 Welcome to our pre-match press conference of preview again. I guess last and below we'll start off with Vinnie and Sky. Sean, I just wanted to start with sad news about John Watson today, actually. You're only four years older than me. So I'd imagine as well as your career of football, there will be memories going back to when you were growing up with John Watson? Absolutely. Legend, his voice alone. But when you met him a few times, I have done, I'm sure you have done. Down the years he's a top fellow as well, so sad loss. Also wanted to ask you about the Government white paper out today I ffordd y cyffredin iawn i'r dynnu llyfr, a'r gyffredin iawn i'r dynnu llyfr yn ymwneud i'r dynnu llyfr yn ymddangos? Yn ymddangos yw'n ddod, ond rwy'n gwybod eich ddweud ym mwy yn ymddangos i'r ddweud. Mae'n gweithio yw'r ddweud, felly mae'n rhaid i'n gweithio i'r ddweud yma. Ond ymddangos i'n gweithio i'r ddweud, dwi'n gweithio i'r ddweud i'r ddweud i'r ddweud i'r ddweud. yna'n gwybod. Felly mae gen i'n gwneud i'r ffwrdd a'r wnaes i'r gwybod. Roeddwn i'n gweithio bod y ffordd maen nhw'n gwybod ym Mhwngorol yma. Byddwn i'n gwybod y byd hynny yn gweithio i ddweud i gael bod bod y bydd yn gweithio. Gweithio'n cael ei gweithio ar y ffordd mwy o'r gweithio'n gweithio. Wrth gwrs, mae'n gweithio â'r gweithio ar y dysgu'i'r ffordd i'r fan o'r Llyfridd ffordd a'r gweithio. Maen nhw'n ddweud y ffordd sy'n gweithio nhw wedi hoeddiwyr sydd wedi gweithio gweithio'n gwirio y gwaith y ddeunydd hwnnw, yn ddeunydd nawr ardu ar dweud y ddeunydd yn Gwyduson Park, a mae'n bod nhwws gweithio'n gyffredig. A hynny roedd yn yw'r adrodd yÙl? Doedd yn gweithio, tu'n proffynion ar gyfer hwnnw. Roedd oedden ni i gweithio gweithio. Y gweithio'n ffordd yn ei wneud gwelwch yng Nghymru i'ch gweithio'n gyfo....... sy'n allan os o'r plweithio. Yn ei hwb i ddod, mae'n gynghyd i goglyfu meistiau, ond gallwn ni chynyddio cwestiynau, ond mae'n mynd i ddesig at y gwydoedd yn mynd i gylwyddi'r club. Fe ddyddwn ni'n amser, rwy'n swydd ddaeth i chi. Ydw i'n ymwneud i'r chymunicau arno. Oherwydd, rydym yn drwsgol crwp o gymryd, ond mae'n angen gwnaeth i'r club, ond mae'n angen gwnaeth i'r club, ond ymgyrch o'r angen gwnaeth i'r club. I'm kind of walking in the middle of things, learning as I go. So I'm not going to start quizzing and questioning everything, I'm just going to make sure that we can try and bring the reconnection. You know, if there is a disconnect, we've got to try and bring the reconnection because the fans are a massively important part of this club. I understand that and I'm learning more and more about that, the energy, the passion. So it's got to be respected. So it's just, you know, can we bring it back together? Can we find the right way of bringing it back together? Wins help, you know, it helps to feel good factor around a football club. It doesn't solve everything but it makes it feel better and hopefully that brings some kind of alignment and connection or new alignment and connection because I think it's important for a football club and it's important for myself as the manager to play my part if I can. What can you tell us about the contact from board level after those two home wins that you've had? I would just use your stuff, you know. I think there's enough connection from the owner, from the chairman, from anyone relevant to the club, of course, at the highest level, from the different parts of the club they need to connect with. Myself is usually about football, as you can imagine. Players fitness, welfare, team results, et cetera, et cetera, and that's been very open as I am and shared, you know, what I think of the current status quo and what we're doing and what we're looking to do. As well as the positivity to Wins at Goddison, it seems there's more positive news with Jordan Pickford about to sign a new contract and we're told that there's no relegation release clause in there as well. What can you tell us about that? Well, I'm not really bothered about release clause and all that, that's nothing to do with me. But no, I mean it's more to do with the fact it's a very, very good player, we know that. A good servant of this football club so far as well and going to continue to be that, I'm sure. I think it's a sign he's enjoying our new regime, if you like. I think he's accepting of what we're looking to offer and I know he's been a fantastic player, so we want to continue doing that. And any way we can rub off on him and help him to continue his development will be great if he feels there is stuff and I think there is. Anything else in the pipeline? I think maybe Alex O'Robin a new deal? Conor Coding? Everything will be looked at accordingly. Obviously, three odd weeks in, whatever it is, feels like about 17 months. No, I'm still pretty new to it. But no, we're assessing every situation. Some have been ongoing like Jordan's and I've been put in line with that of course and asked my opinion quite obviously. But yeah, so we're ongoing looking at all situations because we've got to make sure that all the good players that we want here are still here. What has Dominic Calvert-Lewin been able to do in training this week and any chance for the weekend? I don't think so. I think he's building up well though. He's on the grass, he's not with us yet, but that will come quite quickly I think. He's building up well. There's no human bodies, there's no absolute definite, but our intention is to get in as fit as possible so that we can hopefully break this spell of ins and outs with the ups and downs of injuries. And if anything, that's what we're hoping to do whilst also making sure we can get him back as quick as possible because we want all players available. Not just him, all players available because obviously Pao's coming back. He's got a little mind and knock on his knees so that's delayed him training this week. Jimmy's coming back as well so we've got people coming back. Amher's not serious, more of a knock so he's just monitoring that but he's been training. So yeah, we want all players back fit. Amher's fit for the weekend then? And Stephen DeFoe had that chat with him this week. What do you hope that Amher's taken from that? Well I was with him so I know what was said. I just thought it was someone who had been a very, very good player as a youngster as well and Stephen DeFoe that is and Amher too but to find that connection and get him to understand some of the stuff that I think Stephen learnt. There's a moment you have a voice quite obviously in your staff and the analytics we can show and collect tonight but sometimes it's nice for other players to speak to your players. I've got no problem with that. I know the coaches even as long as they're coaches who are not at other clubs obviously. But no, I think that's a refreshing thing. I offered it to Amher. I didn't say that too. I just said look he's someone I classed as a football friend as well as a very, very good player cutting his teeth in his own coaching pathway now and I felt it was a sort of different view. And Amher was very open to it so yeah that's a good chat. I think Stephen said he sees Amher as someone who can become a real midfield powerhouse. Well it's, there's no reason why not. You know it's the challenge right in front of him. He's still very young. He's still learning the game. We're just trying to help him fast track his learning and keep improving. When we build up to this game and speaking to fans as well, they see the possibility of three home wins on the bounce as being massive for the football club at this stage. How do you see it? I see it's another important game. They all are. You know I think we were not miles off but a little bit below par at Liverpool but you know a couple of mistakes. The other two performances have been very strong I think. The home crowd have played their part without a doubt and the feel good factor it just builds. You know you've got to keep performing as a key and then you get the wins and it just keeps building that mentality so we want that. But we've got to go and earn the right as I always say. You know there's no gimmies in the Premier League. I've learnt that from all my years in it and now it's about taking the challenge on from the last one. Taking the feel good factor, taking the performance into the next one. We saw the threat that Villa have against Arsenal and I suppose the positivity that you've seen in that atmosphere at Goodison will have a big part to play against a site like that again. I think the reconnection of the passion from the fans and the players and that feel good factor comes from performances starting off and then you know I think Evertonians what I'm learning. They will accept a performance where everyone gives their lot. If you add on to the top of that win obviously that just you know is the icing on the cake. So we've got to remember our performance levels I think that's important but the players are in as you can imagine they're in good shape at the minute mentally and physically. Thanks Finning, we've got some praise. I'm just going to ask on that, Sean. The feel good factor and you said that the players are looking good in training. Do you see the fracture if you like coming off the players a little bit with each passing game now that you've got a couple of wins in the bag? Is it coming off their shoulders and they're performing better because of that you think? Your life in football involves pressure. You know from a very young age people sometimes forget that. I remind the players I've been playing under pressure since they were probably ten years old you know because when you're the top player in any group there's almost like a subliminal pressure with that you know so it's always there. You know it's there, you learn to handle it, you know the highs and lows, the indifferent periods, the great times