Season › 2018-19 › News
Huddersfield Town vs Everton
Match Preview
Cenk Tosun will be hoping his goal at Millwall was enough to convince Marco Silva that he should start this evening
Everton look to pick up the pieces of their broken season this evening as they travel to bottom club Huddersfield Town.
The game comes on the heels of the Blues' humiliating cup exit at the hands of Millwall on Saturday, a result that marked the nadir of a season that has derailed spectacularly and thrown up a number of questions about the team, it's coaching and mental fortitude.
Marco Silva will be looking for a reaction from his players and some answers to those questions as it won't be lost on him that he and many of his charges will be heavily scrutinised in the coming weeks, starting with this trip to the John Smith's Stadium.
The game will mark the first match in charge for the Terriers' new boss, Jan Siewert, the man who succeeds David Wagner and who has been charged with pulling off a miracle to save the Yorkshire club from demotion back to the Championship. Huddersfield come into the game on just 11 points — by way of comparison, during his time at Hull City three years ago Silva's Tigers had 17 points after the same number of matches — three behind Fulham and 10 from safety.
One of their points was, of course, collected at Goodison Park in what was, for Everton, a disappointing 1-1 draw back at the start of September but their goalscorer that afternoon, Phillip Billing, is one of two players almost certainly ruled out, the other being Danny Williams.
Siewert expects to be able to call on Talismanic midfielder Aaron Mooy, however, now that the Australian is fit again following a seven-week layoff with a knee ligament injury and Abdelhamid Sabiri should also be available.
As far as Everton go, it will be interesting to see what changes Silva makes for this one in response to Saturday's debacle at The Den. Having endeavoured to name as settled a starting XI as possible prior to December, the Portuguese has struggled to find his best line-up in recent weeks and Saturday's performance won't have helped the cause of some of his players.
Having picked up an apparent ankle problem, Yerry Mina is a major doubt after failing to reappear for the second half against Millwall and Phil Jagielka is still out injured himself which should make the manager's decision over which central defensive partnership to employ fairly straightforward. Michael Keane and Kurt Zouma should start but there could be a place on the bench for someone like Morgan Feeney in Mina's absence.
Cenk Tosun, who scored in this game last April, will be hoping his goalscoring cameo off the bench will get him the nod over Dominic Calvert-Lewin which would see Richarlison remain wide left and one of Ademola Lookman and Bernard starting on the opposite flank.
Gylfi Sigurdsson and André Gomes were disappointing in the cup defeat but it's hard to see either being dropped while Silva looks for a quick win to ease the pressure on his shoulders. That just leaves the question of Idrissa Gueye who reports now claim has handed in a transfer request in a bid to force through a move to Paris St Germain.
Silva went on record yesterday as saying that he had no desire to lose the Senegal international but he will have to evaluate whether or not Gueye will have the necessary focus to play. Tom Davies is a potential deputy if the manager feels he isn't and there is also the option of dropping Sigurdsson back into central midfield and using Bernard in the No.10 role.
Whichever line-up Silva employs, Everton are going to have to be significantly more artful with the ball than they were three days ago and show equally substantial improvement at the back. Huddersfield, who made life very difficult in the return fixture and could benefit from the “new manager bounce”, will have studied the Blues' glaring weaknesses at set-pieces and will surely look to exploit them.
Kick-off: 7:45pm, Tuesday 29 January, 2019
Referee: Stuart Attwell
Last Time: Huddersfield 0 - 2 Everton
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne, Davies, Gomes, Sigurdsson, Lookman, Richarlison, Tosun
Quotes sourced from ToffeeWeb match page
Reader Comments (108)
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2 Posted 29/01/2019 at 06:39:56
3 Posted 29/01/2019 at 06:40:24
Try this starting line-up:
Pickford
Kenny Keane Zouma Baines
Davies Sigurdsson
Bernard
Lookman Tosun Richarlison
Bench: Stekelenburg, Digne, Calvert-Lewin, Walcott, Feeney, , ? ?
