Season › 2017-18 › News
West Bromwich Albion v Everton
Sam Allardyce has already indicated that Phil Jagielka won't be asked to play another 90 minutes so soon after the goalless draw with Swansea which should mean at least one unforced change from the manager.
Idrissa Gueye's injury picked up against the Champions will mean at least one more alteration to the side that started on Saturday, with perhaps Tom Davies coming into the a similar formation or Wayne Rooney could return to play in the more withdrawn role in which he was so successful against West Ham and Huddersfield recently.
Kick-off: 3pm, Tuesday 26 December 2017
Referee: Roger East
Last Time: West Brom 1-2 Everton
Reader Comments (69)
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2 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:17:52
There are no easy games in the Premier League which I have always maintained, but these are desperate for points, coupled with the fact, they have an even better record than us for winning Boxing Day fixtures.
Injuries should not affect results with a balanced squad, but we are not exactly balanced yet, so the others will have to step up to the plate and prove their worth.
Here's hoping we can continue the unbeaten run under the new regime.
COYB
3 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:31:37
4 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:44:24
Pickford
Kenny
Martina
Holgate
Williams
Baningime
Schneiderlin
Rooney
Bolasie
Niasse
Lookman
5 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:49:41
6 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:49:57
Beni must be excited by how well Davies and Kenny have done. I hope Sam is focusing on the big FA Cup game as it's our last chance at some silverware. Of course you want to be winning all games but for me I'd happily settle for 15th place over 7th if we won the cup.
The Europa League means little to me at this stage as we are in the middle of rebuilding a side which takes time. Look at Spurs and Man City and how long it took them to get into top 4.
7 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:55:30
9 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:58:16
10 Posted 26/12/2017 at 09:09:52
However, no manager has lost more Premier League matches on Boxing Day than Allardyce's tally of seven... Let's hope we "do an Everton" and get rid of that awful record.
11 Posted 26/12/2017 at 09:19:55
Pickford
Holgate Keane Williams Martina
Lennon Davies Schneiderlin Lookman
Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin
Rooney (if well), Bolasie, Vlasic, Niasse then available from the bench if required.
COYB!!
12 Posted 26/12/2017 at 09:51:57
That said, 3 points pleeeeeease! Let's not finish the Christmas Celebration early. The 12 days of Christmas takes in the Cup too, don't forget, lads!
13 Posted 26/12/2017 at 09:56:13
Pickford
Holgate Williams Keane
Davies Beni Schneiderlin Lennon
Rooney Niasse Sigurdsson
Subs: Robles, Jagielka, Kenny, McCarthy, Bolasie, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin
14 Posted 26/12/2017 at 10:08:19
Calvert-Lewin too, but Niasse appears to not be fancied by Sam so he may have to plug on.
15 Posted 26/12/2017 at 10:20:46
We know Jags will not play & Rooney may be given a bit more rest if has the bug. If Sandro & Klaassen are going then they are not worth the risk playing.
The stories regarding Cenk Tosun are interesting, he would be a good signing & it looks like Besiktas have lined up a replacement in Arda Turan. If that is the case then Niasse is most likely going to Fenerbahçe. Kevin Gamiero with Sandro going in part exchange would also make sense.
If Moyes wants Schneiderlin & offers the right price (Willing to take Mirallas as well) then let them both go.
Given the above scenarios & the fact that this could be the last couple of matches Martina needs to play left back (Garbutt) I would go for the following side.
Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Martina
Baningime Sigurdsson
Lennon Vlasic Bolasie
Calvert-Lewin
Subs:- Lookman, Robles, Davies, Besic, Feeney, Williams, Henen.
If Rooney is fit then swop for Vlasic & drop Henen from the bench.
16 Posted 26/12/2017 at 10:25:39
4-3-3:
Pickford
Kenny Keane Jagielka Martina
Baningime Schneiderlin
Vlasic Sigurdsson Lookman
Niasse
Subs: Robles, Williams, Holgate, Davies, Klaassen, Sandro, Calvert-Lewin
Bolasie to miss out & come in for our next home game next year.
Calvert-Lewin needs a break. Niasse deserves a start. Sandro & Klaassen on the bench.
Siggy playing through the middle & Vlasic and Lookman down the wings will be a huge threat.
Give Lennon a break. Bring him back next game.
17 Posted 26/12/2017 at 10:37:51
It's a good job they don't have to work for a living.
[BRZ]
18 Posted 26/12/2017 at 10:56:32
19 Posted 26/12/2017 at 10:58:09
Kenny Keane Holgate Martina
Lookman Klaassen Baningime Sigurdsson
Aubemeyang Tosun
20 Posted 26/12/2017 at 11:08:32
I agree with a few others that the youngsters need a rest. I'm delighted so many have been given their chance but I wasn't expecting them to be mainstays by this point, of course that has happened because of the misguided transfer policy we all know about. So I think Kenny and especially Calvert-Lewin would gain from a rest on the subs bench.
I agree with Brian 6, the real priority now is the FA Cup and we have a decent chance if Klopp de-prioritises that and we go into it with a fresh and first choice team. It's a sign of progress that I cannot see us being relegated under Allardyce – I wasn't saying that a month ago – so where we finish is fairly immaterial other than a few extra quid.
21 Posted 26/12/2017 at 11:19:47
Also, with Sam there is no Christmas Day training, so no time to practice any new line-ups and formations. Expect to see:
Pickford
Kenny, Keane, Williams, Martina
Baningime Schneiderlin
Lennon Rooney Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin
Subs: Lookman or Vlasic, Holgate, Niasse, Sandro, Daavies
(Jagielka will be rested properly – Holgate on the bench and back in the eleven on Saturday and coming on in the second half to change to three at back, pushing the fullbacks forward.)
22 Posted 26/12/2017 at 11:27:45
We have the players available today to get a result against the Baggies. Whatever Sam decides to field today, I will go along with, let's not be too hasty with who is selected until the final whistle.
And let's remember, guys and gals, only 6 days until the January sales starts, let's hope Sam bags some gems.
23 Posted 26/12/2017 at 11:45:35
24 Posted 26/12/2017 at 11:46:14
25 Posted 26/12/2017 at 11:50:46
You could be right but maybe his players won't have quite the same indignation? At this level, it only takes a drop off of a few percent to change the course.
I certainly do not think we will get out of a game like the last one with another draw, so I'm still hoping their eye will be a little off the ball, even if only subconsciously.
26 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:09:27
Has he vanished or was he banished??
27 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:27:30
Anthony, I think Mirallas is on his way out of the club.
28 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:34:08
29 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:36:45
I do not expect to be able to get on a stream this afternoon unfortunately (over at the outlaws) but may manage to blag it. Will definitely be seeing you all on the forum though.
Happy Boxmas to all at-home and travelling Blues. Have a great day.
COYB
30 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:39:37
31 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:49:06
32 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:52:25
[BRZ]
33 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:53:25
I think I'm right in saying he hasn't predicted a Liverpool Premier League defeat in getting on for 3 seasons.
Says it all.
34 Posted 26/12/2017 at 12:58:07
Carra.
Can we stick to calling them cunts please and not use their nicknames.
35 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:02:30
"Total knob-head, who knows Sweet Fanny Adams about football and only got the job 'cos he played for the RS" or did I get that wrong? I may have used a vowel twice!
1-3 to the mighty Blues
36 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:05:00
37 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:17:05
38 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:35:06
39 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:37:34
40 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:42:04
Pickford
Kenny - Keane - Williams - Martina
Rooney - Schneiderlin
Vlasic - Sigurdsson - Lookman
Sandro
On The Bench:
Robles - Holgate - Besic - Calvert-Lewin - Bolasie - Davies - Lennon
41 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:44:47
42 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:52:05
43 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:54:20
44 Posted 26/12/2017 at 13:56:15
Real Striking quality... please sign him up, Sam!
As for today... won't be pretty,but methinks the Blues will nick it 1-0.
46 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:05:43
Not only that but logging in on her S5 'phone is not recognised.
47 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:07:29
If Bolasie gets on, it will be interesting to see how fit he really is. Personally, I would play Niasse today. Everton's midfield options are pretty much the same even with Gana but they do need to combat Barry and the uncompromising Argentinian nut.
48 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:09:49
49 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:11:24
50 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:11:39
51 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:12:04
52 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:12:37
53 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:19:12
They will play 2 up front and they have to go for it with their position.
Hope it works for us??
54 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:19:28
55 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:21:45
56 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:22:37
57 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:22:50
[BRZ]
58 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:24:14
Sam said players had been impressing in training. Bolasie is obviously one of them.
Good luck to the lad.
59 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:27:28
60 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:29:38
No Rooney again. I think he has found the best position for Martina barring not on the pitch. This line up may catch West Brom out.
61 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:29:44
[BRZ]
62 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:30:34
Did you have any luck the other day handing monies over to EiTC?
Dunno if you saw my earlier post of a few days ago, but I got caught in a dead end loop on the club site. I arrived at a page where you filled in your details, selected the amount to donate and then clicked a payment button... which annoyingly took you back to EXACTLY the same page, now blank without your previously entered detailed.
Being Xmas I am still awaiting a reply to the email I sent the club on the problem.
Wondered if you found a work-around...? Cheers!
63 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:30:49
Get the feeling he is playing Sigurdsson in the advanced top of diamond or number 10 role. Schneiderlin left as the one sitting DCM and Tom preferred to Beni so we get forward and support the front two of Bolasie and Calvert-Lewin. We shall see... but it is not too defensive.
64 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:32:21
West Brom will play 2 up top and with us playing 3 centre halfs that could - if played properly - be the best bet.
We can defend with 5 but also attack with 4.
65 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:33:47
Just watched the Spurs v Saints game, htf did they beat us 4-1? Painful reminder of how really bad we were under Sch.. you know who.
66 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:44:51
[BRZ]
67 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:52:12
I thought it was an absurd number. The pinkies: the new invincibles.
In yer dreams!
68 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:53:16
69 Posted 26/12/2017 at 14:55:50
70 Posted 26/12/2017 at 15:36:33
71 Posted 26/12/2017 at 15:47:48
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1 Posted 26/12/2017 at 08:11:50
Often we have won at The Hawthorns, but I remember us losing 4-0 there a few years ago and also losing 2-0 when we had won our first two games in 2012. Plus, the law of averages says West Brom have to win sometime and we are usually a gift horse to teams like that!
I'd take a narrow win! COYB!