James Rodriguez inspires a fine Everton win

What a day that was.

We were on the side and they were next to us behind a three foot wall.

Can still feel the dig a taffy hit me with

DCL to pick up an injury.
Siggy to be a passenger and needlessly give the ball away.
James to be targeted for some rough tackles.

As for the score or scorer no idea, I just want us to get through the round and prepare for spurs.

We should dominate possession and win, but I'm also looking forward to a good exciting cup game.. hopefully lot's of goals, for Everton.

Hate this kick off time.

Richarlison not at the races again.

Nice for Dom to get a goal again. Richy continues to be way, WAY off the pace. His full-back Urhoghide is possibly the visitor's best player.

The space they are allowing James is astonishing. Some really nice close interplay through the midfield.

One is never enough though. We've had the chances to get more, but spurned them. I'll breath easier with a two goal cushion.

Ric scored a good header but his dribbling and general attacking play has been poor. He's won a lot of defensive headers too.

Coleman has put in 2 good crosses in the same match which he's not done for a very long time.

The scream Richarlison let out on scoring an indication of his own frustration at his poor form and poor goal return, perhaps.

Coleman and Mina very solid all-round games. James a maestro. Nice to see Gordon, Small and Onyango get a little bit of game time.

Everton. Still doing all right.

Now for Leicester on Wednesday.

Just what the doctor ordered; a straightforward win, no injuries, no stress, a kickabout which was one notch above a training match.

A good workout that puts us in prime condition for the Leicester game.

It drives me spare when the attacking team end up back in their own half without the opposition touching the ball. Oh for Sheedy and Steven, Dave Thomas, Johnny Morrissey, even Ronnie Goodlass and Dave Jones.

What the hell is this about?!

'Windows tried the prophet Thursday.'

Or are you embedding QAnon cyrptic messages in your live match reports for the TW conspiracists cabal..?

Please don't disappoint me and tell me it's the AI's auto-spellcheck kicking in!

Intrigued!

Can't wait till Wednesday, Bring it on! All we need is for Richarlison to show up and Calver-Lewin to have his shooting boots on. COYBB

Great to see some young kids on at the end. The game was finished, and the first teamers were expending as little energy as necessary to see the game out, so they didn't get much opportunity to express themselves, but hopefully a good experience and more to see.

...is the nearest I can guess. Is there a prize for the correct decode?

Hey, not getting carried away, but that was a professional performance and we showed our quality.

Unlike recent games, we are not talking about our solid defence, but our forward players and midfielders. Gomes showed what he can do when he has time and space. But this is Sheffield Wednesday so he won't always get that. Sigurdsson also done very well. James was just different class.

We stole singing the blues from Sheffield Wednesday as I recall. They sung it first ("when Wednesday win, United lose, oh Wednesday you got me singing the blues"). Cheeky touch by Everton as our normal post match fair is "If you know your history".

We look good. Again, not getting carried away, but we are managing games like this much easier than in previous seasons.

Now to the league. We have a big week ahead.

Now to see how we set up for Leicester, and hopefully keep this tempo, going, as we approach some tough fixtures.

You will 100% despair.
Guaranteed.

Only Richarlison showed moments of profligacy as his advanced offside positions caused jitters at the Flat Earth Society. To add to the frustration, Ancelotti stubbornly refused to keep two youngsters on the bench.

No mystery - that follows.

Classic

I watched Peter Beardsley at Everton. Very rarely did I bemoan him for making a poor pass. He more than often made very good passes. It was just the the players around him were not on the same wavelength to read the game like he did and anticipate being on the end of those passes.

Richarlison will come good again, as will Gomes. A worry not having Allan or Doucouré for the midweek game (which is huge) but we have a good chance if on it. Pickford, Davies, Keane, Digne and Iwobi are expected back so Carlo has a few decisions to make. The squad isn't so bad is it... Not that we couldn't do with another forward!

We need to remember that Richarlison is young, not as good as he or his agent wants us to believe, but he needs to develop his football intelligence.

A very young, promising team, especially at the end of the match. We are making progress. But it takes time.

Pickford
Holgate
Keane
Mina
Godfrey

Iwobi
Sigurdsson
Digne

Rodriguez
Calvert-Lewin
Richarlison

2 good halves

Something has happened to Richarlison: he's gone from very very good to just good (and sometimes not even that).

