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Everton vs Southampton

Lyndon Lloyd , 29 September, 53comments  |  Jump to most recent
Match Preview

The Premier League's top four... the land of plenty where the clubs have big prospects and budgets to match; where fans can become so accustomed to success that getting out of Wembley's car park trumps witnessing your captain lift the FA Cup trophy; where managers build squads to cope with campaigns on multiple fronts but field weakened teams in domestic football's second-tier cup because it's deemed one fixture-crowding competition too many.

It's where Everton aspire to be... but are not yet there.

In 10 years at Goodison Park, David Moyes has yet to win a trophy, a fact that was inescapable as he passed that decade milestone in charge earlier this year and the Blues' run in the FA Cup extended into the last 16. He drew stinging criticism for sacrificing the Anfield derby by making six changes to a winning line-up as he prioritised the quarter-final tie against Sunderland and the run-up the subsequent semi-final against Liverpool was dominated by the manager's aching quest for silverware.

Add to all of that the fact that the selection of Jan Mucha was widely cited as a big reason why Everton went out of the League Cup in the fourth round at the hands of Chelsea last season and Moyes's starting line-up for the third-round tie against Leeds United on Tuesday was all the more bemusing. A raft of personnel changes to the side that trampled all over Swansea City at the weekend, a dreadful first half display and poor defending all directly contributed to another ignominious defeat for the Blues against lower-division opposition.

Of course, player rotation in the insert-sponsor-beginning-with-a-C Cup is nothing new, particularly in the early rounds, but while Moyes got away with it against Leyton Orient — thanks largely to a scintillating debut by Kevin Mirallas and a commanding 4-0 Everton lead at half time — the disruption to his side's rhythm was too great at Elland Road and he paid the price with another early exit.

With that debacle out of the way, it's back to Goodison Park for the visit of Southampton and another task of getting the season back on track following a disappointing result.

Those players rested for the League Cup tie will be drafted back into the starting line-up and Nikica Jelavic is likely to make his first start since coming off injured against Newcastle 12 days ago at the expense of Victor Anichebe.

Anichebe is doubtful for this weekend with a chest infection, as are Seamus Coleman and Steven Naismith, both of whom picked up knocks on Tuesday evening.

With Phil Neville likely to be restored to central midfield if Coleman makes it, perhaps the only question mark surrounds central defence where Moyes again has to choose between John Heitinga, Phil Jagielka (who sat out of the Leeds defeat) and Sylvain Distin. His decision is complicated by the fact that none of the central pairings he has used thus far have found much consistency, though the Frenchman was arguably one of the few to come out of Tuesday with much credit.

Darron Gibson is back in training but remains ruled out and Tony Hibbert will also be missing through injury.

With nothing but the Premier League to focus on between now and January, the Blues know what they have to do and a victory against the Saints would extend their good start to the campaign and keep them among the leaders in this early phase of the season.

Southampton have shown some enterprise and potency in patches at the St Mary's Stadium since their return the top flight but have struggled in their travels, losing their last outing 6-1 at the hands of Arsenal. That suggests that there should be some defensive weakness for the Blues to exploit while they keep an eye on hitman Ricky Lambert at the other end.

Lyndon Lloyd

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Reader Comments (53)

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Martin Mason
1 Posted 29/09/2012 at 06:21:54
This is the type of game that Everton need to get and should get 3 points from. Southampton are very much a championship side still and I'd say that if we don't win today it is far more serious a setback than the Leeds defeat. If we are to carry on our recent improvement then this is a game we must win.
Their manager is very astute though and I guess that there's always the chance that he'll set out a very defensive line-up and challenge us to break it down.
Kev Johnson
2 Posted 29/09/2012 at 07:10:26
Perversely, I expect Southampton to present more of a challenge than the Man Utd or Newcastle. Why? Because they will set up primarily to defend, and we tend to struggle against bog standard teams who come to Goodison for a point. We've regularly lacked the craft and imagination to break down stubborn defenses at home. If we don't score early, during a purple patch, we panic a bit and start losing our shape, leaving gaps at the back. Then our opponents score and only a late onslaught rescues a point for us.

