Everton vs Sunderland

The four lads that won the U20 World Cup plus Antonee Robinson especially is twice the full back of Baines and Coleman put together.

GK: Robles - far better keeper than Stekelenburg, and gets about his job without fuss
LB: Kenny – no question
CB: Holgate and Keane – might be our future CB partnership
RB: Martina! This may raise some eye-brows, but I think Baines needs to be rested. Martina was played in this position earlier this season, and acquitted himself reasonably well.
Midfield: Basic protecting the back 4, Davies, Klaassen and Sigurdsson playing slightly advanced
Front 2: Lookman and Calvert-Lewin

4-4-2:

Robles
Kenny Holgate Keane Martina
Davies Besic Klaassen Sigurdsson
Lookman Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Baines, Gueye, Vlasic, Sandro, Niasse

Manager: Unsworth (he, he...)

What now? Paragraph written entirely by predictive text?

Worth saving for posterity, though. :)

For the game...I'd just like to see some purpose and some kind of gameplan.

I quite like the predicted line up though I'd probably start Calvert-Lewin for Niasse and agree that Baines could use a rest (gonna be a long season for him as our only Left back!) so why not see how Martina does on the other side.

Hopefully Lookman has a good game as I've been a bit disappointed with his appearances so far after lighting up the U20 World Cup this Summer and hoped he would really push on this year. Even though he scored a peach for the U23s last week he wasn't in the game enough and needs to be more consistent on the ball.

Hope we make it through as this cup probably represents our best chance of a trophy especially if more of the top 6 follow the RS example from last night!

Niasse is not good enough either, but he has got an eye for goal, maybe his one redeeming trait.

That said, if they both start, we should still be winning against Sunderland.No excuses.

Pickford
Kenny Keane Jagielka Martina
Gueye Davies
Mirallas Sigurdsson Lookman
Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Stekelenburg, Baines, Holgate, Besic, Klaassen, Sandro, Niasse.

I would leave Rooney out until the weekend and Schneiderlin who I think has been poor. Williams shouldn't feature again.

If anything, I think it is Keane that needs to be left out.

Those of us who are serious about changing the manager cannot want Koeman to win another game, can we? The sooner Ron is gone, the sooner we can start the process of stabilizing the club.

I don't know what to think any more. Am I wrong for wanting Ron to mess up again? It's not as if we are ever going to win the jinxed League Cup, is it?

If Koeman gets two wins on the spin this week, he is here until next season and we are fucked. Koeman has lost the players and the fans so there's no point him being here. Hard work being a Blue.

When things are not going well as they aren't at present a win of any sort will give us a lift. Confidence is low and we need a boost going into our next 4 games.

I think if he plays some of the younger players then the atmosphere inside the ground will be better. I see Sky are saying that Lookman and Kenny and Calvert-Lewin will play.

Maybe us match going fans need to be as positive as we can tonight, and help lift the gloom that is around our club at present.

I really hope Kenny, Garbutt, Holgate (at CB), Lookman, Vlasic and Niasse play tonight. I like the look of the predicted line-up, lets see some pace and width, and a striker who we've never given a chance. He's not a world beater lets face it, but we've the amount of No 10s, Mr Koeman decides to play every week, he will at least get chances surely?!?!

Need to give Baines a rest along with Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin who quite frankly have both looked awful this season.

Davies played great on Sunday and him and Rooney combined well – Davies is young; play him every week. He doesn't a rest just yet, he needs game time to get better; he could be a real star player for us for years if managed in the right way. I would play him in front of Sigurdsson, Schneiderlin and Klaassen every day of the week.

COYB – let's see some goals tonight

Robles

Kenny
Keane
Holgate
Robinson

Gueye
Besic
Klaassen

Vlasic
Lookman
Niasse

Wont happen like.

And for god's sake, ditch two defensive midfielders.

We are at home to Sunderland.

There have been a few scalps already, let's hope and pray, we are not one of them, also hope Koeman treats this seriously, and I have to confess, I am rapidly losing faith and patience with him.

Pickford
Kenny Keane Holgate Baines
Mirallas Gana Klaassen Lennon
Davies
Calvert-Lewin

Let's have a run in this James Vaughan is around for Sunderland brings back memories of Naismith last season. Hmm.

A win is a given surely? But we need a decent performance to build confidence for upcoming games against Premier League opposition.