that you have all of it and that's part of learning as a professional footballer so I'm always just open with it. I'm with myself you know the challenges come thick and fast in professional football it can't all be rosy all the time. So I think the consistent values that we work to, the consistent values we're hoping to continue to instill into the team maybe gives you just a more well as I call it a base to work from. So if a few challenges come your way you've got that to grip hold of and when things are looking after themselves then you're free flowing and playing well. So I think it's a bit of that that'll work with the players on and keeping them level as well because we certainly stay level as a staff I can assure you. And we saw after the game against Leeds what it meant to Sheamus Coleman to get that win. How important has he been to everything that you've been trying to put across to the rest of the squad? Well I think he's another factor in the side. You know there's history of the club obviously but he's a very very good professional. Every manager I think who's been here has spoken about that and I think he's enjoying the, well I know he is because I spoke to him about it. He's enjoying what we've offered so far, he's enjoying the feel of it and I think he can continue to play a big part of it as long as he's fit. He's well and he keeps playing with that edge and he trains with it and he plays with it and that's a good mixture. Thanks Fraser, we'll go to Ian at ready on this. Just again on Jordan Pickford I'm just wondering how reassuring it is to be able to work with the England number one and in comparison when you were a Burnley you were able to work with Nick Pope as well and having those two top goalkeepers in your side. And Toby here, who played for England. So yeah they're a good list of keepers there, different characters, different types of keeper. I'm learning about Jordan, he's been very open about himself and how he feels about himself here, signed a new deal quite obviously, all looking to. So we think that was nearly there and then it's just an idea of working with these players, finding that bond with them and continuing their development. Like I say, development is a strange word to use with the older players. He's done a lot in his career, we know that. But there's all different ways you can rub off on people. I looked to it myself, I've asked every player of that regardless of age, shame as I was being to him. In the past we had Michael Duff, he was still around the Premier League, you can learn in different ways. So we'll certainly be looking to rub off where we come on him. And do you obviously work closely, clubs have goalkeeper coaches, but what's the relationship in terms of coaching between you and people like Nick Pope and now Jordan Pickham? Well I don't get in the way of the staff so much. They're an individual unit goalkeepers, but I think I've always been at an open relationship with the goalkeepers. I don't get in the way of the technical work but obviously the tactical understanding. And sometimes just the workers as people, sharing that rapport with them, building rapport with them, things that have rubbed off down my career and about what I know about football in general. And the professional side of being a footballer as well. So there's lots of different ways, but we'll try and rub off with the culture and the environment as well, not just what I'm saying, but what we're trying to build amongst everyone. Back to you Nick, we'll go to Will. Hi Sean, what about Wes Andrews Townsend in his rehab at the ministry? He's had a bit of a, not really a setback, but just his needs still needs a bit of care and a bit of time and the workload on it rather. So just kind of finding that balance. But he's going okay, we've just got to make sure that it's right. He's going through a lot but it's settling down and it's beginning to get that workload that he needs obviously to get it strong enough to carry on. But not yet, he's not there yet. He walks and support a time frame on just because of the nature of the injury? To be honest I don't really do time frames on any injury because human bodies react in different ways. So really it's just open mindedness. You were at the under-21s game last Friday, 90 teams gone and obviously appeared. Haven't fans haven't seen too much this season, been a little bit stubborn since he arrived? How much do you know about him from a time maybe at Man United and his lone speller forlust and what can he give to 17? Well when I came out of the last one last season I went down to Forest quite a lot, you know, based there. So went down and watched a lot of their games and he had a very very strong season. The championship is a different league of course to the Premier League but he's got a good pedigree from what I've seen so far. He's only just been back training and getting really fit, he's not totally