The Blue Room

On the latest Weekly episode; after 31 years without a trophy, is supporting Everton a tough ask or a joyous experience? Warren and Paul discuss whether it's a club of few highs and many lows. Also discussed is the Man City charges and Everton's England internationals Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt speaks to Christian Smith from The Lawyer to talk through the latest major off-pitch developments in football. Christian gives us the latest on Everton's appeal over their £35m payment to Burnley. What happens if it's successful? And will an unsuccessful appeal mean big legal trouble for Manchester City further down the line? Follow Christian here: https://x.com/TheLawyerCSmith ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

With Paddy away on honeymoon, Matt is joined by Evertonia creator and former Toffeeweb owner Lyndon Lloyd. We look at the wide-ranging consequences of Manchester City's guilty verdicts - subject to appeal - and whether Everton have a legitimate case against them? And what is the Premier League really worth until there is finality over these charges? Then it's time for an in-depth look at Everton culture. What have we gleaned from the last 31 years without silverware? Have there been ‘good times'? And finally we look at a listener question over accountability for the summer transfer window. Should we have heard from someone at the club by now? EVERTONIA https://evertonia.com/index.php ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠⁠

Les is joined by Foxy, standing in for Dave, to discuss Everton's unbeaten start to the season and the rivals for Europe. The lads also dig into Andy Burnham's proposals to overturn the long-standing drinking ban at men's football matches, and look at the charges Man City have been found guilty of in relation to Everton's previous PSR breaches. We kick off with Jordan Pickford, who somehow keeps getting better for England even when he's not playing. After James Trafford shipped three against Spain, we dig into a remarkable stat: Pickford hasn't started any of England's last five games where they've conceded three or more. Then it's the race for Europe. Bournemouth, Sunderland, Palace and Brighton are all juggling European football, and the Thursday-Sunday grind starts after the break. Can Everton take points off tired legs? We look at the early surprises (Brentford and Leeds), the slow starters (is the heat already on Alonso and Carrick?), and whether Villa can cope without Rogers, Tielemans and Watkins. Off the pitch, Evertonian PM Andy Burnham wants to scrap football's 40-year-old ban on drinking in your seat. Many fans love it, police hate it. Would you take a pint to your seat? And finally, Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 of the 115 charges. Everton were charged, sentenced and docked 8 points in a single season for one overspend. City's case took over three years, and there's still no punishment. What should happen next? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by Rob to assess Everton's start to the new season. We zone in on the defence and the difference Jarrad Branthwaite makes. It's also been an impressive start to the campaign for three youngsters in the squad in George, Armstrong and Dibling - how will they progress his season? And finally, we react to the Manchester City news, which broke during recording. ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Matt and Rob react to the news that Manchester City have been found guilty of 114 breaches of Premier League rules. What punishment should they get? And what does it mean for Everton? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt checks in with football business writer and lecturer Dave Powell to assess Everton's current ownership situation. Did the end of the transfer window reveal big issues off the pitch with the Blues? What does the Friedkin Group's search for investment show about their long-term ambitions? Should we expect for frugal summers like the one just gone? ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠⁠

Warren and Liam are back for the Weekly discussing Jarrad Branthwaite's return to full fitness and recall to the England squad. They also have the final say on the Ipswich win. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

John spoke to Liverpool boxer and top Toffee, Frankie Stringer, ahead of the announcement of his next bout - a match-up with Kurt Jackson, that's been added to the MF PRO card on November 14th in London. Frankie opens up on brain scan scare, how boxing is a team game, his favourite things about Everton, and why he wore red shorts for one bout! ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠⁠

Matt and Paddy assess a mediocre performance from Everton on Saturday in their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town, but what has been a strong start to the campaign overall. We look at what the players have been doing behind the scenes to harness a siege mentality following a tough summer and what could potentially be a turning point for Tyler Dibling after two encouraging performances in a row. The lads also pay tribute to colleague Joe Thomas, who is leaving the Liverpool Echo after 16 years. ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠

Les and Dave look back at the win over Ipswich, picking out the positives - the joint best defence in the league and exciting young attacking options in Barry, George, and Dibling - and the negatives - more VAR and Attwell nonsense, and Moyes' use of the squad and subs.And given this is Everton's best start to a season since Ancelotti's first season, the lads look at Everton's European aspirations and some potential Premier League rivals for those continental cup spots.CLAUDE AIThis episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you...whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — ⁠⁠Claude.ai/BLUE⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We reflect on the Blues continuing their unbeaten start to the season with a scruffy 1-0 win at home to Ipswich. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

