Season › 2014-15 › News
Swansea City vs Everton
Match Preview

Could Kevin Mirallas earn a recall now that he has recovered from a dead leg?
With relegation fears effectively banished thanks to three Premier League wins in a row, Everton now have a top-ten finish in their sights with seven games of the season remaining.
Last weekend's win over Southampton briefly lifted the Blues into 11th place, five points behind Stoke City in 10th but Roberto Martinez will know that if his team can keep on stringing together positive results then some pride — not to mention valuable prize money — can be salavaged from a disappointing campaign.
The Catalan takes his charges back to the Liberty Stadium this weekend, scene of one of the worst performances of the season when they were turfed out of the Capital One Cup by the Swans' first ever win over an Everton side. An early League Cup exit was par for the course for the Toffees but the 3-0 reverse and the manner in which it was suffered foreshadowed further calamity to come in the Premier League.
With one eye on re-establishing his side as a force capable of challenging for Europe again next term, Martinez will be seeking a very different outcome in the lunchtime Saturday kick-off.
He will likely have to achieve it without Romelu Lukaku who remains a big doubt with a hamstring injury. He came off clutching the back of his thigh against Queens Park Rangers a fortnight ago and then missed both of Belgium's international games plus Everton's League game against the Saints last Saturday. He is rated as 50-50 for this weekend but would be a surprise inclusion.
"Romelu is a massive player for us and it would be a worry if we were not to miss him," Martinez said at his pre-match press conference. "We need to give as much time as we can before the game on Saturday.
"At the moment, he is still 50-50 because it is an injury we need to make sure is 100 per cent well healed before we put him on the pitch.
"The goalscoring threat Rom brings to the side is unique and we don't have a like-for-like replacement in that respect but we have other players who have shown they can bring a different way of playing and can be as effective."
Should he miss out again, Arouna Kone will be the one to lead the line again, a responsibility he struggled with against Southampton. The Ivorian has shown himself to be tidy enough holding the ball up and bringing team mates into play but his final ball and his finishing have been sorely lacking since he has been given a run in the side and, to date, his opener at Newcastle at the end of December remains his only goal in Royal Blue.
Kone was supported by Ross Barkley last time out, with Aaron Lennon on the right flank but Steven Naismith made a positive impact when he came on as a 70th-minute substitute and Kevin Mirallas is waiting in the wings to make his first start in a while after recovering from a dead leg. All will provide Martinez with options going forward, particularly if Lukaku is indeed ruled out.
In midfield, Darron Gibson's season could be over after he fractured a bone in his foot last week but Steven Pienaar is fit again and could play a part and will likely vie with Mirallas and Leon Osman for the wider left berth. Gareth Barry and James McCarthy are the expected central midfield partnership and no changes are likely in the back four or in goal. Tony Hibbert and Bryan Oviedo are again ruled out through injury.
For their part, Swansea have been a little unpredictable lately, having taken three away points from the St Mary's and beaten Manchester United at home but then losing at Tottenham and at the Liberty Stadium against Liverpool.
With 13 wins in all, they remain in eighth place coming into the weekend, however, occupying the highest place Everton can realistically achieve over the season run-in. A win for the Blues would lift them to within six points of the Swans and closer to touching distance of £6m more in Premier League prize money.
Kick off: 12.45pm
Referee: Michael Oliver
Full details: ToffeeWeb Match Reports
Reader Comments (90)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 10/04/2015 at 00:52:21
Pienaar would lift part of the team, good chance to see him and Lennon on each flank and Mirallas as well. If Naisy starts it will be well deserved.
Distin will have a proper impact at the back no doubt, who knows if he will be involved. I'd welcome him on the side.
Anyways COYB.
3 Posted 10/04/2015 at 03:38:13
Naismith and Osman both deserve a start and so does Barkley. So we have a slight problem of plenty on our attacking left and centre, assuming Lennon is sealed for the right flank.
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
McCarthy Barry (the second name is a prediction, not a selection by any means)
Lennon Naismith Osman
Kone
Subs:
1. Pienaar for Osman on the left (some game time for Pienaar)
2. Mirallas for Lennon or Kone
3. Barkley for Kone
4 Posted 10/04/2015 at 04:39:07
Maybe give Bainesy a rest and play Garbutt on condition he signs his contract.
5 Posted 10/04/2015 at 08:28:55
Swansea, let's not forget, are playing free from pressure themselves and they are quite a decent side, especially at home.
I seem to recall we very rarely do much in these early Saturday lunchtime matches so let's hope we can change that tomorrow.
Looking at table, you would think we have to beat Swansea to have a slim outside chance of catching them.
6 Posted 10/04/2015 at 08:31:59
7 Posted 10/04/2015 at 08:45:21
9 Posted 10/04/2015 at 09:24:06
Our last visit to the Swans was humiliating and the Toffees from Liverpool could be seen outside, waiting to get back on the locked buses rather than watch any more useless running about with no result. Lawro (shit shirts) predicts we will draw. He could'nt bring himself to forecast success for us. He's a BSc (Econ); so am I, but I'm London Uni not Liverpool, so fuck off, Lawro! Will he predict FA Cup success for the RS? I don't expect anything from Kone. If we score I think it will be one of our talented centres and backs. Please, please no McGeady.
10 Posted 10/04/2015 at 12:29:48
His first touch has been good mostly so a run of games may show that Martinez didn't bring him to us just for excellent medical care. That's what I'm hoping anyway
11 Posted 10/04/2015 at 13:07:28
Coleman Stones Jagielka Garbutt
McCarthy Baines
Lennon Barkley Mirallas
Naismith
Subs: Robles, Alcaraz, Besic, Osman, Pienaar, Barry, Kone.
12 Posted 10/04/2015 at 16:55:57
13 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:18:04
14 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:27:12
"so it's pretty good that we are only five points behind them".
I hope you didn't mean that.
15 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:31:54
16 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:39:29
17 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:45:57
18 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:44:17
I would like to see Garbutt start for all the remaining games so he can show what he's capable of and hopefully sign a new contract. It would be interesting to see Baines partner McCarthy in midfield. Martinez has said Baines can play in midfield and with Barry fully in decline this season and Gibson injured, it should be the time try the experiment.
We are really short of quality wide men at the moment. Pienaar wont be match fit yet, Mirallas is clearly out of favour due to bad attitude problems and Mcgeady still injured... but he still wont be missed! That leaves us with the headless chicken (Lennon) on the right and Osman out of position on the left – not ideal but very little alternatives.
I would play:
Robles
Coleman Jagielka Stones Garbutt
McCarthy Baines
Lennon Barkley Osman
Kone.
19 Posted 10/04/2015 at 17:51:15
20 Posted 10/04/2015 at 18:01:58
21 Posted 10/04/2015 at 18:00:17
22 Posted 10/04/2015 at 18:20:02
23 Posted 10/04/2015 at 18:51:15
24 Posted 10/04/2015 at 18:18:08
How about:
Robles
Coleman Stones Jagielka Garbutt
McCarthy Ledson
Lennon Barkley Henen
Kone
Good mix of youth and experience. I reckon that side would give a decent account and at least we'd have something to maybe get excited over....
25 Posted 10/04/2015 at 19:16:49
26 Posted 10/04/2015 at 20:53:56
I would give some of the kids a go but for 30 minutes a game and only one or two at a time.
As someone said why not call Chris Long back and what the hell is going on with Garbutt's contract.
27 Posted 10/04/2015 at 21:32:13
I'd like to see Tom Cleverly at Everton at the right price.
28 Posted 10/04/2015 at 21:39:06
Also, we're not mathematically safe from relegation. Football has a habit of kicking you in the nads and the pressure is most definitely on until relegation is impossible. Any thoughts of playing without pressure is just tempting fate.
We've won 3 league games on the bounce for the first time this season. We're very capable of losing every one of our remaining games. The time to feel relieved isn't ours to enjoy just yet.Link
29 Posted 10/04/2015 at 21:30:29
30 Posted 10/04/2015 at 21:39:49
31 Posted 10/04/2015 at 21:54:45
32 Posted 10/04/2015 at 22:07:49
33 Posted 10/04/2015 at 22:09:10
34 Posted 10/04/2015 at 22:08:14
Tom Cleverly linked yet again. No thank you. Makes Osman look like Xavi.
