Royal Blue

The wait is nearly over... Everton return to Premier League action on Sunday, and in your and second final Royal Blue podcast of the week, we preview the visit of Crystal Palace to Goodison Park.But before getting stuck into the clash with Roy Hodgson’s side, the show kicks off with a debate about a player who may not even make the match – Idrissa Gueye. If the midfielder is ruled out with the injury he sustained on international duty, who should take his place? Morgan Schneiderlin? Unleash Andre Gomes? Drop Gylfi Sigurdsson back?The ECHO’s head of sport, Dave Prentice, who is joined on the podcast by Chris Beesley, Paul Wheelock and host Sam Carroll, is dead against the idea of shifting Sigurdsson out of the No 10 position, particularly given the display he produced as part of a new-look, exciting front four in the win at Leicester City before the international break.That leads on to a discussion about whether the Blues have finally found a way of replacing Romelu Lukaku – but not in the way most supporters

This week, the fan podcast is brought to you by guests, Tom Clarke, Max Carlyle and Rob Astell with your host, Ian Croll. The lads are desperate for the international break to be over and for the return of Premier League football. So to fill the time ahead of the Palace home game, they discuss and debate which players should stay beyond this season despite having only months left on their deal. Players such as Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Ashley Williams and James McCarthy are all part of today’s chat. To finish off, the lads preview Crystal Palace and give their predictions ahead of Sunday’s game. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

One year ago today an injury-time penalty from Wayne Rooney earned Everton a 1-1 draw at Brighton. It merely proved a stay of execution for Ronald Koeman, who lost his job soon after following home defeats to Lyon and Arsenal.And in our latest Royal Blue podcast, hosted by Sam Carroll and featuring Dave Prentice, Ian Croll and Paul Wheelock, we remember Koeman’s sacking and, with the benefit of 12 months hindsight, ask what state he left the club in, and ask what can be considered progress for the manager that Farhad Moshiri always wanted to replace the Dutchman.The lads also discuss the importance of Idrissa Gueye after the midfielder picked up an injury on international duty and question whether the Blues have ever replaced one of the players Koeman allowed to leave the club.Talk then turns to comments made by Kevin Mirallas before the podcast rounds off with a lively debate – between Dave and Ian in particular – about what constitutes being a Blues legend and great.Enjoy. For information regarding your da

The international break is upon us, so it seems like a good time to take stock of where Everton really are.Marco Silva has now had 10 competitive matches as Blues boss, and heads into the time off on the back of consecutive Premier League wins for the first time this season.Things are on the up, and that's before we've even mentioned the players on their way back from injury!Our podcast panel Sam Carroll, Dave Prentice, Adam Jones and Paul Wheelock discuss Everton's behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this week and review the stars who have already been in international action.The panel also discuss home form and a look at the Goodison atmosphere, with some great memories of games gone by over the years.It's well worth a listen! For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former Everton Academy star John Paul Kissock is the special guest for this edition of the Royal Blue podcast.Ahead of Non-League Day this weekend, we caught up with Kissock who has spent the majority of his career playing in the fifth and sixth tiers of the English football pyramid after leaving Goodison in 2009.Kissock, now with National League South side Welling United, speaks about how the non-league game helped revive his career and rekindle his love of football after being released by David Moyes hit him hard.The 28-year-old opens up on his first-team experiences at Everton where he travelled with the squad to Alkmaar in the Uefa Cup before being named in the matchday squads for a run of games - including a derby at Anfield.Kissock talks to the Royal Blue podcast about Moyes, how things could've been under Roberto Martinez, the brilliance of Andy van der Meyde, the senior pros who consoled him the day he left as well as his ambition to return to Everton as an Academy coach.And much, much more.Sit back,

