Aston Villa vs Everton

Very winnable game. Cheap goals given away should be a thing of the past that the likes of Keane specialise in.

Not expecting much with Rondon up top though.

1-1…I think.

2-0 with a goal from him and one from Iwobi, COYB!

I'm sorry but at this level and based on last season, I can't seriously consider Rondon to be the answer.

At best a 0-0 draw?

Will a striker be incoming before the window actually closes?

All the rest to keep their starting places, but with a stronger looking bench there is every reason to be hopeful.

Not at all sure about Pickford being captain and wonder has this decision been confirmed for the season?

I think he'll start Alli with Gordon and Gray or McNeil. I would personally drop McNeil to the bench for this one.

I don't think he'll start Onana either, but will definitely bring him off the bench at some point.

The lack of firepower worries me and we have got to get at least one striker in before the window closes.

I'm not arsed how long they've been here, we need a leader and have done for years, both Tarkowski and Coady are leaders.

Pickford
Holgate Coady Tarkowski
Patterson Iwobi Doucoure Mykolenko
McNeil Alli Gordon

Subs: Begovic, Keane, Vinagre, Gbamin, Onana, Davies, Gray, Rondon

To be fair we also aren't the only ones searching for striking talent – Chelsea (who have Broja and plenty of £££) seem to be struggling to sort that, see also Man Utd, Nottingham Forest, etc.

Liverpool, Man City, Spurs and Arsenal seem to have strengthened forward lines meaningfully (although the latter 2 with existing Premier League talent and the former with a chunk of money). To be fair, both West Ham and Wolves have secured new recruits in the last week or two also (albeit yet unproven in the Premier League), but these are also late deals.

We did have Calvert-Lewin and other problems to fix, and I guess Rondon was considered cover, so I'm prepared to cut the club some slack given the other areas we are addressing.

The area where I am perplexed though is with Simms and Dobbin – at least one of whom could surely have been given at least a run at the team.

Still not sure I like the 5 at the back system, especially with no real goal threats at the other end. More often than not, it'll be one goal that decides things and, with the quality in this league, that's 50:50 stuff.

However, getting Coady suggests that’s what they are getting, so personally i'd want to see the most likely goal scorers behind the hoof-ball retriever. For me, that's:

Pickford
Holgate Coady Tarkowski
Patterson Iwobi Doucoure Mykolenko
Dele McNeil
Rondon

Keep Cuhtinho and - especially - Bailey out of the game and this is winnable. Or at least 50:50.

Coady is more likely to come in for Mina, meaning the starting back four has been totally revamped, to cut out errors. I don't expect Holgate to start or any reduction in midfield. Expect Onana to get a run-out.

Frank has a tendency to stick with what is being practised continuously on the training ground.

What I see is a manager trying to revamp a whole team, but he needs the full package of changes including forwards to make a necessary fundamental change. I am also a bit perplexed like Chris @9. Otherwise, Everton will revert back to type. Something we are all very familiar with.

Villa are no Chelsea. The front 3 from last time out should be better matched up this time.

Away from home, back to a Moyes approach of keeping it tight and making the most of opportunities when they come.

Rondon on late.

I would start the new lad though.

Pickford
Holgate Coady Tarkowski
Coleman Onana Doucoure Mykolenko
Dele Iwobi
Rondon

If Coleman is not fit, then Patterson.

Gray has been pretty poor since the turn of the year, he had a great start to last season, but has since tailed off and is generally ineffective.

I'd stick with McNeil for now and hopefully as he settles he'll make an impact.

Rondon has to play, simply because of the shape of the team requires a target man.

Dele continues to look like someone who's won a competition to be here. I can see us persisting with him until he hits 19 games, then we'll probably never see him again.

Holgate, Tarkowski, Coady at the back. Vinagre and Patterson. Iwobi and Doucouré. McNeil, Rondon, Gordon.

Madness.

From Geoffs “lets drop one of last weeks most positive performers for a 33-year-old whose legs went 3 years ago” to Jims “don't play a striker, and sub an attacker for a brand new CDM with one training session.”

Ffs. Lol.

Gerrard falling out with more of his players over the next 24 hours would also help.

Gray, Gordon, Rondon, Iwobi, and McNeil will most likely only get about 10 goals between them all season. Additions up front and another wide forward are absolutely essential.

