Everton vs Sheffield United

I would play Sidibe, Davies and Bernard instead of Coleman, Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson.

We need to start to be braver.

Sigurdsson has been disappointing for a while, but he is one of those players who may just have a blinder when we think he needs a rest (on the bench).

Bernard, another player who I think adds another dimension with his trickery, and combines well with Lucas Digne, although his only weaknesses if you like, are easily muscled off the ball, and should score more.

Having said that, Silva very rarely changes anything unless injuries dictate otherwise, so we will most probably see Lyndon's projected team starting, although I'm not sure he will have Kean on from the start, especially with Calvert-Lewin having scored last week and with him being a Sheffield lad and all that.

Hope Gomes is fit again, so there is no slot for Sch...… you know who, and Tom Davies on the bench, at least. I don't think these will be a push-over either; from what I have seen of them, they can hold up against most sides they've played so far.

Nevertheless a win merely papers over the cracks lets be honest, we won't get anything against Man City and after that it's back on the travel sickness pills to Burnley.

Still tomorrow must be won if only another step closer to 40 points.

So far this season, Silva seems undecided about his best line up, so there's no way of predicting what team or tactics he will go with. Time will start running out for him if he gets this wrong; defeat is unthinkable as this a much more of a must-win game than last week – even a draw would be a big setback.

You can't just think you'll win because you cost this much or you play for that international team. You have to put in the effort and desire. The top teams do it, week-in & week-out.

The issue is: Can Silva adapt during the game? Recent evidence says he can't or won't...

Lyndon's team — but Calvert-Lewin to start.

I arrive at around 1 pm with the West Country Blues coach if anyone is available for a beer?

I would try a 4-3-3 for this one. Have Delph sat deep in midfield with Davies and Gomes in front of him being the box to box midfielders. Kean up top with Richarlison and Iwobi playing more as inside forwards than wide players.

If we go a goal up and they start to come at us in the second half, that's when we revert back to the 4-2-3-1 that only works when teams attack us. If we are only one up and they start to look dangerous, that's when I would bring on Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson and Bernard as it will play to their strengths.

No doubt we will roll out the same tactics that have proven not to work time and time again.

Pickford
Holgate Keane Mina Digne
Davies Delph Gomes
Richarlison Iwobi Bernard

Subs: Stekelenburg, Coleman, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin, Kean, Tosun

Personally, I am not critical of two or three players the whole team thought they'd won before kick off!!

Go for the same team! Let them feel the pressure at Goodison Park tomorrow. The pressure they themselves have caused due to that performance last week!

If it wasn't for the errors we would have pulled off a good win and Calvert-Lewin would have done his job. Therefore stick with him this weekend.

If Gylfi isn't getting involved in the game tomorrow bring Kean on early to play alongside Calvert-Lewin.

Any news on Gomes?

I

What price Jags to lead them out and flip the coin with Calvert-Lewin?

Surely it's just bruising or something and he'll be back sooner rather than later.

As for the game tomorrow - Jeckyl & Hyde Everton so it could be 4-4, 0-0, 1-0, 0-1, 3-1, you name it, pick a score, stick a pin in it.

Pickford has been good recently, probably due a stinker!

Sheffield Utd will be playing for free kicks and corners, they will be practicing scoring from set-pieces all week. We need to be 100% defensively ready for that, it doesn't take a footballing Einstein to know what they will be trying.

I think we need to exploit them with pace that they cannot handle.

The very young forward line of - Richarlison - Calvert-Lewin - Kean, I like.

Also I think that Moise Kean could be, at this stage, be more better utilised coming from a wide position. When he has some space he is direct and dangerous. He is getting crowded out and out-muscled of it at the moment at No 9. He has great skill and pace, that would strike fear from a wide position.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Delph Iwobi
Sigurdsson Kean Richarlison

That way we have Iwobi and Gomes's ball-carrying threat through the middle plus Gylfi crossing it from the right for Richarlison to nod it in! If Sigurdsson is having another quiet day then put on Bernard or even Calvert-Lewin (who looked good in his wing cameo recently).

Where he fits into the shape, you tell me...

A midfield of Iwobi Gomes Delph Bernard

and give Richarlison and Kean free roles up-front??

Regardless of tomorrow's result it won't be him leading us to Bramley-Moore Dock. Or even past Xmas. Sad but true.

Not sad for him with yet another obscene pay off but sad for the generations of fans who have never seen us succeed. Or hardly win a derby!

I'll be very happy if we manage to beat them, partly because I work with a big fan of theirs so next Monday would be amusing.

I watched a fair bit of Sheffield Utd last season and they played good football and Wilder is doing a good job. It won't be an easy game. I don't know why Dowell didn't stay for another loan this season but his loss.

Our team and balance isn't yet right and, along with individual (mainly defensive) errors, we have given away to many cheap goals and opportunities.

On Silva, he's got to do more, demand more and change things before it's too late.

Aston Villa spent a lot of money buying half a new team and have had only several weeks together. Yet they look like a team. They know their positions and what's expected of each player and are focused and determined.

What has Silva achieved after 15 months? We play better football (not hard after Sam Allardyce) but he seems unable to get his players to perform how he wants.

