Barkley ruled out with knee injury

I wasn't that confident about tomorrow even before this.

He will do an excellent job in the Barry/McCarthy role. Roberto will not attempt him in the advanced midfielder role.

Expect Mirallas or Naismith to occupy that position.

I've been expecting a draw all week but fuck it... 2-0 Everton

Time to dig deep now and ride through the next 2 - 3 weeks but I hope Martinez brings in more cover in the wake of this...

God I hope I'm wrong.

Hello Colin G. I was getting a bit concerned that you may have gone Walkabout with Jenny Agutter.

I think that'a a good shout there mate, and it couldn't be construed as a quick fix solution, because presumably we are already linked with him.

We have read about this lad, before we even knew anything about Ross's injury. So, maybe it will bring the interest in him forward because we have just about two weeks left in the window.

I just hope that Roberto thinks the way we do Harold, and whatsmore he gets Bill to dig down the back of the casting couch, and also Jenny's Knicker Drawer, ( I hear heavy breathing already) to come up with what was quoted as a fee less than David Henen's.

Which brings me to another point, has that one been concluded yet?, it's been like the Forsyte Saga !

Think positive — like Roberto!

RomÂ’s going to have dig deep to put a shift in with Nais in behind.

If itÂ’s Ossie behind Naismith up top weÂ’re screwed at the Theatre of Crisps tomorrow.

What is it about Everton in the past and presently that we seem to suffer bad injuries to our better players yet the ordinary players tend to stay fit and available?

I trust you were being sarcastic!?

No doubt somebody will come on here blaming our training methods next. Oh wait, they already have! Ossie or Nais to step in, but surely we won’t be treated to all the ’Ossie is not up to it anymore ’ crap? Oh wait, we already have!

I reckon they should share the managers team talk, They can explain to everyone else in the dressing room what it takes to qualify for CL football without a team of superstars.

I’m struggling to remember two Everton players who have accumilated more points than these two, yet the still don’t get the recognition they deserve

Any team would miss Barkley and Coleman, but they ’ll be back. In the meantime Hibbo and Ossie will answer the call as they have always done.

Three more points tomorrow, to add to the hundreds these two unsung heroes have amassed down the years.

You had me creased there mate with the Theatre of Crisps.

And that is the Plain truth.

This is a knee injury and may have occured without any contact at all, the manager cant possibly be blamed.

Shit happens. We go again

That sounds worse than a crack on the knee ffs - a tumour!!! Gees.

I also think Besic could play an important part tomorrow. Either that or heÂ’ll get a red in the first 5 minutes! Seriously, IÂ’ve every confidence. 0-2 away win.

Problem is heÂ’ll just be ready for the derby so fitness will be a problem for that game.

ItÂ’s not a Â’massive blowÂ’ to EFC. HeÂ’s 1 player... Would love Ossie to score a brace and Hibbert to be MotM tomorrow just to shut some numbnuts up... Get a grip. Come on, Blues!

Barkley will be missed; however, he can be very inconsistent and, on many occasions, like Deulfeu, loses the ball.

Thoughts are with you too mate.

In defence of Phil and the others who can make the odd remark, I am sure they are made for any other purpose than to inflame a sensitive situation.

Besides, in all fairness, we are not going to express our family or personal situations on here, otherwise it will cease to be the brilliant site that is TW, and become something like Facebook.

Will have to play the Belgians now. Will need them to get a result tomorrow and more importantly we need them to get match fit and up to speed for the Arsenal match.

Hope we manage to bring in a central playmaker before the window closes.

I’d be happy playing Naismith behind Lukaku or even Besic and McCarthy in front of Barry and use the wide players more.

I hope the positive thing will be Besic & Atsu being blooded earlier than expected.

However, if RM has smarts, he will go with others who are chomping at the bit to establish themselves.

Were 11/8 favs to win the game, but I’m not so sure, they seem a big direct team to me and I think they will cause us plenty of trouble.

What do I know! the results any bodies guess.