For that reason alone, I'd try and get Dele in the team this weekend, he's the only one out of the current mob that I'd have any confidence in putting the odd chance away. And I say that knowing full well that he's been pretty crap for us so far.

Iwobi has become a bit of a cult figure, his endeavour and industry have to be admired. As is his resilience to overcome the Goodison toxicity and crowd groans to become a very liked player by most. Respect.

I think Lyndon picked the most likely side though I want to see Dele in for Rondon if the Venezuelan is displaying one of his usual no-show type performances. I also want to see Onana at some point. The above call for Coleman over Patterson made zero sense IMO.

Let's turn over ol' slippy G. COYB.

So come on, fellas, let's not just rely on Rondon and see goals raining in from all over! Even by a positive one goal, just to see Slippy Gee's kipper. Who knows, Rondon may just surprise us all, and probably himself, and get the winner.

Gray, Gordon, McNeil, Dele need to understand are primarily on the pitch to deliver end product. They've got to back themselves and deliver the goods.

Rondon will be up top and someone said he looked leaner, more Evander Holyfield than Tony Tubbs. Hope springs eternal that he can poach a winning goal. Also interesting that Gordon has been having one-to-one sessions with Ashley Cole. Must be about decision-making to help with his end product. We could see the fruit of those sessions tomorrow.

So here's what's going to happen: we'll be mean defensively, our forward players are going to be more dynamic. More determined work by one of our forwards will result in a goal – or maybe one from a resulting set-piece.

Villa 0 Everton 1

I expect us to keep a clean sheet and hopefully we can nick one and take all three points.

If not Onana, then McNeil or Dele. Aston Villa's midfield is their one bright spark, so nullify it.

This leaves the attack. Frank will definitely play Rondon so grey and Gordon either side seems nailed on.

Btw, Lyndon, you have mentioned Doucouré's tackle on Sterling a couple of times now, once here and once in your match report. Don't you mean Chilwell?

If you have watched Onana play and think he is purely a defensive midfielder you may want to go back and have another look.

And if you can point me to how many chances the front 3 created from open play last week and suggest they were effective?

Solid foundation in defence and a strong midfield. Then the attacking players can focus on forward play.

Rondon starting means a blown-out striker by 50 mins.

Would love to win this one, particularly given how the media seems to have the knives out for Lampard but fawns over Gerrard, even though he's actually done a pretty shitty job with Villa and is already starting to alienate key players.

I've had a few good things from Poundland so don't knock it, mate.

Buying expensive doesn't always mean guaranteed quality, especially in the goal-scoring area. These so-called Superstars probably started life in Poundland.

Maybe you can help me, can't remember (the good things that I got) how much they were! 🤔😜

Rondon starting and going all out for the first 60 minutes will do me, while we try and bring in a new striker.

This leaves Alli to come on fresh and replacing Rondon for the final part of the game, unless Lampard uses them the other way round with Dele starting and Rondon replacing him.

It's sad we have to start the season without a proper available striker but that will change before the end of the transfer window, the quicker the better, we will just have to be patient... again!!

In a 5-2-2-1 / 3-4-3 with Rondon up front we at least have a decent structure but we all know Rondon's limitations. He's no Calvert-Lewin.

Alli is the player who offers class and goal threat but he's better in a 4-2-3-1.

To me, the big problem is a centre-midfield 2 of Iwobi and Doucouré which could be completely overrun by the likes of Luiz, McGinn and Kamara.

Even if he could prove that none of them were contentious decisions, I think I could sit opposite him and disprove that theory, just by proving how inconsistent he was in his decision making regarding yellow cards.

I'm hoping that it's a trimmed-down Salomon who gets us the points, and if he can give us a proper good 60 minutes, then I think that would be valuable to a team that never had a focus point last week.

With respect to your second point, I am not your personal researcher. What I can tell you is that last week's attackers scored no goals, and every time it went long to the front 3 it came right back at us.

I don't want Rondon near the team, but as he's the only one we have who can compete in the air with an opposition centre-back, then I'll take those 50 minutes, thanks.

We have just paid over £30 million for a full Belgian international and you think he has been sitting at home on the couch for the last 4 weeks eating crisps 'n cake. LOL.

Must start him over the same old shite but some posters are happy with that.

I'd be particularly concerned for the likes of Gordon and tactical substitutions may well play a major part if we can avoid having to make changes because of injury.

