Match Preview: Everton vs West Ham Utd

I thought the press conference was Thursday for a Saturday match… or have I got that wrong?

I keep checking YouTube but no cigar

Our final pilgrimage to the Grand Old Lady!

Thanks, Barry,

WhatsApp, call or text: 00 353 87 2356423

Hopefully, we can continue our good form and pick up another 3 points. Agree Alcaraz should start.

Hope I'm wrong.

Like Bob, I would be very disappointed if your prediction came true. Time to banish the “Everton that” curse and win this one.

Up the Blues!!!

Are you sure? If anyone else said that I would agree, but .........

Yes, I know all the cliches; football's a funny old game, there's no easy games in the Premier League, etc, etc.

It's West Ham for fuck's sake; 2-0 minimum.

Downstairs has a Goodison Park themed photo display on.

A win would keep us flying and put extra pressure on Potter.

We could put Doucs or Garner right mid and let Alcaraz play attacking centre mid.

West ham played well and were unlucky against Newcastle a clear foul not given for the Newcastle winner. They are struggling without a striker.

I think we will edge this 2-1.

Pickford
O'Brien Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Garner Doucoure Gana Harrison
Alcaraz
Beto

Utft.

My Everton trauma syndrome (ETS) won't allow me to breathe easy until it's a done deal.

Seems he's only got on the field as a sub four times under Potter since he joined in January, totalling only 90 minutes. Prior to his switch, he was sidelined for a month with an ankle injury.

I'm also reading that an earlier ankle problem, one that required surgery, meant he was a late arrival into pre-season training under new Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler.

Seems a strange move that he would go to another Premier League club on loan… but I guess from The Hammers' perspective, he was a good prospect as a quick step-in for Antonio.

Regardless, is there really any interest from Everton in this saga? Injury-prone… isn't that the old transfer model in action that we are (hopefully) moving away from?

Barry's holding the fort at Rangers

We've been safe since last May when we knew Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton were in the Premier League.

Bet you none of them get to 30 points.

As I said on Monday night, if we can’t beat these then we really are on the beach for the summer holidays.

Rob @24, it was mentioned a few weeks ago that Doucoure could play on the right. For me, Garner has always looked better in a central role.

I don't know much about Ferguson, but would like to think we are going to cast our net further afield.

We are safe Colin, but I will more comfortable with at least one more win. We'll get more than that anyway.

Just seen the England squad, normally I am pretty ambivalent about the whole England thing but Branthwaite not getting a call up over the likes of Colewell, konsa or 32 year old Dan Burn is a piss take.

He has recently given an interview to the bbc saying how gutted he was at not getting picked for the euros. I just hope the reality of the situation doesn't drive him away.

As soon as he signs for anyone else he will be an automatic pick for England.

I read that media reports from Argentina are suggesting that the contract to enable us to sign Alcaraz at the agreed fee, he has to start 6 games or play 45 minutes in 6 games; should this be correct, it will be interesting to see if he is selected enough to make the agreed deal possible.

There was also a suggestion that Everton might not play him in the required number of games so they can actually get him cheaper at the end of the loan, but the report said that also may alert other teams to put in rival bids.

The main reason why Ferguson went to West Ham is because he was well known to Potter. Has been hampered by injuries in the last year so there is a question mark there but that is a question for the medical staff.

Don't fully agree Danny, Ferguson for me is exactly the type of player we should be looking at: young, good finisher in the right format.

With the rebuild Everton need, we should be looking at young players with high potential. That gives us the budget for buying more players.

ITV 7 at Cheltenham today, is a possible £1m jackpot. Just saying. It's free to enter too.

Every Wolves attack last week seemed to come down their left side.

What happened to Robert Tressel's article. I was going to respond, but can't find it now.

Don't start me on England. I don't really care for it, so don't get excited about it.

My focus is on Everton.

Bit late in the day anyone access to a ticket tomorrow?

07866100489

Ta

For me, that is going to be a harder task without a DoF.

Hope I'm wrong and you're right.

Yes, he is a good footballer but in front of goal he is no better than DCL.

I hope its not a bad omen, but us and the favourite tag are unhappy bedfellows.

We are favourites because of our form recently, so there is no reason why we can't win this.

Hopefully tomorrow against his old club he will get he 3 points.