Verona look like getting him but Everton have been making enquiries. Of course, lots of other names can be put forward but with Susic, the price is right and with Besic as an indicator, he might be a real bargain.

Now had it happened to Howard, I really would be worried.

As previous posts have pointed out, this could benefit us in the long run. Where once was a very strong team but one injury damages it alot. Midfield we can cope to a extent, albeit a lot weaker but if this happened to Rom it would be a disaster.

We need to get cover up front for sure. Hope we’re not putting all our focus on Traore. If Monaco sell Falcao and end up keeping Traore we’re screwed. I’m sure Bill and Bob know this already. They do right?

Cheers again for the info, Harrold.

I’ll just say it — Barkley’s role is the only spot on the field that Ossie is good in. He’s no Barks by a large stretch but he can contribute there for an hour... and then change it up with Nessi or Besic.

Just damnit tho. Damnit.

Would we really suck if he got pushed forward of his "expected" comfort-zone? Or could we use that quick passing of his to advantage?

Not sure how, or even which of the available youngsters might get pushed to prove their unexpected worth for a a spell here...

I just love the thought if it could happen!

Naismith is a far better option for me in behind a striker, and proved it over the course of last season. So I’m not that arsed to be honest.

Anyways while it hurts to loose Ross it certainly will give others opportunities that they might not have gotten. Better now I guess than in the middle of the year as we do have a few weeks to pick up another player.

Personally think this is a big blow as we don’t have anyone who can do the job Ross can in the way he does (I.e. change defence into attack instantly), despite his occasional mistakes (being a young lad and all that). Gutted ahead of big, big games and the timing stinks.

Bum.

The thought of Hibbert and Osman both starting tomorrow is deeply depressing...

He is a young player who will now be chomping at the bit and frustrated as hell. Instead of shaking off the rustiness in the next couple of games with everyone else he will be trying to do that when everyone else has had 6 weeks of competitive games head-start.

I am wondering that it is reported that his injury happened yesterday, which coincides with the rumour about the interest in Susic. Perhaps they are related. I am not as comfortable with the level of cover we have in midfield as some are, especially considering the age or injury record of some of those we are going to be relying heavily on.

I’m not saying its the end of the world tomorrow as that’s why you need a squad because things like this happen he will be missed in the games against Arsenal and Chavski.

Hopefully Roberto will go on the offensive and we don’t see a repeat of the fringe under performances or line ups we had pre season as they simply don’t work, even against Leicester. I’d be tempted with Mirallas behind Lukaku as he is always wanting to come in for a goal and Atsu and Pienaar play the wings.

With the games coming up th,e earlier we get points on the table the better; go into each game wanting to win it and see where we go from there.

If Bobby is as savvy as I think he is, weÂ’ll get round this cause we are EVERTON!!!!!!!!! Patrick take no bread poultice mate!

Leicester 0 Everton 2. Result of new team depth and great team spirit.

My son had surgery on his knee Thursday. Supposed to be a 45 minute procedure, 2-3 week rehab and he’s back on the pitch.

The surgery lasted 3 hours, he’s in a wheelchair for 2 weeks, 6 weeks crutches, 3 months minimum rehab...

He had 2 college showcase tournaments this Fall.... ugh.

These things almost always seem to be worse than anticipated, and if ya rush Em back they simply re-injure.

I honestly hope we don’t see him back till our American Thanksgiving. That’ll give him ample time to heal and recover. Barkley is too valuable an asset to Everton.

And it’s a marathon, not a sprint. Time for that new squad depth to show its merit.

On the other hand, Roberto may smile in the face of adversity, re-shuffle his pack, and hit them with aces late on.

Ossie can step up.

The crap he gets on this site is appalling for a stalwart Blue. If he played for the RS heÂ’d get less abuse. He may not be Barkley - but heÂ’s still a good player - and will give 100%.

"A 100% sh*t" - I can see that one coming ...

How about backing our guys up?