I think there's potential for bringing on Onana for Gray (moving Iwobi forward) and McNeil or Mills for Gordon if the predicted starting line-up is correct. Other changes to be determined by who is having most difficulty coping with the heat.

Villa will, of course, have the same problems and the outcome will be determined by which side is set up best to cope with the conditions. I'm hopeful that we can keep a clean sheet and possibly sneak a breakaway goal to snatch all 3 points.

Would love to settle a bit of old scores with Spit the Dog's mate.

He looks to be favouring 5 at the back which I don't think helps us much going forward.

Will he start Onana and Rondon if so who gets dropped for them?

Some head-scratching decisions for him to make.

Whatever formation or starting 11 he picks, I don't see lots of chances or goals for us. As we all know, we need a couple of strikers in the squad asap.

Hoping for a win but won't hold my breath.

Don't forget our DoF has literally written a book on how to play 5-3-2, so it appears the agreement is that this will be the philosophy throughout the club and Lampard is well on board.

Let's hope for an away win with some good performances and repay Gerrard for his smirk at Goodison last season.

It looked to me like 5-4-1 or 5-2-3. With the current squad, I don't think it matters too much.

We haven't got any goals in the squad. Who is going to be our top scorer this year? Maybe Calvert-Lewin with 10. Then who?

Rondon can come on in the second half but I wouldn't throw the new guy straight in. I am also in favour of Mills getting some minutes.

"You cannot tell from the diagrams if you are going left to right or right to left sometimes".

This explains a lot about the way we play!

Thank God he managed to get some gritty wins at the right time and one hopes that defensively at least they can become a difficult team to beat.

It will become a slog for a while without a natural striker but the new additions may just do the trick.

I couldn't care less if we'd just paid £100M for a Brazil international, all players are going to take a little time to get chemistry with the team.

Iwobi and Doucoure both did very well against Chelsea, so ease Onana in over the next week and look to have him starting and settled before the derby.

The big issue is upfront where the options are slim. I was not much impressed with Alli last week but then neither Gordon or Gray or McNeil did much either. I think potentially Alli and McNeil could work well together but it's difficult to see where the goals will come from and Rondon only looks good for battering ram purposes.

Gordon and Gray could get some joy in behind Cash and Digne but McNeil is much better at keeping the ball. Tough decisions but I'd give Dele Alli one proper chance at the false 9 role to see if he can link play at all.

Pickford
Patterson Holgate Coady Tarkowski Mykolenko
McNeil Iwobi Doucoure Gordon
Alli

Aston Villa 0 - 2 Everton.

With a full pre-season behind him, it's now or never for Rondon; if he does not start tomorrow, then it's difficult to see what part if any he can play going forward.

None of the midfielders gave me any comfort playing up front last week and I think they'd be better off having a target man/decoy up top to play off.

Rondon needs to start for me, if only to give the Villa defenders a few bruises and something to think about. We also need an out-ball which he can at least provide.

Beggars can't be choosers here – manager really living off scraps.

Rondon with a perfect hat-trick.

I think we played 5-4-0 last week!

Maybe in another month or so we might see Rondon in a similar vein...

My biggest concern is giving Pickford the captaincy. He's not captain material. Too erratic and hyper. A captain needs to be a leader with a cool head.

Nobody picking Keane to start? Otherwise, Lyndon's team.

Whatever the team, we start as second favourites.

Dennis has just signed for Nottingham Forest, who keep adding goalscorers, while Everton keep losing theirs.

"Rondon with a perfect hat-trick."

Be nice if highly improbable, you know I have never seen him wearing a hat! :-)

Who can forget all those years ago, a 4th place finish with a –1 goal difference?

Gerrard got one over Duncan at Goodison last season and unfortunately, without quality upfront, I feel may be the same for Lampard tomorrow. We need strikers ASAP as it's costing us points. Dennis would have been handy, as would Cornet.

For fuck's sake... must be our cup final.

"Whatever the team, we start as second favourites."

Good post and I do agree... but only just.

The game is at Villa and it will be tight but, if we stick with the same front 3 then, for me, they will find more space behind Villa's back 4 than they did against Chelsea who were very defensive.

For me, the game is winnable and for the first time in many seasons, I have every confidence in our defence, which is actually weird.