We didn't really give them a sniff (except the useless Bernard should have been penalised for a trip in the area).

A good performance without looking at full speed. No Vardy on Wednesday which is a major boost. If we can keep Madisson off the ball, we have a good chance of 3 points and climb above the RS. I hope Iwobi is fit. He had a blinder at the King Power. We could do with his pace to stop their full-back from bombing on.

Pickford will no doubt return. It is hard to choose between him & Olsen. The latter just gives me a bit more confidence. Maybe because he plays it simple.

That seems a harsh assessment of that incident to me Kase and Jason. At full speed, I thought it amounted only to incidental contact once a toe poke tackle had whacked the ball well away from both players. I thought it was a good decision by the officials not to let a ridiculously strict interpretation of the law obliterate the spirit of it.

I didn’t think it merited a penalty. The problem is there is no need to be that tight to a player going away from goal. The interpretation of the laws are farcical but we have seen penalties given for the absolute minimal contact. Michael Keane at Brighton still has me scratching my head.

Leicester get plenty of penalties. Let's just hope we don't gift them a daft one.

Yeah, I'd never heard Breen before. He's not a “massive” name but he had a decent career. I'm so used to the likes of Owen, Keane, Neville and whoever spouting off Ill-informed crap. Even no-names. For example some years back I remember West Ham “legend” Stewart Robson slagging off Moyes for an entire game for not giving our “young striker” a run out up top — he was referring to defender Jack Rodwell — but his co-commentator never dared correct his vindictive diatribe. But that about sums up the level of the commentators for me so Breen was a breath of fresh air.

https://youtu.be/WDwyOrBazXY

In addition, would a purposeful shot from outside the area be too much to expect from our 24/7 fabulously coached, as some would have it, players?

Last season they won 16/43 matches.

Not inluenced by Ancelotti some reckon?

More goals from play.

All players had a decent game, I am becoming more and more a fan of young Ben Godfrey as each game passes. We have got a real gem there, who will only get better, and when you consider he is basically playing out of position, it makes it even more impressive. True Doucoure will be a miss but I hope whoever plays in his place will do well.

Great touch from Carlo to give the two young lads Tyler Onyango and Thierry Small a cameo at the end, it can only augur well for both and boost their confidence, that they are in the Manager's thoughts. Doesn't look like any incomings in this window but hopefully a few going the other way, mind you it aint all over till the fat lady sings.

Very confident of the prediction I made on here that two out of Lampard, Arteta and Solskjaer will be sacked by the end of the season.

Add in Richarlson, Iwobi...Coleman on the bench as cover... James obviously, any 2 from 4 from Gomes, Davies, Siggi and, if fit enough, Digne.

Easy this coaching lark.

A quick word on the two youngsters, obviously a couple of minutes is no time to form a proper opinion but I thought Onyango did especially well. Getting some rave reviews in the U23 side and although this doesn't always guarantee success with the big boys, I thought he put himself about really well with a couple of tackles and showing for the ball nicely. Small had a bit less involvement but he seems quick and direct. Keep it up lads.

Obviously good to see the young players get some time. I'm sure that those few minutes are more about reward and motivation than real development. Neither got too involved, which probably gives you a good idea of where their development is at. I thought it was impressive that neither went 'out to impress'... ie they both kept the shape and kept it simple. It must have been tempting to try something flashy.

Totally agree with Godfrey playing the central holding role, far more aggressive and quicker than Davies. With Carlo pulling him off yesterday I would say he's sure to play against Leicester..

In my opinion Godfrey will develop into a top class centre half. Even at this stage he would be first in line to start as a centre back.
Him and one other.

A totally different job midfield to centre back.
A centre back sees all of the play in front of him, a midfielder has to have a 360o view of the game.
It wont happen

Davies isn't perfect but he's played his part in wins and good performances already.

Klopp - won none of the last five league games - and Chelsea were top early last month, and are five points behind last year's champions. Perhaps there's something behind the scenes, a dressing room issue or other, but really. The expectations and lack of patience in this game are unreal at times. Watch out, Jurgen.

