Seasons2020-21Everton News
Sheffield United vs Everton
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Richarlison could be sidelined by concussion protocols following his withdrawal from the cup quarter-final against Man United in midweek
Everton look to recover from the disappointment of Wednesday's cup defeat to Manchester United by advancing their claims for European qualification with victory at Sheffield United.
In stark contrast to their impressive 2019-20 campaign, one which ended with a ninth-place finish and plaudits from across the game for Chris wilder, the Blades went into this Christmas sitting at bottom of the Premier league table and without a win in 14 matches.
That makes this Boxing Day clash prime “banana skin” territory for Everton who have an annoying propensity to hand first victories to winless teams and goals to strikers struggling through barren runs. Hopefully that has changed under Carlo Ancelotti because three points for the Toffees would make it four league wins on the bounce and keep them right up amongst the leaders.
The Italian will again be without James Rodriguez whom he has ruled out of the last two games of the year and possibly into early 2021. Also missing could be Richarlison if it was decided by the club's medical team that the Brazilian suffered a concussion in his collision with Eric Bailly in Wednesday's Carabao Cup defeat to Manchester United.
Ancelotti said that Everton would abide by concussion protocols and leave Richarlison out of the trip to Bramall Lane and suggested that it would present an opportunity for “the players that did not play a lot. For this game, they can show their qualities.”
The manager has hinted as such before, particularly in reference to Niels Nkounkou, only for the Frenchman to continue to be left out of the squad, but if he intends to give game time to some more fringe players, the likes of Anthony Gordon, Bernard and Cenk Tosun could benefit, particularly if Ancelotti intends to give a rest to Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Sheffield United, who be without a key man of their own in Sander Berge, have struggled for goals this season but scored twice against Man United nine days ago and almost claimed their first win of the season at Brighton last Sunday, only for the Seagulls to deny them with a very late equaliser.
That modest improvement will give Wilder's men encouragement and it means they will be no light touch, especially on their own turf.
Kick-off: 8pm, Saturday 26 December, 2020
Referee: David Coote
VAR: Chris Kavanagh
Last Time: Sheffield United 0 - 1 Everton
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Davies, Doucouré, Bernard, Iwobi, Gordon, Calvert-Lewin
Reader Comments (220)
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2 Posted 26/12/2020 at 07:48:33
3 Posted 26/12/2020 at 08:09:36
All of us are armchair managers and Carlo rarely seems to follow our advice ( haha) but the groundswell on Wednesday was "not Gomes" and he was truly awful. What is it that we can see that Carlo can not ?
DCL perhaps deserves a rest but he is too important. That said, I do not buy into this mantra of players needing time off. They run around ( well, some of them ) for 95 mins and they have a bit of a kickabout at Finch Farm for an hour or two inbetween supported by a host of coaches, physios, nutritionists, psychologists etc but are too tired or stressed to play two or three times a week. Tommy Lawton turned out Boxing day morning and afternoon for us and for Tranmere and then probably had a turkey dinner and 5 pints before knocking them in at the weekend.
We need a combative and committed performance from a team of players desperate to play and to win and we need a manager to pick those players. We need 11 Colemans/Keanes/DCLs/Godfreys. Not 5 or 6 and some lightweight additions.
I can always accept defeat but only if we have played to the max and the opposition have been better on the day.
4 Posted 26/12/2020 at 08:19:07
With City coming two days later closely followed by West Ham the question may be do you rotate against Sheffield or City? Or a bit against both?
Two wins and a loss in these three games would be much better than three draws and part of me wonders if you just put out a second string team against City who would be favourite even against our (tired) strongest XI but thats a fairly unpalatable approach.
Whatever happens Id like to see the likes of Gordon, Branthwaite and Nkoukou get some game time over the next week or so. To my eyes all of them deserve more game time than Carlo has given them.
5 Posted 26/12/2020 at 08:30:34
6 Posted 26/12/2020 at 08:37:55
The way I see it is that we need three points from the next two games and this is the game we can win.
I watched Sheffield recently and they were unlucky not to win at Brighton with 10 men. It will be very tough game.
I do fancy Domenic to score against his home town club.
7 Posted 26/12/2020 at 08:48:20
Telling porkies somewhere along the lines Mr Ancelotti !
Now missing at least for another 3-4 games by sound of it. Weather too cold ! Too wet !
Just tell us whats wrong with the lad
8 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:01:50
9 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:21:24
If Gordon...and the Team, can't put in a decent performance Vs - all due respect etc. - a team with only 2pts out of 42 ??