A run of Moyes-like games of 0-0, 1-0, 1-1, 0-0 etc will do me nicely; be hard to beat and even harder to watch, as long as we get the points.

It's gonna be fascinating to see what impact Coady has. How quickly he settles will now dictate our whole season. I must admit his gurning interviews are already starting to grate but he can't help supporting Liverpool, I suppose. Let's just hope he doesn't have too many more 'hilarious' interviews with Carragher.

At least Mr Gerrard will have a sleepless night. Stuffed last week, now playing Everton on his first home game of the season, when he faces his old rival Lampard.

It's gonna be fascinating to see what impact Coady has. How quickly he settles will now dictate our whole season. I must admit his gurning interviews are already starting to grate but he can't help supporting Liverpool I suppose. Let's just hope he doesn't have too many more 'hilarious' interviews with Carragher

He was horrendously unfit when he arrived last season, and was only playing out of a desperate necessity to have someone leading the line. Just as he was starting to look like he was finally getting up to speed he was benched in favour of a noticeably out-of-form Calvert-Lewin.

I thought Rondon should have been playing then (to allow Calvert-Lewin to be eased back to fitness and form) and if his fitness levels are presentable enough right now then I think Rondon should be playing tomorrow. Let Gordon, Gray, McNeil, and Alli have someone to play off, especially if we are going to be seeing Pickford, Coady and Tarkowski hitting long balls.

Players know Frank wants to be open and on the offensive but would be willing to close it down to frustrate the Villains. Mings could still be pissed so, if Gerrard doesn't get the set-up right, the tension could be good for a while.

"Prepared" to get their asses kicked.

I mean I'm no football strategist but it seems to me to be a base set up of 3 at the back. We are setting up with wingbacks, are we not?

While occasionally when needs arise the wingbacks may drop back deep enough to create an apparent 5 but that's not the main purpose of the formation. The wingbacks get right up the pitch supporting the attack, making it actually an offensive formation that is particularly fluid.

Totally agree though that the missing piece of the puzzle is a focal point frontman which again while you couldn't foresee an injury to Calvert-Lewin, it's still scandalous that we haven't gotten a better option than Rondon as a contingency!

Should we do the same with Coady then? ease him in over the next few games so he can be ready for the RS game?

Onana is a professional footballer, he is not here to learn how we play, he is here to improve how we play.

At least one of them should be dropped to the bench. Both if I had my way and we had replacements. Hope young Mills may offer something.

Dave #31, spot on. As always.

Sam #49, agreed, but Villa ain't Chelsea. Our unimpressive attackers were up against a couple of the best defenders in the world last week. They'll find a little more space tomorrow.

Pete #67, I wouldn't consider it "scandalous" unless we get to the final week of the window with the problem unaddressed -- which we won't. I'm beyond certain that Frank and Kevin will get somebody in.

Geoff #68, Coady is 9 years older and several hundred games more experienced than Onana. I would be shocked if Onana starts right out of the game.

George #72, if you mean Memphis, he's got an ego the size of the Alps and would never, ever consider a non-Champions League club.

I still say that it's not a back 5 and not massively defensive.

Holgate to get 1st goal in game (for us) from a corner from McNeil. I can't see us losing tomorrow (famous last words).

I'd play Mykolenko on the left of the three. He's quick enough and I think he could do a decent job on their mobile forward line.

McNeil and Patterson providing width and crosses to Alli and Rondon. I think they can get change out of Konsa, he ain't the biggest.

Pickford

Tarkowski
Coady
Mykolenko

McNeil
Onana
Doucouré
Iwobi
Patterson

Alli
Rondon

Primarily, we tend not to look very good when playing this system.

Being a bit more scientific, I think that's because:

1. Our centre-backs and full-backs are more accustomed to a back 4. That's changed a bit with Coady, Mykolenko and Patterson to be fair.

2. Our centre-backs are not great on the ball and don't switch into midfield positions as per players like Rudiger for Chelsea last season. We instead have 3 poor users of the ball at the expense of a midfielder. Coady and Tarkowski improve that a bit in fairness.

3. Our midfield is awful. So moving to a central 2 in a 3-4-3 / 5-2-2-1 means our back 3 is constantly exposed to attacks. It's hard enough to gain possession with 3 let alone 2. In fairness, this will change with Onana and maybe Gueye.

