Everton vs Manchester City

Robles
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori
Coleman, Davies, Schneiderlin, Baines(c)
Barkley
Lukaku, Valencia

Subs: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, McCarthy, Barry, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Lookman

I doubt Barry will bench though, plus I'd love to see Deulofeu start...

I think that line up will probably start. Hopefully against lesser opposition, he will try one or two kids starting or coming off the bench.

Regardless of the result, however, I fear top 6, or even challenging for it, has long gone

Robles
Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Baines
Schneiderlin, Davies
Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas
Lukaku, Valencia.

They are playing extremely well and we will have to reach the levels of the Arsenal game to match them. Kompany is likely to start, so perhaps his lack of games might give us a chance.

I think having two defensive midfield starters who have never played together before, never even seen each other play, and one of them an 18-year-old, would be suicidal against Man City's midfield. Agree with Lyndon that Barry gets the start.

And given that Barkley has shown not one iota of leadership, and in fact has just recently raised his game above "get-him-the-hell-off-the-pitch" levels, I'd say he's a loooooong way from the armband.

If you want a bold statement of change, give it to somebody who has earned it by coming up big consistently. Fella named Coleman comes to mind.

It's been a long day

And yes Don... Captain!

We have improved in effort and commitment if little else, and surely soon are due a big performance. Not hopeful but I'm not dreading it. Looking forward to Sunday.

Hopefully Schneiderlin is match fit. I wouldn't be surprised to see McCarthy start either unless, as Lyndon has suggested, Koeman doesn't want to risk him so early after his hamstring injury.

This is the team I would put out against Man City if available:

Robles;
Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Baines;
Barkley, McCarthy, Schneiderlin, Davies;
Mirallas, Lukaku.

“As a player and a coach most of the time I have been working in clubs trying to win titles, and that is no different now.”

That is the attitude I want at this club and every signing we make should be done with an eye toward achieving that goal. I still want to see much more from Koeman when it comes to the type of football we are playing with the players at his disposal.

This may not be a title winning side but it is far better than a side that should be losing to Norwich and dropping the points that we have. But the message that he's putting out, that the expectation for this club going forward is to compete at the top, that needs to be echoed by the supporters as well.

Sky Sports News have him in contention, and it would be worth risking him for an hour at least, until Morgan has got to grips with the pace. He could then be replaced by Barry, who could give us the experience to hold out if we were still in the game.

Hoping for a close victory, realistically a draw

Williams looked more anchored in a three, Holgate is the insurance with his pace.

Baines and Coleman look more composed as wing backs at their stage of their careers. Barry, Davies & Morgan in the middle. Balance there might just get the best out of Barry, athletic players around him. Barry sits, the other two in front.

Rom and Valencia up front. No room for Ross. A game like this were we have less of the ball passes him by. He is by common perception much poorer without the ball. Valencia by contrast is better without it!

If, and if we are in it with 30 mins left then perhaps Barkley, Deulofeu or Mirallas might help. But with most of them pissed at Ronnie for telling them they're done, don't expect anything from them but then... LookMan! 👀

I haven't, and that would be a much faster recovery than was projected when he was hurt.

We will need the extra body in midfield.

I would make Coleman captain or if he has the character, the new guy. Anything to wipe away that defeatest, "victim" legacy.

Robles;
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Baines,
Davies, Schneiderlin, Barry;
Barkley;
Lukaku.

I think that's our best chance of a victory. Davies has the experience of Barry and Schneiderlin around him and Barry has the legs of the others. It would give Barkley a bit more freedom to play in the right areas and if Coleman and Baines get forward I think we would have a good attacking threat without over exposing ourselves.

Barry would sit a bit deeper reading the game and not needing any speed which is lucky as he doesn't have any!! But it would also let Davies and Schneiderlin could get forward as well.

At the back we would have some pace in Holgate and would mean Williams can sit a little deeper and read the game as feel he is best in a 3 and means any mistakes by the back 3 would hopefully be covered by one of the others.

Whatever happens I feel things will be getting better from here on in, we need more deadwood gone and a few more in. I think it will be the summer before we start to see Koeman's team but we will get there.