4 Posted 29/01/2019 at 06:54:04
5 Posted 29/01/2019 at 07:07:32
6 Posted 29/01/2019 at 07:08:21
But I am seriously worried about tonight.
It seems you only need a bit of passion and the ability to cross the ball to beat us nowadays.
7 Posted 29/01/2019 at 07:35:43
If we don't WIN this one then it's impossible to see where the next win is actually coming from.
8 Posted 29/01/2019 at 07:46:44
9 Posted 29/01/2019 at 07:54:24
10 Posted 29/01/2019 at 07:58:35
If we do not get three points here how do we hope to get the 10 points to guarantee safety.
As for team selection, I would love McCarthy or Banigme but every time I suggest McCarthy I get shot down. TW say that if Silva says he is not match fit yet why is he not getting a run in the U23.
Also with the team, it is time to drop Pickford and see if Stake offers more stability in the defensive set up.
Tonight will tell us how fare we have slipped this season.
11 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:00:31
12 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:17:23
13 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:25:34
However we have to keep going so I am hoping for a team with experience and a bit of pride.
Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Zouma, Digne
Sigurdsson, Gomez, Baines
Bernard, Tosun, Richarlison
If that team can't beat Huddersfield it will be good night nurse - then again Huddersfield are a superior team to Millwall aren't they?
15 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:36:29
Pickford
Kenny
Baines
Keane
Mina
Davies
Beni
McCarthy (I know he won't last a full game)
Richarlison
Lookman
DCL
Either Davies, Kenny or Baines captain.
16 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:37:55
I am also with Derek #1. I am a big fan of Aaron Mooy, a modern day Peter Reid, albeit with more pace, would sign him in a heartbeat
17 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:47:21
Does that you mean you are also flabbergasted that Seamus Coleman is still our number one right back then?
Or even more flabbergasting that no sooner than Seamus suffered that horrific injury (same as McCarthy) our board thought it was a great idea to hand him a new five year contract?
18 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:48:13
19 Posted 29/01/2019 at 08:52:47
It's very hard to see how we'll get the next 12 points based on form across the last 9 weeks.
If I was having a bet tonight, tonight then to win money it's a nap in by gone times that every team gets their first win for x games, or breaks a duck of a type after x games against EFC.
I hope there's no mention of fixture schedules, bearing the City game being brought forward.
Time to show some true grit and fight.. I hope we win to ease the pressure but I fear that Huddersfield will fight with all they've got and could etch out a result.
I'd take a draw but we need pints and players should be playing for their futures, as next season can't be another calamity.
This summer will be tough trading and I don't see Everton getting the necessary good players to bolster this team due to cost, book balancing and prospects of playing in UEFA.
Back to tonight, let's win and let's see some guts and passion.
20 Posted 29/01/2019 at 09:26:05
It amazes me how much a role confidence plays in football. The same team looked really promising in December. One flukey goal conceded in injury time against the RS and we now look one of the worst sides in the division.
We should be looking at a transfer window and considering who to bring in. Instead we're looking to handle a wantaway midfielder and to ensure we don't post a record loss at the end of the financial year.
It's never boring as a Blue is it? Frustrating and depressing at times but rarely dull.
21 Posted 29/01/2019 at 09:29:46
22 Posted 29/01/2019 at 09:34:03
Stek
Zouma, Keane, Mina
Kenny, Davies, Sigi, Gana, Baines
Tosun, DCL
23 Posted 29/01/2019 at 09:44:04
I can't see any team he picks losing to the favourites for relegation whose new manager appears anything but an improvement on the .guy he replaced.
Truth is Everton need only to see a return of 10 points from the remaining games to be well clear of the drop and thus ensure another season of the remarkable Marco Silva.
24 Posted 29/01/2019 at 10:01:08
25 Posted 29/01/2019 at 10:35:18
What could possibly go right?
26 Posted 29/01/2019 at 10:51:02
27 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:06:56
28 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:15:55
Nb then again fare to say, it will take plenty of pints of ale to get through this season.ðŸ‘ðŸºâš½ï¸
29 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:16:42
Tonight's game will be played by two very poor teams in what are likely to be tricky conditions. Given our defensive vulnerability we are unlikely to keep a clean sheet against any team. Throw in our inability to create many chances against any team and a scrappy draw looks like the best we can hope for tonight.