4. There's only room for two of Gray, Gordon, Alli and McNeil, whereas there would be room for 3 if you use a back 4. That's one fewer goal threats in a team which already scores very few goals.

After this window we are definitely better set up for 3-4-3 / 5-2-2-1 but I still think 4-2-3-1 is easier for this squad. Hopefully it will gel though.

I have been a big fan of other clubs using this system otherwise such as Dortmund many years ago with Sammer as sweeper and Wolves under Nuno Santo.

Once again, Iwobi and Doucouré both played very well last week.

The situations are not the same.

Well he was born to Rodwell ! :-)

As someone above said, even just acting as a focal point and holding up the ball for Gordon and others to feed off will be a step up from last week.

From what I have seen, admittedly not enough, he picks the ball up deep, often by winning possession himself and carries the ball forward. He has the tricks to beat players and a good range of passing.

But yeah, keep on chucking the same old players out there and expecting different results!!

Got to be bold and back the new talent. The old talent has done jack.

I think you're spot on saying natural wingers don't fit well in 5-at-the-back systems. The plan for this seems to be to turn Gordon to a number 10. I think this is wrong, he should be hugging the touchline and ripping the full-backs apart like he did to Trent and others last year.

I'd like to see is go to 4-2-3-1 eventually with Dele or Iwobi in the 10 and Gray, McNeil, Gordon or Mills fighting for the wide spots. However, I can't see Frank risking anything other than 5 until either a) we have no choice but to try (poor run next 4) or b) we're sitting comfortably with a cushion that allows the risk.

I hope it's the latter, I still fear it'll be the former.

We have some new blood and defensively we all hope they will be a lot stronger when we are not in possession as opposed to last season.

If we have a strong start, that is to say, no early goal against and no early injury (and of course no banal refereeing decision) then we will have a shot at something from the game.

Hard to see Rondon doing much up front except run his pants off but Dele has proved he can score a goal or two.

Add to this the set piece situation which may give us something.

Like you, I don't like the 3 at the back formation but my criticism is it leaves the full-backs or wingbacks too exposed to a ball in behind them.

I think Rondon takes unjustified stick. The lad came here unfit and still unexpectedly tried to help the team before he could get fit. I agree he is not the answer for a starter but he is still a useful squad player.

Anyway I expect him to play tomorrow and score in a 0-1 win for us.

Onana to start for me Gray to drop out and look for more consistency. Dele to come on as a sub when Rondon runs out of steam having run the legs off the Villa defenders.

If Iwobi and Doucoure had a bad game last week, or have a bad game tomorrow, then ‘fairyfluff' put him on.

I just don't think either deserves dropping after Chelsea, and think we should always pick on form. It's their place to lose right now. But no room for any drop.

To me, it was noticeable that they found it hard to gel first time off. I think Gray was our second- or third-best goalscorer last season; and he made a fair few chances for others as well, before getting injured. so he knows how to score.

Gordon seemed lost. did plenty of running, but to what effect was questionable. Perhaps Rondon isn't such a bad choice to play up front with Gray and either Gordon or McNeil on the right. And maybe the midfield with Onana in will be a lot more mobile and assist the forwards in attack, and then be stronger in assisting the defence, if and when Villa attack.

As he's the only recognised centre-forward we've got, I'd like to see him start, and give it all he's got for an hour or so.

The thing is we've got several new members in our team and slightly different tactics. So, defensively, I thought we played well last week; and the two goal chances they had? well one was Pickford misjudging, and spilling the ball out and the other was clumsy work by Doucouré. Otherwise, I can't remember Pickford having any shots to save.

I'd be happy to see mostly the same team, but with McNeil or Gordon on the right and Gray on the left with Rondon in the middle. And as long as we get stuck in; and that prick of a referee isn't as biased as he normally is, then we've got a good chance in this game.

So I'll be happy if we try the same formation again.

Nice line up that.

I think the point I was trying to make is that a lot of comments are referring to the current formation as a defensive (negative) back 5 when it's not!

I've gone for Tarkowski to score with a header @ 25/1. It's one of those bets you could make all season and it might come up a couple of times, but it feels like it would pay off over time. Assuming we can force a corner that is!

Mark my words….

Anything but a defeat and I'll be satisfied. Need to start getting points on the board.

I once heard a talk by a very successful coach say “My job is to help the players be the best they possibly can be, if they make a mistake on the pitch, it's because we didn't provide him with the skills to make the correct decision.”

