The Blue Frontier - American Everton Analysis

Everton's grim New Year tradition continued with a chastening 4-2 home defeat to Brentford at Hill Dickinson Stadium, marking their eighth loss in the opening match of the last nine seasons. Shan and Ryan deliver a candid, data-informed autopsy of a performance that started brightly (effective pressing and a couple of early chances) before unravelling after Igor Thiago's 11th-minute opener. The Brazilian forward ran riot with a hat-trick (11', 51', 88'), finishing with 5/6 shots on target and a 2.42 PSxG masterclass, while Nathan Collins added a header from Brentford's first Premier League corner goal in ages. They dissect Brentford's tactical sharpness, the swift collapse of Everton's high press, the limitations of the Tarkowski–Keane centre-back pairing, and glaring fullback deficiencies (Jake O'Brien 16 ball losses, Vitaliy Mykolenko 18). Moyes' halftime switch to two strikers gets scrutiny, though Beto's 66th-minute header and Thierno Barry's late consolation showed fight. Listener reactions bring sharp insight, with the conversation turning to January priorities: two new fullbacks and rethinking the backline. The episode closes with the usual thoughts & prayers (West Ham, Dyche, Wolves' first win, Chermiti haters). Up the Toffees!   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

The Blue Frontier steps away from its usual post-match grind to reset the conversation around Everton's January transfer window. With the Blues sitting eighth in the Premier League, James and Ryan dig into what the table says versus what the numbers actually show, using expected points, xG, and xGA to separate genuine progress from mild overperformance. The core argument is simple: Everton are more stable than they've been in years, but that doesn't mean January is the moment to force ambition. The positional needs identified in the summer still hold. Right back stands out as the cleanest way to raise the team's floor, defensive midfield remains structurally unresolved, and center forward only enters the picture if Beto''s departure creates an immediate need for backup. The episode also weighs how returning players like Harrison Armstrong factor into squad planning, whether a loan move (including links like Adam Aznou) makes sense, and how realistic January markets actually operate, from Ligue 1 pressure sales to short-term stopgaps. The conversation remains rooted in Everton's long-term trajectory: improve where it matters, stay flexible, and avoid confusing a decent league position with a reason to gamble the club's long term ascent.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier    

In the first Blue Frontier episode of 2026, James and Ryan unpack Everton's hard-earned 2-0 win at Nottingham Forest, a result that felt far more impressive than the scoreline suggests. Facing Sean Dyche's expensively-assembled side with a threadbare squad (Keane and Alcaraz sidelined, AFCON call-ups still thinning the bench), the Toffees delivered an opportunistic, disciplined performance that turned the City Ground the venue for frustrating afternoon for the home side.The duo zoom in on the decisive first goal from James Garner, the clinical late sealer by Thierno Barry, and the defensive wall built by James Tarkowski and Jake O'Brien (who won the aerial war despite Forest's barrage of crosses). They dissect Moyes' improved away form, the mismatch of Dycheball with Forest's current personnel, and the stark contrast in finishing quality (1.55 xG for Forest, 0.94 post-shot). Listener comments and sharp stats on Garner's monster game, Dibling's dribbling threat, and Iroegbunam's PSR steal round out a thoughtful, data-rich review.A fitting close to 2025 and a promising start to the new year for Evertonians! Links: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

In the last fixture before Christmas, The Blue Frontier wishes everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays, while hoping the PGMOL gets a dose of consistency in the new year.   James and Ryan dissect Everton's gritty 1-0 defeat to Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium: a tough outing for a depleted Toffees side missing Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to injuries and looming AFCON duties. Arsenal's lone goal stemmed from Jake O'Brien's bizarre handball penalty, buried by Viktor Gyokeres, amid a match where Everton struggled to create, posting zero xG in the first half per Opta and Wyscout data.   The dynamic duo explores tactical mismatches, like Dwight McNeil's ineffective right-wing shift (zero forward passes, zero duels won) against Bukayo Saka's flair, while praising James Tarkowski's defensive clinic (18 recoveries, vital line clearance) against Arsenal's possession machine driven by Declan Rice and Rodri Zubimendi. Listener comments fill in for absent co-host Shan, highlighting curious individual efforts and set-piece woes in a relatively dull affair. Looking ahead, they assess AFCON's impact on fixtures against Burnley, Nottingham Forest, and Brentford, urging youth integration like Tyler Dibling to spark the attack. A data-packed pod attempting to turn a frustrating loss into thoughtful Everton analysis.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

