 Welcome to Toffy TV, Everton completed the mini tour of the US, the Florida Cup, with a 1-0 victory over Pumas in a pretty convincing victory, wasn't it? Bit just a shame, we didn't score more goals because we created quite a lot of chances and it was a decent run out. It was, yeah. I mean, that's the only thing that was disappointing nearly that. We couldn't put the ball in the net more. We had all the opportunities and on another day we just scored six. They had a couple of chances themselves, obviously saving each half really wasn't it, one from Begavit in the first half and one from Java Junior in the second half. But yeah, you're right, it was quite convincing really, but Evan did well. Do you think it might be a little bit disappointed with the standard of the opposition? Obviously it was slated beforehand, it was going to be, it should have been into Milan or Arsenal and it would have been obviously a step up from the game before. Do you think it might be a little bit disappointed or do you think the conditions, because obviously it was overcast but it was still very warm from the people we spoke to there? I said it was very, very warm so I think it was more about just getting the work out or do you think you would have liked a higher intensity game? I think it would have been fine, for the simple reason that it was basically two teams wasn't it, played a half each. So yeah, well it would have been nice to face into Milan, you know Arsenal, nearly asked about, but into Milan it would have been nice to face them just because of the name and everything. But I think at the end of the day, we've gone and played two games of football in that heat over in Holland though, so I mean at one stage it looked like it was just going to be the one game the way things were going. So they ended up with the two games. I guess for him it's just more about seeing what the players can do and I think the biggest takeaway is something we've said before is that we need more goals in this side. And I know two of the chief goalscores for us haven't been involved yet because they've been international duties and stuff, but you want others to step up early there so regardless of the opposition we would have expected for goals last night given the quality of chances we had. But I think he'll be quite happy with the fact that he played the two games, everybody seemed to be okay and it was in tough conditions so he'll come back to the back here now and the work will continue. I said we made loads of chances first off obviously. We had great, we had hands in, we had obviously more skin up front and just that little bit of pace, really the injection of pace I thought worked really well. We found the little pockets, seeing them using the crossfield pass as well which with having a little bit of pace we could use for our benefit and it just looked a little bit quicker, a little bit sharper and obviously the goal was a good sign, a good through ball and moist skin getting one on one with the keeper and putting in on the second attempt. It just looked a little bit, you know, it looks from that point of view without it obviously out those two plays with Charleston Dom it looked certainly like we can be more of a threat on the attack this season. Yeah, the first half was definitely much better than the second half with the plays we had, that little bit of pace. We had a chance, a my moist skin had a couple of chances in the opening scene and it's the only one that's stuck on his chest and it's in the keeper makes a save and the other one he just couldn't open his body up enough after looking at the end it well. We were lively, I mean Dymari Gwrae is impressed in both games I think, looks nice and lively, got good feet, quick feet and because there is that fast sharpness about it it looks very un-evidently like what we've seen over the last few years but when you think you can throw Dom and the Calvert Louing in there and you can throw Charleston in there then it makes you think we could be a real threat up there but we still need to improve. Like you said, like to the start, the finishing you know and just we seem to knock it around quite well and it was nice sharp movements but then just a little bit sloppy on the final thing and you'd expect that in pre-season but we had a couple of opportunities where we were obviously doing a lot along with Charleston just shoot because on two or three occasions Moise Keane, Alex Alwobi even Domari Gwrae on one they all had the opportunities to just have a go and take that. And Alwobi had a great chance just before Artan that he created himself and it was a really good, you know we'd finish it off you'd be looking at a goal not a really good goal. I mean me only sitting on the second attempt because the camera went to show two minutes when he was in the box with the ball for some reason. Now we're right that was a good little move and Alwobi did really well, he shifted it and faced it just well. I think what we saw sailing in that first half because it was funny because the other night it was the second half that we looked better and when we went again though when we had a little bit more pace on the pitch and there was a few more players on the same sort of wavelength because there is a little bit more pace on the pitch so you're seeing players and that can only benefit someone like Alwobi I think going forward having players who are quick who will move into space. I think he's the kind of player who he's got an intelligent skill