David Moyes' summer is spent chasing half the Premiership's central midfielders to no avail. So the board's 5m war chest is spent on two wingers, a prodigal striker to go with the other 84 we already have, and a "backup" goalie who ends up being Everton's best cat since Southall's 80s heyday.More worryingly, Wayne Rooney's growing too big, both literally and figuratively. He's overweight in pre-season and his 18th birthday party is all over OK or Hello or one of them stupid magazines, attended by C-list celebrities and media types who want to see him sold to Chelsea.After a half-decent start in the league, the Toffees find themselves in the bottom three after a pitiful Monday night display at Ewood Park, and fans start to wonder if Moyes' 7th-place finish the year before was too magnificent to be true.This episode is supported by The Excelsior. Thanks to Gary Lunt and Sean Ponzini for their contributions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A win is a win. Everton did enough to get past Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Carabao Cup fourth round. But the lowkey 1-0 win could prove to be a big moment for Tyler Dibling. Has the winger finally earned the trust of the manager after a Player of the Match performance? Does Carlos Alcaraz also have a claim to more minutes. Matt, Dave P and Natalie assess it all, and look ahead to what feels like a decisive game against Ipswich Town on Saturday. ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠⁠

Matt reacts at Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton get past Wolves and into the Carabao Cup fifth round. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paul joins Liam and Warren to discuss Everton's unbeaten start to the season (the best since the 2021/22 season) and look ahead to two big home games this week - Wolves in the Carabao Cup and Ipswich in the Premier League. #everton #premierleague #carabaocup Want a little more from us? Try The Blue Room Extra for more than 20 hours extra content a month:   / theblueroomextra   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A 0-0 draw for Everton in the capital. Was the stalemate at Spurs actually quite nice after two weeks of chaos? We look at whether Everton could've been bolder in search of victory in north London, then assess Jarrad Branthwaite's return to full fitness this season. Is he as good as ever? We finish off with a chat about the world of off-the-record briefings. What are they? What is the point of them? ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠

Les and Dave discuss the weekend's 0-0 draw at Spurs, look ahead to Wolves on Wednesday night, and ask how much the £40m fine paid to Burnley affected the summer spending plans.A bit of background...2021-22 season: Everton finish 4 points above Burnley, who get relegated. Nov 2023: Everton hit with 10-point PSR deduction for £19.5m overspend that season (reduced to 6 on appeal) Burnley's case: penalty applied 18 months late — if docked in-season, Everton would've gone down instead. The Ruling (June 2026)Panel finds for Burnley: £26.1m damages + £9.1m interest = ~£35-40m total. Burnley had sought £51.7m — reduced but still a loss for EvertonFirst-ever ruling of a club paying compensation directly to a rival for a PSR breach. Everton call it "fundamentally flawed," appeal already lodgedComparison point: Chelsea fined only £10.75m for larger breaches under Abramovich — no sporting sanction Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave and Warren review and debate a draw for the Toffees in North London. Was it a good point, or a missed opportunity for another 3? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warren & Liam have the final say on the United game and how Everton's never say die attitude is proving to be a positive. They also preview Spurs and have an early look ahead to the Wolves cup game Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After the week that preceded it, Sunday was never going to be anything other than chaotic, was it? Everton finally gave their fans a moment - and my word did it feel like it was needed. Matt and Paddy pay tribute to the team after coming back twice against Manchester United. Tyrique George gets his flowers too. For an initial £18m, could he be the signing of the summer in the Premier League? And finally, we continue the transfer window post-mortem. Is any accountability coming for the calamitous dealings? CLAUDE AI This episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you...whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — ⁠Claude.ai/BLUE⁠ ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠

Matt catches up with former England international Sue Smith, who spoke to Everton midfielder Jack Grealish the day after he joined the Blues last week. Sue gives her views on the transfer, the transfer window overall and the start to the Blues' start to the season.  She also reflects on a chaotic start for Everton's women. Their opponents Crystal Palace made an illegal substitution during their season opener. WATCH SUE'S INTERVIEW: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KsmecdR60Zs CLAUDE AI This episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you...whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — ⁠⁠Claude.ai/BLUE⁠⁠ ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠⁠

Les and Dave discuss a positive end to a week of turmoil at Everton as David Moyes' never-say-die Toffees get a dramatic last-gasp equaliser against Man United. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The guys react at the Denbigh Castle after the Blues snatch a last-gasp draw against Manchester United. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave talks to former winger Anders Limpar about Everton's end to the transfer window and the season head. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Remember when the Toffees could sign 4 players on Deadline Day? Well if not, this episode is just for you!Liam is joined by Lou Reed Foster - author of “Fear and Loathing at Goodison Park” to revisit 03/04.Rooney, Kilbane and Ferguson all feature as well as chat about Lou's brilliant book and Everton heroes.Thanks to Gary Lunt, Sean Ponzini and Niall O'Donnell for this contribution to this episode, which is in association with The Excelsior. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Caught your breath yet? A little later than expect, Matt and Paddy chart six days of remarkable Everton drama. Starting with Harrison Armstrong being linked with a move to Nottingham Forest and ending - for now - with The Friedkin Group potentially looking to sell the club. What do the last six days tell us about the shape the club is in? Is this asset stripping or gross incompetence? Will there be any accountability? The lads do their best to pick through it all. CLAUDE AI This episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you...whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — ⁠Claude.ai/BLUE⁠ ➕ BLUE ROOM EXTRA Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: ⁠https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh⁠

Dave is joined by Ed, Connor and Dave P on yet another day of big news at Everton - they start the show by discussing the ongoing situation with the club's ownership and potential investment. They review the transfer window as the dust settles on a chaotic end to deadline day. The lads debate what the team will look like going forward and what the cost could be after missing out on a striker. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warren, Adam and Liam convene to talk through Everton's next steps after a remarkable end to the transfer window.

Matt is joined by Mick and a returning Mike De Asha.We assess the potential ramifications from the weekend's chaos. Who is to blame for the Harrison Armstrong fiasco? And is there any way back for Angus Kinnear?We also look at the transfer state of play, with Iliman Ndiaye set to leave and Folarin Balogun potentially on his way in. Have Everton got lucky late in the window? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Les and Dave were on live to look back at the weekend's draw at Bournemouth and a crazy 48 hours that almost saw Harrison Armstrong leave for Forest and a flurry of transfer rumours ahead of Tuesday's deadline.#   CLAUDE AI This episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you...whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — ⁠Claude.ai/BLUE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt and Dave recorded Live on the news that Harrison Armstrong will be staying at Everton. They also react to the reports that Iliman Ndiaye is set to join Spurs and Richarlison could make a return to the Blues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt and Rob pick through yet another eventful game at Bournemouth for Everton, on and off the pitch. James Tarkowski snatched a late point for the Toffees, but the day was dominated by news of Harrison Armstrong's potential exit to Nottingham Forest.

Dave an Patric Ridge discuss the latest news that Nottingham Forest are looking to sign Harrison Armstrong from Everton...they also talk about the bigger picture in a chaotic end to the transfer window. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Warren is back on the Weekly where he is joined by Rob. The two discuss discuss the latest transfers surrounding Everton and the manager's demeanour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Liam, Laura and Connor were at Deepdale looking back on Everton's 4-0 win away to Preston in the second round of the Carabao Cup. That's followed by Dave and Warren going into further detail on the performance as the Blues start their season with another victory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

We can't even have one week talking about a Toffees win, can we? Fresh from filing his transfer exclusive about Jake O'Brien, Paddy joins Matt to talk through the story, Why does O'Brien want out? Why do Everton want to sell? And is there any way of salvaging the situation?  There's also a look at Beto's future with offers expected. Then, finally, we get to the football. Harrison Armstrong was excellent wasn't he? And how underrated is Iliman Ndiaye? CLAUDE AI This episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you...whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter. Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/BLUE ➕ AD-FREE LISTENING Get exclusive content and all of our podcasts ad-free when you sign up to Blue Room Extra: https://tinyurl.com/yc83x2zh

Everton kick off the 2026-27 season with a statement 2-0 win over Crystal Palace — the first opening-weekend win in five years - and it's the kids stealing the headlines.Les and Dave discuss Harrison Armstrong's coming-of-age midfield display, Hayden Hackney's seamless step up from the Championship, and how Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall combined for two goals either side of the break.Plus: Thierno Barry off the mark early (a huge weight off after last season), Pierre Sage's rocky Palace debut, and what this result means heading into a transfer deadline that's about to get busy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