Everton haven't had much luck at Chelsea lately, but they rolled into this one in solid form. Sadly, it wasn't the day to snap their winless streak at Stamford Bridge, tumbling 2-0 and pushing that drought to 31 years. On this episode, James and Ryan zero in on a game defined by big chances: eight in all, with Chelsea converting theirs amid Everton's near-misses from Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye.   The duo dissects tactical headaches, like fullback frailties with Jake O'Brien and Vitaliy Mykolenko getting torched by Pedro Neto and Alejandro Garnacho, plus debates on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall dropping deeper, the Tarkowski-Keane partnership's limits, and Idrissa Gueye's defensive slide (tackles per 90 down 47%). They praise James Garner's midfield tenacity while flagging injuries to Dewsbury-Hall and looming AFCON hits on Gueye and Ndiaye, sparking calls for January reinforcements. Listener takes add cautious optimism for a top-eight push, set against Chelsea's depth under Enzo Maresca. Stats, wit, and realism abound, with a nod to Arsenal at home in a jammed Premier League table.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

In a commanding 3-0 Premier League victory at Goodison Park, Everton dismantled Sean Dyche's Nottingham Forest, climbing (briefly) to fifth in the table and marking four wins in five under David Moyes.   The Toffees struck early with a deflected own goal off Nikola Milenkovic from Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's delivery, disrupting Forest's defensive setup and exposing vulnerabilities without key players like Murillo and Chris Wood. Thierno Barry finally broke his scoring drought with a clinical finish on a blistering Iliman Ndiaye counterattack, while Dewsbury-Hall sealed the rout with a sharp late strike.   Hosts James and Shan dissect the tactical edge of that opening goal against Dyche's low-block style, Barry's physical duel with Milenkovic, and Dewsbury-Hall's midfield dominance despite squad rotation forced by injuries and suspensions. Amid broader discussions on Everton's mid-table surge, Europe aspirations, and upcoming Chelsea clash, the episode highlights defensive solidity from James Tarkowski and Michael Keane, plus fan reactions celebrating a revitalized Blues side. Perfect for Evertonians tracking form trends, player breakthroughs, and Premier League narratives.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

In this episode of The Blue Frontier, the hosts dissect Everton's historic 1-0 victory over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, marking the Toffees' first-ever away win against the Cherries in the Premier League.   James, Ryan, and Shan break down Jack Grealish's late deflected goal that sealed the gritty bounce-back from the Newcastle defeat (complete with his cheeky badge-kiss celebration that has them asking: is it true love with David Moyes?   They highlight tactical shifts like James Garner's role at right-back, Jake O'Brien's solid center-back performance, and Tim Iroegbunam's disciplined midfield display, while exploring Bournemouth's threats, particularly Antoine Semenyo's dominance.   Critiquing Everton's finishing woes with Thierno Barry and Beto underperforming expected goals (xG), the pod blends data-driven insights on possession stats, duels won, and post-shot xG with passionate Evertonian optimism. Ryan even manages to shoehorn yet another silly detour into chat about the Everton Happy Sad Reversible Critter plushie. The discussion touches on squad depth challenges amid injuries, potential January transfers, and the upcoming Nottingham Forest clash.    LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier  