set he just doesn't put it all together but if he's got players around him who are fast you can move into space then I think that will make him a little bit better. So I thought all in all we looked good in that first half. It is just that thing of we need more people to put the ball in the back of the net and this is the ideal time with having no Richard Allison and having no Dominic Avelin and your chief providers of goals. You want someone, you want those players in the normal season to just step up and get comfortable doing that. I'm sure I had a penalty as well. Yeah it was clear and bold wasn't it but it just would be nice to just see a few more people and hopefully some of them will see you on the scene. Just a few more people step up and start taking chances because I do think we'll start making more chances because I do think we'll be more of a threat. We've got pace and Natalie with any team with pace. As an opposition you back off a little bit and that opens up the pitch. I've just said there was one crossfield ball from right to left that the Marey Gray kept in brilliantly that you didn't think he was going to keep in. And it's stuff like that which helps you change up the game very quickly when there's nothing on. We saw it in the first game, a quick ball over the top to Moise Keen, what can he do with it. And having those players now we've got those width with a little bit of pace. I do think we can spring teams a lot quicker. And that was always something we looked at last season where you're trying to break and there's a couple of players who've got the ability to break and then there's nobody else. One of those players has got the ball. If you've only got one player in supporting everyone's 40 yards of right by the time they've joined in everyone's back anyway. I think one of the other things he saw as well particularly in the first half, he lined up with a 4-2-3-1 and we had a Woby in the 10. We had Andrew Sarnsland on the left and Dymari Gray on the right and then Gray switched into the 10 and the Woby went to the right. And then he finished the half by a Woby being on the left and Sarnsland being on the right and Gray in the 10 as well. So all three of them had a little pop of different areas of the pitch which joined in a bit Moise Keen. And that was good because there were three fluid players as well and we saw obviously Luca Dean who had the longest he's had last night. Getting up and down the pitch, seeing him, he was effective in both halves really. Not so much on the right hand side. We know about that so there was nothing there. But yeah, the first half was good. I mean, Trond Davies and Andre Gomes in the double pivot were okay. But it seems to be, I mean obviously from the games we've seen so far that looks like that would definitely be his preferred setup. And obviously when you have got Allen and you have got a Decora or Gabamon in that too. It does allow those middle three to get up and down interchange but also dropping as well because they've got the pace there. And hopefully that will help with pressing sides in there as well and not leaving ourselves exposed because if you have got that, this is why I go on about the right back and I know we all do. But this is the difference isn't it? When you've got a Luca Dean on the left and you see him joining in. If you've got that on the right then suddenly you've got two full backs who are almost playing like wingers. Two wingers you can then come inside to support the striker. So that means you've got three up front. And then you've got, so you're talking about five then, five attack on players. And then if one of your midfielders has got the ability to join in, one of those deep midfielders, whether it be Decora or Gabamon, allowing the other one to sit maybe like an Allen. Then suddenly you are getting more men in the box because you can get up and down the pitch a lot quicker. And that's obviously what I think he's looking at. But that right back position is so key to that. Like a broken record, a nail note that of course. But it's so important why I feel like we need that playing as quickly as we can. Because it could make a massive difference to the side just how we get up and down and having that energy. And having been able to attack and almost be like that basketball style of playing that you see from the very best side. Balance isn't it? That's all it is. Again, we've changed Colman's side a new deal and we're delighted with that that he'll still be part of the squad. But he said himself even on his interview, he's like, no, I'm 33, so I understand that. I can't do the things I could do 10 years ago. But I'm going to be working on setting the standards and training. I think he knows, I think he'll look at himself going, I can't run up down like a youth soup and raid. But what he did say was he's better defensively. We've seen that his performance is over the last couple of years. He's been really good when he's had to do one man to man and stuff like that. He's been brilliant, brilliant games. And that's great because there will be games where he actually will help us if he's playing. But in terms of wanting to be an attacking unit, we are going to need someone who can fly up and down that right hand side as well. Because then it cuts off the, it cuts off the, if it's not Luke of Deane. They just keep thinking they're going to feed Luke of Deane. If he's hedging up the pitch and you've got someone bombing the right to switch it on. Well obviously in