I'm not saying we will finish below Villa but sometimes keeping things simple or playing to players strengths is advantageous to keeping the same struggling tactics and formation.

I hope Silva does quickly learn and help improve results quickly. We are defensively slow and weak and that needs addressing. Keeping a full-back back may help.

Nobody is undroppable, even our Captain and our record signing.

The centre-backs survive by the skin of their teeth, mainly due to our lack of options in this area and Bernard, (who can consider himself very unlucky at being out of the team in the first place) needs to be recalled.

Forecast looks great for tomorrow. Something special about a Saturday 3pm kick-off in the sunshine at our place.

Full support. Onwards Evertonians.

Pickford
Coleman Holegate Mina Digne
Davies Schneiderlin Delph
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin Iwobi

I know most of you would like to see Schniederlin dropped but without Gbamin and Gomes there is no way we can leave Schneiderlin out. There's certainly no way Silva will leave him out. I know some all calling for Bernard, and I could see him in for Sigurdsson and Iwobi moved into Sigurdsson's position but that then has to be 4-2-3-1.

I would also give Calvert-Lewin 60 minutes, and no more, to go full gas on the Sheff Utd players and tire them out before sending Kean on for the last 30 minutes.

It would also be great to see young Gordon sat on the bench and get 10 minutes or so.

When I mentioned Silva's supposed preference for 4-3-3 in the "Rolls-Royce" thread, I was somewhat admonished in response:

"And please can we stop saying that Silva prefers 4-3-3 when he has, to my memory, not played this formation even once."

So, perhaps he's gone off it?!

There is one reason and one reason only we persist with 4-2-3-1 and that reason's name is Gylfi Sigurdsson. He cannot play in any position other than behind the striker. He was poor at left-wing in his first season for us. He has been pushed deeper a couple of times but drifts up the pitch to where he wants to be. Quite simply, he will gravitate towards that position so you may as well build around it. Which means a 4-2-3-1.

If Gylfi gets injured and Marco then plays 4-2-3-1 regardless then fine. Clearly he doesn't want to play the formation any more. When he arrived he talked about 4-3-3 and one holding midfielder and that this was his preference.

On the road, he's more cautious and looks to protect. We'll be more forward-thinking at Goodison, so it should be fun to watch.

3-1 Blues.

Why is every week a "must-win"? Doesn't it seem that way? Crazy.

I would let Siggy sit the first half out until we get control of the game with Davies, Schneiderlin and Delph with Richarlison and Iwobi really pushing up the pitch.

We cant let sentiment come into this one and for that reason Kean has to start to lead the line more regularly.

I see a very tough and frustrating game so hope the crowd are patient and get behind the team. A win here is so important going into the Man City game.

We had a ridiculously high line against Bournemouth. I think we were too brave. It was a risky strategy and the risk backfired when they scored two in quick succession at a point when we had been in control.

Silva could quite rightly point to being in control, but that's a crap argument when you play so recklessly with a high line like that. But, you must play a high-line like we did if you want to press the way we did and get the results we were getting (ie, forcing Bournemouth to repeatedly cough up possession). We were leaving our backdoor unlocked and with no real pace at the back.

Silva don't do that!

Here's what I see.

I see Schneiderlin anchoring the back line in Silva's eyes. He plays him when he feels he can't really go for it.

By definition, you're playing more bravely if you leave Scheiderlin out. ;0)

And Davies can also get forward a bit. Delph naturally stays home more and can cover if Tom roams forward.

That's what I see. I could be wrong.

What you will surely see is how high up the pitch we are at the start of the game. Also, look at how compact we are. There's very little room between our lines. The attack races forwards and then presses and then comes the midfield and the defence is pressing right up behind them. When Bournemouth get a foot in and tackles us the next line was in place to contest the ball.

Silva's plan, if anything, was too brave. For an away game anyway, and especially considering the fact that Bournemouth had pace to hurt us on the counter. I thought Mina coped quite well until they got the decisive goal. But it's a risky strategy that could so easily backfire. We cannot make a mistake – otherwise the opposition are through on goal and simply lob the keeper.

I like the high pressing game, it's great to see. Don't get me wrong, but I just don't think we have enough quality to capitalise in attack and we're too slow in defence. I'd prefer a counter-attacking game.

However, Sheff Utd are not going to attack us at Goodison and allow to play on the counter. So we have to go with a possession game. This means playing the pressing game once more, and playing that high line.

Brave tactics bordering on reckless.

When the team that Michael does not want to be mentioned on this website press, and sorry we have to refer to them as the best pressers in the league, if not Europe, then you see 3 lines rather than 4. When they are in possession and camped on the edge of the box, they don't have a Number 10 who is easily marked. Their centre-forward drops into this position pulling defenders with him. The wingers are coming in off the flanks, dragging defenders with them and the fullbacks are racing forwards into space.

Without Gylfi, we have an extra man deeper on the pitch to allow Richarlison and Bernard / Iwobi into the box, and then Digne and Coleman to stretch the opposition. You then have three central midfielders, one of who can make a late run, one can be a square pass and one would presumably be on the ball.

I think the 4-3-3 if we utilise Gbamin (if he's as good as promised), Delph, and Gomes in the midfield 3 can really work for us. Helping us move the ball quickly and more effectively and allowing Richarlison and Iwobi to get into more dangerous positions.