  Everton's three-game momentum ended in emphatic fashion as Newcastle United walked out of Hill Dickinson Stadium with a 4–1 win. On this episode of The Blue Frontier, James, Shan, and Ryan take a clear-eyed look at a first half that collapsed: a set-piece breakdown, midfield gaps, and a back line repeatedly exposed. They explain why the James Garner/Tim Iroegbunam pairing "was just really suspect… a very passive duo," how Tino Livramento and Anthony Elanga repeatedly created overloads down the flank, and why Newcastle's physicality forced Everton out of shape. Beyond the match moments (the blocked Dewsbury Hall chance, Charlie's thunderbolt that nearly changed the game, and the ruled-out Barry goal) the trio interrogate David Moyes' post-match framing and substitution patterns. There's a sustained conversation about youth minutes and recruitment, notably Adam Aznou's lack of opportunities, and what this means for quick turnarounds against Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest. This episode balances match dissection with bigger-picture questions about squad depth and identity as Everton navigate a wildly congested midtable. LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

Everton's 1–0 win at Old Trafford was both the strangest and most satisfying result of the season, and this week The Blue Frontier tries to make sense of all of it. James and Ryan walk through a match that swung from meltdown to resilience in minutes, starting with Idrissa Gana Gueye's surreal red card ("It was bizarre… I've never seen him so angry") and ending with Jordan Pickford putting on yet another display of goalkeeping excellence.  The episode digs into Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's solo winner, the way David Moyes re-shaped Everton's structure after going down to ten men, and why the team still managed pockets of ambition before settling into the long defensive grind. Along the way, the hosts look at Michael Keane, Berry, and Dewsbury-Hall's shift-by-shift contributions, supported by some sharp listener comments and the kind of numbers that explain how Everton survived 51 United touches in their own box. It's a rare away win against a "big six" side, one that pulls Everton level with Manchester United and Liverpool on 18 points, and one the hosts are more than happy to savor.   LINKS:  https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

Everton stop the slide with a 2–0 win over Fulham at the Hill Dickinson Stadium: a match that could've easily finished five if not for the linesman and VAR's meddling. The Blue Frontier crew dive into what made this performance click: Moyes' much-needed adjustments, Garner's surprising stability at right back, Tim's tidy control in midfield, and Barry's growing confidence up top. They dissect the three disallowed goals, highlight the press that throttled Fulham's buildup, and weigh how much credit belongs to Moyes versus the opposition's drop-off. Beyond the scoreline, the trio discuss what this could mean for Everton's balance going forward (do Garner, Barry, or "Tim the Enchanter" represent longer-term answers?) and what the result says about the club's December outlook. Plus, Shan shares some heartfelt thoughts and prayers for members of the Everton and broader football community. Up the Toffees! LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

The Blue Frontier is back to dissect the gory details of a post-Halloween clash at the Stadium of Light against top-five Sunderland. The podcast triumvirate of James, Ryan, and Shan grapple with an Everton side that dazzled for the first 28 minutes, capped by Iliman Ndiaye's stunning left-footed curler, only to morph into brainless zombies as Granit Xhaka's deflected equalizer sparked a second-half Sunderland siege.   They spotlight Thierno Barry's lively start, wrecked by a point-blank miss and a needless yellow that killed his bite.   David Moyes' baffling subs also face the torch: Why Dwight McNeil over Tyler Dibling or Charly Alcaraz for an injured Ndiaye?   Tactics unravel with Sunderland's midfield grip (Xhaka's 18 final-third passes) and Everton's collapse (second half: 61% possession conceded, 0.75 xG to 0.02). Alongside loyal listeners, the crew probes: Purely tactical? Getting the best from players? Right man for the job? Squad talent shortfall? Adam Aznou the fix?   They float tweaks (stick with Barry, shift Jack Grealish centrally, sub earlier) amid one win in eight. Tune in for data-backed takes, raw frustrations, and pragmatic paths ahead of Fulham and United. Up the Toffees.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

