Everton vs Chelsea

No Morata is also a bonus; I wonder what odds I can get on Rooney to score a penalty?

Keep a tight defence and frustrate them and I think we can nick this one 1-0.
The old Lady will be rocking if we can score an early goal.

COYB...

As long as the commitment and effort is still there, you wouldn't begrudge a defeat to an oil rich money team. That said, I would, in Kevin Keeganesque fashion, Love it, if we beat them.

They are without Morata, who has been their main threat this season; having said that; they do have dangerous players in other positions, if you give them space.

I would love three points, but realistically think one or none, will probably be the outcome. Like I said before, we cannot afford to give them space, with Hazard and co. they will destroy us.

I know it was a Cup match; but watched the highlights of the Bournemouth encounter; and the latter were unlucky in the end not to get something; even by way of a penalty shoot-out.

So there is hope!

We have actually won 2 more home games – 6 vs 4 – and garnered more home points – 18 vs 16 – this season compared to the same stage last season.

Tellingly, however, at home we have not dropped a single point against any team currently below us.

The other side of the coin is we haven't picked up a single point at home against any team currently above us.

Make of that what you will.

Chelsea are off form. They haven't looked at their best. We could give them a game. Let's hope our fragile confidence is enough. A win here could really be a springboard for more. A defeat and it could slip back a bit.

I'm sure we will keep it tight and try to win it late on. The first goal will be crucial.

Would love to have some feedback from the 11 v 11 the other day.

The only thing I heard was Big Sam was impressed by McCarthy.

Martina at left back has done okay in the last few games but when faced with a genuine right sided threat he really struggles. Salah gave him a tough time and against Narsingh he let him in on two occasions but Swansea had no one in our area so the attacks petered out.

Chelsea have Hazard, Willian and Pedro interchanging down the flanks and Zappacosta bombing on from right wing back. Also, we just can't seem to cope against their formation.

It is going to be a hard game and one as Lyndon says will be a test of our fragile squad.< This is where Big Sam's organisational skills and a goal from a set-piece would come in very handy.

I did observe however, that after the behind closed doors affair, which was basically a commitment test by Sam, he has publicly said that he would like McCarthy and Sandro to stay and be part of the squad.

This unfortunately leaves question marks precariously hovering over a few, but being astute TW'ers, I don't think it needs too much working out, who we should get rid of.

Unquestionably there is a lot of deadwood, but who is in the market for deadwood these days?

I know it's Pantomime Season, but 'new lamps for old' never happens in the real World of Football!

Please mate, don't ask. We will be told they have taken his locker off him... He's getting changed in his car etc etc.

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Williams Martina
Lennon Gueye Davies Sigurdsson
Rooney
Calvert-Lewin

Kenny and Lennon double teaming on the left side, Siggy helping out Martina on the right.

Subs: McCarthy, Niasse and Sandro

With their title gone they are fighting for no more than second place so it will be interesting to see how motivated they are. One thing is certain: they will encounter an Everton team no longer the soft touch we have been in the last four matches against them.

When asked about playing as a left-back, he responded that he is a right-back so "everything is different". You have to change your feet, pass with your left foot, etc.

When you think about it, it is a big ask but Martina has a good left foot and can cross a ball.

He is certainly going to need help against Chelsea – who is going to provide it, I am not sure... but I'm guessing it will be Schneiderlin again.

It also reinforced my belief that naturally left-footed players are gold and sending Galloway out to develop elsewhere was a mistake.

Lady Luck has given us a bit of a massage lately, Morata out is another kiss on the cheek. Let's hope it's a long term relationship.

One thing is for sure and that is the defence will be tested to the extreme. It will be a good stress test for us to assess just how solid we are.

At the other end, it will be taking advantage of set-pieces. Also Rooney and Sigurdsson are potent from around the 18-yard box. A bit of space for either of them may and we may see another Christmas cracker.

Sam alluded to this in his post match interview after the Swansea game. I'd like to see us play 4-3-3, that can set up as 4-5-1 when they've got the ball.

Team: usual goalkeeper and back 4; Gana, Rooney, Sigurdsson, Lennon, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman or Vlasic. Which will give us attacking options when we've got the ball.

We need to get Sigurdsson on the ball more in attacking positions, playing wide left he spends more time in front of Martina than in the oppositions half. I would play Rooney in Schneiderlin's position and play Sigurdsson behind the front man. Which would allow us to bring in Lookman or Vlasic to play on the left side.

It's not that we don't have pace – it's that we need to use/utilise it.

Two wide-men, who can genuinely push the other teams full-backs, back, will stop Lewin getting isolated, and when you consider Chelsea, like to push there wing-backs on, this is the position, where we could find some joy, but only if the players out-wide have got pace?

I keep saying it, but Sigurdson, is getting wasted out-wide, especially when the player who is keeping him out of the middle is Schniederlin, who just hasn't contributed anything positive since this season began, but Siggy, is very disciplined, so he will probably stay out-wide.

You can't argue with that after the state we found ourselves in, but surely this is the last chance for the likes of Walsh to bring some exciting signings on board? One great player can make all the difference. Sick to the back teeth of watching mediocrity. Sell 3 or 4 of the players who are not part of our plans, and let's make a statement signing – someone like Zaha who can get the crowd off their seat would be a start.

It seems our recruitment plans revolve around young players with 'potential' or 'proven Premier League' stock. Look where that's got us, a mish-mash of players who are at different stages in their development, hence the unbalanced look of the side. Someone who can entertain us please. Or is that too much to ask?

Kevin@30: The only 'statement transfers' Everton have been involved in for a long time are those where we sell our best players to better sides. No signs of that changing unless the culture at the top changes, which would no doubt need really large cash input, larger than the scale of Moshiri.

However, it is no coincidence that our improvement has for the most part, been against the weaker teams. Liverpool played the wrong players and Chelsea will miss Morata.

However, with Hazard in such good form and with clever players all over the pitch, we will do very well to draw. I expect a reality check and think they will outclass us. 0-2.

Fingers crossed for a good result.

Presumably you reckon Sigurdsson is a better player there? Why?

Tony, we all know that Sigurdsson isn't a wide player but he is a very good, intelligent player who is getting fit and working his tail off. Given the need to have firm defensive base he is our best option wide left at the moment.

Playing as one of a screening middle two is not where he needs to be at all.

We won't be doing it in a rush but playing further forward is surely what we need of him.

The back four could make a start by actually turning their heads towards Pickford when he's ready to release the ball and, Kenny apart, maybe look confident enough to receive it.

Ashley Williams, for all his faults, seems to be the organiser and shows a willingness to throw himself under a bus for the blues (and there are times when I wish he would).

Schneiderlin if he plays perhaps has one last chance to perform if he is to stay at Goodison, the defence has to play at the top of their game, keep it at 0-0 for 80 minutes, and then...

I think we'll get a much deserved win tomorrow. Looking forward to watching a revitalised Gana facing off against Kante.

To be honest, with the points we've been picking up against the weaker teams, it won't break my heart if we lose this, as long as we don't roll over like we were doing earlier in the season.

That's great – hope he has a brilliant time. Tell him to kick Hazard "accidentally" as he comes out of the tunnel.

Got to play a midfield 3 of Gana, Rooney and Davies. A front 3 of Lennon, Calvert-Lewin and Sigurdsson.

McCarthy, Sandro and Baningime on late as subs.

Vs LFC: ball worked out of defence, fantastic cross field ball from Rooney, penalty.

Vs NUFC: 20-plus passes, including two sublime flicks, cross, header, fumble, goal. Same set up a little later but header saved.

Vs Swansea: multiple passes, pressing oppo back, Rooney flick to Lennon, penalty. Their attack breaks down, three passes along the floor at pace to Gylfi out left, cuts in, worldy. 20-plus passes pen oppo back, brilliant cross field ball from Gueye, great control from Kenny, second touch to Lennon, reverse pass inside, collected, past the defender, chop, penalty.

Do these people really watch the match?

Now waiting for the equivalent of "Yes, but what did the Romans ever do for us" posts.

Merry Christmas though.

David, I imagine you were referring to the Swansea episode were Hazard was supposed to have kicked the ball-boy. The "child", as he was referred to, was Charlie Morgan, nearly 18 and drove an Audi TT. It then emerged Morgan was no mere ball-boy but the son of the millionaire Swansea director Martin Morgan. The obnoxious little shit deserved to be charged with... well, "Being An Obnoxious Little Shit" for a start.

As for the Romans: season ticket holder in the same seat since 63-64 season and a few hundred away games under the belt including all over Europe.

I just hope we have enough about us to come out with a draw, if anything less then I expect the "School of Science, where have our morals gone, I told you so" brigade will be out in full force.

Subs: Robles, Jagielka, Keane, Davies, Vlasic, Sandro, Niasse

Remember cutting the corners off the programme's back page and sticking them on the Cup Final sheet we got in the first one of the season? And we didn't have Pritt sticks, just some shitty watery glue that came in a bottle with a rubber top/spreader that you had to stab with a pair of scissors to make it work.

Not attempting to putting a gloss on current matters, just refuting the moaners whose "hoofball" mantra is boring. Don't think we've created a single chance from a "hoof" since Sam arrived. (I await correction.)

Neville (47) over 50 years in the same seat, well done, mate. Not being funny but you should get it free from now on.

There has been some improvement without being convincing but an acid test today and next week. It will be the same eleven starting probably until injured players are fit and available again but would like to see Vlasic get some time instead of Lookman.

We have enough attacking quality to score provided we have bodies in the right areas – 2-1 to us.

Hopefully Allardyce can find that sweet spot where we are still defensively sound but able to create effectively and consistently. To do so, Calvert-Lewin will need more people supporting him and Sigurdsson and Lennon will have to pick times to trust the defense and stay up the pitch.

I will be content with a draw that accompanies a good performance.

Classic.

I suggest you re read what I said I made no mention of playing Rooney wide left. I suggested we drop Schneiderlin and play Rooney in his position move Sigurdsson to play behind the striker and bring in Lookman or Vlasic to play wide left.

Comes across as genuine, talks sensibly about the game and the club, admits that e.g. we were playing too many balls backwards and sideways first half last week, gave a simple analysis of what was wrong earlier in the season, gave straight answers about what Schneiderlin needs to do to be at his best, said Bolasie will be on the bench and that, situation allowing he will look to get him on.

When quizzed about Chelsea, described how they rotate into and across the front and said we needed to be as good at coping with that as we were against LFC but that we also needed to get forward. Talked of improvement and confidence encouraging players to take more risks.

Asked about player's community activities, he took the opportunity to describe as a disgrace a country that needs food banks.

Worth a watch; love or hate him you have to respect him.

I would argue that we are playing more effective football and some of it is good to watch. The effective defensive stuff has put us in position to get results via some of the more attractive stuff.

Many posters on here can't see that.

Totally happy yet, no, but then neither is the manager. When he is, I suspect most of us will be.

But doesn't that firmly underline in bold exactly what the "anti-hoofball" brigade are saying? Play the ball quickly out of defence, retain possession with accurate passing, create a real chance at their end... and score!!!

As opposed to: hoof it up and over the midfield, have Dom scamper after it, win the first ball, fight like a demon, but eventually lose the ball because he has no support – as they're all "keeping their shape" ready to repel the next onslaught???

Full of simple, clear, but still eloquent, common sense views on not just football, but on broader social issues that also came up.

His views on how he adjusted his own style of play and demands on his team mates as he slipped down the leagues as he aged – basically, to not ask of them what they weren't capable of – and how he applies the same simple philosophy as a manager now to the players under his charge was particularly insightful.

He answers every question honestly and with great clarity and no little humour.

I am genuinely hard-pressed to name anything where Sam got it seriously wrong since he arrived.

There really is a presence, an aura almost, about the big fellah...

We have had a good patch of fixtures but this is much harder test of our back 4. Schneiderlin has been dire this season, and not that much better last. Maybe he will play to mop up and read the game with Gana man marking Hazard?

I do prefer us in a 4-3-3. Not that any of us have a choice. Rooney and Sigurdsson are both much better in the middle. Davies is also much better off the bench. I'd like to see Lookman given a start also as he can beat a man and cross from deep, which we don't do enough off. Rooney to score and 1-0 is 61/1... that's where my tenner is going.

He also said Kone played well at Sunderland but doesn't know what's happened to him since. He seems very proud to be in this role and that means a lot after Koeman.

Against the concerns of the doubters he is giving the kids a chance and I suspect he will bring in some real quality over the next 2 windows.

I am not complaining about the way Allardyce has the team playing at the moment; needs must... and he can keep playing that way until we are relatively safe and after the January window, given the players and shape to play differently.

What I am saying is you are picking pieces of our games that provide good play; the reality is we are being patient because we know that is the safe way to play and our situation will let us stay patient while watching plenty of boring dross negative football. You are happy at watching the game you see and so am I for now.

Sitting back en-masse just invites trouble which inevitably leads to defeat for teams who do not tackle well. This has been Everton's problem for some time but recently have done better with Lennon, Calvert-Lewin and even Rooney chasing better but the tackling is still not as decisive as it should be.

I am a fan of Macca and believe he could make a difference in that department if ever he gets fit again.

To be fair, Koeman repeatedly spoke about certain players struggling and not being brave enough to play the ball forward and resorting to safe backward and sideways passing. It hasn't seemed to stop Sam from playing Gana and Schneiderlin together in recent matches, despite those long standing struggles, in home games against relegation contenders.

We were at home against Swansea with both players in the starting 11, and we only stopped being dreadful after Schneiderlin was finally subbed off in the second half. And in the match before that, against Newcastle, same thing. So I find it a bit interesting that the pairing of those two had seemingly been stopped, but Allardyce has reinstated them against two of the worst teams in the league.

Sam will by trying to get more out of that starting line-up. Sounds like he has been talking to Gana and especially Schneiderlin about improving. I'm hoping Sam can coax them to be more confident and offensively minded at the right times. I will be watching to see if Schneiderlin can react.

Davis, Vlasic, Lookman will be used late. Although Sam may decide to keep it at a stalemate if we are drawing at 70 mins, and view it as a good point.

Why did we loan out our left-sided players like Garbutt and Browning? Beggars belief since good lefties are difficult to find these days!

By the end of January, we could be totally transformed and meeting the fans' original expectations.

Koeman didn't name him in the 25-man Premier League squad, I think he will be available from the 1st January.

That's why it maybe best to play Davies instead of Schneiderlin. He will get forward enough to create space for Calvert-Lewin as the lone striker. Sam Allardyce in his press conference, has said that Bolasie could be a substitute but McCarthy is not ready. Good news, Ross Barkley has played again behind closed doors.

He is certainly not in the team on personal performance although Tom Davies hasn't been at the races this season either.

I totally agree, there are some passages of play that are as good as we have seen for a long time which have led to goals or penalties. Certainly not all hoofball.

Now sign on the dotted line, Ross, and give all us blues a bonus Christmas present.

I reckon we shall finish with c 55 points – comfortably top-half but below our natural 7th. That will not be enough to convince Evertonians Sam is the man.

"He will maybe play in the position that somebody made up recently.
No I'm not even going to say it"

Voice from the back "False No 9, Sam?"

Sam laughing, "Shut up!"

Doesn't talk much bollocks, our Sam.

And I don't think he will play Mignolet unfortunately. He's lost it completely.I think Sam will have a good go at them first time out, though.

Oh, the joy if I could blag a ticket for that. I haven't made it to a derby game since the 70s, unbelievably.

Merry Christmas to you all From Canada.

Conventional wisdom with Palace and West Ham might say that isn't true, but under Woy and Moyes respectively surely that's the new norm there?...

I see no change in tactics or playing style. Frustrate the crap out of them, don't concede, and look to win it later on with the introduction of Davies and possibly Bolasie.

Again, just win. Don't care how you do it Sam or how it looks. If you actually get three points from this game I'll start putting "pretty football" on the back-burner for good.

Bore the fuck out of me to a top four finish!

And Merry Christmas to all.

Everton have a big problem in that they always start the game way behind their opponents and have to play catch-up. Better not do that tomorrow.

On the RS front, it appears that Klopp's speed up front is far too often negated by his weak defence. The man does not seem to know how too fix this.

I sure do hope Everton can hit them early and often in the cup before the forwards get going.

Hazards role may change and it could be he may play a different role which could potentially be more direct but more lethal...

For me, we get into them from the start and compete for every ball and don't stop. The crowd will play their pivotal role and I believe we can reverse last seasons poop show..

No way will We stand off and show too much respect. Rooney, Calvert-Lewin, Kenny and Pickford are leaders on the pitch and this game is massive and a great chance to build steam for a very demanding period in the Premier League.

We've had Chelsea and they for sure have beaten us, many times, but I hope tomorrow they are beaten and the Goodison Park crowd will be the vital in achieving this. Stop Hazard... easier said than done stop them going wide and playing inside and off. I think we can do it, but the likes of Schneiderlin and Gana must not let up.

A win and another head of steam for the pending West Brom, Man Utd and our friends across the Park..

All The Very Best to All Evertonians and a Happy & Healthy 2018!

That's a duo will work.

Push Wayne forward.

Now we have to highly skilled footballers in key positions on the pitch.

Well the world would be a better place if more did the same, so good on them. I want Everton to be the top dogs, like we all do (I think), but not at the expense of our identity. 3 local boys in the derby, all Everton, it keeps me on board!

Why showing generosity in the city you play in is a weakness is beyond me! Surely other clubs must do it?

Rooney in his deeper creative role has been working well so keep with that so we get the best from his wise old brain and can worry less about his legs.

I feel quite positive about today - - will be in full flow early start at The Dark House - - my wife Gosia will drive me via The Tunnel of Love too TDH for around 11.00 am - - I am taking 3 pair of slippers with me - - I have a running gag with a some who, when it's an early start or evening game, get in a bit before me - - and also because I tend to clear the tables - - I mention "slippers and dressing gowns".

I am hoping that we are at a new beginning - - on the cusp of something - - I know we have all said it many times but there is something solid and strong and "feet on the ground" coming from Mr. Allardyche - - with the hint that there is still a "dream" in there somewhere:

Or more to the point: "To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream; not only plan, but also believe."
"We all have dreams. But in order to make dreams come into reality, it takes an awful lot of determination, dedication, self-discipline, and effort."
"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great."

Just getting myself into the mood for the whole day at TDH and Goodison - - listening to a bit of Steve Earl and will think about it as I pass Great Mersey Street :
"I was walkin' down the street
In the town where I was born
I was movin' to a beat
That I'd never felt before
So I opened up my eyes
And I took a look around
I saw it written 'cross the sky
The revolution starts now
Yeah, the revolution starts now"

I feel - - that's the right word here - - feel - - that things can really move on - - football for me is never about logic - - I know that you can apply logic to a game plan but I mean as a supporter - - you are either with your team - - totally - - and believe beyond hope or logic that you will get the last minute goal - - win the Cup - - win the next game - - whoever it is - - I always feel like this or I wouldn't go to the game or be an Evertonian - - I am a dreamer - - (I hope) I'm not the only one:

Bit of Van to lift my spirits:
"I forgot that love existed troubled in my mind
Heartache after heartache, worried all the time
I forgot that love existed
And then I saw the (Blue - -sic) light
Everyone around me seems to make everything alright
If my heart could do my thinking
And my head begin to feel
I'd look upon the world anew"

I am really looking forward to today - - will take my harmonica and my little yellow china bird that whistles - - and my notebook and pen - - make a few drawings and maybe a bit of poetry.

I will walk along Wessie Road - - passing The Baths (remember running there on Saturday mornings with your cossie on under your kekes to try and be "first in") and beyond Smith Street where I lived - - and "St.Ollies" where I went to church and school and look up Lambeth Road towards Daisy Street - - these are the Streets I walked and kicked a ball pretending to be The Golden Vison or AlanBall - - to Goodison in the days of Jonny Carey and still do today - - and I walk like Mayakovsky ( A Great Evertonian):
"No gray hairs streak my soul,
I shake the world with the might of my voice,
and walk - handsome,
twentytwoyearold."

My childhood memories are always mixed in with Everton games - - Births Deaths And Marriages - - linked to games missed or won and lost - - I always think of THE Burnley Game at Christmas - - I was passed overhead to sit around the pitch at Gwladys Street End - - and as I still walk the same way to The Game after nearly 60 years it is obvious that there is a trigger that sets my mind and heart racing on Saturday match days. Habits build up after time and although I am a great believer in moving onwards I do like traditions - - more rituals than traditions - - so music and poetry this morning - - and looking around at the postcards and prints on my walls to get me in the mood - - "Bonjour Monsieur Gaughin" - - Diaghilev, Morris, Van Gogh, Klimt, Raphael, Leonardo and Michelangelo - - notes and poetry stuck on my walls - - a cacophony of colour and words - - and flowers - - and music - - it is as if "sound and perfume swirl in the morning air" - - at my door is a large poster of Le Chat Noir - - so my mind wonders off and I put on some Erik Satie - - I went to his house in Honfleur - -amazing.

It will be great to see the gang today at TDH and somehow wonderful surprises happen at these Christmas Games - - some times a few of the old gang who have stopped going or who may have left Liverpool or England come to these games while visiting family - - I love it.

Well I am hoping for a good win today - - Allardyche is still new to this job and "the true method of knowledge is experiment" - - have faith Blues for "faith is a passionate intuition" - -time to move forward together - - "fear not the future weep not for the past".

It's just gone 8.30 - - early start today - - must go - - shower and shave and off to TDH - - feet up for a moment - - eyes closed - - a bit of George Harrison:

"It's all too much, it's all too much
When I look into your eyes, your love is there for me
And the more I go inside, the more there is to see
It's all too much for me to take
The love that's shining all around you
Everywhere, it's what you make
For us to take, it's all too much
Floating down the stream of time, of life to life with me
Makes no difference where you are or where you'd like to be
It's all too much for me to take
The love that's shining all around here
All the world's a birthday cake
So take a piece but not too much
Set me on a silver sun, for I know that I'm free
Show me that I'm everywhere, and get me home for tea
It's all to much for me to see
A love that's shining all around here
The more I am, the less I know
And what I do is all too much"

A Bright Candle to Light our Christmas Season.

Cosmic groves are streaming out of my head and swirl around my room drifting out of the window and Tinged Blue, float into the Astral to wish All Blues Everywhere a Bluetiful Christmas.

Keep cool but mainly keep cosmic - - George

Or is that just wishful thinking on my part!

My line-up:

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Williams Martina
Gana Schneiderlin
Lookman Rooney Sigurdsson
Sandro

Never mind, George,enjoy your day, no need to tell you that really, hope your bet comes up, but the main thing is Everton give us another day to remember, even if it is another boring victory!!!! A million cosmic grooves to you George, all blue ones.

Best wishes to you and yours and all of ours.

I visited Bramley-Moore Dock via Google Earth this evening George. You will be able to see our new stadium from your window.

Up the Blues.

Blue Cosmic Grooves Floating All Around The Astral

My side window in my writing room looks straight onto The New Ground - -I could touch it.

Today it is covered in a Light Blue Mist like something from Excalibur - - The Holy Grail indeed.

"By and by when the morning comes
Jazz and blues and folk, poetry and jazz
Voice and music, music and no music
Silence and then voice
Music and writing, words
Memories, memories way back"

Best wishes to you Laurie and your family - - God Bless Blues Everywhere said Tiny Tim.

All the best to you and to all fellow Blues wherever you may be.

Just reporting what I have read Jay!