Beat the 2 Sheffields in the next 4 days, the doubters will be silenced for a bit and we can build a strong season from those results.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Iwobi Delph Bernard
Kean Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Go for it for a change, so what if we let in 2, we will score 4 or 5. Let's have some fun in the sun tomorrow.

Paulo Fonseca's Shaktar played a 4-2-3-1 with effectively 3 no10s. In other words what Koeman was trying to do. Bernard was on the left of the midfield three and he linked well with the others and swapped positions, but generally he was able to hold that position left of centre, moving into the channel.

Sigurdsson couldn't play that position for us, he seemed lost and confused. Now perhaps that's another failure of Koeman, the great communicator. But surely an experienced and talented player like Sigurdsson could understand what was being said? Instead, he kept drifting into the middle and tripping over Rooney and Klaassen.

I think he also played one game as a proper central midfielder and again he drifted forwards, gravitating to where he wanted to be.He just seems to lack that discipline.

Also there's his tackling. It's one thing to press and harry, even to nick the ball off someone's boot, but it's a completely different skill to be in the middle and battling and scrapping away for the full game. I don't see that in him.

I just do not see a player capable of playing as a central or defensive midfielder. I see a player who can pick a pass, can score from 40 yards, and can turn a game on its head from nowhere. He can do it all single-handed too.

And that's the problem with Sigurdsson. It's a big risk leaving him out. The plan without him could backfire and then you've not got his individual brilliance on the pitch to just slam it home with a quick turn and shot from 40 yards.

I think the doubters would only be silenced if we beat both Sheffield clubs, and win two of West Ham, Brighton and Burnley. I think any less than 10 points from the next 5 games would be disappointing.

1 Pickford
23 Coleman
5 Keane
13 Mina
12 Digne
21 André Gomes - Schniedelin or Davies
8 Delph
7 Richarlison
10 G Sigurdsson
17 Iwobi
27 Kean

I would imagine Silva will go with this team minus Gomes tomorrow, I see that as a 4-3-3 formation and we played quite well and won. Why he changed tactics for the Bournemouth game is anyone's guess but change it he did and we lost. It gives us the best chance of a win on Saturday. The squad we have isn't great, simple as that.

One, Sheff Utd to use a Martinez word have a "swagger" about them. They were applauded off the field when they lost the other week but their coach tore into them and said fans shouldn't be happy merely with effort in a loss. Unlike Holloway and Moyes, Wilder hasn't adopted the "we are in a relegation battle. It will be a miracle if we survive" mantra. Rightly or wrongly he is of the opinion that they are used to winning and they plan to continue. You could see that mentality in the games versus Chelsea and Bournemouth when other teams would have laid down and died.

Secondly, they are seriously dangerous on set pieces which just happens to be our Achilles heel.

Thirdly, they have an inform midfielder named John Lundstram who may just have a point to prove to the Everton punters.

Fourthly, we see a team shot of confidence and in disarray with no imagination and no "plan B" from the coach.

All things considered, I see us losing 1-3.

They haven't sat back in their games asking an opponent to break them down, which is one of Silva's failings in his tenure, they've decided wins are more important than draws. Eddie Howe is of the same hue. Draws get you nothing.

Perhaps they might sit back, but unlikely, so we should have the space to create opportunities. Unlike Bournemouth, they don't have the pace to trouble as much as Wilson and Co.

As forecast the high line we play with Mina and Keane is too much for them and we are easily exposed by pace.

I'd ask Silva to be bold; he won't. My desire to watch the team will ebb further and I think we'll win by the odd goal. Big deal.

The team sadly do no look empowered to play with the shackles off against dross like this. Yet I'm sure the following weekend we'll play well against Man City, maybe even get a result and that will piss me off more.

A manager and a team than can get up for the champions but cannot get a decent haul from six very winnable games.

Say it all. I'm very despondent about my Blues.

Even as a guy who expects world peace and the collapse of the current PM tomorrow, it is your point about Plan B that strikes me as v true.

I can predict every attack we do it seems and my tarot card skills are hardly legendary in the spiritual market!

Can we ever attack down the middle rather the constant attempt to resurrect the BaInes-Pienaar era? It is one option that exchange between two players down the wing but surely not the only one.

That is my biggest worry and seems to have been same for ages.

Still, who knows? Word is Trump is taking Koran studies!

Last season we had 'White-flag wavers' and 'un-Evertonian'.

any people had doubts about Silva when he was signed up, for various reasons. Only the most ardent of Silva supporters, and their number seems to have dwindled, broach absolutely no adverse comment on Silva's job so far.

I think supporters have every right to have doubts about Silva cos, let's be honest, he's not exactly set the world alight – especially after all the high praise he was getting in certain quarters prior to joining.

Personally, I doubt the doubters will be silenced if we best the mighty Sheff Utd, Burnley and Brighton. They might have been if we'd beaten the mighty Palace, Villa and Bournemouth.

Like the acolytes, I think the doubters will be around a while yet…

I have to disagree with your over-dependence on Schneiderlin. You say Silva was too brave at Bournemouth, we had two defensive midfielders, and it still didn't work.

We're playing Sheffield at home, play Delph defensively with Davies as attacking midfielder, and either start with Calvert-Lewin and Kean together, which he probably won't do, play Bernard instead of Sigurdsson.

He says the players are hurting, because of our poor away form, and let's not forget, we lost to Villa and Bournemouth, not a top 6/7 team, so he should be livid, and let a few of them hurt on the bench, because his tried and trusted aren't working.

By the way, guess who's our leading tackler this season -- by far??

Richarlison. 18. That's double anybody else on the club.

I disagree with you on the Bournemouth game.

The only goal that was conceded due to the high press is their third goal and that was when we were chasing the game and heads had dropped.

The first two were down to poor organisation from dead balls – something that has plagued us for years – and a stupid error of judgement by Delph to block with his left instead of his right foot.

Other than that, I am pleased to see us higher up the pitch and amongst the leading teams for pressing.

All of the goals were down to player error. Delph with the second and the pair of centre backs for the third. The high line didn't cost us but it was reckless with our lack of pace at the back and it worries me.

It wasn't him who stupidly stuck a left foot out instead of a right boot to give them a goal.

It wasn't him who let Callum Wilson dart behind our two centre-backs who were holding hands on the right touchline.

Schneiderlin unlike Delph was spraying accurate passes all over the pitch.

Now don't get me wrong: I can't wait for Gbamin to get fit and take Schneiderlin's place but, for now, let's stop making the lad a scapegoat when he clearly isn't the worst player on the pitch.

When we look at the Catterick era, Kendall, even Moyes, we had leaders and winners on the pitch. And if the players didn't sort it out, those managers would.

I look at this squad and see nobody. Maybe Delph will step up? Even when Kenny was playing when Coleman was out, he wasn't afraid to bollock the so-called senior pros.

We really need some players to step up as quite obviously Silva is no Catterick or Kendall and can't motivate himself.

I look forward to a win tomorrow maybe by one goal, but the reality is we will struggle if we continue to play out from the back with the speed of a tortoise. Most of the goals we have scored came from quick decisive breaks, Bernard's goal being an excellent example.

I also want to see more crosses into the box and passes to players making a run. My biggest fear is that Kean will not deliver what we want because we continue to create too few chances.

But Jay, you're right, he was having a better-than-usual day passing the ball.

Steve #57, sorry, but when you're the worst team in the Prem on set pieces, at some point you have to stop blaming the players. Silva's defensive system is simply not putting the players in a position to succeed against free kicks and corners. It's been a problem since Day 1 of his tenure and it has not improved one iota since then. Whether it's a bad system or just a good one that the players can't execute, it needs changing. And he won't.

Tim Cahill said he was near post on corners (zonal marking) under Moyes. He'd head everything away and it would have to go over his head for the corner to succeed.

Richarlison should have had that. It doesn't matter the system. He missed the near post header. Calvert-Lewin has his feet planted and didn't react, long got it across and Keane should have cleared it but Wilson was quicker.

We got beat in three duels there. Nothing you can do about that. The men were in the right places to deal with it. They didn't.

It's still not great from Morgan. He should have done much better with the lunge. He had another wild lunge not long after. He should show leadership at his age instead his is one of the first heads down. The guy is obviously fragile.

I hope Gbamin takes his place, but until then I think Morgan is in his best form for a while and was far from our worst player on the pitch. That honour went to our captain for me. Yet another poor performance. Yet another game where he lacked leadership. His passing is too safe and stops counter attacks. He doesn't get back, at one point he's walking back instead of racing when he's badly out of position. I'd like to see what sidibe can do. Give Delph the armband too.

Sigurdsson simply hasn't got the pace to be a deep-lying midfielder, he has one position and that is the Number 10. He has never been a box-to-box midfielder and I don't think he can become one now.

It's true that Gomes is also on the slow side, but I believe he is still quicker than Sigurdsson. I do agree about Schneiderlin though, I would prefer to see him left out completely.

I know I support Everton but, depending on my mood, if I saw the team-sheet at 2:15 pm tomorrow and Morgan is starting, then it's quite possible that I could give the game a swerve, such is my exasperation at having to endure watching someone who looks like he doesn't want to be at the ground, never mind on the actual pitch.

Possibly a bad thing to say, especially because the team needs the fans tomorrow, but I'm sure I'm not alone when I echo my true sentiments.

Having said that, I thought he largely accounted for himself fairly well last Sunday – certainly better than a lot of his team-mates - and without Gomes and Gbamin he may well start against a Sheffield United side that possibly lack that out and out pace themselves.

Steve (38) – "Jamie, with a 4-2-3-1 you have three lines of players." No, you don't; you have four lines. And when it comes to pressing, you press dependant on how the opposition line up - so that could be 3 lines, or 4 lines (or waves), or whatever. You generally see three lines when "the other lot" press because they actually are set up to play 4-3-3 – so it's their default. I've said it before and I'll say it again – you're overly concerned with the mechanical nature of formations – which is probably why you're such a fan of Silva, as he clearly is too!

His failed yet unchangeable game plan of down the wing and bang it over is a throwback to the '70s. To have any hope of success it needs a good central striker. Therein lies our main problem.

Defeat today could result in Play it again Sam.

Just please make sure you mark somebody on corner kicks.

The corner, well, all three players have been in the side under Silva for months, so whichever way you cut it, Silva has take it on chin that we are still vulnerable here.

His system, his players, his coaching.

Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne. Iwobi, Davies, Sigurdsson, Bernard, Richarlison, Kean.

I have never known a group of normally optimistic supporters, including myself in that by the way, be so hesitant to predict a decent score. Such is the mood of late, and with a decent fixture list, and better players added in the Summer, this should not have been the case.

I think the only thing that swayed it, was the fact we are at home in the end, that the majority went for a narrow margin of victory, with few goals scored by either team.

Meanwhile the mighty Bournemouth have usurped our hypothetical third slot, before last week's disappointing result, which ironically was against them!

That team would do for me, and would be a positive one. Too hot for Sheffield to handle at our place.

The stats for Richie's tackling also lend favour to the midfield being strengthened as he flits in and out of it when necessary.

I would like Richarlison and Kean to play up front together as a team. I think that is where have real class and the required step up in quality. A nightmare of pace and ability for defences.

I want both be given free roles to get between defenders and make dangerous runs through the channels.

Unfortunately it appears so far that Silva is incapable of having such thoughts
Similarly the master tacticians on here will give you a hundred reasons why this can't work, including, it's apparently outdated and no modern manager would think of 442.
Actually because everyone thinks its impossible to play that might be a reason to try it!

I think it's no coincidence that both Gomes, and Delph, have both lost their heads playing alongside Schniederlin, and this can only be because he offers nothing. It wasn't like this when he first came because I was very impressed with him, especially the way he used to retrieve so many balls on the blind side of his opponent, (this is what only clever midfielders do?) but for the last 18 months, I find him very, very, very fuckin painful to watch.

He (Silva) needs to adapt to the pressures of the Premier League, and also to adapt the team, that is best to resist and overpower the opposition, whoever they happen to be.

Snides does the opposite imo, but if he plays and puts a real shift in, (what's a real shift then!?) then it won't be a problem, but until Everton get players who really want to die for the shirt, then the longest barren spell in our history is only going to get longer.

Silva didn't help himself "sulking on the sidelines" last week, but just maybe it was a message to Brands and Moshiri? I agree with you about the centre backs Eric, how can you play a high pressing game, with no pace at the back, and I will be very surprised and also disappointed if Holgate, isn't given another go soon.

Anyway, who wants to read shite off me, it's a Saturday home game and hopefully the legend that is George Mckane, can hopefully come and lighten up the mood soon!

Mind you that might only last 5 minutes!

Me personally I have never left early regardless of the score
Save my bitching until the ale house after the whistle

How could he be so stupid if that was the case? We were on Television, millions would have seen it, the players will have noticed, the fans will most probably have seen it, depending on where they were in the ground, but more importantly the opposition would have seen it.

Immediate boost to them, we've got these on the ropes, the Manager hasn't exactly thrown the towel in, but his expression signalled the inevitable defeat which was to become reality. Could you name me one Premiership Manager who would do the same?

Come on George, cheer us up!

We will beat The blades today but I am looking for a performance to get the crowd going and to give us some hope. COYB

One thing we can for sure say is that Silva is not a motivator, either player or self. Far too nice to be a serial winner.

I hoped we would improve after the international break but alas. I still worry that the makeup of the squad is not right. We look more threatening going forwards with Kean and Iwobi especially helpful but definitely less secure defensively.

A win today would likely have us in the top 6/7 but I'd really like to see a confident, controlled performance too. I hope Silva might try out the 433 but if we do stick 4231 I expect Siggy to get more joy behind the wing backs as he did vs Wolves.

I'm hoping for 3-1 but fear a late equaliser from Sheffield, maybe even worse if they go ahead.

DCL or Kean.
Schneiderlin or Davies.
Coleman or Sibide.

The rest of the team is pretty much as is, maybe the only point for discussion could be Siggy's position. Personally, at home, he has to play. It is when we are away from home that I feel he get dropped (imo, for Davies).

Pickford

Richarlison, Walcott, Bernard, Iwobi
Tosun, Niasse, Sigurdsson, Digne
Kean, DCL

Just attack attack attack !!!!!

I will however fly the flag for playing Kean and DCL up front as I think they both have different qualities and they could form a formidable partnership.

I would also strongly consider Bernard in the 10 role with Iwobi taking his place on the left (Or Richarlison left and Iwobi right )

Would love to see:

Pickford
Sidibe Keane Mina Digne
Davies Delph Bernard
Siggy Kean Richie

Couple of U23's need to start being given a go on the bench in place of the deadwood. Would also like to see Tosun given a go again too.

Fingers crossed, we need the points today.

When I saw the fixture list for this new season, and with the players we have brought in, it is not a Fantasy Island scenario to have believed that we could been up there with Liverpool on equal points. (maybe not the goal difference)

"One thing we can for sure say is that Silva is not a motivator," I think he has unfortunately proved that, but is displaying that he is possibly a word beginning with 'm' and ending in ator! 😂🤔

4-1-1- 4: quite the adventurous side there I have to say.

“I never felt magic crazy as this
I never saw moons knew the meaning of the sea
I never held emotion in the palm of my hand
Or felt sweet breezes in the top of a tree
But now you're here
Brighten my northern sky.
I've been a long time that I'm waiting
Been a long that I'm blown
I've been a long time that I've wandered
Through the people I have known
Oh, if you would and you could
Straighten my new mind's eye.
Would you love me for my money
Would you love me for my head
Would you love me through the winter
Would you love me 'til I'm dead
Oh, if you would and you could
Come blow your horn on high.”

- - Judee Sill just come on my playlist - - - just floating up into The Blue for a moment - - OK back now.

Beatles now - - “Oh that magic feeling - - - ahhhaaa:

“One sweet dream
Pick up the bags and get in the limousine
Soon we'll be away from here
Step on the gas and wipe that tear away
One sweet dream came true today
Came true today
Came true today (yes, it did)
One, two, three, four, five, six, seven
All good children go to Heaven”

I am a person who doesn't do what I am told to do - - do not do things “because” - - if I do not see the point I will change direction - - - so my thoughts on matchdays are always about being an Evertonian - - I do not wish to write about the players/manager/the tactics/ the game/win/lose/draw - - this is the factual Everton - - - I will discuss all this when I get to The Dark house - - for 3 hours before the game and late into the evening hours - -with Fellow Travellers - - my posso waves are about BEING AN EVERTONIAN - - the holistic concept of loving something - - being disappointed sometimes - - fed up - - bored - - frustrated - - - BUT - - would any of us change it - - of course not - - Born Blue - - Always Blue - - it is the (w)holistic package - - getting up - - looking out of the window - - The River - -The Sky - - The Roofs - - sitting at my desk - - Favourite Music - - - Poetry - - Postcards and Posters on The Walls - - opening my heart and soul - - letting out the neggo waves - - getting myself filled with the Spirit - - Pause:

Helpless -- Neil Young - - wonderous - -

“And in my mind
I still need a place to go
All my changes were there
Blue, blue windows behind the stars
Yellow moon on the rise
Big birds flying across the sky
Throwing shadows on our eyes
Leave us”

And now Stringman - -

“You can say the soul is gone
And close another door
Just be sure
That yours is not the one”

Let your Soul and Spirit Fly
Into
The Mystic

Just got my Harmonica out and had a blow - - there you go - -

Otherwise there is no point going to the game - - watching the match - - talking negative energy to these events that we all love - - - of course I can write pages about my disappointment - - about how poor this player is - - how badly we played - - but there are enough people filling pages on TW about that - - no complaints from me about those posts - - but for me I need to go to forward always with a positive hopeful feel - -no matter what - - the sheer joy and pleasure of getting up on Saturday morning knowing it is a 3-00pm KO - - Joy of Joys - - the excitement - - pleasure - - expectancy - - knowing I will walk along Scotland Road - - my eye's not seeing the post Tunnel World but the memories of my youth - - Friday Night Pub Crawls - - Greatie Market - - down towards The Dark House - - past Whittle Street - - 33 bus to Cardinal Godfrey - - The Dockers Bus - - upstairs like a steam room full of smoke and a cacophony of coughing and spitting - - wonderful - - full of wit - - spit - - and humour - - always being late and running for the bus and jumping on the platform at the back - - walking home from school - - saving bus fare for sweets - - talking football - - me and Lenny Mc Cluskey - - A Red - - Peter Walsh - - Another Red - - in the days when it wasn't bitter - - Bansie Curran - - a Blue like me - - still see Frankie Jones at The Park End:

Now hang on gang - - take a few minutes out - - The Impressions - - It's Allright:
“Say it's all right, it's all right
Say it's all right, it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
We're gonna move it slow
When lights are low
When you move it slow, it sounds like more
And it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now listen to the beat
Kinda pat your feet
You've got soul and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right
When you wake up early in the morning
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul, make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right
Say it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Give yourself a chance
You got soul and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right”

See now how the world feels a bit better - - say It's All Right - - Sunday Night at The CI - - Mohair Suit - - Barbara - - a really cool dancer and - - Carol in her Mary Quant paisley dress - - really cool :

So that's what I do about “going” to the game - - getting ready for the match - - getting myself into the mood - - Zipping Up My Boots - - Getting Back to My Roots – don't carry no neggos with me - - why should I - - in a few hours I will be sitting in The Dark House surrounded by friendship - - warmth - - (yes) love - - - a warm Blue glow - - talking football - - last week -- next week - - today's game - - the score - - scorers - - “did you see…..” - - no mention of “those” - - just Blue thoughts - - Blue Dreams and Visions – Mick The Bookie brings in my 4-0 Betting slip - - once the gang are in - -Gaffer, Paul, Mick, Liam and Helen - - doing the “coupon” - -knowing that we never ever get it right - -but do we love doing it - - of course we do:

Stop a minute gang - - steady now - - let Van float all over you for a moment:

