Chelsea vs Everton

I suspect it will be the same team with Cleverley in for Canada and Stek reinstated.

I think it'd be harsh on FM to be dropped.

I'm with you in that I'd like to see Davies given the shirt but it's highly unlikely. Tough, tough game and after last season will we ever get a result at the bridge.

I'm going to be there tomorrow, stealthily sitting amongst the home fans.

Chelsea are my tip for the title if Hazard stays interested and I'm afraid I expect nothing from this game apart from a fully committed effort.

Stekelenburg;
Jagielka, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Cleverley, Barry, Oviedo;
Bolasie, Lukaku, Barkley.

Subs: Robles, Holgate, Davies, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Lennon, Valencia.

We will probably be up against:

Courtois;
Luiz, Cahill, Azpilicueta;
Moses, Kante, Matic, Willian;
Hazard, Costa, Pedro.

Formidable line-up, but I have a feeling about this one, we got robbed last year, now it is our turn.

Oh, and the result, a tough 1-0 win with a goal from Andy King if my memory serves me well.

The best players perform against the best teams, the rest hide and make excuses.

For a start, the three Everton midfield players consisting normally of Barry, Gueye (Cleverley) and Barkley don't play together as a solid unit, as attackers and defenders, wherever the ball is played, but more awkwardly, with Barry and Gueye protecting the back four and Barkley expected to surge forward by himself with little or no support from the other two.

The great midfield of the past, Kendall, Ball and Harvey (the reason why Everton were so inspiring in the middle to late 1960s) played together as a solid unit and usually not that far from each other on the pitch.

I think Cleverley is a lot better in centre midfield than on the wing. I would love to see Tom Davies given a game but it is a big job for them lads to do in such a big game, maybe the last 20 minutes when Cleverley or Barry are tiring.

Yet, how many Everton games have you watched when Barry and Gueye are actually in the penalty box in open play? I have not seen them doing that very much. Yet, Barkley is expected to be everywhere.

Although Gueye was unfortunate not to get a penalty against West Ham, when he popped up unexpectedly in their penalty area.

I thought we started doing this in the second half last week but then, when we got the ball back, we were then to narrow.

I think we are on the right track, but I'm not sure the players are that comfortable with how the manager wants us to play just yet. The manager spoke about us being about 70% fit at the start of the season... and I think the team is around 70% sure of what the manager is trying to implement right now. Stamford Bridge would be a great place to improve things!

I know he is ineligible to play tomorrow but I would like Gueye to be given a more attacking role, and especially at home. When you see Man City or the other lot, they seem always to have plenty of men in and around the box to give them options. Were sometimes with us we have two or three at most in the opponents box. So maybe a 4-1-4-1 system may help us in the attacking third.

I heard Klopp the other week being asked what system he played. He said, "We don't have a set structure; we have 4 defenders and 6 attackers." I think he is more definite than that when he talks to his players, but I get the idea that he is more fluid than most with his players. But I am equally sure that they are told exactly what he expects of the front six when they lose the ball.

But Klopp has had a full season to change things; Koeman has had only a few months. I know some will say well Guardiola has only had a few weeks longer at Man City, but he took over a team that was full of quality and who had won the league twice in the last few seasons.

Steavey, I agree with your comments about our midfield. They do not play as a solid unit – until that gets sorted, we'll always struggle.

On another matter, I think Robles should be given an extended run. Despite his penalty saves, I'm not convinced by Stekelenburg. Some very soft goals he's conceded.

Nowadays, managers go on about a pressing game but, as far as I can see, it's just a new term for what good teams have always done. Alex Young, Jimmy Husband, Johnny Morrissey, Joe Royle, et al used to work their bollocks off tracking back to help the defence and midfield, as well as putting the opposition defence under pressure. I think that's all Koeman is trying to get us to do now.

My point is we don't really have that much better than Cleverley. So let's just see how he does. People saying to throw Davies into the fray. Not for me. Not this game. And Barry could just as easily be over run in midfield , even more so than Cleverley . Who knows? This is going to be tough tomorrow. Last seasons result means nothing. We need to be on our A game. And being honest , I don't think that we have even hit our B game yet. But ever the optimist ... We might just scrape this..

........

Come on Rom! There's always a chance! More of the same, lad!

