Southampton vs Everton

Thursday, 7 November, 2019 253comments  |  Jump to most recent
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Fabian Delph is dealing with another soft-tissue complaint and is unlikely to feature against the Saints

Everton make the long trek down to the south coast for the third time this season as they take on fellow strugglers Southampton.

This part of England has not been a happy hunting ground at all for the Blues since first Southampton, in 2012, then Bournemouth and Brighton gained promotion to the top flight — in 15 visits over the past seven years, Everton have won just once, drawn four and lost eight times.

Apart from the three goals they put past the Saints in Roberto Martinez's final season in charge in August 2015, they've only scored twice at St Mary's, in seven games, conceding 12 and, of course, they've already let in three goals at the Vitality and Amex Stadiums already this season.

So it's hardly the ideal destination for Marco Silva and a team that as accrued just 11 points from as many matches and comes into the weekend sitting one place above the relegation zone. Just like last month, the Portuguese goes into what could potentially be a pivotal fixture in terms of his future at Goodison Park with a two-week international break looming beyond.

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Defeat to a Southampton team that has yet to win at home this season and that was crushed 9-0 by Leicester City in their last game in front of their own fans really should be unthinkable for Silva and there are plenty who feel it could be the last straw for Farhad Moshiri and the Everton board but both teams could be galvanised by recent adversity.

Ralph Hasenhüttl rallied his team sufficiently last weekend to push Manchester City most of the way at the Etihad Stadium, with the Champions needing a late goal from Kyle Walker to overturn a 1-0 deficit and there is a danger that he could inspire the Saints to what would be only their third victory of the season this weekend.

Silva, meanwhile, will hopefully have been channeling a sense of anger among his charges following inexplicable injustice at the hands of VAR in the matches against Brighton and Tottenham, not to mention a sense of solidarity for André Gomes who begins his road to recovery from the fracture dislocation of his ankle he suffered at Goodison last Sunday.

The Portuguese underwent surgery to mend a fracture dislocation of his right ankle and was released from Aintree Hospital on Tuesday. While no official timescale has been put on his return, Everton's medical staff aren't ruling out Gomes seeing action again before the end of the season.

“It's not easy for us to give a sure date of when he will return but what's in our mind, from the feedback from our medical staff, is that it's possible he will be back playing again this season,” Silva said in his pre-match press conference.

“Everything went really well [with the surgery] and we hope we can see him playing again this season. Of course, it's not something we're 100% sure about but we have good possibilities [for him] to do that.”

The Toffees look likely to be without three important midfield players, then, as Fabian Delph battles a hamstring problem. The England international pulled up at the end of the 1-1 draw with Spurs clutching the back of his thigh and this latest soft-tissue problem means that he is a big doubt for the game at St Mary's Stadium.

“[Fabian] is a big doubt for the game,” Silva in his pre-match press conference today. Let's see tomorrow and after on the match day but I think at this moment he is a big doubt for the match.“

It would leave Marco Silva with just two senior players in that area of the pitch in light of Gomes's injury and Jean-Philippe Gbamin's long-term lay-off following surgery of his own on his thigh. Morgan Schneiderlin is fit again having shaken off a minor problem and would be the automatic choice as the holding midfielder while Gomes's absence hands Tom Davies the chance to get an extended run in the side and prove his worth in the middle of the park.

There has been a sense that Silva doesn't have full faith that the young homegrown talent is ready to hold down a permanent place in the side but, while Delph is sidelined and the transfer window doesn't reopen until January, the manager has little choice but to let him loose to see what he can do.

What formation he elects to use remains to be seen but it's likely to be a reversion to 4-2-3-1, perhaps with Alex Iwobi back in the No 10 role, flanked by Theo Walcott and Richarlison with one of Dominic Calvert-Lewin or Cenk Tosun leading the line.

The two strikers each stepped off the bench in the last two matches to score but Silva's propensity to chop and change up front makes it hard to know which player will get the nod. There's also a chance, of course, that Silva might restore Gylfi Sigurdsson to the starting XI, pushing Iwobi out wide and using Richarlison as the centre-forward.

At the back, Yerry Mina appears to be fit enough to start, despite being substituted against Watford in the Carabao Cup tie and hobbling his way through the closing stages of the Tottenham game, and is a good bet to partner Mason Holgate again while Djibril Sidibé continues at right-back.

Regardless of the mounting injury crisis afflicting Everton's midfield, Silva will still be able to field a team capable of beating a poor Southampton outfit whose frailties were ruthlessly exposed by Leicester a fortnight ago.

A draw and a committed, spirited performance is the very least that the travelling Blues would expect; the alternative, a sixth defeat in nine League games, would leave the manager in a perilous position.

Kick-off: 3pm, Saturday 9 November 2019
Referee: Paul Tierney
Last Time: Southampton 2 - 1 Everton

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Sidibé, Holgate, Mina, Digne, Schneiderlin, Davies, Iwobi, Walcott, Richarlison, Tosun

 

Reader Comments (253)

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Frank Crewe
1 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:16:16
Delph was a waste of £8 million. Only fit for a game or two and then out for weeks. We should never buy players with bad injury records. We should have learned our lesson with Darron Gibson but apparently we didn't.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

2 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:27:53
It is going to be very interesting to see the solution Silva comes up with for the midfield - and forward line - given the depleted squad he now has.

Quite often a struggling team and manager benefits from forced changes. Let's hope that is the case for us and that someone steps up and grasps their opportunity.

Daniel A Johnson
3 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:30:00
Delph is a great mouthpiece: he can talk himself up but can't back it up with minutes on the pitch.

It's not like any of us didn't see this one coming.

Phil Smith
4 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:47:32
No worries. Time to give Baningime a game and get Gordon on the bench!
Kunal Desai
5 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:50:11
Davies and Iwobi I'd imagine in midfield.
Steve Ferns
6 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:51:18
It'll be Davies and Delph or Schneiderlin with Iwobi or Sigurdsson in the Number 10 role.
Eddie Dunn
7 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:52:39
Chelsea had to give youth a chance and it has worked fine. Now it's time for Beni Baningime to get a game.
Steve Ferns
8 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:53:18
Based on what, Eddie?
Frank Crewe
10 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:55:03
If Delph isn't fit then Shneiderlin is Silva's final option. He could go 4-3-3

Pickford
Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Digne
Iwobi, Shneiderlin, Davies
Walcott, Tosun, Richarlison

Or how about 5-3-2

Pickford
Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Keane, Digne
Iwobi, Schneiderlin, Davies
Calvert-Lewin. Tosun

Get Sidibe and Digne down the wings to get crosses in for Calvert-Lewin and Tosun. I know it means dropping Richarlison down to the bench but I never like picking managers favourites regardless of form so that doesn't bother me at all.
The fact is that there are sides above us with supposedly worse players, worse defences, worse midfields, worse attacks but they all have better attitudes and don't collapse at the first sign of adversity. No matter who Silva picks they need to improve their attitude and stop hiding.


Eddie Dunn
11 Posted 07/11/2019 at 17:56:50
Unsworth has been singing his praises, so why not play him?
Incidentally Delph has just been named in the England squad for the forthcoming qualifiers. Perhaps his hammy will be okay in a week?
Steve Ferns
12 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:04:27
Eddie, he's played a handful of games for the U21s / U23s this season? Last season, he didn't play at all. Mystery surrounds his time at Wigan, was he injured or could he not get a game?

I watched him in the U21 game midweek and he showed a few nice touches and some good passing. He didn't control the midfield and looked a bit lost as Crewe took control.

He's some way off Premier League level. He needs another loan if he's to succeed at Everton. I think he's behind Denis Adendiran in the pecking order too and I've never been convinced Denis is good enough.

Jamie Crowley
13 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:05:32
He's going to go 4-2-3-1, no use fighting that.

I'd go:

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Sigurdsson Davies
Walcott Iwobi Richarlison
Kean

If you wanted to swap Calvert-Lewin for Kean, that'd be fine.

Losing Delph right now at this moment is yet another blow.

We have to get 6 points from our next two league games.

Eddie Dunn
14 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:07:24
Well Steve, you've seen him first hand, I'm just thinking back to when he last played in the first team – I was very impressed with him. Perhaps he will play better with senior pros around him. I wonder if you would prefer to see Schneiderlin?
Steve Ferns
15 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:11:57
I certainly would, Eddie. Morgan would need to be supplemented by Davies's legs and we cannot afford to see Delph, Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson together again. They're just too slow.

We need pace in all other areas of the pitch to complement the lack of pace in the middle and that means a definite start for Sidibe who did okay against Spurs and looks the best right back at the club. Holgate's pace is also necessary.

If Tosun starts as I think he will, then he needs Iwobi behind him for pace and Walcott and Richarlison wide.

Pickford
Sidibe Mina Holgate Digne
Davies Schneiderlin
Walcott Iwobi Richarlison
Tosun

Eddie Dunn
16 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:17:31
I like the look of that side, Steve, and agree on the issue of pace but I would think Schneiderlin will slow things down and would consider Baningime instead as Delph, with his hammy strain, surely won't be risked.

Otherwise, I would consider dropping Sigurdsson into a deep role. He works hard and would set us on the counter-attack with his passing ability.

Steve Ferns
17 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:22:53
I don't think Sigurdsson can play deep. He lacks the defensive ability. He's a forward, not a defender.
John Cartwright
18 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:23:42
Please spare us more Schniederlin.
Kieran Kinsella
19 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:29:15
Worrying that three of our “fit” regulars are Delph, Walcott and Mina who might muscle up 40 appearances between them with their regular injuries.
Trevor Peers
20 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:32:36
Put the kids in! What have we got to lose?

We should sell Sigurdsson and Schniederlin in January and buy some more hopefuls.

Steve Ferns
21 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:40:11
Trevor, central midfield is a problem position for the "kids". We played Crewe with 16-year-old Onyango, 23-year-old Harry Charsley (who was "released" in the summer) and Beni Baningime. The 16-year-old looks a prospect but he's not good enough for at least a couple of seasons. Charsley is never going to be good enough. Baningime might be but he needs a loan to a Championship club to develop.

Where was Denis Adeniran against Crewe? Possibly being rested for Saints. I doubt it, I also remain to be convinced he can make it as a Premier League player.

Eddie Dunn
22 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:48:07
Steve, we will never know unless we give them a chance and look on the bright side. If it doesn't work out, we can play Beni in the Championship and he won't have to go on loan!
Steve Ferns
23 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:52:18
I’d rather play Schneiderlin until Delph, Gbamin or Gomes is fit. We need to look at how defensive Liverpool’s midfield is and accept that defensive midfielders are not the root of all evil and that the team can be attacking despite them.

The most important thing is we move the ball quickly, play with a high tempo and break at pace.

Trevor Peers
24 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:52:30
Davies and Holgate have done well this season, Steve. With the injury problems we have, I would prefer to see some more youngsters coming into the team; they do provide the energy that the older players don't seem to have.

I'm not well up on who's available, what about Gordon?

Richard Mason
25 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:53:47
Steve, I thought Beni Baningime did very well the few games he got in the first team. The one game he played at Wigan, he got praised as well so don't know what happened. I think he is more defensive-minded than Denis Adeniran who looks box to box.

As for Sigurdsson, he plays centre mid in a 4-4-2 fo Iceland. And he works his socks off

David Pearl
26 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:58:03
I don't think we should sell anyone (bar maybe Niasse). I don't think we should buy anyone either. We have enough in this squad to finish top 6. With natural improvement, we can be even better.

Maybe our first two midfield picks are injured but we have still got good players, improving players. Put Baningime on the bench.

Schneiderlin, Davies and Iwobi is a good balance of everything. I just want some movement ahead of them so Schneiderlin has more than sideways and back passes. He is more than capable.

I have a feeling that Tosun could start but wouldn't be surprised if Sigurdsson comes back in either.. after all its Silva that sees him in training. We also have Calvert-Lewin and Kean all itching to play.

We don't have a settled core line up either through form or injury, or a settled formation either. Anyway, at least Silva has started to show a bit more flexibility. It's harder when your manager is short on confidence on top of the players. The fact he is starting to work with, or is being forced to work with the players he has is good. Taken too long but l can see a chink of light. I just hope its not too late.

Steve Ferns
27 Posted 07/11/2019 at 18:59:29
Gordon is close, Trevor. I think he will play very soon. It's also worth noting that Everton are allowing him to talk to the Echo. His profile is being raised. Why do that if he's not going to play soon? However, I think he's more likely to break into a winning side. Maybe he'll be on the bench for Norwich?

Gordon is the only one I can see this season. I think the U23s is not a good team this season, the talent is all under 18, excluding Gibson and Gordon.

Richard, I thought Beni was great when he got in the side too. But that was 18 months to 2 years ago. Then he got injured and then he had a failure of a loan to Wigan. He lost a year and is struggling to get back to where he was, never mind develop. Expect him to go on loan in January and not to get into our first team.

Richard, you are right about him being more defensive-minded than Denis who is more box-to-box. Are you sure Sigurdsson plays in a deeper role for Iceland? I've only watched a handful of games but it seems they have 9 outfield workers and Sigurdsson roams wherever he wants.