I have never openly been a knocker of Osman and I totally agree he quite often gets some unnecessary stick, but I have noticed that age is also beginning to take it's toll, so can understand why that is the case.

All players can make mistakes in a game, but some seemingly escape criticism for them, Ossie's loyalty is almost unquestionable, and is one of those players who you would want if it descended to trench warfare.

I think Ossie's experience can be vital this coming season, but would prefer to see him giving a great 45 minutes than an ineffectual and laboured 90 minutes.

Hibbert too has been a great servant over the years, but I fail to see what he could possibly add to the modern game and the style of play employed by Roberto. I see him more of a liability than a benefit, and can't for the life of me understand why they gave him another contract.

By the way, Tim Greeley #95 and your ' fuck our arses' plea! Funniest thing I have read on here in ages. But you do need to get a grip. As things stand there are two players in our squad who we would seriously miss - Howard and Lukaku. There are no obvious ways of getting round them being injured. Ross, yes it's a blow, but we have a squad and other ways of playing so don't despair. Certainly no need to bend over!

At least we only have 3 games in the next month and a bit, hopefully he's back by the end of September.

Having said that, I hope this will mean that Atsu's induction into the playing XI is faster (although he won't play against Chelsea - bummer!).

Get well soon, Ross! To the Gods above - 'please, please let is not be anything worse than reported. I will live with 6 weeks off, and I promise to be good boy!'

However, I think that we can cope without Ross as we have plenty of midfielders, although not qite the same, it is upfront that gets my worry.

Especially as there are doubts over the Belgians' involvement, and as there has been no team indication, but being an optimist I am just hoping that they will (Rom & Kev) play at some point. Cheers Ajay.

Agree with your Osman comments. He is possibly just a 45 minute guy now. I just cannot understand OssieÂ’s demi hate figure staus on this site. HeÂ’s an honest, skillful, committed, loyal pro - who can play some great football. Would he be in my starting 11 - no. But we are now left beggars by this injury - and Bobby M is the Chooser. WeÂ’ll see.

I think many of us were hoping for a late dip into the market for another number 10 to cover for Ross before this injury - now I think itÂ’s a must. Over to Blue Bill and Bobby M.

Hibbo .... er ... is Hibbo. Love him to death but will wince uncomfortably if he plays. If he does - then IÂ’ll back him 100% and hope to God we get the chance to Â’riotÂ’ at last.

Obviously Roberto will now have maybe consider changing formation and personnel but I am sure he will do so accordingly make sure the guys who take the field are in the right frame of mind to take what I am sure he will consider positive results to be taken from the situation.

Footballs a squad game and other teams will face these problems throughout the season the same as ourselves. We are probably not aware of these as we only worry about and look closely at our own club.

The only stat that does concern me, is the fact we haven't won an opening day away fixture since 2001. Time to break that unwanted record Roberto!

Only a few days ago, some were telling us that last season we carried Barkley and that he was a luxury. We've always had posters tell us that he's not actually very good and he doesn't create and score enough. Utter tripe, of course. Well, it looks like we wont have to carry him for a few weeks at least.

Karl(125) I have to agree with Derek about Hibbert. I just can't remember a decent performance from him for years. He always had a yard of pace that got him out of trouble, but now he's not even that quick any more. If he plays I really worry about our chances of keeping a clean sheet.

I can only think he's been kept on to help develop the younger players and as an emergency. While Coleman is out, I think Browning should be given the nod. He looked one of our better defenders during pre-season, even playing out of position at left back and actually could be rather good in future, unlike Hibbert.

However as someone has posted we are not a one man team - 4,3,3 may be the way to go:-

Howard
Stones, Jagielka, Distin, Baines
McCarthy, Barry, Besic
Mirallas(or McGeady), Lukaku, Atsu

Subs: Pienaar, Osman, Naismith, Hibbert, Long, Robles

If Gibson and Coleman ARE fit, it's happy days.

Looking forward to a good result.

Lets not worry about Arsenal and Chelsea for the time being, all that matters is getting off to a good start today.

COYB lets get the 3 points