Fulham vs Everton

Oh yes, they can! The last time Chermiti and Dobbin started together in the first team was at Doncaster in August. They were both hauled off at half-time with the team losing 1-0.

But I wish we could bring in another midfielder in this window. Someone who has a tackle and can pass and help us to start controlling games more. The best available on a free or loan.

We must make ourselves harder to beat.

The Luton game should be a wake-up call. If we don't get our points back, Luton will finish above unless we strengthen.

Barkley getting injured would be a massive bonus for us too.

Hopefully the passing is sorted out in midfield and crosses are actually delivered.

Yesterday, he told me he'd given up because it's not working!
Without divine intervention, then we're really in the shit!

The team is totally devoid of confidence.

We need someone who can fill the role Doucouré plays with the link from midfield to attach, I would play Danjuma (if he is still with us) we have no creativity and our forwards are shit at the moment.

Again we have the option to give McNeil and Harrison a bit of a rest until the second half, Danjuma and Dobbin out wide, if it goes to plan, might not have to even bring Harrison or McNeil on, but there if we need options after ht, might even work in our favour if both get last 15 mins of the game, running at tired defenders, could just be the key McNeil and Harrison open late on.

I honestly hope though that we try and tweak something, alternate the starting 11, these players looked goosed, time for a recharge, by all means play them, but use if needed from the bench, these same 11 have not got another 75 mins in them on such a short turnaround, they have given everything, got the points back, had a huge fixture pile up in December and January, bench a couple tomorrow and at least give us a chance of getting results in both games, but we simply cannot start with the same 11 tomorrow and Saturday, get some fresh legs in early doors, then use impact subs second half.

Keane is going to get a run out either this game or the Spurs game… hopefully he feels he has something to prove.

Dyche didn't say that. Dyche didn't say the fans don't care about the club, just want the points. He was referring to a question about him and how he sees how he's done in the 12 months.

He's referring generally that fans aren't interested in what he's done off the pitch, they just want the points. It was literally that.

Pickford, Coleman, Tarkowski, Keane, Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Onana, McNeil, Harrison, Calvert-Lewin.

In a 5-3-1-1 formation.

COYBs – we need 3 points with Spurs and Man City next.

And Stuart @9, that isn't ridiculous. It is creative and sensible thinking although Harrison needs to move into the middle from the wing. I'm not sure he can do the No 10 and can't threaten the backline like Doucouré. We are coming back, maybe not here but we are coming back. Stay with them UTFT!

The only other viable change would be Danjuma for McNeil. I rate the latter, certainly more than Harrison, but he takes forever to get back to full speed after injury and Danjuma is at least a fresh, viable option.

While I wouldn't start either, I'd also be inclined to turn quickly to Dobbin and/or Chermiti if we get the same turgid, lifeless performance as Saturday's. In response to an earlier poster, I can't see the point of judging Chermiti on the back of a lousy performance a few weeks after he arrived. Or if there is one, he might as well not be in the squad, because that will forever be the reason he doesn't get game time.

At least Gana is on his way home – and no holiday diversions please...

I'm expecting a win. NSNO!
UTFT

Confidence is everything. It will improve every aspect of a player's game. With just about every player looking low on confidence against Luton, we really could use a morale booster tonight.

Deserved or undeserved. Classy, or ugly. I'll take any sort of win tonight. We need to find a way of swinging those "fine margins" back in our favour.

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko
Harrison Garner Onana
Calvert-Lewin McNeil

SUBS: Virginia, Godfrey, Coleman, Dobbin, Danjuma, Chermiti, Beto

It will be a tough watch, but if the team can scrap and fight like they did a few times this season, we might come away with a point or 3.

When you watch us compared to other teams even around us in the table, everything is done in slow motion, even basic things like throw-ins and set-pieces.

Whoever plays needs to start shooting on sight too, none of these working it out wide then going all the way back to our own half.

I can't get my head around why midfielders and strikers for that, get a shooting chance from just outside the box but refuse to take a shot on.

The likes of James Garner, Harrison, McNeil even Onana, they should all be tasked by Dyche to have at least three attempts at goal per game, even if it ends up in row z, at some point one may go in off a deflection or as Harrison found on Saturday, a goalkeeper gaff.

We need to stop being such a safe no risk team.

On the road, they will have little possession but our great away support and a simple game plan will suit them... and we owe this Fulham side a tuning.

My worry is that we just look so low on confidence and energy. There seems to be a physical and mental fatigue that I guess is understandable given how little Dyche rotates and how long it seems we have been in a relegation fight.

Fulham are a decent team who have beaten Arsenal and held Liverpool at Craven Cottage over the last month or so. As usual this season for Dyche the first goal will be crucial and I'm desperately hoping that Calvert-Lewin can somehow find a goal as we really need him back nearer his best.

My big worry is none of our sides is doing particularly well both U21s and U18s are struggling at the bottom end of their respective leagues. There is nobody in charge of the club, at present our current owner is holed up in Monaco our proxy owners 777 still haven't got the OK from the Premier league to finalise their bid to be new owners. The only person in charge is Colin Chong who was brought in to oversee the stadium build not to run a Premier league club. At present 777 are putting money in to help the day to day expenses but with no decision about their ownership bid being settled I have to wonder how long they will keep putting money in to stop the club going into administration.

Dyche shoukd throw on Dobbin. We have nothing to lose. We're going to be well beaten tonight so give fringe players a chance. What's the point leaving them sitting on the bench getting splinters in their arses, watching Calvin-Lewin squander chance after chance.

Sam, depending on how you're getting there, a few of us will be meeting in the 8 Bells near Putney Bridge station. If not, we can meet in the ground.

