Everton vs West Bromwich Albion

Clarke is a tactician and if we play Baines and Pienaar down the left he will do everything he can to stifle them out. Moving Pienaar to the right will give him more space, it's a shame there won't be Coleman to link up with.

I'd like to see Oveido given a bit more of an opportunity. Maybe it won't come to anything, but there's no risk because Naismith has been woeful.

West Brom will be a tough game tonight.

The tried-and-tested failed at the Hawthorns back in September when our left flank was neutralised by WBA; Oviedo deserves his chance and moving Pienaar to the right gives us more attacking balance and Clarke something else to think about.

I'd take Jon's side, except with Gibbo (if fit) to replace Jelavic with Anichebe playing up front with Fellaini just behind.

Jelly may have more impact off the bench later in the game, and his current form doesn't warrant a guaranteed start.

West Brom are in a bit of a mess thanks to the striker who wants to join QPR. Dressing room turmoil. Sounds quite promising.

I suspect we will see a very similar team to who beat Bolton, unless Gibson or Coleman are back from injury.

We can't just go out and try to start all our attacks down the left, Swansea easily neutralised that threat - you can be sure Baines & Pienaar will be man marked.

Coleman & Mirallas look likely to miss out, so it's a massive worry where we will find any creativity.

It's time for Moyes to come up with a new method of attacking these teams, but as Sam points out, I think he is wary of making any changes to the way we play.

WBA will be no pushovers, but none of the teams in the PL are this season. With the well documented away fixtures to come, every opportunity has to be taken to garner 3 points from the other games starting tonight. COYB

Personally, I would go with (assuming Gibson is still out);

Howard
Neville, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
Pienaar, Osman, Fellaini, Oviedo
Anichebe, Jelavic

I don't want Lukaku anywhere near the ball so would bring Fellaini back and return to the better play-making at the start of the season when this was the case – ergo* Jelavic returns to genius.

[* Have I used that correctly?]

Albion have two solid centre backs and so the ball should be kept on the ground as much as possible. The problem is Everton are weak in midfield and the passing is poor at times and so Moyes will go with the big Fella to cause the usual mayhem on offence.

It doesn't promise to be a game of goals but I suspect a 1-0 scoreline for the Blues.

http://theexecutionersbong.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/breaking-baggies/

Interestingly, West Brom have conceded a lot of goals from set plays. That surprised me as I thought, like Tom, they were good in the air in the centre back postions.

'Ergo' is Latin for 'therefore' - don't agree with your post; but your English seems OK to me.

Anyone here in America confirm? Are we relegated to dodgy Internet streams and the TW forum?

FTR "relegated" only concerning the stream, not the forum. Forum is brilliant.

These are precisely the types of game where, if we are to mount anything like a realistic challenge for 4th place, wins are the only acceptable results. This is not arrogance but a reality check for people, including myself who wish to prove that we can get amongst the challengers for the Champions League.

Even more so when you look at who the RS are playing in the next two games. The incentive to put more space between us and them should be all we need.

I'm sure there is a something somewhere. That's it, I remember now it is '101 ways to criticise David Moyes's written by .......... Er.......P.Barry!

I know you have never let facts get in the way of your prejudice but let's just examine the last twelve months

P38 W16 D17 L5. F62 A40 pts 65

Only the two Manchester teams have taken more points in that same time period and you think we should sack our manager. However everyone had the right to an opinion even if it is barking.

For the record, I also reckon West Brom will be a tough nut to crack, but SACKING the manager if that happens..?!

If you ever re-locate 'the plot,' Peter, do let us know.

Sam, you're right,there are some tough games there but we also have to play West Ham, QPR, Reading, Villa, Stoke and Fulham at home. Swings. Roundabouts.

I would also like to see our wingers interchanging a little more and even doubling up they have all got rather predictable of late, we need a shake up.

Peter, I've said the same as you for many years. It's not going to happen, though. I cannot envisage any circumstances that would lead to Moyes's sacking. Even relegation.

Maybe we should appoint Kris Akabusi, he laughs a lot. Or maybe Joe Pasquale I'm sure the press conferences would be much more uplifting for you.

What he says behind closed doors is the only relevant factor, and I'd be concerned If he 'loved,' the camera, like Holloway, Warnock or Pardew..!!

As for the game, no doubt it will be tough especially as we are looking a bit sluggish. However, West Brom have faded too and if they are missing Mulumbu, Long, Yacob and Odemwingie then I reckon we should have 'em. Hopefully!

Teams realise Everton are a good side and will come to Goodison to spoil and get a draw. It's just what we used to do. Now though, I don't care who, where or how we play, I expect us to win. That's the side I want to support. So happy face or not, I believe that attitude change in me and many, many others is down to Moyes.

Maybe the rumours going around on some sites about Fer failing his medical are true — that would explain his grid..

Having said that, fair enough, if he gets us to the Champions League, he can gurn his face off.

For a while now I've been trying to get my head around how to make winning more desirable. I think I just cracked it. Win = four points. Draw = one point. That would show a lot of true colours of managers playing away or against supposed better teams.

For the record, I think this game will be 1-1 but we will twat Villa by three or four on the weekend.

and I shouldn't - their feed is usually excellent

TY

Naismith/Jelly starting, who both should be dropped imo and the Baines/Pienaar combo surviving the cull too with no chance of Oviedo starting on the left with nuts switching sides.

Same old same old.

Saturday's match against Villa is worrying me a bit now. They were crap in the first half against Newcastle with three centre backs but improved a lot in second half when they switched to 4 at the back. I think they'll be hard to break down on Saturday and will come for a draw.

Our two home bankers don't look as easy as the table might suggest at the moment and I'd be happy for a couple of scabby 1-0 wins.

The rest of his post is bollocks though!

Would be nice to see Oviedo given a start on the left, as mentioned above, the whole league knows about the Baines/Pienaar combo, so lets try to mix it up a bit.

I'd take 4 points from the next two games now, if offered - no easy away games and WB are no walkover.

Gibson and Mirallas will probably not make the game and they are both far from match fit too. No need to risk them. Keep them on the bench.

Howard
Neville Jagielka Distin Baines
Osman Fellaini Heitinga Oveido
Vellios Jelavic/Anichebe

The reason I include Heitinga is because we need more strength in the middle, we cannot afford to be overrun in midfield as WBA has a very dangerous striker in Lukaku.

The most important thing for me is for Oveido to be given a chance as Pienaar is out of touch and form. Oveido has looked very decent until now so he deserves it.

The second important thing is Vellios. He should be given a chance to affect this game as it will suit his style plus he has more energy then Jelavic currently seems to have.

If Oveido and Vellios get a chance tonight then I think we have a fair chance to win; if not, I fear we could even lose. We need fresh faces when key players fail to do their job, and so I hope for this to happen.

If Gibson / Mirrallas are not fit I wouldn't have them anywhere near the sub's bench. They can watch the match from the stands or their TVs. I'd be surprised if either is anywhere near starting tonight - or even on Saturday.

I agree with you on Vellios, Anichibe and Oviedo (good call to drop Pienaar IMHO). If it's not working, try something different (except Gueye, he can keep Gison and Mirrallas company).

Not the best of teams available but still capable of victory by virtue of composed cultured passing and great movement!!!

I had him as Everton's best player on Saturday. It would be crazy to drop a player who along with Baines, Fellaini and Osman been our most consistent performers this year.