COYB

As the game progresses in the second half bring on Barkley for Barry and Lookman for Deulofeu.

Formation would be 3-5-2. Deulofeu floating about up front not midfield, Lookman would do that job in the second half. Good luck, Blues.

Good game in the offing methinks... 2-2 draw... but it will feel like a win.

Onwards. COYB

No need to ask Evertonians to give him a great welcome onto the field, I know we will give him a lovely reception and make his day extra special.

Still hoping for a miracle for Bradley and his parents.

Can't get to the game but count us in here in Bristol.

I would like to see 3 at the back with Coleman and Baines given licence to roam up the wings but I'm not sure Koeman will do that. Barry I'm afraid is just too slow to cope with Sterling De Bryune Aguerro etc so wouldn't play him although again, I think he will play.

The big conundrum is attack. We are so short of option given how many players we have, just goes to show the lack of quality and consistency. I would like to see Deulofeu given some time in the No 10 role if we don't get anybody else in. It's where he plays for Spain U21s so what have we got to lose.

Tomorrow's team would be:

Robles;
Funes Mori, Williams, Holgate;
Coleman, Schneiderlin, Davies, Barkley, Baines;
Valencia;
Lukaku.

I don't think tomorrow is the time to experiment with Deloufeu in the 10 role.

Looking forward to tomorrow be interesting to see how they respond after last week. Still lots to play for. Koeman is getting rid of some deadwood with more to follow and hopefully some more quality coming in. I like the fact that Koeman isn't fucking around and telling players that basically they aren't good enough for this club – something we have been missing for a while. If it hurts their feelings then tough.

I don't see Mourhino or old Red nose etc getting stick for telling that to players in the past. And don't start with this nonsense "in any other business you wouldn't say that" shite – you can't compare football with any other business, normal rules don't apply. In any other business average workers don't get 50 plus grand a week either.

Koeman has brought some long awaited hard-nosed professionalism to the club and is bringing in his own players who will buy into how he wants to play, something most of the current players seem incapable of doing. If he has flopped this time next year then all feel welcome to have a go,until then give him a chance.

2-1 to us tomorrow to kick start us to go on a run...
COYB

I totally agree with everything' you say there. Barry has deteriorated quite quickly and no longer has the pace.

"The best player on the pitch" last game is a shoe in alongside Schneiderlin who may not last the 90 minutes so I would have McCarthy as sub if fit.

Hopefully Schneiderlin Barkley and Davies can link up well in the middle and we can have Baines and Coleman bombing up and down the wings.

Could this be the turning point in our season. I just hope the 12th man is up for it too.

Agree with everything you say, think Valencia although not ideal at No 10, will get close to Lukaku which he needs. We have to get at Man City at the back, don't give them time to build. When he went off against Leicester, Lukaku was a little isolated and at times we had nobody in the middle.

I felt the change of shape at half time didn't help either in a game we were controlling, despite Deulofeiu's assist !! We seem suited to 3 at the back at the moment, although it isn't my preferred set up. We may need Holgate's pace tomorrow?

That is why I expect us to be well-beaten and why I would be delighted with a draw.

Maybe this is a chance to change it and start with Delefeu alongside Lukaku as a pair. Not playing out wide but keeping him alongside Lukaku.3 at the back 5 across the middle with Baines and Coleman wide.

Let the opposition think about us for a change. Man City's defence is not the greatest so why not give Stones and Otomendi something to think about?

In my opinion, Barry, who has been a great servant, is a liability; he's too slow and not up to Premier League football.

Funes Mori cant cope with quick feet and I would not play him against Silva and Aguero. Williams cannot cope with pace and I wouldn't play him either if we had a viable alternative.

We'll defend deep – nothing more certain – but that isn't necessarily a bad thing against City. They hate it.

We can win this, but we are going to have to show real defiance and we'll need the ball to bounce kindly for us.

Stekelenburg;
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Schneiderlin, McCarthy, Davies, Baines;
Barkley;
Lukaku.

The reason I put McCarthy in was he is the nearest thing we have to Gueye as far as harassing the opposition and winning the ball. Given his recent injury record and the Ireland comments it may be that Koeman won't risk him.

If he doesn't I would put young Davies in central midfield with Schneiderlin and Lennon on the left of midfield for his work rate.

As Darren has said at #53, we need Lukaku to turn up for this. If he does, he and Mirallas will give City's back four plenty to keep them occupied.

I personally don't fancy us going 3 at the back against them. I think it would be inviting disaster.

I wasn't (for some reason) surprised by the Leicester result but I think we have a chance in this one.

And Dave (#37), nice words, a real touch of perspective.

Full credit to BIll Kenwright and the board for how they have stayed connected to this and what they have done – they get a lot of stick but lead the way in this type of thing.

We need at least 8 out of our 11 to be on top of there game tomorrow to get a decent result. Man City are a decent side but, if we have Goodison rocking, we can beat anyone.

Dave @37, always the man of reason for me.

In Ronnie We Trust.

Whenever we write a player off or a collection of drop the guy, they seem to knock a goal in. Wishful thinking but could be Barry's day.

Playing Man City always makes me think of that rough 'oul blonde one who used to ring that fucking big bell at City games.

Her 'thinking' appeared to be "We've got a player called Colin Bell so I'll ring a bell... for 30 years."

One can only imagine what she might have done had City signed this feller Link

I also imagine she must hold some unofficial record for sentences aimed in her direction that begin "Why don't you shove that fuckin'..."

Up the Toffees!

Big Ellen, she was called.

That bloody bell....

Just looked out of my top floor window and glimpsed above the grey, the whiteness (and purity?) of Goodison. Like a sailor on a raft who glimpses a ship on the horizon and knows that he is "saved"... "Praise The Lord For Victory" said Grandma Joad.

I will be leaving home slightly earlier today – early start and all. I am meeting a French TV crew at The Dark House (Le Maison Noir); they are making a short film about Everton Fans and TDH.

As you know, I always bring friends and artists from all over the world to TDH and Goodison and they had read some of the posts and seen photos on our Facebook Page (The Dark House Blues) and will be filming my match day routine at the pub.

I am always spreading the news about Everton with my work throughout Europe and I did some interviews for Reuters just before Christmas.

I love match day – not particularly early KOs on Sunday – bit of a rush to finish my stint as an Altar Boy at St Alphonsus – but will manage it somehow.

Up The Blues and Cosmic Grooves All The way.

Praise the lord for Everton, George, especially when they win!

I wrote that explanation for an Exhibition on TDH photos in Koln – you can see them: Google my name and Koln/Colgne.

Off now – best wishes.

Mind you, it could be because you get that wellied, you can't find your way out!

There used to be some prodigious stay-behinds in that noble establishment... which would never happen now, of course!

A bit embarrassing really, approaching 60 and I feel like a 6-year-old on Chrimbo morning, that's what the blues do to ya! My beautiful Mrs has offered to make me poached eggs for 11am brekky, served with ice cold export bevvies. Smart arse I hear you say, you would be friggin right too!

I won't bore you with my opinions. Suffice to say, it's time for a step up boys, no more fannying about. Big Ron has called it as it is, roll your sleeves up and give him a problem dropping you for the next game.

My heart and best wishes go out to Bradley and his family; when this club gets it right, it gets it right, proud to be a blue.

Enjoy your day, Blues.

Feel sorry for the kids, Ray, with these open-all-hours pubs... don't think you could beat a good stay-behind!

Let's show 'em all we're not settling for seventh.

COYB

Have to say the player who I love to watch is in the opposition today, David Silva an absolute joy to watch. Excellent first touch very rarely gives the ball away, and is always looking to thread the ball through for a teammate.

I think today we have a free swing so why not attack them from the start with an attacking formation with Davies and Schneiderlin in the middle and Deulofeu / Mirallas and Barkley behind Lukaku. I guess it's like the puncher against the boxer... if we land an early blow, we might just have a chance! COYB!

George won't thank me for saying it but he does great work with The Yellow House project.

Can we win, of course we can its a game of football. I think we have to get on the front foot though; if we play defensive, they will kill us.

I'm backing us to draw the game, at best priced 3-1, I think that's value.

Good for him. Good for Koeman.

To all you people who were asking to get rid of Koeman – hang your heads in shame!!!