10 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:28:51
11 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:29:02
DCL will want to play in this one but we surely cant risk a thrashing by City by playing duds like Tosun. James is a mystery- he seemed ok in the Derby when he was supposedly injured and has not been seen since. Very strange!
Id play Nkounkou today and leave out Siggy and André. Bernard too lightweight for Sheffield.
12 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:31:14
Pickford
Coleman Mina Godfrey Branthwaite
Davies Doucoure Holgate Nkounkou
DCL Gordon
Subs: Olsen, Kenny, Siggy, Gomes, Bernard, Tosun, Simms
And against Man City:
Pickford
Coleman Keane Godfrey Branthwaite
Davies Holgate Siggy
Iwobi Tosun Richarlison
Subs: Olsen, Kenny, Nkounkou, Gordon, Gomes, Bernard, DCL
13 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:46:40
I'd use Gordon but not Davies as the latter has been way off his game.
Don't like the suggested mid-field mix Ajay. Why leave out Doucoure for G's sake?
NO to Tosun FFS. Calvert Lewin a MUST in this game. (or Simms??)
Back four Coleman, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey. Branthwaite definitely on the bench and Nkounkou, too.
14 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:50:08
As Carlo seems to prefer picking experienced players I predict Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Godfrey, Gomes, Holgate, Doucoure, Iwobi, Sigurdsson, Calvert-Lewin.
Id prefer Gordon in there so hope he gets to play at some point.
15 Posted 26/12/2020 at 09:50:40
Pickford
Coleman
Godfrey
Keane
Holgate
Davies
Doucoure
Iwobi
Nkounkou
DCL
Richarlison
16 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:00:21
17 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:01:37
18 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:07:11
Their record to date is
P 14
W 0
D 2
L 12
F 8
A 25
Yeah, I'm really shitting it about tonight!!
19 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:25:21
Olsen,
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Godfrey,
Iwobi, Doucoure, Holgate, Gordon,
DCL, Sims (if Richarlison is sidelined).
Good luck blues.
20 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:26:43
I know Everton have an extensive injury list and that key players are missing, but surely that's the time for the remaining players to stand up and be counted?
The 'bonus' points we acquired in the last three league games will count for nothing if the team fails to garner any or many points in its next three matches.
I really don't want to see Everton's hopes of a European berth dashed by the first week in January for yet another season, so I'm hoping for at least a couple of victories out of the next three matches
Small club mentality is the art of believing that Everton are incapable of winning more than a few games on the spin and that certain clubs and even unfancied clubs are expected to prevent Everton from winning well before a ball is kicked.
If Everton fail to win because the opponents were better on the day, fair enough, we move on and try again, if Everton fail because they didn't believe that they could win before the kick-off, we need to question the reasons for that attitude being allowed to circulate within the club.
21 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:30:11
22 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:34:36
That said, our squad hasn't enough quality in depth, so I expect we will struggle with a mainly second-eleven selection.
23 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:37:47
If anyone has to be rested, it should be Coleman.
I hope Richarlison can play but, if not, I would go with Gordon.
Olsen,
Holgate, Keane, Mina, Godfrey
Iwobi, Doucouré, Gomes, Gordon
Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin
Up the Blues !!!!
24 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:39:20
I hope our front line got some new scoring boots for Christmas. In the last six games, they have managed one goal each, that is not good enough for mid-table – never mind Europe.
25 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:40:55
26 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:52:43
Away win all day long.
27 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:53:43
Will the Everton Goose be cooked or look a right Turkey?
As long as we don't get stuffed.
Seasonings Greetings.
28 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:54:54
The strength of the back 4 is their unity, not 3 of them + another. 2 of those players, Holgate and Mina, were also goal scorers in those 3 games, whose goals made sure Everton gained 6 of those 9 points
Ancelotti has stated that Richarilson won't play tonight because of concussion protocols. So, there is an opportunity for Gordon to play, but that still leaves Everton 'thin' up front with Calvert-Lewin as the only recognised striker. Tosun maybe given a chance on the basis there is no other striker available.
Everton team in a 4-4-2 formation v Sheffield United:
Pickford
Holgate
Mina
Keane
Godfrey
Davies
Doucouré
Iwobi
Calvert-Lewin
Tosun
Gordon
29 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:54:59
I heard somewhere that Carlo said he is happy with this squad of players?? So when he said he has been brought here to take EFC to the top, he must've meant to the top of "The Best of The Rest" because, despite our current position, that will be the best we can achieve.
30 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:58:26
A massive game tonight and 3 good points to be taken.
After Wednesday's match, the squad owes us a performance and tonight will be a test of character; I expect Sheffield to be steaming into Everton.
