The BBC’s new podcast series on Everton has broken the international break’s stillness like the deafening siren that preceded Z-Cars to kick off activities at Goodison Park.
Last season was difficult for everyone connected with Everton, whether they were on the inside or on the outside. The threat posed by Bournemouth in the last week before survival was secured is particularly notable.
Everton: Nothing Will Be The Same is an intriguing body of work conducted by Giulia Bould of Radio Merseyside that provides a view inside Finch Farm during such a tumultuous campaign.
It is also a platform for supporters to hear the thoughts and opinions of key figures ranging from director of football Kevin Thelwell to club captain Seamus Coleman.
Some of the interviews were recorded as events were unfolding, others took place with all parties having had the benefit of hindsight and time to frame their views and analysis. Every listener will reach their own judgements and conclusions from the 10 episodes but one thing that is striking is how engaging and effective many of those who speak are.
Coleman’s ability as a leader has been clear on and off the pitch for most of his long stint on Merseyside. He articulates the situation around the club in the aftermath of Frank Lampard’s departure with insight and understanding, offering clarity on the emotional stress of such dramatic changes within a dressing room.
Meanwhile, Thelwell provides the finest explanation of Everton’s January transfer market to date. He is candid about the circumstances under which he was – and still is – functioning, as well as his desire not to waste valuable financial power on signings that represented gambles.
His candour in admitting that a lesson from that month is to be more “aggressive” on transfer deadlines in order to ensure he has time to spend money wisely, something he did not believe he could do after selling Anthony Gordon to Newcastle United, deserves kudos. “What I would probably do is maybe push more aggressively for us to sell earlier because it would just give us an opportunity to spend…,” he explained.
Amid the turbulence of last season one of many issues that came to the fore was the nature and effectiveness of communication over what Everton as a club was trying to do to move forward. This series is evidence the club has some engaging and eloquent figures who, when asked to do so, can offer an insight and understanding that has the potential to be welcome and effective.