I wouldn't be surprised to see us line up as 5-4-1. Koeman has form for this in the first couple of games of the season, at least part of them anyway.

In some respects I don't think that the formation matters as much as the team playing more compactly with the back four/five and midfield in much closer contact with the forward players to enable a more effective pressing game. Remember when we used to call that closing-down the opposition? The '80s side did it en masse.

When under pressure, we need to hit the corners for our wide players to chase, pulling their centre-backs out from their narrow three and making their full-backs turn and chase. We were set up to do that against Man City but they closed us down so high up that we were unable to launch balls over the half-way line with enough distance or accuracy to give Deulofeu or Bolasie any chance of getting and retaining possession.

When we finally managed this, it had taken so much time that City pushed up and caught Deulofeu offside five or six times, I seem to recall. Whilst I have issues about his general demeanour I can understand his frustrations in that first half.

Sorry to harp on about it, but such an approach is made for Aaron Lennon surely.

I'd sacrifice the wings and flood the middle with Cleverley (zero skill but can bust things up) and Tom Davies who I really think has it all (box-to-box, side-to-side, with a good touch and awareness) but it's a big ask to do this tomorrow.

So it's three at the back, two back-wings, four centre midfield and Lukaku up front and that'll confuse Chelsea more than it confused me to think of it... so 3 points then.

Three in midfield, is not enough anymore, especially since most teams tend to flood this area. Agree we don't play as a unit, but think this could change massively if Lukaku, could just get hold of the ball a lot more.

I look at the other crowd, and think they play better as a unit when Firmino, is playing rather than Sturridge, simply because he gets hold of the ball and constantly brings other players into the game.

I have said for a long time that Everton, don't get enough people forward, with no-one ever really breaking their neck to get into the oppositions box, but this should never really be a problem, with Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku and Bolasie all on the same team. Perhaps when McCarthy returns, his energy could also release Gana, but Lukaku, really getting hold of the ball, could be the best thing to happen to this team.

Be careful to sit on your hands, mate. My girlfriend works at Chelski and she's already seen one fan get a hiding this season after celebrating an away goal in the home end.

I'm sure this is as likely to happen anywhere, and indeed unlikely to happen elsewhere in the same stadium but I'd hate to see that happen to one of ours.

We did really well till Alan Harper hit a 30-yarder to make it 2-1 (which was the result) and we jumped up. Gerrin! What a goal!! Only to realise the 500 pair of eyes looking at us. Our next word was RUN!! Which we did followed by several hundred excitable cockneys.

Mind you I could run in those days. Happy days (I think)!

My huge lump of B-I-L changes into a homicidal maniac every time they play. My missus after a couple of incidents realised it wasn't good family bonding to watch the game together as she had previously organised .

If you are concerned about not enough players defending, there are already four defenders at the back, whose primary job is to defend. Not for the full-backs to be considered wing backs. And if the back four can't defend properly, it's because they are not good enough.

But already Ashley Williams has shown this season what a great defender he is, but I am not sure about the other two, Jagielka and Funes Mori. Or even Oviedo, Coleman and Baines, who are not the best defenders around. Yet, are good at getting forward.

It doesn't give me any pleasure saying this. But I'll be massively shocked if we won tomorrow in fact my gut feeling is we ll get well beaten Our recent history at these so-called big 4 is nothing short of appalling and I've seen nothing this season that makes me think it'll change tomorrow. Unfortunately we've caught these when their tails are up and they'll be full of confidence

Predict any formation you like – it won't make a blind bit of difference I don't know why but our mentality going into these games stinks. Yes, you could argue we were really hard done to last season but they were a different kettle of fish altogether. Please just make me eat my words tomorrow

Steklenburg;
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Cleverley, Barry, Oviedo;
Bolasie, Barkley,
Lukaku.

Subs: Robles, Jagielka, Davies, Lennon, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Valencia.

In a similar formation to Chelsea – with Bolasie and Barkley playing more centrally.

Holgate offers more pace on defense, and Jags has been struggling lately. Holgate deserves a chance.

Other than that – I'd go with:

Steklenburg;
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Barry, Barkley, Oviedo;
Lennon, Lukaku, Bolasie.

As Lennon offers a lot of energy & tracking back.