But, with the quality of our squad to theirs, and hopefully if Richarlison plays, then great... but, if not, with Gordon coming in, then Everton should be able to win this match.
Massive game and hopefully no messing about and a professional performance by Everton tonight.
31 Posted 26/12/2020 at 10:59:33
He seems to be the answer to our current issues, looking at some posts.
32 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:03:30
We are better than the crew all over the park. The only people we need worry about is ourselves. We can go into the New Year in the top four. We just need to start believing we belong there.
33 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:05:11
34 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:05:24
35 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:17:57
No, I don't mean Jagielka.
36 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:19:42
Normally, you would dismiss this as another crank report and that may be the case, but he had a supposedly minor injury which was expected to keep him out for possibly 2 games. Now we hear he won't be involved today or against Man City, and may not make it for the West Ham game. Which makes me think there may be more to this piece than I originally thought.
37 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:23:05
I think he has a good chance of developing into a top player but we need to let him develop gradually. In my opinion, he should not be starting games at this point.
Have him on the bench with 20- or 30-minute appearances. He develops gradually then.
38 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:29:07
Pickford,
Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Nkounkou
Davies, Gomes
Iwobi, Bernard, Gordon
Tosun.
So, for the bigger game coming up, we would have the more important players ready, such as Keane, Mina, Doucouré, Sigurdsson, Richarlison, and Calvert-Lewin as they have been playing a lot lately and deserve a rest tonight... except they need to come on as subs depending on how things develop tonight. Getting a good outcome in a tournament does not depend on the starting XI but the whole group.
39 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:37:40
No Tosun!!!
40 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:38:08
Also, I am sorry but I don't share the defeatism about the Man City game. They have great quality but will be missing both Jesus and Walker, the former being a serial scorer when playing Everton. I think we are in with a shout if the right Everton turns up. COYBB
41 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:38:09
42 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:38:39
Holgate alongside Doucouré in the middle to give us some mobility.
43 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:39:19
44 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:39:32
We all hope for a win but, deep down, we all know what could happen here and Ryan Brewster has not scored a single goal for them yet, just saying like!
Boxing Day results are often weird. Didn't we beat Burnley away 5-1 on this day 2 years ago, unsurprisingly! That is the only time in recent memory that we actually dominated a game.
Fingers crossed.
45 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:40:59
46 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:44:32
I would play Kenny at right-back with Bernard on the right-hand side of an attacking 3. Bernard is good at creating space for full-backs to cross.
Gordon on the left of the attacking 3 with Godfrey at left-back. I feel that Godfrey will be a safer bet behind Gordon than Nkounkou.
Holgate and Keane at centre-back, I feel that Sheffield Utd will have their best chances on the break, Mina and Keane will be too slow.
Davies, Doucouré and Gomes in the middle. Davies will be the defensive option, likely filling in for Kenny when he goes forward, Doucouré the box-to-box midfielder and Gomes advanced, hopefully interchanging with Bernard and Gordon.
Probably not everyone's first choice...
47 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:45:10
We have to work harder to create more for Dom and not leave him so isolated. Play to his strengths rather than him having to come deep and do the things he is not so good at.
48 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:50:32
Tosun!! Are you serious? Might as well just throw the points away. Carlo has to learn from the three games without Richarlison where he showed no vision or inspiration not giving youth a chance. Forget about the likes of Bernard. I can't believe a man of his experience is still trying to get a tune out of the same group.
If Simms or Onyango are not ready or good enough, then fair enough, but it's suicidal not to even try. Look at Lampard at Chelsea! That may be a bad example but come on, the likes of Sheffield United will relish the chance to play a predictable Everton.
Oh and please see past this supposed renaissance of Sigurdsson. We shouldn't be clinging to him or Coleman three after they should've been replaced. But that's same old friendly Blues – scared to let go.
49 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:56:51
If we had another Rooney in the youth setup, he would be playing.
Gordon and Nkounkou train with the first team. If they were flying they would be playing.
I would bring in Holdgate for Gomes and Gordon for Richarlison. This will be another defensive based game where we are pinning our scoring hopes on Calvert-Lewin or Sigurdsson.
50 Posted 26/12/2020 at 11:59:54
51 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:02:40
It will be interesting to see what changes Ancelotti makes. I do think he will select Mina. Sheffield Utd will attack in front of the defence, with crosses to get in behind. This suits Mina.
52 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:02:56
53 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:08:28
They would stand naked, wash and bathe themselves, comb their long hair, polish their shields and swords, showing disdain for their enemy – a complete lack of fear, a belief in their own ability.