36 Posted 10/04/2015 at 22:26:15
37 Posted 11/04/2015 at 06:54:17
38 Posted 11/04/2015 at 07:14:40
I know your speculation on these threads is all a bit of fun, but really? Some of the team selections and claims for players to be brought back from loans because we lack a bit up front without Lukaku? Come on, those players are on loan for good reasons, and playing for other teams for good reason - you can't just haul them back because Lukaku is injured for a week!
One of you even has Henen in the team!!
39 Posted 11/04/2015 at 07:24:25
File under: half decent but not really that good.
40 Posted 11/04/2015 at 09:18:16
41 Posted 11/04/2015 at 10:16:03
42 Posted 11/04/2015 at 10:17:33
I don't agree with your post #39 tho. Mo Besic is going to be a huge player for us in either MF or as CB. Give him time to bulk up and get a bit more experience.
43 Posted 11/04/2015 at 10:25:02
44 Posted 11/04/2015 at 10:38:44
So good luck to the boys and I have had my massive ٠ on Coleman & 1-.0.
Lets make amends for the dire last outing against them COYB
45 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:02:19
46 Posted 11/04/2015 at 10:51:10
No I haven't been on the turps but as they say it is always darkest before the dawn and it couldn't have got any darker than it was before the Newcastle win.
Assuming Lukaku won't make it this is the team I would like to see sent out against Swansea:
Howard,
Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines
Lennon, McCarthy, Besic, Pienaar
Mirallas, Barkley
Kone on for Mirallas if he doesn't turn up.
Summer is coming.
Up the Blues!!
47 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:21:44
48 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:35:57
49 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:38:25
50 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:31:56
51 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:32:42
I was at the Southampton game last week, it was pretty awful regardless of the result. I have had enough of RM,his tactics,playing Barry & Howard no matter how bad they perform. His after match comments etc etc.
We have all had our ups & downs watching Everton over the years but this season has just drained the life out of me, I have never felt so disinterested.
52 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:45:53
53 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:46:49
54 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:41:30
Every Everton era has it's icon and he was that in some pretty dark times. Followed by Tim Cahill for me.
55 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:50:29
Everton substitutes: Robles, Alcaraz, Garbutt, Besic, Pienaar, Naismith, Mirallas
56 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:45:56
57 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:55:31
I'm not sure anyone is even close? Certainly not as an icon, legend. But even as a crowd favourite?
It shows how low we've sunk that I'd give anything for Deulofeu to be in our team today. Just something to get excited about from time to time.
58 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:01:22
Whether he's classified as a legend is very open for debate. The circumstances of his departure, less so.
59 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:04:33
Last seasons' Coleman was getting there but I don't know where he disappeared to !
Certainly Stones, Barkley, Besic have it in them.
60 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:15:08
61 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:18:20
I just don't want to see the return of the defensive calamities.
62 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:21:47
63 Posted 11/04/2015 at 11:50:19
I have to disagree with you about all players having a winning mentality - I don't think they do. I am sure all players want to win, but wanting to win and fighting tooth and nail to win are two entirely different things.
This is a player who has all but marked both Baile and Messi out of a games in his young career - he is only 22.
Hard as nails? No not like Cattermole - like Tony Kay, Johnny Morrisey, Peter Reid, Pat van den Hauwe etc. He doesn't seem to get injured much either.
As far as expectations are concerned mine have never changed - I expect Everton to be great again one day.
65 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:29:29
66 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:33:33
67 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:35:59
68 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:36:45
I said Forster was the best signing Southampton had made - he leads the way with 13 clean sheets so far this season, and has been instrumental in their great League campaign.
69 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:45:52
70 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:47:03
72 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:47:18
73 Posted 11/04/2015 at 12:58:25
75 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:08:25
76 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:08:57
77 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:02:00
The sun must be getting to Martinez! ;-)
78 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:14:04
79 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:17:07
80 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:17:58
81 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:26:12
82 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:27:18
83 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:27:36
84 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:29:09
85 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:33:26
86 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:32:50
88 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:35:15
It just shows you how important Pienaar has been to this team over the years.
91 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:39:32
92 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:41:11
93 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:47:10
94 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:53:24
95 Posted 11/04/2015 at 13:57:54
97 Posted 11/04/2015 at 14:05:14
99 Posted 11/04/2015 at 14:07:09
100 Posted 11/04/2015 at 14:11:35
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


1 Posted 10/04/2015 at 00:37:06
Monk is safe at Swansea. He has less to play for than Martinez.