the second half we made a lot of changes. And obviously we had the likes of Nathan Blood and Anthony Golden who came on. Didn't really have a true striker on the pitch in the second half. But obviously Hamas Rosigus playing and again, you know, in the first game he was quite quiet. He was a little bit maybe off where they want him to be. And this game he looked a little bit quiet. Had one good chance where he'd keep him made a good save. I just wonder where, listen it's up to now it's been all smiles and nice videos of him and stuff. But you know, we're not stupid. We know he was the major draw for that tournament to getting, you know, the South American. You know, Columbia and whatever to come and watch the game. I just wonder where that, how that will now evolve. Because he was, it was all smiles as he said. He was the draw. Now where everyone would have been contractually obliged to have taken him there. And you know, that's how the game is played. It's just going to be interesting now because now I imagine. Rathbun, he says after having a look at him, we'll have to make a decision on him. Now does he fit, not does he sell him, but does he fit in to what we've just spoken about? Having players who are interchangeable, who've got that pace, who will come in and help out. Also joining up that ability. And if he's not in that, then do you just go, well, there's no point in sitting on the bench forever. If you're not going to be, if that's going to make you unhappy at this stage, you're clear. And if we can get money for you and bring someone in. So I do find that it is going to be interesting. I think over the next few days to see how that works itself out. Yeah, I can't sit here and advocate him going. Because I still think he's well-classed footballer. I think it's such a fantastic, I think his vision is incredible. But you're right, he's not looking as sharp as others. I think if you had, I think if you played in the number 10 off the striker, I think you can get away with it. And what I mean by get away with it is I think it's natural ability to drop into a pocket and pick the ball up. If you've got runners right and left, I think you can be a huge weapon for us because his vision is incredible. What you would, it seems to be the way Benitez has set up so far. The number 10. Although he did play the number 10 against Milenarius. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And he was okay. But he then tried the Marey Gray in the 10. And when the Marey Gray was in the 10, it was a lot more fluid. Do you think then it might be, there might be a case for if he is fit, then actually if you've got a number nine and you have got a player either side and you have got two full backs. And again, this is why I stress why that full back position is so important. That are pushing on. That, you know, you can get away with them in there because you've got two. You've got two workers either side. You've got two full backs going either side of them. And you've got, you know, the centre forward. Because don't forget he can get in the ball on the edge of the box. I've back him in the target from the edge of the box. We haven't got anyone like that. No, no. You know, he's dead ball delivery. You know, you're talking about letting the player go. I've had 15 goal-involvings last season. That's quite a lot, really, to see walk out the door. 100%. If my lan wanted them and someone like Raphael Law, who's been linked again today with Evan, was coming the other way kind of thing, they used to obviously 21, 22 years of age, quick, can play anywhere across the front three. Then you'd have to look at it and go, yeah, maybe then for the long term benefits, that would happen or whatever. I'll say that will happen, but maybe you'd look at it like that. But like I said, I can't sit here and say, yeah, hammer should go. Because I think if you put the people round them, you can be the king when that unlocks everything. But you're right, you do, to get the most out of him, you do need a flying right back. Because if you were matching, we know that we need a right back. I think we still need Liam Bailey or someone like that, like a Tuchweezy or Diabi, or someone who's really, it's like the level up from them. See, Damari Gray, just before we move on, was coming with low expectations. He cost £1.6 million, looks really good. If he can get consistent, he is one of those players who you've got. Wow, he could be brilliant for us. It's whether he can get the consistency. He's got to get it now. He's not had it before and he's 25. He's 25 a month ago. So he's in that now. Let me just start on that one. Do you think, because this seems a bit of a silly question, but do you think if he's got the ability to, all he's shown that he's the number one in his position, do you think that would make it better for him to get the consistency? Or do you think if you bring someone in and go, you can fight for your position, that would help him more? What we've seen so far is clear. Yeah, you might be right. Maybe he needs someone to go. Actually, you're like number one. And maybe that'll settle in then. He had a bear when he was young. He had a bear when he played regularly. He was very good and that's why Lester took him. He's been in and out at Lester because they tried different things. I've always thought he was dangerous, but another one who sometimes there's nothing from it, so all of the little runs and stuff, but you know, playing with better players, not saying better than Lester, but I mean playing with better players just anyway, as he's getting older, helps that, doesn't it? Possibly, I don't know. I still, it wouldn't stop me. Everyone, I'm adding their surprise now, when I say it wouldn't stop me still trying to get Leon Bailey. Because I think what I've seen with Damari Grey is, Benitez kind of likes him in that number 10. And if you think you've had the challenge and you've had Leon Bailey, I'm going to use just for that example, and you've got Damari Grey, and you've got Dom, then you've got a front four. You need him a feel to be disciplined. But all of a sudden you've got interchange in place. But if you then had Hamas Rodriguez there sometimes and you had Leon Bailey and you had the challenge and you're full, then all of a sudden you're looking and going, we can score in every game. Because we've got that. We can score in every game. How disciplined are we at the back? I think he might play with Charlotte in the number 10. Well, he's another one. And you've got this fella there, Andrew, and he's looked good. Already the options are up. Do I still think we need better level but 100% we do. But the Hamas one is an interesting one because he's got so much talent. You've got to use him the best way you can. I think out of two, Alex of Obie would be the one to get it off. That's a shock. And that's not me not saying Alex of Obie hasn't got talent because I actually think he doesn't. I think what you said earlier on, having lots of players moving, he was at his best in a fluent Arsenal team. He wasn't amazing, but he was a good footballer in a fluent Arsenal team because they did move. He's come to an editing team that hasn't really known what to do. Michael Silver, Gorham, Gorham off brands or whether they're Gorham together. But we wanted, Wilf Sirharam, we ended up with Alex of Obie. He'd come into Everton and he really should have just been given the number 10 at that time and gone, right, let's do this. It hasn't happened for him and we've ended up shooing on him on the right, we've tried him on the left, we've tried him right back and all of a sudden he's a player now that no one, everyone's kind of like... People have lost the confidence in him. He's lost the thing a bit of confidence where does he fly? Does he get in? So if you maybe had runners with him, then yeah, it might improve him, but if you're off for a meet, out the truth then it'd be Alex who would have changed over other than Hammers. The second half is obviously a little bit petty. Broke up by all the subs. I thought the first 15 minutes we would take them into it strongly. And then we had a really good 10-15 minutes of making a lot of chances. Andy Gordon on the left. Doing good and just being simple. Getting the ball, beating the lap for pace at him every time and then trying to pull it back. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. So that was good from him, just being a lot more directive and decisive. On the other hand, I thought Brode had worked incredibly hard. He's obviously got really good movement. I don't think he's got bags of pace, but he's got the movement to take it down. Technically seems okay. I think we spoke about it last night when we did the watch along. There is that. A lot of that comes down to where we are at the pre-season, but he has got that thing of because of his age. If he was 18 or 19, he'd probably be looking at it and think, like Anthony Gordon, but being 23 you don't look at it the same way and you're looking for that little bit because there's been a couple of times when he got one-on-one with the goalkeeper and you want him to open his body up and give him the eyes or just care it around him. Don't get me wrong, there's still that with Moise Keane as well. The same with his goal, you wanted him to just do something really, really cool, but he didn't. He just decided to keep it and got lucky with the rebound. Brode's a little bit the same. He's not got that coolness or the little bit of technique. He got past them and then tried to go around the goalkeeper and he just didn't quite and it is that little bit and you just wonder whether at the age now your two-year deal does he go on loan? Does he use him as a back-up? Is he good enough as a back-up? I don't know. He's obviously had time in this tournament over the two games simply because we haven't got that many options. It would have been interesting to see what they would have done with them if we had that with Charlottes and Dominic Avelin I'd written him off totally. He looks up for it. I wanted to say about him, he's right. His movement's decent. He hasn't got loads of pace but he gets there if that makes sense. He's not slow but he's not quick. So the movement is really important. Is he calm enough in front of goal? He has been at under 23 level but I know that's playing against 17, 18-year-olds. So it's a little bit different. What I would say is maybe alone and then you see what he does. OK, he's 23 and the caveat that that is Leon Bailey's 23 and I'm talking about paying him paying £25 million, £30 million to get him and Nathan's at the same age but players can bloom at different times maybe. So it'll be interesting to see what he do. If it was me, if I was him I'd want to go on loan I think because he's not going to get in over the Charlottes and I'm going to call the loan. Sitting out as a sub on Everton's bench and maybe getting 10 minutes every now and again. Is he getting on the pitch before Damari Gray? I don't think