0 win over Burnley in their final home game of the season. But Dave Prentice, who is joined by Sam Carroll, Paul Wheelock and host Phil Kirkbride, argues that the first half-an-hour was anything but routine as well as reminding supporters at the contrast between that and what was served up in the last home match of last season. Paul and Sam wish the current campaign had longer to play while the latter also praises Richarlison and wonders just how the brilliant Brazilian wasn't awarded the opening goal against Burnley. The Blues' hopes of Europe were dashed the following day when Wolves defeated Fulham but is there is an upside to another season without Europa League football? The panel discuss that, the future of the revitalised Morgan Schneiderlin, and whether captain Phil Jagielka's late introduction off the bench versus the Clarets was

Everton's record for their final five home games of the season reads P5 W4 D1 G9 A0, and 13 points from a possible 15, after they signed off their Goodison Park programme in style with a comfortable 2-0 win over Burnley. Paul Wheelock kicks us off - he can't get his heard round the fact Richarlison's goal has been credited to Ben Mee - before our Everton FC reporter Adam Silva provides his definitive verdict on the night's action. And a short but sweet podcast rounds off with the full audio from Marco Silva's post-match press conference - which includes whether his decision to bring on out-of-contract captain Phil Jagielka late on was a symbolic gesture. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Moments before Dave Prentice, Adam Jones and Chris Beesley were set to record the latest Royal Blue podcast, there was an impromptu visitor to the ECHO - none other than David France, the man who created the Everton Former Players Foundation and Everton Heritage Society, and who assembled the finest collection of Blues memorabilia in the world. Naturally, we invited him on to the pod, which fittingly starts with a discussion over the 'Holy Trinity' statue that will be unveiled before the final home game of the season against Burnley on Friday. David, who is over from America for the match and the ceremony, tells a great anecdote about the great Alan Ball, Howard Kendall and Colin Harvey while Adam and Chris explain what the legendary trio mean to them. Adam also explains why the atmosphere should be as good as it was for the draw with Liverpool and wins over Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, before talk turns to why the club needs European football, if not this season then definitely next. Given it is t

Marco Silva was in front of the media on Thursday morning to preview Everton's final home game of the season against Burnley. The Blues, realistically, need to win it and then beat Tottenham Hotspur on the last day to stand any chance of qualifying for Europe, and Silva is asked about the fight for seventh place and whether it is one worth winning, given the recent struggles of both Everton and Burnley. The Blues boss is also quizzed on the new contract for Tom Davies, as well as the fitness of Yerry Mina and Theo Walcott, and the 5-1 victory his side achieved at Turf Moor back in December. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam Jones, Sam Carroll and Gavin Buckland are back with the latest Royal Blue podcast, which is hosted by Paul Wheelock given our Everton FC correspondent Phil Kirkbride is taking a well-deserved week off. And the panel start by discussing the new and improved contract handed to Tom Davies. The deal shows the faith Marco Silva and Marcel Brands have in the young midfielder, but Gav also argues it is a good way of protecting an asset. Davies has found first-opportunities limited of late, but the trio believe he has not been helped by different managers playing him in different positions. But what role suits Everton's youngest ever captain best? Holding midfielder? Box-to-box midfielder? No 10? Right-back?! All are discussed before talk turns to Saturday's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace. It felt like two points dropped in the race for Europe, but were there positives to take? Adam, Sam and Gav believe there were, particularly defensively, but did it underline the need for the type of player who can make a differen

Everton will go into their last home game of the season at Goodison Park in good spirits after taking 17 points from the last 27 on offer, but did Saturday's 0-0 draw at Crystal Palace highlight a problem that has never really been solved since Romelu Lukaku's departure. It's one of the big talking points of the View from the Gwladys Street fans' podcast, featuring Blues Tom Clarke and Anthony McEllin and hosted by Paul Wheelock. The trio are full of praise for the job Dominic Calvert-Lewin has done leading the job but does the 22-year-old's lack of goal threat - for the time being at least - underline why the number one priority for Marco Silva and Marcel Brands this summer has to be a prolific striker. Potential targets are offered up while there is also a wilful discussion about Lukaku's form at Manchester United and some unsurprising comments from the forward. Despite the stalemate at Selhurst Park damaging Everton's chances of making Europe, there is plenty of praise and surprise at two statistics offere

Everton made it seven clean sheets in their last nine matches by drawing 0-0 at Crystal Palace on Saturday afternoon. But a lack of killer touch in the final third cost the Blues a deserved three points, which could prove costly in the pursuit of seventh place. Phil Kirkbride and Sam Carroll were at Selhurst Park for the ECHO and they kick off this podcast by delivering their verdicts on what they witnessed, before you’ll be able to listen to Marco Silva’s press conference in full. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Marcel Brands and Marco Silva set to hold talks over the future of Phil Jagielka and Leighton Baines, with the expectation that the long-serving duo will get an answer on new contracts before the final home game of the season, a large part of the latest Royal Blue podcast concerns two players who have been cornerstones for the club. Phil Kirkbride is the man firing the questions at Dave Prentice, Sam Carroll and Paul Wheelock, who start by discussing whether it's right that Baines - as is anticipated - is offered a new deal. But will he accept? And is there another club in the Premier League that has such strength in depth at left-back? Prenno then gives his hunch as to whether Jags will also be given the chance to stay, which leads to a debate about whether Everton can be afford to be sentimental when it comes to their captain. The second part of the podcast concentrates on the PFA Team of the Year and the omission of Lucas Digne. But given Paul Pogba bizarrely did get in, Phil wonders if a different Bl

Marco Silva has just finished his pre-Crystal Palace press conference at Finch Farm where, as well as giving his thoughts on the trip to Selhurst Park, he was asked whether he thought last weekend’s stunning win over Manchester United was the best performance of his reign, and whether his Everton side have got the credit they deserve for the way they played. The Blues boss is also quizzed on whether he feels his players now fully understand his methods and whether the next step in their development is to be consistent and beat teams like Palace. Silva also comments on the race for Europe, the possibility of challenging the top six next season, and the latest on the fitness of Lucas Digne, Richarlison and Theo Walcott. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everton 4 Manchester United 0. That’s pretty much all you need to know if you’re listening to this week’s fan show. Many on today’s podcast weren’t even born the last time the footballing world witnessed a Toffee’s scoreline of that ilk against arguably the most dominant team in English football.Host, Ian Croll and guests John Howard, Connor O’Neill and Zak Dunstan drool over Everton’s performance on what was an Easter Sunday that will go down long in the memory. Everton dominated from start to finish in Sunday’s Premier League encounter even to the point were Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had to come out and publicly apologize for his side’s wretched display. Take nothing away from Everton of course and take no notice of what the National media say. Everton controlled the game and shined when it mattered. If you want to listen to four Blues talk glowingly about an epic Sunday afternoon, then this is the podcast for you. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad cho

We usually record our first Royal Blue podcast of the week on a Tuesday, but there was no chance of waiting until then, not after a performance like that, Bank Holiday or no Bank Holiday. Yes, for the third home game running, Everton were nothing short of magnificent as Manchester United followed Arsenal and Chelsea out of Goodison Park with their tails between their legs, and host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Dave Prentice, Adam Jones and Chris Beesley to reflect on the 4-0 thumping. Phil asks the trio what impressed them most about the performance and to name different man-of-the-matches. There's also discussion about why the brilliant Blues are not getting the credit they deserve on a national level, as well as Idrissa Gueye, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Gylfi Sigurdsson, before talk turns to the unbelievable atmosphere in the ground. Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Chelsea was good, and Arsenal even better, then what we witnessed today has to go down as Everton's best performance under Marco Silva yet, as his resurgent side made it three straight victories over top-six teams at Goodison Park with a 4-0 demolition of Manchester United. Little wonder, then, the Post-Game podcast is a very happy place indeed. It starts with the definitive verdict of our Everton FC correspondent Phil Kirkbride and Everton FC reporter Adam Jones, includes every word that Blues boss Silva had to say after the match, and finishes with the view from the terraces as Evertonian Tom Clarke gives his say on what was a special afternoon. COYB! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

If Everton needed any additional motivation to bounce back from last weekend's disappointing defeat at Fulham, then the sight of Manchester United rocking up at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon should do it. Particularly given the travelling party is expected to contain the Blues' all-time Premier League top-scorer Romelu Lukaku, who would be making a first return to his former club. And that topic dominates the first part of the Royal Blue podcast, hosted by Phil Kirkbride and featuring Dave Prentice, Adam Jones and Sam Carroll. The panel discuss the reaction Lukaku is likely to receive, whether he's improved as a player since signing for United, and whether Everton should or would take him back. One man the Blues will be desperate to have back next season is Andre Gomes. But with the on-loan midfielder suspended on Sunday, who should come in to replace him? Prenno, Adam and Sam have their say before talk turns to the future of Jonjoe Kenny, in the week in which the Under-23s lifted the Premier League 2 tit

Marco Silva was back in front of the media at Finch Farm on Thursday afternoon for his weekly press conference. He was asked about his players’ reaction to the desperately disappointing defeat at Fulham and whether the nature of the 2-0 reverse surprised him. The Blues boss was also quizzed on Andre Gomes’ retrospective three-game ban, received for his tackle on Aleksandar Mitrovic, and whether the on-loan Barcelona midfielder will be seen in an Everton shirt at Goodison Park again. Gomes, of course, will be suspended for Sunday’s visit of Manchester United, which Silva previews as well as giving an injury update on Yerry Mina and his thoughts on the U23s’ title triumph. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Talk about one step forward, two steps back. With Evertonians buoyant after a three-game winning run that culminated in the superb success over Arsenal, Marco Silva's side did their best to bring them back to earth with an abject display in losing at relegated Fulham. And it's the 2-0 Craven Cottage reverse, and the reasons behind it, that kicks off the latest Royal Blue podcast, hosted by Phil Kirkbride and featuring Chris Beesley, Sam Carroll and Gavin Buckland. The blame seemed to lie with the players, but did Silva make a mistake by keeping faith with Phil Jagielka, who was given a rough ride by Aleksandar Mitrović. That leads the panel to revisit the discussion over whether Mitrović would be a good summer signing for the Blues before talk turns to Jagielka's contract situation, which rounds off the first part of the podcast. Salt was rubbed into wounds when news emerged that Andre Gomes had been charged with violent conduct for a tackle he made on Mitrović in the final minute of the match - and the tackl

After a prosperous few weeks, defeat to Fulham has brought Everton’s revolution to a shuddering halt. All that good work has gone to waste in the space of an abject 90 minutes down in London. This week, Ian Croll is joined by Connor O’Neill and Rob Astell who pull no punches with their feelings towards Marco Silva’s men. The lads question where the desire was and question whether there’s an attitude problem when it comes to playing against the so called smaller teams. How much do the players really want Europa League football? This is definitely an interesting segment. To finish off, the lads preview the Easter Sunday encounter with Manchester United and ask why the FA no longer seem to be coming down hard on acts of simulation. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Let's not beat around the bush, that was unacceptable. Everton still have credit it in the bank after a run of three straight victories over Arsenal, West Ham and Chelsea and 13 points from a possible 18 before the trip to already relegated Fulham. However, they fell below the standards required at Craven Cottage and in the end they could have no complaints about the 2-0 defeat. Let's face it, it's not a defeat many of us will want to mull over, so it is a short-but-no-so-sweet Post-Game podcast, featuring the verdicts of our Everton FC reporters Phil Kirkbride and Adam Jones, before you hear what Marco Silva had to say about what was a desperately disappointing afternoon. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A fourth win on the run for Everton at Fulham on Saturday would only boost the feelgood factor currently surrounding Goodison Park. The same, however, cannot be said of the Cottagers, who along with Huddersfield Town, have already been relegated. But the latest Royal Blue podcast, hosted as ever by Phil Kirkbride and featuring a front two of Dave Prentice and Adam Jones, wonders whether there are any Fulham players Everton could pick off in the summer. That spawns a discussion about the merits of signing players from teams who have been demoted with Idrissa Gueye - whose future is debate - a prime example of how it can work.Talk then turns to the issue of Europa League football, and the lads are asked for their thoughts on Marco Silva's declaration that it is vital to the Blues. Phil, Prenno and Adam go into depth about the tournament, demands on the squad, attitudes to the competition and what it means for signing new players, before the final part of the podcast focuses on the improvements Silva has made at