Everton draw Liverpool in FA Cup 3rd Round

Bring it on! Gerrinto'em!

I just hope we turn up for it.

The stars might just be aligning for us. We beat them and then for months and months we'll have this season's FA Cup bragging rights. Sam walking out at Wembley like he owns the place, ha ha.

I've got a good feeling. Everton are on the up and up, Everton are gonna win the Cup.

We should get about 6,000 tickets too.

The way they are talking they think there gonna win everything and are unbeatable.

There's time between now and the FAC 3rd round to get the squad belief and confidence up.

Well fuck "them", we won't be beaten. On Sunday or in the Cup.

Jesus, what has Big Sam done to me.... Up the Fucking Toffees!

Ugh! Spits out quickly.

When my wife left I was sad, but since then I've got a dog, bought a motorbike, shagged three women and blown a grand on drink and drugs.
.
.
.
.
She'll go fuckin' mental when she gets home from work...

Weeellll...I thought of you might need cheering up.

The 4-4 was as close heaven as you will get. Never ahead if a recall, and just kept at it.

Waggy finished them off in the 2nd replay.

The last line from his wikipedia page says it all

"On 24 May 2014, Van der Meyde refereed the Lingerie World Cup, which the Netherlands won on home soil"

Sam and Sammy will embrace this as we all will and will. I still need mental capacity and guile to see in the new era, by putting the RS in their place.

Gonna go for a win, double bet on us to win the League and Cup games at our old ground.

Delighted! We can f**k EFC's Xmas & New Year up!! https://twitter.com/stanners_1892/status/937764352630849536 …

Well Big Sam and Little Sam you know what to do don't you? get it right up them and shut them up for a little while at least.

What are we actually going to sing?
"Big Sam's"?
"Sammy's"? (Might be misunderstood for little fat twat Sam)
"Ally's"? (Not the old boss of the Jocks!!! Short for Allardyce)

Thoughts please, lads and lasses.

Welcome to Merseyside, Sam.

There's always the doom mongers around when we play the RS as you can see on several comments on this and other threads. I thought a little joke might lighten things up!

Kill'em, no pleasantries in the tunnel before the game unless it means a sly stud rake from the neck down followed by a stamp (see Funes Mori for instructions).

If we'd taken a more winning attitude in derby games, that difference would have been a lot less than 10 points. If we'd won both derby games, we'd have finished on average above them in the table. That's how fine the the margins have been.

So on the basis of straightforward statistics, we could readily beat these sods provided we take the right approach. Maybe Sam is the man for it.

"FFS we really needed a good cup run 😔 "

Your offer to submit your CV to Everton to be their sports psychologist?

Thanks, but no thanks.

It's alright for them, but not for us, but one thing all Liverpudlian's know is that Allardyce has never really gave a fuck for them, and maybe this is what Carragher was really trying to say!

We played a very good Liverpool team three times without a recognised centre forward when Benitez, had them top of the league, and they never beat us once. I even got to see us score a last minute winner against them for the only time in my life, and think that this just might be the type of draw that Everton actually need?

Detestable bastard. Hope we go there and shut his big mouth.

Recent history doesn't lie. In fact history in general as regards our strained relationship with those scurvy red dogs means that it is unlikely to be a favourable outcome.

Maybe fat Sam is already in negotiation with some dodgy character to see how the desired result can be achieved. If anyone can he can. I'll throw a ton into the brown envelope if the red filth are turned over at their soon to be outdated home.

The history of our club needs seriously looking at by a spiritualist group.

Our psychologist is going to need a psychologist.

To think but a few weeks ago I was being slaughtered on here for my "Allardyce in" shouts... Are the worms turning?? Is the once dismissive Everton fan base now starting to embrace Cuddly Sam with open arms?

I hope so because Sam Allardyce looks and sounds every bit like a future Everton legend. He talks the most sense I've heard from any manager since Kendall Mk 1.

I know one thing: Allardyce won't suffer any of this shithouse mentality our three previous managers took across the park on derby days. You just got love Big Sam, eh Boys?!!!

In fact, the last time the Toffees lost at that ground in either the FA Cup or League Cup was in 1892, when Anfield was their home stadium and they were beaten by Burnley."

Why don't we keep the insults for the gurning, fucking numpty across the Park rather than giving them lot the chance to say "Even the Evertonians slag him and he's their own manager." Just a suggestion like.

I'd prefer to leave the derogatory remarks of "our" manager to supporters of other teams – that's all. Can't understand why "we" would do it.

Not too far to travel, and we'll give them a jolly good thrashing. Up the toffees!

Give it time.

Can't say I wasn't bewildered when I heard the news though.

Wish these fans would just grow up!!!!

"For upcoming games with RS, must feed "Fake details" of match plans, team sheets to little Sam (known RS 'plant'). Such classified information should not be allowed to reach Clipperty Klopp."

End of message

Time to beat the bastards!!!

I can't wait for both games to see how Sam sets us up, should be very interesting. The RS think they have already won Sunday's game and into the cup 4th round – we shall see.

COYB!

Lukaku confirmed it, didn't he? We only actually go to these places hoping for a draw at best. How on earth can we ever expect to win if that's the case?

You would think professional footballers would say to themselves "Fuck this, I'm sick of being fodder for these teams with a worldwide audience watching." But no, we'll see more damage limitation in these games. We may hold on for a draw in the Cup game.

Niasse couldn't give a flying fuck about all this history shit.

Cometh the moment, Cometh the Beast. The tide is about to turn and I'm up for the ride.
COYB

Supporter for almost 60 years and my devotion has never changed. I realise I am stepping into a lions den.

I have tried not to comment here, as with the modern ability to comment time and time again, people seem to take extreme positions and stick with them. This draw gives me chance to comment with hopefully the world not murdering me.

In the past, before the derby, me and great friends divided by our colour separated depending on the pub; the group eventually came together at a disco (shows my age) and, with the piss-taking from either side, went out and had great night.

Now back to the draw.

With a passionate and tough game, I think we can take them if we get into their feet. Allow them to play and it will cost us. However, as long as we hold our own and give a decent performance, it will I hope cement a big improvement.

I am a retired professional sportsmen who considers winning incredibly important but also realises that there is a lesson in every situation, especially if it's a long term game.

Losing to the RS will hurt me, but a loss across the park with a formation and team that hold their own, will do for me in the medium term.

Bring them on, the horrible fuckers. I'm sure Sam won't bend over with his trousers by his ankles before kick off like some previous incumbents.

It may be a bit soon in his reign for a derby? but I thought that when Royle took over in ‘94. Bring it on!

As for the Fat Sam thing, is it not a term of endearment (or could be in future)? Fat Controller, Fatty Arbuckle... what's the problem? If he says he doesn't like it, then fair enough.

How OCM (our current manager) as an appropriate TLA (three letter acronym) that has the handy effect of being applicable to all future managers so its easy to remember, and it's got the right level of passive aggressive disdain, without being outright offensive.

Not going to be easy of course – was it ever? But carrying those type of crap sentiments into any 'battle' is both pretty fucked up and lame!! In fact, you should probably stay as far away from our team as possible if that's the sort of attitude you're bringing to the table of our great club!!!

COYBs!!!!!!!

haha that's brilliant that is. *Cries of laughter*

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qnu_bkvumxU

Sam and the coaching team have, as a first task, to mould the players into a flexible system that can win any game. That will take time, the return of injured personnel and recruitment. Nonetheless, the process has started and Thursday's and Sunday's games are part of that process.

We all find it impossible to ignore the opposition on Sunday but the task in essence is this.

We are playing a side that have loads of pace going forward and one inventive player in midfield. They have a crap defence; Brighton could have pulled it back to 3-3 at one point.

We have no real pace at the back so two banks, again, is the order of the day. Interestingly, Sam thought we were too deep in the middle Saturday. We have at least two players who have done a number on creative players in the past. We can scare the life out of them on dead balls.

They are not invincible, they have no chance of winning the league or the Champions League. Any team can be rumbled and go through a tough spell: They have done, they will do, cf, Spurs.

All games are one-offs and, for us at the moment, all are opportunities to develop.

As for expectations, I'd take a draw from any team away in the top six, at the moment. Like everyone one here, I hope, I believe that we have the players, and management, to achieve that now. Can't wait. As for the cup-tie, we will be six games further along on the development curve with a different set of players available.

Can't wait.

We do have an inferiority complex when it comes to Liverpool, but big Joe Royce knew how to play them for what they are. Don't let them have there own way and the toys will get thrown out the pram. It's what they are, and if we could get on top of them, I'll guarantee the German would be the biggest whinger out of the lot of them.

If we see Jags in the tunnel giving the the RS hugs and high fives, we need to put him on a bus back to Sheffield.

Then again, maybe not!

But you have to type it into Google Maps for the best Laugh.

In these derbies, we have nothing to lose, not even our long gone pride. Yet maybe they could be the start of something big.

NSNO

This would mean something if it said how many times we'd actually played them in an FA Cup tie at Anfield.

This is of a piece with stupid stats. The example which had me yelling at the telly was when Swansea were back in the top flight for the first time in about twenty years, and Lineker told us solemnly that "Swansea hadn't beaten Everton in the League for 22 years" (exact years may be out, but you get my drift)

I am hoping their buffoon of a manager doesn't get to influence the referee with his antics in the dugout and we have, with our squad in its current state, nothing to lose and everything to gain

I think the likes of Big Sam is the man to sort our appalling record in the derbies but I feel longer term he will not be good for the club.

COYB

Perhaps he always had bigger fish to fry, ie, keeping a team up, which would have been more of a priority than a good cup run. Will that be the case with ourselves???

That's the beauty of this draw – the fans will not accept a weakened team. It is also on the board to explain to Big Sam the expectations at this club, which has a very proud history in the competition – unlike most of his previous employers.

He has come to Everton to show everyone he has got it in himself to be a winner in management. I'm sure Liverpool, don't really fancy this draw but they never fancied it at Wembley and still beat us; so it's the attitude that has got to change the most if Everton are to become the winning team we all want.

Now someone should build a gobshites.co.uk website. Suggestions for content could be posted on here.

It sort of demonstrates to me that, despite impressions formed by the media, we're not significantly behind Liverpool, in that the margins are small, particularly when compared with the margins between Liverpool and the top sides like Man Utd and Chelsea.

All we're trying to do at the moment is increase our average by about 10 points or so, which would make us habitual Champions League. If that succeeds, presumably the next phase is to try to do what Spurs and Liverpool are currently trying (albeit failing) to do, which is actually win the title, and hence be at the very top. Liverpool talk the talk as if they were at the top, but they actually are not.

This context reinforces my frustration in not beating them repeatedly, which we could do. I think many folks, including some Evertonians are swayed by the media propaganda about them. After all, I suppose that's what propaganda does, it sways people without them realising it.

Major injuries to key players, bad transfer moves, under-selling Lukaku and not replacing him, sacked a manager who shouldn't have been given the job, team that appears to not give a shit, and now this fucking bunch of cheating twats to play in the FA Cup!

Oh I forgot: Moshiri (our saviour) giving the manager's job to fucking Sam (what's in it for me?) Allardyce!!!

Nice to be a blue! 😨😨😨

Admittedly, it won't be an easy task in either game, but I would say by way of positive encouragement, that in the first encounter, as in most derbies, the form book goes out of the window.

Having said that, we have a poor record at Mordor; but as we are experiencing something of a new transition; and under new management, I think this guy knows better than our previous two managers; how to motivate players for a game like this; they shouldn't need motivating though, should they?

It's the fucking bunch of over-paid twats we have as a team you should be having a go at, not genuine supporters of Everton, which this team don't give a fuck about! Considering what we have had to put up with, is it any wonder we have lost a bit of confidence?

We are all entitled to an opinion, and I for one will keep giving it, if that's okay with you?

Apart from the injuries, none of the other stuff just happens.

We've been mismanaged, but certainly not jinxed. Perhaps that's not what you meant.

We've got a chance, we will have to be right up for it, want it more than them. Get stuck into them and stay in their faces for 90 mins.

Their defence is suspect, Sigurdsson can send some open and dead balls in that will cause them massive problems.

No need to be timid about it; we can do it. Especially with some top-class players returning from injury.

Also, who knows? Some good quality reinforcements.

Big Sam got a lot of young talent to work with.
Credit to Unsy and Koeman due here.

Over the last five seasons, including the current one, the Blues have won just once at Old Trafford some 4 years ago, whilst Southampton, Swansea and Crystal Palace have each recorded 5 victories on those grounds. In total, the Big Six have been defeated 46 times by the 'smaller' clubs in the 450 matches played. Man Utd and Liverpool have lost 9 apiece whilst Man City have only suffered the ignominy of defeat to lower clubs on just 4 occasions.

The Big Six have recorded 325 victories in those 450 fixtures, with Man City recording the most, 62 from their 76 enounters, and Liverpool with just 47 wins from their 74 matches. Liverpool have drawn 18 of those games, with Arsenal and Man City drawing 10 apiece. Everton have drawn 12 games on those grounds and have lost 20. Swansea City have lost 24 of their 33 visits to those grounds with Stoke losing one less from their 31 matches played during the period.

Burnley are the only club to register an away victory at the big six clubs this season and that came on the opening day of the campaign at Chelsea. There has also been 5 draws and 24 home wins in the 'big six' versus the rest encounters, staged on the home grounds of the elite, during the current campaign.

Since the start of the Premier League era, the Big Six have played the others 2119 times and have emerged victorious 1400 times, there have been 452 draws and the visitors to those grounds have won 267 encounters. Aston Villa have registered the most victories with 23 and suffered 87 defeats from their 138 visits whilst Everton have won 16 matches from their 148 visits and have lost 90.

In conclusion it would seem that winning on the grounds of the big six if you're not a member of that group is a big ask, as the home teams have a 66% success rate and the visiting teams have a 22% chance of gaining a point and only a 12% chance of actually winning.

Everton's win percentage is a little under 11% and their chances of a draw is circa 29% with the loss rate hovering around 60% for the 148 games played at the big six clubs during the Premier League era. We must be a due a win then?

I really hope our neighbours do not stoop as low as Arsenal and give us the full allocation, like we did a few years back for the Goodison replay when they received 6,000 tickets..

One final note: we have never lost an FA Cup tie at Anfield, if this has anything to do with receiving more tickets for a cup tie and the fans lifting the team... just a thought.

Jinxed me hole.

I remember last season's home derby, for 60 minutes being one of our best performances of the season so far but we were at full throttle and ran out of gas.

I distinctly remember Gana chasing Mane around our box in the first half and thinking how have they got players a level above us when they are grim for what they should be.

Their pace is all that worries me. Or should I say our pace? They don't have many superstars but they all look like lightening when they attack.

Unlike Koeman, who wasted the resources at his disposal, so Everton have a far worse team than Liverpool at the moment.

Sam Allardyce won't allow them to lie down, that's for sure, and I for one will not be watching from behind the sofa! It's many a day since I've been able to attend but I will be shouting from afar, kicking every ball until that final whistle. You can stick you white flags where they belong.

It would be brilliant to win at Mordor, but this is a cup tie and only one of us will be still in the hunt when it's settled

A draw then finish the job under lights at the Old Lady would do me.

Also, it could be a good time to play them after all the festive games – sometimes tiredness or complacency can set in in early January.

Fuck 'em all, fuck 'em all,
The shite and the crap, fuck 'em all!!

Carragher is obviously Smeagol – so he'll get his too.

The last time we beat Liverpool was in 2010.

You were in fact being slaughtered for telling lies. I asked you to provide a link to the thread where I said how great Koeman was. You didn't... why? Because you made it up.

I don't recall us playing another FA Cup Tie at Anfield, and I'm nearly 60. But I could be having a senior moment and the others you mention may have taken place when I wasn't looking.

Damn surrender monkeys.

That must be the biggest price we have ever been to win a derby, even the dark days of the seventies we scraped a lot of 0-0s so the bookies wouldn't have risked such offensive odds then.

Both incidents occurred at the Anfield Road end and both involved the same two players, Gary Ablett and Pat Nevin. I was in the Anfield Road end for both games and had a first view class view.

I got into a bit of an argument with a Liverpool supporter on the way home from the League game, nothing serious, he was adamant that it wasn't a penalty and I said to him, "Watch the telly tonight", I'd never seen him before and I've never seen him since, so I never got the opportunity to say "I told you so!"

We may well get a hammering but we may not. Very cliched but it's all on the day. I'm going to be optimistic about it if nothing else, smug arrogant arses that they are, we have to win there at some point and it maybe well be Sunday and then in January.

Big Sam's organisation, planning, churchillian inspiration and sergeant major boot up the arse should get us through.

But our new sports psychologist will have them on auto-pilot win. It will be impossible for us to lose. They'll be hypnotised to success.

3-goal margin win at least.... 4 depending on how much injury time is played.

I have a vision of a post-match photo of Sam grinning across at a twitching, despondent Klopp (with chewy stuck in his hair) and looking dishevelled (for a change).

So, 4th round – here we come.

Anyway, I'm not negative about the coming games as long as we can organise the defence properly and Sigurdsson can put in a few decent set-piece balls into their flaky back line.

Mr Wilson must be drinking Leffe with his depressants.

11 to 1... hmm.

Carragher is an utter twat by the way.

Anyone coming out with the "Oh, you're defeatist" needs to assess the squads of both clubs. Yes, their defence can be got at but they bang them in for fun. That, coupled with the injuries and lack of firepower we've got hardly fills me with confidence.

I personally can't see nothing but two comfortable wins for them. That's not me being pessimistic. That's me being realistic. Has anyone seen our record there?

There may be a hint there as to what our approach should be.

Make a point – but don't bore me with personal comebacks, as it shows you have poor thinking abilities.

PG Malcolm has my mentality. Let's kick the bastards in the balls right in front of their mummies.

Although there was one incident when Steve McMahon tried to bully John Ebbrell and went through with a very bad tackle. Ebbrell stood his ground and McMahon went down badly injured, it was his own fault.

One demented Red fan stood up by me screaming what a dirty bastard Ebbrell was, I argued back with him and finished by asking him to see who gets the foul. We got it and the Redfan never looked at me for the rest of the game.

They are not all like that obviously, but quite a few are, including many players, coaches and managers they have had over the years.

Big Sam pulls Jags aside just before they leave the locker room.

“Phil lad, if you even look at them in the tunnel, or chucklebuddy up with a single person wearing red, I'll rip off your head and shit down your neck.”

Come on now, time for a few Blues to start facing reality, and accept how we approach these matches. I've made my peace with what we've turned into. It saves any disappointment in the long run.

Purely social for me now, when I go to the footy.

They are one of the best counter attack teams around. Full of pace throughout; we've got no pace.

We attack them gung-ho – we lose. It's as simple as that.

Would any of last summer's signings get into a top six side? Maybe Pickford at a push?

Money should have been spent more wisely. Too many players in the one go. We should have went for more quality rather than quantity.

Only two people you can blame for that. The manager more so than Walsh.

Before Klopp arrived at Liverpool, Coutinho and Firmino were very inconsistent, much like our dear Ross. Klopp has sorted them since he arrived, organised the attack, and got a couple of good attacking additions in the shape of Mane and Salah, to fit into the reorganised attack. It's down to proper organisation, which helps players play better.

Our problem has been organisation, otherwise we wouldn't have changed our managers like we've done. On player quality, you're dreaming if you think Liverpool's are significantly better than ours. That showed in the middle of last season when their organisation on the pitch went to pot, and they were calling for Klopp's head.

Let's just see if Sam can organise our players better, rather than pre-judge.

We definitely shouldn't attack them gung-ho style (I agree with John@176), but I can't imagine Sam wanting that anyway, and if we're well organised, they can be vulnerable.

Positivity sermon over.

We need to set up as we have done for the last two games. A deep line of 4 and a deep midfield 3. We then need the wingers pushing out in attack, but filling back in defence. As they have been. We need to use Calvert-Lewin against Liverpool for his qualities in the air and on the ground. He needs to plough a lone furrow, chasing lost causes, and running the channels. He also needs to hold the ball up and wait for support.

Liverpool operate an aggressive press that centres on attack the man (and not the passing lanes and so very different to Man City). They overwhelm the person in possession and try to force mistakes and win the ball in danger areas.

Allardyce's default tactics are exactly how you defeat a high aggressive press. Quite simply, if four guys are closing in on you, knock it over them, to a blue shirt, and suddenly you've taken four players out of the game. This is why it is essential to have three outballs, ie the wingers and the centre-forward. Allardyce wants us to play it forward from defence quickly and direct. So we do not need to do anything special for Liverpool, just operate his Plan A.

If they play more conservatively, then that defence is not actually that bad. But Herr Klopp can only play one way.

If Allardyce rests enough tomorrow, and has them drilled defensively – and Unsworth had them half way there already (as shown in the last two games) – then we have more than a good chance of getting a result.

The question for us is, can our players execute such a thing? I believe they can, provided they are organised and confident. They are skilled enough, imo.

About being amateurs, well I suppose we can either (1) comment on ToffeeWeb as we do, as armchair pontificators, or (2) not bother, just leave it to the professionals.

I think option (2) would be quite tedious, so I'll go for option (1) and back to entertainment, amusing or not.

Compare theirs to my tactical analysis which consists of a war cry, eye-gouging, stud-raking, thumb-in-the-eye etc, more of a call to arms than any tactical input, and you can see why we need these polar opposite views.

Q: How do you cope with Liverpool closing you down like that?

Allardyce: It's easy you just kick it over the top of them.

I've seen some detailed analysis of how to stop Klopp. Tactics ain't difficult. It's just about reading what certain people say and learning what to look for. Often the first thing that comes to you is the solution, ie, just kick it over the top of them.

Brilliant that is, so simple but so effective.

Well if that's the game plan, bring it on, I should expect Calvert-Lewin will get the nod up top (Sunday). I was reading some interesting stats on the lad over on RoyalBlueMersey, he will be pivotal to our game plan if the above is the case.

If Liverpool actually want to reach the next level, about a dozen points more than they have been averaging, I think (and I get the impression a lot of reds think) that he'll have to go at some stage. He seems less adaptable than other 'big name' managers like Maureen and Guardiola. I think quite a few Evertonians rate him too highly.

He burnt some Dortmund players out playing the same way. He will do the same over there.

Steve, I see where you are coming from re midfield three and would hope they play tightly to each other 30 yards from goal when they have the ball in our half. Back four 10 yards behind them. Condense the space and no room for one twos, flicks around the corner etc.

To an extent I would let them have the ball wide, don't be drawn out by triangular interplay. Only go wide if there is an overload.

Wide men in the 5 for me would be Lennon on the left and Tom on the right. Two grafters who will protect the full backs. Holgate and Williams centre-back pairing.

Mason has got the quickest feet out of all our defenders, that will be needed against their twinkletoes forwards. Just need him to concentrate for 90 minutes.

Beni, Gana and Rooney for me in the three. Calvert-Lewin the lone forward.

Is Leighton fit for Sunday?

The so called "experts" on here who know how easy it is to beat them are truly phenomenal, to use a word known only too well to those of a blue persuasion.

Why Moshiri had to go outside for a new manager is surprising?

Truly unbelievable.

Not a lot left really, John.

It's a bit of fun, man. Relax!

The only person who said it was easy was Allardyce, and I think he had his tongue in his cheek when he said the word, but his theory is sound and it has been often repeated for Klopp teams.

Very entertaining to hear all the armchair experts, however. My own fault really as I shouldn't really read their nonsense, let alone comment on it.

The question now is whether we have those skills... I believe we do.

I doubt the Moscow manager has been on ToffeeWeb as him and his team wouldn't have any time to employ our tactical analysis, pity really as they wouldn't be getting hammered.

The only tactic I would get Allardyce to use on Sunday is to make sure the whole team go to early mass and for all of us to keep everything crossed!

I think it will be influenced to a large extent by how well we play (because Liverpool aren't the only team on the pitch), and that will depend heavily on how well Sam organises us. A well organised side can rattle Liverpool, and when they get rattled, they fold.

Then he'll turn to his coaching team, rub his hands and say, “How many are we going to put past these shitbags on Sunday, lads?”

He'll bite into a piece of raw meat and chew on it while laughing as blood drips out of the corner of his mouth.

Under Sam Allardyce, this is the best opportunity we've had in years at Anfield.

(Let's hope the DVD will be available in time for Christmas.)

Oumar off the beach to score the winner!! A new chapter in the story of the blues. Oumar off the bench to score the winner. Look into your heart, just feel it, you know it to be true.

In both games.

Our past managers shit out big time; if a manager does not believe we can go there and get a result, then we're beat before we even come out of the tunnel.

Make no mistake – they are playing well but, for all the ones not in Sam's camp, you can be sure he will have the players up for this game and won't go there fearing them.

It would be nice to see 10 Psyco Pats out their to shut the bastards up. Imagine Psyco playing against Cat Stephens out there on the wing... he would slow him down. Use every trick in the book – that's how RS got their success.

Sam Allardyce will be watching with delight. He will have learned a lot from both team's performances.

Bazooka to a gun fight!!!

Very smart in my opinion.

Oh, & I agree with you John (#202) – Why do you waste your time reading & commenting on stuff you're only going to sneer at? It seems a bit pointless to me.

A bazooka is an anti-tank rocket launcher. A useful analogy for our tactics on Sunday.

I live on the Wirral.... What is bubble gum?
:)

The cup tie is different. We could be much further along the road to recovery by then; hopefully we will be able to perform with even more organisation and pride, and hit them hard.

Their weakness is their defending.

We aren't exactly powerful going forward.

Or weakness is our defending (among other things...). We leak goals.

Their strength is holding possession and their attack.

Their attack is better than ours.

I fear. I hope, but I fear.

Bravado won't win us the derby but we, meaning the players and fan base, must start believing we can beat them.

Like you, up until two weeks ago, I was dreading the derby. I feared a humiliation because I had seen nothing this season to give me even a glimmer of hope that anything else awaited us.

The reason my outlook has changed is because we have been given a few "footholds" on which to pin some hope in the past fortnight:

1. Sam Allardyce has been appointed manager and knows how to beat them. He isn't carrying the same mental baggage as us. He has won there.

2. Rooney is scoring and playing well. He has won there. He will be captain.

3. We have kept two clean sheets.

4. We have had some luck in the past month.

5. We will have 3 days more recouperation time to prepare for the game than them.

Words and thoughts are things. Ours have been far too negative for many years. It will require an effort of will to change that. Now is the time.

11 of them against 11 of us.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, football has gone all middle class with Sky etc.

The pre-match rivalry is more like golf or tennis now.

Hopefully Sam brings a new attitude to the team.

Something a bit more "Travis Bickle".

Who would you play left back on Sunday?

In answer to your question, seeing as Galloway, Browning and Garbutt are all unavailable, even though they are Everton players, I would play myself, a right footer, but I'm not registered and on the other side of the world. Shambles.

They can't help themselves can they, it always comes out in the end.

Win this ffs lads – just to shut them up

Maybe that's a root cause of them losing the edge when in a leading position, apart from the defence being crap of course. They get complacent, and don't have the quality to make up for that complacency.

Yes, if we could just shut them up.

A top team that has never won the league it plays in.

They're shite lite.