Everton's first home loss at Hill Dickinson Stadium came with a hard lesson in margins. James, Ryan, and Shan return to sort through the frustration and the facts: two set-piece lapses, some dodgy refereeing, and not mention, another match where Everton's play looked better than the scoreline. This week's episode leans into a new format shaped by conversations in The Blue Frontier Discord. Less retelling, more reasoning. The hosts break down how Everton out-created Spurs from open play, and what the post-shot xG reveals about finishing and defensive shape. They also dig into listener-driven ideas on tactical tweaks and squad rotation, asking what realistically needs to change for results to match performances. Finally, the boys take us through a new segment, led by Shan, to give Thoughts and Prayers to two teams that are really struggling right now.  You might be surprised to know who those clubs are.  As always, please leave a rating and review if you enjoy the show. Reach out to us with any feedback at bluefrontierusa@gmail.com, or any of our socials! LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

Everton held their own for 45 minutes at the Etihad, but against Manchester City, fine margins always seem to go one way. James and Shan break down the Toffees' 2–0 defeat, where Iliman Ndiaye's electric first half and Jordan Pickford's shot-stopping weren't enough in the face of Erling Haaland's inevitable brace. The duo unpack David Moyes' setup: Everton's compact defense mostly worked until it didn't; the Beto chance early on could've flipped the game. There's also time spent on the neatly bypassed VAR handball controversy, and a forward line still searching for rhythm and confidence. With away matches vs City + Liverpool in the rearview less than 10 games into the season, Toffees can look forward to many more winnable games ahead. LINKS: linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

The Blue Frontier crew take the opportunity at at the international break to do a league-wide pulse check after 7 matches played: revisiting their preseason predictions and dissecting how every club's story is unfolding so far. Everything is on the table here (no pun intended): Fulham's "they are who we thought they were" midtable solidity, Burnley's relegation-zone scrappiness, and the heavyweights battling at the top of the league. James, Ryan, and Shan trace which sides are over and under-performing their xG, who's riding luck, and who's quietly legit. Arsenal's control, City's fragility, and Liverpool's regression all get the microscope treatment, as well as surprise packages like Bournemouth and Spurs under Thomas Frank. Data, balanced debate, and the usual dry humor on clubs that "cracked the code" only to immediately forget it. Whether you're an Evertonian keeping tabs on the wider Premier League or a neutral who likes tactics and data, this episode delivers analysis that turns table-watching into insight.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

Maybe it's a touch late, but that just lets The Blue Frontier dive deeper into tactical waters with a upbeat post-match pod on Everton's stunning 2-1 comeback against Crystal Palace at Hill Dickinson Stadium.    James, Shan, and Ryan unpack the rollercoaster: a woeful first half where the Toffees were tactically undone by Palace's sharp midfield duo of Wharton and Kamada, then an electric final 30 minutes sparked by second-half subs. Jordan Pickford's heroics in goal, Charly Alcaraz's relentless energy, and not to mention, a roaring home crowd that pulled the side back into the Premier League's top half.   The trio dives into questions on whether it was Palace fatigue cracking their 19-match unbeaten run, or Everton's resurgence and renewed intensity. Expect tactical breakdowns, eye-opening stats, love for Beto's chaotic impact, and a passionate call to rethink views on young talents like Tyler Dibling and Thierno Barry. All in all, a well-earned win that highlights Moyes' instincts (and their limits).   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier 

Everton's unbeaten home record stayed intact with a 1–1 draw against West Ham, but the performance left plenty to unpack. Michael Keane's towering header gave the Toffees an early lead, only for Jared Bowen's deflected strike to cancel it out and renew the sense of frustration around the Hill Dickinson. In this episode of The Blue Frontier, James and Ryan dig into the tactical storylines and listener-driven questions that emerged from a flat showing against a side struggling in the league. Why is the right side repeatedly Everton's weak spot? Is Iliman Ndiaye being wasted out wide? And what does it say that James Garner, industrious as ever, continues to stand out in a midfield that struggles to create for its strikers? The discussion also touches on Nuno Espírito Santo's evolving West Ham, Moyes' ineffective substitutions, and the implications of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall's suspension as Crystal Palace loom on the schedule.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier    