“Take me back, take me way, way, way back
On Hyndford Street
Where you could feel the silence at half past eleven
On long summer nights
As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg
And the voices whispered across Beechie River
In the quietness as we sank into restful slumber in the silence
And carried on dreaming, in God
And walks up Cherry Valley from North Road Bridge, railway line
On sunny summer afternoons
Picking apples from the side of the tracks
That spilled over from the gardens of the houses on Cyprus Avenue
Watching the moth catcher working the floodlights in the evenings
And meeting down by the pylons
Playing round Mrs. Kelly's lamp
Going out to Holywood on the bus
And walking from the end of the lines to the seaside
Stopping at Fusco's for ice cream
In the days before rock 'n' roll
Hyndford Street, Abetta Parade
Orangefield, St. Donard's Church
Sunday six-bells, and in between the silence there was conversation
And laughter, and music and singing, and shivers up the back of the neck
And tuning in to Luxembourg late at night
And jazz and blues records during the day
Also Debussy on the third program
Early mornings when contemplation was best
Going up the Castlereagh hills
And the cregagh glens in summer and coming back
To Hyndford Street, feeling wondrous and lit up inside
With a sense of everlasting life
And reading Mr. Jelly Roll and Big Bill Broonzy
And "Really The Blues" by "Mezz" Mezzrow
And "Dharma Bums" by Jack Kerouac
Over and over again
And voices echoing late at night over Beechie River
And it's always being now, and it's always being now
It's always now
Can you feel the silence?
On Hyndford Street where you could feel the silence
At half past eleven on long summer nights
As the wireless played Radio Luxembourg
And the voices whispered across Beechie River
And in the quietness we sank into restful slumber in silence
And carried on dreaming in God.”

I deny anyone not to be lifted - - raised up - - close your eyes and feel the astral - - it's wondrous and Bluetiful - - this is my match preparation - - - of course as Gaffer says “ and then the footie got in the way” - - but it's The Blue That Binds Us - - - Van:

“And the music on the radio, and the music on the radio
Has so much soul, has so much soul
And you listen, in the night time
While we're still and quiet
And you look out on the water
And the big ships, and the big boats
Came on sailing by, by, by, by
And you felt so good, and I felt so good
I felt I want to blow my harmonica
Take me back, there, take me way back there
Take me back, take me back, take me back
Take me way, way, way back, way back
To when, when I understood
When I understood the light, when I understood the light
In the golden afternoon, in the golden afternoon
In the golden afternoon, in the golden afternoon
In the golden afternoon when we sat and listened to Sonny Boy blow
In the golden afternoon when
We sat and let Sonny Boy, blow, blow his harp”

Just had a quick blow of my Harp - - - and the music on the radio - - has so much soul - - and you listen - -It Felt So good - - and It Felt So Good.

Never Take Medicine For Other People's Sicknesses.

And we all shine on like the soon and the moon and we all shine on and on - - on and on and on.

See you all in The Dark House - - keep those cosmic grooves going - - - look up -- feel good - -everything felt - - everything felt - - everything felt so right and so good- - so right and so good - - and so good.

Keep cool - - keep cosmic and forever keep Blue - - - George

Problem is we simply don't score enough to be overly confident of a good result, although I feel that we will give someone a drubbing in the near future if our new signings play to their potential.

Today !, I think we will win a tightish game with a little to spare in the end, here's hoping so anyway.

I don't know what side Silva will pick but their performance levels need to improve, although we beat Wolves in an exciting game, for long periods the result was in doubt. Same against Watford who spurned 2 great chances to equalise. So I am hoping for a more dominant performance today, as so far we haven't really played well at home and I wont comment on our away performances.

I know some have criticized Silva for his body language against Bournemouth, but I think he was just as frustrated as we were. To be honest I have never been keen on managers who stand on the sidelines screaming from the start to the end. I didnt see Clough or Paisley running around screaming yet you couldnt say there sides lacked passion. What they do on the training ground is the most important not their demeanour on the touchline.

In every away game, Everton have struggled to put even the easiest chance into the back of the net. All the goal scorers listed on the Everton's books are not really goal scorers because they all struggle to score even the easiest chance. Ultimately, the manager is responsible for this situation because he can't find any regular goal scorers to buy or loan or nurture those already on Everton's books.

I wonder if when David Moyes dies his gravestone will just read here lies 4-5-1.

I have no objection to differing formations and altering these dependant on who you play etc... however managers seem to avoid 4-4-2 at all costs and I have no idea why.

We have the players for this system and it actually probably suits the players we do have better.

Kean would be a great foil for DCL and provide that extra support often lacking up top. DCL wins so many headers for him to feed off and can also hold the ball up better than many other premier league strikers.

Despite DCL's goal scoring issues, I am sure if he scored 10 this season but his partner Kean scored 18-20 we would all be happy.

And Sigurdsson. I have again banged this drum previously only to be shot down by his goal tally etc etc.. but he is simply not creative enough and I would have Bernard playing a floating 10 role.

In support of George, and everyone else going to Goodison, I hope on the 21st day of September, hearts will be ringing, in the key that our souls are singing, chasing the clouds away.

There's been a massive change in football over the last 20 years or so. Footballers are so fit now. They're all athletes and can run great distances during the 90 minutes. So tactics have evolved to become more and more compact. Get all the players to defend and attack. Squash those lines. Deny the opposition space.

