Norwich game could come too soon for Bernard and Delph

It doesn't matter who we play, I'd be happy to see Rhino and Big Dunc putting their bulk about in this one!

All that matters is that we win at home, Norwich are bottom of the table and their defence is a punchbag for the whole Premier League; we have to beat them considering the upcoming fixture list.

Changed my mind, we don't just have to win, we have to win big!

Please please please (given the injuries)

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Schneiderlin Iwobi Davies
Walcott Kean Richarlison

in at least an attacking 4-3-3

Players should be only ready for selection when they are fully recovered; otherwise, the consequences could be detrimental for their long-term health and the benefits of the first team.
.

But c'mon, man! Calvert-Lewin? Boooo. This is where you give Kean a shot. But it'll be a lone-striker set-up, so you'll get your wish anyway.

If Norwich best our press they will score, we give up grade ‘A’ chances.

But we don’t have established attacking patterns, can we score two? Fook knows.

OK. It's always a chance that he could not go too well and that would delay his chances. But, hey, life's a gamble and we need to take some chances.

A midfield of Davies, Sigurdsson, Iwobi in front and and Walcott and Richarlison who whoever on the flank is sufficient.

Let Norwich worry about us, not us worry about keeping them out that’s the only way you gain respect and a fear factor, by playing attack minded football and trying to overload teams (especially those bottom of the league).

I can’t see Kean starting, there seems to be a problem off the pitch there that needs some sort of resolution, maybe he’s not producing in training and the punctuality hasn’t helped either.

It’s likely DCL or Tosun unless he sacrifices a central midfielder to play two strikers which I very much doubt.

Yeah, to be fair, why the hell not. Go at them.

I think Davies can do the part of looking after things defensively on his own against the limitations of Norwich, he’s proved he likes s tackle and he has been more productive going forwards lately too so I think give him duties next to Sigurdsson as I think Schneiderlin (or Delph) in home games over stagnantes things.

As with any Prem team (Norwich), they should be treated with utmost respect, as in the past we have ended so many team's poor runs with complacency. It should be within our capability, but not happy to even see Schneiderlin mentioned as an option in midfield.

However...with an assertive attacking stance from the off (give Kean at least 30 mins - or an hour if he starts), get ahead early, knock their wind and go in 3-0 at the end. Really hoping Moisey can open his account very soon.

Onwards and upwards COYB

This could possible be the last points we'll get in the next 4-5 games.

The crowd need to get behind the team from the off and lift the players. A resounding win is essential before tge onset of December...

Marco is on borrowed time... or is he...

The goals Kean scored for Italy reminded me of Rom can he do it at premier level may be with the right service who knows

Not sure if you listen to podcasts but there is a very interesting one on Royal Blue by David Hughes and Josh Williams that goes into the performance metrics of it all. Basically, you're right in that we do have one of the lowest in terms of allowing chances against us but more of those proportionally are scored. Whether that's bad luck, bad goalkeeping I don't know but it must be frustrating for Silva.

The other point made is our chance creation and you can guess the next bit. The poor conversion rates of these.

So we don't allow many opportunities but allow goals, however we create opportunities but don't score enough of these. A frustrating combination if you ask me.

They also analyse Iwobi compared to to Gylfi which is interesting

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Sigurdsson Davies Iwobi
Kean DC-L Richarlison

Attack, attack, attack

Everton 5, Norwich 2

I agree.

I guess it's become vital that at least one of our happy band of non scoring strikers starts finding the net or a panic signing MUST be made. The rest of the team - if ever Silva can decide on it - will have to look after itself as the manager is not for firing. With eighthish the new seventhish, I can't see us being in any trouble in' the battle for `top half`, and thus the manager ' will go full term'.

So lower your sights, buy into the new stadium diversion and allow Moshiri and Kenwright to continue to call the shots. There ain't no alternative so stop fretting and let them get on with it !

I can't believe it's only 2 weeks since the last game. Seems like a lifetime ago. I hate these international breaks, as Derek says they seem to stall momentum, and we were just starting to build some.

We have to beat Norwich to get confidence up with those tough games coming up. With a bit of confidence and a bit of luck I think we can surprise a few teams.

Jim Bennings, I don't think we should worry about Norwich, but we should adjust our team to them. Not to stop them, but to exploit their flaws. In their last game, Norwich lined up in a 4231:

Krul
Aarons Tetley Godfrey Lewis
McLean Trybull
Buendia Steipermann Hernandez
Pukki

They were using Moritz Leitner as a playmaker earlier in the season but he's dropped out in recent games. I'm not sure if it's injury or to try to sure things up in midfield. Also Onel Hernandez has taken the left wing position from the impressive Todd Cantwell. Cantwell seems to have suffered a dip in form. Onel Hernandez worries me as he has so much pace. Sidibe needs to be cautious in getting forwards and not letting Hernandez get the drop on him. Steipermann looks a tidy player, kind of a Championship version of Gylfi. And Buendia is a handful coming inside from the right flank.

I think playing two holding midfielders would not necessarily be defensive here. Davies can help Sidibe keep an eye on Hernandez. Schniederlin can cover Steipermann and also help Digne pick up Buendia who roams from that right hand side into the middle. We should then be able to push our fullbacks up and pin Norwich back. We need the pace and movement of Iwobi to make this happen. Our widemen need to be on their game. If we can transition from defence into attack quickly, then you can rip Norwich apart.

I note the clamour for Kean. I understand it. I think he will be a great player. Sure, there's a slight doubt after his early season struggles, but I think the way to handle him is to play him off the bench in every game until he starts firing, and then give him a start once he's earned it. Meantime, let's remember that Calvert-Lewin is not doing much wrong.

Tosun has proved on several occasions, for both Club and Country, that he knows where the goal is, and as it stands at the moment, is probably the most likely of the trio to convert a half-chance.

It is the pace of the game in the Prem that he has had difficulty adjusting to, or keeping up with a rare quick break, but if he is alongside another quicker man he is well capable of slotting home any rebounds or half clearances.

I would love to see Anthony Gordon not only get his home debut at some point later in the game, and to a rousing Goodison reception. There is no reason why the three I mentioned before, and Anthony get game time tomorrow, if the correct approach (attack from the off) is employed, and barring injuries, hoping that Silva complies.

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Davies Schneiderlin Siggy
Iwobi DCL Richarlison

SUBS: Lossl, Keane, Walcott, Tosun, Kean, Beni, Gordon

Kean, Gordon and Beni to come on after we are leading 3-0.

Further forward though l still won’t be expecting a narrow 3. Walcott for example plays much better being allowed a freer role and not having to chase down the wing to our own box. Silva simple likes to have 2 players covering down each wing instead of allowing one of the midfielders to cover. That can’t happen If we only have 2 in the middle.

As Ajay pointed out, it would be nice to see Beni and Gordon on the bench.

As it is we have Bernard, Gomes and Gbamin all out which could represent a big change in how we play and the results. Then again Koeman and Allardyce had to find a way around a whole defence that was injured.

Glad the season can start up again. What a boring 2 weeks.

Calvert-Lewin is on 0.63 xG per 90 minutes. This is exactly the same as Salah. Now Calvert-Lewin has played 10 PL games and 520 minutes, whilst Salah has played 11 games and 957 minutes. DCL's total xG is 3.64 whilst Salah is on 6.75. Salah has 6 goals whilst DCL has 3. The xG shows they have both underperformed slightly by missing 0.64 goals for DCL and 0.75 for Salah.

DCL's 0.63 xG per 90 is right up there. Of all the players who have played over 122 minutes of football this season, he is 9th in the PL for xG. As a comparison here is two contemporaries:

Tammy Abraham has played 914 minutes over 12 games, 10 goals scored from 7.42 xG, which is 0.73 xG per 90. Abraham is the top xG performer scoring 2.58 goals more than his xG which means he has converted chances he shouldn't have scored. This means goals like that tight angle Bernard scored from.

Marcus Rashford remains one of the most wasteful. He has played 1045 minutes over 12 games, scoring 6 goals. His xG is 8.26 and this is 0.71 xG per 90. He's scored 2.26 less than his xG which tells you he has missed the equivalent of over 2 open goals. It highlights how wayward his shooting is, which we all know from watching him.

Chris Wood is up there on xG per 90. But he's scored 1.54 goals less than is xG. Cutrone is in the top 10 too, he has scored 1.13 less goals than his xG. Anthony Martial posts numbers more or less identical to Dominic. They've played about the same minutes. They've both scored 3 goals. Martial's xG is slightly better at 3.71, to DCL's 3.64, and they both have 0.63 xG per 90 minutes. Martial's slightly higher xG tells you he's been slightly more wasteful in front of goal.

This is the top 10 in case you are interested:
1. Aguero Man City 732 mins 9 goals 8.07 xG 0.99 xG per 90
2. Jesus Man City 449 mins 3 goals 4.86 xG 0.97 xG per 90
3. Abraham Chelsea 914 mins 10 goals 7.42 xG 0.73 xG per 90
4. Rashford Man Utd 1045 mins 6 goals 8.26 xG 0.71 xG per 90
5. Wood Burnley 849 mins 5 goals 6.54 xG 0.69 xG per 90
6. Cutrone Wolves 282 mins 1 goals 2.13 xG 0.68 xG per 90
7. Sterling Man City 977 mins 7 goals 7.09 xG 0.65 xG per 90
8. Salah RS 957 mins 6 goals 6.75 xG 0.63 xG per 90
9. DCL Everton 520 mins 3 goals 3.64 xG 0.63 xG per 90
10. Martial Man Utd 533 mins 3 goals 3.71 xG 0.63 xG per 90

The big name missing for me is Mane. He has 7 goals but with an xG of 5.24 which shows he's scoring difficult chances. Also Aubameyang has scored 8 goals with an xG of 5.25 so he's scoring even more difficult goals, more frequently, than Mane. Kane has scored 6 from an xG of 4.88, but we've all seen a couple of screamers from him already this season.

I just think DCL is doing enough to warrant the starting berth. He will score enough to justify it if he plays enough minutes and he has the all-round game to really benefit the team and create chances and space for others. And no, I did not need the stats to tell me this, they just reinforce the point which is all stats should ever do. Help you understand what your eyes are telling you.

The question is who drops off the bench for Gordon? He took Kean's place so if Kean comes back in, it's likely to be at Gordon's expense.

Put Gordon Vs somebody who has hardly seen him and Gordon will be able to get the better of him, because unlike Digne his opponent would not have played against him everyday in training for 3mths.

Gordon will gain confidence and more importantly 'learn by doing' at the highest level...how far he goes and how much he 'learns by doing' is somewhat in the lap of the gods. But it will be more than he'll learn in training...because its only training. Simple this coaching stuff.

Gordon will play right wing to start with, but he is a future number 10. The way he moves is so graceful. He has great technique. He just needs a bit of luck and he will go far.

Steve , I was awaiting inside knowledge. So Finch Farm is a holiday camp during the international. break as per usual. I bet Norwich have been training hard and they all got early breakfast in bed from Delah , which counts for a lot motivation wise , than lunch at. Big New and Big Dunc wheeled out on evertonfc. com , does not inspire confidence. I would prefer actions rather than words.

If all senior players are fit he will obviously choose from them, if not he's likely to put square pegs in round holes rather than blood any kids. I can't say I blame him whilst we are bottom half as the devil you know...……

As for Finch Farm, how many players do you think we had left over there? Stek, Holgate, Keane, Baines, Schniderlin, Delph (but on rehab training), Walcott, Calvert-Lewin, who else? Even the likes of Lewis Gibson was off playing for England u18s and Anthony Gordon for the u19s. I don't think we had enough to even put a team out.

Yes I know we've fared little better, but we're not the away team here.

Jerome @49 Norwich hasn't bunkered more than once, against City. They attack, not sit back.

4-1-2-3, morphing to a 4-2-1-3 where necessary, with Davies all over the pitch, box to box, Iwobe staying further advanced.

Bench has to be Coleman, Keane, Sigurdsson, Cenk, name another doesn't matter.

I doubt we’ll go 4-3-3 anyway and Iwobi will probably be in the coveted number 10 role if he plays.

Andrew @ 62 - It doesn't matter. Pick any player, they won't get in the game. Keeper assumed.

I'd play him in the number 10 role and get him running at the Norwich defence and bringing the ball out into attack. This Norwich side are not the push-overs we seem to think they are. They have dangermen in attack (Pukki, Hernandez / Cantwell, Steipermann, Buendia) and a couple of excellent young fullbacks who race up and down all day long. If you can counter them, then that's where you can really hurt them. They play far too open and their defence lacks the quality to repel fast counter-attacks.

Every time I see posts expecting three points, it seems to be an omen of over-confidence, and we lose.

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Schneiderlin
Iwobi Davies
Walcott DCL Rich

My Preferred starting 11: 4-3-3

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Siggy Davies Iwobi
Walcott DCL Rich

Kean and Gordon to come on at 60 minutes for Iwobi and DCL.

Whoever is picked has to be up for this or they don't belong at the club.

This will be a watershed for the players, the manager and the club.

If he doesn’t start him tomorrow when would he start him? If he isn’t ready to start against Norwich at home he’s not going to presumably start him in any of our other games in December. So presumably we wait until early January and a games against a lower league team in the fa cup 3rd round.

If we have spent nearly 30 million on an Italian international who a third of the way through the season can’t start at home against Norwich then I’m personally very worried about what we’ve bought.

I had NO idea Tosun was injured. None. And I, too, would be stunned if Theo didn't start. But I like my lineup, swiss-cheese, you-pick-'em, bench aside.

Eric @72 -

Man City might disagree. Home or Away, I think Norwich can have one of those days where everyone is like, "how in the hell are they in the relegation zone?"

Time will tell. From what I've see of Norwich, they will come to our place and have a go. I live in perpetual fear of losing games we should win. Ergo, I've lived in perpetual fear for about 13 years now.

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Sigurdsson Davies Iwobi
Walcott Tosun Richarlison

No Schneiderlin for this game - the midfielders need to be able to pass the ball forward in this one to break down Norwich.

I fancy a 3-0 win tomorrow. Norwich’s bubble has burst after the positivity of promotion. Hopefully Kean can get a goal off the bench.

Is a Pukka pie any good? Shite, or gold?

Do they serve them at Goodison?

Edit: Hollands factory is in Accrington and they are a Lancashire company and so do not appear to be from Wigan. Apologies for the duff info. The fella who my Dad dealt with was from Wigan though. It seems that up until 2017 we had switched to Clayton pies. We now have a deal with an Italian food company who sponsor the youth team with their name on the shirts, so perhaps they make the pies. Last time I had one at the game was during our ill-fated European campaign.

Norwich started the season well and are dangerous on their day. The 2 week break will have benefited them, they will be fresh just like at the start of the season. We shouldn't be shocked by it, but expect a side trying to bounce back, and be fully prepared for a fight.

We cannot take them lightly and will have to battle it out initially to make sure our class wins through.

"Man City might disagree. Home or Away, I think Norwich can have one of those days where everyone is like, "how in the hell are they in the relegation zone?"

as Eric & myself have already pointed out, Norwich doesn't even approach dangerous, especially away.

Their fixtures/results:
@ Liverpool L 4-1 (their only away goal, funnily enough)
vs Newcastle W 3-1
vs Chelsea L 2-3
@ West Ham L 2-0
vs Man City W 3-2 (have you looked at the stats, or better yet, watched this game? Thorough City dominance with 3 defensive breakdowns. Hey, it happens)
@ Burnley L 2-0
@ Crystal Palace L 2-0
vs. Aston Villa L 1-5
@ Bournemouth D 0-0
vs. United L 1-3
@ Brighton L 2-0
vs. Watford L 0-2

They're in 20th with 7 points & a -17 goal differential. Dangerous isn't a word I'd use to describe them. Their away results: 0-1-5, 1 pt, -11 gd

Their only threat, Pukki, scored 5 in their first 5 games, and 0 in the past 7.