The question is: how well can Southampton defend? Not all that well, I suspect, so we should have enough on the day. Prediction: 2-0.

Matt Traynor
3 Posted 29/09/2012 at 07:29:11
I'd add to Martin's first statement "This is the type of game that Everton need to get and should get 3 points from" the words "but under Moyes' tenure invariably haven't".

It's games like today, likely in wet and windy conditions, that will give much more clear indications of how different a proposition we are from previous seasons.

Kev Johnson
5 Posted 29/09/2012 at 07:46:00
It's a beautiful Autumn morning here in The Garden of England, Kent! Hold on [checks BBC weather forecast for Liverpool]... Hmm, "Generally breezy, with sunny spells and scattered showers". You might well be right, Matt.

I think we probably need to keep it steady during the breezy showers and score during the sunny spells. I dare say Moyes will be telling the players that.

Flippin' heck - it's really coming to something when we have to check the weather forecast before an Everton game!

Mark Tanton
6 Posted 29/09/2012 at 08:22:42
If Hibbert and Coleman are out, how can Neville play in centre midfield? Surely Neville at fullback? I'd like to Duffy in centre defence. I think Distin has been a magnificent signing for the club, but he may have suddenly hit the wall and his age (which he has been defying for a while now) has caught up with. Gone at the game perhaps?
Matt Traynor
7 Posted 29/09/2012 at 08:14:18
Kevin, I'm not far from Goodison now, and about to take the dog for his morning walk to meet his friends including "Dixie". There's a few RS dogs there, but at a push, there's one there that's a Labby. I'll give a more full weather update after.

I can recall a few games down the years where the weather was foul, and the game invariably was awful as well. My worst memory was a home game against Derby County, when the wind was biting and it was bitterly cold anyway, It was around Xmas/New Year time, and finished a disappointing 0-0 so I'm gonna guess it was under Walter's tenure.

Christopher Dover
8 Posted 29/09/2012 at 08:31:47
As a long reader of the comments and not good at putting postings just feel I have to put my comment in.
>I have read many times about Heitinger must be in starting line up, his last performance was terrible, shouts for blood the young ones, he does and they do not play well, do not drop Howard (even though many say he is rubbish)
Surely giving Mucha a game is sound as its better to play him to give time on the pitch in case of injury to Howard.

The same for the other starts, if they get no time and have to come on for injury or start, better to have some time playing for real. Yes could have played less new starters but as almost all agree squad is not large and if same are played every match then injury or loss of form to some will happen.
I like to read the comments but I suppose it is true we all have an opinion but it does seem that most of the comments are negative, the team played poor to say the least against Leeds, so Moyes must have told all his players to go out and play rubbish as he did not want a win? The football has been great this year I like others hope we can keep it up, and when we slip up it hurts, but that does not mean Moyes is rubbish or the players are crap (even if they where in a particular game) in hindsight we have some master want to be managers who say who should have played.

As a final thought would the hindsight brigade please let me know the winning lottery numbers, preferably BEFORE the draw.

Kev Johnson
9 Posted 29/09/2012 at 08:38:23
Any weather update much appreciated, Matt! It could make the difference between a comfortable victory and a grim stalemate.

Next week in this space: Everton horoscopes! (Actually, that's not a bad idea...)

In the 1970s, rain invariably resulted in a quagmire of a pitch, making the game a bit of a lottery. Personally, I kind of enjoyed that. Derby County's (old) ground was the worst - talk about a cabbage patch!

Mark - I was puzzling over that myself. If Hibbert, Coleman, Naismith and Anichebe are out, plus Gibson, then Nev's at RB but we're short in midfield. Er, Junior anyone? Or... No, that's it. Unless Pienaar moves inside and Oviedo plays on the left. Am I forgetting someone here?

Mark Tanton
12 Posted 29/09/2012 at 08:48:52
Play Pienaar behind Jelavic, drop Fellaini back alongside Osman and play Oviedo on the left. God, I wish we'd got Essien in.
Kev Johnson
15 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:01:26
I wouldn't want to disrupt the Baines/Pienaar axis, Mark. Plus, Fellaini's been generally effective up top (although I do prefer him playing deeper). I don't think we should switch the whole team around. Better to replace like for like - and Junior is as close as we've got. Playing with Neville, Osman and Pienaar will help him get his bearings, hopefully.

I suspect Coleman will be fit, so this scenario won't arise. Fingers crossed.

Nick Entwistle
17 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:18:31
Interesting fixtures today. If we're to assume Chelsea and Utd will finish above us this season then hopefully they will beat Arsenal and Spurs. Norwich can hopefully score a draw with Liverpool at Carrow Road.

I was right last week with predicting 3-0 against Swansea. Today I say... 3-0 once again.

Kev Johnson
18 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:26:41
Here's another scenario... Arsenal beat Chelsea, Man Utd draw with Spurs. We win 3-0 (as you predict, Nick) - and we go top of the table!
John Malone
19 Posted 29/09/2012 at 08:59:22
Would be a blow if we have to sacrifice a winning shape to put Neville in at right back but to be honest I think Coleman would get exposed by Lambert at the back stick so could be a blessing in disguise. I fully expect Moyes to play Neville at right back and play heitinga in the middle in order to keep Fellaini up top. Need gibbo back asap!

Expect a tough game today not the walk in the park some on here are predicting, Lambert, Puncheon, Ramirez are danger men but still expext us to win 3 - 2 in a close game.

Philip Quilliam
20 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:45:43
To all the doom and gloom merchants who persistently (and with 20/20 hindsight) carp and criticise let me ask how long is it since we had a realistic scenario before a Saturday fixture list of Everton being top of the league. I know everything is far from perfect but come on guys this has to be progress. My big fear is that hope is rising within me despite all the years of experience telling me not get too excited and it is this crushing of hope that is the hardest thing to take. So come on Blues let's have a performance to get adrenaline flowing again.
Paul David
21 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:48:59
Not only should we be winning this game we should be winning it easy. I agree with Kev 776, this is the kind of fixture that we have struggled with in the past but I do now think we have the flair players to get around teams defences. If we still struggle against average teams at home then we can kiss good bye to our already slim hopes of a top 4 finish.
James Martin
22 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:56:24
How can anyone be calling to drop Fellaini back into midfield, he was absolutely woeful there agianst Leeds, whilst he's been tearing the premier legaue upfront in the more advanced position.
Sam Hoare
23 Posted 29/09/2012 at 09:50:15
How about Oviedo at right back as an option? Missing out on ofoe is going to cost us I fear! Would also start distin to cope with lambert. How about:

Howard
Oviedo jags distin baines
Mirallas Neville osman pienaar
Fellaini
Jelavic

Julian Batti
24 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:04:49
My verdict: 5-1. We will crush the bastards.
Paul David
25 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:04:13
I still think Fellaini should drop back, not to the holding position but as a normal box to box midfielder. He was piss poor in the first half against Leeds but he was still poor in the second half as well so I don't think that proves anything.
James Martin
26 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:07:49
Funny how after the midweek everyone's suddenly hoping that Coleman can play at RB so that Neville and Osman can play in the middle. Staggering how it can all change.
Paul David
27 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:09:48
James I doubt its everyone, i'm going to stick my neck out and say Neville will be booked for a stupid foul on the edge of the area and will be shit, yet again.
Keith Glazzard
28 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:06:44
Morning all - its pissing down here in Catalunya with bolts of lightning to knock your fillings out, but that shouldn't affect the game unless my internet goes down.

Never forget, there is no such thing as an easy game or a predictable result. The famous ManU have a reputation for "never giving up" and snatching a win "in the last minute". What, pray, does that mean? It means they've struggled to get a result for 89 minutes. Southampton will be no pushover, but if we turn up and give Jelavic three or four sniffs we will nail it. A clean sheet shoudn't be beyond us either.

Off for a cortado. Nos vemos.

