Nearly 18,000 attended to honor our most successful manager. A bit disappointing to be fair. And you can't say we enjoyed a entertaining game. In fact it was shite. But it was still great to get back into the match routine and upsetting the missus straight away. I said I would be in for seven. Unfortunately she didn't ask me what day. Oh well.

It really was a poor game. Highlights were Andy Johnson, he looks quick and direct and he will get goals for us. He could have had three. One great effort hitting the bar. It's who going to play up there with him. On this display you would have to say Victor has got a great chance. For 45 minutes Biffa couldn't do anything right and in the could have been sent off for a wild challenge after he had lost the ball.

Ref Riley helped us out again when Tim barged into one of their lads sending him flying, but the ref helped us out and let him off with a telling off. Tim would cause trouble in an empty house and he has got to be careful this season.

A good word for Joleon. He looked better and better as the game went on. He's good in the air, quick to close down and can play a bit.

Shandy got the biggest cheer of the day when he come and on a couple of occasion he absolutely destroyed the left back. The good thing about the Van is he offers us width. Hopefully he gets his act together because he really could be good for this season.

I was desperate for the whistle to go in the end, but this wasn't about the game this was Howard's day and he deserved his moment. Roll on next week when the real stuff starts.

Match Report From Everton Fan Paul Rimmer

Me and the kids rocked up to Goodison for 1.30 to see the legends vs the academy kids and sat in the comfy seats in the main stand. Whilst it was great to see some great names on show I think it was an injustice to have this game on when the ground was pretty much empty...half time or 2.30 would have been better. The mini match was notable for Andy Gray's goal, Barry
Horne's 2 footer on some 13 year old and a short ginger centre mid who seems to have a good future...anyway on with the match.

HK was given a salute by both sets of players and the other members of the Holy Trinity which was nice. The starting eleven eluded to the game vs the hornets and seems positive. Bilbao took the lead with a chip over the back four which we stood and watched and was prodded in at the back post. This seemed to kick start the Blues and Johnson almost equalised when he cut in
from the left and chipped the keeper only to see it bounce back from the bar. AJ went close with a couple of other efforts - one saved luckily by the keeper and one hacked off the line. The friendly got a bit tastier when Biffa scythed this lad from behind and there was a bit of a melee. Biffa and AJ linked up well once or twice but Biffa was average on the day and needs to do more than put himself about to earn the No/ 9.

The back four were untroubled for the rest of the match but the balance in midfield isn't right. Davies looks hungrier but just doesn't cut it for me...Cahill can score but can't create...Our Tater is our best player but shouldn't be out on the left...and Leon was a bit anonymous. Tommy Grav is needed I feel or a rethink of the midfield set-up. The second half was a bit of a non-event
with substitutions galore. Stubbs was solid but the only highlight was a run by Shandy in the dying seconds which caused a stir. AVDM has ability but can't really be arsed. The last 10 minutes saw my 2 kids bored rigid and I couldn't blame 'em. Watford will require a lot more effort and ability. Paul Rimmer.

Jogger Reports from Goodison Park