A woeful winter has Walter wanting wins. They're not coming though, and it's clear as spring arrives that he's outstayed his welcome. Not that his Rangers old boys would tell you that. They're very disappointed by it all.From disappointment, to this appointment - David Moyes, the 38-year-old bright young thing doing bits at Deepdale waltzes in and puts a few rockets up a few sizeable arses, to quite eye-catching effect.Off the pitch, the co-hosts talk Lacoste trackies, unhelpfully emotional teachers, and an existential midnight crisis on the Eavesway.This episode is supported by The Excelsior. Thanks to Gary Lunt and Sean Ponzini for their contributions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

After a summer of silence, Everton went media-mad this week as David Moyes and Angus Kinnear both did the rounds ahead of the new season. And the two interviews couldn't have sounded more different. Les and Dave dig into the contradictions as Moyes says the squad's "got a long way to go," while Kinnear says "we're not behind where we thought we would be." So, who's right, and is there a genuine disconnect between the manager and the boardroom? We also get into the numbers behind the Hill Dickinson Stadium as Everton leap from bottom-third to top-third revenue in the league. And a stadium quote that genuinely stopped us in our tracks about how "Everton" the brand should actually be. Plus: full backs, transfer strategy, and a look ahead to Palace and the first What's the Score at the Windy at Invisible Wind Factory.  This episode is brought to you in association with Claude.ai  Claude is the AI for minds that don't stop at good enough — it's the collaborator that actually understands your entire workflow and thinks with you.. whether you're debugging code at midnight or strategizing your next business move, Claude extends your thinking to tackle the problems that matter.  Ready to have an AI that can tackle real work? Try Claude Cowork today — Claude.ai/BLUE Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Matt is joined by a host of contributors to predict how the Blues will get on this season. Where will they finish? Who will be top scorer? What is your Everton hot take for the campaign?

Pre-season is DONE. Premier League football is BACK. But there still feel like a lot of work to do for Everton in the transfer window. Matt and Paddy look at the latest transfer developments ahead of the season opener against Crystal Palace. Has the right-back search become too complicated for the club's transfer committee? Will Grealish and Delap come in late in the window? We also pick out our top performers from the 1-1 draw with Lille at Hill Dickinson Stadium and break down how the side will look against the Eagles next weekend.

We talk the preseason, the forward options, do we need Jack Grealish? Key players, Moyes, predictions etc. the usual.

Matt reacts to Everton's draw at home to Lille in the last game of pre-season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Everton put in a clinical display at Murrayfield, blacking out Newcastle 3-1 in the penultimate pre-season tune-up before the Palace opener. Thierno Barry, Iliman Ndiaye and Tyrique George all got on the scoresheet as David Moyes' side looked sharp, organised, and ready – particularly the younger players like Armstrong, George, and Dibling.Then we dig into the bigger question hanging over Goodison Park and the Hill Dickinson Stadium alike -  what do the Friedkin Group actually want with Everton? We compare TFG's ownership playbook at Roma and Everton side by side - the stadium sagas, the transfer window frustrations, the branding gripes, and the viral photos of a stripped-back Goodison Park that have fans asking whether this is normal reconfiguration or a sign the old ground's been quietly deprioritised. Quick profit or long-term success? Let us know your thoughts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Dave speaks to BBC Radio Merseyside at full time time following a much-needed performance from the Blues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Paddy has been to Germany and back - but Everton still haven't signed a full-back, nor have we heard from David Moyes. Brennan Johnson could be on the way in though, with Dwight McNeil poised to finally get his move to Palace. Is it simply a straight swap? And what will he add to the Everton side? We also look at Tyler Dibling's prospects with this move imminent. Is a loan on the cards despite his fine showing in Stuttgart?

Dave, Les and Josh react to Everton's latest pre-season friendly and answer your questions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

2001/02 - a season that is already off to a bad start before it's begun with Everton having sold their two outstanding young players, both of them lifelong Blues. Some good results early on give way to more questions than answers, though. Such as, what does the 'Bruise Brothers' even mean? Would Nick Barmby returning to Goodison really have knocked the 9/11 terror attacks off the front pages? And who does Danny Cadamarteri think he is? Stay tuned for all this, plus an outrageous story from each of your co-hosts. This episode is supported by The Excelsior. Thanks to Gary Lunt and Sean Ponzini for their contributions. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Les joins BBC Radio Merseyside's Phil Munns to discuss the latest news at Everton. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices