Brighton & Hove Albion vs Everton

We've got to win this one or I think that'll be it for him. I'm not one for sacking him but the pressure will be too great. An own-goal by Duffy in a one-nil win would be great but he'll need more than the 3 points to keep the wolves from the door. There's got to be a performance cos spunking £100+ million to scrape a win at Brighton would be shocking.

Calvert-Lewin, Kenny and Davies must play but I don't think they'll start. Don't start me on Lookman, who was clearly bought by Walsh as I don't think Koeman had even heard of Charlton.

You wanted and got the number of new players, in fact you wanted (needed) two or three more, so it's down to how you set them up, you could have done it differently and fed fewer players in at the start. So please start taking your share of the blame for a truly abysmal start to the season with no entertainment and no expectation of getting better.

Please prove me wrong.

I simply cannot see how or when we'll get a victory. I have absolutely no faith in Koeman's ability to turn things around.

One thing's for sure – we won't win. I am totally disillusioned with Koeman and his lack of tactical flexibility.

Lyndon's predicted line-up is hard to disagree with. Koeman can't play Vlasic, Lookman, Mirallas because we're so lightweight anyway. Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson have done nothing to merit selection this season but we know Koeman will play them both. Williams is unbelievably crude but he's probably been the best defender at the club this season. I would though say that he HAS to play Tom Davies, in for Sigurdsson in Lyndon's team.

Never mind, we've got a drunk Rooney in exchange for Lukaku. Well done, Everton, you have surpassed anything that's been laughable mismanagement in the past 30 years.

Over £200m blown by this feller and no striker. Absolute bunch of goons.

Pickford
Kenny Keane Jagielka Baines
Lookman Davies Sigurdsson Vlasic
Rooney Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Stekelenburg, Williams, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Klaassen, Niasse, Sandro.

But, as we all know, it's a bugger getting a decent tee-off time in summer.

It would be great to see a balanced team with pace up front, any combination of Lookman, Mirallas, Lennon, Vlasic on as wingers with Calvert-Lewin up front. He has got to make big decisions that I feel are simply too big for him; so far, I have nothing to suggest he has any kind of humility or even insight into what is required of him. If he refuses to make the changes that are so glaringly obvious he can fuck right off and rebuild his career elsewhere.

I have been reluctant to jump on the bandwagon and clamour of most of the posts on here to sack him because I assume he must have had a thorough interview and put forward a plan that must have captured the imagination of the board; despite what many rant I hardly think the multimillionaire Moshiri is a fool. Also the tension at Goodison is toxic at times and that effects the players. What we've had so far has been dire but is not a million miles away from being something different.

This is the best squad I have seen since the 90s. If he is too obstinate to accept his defensive focus is not working, then it is time for a change – Unsworth would be my choice.

If Williams has been the best defender this season, I hate to think who has been the worst.

It's the best I can come up with and I still doubt it's good enough... Very Sad.

Defeat in France is a good a certainty you will ever see and, if we lose at Brighton tomorrow, then surely the axe will fall on Koeman?

I don't think we'll be in a relegation struggle but our season could be effectively over by mid-January.

A point away to Brighton is probably our best bet tomorrow.

Pickford
Kenny
Holgate
Keane
Baines
Gueye
Davies
Vlasic
Lookman
Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin

It maybe one of the youngest teams in the Premier League but we desperately need pace and energy and players playing in their natural positions.

Gueye and Schneiderlin are very good holding midfielders but we need a Jack Wilshere, who can play along side one holding midfielder, a creative player with guile, which we are missing big time. So it's got to be one holding, with Davies.

It's allowed a little of the sourness of recent games to dissipate. Hopefully its allowed players and staff to re gather and focus on turning things around. It will have given fans a chance to re energise and shake off the disillusionment of recent weeks and get behind the team.

I'm glad it is an away fixture, our away fans are a little less inclined to jump on players' backs early on in the game for mistakes.

All will be revealed; I'm backing us to start a run of decent results leading to an increase in confidence.

COYB

No evidence, no rhyme nor reason but I fancy Everton will win this one and begin the re-birth of Koeman as a credible manager. It won't last ,of course.

A minimum of 5-6 points return – anything less and he MUST be sacked after the Leicester game. Enough will be more than enough for Koeman and the supporters by then.

For what it's worth:

Pickford
Kenny (Martina)
Keane
Jagielka
Baines
Gueye
Schneiderlin
Sigurdsson
Rooney
Vlasic
Calvert-Lewin

Subs to play: Davies, Klaassen, Niasse.

Because Schneiderlin is in such outstanding form, he will build more negatives round him, players out of form, confidence and not to forget, out of position.

When we lose, or perhaps draw, he will blame the seagulls, the weather, or any other non contributory factor, anything, but himself.

I would normally be trying every link possible to see the match, or at the very least listen to the radio commentary.

As long as Koeman is there, I can't bear to see how he is destroying Everton, and the reputation of the club.

Let me know when he's gone.

When you look at our squad we shouldn't be struggling like we are. We don't have top 6 players but their certainly top 8 quality. If we can get our injured players back as well, we should climb back up the table no problem. We want Barkley back in the fold too, I'm hopeful that he will sign a new contract.

I think we will see an improved performance tomorrow, because if Koeman and Co cant see that how they want us to play is not working, they must be blind. I think we will win or draw tomorrow.

Whatever happens, Koeman will describe the first half performance as poor ("We lost a little bit the passion, desire, confidence") but will hail the second half, after he's made changes, as much improved. I think that's going to be his version of "phenomenal".

No chance of Koeman playing a attacking team, though...

This team and manager are becoming a joke, just like Martinez was. Do we make the mistake and wait a whole season to do something about it? I don't know about Brighton... they will play for their lives – will we???

After watching Lyon a few times this season, I fear for Everton; they are very fast and skillful.

Has anybody got any news on the lad from Switzerland? He looked a good prospect when we first bought him; he played well for his national team.

Who am I kidding? I'll be infuriated to no end though.

Premier League: 1 start; 2 goals.
League Cup; 0 starts; 1 goal.

So, this season, he's started just one game, but found the net, 3 times.

Looks like he's making the very most of what talent he has!

Oh to see my team play again with pace and pride and passion. Mid table and a cup run under a new man is all we can seriously hope for. How sad Is that?

Rhino for me. What is there to lose?

And if Lyndon's team selection is correct, I hope we do get done over again.

My team:

Pickford
Kenny, Feeney, Keane, Garbutt
Gueye, Klaassen
Lookman, Sigurdsson, Vlasic
Calvert-Lewin

4-4-2 for me:

Pickford
Kenny, Keane, Jagielka, Baines
Lookman, Gueye, Sigurdsson, Mirallas
Calvert-Lewin Niasse

Just watching the exceptional England U17 side, we have a good lad called Gibson at left-back.

Neil (#38) – "if Lyndon's team selection is correct, I hope we do get done over again". Shame on you for wishing defeat on our team, whatever the circumstances.

Last year, we didn't have a pre season because he didn't sign until late after going on holiday.

This year, we don't have a pre season because we're in Europe.

Next year ,we won't have a pre season because of the World Cup.

Let's hope we don't qualify for Europe in 2019-20, imagine what we could do with a training session that year!!!!

Walter Smith-esque. 'Disappointing' the usual outcome.

Déjà vu. Painful.

It would be a million-to-one that Koeman would pick such a balanced attacking youthful side. Brighton would shit themselves if they saw such confidence.

I fully expect a slow defensive set up which will concede a goal and go to pot.

Above all, I want to see a motivated side, and players who know their roles. The best players in their best positions, with a formation they fully understand.

Just like I was expecting before the Burnley match!

Although I doubt he will go for it, my team for tomorrow would be:

Pickford
Kenny, Keane, Jagielka, Baines
Gueye, Davies
Lookman, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Vlasic

Whatever team he picks, I still expect us to win –just like I do every week, regardless of the opposition. And yes, I know I am completely deluded but what the fuck.

It's a very important game indeed. I think we'll win.

‘Schneids and Gana will never fucking work!
But they’ll be the first names on the team-sheet,
This guy is such an astonishing berk!
I can’t believe that he used to be a an athlete,

Lookman, Kenny and Davies won’t get a look-in!
Yet they could be our best bloody players,
Jags and Williams should be thrown in the bin!
And then we might finally win away-yeh,

Oh then we might finally win awaaaaaaaaaaaaay!!!!!!!!

(I do apologise for that)

Don't give up your day job!

Personally I'd play him a bit deeper and allow him a box-to-box role in midfield and let Gueye play as a defensive midfielder.

He should have been sacked after the Man Utd game.

The self doubt is in his team selection, having a £45m No 10 and playing him out of position, its like recruiting a head chef for a top restaurant and having him wait on tables!

Come on, Ron, surprise me... play Calvert-Lewin at centre and Sigurdsson behind him, Rooney? Well, the bench; his transfer is what has messed things up trying to accommodate him, so some width and pace please? I can dream, can't I?

Neil (#60), he's better than Naismith, though I continue to have great respect and affection for that player too.

I suspect his next sleight of hand will see a return for 'Our Davey'!

Only 2 ways to see the back of Koeman. Either he is appointed as Dutch manager (more fool them) or Moshiri wakes up to the woeful inadequacies being displayed week in week out. It is Koeman's team.

Lyndon has forecast Koeman's team starting. Painful as it is, only another poor defeat to another second-rate team will hasten his departure. Followed, hopefully, by new dawns and renewed excitement.

So prepared to accept the shame of not wanting to see his team win and wanting to see my team return.

This season (including the Europa League) is not lost. We must, all of us (and that includes radical sceptics like me), find our courage and self-belief. Are we to be shamed by teams like Palace and Watford, and their fans? Surely not.

If we can win tomorrow and beat Arsenal at home next Sunday, then the pundits will start asking "Crisis, what crisis? Everton are doing well!"

Over to you, Mr Koeman and the players – show some determination to put things right.

Next up after tomorrow, then – this Arsenal team on the rebound likely will stuff us next week. If tomorrow goes badly I fear for the next 3 weeks. Starting with Brighton tomorrow, with Chelsea and Lyon (2x) we've also got Arsenal, Leicester and Watford – that's 7 games crammed in to 21 days. Then a resurgent C Palace coming up in the league. I can seriously only see maybe 3 points there.

Who thinks Ron will see that out? Could be grim but I did say a while ago that I thought mid Nov could spell the end for him if he can't turn it around.

Just read Tony's post while typing mine. Sure I'm hopeful and would obviously love to see a metamorphosis but I'm not optimistic to be truthful. I'm also aware of where 3 points will shift us up the league but also very mindful that if we lose and Leicester win we are in the drop zone.

If you are proved correct and the wheels well and truly fall off in the next few weeks, it may take much more than the removal of the manager to fix it and Everton could be facing a very long and arduous campaign.

There is still some room for hope – granted not much – but if Watford and Palace don't treat Arsenal and Chelsea with much respect and win against those teams, surely we should be able to do the same thing against many of the teams in the Premier League, or am I being far too optimistic?

The wheels are already off mate. The tyres were on worn tread last season and now the axle is scraping along the floor. If we as supporters can still not see that Koeman has lost the players and lost the plot then there is no hope for the Evertonian fan base.

We as fans need to be more ruthless and less forgiving. Some times I wonder how we the Blue half are from the same city as the Red half. Kopites just don't take the crap we do. As for 4-6 weeks more for Koeman, that is asking for trouble. See if you think this way after Thursday at Lyon. As far as I'm concerned, Koeman should of been gone after Atalanta battered us.

That's why he will need time like most foreign players. 4 in 16 for his country, Ross has 2 in 22.

What are you going to do that's ruthless? Complain on TW like Darren? You have one weapon and that is to stop paying to watch the rubbish or perhaps just destroy the players by putting them down at the game.

Most off-topic posts (Silva, Watford, Man City, Arsenal Chelsea, Palace etc) have been moved to the Premier League Week 8 thread.

Sorry for any inconvenience.

If he’s not the next manager then I hope he’s the next Chairman!

That he is actually paid to play professional football when he is no better than a part timer just shows how desperately poor our Mr Magic Walsh is at his job.

We are sometimes guilty of going overboard when we have a good run and often times fall into deep despair when we have a bad run. I just want Everton to get as many points on the board as soon as possible, as I don't think I could handle a season of not winning enough games and going into the New Year languishing near the foot of the table or worse going into the final fixtures needing points to avoid the dreaded drop.

I believed that, if the Board were going to get rid of Koeman, it would have been during the recent International break, however, they may well be keeping their powder dry until the next international break.

As it happens, I don't think Koeman will last the full term of his contract – regardless of Everton's results – and he may well fail to see this season out or indeed this calendar year.

I've never wanted Everton FC to lose any game, even when the other lot could have won the league a few years ago, if we had beaten Man City at Goodison.

As for what the other lot do, it is of little concern to me, they have won once in eight matches, I'm led to believe, so they do put up with some set-backs on occasion. All of their demonstrations aided and abetted by the local and National media led to those changes of manager but they haven't exactly gained the prizes that many of those demonstrators may have thought that they would.

It may seem strange that so many of us trudge, it used to be with a skip in our step, to Goodison Park, week-in & week-out and I agree that there hasn't been much joy in doing so in the last few seasons but if we all stop going now, who will give a toss about the club and its results? Certainly not the media, and perhaps not the custodians of the club to the same degree as the supporters, and without the media's help, any campaign to oust the manager will fall on deaf ears.

I remember watching Unsworth being interviewed the day that Martinez was sacked. As well as showing his humility by repeatedly saying that 'a good man has lost his job today', when asked if he would like to replace Martinez he also said, 'Who wouldn't want to manage this club?'. Unlike some, it's in his blood. He feels it. He wants it. Give me passion over bloody intransigence any day.

Back to tomorrow and what's going to happen. Whilst we all hope there will be a big upturn in the performance of the team as a whole (á la Palace today) it's easy to expect pessimistically more of the same crap given the weak offence. However, it is Brighton and Koeman has had a chance to review what he has been doing wrong.

We all have our permutations for the starting eleven but no matter what it is, if they come out lacking any intensity like they have been doing in many games this season then it will be another long afternoon.

The squad has seemed a long way from becoming a team to be reckoned with and the road back may not be possible until Koeman leaves. Somehow, even if they get one or two decent results between now and January and the man is not fired, I am not sure he has the wherewithal to get the right players in even at that time.

It's incredibly stupid (even by your standards) to tell people to stop paying... Do you even know how it works??? Most people have already paid. They paid before a ball was kicked this season. They were playing long before this manager got here and they will be paying long after he is gone... that's what they do!!!

Many paid more than they could afford and went into debt, because they have to. This may be a fucking hobby to you but to many it's their life's passion... we're fucking addicts.

Tell me: I'm all ears. How does the guy – who has paid a bag of sand for him and his son to carry on the family tradition – stop paying? Think the club will be giving refunds to all those disgruntled fans who feel short-changed? ... Think they could cope with the fucking queues???

You were on here just a couple of weeks ago proclaiming you see "nothing but positives" ... I can only conclude that you are too simple-minded to be miserable. The kite sellers will never starve with people like you about.

No-one person can do anything (especially those who live in different parts of the world ) but they can voice their displeasure and they can listen to others voicing their displeasure. They can hope a movement grows. They can hope that others will see they need to join the movement. They can hope the displeasure of the overwhelming majority reaches the ears and therefore puts pressure on the board to act.

You sound like the barroom lawyer who sits in the corner pompously telling anyone who will listen to him not to vote. "It won't make any difference."

Every time our club leaves the pitch with boos ringing in Moshiri's ears, it's another step closer to this incompetent getting the boot.

You are a proven accepter of mediocrity. Thankfully, most fans have a bit more about them.

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Baines
Gana Klaassen
Lookman Sigurdsson Mirallas
Rooney

Attack!!!! A must-win game!!!

I have never known the Everton supporters to be so disillusioned before a game. With Moyes and Martinez, though inconsistency reigned, there was at least some hope.

You may guess the effect Koeman is having on the players who have to deal with him, day-in & day-out.

Koeman is destroying Everton.

He may be destroying the club, but only by pleading for more time for him to finish the job can you proclaim yourself an optimist.

You do what you can, and if it means coming on here and changing one person's view, then that is a start. I used to take the view that this where we are, let's make the best of it. Now I don't. My views are not so entrenched.

If it is shite, say it. Nothing may change but we still must say it. I take no pleasure in eating humble pie but something stinks around our club.

Get the placards out.

Gercha.
Put yer money where your norf 'n sarf is.

It always pisses me off when people have a go at the Goodison atmosphere and present it as an excuse for the awfulness of the players and tactics, but we have to be alert to the dangers of creating a climate in which the whole club resigns itself to defeat. Given the history of our Board in despatching managers, we should assume that Koeman isn't going soon and I suggest that we should also assume that we're already in a fight to stay in the Premier League.

I don't know how we square the circle of expressing alarm at our poor performances and wanting shut of our apparently clueless manager, while at the same time boosting the volume and getting behind the team to try and raise their game – but I think we're going to have to start trying our very best.

"Hopefully he'll give people like Lookman starts, bit of pace in there", "Williams needs dropping, get him out of the firing line", and so on.

Yet you can almost guarantee that he won't change anything at all. We'll still be playing 6 defensive players, trying to fit 3 Number 10s into one side in a narrow, slow system. We'll either huff and puff to a draw or we'll get a scrappy win to temporarily give him a stay of execution.

This is what I want him to play:

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

But we all know full well we won't see that. Don't get me wrong –I'll still get behind the team and hope we get wins in this next month to turn things round.... but realistically, this manager is on borrowed time.

I suspect you're not going to nominate Martina or Baines – sadly Leighton doesn't cut it at this level any more as a defender. You can't nominate Jags as he hasn't played enough. I doubt you'll say Holgate. So you're down to Keane. Seriously?

We're so bad that Williams, who has at times looked incapable of actually being a professional footballer, has done more than any other defender to defend our goal. Pitiful isn't it?

I won't make the game as have been touring the US & Canada on holiday. Watching The Vancouver Whitecaps tomorrow though, a welcome change from watching Koeman's boring outfit.

If we lose, I think he's gone.

I can certainly remember being as resigned as I am now under Moyes and Martinez! WBA at home with Neville and Heitinga in midfield springs to mind. Watching Martinez's sides knowing that although you were in front, we'd lose.

It's not good at present, but it has been at least as bad in the last decade!

Really, Martinez and some hope? Really!!??

Not my team, but probably Ronald's ...

I'd like to see us play as a unit today. We somehow managed this in the first half against Split. Manage this again but for 90 minutes and we'll get an easy win.

The club may well have brought in 8 or 9 new faces, but with others leaving we still see it paper thin in some departments, and obviously over subscribed in one particular position. Things usually go wrong when the team lacks balance. Left sided players on the left, width on the flanks.

We moaned when players were shoe-horned into unfamiliar roles under all three of these coaches. The club now have more resources but they decided to wait for Bolasie and Coleman to recover rather than spend money.

We needed another striker even when we had Lukaku and, with Valencia departing, we needed three new front men. Even if we include Calvert-Lewin that still leaves two more required.

We bought Keane, but needed another with Funes Mori out long term. Instead we are relying on Jags and Williams. The other teams in the top six would not be waiting on players with long term injuries. New faces would be ushered in as soon as possible.

I blame the club for not investing in the right positions. I would love to know who made the decisions. Koeman also makes baffling choices with what he does have available, which suggests he would get it wrong even if Bolasie and Coleman were fit.

I'm away from home and want to check my viewing options.

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

At least this team has everyone playing in their correct positions and hopefully we start on the front foot. I think Schneiderlin is a lucky boy to be playing but I can't ever see him being left out.

Up the Blues (half-hearted cheer...)

Brightens it up now and again though.

Bring on Rafa, as reported at BBC!

No Kenny, no Davies, no Lookman, no Mirallas, no width, no inspiration, no leadership, no belief and even before we start – no hope.

If he doesn't learn, he has to go.

There can be no excuse for playing a defensive formation. This is Brighton, FFS. Anything other than a win and I really fear for our season.

Forget home or away. The game is still played on grass and there are always enough travelling Blues to make a racket; away support is usually louder than library Goodison.

Link

They've played quite well at home, are a very compact team and dangerous at corners and free kicks. Given our lack of confidence (and often ideas), this could well be a war of attrition, illuminated by a flash of brilliance (hopefully in blue).

Roll your sleeves up lads and get stuck in. I would run through a brick wall for what these so-called players are on. Show some heart, you spineless twats.

My favoured scenario is we scrape a 0-1 win and he's sacked after the game. I'd love us to play well and knock in 6 but I can't see it happening with this guy.

I expect nothing other than a home win and us to roll over meekly. Koeman has lost the plot; there is no way back now.

He said when we go behind one-nil at home, the crowd gets quiet and the negativity being transmitted to the players!!!

That, however, doesn't explain his odd team selections and tactics. Not to mention his substitutions.

You know full well he will, but I agree about the sacking bit though. I would normally be really looking forward to the game, searching for links, on the live forum etc, but recently with this charlatan, I have lost interest.

Sad, but true.

Yes, there's a massive hype around Niasse at the moment, but he's a fraction of the player Rooney is.

Niasse can stick to being an impact sub for now.