Phil McKeown
29 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:12:43
I worry Coleman won't make it and Johnny has to play centre mid, it's our weakness.
Julian Batti
30 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:11:05
I am coming over in January to watch the game against Swansea. Any foreigners travelling: please email me: julian2002@lycos.com. Will be staying at the shithole called Hatters Hostel. Anyone who has anything better to offer can get free accomodation in Basel in Switzerland. WRITE ME!
Nick Entwistle
31 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:24:55
Yeah, and I'm going to be in a car park off the M25 this evening. I'll flash me lights so you'll know its me.
Paul David
32 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:29:06
Nick if you do that then don't be surprised if you end up with a pair of bollocks on your windscreen.
Kev Johnson
33 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:31:16
Ha-ha! Good one, Paul!
Ken Crowther
34 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:31:25
Nick #816.
Why bother with "a car park off the M25", you Southerners are always telling us that the M25 IS a car park.
Chris Davies
35 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:20:04
Good Morning.
It's 16 degrees and sunny in Wrocław, Poland this morning. It's expected to reach 22 later in the day.

Oh wait,.. This isn't a weather forum?? Toffeesomething?
I'm confused...

Keith Glazzard
36 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:36:41
Anyone else old enough to remember Two-Way Family Favourites?
Dick Fearon
37 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:22:35
I hope that shambolic Leeds game has not thrown things out of kilter.
Against the Saints I will gladly take any old kind of win.
I agree with Keith G @ 811, there are no sure fire games in the premier league. All the players must be on their mettle with any backsliders dragged before damage is done.
.
John Crook
38 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:43:49
Kev 799: as you say, three-nil to EFC... draw for Utd Spurs. But Norwich BEATING the Shite and QPR beating West Ham.

Well, that would leave a certain someone top and a certain someone bottom.
Kev Johnson
39 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:43:22
Dick - backsliding may be inevitable if it's raining heavily, hence our new-found interest in the weather forecast. Otherwise, I 'm with you.

Keith - yes, I am. It always seemed to involve servicemen in Cyprus dedicating Roger Miller's "Little Green Apples" to loved ones back in Blighty. Say the title of that radio show and I can immediately smell Mint Sauce, because my mum was always in the kitchen cooking up a Sunday dinner when it was on! Anyway, where were we?

John Audsley
40 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:45:39
I'm expecting Blue Bills face to appear on the main screen, around about the 25 minute mark and the words KEV JOHNSON will appear underneath him...

3 - 1 to us today

With Hibbert out and Coleman having a fitness test id consider Heitinga at RB for this game. He played a lot of club and international football in that position and for a game like today id give it a go

As far as the James Martin's comments about Osman and Neville go I don't agree that everyone wanted them out, I certainly didn't.

Howard, Heitinga, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Neville, Osman, Mirallas, Pienaar, Fellini, Jelavic for me

Kev Johnson
41 Posted 29/09/2012 at 10:55:18
What are you saying, John - that I am in fact BK? Ouch. That hurt.
George McKane
42 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:01:23
Chris Davies

Are you working in Wroclaw - - a lovely City - - I have done some theatre there - - Jerzy Grotowski had his Theatre there and his Centre - - he also had a theatre in Opole - - I have some friends who now live in Liverpool from Opole/Wroclaw - - my wife is from Gdansk - - there is a Polish Evertonians FB/Website around on the net - - remember seeing it a few years ago - tried to make contact but didn't get a response.

Have good day - I am just off to the game now.

I am just back from Cologne last night - - opened an Exhibition of photos of Evertonians from our Pub - - The Dark House - - and did a performance to open it about being a Blue. It was a great night.

2 Blues from Dusseldorf came to the opening night in their Blue Boy tops - - they had been to The Dark House a few times but had lived in Germany for 10/15 years - - fantastic.

George.

Keith Edmunds
43 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:08:14
Cold 15c and wet in Melbourne today. Any sort of win will do for me. I was at the 8-0 but no high expectations today!
Keith Glazzard
44 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:00:09
Mint sauce! Have you read Proust. Its better in the original French as you can give up after a few lines rather than a few chapters further down the line. A bit like Ulysses. But I digress.

I know not everybody is interested about the weather in Catalunya, but if you don't already use a weather satellite let me recommend pluriversal.com. Their Meteosat infraroig (infrared) europa service simply tells the truth, and you get a very good idea of what is likely to happen next from it. It looks like, no matter what happens this afternoon, I'm going to have a belting Wednesday.

