Good evening.
Welcome back to Goodison Park for the final time before the World Cup break.
With that in mind, while we’re still short of the midway point of the season, it feels like an ideal opportunity to reflect on where we are and the progress we have made, not just in this campaign but in the nine months since I had the privilege of becoming Everton manager.
After a period away from management, I always said I would go ‘all-in’ on the next opportunity because, in my opinion, there is no other way to do this job.
But in Everton I have found something extremely special.
The rich history and traditions of this club were never lost on me, but coming here and living it first-hand has affected me deeply.
The passion of Evertonians, combined with their knowledge and wit; the feeling of such a tight-knit community amongst supporters at Goodison and beyond; sticking together no matter what; the support and appreciation that is shown towards the players and even myself and coaching staff.
How could you not fall for this place?
There is something very special about Everton. I said recently that I feel like an Evertonian and that wasn’t a throwaway remark.
I have fully immersed myself in what this club stands for and what it means to people.
It is an honour to be Everton manager. I have a burning desire to give you a team and a style to be proud of and, ultimately, to bring success here.
We have packed a lot into the nine months in which I have been here. From the tough moments to one of the greatest nights of my life when we managed to retain our Premier League status back in May. Then, a busy summer and more hard work as we look to begin a new journey of improvement.
As I’ve said many times, that journey is a process rather than a magic click of the fingers and I’d like to thank you for the patience — which is crucial — you have shown to date.
I am pleased we have seen new characteristics from our side this season. We are far more robust and resilient defensively, which was shown in spades against Fulham last weekend, than we were previously.
Then, at the other end, we have shown signs of a developing side — braver in possession, willing to play through the lines and move the ball forward clinically. A good example of that was our second goal in the 3-0 win over Crystal Palace the last time we were at Goodison when 10 of our 11 players on the pitch touched the ball in the build-up to Anthony’s goal.
It's very difficult for any team in the Premier League to find consistency week-in, week-out, such is the highly-competitive environment.
The very few who do achieve those consistency levels work towards it, with players at their top levels.
We have to continue our work to gain that consistency and, while we know it will take time to get where we want to be, as a group we are ready to fight and work relentlessly to get better with every training session and every game.
Football has a funny way of throwing up challenges and unprecedented scenarios and the fast-approaching mid-season pause for the World Cup is another example of that.
The squads for the nations fortunate enough to be competing in the tournament will be announced soon and we are looking forward to supporting our players who will be involved. I know with certainty those players who will be out in Qatar will represent themselves and our Club impeccably.
We also have our own plans while we are without Premier League action, with the Club’s first trip to Australia in 12 years. Having seen the commitment of Evertonians in America during pre-season, I’m very excited to meet our fans ‘Down Under’, while also testing ourselves against two very different opponents in Celtic and Western Sydney Wanderers.
We welcome Brendan Rodgers and the staff and players of Leicester City today. I know Brendan well from my playing days at Chelsea and he has done an amazing job in building a very strong Leicester side.
We know how dangerous they can be and, after a testing start to the season, they’re now finding their form and showing levels everyone has come to expect from them.
Having experienced it for ourselves at Goodison last season, Leicester have top-quality technical players who move the ball well and pose a lot of threat at the top end of the pitch.
But we have a strong belief in ourselves that we can compete against any side and we’re determined to sign-off this period with three points.
With Remembrance Day just around the corner, today we will also pay respect to our heroes from the Armed Forces and Merchant Navy, which, as always, is an extremely important date in the football calendar. We should never forget the sacrifices that they make for our freedom.
Thank you again for your ongoing support and, together, let’s give everything this evening.
Enjoy the game,
Frank