Duncan McDine
29 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:03:21
Totally agree with Jamie (14)... we'll have no creativity at all in midfield unless Sigurdsson is at least given a few games in that deeper midfield role that Gomes played. If Silva puts either Delph or Schneiderlin next to Davies we'll struggle to score more so than we already do!
Steve Ferns
30 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:06:24
Duncan, what creativity do Liverpool have from their midfield? They use their fullbacks more than the central midfielders to create chances.
Jay Harris
31 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:08:59
Beni Baningime was injured for most of last season so his loan didn't work out too well and I'm pretty certain he said his contract is up this season and he won't be renewing it.

His form has been nothing like it was when he last came into the first team and personally I would prefer Dennis Adeniran who is too fast thinking for the U23s so might be able to make the leap.

Having said all that, Southampton is a must-win game so, in the circumstances, I would play Gordon with Davies playing the sole defensive midfield role and really go for it against Southampton.

We need bundles of energy and pace in this one so Sigurdsson, Schneiderlin and Seamus take a bath.

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Davies Iwobi
Walcott Richarlison Gordon
Calvert-Lewin

Steve Ferns
32 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:16:56
Jay, I am quite sure that his injury cleared up in the Autumn of last season. He was loaned to Wigan last January. He was on the bench, then he played and then he disappeared. There was no talk of injury coming out of Wigan.
Alan Smith
33 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:18:27
Steve Fearns

Schneiderlin just sits five yards in front of the centre-backs, rarely tackling and too deep to put any pressure on the opposition midfield players or make him put his head down. They get all the time in the world to pick a pass.

Watch the Aston Villa goal closely. He may look like he's "kept his shape" and is in a defensive position, like these iPad-warrior badged-up modern coaches like, but he isn't affecting the game.

Then when our keeper or cbs have the ball he runs and finds an opponent to mark him and doesn't want it.

He will take possession only in second and third phase after their entire midfield has dropped into their own half, affording him acres of space so he can demand the ball and pass sideways or backwards. Racking up the completed passes but getting us nowhere.

Proper midfield players like Arteta, Barry and Fellaini would go and demand it straight away. Marked or not and get us going. No need for Liverpool comparisons.

He has no energy. He doesn't sprint forward off the ball, leaving his marker behind. Doesn't get through a great deal of work and doesn't press.

He's neither defensive or attack-minded imho.

If we must compare him to a Liverpool midfielder or call Liverpool's midfield defensive then I think you're being harsh on them. They are all box to box and get through an unbelievable amount of work. They don't sit on their centre-backs, they hound you within half a second of receiving the ball. And will always try to pass forward and follow their pass.

Eric Dier for England but, without a good right foot or physical strength, is the only similar player I can think of who is similar to the Schneiderlin. I'd rather have Phil Neville!

Might as well play Davies, Iwobi and Sigurdsson as the midfield 3. Especially if you want to copy Liverpool. At least they'll press and get forward. Davies 6 and Iwobi and Sigurdsson as two 8s working, pressing and fighting for every ball.

Not saying it would work but at least they'd want the ball and compete.

Stan Schofield
34 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:19:40
Steve @30: That's true about Liverpool, always has been, right back to when we were taking the ball through midfield Brazil-style, particularly with the Holy Trinity, and most others including them were pumping long balls from defence.

We could rely more on the fullbacks. There was a thread when Iwobi was signed, on how he was the 'enabler of overlapping fullbacks' at Arsenal. That could be quite useful for us.

Jay Harris
35 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:23:19
Steve,

I might be wrong but I think he was also injured at Wigan.

I know he didn't play much.

Steve Ferns
36 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:27:08
Jay, there's absolutely no confirmation of that though. Nothing on the Wigan website. I am certain I saw the Wigan manager apologise. I'm sure he said something like Wigan were in a dog fight and he went with different players.

I tried to find it online but I cannot find anything, one way or another. The only facts are he played 1 game, was a sub the game before that and then never made the matchday squad again. It is all very strange.

Duncan McDine
37 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:30:50
Steve, we aren’t Liverpool! The only time we’ve looked good (and this is scraping the barrel) is when Gomes was in the middle with Davies trying to drive us forward. Neither Delph or Schneiderlin have that in their game, and as much as I love Tom... he needs a bit of quality next to him
Phil Sammon
38 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:36:59
Why is every thread taken over by Steve Ferns arguing from a position of authority? His posts are so frequent and so long that he invariably becomes the poster to whom all other posters respond. It's really quite tiresome.
Steve Ferns
39 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:45:13
Phil, it's not hard to search out a Wigan fansite and then search for Baningime. There's plenty of sites which tell you how many games he played, how many times he was on the bench, etc. If you don't want to read my comments, then scroll on.
Brian Williams
40 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:46:45
Why don't you ask him, Phil?
David Cooper
41 Posted 07/11/2019 at 19:49:57
I think every website needs an expert to tell us what is going on and how Silva is slowly getting it right! Now it's 11 points from 11 games and it's been a point a game for the last month. I'm pretty sure if Moshiri had not got rid of 4 managers he would have gone by now but he has backed himself and us into a corner.

Given our record at Southampton we might be happy to make it 12 points from 12 games and spend another 2 weeks just outside the relegation zone which I guess is better than the last international break!

John Pierce
42 Posted 07/11/2019 at 20:04:24
Based on Richarlison’s attempted tackles and tackle success rate he should absolutely play defensive midfield. 😂😂
Joe McMahon
43 Posted 07/11/2019 at 20:22:37
Looking like Fabian is going to be another Darron Gibson (without the drink driving).

David @ 41 the Moshiri revolution is in full flow! We may somehow get 3 points, but our away record is a shocker as we all know.

John Keating
44 Posted 07/11/2019 at 20:44:05
Schneiderlin offers absolutely nothing but negative sideways football. Everton's answer to Ray Wilkins

Me, I'd play Coleman and put Sidibe in midfield as I'm sure he played there for Lille

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Mina Digne
Sidibe Sigurdsson Davies Iwobi
Calvert-Lewin Kean or Tosun

Gerry Ring
45 Posted 07/11/2019 at 20:45:34
£3.5m will get us McCarthy back! Just sayin like. 😬😬
Mick Davies
46 Posted 07/11/2019 at 21:40:18
Gerry @ 45,

Yet another inspiring decision by our wonderful genius, to get rid of McCarthy just as he was back to full fitness. At a time when we need players to put up a fight, and with Gana allowed to go too, we lost the only two players who really give everything on the pitch, and never replaced them.

The team lacks bottle in midfield, and with 2 more down, I really fear for our club in the demanding pre-Xmas run of games.

Tony Abrahams
49 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:18:16
Pickford
Sidibe Keane Holgate Mina Digne
Davies
Sigurdsson Richarlison
Iwobi
Calvert-Lewin

I find it futile picking teams, but when I heard Schneiderlin's name getting mentioned, I thought I'd go for a system that, whilst drawing criticism from South America, might just keep Morgan out of the team!

Robert Duncombe
50 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:31:39
Saturday isn't going to be nice to watch. Two teams void of confidence, quality and creativity. This of course is a terrible situation to be in but I say we embrace that and play the long ball game. Needs must. The less football we try and pretend to play the better it will be for our labouring midfield.

Get Dom and Cenk in the box and put the ball on their heads. To either knock it down for our midfield to run on to or to have a go themselves. Surely it is our turn to have a slice of luck.
Jay Harris
51 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:38:01
Personally I find Steve's posts informative and very knowledgable.

I disagree with quite a bit of what he says, especially about Silva, but nobody can claim he doesn't add value to the site and to the various debates.

Jay Harris
52 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:40:08
Tony,
Is that a 4-1-2-1-1.

I know we play like weve only got 9 men but please don't handicap us further. LOL

Alan Smith
54 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:41:19
Definitely our best side, Tony, with current injuries. With Walcott included as a winger and Richarlison on the opposite flank and only two centre-backs, we could be more attack-minded.
Jay Harris
55 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:42:56
Apologies, Tony, I see you've got 3 centre-backs. My mistake.

I did think about playing 3 centre-backs but Southampton don't have much weight up front and tend to play through Ward-Prowse in the middle so I think we would be better beefing up the midfield.

Alan McGuffog
57 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:47:08
Last weekend saw us, not for the first time, on the sticky end of some bloody awful refereeing.

As someone else has said, probably our most graceful midfielder since Colin Harvey is out for the season whilst the nation rushes to comfort the player who shoulders most of the blame.

So at Southampton, I don't care who we pick as long as we grow a pair, collectively, sharpen our studs and get our retaliation in first. Cheat, dive and generally act like bastards and bollocks to our image as nice acquiescent Everton.

God, I wish Tony Kay, Johnny Morrisey and Jimmy Gabriel were playing.

David Pearl
58 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:48:50
Jay, l'd rather try a 5-4-3-2-1. Try and sneak 16 on the pitch. Don't know if VAR will catch it.

I'm disappointed for Baines not even making the bench. I know he's not the future but we are paying him a salary to waste possibly his final year in football. Is he that bad in training?

David Connor
59 Posted 07/11/2019 at 22:49:35
Delph is never ever going to be a big miss for the simple reason he is a crock and can't string more than 3 consecutive games together. He's looking like another waste of Moshiri's money. We are so inept as a club, it's criminal.
Fran Mitchell
60 Posted 07/11/2019 at 23:14:40
We have got Adeniran playing well for the U23s, and Baningime too. If we ain't gonna give youngsters a chance when we have 3 midfielders out injured, we might as well release them and let them build a career somewhere else.

And playing Schneiderlin is not 'playing it safe', it is just fuckin stupidity.

Kevin Prytherch
61 Posted 07/11/2019 at 23:25:04
What about Baines in central midfield?

He rarely loses the ball, can pass well, can tackle and I’m sure Davies would play better next to him rather than Schneiderlin. It’s someone he probably looked up to when coming through the ranks

It worked for Lahm.

Andrew Keatley
62 Posted 07/11/2019 at 23:53:05
I look forward to posts from Steve Ferns. I’m always fascinated by the lengths he will go to defend Silva. Never before has one fan’s reputation as knowledgeable been so utterly tied to a manager’s fate.

I’m being cute (or trying to). Steve - obviously you throw a lot of time and effort into following this football club. I just wish you could be a little less rigid about formations, players and tactics. And by you, I also mean your buddy Silva. It’s like you’ve convinced yourself you know all the answers. You should open yourself up to the unknown. It’s fun.

Rob Dolby
63 Posted 07/11/2019 at 23:56:24
Schneiderlin and Davies at centre-mid with Sigurdsson in front, Walcott left and Iwobi right. That's £130M of talent.
Laurie Hartley
64 Posted 07/11/2019 at 00:11:27
Schneiderlin and Delph do nothing for me as a football fan. They would only get into a team I picked if I had run out of other players.

Pickford
Coleman, Holgate, Mina, Digne
Sidibe, Davies, Sigurdsson, Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin, Tosun.

Tosun has to stay on for the full 90 minutes.

My gut feeling is we must find a way to win this game and the Norwich game because there is a storm coming in December.

Danny Broderick
65 Posted 08/11/2019 at 00:31:00
Laurie,

Delph is a good player. There’s no correlation between him and Schneiderlin in any case. There’s a very good reason why Delph gets hamstring problems and Schneiderlin doesn’t - Delph tears around the pitch straining every sinew to win the ball back. I also think he’s decent in possession, particularly feeding the ball out to Digne. Schneiderlin is a crab who never gets out of 2nd gear.

That said, I hope he plays against his old club on Saturday and that he has a blinder against them. Hopefully they will then come in for him in January and give us £15 million for him.

Ashley Roberts
66 Posted 08/11/2019 at 01:29:53
It doesn't matter which way we cut it for the next few games, the injuries to our midfielders leaves us almost totally devoid of a central engine capable of competing anywhere near with the best.

I also cannot believe we have nobody who can come in from the U23s and compete at this level. Just shows what a sorry mess we are in at the moment and I do not think Silva has the capability to rally the troops to get us through this difficult period.

Without Gomes and Bernard we have also lost probably our 2 most technically gifted players. So, without their influence on the game, we cannot replace them with slow pondering players like Shneiderlin and Siggy. We therefore have to go with pace as much as possible to overcome the lack of technical quality. So, for me, the team has to be:

Pickford
Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Digne
Davies, Iwobi, Baines
Walcott, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison

While Bainsy has no match fitness, at least being a lefty he brings some balance to the team. He might only last 60 minutes but then he can be replaced with Sigurdsson or Schneiderlin. I would also like to see Gordon on the bench. He has to be given a chance now.

Joe Corgan
67 Posted 08/11/2019 at 04:10:51
Phil #38: I think I love you. Agree 1000%.
Steven Astley
68 Posted 08/11/2019 at 06:16:42
Delph is no real loss.
Winston Williamson
69 Posted 08/11/2019 at 07:12:45
Steve Ferns, do not, whatever you do, stop posting! Some of us like to read your posts. Those that don't can just skip by. It's easy to skip by. I do it myself.

On the team picking... I think playing Baines in midfield is about four years too late, but I'd prefer Baines to Morgan.

Baningime might not be ready to play 38 games a year in the Premier League, but he can surely step up for the odd game?

I agree, the time has arrived for Gordon to step in and replace Bernard.

I also agree that Tosun should be starting.

My team:

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Davies Baningime
Richarlison Gordon
Kean Tosun

Plenty of pace in there! Run riot!

Brent Stephens
70 Posted 08/11/2019 at 07:22:42
Steve - what Winston says #69.
Tony Hill
71 Posted 08/11/2019 at 07:33:40
Where does Steve Ferns say he's leaving? I've disagreed with him on loads of stuff, notably Allardyce, but he's a serious, knowledgeable Blue who's unafraid to stick his neck out.

As for tomorrow, I think he'll go with Lyndon's team and rightly so. We look thin but that's the reality. We need to become mean and to have maximum concentration given our depleted resources.

Tony Hill
72 Posted 08/11/2019 at 07:38:21
ps: Tierney's another poor ref. Let's pray we don't suffer again.
Steve Ferns
73 Posted 08/11/2019 at 07:56:21
Cheers guys. I don’t think Silva’s success affects anything as far as I’m concerned. But if I wanted to appear all knowledgable then I could choose the easy option and champion a manager we could never appoint and then criticise whoever we hire and pick holes in whatever they do.

I didn’t like Koeman or Allardyce and it was very easy to criticise them all the time. It’s much harder to stand by a manager when everyone else has jumped ship.

But don’t worry. I have thick skin and never give up. Being an Evertonian has taught me that.

George McKane
74 Posted 08/11/2019 at 08:17:30
Steve, keep posting – anyone who doesn't wish to read can scroll down. Most of us read your posts with interest and a bit of amusement – there are some posters on TW, and on this thread today, who only post negative and criticisms of others posts; that is their right... just as it is mine to ignore them.

I'd rather have some fanciful posso dream stuff (that's me) and some well thought out support and comments (that's you, Steve) than any of the whinging miserable crap that a few post (that's you?? – I am sure you know who you are).

Up The Blues – “Hey Moriarty what's with the neggo waves, man – think posso – think bridge.”

Derek Knox
75 Posted 08/11/2019 at 08:29:29
Hey Winston @ 69, I really like that team you have selected as an option, but the chances of it being reality unfortunately are exceedingly slim indeed.

Confidence, I would imagine is pretty thin throughout the current team/squad, but I have always maintained that WE DO have the players to make a difference, it's just that this manager is reluctant to make changes unless enforced, and very seldom is adventurous, or willing to try something else, that MAY just work.

Greg Mckerracher
76 Posted 08/11/2019 at 08:36:32
Feels like a bit of junction currently. Win this weekend and then beat Norwich at home – will be a decent gap from the relegation zone, form from last 6 including cup would be W4 D1 L1 and would go into December fixtures on a high. We lose and go into another international break in or close to relegation zone – reckon board will blink and sack Marco.
Eddie Dunn
77 Posted 08/11/2019 at 08:43:02
This Saints side have enough movement to give us serious trouble with the likes of Redmond (who I have always liked) and Ings (who is so nailed-on to score against us). If we leave there with a point, I will be satisfied.

I hope the terrible blow of the Gomes injury has bolstered this squad and hope that Silva can impose a siege mentality because we really need to string an unbeaten run together and simply can't afford a defeat to a team so low in the table.

I expect a high tempo game and hopefully our speed on the break will be enough to get the result but our defence always give me palpitations.

Alan J Thompson
78 Posted 08/11/2019 at 08:50:17
If Schneiderlin gets a game, then it proves nothing more than we have a Manager with a complete lack of imagination.
Dave Abrahams
79 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:25:48
Alan (78),

I always take notice of your posts, and agree with quite a lot of them. I understand your reluctance at having Schneiderlin in the team, however, despite not being a big fan of Schneiderlin, there are not many midfielders left to pick from, and I'd go with the experienced Frenchman.

I'm hoping that he will realise the mess Everton are in and the need for the whole squad to pull together at this difficult time. I'd hope and trust that he will give a bit/lot more than he has given in the last 18 months and show the manager, the club and the fans that he cares about the situation we are ALL in and shows it on Saturday, along with the rest of the squad.

Steve Ferns, that's the spirit mate, don't let the bastards grind you down.

Craig Walker
80 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:29:12
I've got a bad feeling about this game. We desperately need to pick up 3 points but I can't confidently say we'll win against any opposition at the moment.
Andrew Clare
81 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:31:40
Southampton are desperately trying to get back on track after the humiliating defeat to Leicester, so expect a scrappy game where we lose by the odd goal. We are also trying to get our season together but for some reason I can't see a win. We don't win away from home no matter how we change the team.

Sorry, I have lost all confidence in Everton.

Mike Corcoran
82 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:31:55
Keep posting, Steve Ferns, I enjoy the debate (bar the gammon keyboard ninjas).
Dave Williams
83 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:36:00
Alan,

If only we had even just one of Kay, Gabriel and Morrissey!! They don't make them like that any more.

I would give Gordon a chance in this game:

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Davies Iwobi Baningime
Walcott Richarlison Gordon

I can't understand posters having a go about other guys posting. It's always interesting to read other views, even when you don't agree with them. As others have said, scroll down if it annoys you that much but don't sink to the depths of the odd few who abuse others who have different views.

We all share the same aims!

Stan Schofield
84 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:39:33
Steve @73: You don't need me to tell you this, but I'll tell you anyway.

When somebody puts a lot of effort in to analyse something, and is usually often successful at it, it can piss some people off, people who are not able to do good analysis, and/or cannot be arsed to put the work in. Such critical people have a tendency to make personal comments that are really unwarranted, especially when they think you've got something wrong and they've found a chink in the armour.

As someone once said, talent instantly recognises talent, but mediocrity knows nothing better than itself, and if you invented an ingenious machine for automatically peeling potatoes, there would be some people who'd complain it doesn't peel apples.

Your analyses are always interesting. Keep on posting.

Brian Harrison
85 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:43:32
Steve

You have nailed your colours to the Silva mast and will defend him to the hilt, and thats very commendable, but failure to see any faults is bordering on being misguided, a bit like the band on the Titanic. I liked the appointment of Silva and said so at the time, as the alternative of Frank de Boer didn't appeal but with the money spent we should be competing at the other end of the table.

I also think Brands is accountable for the mess we are in, but its always the manager who is sacked if the team fails. I think if we lose to Southampton Silva will be sacked.

Obviously Moshiri will be loathed to have to sack him given the time and money he spent in acquiring Silva, but even he will have run out of patience if we lose to Southampton.

Sam Hoare
86 Posted 08/11/2019 at 09:59:38
Very tight table still with only 5 points between 6th and 17th. If (and its a big 'if') we beat Southampton and Norwich, it's not inconceivable we might propel straight into the top half.

Steve F @23 I've no problem with defensive midfielders who show for the ball, move it forwards and commit energy to the game (like Liverpool's) but the trouble is that Schneiderlin does none of those things (anymore). In particular, I rarely see him move into good positions to receive the ball when his team-mates are under pressure. He's a decent enough player who was very good at Southampton but I just think he's lost a lot of confidence. Perhaps he could play as part of a move mobile midfield but my heart sinks when I see him and Sigurdsson (and Gomes) in the same midfield 3.

I think we should stick with the 4-3-3 which actually limited Tottenham to very few chances indeed (till we gifted them a goal). I'd play Iwobi, our best creator, as the most advanced of the 3 (like a deeper 10) and see what the unknown quality of Gordon can do. This team needs a lift and bringing in a highly rated youngster for his league debut might provide that spark (either that or you have to play Walcott again).

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Delph( or Schneiderlin) Davies
Iwobi
Gordon Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Clive Rogers
87 Posted 08/11/2019 at 10:11:16
I think the predicted lineup will be close, but would like to see Gordon given a start instead of Walcott who I feel didn't do enough last time out.

With Walcott, it's all about end product... or specifically the lack of it! At times he looks a threat but you come away from the game thinking it all came to nothing. Also, his goals have dried up and we are desperate for goals.

Jerome Shields
88 Posted 08/11/2019 at 10:40:30
Everton badly need an away result and the points. This is a very important game. If Silva loses this game, he really would have a credibility problem going forward.

Brands taking a risk in transferring in injury-prone players was always going to be hit and miss. There have been mostly misses. Because of the way Everton is perceived, many players shy away in the transfer windows, leaving Everton with little choice.

It is the same regarding manager candidates.

Peter Mills
89 Posted 08/11/2019 at 10:43:55
Jimmy Gabriel and Johnny Morrisey are 79, Tony Kay is 82. Schneiderlin would fit in well to make a 4-man midfield.
Laurie Hartley
90 Posted 08/11/2019 at 10:48:54
Danny # 65 - In the light of your comment about Delph, next time he plays I will try to have a more open mind about him.

Whoever pulls on the shirt for this game (including Schneiderlin), I hope they leave nothing in the dressing room because we need a 100% from every one of them.


Kevin Prytherch
91 Posted 08/11/2019 at 10:55:49
I can see a lot of posters suggesting Iwobi in midfield, however I think he has been nothing short of a liability defensively and should be no where near the midfield. The only way he can slot into midfield in my opinion is if we revert back to the 4-2-3-1 and he occupies the coveted number 10 role. I believe that we would then need to start with Richarlison and Walcott out wide as they both offer defensive cover, which is what we need when Schneiderlin inevitably plays.

I can see Davies slowly getting overrun in the centre of midfield and getting slated on here immediately afterwards.

To be honest, if we were to stick with a 4-3-3, I would play Richarlison in midfield. The guy tackles and intercepts more than anyone else on the pitch at times and, although he might wander with it not being natural to him, there will still be 2 covering midfielders. He also offers the option, as Davies does, of carrying the ball.

I know it’s unlikely but a midfield and attack of...
Richarlison, Baines, Davies
Iwobi, Kean, Walcott

Roy Kjaerstad
92 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:03:18
I am astonished by the critisism of Steve Ferns by some people on this thread. As one of many Evertonians who enjoy reading this site on a daily basis without hardly ever contributing anything myself, I applaud the effort made by the regular participants.

I actually always look out for Steve's posts as I find him highly informed and knowledgeable, although I don't exactly see eye to eye with him on all matters Silva. Many posters offer little but repetative and unconstructive criticism – and by all means feel free – but I appreciate far more the likes of Steve, who is one of the contributors who make the effort of presenting insightful analyses and explaining their views and opinions.

Of course people will always have differing views in football but, in my book, fronting a reflected opinion deserves some respect.

Derek Knox
93 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:05:44
Peter @ 89, you're having a laugh there mate, he wouldn't be able to keep up with them, even when leaving their zimmers by the technical area. :-)
Ken Kneale
94 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:16:11
Peter, they would still run rings around him in terms of football creativity and caring about wearing a blue shirt. Indeed all three could easily play the modern game and would easily find a place in the current Everton squad.
Christopher Timmins
95 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:22:14
This is a crunch game for the manager, a loss and I can't see how he can survive going into the International break. Let's hope the team end there away day nightmare, put in a top performance, and pick up three points.

There are those who would rather that we lost tomorrow in order to get rid of the manager but I for one hope that he turns it around even at this late stage.

Andrew Keatley
96 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:33:59
Sam Hoare (86) - You are spot on I think, on all aspects.
Daniel A Johnson
97 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:34:47
Keep posting Steve Ferns,

You are on of the few on here who can argue their own opinion without resorting to belittling or goading people.

I've disagreed with you often but always enjoyed how you politely fight your corner.

Jim Bennings
98 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:34:49
Yet another trip to a “bogey venue” – it seems Everton have more bogeys than a flu-ridden nostril.

No matter what team he picks or who is available for selection surely to god this is a must-win game and so too Norwich?

If we aren't winning at Southampton (who only ever seem to win at home against us every season) then I doubt we will win an away game all season, certainly won't be winning away before Christmas looking at the fixtures ahead.

The players need to grow a pair, Silva needs to start manning up too, I'm still pissed at why he hasn't been out this week shouting from the rooftops about how bad VAR is and that Martin Atkinson should not be allowed near an Everton game again.

Tomorrow really is make-or-break stuff.

Mike Veitch
99 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:43:11
I have followed ToffeeWeb threads for years. But I am joining the debate for the first time after what I have seen tonight.

I have supported the Blues for years. My great uncle, Thomas Veitch, played for the club in the 1880s. My Dad took me to the game at Goodison when we won the League in 1963. He also took me to home games where we won 6-1 against possibly Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. I can still recall Tommy Ring making an absolute mess of the opposition's right back.

After 1966, I could not go the games much. My parents had sent me to Merchant Taylors School in Crosby that had lessons on Saturday morning (which is why I am so intelligent) and rugby on Saturday afternoon (which is why I am so physically developed). But I do recall travelling home on the train on Saturday afternoons listening to the 1966 FA Cup Final where Derek Temple scored the winner after we had gone down 2-0, and also a 5-something win against Liverpool at Anfield.

I only have three things to contribute to this thread.

1. Colin Harvey was the most technically gifted footballer I have ever witnessed. But now I am 70 years old I cannot remember whether I was copying him or he was copying me.

2. The combined loss of Tony Kay and my emigration to Australia were enormous losses for the club.

3. Lay off Steve Ferns. He is the only one who backs up what he is saying with a few facts. He will not be right on everything, and I don't agree with him on everything. But I agree that the Club will achieve nothing by changing the manager now.


Rob Halligan
100 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:51:10
Tomorrow will be a first for me, as I'm flying down to Southampton. Forty minutes in the air each way, rather than stuck on a coach for about ten hours in total, will make the return journey a bit more bearable.

Surely to god, the team have got to start producing? We have been unfortunate in the last two, mainly due to incompetent officials and VAR. Ever the optimist, I'm going for a 3-1 win!

Daniel A Johnson
101 Posted 08/11/2019 at 11:51:59
I'm 100% torn for this match.

It's a must-win as defeat against Southampton with our upcoming fixtures combined with a Shite manager and a shocking injury list could send us on a catastrophic downward spiral into a serious relegation scrap.

The flip side is that defeat will be another nail in Silvas coffin and pushes him nearer the exit door/sack (which is 100% something that needs to happen). We have been massively poor under him this season.

Look at Wolves – despite taking a small squad into the Europa League, they are now ahead of us in the league. We have Sheff Utd, Wolves, Villa, Brighton, Burnley, Newcastle, Palace all ahead of us –we have been that poor. The blame rests on Silva's shoulders.

Jay Wood
[BRZ]

102 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:00:01
Yer turning soft Rob lad!

With your luck on a couple of recent away trips, take a parachute with you!

It's about time you and the loyal away support were rewarded with an away win.

Let's hope it comes tomorrow.

Tony Hill
103 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:05:19
Rob, I hope you have time for a drink and a bag of peanuts in flight.
Darren Hind
104 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:20:51
I think those who have a problem with Steve Ferns posting so regularly should take up Lyndon's invitation. He's told us he is always on the lookout for good talking points.

Steve posts a lot because many posters are interested in his often alternative view and will address their comment directly to him. That's not a problem the snipe-from-the-sideline nothing-to-say crew will ever have to address.

It's difficult to be confident about an Everton side on the road, but the Saints confidence has to be brittle. Fortune will favour the brave tomorrow.

Be bold. Two up top would win this

Paul Jeronovich
105 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:21:17
Just win Everton.
Derek Taylor
106 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:25:17
Without wishing to be provocative, two things are certain about the Saints game. The first is that Scheiderlin will start and the second is that should we lose – other than by a cricket score – Silva will remain as manager. Neither he nor the owner are for changing.

The message is clear; as long as we are 'in touch' with the top half, no major decisions will be made. And we shall win, anyway!

John Kavanagh
107 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:30:31
I fear we are in for a replay of our 2017 performance, which signalled the end of Unsworth's brief tenure. Our unbalanced team, further affected by injury to Baines, went down 4-1 against a struggling Southampton team, leading to the humiliation of the Allardyce appointment. Schneiderlin was particularly ineffective and was dropped for Unsy's last hurrah 4-0 West Ham win. If only Moshiri had had the balls to give Unsy until Christmas.

Things haven't really changed much since. We still have Schneiderlin and may now put him back in the side to usher in another lacklustre performance. If history repeats itself I expect to see a managerial change before if not at the Norwich match.

Unlike Unsworth, I see no evidence of Silva being able to motivate players or turn things round. Furthermore, Silva has no confidence in any of our young players, exemplified by his treatment of Davies. I'm afraid Silva has 'loser' written through him like a stick of rock and relegation has been his only signature achievement.

I still pray that Silva somehow gets his selection and tactics right, but realistically I can see no prospect of a win. I hope I'm completely wrong and that our away support at long long last get a performance and result that their tremendous commitment deserves. COYB.

Ray Roche
108 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:36:39
I watched the whole of the City v Saints match last week. Anyone thinking that we only have to turn up and collect the points need to have a rethink.

Saints defended as if their lives depended on it. Their three central defenders were superb, frustrating City for most of the match. If they play half as good tomorrow we'll be happy to escape with a point. It will have done their confidence a power of good.

Steve Ferns is a knowledgable and personable guy. He has opinions and relates them clearly and concisely. But they are his OPINIONS, and if you disagree get your crayons out and respond. Don't give the guy undeserved stick.

David Pearl
109 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:54:13
Shouldn't have to defend anyone on a forum. Sometimes l agree and sometimes disagree. You could say l am between two ferns.

Schneiderlin is and never was the problem. He is a good player and feeds off the confidence and movement ahead of him. Silva sets up sometimes way too wide and seems fearful of being outmanned in wide areas, not wanting to leave our full-backs exposed. It's up to Silva now as to whether he goes for it or plays it safe, sticking with 4-1-4-1 which may work to our favour more if we counter-attack. We don't know what team or formation he will pick. Many of us want to see Tosun start but who's to say he won't just bring in Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson instead of shuffling Richarlison to accommodate either Tosun, or probably Calvert-Lewin.

We need a win.

Kim Vivian
110 Posted 08/11/2019 at 12:56:16
I have been more concerned about the Southampton match than Spurs to be honest (and I wasn't optimistic about that). Soton's league position does not reflect the potential of that team – rather like us – and the Leicester game was a total anomaly. They took a good stab at Man City who did us a favour by keeping them 3 points below us.

I personally rate their manager and, with the injuries we are carrying into this match, we are going under the cosh a little I reckon. I would be happy with the draw, although we have it in us to win no doubt but whether the fight is in us tomorrow remains to be seen. 1-1 I predict, but hoping for a clean sheet to give us 1-0 or better.

Brent Stephens
111 Posted 08/11/2019 at 13:00:01
Rob #100. Have a safe flight. Might see you down there. On the train to my lads for the match tomorrow.

An air hostess once asked if I wanted to join the Mile High Club. Not being one for shelling out on clubs, I declined. Did I make a bad decision? Just thinking of all the discounts I might have got.

Danny Baily
112 Posted 08/11/2019 at 13:01:06
Just imagine if we could get a win, it would be a massive boost and a big step towards safety.
Craig Walker
113 Posted 08/11/2019 at 13:21:36
I never understand the vitriol directed to fellow Evertonians on ToffeeWeb. I know sometimes things are written on the spare of the moment, particularly when we're in a dire run of form like we are in at present. We are all Blues fans who all want the same thing. People's viewpoints differ on how we go about getting there.

Steve is way more knowledgeable than me on the game and I've always enjoyed reading his contributions. For what it's worth, I didn't agree with him when he analysed Silva's career and said he would be a good fit for our club. I think there's a massive difference between managing smaller clubs and Everton FC, and we saw this with Roberto.

I also think that Silva has shown an ability to string 4 or 5 good results together followed by a slump. I haven't followed his career as strongly as some but that's my recollections of his time at Hull City and Watford anyway. I was prepared to give him time and my support because I saw him as an improvement over the loathsome Allardyce.

Keep posting though, Steve, because you certainly know the game, our club and you always argue your case well, even if I don't always agree with you.

Rob Marsh
114 Posted 08/11/2019 at 13:31:26
No matter how much of an advantage we have over them on paper, I'm regarding this match as a 50/50.

The positions both teams find themselves in makes the morale boost of winning this game every bit as important as the points.

Southampton looked very good against Man City and were unlucky not to come away with something, they will be well and truly up for this. This match is more about mental strength than formations, I love these do-or-die games!

Don Alexander
115 Posted 08/11/2019 at 13:37:08
Ditto Craig (#113), we've had streams of personal invective directed towards fellow fans by just a few (mercifully few) gob-shites and it's always unwelcome.

That said, I don't denigrate Steve but the sheer number of his posts can be overwhelming in my opinion. It's probably an age thing though. He's young and I ain't!

Jamie Crowley
116 Posted 08/11/2019 at 14:11:50
It astounds me when people request other posters to "stop posting" or "stop posting so much".

This is a forum. Jesus man, if you don't like a particular poster, skip it FFS!

Steve, keep posting.

And Steve - earlier you were mentioning how Liverpool don't have a creative CDM, and they're very defensive in that position [paraphrasing].

I don't care what Liverpool do. And you can't compare us to them at that position. They make up for dull defensive mids because they have arguably the best front three in world football! They don't need any dynamic play from the back. They have a level of dynamic play from three players that most teams don't have in their whole squad! Credit where it's do, even through a snarl.

I hope Sigurdsson is dropped deep. I think he'd do just fine there. IwobiN is far more attacking and quick on a ball. He should be at No 10 for me.

Jamie Crowley
117 Posted 08/11/2019 at 14:13:34
Two last things -

1. Don, that last comment wasn't directed squarely at you.

2. If we, God forbid, lose this game, relegation is a reality. It'll be 100% time to hit the panic button.

Martin Berry
118 Posted 08/11/2019 at 14:17:05
Pleased that Tom Davies is getting playing time and I hope Cenk Tosun is in the starting line-up too.

No doubt Schneiderlin will try and protect the defence and hopefully allow us to hit them on the break.

COYBs

Matthew Williams
119 Posted 08/11/2019 at 14:25:00
If memory serves me... this fixture usually produces a 2-2 scoreline, I think a draw is the best we can hope for here, Blues.

I hope am wrong, we need three points as fast as possible atm.

COYB

Tony Hill
120 Posted 08/11/2019 at 14:36:53
Nice post, Mike, @99.
Tony Everan
121 Posted 08/11/2019 at 14:47:19
Pickford

Sid Holgate Mina Digne

Richarlison Davies Sigurdsson Iwobi
. DC-L
. Tosun .

4-4-1-1

Sigg is out of form, but would rather find a way of incorporating him than playing Schneiderlin. We never play well when Schneiderlin plays and if he is chosen I will fear the worst.

Holgate deserves his place.

DC-L is a converted midfielder so in that role he can supplement the midfield defensively and be combative in winning possession in the air and retaining possession in the advanced midfield positions. This could give us more midfield control that we are crying out for .

Tosun looks fired up so he could get the goal that makes the difference tomorrow. Give him a chance.

James Marshall
122 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:05:50
Southampton haven't won a league game since August - expect them to change that when Everton are in town tomorrow!
Brian Harrison
123 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:07:22
Well I see the Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl hasnt held back in his press conference. Not the usual oh so and so are a very tough team to beat, no he said we have played quite a few of the top 8 teams so far but tomorrow we start playing the bottom clubs. I suggest Silva prints this out and hangs it in our dressing room, just in case some of our players didnt realize how other teams in the relegation zone view playing Everton.

You would hope that with what happened to Gomes, the awful VAR decisions we have had, plus Hasenhuttl,s comments it will rattle enough cages to make our players play as if their life depended on the result.

James Marshall
124 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:21:22
Brian - we are one of the bottom teams. Hassunwotsit is right. We're shite.
Christy Ring
125 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:23:31
Steve I have to say, you have a great knowledge of football, and we know you have defended Silva and Schneiderlin many times on this site, but that's your choice.I have defended McCarthy and Coleman myself, having said that, selling Macca for £3m, seems like a huge mistake now.
I hope he plays Beni on Saturday if Delph doesn't make it, because I don't rate Schneiderlin, for a defensive midfielder, how many tackles has he missed when playing this season, he was sent off at Palace, two bad tackles, against City, he chopped down de Bruyne, against B'mouth, they scored after Richarlison fouled King, because Morgan missed him completely with a tackle, could Beni be any worse?
Jim Bennings
126 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:28:57
A shocking indictment on the plight of Everton Football club that’s the Southampton manager states in his presser that we are a bottom club.

He’s right mind you so I’m not going to criticise him.

Four years on from Farhad Moshiri I don’t think any of us, Moshy included could have quite believed where we are.

Calls for patience and time are gone now, we can’t permanently be a club in transition and struggling.

Has Brendan Rodgers taken years to sort out Puel’s mess at Leicester, no he hasn’t!

It’s time we start looking like a bloody team that’s had millions spent on it and stop this pissing about all the time.

John Pierce
127 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:32:47
Our midfield decimated, both numbers and quality. What to do?
It feels like we don’t have enough energy in the side to get the best out of our attacking players.
Could it be time to be direct and play into a front two? Lewin and Tosun?
Can we even play that way?!
It’s seems very unlikely given Silva’s history.
More likely we play 4-5-1 and play on the counter. That would solve the need to have the ball.
I wouldn’t play Delph, he’s clearly not fit and, cannot, as we originally thought play a number of games without breaking down.
It’s gonna be 4-2-3-1 with Davies with Schniederlin and he will suck the life out of Tom. Tom will get the blame...
I cannot see us winning, I simply have no history or form to tell me we might.
Kieran Kinsella
128 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:42:36
Wading into the Steve Ferns debate. Lots of internet forums have died a death in the social media age. I used to go on a lively British expats forum until a mix of people getting banned by overly sensitive moderators, and people forming FB friendships turned the site into a wasteland. You need catalysts to keep a website going. You get your Tony Marsh's who provoke controversy, your John Daly's who entertain, and your Steve Ferns to keep the dialogue going with frequent interactions. It's like a delicate ecosystem and if any parts disappear the whole things falls apart.
Denis Richardson
129 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:44:33
Team selection aside, surely this is do or die time for Silva.

I just don't know where we go with him if we don't get a result on Sat. A draw probably buys him the Norwich game but a defeat and surely its time to part ways.

Next two games are against two of the worst teams in the league - anything less than 4 points and we're in serious trouble with our Dec fixture list. (As if we weren't in trouble already.)

It's still early in the season but I can see us being tonked away to Leicester and Liverpool in 4 weeks time and don't hold out much hope against a resurgent Chelsea thereafter. So 3 probable losses in a row before making the trips to Manu and Arsenal lovely way to bring in xmas. Potentially 5 games, 5 losses, zero points. We'd then be almost half way through the season so can't bang on the 'it's still early' drum.

Simply HAVE to get a result this Sat - 97th minute winner off Tosuns arse fine by me - don't care how.

James Marshall
130 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:48:57
I reckon we'll be OK over December - we tend to play to the level of the opposition we're up against, which to me smacks of a team lacking motivation vs so called lower teams.

That's down to the manager in my view.

Jay Harris
131 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:50:46
This is a definite six pointer and I foresee a very high energy game hurdy gurdy at times with both teams losing possession.

I think we need a lot of energy for this game and therefore don't need the "safe and slow" Schneiderlin.

Southamptons success against City was defend like their lives depended on it and hit on the break.

I don't see them playing that game tomorrow so I think we should reverse it with high energy defending and hitting them on the break.

We also need goalscorers so I would give Gordon a game alongside Richy and Walcott who is due a goal and seems to be back to form With Davies, Iwobi and Siggy in MF.

Lets hope our current manager can inspire them enough for a much needed 3 points and a boost for our long suffering travelling supporters.

Denis Richardson
132 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:56:43
@ James 129 - please let me know what you're smoking to make you so confident:-)

@ Steve Ferns general - your backing of Silva is quite admirable in the face of what he's actually delivered in 15 months. Although I think you're wrong (I never wanted Silva in the first place), if that's your belief stick to it. (I backed Koeman all the time and thought he was harshly done by given he had the rug pulled from under him with the summer transfers but many others here wanted him gone. Many still think he was crap for us even though we haven't actually finished higher than his first (and only full) season since Martinez' first season.

This site is all about opinions and most of us have gone through phases of 'mass postings'. Swings and roundabouts for me, if people don't like someones post they can just ignore it (am sure some do mine!).

Mark Guglielmo
133 Posted 08/11/2019 at 15:59:20
In Everton we (apparently I) trust!

We’re going to win! Break the away bugaboo, breathe some life into the squad, out together an inspired performance for their fallen comrade, and just go for it.

Soton I’m not sure what they’ll do. On the one hand, with their own doubts starting to creep in, Hasenhuttl may want to show the home supporters some fire after that 0-9 embarrassment, and try to play on the front foot. Which would actually play right into our hands (and he may know that).

On the other hand, he may take a different approach and sit back to simply try to pull a result in an ugly, torrid affair. This is where I want to see us/Silva adjust and not just cross & pray. Soton has 3 CBs over 6 foot if I’m not mistaken. For this reason, I believe there need to be a Plan A, and a Plan A.2.

If we look to take it to them, I’d hope for:

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Davies Iwobi Sigurdsson (I’m honestly not convinced he can play here but at this point, why not)
Walcott DCL Richarlison

Or
Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Schneiderlin
Davies Iwobi
Richarlison DCL Sigurdsson (yes I know there’s a snowball’s chance in hell of this happening but I truly think he could be valuable here)

Either way I want to see 3 forwards.

COYB

Tony Hill
134 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:03:54
Some luck would help, we're due it and eventually we'll get it. Perhaps tomorrow.
James Marshall
135 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:07:54
Deins@132

Towards the end of last season we played the top teams and did well against them. I'm pinning my hopes on that.

Tony Abrahams
136 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:09:28
Enjoy the day Rob, I’m sure my brother is flying to Southampton from Manchester tomorrow, so I hope that you have a safe flight.

Steve Fearns, keep posting mate, and hopefully Silva’s Everton can get us a result tomorrow for everyone’s sake.

Mike Gaynes
137 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:11:21
Gerry #45 and Mick #46, McCarthy has barely been off the bench at Palace. I think it's time to stop projecting what he was five years ago into our current lineup.

Pete #89, Sheeds is only 60 and he'd bump Schneiderlin out of that lineup!

Mike Gaynes
138 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:20:40
Kieran #128... a "delicate ecosystem"??! As Sam Mussabini (Ian Holm) says in Chariots of Fire, "I've seen better organized riots."

Just my opinion, but to me it's all about the energy here, not the balance.

Jamie #116, bravo for your support of Steve. Now stop posting so much.

😏

Bill Fairfield
139 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:22:49
Just heard our managers press conference on the Gomes/Son incident and on VAR and the referee the mans a disgrace,he just doesn't get it.He speaks like a loser
James Marshall
140 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:50:30
Bill - don't go getting any ideas about inspiration from Magic Marco. He's about as inspiring as a wet cloth.
Jack Convery
141 Posted 08/11/2019 at 16:55:57
Pickford, Sidibe, Holgate, Mina, Digne, Owobi, Davies, Schneids, Richarlson, Tosun & Calvert Lewin in a 4 4 2 for a change and to give us more clout upfront. We are going to concede we know that so lets try and get some goals into the team.
Eddie Dunn
142 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:07:31
My input on Steve Ferns. Steve I don't always agree with your posts but unlike many people you respond to points made.
So often I put in an opinion and (possibly because it's uninteresting) nobody takes me up on it. I think the real reason is most posters come on to vent their spleen, and how often do posters mention that they "haven't had time to read previous posts" and then give an opinion that has already been argued earlier in the thread.
Steve, you do post a lot, but you always have something to say, rightly or wrongly. Post as much as you want remembering that everyone on here is equally entitled to their viewpoint.
You (Steve), always listen and often respond.
I used to put my hand up in class and answer more than my fair share of questions. Other kids might have thought I was a swot. The lesson would have been pretty dull without those that wish to contribute, and on hear listening to other's opinions is just as important as sounding-off, like some do.
Keep on posting.
Daniel A Johnson
143 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:09:09
well said Bill [139]

The mans got zero fight or fire.

He just doesn't inspire and his results over 1.5 season back that up.

He shouldn't be in a job he's been dog shit this season.

Robert Williams
144 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:10:09
Welcome, Pop-pickers and Disc-players welcome to another edition of the Steve 'n Jay [BRZ] show - the show that keeps all you Soccer Nuts riveted to your 'puterslaptopsnipads for their weekly insight and knowledge about the Wonderful Game and all its subtle nuances. In a nutshell, all you ever need to know - the one-stop-shop for everything to do with Everton FC, every player, every goal, every VAR decision will be minutely scrutinised. Not a stone will be left unturned for your entertainment and titillation.
For those unfamiliar with the format Steve will cast his eye over the team selection, will tell you all you need to know about who WILL and who WILL NOT play and in what positions. There will be opportunities to question/ nay offer your views, but Steve's views will be final- there will be no room for argument.
All this will take place before kick-off - Steve will not be open to questions after the match nor will he take any adverse retrospective comments about team or manager performances.

After FINAL Whistle we will be joined by Jay, our very own chattering Jay all the way from the Amazon. He will spend a long, long time disseminating the game, the result, the successes and failures. It will all be there for you - you will not miss a minute of the action. There will even be time for those with a thirst to pop-down to the local for a few pints, while Jay continues to dispense his diatribe about what he has witnessed from the comfort of his armchair, somewhere up the Amazon.
Fear not Jay's views will still be available into the early hours of Sunday. So there is no need to rush back from the pub. He will not disappoint.

So, pop-pickers the pre-match action has already started!! Enjoy the Steve 'n Jay Show - I promise you won't miss a thing!!

Robert Williams
145 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:15:25
DR 132 - I had no idea he was a General!! Wow there you go!!
Steavey Buckley
146 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:17:19
Southampton will be looking forward to playing Everton whose dismal away record of 1 point all season will continue tomorrow when they oblige Southampton with much needed 3 points. It is time Marco Silva went because Everton are mentally weak away from home.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

147 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:17:19
And your contribution to TW Robert is..?
Daniel A Johnson
148 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:19:49
Robert I've disagreed with both Jay & Steve but value their input whereas your post [144] is just a little bit strange.
Robert Williams
149 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:20:42
Welcome Jay - Ps you're not on till later
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

150 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:23:46
Hmmm...if that is your attempt at 'wit' Robert I hope you find the missing other half of it soon.
Robert Williams
151 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:26:53
DAJ 148 - What, you actually disagreed with their posts? I bet you never got the last word. Just watch!! Bye.
Peter Mills
152 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:32:53
Coaching 3 teams in 44 Premier League away games, Marco Silva has collected 36 points. That’s not very good.

Regarding Steve Ferns, I have met him once, just after Mr Silva took over in 2018. He’s a very nice guy, thoughtful, and a dedicated Evertonian. That’s good enough for me. We disagreed on our new coach, my view was that Marco could not organise a defence. I have been desperate to be proved wrong, for a while towards the end of last season it looked like Steve’s man was winning through, but this season we have gone backwards. Drastic and prompt action to remedy things is needed.

Kieran Kinsella
153 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:33:45
Robert Williams

Very accurate very witty

Colin Metcalfe
154 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:35:11
I predicted a 3-1 loss against Spurs so was pleasantly surprised when I got home from the fireworks on the waterfront that we had scraped a draw although truly gutted when I saw the news about Gomes.
I am still in Marco Silva’s corner... just ,
he has got to start getting results though, poor VAR decisions, bad luck and injuries have wrecked this season so far and so this is where Silva has to earn his crust and get some points on the board.
December is very tough so Saints and Norwich are six pointers anything less and we well maybe looking for yet another manager with Unworth taking the reins for that differcult run of games which I can’t help feeing would not go well.
2-1 to the blues !! COYB
Bobby Mallon
155 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:36:07
This would be my team
Pickford
Sidibé
Holgate
Mina
Deign
Iwobi
Davis
Sigurdsson
Richarlson
Tosun
Calvert-Lewin with Calvert-Lewin dropping into midfielder when we don’t have the ball
Ray Roche
156 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:40:10
Jay@150
🤣nice one!
Andrew Keatley
157 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:49:08
Seems like everyone has got a tad sensitive. I agree with Kieran (128) about the mix of views and personalities on a forum, and how it thrives on people feeling welcome and free to comment - but I also think people shouldn’t take themselves too seriously. While everyone should aim to stand behind their posts, be civil, and apologise where necessary, I’d like to think that Jay and Steve can read Robert Williams’ post at 144 and have a little chuckle. They are both excellent contributors to this site, but hopefully have the self-awareness to at least offer a partial nod of recognition.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

158 Posted 08/11/2019 at 17:50:58
Ray @ 156.

Read @ 153.

Lost and found.

All is well in the world again.

Steve Ferns
159 Posted 08/11/2019 at 18:04:47
Thanks for the above, you'll give me a big head! I'm no expert and never professed to be.

Let's get back to the footy anyway. Saints are a team that I've always liked. Usually they know their place and a team you can expect to beat. Ralph Hasenhuttl is an intriguing character. Known as the Alpine Klopp (due to being Austrian rather than German). The Klopp reference is due to his similar style in the "gegenpressing" mould. He fought his way into the Bundesliga 2 with Aalen (who? exactly) before jumping to Ingolstadt where he turned them around and took them from relegation places to Champions in a season. He then took them to 11th in his only season with them in the top flight, before being lured by the newly promoted and newly rebranded Red Bull Leipzig (back when the Red Bull was prominent). Leipzig set a few records as they surprised everyone finishing 2nd. They then slipped to 6th and Hasenhuttl resigned as they refused to extend his contract, apparently they only wanted him for one more year and then they would change manager. Old Everton admirer Ralf Rangnick was their Director of Football and he took over for a season as manager whilst he waited for Julien Nagelsmann to come in the following season. Hasenhuttl then waited for 6 months until Saints came calling.

Last season he did a decent job getting 30 points for Saints, from 23 games, staying up by 5 points. The team he inherited were bottom two with 1 win from 16 games. Such was his impact that he was still talked up at the earlier part of this season that I heard some pundits asking why Man Utd had not got him in. It's all gone wrong in recent weeks and they have been in freefall. But it's worth remembering how good they have been under the Austrian and that they are more than capable of turning it around.

They should play a 343 type formation with a back 3, two defensive midfielders, a pair of wingbacks, and then a front three of Ings flanked by Redmond and Ward-Prowse. It's the five centrally defensive players who will cause Everton a problem. If they try and defend, then Silva's Everton have failed to show that they have many ideas about how to get through the lines.

We will get the ball out wide, that's where the space will be. I would like to see us getting it out wide and early and then look to play through the lines from the wings. This requires the pace of Iwobi rather than Sigurdsson in the number 10 position. We have to play Sidibe and not Coleman. We need to get our fullbacks forwards and double up on their wingbacks and pull defenders wide to create space in the middle. In doing this, I think we need a safety valve in the middle and with the personnel available, that can only be Schneiderlin. He will be keen to impress his former club, he will be keen to show us he is not "negative" and so he must show this by passing the ball quicker and keeping things moving. I hope he does not go too attacking and try to play like Gomes, because he cannot do that, and we need him to sit in, anchor the midfield and let others get forwards. Ward Prowse and Redmond will drift inside and it'll be important that Davies and Schneiderlin are back to defend when Saints attack. They will press us hard and moving the ball quickly is essential to beating that press, just as Leicester did. We need to switch the ball from side to side at speed, like Leicester did, and we could enjoy the same chances.

My head says a hard fought 1-1 draw, but we have to win, we must win, and so I'm going with a 1-3 win to the Blues.

Jamie Crowley
160 Posted 08/11/2019 at 18:10:49
Pete @ 152 -

Thank you. You know of what I speak.

Cheers.


Mike @ 138 -

Don't be such a Seppo.

Daniel A Johnson
161 Posted 08/11/2019 at 18:24:04
Anyway back to Southampton vs Everton.

So its a must win match away at Southampton.

The key word is here AWAY.

As much as I'd love to be optimistic but under Marco Silva I've seen nothing to suggest we are going to get anything but a good spanking on Saturday.

If they score first then god help us, after the 9-0 Southampton are going to be playing like lions in front of their home fans.

Big match for us an even bigger match for Marco.


Jack Convery
162 Posted 08/11/2019 at 18:29:07
Lets all hope the gift that keeps giving ie EFC are as tight as a Ducks Ar*e on Sunday and confound us all by coming away with 3 points.
Steve Ferns
163 Posted 08/11/2019 at 18:30:19
Daniel, I can understand why you think me might come unstuck, but I can't see why you think we might get a spanking. If by spanking you mean a heavy defeat. I don't think anyone has given us a spanking under Silva since Spurs smashed us 6-2.

I hope we channel the "do it for Andre" energy, and draw on that if we go behind and exercise the ghost of never coming from behind (in a league game). We need to be the ones playing like Lions and we need to use the energy of their crowd against them.

Definitely a big match for the Blues. And definitely a game we must win, if Everton are to have any degree of success under Silva.

Andrew Keatley
164 Posted 08/11/2019 at 19:03:28
The last time Southampton played in front of their home fans - two weeks ago tonight - they suffered the heaviest home loss in Premier League history. It’ll have been a very long two weeks, and their staff and players will no doubt have extra incentive to get a result and show maximum effort throughout.

I think we should expect a high-energy showing from the Saints; they probably need a win even more than we do. I reckon a draw would be an adequate result, all things considered. My concern is that we will be outfought and outthought and come back with no points and even more discontent.

Daniel A Johnson
165 Posted 08/11/2019 at 19:31:25
A spanking maybe not Steve but a defeat is the most realistic probability.

I think we are all still waiting/hoping for the Marco Silva lightbulb Eureka moment.

But it wont come against Southampton.

Trust me I 100% want to win but I also wanted to win against Palace, Villa, Burnley, Brighton & Bournemouth also.

John Pierce
166 Posted 08/11/2019 at 19:31:43
Steve. They shouldn’t need injustice as a reason to win at Southampton?! They should be doing for themselves and getting out of the shit they and manager had gotten themselves into.
Indignation and anger fueled by a colleagues injury get you no more than a short hit.

The intensity they play with ‘one in however many games’ is the minimum they should turn out. Why aren’t the players able to live up to that very basic requirement?

David Thomas
167 Posted 08/11/2019 at 19:53:12
Southampton have conceded 19 and scored 4 so far in their home games. If we can’t get a positive result from this match and Silva is still with us by the Norwich then that will tell us exactly what ambition this club has to ever compete again.
Stan Schofield
168 Posted 08/11/2019 at 19:59:08
Andrew@164: No, a draw would not be an adequate result. If we can't put the likes of them to the sword, even when playing shite, that would be extremely disappointing.
Derek Taylor
169 Posted 08/11/2019 at 20:48:52
Stan, don't dismiss a point as valueless. We need to average one a game to stay safe so anything we garner away from home is priceless. Might even save Silva his job.
Danny Baily
170 Posted 08/11/2019 at 20:59:53
Under normal circumstances I'd expect us to lose this kind of match and it wouldn't really matter.

Big match tomorrow though. Great chance to alter the narrative of the season altogether. A defeat and it really is time for a change of manager.

Stan Schofield
171 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:00:04
Derek, not valueless, just very disappointing. If we don't win, I will be very disappointed.
Mike Doyle
172 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:19:14
Jim 126] well said. Rodgers is doing a great job at Leicester. Not seen a lot of them this season, but what I have seen has been impressive.
Before we appointed Silva I recall a number of posters suggesting he should be one we ought to consider. I wasn’t among them, but with hindsight maybe I should have been.
Gavin Johnson
173 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:19:47
There's nothing wrong with Schneiderlin replacing Delph. The only stipulation of him playing deep for me is that Iwobi plays in the No.10 role.
Mike Doyle
174 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:24:38
Does anybody ITK know if Gordon and/or Adeniran have travelled with the squad?
Jamie Crowley
175 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:28:58
I'm with Stan. We desperately need 6 points from our next 2 games. A single point will be just another step in the wrong direction - down.
Ray Smith
176 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:43:18
Early start tomorrow.
Havn’t been to St Mary’s since 2014!

Lost 2-0 too 2 own goals in first half hour.

Alcaraz in first minute standing in for Distin and Coleman on the half hour.

Pochetino was the manager and Lambert and Llalana played.

2-0 win coyb

John Keating
177 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:53:45
Not coming away with 3 points tomorrow surely is the end game for Silva

Even the most staunch of his supporters will have to accept his record is appalling and cannot be allowed to continue.

Please no Schneiderlin. We have to win not win the passing sideways league.

Trevor Peers
178 Posted 08/11/2019 at 21:54:05
Silva won't be dismissed by Moshiri, even if we lose tomorrow, he's already decided to to give the Portuguese the whole season to put things right, no matter what the outcome.

Such his belief in Silva. It explains why he pursued him so single mindedly, he believes he has made the right choice and he will take it personally if he is proven wrong.

We have nothing to lose now, we should blood as many youngsters as possible, they are our future, Gordon seems the obvious choice to make a start tomorrow, even if it is off the bench.

Danny O'Neill
179 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:00:58
Oh how everyone crooned over Norwich & their manager in September.

Now they're bottom.

Panic?

As I've said on previous threads, lets see how the league settles down by end of December. That's when you truly know where you are.

Moyes would have been sacked most seasons based on early season form. I'm not a Moyes fan but just saying.

Tony Marsh
180 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:10:19
Mike @172
I was one of the voices calling for Brendan Rodgers but got laughed at and some of our lot don't want Kopites here at this massive club despite some of our best players in last 30 years came across the park. Sheedy Ablett, Beagrie, Hutchinson,.

Rodgers missus wanted to come back South as she hated Glasgow. She is from Southport so Everton would of been ideal. I would beg Benitez to leave China and try get him. Fuck the Annfield connection. This chump Silva will take us down. Its what he does best.

Newsflash guys we are not rivals of LFC anymore they have left us in thier dust.

Stan Schofield
181 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:15:47
Mike@172: Steady on. Rodgers is a 'nearly man', apart from in the mediocrity of the Scottish League. We need to be thinking higher than the likes of him. Beware of aiming for the level of Leicester (Leicester, can't actually believe we're discusding them) a midtable side who struck lucky a few years ago, being in current good form. If and when they're in shit form, Rodgers will suddenly be perceived as shite.

The reality is he's neither great nor shite, but ordinary, mediocre, and not what we want.

Danny O'Neill
182 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:21:02
You took the words out of my mouth Stan. If we mark ourselves on Leicester, we truly have accepted a lesser place and lack of ambition.
Neil Wood
183 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:25:19
Team for Sat would be

Pickford

Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne

Gueye Gomes

Lookman Deulofeu Richarlison

Lukaku


If only.

Danny O'Neill
184 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:28:49
Made the case / argument for Benetiz years ago Tony. The guy wins trophies. Done it across the park and done it at Chelsea (despite hostility towards him).
Anthony Murphy
185 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:29:09
I think we will win tomorrow.

Law of averages if nothing else. We’ve had rotten luck lately and this has to change soon. A few players are due a good performance and/or goal - Mina has been banging on the door for a while, so if he plays I’ll be chucking a tenner on a 2-1 scorecast with Mina scoring first 😃

A win gives us a bit of breathing space and chance to regroup. A defeat however against a determined Southampton desperate to put right that 9-0 reverse is not impossible, but they are a poor side who we should beat if we turn up.

David Pearl
186 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:39:43
Neil,
It could of been...
Pickford
Sidibe Stones Mina Digne
Gomes Gana Barkley
Deulofeu
Lukaku Richarlison

Not too shabby

Jerome Shields
187 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:45:19
Actually agree with the predicted line up, consistent with Silva ' throw the kitchen sink at it approach'. I do hope we win tomorrow,
Stan Schofield
188 Posted 08/11/2019 at 22:50:42
Neil@183: If only we were a top club, like we used to be, and didn't flog our best players at the drop of a hat.
Mike Gaynes
190 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:01:12
Stan #188, if you really think the sales of Lookman and Deulofeu are examples of "flogging top players", I give up.

One's a flop and one's a fop. Neither is remotely a "top".

Stan Schofield
191 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:03:01
Mike, I never mentioned those two. I was thinking of our best players (and didn't use the phrase "top players"). The point is, there are all kinds of potentially good 'what if' line-ups if we were a bigger club. But we are where we are, so to speak, and selling our best players in their prime is a reflection of it.
Tom Bowers
193 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:08:33
I have, like many others, have come to expect very little from this current Everton squad.
They are an average team with a below average manager and so despite playing Soton (absolutely battered by the Foxes) but running City close last week I wouldn't expect much at St.Mary's.

What might have been a midfield to compete with has now been decimated by bad injuries already and what is left doesn't inspire confidence.

With a stuttering offence for the most part there has been little contribution in the way of goals from other areas with Siggy seemingly going backwards much like Walcott.

Kean can't buy game time under Silva so what can we expect.
A defeat tomorrow surely will seal Silva's fate.

Tosun got him out of jail last week against ten man Spurs but it was not a game to remember.
One other footnote, Does anyone else think Carragher is an awful commentator much like Gary Neville ?

Don Alexander
194 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:12:56
I'm fascinated that some of us continue to eulogise the likes of Barkley, Duelofeu and Lukaku. Those three almost always went missing in the very few big games we had, all three were visibly averse to even trying to get the ball back or tackle in every single game I watched them and none of them regularly, hell, even irregularly, made match-winning performances to make up for their all too evident ineffectualness.

And before people cite THAT goal, or THAT dribble, or THAT pass to contradict me I actually agree all three displayed very sporadic excellence but nowhere near as much as being "top-drawer" requires.

That's why Barkley remains only a nailed-on bench-warmer, if that, at opulently well-off Chelsea, Duelofeu remains a mainstay this season for Watford right at the bottom of our league, and Lukaku, on stats, is admittedly now doing moderately better in a big, second-placed team at the moment but in a league where the fourth placed "big" team has just been spanked at home by the legendary Glasgow Celtic. Hmm?

Maybe rose-tinted specs should be dispensed with by hard-nosed Blues eh?

Gavin Johnson
195 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:13:37
Tony Marsh #180

Sheedy and Hutchison were two great players with RS connections. As for Ablett, he was steady, but he was hardly great either. Beagrie?! I'm guessing you mean Peter Beardsley cos Beagrie flattered to deceive and has no connection to the RS.

Stan Schofield
196 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:14:02
Tom@193: With respect, is that question at the end a joke? Carragher is a dope, to put it diplomatically. His level is represented by spitting at people, not analysing football games to illuminate our thinking. His being on TV as a pundit and getting paid for it is akin to cheap pseudo-celebrity TV.
Stan Schofield
197 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:15:58
Don@194: The very fact that you're still analysing and criticising the qualities of former players probably reflects the state we're in.
Phil Sammon
198 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:19:46
Don 194

I don’t know how you can put Lukaku in there with Barkley and Deulofeu. I know many of us questioned Lukaku’s lethargy, commitment, first touch etc...but the guy scored goals. He didn’t flatter to deceive...he bloody carried us.

Don Alexander
199 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:26:01
Gavin, at the risk of seeming pedantic "great" is way over the top for either Sheedy (just about "excellent", in my opinion) or Hutchison (just about "committed" to me). I'm sorry to say Messrs Alan Ball, West, Labone, Southall and Rooney (but not for us of course) deserved the epitaph "great" along with the usual suspects; Best, Messi, Ronaldo, Cruyff ........but especially Cruyff.
Neil Wood
200 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:51:43
Mike... Deulofeu is a top player. And one we should never of considered getting rid of. We have a side infected with slowness and a lack of something different, something special.

I appreciate he blows hot and cold at times but I look at our side and whilst we have some excellent footballers, we still lack a genuine flare element and pace.

Even watching tonight's game. I watched Buendia for Norwich who had genuine pace and trickery and that something different along with Hernandez who again at times waltzed past players... for Watford they of course had Deulofeu and Pereyra. again quick as hell.

We have some exceptional players but not an exceptional team.

Other than Bernard, we have no one who can waltz there way through a couple of players.

Think Traore, Zaha, Deulofeu a 'bums off seat' player who scares the opposition to death. And players of the ilk of Ziyech, Neres, Depay, Berjgwin, Lozano to name a few.

In a word, despite my love for Everton, we are slow and boring with spurts of excitement.

Gavin Johnson
201 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:55:21
Don, I hear what you're saying mate. Tony was just talking about Everton players in the last 30 years. It's all relative but Beardsley (assuming Tony meant him) was one of the greatest/best players we've had in the last 30 years. Sheedy too. Although, if we were being very pedantic we could say that Kevin Sheedy circa 1989 was at the stage in his career when injuries were beginning to take there toll, but it's not necessary to say the best Everton players in the last 34 years lol. Sheedy circa 85/87 was one of our greatest from the 80's to now. I'm surprised you disagree.

Of course Beagrie and Ablett weren't. I agree with you that Don Hutchison was committed, but he also had some guile. He was one of the best Everton players in HK mk3 and Walters time. For me he was excellent and a shining light in that Everton midfield circa 97/99, but yeah, if you wanna distinguish between the good players Tony mentioned, he wasn't the calibre of Beardley or prime Sheedy. Tbh, I hadn't given too much thought about which adjective to use in my original post. I guess you're right and 'excellent' is a few places down from 'great' lol

Dick Fearon
202 Posted 08/11/2019 at 23:59:36
Tony M @180, about Rafa I am with you all the way. We have posters on here with petty minded predjudices that would rather we burn in Hell.
Simon Temme
203 Posted 08/11/2019 at 00:02:06
Alan Smith @33

Brilliant Schneiderlin analysis.

Articulated exactly the player he is Not good enough for Everton Football Club.

3 points tomorrow please.

Andrew Keatley
204 Posted 08/11/2019 at 00:05:50
Stan (168) - Considering our away form in the league, and everything else, I really do think a draw would be adequate. I want Silva gone, but I obviously want the club to thrive. Defeat would heap the pressure on Silva, but I’m starting to think that the powers that be are giving Silva until at least New Year’s Day. There are no gimmes in this league, and any away win (especially for us right now) would almost be manna from the gods. If Silva is going to turn things round then we simply cannot keep getting beaten in away games; that for me is the bottom line.
Don Alexander
205 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:20:29
Regarding the lil' fat waiter he's made it abundantly clear that he brooks no interference, real or "felt", from anyone at all wherever he manages.

Two immediate problems emerge to me. One, Brands, a guy with a record of overseeing real achievement in a disadvantaged situation and Kenwright, a guy with a record of no achievement whatsoever in any situation at all, apart from massively swelling his own bank account on the back of every true Blue fans' expense.

For me I'd prefer to stick with Brands and, please, whoever he chooses as our next manager.

It's got to these depths to me, again, unless Silva can somehow still transform the playing team into credible characters, never mind players.

Sigh.

Eric Myles
206 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:24:08
Neil #200, we didn't get rid of Deulofeu, we had no choice in the matter. Barca exercised a buy-back clause and the player wanted to leave.
Derek Thomas
207 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:30:18
0-0; don't want to concede 9 (or any for that matter at home) again Vs can't win away.

A Southampton website lists all our well known deficiencies and adds - Everton seem to have just as much trouble, if not more, playing themselves as they do the opposition and go in their shell at any untoward crowd noise.

Brian Wilkinson
208 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:35:25
Dick @202, I posted a good few weeks back about Benitez as a choice.

We have this game and the Norwich game to try and turn our season around, if it goes pearshaped then the Chinese super leagues finishes 30th November, whether Everton will make an approach or not I do not know, but the window of opportunity is there if needed.

I would prefer we got a result tomorrow and against Norwich so for now this is on the back burner for me.

Lose them both then there cannot be any other option to relieve the manager of his duty.

John Kavanagh
209 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:43:00
Brian #189. Thanks for the link. Interesting article but it's no consolation to anyone. Lee Mason should not be anywhere near the VAR system or refereeing matches for that matter. What really alarmed me though is that the article says that if Silva goes 'Former manager David Moyes is a possible replacement, and Mark Hughes is admired in the Goodison boardroom'. This, I'm afraid, has Kenwright's finger prints all over it. I can accept him as a figurehead but in no way should he still be influencing major decisions at the club.

As the Telegraph is one of the better sources out there Christ help us if it's true and that's the level our Board is at. Replacing one relegation specialist with another? Never mind Silva, sack the board and replace Blue Bill with a cardboard cut out if that's the level of their thinking.

Jamie Crowley
210 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:43:21
Neil @200 -

My late friend and Blue Steve Ashcroft always used to say, "We should have never got rid, mate", when discussing Delo. I bowed to his knowledge; nice and a plus that I agreed. ;0)

Delo did blow hot and cold. But he's got talent, and the ability to raise the pulse of, and excite, the fans. He gets you off your seat.

Or the couch, for us bastardized Yanks forced to watch on the square idiot box.

Mike Gaynes
211 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:45:51
Neil #200, Deulofeu has never been even close to a top player, and never will be. Right now he's maybe the 4th best player on the worst team in the Prem, and that's after being dumped by every club he'd worked for previously. And his national team program, for whom he was a superstar at U17 level, hasn't taken even a glance at him in years.

Yeah, he's lightning quick. So is Royston Drenthe. To even mention this particular butterfly in the same post with the likes of "Ziyech, Neres, depay, Berjgwin, Lozano" is an absolute joke. There's a reason that they're all in the CL and the Euros and the World Cup and he's not. If football were dessert, those guys would be chocolate Gâteau and Dobos torte. Del Boy is the whipped cream on top -- decoration and empty calories.

Jamie, hate to disagree with you and the cherished memory of your buddy, but Deulofeu's exit was anything but a tragedy.

Jamie Crowley
212 Posted 09/11/2019 at 00:52:10
Mike -

Fair enough. But Gerard would give us, presently, something we desperately lack: excitement.

He'd actually fit in perfectly with Silva's system. Silva continually plays it wide. Stick Gerry on the wing, a la Martinez, and watch him rifle in those low, "snap crosses" of his and we might be in business!

You've never, ever liked Delo. I've always liked him. It's a preference thing. I still think, with his talent, and in the right system, he'd be gold. Probably just another "romantic" thought.

David Pearl
213 Posted 09/11/2019 at 01:01:48
Mike, Deulofeu... on his day, or even in his 2 minutes can cross or shoot or dart into a position that non of our players are capable of. I think he’d be perfect to knit some things together in our final third. And l should know, I’m English. I’m trying to think if we have any other player capable of that sublime finish that he scored at Wembley a few months ago. Or that dinked cross into space. We haven’t. Just like we are missing an Arteta in midfield we are also missing a Deulofeu on the wing. Bernard can’t do what he does, and neither can our other forwards.
Mike Gaynes
214 Posted 09/11/2019 at 01:11:06
Yep, Jamie, he would definitely add excitement. He always does. He just wouldn't help win games. He never does.

Actually, I did like him very much as a youngster in 2013, and even more during his 2015 partnership with Rom. But by the halfway mark of that season he was strolling around the pitch like he was Pirlo, and I thought he thoroughly deserved to be benched in 2016 and loaned out in 2017.

He no longer appears to be that spoiled kid, but he also clearly never took advantage of that extraordinary talent.

David #213, yes, he can create sublime moments that none of our players are capable of. You just need to be willing to wait around for a month at a time to see them.

John Pierce
215 Posted 09/11/2019 at 01:15:48
Geri - the asthmatic ant. He was good today for precisely 50seconds. Tbf a goal and an assist. He spent the rest of his game hands on hips blowing out of his arse. 😂😂😂
Mike Gaynes
216 Posted 09/11/2019 at 01:43:32
Jamie, just one more quick note regarding your comment that he'd be gold in the right system... in 2017, when Barca exercised their buyback, Geri was handed the starting job in the best system in the world, one where he was surrounded by the greatest players on earth and his only responsibility was to do what he did best (no tracking back etc).

He lasted nine games. One goal, one assist. They couldn't wait to dump him.

John Pierce
217 Posted 09/11/2019 at 02:05:15
The Everton PR machine finally doing something about Silva. Reports that we’d consider Moyes or Hughes if we sack Marco.

Well played Everton, well played. Slick move that. Up Marco’s tricky Toffees.

David Cooper
218 Posted 09/11/2019 at 02:30:28
We can all have our opinions and that's what makes ToffeeWeb a great fan forum as long as the banter doesn't cross the line.

I think that, now the FA has come out and sort of admitted that Anthony Taylor cocked up the VAR penalty against Brighton and the decisions in the Tottenham game were less than helpful, I think Moshiri is an honourable guy and will realize that and Silva will be given the next two “winnable” matches against the Saints and Norwich.

Less than a couple of wins could put us back in the relegation zone with ⅓ of the season gone. Two wins will put us in mid-table. If the unthinkable happens it doesn't matter what anyone here says, we are in deep doodo!

Jay Harris
219 Posted 09/11/2019 at 03:45:21
Just a thought reading through the posts: I wonder what a fan survey would say is acceptable to keep Silva in a job after the next 2 games?

2 points

3 points

4 points

6 points

Personally speaking anything less than a win against Norwich at home and at least a draw tomorrow would finish me totally with Silva. I already think we should be lining a replacement up but if he can turn things around would give him to the end of the season.

If we lose these two games or only get a point I cannot see him surviving the end of the Norwich game.

However no matter how I feel about Silva I would prefer us to get 3 points tomorrow.

Les Graham
220 Posted 09/11/2019 at 04:13:07
Greetings ToffeeWebbers. Always good to read everybody's opinions on here. As a long-suffering Evertonian with the odd triumph thrown in over the years, its good to know the " Other woman" Everton, -is still reminding us all that life isn't always a bed of roses.

I sit here at 3:42 in the morning, wide awake, would be a lie, but unable to sleep all the same.

I feel today's game is a must-win. Have absolutely no confidence it will be...but will nevertheless hope from 3 pm onwards.

Then I'll come back here..fill my glass up again and fret and worry alongside the rest of you.

I was at The Dell, sometime in the '80s. when the giddy heights of being Champions had recently been experienced... but, I recall feeling apprehensive before that game, because Everton had turned from being dependable...into the other woman wildly unpredictable.

I think we went 3-0 up rather rapidly... Graeme Sharp grabbed a hat trick if I remember correctly.
Ended up 4-0,

Hand on heart... I cannot see this Everton side producing such a result today. And for me, it has nothing to do with tactics...or how much money you can throw into the transfer market... it's about heart, guts, and passion. None of us can complain about passion on ToffeeWeb You don't disagree about things you don't care about do you..?

Just think where else could you talk absolute bollocks in the early hours of the morning, trying to tire yourself out, so you can sleep before Everton let you down again? Ramble? Yes, I can... Come on you Blues... don't let us down. Another one, please, Mr Bartender...

Steve Brown
221 Posted 09/11/2019 at 04:25:11
John @ 217, I know. That was clever spin by the club. Next up, the names of Pardew, Pullis or the return of Lardiola will “leak out” as the subject of board room discussions.
Andrew Presly
222 Posted 09/11/2019 at 07:02:56
There’ll be “give it Moyesy til end o’ season” shouts if things don’t sort themselves out vs the Saints. That is how grim Silva has made things and it’s a sackable offence by itself.

Hope all the travelling Toffees wrap up warm it’ll be a cold one and we’re all warmed up by a win here and then vs Norwich. These matches are companion pieces.

Ray Roche
223 Posted 09/11/2019 at 08:35:28
I don’t know if this has been mentioned above but on home form alone Saints are bottom. On away form we’re 19th, one above Norwich who are bottom of the form table.
So, two crap teams, the worst home form versus the (next to) worst away form.
Should be televised.
As a warning or a means to get the kids to go to bed. “ Get to bed or I’ll make you watch Saints v Everton “.
Oh! How the mighty are fallen!
Derek Knox
224 Posted 09/11/2019 at 08:39:52
The Premier League now announcing that the 'penalty award' at Brighton was incorrect, just 'great news in retrospect' does not adjust the 'points factor' and even though mistakes are admitted to, after the event is little consolation.

Whether it be a penalty, against or for, or a Red Card it never alters the outcome of a game!

As for today, I think a lot will hinge on who he selects, and although we are getting a bit 'bare bones' in the midfield department, I just hope and pray that Schneiderlin is not wheeled out as a replacement for the unfortunate Gomes.

Hoping too to see two up front and at least see Anthony Gordon on the bench, but Silva being Silva, I would be very surprised to see him alter anything from his predictable and boring team selections.

David Greenwood
225 Posted 09/11/2019 at 08:51:18
I’d play Beni or some other youngster if they’re fit. On the basis that they are not Schneiderlin. It’s utterly pointless to pick him.

If the youngsters aren’t any good, at least we’ve given them a go. Being no good only means that they’re at the same level as schneiderlin.

A properly organised, motivated tactically aware Everton would win this comfortably. But it is Marcos Everton so a shit nil nil or one nil defeat.

I’m usually super optimistic about our chances but not today. Prove me wrong Everton. COYB

Eddie Dunn
226 Posted 09/11/2019 at 08:55:01
Let's face it the team are taking 45 minutes to wake-up. You can bet Saints will come out of the blocks and pepper us in the first half. As we have played like strangers in the firt half all season, we could have a deficit when we finally start playing some decent stuff.
It really is depressing. Our away form is dreadfull and even when we do look like getting a win away(Brighton) the Gods conspire to prevent it with VAR and own goals.
I live in hope that this team can start at a high tempo. If only we could go ahead early-on in a game then we could play with confidence.
The loss of Gomes couldn't have come at a worse time, and with Delph a doubt and Mina clearly having been rushed back too soon, we are in danger of running out of players.
I feel that the best we can hope for is a draw.
Paul Smith
227 Posted 09/11/2019 at 09:30:54
Going today and taking 3 guests with me - Forecast is dier - heavy rain all day.

I have zero confidence we can win here Saints will be up for it and our midfileld is depleted otherwise I thought our defence showed signs of improvement last week.

DCL & Tosun to start and Keane to come on early for Tosun if needed. Stand by for a franetic 90 in lashing down rain, get those long studs on.

FWIW I hope its BS about the Dour One and Sparky.

Stan Schofield
228 Posted 09/11/2019 at 09:39:08
Andrew@204: I would agree, fairly obviously, that one point is better than none. But instinctively, I have always felt very disappointed when we haven't won, regardless of the opposition. With Everton, that's a heap of cumulative disappointment admittedly!

I'm not saying this is rational thinking, but then supporting Everton was never a rational choice, I was taken to the match when I was 7 and Everton were great and had Alex Young and Co. So I grew up with a winning expectation that sort of infused into my blood so to speak. Not winning just produces disappointment automatically, as if the universe has been knocked out of harmony.

Perhaps a problem with the Club is a lack of winning mentality. Where winning every game is viewed as a must. Every game is a must win game. And not winning should naturally produce disappointment. In this respect, I don't think there should be any debate between us, since I think every Evertonian should be disappointed if we don't win, and if they're not they should condition themselves mentally to be so.

Ken Kneale
229 Posted 09/11/2019 at 09:46:22
Jay I simply want maximum points. I also want Mr Silva relieved of his command irrespective. He is not fit for purpose and we should get a refund.
Martin Mason
230 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:06:43
The fans want a manager to bring entertainment and a form of success. The club only want to stay in the EPL. They will appoint another dummy.
Tony Everan
231 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:09:51
On a positive note [sort of] I watched Norwich last night at home to Watford. Norwich are a Championship club and were very poor. Lowest quality I have seen this year. We will be beating them at Goodison.

Southampton a re a better team, the battles will have to be won, and victory will have to be earned the hard way. But we have more quality.


So six points from the next 2 games is very achievable. It would be a shot of adrenaline for the club.

Derek Taylor
232 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:15:19
Unfortunately, we are what we are and we can do nowt about it. Making a noise against the manager will achieve nothing as the monied fools who control our club honestly believe he and they are doing a good job.

With nothing to show for the past quarter-century except, perhaps, the pragmatism of David Moyes, and little to hope for bar the prospect of a new stadium, just maybe better times are ahead ! Of course we've hoped for that ever since the last century and the signs are we shall wait a bloody while longer.

So, do yourselves a favour and stop hoping. The days of Catterick, Kendall 1 - and even bloody Moyes -are long gone. Only our past -the long ago past - is worthy of mention. If we don't accept Everton for the car crash it's become we should find something else to write about. Like Brexit.

Brian Harrison
233 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:15:53
I wonder if we fans have been so used to failure over the last 30 years that we now have become apathetic about our team languishing in the bottom 5. I think Colin Harvey was relieved of his post for us only finishing in the top 6. Despite a few supporters showing their anger at the away game to Burnley, Marco seems to have had a fairly easy time of it considering where we are in the league.

Mind I think if we fail to win today I think he and Moshiri will find a very different attitude from our fans. With a tough run of fixtures coming up in December, today and the home game against Norwich is I believe our last chance to put back to back wins together and move away from the bottom 5.

John Keating
234 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:27:29
Fully agree with Ken 229
Desperate for 3 points 1 is not good enough against them

Silva needs gone regardless of the result he has had long enough to show he is capable of taking us forward and failed miserably

VAR and all the other excuses cannot mask the fact that Silva in his time here has been abysmal.
Maybe I’m wrong but 2 pre seasons, performances and results don’t lie
We are where we are because we deserve to be not because of VAR

John Boswell
235 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:28:38
Stan @228, I am the same as you emotionally, I expect / hope for a win before every match. We clearly grew up in the same era and I guess that my feelings about the club have not moved on. After every defeat I feel down, as if a meteorological low has settled over me. I am not much better following a draw but a win brings me birthday joy (71 of those) and I am walking on air.
The previous results at Southampton this century do no look promising for a win today. Will our coach gamble or play conservatively? I hope for the first but expect the latter, we will see.
COYB.
Kevin Latham
236 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:43:48
Stan (228) from what you say I about your early days going to the game I think you and I are around the same age. And so I agree 100%with what you say about expecting more in terms of mentality. In fact I’ve gone on (and on) in other threads about our lack of application and heart which leads to flaky mentality. Our heads go down too easily and we accept mediocrity, rarely seeming to believe that we can take the game to the opposition. Some teams never accept that they can be beaten and that gives them an advantage before the game even kicks off, not least because their opponents know that about them too. Until we put some steel and ruthlessness into our game we’ll stay at this meek and mild level level we’re at now and lay down with our usual whimper when we’re getting turned over. God, it drives me mad.
Raymond Fox
237 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:45:04
We can still field a decent looking team on paper but its not usually matched by the action!
We are again being made favourite at 6/4 but I cant muster any confidence that we will win the game.

The future is not looking great, what with injuries to first choice players and lack lustre performances.
We need to start winning against teams such as Southampton, if we don't do soon its getting really serious.

Denis Richardson
238 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:47:25
I can see why some people get a bit angsty with us being compared to Leicester. They haven’t been in the top flight anywhere near as long as us and we have a larger fan base.

However, they have won 3 senior trophies since the last time we lifted any silverware. So from that perspective you could argue it either way.

Fact is right now, if you lined up their team next to ours and asked which players would make the other, I think we’d all agree we’d snap their arm off for half their team. Not sure any of our players would make theirs right now tbh. History aside, the fact is today they have a far superior team to ours having spent a fraction of what we’ve spent and on a lower wage bill. They are also playing a damn site better and a whole lot more watchable.

I don’t think we should dismiss them as being mediocre, they are a better side. Also you don’t win the league being lucky, so I give them massive credit for winning it a few years ago. Was a season where they gelled and all credit to them. They are the current standard we should be trying to copy. We’ll never get near City with the oil money they have.

We have absolutely no right to belittle any other side right now as we’re playing shit, are near the bottom and haven’t won anything for 25 years!

Eddie Dunn
239 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:47:27
Silva is at the watershed moment of his season. A defeat or perhaps even a draw, will place him under enormous pressure when we face Norwich.
The only hope for Marco is a win on the South coast. A boost to morale followed by another win against relegation certainties.
We have to put clear air between Watford, Southampton, Norwich and ourselves. A couple of wins would see us up in the top 7.
It's a crucial game.
Frank Sheppard
240 Posted 09/11/2019 at 10:55:15
When Lyndon says “ Southampton team that has yet to win at home this season “ it fills me with dread, Everyone seems to break their duck against us. Norwich soon, who haven’t kept a clean sheet at home all season.(just realised we are home against Norwich).
Justin Doone
241 Posted 09/11/2019 at 11:10:10
Good luck to all Evertonians. We have a terrible away record and are currently in poor form without luck.

I'll happily take 3 points in any fashion currently but a clean sheet and a genuine non-VAR attributable goal would be nice.

I've always thought Ward-Prowse (?) was a very good underrated player. The type of player that we have been missing who can bring forward drive, goals, good range of passing, crossing and link up play.

Hopefully Davies can continue to play well and add a few goals to his game. Midfielders who can score goals appear to have been ignored from our recruitment policy in recent years but without a genuine goal scoring striker we lack a goal threat.

That's why Siggy is important, for his goals and I think he'll be back in the starting line up today. Not saying it should be this way but without Bernard and Gomes we need his passing and goal threat.

Derek Knox
242 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:03:24
Ken, @ 229, I wish it was that simple, but if Silva does get the Order of the Boot, it will be him that gets the refund, and a very handsome at that. Reward for failure is one that I find hard to swallow, and it seems to be a common trait at Everton.

When you weigh up, not only the ridiculous salaries, but compensation packages that have bee 'awarded' to Martinez, Koeman and Allardyce. It is a staggering sum, and when you add to that the budgets that in many cases have seen us overspend on players, and unfortunately we do not seem to have improved since the days when we were skint.

Eric Paul
243 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:06:00
We will beat Southampton and Norwich and then extend an unbeaten run into the new year with silva getting the motm award for December on the way
Ken Kneale
244 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:24:13
Derek I agree entirely. The directorate have repeatedly demonstrated incompetence in the husbandry of the Club.. As Derek T says, those of us weaned on Catterick and HK 1 really need to lower our sights It seems under the current regime the pattern of the last 30 years is the norm How sad.
Bob Parrington
245 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:37:51
Les - 4 - 0 was on my mind but it wasn't in our favour. Oh dear, am I feeling that negative about our chances?
Alan McGuffog
246 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:44:25
I've made this point on another thread. Today is a day when we should be itching to get on that pitch and put to bed the injustices of the last few weeks.
Will we ? Sadly I doubt it with this crowd. It will be wet and cold and after we concede the first goal due to being half awake our heroes will be looking forward to a warm shower and some post match hospitality.
After, of course, applauding our travelling fans.
Joe McMahon
247 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:44:50
We tend to hand opposition teams a gift, when they haven't won all season or their striker hasn't scored for 10 games, hope I'm wrong. I'm off to a Gin Bar in the next hour, and I'm not going to check the score, as I want to enjoy myself.

PS @ Eric 243 have you seen Decembers fixtures!

Tom Bowers
248 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:51:32
Joe, you are so right about that point. Everton are always on the receiving end of ending stats like that. So may times they get mugged by a player making his debut or a team coming off a shellacking on their last home game.

If Delph is also out today I cannot see what's left getting the win unless Silva waves a magic wand (if he has one).

Kevin Latham
249 Posted 09/11/2019 at 12:55:07
Sorry, lads, I understand why you say it, but I can't accept lowering sights and mediocrity for Everton. I may well be called delusional in the light of the last 25 years but that will never stop me wanting our club to be up where it was.

I first started watching us in the early '60s, we had a proud history and were, in my old dad's words, ‘football royalty'. If we don't aspire to be challenging for honours, then what's the point? Whether we win them or not – usually not for too long – we should still challenge.

Our club has been let down for years by people at the top aspiring for no more than mid-table placings and the oft-quoted ‘plucky little Everton'. Disgraceful. We as a fan base deserve far more.

When Liverpool were rubbish under Hodgson and Hicks and Gillette, they didn't lower their sights and accept second-best, as we found to our cost. Even when Man Utd went down to Division 2 years ago, they still considered themselves a great club. So much is in the positive mentality - and some of the crew who run our club don't have it.

Football runs in cycles and, with the right attitude, we can get back up there again; other clubs have done it. Nil Satis Nisi Optimum – that should be our aspiration at every training session and every game.

Ken Kneale
250 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:08:54
Kevin,

My wording was clumsy. I mean the gap between our expectations, as you point out, and the rather poor fist our directors, manager and players actually deliver over the past 30 years in no way match up.

Eric Paul
251 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:09:36
Yes Joe
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

252 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:10:21
From the mid-week footage of the team training in foul conditions, Delph can be seen participating and not holding back in a full on game situation.

Just saying. It wouldn't surprise me at all on that evidence if he makes the team today. Also not saying that is necessarily a good or bad thing, given that Silva himself said Fabian has played more minutes and games than ideal.

He's appeared 10 times already for the Blues this season compared to the 20 appearances he had with City last season.

Kevin Dyer
253 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:17:51
Late contribution to the Sigurdsson in central midfield debate. A 4-3-3 with Davies, Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson in midfield would give us a decent mix of recycling possession (Schneiderlin), energy (Davies) and creativity and attacking threat from deep (Sigurdsson).

If we really don't want to play 3 miss then in a 4-2-3-1 we could go with just Tom and Gylfi, with Iwobi in front. Pretty sure Sigurdsson has played central midfield for Iceland and Swansea.

If Gomes can play in a two alongside Davies, then no reason Sigurdsson can't. He works harder, is no slower or less mobile, defensively is no worse and probably won't give up daft free-kicks in dangerous areas. He'd get on the ball more than at AMC (or SS, whatever) and can arrive at the edge of the box to get in some long-range shooting positions.

Kevin Latham
254 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:23:26
Ken (250),

It wasn't my intention to take any fellow Blues to task; apologies if it came out that way. We're obviously in agreement about the direction our club has taken anyway.

Derek Knox
255 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:32:25
Jay @ 252, hope you're right about Delph, the very thought of Schneiderlin being even on the bench fills me with dread and negativity.

I watched both games with Saints, the humiliation of being mauled by Leicester, and the subsequent turn around against Man City.

Okay, they lost the last one, but they were in front for a lot of that game, and looked a totally different side from the week before. While I have always maintained that we have some decent players, it is the selection and combination of the right players for a given match that Silva seems unable to fathom out.

Ken Kneale
256 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:55:07
Kevin, it was not taken that way at all – we are just all so desperate to see our Club return back to where it should be.
Rob Halligan
257 Posted 09/11/2019 at 13:59:04
Fuck me, not a good idea flying. Left Manchester 8.40, in Wetherspoons in Southampton by 10.15. 🍺🍺🍺
Mike Dolan
258 Posted 09/11/2019 at 14:00:14
I'm forever an optimist and am praying for an Everton win. We have had such lousy luck as the footballing gods have conspired to literally steal away precious points through diabolical refereeing, unbelievable interference by VAR and unfortunate injuries that have decimated the midfield. All this on top of the well-acknowledged problems up-front that we have suffered through for the last number of years.

We find ourselves at the annual point where we bay for the sacrificial managerial victim to make us feel a little better as if installing a better dressed Sam Allardyce or a perennial Doctor of Dourness like (God help us) Mark Hughes or Davey Moyes. What a way to run a railway.

The thing about luck is that it changes all by itself but changing managers a third of the way into the season is inviting disaster. If you do need to change managers, do it properly and not out of panic.

Derek Knox
259 Posted 09/11/2019 at 14:03:38
Rob @ 256, total respect just hope the visit is really worth it today.
David Pearl
260 Posted 09/11/2019 at 14:05:33
If we had a more ruthless streak in front of goal we'd be in the top 6. Please for Tosun, and we have a goal scorer in Sigurdsson behind him so let's see what happens.

Good luck Rob!

Raymond Fox
261 Posted 09/11/2019 at 14:12:52
Kevin # 249 nothing stays the same, the status quo has changed and even with the money that Moshiri has spent it is nowhere enough to make us a top six side.
I agree we should be more competitive than we are at this moment, but hopefully we can string a few positive games together and get on a more even keel. I cant say I'm confident though, the club is a comedy of errors.

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