The list of scapegoats is growing by the game. Doubtless one or two more will be added tonight.
30 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:21:29
31 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:21:29
If the monies right he'll be gone, and if he wants out he should go.
Let's see how the next few days pan out.
32 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:22:56
I have a feeling we'll get 3 points tonight. There's clearly something very wrong with me.
33 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:29:03
34 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:31:11
35 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:32:49
37 Posted 29/01/2019 at 11:54:09
38 Posted 29/01/2019 at 12:06:42
Huddersfield 2 - 0 Everton
I wish it wasn't so. But Everton have specialized in this sort of charity shop giveaway for 25 years. Tonight will be no different.
39 Posted 29/01/2019 at 12:20:25
You want our only width to come from a 35 year old Left Back and and a rubbish Right Back?
We need to go 442:
Pickford
Coleman Keane Zouma Baines
Lookman Gomes Davies Richarlison
DCL Tosun
40 Posted 29/01/2019 at 12:23:58
41 Posted 29/01/2019 at 12:34:43
43 Posted 29/01/2019 at 13:00:38
Ian my point was to drop everyone associated with the crap we've witnessed since the Wolves game where we possibly can.
Those remaining are only there because I can't see any alternatives.
Baines has proved in the one game he's played he can still turn in a decent performance. Regarding his crossing it is still as good as anyone else's in the squad.
Also regarding crossing, if Tosun plays it's pointless firing in crosses. He is far better on the end of through balls as witnessed so far this and last season.
Believe me if we had a squad where we could bin 11 then I'd go for it.
If the manager and coaching staff could be dropped I'd do it in a heartbeat !!
44 Posted 29/01/2019 at 13:01:38
45 Posted 29/01/2019 at 13:09:25
46 Posted 29/01/2019 at 13:27:45
47 Posted 29/01/2019 at 13:37:11
I guess you can say that Richarlison, Bernard and Tosun have contributed positively recently. I can't dislike Coleman or Digne either. Lookman has also been ok and Zouma has his moments (I prefer him to Mina at the moment).
Pickford no longer looks in control in the box and the defence hasn't helped.
48 Posted 29/01/2019 at 13:38:45
49 Posted 29/01/2019 at 14:04:45
Try a diamond.
JJK, Keane, Zouma, Baines
Gana
Coleman, Digne
Gylfi
DCL, Richarlison.
I'm sick to death of us having a meek, pretty midfield who don't tackle or compete.
If Richarlison wants to spend half the night up here in Yorkshire sitting on the grass waving, get him off and give Lookman a go up with DCL, Hasslehuttl did it at Leipzig,
Bernard for Gylfi later on
50 Posted 29/01/2019 at 14:15:49
I am Like a broken record but I don't believe Pickford has ever been in control of the box. He is a good shot stopper and a showboater at that. He never catches or holds a shot and if he does gather a simple ball his first reaction is to run out to the edge of the box to launch a long ball attack (thats if he can keep it from going out over the sidelines). In TW team discussions we have seen criticisms of every player on the team and omitted by one TWebber from preferred selection. Yet Pickford is always on the team. I think he is a destabilising influence on the team and it should be tested by seeing how Stakes does, starting tonight. How many goals has he conceded in the past three years between Sunderland and Everton. We complain about our strikers return rate, it is now time to look at our defensive record and his role in it.
Rant over
51 Posted 29/01/2019 at 14:34:44
He cannot, repeat, cannot play Gomes & Siggy, both of them look like they're running on empty; replace with Davies & Bernard.
Up front I'd play Lookman-Woolcott-Charlie and give it a good go.
Not looking forward to tonight's game, especially if Siggy &Gomes start, so I'm hoping there will be changes in midfield.
52 Posted 29/01/2019 at 14:42:23
This team will park the bus and counter so Lookman and Bernard will be key to finding a way through.