54 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:09:27
You don't get more points for beating Man City, so for me, we have to put out the best 11 tonight then worry about Man City on Monday.
55 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:10:03
That'd be my approach too, mate.
56 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:10:29
Great tactics.
57 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:19:25
Up The Blues.
58 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:23:19
I don't think he'll play centre-midfield under Carlo.
59 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:25:40
I would hope if Richarlison doesn't make it then he gives Gordon a start, he has got to be a better option than Bernard. With replacing Gomes against Man Utd it seems Carlo has little faith in him, but maybe playing weaker opposition he might have little choice but to use Gomes for some of the game. I agree that Tosun is a very poor choice to replace Calvert-Lewin, but it just highlights the folly of sending Kean out on loan.
60 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:28:16
61 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:29:39
62 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:32:39
Simms should be given a place on the bench and Calvert-Lewin has to play. I'd start Holgate ahead of Coleman because the back four with him in has delivered clean sheets.
The big problem is getting accurate crosses in to Calvert-Lewin. Iwobi can't deliver so Gordon has to be given the opportunity. Gordon simply has to play and prove that he is as good as he believes he is. Given the chance, I think he'll open his account or at least provide Calvert-Lewin with an assist.
Come on Blues and deliver what would be, for us, a shock win.
63 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:33:04
So, as some say, strongest team possible tonight; win it, and then see what we can get from Monday's game. Pep is renowned for chopping and changing his team week by week, so God knows what team he will put out against us.
64 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:33:05
Ideally we win this game... then park the bus again vs City. If we do play Tosun, Bernard, Gordon... how about we play to their strengths? I have no idea what team he will pick. Get 3 points today please blues, the table will look good for the new year and we have some momentum.
65 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:37:37
And when the dust settles tonight what position could we be in?
66 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:40:36
John # 62, would you care to elaborate why it would be a shock win for us?
67 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:41:29
68 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:48:10
In the meantime, what position were we when Allardyce was binned and what position could we be in when the dust settles tonight?
Sat on leads? Hmmm. No credit to Carlo for being in the lead in the first place?
69 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:49:32
70 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:51:53
71 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:52:47
72 Posted 26/12/2020 at 12:53:42
Thinking back to Anfield when Calvert-Lewin got us a very contentious penalty, I'd obviously have to disagree with that comment Ian, because that is one memory that hasn't faded.
73 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:05:43
I don't give a fuck about Istanbul, Ian. Why should you?
Rob's just pointed out one example of Allardyce's negative tactics. Plenty more where that came from.
Potentially lose the leads? Yeah good one. You'd be slaughtering him for chasing the game and going for more goals and then letting some in and not winning.
74 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:09:39
75 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:16:41
76 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:20:27
He won on 3 other occasions.
77 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:21:53
78 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:23:08
79 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:24:38
80 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:28:17
If not possible I would start Bernard, better from the off than a sub. Gordon to come on after 60 mins when Bernard is tired.
Sigurdsson to stay forward. He's never a midfielder and I prefer him as the second forward or No 10. He does put effort in; just a little slow and lacks tackling ability to play midfield.
Godfrey and Holgate full-backs. Sheffield Utd like to put plenty of crosses and long balls in so a bigger stronger defense makes sense.
81 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:29:47
Lets hope we can muster some confidence and intent tonight.
82 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:31:46
83 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:32:22
84 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:36:33
85 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:42:11
86 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:46:00
87 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:48:21
I mean, it's almost as if he is the most successful manager ever to be appointed at the club? But sure, he loses leads.
I agree that currently the football is boring. But this isn't Fat Sam style. He didn't even try to win games. Match after match, with barely an attempt on goal, let alone on target. £50 million or more on two players who achieved the sum total of fuck all at the club, versus £50 million on 3 players who it's hard to imagine not being the first on the team sheet when fit.
Too many injuries. Team not able to get any real continuity. That's why he has resorted to functional football, to get results.
88 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:48:49
89 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:51:21
90 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:51:41
Many, many more.
Mike Walker?
Walter Smith?
And on and on
91 Posted 26/12/2020 at 13:52:16
92 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:02:23
I expect ugly tonight but a win will put the smile back on many faces. COYB.
93 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:12:36
Weve wet our pants on every meaningful occasion I can recall over the last few decades but Wednesday was something else. I would be interested to hear if other Blues can recall a worse passage of play.
Anyway, lets get behind them for tonight. Hope springs eternal. I was so disappointed after the United game because I like and support Ancelotti and thought he had developed a system which we could play to. But dropping Holgate and picking Gomes for that game really pissed me off. As did the failure to bring on Gordon who is a direct, talented player (I agree with you he is raw). The disappearance of Nkounkou (also raw) is another mystery.
We have to start taking some risks, the players we have now are better than Allardyce, Walker or Smith had at their disposal though I also agree with you that we need still to acquire more quality, as I am sure do all Blues.
Lets throw off our mental chains and be courageous. Ive followed the club since 1954 and, my God, weve been crap for most of the way. Its because I feel were so close to getting it right that I am so annoyed.
94 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:18:22
All the best mate
95 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:21:42
96 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:23:20
Am I getting this right? Is this how you do it?
97 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:23:45
98 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:24:42
99 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:26:37
100 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:29:15
101 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:39:56
The manager will put out a weakened team tonight, mistakenly thinking that will be enough to beat Sheffield United. And we will lose as Sheffield United aren't that bad.
Then he'll put out a stronger team vs Man City and we will lose that too.
He ought to be prioritising tonight's game.
102 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:42:36
103 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:43:18
This is going to be an ugly game. This is the type of game where style points don't matter at all. We simply need actual points, three of them to be precise.
104 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:45:41
105 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:47:19
Ancelotti has already said he will rotate for the Man City game.
106 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:48:03
107 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:48:30
Come on, get real. That's the most ludicrous thing I've read on TW possibly ever.
108 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:49:08
109 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:50:14
A.Keeper
Coleman Keane Holgate Godfrey
Davies Sigurdsson Doucoure
Iwobi DCL and Gomes (alongside DCL as joint striker)
Rest the best and take a chance, no, nobody brave enough.
110 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:50:54
sounds familiar,so this is the time to dig in and stop these type of results, if Ancelotti is as he says is ambitious. It is a waste of time saying who Ancrlotti should or shouldn't play as he has a mind of his own, just hope who ever he picks takes pride in the shirt they are privileged to wear and put the effort in to take all 3pts.
111 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:53:11
Just when we think they are getting it together they give an awful performance like they did against Manure and in fact Manure should have been out of site in the first 20 minutes long before Richie went off and Cavani scored.
Hate the fact that the Blades haven't won yet.
Has to be a different attitude completely from the off here as the Blades will be playing with a lot of desperation.
112 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:54:14
Hard to believe isnt it!
113 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:58:36
114 Posted 26/12/2020 at 14:59:52
Give us your team for tonight please mate.
115 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:09:18
No, oh alright, don't watch it, I don't think anyone on here gives a shit whether you watch it or not!!
Seriously, why do people feel the need to come on and say they won't be watching the game?
116 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:18:00
EDIT: OK, Patrick for a time, I think...
117 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:19:17
118 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:20:04
119 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:23:54
120 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:24:13
Olsen
Holgate
Mina
Keane
Godfrey
Davies
Doucouré
Sigurdsson
Iwobi
Richarlison (if fit; Gordon if he's not fit)
Calvert-Lewin
I'd rather have nobody on the bench than Tosun.
121 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:26:00
Comparisons with Allardyce must be escapees from Rainhill mental hospital.
IMO we need to go for goals today so I would play Gordon and Nkoukou to give v us some b pace on the left flank.
122 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:29:46
123 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:31:18
124 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:32:34
125 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:33:58
126 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:34:27
127 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:35:15
I never wanted Ancelotti and think he's being massively overpaid for what he's doing. Some of the performances this season have been beyond appalling. Wednesday, against a second-string Man Utd, was a disgrace. Some of his substitutions defy belief.
I'm far from convinced in his ability to win anything with Everton. And yes, I know he's won a million trophies with big teams.
128 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:36:13
Rob #115
you are fighting a loosing battle mate, if you were sat next to them two moaners at Goodison you'd tell them to fuckoff. please just fuckoff.
129 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:39:48
130 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:41:34
Anything less will be tragic and will reflect the fact that we still have a long way to go to be a team worthy of the top four or five.
Offensively we are still not there and we really need some new blood in that area to make the grade to a better club.
131 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:44:58
132 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:47:21
133 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:48:17
Would like Nkounkou on the left wing ahead of Godfrey. We lose so many crossing chances because no left footer on that flank.
Simms, Gordon and Branthwaite all deserve a place on the bench but Simms, right now, is very unpolished even at U23s level. However, if we're a goal or two up and Sheff Utd are chasing the game, he'd be a good enough player to knock long balls up to. He's quick and his finishing is good.
134 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:49:08
Irrelevant of what you think of Carlo, he has done more with this club, this season than fat Sam would of in a decade.
