 Welcome to Toffy TV, it is this week's Everton Women's Show, I am joined by the lovely Sarah Halpin. Sarah, how are you? I'm doing well, thanks Baz, I'm a bit confused by this weather that we've got going on. Sat in my yard before catching a few rays, next thing you know, the heavens have opened up and it's absolute carnage out there, but other than that, you know, doing alright yourself. Do you know what, here at the studio, it's not raining and it's absolutely boiling, so it'll get. That's a bit weird in itself, but you're in the storm, you're in the eye. That's it, we'll get it in a bit, we're behind you obviously. We're going to look back obviously at Everton vs Manchester City last weekend. We were down at Gooderson last week to speak to a couple of the players and then obviously, Gooderson saw a lot of people taking in the game, it was all so broadcast on BBC as well. Before we get onto the game, good to see so many fans at the stadium and did the girls enjoy the experience of playing in front of the fans, albeit the result wasn't what we wanted? Massively Baz, you could tell, I think they were all quite overwhelmed at the end, you know, the team would have at the end, the manager said, we weren't at our best today, we've let down the fans that have come out here and stuff, but we need to pick ourselves up and try again for next week. He was like, now go and see the fans and, you know, the straight away as the girls left the huddle and made their way around the pitch, it was just rapturous applause from everyone, stand innovations and that and I thought, that is just evident for you in a nutshell and I thought, I'm so glad they've experienced that because despite it was, no, it wasn't one of our finer performances, we know that and it was a pretty poor score line to kickstart our season. The fact they got so much love and backing from the fans still, I think it will just motivate these girls to go, yeah, do you know what? These fans are right behind us and we need to do more going forward and hopefully they'll get the chance again this season to play at Goodison again and maybe get a better result next time for the fans, but it was just class seeing that engagement again, there's nothing quite like it. Yeah, definitely, I mean, considering, you know, a couple of times they've been due to play there and things have gone against it, the games are being called off and everything, so it's great for people to get back into stadiums and it's great for obviously the Everton women's side to experience that, like you said, albeit not the result we all wanted, but it's a long season and it's day one and things can only get better, so, I mean, what did you, I know Everton have never beaten Manchester City, is that right in the meeting, so it was always going to be a tough game, obviously people will remember the FA Cup final from last season when Manchester City won as well, but what was your take on the game and why do you think it ended four-nil, basically? Yeah, well, to be honest, Bazaar, went into the game genuinely with high hopes and expectations that we could maybe finally get one over on Manchester City and I think for the first half hour, you kept them at bay, I thought we started relatively strongly, could have been better, but we did OK, we created our own chances as well, we could have taken the lead on the numerous occasions, but I think obviously going three at the back, Manchester City have got some really pacey wingers and we were quite exposed, particularly down our right-hand side. Manchester City really made the most of attacking us on their left flank and that showed and once that happened, I think they just targeted us there. And I think it's safe to say and fair to say, for three of the goals, it's pretty disappointing how we overturned possession, but maybe the occasion just got to us a little bit. I think the formation on the day Manchester City just utilised on that. We did change things and make substitutions, the manager did change things around and we looked much, much better in the second half. But I think by that point, I think they scored three goals in 12 minutes. So when you're against Manchester City, you're one of the best sides in the league, it's going to be tough, but hopefully there's lessons to be learned from that. And no, the fixtures haven't really been kind to us because we've got Chelsea this weekend, but if there's, it'd be a great way to kind of turn things around to get a result there, but it will be very difficult. Chelsea are a fantastic drive. Yeah, I mean, I guess the things that you take away, Willie Kirk, I'll probably take away from it, is, OK, there was a formation change and it was exploited. Some individual mistakes really haven't given the ball away and they punished it. But he did change things at half-time. The second half, although, you can see that the fourth goal was much better. Never more unlucky, actually, near the end, not to get themselves on the score. She's as well a couple of times, it looked like they were going to give the fans the opportunity to celebrate something, but it wasn't to be. And when you've had a disappointing game like that, you do have to remember that, eh, yes, you're playing one of the best sides in the country in terms of the opposition you're up against, but it is a long season and I think that's kind of what the message what Willie Kirk was saying after the day one, the long season, and it's about picking yourself back up, isn't it? And we've seen that so many times, teams lose a game heavily like that, but they're able to bounce back and have a strong season. Definitely, and I think, you know, the mindset