54 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:00:24
Here's my team:
Pickford
Coleman, Jagielka, Zouma, Baines
Gana
Lookman, Bernard, Sigurdsson, Richarlison
Walcott
55 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:20:22
I expect to win, but we won't do with any comfort or with any panache. It's a game we'd expect to win too, but will we?
A very basic hard working side, so will
sAilva realise he needs to equal that to win the game? Put the hardest working players in and bring no the show ponies later.
Schniederlin in for Gana, Baines for Digne, Tosun for Calvert-Lewin. Play a horrible 4-5-1 and get a fooking win.
56 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:29:37
57 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:30:02
58 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:41:16
my team would be...
Stek
Baines, Zouma, Keane, Coleman
Bernard, Davies, Gomes, Gana, Lookman.
Tosun.
Bring on Richarlison/Sigurdsson/DCL against tired legs.
59 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:43:09
[BRZ]
60 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:44:47
If he doesn't play tonight (and despite the doubters, he really should start every game) that could be a very clear indicator that once again we are prepared to sell one of our best players, rather than retain him, to build a side around, rather than continually dismantle one.
61 Posted 29/01/2019 at 15:56:51
07879551102
62 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:01:46
This 4 2 1 3 or whatever it is, just doesn't work.
63 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:13:21
It's not an easy solution. I honestly don't know our best formation, and I'm less sure of what I'd choose as our "best XI" than I think I have been for year. But continually playing one striker, and doing some vague permutations of personnel, clearly isn't working right now.
64 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:24:28
Never has the outcome of a game mattered less, unfortunately. I think Silva is already toast and will be canned right after the season ends.
65 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:26:18
66 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:28:09
Keane and Zouma with Digne and Coleman.
I would also despite it being controversial have Virginia in goal also. Stek is garbage and Pickford, despite being a good shot stopper is not even half of what people think he is.
67 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:29:24
Pickford
Kenny Keane Zouma Digne
Gueye Schniederlin Gomes
Lookman Tosun Richarlison
Narrow 433, with Schneiderlin sitting in and deep to cover for Gueye and Gomes. The front 3 all playing narrow. I expect Gomes to get forwards into the positions Sigurdsson would inhabit and Lookman to also drift into there.
Sigurdsson himself will be a sub for the second half depending on the score. If we can't control the midfield, then I'd send Davies on for Gomes, to add a bit more bite.
Tosun would be better as the 9 against these central defenders.
However, I expect:
Pickford
Coleman Keane Zouma Digne
Gueye Gomes
Lookman Sigurdsson Richarlison
Tosun
68 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:41:02
Dont know much about Virginia but would agree to dropping Pickford. Everybody else has been dropped without much improvement. Time to drop Pickford and wake him up to the fact that his Englands place is in jeoprody unless he starts commanding the box and marshelling the defense.
69 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:44:17
Steve #67, you must be kidding. The concepts of "Best XI" and "Schneiderlin" cannot possibly exist on the same plane of reality. Let alone in the same post.
70 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:47:35
71 Posted 29/01/2019 at 16:51:43
73 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:00:23
We need to go back to ( hate myself for this) the old 4-5-1 and possibly KITAP1. We need three points tonight and we can't allow them to run thru' the middle like our two DM's don't exist.
Silva needs to demonstrate that he can can coach, because if we lose tonight we are in the mix for real. We may have 30 points but we need at least another 8 more. Lose this tonight . well
74 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:03:11
Silva has openly said that zonal marking was not to blame at Millwall and a combination of man-to-man and zonal is what everyone else plays.
He is clearly blaming the players.
The question is after the humiliation in front of the BBC cameras and another season without hope of a trophy, can he inspire his charges to perform against the worst team in the PL?
I just can't see them gelling, but will watch in hope.
75 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:15:22
76 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:18:56
Bernard all the way for me.
77 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:21:47
78 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:22:06
79 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:22:42
I don't want to see the same formation trotted out.
I want to see a team giving an effort to exorcize the demons of Millwall - an effort worthy of the fans and the Club. A Herculean effort.
That's it. The rest, for me, are just insignificant details.
