I think you're certainly right that most teams would have buried us with the chances Everton had (Richarlison was our best player), and that with what we've got, and are likely to have next year, a deep block continues to make most sense.

Generally, a defender is only as good as the team is compact. We passed it better last night because the team spread out when in possession, making the pitch bigger but increasing the gaps if we lost the ball. When Luka and Ayew did exactly that, it immediately led to a clear run at goal for their forwards.

Mind you, we also conceded just as many gilt edged chances whilst in our deep, compact block too! Every cross looked ridiculously dangerous, and every little through ball seemed to cut us open. None of that was down to us playing more openly, as we weren't doing so at those moments.

As you say I hope that SP is playing a canny game. Wilf and PVA want to leave but I would love for both of them to stay. The others who are out of contract need us more than we need them. If they can get better terms elsewhere then good luck.

I think this summer is a buyers market as clubs across Europe will be desperate to cut their wage bill. The deal for Mateta being a good example 18 month loan with an option to buy.

One more point

Against Everton we looked vulnerable when we sat deep, but so did they in the last 20 minutes. Our best form of defence is attack, look how much space Jeff Schluup had in their 18 yard box. Roy went for it and it paid off, I thought Wilf had Keane on toast in the second half out wide and Ancelotti couldn’t solve that problem.

There have been times this season when we have gone about games, in much the same way as we did in this game and come out conceding two ,three, four goals. Even in the Liverpool drubbing, we were trying to take the game to them . Yet most of the time the criticism is about negativity in our play. Without that bit of negativity we would be toast because we haven’t succeeded very often playing as we did the other night. To play that way regularly we have a lot of work to do yet.

If Roy stays for another year, then we really need to start looking at who is coming up from the Championship to see if there will at least 3 worse teams than us. We will looking down again rather upwards - 17th would be a successful season.

Norwich - good offensively, but again in the PL they would struggle to defend. Depends on whether they spend any money this time around.

Watford - They lost their best midfield player in Doucoure when they got relegated. Depends on whether they spend any money, otherwise I can only see a return to the Championship.

Play-offs.
Tricky one, none of the teams in the play off spots really don't have any form at the moment with Brentford drawing their last four and Swansea losing their last four. In actual fact the most in form team is Bournemouth in 7th.

We could have the same teams being promoted that went down last season.

My concern would be if Brentford went up. Any new team to the PL have an abundance of desire when coming into he PL. Look at Huddersfield, Hull, Sheffield Utd in previous seasons, where they play out of their skin in the 1st season, but it collapses in the 2nd season.

If this were the case, then there could be at least one relegation place to be filled.

If we had Hodgson again next season, with no money again and the same squad (only another year older). I would be very, very concerned.

And of the other PL clubs.
Newcastle - talk of another buy out this morning, depends on whether they stay in the PL this season I suspect.
Burnley - depends on whether Dyche stays
Wolves - Won't have another bad season especially when Jimenez returns
Southampton - depends on whether Ings stays or goes.
Brighton - definite contender unless they find a consistent goalscorer.
Fulham - if they stay up this season, depends on whether they make their loan signings permanent.

As said, it could well be another season of 20% possession, low shot rate, backs to the wall and looking down again. Can my boredom threshold take it again ?

I'd take 17th if we took the cups seriously. When we're never competing to do anything in the league other than stay up, we may as well try and win a cup.

Red and Blue Army!