He gets paid well because of his CV. Just like Gordon Ramsey would if you wanted to employ him, or if you wanted Mick Jagger to play at your birthday or Nick Faldo to be your golf coach.
Having a 20 minute wobble isnt a season breaker. Its part of football. Games are decided by the full time result, not a portion of the game. Utd won because they could bring on two attacking players that would walk into our side along side cavani. They were just better.
Virtually no one is praising the football at present, but with a depleted squad he is managing to get results. In the league we have taken 13 points from 18 available in last 6 games. Thats 6 points less than we had at Christmas last year, after 19 games. In just 6 games.
Silva played some nice football, so did Bobby. But when it went to shit they couldnt get the team to win ugly. Alladyce steadied the ship, but played the worst football I have ever seen this club play, to grind out draws.
135 Posted 26/12/2020 at 15:53:53
137 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:00:37
As stated repeatedly on here, nobody will succeed at Goodison whilst Kenwright continues to stink the place out.
138 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:01:20
139 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:03:21
140 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:03:24
141 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:06:03
Slightly mistimed there Tony yes but Im sure youll still see the game!
142 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:06:39
143 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:08:56
Talking of that sort of thing, theres a fine piece with the lost, hugely talented soul, Billy Kenny, in The Athletic. Im too old and incompetent to link, Im sorry to say.
144 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:09:11
145 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:09:15
146 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:09:56
Pickford
Coleman Mina Keane Godfrey
Davies Gomes Doucoure Iwobi
Sigurdsson
DCL.
147 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:09:56
I really like the Swansea manager, Steve Cooper.
148 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:10:16
149 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:11:50
Bugger me.
Basically you have no answer to that question as to who you would prefer do you? Fair enough if you did. I would have preferred Poch at the time, but apparently we couldnt get a manager of his Calibre!! (Also, in hindsight, with our old leggy team he would have struggled to get the lads playing in his style for more than 45 mins a game)
But now the big man is in, he is doing a good job. 4 th place at start of today, 4 best paid manager in the league! With apparently the 7th most valuable squad (transfermarkt) site
150 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:12:41
Chris Wilder is a fantastic manager. He's had a very poor season but his track record is fantastic.
151 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:12:56
152 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:13:39
It sounds to me that you would have preferred we kept Fat Sam on as he stopped the club from being relegated, even though the football was sterile.
Guess what, even though some of the football is not the standard we would all like to see, this manager that you are always quick to put down ( and you have the right to express your opinion ) he has us in the top 4 with the omission through suspension and injurious of our more influential players.
Tell me who do you believe Everton's manager should be and why ? and was he available when we were looking for a new manager, and would have he come to a struggling club.
153 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:16:08
I understand why many posters are concerned as we have been a gift for many a poor team/striker etc to turn their fortunes around against.
I hope to see Gordon play and Dom desperately needs some service, been feeding off scrappy scraps for a few weeks now.
Up The Toffees!
154 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:20:57
And Ian glad to see you back mate, three more pertinent questions might be what position were we in when Allardyce was binned, what position will we be if we win tonight and are you giving Carlo any credit for being ahead against Arsenal and Chelsea? Or just going to have a pop at him cos we could have potentially lost a goal ? Thats four questions...sorry.
155 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:21:46
156 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:23:45
157 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:24:07
158 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:28:11
Before covid, positive used to be a good thing but I think to many people have been scared into talking about the positives.
Smile, its still Christmas's time, supposedly with less stress and a day to unwind and enjoy the gifts and sport on TV. Be merry, I'm going for an exciting 3-1 win!
159 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:29:03
Carlo has done a tremendous job. Our team has way over-achieved. There is no way our talent is top four, especially with injuries to the starting 11. Our top three subs right now would get nowhere near the bench of any top team.
160 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:30:53
Carlo has had success at big clubs.
Wilder has got Northampton, Oxford and Sheffield United promoted twice.
161 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:31:40
162 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:34:09
163 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:36:29
164 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:37:10
Carlo is doing a great job and in time we will be able to compete properly with Uniteds and Citys etc at the top.Lets just give him a chance - hes only been here for 5 minutes!
165 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:38:31
Wow! Fantastico record, you might say...
166 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:39:11
And I'd be quite happy to see an industrious Tosun starting.
167 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:43:03
168 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:46:58
169 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:51:23
At last, we have a fantastic manager who has won the lot and the improvements he has made in such a short time are noteworthy. Ancelotti is an artist and will create a masterpiece given time.
Allardyce took a big shit at Goodison and didn't even wipe his arse.