For the second straight season, Everton crash out of the Carabao Cup in the third round, this time a 2-0 defeat to bottom-placed Wolves at Molineux. James and Ryan pick apart David Moyes' heavily rotated XI that left fans scratching their heads: Seamus Coleman starting at left back, Dwight McNeil miscast yet again, and summer signings Charly Alcaraz and Tyler Dibling yanked before they could properly settle. The duo dive into the key turning points: James Garner rattling the bar with Everton's best chance, Wolves punishing a midfield that never quite clicked, and a defensive unit that looked overly cautious. What does Moyes' refusal to trust Aznou say about the left-back situation? And did too much rotation kill a cup run before it even started? With listener comments spotlighting frustration over effort levels and tactical rigidity, this episode weighs the fallout for squad players who failed to impress. Plus: standout performers (spoiler: Garner again), the curious case of McNeil, and what this loss means ahead of West Ham and a tricky Premier League stretch.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier Check out our merch, leave us a rating & review, and subscribe to our YouTube channel!

The latest Merseyside Derby at Anfield ended in familiar fashion for Everton: a 2–1 defeat to Liverpool. Ryan Gravenberch's early volley and Hugo Ékitike's close-range finish punished a stretched Everton midfield, leaving Jordan Pickford exposed. Yet Idrissa Gana Gueye's thunderous strike after halftime briefly tilted the momentum, reminding the away end that the Blues still had fight. James, Ryan, and Shan break down where David Moyes' game plan faltered in the first half, before tweaks at the break enabled the Blues to grab a foothold in the game. They also debate the Beto vs. Thierno Barry discourse, Grealish's bruising duel with Conor Bradley, and why Iliman Ndiaye remains underutilized on the right. The crew examine key stats (Liverpool 0.94 xG to Everton's 0.6, nine Everton shots but just two on target) and the wider Premier League picture: Everton look more competitive than in recent years, but Moyes' in-game management again drew scrutiny. With Wolves in the cup and West Ham ahead, can Everton write this off and keep picking up points?   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier  

Everton's winless run against Aston Villa in the Premier League stretched to 13, as the Toffees settled for a 0–0 draw at Hill Dickinson Stadium. On paper it looked like a stalemate, but the match itself told a different story: 20 shots, 46 touches in Villa's box, and over 2 expected goals: evidence of a side creating plenty, just not finishing it. Emi Martínez, inevitably, played spoiler with another standout display. On this episode of The Blue Frontier, James, Shan, and Ryan break down the fine margins. Beto's chaotic afternoon, Michael Keane's unexpected threat at set pieces, and Iliman Ndiaye's awkward fit on the right all come under the microscope. There's praise for James Garner's resilience out of position, cautious optimism around Merlin Röhl's full debut, and frustration at David Moyes' conservative substitutions. With Villa undermanned yet still unbeaten in the fixture, the crew ask: was this two points dropped, or proof that Everton are steadily climbing? And with the Merseyside Derby at Anfield looming, the conversation turns to how this deeper, still-unbalanced squad might fare against far sterner opposition.   Links: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

Deadline Day is in the books, and the full TBF trio takes stock of Everton's summer. James, Ryan, and Shan walk through the full window position by position, testing their own preseason assessments against what actually unfolded. Merlin Röhl's late arrival from Freiburg, the sale of Youssef Chermiti to Rangers, and the splashy additions of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish headline the discussion - but so do the gaps left untouched at right back and defensive midfield. Along the way, the panel weigh Everton's €120m net spend against squad balance, highlight which misses were blessings in disguise (no Soucek, no Aké), and consider whether patience with Tyler Dibling and other young signings points to a longer-term plan. Listener polls and comments from the Blue Frontier Discord bring fresh perspective on how fans grade the business and where they expect the club to finish. It's an audit of Everton's window: not surprisingly, there are some different grades and viewpoints on how successful the Toffees have been.    LINKS:  https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier