Everton vs Crystal Palace

I don't get down very often, this being only my 3rd visit in the last 5 seasons, but the last two both saw us gain 2-0 victories against Norwich and Bournemouth (although the football wasn't very attractive on either occasion) so I hope that will be a good omen for us all.

Palace, on the other hand, have had a poor run of results recently but in that draws with Man City and Arsenal whilst handing 3 points to Sheff Utd on a plate. Need to remain cautious here, but stay focused and grind out a win here.

Carlo is our lucky charm... well not really anything can happen with Everton

Everything depends on the players mentality on the day they have the tools to do the job. Kets hope both the players and fans can help get 3 points...

We must keep pressing for Europe which I think is crucial for our progress.

Pickford
Sidibe Keane Mina Digne
Siggy Holgate Bernard
Kean DCL Richarlison

Attack, attack, attack

SUBS:

Stek, Coleman, Schneiderlin, Davies, Iwobi, Walcott, Gordon

As Ajay above has suggested attack can be the best form of defence, and I hope they opt for a more attacking eleven from the start especially as we are at home.

Palace have been poor recently but should never be taken for granted and complacency can't be allowed to set in. A decent win will not only elevate our position in the Table but will be a good signing-off point in terms of confidence before the Winter Break.

Palace will sit deep for the most part so I'd be tempted to drop Walcott whose main effectiveness comes when there is space in behind. I'd play Kean and put Richarlison on the right as he also works hard and can help combat Zaha. None of the options in the middle are inspiring but Schneiderlin is disciplined defensively and Sigurdsson's free kicks may required in what I expect to be a tight game.

There's a confidence slowly building in this team and, if we can play like we did for 90 minutes against Newcastle, then I think we should have enough.

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Richarlison Sigurdsson Scheniderlin Bernard
Kean Calvert-Lewin

Though I think Ajay's @7 suggestion of bringing in Keane and putting Holgate in DCM is a sound one as Keane should be a good matchup for Benteke.

Quality balls into Everton forwards, especially from midfield is what is required and hopefully quality ball from set-pieces will continue from the last game.

I would also prefer a change in midfield with Holgate in and hopefully Bernard will be playing. . . I also would drop Walcott, bring in Sidebe in his position, with Coleman in support.

Everton 2-0 will do.

Palace will make it tough and it's the kind of game we've seen over the last few weeks where a win catapults us right into the mix for the European spots but we blow it. Let's hope the players and manager are learning their lessons!

Came across this the other day. The league table since Ancelotti took over.

The team probably picks itself. We have however been here before, and Palace are a better away side. We shall see but l still expect a win.

Of course it won’t be the team, but I’m not sure how the team can pick itself though, because of how poor we have looked in the middle of the park, even if some players are much better at Goodison Pk.

I’m not sure it will be pretty tomorrow, with the weather forecast predicting strong wind, but James McCarthy, should be up for a scrap, so it’s important we are up to the job in the midfield.

I like your team but think CA will be a little more cautious. My own view goes with the Attack! Attack! Attack! suggestion

coyb

Sorry Eds but only thing I could think of.

Maybe we will see more changes tomorrow because it might be that Ancelotti is going to continue rotating, until he decides which players have got a future at the club?

Sorry for going on but if this team picks itself, I’m staggered.

Even though I think Schneiderlin and Walcott will be picked from the start.

I can't see Crystal Palace scoring more than 1, so we need to be attacking them from the off and be aiming for 2 or 3 [or more] goals.

FYI Yerry Mina is 20/1 to score first or 17/2 Hills to score at any time – the latter seems like a decent bet after Watford.

Currently showing highlights of mid-week training.

Link

And for God's sake don't play the same team that started at Watford.

He should be given a free rein much like Bernard who when on his game can really stretch defences.

Walcott is and will always be a winger especially chasing a through ball but like Sterling wastes an awful lot.

On paper it should be another 3 points against Palace but football is a funny game, just look at the two Spanish cup games yesterday.

Gbamin op went well and (perhaps optimistically to lift the guy's spirits) said he may be available before the end of the season.

Gomes still on course to return against Arsenal. Between that and the Palace game, players will have five days off, but planning a closed day friendly on their return to see how Gomes goes.

With Delph out, Carlo says he has 3 players to choose from: Siggy, Schniederlin and Davies. Two of them will play. One will be on the bench.

Very honest about how we have been playing. Looking 'confused' at times. Wants the team to be more certain and 'precise' more consistently.

Also honest about the last two results. Shouldn't have dropped two points at home to Newcastle. Lucky to get the win at Watford.

Defense is the best form of attack

Palace are a counter attacking team with a 5 man midfield.

IMO we need to keep it tight and rely on Bernard and Siggy to open them up.

For this game I would bring Keane in and put Mason as DM where he can also keep an eye on Zaha who is bound to give Sidibe a difficult time.

As usual their danger is Zaha, so keeping the supply away from him is the key. If and it’s a big if Everton can keep the ball then Sidibé who looks weak against an opponent like Zaha will be a strength going the other way.

I’d been extremely uncomfortable with Schneiderlin & Sigurdsson in midfield. Last time it was Anfield and we become immobile and our energy is non-existent. A player with energy along side the Icelander is what is required. Their inability to move the ball quickly and neither break beyond the lines means our creativity is reliant on vertical balls from the centre backs, the full backs and Bernard.

The problem is who would you play there, the only other option is Davies. Personally I’d try Iwobi with Schneiderlin, we are at home and we should have the ball, he breaks the lines and is progressive.

Ancellotti isn’t one to rock the boat, and results are coming, I can’t see beyond Lyndon’s choice.

3-0.

I hope it’s Davies and Sigurdsson.

Playing wide can be such a horrible thankless task, (it definitely looks this way when watching Iwobi play there) whereas playing inside is usually easier, especially if you are the type of player who would sooner let the ball do the work.

It’s been ruled out by the boss anyway, because he’s told everyone today it’s going to be two from Davies, and the two es’es!

Having said that I think we will win this one, after coming from two down at Watford the players should have gained confidence with that win. In addition, Ancelotti will be getting to know the players better and they will understand what he wants from them also.

2-1 or 2-0 to us.

Also, I hope the match isn't called off due to Storm Ciara, as this happened before with Palace and it probably cost us a Champions League place. COYB and get into Europe, and show everyone what a joke it was appointing that serial loser, Silva.

Pickford
Sidibé Mina Keane Digne
Holgate Sigurdsson
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin Kean Bernard

Beggars can't be choosers in our midfield at the moment, and we are unfortunately the beggars.

Pretty sure we're going to see:

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Walcott Schneiderlin Sigurdsson Bernard
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

The good news is that Digne/Bernard won't have to deal with Wan-Bissaka this time; he cause nightmares down our left side last season.

Personally I'd only make 2 small changes, but I've not been right a single time, so don't count on it... :-)

Pickford
Sidibe Holgate Mina Digne
Richarlison Schneiderlin Sigurdsson Bernard
Calvert-Lewin Kean

Crystal Palace will sit back very deep, scared to hell of Richarlison and Walcott for pace. They will rely on Zaha to create what few chances that might come their way. We need to score quickly to open them up and come out, which they won't until the last 20 mins or so. If we get a quick second goal, we will be safe.

Might need Bernard to help us open them up if we haven't scored by half-time. A cagey game ahead...

Ah, John, you've been and gone and done it. Ya tempted the footballing gods!

We'll have to score six to get a draw now.

My son would not have a home to live in if he didn't follow Everton. Born not manufactured, hope the boys get a win for you and hope your son enjoyed the game that Dunc took charge of 3-1.

I'm hoping we will edge a tight game 1-0.

Answer [note, Ancelotti completely blowing it off, yet brilliantly addressing the topic just enough to give it credence]:

"I think Liverpool is going to win the league. I hope not in Goodison Park. There are a lot of stadiums. Why in Goodison Park?"

Two things:

1. This man is an expert at diffusing situations
2. I promise you, we've never been in better hands.

Tomorrow - Everton 3, CP 1.

6 hours and 15 or so minutes to kick off. Better get to bed!

After Newcastle and Watford, this game will show the character of the team currently. I'm confident. Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison and Kean all to score.

Hope Bernard plays, hope Gordon gets some minutes.

Midfield is a worry I guess but it will be until next season.

Oh Davies is one of us... Blue through and through, well so am I. Born within a stone's throw of the tower. Can I get a game on those merits? I think not. My age, 73, possibly, is a factor. 🤔🤣

Should win today. COYB!

Please no Schneiderlin or Davies.

This will be like the Newcastle game where we will have a lot of the ball but they are much better both as a team and on the counter. They are generally better under Hodgson away from Selhurst.

I would bite your hand off for a 1-0 win.

No prizes for guessing who is top of the pens scored list

Hopefully an early goal will liven things up and we can then channel the atmosphere similar to Duncan’s first game against Chelsea.

A clean sheet today would be good as well please Jordan.

If Bernard starts I fancy him to score, he’s due one I reckon.

Onward Evertonians.
Full Support 💙

Also gang. We need to raise £250,000 for my friend Ashley to join a trial in Germany to fight pancreatic cancer. We have a huge fundraising day in Hereford today and I want to sell my prized possession. I have a holy trinity poster signed by the trinity and a lot of the other players they played with. It’s authenticated and verified. If any of you guys know a great site to auction it, or if anybody here is interested, or we have a blind auction here, just fire me a message here and I’ll get a picture of it to you. Any ideas on the best way to raise most money by selling it are massively appreciated.

Let hop by 5pm we’re all smiling

Even if you got Grand Old Team (sorry Eds) and some other fan sites involved, you would have the numbers possibly to achieve your target or thereabouts. Only a suggestion my friend.

Really been ramped up. Hope we are not the fall guys when he starts throwing himself around the pitch.

COYB!

Sitting at my writing desk 3 Floors up in New Brighton - - looking out at a majestic Vistula through my windows - - Beatles on in the background - - grey this morning when I got up - - very little colour - - but now with the match coming on the horizon the grey has gone and a wonderful Bluetiful sky is everywhere - - from Whistler to Monet in a short time - - wonderful.

“Oh sweet thing, sweet thing
My, my, my, my, my sweet thing
And I shall drive my chariot
Down your streets and cry
Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite
And I don't know why'
And you shall take me strongly
In your arms again
And I will not remember
That I even felt the pain.
We shall walk and talk
In gardens all misty and wet with rain
And I will never, never, never
Grow so old again.”

Van filling my soul and spirit with beauty - - wonder - - and mysticism - - what a life - - what a day to be Blue - - like everyday - - I am in that spiritual moment where I am preparing myself for the day ahead - - to face the wind - - the cold - - but also to bathe in the winter sun - - feel The Blue - - catch the warmth emanating in waves from The Dark House - - Float on The Mystic - - down Wessie Road - - passing the old baths - - along Smith Street - - catching the wind and drifting up Lambeth Road to say “hello” to Mary Walsh in Harcourt Street - - along Stanley Road passing The Growie (Grosvenor) - - a quick swirl around Great Mersey Street - - lingering near St. Alphonsus Church and Primary School - - along to Boundary Street - - Bob’s Newsagents where I was the paperboy in the early 60’s - - Scottie and memories - - Bluetiful memories - - going to the match in the early 60’s with Bancy Clarke - - carrying Otis Blue under my arm - - showing off - - meeting Mary Martin - - a really cool dancer and Soul Sister - - Otis - -The Temptations - - The Impressions -- “and she’s got to say It’s Allright - - have a good time - - cos its Allright” - - had a get together recently with some of my old friends from Cardinal Godfrey - - remember getting on the 33 Dockers Bus in Whittle Street - - every day -- and up the Valley to Breck Road and Stalag Luft Cardinal Godfrey - - saw someone I hadn’t set eyes on for 60 years' - - marvellous - - spending our bus fare in The Tuck Shop and walking home along Breck Road - - up Mere Lane and down to Netherfield Road - - King Billy on his White Horse in Fan Lights - - and Home - - - how lucky were we who lived through those days of Innocence and wonder - - these are The Days that formed us:

