The Blue Frontier launches its 2024/25 Team Assessment with Part 1: a sharp, data-driven look at Everton’s squad under David Moyes.

James, Shan, and Ryan dig into the root causes behind the club’s biggest issues, laying the groundwork for smarter summer moves and a clearer path forward.

The trio tackle the pressing questions:

• Why couldn’t Everton score?

• Just how offside were our strikers?

• How essential is Gana Gueye’s ball-winning, and can he still progress play?

• Has Charly Alcaraz changed the dynamic in attack?

With a squad that’s aging on paper but skewing younger, and a lingering overreliance on set pieces masking a lack of open-play creativity, this episode sets the tone for the transfer window AND the rest of the series, which will dive deeper into the fixes Everton needs.

As always, we appreciate your support as well as any feedback!

 

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Everton’s 2-0 win over Southampton was the final act at Goodison Park, but the real story was the crowd, the blue smoke, and the people who made the Grand Old Lady what it was. In this episode, James, Shan, and Ryan reflect on the last Men’s match at Goodison, not just the 2 goals from Illiman Ndiaye, or Seamus Coleman's emotional start, but what the day meant to Evertonians around the world. All in all, it was a performance that felt more like a sendoff than a 90 minute football match. It's a different kind of episode, with more reflection than tactics, but we hope you'll enjoy it. Thank you all for listening.

 

Links:

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With the arrival of a new CEO and signs of movement on the transfer committee, The full Blue Frontier crew returns to assess a crucial summer for Everton. The episode opens with the official news that Goodison Park will become the permanent home of Everton Women, a move that carries both emotional and financial weight. 

From there, Ryan walks through the club’s PSR outlook and explains why Everton may actually be in a better financial position than many fans assume.

The main event is a full squad audit, focusing first on players out of contract this summer like Calvert-Lewin, Gana, and Doucouré, before shifting to decisions around one-year players including Garner, Mykolenko, and Tarkowski. Along the way, the group discusses listener poll results, the Beto vs. DCL debate, Jesper Lindstrøm’s uncertain role, and whether it’s finally time for a reset at fullback. 

 

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James and Ryan are here to deliver a lively breakdown of Everton’s stunning 1-3 comeback against Fulham at Craven Cottage, turning a shaky first half into a triumphant Thames-side affair. The hosts dissect an uncharacteristic Toffees performance: their first away win from a 1-0 deficit in over two years. Vitali Mykolenko, Michael Keane, and Beto stole the show, with Keane’s towering header and Beto’s slick finish overpowering Marco Silva’s Fulham, despite Alex Iwobi’s early threat. The duo dives into David Moyes’ tactical tweaks, game-changing subs, and Charly Alcaraz’s dazzling display, fueling "debate" over his transfer option. They also tackle Doucouré’s wage controversy and Beto’s transfer rumors. The episode is packed with fan reactions, lineup analysis, and a peek at the Premier League table, and is a must-listen for Evertonians and football fans alike. Join the fun on Discord and follow for more Everton FC updates, match highlights, and analysis!   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

Unfortunately, Everton again drop points after having a 2-0 lead against a surprisingly stout Ipswich side at the 2nd to last league match, and final 3pm kickoff at Goodison.  Ryan and James bring you all the details: from the fantastic display in the stands courtesy of the 1878s, to the bangers scored by both sides, and beyond.  James and Ryan along with help from a ton of listener comments get into the performances and the narratives.  Per usual, the duo try and break down what they believe are many overactions on social media, especially about the ideas comparing Moyes to Dyche, and finish up with a quick preview of the upcoming Fulham match.   Shoutout to Shan Khan who was absent today due to being on the premises to witness the match in person. Safe travels!   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

In this compelling episode of The Blue Frontier, hosts James Boyman, Ryan, and Shan embark on a deep dive into Brighton and Hove Albion’s renowned recruitment strategy, widely regarded as the Premier League’s gold standard, to uncover lessons for Everton’s anticipated summer overhaul under the Friedkin Group.   Sparked by Angus Kinnear’s claim that Brighton adopted a conservative approach upon promotion, the trio meticulously traces the Seagulls’ journey from Championship contenders to Europa League qualifiers. They analyze Tony Bloom’s data-driven vision, Dan Ashworth’s youth development expertise, and pivotal signings like Moises Caicedo, Alexis MacAllister, and Pervis Estupinan, highlighting Brighton’s knack for balancing young talents with strategic veteran free transfers.   With a keen eye on Everton’s future, the hosts explore how a strong club identity, transparency, and high-ROI recruitment can navigate personnel changes and challenges to build a competitive squad. This episode is a must-listen for Evertonians, Premier League fans, and tactical enthusiasts eager to understand what it takes to rise in the top flight. Follow, share, and subscribe for more Everton insights and Premier League deep dives!   LINKS: Https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