I've said this this several times, but in recent games,Tom's been doing a job-an Italian job; because for the last 40 years I've seen Italian teams set up with a MF, it use to be behind the back 4, now in front, who does nothing spectacular, just protect the back 4, pop off 5 yard balls and the 5 (back 4+1) reduce chances on goal to virtually zero.

Seriously, remember those games, the red hot in-form striker not getting a kick, the blistering speed merchant with nowhere to go, and getting beat 1-0. How we cursed Italian teams for being boring and negative...but successful.

The dog's abuse heaped on dog is really unwarrented, especially vs. Wolves when he had a better pass % than James & Doucouré, but football is a game of opinions, and CA's is the only one that matters.

How about this team for Wednesday:

Pickford
Holgate Mina Keane Digne
Iwobi Godfrey Davies
James
DCL Richarlison

Subs: Olsen, Coleman, Gordon, Tosun, Bernard, Gomes, Siggy

Iwobi has played well this season on the wing. Godfrey has played well at left back. So now, 2 days to prepare (1 day of training), they are gonna play centre midfield against one of the in form teams in the league??? Bonkers.

Godfrey is athletic, but don't see him as a central midfielder. If any of our back four is, it is Holgate. But still don't see it.

I can expect 3-4-3 with Digne and Iwobi on the flanks, and Davies and Gomes in the middle. James playing free role, Richy and DCL up top.

Yet if we are to be taken seriously and wish to challenge, for both an improved finish in the League standings, we have to combat teams like Leicester. We are at home, if that counts for anything with no fans there, but matching yesterday's spirit and performance could get us there with minimum disruption to the squad apart from the enforced absences.

Not sure if they are both still alive hence the was(is?) and I would never want to upset Peter by prematurely killing off his parents.

Lampard was always going to be an emotionally driven gamble. He had hardly proven himself at Derby. Arteta could follow a similar fate.

Klopp is fine. I just want to see the meltdown if this continues like his last season at Dortmund. He's already getting snappy but trying to hide it behind that psycho smile of his.

Carlo will put out a formation, let Leicester worry about us instead, yes they are a good team, we saw them off at their place, no reason why we cannot go into this game any different.

We have Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin back, we know Daucoure will be a loss, so will Vardy.

I have a good feeling about our game on Wednesday, it is important we get behind the team from the off, whatever we start with, no use moaning, even 15 minutes into the game.

The Blues are on the up, let us save any negatives, if there are any, until after the final whistle.

If we were to try and convert one of our defenders into a defensive midfielder for this game then I think Holgate, Digne or Coleman are all better placed to step in than Ben Godfrey - as I feel they are better at keeping possession in tight spaces. The prospect of a midfield 3 of Davies, Gomes, and Sigurdsson is something that would fill me with dread. Will be interesting to see how much we mis Doucouré - who I think has been getting better and better as the season has progressed.

So compact and solid as we were against them last time.

That said, did I read that Vardy is out? That could change things. If he wasn't a concern already, it becomes more about pressing Maddison quickly when they have possession.

But yes, let them worry about us too. I would see us going longer and more direct quicker because with Davies and Gomes, I would imagine more of a gap between the 2 and the front 4 (3 + 1).

Let's go Wycombe! Suck it Spurs.

The crazy thing about him is that he is capable of some amazing build up play but so much of it comes to nowt. He does't need the likes of me to 'love' him but he comes across as a talented Mirallas - nearly but not quite.

Grab the money if it's offered.

I wonder if that's a double-edged sword - potential suitors might be put off by his antics.

I trust Ancelotti. I just don’t trust some of these players.

Great, professional performance last night. James is great. DCL makes a huge difference though. He’s a proper striker these days

Change of topic but has there been ANY mention of the new ground developements. Have heard absolutely nothing of late.

Pickford
Holgate Keane Mina Digne
Iwobi Gomes Godfrey Richarlison
James
DCL.

James in the no10 role and given licence to find space to work his magic with hat left foot. Godfrey takes the defensive midfield duties instead of Davies, it’s not clear cut.

I think Godfrey has that extra dynamism and aggression, he’s a bit more quicker and agile, and his desire for the job is incredible. The lad is a winner and has to be in the team. He’s not a DCM but he has had a a season of experience there at a lower level with some success too. Also he has more than proved he is adaptable! With Leicester having a very strong midfield we need to try to match it without our two first choices Doucoure and Allan.