170 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:52:39
Wow — never thought I'd see that in written format.
172 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:53:11
With Holgate in midfield to accommodate Coleman, I dare say that Davies too, if he plays, doesn't instil any degree of confidence in me. I know we are devoid of available players at the moment but, as a few have suggested, give a youngster a chance.
173 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:54:01
174 Posted 26/12/2020 at 16:58:57
Doing a great job at Swansea.
And plays very attractive football.
Plus knows all the inside track on our red friends.
All irrelevant of course as Everton seem to do no planning when it comes to managers.
175 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:00:50
What is the team you would want it to be?
176 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:02:21
177 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:03:44
Coleman Keane Mina Godfrey
Iwobi Doucouré Davies Richarlison (Gordon)
Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin
That team has got to be good enough to beat Sheffield Utd. We should be under no illusions it will be a battle but if we are ready for that fight and match them physically our quality will win the day.
Sheffield Utd 1 Everton 3
178 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:03:49
179 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:03:54
That said, I'm going for a draw tonight. Hope he keeps the same back 4 what won the 3 league games on the spin. We looked more solid with that defence.
180 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:05:25
Ancelotti has brought in Allan, James, Doucouré, Godfrey and Branthwaite.
Allardyce brought in Tosun and Walcott.
I'm interested in your observations regarding each managers transfer dealings.
181 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:06:35
182 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:07:32
We have too many injuries to be confident tonight. It isn't going to be a pretty game, so the result is difficult to predict. It will be who wants it the most, and I'm hoping it's us.
Probably not many goals, 2-1 to us with my blue glasses on.
183 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:08:02
A couple of Evertonians would prefer Allardyce or Cooper as our manager rather than a manager whi has won 3x CL, league titles in 4 different countries and 20 trophies in total.
I had to post it twice as seeing is believing
184 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:08:17
Now we have a multi-Champions League winning manager and you're suggesting we go back to the Championship?
186 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:09:20
What does that tell you about certain Evertonians?
187 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:10:47
Doing it the other way round, ie, many changes tonight, will mean we will end up with 0 points from these two games. Be pragmatic and go for the points tonight.
So the team tonight:
Pickford
Coleman, Mina, Keane, Godfrey
Doucouré, Davies, Sigurdsson
Iwobi Calvert-Lewin Richarlison
(or Tosun if Richarlison is deemed to be concussed).
He won't give Gordon a chance tonight.
Changes for City; all following will get a game: Olsen, Holgate, Nkounkou, Gomes, Bernard, Tosun, Gordon
188 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:11:05
190 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:13:24
The manager doesn't miss tackles or misplace passes, or miss sitters. No use being better than them all over the park on paper if you don't actually play better than them on the day.
191 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:14:31
Don't concern yourself too much.
It will all be brushed under the carpet when we get 3 points later.
192 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:17:07
I fully expect him to do it tonight.
194 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:23:03
You didn't tap Mike Walker for the Everton job while you were in Norwich did you?
195 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:24:40
For the record, l liked Moyes, l had time for Martinez and Allardyce (for the job he did with an awful misshaped squad, half of them injured but some just hate).
Koeman was utter shite who didn't respect the club and Silva won the lottery getting the Everton job. Both of them had fuck-all to do with Bill Kenwright ffs. I mean why even bring him into it?
Carlo has his faults and, if not for the run of 3 games backs to the wall, we could be down in 9th. However, we are not. A chance to be 2nd? I will take any win... just keep it going any way we can till we have Allan, James and Digne back.
197 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:35:17
Carlo Ancelotti is without 4 first 11 players –
mine and Carlo's magic just won't work. Now for the xBox and armchair managers... Carlo can only select from what we have available.
I have no idea what the team will be. I do however seem to remember that, if you don't concede, you don't get beat!! I agree with all: go for the 3 points tonight but not at the long-term injuries of exhausted players. COYBB who-ever is selected. I will support them as they wear our shirt!!!!!
198 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:37:49
199 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:46:49
That Man Utd 'second team' had 9 changes from their previous game yet still had 11 full current international players on the pitch, some second team.
For fuck's sake, let's have sensible comparisns!!!
Editorial Team
200 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:48:27
Sorry, Geoff Lambert, but there's zero tolerance for that 'reds in the henhouse' kopite witchhunt shite. Be man enough to address comments you might not like directly... or not. At the moment, it's 'not'.
'
201 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:57:17
Good reliable keeper and a defence that has pace and power. Not the best individuals but its not easy to go through or around them.
Going forward lots of energy and movement from attack minded players. Grealish is a top class player and it's good to see he puts a shift in. They have 4 good options when playing forward all with pace and power and a good skill set.