that we've got within this team now is we lose one, we don't lose another, and that's what they'll be really trying to avoid happening. We'll be looking to get a positive result at Chelsea. And when you've got players in there now, the three new Swedish shiners that have come in and got silver at the Olympics, you've got players like Leone Meier from Arsenal, Proven Winners, Tony Dogen. The top, top-class players who have played at the very highest level Kenza Dali, etc. I think they bring that winning mentality and that winning edge. And hopefully, you know, they will be they will be really fed up that we've lost the game and that we've lost it like that. And that's what you want to see. You want to see that they're annoying, but not too hard on themselves and looking to, yeah, one game, very disappointed. We all are, but there's plenty more games in the season. So let's pick ourselves up and and hopefully we see something that bit different and better against Chelsea. Because, you know, it's a knock to everyone's confidence a little bit, but it's also important, like you said, like the manager said, that we don't dwell on it too much. We know we're a fantastic side. We've won five out of five in preseason. We've just had a bit of a wake up call on the opening day, but that happens and we've seen it last season where we've been on the back of heavy defeats and bounced right back. So let's hope that we do that again, even though it will be tough, as I said, at Chelsea this weekend. Therefore, well, this is what will he care cut to say about the defeat? It doesn't take much. We've we've we're very disappointed. The players are very disappointed. You know, we feel we've let ourselves down and by letting ourselves down, we've let each other down and by doing that, we ultimately have let the supporters down because we asked the supporters to turn up and and cheer us on. They certainly did that. There's no doubt about that. I thought the fans were great until the end and yeah, it's one game at 22, but it's certainly not something that I seen coming. And also, we've had a really positive preseason. It's maybe a bit of a wake up call, most of where we need to get to, you know, the ambitions that we've got this season. Yes, I think it's a really poor performance. And I think the occasions may be played its part. I mean, there's no doubt in the quality you could see in in spells that, you know, we can cause them problems. And the spells just weren't long enough, you know, the quality wasn't maintained for long enough. We would give the ball away really cheaply out of possession. We weren't aggressive enough or brave enough out of possession. We talk about being brave on the ball, but the way we want to play this year, you've got to be brave off the ball as well. And we never done that. We we had we ended up getting caught in between positions quite a lot. So three now down at break was always going to be hard to come back from. And as much as the second half, I thought was improved, you know, it's it's always the standards that we've been setting recently. So that was really cake. There obviously was disappointed, but, you know, said, said all the right things as well, didn't he? Because it is it is a case you've just got, you know, you're going to have knocks in the season and over a long season, you know, you might win games you don't expect to and you'll pull yourself back into it. But Everton have got hell of a lot to play for for the rest of the season. Everton captain Daniel Turner was speaking after the game as well. This is what she had to say about the game. Yeah, it's very disappointing afternoon, to be honest. You know, first game of the season, you want to start well here at Goddison back in front of the fans and we've let them down, let ourselves down. And yeah, very disappointing day overall. We didn't show what we're about and what we can do. And, you know, we said that we're not going to let this game define our season. There's still 21 games to go. But yeah, it's a quiet dressing room at the minute and disappointed. But we've got to move on because, you know, they get the games configured fast and we've got an important game against Chelsea next weekend. Yeah, well, for this season as well, the club's ambitions are to get those top three spots. And, you know, I think perhaps today was a harsh reminder of, you know, how much ground we have to make. Yeah, we're still yet to take points off Manchester City, you know, at this club in WSL, and that's something we need to address, something we need to change and taking points off the top teams if we want to overtake them and get into the Champions League spots, which is obviously the ambition of this club and the players and staff. So, yeah, it's disappointing in lessons to learn today. And, you know, we've got to move on and find solutions. And, yeah, move on to the next game. My other goals as well, the fact that they all came in within 12 minutes, it must be disappointing in the fact that, you know, it gives yourself a mountain to climb in the second half. Yeah, actually, Neil and Neil, I think we had a few chances ourselves. Maybe we could have gone one or two ahead. So then obviously to concede three in a short amount of time, you know, we then want to try and regroup and get into half time. And then, you know, I think second half was slightly better. We probably looked a bit more comfortable in the back four. But, yeah, obviously it was a killer blow and, you know, we couldn't quite get ourselves back into the game. Like I say, obviously a bit disappointed that you could see in a voice and hear in a voice a bit disappointed, but the hard