Another week, another Glovers man making the official Vanarama Team of the Week.
Sonny Blu Lo Everton makes the cut after his opening goal set Yeovil on their way to a 3-1 win over Farnborough.
Nice one, Sonny.
Yeovil Town goal scorer, Sonny Blu Lo Everton says the Glovers got what they deserved out of their 3-1 win over Farnborough on Saturday.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Ian Randall after the game, he said that whilst their hosts made it tough for them, three points was exactly what the side had earned.
“It was tough, it’s always nice to get on the score sheet, but we made it hard for ourselves – it should be game over, and they get one from a scabby long through and you go back against the walls again, but we get the third and then, we got what we deserved.
It’s such a cliche to say that 2-0 is the hardest score line or the worst score line in football, but, when we get that second goal, early-ish in the second half it should be game over.
it’s a frustrating one for us, because we shouldn’t be putting ourselves in that position, but when we get the third, it’s game over.”
Farnborough did have their chances and a Rory Delay-esque long throw in their armoury, but despite late pressure, the defence once again stood firm to see the game out and keep the Glovers 11 points clear at the top.
“When you do go 1-0 up or 2-0 and the time begins to go down, they gamble players forward which means, they follow them, which means we go deeper, we’re further away from their goal, they’re closer to our goal, that’s just how it works… when they start gambling players forward, it’s going to be tough, but we defended really well.
You could hear them on the sidelines, it was five minutes to go in the first half and they just said ‘stay in, keep it 1-0 before we go in’.”
Yeovil’s second goal came from Alex Fisher, his first of the season and first since a terrible double leg break against Southend last season, prompting emotional scenes from everyone associated with the Glovers.
“It’s so good to see Fish on the score sheet, he’s worked really hard to this position that he’s at, he’s been really patient to wait for his opportunity and today he took it.”
Looking ahead to Monday (and beyond) the former Watford and Derby man, is keeping it simple, one day at time, one game at a time, one win at a time… starting, hopefully, on Monday at Aveley.
“It is [tough], as is every game in this league, we just get one less day’s recovery, but we’ve got the people around us and we’re all switched on enough to know how to recover for the next game.
We’re taking it game by game, if we win, we get the points, it’s in our hands, we can’t rely on anyone else to drop points, it’s solely on us, we don’t think about anyone else, we don’t look at anyone else’s scores, if we win the game, we win the game.”
Yeovil Town midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton has said waiting his chance to win a regular starting place in the side was tough at the start of the season.
The former Watford youngster has started the last five matches in National League South and the FA Cup in a deeper lying role having previously only appeared as a substitute.
Speaking on Friday ahead of the weekend’s trip to Torquay United in the FA Trophy, he said: “It was tough because you have to split your mind between wanting to play and wanting the boys to do well, but that is part of football. Then you get your chance to play and then hopefully don’t get dropped, it’s that simple.
“I have come in to the team in the different position and created a really good partnership with Worthy and it’s working well. There are basic points to the game which you stick to, but after that it is kind of second nature between the two of us.
“The form we are in makes it really exciting going in to every Saturday and Tuesday and hopefully we can carry that on. At the moment, no matter who we come across, we go out with a game plan and at the moment it is working.
“But there’s no change in the way we approach this weekend, we played (Torquay) a couple of weeks ago and beat them in the league and no matter what competition you play in, you want to win, so we go in to it in exactly the same way.”
The 22-year-old, who arrived during pre-season having been at the club in the 2021-22 season, has also spoken about the arrival of experience defender Michael Smith has had on him
He said: “To have that experience behind you is brilliant, you just trust him and then you have got something less to worry about. The advice he gives is simple, but effective.”
Following an early injury to defender Jake Wannell in Tuesday night’s 4-2 home win over Farnborough, the pair found themselves a little closer together with Smith shifted to the middle of defence. Sonny said: “He was more asking for help than instruction! But we were comfortable in possession because he was back there.”
Yeovil Town goal-scorer Sonny Blu Lo-Everton believes his wonder strike in tonight’s 3-1 win at Torquay United is just the start for him.
The former Watford youngster capped an all-action display with a stunning strike for the visitors’ second as they ran out comfortable winners at Plainmoor and restored their three point advantage at the top of National League South.
Speaking to BBC Somerset’s Tom Seymour at the end of the game, he said: “I do need to shoot more, so that’s a start anyway! It was good to get my first goal of the season and at a really good time.
“I am taking on a different role at the moment, a little bit deeper, but I am enjoying it. When you are in the team you want to stay in the team, it is as simple as that, you need to make it your position and give the manager no excuses to drop you.”