This is not unusual. Look at teams in top half. Most have 3 to 5 attacking players that work for the team and have pace to frighten defenders. Simple but effective.
We have 2, DCL and Ric. It just shows the difference in squads. This has come about through poor recruitment and management. Carlo can definitely help improve our attacking options through recruiting top class players that want to play for him.
Anti-Carlo chatter is hilarious. I may disagree with his lineups and substitutions but I trust he knows more about the players than I do.
I was disappointed to hear booing vs Man U. Let's just support our players whilst playing. Slag them off in forums such as this if you need too.
202 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:57:29
203 Posted 26/12/2020 at 17:59:24
It's astonishing.
204 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:00:40
Some fans need to take up yoga and chill out.
205 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:03:10
206 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:06:54
207 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:07:46
208 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:10:43
"Mr Williams, Mr Williams, wake up now you're in the recovery room. All finished."
209 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:13:09
Going back to Wednesday's abject failure against Man United, very similar to performances against Newcastle & Southampton. I've been a critic of Sigurdsson this season, but he was one of the best of a bad bunch Wednesday night. Gomes shocking. Iwobi back to his headless chicken routine, Bernard awful when he came on, Tom Davies disappointing. It was like watching an average pub team. No possession, passing awful, no spirit, etc.
For those calling to give Ancelotti more time (we've had him over a year now) and we need at least 3 transfer windows etc. will not work - we repeat the same rubbish with every new foreign manager. Why didn't we give Duncan Ferguson more time? At least the team showed some fight and spirit.
We all thought we had a Rolls-Royce of a manager. Do you honestly think, if Ancelotti still had what it takes, that other bigger and better teams in Europe would have snapped him up??? We are kidding ourselves.
We will lose tonight and go on another dismal run.
He is not going to do it for us. As one ToffeeWebber said the other night, all our victories have had a touch of luck.
210 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:13:17
Geoff's @173 should receive the best post of the year award. Subtle, brutal and very very funny.
The Live Forum tonight with posters with a full days Xmas booze in them should be a sight to behold.
211 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:14:24
212 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:15:02
I remember David Smallman scoring a great overhead kick vs blades in 1974 as we where closing in on the title, top of the league in late March. You can guess the rest. Tony Currie scored the winner after us going two up courtesy of Dai the Drop. Now that was a depressing decade =!
213 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:16:15
214 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:20:45
215 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:20:50
Wow!
216 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:30:20
Yeah, great choice he'd have been...
I can't believe some of the shite I read on here.
217 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:31:43
218 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:32:26
Why are denying some Evertonians the right to hold negative opinions on the manager?
Surely if posting here tells you anything, it is that we do not all think the same.
219 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:32:48
We have 6 out.
220 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:37:10
Here's a thought. Imagine destiny had any of Koeman, Silva or Allardyce winning the league for us, had we held on for a season or two. I know, I know... but do I? No-one knows for certain.
We've done enough chopping and changing for now. I have to admit to a little concern at what happened Wednesday, and the substitution policy, and the side-lining of certain (potential) players, and the team shape more than once.
There have been several performances under Ancelotti that have looked like the previous three managers; nothing from them that got us near where we've been this season and are right now.
Of course there's no way Carlo is clueless, and no way he lacks anything the previous incumbents had to offer. We won't get relegated. We likely won't win anything.
Personally I'd like us to finish high enough to qualify for Europe, while simultaneously wondering if playing in Europe next year is perhaps too early.
There's something going on. It's a little hard to read and it's throwing up disappointments, it's in fits and starts - but it's improving. See the table.
Getting in a player or two with real heart, and banishing the dreadful loser gene that seems to haunt this team too often would go some way too. We haven't really been a "Team" for far too long. This is at the very heart of where we are going. I hope that can be addressed. It must be hard to work with for any manager.
As to some of the suggestions as to alternative managers, if they're serious - yeah, OK then...
221 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:38:29
222 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:40:29
Thats beyond my remit.
How boring would it be if we did all think the same
223 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:41:28
Turnaround time for a struggling team - ULP!!
224 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:48:40
225 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:54:57
Carlo has had one transfer window to start turning this club around, we currently sit fourth in the table, we have quality young players like Godfrey, Holgate, DCL, Richarlison to go with good quality players like, Allan, Doucoure, James and Keane. Our problem is we need a couple more windows to build on this and get a better team and deeper squad, its not going to happen overnight !
226 Posted 26/12/2020 at 18:56:06
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1 Posted 26/12/2020 at 07:34:05