I really think Silva would be just as likely to roll out the old 3-3-4 that I played in middle school around 1970. Kean would make a wonderful inside left, wouldn't he?

Sexually.

From ESPNFC:

"Inter Milan manager Antonio Conte said he has given his players specific instructions when having sex and told them to ensure it takes up minimum effort. 'I was a player too,' the 50-year-old told L'Equipe magazine. 'During competition, it [sex] should not last long. Also, it should be done with the least effort possible, so underneath the partner. Preferably with their wife as then there is no obligation to put in an exceptional performance!'"

A whole new perspective on the terms "getting on top", "quick in the box" and "finisher".

https://www.espn.com/soccer/internazionale/story/3995581/inter-boss-conte-tells-player-how-to-have-sex-least-effort-possible

😝

If you want my tip, pop into the chinese chippy near the holy trinity statue, top chips and pies in there mate, or you could go for the foot long hot dog inside the ground.

Norwich will be fully fit and rearing to go. They will set up shop and chase down in midfield. If Everton tire in the second half they will push up to try to get a winning goal.

Everton really need to be on their game to break Norwich down and need to maintain stamina throughout the match. After International breaks Everton have not produced good performances, lacking motivation and fitness. We all know that the result depends on which Everton turns up at Goodison against Norwich.

There has been something badly wrong with Evertons preparation as their performance after international breaks shows. A lot of the time the opposition look more motivated and fitter. I don't think the lesson has been learn't yet at Finch Farm. Other teams do not have the same problem.

Silva and Everton really need to win this game.

I take it you would not agree with my idea of a Cold Weather break. I don't mean a sking holiday.

Towards the end of his Chelsea days some of his players were putting in as little effort as possible on the pitch and adept at letting the opposition get on top of them.

Perhaps they were at it like rabbits on Friday nights , and the reason his Chelsea gave him a premature evacuation.

But what I said was "Jerome @49 Norwich hasn't bunkered more than once (against City). They attack, not sit back."

Why do you think they'll sit back and challenge us to break them down? Their back 4 are wretched. Injuries have them almost playing midfielders at center half. So just curious if you believe they'll change this up just for their match against us.

Rest assured, I've never, ever named a lineup that hasn't won. 100% success rate.

Of course, I've never named a lineup that has actually been chosen, so there's that.

Silva won't get away Scot free, and no, that's not "racist". If it triggers anyone, I'd suggest toughening up, but that's only me.

If I were called a "Yank, drunk, gypo, 'tatter eatin', Irish-Yank fuck", it wouldn't phase me in the least. So, take that on board. Surely there's some "woke" people out there that would take umbrage.

I just started the PSG match, will watch Dortmund after. I'm just made up this eternal int'l break is finally over.

-Norwich are if I am not mistaken odds on fav to get relegated 1/4 on with some
- We have Home advantage (no historical away day hoodoo to blame this time)
- Transfer market site have Norwich squad worth 104m, ,we are 445million
- We are facing a daunting 6 weeks of fixtures after this game
- Silva has it appears pissed away our best chance of making a claim for Top 4 in years ( see Leicester equivalent squad bar Vardy of course)
- Our players on international dutie are performing very well for their respective countries
-Norwich have only picked up 1 point in last 5 games and are as a collective I would assert ,waiting for their "premier league" manager to be appointed as is obvious their current manager cannot cut it in the Top flight (i could say something here but I wont!!)

NSNO ;)

So for future reference, no spoilers of any kind ever!!

Holland's pies on the other hand, well, let's just say are the dog's danglies of pies, the creme de la creme, the bees' knees. Fill your boots when you're over here, mate. Add a bit of northern gravy (not that piss weak version they serve with roasts down here) and chips, mushy or marrowfat peas and you'll be a happy man.

On a side note, COYB.

That guy had such a concept of life, both in America and to a lesser degree, in the UK, but I don't care which side of the tracks you came from, his words are not only applicable but very poignant, even today!

Any chance of a next manager poll?