Everton vs Leicester City

Honest. It'll be in Hansard tomorrow.

It was a good reminder of the Everton's problems throughout the team. I hope Keane keeps partnering Holgate; Mina out of position on the turn is something I don't want to see. Glad Schneiderlin is gone. We have improved in defence and midfield, on the last second-half performance, but I still have doubts about are forwards ability to finish, particularly Calvert-Lewin.

The truth is, we are players short of a team that can challenge at the highest levels, even with Ancelotti.

Just realised our next game is Leicester tomorrow. , Another drama. I do feel sorry for the people of Leicester, the psychological impact of realising that you are back to square one must be very depressing. The East Midlands has been hit hard over this last 15 years as it is. My thoughts are with them.

The rest of the population don't have that luxury.

VAR, Covid-19, Hawkeye..... It's time to end this sham of a season once and for all.

On the bigger issue, I'm one who firmly believes that a season has to be finished. To not do so is to destroy the integrity of the competition, the sporting equivalent of the ‘it was all a dream' storyline.

As for ‘caring' about the pandemic, football is providing some welcome relief, albeit in a limited form. We've already missed out on so much, why can't we have a month of free-to-air football to keep us going for a bit?

He's the Health Minister? God Help Us all! Judging by what I've seen and heard on the news today, I would imagine that all those in the squad (Leicester) have presumably been regularly tested and recently, so would be surprised if they did cancel the game.

Hoping for a win as usual, we need all the possible points from now on in, if we have any chance at all of squeezing a Euro spot, but on reflection too many wasted points early season have come back to haunt us.

I never thought I'd say I can't wait to get back to the football, but I suppose the sooner the season finishes the better, even if it doesn't look like we will be able to move forward for quite a while, with this dreaded virus in the air.

Here's for Ancelotti. Looking forward to how he can bounce back (though it was a win) from the Norwich game.

As for Europe, Wolves are going well and it seems like we'd need to get ahead of Arsenal and Spurs to even get 7th. I ain't getting my hopes up too much on that.

I think the Premier League lost the little integrity it had when it put money before health. Playing behind closed doors is a complete farce.

Leicester's home games will either be postponed or moved to a neutral venue.

This was anticipated as part of the PL's contingency planning but won't work if multiple areas are affected.

These are exceptional circumstances and the game is not the same when played behind closed doors. We all know that... but 'needs must', as they say. It's not the same but it is hardly a total farce, as you call it. Most of the rules and the basic objective of the game remain the same.

I just find it odd that football fans, of all people, are voicing the desire not to have their game back. Where's the logic in that?

And even more odd that, when all the games are provided for us free on TV or online, some avert your eyes and refuse to watch!!! That has to be the oddest of odd post-Covid behaviour... but perhaps the virus has hidden side-effects yet to be revealed by modern science!!!

One was hugely optimistic which saw us finish 7th, one was IMO realistic which saw us finish 10th.

It would take poor form by Palace, Burnley, Spurs and Arsenal to get us up there but I think Man U, Sheff Utd and Wolves are too far ahead of the pack for us to catch.

All we can do is take it game by game starting with a win against Leicester.

The only issue for Leicester City FC and the authorities is whether or not their remaining home games are switched to a neutral venue. If they continue playing matches at the King Power there is an obvious risk that the requirement for local support staff such as security personnel will lead to an increased spread of the virus.

As for the game itself our players have had a full week since their last game. Leicester have had only three days to recover from their defeat against Chelsea. They have not been in great form since the restart so our team should see this as an opportunity beat a top four team.

My thoughts are with the NHS staff, who have worked tirelessly for months now and face the prospect of it happening all over again. God protect them.

In professional football ;

to just miss is not good enough, because it gives possession to the other team.

to not have shots on targets gives the opposition goal keeper and defence confidence.

to have good positioning and chances and not be able to finish has the same effect.

to not have ingrained accuracy in shooting ability, is below the level of most Premier League Clubs consistent goal scorers.