That is what I call management.

Iwobi had a great finish to last season, Neil.

He's definitely a confidence player who I suspect needs a bit of individual coaching. In any walk of life, those who need taking aside from time to time.

You said "glasses" but surely you meant bottles?

I don't care who scores as long as we win but all these managers on the pitch who rubbished Iwobi, Rondon and think Gordon is the only decent Everton player don't watch the games I watch (admittedly from afar, not like you Danny)

All our managers in recent past are not people managers – hence the poor performance on the pitch. (Humbly IMO)

I'm a manager of people and operations. A Director actually, managing several managers.

Teams need managing as a team. But it's equally important to manage individuals to get the most out of them as individuals to contribute their strengths and iron out their weaknesses for the benefit of the team.

The same principle applies to football coaching. In my humble opinion!

Just the one bottle this evening. Need to pace myself… I am still keeping my fingers crossed Salomon can do the business tomorrow.

However, I generally have very low expectations these days thanks to the last 30-odd years, hence rarely disappointed.

That's why Carlo was successful in early days
Look what he did with Calvert-Lewin.

I was on the fence re Benitez (originally was hoping for Potter or second choice Nino) but, in hindsight, Benitez had no man-management skills. We should have known that from Gerard's comments.

We must keep the faith in Frank and Co and hopefully get one over Gerard tomorrow.

Time to prove a point that there are goals in this squad and stick one on Villa; hopefully there's a festering stench in their squad and low morale.

Digne, if he plays, will be up for it.

Tarkowski and McNeil to score for Everton, and Demarai Gray will be out to prove a point too.

Let's see.

Then I realize all the Aussies wake up at insane hours to watch. The West Coast has it at 4:30 am. Not so bad I suppose.

I like our chances against the Villains. Hoping Onana starts and plays a full 90+.

Get into ‘em blues!

UTFT

That immediately makes me uneasy. It's a system for intelligent footballers. Ours are not particularly bright. I thought it suited Godfrey, to cover Patterson who looks very good as an attacker but less so as a defender. But Godfrey is absent for quite a while. And possibly, as it ended up last Saturday, Mykolenko could cover Vinagre.

I thought the system might suit Mina, a steady-ish. defender but prone to nonsense, and therefore needs cover. But he's gone.

So, after our first game, the “philosophy” is thwarted.

In which case, it might be sensible to go for a back 4, with what we've got. But allegedly, Coady can't play in a back 4. Can he sit in front of a back 4?

I shall watch the selection, and game, with interest. We need something out of the match, and would, reluctantly, accept a point.

I think the 3-2-2-3 (as I'll call it) will work fine moving forward with Mykolenko part of the back three.

Godfrey's injury was a blow to the formation / system to be sure. Mina? He's going to be in and out of the line-up until his contract expires.

But those two injuries won't stop Frank from setting up that way until one of Tarkowski, Coady, or Mykolenko get hurt, in my opinion.

We'll see and find out tomorrow at the butt-crack of dawn here in America.

I'd really like to see Everton get in on these while they are unsure and complicate Stevie Me's ambitions.

Secondarily, I really hope we get to blast out Spirit of the Blues in full voice as the Huyton gobshite walks down the tunnel dejected at the end.

That tackle on Naismith. The bending of the referee's ear to convince him to send off Hibbert... I could probably go on.

Anyway, less of the bitter. Blue positivity. I don't care who's playing tomorrow or what the formation is. Bring the points home.

Careful... you'll upset the wife

Dale,

Stevie G like Kenny G is a bitter, weasely entitied, overgrown hobbit who held England back for years as the poor man's Frank alongside Frank. He's the snake who ordered Twattenburg to send off our players in derbies, and he's the childish smug prick who flipped off our fans after agent Rafa did the dirty on us. Suffice to say I'm not his biggest fan.

Outside of playing us, I have no issue with Villa but if he's there, it adds an extra incentive for us to win.

I always get reminded of that time when Lescott equalised late on only to switch off and allow them an even later winner to snatch a 3 - 2 win and I screamed "Bastard Villa!" Went down really well.

Just not getting beat would be good enough for me.

“What's Our Name?”

UTFT!

Hopefully, Everton will win tomorrow, and it will make a mark, a good mark on this season.

“What's Our Name?”

UTFT!