work does start. You've referenced it a couple of times, Sarah. It's Chelsea away this weekend. The Champions, that's correct, isn't it, in a tough game. But they were beating their arse in the last week, three-two. So, you know, they're not infallible in Everton. What a better place to go than bloody the nose of the champions and get off the mark. It'll be a big ask, but why not? Well, that's it, Baz. I mean, if we could go to Kings Meadow and leave with a win, I think that would just proper ignite everyone within the squad and it would give us some real belief. And, you know, I think sometimes you have to get that first result against one of the perceived, well, you know, one of the bigger teams. You know, at this point in time, Chelsea are a bigger team, more established in the women's game, more successful than Everton have been in recent years. So if we could get a scrape off them, then it'd be brilliant for the squad and for the fans to see that we can do that. And as you said, they'll be a little bit of a wounded animal. They'll be disappointed to have lost to Arsenal on the weekend. But that's always scary as well in that Emma Hayes is a fantastic manager. And she's certainly somebody you will take no messing about. And she'll be really, really expecting a strong response from her side. And no doubt she'll see this as a must win for Chelsea. So both sides really, really looking to bounce back from a disappointing weekend. So it's going to be a tough one. But look, when you look at the squad we've got now, there's no reason why we why we can't beat them, but we will have to be our absolute best. There's no doubt about that. And Chelsea were a little bit exploited with three at the back as well themselves against Arsenal. So, yeah, interesting in that way. But we'll see what happens. Hopefully it'll be Everton that come out smiles because we don't want to lose to on the bounce. Now, and even though they are probably the two toughest fixes Everton could have been given in the first couple of weeks, sometimes it's better to get them out the way and get momentum as well. So we'll see what happens. You think Willie Kirk will change the formation or do you think he might go and match up Chelsea with the three at the back still? I really it's a really tough one to say, actually, because people were surprised to see a stick with that formation against City. And it's a matter of now, whether he thinks, like you said, to match Chelsea, if they go the same, then that could that could suit up. Or does he try and shore up a little bit more and go more to a flat back for just to try and maybe keep the goals out? Because what you don't want to happen as well is to go and another game and can see the load of goals and start to not the confidence of the defence, etc. So, honestly, with Willie Kirk, you just don't know with the team and the strength we've got, it I couldn't tell you what's going to happen. So I'll be really, really to see. But yeah, it will stick with whatever his guns are. So I wouldn't be surprised if we did go with it with the back three again. Yeah. But yeah, waiting to see on that one. I just hope that, you know, we're more of a unit at the back this time. Yeah, I'm sure they'll have worked on that all week in terms of getting getting that results out the system from the weekend and looking for a more positive one. So good luck to Everton women this weekend. And hopefully, hopefully we can get a positive result. Just moving forward in terms of this show, you are going to be presenting it mainly for us, which is great news for us. And hopefully you'll be able to get some regular guests of the women's team on it as well. So that'll be lovely to see and good to see you doing it. So getting in the studio and doing a bit of presenting as we make this more of a regular occurrence. Oh, definitely. Well, I've I've missed being in the studio. I think, you know, lockdown and everything's been a bit crazy. And then covid situations and everything's been a bit of a whirlwind. But I think now that stuff settling down, it would just be good to get that structure. And, you know, I love coming in and seeing you boys. It's always a great time. And I think having that exposure and regular content for the women. I know it's something that you and Perth have been wanting to do for a long time as well and give our girls the backing. So, yeah, really looking forward to it. And it said, getting some of the girls in because you guys watching, trust me, we've got some absolutely fantastic characters in that squad. And get them get them on and, you know, hopefully encourage you lot to get down to Walton Park as well for all our home games and give them a proper good backing. You know, get get down. If we do this every time, don't we, Buzz? Get down to Walton Park. Yeah, it's the one. No, but that's definitely, I mean, we definitely need to do a video from Walton Park as well and just show people who might might have had the opportunity to to go and see just what it is now and having their own facility there as well. So that's definitely something we'll do over the next fortnight. But like I said before, can't wait for you to get in and start presenting this show and good luck to Everton women this weekend at Chelsea. Come on, girls, get a result. Sarah, thank you so much for joining me. Taking the time out and take it easy. Keep getting a bit of sun. Keep getting a bit of sun on your kid. Enjoy it. Sorry. Thanks very much for Sarah to share the help and rather for joining me. Make sure you give the video a thumbs up, subscribe. If you haven't and if you want more videos, join us over on Patreon. See you later.