But, to return to the football, if I still have a smile on my face from a win and a high league position it will be all the better. COYB. Must get off for that coffee.

Kev Johnson
45 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:13:54
Keith, yes I have read Proust. In this instance, mint sauce = madeleines!

I'm trying to tie this back into the Southampton game now. Er... Er... Er... COYB!

Keith Glazzard
46 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:13:15
Jeez - talk about the lost tribe. TW - home of the blue diaspora. Love it.
George McKane
47 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:20:29
I rang Alan Jackson on Radio Merseyside and started quoting Aristole and Plato and Oscar Wilde in relation to Everton - - Alan said " Arrr hey George - -its a footie phone in" He said it in great humour.

George

Tony McNulty
48 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:36:02
Keith, I don’t remember two-way family favourites. It sounds like a porn site for some sections of the population in Eastern England.

George – perhaps quote Camus instead. Apparently he was quite a good goalkeeper.

Hopefully back to winning ways today. But which Everton will turn up??

Brent Stephens
49 Posted 29/09/2012 at 12:03:30
My pref:
Howard
Coleman (but that Oviedo suggestion does sound interesting), Jags, Distin, Baines, Miralals, Nev, Osman, Peanuts, Fellaini, Jelly
Paul Johnson
50 Posted 29/09/2012 at 11:55:56
Good feeling about today. Won't matter about the line up, the Leeds game is well put to bed.
I predict a jelly hatrick with the blues scoring at least four. Not saying Southampton won't score but thet won't be good enough, as you can probably guess the sun is shining in Nairobi.
COYB
Paul Smith
51 Posted 29/09/2012 at 12:06:21
I'm not sure about this one; I work in Southampton and they're a characterless bunch.

As for their team, they had a good win last week, after a spanking away, so I expect something a little tighter today: they will defend well and hope for the draw. This really shouldn't be a problem for us, if we take our chances, don't lose our position if we can't score, then It will come.

Key man today: Jeli needs to put one in. Dilemma: Jags or Heits?

Ryan Holroyd
52 Posted 29/09/2012 at 12:36:15
Not sure why Paul David thinks we should win this game easy. Didnt Southampton give City and United a good game? I think it's slightly arrogant and kopite talk that the game will be easy

My team
Howard
Colman
Jags
Heitinga
Baines
Mirallas
Osman
Neville
Pienaar
Fellaini
Jelavic

John Audsley
53 Posted 29/09/2012 at 12:47:53
Well your everything else but at the club Kev and I'm sure you said you where the chairman at one point............

If you REALLY ARE HIM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WOW is all I can say

James Muller
54 Posted 29/09/2012 at 13:32:32
Julian Batti
"My verdict: 5-1. We will crush the bastards."

-

Haha, I want this guy on my team.

I'm going with 4-1
Win is essential.

Richard Harris
55 Posted 29/09/2012 at 14:22:29
Brent #841. You almost got your wish with the starting line-up but Heitinga replaces Distin. Bench is Mucha, Oviedo, Gueye, Dustin, Vellios, Duffy, Anichebe. Ref is Lee Probert....
Kev Johnson
56 Posted 29/09/2012 at 14:27:14
Temperature = 13 C; wind = 18 West north westerly

Keep on the carpet, lads! COYB!

Jamie Barlow
57 Posted 29/09/2012 at 14:37:49
http://www.toffeeweb.com/comment/live/
Richard Harris
58 Posted 29/09/2012 at 14:28:42
Btw- excellent to read references to Proust, Aristotle, Camus, Wilde, Joyce and weather reports within the comments. Toffeeweb carries on the tradition of the School of Science and introduces logic, reason and literary criticism into the debate. Read Proust in French years ago but could never finish Ulysses - just couldn't get on with it. However, Thomas Pynchon gets my literary juices flowing, although even he is not as enigmatic as some of the players we have witnessed (suffered?) over the years...
Chris Davies
61 Posted 29/09/2012 at 16:01:21
Yes George.

I've been living in Wrocław for a couple of years. I moved here because my girlfriend's Polish. Yes, it's a lovely place but unfortunately, my last trip to see Everton was the cup final vs Chelsea. One thing I miss most about England is Everton and Goodison hmmm...

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