It's about time Everton forwards starting hitting the mark.

If you cancel it and they are all negative then it begs the question what's the point in the tests if when you test negative you still are not allowed to live a normal life?

The other point and I'm not sure what the questioner expected from askng Carlo what did he think of the other lots celebrations he replied "I think honestly this is not my problem. I am a person that tried to respect the rules, I understand that after 30 years the celebrations could be normal."

What exactly have the other lots celebrations got to do with any manager other than their own? never mind the Everton manager.

So as long as Liverpool are now crowned Champions nothing else matters.

Worth watching just for his reaction to the Luke Garbutt question, just past the 6 minute mark.

Priceless.

Carlo pre-Leicester Presser

My predicted XI for tomorrow:

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Keane Digne
Iwobi Siggy Gomes Gordon
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

SUBS: Virginia, Mina, Baines, Sidibe, Davies, Beni, Bernard, Simms, Adeniran

Enjoyed that look......“Who the fuck is that?”

I am deaf so it's always subtitles for me, they come up with some good ones ; they referred to Luke Garber and Mason Holidays

It's the games like Brighton at home v. MU, that gives good hope for table climbing. Come on, Duffy & co.

The banality of some of the media questions beggars belief at times.

Sky's now reporting that the game could be postponed. Them and the Beeb have their champions now, so I can see a solid attempt from the media to end the season now for ‘safety' concerns.

Why was Luke given a five year contract ?

Is no one actually appraising players to increase their value to the Club as a player or as a Transfer? It appears the only time they are appraised is on ToffeeWeb. There must be no policy in developing players from within Everton. Most of us would have thought that Luke could have been worked on. Now it looks as if we could brief Ancelotti on his progress and actually tell him who he is,

It just shows what a waste of time and money it would be to buy the glossy Evertion Magazine, if it is anything like the old newprint version. It use to keep fans informed on fringe players and how they where getting on

Thanks Jay for highlighting the Link and Luke reference.

Good Luck Luke.

The Day after City's game they are now saying the title is decided may as well end the season now, no regard for any of the other teams, they have got what they wanted.

No regard for the 3000 Spanish fans attending their stadium, no regards of the mass celebrations by the pier head.

Is it any wonder so many opposing fans dislike anything Redshite.

Worth a go ?

The odds seem skinny when you think that their midfield is so vastly superior to ours. They have a goalie who can be world class and they have a striker who is likely to burst into form at the drop of a hat.
Doesnt look a compelling case on paper and I certainly wont be lumping on... but I have this feeling we might just find a way in this one.

Ancelotti has discovered that the likes of Keane is much, much better defending deep. The less grass behind him the better.

I just don't think we will play Leicester's game. Are they as good when you make them play in front of you ? I dont think so... But I still hope Carlo has the courage to engage in a little You play/We play.

I

In attack I want to to see Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin giving Jonny Evans and Soyuco(?) a hard time, they are a decent combination it will be a good test for our two strikers to work together and create. Our younger lads have a yard of extra pace on either of them two and can expose them and force mistakes.

Sigurdsson will probably start central midfield, how that partnership with Gomes performs will go a long way to determining the result. Passing must be more accurate – any of the recent sloppiness in possession will see lightning counter-attacks come from it.

Can Iwobi continue to get involved more like last week and have an influence? I've got some faith in him to continue to improve with the bit more confidence he will have after Norwich.

Our defence has been solid, can Holgate and Keane build on their two clean sheets. They seem to be playing for each other and Keane has found a new bromance now Kurt has moved out.

I think we can get a narrow win because of our strengths elsewhere, but in the central midfield areas it will be tough for us.

Everton 2 Leicester 1

I mean, what sort of answer could Carlos have given about Garbutt - even had he known who he was?

"I let him go because he was useless and wouldn't get into my team in a month of Sundays".

Or what about the RS "celebrations"?

" I think they are despicable, the scum of the earth for endangering everyone by ignoring the government guidelines."

You can imagine how honest answers to those questions would have played out in the wider world.

Why bother to ask such obviously loaded questions - other than to try to show the recipient in a bad light?

Not just Everton either, every single game I've seen has been utter shite. It's worse than watching amateur football. This is a complete farce and I don't like it. It serves no purpose.

As for helping the community out of lockdown, I think the opposite. Football being back, combined with Dominic Cummings and goings, has helped send a message that the lockdown isn't something we really need to do anymore. It's no surprise that large swathes of the population are sticking two fingers up at it and going to the beach, or a protest, or getting pissed and causing mayhem at the Pier Head in the name of “celebration”.

If football wasn't back, and I include the three or four weeks of pre-resumption training in this, then I doubt there would have as been as many breaking the lockdown.

So no, football is definitely back far too soon for me.

As the transfer window opens soon there was one observation I made knowing how we need to strengthen our midfield, it was the improvement in the Man / Utd team with the purchase of a marquee midfielder.

The only thing I would say is that teams aren't prevent him from shooting just yet. Next season they will be better at blocking the shot off and then we'll see how he adapts.

Dowell's deep cross that led to the opening goal has been put down as an own goal and bad cock up by the keeper Butland.

Injured on first arriving at Wigan in January followed by the shutdown, he is now getting game time.

Possibly Carlo Ancelotti has come too late to revive Kieran's career at Everton, but who knows?

Like most, the Italian will be impressed by Kieran's innate football skills and possibly wonder if he could coax something out of him to the benefit of the first team.

His ability and skill sets have never been in doubt. It is the application and appetite for the fight that prevents the lad from having a stellar career.

I would be delighted if Carlo could throw the switch on Kieran Dowell to illuminate us all.

If not Sigurdsson then who would you pick?

Gomes can't tackle, Davies doesn't tackle, Delph is a knob and injured...

If Mina is fit, I'd like to see Holgate in midfield or I'd actually try Baningame but surely neither will happen. So, that leaves Sigurdsson for me.

Probably nobody was buying it or more likely no-one had the knowledge to put anything in it.

The old Evertonian newsprint was very informative.

Sorry, I too must be suffering from a side-effect. I haven't watched any game from anywhere since starting up again.

I tried the first 10 minutes of Schalke v Dortmund and thought it ridiculous. I saw the over-the-line Sheffield Utd goal on the news but that's been it.

Truthfully I have not missed the footy at all.

The only games I've watched are our two and they reminded me of those pre-season Everton Probables v Everton Possibles games from long ago, although those games probably had more passion and intensity.

I didn't bother watching any other games on TV after listening to the first 20 minutes radio commentary of the first game (I can't even recall who was playing). It was only the first 20 minutes because it was so artificial and boring I turned the radio off and did some weeding instead.

The dubbed crowd noises make it even worse and remind me of those awful sit coms where a limp joke is greeted by hilarious canned audience laughter.

I go to all our games, home and away, but can't summon up any enthusiasm at all for these games. I'll be watching, later tonight, but I'm not looking forward to the game as I normally would.

I've been watching Everton since 1958 and never thought anything would dilute my enthusiasm for the game; I was wrong.

The midfield is where this game will be won and lost. Leicester always target Gomes and Sigurdsson and pressurised them with success in the second half. Both players are vulnerable to pressure. Gomes gives away the ball and Sigurdsson becomes anonymous. They will channel Davies knowing that he will lose possession. Their defence will attempt to push up into midfield also pinning the Everton wingers and defenders back, especially if they can dominate in midfield.

Everton need to do the same in support of the midfield and need to be able to defend on the turn, given Leicester speed of attack. Above all, Everton's forwards need to be on target and taking chances to pin them back. Giving away possession and shooting wide will only give them confidence to implement their tactics.