so. Is he getting on the pitch before Andrews Townsend? I don't think so. But if he goes on loan and applies that with and does the same thing then I think maybe, maybe if he does, well Evan will look and go Oh tell you what he actually could be a good back off. If we've given him a decision to make possibly next summer because obviously that's why they've given him a two year contact but I do like I like what he's got I don't know whether it's good enough for Evan but I do think showing what he's got if he could go somewhere what is he? I think that's my thing. You're right. I think he's a whack for it but we don't have nine. A lot of teams don't play with a nine anymore. No but okay but then is he playing through the middle or are you playing him off the front? I think he can play through the middle but it depends so you'd have to pick the right team because if a team was going back to front then you'd be pointing this. You'd need a team that want to play intelligent football and saying get him in and him using that move and someone who threads it through midfield it might be us and I think what it for him is I think what I've noticed from him is the kind of player that what you saw last night he'll run across anywhere of the front and then try and pick the ball up and then beat that last defender so you get into space and then beat the last defender getting behind getting behind the back line only he's got the pace to get behind the back line but what I do think he's got is the pace and the movement to get into an area to then face up a centre back and I do think he's got it sick then I think he needs to go on though Championship I'd say but I think he'll have a career definitely oh yeah I think he's got I think he's definitely got something I just don't think he's got that little bit extra there I've got to look at what you've got to remember at the Premier League is and where everyone will be and where fans will have everything to be is that they're the difference makers in the final third and the difference makers cost money and you look at teams where chasing and you look at you look at it less this time less that I've got some real quality in the final third you look at it even teams like Westam is he better than like Jarrod Bowen at Westam I mean Liverpool are looking at Jarrod Bowen so now he's not better than him you know and there there around though she's looking at Leeds is he better than the likes of Rafina or Jack Harrison you know is he better than Sadio Mane at Liverpool or Salah now and I know we've got plays you aren't better than me during our first team but what I'm saying is that's the difference in that final third can he get to that I don't know but the only way to do that to play games I don't think at 23 he's got the time to be six and seven minutes off the bench for Evan in the Premier League I think he needs to go and play games because he went on loan don't forget to bet in a couple of years ago and Nigel Clough was the manager and he did okay he was playing in midfield off the flank I think he done alright and got an injury and then kind of it tailed off and maybe if he did go that full season under his belt and carried on developing we'd have had a better idea I think now at 23 don't forget he was out of contract everything just looked at him and gone I'd get a bit of money for him if we keep him so if we can get him on loan and then it'll be one or two things he'll go on loan and do well or he'll go on loan do well enough at Champions League clubs and say yeah we'll have him for two million and that's good for FFP and with that you hope as well that he'll go back to Anthony Gordon that he's worked hard in both games I think and you just need just wanting to almost look at him and go I don't want to be in that position when I'm 23 you know what I mean? I want to be involved now I want to show because I think what brother's got going for him he's seen me he looks like he's putting everything into it he looks knackered and you want that with Gordon as well to just be like I want to be here he needs to see Anthony I think for me or certainly needs the first after season on loan because I don't think he's another one it's great to go we'll keep these kids with them we'll just have them on the bench I mean City did it with Phil Foden I'm not saying he's the same level because he's clearly not but Man City kept Phil Foden Anthony Gordon and Nathan Broder that's two totally different conversations because you've just said it yourself there's four years between them and it is almost like I don't want to be there or I want to be someone's first huge winger and he's got a but Rafa Benita is my thing he'll benefit more staying with me so I can get him into how to stay in shape what to do, how to possession when he's in possession what's he doing what chooses and maybe just right now that might benefit him but you want the lad playing games as well he's got definitely got the the pace if he just simplifies his game to beat the and do one or the other it'll be interesting there will be conversations over the next couple of weeks what I would say though about it not necessarily just density but what we've seen so far in pre-season is the thing I've liked about it is there's a definite clear picture I think of what they're trying to do even when almost like an identity but even when the teams are being changed it's still late people know and I think that's what you get with Benita's so I've said it before he's a better face