We have drawn quite a lot of games but we need the 3 points tomorrow as the next five games are against the Top 5.

Garner needs to step up; Gana is the main man. Jarrad needs to start playing like he's worthy of. Madrid's interest in his so far inconsistent season. That said, I don't mind a below par Branthwaite as he will be a rolls royce at the Dock.

Your last paragraph is a tad worrying Brian. My view is don’t fuck around with this Everton, the deal is good enough as is without trying to be cute over it.

Brian @37, does added time count? If so, we've had plenty of that lately, much to my nerves and heart's discontent!!!

Not sure if it was the Echo or some other site. But again, hopefully true!

Too many draws means we’ve still got some ‘running to make the bus’ and if it’s still not sorted then the imminent trip to Mordor will be an even more annoying experience!

Hopefully enough of the players will have next to nothing to do during the international break so that they are determined to give it all for the win today.

Poor Jarrad. It seems the lad is perhaps so good that people aren’t even aware of it. Yes, he makes the odd mistake (which young player doesn’t?) but it appears to me he is so in control of most situations that I have to wonder if people aren’t noticing that it is his anticipation/ manoeuvring that is giving him the edge, not dumb luck.

Here’s hoping he is imperious and faultless today, giving an apt ‘salute’ to Tuchel and providing the bedrock for an invigorating win.

Come on, you indefatigable Bluuuees!!!

Early Everton goal please and then counter-attack for a 2-0 win.

“Take me back there, take me way back
Take me back, take me back, take me back
Take me way, way, way back, way back
To when, when I understood
When I understood the light
When I understood the light
In the golden afternoon, in the golden afternoon
In the golden afternoon, in the golden afternoon
In the golden afternoons when we sat and listened to Sonny Boy blow
In the golden afternoon”

Ahhh - - it feels good to be getting ready for the game - - to be able to go and see the Blues - - to meet friends - - those moments of Beauty that fill you and carry you through the tough times - - I wouldn’t be here without that unspoken love of Fellow Blues here on TW/TDH - - when I enter through the door of TDH the wave of compassion - - care - - and yes I can say it - - Love - - that hits me - - wraps me in it’s Blue Arms - - lifts me to almost touch that Blue Heaven:

“And the time will come when you see we're all one
And life flows on within you and without you “

I hope - - no - - I know - - that we all realise how Truly Great it is to be A Blue - - I can say with total honesty - - That The Love I received from Blue’s everywhere was part of my Survival and Recovery - - and so here I am on Saturday morning getting ready - - by myself - - I can shower and dress and walk by myself - - what Simple Wonders The Universe Gives Us:

“Forever fair
And I'm touching your hair
I wish we could be dreamers in this dream
Oh, let it be”

I am sitting here in The Light - - feeling good - - I can hardly wait for the journey down my old haunts - - along Scottie - - memories - - thinking of Dave Abrahams - - John Keating - - and other’s from around The Blue World - - waving to Ma Joad - - bowing my head to Father Winder - - remembering those days of walking up Wessie Road as a kid with Frankie - - playing every game - - Being Blue - - never thinking or talking about Balance Sheets/Owners/Take Overs/Transfer Windows - - Just being Blue - - and loving it - - never ever forget Blue’s who we are - - where we come from and where we are going: - - D'où venons-nous ? Que sommes-nous ? Où allons-nous - - thanks to Mr.Liptrot for French lessons at Cardinal Godfrey - - knew they would come in handy one day - - all I need now is to bring into the conversation the coefficient of linear expansion - - to keep Mr. Simpson happy - - Ohhh - - what a joyous life we had and have and our/my future is looking Bright and Bluetiful - - from TDH to TBD :

“You check out guitar George, he knows-all the chords
Mind, it's strictly rhythm he doesn't want to make it cry or sing
They said an old guitar is all, he can afford
When he gets up under the lights to play his thing”

What A Life: - -

“There'll be trains of blossoms (There'll be trains of blossoms)
There'll be trains of music (There'll be music)
There'll be trains of trust, trains of golden dust
Come along and surry on, sweet trains of thought, surry on down
Can you surry, can you surry, can you surry?”

