Everton vs Newcastle United

Personally I'd like us to add the creativity of Iwobi from the start. With him out right in a front 3 and James sitting in front of Doucouré and Davies, we have the scope to really boss this one.

I'd like to see Digne back in his Number 3 position, which would be harsh on Godfrey who has done nothing wrong. But, in the current game, squad rotation is inevitable and the lad will know he will be back in the side quickly.

And, just in case, nobody mentions this. I hope we've signed a back-up striker by now.

The key question: Will butter fingers keep his place is goal? Judging by most posts, the majority would like to see Robin Olsen take over.

This is a game we should win. Let's hope for some more James magic.

Coleman Keane Godfrey Digne

Doucouré Gomes

James

Iwobi. DCL. Richarlson

This game can be classed as a must win to keep up with the top 6 as all though we have games in hand, the opponents in these games will not make it very easy to get a result.

I would like to see more attacking in this game but watching previous games Ancelotti is usually cautious with any team, so I don't see many changes from the Leicester game except Doucoure will be available.

The average points required for a top four finish in the last six seasons is 71 points
(highest was 76 points, lowest 66 points)

The average points required for a top six finish in the last six seasons is 64 points
(highest was 69 points, lowest 59 points)

Observations:

1. Pickford probs won't start as others have said

2. I'd like to see Keane and Godfrey together as I suspect that will become our first choice pairing. Not necessarily for this match, although it would allow us to squeeze up a bit higher and apply more pressure.

3. If St Maximin is fit and plays on the left, Coleman probably needs Iwobi ahead of him for a bit of support. Rodriguez moves central or left.

4. I'd really like to see Richarlison much closer to DCL as a support striker. He needs to be in the box, not acting as an auxillary full back.

Olsen (keep him in now)
Godfrey
Keane
Mina
Digne
Iwobi
Doucoure
Sigurdsson
Rodriguez (10)
Richarlison
DCL

Start the game on the front foot, it's a f#ckin' abject Newcastle side, none of this sitting deep and letting them dictate.

That team I've selected there should have enough about it to get at Newcastle and stamp their authority early on.

Big game tomorrow coyb!

Does your source indicate if Pickford has been dropped because of the Leicester mishap, or is it again the case that he can't behave himself against Newcastle (even without fans to rile him up)?

Carlo Newcastle Presser

When asked a direct question about whether Pickford will play, he neatly side-steps it.

'I never give out full team team in a presser. We have a lot of games coming up. Jordan like other players will be rotated. I haven't decided who plays in goal tomorrow.

'Yes, he made a mistake. He knows that. But he has my confidence and the team's confidence. I think rotating with Olsen has helped improve him.'

On defending: 'We are in a good position in the league because of our defending. We have shown we are good and confident in a low block, defending deep. I don't want or expect my attacking players like James, DCL and Richarlison defending. The next step is playing with the same confidence and defensive solidity 15 metres further up the pitch so we we press the opposition higher and create more attacking opportunities for the team.

'We have fantastic headers of the ball and it is no coincidence that with the delivery of the likes of James and Siggy we score from dead ball situations. We play to our qualities and that is one of our best qualities.'

Kinda indicates he knows what he's doing and knows where he wants us to go.

Since joining us didn't he always so his job at Everton is one of evolution, not revolution?

Most Everton fans understand it already.
You cant go from the state we were in, straight into a side playing free flowing football when you havent got free flowing players.
Hopefully it gives the doubters a bit of insight.

I remain 100% confident in the manager.

Carlo's pressers are a breath of fresh air after Marco Silva's. The latter was always on the defensive, "we are not changing how we play, tactics are right, team is right, just need to improve whilst doing everything exactly the same." Earlier this year after our great start, Carlo addressed our defensive frailty and clearly has fixed it. He has more recently been talking about retaining possession better and clearly we have (for the most part done that). The other thing I would point out is that the "park the bus" tag is applied by some as if the intent was just to create a siege situation around our own goal. Klopp accused Man Utd of doing just that recently. But Solskjaer retorted saying, that wasn't the plan, it just looked that way because his team were careless in possession so their attacks didn't come to fruition. I believe it was the same with us against Leicester. Yes we were conservative but when we did have the ball we didn't use it wisely, lost it and put ourselves back under pressure.

Hoping we somehow obtain a goalscorer before the deadline (but not looking good). Teams around us with way better Goal differences, and as the saying goes - goals win games.

This is a game we need to take it to the opposition, and I suspect Carlo knows that.

I don't doubt our defending for a second. We've looked so solid in the main.

Does anyone think this is our best "defensive team" in the last 15 years?
I think it is.

Ergo, we need to go at teams like New Castle and make them defend.

This will be an entirely different game compared to the Leicester game.

I don't know. As recently as RM's first season in 2014 we only conceded 39 goals with the old guard of Jags, Coleman, Baines, Distin, Howard. I'd say that group had a better balance between being attacking/defensive too

Holgate, Mina, Keane

Coleman. Duke, Davies, James, Digne

DCL Ritchie.