But I agree – Lookman, Kenny, Calvert-Lewin and Davies should all be in.

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Garbutt
Davies Gana
Lookman Klaassen (Or Sigurdsson but FFS not the two of them in the same team) Vlasic
Calvert-Lewin

I'm just about to check last night's Euro lottery and I've got more chance of winning the 𧴲M than seeing this team play tonight.

But if he doesn't rest Baines, I'll be joining the Koeman Out brigade.

However, I am worried that whoever we see starting tonight, because of the current malaise, lack of confidence and the expectations from the fans, it is going to be a tentative, nervous first half-hour or so. The longer it goes on the more painful it is likely to become so an early goal is crucial as I see it, and then relax into the game and build on that. Hopefully grab 2,3 or 4.

Sunderland, though, will be likely sitting back, chasing everything tenaciously and looking for the counter – ready to pounce on any sloppy mistakes by our defence/midfield in the hope of offering their own hard bitten fans something to cheer about in their equally bad season.

This should be a walk in the park for us but I am fearful with our nerves we will make hard work of the job, and whilst I do not see us losing we could be looking at a fairly dour 1-0 (scored by Niasse inevitably just so he can be subsequently ignored again) to be followed up by more of the same reflections and comments on here as we are getting used to. Hope to Christ we don't go to extra-time and pens.

Hoping to find a stream or something tonight but usual battle cry to the fans – be that extra man, and as always – COYB.

This will prove to Koeman than none of them will fit in with his plans and he has been correct not to play them since they will only unbalance the team which has turned out for the season so far.

Maybe with more younger players in the team tonight, then Koeman can finally get his men, to fight, fight, fight, with all their might, just to give us fans a little bit of pride back?

We all have our own favourite players, and some of us also have a favourite formation, but fuck "horses for courses" because football should always be about yourself, and it's a long time since I have watched an Everton team, that hasn't been worried about the opposition. Just go and have a proper go please!

Also, if Williams and Jagielka weren't floating around the first team, who would you play centre-back? Is there another young gem that is greater than the sum of these two veterans' parts?

Pickford
Kenny, Jagielka, Keane, Martina
Mirallas, Guye, Sigurdsson, Lookman
Calvert-Lewin, Sandro

Franny, Antonee Robinson is out on loan until January, Bolton I believe. I'd like to see a few changes but not wholesale. I don't see why Pickford can't play, he's our number one so let's play him every game:

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Martina
Klaassen Gueye Davies
Lookman Calvert-Lewin Sandro

Pace, energy and a blend of experience and youth.

If they do well, he gets people off his back. If they don't, he says that he was right that they weren't ready for the first team.

I want Ramirez to start up front tonight, ahead of Niasse. I think there might be a player in there once he acclimatises to English football, and scoring a goal tonight would be the confidence kick-starter he needs!

Agree Baines and Rooney need to be rested and Kenny played at right-back.

That team, as you say, has pace and energy as well as the potential for goals all over. My only concern is that it is quite a small team, particularly in midfield, but hopefully if we keep the ball well enough it shouldn't be a concern. Like that has ever happened...

Fingers crossed that we get an early goal and that the pace of our young attackers comes to the fore when Sunderland are forced to come out of their shell. Somehow I feel it could be another torturous game with McGeady looking like Messi!

I would also like to see Niasse start. Imagine of he bagged a couple!

I'll have a tenner on McGeady and James Vaughan both having blinders tonight. Something tells me this isn't going to be an easy game by any stretch of the imagination.

I also don't think we'll see much of Niasse, or Lookman because Koeman is being such a stubborn bastard... I wish he'd play with some width and pace – and a bloody striker! /p>

That's all we can ask for.

I'm trying to think when we last gave a full back a torrid time with a pacy winger! We are at home as well so we shouldn't need two defensive players in front of the back four.

Just Gueye will do and let Klaassen and Davies get forward and support the front line. And like most of us, I'm desperate to see Kenny given a go against half-decent opposition instead of youth football.

Pickford
Kenny, Keane, Jagielka, Martina,
Davies/Klaassen, Gana, Sigurdsson,
Sandro, Rooney, Lookman.

Subs:- Stekelenburg, Holgate, Schneiderlin, Davies/Klaassen, Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse.

For me, Pickford and Keane need to play. The defense has been woeful recently but these two are the future and need to be involved in the team playing its way out of this. Jags gets the nod over William's in a four man defence for me because remarkably he is still our fastest centre-back. Kenny, as stated on here for about a year, deserves more game time and this cup might be the only chance to rest Baines.

In midfield, we need to ditch our two defensive midfielders and for me move Sigurdsson and Davies or Klaassen in there to improve our ability on the ball. Gana gets the nod because he is more mobile than Schneiderlin and will need to press and cover more with a man less in there.

On the front line, we need to start occupying more space further forward. I've gone for Sandro on the right as he badly needs to play himself into some form and tonight should be a good chance. Rooney down the middle as unfortunately he looks by far our most dangerous player and with two pace men around could drift around as he likes to get involved. I'd have him off at a fairly early stage though for Niasse so he can rest and Niasse can stake a claim. I've gone for Lookman on the left to add our only bit of genuine pace and hopefully provide a constant outball on the break.

I don't think Koeman has earnt the right to rotate too much but unfortunately for him he is a bit dammed if he does and dammed if he doesn't. Play the regulars and loose and everyone will've wanted the kids. Play the kids and loose and everyone will be craving the pros. But I'm not sympathising with him.

These Moyes losers – Mirallas, Jagielka and Coleman – should be long gone; young pacy fullbacks is the modern game but there again we are a museum club as Moshiri stated.

As long as Buffoon Bill can regale all day about Eddie Cavanagh and aim for 7th, all is well in the world of Evertonians under 50 because they don't know any different. Sad club.

Also, Martina's name is an anagram of Martian. Just thought I'd add that.

Bring on Niasse and Lookman for second half.

Pickford

Kenny
Williams
Jagielka
Martina

Besic
Schneiderlin
Klaassen

Lennon
Calvert-Lewin
Mirallas

Subs: Stekelenburg, Niasse, Lookman, Gueye, Sandro and Holgate.

It would be nice for Sandro to get a goal too. Get him up and running. There's a good player in there. Have his preseason goal against Sevilla burnt into my retinas.

What a mess. If he does play, I'll be cheering on Niasse the new Straqualursi.

I am just wondering what kind of reaction we will get from the team tonight. I know we all expect a gung-ho, attack-attack-attack set-up this evening, but I personally think that, given the last few performances, we will be nervous and cagey...I hope the crowd don't get on the back of any youngsters (if they even get a chance, that is). I'd love to see Vlasic and Lookman out wide backed up by Kenny and Garbutt... not much chance of that though!

The optimist in me says a 3-0 win but the realist says we will concede first and fight back for a scrappy extra-time win.

COYB!!!

He also needs games more than anyone else (apart from Niasse!)

He is not too bad at crossing a ball into the box, but that's it, you can only employ him in this role with three centre backs, and against Sunderland I can't see Koeman doing that.

There again his team selection should never surprise really, as he has addressed most of the games to date shockingly.

Whilst both have played okay, it because we are set up to defend. Williams in particular loves sitting deep and defending, and defending.

The point being our starting position as a team is consistently too deep. As the example at OT shows after 3mins we are already on our 6yard line.

Give Jags/Williams anything else to do then we are toast. Both are awful in possession.

So if tonight has any redeeming features it is to bed in Holgate at CB with Keane and leave them the fuck alone. Start them together and give the team the confidence to squeeze play up.

Sure there will be mistakes but if he'd played Holgate in tge last 10 games of last season then maybe we wouldn't have to riad test the lad in real games.

4-3-3;
Pick, Jjk, Holgate, Keane, Baines
Davies, Gana, Sigurdsson
Mirallas, Rooney, Lookman

I recall the performance in question and yes, Coleman was well in truly in Rose (?)'s pocket.

So young and fast. That's all that's required. A bit like when Seamus signed and he couldn't defend. Does ability to tackle, defensive positioning come into it?

The language you use is very dramatic and eye-catching. I assume that's what you were going for. Well done.

The front page image has now updated.

Pickford

Kenny Jags. Keane. Baines

Siggerson Gana. Davies. Lookman

Calvert Lewin Niasse

Would have put Luke Garbutt at left back but played for the u23s Monday so have omitted.

Add too that our not-so-masterful tactician Koeman, who thinks we are a club only capable of 7th place and doubts creep in.

I hope we lose and Koeman is gone before the end of the week.

We are similar - we struggle to fill the 11 positions because they are all very bad and equally shite. I just could decide who was 'crapper' and should be left out.

So as I said, I gave up and decided my team/subs is this: The U23 squad.

Mobility and the desire to get into the box should pay dividends. Sandro is very mobile and quick, Niasse is a striker who apparently thrives in the box, no that we have seen much of him.

Surely he must have improved under DU?

Whatever side he plays though and I've given up trying to second guess his team selection, we should have more than enough to beat tonight's opponents.

Pickford
Kenny Keane Williams Martina
Lookman Davies Besic Mirallas
Rooney Sandro

Yes bring in a couple of the younger kids to play, Lookman, Kenny etc. but we should take this one as serious as possible. Although, this could be the game to rest Wayne however, which could allow Calvert Lewin up top with Siggy in behind in the actual no. 10 role that he was bought for. Then play 2 pacey wide man to get up and support Calvert Lewin: Lookman, Sandro, or Vlasic.

And Besic should be nowhere near the starting 11 tonight. As much as I used to like him for his commitment and effort, he just isn't good enough anymore.

Roll on a comfortable 3-0 victory to get the confidence flowing again!

What I think we'll see:

Stekelenburg
Holgate Jagielka (c) Keane
Kenny Davies Klaassen Martina
Lookman Sandro
Calvert-Lewin

Pickford, Williams, Baines, Besic, Lennon, Mirallas, Niasse

What I'd like to see:

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Baines(c)
Davies Klaassen
Sigurdsson
Lookman Niasse Sandro

Stekelenburg, Keane, Baines, Besic, Vlasic, Mirallas, Calvert-Lewin

He should be at Finch Farm tonight with two coaches having the ball rolled to his right foot at different paces and angles and one of the coaches shouting "Left half-way, right half-way, etc,"

Until he is at least almost as strong of his right as he is of his left (which is phenomenal) he doesn't get into my team.

But a tweak to his game, and taking less risks with his right foot is a smart move.

Personally I would give the guy a chance; he could thrive from Sigurdsson's crosses and set pieces. Give our guys something to aim for in the box instead of having to play the perfect pass to the likes of Sandro and Calvert-Lewin.

Introduced from the bench when teams are tired I think gives him his best chance. He really has struggled with the pace and physicality of English football.

If Koeman had perhaps tried it this way with both him and maybe Klaassen then we might be seeing more from them both?

I get the sink or swim mentality but things have gone so tits up that you risk destroying the players confidence completely.

Pickford
Kenny Jagielka Keane Baines
Lookman Davies, Schneiderlin, Gueye
Sigurdsson
Rooney

Stekelenburg
Kenny
Holgate
Williams (as punishment)
Martina
Lookman
Klaassen
Besic
Mirallas
Sandro
Niasse

Subs: Pickford, Baines, Jagielka, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Rooney

I don't think it's a easy game, in the circumstances.

Lennon makes more sense – he works harder than Mirallas, is naturally right sided (v Lookman on left) and he can cover Kenny at the back – both can attack and both can defend so they could actually cover each other well.

Pickford
Kenny, Keane, Jagielka, Baines
Gana
Vlasic Davies Sigurdsson Mirallas
Calvert-Lewin

Please show some fight.

We are at home to Sunderland, I don't care if it's a 3-5-2, a 4-4-2, a 4-3-1-2, whatever, he's got the players to play any attacking formations he wants.

He has to pick Holgate and Keane together as centre backs regardless of whether it's in a 3 or 2, we will never stop defending our 18-yard box with Jags and Williams in the same team, they haven't got the pace to defend 10 yards forward.

Tonight, I'd love to see 3-5-2, Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Jagielka, Kenny and Lookman as right and left wing backs respectively, but pushing forward on either side of Gana and Tom Davies, then you can have 1 of 3 (Klaassen, Rooney or Sigurdsson) in the hole behind either Sandro and Calvert-Lewin/Niasse, Niasse or Calvert-Lewin to hold it up with Sandro buzzing round.

Lookman as left wing back at first seems laughable, but wing backs are basically wingers now, and both Lookman and Mirallas have interchanged wings plenty during a match.

Stekelenburg
Kenny, Williams, Keane, Holgate
Besic, Davies, Klaassen, Vlasic
Calvert-Lewin, Sandro