The forward's really do need to keep the ball better as no doubt there will be limited attacking licence gifted to both fullbacks to prevent leaving space for the likes of Hazard and Co.

I watched Southampton last night and they really did keep and move the ball well and create plenty of chances, it reminded me of us under Moyes when we were a good team and everyone could be trusted with the ball and to make the right decisions with it!

If we don't keep and use the ball well tomorrow, it will be relentless pressure which will know doubt lead to goals for Chelsea!

I'd take a draw right now, expect to get beat by two but would love Barkley and Rom to stun them and us to take the glory! COYB! FTRS!

As Lyndon points out, we have individuals who can turn this in our favour, but too many stars need to be aligned for Bolasie and Mirallas for my liking.

We won't go three at the back; Koeman quite likes it, but he won't chance it tomorrow. not without the necessary preparation.

I'm worried about Jags, He is vulnerable to quick feet these day and Chelsea have that in abundance. I'm even more worried about Oviedo, I don't buy this "He's improving with every game." Not until he improves against teams who actually attack us. I fear he will be murdered tomorrow – please God I'm wrong...

Everything has to go for us tomorrow, but everything goes for some team every week... 'bout time it was our turn.

You will struggle to even get 6/1 now. (I just took 11/2). Fair odds which IMO reflect our chances.

Football hasn't changed that much. It's a battle to win and control the ball, move it towards your opponents goal and stick it in the onion bag.

Whilst that's going on you make sure that your opponents don't get in a position to do the same and you aim to turn over possession.

All the posturing about formations is an unnecessary, but understandable, response to the need for teams to play as a unit. You attack as a unit, you defend as a unit. Winners are able to move from one to the other as a team.

References to past teams are entirely relevant in this respect. Our best teams, and those of other clubs, were able to move from defence to attack quickly, smoothly and together.

We are not there yet.

Chelsea 1978

Hard to think of anything else in sport after hearing the news about Freddy Tylicki.

Thanks for the concern and advice. I'll be wearing my Everton wooly hat inside out (badge on the inside) and my shirt will be worn with pride – under several outer layers! They'll never know I'm among them.

If we score, I will silently fist clench and watch with delight the delirious away support. If they score, my muffled expletives will be drowned out hopefully.

If I'm rumbled, I will simply run onto the pitch and streak. That guarantees a police escort to safety. Pretty much got it covered.

Football is played out on the pitch and not in the classroom, and although you have your own opinions, don't you think Everton would be a better team if Lukaku could get hold of the ball?

Take a point now? Yes.

How many teams will come away from Stamford Bridge with anything?

I will take a point now. 😀

Koeman knows what he is doing. Lukaku hasn't anything to prove and may well take what little comes his way to prove his doubters wrong.

0-0?

Aside from that 6-3 clusterfuck at Goodison, we've played Chelsea extremely tough the past few seasons and our defensive record this season has been legit – ten matches into the season and we've only allowed multiple goals once. We may not come away with a win, but I doubt we'll make it easy on them.

Was at the game and remember the day well.

Hitched from Fontwell in West Sussex (where I was working at the time) and got a lift from a feller who had the worst stammer I've ever heard.

Got there dead early and back then it was a dead scary place to go.

I wandered around for ages looking in antique shop windows, pretending to be riveted by Chippendale pottery and/or ming clocks or..something.

When I eventually saw 'friendly' faces, including two mad bastards who later ran the Hillside in Huyton, I felt a little braver (one was like Giant Haystacks, EVERYONE gave him a wide berth).

A few pints ("woss a braaahn an bi'ah?") and calm was restored.

After the game I was exactly where all the worst trouble took place (at South Kensington) but I missed it all by (it seems) a matter of seconds and never saw a punch thrown or got a scratch.

On the Saturday night, l stayed with cousins in Crawley then back to Fontwell the day after.

It was only on my next trip home that I heard about all the carnage.

'Appy diiiize! (looks misty eyed).

I couldn't agree more mate, 69-70 and the 80s were great times, but there the past. And the problem with this club, we live in the past.

Any Premier League team is beatable. But to be truthful, Chelsea seem to have gotten through their sticky patch and have had some very good wins recently.

After saying that, I think we can beat them. It really depends what Blues team turns up on the day.

Everton 1-2. And Arsenal for the Premier League title.

I just looked at her, then back at them with a sort of 'she doesn't even know who's who' stare. They must have thought we were cockneys. I could have sworn it was Latch but obviously I'm wrong. As for the trouble; we walked right into it. Never seen a tube train without windows before, so we about turned and walked miles to the next station (West Brompton I think). Scary times at away games then...

Good luck. You just reminded me of one of my best days ever.

Came out of the Fulham workies club and found an Ayrton on the path way leading to it. I couldn't believe my luck. Decided to put half of it on a horse at Aintree (a big bet for me back then).

Stamford Bridge was a proper shithole back then and we got absolutely soaked, but there was no complaints from Evertonians that day, we won and Alan Harper scored a fucking screamer.

I stuck my head in the door of the betting shop on the way back and to my absolute joy saw my horse (Maori Venture) had pissed the Grand National at 28/1.

Halcyon days, We were kings and I backed winners

I didn't know. I'm getting some well paid work at nights so the world is kinda passing me by because I'm sleeping during the day.

Just googled it when I saw your post. Awful news, absolutely devastating for the boy.

I checked out that results site and sure enough we won 1-0 at Stamford Bridge in December 1977 and 1-0 again only 8 months later in August 1978 on the opening day of the following season.

Looking forward to going to the game and making a weekend of it in London catching up with friends. I would love it if we won.

I can see this being a hard game. We're not playing great, but hopefully we'll have a bit more confidence 'cause of last week's win.

If Lukaku can turn it on (with good service for him) and the defence stay solid, we may have a chance.

I predicted 0-1 on the Premier League Predictor... hope I'm right!!!

COYB.

As mentioned above, we certainly have the fire power to give Chelsea problems (Mirallas is due a goal). If those three are on blob, Chelsea's defence won't be able to handle them.

We will miss Gueye big time but I give Cleverley credit for being a true professional (in the Barry mould) and I am of the opinion that, if he starts as a defensive midfielder, he will do the job Koeman asks him to.

The back four is solid enough – Costa and his mates won't get it all their own way against – perm any two from Jagielka, Williams & Funes Mori – Coleman, and Oviedo.

What we need more than anything else is a big game from Barkley. This is a game that, if he can bring his not inconsiderable, strength, height, skill, and shooting power to the party, and stamp it on the game, we can come away from this with a result.

Koeman is as at least as smart as Conte – he can come up with a winning game plan. As Steavey Buckley states above, games are won in midfield.

What Koeman needs is for the team to be able to morph between 4-3-3 when attacking and 4-4-2 when defending – that, in my view, makes Barkley the key man. Come on Ross!!

Up the Blues!!!!

By that, I mean is Barkley's 'relatively improved form' set to stay, or is it just wishful thinking? They don't call him a confidence player for nothing...

If Koeman parks the bus, Ross will be on the bench!

If he is thinking of playing a pressing game, Ross will start!

Other than last season when Terry scored the 3-3 equaliser, I can't remember when we have won at Stamford Bridge! Over celebrating and a Martinez approach to defending cost us that day. It felt like a defeat!!

Anybody recall when we last won there?

But it's a funny old season this one. We just may be happy bunnies tonight.

Given Chelsea's relatively recent form (not immediate form, granted), a defensive Everton could break Chelsea down and bring back to them (Chelsea) their terrible form. Of course, we need to score and not lose confidence if they score. If Barkley can retain his confidence, he is simply a threat, he's a young man-mountain!

Quite agree.

The line-up will speak for itself.

I would take a point now... 😀

I would definitely start Funes Mori instead of Jagielka. Funes Mori scored at Chelsea last season, so hopefully will get one today. Nothing to fear, we got robbed there last season, due to a dodgy linesman. I would start Lennon instead of Mirallas. Let Coleman bomb forward, Lennon will work back for him unlike Kevin.

I love a good 4-5-1; my team would be:

Robles;
Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Ovideo;
Lennon, Barry, Barkley, Cleverley, Bolaise;
Lukaku

Everyone's raving about Hazard but (and I hope I don't jinx us here) watching him this season, he's been more miss than hit. I'd be happy with a draw but hope we can cause an upset

#62: "the back four is solid enough"