I think the 4231 has had its day though. Maybe we'll see a return to more 442 type formations but not the traditional shape. Silva used an interesting 442 that looked like a 4132 at Estoril and Hull. The strikers were wingers and would split into the flanks. The middle of the 3 would then get forwards into the vacated space, arriving late, and causing havoc. It was a defensive but counter-attacking formation designed for taking down superior sides. I'm surprised he's not used it against the likes of city. Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin would play the forwards roll well. We just lack a pacy midfielder to burst forwards into the box.

John, you do the comparison table. Can you confirm whether Everton are ahead or behind on last season? Do your own figures indicate progress?

We are TWO points up on last season. That's 0.4 per game and would get us to around 65 points.

Now I'm not saying we're doing well, it's just we haven't reversed enough of last season's bad results. We should be on 10 points at least. Not 7. We also have some big results from the end of last season to maintain to stay on target.

Enjoy the game blues. I think silva will get a reaction because he is a good motivator and the players respond well to him.

Brian (106), you might not have seen Paisley running around on the touchline but Brian Clough most certainly did, wit his sleeves pushed up above his elbows yelling out orders to the team, running on the pitch after one game and clouting a Forest supporter around the head, for which he was later fined by the FA, but they were excellent managers who knew thegame inside out and had more than one plan for their teams.

You almost inspired me to get my boots out at 68 years of age and demand Silva plays me alongside Schneiderlin. I would certainly kick one or two if I could catch them.

Great grooves George keep me coming till 5.00 when we can hopefully have an enjoyable Saturday night pint.

Our results thus far at home have been better than against the same opponents last season. There is every reason to be optimistic when playing at home, our recent record is top equal to the RS over the same number of fixtures.

Home form is not the problem, our away form stinks and needs drastic improvement. However, today we are at home and therefore should be positive regardless of the opposition.

They have 3 centre backs, of which the wide centre backs are encouraged to break forward and support the wing backs. The midfield provide the cover when this happens.

I believe that by keeping Richarlison and Iwobi up front with less defensive responsibility we will force Sheff Utd's centre backs and wing backs into the back foot and help nullify their threat. They will then either take risks in playing their natural game leaving space at the back for us to break when we get the ball, or they will defend deeper and offer less attacking threat.

The conundrum is, if they do the latter I believe that Kean will be better up top, if they do the former, I believe DCL will be better up top.

robert #113 the only cobblers was your post

Having a couple of beers before watching.

Fingers crossed for a good performance and more importantly, 3 points.

Leicester, although losing, are looking quite good here.

Didn't see him slate the fans but he did alude to some kind of David Icke media conspiracy. Weirdly he also said championship contenders are being praised for having 7 or 8 points. Not sure what papers he reads but Arsenal, Utd and Spurs are getting slated daily

All those quotes do is antagonize people.

The fact he feels the need to make comments is a tacit indicator he knows it's not good enough. Actions not words, Steve.

He's had a generous year of transition, but little evolution. It's time for him to be brave and stop being so conservative, drop players out of form (eg; he looks scared to drop Siggy because he has only one scorer, Richarlison, left on the pitch) and be dynamic tactically. That was his USP. Where's the innovation? I haven't enjoyed one game yet this season. I'm see a team scared of their own shadow.

What's wrong with me? Well truth be told a lot mate, Everton has driven me crazy. It was only a matter of time.

The last five years have been an utter waste, We all seen much worse but we all knew it. You can make peace with bad sides who try. We've wasted so much resources and gone nowhere.

I used to be the most patient of Blues, but no longer.

For me, please stay on your feel Richarlison unless in box and no chance to score. Don't fall over every time.

And the rest spot runs and pass to them quickly rather than sideways passes. Especially to Kean.

And play fast and take risks in attack.

And take throw ins v quickly.

And SCORE early, before half time, just after HT and in injury time to make us relax.

And don't concede.

And all fans cheer like maniacs for all of the 90 mins as if it is the title decider.

And. !

I fully understand that he has retained the defence and midfield given the alternatives. Interesting that Iwobi - who has started well - has been sacrificed for Bernard, who - other than his goal v Watford - has not hit the levels of last season.

Tactical, or based on this week's training at FF? In the 8 minute training video put up on the club site this week (admittedly, very limited evidence) you could hear Silva constantly barking what was good, what was bad. And Bernard was doing some pretty good stuff, including shooting!

I didn't see anyone comment on it last week, but after half-time Iwobi deliberately played much more centrally with Sigurdson dropping deeper. Iwobi did well, but on evidence thus far you have a more than even chance of winning a 50-50, even a 60-40 ball in his favour. He doesn't seem to fancy close combat. Is that one of the reasons he has made way against the more rugged Blades?

Maybe Silva is hoping for a revival of last season's Digne-Bernard blend to keep the Blades' raiding defenders 'at home'. If the Siggy-Richie combo can click as it did at the end of last season AND Kean starts integrating better, it could be a fun watch.

But our one-paced midfield and defence still appears to be are weak spot.

Please please not after we go one down at 70 mins.

If that happens I may do something rash (tbc)

Today should be a win if Evertons pattern is maintained.

Moshiri has backed him with money, Brands has cleared much of the deadwood and brought in good players, but Silva continues to make us go backwards.

Please sack this clown tonight.