I think that team has a decent balance of toughness and solidity with a good helping of creativity and goal threat too. It’s good enough to beat Leicester.

The club is still awaiting the planning decision which has been delayed because of Covid19.

It's now expected sometime in mid February

In the same way Mina and Keane cannot be broken up at CB.

Right back is up for debate?!

I’d go with:
Pickford
Coleman Mina Keane Godfrey
Davies Gomes
James Siggy Richy
DCL

Slightly worried about a lack of pace in midfield but Gomes earned his spot.

I know it sounds trite but I am a simple man with big hope's for our team.

Godfrey has been admirable but his position is centre back. Personally, if all fit, then it is Mina and Digne. Then choose between Holgate, Godfrey and Keane.

Combinations there could be Godfrey at right back with Keane alongside Mina. Or, Holgate at fightback with Godfrey alongside Mina.

That's just my thoughts. Isn't it actually nice to have a defensive selection headache?

Yes, I think back not that long ago to the likes of Keane and Mina having been written off by some. How things change.

Godfrey and Holgate can be interchanged if necessary. Gomes for Davies when Tom tires or is having a poor game.

I was dismayed with Keane. I called him an expensive dud. I still think he has his flaws but he has improved no end in addressing them and is looking good in this increasingly improving defence. Credit to Michael and credit to the coaching staff around him.

I have always seen something in Mina. When many criticised, I was confident that once he adjusted and settled, he would come good.

Both bring different values, but both are now looking like important cogs in a solid defensive machine that also weighs in with goals.

Always happy to be proven wrong. Equally happy when I call one right. Ultimately it matters not as long as it benefits Everton and in reality our opinions are mostly a punt right?

Digne is a far better attacking full-back. Not only that but he and James are probably our 2 best creative players in terms of chances created.

So I completely understand the need to bring Digne back but I would have Godfrey back playing behind him or as our left centre-back to cover Digne's absence.

That means Holgate right back so we don't have 2 fullbacks missing in action against a fast, creative, counter attacking side like Leicester who are full of movement and energy when attacking.

The central midfield positions are a worry. We have no pace or real defensively minded players. I'm sure, that being the case, Carlo may switch things around.

I don't want to get called a Carlo happy clapper; I'm not. But just over one year in, the difference is noticeable. Unlike trying to judge him in May with no signings and a pause in the season.

We are in a good place. The manager and his staff are managing a very thin squad quite well in my opinion and getting more out of players that I previously doubted under their predecessors.

It didn't happen immediately and against the backdrop of a pandemic. But we bought wisely in the summer and the signs are encouraging.

On a side note, our under-16 coach Timmy Cahill has been appointed an Officer in the General Division of the Order of Australia. What a well deserved accolade!

Link

Maybe Seamus and Lucas need to address their own attacking credentials, good as they admittedly are, in order to win a shirt again. After all, they both have little success in the clean-sheet department this season so an improvement in "positivity" may be the key to their re-selection. I suggest it'd also make our matches much more exciting too.

But I see a change in our mentality and our ability to win games we never would have. So a comfortable 5th and not to far off the the top 4 is something I would settle for at the moment.

The fact is that every game can go either way; like what was said earlier, we could be 3rd or 10th by the end of three games. Where's the fun being a fan by seeing the glass half-empty?

Like what Brent #135, Ancelotti has gotten players to play in a manner that emphasizes the players' individual and collective strengths. Long may that continue.

Gomes is playing more forward in midfield, and I think that helps him gain confidence, while minimizing the dangers should he lose the ball. Davies has played more defensively, and I think that's the way to go for him. Especially when he combines with Gomes.

For the game against Leicester, Davies need to do a job against Madisson. Vardy might not be fit in time to face us, so that's one less threat. The game against Leicester is a six-pointer; if we win, they lose, and the gap is closed by 3 points.

In my opinion, even a 0-0 draw is not a bad result. Do not concede is the key. Boring it might be. But I see it's the way to get an European spot. COYB

The person I am thinking about was in Mechanical Maintenance, and in the Main Plant Workshop, a different shift to myself, as I was on the Electrical Maintenance side. I believe he lived in either Huyton or Kirkby and used to come to work on a Triumph (Bonneville I think). I think he must have left late ‘70s because I don't remember seeing him after that. Small World if it is!