Everton vs Villarreal

02/08/2015

19 Comments [Jump to last]

Duncan Ferguson Testimonial

The final warm-up game of the 2015 pre-season programme sees Everton take on Villarreal at Goodison Park for Duncan Ferguson's testimonial this afternoon.

Coming nine years after he hung up his boots, this is a belated chance for Evertonians to pay tribute to a Talismanic figure from a difficult period in the club's history and benefit the big man's chosen local charities.

Ferguson will don the famous No.9 jersey one more time for a few minutes of the match, perhaps alongside the forward he briefly shared a team with more than a decade ago in the form of Wayne Rooney.

The ex-Blue turned Manchester United vanguard and skipper will also pull on a Blue jersey again to play as an guest of Ferguson's against the Spanish side.

Roberto Martinez will give playing time to those players who did not feature in yesterday's 2-0 defeat at Leeds United but Romelu Lukaku is unlikely to be risked with the Premier League opener against Watford just six days away.

Kick off is 3pm.

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Reader Comments (19)

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Craig Mills
1 Posted 02/08/2015 at 09:20:25

I'm not sure how long Dunc and Rooney will play today, and with Kone, Mirallas and Naismith all featuring yesterday, who will we play up top??

Jim Bennings
2 Posted 02/08/2015 at 09:57:30

It's all about the big fella today so let's hope it's not spoilt by idiots giving stick to Rooney.

We have to remember it's Dunc's testimonial and he invited Rooney himself.

Out of all the pre-season matches today will be the most carnival unrealistic one, naturally because we know Rooney or Ferguson won't be a part of our plans again this season so it's just all about enjoying the day.

Then, from tomorrow, our damn board and manager need to start getting a grip on things and take a long hard look at our appalling outlay this summer and take a long hard look at where they really want to take Everton Football Club over the next few months.

Steve Cotton
3 Posted 02/08/2015 at 10:08:53

Lukaku has heavy legs! Yes sorry I forgot.....

Sam Hoare
4 Posted 02/08/2015 at 10:12:31

Good question Craig! Was just wondering the same thing.

90 mins for Rooney and Duncan? Possibly the best strike force we will see all season.

I hope he tries Mirallas as a striker though then I don't know who plays on the wings.

Maybe today will be:

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
Barry McCarthy
Mirallas Cleverley Osman
Rooney

Jamie Barlow
6 Posted 02/08/2015 at 11:00:26

Yeah, can't wait to see who we play up top today and I'm really looking forward to seeing a Duncan and Rooney strike force, if only for 10 minutes.

Hopefully Barkley won't play again as he played yesterday so nothing will spoil the day.

Brian Porter
8 Posted 02/08/2015 at 11:18:30

I hope John Stones plays and has a bit of a mare. Mourinho has just hinted he may give up on Stones, possibly not wanting to go over the 㿊M mark. The most telling remark he made however is saying five top defenders are not enough for the Premier League. Are you listening, BK & RM?

We must bolster our defence before the end of the transfer window, as it would be unfair to expect our mostly untried youngsters to carry too much responsibility without being given a gradual introduction into the first team, or is Martinez just going to throw them in, in a sink-or-swim gamble? If so, the man is more deluded than I thought and must be got rid of before he wrecks yet another season for us.

I wish the team well today, but after yesterday just can't get enthusiastic. Same old tactics, no penetration and few creative ideas from manager or players.

Michael Penley
9 Posted 02/08/2015 at 11:24:13

I hope we get to see Dunc and Rooney play with the rest of the 1st team so we can see how they perform compared with Lukaku and Naisy.

Jim Potter
10 Posted 02/08/2015 at 11:25:29

I hope Rooney is given a good reception.

I was so gutted when he left us and never really forgave him until recently.

The reality to me was - we sold him - and that he didn't initiate jumping ship.

He had a money grabbing agent - and was wanted by the most successful club in the land. He was young and did what he was told. This probably included - "This money will save Everton".

I believe he still loves the club.

I think he's brave coming back to do this for his mate. We should be decent to the guy.

I still believe he might come back one day - and even if he was 34 - I'd love to sing 'Rooney'! once again.

He may be a black sheep - but to me - he's 'family'.

Alan Thompson
12 Posted 02/08/2015 at 11:37:05

Perhaps we should have gone the whole hog and had an Everton XI vs An Almost Recently Seen EFC XI. (ARSE XI for short):

Ruddy in goal, Garbutt, Duffy, Distin, Lescott, Arteta, Fellaini, Rodwell, Anichebe, Rooney, Long. Subs: Hibbert, Atsu, Alcaraz, Baxter, Green... with Mr Moyes on the sideline with his assistant Phil Neville.

Then, on Monday afternoon, let the combined Likely Lads and Youth team's best chase our opening EPL game's team around the ground at Finch Farm then they would all get 90 minutes.

If we are to invite overseas teams to Goodison for friendlies, then I hope we at least pay them the respect of playing Everton's best.

Chris Gould
13 Posted 02/08/2015 at 11:58:23

Jim Potter, couldn't agree more.

Helen Mallon
14 Posted 02/08/2015 at 12:38:32

Jamie Barlow, I love your post.

Christopher Timmins
17 Posted 02/08/2015 at 12:51:06

It will reflect very badly if Rooney does not get a good reception. Besides with a bit of luck he will give us a couple of years at the back end of his career, assuming we can afford a free transfer at that time!

Thomas Surgenor
18 Posted 02/08/2015 at 13:05:27

Ferguson, Rooney and Barkley up top.

Fantasy football time!

Let's hope the big man scores.

But doesn't everyone score on their testimonial?

Jay Harris
19 Posted 02/08/2015 at 13:12:52

I agree we should not give Rooney a bad reception but cant understand why anyone would want him back at the end of his career.

He has given his best years at another club which has already unloaded enough of their rejects on us.

Let's grow another young "Rooney" and encourage them to stay.

Ian Hollingworth
20 Posted 02/08/2015 at 13:23:00

Today Rooney is one of us again, boo him in a Utd shirt by all means but today when he proudly dons that Royal Blue jersey to honour Dunc we should cheer him and welcome him back in the fold.

Tom R Owen
21 Posted 02/08/2015 at 13:49:10

Well said Jay14

Ian Glassey
22 Posted 02/08/2015 at 13:49:50

A nice tweet from Tim Cahill for Fergie. I still love Tiny Tim.

Steve Pugh
23 Posted 02/08/2015 at 14:22:04

Given that Kone played 45 mins yesterday and Conor played 45 I reckon Kone will play the first half Rooney the second with a brief cameo from the big fella.

Jim Harrison
24 Posted 02/08/2015 at 14:55:56

Can't see Utd allowing Rooney too much playing time? Pretty big gamble for them even letting him play let alone competing for more than 30 mins or so. Imagine the stick if he got injured? No more Utd cast offs on the cheap for us!

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