I'd love a 7:30 kick-off! It's 04:30 for me (Washington State) and I promised myself a few seasons ago I would no longer get up for these kick-offs. This is especially true since I cut the chord and have just dodgy streams and Peacock for my footy (they are not covering the game).

We probably owe Beglin one seeing as Gary Stevens ended his career. Just waiting for a lightning bolt here after all this blasphemy so, to atone for my sins: hate Dalglish, Gerrard, McMahon, Souness et al.

Stevie G seems to be having his own dressing room problems while at least we have the spirit of the blues, if not a goalscorer. Let's hope we have a hero tomorrow and I would love it to be Rondon – a lovely guy much maligned.

Hey, Danny, Marco Silva has said he was told never to worry about that competition when Everton boss. Might explain a bit why your dream never happens of winning that cup.

Totally winnable game today but nil-nil written all over it.

I see they replaced Lawrenson with Chris Sutton. What did we ever do to him? He genuinely seems to dislike us. Or is that just me?

We certainly can't play the lightweights we played against Chelsea and we need as many vocal no-nonsense leaders on the pitch as we can get.

Just for confidence going forward and with a bit of internal turmoil at Villa just now we need 3 points on the board.

Do you have a firestick?

Me too.

I agree with you re captain choice and Rondon. The guy went to China 3 years ago for semi-retirement because he was shot and now has £60k a week for a 2nd year to look forward to thanks to Rafa's loyalty to an old soldier. Awful awful decision and cost him his job.

The guy has taken 12 months to get fit!! This must be his last appearance in a blue shirt if he starts. I'd love him to score of course but can only see it from a set-piece and good fortune.

Iwobi and Doucoure will have their work cut out against McGinn and Ramsey and might need help in there from half-time. Coyb

I agree completely, Sutton really seems to have a chip on his shoulder regarding us. Same as Merson. I can't stand either of them.

Shame really, I grew up watching Sutton on the terraces at Norwich with my family, bloody good player, prick of a pundit.

Next shout out was Simms, Dobbin, Broadhead all needed to go on loan. "It will do them good" the masses on here shouted, so it happened. I think we have done exceptionally well in transfers and loans this season. We have addressed all the important positions... now for a striker which will take ages... but we will get one.

I fully expect a big grin tonight, sorry Bernie, no screaming aloud, the neighbours just wouldn't understand.

I fancy this one more so because I would love the 3 points and sticking it up that slimy bigger!

Like you, I'm not fussy on a back three defending but, if you want intelligent footballers to play there, I think we have two very intelligent footballers in Coady and Tarkowski who lead and shout and will keep the rest of the players on their toes for the whole game, having a go at them while also encouraging them. We do need that third player though, Holgate?

We'll obviously struggle until the elusive striker arrives, but he will get here, will he be the one we need? We are due for one surely.

We know managers are terrified of youth unless really backed into a corner but maybe Mills might offer something different. A good half an hour on the pitch may swing it.

Desperately need a couple of forwards in.

We're asking a huge amount of Iwobi and Doucouré. And if you ask the wide attackers to be more disciplined as wide midfielders (which isn't their nature) you're left with a very isolated striker who probably isn't up to that job given our options.

What it comes down to is that a back 5 only works if you have the right options in midfield and attack. And we don't.

I'd go back 4, midfield 3. Then two wide attackers and a central striker.

But we'll 100% play a back 5. The signing of Coady shows that.

I think our lack of a striker cost us against Chelsea as a couple of chances that fell to Gordon a decent striker would have put away, and I just hope that it doesn't cost us again today. Just to balance the argument I think Thelwell and Lampard have so far had a very good transfer window, but why we still haven't signed 1 striker all summer baffles me.

Never ask a lady her age, but how many candles were on the cake ?

And, was the heat unbearable when they were lit ? :-)

Away games are tough whoever the opposition is thats why we are second favs for this.

I'm still hopeful of a good performance though whatever team we send out and we keep 11 on the field.

Most likely result for me is 1-1.

A bit like Ruby Wax. :-)

I know the team won’t be anything like that, it will feature gray Iwobi and rondon I suspect

Will be interesting.

I think the best we will get today is a draw but I fear even that is pushing it.

Home win unfortunately - 2 nil I reckon.

How negative is that ? Sorry boys and girls.

Full support.
Onward Evertonians 💙