Watford vs Everton

Friday, 23 February, 2018 76comments  |  Jump to most recent
Match Preview

Oumar Niasse looks likely to get the starting nod again ahead of Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Everton travel to Watford tomorrow looking to push on over the final 11 games and try and secure seventh place in the Premier League.

The Blues come into the weekend sitting two points behind Burnley and a point off Leicester in the race for what a berth that looks like it could be a worth a place in the Europa League next season. Safety from relegation isn't yet assured but it would take a spectacularly poor run of results from a favourable run of fixtures for any serious danger of the drop to re-emerge.

That should leave Sam Allardyce, armed with more information on his players following a week of warm-weather training in Dubai, free to concentrate on finding a settled team for the final stretch of the campaign.

He appeared close with the line-up that faced Leicester and then Crystal Palace in the last two home games but injuries have again become a factor, particularly in defence. Seamus Coleman suffered an unspecified soft-tissue injury in the first half of the win over Palace, Phil Jagielka appears to have been ruled out and Eliaquim Mangala's spell with Everton could be over already after he suffered suspected knee ligament damage in the same game.

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Coleman is a doubt to face the Hornets and would likely be replaced by Jonjoe Kenny but Leighton Baines and Ramiro Funes Mori have both stepped up their training in the last week and could be named in the squad even if they're not in the starting XI.

In midfield, Idrissa Gueye is also questionable after being substituted late in the last game after picking up a knock. With James McCarthy also out, that could affect Allardyce's desire to have a tough-tackling disruptor in front of his back four and, if the Senegalese international doesn't make it, it paves the way for Morgan Schneiderlin's return to the side.

The Frenchman could start regardless. Allardyce has been more conservative away from home where the Blues have won just twice since January last year and has favoured two defensive midfielders when not playing at Goodison Park but he has to balance the form of Tom Davies, Gylfi Sigurdsson and Wayne Rooney, all of whom were benched for the game at Arsenal.

Up front, the manager's rhetoric in his press conference suggests that Oumar Niasse will get the nod again despite the progress Cenk Tosun appeared to make in Dubai this past week. That will, in all likelihood, mean the Turk taking his place among the substitutes with Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

“We've got great competition because of Oumar's great form,” Allardyce told the media today. “Oumar has made it difficult for me to replace him.

"I think his position at Everton has never been as good as it is at the moment and the competition with him and Dominic and Tosun is fierce which is what you want.”

Watford, of course, will almost certainly line up with Goodison old boy Gerard Deulofeu in their side, the Spanish winger facing the Blues for the first time since he was sold to Barcelona and then returned to the Premier League on loan with the Hornets.

Deulofeu was at his marauding best in Watford's surprise 4-1 win over Chelsea in their last match at Vicarage Road, the first under new manager Javi Gracia, and he will probably be relishing going up against his old club, particularly if it's against makeshift left back Cuco Martina rather than Baines.

Gracia has the rest of his forward line of Troy Deeney and Richarlison intact but has injury concerns of his own in Christian Kabasele, another ex-Everton player, Tom Cleverley, Younes Kaboul, and Nathaniel Chalobah, while goalkeeper Heurelho Gomes and midfielder Will Hughes are back in training but are still doubts.

The proof of the pudding as far as the break in the Middle East and the progress Allardyce and his staff will say they have made in further gelling the squad will be in the eating in the coming weeks, starting with an opportunity to score a rare away win this weekend.

Since the goalless draw at West Brom on Boxing Day, the Blues have lost all four of their matches on the road in league and cup, two of them by heavy margins, so there is plenty for the manager to prove in what promises to be a tricky fixture.

Kick-off 5:30pm, Saturday 24 February, 20818
Referee: Anthony Taylor
Last Time: Watford 3 - 2 Everton

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Kenny, Keane, Williams, Baines, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Davies, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Niasse

 

Reader Comments (76)

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Dermot Byrne
1 Posted 23/02/2018 at 18:28:59
Don't you bloody dare predict Schneiderlin, Lyndon!

There is no need to ruin a Friday night!

Clive Mitchell
2 Posted 23/02/2018 at 18:32:25
Rooney for Schneiderlin surely. Presumably 'tough-tackling' Schneiderlin plays for 'high-achieving' Everton.
Ian Burns
3 Posted 23/02/2018 at 18:40:52
Lyndon – I can only presume that is your predicted line-up and not the one you would like to see?

Watford will be up for this game tomorrow and Schneiderlin will have the boo boys in full throttle long before half-time. If it was your own preferred pick, surely Rooney in for the Frenchman?

Trevor Peers
4 Posted 23/02/2018 at 18:43:22
If Allardyce is serious about improving our pathetic away form he must start this game with Rooney instead of the predicted Schneiderlin and go all out for the victory, he could take Rooney off when we are 3-0 up with 10 minutes to go.

If we approach the game in a confident manner we will get our just deserts, if we play with caution and fear we will get beaten easily, it's up to the manager to get it right, caution be damned.

Nigel Munford
5 Posted 23/02/2018 at 18:44:12
dup
Kunal Desai
6 Posted 23/02/2018 at 18:52:44
Stick to the same team that beat Palace. No fucking around with the side.
Lenny Kingman
7 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:09:18
The Zulu style victory dance pictured above by Niasse would suit Everton sometime late on tomorrow evening.
Dermot Byrne
8 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:09:39
If results go our way, we could be 7th after this weekend. Okay, probably 8 points behind Arsenal but how weird considering how bad we have been this season.

Jon Withey
9 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:13:59
Flipping heck, if Schneiderlin plays again...

The definition of madness is trying the same thing over and expecting different results.

Terry Farrell
10 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:25:57
Cuco and Wayne to keep their places, please.
Jay Woods
[LAT]

11 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:32:47
Schneiderlin must never be permitted to play for us again. So expect him to be in tomorrow's line-up.
Jack Convery
12 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:48:34
Morgan will play – I have no doubts on that one. I would play Baningime with Davies and Rooney if Gueye is not fit. Given our away form, a draw would be good.

I would love us to go out and give it a go and win well; however, that's not in Fat Sam's DNA.

Dermot Byrne
13 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:49:56
Unless he plays like he did when he came, Jay. Then we all sell off our stances and love him again. Such is footy!
Jason Lloyd
14 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:50:25
Since we only need 6 points to survive, perhaps he is using away from home to conserve Rooney and Davies. Plus it gets him in the shop window and gives the impression we value him as a player, thus getting hopefully most of the £24m back we paid on him.

Think bigger picture, people!

Paul Welsby
15 Posted 23/02/2018 at 19:59:01
Schniederlin hasn't been in Dubai! It was reported he had a private matter to deal with in France so, if he hasn't trained, then surely just on that he shouldn't play. Not even counting he's been terrible for a long time and doesn't look interested.

If huge head wants to win the fans around, he should start by omitting him from tomorrow's squad.

Liam Reilly
16 Posted 23/02/2018 at 20:03:28
We can expect Deulofeu to put on a performance of Messi proportions if we have the usual imbalance on the left side.

Paul Welsby
17 Posted 23/02/2018 at 20:04:42
Jason Lloyd, no offence, lad, but I haven't stopped laughing at the thought of getting most of our £24 million back. Especially after anyone seeing that crab in the shop window. He's going on loan to Sunderland if we keep advertising his lack of ability and desire.
George Cumiskey
18 Posted 23/02/2018 at 20:26:08
Allàrdyce has been more conservative away from home."

Now there's an understatement if there was ever one.," Allàrdyce has been more conservative away from home " .
Now there's an understatement if there was ever one.,,michael.kenrick@gmail.com ,1,20:10:42,,81.110.171.62,ok,18730,02/23/2018 20:10:42,george.cumiskey@googlemail.com,reader,, 901270,36305,toffeeweb,23/02/2018,Colin Malone,cmalone85@googlemail.com,"If Idrissa Gueye fails to make it, Schneiderlin has to play and he will not let us down. With Davies or Rooney alongside or just ahead of him.

Schneiderlin and Gueye must never play in the same team.

David Hallwood
19 Posted 23/02/2018 at 20:29:35
Please, do not pair Gana & Sneiderlain; it doesn't work, they add nothing offensively and look at the goals against to see their effectiveness defensively.

Hey, Sam if you read TW, I've got a radical idea, it's called – wait for it – don't change a winning team; I know as ideas go it's really out there, but give it a try; we just may get our 2nd away victory this season.

Mick Conalty
20 Posted 23/02/2018 at 20:39:56
While Schneiderlin, Martinez and Williams are playing for Everton, there is nothing doing for us. That should be plainly obvious by now. Dubai holiday is a reward for failure.

Brian Murray
21 Posted 23/02/2018 at 21:01:28
Whatever the performance and result is tomorrow, and until May, should not detract from the fact that Sam, time and time again, has not shown any nous or belief to warrant another season.

I would heartily shake his hand even if we stumble over the line, and somehow the shite have an off day and we beat them, then part company. To do that, we need to plan and believe like Burnley and Swansea which is totally beyond us.

Case in point: the owner's words, we are "little old Everton" – what do you expect. Or words to that effect.

Mick Conalty
22 Posted 23/02/2018 at 21:11:58
We have said all season that Schneiderlin, Martina and Williams are not fit for purpose. The Dubai holiday is a reward for failure. If we get beat tomorrow, we as Everton fans will have been shat on once again.
John Keating
23 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:04:26
I think now Allardyce should keep a similar system as Leicester and Palace with only one defensive midfielder and minimal changes unless dictated by injuries or players coming back from injury.

Tomorrow:

Pickford
Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina
Guye, Rooney, Davies
Sigurdsson
Walcott, Niasse

From what I remember, I can't recall these mid-season foreign jaunts making much difference to our form after returning.

I'll go for a 2-2 draw.

Lev Vellene
24 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:13:43
Are there any more useless attacking-minded players to remove for a third defensive midfielder??? If not, we'll be doomed vs another one of these top teams!
Tony Everan
25 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:31:50
Remember Big Sam’s defensive comments a couple of weeks ago?

He will ditch Tom for Schneiderlin as Lyndon predicts.

Tom will be brought on after an appallingly bad first half to offer some respite.

We’ve seen it all before, don’t hold your breath that any lessons have been learned.

Lyndon Lloyd
26 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:31:57
Ian: "Lyndon – I can only presume that is your predicted line-up and not the one you would like to see?"

Always, Ian. If I had my way, Schneiderlin wouldn't play for us again unless it was an emergency! As I inferred above, Allardyce has been cagey away from home so I thought he might go the "two DM" route, with Schneiderlin preferred as such to Davies.

I wrote the preview before I'd seen all of Allardyce's comments from his press conference, though, and his assertion that he now wants a settled team suggests Rooney could start after all, with Schneiderlin on the bench again. We'll see...

Dermot Byrne
27 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:42:03
Aah, Lyndon. I can sleep better now!
Derek Knox
28 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:42:15
I totally agree with everyone stating that Schneiderlin should not play, he never has, well maybe in two games, what a waste of space.

This game is winnable, with the correct team selection, but let's not forget they did beat Chelsea last home game, so not to be under-estimated.

They seem to be saying, either Niasse or Tosun, but why not play both?

Skip this negative two defensive midfielders away from home, or at home, for that matter, start thinking and playing positively for once; we have the players to do that, let's just hope the Management team think likewise.

Andrew James
29 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:44:43
We should play the same side that scored 3 against Palace before Schneiderlin came on. No Gana, bring in Baningime.

Kenny can play if Seamus isn't ready (and I'd rather he did as Seamus needs care).

Watford are in a state of flux; time to go on the front foot and take some points.

If Allardyce plays two DM's, we can look forward to 90 minutes of not getting out and the likes of Geri and Richarlison exposing Martina's and Williams's lack of confidence.

Steavey Buckley
30 Posted 23/02/2018 at 22:52:24
4-4-2, no Schneiderlin and no three at the back. Fingers crossed.
Tom Bowers
31 Posted 23/02/2018 at 23:02:38
Almost every game has been a tough task this season simply because Everton have rarely been able to start with the right intensity but they have shown just a little more in recent games despite the Arsenal debacle.

It really hasn't mattered what eleven have started, there have been just too many letdowns.

Whilst we all have our thoughts on the starting eleven, the bottom line has been that they are just not good enough to really dominate any opposition.

Everton do have some individuals with talent but the defensive midfield players have been consistently weak.

With Seamus back and Walcott up front they have shown some improvement but alas Seamus will be a non-starter tomorrow.

The possibility of finishing 7th could give them something to salvage after a dismal season but they do need two wins against Watford and Burnley to keep that hope alive.

Jay Harris
32 Posted 23/02/2018 at 00:03:01
Strange that Holgate hasn't had a look-in since his spat with Firmino. But if Jagielka is not fit, I would go for Holgate or Williams if he is fit then partner him with Keane.

Full-backs: choose any two from Coleman, Kenny, Martina, and Baines depending who is fit.

I would go for a midfield four of Rooney, Davies, Gana and Siggy.

Up front, Walcott and Calvert-Lewin, bringing Tosun or Niasse on in the second half.

Jamie Crowley
33 Posted 24/02/2018 at 03:49:17
If he starts Schneiderlin, I'll go apeshit.

I smell a boring, shite, away-from-home, watch-paint-dry, sling-shit fest.

But I'll watch full of hope that my predictions are wrong.

4-0 – wide open attacking win! Probably not...

COYB and any other acronym that spells three points.

Darren Hind
34 Posted 24/02/2018 at 05:03:49
Holgate wasn't putting his foot through the ball often and has been left out as a punishment.

"Listen here, Mason. We don't fuck about with that Fancy Dan footy lark here. If you want first team football, I want to see how far you can kick it!"

David Johnson
35 Posted 24/02/2018 at 05:24:50
We should go toe-to-toe with Watford in a proper game of footy. Anything less and I want Allardyce gone.
Amit Vithlani
36 Posted 24/02/2018 at 05:43:48
What happened to the leaked line-ups? Is the club tightening up?
Robin Cannon
37 Posted 24/02/2018 at 06:31:01
Jamie (34)

"4-0 – wide-open attacking win! Probably not..."

I dunno, if Watford get the early goal then that could definitely be on the cards...

Jamie Crowley
38 Posted 24/02/2018 at 06:44:56
It's 1:45 am here, and between Darren's, "I want to see how far you can kick it" and Robin's, "that could defo be on the cards..."

I'm in.

Setting alarm for 12:29 pm EST.

Jim Bennings
39 Posted 24/02/2018 at 07:42:32
I will be seriously hacked off if we fail to win at least one of these two successive away trips.

No disrespect to Watford or Burnley but they are both none top six sides and if we aren't winning at least one of these then how do we ever expect to challenge the clubs already above us?

Our away form is abysmal so this is the week that we have to start putting it right and getting some serious points on board and building momentum, no more bullshit excuses of “Oh, we'll do it next week.”
No, starting tonight, it needs to start tonight!

Ajay Gopal
40 Posted 24/02/2018 at 08:08:42
I agree that Holgate should get the nod over Williams. My team:

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Martina
Gueye Rooney Davies
Sigurdsson
Walcott Niasse

If Gueye is unavailable, then play Baningime, even Klaassen over Schneiderlin.

Subs: Robles, Williams, Baines, Klaassen, Baningime, Calvert-Lewin, Tosun.

James Marshall
42 Posted 24/02/2018 at 08:36:03
People talk about it being weird we're close to 7th, but if you think about it, every Premier League team has cash now, and the difference between teams is less than it's ever been.

Okay, over a season, it all levels out, but every team has the ability to beat every other team which is why it's tighter, albeit in sections through the division.

We're still probably the best second-tier team in the Premier League despite everything that's gone on over the last few seasons, and I believe that'll be proven to be the case when we finish 7th and make the Europa League.

Today will probably be another painful game to watch like all our previous away scandals, but we'll bore them into a point with either a 0-0 or 1-1 snoozefest.

Either that or we'll get twatted 3-0.

Ian Bennett
43 Posted 24/02/2018 at 08:43:17
If we can salvage any sort of form and finish 7th, it will say a lot about the Premier League.

The top 6 picks itself, with Arsenal slipping down by a club that's internal squabbles and stubborn old manager has neglected the team's defensive resources.

Steven Jones
44 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:09:42
A comfortable 3-1 to Everton.

Sam will pick the same team:

Pickford

Defence
Kenny
Keane
Williams
Martina

Midfield
Gueye
Davies
Rooney

Up Front
Walcott
Niasse
Sigurdsson

He will bring Cenk on in the 67th minute. Bench will be interesting...

Dave Abrahams
45 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:16:53
Most of us say Sam doesn't take chances; well, he did at Arsenal, a ridiculous chance with three at the back, a complete cock-up.

Sam, be brave at the other end of the pitch and play Tosun and Calvert-Lewin up front, tell them to have a good go for an hour then bring Niasse on for the last 30 minutes to really run a tired Watford defence into the ground. Bet you we don't though, maybe when we are finally safe, if that happens.

Christy Ring
46 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:18:17
I'd have Holgate beside Keane, ahead of Williams everytime, and Beningime as cover for Gueye, Schneiderlin has been awful and I can't understand what Sam sees in him.
Mark McParlan
47 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:31:11
Shouldn't be difficult to go with the team that effortlessly saw itself past Palace two weeks ago. Mind you, this is Big Sam and his downright cowardly away line-ups we're talking about.

Pickford (GK)
Coleman (If injured, Kenny) (RB)
Keane (CB)
Williams (CB)
Martina (LB)
Gueye (If injured... Schneiderlin) (DM)
Rooney (CM)
Davies (CM)
Walcott (RW)
Sigurdsson (LW)
Niasse (ST)

People might not like Williams and Martina but for me there's no better options for their places at the moment.

I also think people who don't actually watch our games (pundits on TV) have invented this myth about Sigurdsson being wasted out on the left. Personally, I perceive no difference in his performance whether out wide or central. He sort of drifts into the same place anyways irrelevant of his nominal position.

I'd love to see Tosun start getting game time, but you pick players on merit and if Niasse is scoring then he cannot be dropped.

Tony Everan
48 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:31:22
One of the big factors today will be how our full backs cope. Deulofeu and Richarlison will give Martina and Kenny a stern test. Not to mention Troy Deeney bullying our central defence.

Our defence and midfield need to be alert and not give them 3 a yard of space. They need to make sure that Gerry and Richarlison know this is an English Premier League winter game and get some proper tackles into them.

Doucoure is Watford's one true top-class player. He has improved through the season and will move to a top 4 club in June. If he gets any room 20 yards out, it could spell disaster. If Gana has one job today it is to negate Doucoure.

Williams, Keane, Jags or Holgate need to match Deeney for physicality or we will be outfought.

This match is there for the winning but it won't come easy, 14 top notch shifts need to be put in. We have, overall, more quality than Watford.

John Hammond
49 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:39:25
Watford manager is Gracia not Garcia, just saying.

Watford will be up for this after their win at Chelsea and us being dog shit away from home. I'd love for Allardyce to spring a surprise and put out an attacking line-up but that will never happen. Bet Del Boy is licking his lips.

Dave Pritchard
50 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:42:25
Jim (#40), we can't expect to win just because Watford and Burnley are not big name clubs and we are. We are a similar club to these two teams in terms of performances this season.
Jim Bennings
51 Posted 24/02/2018 at 09:52:09
Dave,

The point I'm making is we need to start winning away games and we don't beat the big sides away – that's an unwritten rule at Everton, so Watford and Burnley present better opportunities.

Matthew Williams
52 Posted 24/02/2018 at 10:02:41
Let's see... our away form is a disgrace, we're live on the telly, the ultimate freeloader and Kenwright lover, Mike "Porky" Parry will be there...

The Omen's don't look too good, Blues!

Darren Marsh
53 Posted 24/02/2018 at 10:14:32
Hopefully Hippo Head doesn't include Schneiderlin in the squad ever again.
Rob Hooton
54 Posted 24/02/2018 at 10:47:53
Our away form surely has to be the worst in the league over the last year? Even the 2 we won were scabby jammy wins,. I'm hoping Allardyce doesn't revert to type and play 2 DMs as we always concede shit loads of goals playing defensively!

Attack, you gibbon! I would rather see Schneiderlin's missus on the pitch than him, at least she would be worth watching.

Gareth Clark
55 Posted 24/02/2018 at 10:54:28
The line up will be:

Pickford
Kenny Jagielka Keane Martina
Davies Gueye Rooney
Walcott Niasse Sigurdsson

But I would choose:

Pickford
Kenny Jagielka Keane Garbutt
Davies Gueye Rooney
Walcott Tosun Sigurdsson

Subs: Robles, Holgate, Baines, Klaassen, Bolasie, Calvert-Lewin, Niasse.

Kim Vivian
56 Posted 24/02/2018 at 10:57:14
2-2 I'm seeing this today. Don't know why because, in my heart of hearts, I expect us to get turned over. I don't even know if I will watch it (that's the Allardyce effect, sadly) but I have set it to record just in case!

I like the look of Ajay's team, btw.

Chris Gould
57 Posted 24/02/2018 at 11:54:18
Mark (#49), I'm in agreement with you on all your points.

I'll be very surprised if we win today. I can see us getting out-muscled and out-fought. We will need a solid display from Pickford and the back 4.

I no longer view Martina as a particularly weak link. I think he has worked bloody hard at the role and deserves his place after his recent performances (Arsenal aside). I wish everyone would get behind him and give him the confidence boost his efforts deserve. He takes so much stick but is actually rarely at fault for any goals conceded. He's even getting forward now and crossing on his left foot (2 assists in last 2 games).

I'd be happy with a hard-fought draw today.

Tony Cheek
58 Posted 24/02/2018 at 11:59:54
I'm more concerned that Williams will start than Schneiderlin. How can any manager defend putting him in the back four? Should be a programme seller at most!
Jamie Evans
59 Posted 24/02/2018 at 12:00:20
I really like Jonjoe Kenny and think he is a great prospect but I fear for him if he is up against Richarlison tonight.

Would Martina be a better option (shudders) providing Baines is fit to start at left-back?

I think Watford will score meaning as a minimum we will have to score 2. Away from home.

Score draw for me, 1-1. Hope I'm wrong.

Any more news on the Paulo Fonseca link?

Dave Abrahams
60 Posted 24/02/2018 at 12:12:17
Mark (#49), that is the team that was leaked yesterday:

Pickford Kenny Keane Williams Martina Davies Gueye Rooney Walcott Niasse Siggurdsson.

I don't know if that is the way it will turn out. If it is, it's the same as the Crystal Palace team at home, and Palace were missing a lot of regular players and gave Everton a run for their victory.

John Raftery
61 Posted 24/02/2018 at 12:26:38
The mantra of "don't change a winning team" is rarely applied in the current era, least of all by the top teams.

As for our team, two wins in two months, both at home, does not suggest we have found a winning team in any shape or form. I'll happily take a point tonight whilst as always hoping for more.

At least with Walcott in the team we can pose some sort of attacking threat but key will be how well we manage the midfield with and without the ball.

Jerome Shields
62 Posted 24/02/2018 at 13:09:09
I find myself deflated by a team that, though costing a lot of money, and because of a poor Cup run, is only playing half a season in game time. It's not good enough that, though we are heading into a run of games that should see us avoid the relegation zone, there are doubts away from home.

There are still doubts about the management tactics, the effectiveness of a much-heralded defence, a midfield that is run by a player preparing for retirement who is allowed to take up a pundit role in preparation and a forward line led by a player whose effectiveness is the result of his own self-motivation, but who has just got a locker.

If we are beaten by Watford, Allardyce should be sacked immediately.

Devendran Saegaran
63 Posted 24/02/2018 at 13:59:19
I cant believe why you keep doing this. Why do you use Schniederlin if he's not performing?

We should play like how we played last week and ad someone worthy. My thoughts is that we should play:

Pickford
Coleman (or Kenny), Holgate, Jagielka, Baines (or Garbutt)
Gueye, Davies (as creative midfielder)
Walcott, Sigurdsson, Lookman
Niasse (or Tosun)

I hope they consider this line-up as I think this is our best one yet.

Derek Knox
64 Posted 24/02/2018 at 14:07:57
Devendran, that won't work, Lookman is in Germany on loan to Leipzig.
Mike Corcoran
65 Posted 24/02/2018 at 14:08:33
Not much chance of Lookman playing mate!
Fran Mitchell
66 Posted 24/02/2018 at 14:09:27
I would like to see Holgate and Keane (and prey to jah that Keane can find some form in these last 11 games).

Davies, Gueye (or Baningime) and Rooney (or Klaassen or Vlasic)

Walcott, Tosun, Sigurdsson

We should be looking to next season... so that means Scniederlin should be told to stay home with the kids.

Iain Johnston
67 Posted 24/02/2018 at 14:24:27
Leicester can only manage a draw. Come on, Blues – make it count!
Phil Walling
68 Posted 24/02/2018 at 14:30:30
Dave @62 with your impeccable sources, I thought you would have named the subs as well.

Evertonians in our Sports Bar – all three of them are having a sweep as to the minute Schneiderlin gets on. I've gone for 50 mins as there must be doubts about Gueye!

Tom Bowers
69 Posted 24/02/2018 at 14:38:26
Everton have had a lot of ''underachievers'' this season and that's why it's been so miserable.

The big wage-earners have been the main cause and, when the youngsters have been introduced, they seem to have had the same malaise after showing up well for a game or two.

One could look at most of the squad and just say they are simply not good enough or there may be another reason such as the manager(s), the strategies or coaching.

Only Pickford has done well over the season so far and one or two returning from injury, such as Seamus.

There is not much to salvage except 7th place, and with it a little bit of pride, but we all hope to God that some plans are in place to get this club back into significance next season.

Peter Lee
70 Posted 24/02/2018 at 15:04:42
In his press conference yesterday, Allardyce said that the team did well last time and that players not in the team would have to show patience and fight for places.
Eddie Dunn
71 Posted 24/02/2018 at 15:17:23
Chris (#43). Baningime did go to Dubai and he has played recently for the Under-23s.
Derek Knox
74 Posted 24/02/2018 at 16:04:50
Good post Peter, but I'm sure I've seen it before somewhere. :-)
Brian Cleveland
75 Posted 24/02/2018 at 16:18:07
Off topic, but just can't resist...

West Brom now 2 down at home to Huddersfield, taxi for Pardew methinks?

;-)

Martin Nicholls
76 Posted 24/02/2018 at 16:23:39
Steven Jones (#46) – are you the mole? That's the leaked line-up!
Martin Nicholls
77 Posted 24/02/2018 at 16:27:03
Leicester drew, Burnley drawing. Go for it Blues – could make 7th tonight if it weren't for our appalling goal difference!
Martin Nicholls
78 Posted 24/02/2018 at 16:31:23
Spoke too soon! Burnley now leading.
Christy Ring
79 Posted 24/02/2018 at 16:36:05
Garbutt on the bench, pity Williams isn't beside him.

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