Football Season Guide

Strange last season. Struggled at home, only 1 of their 7 league wins achieved at Goodison, but played some exciting counterattacking football on the road. The inability to score many goals, only 2 teams had weaker attack, led to the sacking of the 4-year manager Sorensen in late January. Scott Phelan took over in February and under him Everton played better, which eventually saw them finish in the top 8. Lost their star centre-back Fernandez and another important defender Stenevik this summer. Trio of dangerous forward, all struggled with injuries though, also left. Added 4 new strikers, including the 3 main forwards of bottom-dwellers last season Leicester. Considering Leicester scored just 11 goals in 22 rounds this is not certain to be an improvement up front. Aussie striker Holly McNamara is a different story. Golden Boot winner in 2 of the last 3 seasons in the A-League. She led Melbourne City to back-to-back Asian Champions League finals and the league title last season. A natural goalscorer she hopes to become a hit in England too. There are concerns at the back now Fernandez has left. Layzell has been loaned in but probably it will fall on Hannah Blundell to be the star in defence. She has been good when on the pitch, the issue is her availability. She is also coming back after giving birth so there are real concerns about her shape and form. Unless more quality defenders are found Everton might struggle. It is hard to see how their scoring record will be much better even if McNamara manages to deliver.