Lads Raring To Go After Italian Job

“SIX?! How many more can we get? Maybe 7, or 8!” Let’s be honest, that was your reaction last Friday afternoon, at around 5.30pm, wasn’t it? Mine too. Let’s just level with each other.

The game was in the 77^th minute and youngster Shayon Harrison had just made it six, a matter of minutes after entering the field, against the mighty Internazionale. A club that’s seen the likes of Luis Figo, Ronaldo and Zlatan Ibrahimovic gracing its famous shirt. 

Although not quite such a major force in European football these days, there was still a need to prepare properly and give the opposition the utmost respect, that their famous crest deserves, even in a pre-season friendly. 

And that’s just it. It’s pre-season. 

Now, this is the point where I have to admit that even after almost ten years as a writer, it’s extraordinarily difficult to put a positive spin on what is essentially an article saying “okay, calm down guys!”. But I’m going to have to, because it’s my job. So here goes: Calm down, guys. 

Pre-season is about one thing and one thing only – fitness. 

Sure, it’s great to see Harry Kane and Dele Alli finding form once again after a disappointing summer with the national team. It was fantastic to see them playing with the freedom and unity that they formed last season, which they were so cruelly denied by Roy Hodgson for four consecutive games. It’s a welcome relief that they’ve got it out of their system in perfect time. 

But let’s just remember what happened the last time we ended pre-season on such a euphoric note. Two points from eight games, anyone? 

Ultimately, it’s irrelevant whether we’ve just put six past Inter Milan or Leyton Orient – no disrespect to either club.

We kick off our campaign against the blue half of Merseyside on Saturday. A very tough game to call.

Our record at Goodison Park isn’t that great. In fact, to whip out a cheeky stat, Harry Kane’s headed winner on the final day of 2014/15 was our first victory at Goodison Park, in the league, since February 2007. Yep, I was amazed too.

I’d usually opt for a 1-1 draw, as was the case last season. And that’s without the extra factors that Everton possess this time around. 

Roberto Martinez was given his P45 shortly before the Toffee’s final game of the season. There were rumours flying around for a few weeks that Southampton boss Ronald Koeman would be taking the reins, which became a reality in June. The Dutchman, let’s not forget, came close to ‘doing a Leicester’ only two seasons ago, before Claudio Ranieri had even considered the idea. 

This might just be the ideal time to play Koeman’s Everton, as it’s unlikely that he will have had sufficient time with which to implement his style of play. Were we to start fast and nick an early goal, three points and a perfect start to the season might just be on the cards.

The obvious opposing factor is whether the lads have got the end of last season out of their system. It’s all well and good putting a few goals past an Italian giant but, when the pressure is back on and the memories of St James’ Park come flooding back, how will the boys react? 

We’ve all known Poch for long enough to suggest he’ll have taken great lengths to regain the mentality and team spirit we had before that fateful day in the North East, and dare I mention it, before that fateful night at Stamford Bridge. 

It’s tempting fate – so let’s touch every piece of wood in sight – but the fixture list has been relatively kind to us for the opening couple of games, and it can’t be emphasised enough that we truly have to make the most of this opportunity. 

As is the case with Everton, it’s unlikely that Manchester City, Chelsea or Manchester United will hit the ground running under their respective new gaffers. 

I’m not a psychic, so I take zero responsibility if all three begin September with a convincing unbeaten record, but the chances are it’ll take a few months before we know if any of the usual ‘big guns’ will be back in the title race. 

If Spurs can get last season’s heartbreak out of their system from the first whistle, it’ll be the perfect chance to stake our claim as a major force in English football once more. A great opportunity to prove that last season’s heroics weren’t solely down to the big boys having a stinker. 

But Friday’s thrashing of Inter was a welcome reminder of what Pochettino has achieved in his time at Spurs.