fit yet. But he's getting there and I think he's a very good player but I think there's a lot of good players there. So there will certainly be a challenge for him going forwards but the first challenge is to get him totally fit and fully match fit. Is that your biggest priority but just the younger players in general? Obviously you're watching them, someone like Stan Mills has scored nine goals this season. Isaac Price is highly rated behind the scenes. What have you made of the younger crop coming through and can any of them say Stan Mills have an impact in the search for them? Well I'm learning about them as I go, that's why I went to the game. I'll try and get to a few when I can to take in what that group is around, speak in with the coach as well. I mean obviously we've been full on at the minute laying down what we think is right for the first team squad, which they've been part of, but also drifting down through the club and getting to know the coaches, getting to know the players. So that's an ongoing basis but there's certainly a couple as you rightly said that have been with us most of the time in the main first team group. And so far they're handling themselves very well. Thanks well, we've got Shemun at the BBC. Ashon, you settled in now, been here a couple of weeks. How have you found the job? Has it been easier or more difficult than you anticipated to be before you came? Well I've walked into it at the moment where people work hard, which is a great start. As in the people I've come across, not the people I've brought in with me. The players equally, there's been an open-mindedness to it. I mean them two things alone, that's a great start. If you have people who are working hard and an open-mindedness to what comes next, then that's a great start. So far it's been really good, it's not about easy or hard, no jobs are easy. It's always about hard work. But I think there's a way of working that can develop between the people that were here before, my mini group who are coming in and then working with the players, because that's the end product you want, you want the players to be in the best shape, mentally, physically, tactically, technically to go and deliver performances. So that's what it's all geared to. But so far it's been very enjoyable, big challenge but very enjoyable. Yesterday the club was fine for the confrontation against Liverpool, today charged for what happened against Leeds. Is that short of indiscipline from the players or is that sort of battling spirit that the manager likes to see the players? No, I think, look, I mean things get blown up nowadays and they have to be. It's fine, I've got no problem with that, but no, we've got sent off, there's nothing too malicious, it's just one-end things, and that kind of such moment in a game where people get involved, I don't want to see it all the time, but it happens from time to time, it just happens that it's been a couple of games in recent times, I don't think that's the norm. But like I say, it's an old one, you can't ask for passion and then not accept it when it comes, passion can't just be lovely, sometimes it is aggressive or it's just that kind of moment that sets something off. But I don't think there's anything too malicious, but I understand why the fines have to be in place, no problem with that, but there was nothing really too nasty, no red cards, nothing too over the top at anything. I'm just finally on John Bithford and Nick Pope. Do you want to choose who the better goalkeeper is? Yeah, good one. Any further questions in the open section? Yeah, just a quick one if I can on Villa. Obviously they had a sort of maybe disappointing start of the season, a managerial change, that's paid off for them, they've moved from a sort of relegation fight to being as close to European places as the bottom three. What's the challenge they present on Saturday? Well, like you say, new manager went in, changed things certainly enough on my eyes. I was at one of the first game actually against Manu, so I saw some changes immediately. Trying to instill his way and the way they're working, a bit of a sticky patch, but they've played to the top sides, we know that in the last three, unless they were good on the day. Yeah, generally they're a good outfit. I think everyone probably thought they did have a tough start to the season and probably thought they were better than that and they've delivered better than that. The truth for the Premier League I say all the time is it's a tough league, you've got to be ready for everyone. On paper there's teams that are statistically a tougher, but that's the very good side, so we've got to be ready to play. I say everybody thought they were maybe better than they were showing. I think people would say that of Everton. Are they the model to follow now for you? I'm sure they will it. There's no model to follow, you've got to find your own model and build it.