Bernard’s best position? Richarlison as a No 9? What has changed for Sigurdsson? Is Ross Barkley right about Everton’s coaching approach? International break timing good or bad?All of the following is answered in this week’s View from the Gwladys Street fan podcast with guest opinions from Graham Callaghan, Connor Bennett and Harry Crockett, with your host, Ian Croll. There’s also the final word on Everton’s 2-1 over Leicester and what Silva must do moving forward.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A first away win in months, the pecking order upfront, Silva's first eight games, his next eight and controversy over an assist.It's all in the first Royal Blue podcast of the week.Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by Paul Wheelock, Adam Jones and Gavin Buckland as the panel relive a satisfying first away win of the season - and a couple of special goals.The 2-1 win over Leicester City saw Richarlison start as the Blues' No9 and the lads discuss whether he is now in place as the squad's first-choice striker and what does it mean for the Cenk Tosun, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Oumar Niasse.The panel then put Everton's forwards in a pecking order.A second international break of the season allows us to reflect on the opening eight league games of the Silva era and look ahead to the next eight, which include some tasty away games but winnable home matches.Sit back, relax and enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Well, what a difference four days make.Evertonians were down in the dumps on Tuesday night after watching their side exit the League Cup in disappointing fashion.But spirits have most definitely been lifted after they witnessed an excellent 2-1 victory at Leicester City this afternoon.A quite magnificent goal from Gylfi Sigurdsson secured the Blues a first away win of the season and a second straight success in the Premier League.And to reflect on a job well done, we hear from our Everton FC reporter Adam Jones and our sports editor David Prentice.Host Paul Wheelock then talks to Blues supporter Mark Crotty, who is speaking on a very happy, and noisy, bus back from the King Power.And the podcast rounds off with all the audio from Everton manager Marco Silva’s top-table press conference. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sadly, there is only one place where we could start the latest Royal Blue podcast, hosted by Sam Carroll and also featuring Paul Wheelock and our Everton FC reporter Adam Jones - and that is the miserable Carabao Cup exit to Southampton.Was Marco Silva's decision to make seven changes the main reason for the defeat? Or was the team he selected good enough to beat a similarly second-string Saints side?Both questions are discussed as well as the two minor positives of an otherwise forgettable night - the performances of Bernard and Ademola Lookman.The lads all believe Bernard should be handed his first Premier League start against Leicester City on Saturday but should Tom Davies keep his place?The Academy graduate came in for stick on Tuesday night and Sam, Paul and Adam debate whether that's fair.They also ponder whether the yet-to-be-seen Andre Gomes could turn out to be Silva's most important summer signing before the must-listen podcast rounds off by previewing the trip to the King Power.Enjoy. For informa

New manager, same old story for Everton in the League Cup.The Blues exited a competition they have yet to win after going down 4-3 on penalties to Southampton at a hugely disappointed and frustrated Goodison Park.To pick the bones out of the performance, and manager Marco Silva’s decision to make seven changes to the side that started the weekend win over Fulham, the podcast kicks off with the views of our Everton FC reporter Adam Jones.You will then get the verdict of our sports editor Dave Prentice, before hearing the thoughts of Everton supporter Rob Astell.And the podcast rounds off with audio from Marco Silva’s press conference after the match. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week’s fan podcast takes a closer look at Theo Walcott’s contribution to Everton Football Club. Are the fans happy with his current form? Is the former Arsenal man doing enough to repay back that hefty transfer fee? Can he do more? Hosted by Ian Croll, guests include Lee Molton and Rob Astell. The lads also assess Gylfi Sigurdsson recent performance and why it’s about time he started to deliver. There’s also the final word on Everton’s 3-0 win over Fulham and a short preview of Tuesday's Carabao Cup tie with Southampton – including a good debate on who Marco Silva should start.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A first league win in over a month, a clutch of candidates for man-of-the-match and talk about getting to the final of the League Cup.It's all in an upbeat Royal Blue podcast today as the panel reflect on the weekend's 3-0 win over Fulham at Goodison.Host Phil Kirkbride is joined by a panel of Gav Buckland, Tony Scott and Chris Beesley as they look back on a much needed victory for Everton and Marco Silva.The Blues are hoping to pick up back-to-back wins for the first time since April but the Royal Blue podcasters wonder where the Carabao Cup comes on the manager's list and what sort of team he will select to face Southampton tomorrow night.The excitement around Bernard, the concept of cup keepers and a debate over who is the squad's best defender, also feature in today's edition.Sit back, relax and enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

There are certain things you can guarantee in life – and an Everton win at home to Fulham is one of those.The Cottagers have now lost their last 22 league trips to Goodison Park after the Blues produced a vastly improved second-half performance to run out 3-0 winners this afternoon.This podcast starts with the verdict of our Everton FC correspondent Phil Kirkbride before our Everton FC reporter Adam Jones gives his thoughts.The show's host, Paul Wheelock, then chats with Blues season-ticket holder Ian Croll, to get a view from the stands, before we get the view from the dugout with audio from Marco Silva’s top-table press conference that took place after the match.Enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Phil Kirkbride is back with the second and final Royal Blue podcast of the week, and just like last Friday, he is joined by Dave Prentice, Adam Jones and Paul Wheelock.Marco Silva, in contrast, has not yet had the luxury of naming the same side, and the panel discuss whether he should make changes for the visit of a club that Everton have a remarkable record against at Goodison Park.But will the atmosphere be different compared to the last time Fulham came to town? Roberto Martinez is brought up for the first, but certainly not the last time, in the podcast, before talk turns to the public persona of the manager currently in the Everton hotseat.Silva's midfield options for the clash with the Cottagers are discussed, as is the situation surrounding Yerry Mina, and who should fill his shoes while the big summer signing attempts to overcome a new injury problem.Fresh from Jordan Pickford putting pen to paper on a six-year deal, Phil kicks off an interesting debate about which Blues player should be next in

If Evertonians could see the defeat to West Ham coming a mile off, and the loss to Arsenal a grim inevitability despite an improved performance at the Emirates, then surely hopes should be higher for this weekend’s visit of Fulham?The Cottagers have lost their last 11 trips to Goodison and have never won in the league at the home of the Blues.But are last season’s Championship play-off winners confident of ending that record on Saturday?To find out, Paul Wheelock speaks to Ryan O’Donovan, who covers Fulham for the Football.London website.Ryan gives an insight into how the Cottagers are shaping up for the journey to Merseyside, the players Everton will have to be wary off, and much more else besides. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Sunday did not produce the result Everton fans wanted.Despite dominating large portions of the match, the Blues were defeated 2-0 by Arsenal at the Emirates stadium to leave Marco Silva with six points from as many matches so far.However, there are positives to take from that performance.Our podcast panel Dave Prentice, Adam Jones, Chris Beesley and Gavin Buckland discuss those positives, Tom Davies' captaincy and much more in a lively Royal Blue podcast. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today’s podcast will focus on the defeat at the Emirates as well as look ahead to the Fulham game on Saturday. The lads also discuss the current state of affairs and the perceived negativity surrounding the club with some fans already calling for Silva to go. Few other points on the agenda include the captain debate as well as who should play upfront short-term. Guests include, John Howard, Rob Astell and Graham Callaghan with your host, Ian Croll. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

You have to go back to 1996 for the last time Everton won at the home of Arsenal.But they won’t have had many better chances to end that wretched record than they did this afternoon.So were the Blues the masters of their own downfall? Or were the officials to blame?We attempt to answers those questions – and more – in our Post-Game podcast.It is a podcast that kicks off with the verdict of our Everton FC correspondent Phil Kirkbride.You will then get the thoughts of Blues supporter Tom Clarke before hearing audio from Marco Silva’s top-table press conference. It's the view from the pressbox, the stands, and the dugout. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's been over 22 years since Everton won at Arsenal - and the Royal Blue podcast are trying to find reasons why that run will end this weekend!Phil Kirkbride is joined by Dave Prentice, Adam Jones and Paul Wheelock as the panel look back at why the Blues have endured such a miserable time in that part of North London and what needs to change.The panel talk about mindsets, how Marco Silva should set up his defence, if Yerry Mina needs to come in from the start and whether or not a change in formation is required.And if last season's abysmal performance in the 5-1 defeat at the Emirates was a failed attempt to replicate the tactics of Swansea City, as Sam Allardyce revealed, then who should Silva be trying to emulate this weekend?The return of Richarlison, and the expectation which is on his shoulders, is talked about as is Theo Walcott who plays against his old club.Sit back, relax and enjoy. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphon

Our Everton FC correspondent Phil Kirkbride has been down to Finch Farm this afternoon (Friday) for Marco Silva's pre-Arsenal press conference.Phil kicks off this podcast by giving a quick update from the main top-table presser before providing an insight into what to expect on the Liverpool ECHO site following his one-on-one interview with the Everton manager.You will then be able to hear Silva's top-table press conference in full, in which he talks the fitness of Phil Jagielka, Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman and Yerry Mina, his thoughts on the trip to Arsenal and last weekend's loss to West Ham United, and the season so far.It is a bite-sized show.But we'll have something more substantial later today with our second and final Royal Blue podcast of the week. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices