Burnley vs Everton

I forgot about Lennon. What price a Burnley victory and our Aaron to score at anytime?

I can't see anything other than a Burnley win. Allardyce will be playing for his habitatual 0-0, disgusting.

Everton need to play 4-4-2 with Pickford in goal:

Coleman (if fit) Keane, Funes Mori, Martina (because there is no one else)

Walcott, Gueye, Sigurdsson (he is more likely to pass to an Everton player than Rooney), Davies.

Calvert-Lewin to support Niasse upfront, because he can't take on the whole of the Burnley defence by himself and then expected to score a goal.

Subs: Robles, Williams, Kenny, Tosun, Rooney and Schneiderlin.

Only positive is, after this game, we're down to single figures for games remaining under this fool.

We are not all of a sudden going to be ambitious and attempt to win or even set up a formation that wants to attack.

Allardyce will try to eek out the 0-0 draw that he wanted last Saturday; virtually nothing in the way of excitement or shots on goal only to concede a sloppy second-half goal and probably lose it 1-0 again .

We have scored just six goals in open play away from home all season, that's a disgrace.

I applaud fans who travel to away games practically knowing the substandard dross that's coming their way.

Subs: Robles, Williams, Jagielka, Klaassen, Bolasie, Niasse, Tosun

I think Calvert-Lewin is most suited to this game. Garbutt deserves a start! Klaassen really deserves a chance off the bench.

Rather leave Coleman and Baines out of this cold one & give them an extra week to recover.

Martina won't bring the ball forward from left-back. It throws the whole team out of balance and makes it very, very easy for the opposition to stop us from threatening them. All they have to do is close down the other passing lanes, force the ball out to Cuco and he is guaranteed to turn back on his right-foot and pass inside, usually to the centre-back.

It almost guarantees they will win with such and such scoring the winning goal.

Burnley can't score, they are weak in attack. We need to go for the throat here and field an attacking line-up. Take an educated risk and field an attack-minded team. Let the defence and Gana deal with what Burnley can muster.

I think Calvert-Lewin deserves a start in this, he may be most effective.

Playing Burnley at their own game of 0-0 football will spell disaster, just like at Watford. Fortune favours the bold.

I wonder when this game is going to be given the all clear given the bad weather that they are having up there. I'd suggest everyone travelling checks regularly for updates. Weather-wise, we've got away lightly down here by comparison.

As it is away from home, I suspect that Allardyce will start with Schneiderlin and Gueye, with Davies on the bench.

Why should we expect anything more than another pointless awayday?

Eto'o Header v Burnley

Woe is me.

Before leaving the land of the six-fingered devil can we offer Keane back to the Clarets for a realistic fee? A fiver should do it.

That's entertainment, who-hoo!

We stopped existing to win trophies years ago, but playing for a draw against the "also-rans" is definitely not the Everton way, change before it's too late please .

Or maybe they'll nick it 1-0 after our gallant attempt at holding the mighty Burnley to a draw ultimately fails. Big Sam then blames the players failure to deal with the cold conditions, blah blah blah.

I applaud any fan who actually goes to the game and freezes his nuts off to watch what will undoubtedly be a bloody dreadful game of football. I'm not even sure I can be bothered to watch it on TV.

Allardyce on preparations: "Terrible. We're unlikely to get on the pitches today because of the wind. We have a small indoor area but it has been a bit of a problem. But we've all suffered the weather this week."

I thought Finch Farm was supposed to be one of the most advanced training facilities in the country but obviously like our various recent signings it's unfit for purpose when the weather turns a bit cold!

Allardyce also said:

"At this moment in time that would be writing this season off by getting safe and making sure you're in a better position to achieve something next season, like European football again or a cup final. That's the sort of ambition we have to go for."

Sam! We can get European football this seaons if we were to triumph at Turf Moor and have a half-decent last 10 games of the season, but you know your players best, I suppose, and we must ensure we get the measly six points required for safety, mustn't we?

Good luck to those who travel to Turf Moor, if the game isn't postponed, I'll find something better to do at Lunchtime, like watch paint dry. If, by some miracle, I miss an Everton goal fest, I'll be pleasantly surprised.

I thought David Moyes was dour but he's a ray of sunshine compared to Big Sam.

"Style of play is only brought up by previous people making out from many years ago we were playing this type of football, which is 10 years ago past."

I've put it through Google translator and am still no closer to understanding him. Perhaps the BBC website have misquoted him? Or perhaps he is a cretin.

Get the fat fucker out. Surprised by the speculation regarding his future cos we're in a fantastic position? Fuck off, you fat nobhead.

Your side is well balanced, you dropped the insignificant Schneiderlin and replaced him with the even more insignificant Bolasie. Two players who are nothing less than worthless.

Christ, having gone through the Bernie Wright, Belfitt, Nulty standards, we plumb the depths for two wages thieves worse than their 70s counterparts.

That press conference was like his others – just devoid of offering any hope or confidence in there being any change either on the pitch or off it.

Why is the board allowing this to happen? Surely they see this or at least hear of it. This club is a complete car crash – I for one don't see it sorting it's self out.

I wish I had other supporters' confidence that it will get better as I wouldn't be so depressed, angry and totally fed-up about it all.

Allardyce is getting more ridiculous with every bovine utterance. Maybe he's tired through logging into ToffeeWeb under different aliases all night and voting to keep himself in the job – he's managed to get it up to 4% I see.

Utmost respect for all those going tomorrow knowing full well the horrors they are about to endure.

FFS! we are rubbish, but thankfully so are 13 other teams in this league. Now get some fire in your belly and fight for 7th. It may only be 'best of the rest', but it will mean European football and is certainly there for the taking.

Good fun. Not.

"Easy is getting harder every day" as the sublime Iris Dement sings...

4-3-3 for me:

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Garbutt
Gueye Rooney Davies
Walcott Calvert-Lewin Sigurdsson

Subs: Robles, Funes Mori, Jagielka, Klaassen, Baines, Niasse, Tosun

COYB, surprise us all with a 2-0 win!

I was one of those that was prepared to put up with him to ensure survival; however, it can't all be down to the players. He seems unimpressed with life, yet he is in a great job, paid handsomely and has some good players and facilities to work with.

In Harry Potter, he would be a Dementor.(to the uninitiated – these things could suck the life out of you, leaving you an empty shell). Could explain Schneiderlin.

He has been selected for the Argentina squad for two upcoming friendlies and Sam also said in his press conference he will be playing another U23 game. Coleman played after a single U23 game, I think Bolasie the same. Has our club got a phobia of left-footed players?

This is so frustrating and ridiculous. Funes Mori has said he is ready, just as the others did. So, Sam, what is the problem? Get the right balance and it might help the team as Martina isn't the answer.

Sam said Baines is available for selection so it should be interesting if he plays him or Martina?

I fully agree with the 'even more insignificant' Bolasie comment. I am hoping this last 3 weeks off have made him stronger and closer to full fitness. I don't think it is fair to completely write him off yet .

Matches of this this nature are a massive opportunity for him to show us all he has retained his passion and ability. I want to see him back to his best as he has been courageous in coming back from a terrible injury. It's not a very pragmatic outlook but I am hoping for the best whilst fearing the worst.

Conversely, if things go our way, we could reach the dizzy heights of 8th. Jeez this season is just soporific. I shall watch on Sky tomorrow as always when we are on and seriously expect to be shite company for the remainder of the weekend but miracles do happen and surely we're due some respite.

The fact that Burnley haven't won in 11 I think, and Aaron has been barren for a couple of years, tells me those runs will end tomorrow. It can only be Everton,eh? I have to predict 1-1 because I'm blue through and through but everything crossed for 2-1 to us.

I share the trepidation of many fans on the projected line-up, surely with the squad we have, albeit not what is should have been, after such a massive outlay, could produce a more effective eleven.

It's trial by Television again, as if we needed to inform the football audiences of how poor we have become; being a loyal blue, I will watch it on TV, but feel sorry for those who will make the trip to witness another Allardyce led excuse for a team.

Spiritless, leaderless and devoid of ideas, is what he unashamedly is delivering week after week. It can't be allowed to continue.

Second half much improved as Fat Sam forced to pop down to the local Burnley shops during the break to get more Wrigley's and gets mowed down by a snow plough on the way back.

Pickford
Coleman Jagielka Holgate Baines
Walcott Davies Sigurdsson Bolasie
Niasse Calvert-Lewin

Gueye should be dropped until he realises he is supposed to protect the defence and stop chasing after the ball like a 6-year-old in a playground.

I still believe our best two centre-backs are Jagielka and Holgate. Keane is accident-prone and the less said about Williams the better.

Hippo head paid handsomely???

That's the understatement of the millennium!!

They're allegedly Premier League players and it's about time most of them showed it. Our trouble is that we and 13 other clubs in the league are much of a muchness and, when we play one another, it's anybody's guess what the score will be.

We badly need a couple of players that can produce some magic, à la Man City. I'm guessing at 1-1 or 2-1 to us

He won't jump, so he will have to be pushed, but that won't happen either. God forbid he and Walsh have any further dealings with our transfer policy for next season.

If (big if at the moment) we manage 7th and Europa League qualification, he will be hailed as a saviour (not by me) and still be with us next season!

There is an interesting article on the BBC website this morning with regards to the relegation battle, quite well put together for a change. It reckons that 38 points will be the team in 18th place and it further mentions Everton as one of the teams in the relegation fight.

Given this article has credence, 40 points is sailing close to the wind this season!

First of all can someone please have a word with him about saying a player's name correctly?

Apparently we have a Michael Kenny in our central defence. A few weeks back, I heard we have Coco Martina – I thought it was Cuco? Then last season when we beat Palace away, Allardyce (then Eagles gaffer) suggest a certain Simon Coleman scored the winner!??

I mean WTF???

Then he's going on about from where we were when he took over to where we are now, 5 points ahead of third from bottom, we are now just 7 points ahead of third from bottom! Get a grip man!!

Then on to the style of play. Well Sam let me tell you it wasn't “many more years than 10 years ago” that both Martinez and Moyes had teams capable of playing some pretty decent football if you actually cared to take a little look.

Honest to God, he barely looks arsed, does he?

How many do we reckon?

I am going with two and one of them being a Pickford goal kick.

Our away fans deserve medals for the dross they have to watch in the freezing cold.

This is supposed to be a state-of-the-art training ground... maybe he is talking about no pies in the canteen?

Could be the game might be called off, but, if not, most of us expect the usual, zero shots on goal, rubbish passing, loss of possession, and overall lack of ambition... possibly mitigated if Seamus, Funes Mori, and Jags can play – along with a good performance from Theo Walcott – for once giving those poor sods who travel the globe wearing the shirt, something to shout about.

The OS stating that Allardyce is saying he is not ready, to be included in the squad and needs some more game time with the U23s.

Before he got injured, he was a decent player, and certainly better than most we have at the moment, plus he always had a goal in him. Has he suddenly become a bad player?

The lad wants to be involved in Argentina's World Cup Team, so is he going to put in crap performances so he will be looked over?

Baines is also available, not the same Baines as we remember, but again better than Martina; there has been little mention of his availability, and the same can be said of Seamus.

Maybe it's a smoke screen, and all three will play, or am I being an optimist again?

Moshiri may as well burn his money if he doesn't replace Allardyce. Saddling a new manager with the Europa League would also be a mistake until we build a new squad capable of taking on domestic and European campaigns. Survival this season is all that's needed. And nothing more.

What a season this has been... roll on the end of it.

If you look at the stats. Idrissa Gueye is up there for making most tackles in the Premier League. He's a diamond. Wasn't it Joey Barton who said the same thing? Another media pundit who talks the talk and cannot walk the walk.

I guess we should just play the U23 lads then... Joking aside I think it will be a backward step to include Schneiderlin but just watch it happen. Big Sam seems intent on blowing a raspberry at everyone including the supporters.

Rooney for me has to be only a sub these days as he is such a liability, giving the ball away constantly. I hate the expression but Burnley seem to score a lot of their goals from turnovers so ball retention (which is not our forte) will be important.

The score is anybody's guess and this squad do not fill anyone with confidence (including the manager, apparently) but I just hope we get some points on the board.

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Funes Mori Baines
Gana
Walcott Sigurdsson Vlasic
Tosun Niasse

Logic dictates the clarets are firm favourites for this one. Our only hope is that the shorter journey might not have worn the poor things out.

If the players can ignore Sam Allardyce and play to win, then that might be achievable, you mean??? Never mind empty politeness here, we know what we think of the situation! ;)

I never, ever thought there would come a day where I didn't give us a chance to win against Burnley. It was just a "cute" thing when the Mrs started following them. Now, I expect them to beat us. What... the... fuck...

Thinking of the shite to come and the absolute crap football I'm going to be subjected to tomorrow, the only thought other than my wife kicking me while I'm down, was

I wonder, with the football being so poor, will Mike Gaynes actually wake up at 4:30 am on the left coast to watch it live, or will he record it and sleep in?

I'd not blame him a bit if he watched delayed.

However, it is football and anything can happen but, if they do win, it will be ugly as Everton don't have the personnel to play attractive football at the moment under this manager.

If Everton do have a good win left in them, I would rather it be against the RS.

My side to face Burnley, assuming all are available, in a 4-2-3-1 formation:

Robles;
Coleman, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Baines;
Rooney, Gueye;
Walcott, Sigurdsson, Davies;
Calvert-Lewin.

Do you think all 4 would last the full 90 minutes against a physical Burnley team?

We'd probably have to use our subs just on the defence

That's the team I was told this morning. No idea if it's right.

Would rather our gam a we're played 10 o clock on a Sunday night these days so I could enjoy my weekends!

Battle of attrition today, can't see us winning it

Also watched the Middlesbrough v Leeds match, Besic has become a bit of a hero, with the locals, his tackling and passing almost unrecognisable, from his displays with us.

Before people start jumping to say, it's the Championship and all that, the standard is not far removed from the Prem.

The point I am making, is that quite often it is the tactics, and game play, that can often make a player appear poor, some others, have the ability and don't use it. Easier to stroll round and pick up a big fat wedge every week.

Pickford
Coleman Jags Keane Baines
Walcott Gana Tom Siggy
DCL Tosun

Score- god knows but as an eternal optimist I will say 2-0 to us.

Subs: Joel JJK Rooney Oumar Klaassen Garbutt Holgate

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Keane Baines
Walcott Gueye Davies Calvert-Lewin
Niase Tosun

sockem'
#coyb