This is why Leicester have had recent success against Everton. Everton have improved at the back and on the last second-half performance in midfield. If midfield play as they did in the last first-half performance, and continue to have a blunt attack that success will continue for Leicester.

Also, for the many supporters like me, living overseas, who can only attend perhaps one or two games every couple of years, watching on TV/Computer is our only option. Hence, it is good to be watching the games for us albeit the atmosphere is severely lacking. I watch on Optus Sport in Australia. Frankly, I think they're doing a pretty good job of it. One negative, though, is the over use of Ex RS players for various opinions and commentary.

They have a really good balance of pace power and energy in their midfield and they high press everyone. Thats how Brenda wants his teams to play. He really fell on his feet with this midfield.

In comparison our midfield have little or no options. The wide players are given defensive briefs and the forwards are miles away. Whoever plays in our midfield tonight will be caught in possession
For years we have isolated the man on the ball. Thats because we sacrifice our options by playing cowardly football which is primarily designed to stop the opposition..

Leicester won the league a couple of seasons ago by allowing opposition possession and hitting them with lightening fast counter attacks. Thats fine if you have the players to do it.
Times have changed and the one thing I would predict with confidence is that they will have more of the ball than we do tonight.

Steve

Dominic cummings responsible for people breaking social distance rules ?..Really ?

He may be a disagreeable little twat who broke some the rules he created, but social distancing wasnt one of them.. Lets not go all Piers Morgan and give millions of idiots a ready made excuse for mass gathering.

The only games I watch are Evertons. Watching the game and see the analysis on ToffeeWeb unfold keeps me interested. I just can't watch any other teams after 5 minutes.

I suspect other fans would have difficulty watching Everton. Coming to think of it, it's no different than watching normally. It would be different for people who are able to attend matches regularly.

We struggled against Norwich in the middle of the park, and Leicester are way stronger. If he doesn't change it, still prefer Davies to Sigurdsson in midfield any day, he made a few mistakes the last day, but never stopped showing for the ball, won't shy away. Siggy has no work rate, can't tackle, and when the going gets tough, shys away.

A strong holding, defensive midfielder has to be our No 1 target this summer.

Holgate is the best option, especially against Leicester's tactics. They have done Everton twice with exactly the same tactics.

Like others I worry that Gomes and Siggurddsson (the slowest midfield in the league?) would be overrun by Leicester's more dynamic offering. Sadly Tom Davies offers more energy but not alot more efficacy and he actually makes less tackles per game than the Icelander.

Either way I think we will need to sit back and play a direct, counter-attacking game. Hopefully we stay calm and don't give away silly free kicks as I could well see a set piece being decisive and its an area we have improved in remarkably since Ancelotti (and, crucially in this regard, his son) came in.

I'd be tempted to plump for Gordon over Bernard as I expect his pace and superior physical presence could be more useful.

Vardy has suffered from Leicester's change in style – they are playing more like Rodgers's Swansea and Liverpool teams. He always seems to score against us though.

I simply can't see us scoring against their defence. 0-0.

As far as football in general is concerned, it's the same as everything else: the older you get, the shine goes off most interests.

I'll watch Everton's games and some of the more important matches between the top teams, but quite a few of those are turn offs with all the pissing about in midfield.

But having said that their 2 centre-backs don't have much pace and I think in Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison we can pose as many worries for their defence as they can to our defence. But we should remember that Liverpool carried far more of a threat than Leicester and we virtually nullified their attack.

I agree that Ndidi is an excellent box to box midfielder with loads of energy, and a talented player.

But let's not forget that in Gana Gueye we had a player whose stats showed he covered more ground than any other midfield player in the Premier League, and was in the top 2 in the league for winning tackles. But at 30 with 2 years left on his contract, we allowed him to leave. I guess it didn't fit with Brands wanting a younger group of players.

Gomes played his best football when played alongside Gueye as he knew he could push forward and Gueye would cover for him. We didn't have anyone at the club who could do what Gueye gave us, and that's why at times our midfield is found wanting at times.

I think we defended excellently against them lot but it was a very organised, negative display which took into effect the quality of the opponent. I don't think we will give Leicester the same respect and I think Vardy will target Keane as we won't camp in our half in this game. This will be a different test for Michael and we don't want him isolated with the striker.

I was also less impressed with us against Norwich than many others and believed our clean sheet was a symptom of Norwich lack of quality in attack than our defensive resolution. If we get carved open for chances like Rupp's and Buendia's, Vardy and Ineacho will bury those opportunities.

Eddie, Vardy has been revitalised since Puel was replaced so unsure why you think that.

All said, we have games to play which can yield points and if we can get say four points from the next two games we could have a realistic shot at the Europa League.

If not then it is a perfect time to see what the youngsters, including Moise, can do with a run of a few games and no critical crowd ready to jump on every mistake. This season has already given us two top-class players in Holgate and Calvert-Lewin- maybe there are one or two others ready to seize their moment?

The great pity has been the lack of replacement. Clearly that's what Gbamin was brought in for but the poor lad's had rotten luck. None of our other midfielders can get around and make tackles, except Delph on a good day perhaps.

Kevin @76, very good.

Vardy has dried-up since the New Year. I think he only has 2 goals in 2020 (I know it sounds worse than it is!) but he has been finding their new style difficult to adapt to and he seems a little rusty. They don't play so counter-attacking these days; instead, they like to control the midfield.

Without the distraction of Maddison, Vardy is easier to mark and has to use his guile rather than the pure pace.

The Gbamin injury completely screwed our season. I've said before, I think we'd still have Silva if Gbamin had stayed fit.

Our long term problem is controlling games with a midfield that is often chasing shadows.

Sam, thanks for confirming I wasn't reading Kevin's post wrongly 😎.

We gave them far too much respect in the first half and the freedom of the midfield, once we put them on the back foot, we had them wobbling and dominated the later stages.

Need to get at them from the start this time and turn the tables on them.

Our midfield is a worry, but if we can not allow as much space this time, then I see Everton collecting three points.

I think he will put Sigurdsson in in place of Davies and drop Richarlison to the left wing and put Kean on to hit them on the break.

If we have Calvert-Lewin, Iwobi, Kean and Richarlison hitting them on the break, I can see a decent win for us – especially if Maddison is out.

Richarlison has ability and hasn't shown it as much as we would like but Calvert-Lewin is still not the finished article. Anyone else in the offence department is not worth mentioning at the moment.

We do need another class midfielder who can notch a few, à la Lampard; until then, we will struggle.

Win this, Europe is still on. Whether we want that or not is an entirely different conversation. But if we get 3 points we're in the mix.

Lose, and it's mid-table for sure.

Anyone want those 2 lost points from Newcastle back?

Also, if Tom plays, look for a good game from him. He played very well against Liverpool, then played poorly against Norwich on three days rest, that only being the second game back after a 3-month layoff. I think with a full week's rest, we'll see him play much better – if he plays.

I, and many more said a the time, it was bad business signing Delph, a little over 3 months short of his 30th birthday, who was injury-prone at Man City, and surplus to requirements.

Giving him a 3-year contract, on bigger wages than he was on at Man City? Bad business.

Bobby @92, good shout there about Sidibé there, with Seamus behind, whether that will be an option considered, is another matter, although I do bow down to Carlo's know-how, and believe he will choose the best available combination.

Come on you Blues! Almost forgot about it being a 6 o'clock kick-off.

Pleased for Anthony Gordon, and hopefully Beni Baningime can get a few minutes on the pitch today. Good luck, fellow Blues!

I just hope we keep him quiet tonight as I agree with Brian that our front two can cause them problems.

He's top scorer in the Premier League!

The only good thing for us is that Maddison is not starting this game and it looks like they will look to the flanks with Albrighton coming in.

Hopefully we will have enough determination and organisation to beat them.