Unfortunately, Everton could not sell a hotel or it’s women’s team to fund talent to overcome the tactical and performance challenges at Stamford Bridge, as the Toffees fell 1-0 to Champion's League-aspiring Chelsea.    Despite a 30-match winless streak at the Bridge and a daunting billion-dollar net spend gap, the Toffees showed fight, with tactical shifts and a couple of standout moments keeping the contest close. The trio dives into Nicolas Jackson’s decisive goal, Jordan Pickford’s clutch saves, and the promising debut of the Jared Branthwaite-Jake O’Brien center-back pairing.   They tackle the tactical mismatch, Nathan Patterson’s tough day against Madueke, and Charly Alcaraz’s lively second-half cameo, while questioning the malaise around a predictably tough fixture. They then reflect on Everton’s brutal April, debate goal responsibility (it’s not what you think!), and look ahead to a lighter final four matches, including a preview of Ipswich at Goodison—where you might spot Shan on Merseyside!    As always, thanks to the loyal listeners for their contributions!    LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

A belated posting of the X (formerly Twitter) Spaces hosted by Shan & Ryan following Everton's 0-2 defeat at Goodison Park to Man City. Accompanied by a number of guests, the guys discuss a number of different topics:

• Impact of injuries on Everton's strategy,
• Future prospects for player development and potential transfers
• Challenges and opportunities facing the team in the summer transfer window.
• The performance of strikers, particularly focusing on DCL's future.
• Disappointment in current performances
• Contract negotiations
• The emotional significance of the farewell to Goodison Park.
• The need for strategic signings to enhance the squad and reflect on memorable moments at the historic stadium.

Huge thanks to all who contributed!

PRODUCER'S NOTE: Apologies for the delay in getting this up, and for the inconsistent recording schedule over the last few weeks. We have had busy schedules between ToffeeFest, the holiday, etc. But expect to be back strong to finish the season and ahead of a big summer. Thanks as always for your support!

 

LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

In this episode, James and Shan reflect on their experience at Toffee Fest 2025 in San Diego, discussing the vibrant atmosphere, the weekend's activities, and of course, Everton's dramatic 1-0 victory vs Nottingham Forest. 

This episode represents a slight departure from the Blue Frontier's normal post-match episodes, with a more relaxed look at the game with a focus on the experience of a last-minute victory surrounded by fellow Blues. The guys highlight the team's growing confidence and strategic approach under manager David Moyes, the community engagement at Toffee Fest, reflections on Everton's rich history, and the excitement surrounding upcoming matches. 

Producer's Note: Thanks for indulging us on a different format this weekend, we expected to be able to record more content, but the San Diego & NA Toffees put forward a weekend full of activities! Many thanks to all who helped organize, to Matt Clevy for being a legendarily tall chauffeur and awesome person, to Darren Stuart and David France for being excellent guest speakers, the San Diego Loyal for hosting us at their tailgate, and all the amazing Toffees we had the pleasure of meeting! We'll be back to regularly scheduled programming soon enough.

 

LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

 

 

Maybe it wasn’t the prettiest affair, but The Blue Frontier delivers a lively episode brimming with banter and sharp analysis. Hosts James, Shan, and Ryan kick things off with an exciting breakdown of the upcoming Toffee Fest 2025 in San Diego, where James and Shan will be on hand to join Everton ambassador Graham Stewart and over 170 North American supporters for a packed weekend of festivities.    The full trio then dives into Everton’s gritty 1-1 draw against Arsenal at Goodison Park—a cagey, tactical match that lacked sustained quality but in which the Toffees showcased resilience. Iliman Ndiaye’s cool-headed penalty canceled out Leandro Trossard’s opener, while Jordan Pickford’s heroics kept the home side in contention. The hosts unpack lineup changes, spotlighting players like Nathan Patterson and Tim Iroegbunam stepping up (or not), Ndiaye and Dwight McNeil making  their return from injury, and veterans like Idrissa Gueye excelling while others fade. With humor and insight, they also analyze what this point against a rotated Arsenal side could mean—can Everton build on it against top-tier foes? Looking ahead, they prep listeners for a battle of similar styles against Nottingham Forest, armed with data and tactical takeaways. As always, listener comments weave through the episode—thanks for your amazing support! Casual fans and die-hard Blues will love this front-row seat to the action. Follow, share, and subscribe for more Everton insights!   BLUE FRONTIER LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier   TOFFEE FEST 2025 REGISTRATION: https://toffeelink.com/toffeefest-2025-is-coming-to-san-diego/