“Can I see another’s woe,
And not be in sorrow too?
Can I see another’s grief,
And not seek for kind relief?
Can I see a falling tear,
And not feel my sorrow’s share?
Can a father see his child
Weep, nor be with sorrow filled?
Can a mother sit and hear
An infant groan, an infant fear?
No, no! never can it be!
Never, never can it be!”

Let Em In - - William Blake - - Rave on John Donne - - Walt Whitman - - William Wordsworth - -somebody better open up the door - - Roy Rogers - - The Lone Ranger - - Tonto - - Robin Hood and Little John - - Zorro and The Cisco Kid.
We are The Lucky People - - We Are The People - - God Bless Ma Joad - - another great Evertonian - - if you have seen Jane Darwell in The Grapes of Wrath you are looking at and indeed listening to Anne Mc Kane - - my Ma - -
“I ain’t never gonna be scared no more. I was, though. For a while it looked as though we was beat. Good and beat. Looked like we didn’t have nobody in the whole wide world but enemies. Like nobody was friendly no more. Made me feel kinda bad and scared too, like we was lost and nobody cared…. Rich fellas come up and they die, and their kids ain’t no good and they die out, but we keep on coming. We’re the people that live. They can’t wipe us out, they can’t lick us. We’ll go on forever, Pa, cause we’re the people.”

All of those gang on here - -Tony, Dave, Darren - - and God Bless You All - - know what real Scotland Road Mum’s were like - - absolutely the greats - - the font of all wisdom - - compassion - - strength - - toughness - - energy - - and real genuine love for the family - - and I love her - - she was a wonderful woman - - here’s to All Our Mums:

“Ma Joad: How am I gonna know about ya, Tommy? Why they could kill ya and I'd never know. They could hurt ya. How am I gonna know?

Tom Joad: Well, maybe it's like Casy says. A fellow ain't got a soul of his own, just a little piece of a big soul, the one big soul that belongs to everybody, then...

Ma Joad: Then what, Tom?

Tom Joad: Then it don't matter. I'll be around in the dark - I'll be everywhere. Wherever you can look - wherever there's a fight, so hungry people cant eat, I'll be there. Wherever there's a cop beatin' up a guy, I'll be there. I'll be in the way guys yell when they're mad. I'll be in the way kids laugh when they're hungry and they know supper's ready, and when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they buid - I'll be there, too.”

OK gang - - gotta go - - early KO and all - - early check in TDH - - Full Drill - - behind the ears and checking for tide marks and clean undies - - in case we get run over.

Sending Cosmic Blue waves out over The Astral to Fellow Blues - - however you support The Blues – final bit on the Music and then off :
“When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
A lovely day
When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
A lovely day”

Written and sent with Cosmic thoughts and a warm handshake - - - Up The Blues and God Bless Pop Moran and Father Winder - - - Get on The Love Train - - your friend - - George

Seems ages since we had a Saturday game, at least the predicted storm-like weather has not reached us yet or abated, don't like them games in swirling winds.

While I appreciate it is the same for both sides, historically it always seemed to be us that the freak goal was scored against. Still, hopefully that has been largely condemned to the past, since Carlo has arrived there is definitely not only a good feeling, but a renewed faith in our results and a genuine optimism in the players and fans alike.

One added bonus tonight (hopefully) that we will enjoy a lion's portion on Match of the Day, with there only being two games today in the Premier League.

Warm handshake returned.

Words of wisdom from my late, great beautiful Nanny Laurie.

Made me smile that.

Thank you.