Everton vs Crystal Palace

It seems ages since our last game, yet it's only a fortnight, that's what these International Breaks do, disorientate everyone.

I was even thinking the game was tomorrow, but a Sunday afternoon on camera will have us waiting another 24 hours.

Hope they don't underestimate Palace, who although not having a very good start are capable of doing damage on their day.

Seriously don't want to wait another day. All week long I looked forward to Saturday morning, cup of coffee, Live Forum, CAPS SPEAK contributions when exasperated.

Crap.

Well, here's to another 24 hour period of patience.

We should beat Palace. We need to start getting more points on the board.

Heres a really good analysis from a Crystal Palace fanzine

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On the first match day after the international break, Crystal Palace face Everton away with Hunter Young breaking down the key clashes.

Everton have experienced an up-and-down season so far with them currently sitting in 11th place, but on a two-game winning streak in the league. Ever since coming up, the Eagles have struggled against the Toffies with their last victory coming in the season immediately following promotion. Palace will have a hard time reversing this winless run due to the quality of Everton’s squad, bolstered by another high-spending summer, when they travel to Goodison Park.

Patrick van Aanholt v Theo Walcott
After falling out of favour at Arsenal, Theo Walcott revived his career with a January move to Everton. The British winger has appeared six times this campaign and leads the team in assists to go along with his two goals. The speedy and tricky winger is always a threat to cut in off the right side and look for a shot, or lay it off for a teammate.

The man who will be trusted with limiting Walcott will be Patrick van Aanholt. The Dutch left-back has enjoyed a solid start to the season, starting every game while also contributing to the attack with a goal and an assist. Van Aanholt will have to be careful not to leave space behind him to be exploited when he goes forward like he did when the two teams faced off last season, and Walcott took advantage.

Luka Milivojevic v Gylfi Sigurdsson
The star of the Icelandic national team, Gylfi Sigurdsson, has truly begun to justify the massive price tag that Everton paid for him with his current goal total of four equalling his from all of last season. The central playmaker has appeared in all eight of Everton’s matches and is instrumental to the success of the Toffees as he dictates play and makes all those around him better.

If Luka Milivojevic can contain the impact of Sigurdsson it will go a long way towards helping the Eagles avoid defeat. While the Serbian has not been on the top of his game, he is still looked to as a leader by the Palace dressing room. If Milivojevic can set the tone against Everton early it could not only inspire him, but his teammates as well to a great performance.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka v Richarlison
Richarlison has rediscovered the brilliant form that evaded him the second half of last term after being reunited with coach Marco Silva who got the best out of him at Watford prior to his dismissal. The Brazilian forward is versatile and has lined up at both striker and wide left for the Toffees and is the joint top scorer with four.

Wherever Richarlision lines up, he will come into contact with Palace starlet Aaron Wan-Bissaka. The Croydon-born right back has enjoyed a stellar start to the season and is receiving attention both nationally and internationally as one of the best up-and-coming defenders in the world. Wan-Bissaka will also be encouraged by playing the full 90 minutes for England’s U21s on Tuesday and will look to build on that momentum.
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Interesting that they see all the "key match ups" as Palace defenders vs Everton attackers. They don't seem to be aware of the threat of Bernard!

However I'm pretty sure they'll be playing counter attack at Goodison.

Zaha is ofcourse an excellent player for them, and whether he faces Kenny or Coleman, this will be a key area. I expect Walcott and perhaps Davies to be positioned to cover, as Van Aanholt often breaks to provide Zaha an option.

If Gueye is unfit, then Schneiderlin could certainly redeem himself by being more forward thinking in his passing. He used to cut through lines and as a result negated the high press.

Good to see so many players returning but they should be eased back in. Too many players who are not match-fit will surely pose an issue, and we now appear to have a bit of continuity.

Upfront, I can't see a start for Tosun or Calvert-Lewin, so I am hoping our front 4 continue their form shown against Leicester.

Thank you for the insightful information. Crystal Palace started the Everton rot and give Martinez a lesson he didn't take. This is the game that will be won or lost by the Crystal Palace defenders. Hopefully Bernard will add to the mix and Schneiderlin will leave no gaps in the high press – better someone else plays in that position, if possible.

I'll predict 2-0 given the form of Sigurdsson and the addition of Bernard's creativity, but it won't be as electric as the attacking play at Leicester.

So again, please, give Schneids the heave-go and let's be positive and not backward-looking.

I hate being negative when it comes to anyone, but this is what Morgan brings to the team and the watching support.

We are beginning to get the feel-good factor slowly back, so please don't spoil it with the negative vibes that Schneiderlin brings.