Run through the brick wall. Play like your life depended on it.
80 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:34:47
Another 'Burnley result' is likely which will bring relief all round as there is nothing to play for except dignity and that's just a halfway spot come May.
81 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:35:37
Lyndon already mentioned that we can be sure of one thing, they will be trying to put high crosses into our box every chance they get.
You can count on it, our best means of defence will be to play an attacking game and keep them under pressure. Dont laugh.
82 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:42:30
83 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:44:21
84 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:46:57
85 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:47:50
Ganas place will probably depend where his head is at, if he doesn't play I think Silva will select Siderlin.
86 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:52:12
87 Posted 29/01/2019 at 17:59:12
Then we may suddenly change views and have another new beginning.
EitC will be so great and developed by DBB brilliantly and all the "patience" brigade will dare to return. (I never left!)
Me? Aah fuck, it will be a WD or L and together we will spout usual shite until next game.
And there is football for 95% of fans across this great game. It is capitalism in action as we know.
Bit like a sore tooth we keep poking but never take out.
88 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:04:46
Neil #76, I would point out that Sigurdsson made the sweet touch pass to set up what should have been Tosun's gamewinner. And it's not just a "few" goals -- he's the top scoring midfielder in the Prem with 9. Plus it's not like Bernard or Lookman is going to score those goals. So he stays in the side for me.
89 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:07:24
Ouch. I'm back.
Ouch. I'm back.
Like that, Dermot?
90 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:11:15
91 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:12:24
92 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:13:22
If a team hasn't won at home/away/ in this particular calendar month/ever and plays us, they win.
You get the gist?
I wish I had the faith of those saying we'll win comfortably. I don't think we will and much to my shame I don't think we'll win full stop.
93 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:16:43
I'm a member, since college, of the Sigma Chi Fraternity.
Ignore the hideous “frat boy†tag.
One of our mottos was, “Endeavor to retain the Spirit of youth.â€
Keep it up.
94 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:18:35
95 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:22:58
Notwithstanding that, it would appear that this is another game that we would expect to win like so many this season only to be cruelly awakened to the fact that Everton are a poor side these days.
However they could win if they score the first goal in the 96th. minute or thereabouts.
One thing for sure we need a strong defensive performance for the whole match.
96 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:30:51
97 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:33:20
98 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:47:26
99 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:47:49
100 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:48:37
101 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:48:54
102 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:52:30
The team for tonight, according to the BBC.
103 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:55:40
JJK keane Zouma Baines
Sigg McCarthy Gomes Gana Digne
DCL
Bit more of a combative and organised midfield, designed to be able to outbattle Huddersfiled who will be trying to bully us out of it from the off, but still with two excellent crossers of the ball to feed DCL
Richarlison Lookman benched
104 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:55:44
105 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:55:44
106 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:57:43
107 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:58:23
108 Posted 29/01/2019 at 18:59:43
109 Posted 29/01/2019 at 19:00:18
110 Posted 29/01/2019 at 19:03:40
111 Posted 29/01/2019 at 19:04:57
My fears too, but this is Everton, expect the unexpected .
[BRZ]
112 Posted 29/01/2019 at 19:20:53
1) his head with the pursuit of PSG is not in the right place to play
2) he has played his last game for Everton and will be off before the weekend
As ever at Everton, "plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose" - "the more things change, the more they stay the same".
Nothing less than a win tonight please Blues.
113 Posted 29/01/2019 at 19:31:00
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1 Posted 29/01/2019 at 06:32:21
Huddersfield are desperate for points and will smell the possibility of a scalp. How poor have we become when you worry about a result against the likes of Huddersfield?
All due respect to them, they do try harder than we have done of late. With all the speculation regarding the future of Gana, I am surprised that we have not sought the services of Aaron Mooy, a player I have always admired and think he would suit us in midfield.
I watched the Barnet v Brentford FA Cup tie, and both sides gave their all, and I barely remember a pass going astray from either side. Considering Barnet are in the Conference, and Brentford in the Championship, it says a lot about Silva's coaching at Finch Farm.