than a David Moyes what I meant by that was David Moyes teams always had structure his teams got a structure he's a better coach clearly he's won things and he's done great good things and all that but I think that's what I've noticed is that even out of possession you see where people know where they need to be the nuances will come from camp players do stay on it all the time like Mason Holgate still do nothing where he's turning back all the time without looking at times that's no good Premier League we saw Rolly Watkins have him at the home game training that out of there isn't it and it's just can we sharpen up things like Alan in the second half just hitting the ball to him anyway it's them kind of things but I think on the whole team the other person I was wanting to mention was obviously John Felipe Cabaman no the solid half from him looks physically better than anyone we've got there was a few moments when he just got the ball and used his little bit of physicality, a little bit of pace to get himself out of trouble and then move the ball to another area of the pitch and then we got on with it it's just great to see him playing football to be honest it's good that they're taking the time with him, they're building it up and hopefully by the time we get to the start of the season he's given the manager something to think about in terms of whether he's going to start whether he's going to start or whether this first game might be the league up game which you imagine is normally the last week on August's time isn't it so Benita has spoken about him he's shown enough to be he thinks he could be basically in the first team regular and stuff and that's what we want it is a new sign the lad's had unbelievable bad luck but when you look at him you can see why why Marcel Brands wanted to bring him here is physically just ahead of so many players he was up against them last night he was just massive when you've got a player like that and when he starts running it's so difficult to stop, he's huge he's got a good passion range if you think back to his time at 90 he was everywhere playing for the Ivory Coast he was everywhere playing centre back as well so if he can stay fit he'll be a hell of a footballer for everything because we haven't got anyone comparable to him when you've got him in the core in my field and you've got mobility I thought he was excellent we saw him in and around the edge of the box quite a bit last night he was playing in the number 10 and Alan Dacorey was sitting so that was interesting to see him doing that a couple of times, he had a couple of shots did we for him it'll be confidence just playing games just simply playing football games well think about it, he'd come in he had no pre-season injured injured for him having no rest after the African Cup in Nations he was out for an extra month came back Covid hit he was out he had to see things, come back done as a killer played no football and then come back again started training for a couple of weeks get on against Palace for 10 minutes then get a contract injury and then doesn't play again so now he's actually played four games hasn't he, he's been involved in four games which is more than he's done in two years so for him had just been a proper game and the pre-season building up and obviously he'll be keeping a special eye on it so listen as far as he's concerned and as far as the club is concerned he's fully fit so if we can keep an eye on him and keep him fit and healthy then we're going to have a hell of a midfielder on our hands because he's got all the tools and like you just said there he is a new player and you know with Grae and with Townsend you suddenly look up and you go actually we've got a little bit more to any pace now in midfield don't forget this team this fit team finished a win off Europe they've finished eight points off a Champions League place so when people bar give it an out and our own fans are saying we're terrible with this with that we're not really, we're better than a lot of people think we are is it as nice as we want it to be? no, but like you just said with Andrew Townsend, with DiMarey Grae with John Fflipp, you can get a right back in and we can squeeze percentages out of other plays because a manager's job isn't just to buy new players a good coach makes the players you've got better it's his responsibility Rafa Benitez will make the players we've got better so it was a good trip that decent performance good trip, great for the American fans to get to see Evan a couple of times and play different kinds of teams different kind of conditions I had a new kid that I've worked hard all week in the training we know the sessions were tough so yeah, good stuff and obviously the next game isn't now till a week Saturday against Manchester United which obviously would be a tough game with Old Trafford ahead of the season but it prepares you for the start of the season a week after, just over two weeks till the season starts which is mad I've got my season ticket today as well just good makes you feel a little bit really there you go, let us know your thoughts in the comments on the game where you impressed by what you saw who are you optimistic about this season who do you think needs a wide berth let us know your thoughts in the comments give this video a like, subscribe if you haven't already if you want more great videos, daily live videos join us over on Patreon, the link is in the description and it's on the screen, see you later