I've honestly been looking forward to going to Goodison since Tuesday, which is a minor miracle after the last couple of seasons of absolute unadulterated shite, so let's hope we don't disappoint!

I don't want Schneiderlin to play either. With Gomes and McCarthy fit, and hopefully Gana recovering, the time is rapidly coming now where Schneiderlin will not get a place on the subs bench. When that day arrives, it will be better for him and us if he moves on. Hopefully not kicking and screaming.

Either that or put his life on the line when he plays for Everton, like anyone's of us would do if we were good enough and given the golden opportunity. I continue to feel that Morgan doesn't commit with his heart and soul to the club, it is ruining his career.

Set-pieces around the box and penalties will feature more. If referees are on the ball, there will be more bookings and sendings off for fouls trying to stop our front three. Siggy will be a threat from free kicks and I think Keane or Mina will be a threat aerially from the free-kicks whipped in.

Much has been made about two; players, Zaha and Schneiderlin. And although I would obviously prefer Gueye to be on the park, I think schneiderlin could benefit from being in a team that's playing with confidence. He has actually turned in a few good performances this year. Hence I don't see him, in isolation, as being as negative for the team as others do.

At the moment, I don't think we'll have a problem scoring. For me the key to the match will be how we deal with their counter attacking. If Zaha plays, they will naturally have more potency. But we SHOULD be capable of turning them over regardless.

I'm hoping we see something of Mina and Gomes. Perhaps as Silva introduced Bernard.

I'm really excited about Mina and set plays. We've been creating so many chances from set pieces and it's been so frustrating to see nothing coming from any of them. When we're awarded a corner, we might as well hand the ball back to their keeper! Mina could change that overnight. And merely his presence will create chances for others. (Someone needs to tell Zouma - you have to head the ball under the bar!).

Gomes can add attacking flair and create further openings. And exciting interplay with Bernard, Siggy, Richy and making more of Walcott's pace. All of these players can mutually benefit from each other.

The only question mark about Gomes is how good will he be when we don't have possession. Success depends on team work.

All in all, really looking forward to the game, but wishing it was today.

However against Southampton he was playing so well that when he got injured and had to go off he got a big round of applause and recognition of his improved play.

I just hope that more time with the intensity of training under Silva he has got into playing at a higher tempo and is back to his line splitting QB best.

Also seeing the emergence of Tom and the returning McCarthy, Gomes and Beni he will see it as an opportunity of grabbing his chance.

Let's hope so!

Stick him in front of the back four as the holder and there's enough going forward to accommodate a defensive midfielder

I’d rather give Baines a chance in centre midfield than play Schneiderlin. I think Baines will do the exact same job defensively (barring the obvious height disadvantage) and will offer far more decisive passes going forward.

Unfortunately, I don’t think it’s realistic to start either Gomes, McCarthy or Beni, so that doesn’t leave us with much option other than to play Schniederlin.

The only other alternative, is to drop Sigurdsson back into centre mid alongside Davies and play one of Lookman / Tosun / DCL in the front 4.

Hopefullly well not see Gomes and Davies as a partnership as I don't think either of them have the right discipline, as one needs to sit and just do the donkey work. Maybe Gomes for Davies after 60 minutes.

Hopefully Seamus is back and take a the armband as handing it to Davies is disrespectful in.my opinion to former greats like Lyons, Ratcliffe, Watson and Speed (who admittedly didn't wear it very long) but these guys earned the armband and commanded respect in and outside of the club.

Myself, I can see a good result tomorrow and some fast, stylish play.

I feel the wins we have had will have done the confidence no harm and make Goodison feel optimistic and hopefully loud.

Even if these games have not been against the best (though Leicester have some good players), I cannot help but feel each one is another step of a long-term strategy.

Schneiderlin for Gueye is a big blow, Gueye covers so much ground, he's very important to break up play and maintain the high intensity that has been present recently. But hopefully Schneiderlin can perform.

Hoping also that Lookman gets a chance off the bench, we could well need him in the coming period, and he needs game time.

This is a perfect opportunity for Silva's boys to show they are further on the upgrade to being a team that will be very competitive in the not-too-distant future against all teams.

On another note, can anyone tell me why coaches still don't believe in having a player on each post when defending corners?

Mourinho and Man Utd failed to do that against Chelsea and Rudiger scored easily. Go figure.

Hopefully Seamus can come back in to stop Zaha causing havoc, don't fancy Kenny against him after his recent form – he'd get shown up.

Late fitness test.

Hypocrisy, I know, as I criticise him so much.

You can tell when Schneiderlin isn't confident and last season he went into his shell, along with most of the squad. However, he started this season much better, reading the game and playing passes Gueye can only dream about.

