The Blue Frontier - American Everton Analysis

The Blue Frontier
  • 4.9 (108)
  • SOCCER

A balanced, passionate, and analytical view of Everton Football Club, on and off the pitch. Brought to you by James Boyman, Ryan Williams, and Shan Khan. The Blue Frontier podcast is an independent, fan-produced show and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Everton Football Club.

  1. 18H AGO

    BRIGHTON 1-1 EVERTON: Four Center Backs, One Last-Gasp Point

    Everton secured a dramatic point at the Amex as birthday boy Beto bundled home a 97th-minute equalizer to keep the Toffees in the Premier League's top half . Facing a late injury to Vitaliy Mykolenko, David Moyes opted for a "Tall Guys FC" approach, deploying four natural center backs across the defensive line, including Jarrad Branthwaite at left back and Jake O'Brien at right back . While the first half was a statistical desert for the Blues with zero shots and conceding possession, the match transformed into a second-half rescue mission .  James and Shan analyze James Garner's "menace" performance in midfield and the tactical impact of Moyes' proactive triple substitution . The episode also breaks down the late-breaking transfer news regarding Chelsea winger Tyrique George and what the potential loan-to-buy deal signifies for Everton's long-term squad building . With the club sitting comfortably in eighth place, the discussion weighs the relief of being "on the beach" against the aspiration for a European push . LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

    50 min

  2. 5D AGO

    EVERTON 1-1 LEEDS: Reinforcements Rescue Result

    On this episode, James and Shan break down Everton's 1-1 draw vs Leeds United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Trailing after James Justin's first-half opener, David Moyes flipped the script at halftime, switching to a three center back formation and introducing Jarrad Branthwaite (his season debut) alongside a returning Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall. The changes sparked a second-half revival, capped by Thierno Barry's equalizer, his fifth goal in 7 games. The duo dissect Barry's hot streak, Branthwaite's immediate impact (14 final-third passes in 45 minutes), and Dominic Calvert-Lewin's return to face his old club. They also tackle Jack Grealish's three-month injury setback, Everton's middling home form, and the promise of a fully fit squad pushing for mid-table security in the Premier League. Packed with stats and listener takes, the guys attempt to take a slightly discouraging result and examine the more positive implications for the rest of the season.   LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

    1h 1m

  3. JAN 18

    ASTON VILLA 0-1 EVERTON: Barry Chips Villain Title Hopes

    The full triumvirate of James, Shan, and Ryan is back to unpack the Toffees' gritty 1-0 Premier League triumph at Aston Villa. It's Everton's first league win at Villa Park since 2016, shattering Villa's 11-match home streak in a match that started as a tactical chess game between injury-hit sides and evolved into a showcase of disciplined grit. Thierno Berry's exquisite chip over Emi Martinez sealed the deal, underscoring Everton's resilience amid their own absences. The hosts dive into the back four's return to natural positions: Nathan Patterson suprisingly steady showing at right-back and Jake O'Brien physical dominance in the middle, while youngsters Merlin Rohl and Harrison Armstrong flashed potential in midfield. James Garner's performance and ABSURD numbers (ex: 14 recoveries, 7 tackles) gets major props, contrasting Villa's frustrations (and their +17 expected points overperformance per Understat).  Amid breakdowns of David Moyes' savvy tweaks, like Dwight McNeil tucking centrally to counter Unai Emery's buildup, and Villa's midfield voids (Kamara and Onana out), the pod mixes stats, transfer chatter, and morale-lifting optimism for a top-half push. A fun one to record, and we hope you enjoy!    LINKS: https://linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

    59 min

  4. JAN 10

    EVERTON FA CUP EXIT: Cup Hopes Burst Asunder(land)

    Everton's FA Cup hopes crumbled in the third round as they fell to Sunderland at Hill Dickinson Stadium, drawing 1-1 before a dismal 3-0 penalty shootout defeat. Hosts James and Shan dissect the frustrations: a bare-bones squad ravaged by suspensions, injuries, and AFCON absences forced youngsters like Harrison Armstrong, Merlin Rohl, and Tyler Dibling into the spotlight. James Tarkowski and Jake O'Brien reunited at center back, while Nathan Patterson slotted in at right back. Sunderland's Enzo Le Fee struck first with a stunning volley off a long throw, but debutant Adam Aznou sparked a late equalizer via a controversial penalty converted by James Garner. The pod breaks down tactical woes: Everton's reliance on long balls and deep crosses; amid a lack of cohesion and quality. Positives? Aznou's electric cameo hints at untapped potential, but penalties from Garner, Thierno Barry, and Beto were woeful. Despite benefitting from no VAR, the Blues extend their trophy drought, shifting focus to Premier League banality and January transfers. Up the Toffees, onto Aston Villa.   LINKS: linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

    44 min

  5. JAN 8

    EVERTON 1-1 WOLVES: Double Red Draw Dissected

    The full trio reunites on The Blue Frontier to unpack Everton's bizarre 1-1 Premier League draw against rock-bottom Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium on January 7, 2026. Michael Keane's pinpoint volley handed the Toffees an early edge, but stagnation set in after the break, letting Mateus Mane curl home an equalizer that highlighted cracks in the Keane-Tarkowski center-back duo. Chaos ensued with Keane's red for an accidental hair pull: flagged as violent conduct by VAR Chris Kavanagh, and Jack Grealish's second yellow for... sarcastic clapping? This stranded Everton in the final minutes with nine men.   James, Shan, and Ryan spotlight Harrison Armstrong's composed full debut, blending sharp ball control with forward thrust, while ripping Dwight McNeil's misplaced right-wing role for its toothless attack and dismal defending. They probe David Moyes' hesitation to counter Wolves' midfield flood and dual forwards, plus youth dilemmas around Tyler Dibling and Merlin Rolle. Jordan Pickford's stunning save snatched a point, yet broader chats hit squad thinness from AFCON call-ups, Moyes' in-game tweaks, and Everton's steadfast mid-table grind. LINKS: linktr.ee/thebluefrontier

    1h 4m

  6. JAN 5

    EVERTON 2-4 BRENTFORD: Bees Saw the Gaps

    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

    1h 2m

  7. JAN 2

    EVERTON'S JANUARY WINDOW: Needs and Targets Revisited

    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

    1h 16m

  8. JAN 1

    FOREST 0-2 EVERTON: Stealing From the Rich at Nottingham

    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

    44 min
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4.9
out of 5
108 Ratings

About

A balanced, passionate, and analytical view of Everton Football Club, on and off the pitch. Brought to you by James Boyman, Ryan Williams, and Shan Khan. The Blue Frontier podcast is an independent, fan-produced show and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Everton Football Club.

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