Anyone else, give me a shout. 0796 600 7546. Or just shout Danny!

In we go. Those players owe us one after the weekend. Stand up. Fight. Show commitment and desire befitting of that Royal Blue jersey you are privileged to wear and walk on the pitch to represent us. who follow you in whatever way we can and when we can.

I treated myself to about my 180th watch of Howard's Way last night after everyone had gone to bed. It's therapy and gets me in the mode.

Peter Reid's recollection of Howard Kendall's team talks at Stoke and half-time against Bayern. Basically, "Can you hear them? Don't let them down."

Well, you will hear the 2000 or so of us tonight Everton, so don't let us down.

Pick yourselves from the weekend, put it behind you. It's gone. Tonight is what matters.

See you all there, in person or in spirit, wherever you are in the country or the world.

Isn't that the formation that had us quickly 3-0 down at the Wolves?

Short memory (as my favourite band Midnight Oil are wont to say).

When watching Everton, I lose count of the number of times I'm shouting "For fuck's sake — have a shot!!!"

It drives me nuts.

I just think when I watch us, we overcomplicate such simple things.

If you see a sight of goal, and it's within shooting distance, have a crack at it.

I want us to do things quicker in everything we do though too.

We are at our best when the bloods are up, think the last 15 minutes against Newcastle, second half against Chelsea, last 10 minutes at Spurs pushing and pushing and pushing —nothing particularly cultured or stylish, just balls forward and quick passing.

I always say, the fastest thing on that football pitch should be the ball; if you move that ball quicker and with urgency, then you are giving yourself a greater chance of making things happen.

I'm actually taking my 11-year-old Godson (who is slowly becoming an Everton fan despite his dad supporting Man Utd) to his first match to watch the Toffees.

Sadly I could only get us tickets in the Fulham family section, so will be wearing my shirt underneath my coat and cheering with you in mind more than voice!

This must cause apathy in the squad when underperformers are guaranteed their place in every game. It's gone on too long.

I'm beyond treatment, as you can probably tell from my ramblings.

Have a great evening.

I'll be in the Eight Bells to get in the spirit to see the Blues kick seven bells out of Fulham later!

Up the Feckin Toffees!!

Strap yourselves in the rest and have another blast of The Wahs – Story of the Blues.

Win tonight Everton, then take the fight to the appeal panel.

Calvert-Lewin is lacking confidence, but his work rate and touch are well ahead of Beto and Chermiti, and the comment that he's missed chance after chance is a big exaggeration, chances are few and far between.

In my opinion, and for what it is worth, he hasn't looked 'right; since the Burnley win in December.

Although we know a potential reason, vis a vis his girlfriend's medical condition, he seems tired and leggy, and that was before he tweaked his ankle in the dying minutes of the Palace game.

Hopefully, via a different playing combination, he can get a week or two's R&R and light training to recharge his batteries, as he hasn't had a full pre-season due to being injured!?

Jay [48]

I don't really care who Dyche pick's to be completely honest, as that is what he gets paid the big money for.

I have a feeling that if Myko is out, we might see Keane alongside Tarks, and Jarrad pushed to LB.

Dwight is 'simpler' to replace, well I say simpler?

Maybe he'll bring back Young and play him RW, with Jack to #10 and Arnie (Danjuma) at LW...

We'll see...

The betting for a draw is 7/4, that is as poor odds as I've seen for a draw in a long time.
I've no clue what will happen but the odds are saying it is a likely draw.

Here and now I'd settle for it.

Get off!

I'm also not overly confident about tonight's game, although we do fare a bit better away from home - my gut feel is a draw which wouldn't be the end of the world.

Fingers crossed Brighton turn Luton over.

Not that I'm not worried, by the way, but no need for that morbid doom and gloom.

Have a bloody crack at goal and see if it goes in or gets a deflection and someone else scores off a rebound.

I've just seen a bear shit in the woods.

Unless Dyche takes the fucking handbrake off and plays our most creative players from the off this will end in a another stalemate.

1-1 methinks.

I'm not saying that others are capable of immediately going to score 25 a season, but the lad isn't doing himself or Everton any favours by hanging around here waiting for it to change. We need goals desperately.

So what I am saying is that, unless things change quite dramatically before then, he goes on the available list in the next window.

Get the ball into the box as often as you can, which creates chances for the striker. You will not score out on the wing or 30 yards from goal. The more chances you have, the more goals you score and this is not happening.

Also, the injuries have not helped Calvert-Lewin, will he be the same player that got him into the England squad? Who can tell…

You are speculating, which everyone does from time to time, but before your speculating goes any further, please address yourself to my comments about him doing nothing in the recent past and our need for goals.

By the way, I have no axe to grind as far as Calvert-Lewin is concerned, other than he isn't scoring goals, which is why we employ him. I repeat, we need goals.

He is ineffective, couldn't finish his dinner, and is lightweight, he gets bullied by defenders and his shooting is bordering on the pathetic.

Beto is no more than an average journeyman as well; between the 2 of them, they couldn't make a decent striker combined.

This will be our downfall alongside a poor and archaic management team. Dyche is not the answer, but neither is sacking him at this juncture.

We are what we are... poor.

It's not rocket science why he isn't scoring – Don Carlo knew this and made him stay central, and guess what?

Calvert-Lewin is a victim of the system he's playing in at the moment because Dyche is so concerned (rightly) with not conceding. Scoring goals is secondary to our manager, and always has been.

Only Barcelona (54) and Bayern Munich (50) have missed more big chances this season than Everton's 42 across Europe's top five leagues.

Everton also have the biggest xG underperformance across Europe's top five leagues (9.85), scoring 24 goals from an xG of 33.85.

You stick together in the good and bad times.