If you say he hasn't played well this season... you are wrong. He is much better in Silva's system. How about, if he plays, we look at what he does and judge him on his performance and not last season's? Long shot, isn't it?

Hmmm, now, how did they end up?

First season? Since... Who knows

No easy games and the haven’t won yet and Sunday on the box jinx, hopefully won’t happen tomorrow.

I certainly think it is a retrograde step playing Scneiderlin against Palace. He has no pace and his first instinct is to pass back.

That would be a No for me.

My question is this: Should Gana not be passed fit tomorrow, what is the issue with Schneiderlin playing? Doesn't his form this season warrant this?

As for Baines playing centre midfield, has anyone ever seen him play there before? I love Leighton Baines like any sane Evertonian should do, but centre midfield? Really?

Do you see what I have done here? It's witchcraft.

No excuses tomorrow and I hope we start well and play a full 90 mins with tempo and style and manner. For me, it's a must-win after so many home setbacks.

We could, probably should, have been 2-0 down before we managed to see off what is proving to be a poor Fulham team. We started well at Leicester but failed to kill the game off. Once Leicester equalised it was anyone’s game until the opposition were reduced to ten men. Even then we might easily have conceded a late equaliser from a corner.

Tomorrow is not the day for experimental changes, least of all playing Baines in midfield.

Will he continue with Davies and start Gomes if Gueye is not fit? I think that's what I'd like to see.

Also, Kenny has done quite well, after he was unfairly slated for what was a very good goal against at Leicester. I'd prefer to see him retain the right-back slot with Coleman on the bench.

And it would surely be foolhardy to break up the defensive pairing of Zouma and Keane, so that would be Mina on the bench also.

So, for me, that's two changes to Lyndon's starting line-up.

We have in large parts been lame at home this season, our ‘road game' has been much better.

Silva has the chance to show us he can pick a side and a variation of his style both home and away.

Pace is less of an issue at home, teams sit deep, space in behind is limited. It's about possession high up the pitch and players who ultimately can beat a man.

Bernard, Gomes and Lookman all fit the bill for me. It also requires a presence up top against a side who will not play an open game.

The back four remains intact but all three come in to add weight to our team.

Pickford
Kenny, Zouma, Keane, Digne
Schneiderlin (assuming Gueye ain't fit).
Gomes, Sigurdsson
Bernard
Richarlison Tosun Lookman

That team screams possession and technical ability, but this is actually a very hard test. We have a plan for away games coming up and we now need to make a run of winnable home games count to let us play without fear at the big boys.

Failure to win these types of games puts a lot of pressure for the harder aways we have in the pipeline.

Here's hoping.

Gomes ain’t a dribbler. He’s not fast enough. He can go past a man, but that’s more neat footwork in tight spaces.

I’m hoping for

Pickford
Kenny Keane Zouma Digne
Davies
Gomes Sigurdsson
Walcott Richarlison Bernard

While Dowell’s defensive game leaves a lot to be desired, and his physicality is definitely not great, when it comes to passing through the lines and being inventive in possession he’s got a lot of ability.

With the attacking threats we now have in our squad it would be great to have a central midfielder who can make those incisive forward passes. Gomes might end up being that player. Maybe Sigurdsson might drop deeper. I wonder if Dowell might also have something to offer, because he’s not likely to get a game in the attacking unit ahead of Bernard, Richarlison, Walcott, Lookman etc at present.

Maybe a good time to start Mina to latch on to Sigurdsson's dead-ball deliveries.

If Gana has a problem we'll see Schneiderlin. I don't like it, but I can understand it.

I can't see Palace putting us under any kind of sustained pressure. It will come down to how quickly we can move the ball forward and how well we can break them down.

Go hard and get one early. Up the Toffees.

Is there any possibilities that Silva might play with 3 centre-backs to try and accommodate Mina? Or do I sound like I've been drinking all night?

Kenny Zouma Mina Keane Digne

Sigurdson Davies

Walcott Richarlison Bernard

Gana’s injury may may Silva introduce Mina and go with three at the back .

I don’t like it, I’ve posted before that Schneiderlin should never play in a 2 again, but we don’t have choice. At least not for a few more weeks.

Palace always seem to cause us problems at Goodison (apart from last season) it’s usually one of our toughest home games outside the top six and they remind me much like ourselves in that their most productive performances are playing away on the counter.

If we could win today then that really will stand us in great stead for the trip to Old Trafford next Sunday, it’s a perfect stage of the season to start building momentum and confidence and that will only come through winning football matches.

We have to keep playing positively - especially at home.

Get some of the new guys / injury returns on at the 70 minute mark when we are at least 3-0 up. Here's hoping.

There's no reason to fear any of the upcoming games. New team, new manager and new mentality - especially against the odious RS.

That might be the way Mina gets a kick too. Eventually, Mina will come into the squad. But failing an injury - who will he replace?

Baines in midfield? Really? Only if there's a long injury list. Besides, we want passes forward not back.

COYBS!

We need to keep the same side and go for either Schniederlin or Gomes. Gomes if he’s fit and ready to be more attacking or Schniederlin if Silva wants to be more cautious.

I said weeks ago that Richarlison should play as our main striker and although Steve Ferns and others said he couldnt play there, I think he has proved he can play there and far more effectively than the other candidates DCL or Tosun. Now if we buy a striker in the summer he may well revert to playing out wide but until that happens he has to continue as our main striker.

Another chance to continue to build on the confidence of our last 2 results, but no game in the premier league is easy, so we cant go into the game thinking turn up and we will win. I am looking forward to seeing Bernard starting another game, the big plus for me is that if Sigurdssons form drops or he gets injured Bernard looks to have the natural ability to play in that number 10 position.

Silva and Brands with some shrewd buys are starting to put together a very impressive squad, with apart from the main striking role 2 players for nearly every position. And with such strong competition its inevitable that performances all round improve.

I think most of us would welcome Zouma signing a permanent. But he's openly stated his intention to return to Chelski.

If Gomes plays his socks off Barca will want a shit load for him. But if B & S want him, that won't stop us. Gomes would have the casting vote.

Silva made it clear he wants decent competition for all places in the team. And we're getting there.

I did say that if we sign a striker in the summer Silva may well want him to play out wide again. But you don't have to play Richarlison as a static centre forward, when you look at Vardy he is always on the shoulder of the last defender looking to make runs in behind. You probably arent old enough to remember but Don Revie revolutionized centre forward play while at Man City playing a deep lying forward. So there are many ways to play as the main striker. I don't envisage Richarlison would be comfortable having to fight for lots of high balls from the back. But I think Silva knows Richarlisons strengths and would play to them rather than to the defenders strength.

But Steve the great thing about this game we all love is we all have different opinions about everything, and you may well be right.

I'd like to see us adopt this sort of formation, because it's a nightmare to defend against because it isn't predictable and of course if we get it right, great to watch.

It's still very early days in the Silva era, but against Leicester, I think we had 16 goal attempts; and that was away! Did FSA have that many in his entire tenure away from home?

As I said early days, there will be lots of bumps in the road, but 3pts today COYB.

You kinda answered (even contradicted) your doubts about Richarlison playing a central forward role. I deliberately refrain from using the term 'striker'.

As a keen observer of tactics and as someone who has quoted Jonathon Wilson's 'Inverting The Pyramid', you are well aware of the evolution of football tactics and formations.

The traditional #9 you reference - a largely static carved-in-granite figure at the 'tip of the spear' - is an endangered species in modern day football and rarely seen.

As you yourself reference, the front four against Leicester was fluid and dynamic, with all four of them constantly switching positions and capable of fulfilling the role of the other three.

With Tosun, Niasse or (to a lesser extent, because he is quicker and more mobile) DCL playing that central role the dynamic is different, but Ricarlison most definitely demonstrated he can play a 'provisional' #9 role in the way Silva instructed the team to play.

If Ricarlison had played or in the future is asked to play the static #9 role you referenced then - yes - I would agree with you. You blunt and detract from what he can offer the team.

But that wasn't the role he played against Leicester, was it?

An essential part of a manager's planning is how to best exploit the opposition. And Silva did that brilliantly against the Foxes. Recall the key fouls of Morgan on Richarlison. None of them were central. All were out wide, oft times far upfield away from the penalty area where Morgan would be more in his comfort zone.

Yes, teams will get wise to this and attempt to counter this new fluid dynamic front four Everton fielded against Leicester.

That will be Silver's challenge. To rotate the squad and tactics to best exploit the different opposition on any given day.

Let's have more of that and continue with more shots from outside the box, not just Sigurdsson but a few more players, more shots from distance should increase the goal tally: and that always comes in handy.

I give you West Ham.

This is Everton don't forget, I am a bit long in the tooth to be expecting us to just walk all over this poor little Palace team.

Please Blues prove me wrong and let's see some quality ball play and plenty of attempts on goal.

I'm praying Zaha is out for this one because they'll target Kenny as a weak link at the back, they still will even without Zaha, Kenny's performances have been below the standard we need at this level, he needs to start learning quick or his just another Pennington in the making I'm afraid.