The visitors took the lead through former Gulls’ striker Frank Nouble before Lo-Everton added a second. Gary Johnson’s men came out for the second half with a bit more of a spring in their step (or should that be a flea in their ear?) and pulled one back before substitute Jake Hyde sealed it with a third.
Sonny said: “We had a game plan to dominate possession and we did that and that’s the thing that killed them, definitely in the first half. Second half it got away from us a little bit for periods, but when you get the third goal that kills their momentum.
“In the first half there was definitely a mismatch before the two sides but there were points in the second where it was touch and go. After that third goal, that is the game. They may lump it long and win a couple of headers but no drama.”
The victory – which makes it 12 in a row in all competitions, in case you didn’t know – puts Yeovil three points ahead of second-placed Aveley with games in hand over four of the rest of the top seven.
But, Sonny is not getting carried away. He added: “We all know that everyone needs to keep a level head, it’s 12 wins in a row but you have to forget about that and look at the next game.
“There’s nothing better than winning and 12 on the spin is a big number but you don’t look at the 12 you look at the next game.”
Here’s the full interview with Sonny and BBC’s Somerset’s Tom Seymour
Sonny Blu Lo Everton is a Yeovil Town player for the second time after his signature was confirmed ahead of the 2023/24 season.
Announced with significant theatrics, the midfielder joins a Mark Cooper squad packed with attacking talent and with the opportunity to really step on with his career and show his quality.
It’s always… ✍? #YTFC ? pic.twitter.com/Y52ONPjLJx
— Yeovil Town F.C. (@YTFC) July 24, 2023
Having previously spent the 2021-22 season on loan at the Glovers from Watford, he returns to Huish Park on a permanent spell after a short trial with the club.
Speaking to YTFC.net, Lo-Everton said: “I’m really happy to back, really happy. It’s such an exciting time for the club and everyone involved in it. I’m just really excited to get back and get the club where it’s meant to be.”
“When I was here before we had a good six-month period and then it kind of whittled off a bit towards the end. I’m definitely here to win.”
“I’m so happy to back, if I’m honest with you. To play in front of the Yeovil fans; it was such a special thing back then and it makes it even more special now.”
The 20-year-old was released by League One Derby County at the end of last season and appeared as a trialist in last week’s 5-0 win at Dorchester Town and as a second half substitute in the 2-1 victory at AFC Totton on Saturday.
Lo -Everton was a regular under Darren Sarll during his first stint, scoring a memorable goal away at Wrexham in a 2-0 win and assisting Charlie Wakefield for the FA Cup giant killing of Stevenage.
Welcome back, Sonny!
Departing Yeovil Town loanee, Sonny Blu Lo-Everton has been offered a new contract at his parent club Watford.
Lo-Everton played in over 40 games across all competitions (yes, including the Somerset Premier Cup) scoring once in the league, a memorable second goal away at Wrexham.
The 19-year old was due to come to the end of his deal at the Hornets but now has the chance to stay longer.
Yeovil Town’s on loan midfielder Sonny Blu Lo-Everton has been named in the official Vanarama team of the week for the final game of the season.
Lo-Everton played the vast majority of a 1-0 win over Altrincham to end his season-long stay with the Glovers from Watford.
Congratulations to Sonny and thanks for your time at Huish Park.
Sonny Blu Lo-Everton‘s loan at Yeovil Town has been extended until the end of the season, manager Darren Sarll has confirmed to the Gloverscast.
The 19-year-old has made 22 appearances since arriving at Huish Park from his parent club, Premier League Watford, in the summer, but his original loan expired last weekend.
Speaking to Ben Barrett at his press conference ahead of tomorrow’s visit by Wrexham, the manager confirmed he is staying until the end of the campaign.
He said: “Sonny is done which is great for us.
“With players like Sonny, you see the best part of their season in that second half once they have adapted to the senior game and to our game.
“If we are in line to see an even better version of Sonny then we have got an absolute gem of our player.”
The manager also confirmed that on-loan goalkeeper Dillon Barnes, who played two games during the suspension of Grant Smith over the Christmas and New Year period, and full-back Jaheim Headley have returned to their parent clubs QPR and Huddersfield Town.
In other news at the club’s weekly press conference, the manager said…..
Yeovil Town manager Darren Sarll has backed his goalkeeper Grant Smith for criticising referee Scott Jackson‘s decision to red card Sonny Blu Lo-Everton in the Boxing Day defeat at Torquay United.
The dismissal after 64 minutes at Plainmoor has been overturned following an appeal meaning the on-loan Watford forward will be available for Sunday’s rematch with Gary Johnson’s side on Sunday.