Ahhh - - It’s All Right - - just come on my Playlist - - memories of The Babalou/The CI - - green shot silk suit - - lemon Ben Sherman shirt - - and - - yeaaa - - ox Blood Como’s from Saxon’s:

“And say it's all right
Say it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right”

What a poser - - but that’s the joy of being Forever Young - - and so onto and into TDH - - I will sit with friends - - comrades - - family (all) - - What It Is To Be A Blue:

“Jokin' and talkin' about the world outside

With hungry hearts through the heat and cold
We never much thought we could get very old
We thought we could sit forever in fun
And our chances really was a million to one

As easy, it was to tell black from white
It was all that easy to tell wrong from right
And our choices there was few
So the thought never hit
At the one road we travelled, we ever shatter or split

How many a year has passed and gone?
Many a gamble has been lost and won
And many a road taken by many a first friend
And each one I've never seen again

I wish, I wish, I wish in vain
That we could sit simply in that room again
Ten thousand dollars at the drop of a hat
I'd give it all gladly if our lives could be like that”

My dearest friends - - my heart is full of you all - - my memories overflow with stories of you - - to you, Frankie Bones, on your birthday - - 60+ years of friendship and going to watch Everton - - as it was the - - and it will be again today - - I am pleased - - joyous to be here - - to be a part of this great Band of Blue’s - - and then to the Game - - to see the pitch when you come up the stairs to your seat - - that Sweet feeling - - with shivers - - knowing that you are here - - a Blue - - and part of it all:
“And I shall drive my chariot down your streets and cry
Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite and I don't know why
And you shall take me strongly in your arms again
And I will not remember that I even felt the pain”

See you all later - - somewhere in This Blue Heaven :

“Starry-eyed an’ laughing as I recall when we were caught
Trapped by no track of hours for they hanged suspended
As we listened one last time an’ we watched with one last look
Spellbound an’ swallowed ’til the tolling ended
Tolling for the aching ones whose wounds cannot be nursed
For the countless confused, accused, misused, strung-out ones an’ worse
An’ for every hung-up person in the whole wide universe
An’ we gazed upon the chimes of freedom flashing”

Your friend - - with a firm handshake - - George.

Terry

Many of us were miffed when he left us for Man Utd and, although he didn't win us anything, we were at least competitive without much funding.

After that, a succession of high-priced managers failed miserably and we almost dropped into the Championship.

We are on the cusp of a new era and, although we are still not world beater,s he has installed an air of resilience in the squad despite injuries to some key players.

Given the right funding, it could see next season as a resurgence for our beloved Blues.

You took me back as a nipper, I stood in front of the old Main Stand in 1963 and watched the league trophy raised high.

In years to come, I would frequent the Babalou, the Beachcomer, The Hanover and eat at the Golden Phoenix or Bernie's at the Pier Head, would enjoy the Royal Iris dance cruises on a Saturday night.

I bought my first love a lemon Ben Sherman with the pleat sewn in...

Today, it's West Ham, but for you it's much more, it's the satisfaction of just being there... the love shines through.

Soak it all in, George, I bet there will be a spring in your step and a tear in your eye. Well done, sir, bloody well done!! You deserve every damn minute of today!!!

Let's have the Blues do those fine words justice. 💙

I go 2 - 0 to the Toffees. Beto (through ball and a drop of the left shoulder and a pass in to the net) and a direct shot from the right by Lindstrom.

Ain't life grand George when you can get out of bed and get yourself ready and look forward to a great day with old and new friends and a 4-0 win for Everton today!

Especially for you, George, as Christine says (@62), you deserve it, every damn minute of it.

Stop that swearing, Christine!

Wish I was going today. I hope the boys win. Enjoy the day, Evertonians, wherever you are.

I flew in from Israel yesterday whilst my lad flew in from Denver.

Long time since I've been to the Old Lady. Had to say farewell.

All my youth was here. First game in 1960. We lost. Hope to go out with a win today.

Enjoy your day, Blueman, your words have filled my entire being with the pride of being a Blue among all of you, journeymen, storytellers all of you.

God bless you, George, and all who have made our Family what it is today. COYB

Well that has certainly put a positive spin on today. Thank you, George. A true Blue 💙

I went to see my first game in 1954 with a gang of mates from
Tocky Tech. Ian Callister et al. Like Saul on the road to Tarsus, I was struck by the Blue Bolt and converted ever since.

You've never been away but welcome back.