Crystal Palace vs Everton

I think we may need Schneiderlin's physical presence in midfield. Bring on Barry for the last 20 mins.

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

Subs: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, McCarthy, Barry, Lennon, Lookman, Valencia.

Could also be the Dutch factor at play – he knows and trusts Stekelenburg. Doesn't mean it would be the right decision, of course. Robles has more than earned the right to start.

I also expect Barry to start. He looked solid against Man City and I doubt Schneiderlin has full match fitness or sharpness yet.

But this will be a test to see if we can do it regardless if opposition, because if we put a run together, who knows.

[Just want to get back to familiarity.]

We are the big team today and Palace are looking to be giant slayers so a totally different game than last week and it will be absorbing to see if we can despatch both top and bottom teams with the same dedication, willpower and application.

UP THE BLUES

You'd hope the players would be up for it but we've generous over the last few seasons in helping out teams looking for a win. COYB!!

That's usually the Everton way...

Right after Ronald "Big Mouth" Koeman announced to the press that our team wasn't good enough to make top 4. And then the team morale plummeted and we started losing to relegation fodder squads. I wonder if that's a coincidence?

The other concern is whenever we play a team who haven't won for a while or the striker hasn't scored for months, you just know being Everton they will break their duck against us. Tomorrow we have Allardyce not having won a league game since arriving at Palace.

I hope we stick to 3 at the back tomorrow and not revert to a flat back 4, this system seems to suit us better. It allows Coleman and Baines to get forward more often and it also allows them a starting position 15 yards further up the field. Plus it means we can play someone closer to Lukaku and he always seems happier when that happens.

You want to sack the manager after half a season and get back to familiarity. Which familiarity would that be Gordon Lee? Billy Bingham? Walter Smith? Colin Harvey? Joe Royle? The Belgian Shoe Salesman? Not mentioning the deceased ex managers for obvious reasons or Mike Walker for obvious reasons.

Think Dann is actually out for the season injured isn't he? They're missing Zaha to the AfCON too who was on form so this has to be a win if we've got anything about us.

Last week was beautiful but as much an apology for going out of the Cup as anything else. Back to the mundane business of trying to put away one of the 13 pub teams beneath us.

Just Do It!

I don't think it matters too much if one or two are rotated as long as the team are up for it but I would like to see Robles and Tom Davies retained in the 3-5-2 formation which I was never a big fan of but it does seem to suit our players especially Bainesy and Seamus.

We have, unfortunately, over the last few seasons, beaten both the odds, and the bigger teams, to follow up by playing the bottom teams and losing convincingly!

Palace under Allardyce will be a different conundrum. We'll need midfielders to drive forward with the ball and be the one to spring the attack, which I'm hoping Schneiderlin can offer. (Obviously if he isn't match fit the decision is out of our hands.)

On another note, after our centre backs pick up their man at set plays Barry seems to get 'the next biggest'. I don't think he's been particularly great at this all season to be honest. Allardyce will have been concentrating on set plays all week in training so we'll need to be on our mettle.
Up the Toffees!

Benteke playing gash, Fat Sam hasn't won in the league

Step up Everton FC and away we go!!!

Need to stop the crosses, as Benteke always loves scoring headers against us and the crosses on Sunday were still there and telling, what with Stirling and Silva receiving crosses and being unmarked in the area.

On performance, Robles has to start, had a great game Sunday, particularly his closing down and block for the Silva moment mentioned above.

Saying that, 1-0 to the Eagles,because we are Everton!!

An early goal for us tomorrow and Palace should collapse.

If we can go a goal up early doors then I think they'll just fall apart. If not then expect an afternoon of bus parking and frustration.

Koeman announced he will have his own squad by the end of the next transfer window, so a lot of incentive for the fringe players to make sure they're involved.

The counter attacking style employed last week should work again if Palace do try and boss the game.

I'd like to see Robles continue, he looks easily as good as Stek who's made several big bloopers this season already. I don't see how just being No 1 means you always play especially if No 2 is on form.

2-0 to us.

We need to stop the crossed coming in as much as possible and when they do come in make they are from deep. Robles is big and pretty decent and coming out to take high balls.

They are in bad form and we need to stamp our cold boots down on their unconfident little necks and not let up till it's over! First goal could be crucial so let's hope we see a rare bright start and pick up from where we left off vs City.

Same three points.

I agree about Barry and marking. He actually let Silva go before the pass that Robles came out for. You can see on the video that Funes Mori had checked that Barry had him as Silva came into the box. Funes Mori then turns to face the ball threat and Barry just stopped, despite being able to see him turn.

It looked like Barry thought Silva was in an offside position. He would have been correct but for Holgate failing to check his defenders behind him and stepping backwards and goalside of his marker, putting Silva onside. A youthful mistake by Holgate covered well by Robles.

As for Robles, he seems more comfortable in a back three where he knows he has to come out and cover more area. A lot of the decisions are already made for you as a goalkeeper in such a set-up so there is less thinking involved and more reaction. He is better than Stekelenburg and should therefore be number 1 for this team until a true Number 1 is brought in.

As for the clean sheets, he is facing a lot fewer shots than last year, per the stats per game. Plus, the addition to the defense by the subtraction of Stones hasn't hurt either. Interesting that Stones is currently making another set of keepers and a defense look poor.

Dermot (#25), thanks for scampifying this thread.

I quite liked Palace before; not now. I hope we thrash them and they get relegated.

As for tomorrow's team: why change the winning formula from last week?

Anyone else heard of him and/or the rumour?

You don't change a winning formula because of friendships. The team should be allowed to continue.

By the way, Berahino going to Stoke is a loss for us. He is a no-brainer signing and did anyone see Fabrizio Ravanelli on Sky Sports today? he's turned into Sid Little... ha ha. I expect 1-3 tomorrow, maybe 0-3

Palace are in a dire situation with 1 point off relegation position, while collecting just 1 point since Allardyce was appointed as manager 5 games ago. Yet, if Everton attack Palace down the middle, they are very vulnerable, as shown in their match last week against West Ham away.

If we have a meritocracy then I want to see Robles keep his place. He has dealt well with crosses, and Benteke thrives on them.

We haven't been awe inspiring in the final third of the field so far this season.

Team selection will be key. Get it right and it should be a fairly easy three points.

"Of course every manager is going to want time not only to implement their philosophy and ideas but to shape the squad.

"All in all he will probably say come the start of next season this is my team and his stamp will be fully on it"

Article goes on to say Baines knows that by the start of next season The Everton manager will have formed a team and a squad in his own image.

Pretty much what some of us on ToffeeWeb have been saying for some months now.

Goalies, like every footballer, will never be perfect in every game or make 'miracle' stops on a regular basis but as the last line of defence they face largely unjust criticism if they do slip up.

Not too long ago a certain local teams supporters were unanimous in wanting their 'keeper hung drawn quartered and banned for life from the city for 'errors'; he is now one of their most reliable servants and has saved them from embarrassment time after time.

I can't remember his name or who he plays for... Just that he's French.

Daryl @ 42 "Team selection will be key. Get it right and it should be a fairly easy three points."

There will be nothing easy about playing Palace at their place when they are desperate for points and big Sam yet to win a match – no matter what the team selection is in my opinion.

My feeling is that we've really got to turn in a poor display tomorrow to lose. I suspect it's his feeling too.

Lots of tempo, please!

We should have too much for them. But there's always the likelihood of an "Everton that" moment.

Like others, I would start with Robles and Schneiderlin (instead of Barry).

This negativity transmits from the stands to the players. We as the supporters are always asking for the team to be mentally stronger – it's about time we become equally stronger.

In a way, I'm glad we're not playing at home as our away fans are some of the best in the land. We need a good result and performance today. Even if it's only a one-nil win.. We're moving forward slowly, so enjoy your football, lads.

Excited for the rest of the season and the signings we will make in the summer. 2017-18 will see silverware coming back home! COYB!

Let's hope they get the reward they deserve. Little Ademola back on his own manor, to come on as sub and score again.

I do not care about other teams, only Everton. Please help. Thanks. And we will win 2-0 against Crystal Palace

COYB

Your guess is as good as mine what the result will be!

I suspect its going to be close with a draw a likely result, which I won't be that disappointed with if it's a decent game.

Putting my natural pessimist face on, after a great result last week, we usually manage to play badly the following week.

Allardyce will have a cunning plan worked out to throw us off our game, no doubt. Say what you want about him, but he's a good tactician.

Really hoping that we can continue where we left off last week, with the same system and lineup.

Goalie is surely Robles – he looks quite commanding to me now and with a good run in the side he might yet save us a lot of money.

I'd expect Rom to get a tough game of being double marked and poor support.

Thanks for the link, nice read from our point of view. Never knew Alan Whittle played for Crystal Palace.

Speaking of Which, I was only born in 1970. Was Alan any good? I'm having a pint with my dad later and shall ask his opinion. Just wondering what our senior toffees thought of him?

Slightly off topic but before the game a little light relief.

It's about Bramley-Moore Dock

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q2xqpZc0OE

Good job

via GIPHY

Now come on you Mighty Blues.
Don't let us down.
I'd take a scabby 1-0 today.