But, Smith, who also saw red for “foul and abusive language” after the final whistle, is banned for the Gulls’ game and the FA Cup third round tie with AFC Bournemouth with Sarll looking to bring in a loan keeper for both matches.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, the manager said: “I don’t put too much blame on the referee, he went with his assistant he used his team in the same way I use Terry (Skiverton, assistant manager) when I am making decisions.
“He used his team and got it horrendously wrong and it cost us three points. The biggest disappointment I have with that is when you look at the subsequent dismissal of Grant Smith, he is probably right.
“If players perform badly in my dressing room they get told, all Grant Smith did was tell (the referee) he did not perform very well.
“Unfortunately because of the ego-centric behaviour, we lose a really important player in Grant Smith.”
Listeners of the Gloverscast podcast were the first to hear the news that Lo-Everton’s appeal had been successful – well, after followers of our Twitter and Facebook channels, of course. Having the only person in Britain who can make the FA’s website work (in Ben Barrett) paid dividends there.
? | BREAKING NEWS…..maybe!
The @FA website showing #YTFC’s suspensions no longer features a ban for Sonny Blu Lo-Everton, suggesting his red card at Torquay on Boxing Day has been overturned.
If confirmed, the he will be available for Sunday’s rematch with the Gulls. https://t.co/kqek6zG7tV pic.twitter.com/A0zrV8qlCL
— Gloverscast ?⚽️? (@gloverscast) December 30, 2021
The boss admitted the dismissal of Lo-Everton for dangling a foot at Torquay’s Tom Lapslie was petulant from the 19-year-old.
He said: “My disappointment was that Sonny was pivotal to our improvement in the opening stages of the second half and when he gave the referee a decision.
“It was petulance, people are like that in your 30s, it’s an emotional decision, nothing to do with your age. “
In other news at this week’s press conference, the manager said…..
The manager said Quigley had only trained for “three or four days” but was looking “surprisingly strong” considering, and said Little was “very close” having picked up an injury in pre-season.
Sarll said: “That latest I would see Mark being involved is the FA Cup, so he could involved Sunday and Joe could be as well.
“Joe has had less time training but he’s been very strong, he looks like he’s in a race to get back.”
Darren Sarll is hoping he can keep two of his three loanees – defenders Dan Moss and Jack Robinson and forward Sonny Blu Lo-Everton – for longer stays at Huish Parl
But, the Yeovil Town boss does not believe he will be able to keep hold of all three whose current deals are all up for renewal in January.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s home game with Torquay United, the manager said: “I don’t think we will keep them all, but I think we will keep the majority.
“When we look at the long-term loans – Sonny, Jack Robinson and Mossy – if we keep two out of three, I’ll be delighted.
“I think they have done too well (to not be noticed by other clubs) and when they do that they want to jump up and play higher.”
He added: “Financially we have nicked these lads we have given them an opportunity to create a profile and they have done a brilliant job.
“I would love them to stay but we are in the lap of the Gods. I would like to not do anything in January and just keep everyone, but it doesn’t work like that!”
Robinson’s loan from Championship Middlesbrough is due to expire on January 10 with Sonny’s from Watford running out on January 16, and finally Dan Moss’ stay from Millwall on January 24.
The “Gods” which Sarll refers too could well mean the COVID situation at their parent clubs with Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder admitting he has lost nine first-team players in a 48-hour period – seven of which would have started tomorrow against Sheffield United.
Late on Friday, the match with one of Wilder’s former club was postponed with Boro saying it was in “an impossible situation regarding available players.”
Ahead of that decision, Wilder said that the EFL had told him to “do whatever is needed to get the game on” including bring back loan players.
Wilder name-checked former Glovers’ loanee Lewis Wing at Sheffield Wednesday and “a young boy at Kilmarnock” – which could be goalkeeper Zach Hemming or striker Rumarn Burrell – but there was no specific reference to Robinson, who was with the Yeovil squad for the defeat at Torquay on Boxing Day.
Robinson had played once for his parent club this season in a 3-0 EFL Cup defeat at Blackpool but was awarded a new contract in the summer.
The 20-year-old has not featured since picking up an ankle injury in the 5-0 FA Cup fourth qualifying round win at Yate Town at the start of number, but has played eight times since joining on the eve of the new season.
As far as Dan Moss and Sonny Blu Lo-Everton are concerned, Millwall played their game on Wednesday with just 15 players due to COVID issues, whilst Watford postponed their Boxing Day match with Wolves before going ahead with the home game against West Ham on December 29.