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

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

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