With Siggi for James after the hour and Gomes for Davies.

Obviously once the games put to bed. I hope for a 3-1 COYBB

Olsen
Coleman
Mina
Keane
Godfrey
Doucouré
Davies or Holgate
Iwobi
James
Digne
Calvert-Lewin

I've selected the players in form and shoehorned them into a system.

Just watched the Brighton game where Pickford dropped the simplest of catches and conceded a goal.

I never wish to see the sight of him thumping the ground in frustration again, just make the save. His ground thumping reminds me of Ashley Williams pulling his shirt over his head, never want to be seen.

For some reason, Richarlison can't seem to beat his man and is benched.

Gomes too slow.

Seamus and Digne to provide the crosses for Calvert-Lewin and James and Iwobi the creative chances.

Carlo has got us defending again without conceding, earlier in the season we needed to score two goals a game or more to win it.

One can only presume the next part is to be more active upfront without giving anything away at the back. Our best eleven is a match for anybody at the moment but we need a better back up when more than a couple are out injured or suspended.

Oh the fickleness of most supporters of any team.Being a follower of Everton means that your favourite ride at the Fairground is the Roller Coaster. OR if you are still living on past glories, The Ghost Train.

The link is working fine. They always show a still photo before going live.

Just advance the video to around the 8 mins 30 secs mark and you will see and hear Carlo.

Ancelotti

Team
Olsen
Godfrey Mina Keane Digne
Iwobi Doucoure Gomes
Rodrquiez
DCL Richarlison

I agree. Much like when Arsene inherited Graham's defence at Arsenal. As time went on he molded his own backline and they went downhill

Olsen
Coleman
Digne
Mina
Keane
Iwobi
Davies
Doucoure
Richarlson
DCL
James

in a 4 2 3 1 formation.

A lot depends on how well Digne has recovered from the Leicester game and how fit Iwobi actually is. Godfrey is very unlucky to lose his place but we must go out to win from the off and score as many as possible before shutting up shop. This is a must win game to prevent that gap at the top opening up anymore. Having lost 2 points in the week its time to take 3.

Before the window closes a couple of surprise incomings would be welcome. A striker and midfielder hopefully.

Best of luck blues, especially Richarlison in front of goal.

Olsen
Holgate Keane Mina Godfrey
Iwobi Doucoure Digne
James DCL Richarlison

Attack !

In the style of Tony S , COYB let's beat these Barcoded Bastards to a fucking pulp !

How many times have we thought that but seriously though it is against a struggling team and a good chance to avenge the result at Tyneside.

We have our own problems but if we are to show the rest of the Prem. that we will be a top four team if not this season then for sure the next then we have to impress against teams like the Barcodes.

C.O.Y.B.

I'd go for it tomorrow! High intensity from the start and wouldn't it be nice to have a comfortable win without having head in hands for last 10 minutes!

Olsen
Godfrey Mina Keane Digne
Davies Doucoure
Iwobi James Richarlson
DCL

Can't help thinking the United game only got changed because they are still in the FA Cup otherwise I think we would of been playing Monday and Wednesday that week.

Kieran (32) We think alike on that one.

Rob #6, your insider info is always appreciated. You're TW's Deep Throat (and I say that in a good way!).

Doucouré has become an irreplaceable cog and I'm happy he'll be back, but it's Allan I miss the most.

Meanwhile, of the nominated lineups I've seen here so far, I like Tony Everan's the best.

And I will, like all of you, take a special pleasure in our 3-0 victory becoming the final straw that sends Flatnose Brucie spiraling into a beach vacation. The Monday morning announcement of Rafa or Howe as the new Boss Barcode should give us appropriate credit for de-Brucing the Premier League once and for all.

I got it from the club's own website and I can see they can see me!

The KO times get automatically re-adjusted to my location - currently 3 hours difference for me here in Brazil.

Tomorrow's game v the Barcodes for example is listed for me as 9.30am, for obviously the 12.30pm KO.

I'm not suggesting the Barcodes will be a serious threat like Leicester, but shouldn't be taken for granted either. They are going through a poor spell but have also pulled off some surprising results too. Without sounding over optimistic we need to be getting that GD a lot better than it is plus increase the points tally.

I felt without another fumbling mistake by Pickford on Wednesday night we could well have hung on for all three points, so Olsen has to come back in, not only to teach him a lesson but to add stability to an already strong defence.

I didnt see you up there. So ya went through with it ?

Like Popeye used to say " Who does that guy think he is "?

Barry @ 30 -

This is why Ancelotti is brilliant. He recognizes we need to be more attacking, but he understands his players and the strengths of his current team. Change will come to our playing style. Game by game and season by season.

I've said forever and a day - give me a manager who analyzes his team and implements a system around it's strengths. Managers who "have a system" and try to implement that system no matter how well it fits into their present player pool, are fools. Carlo is no fool.

Kieran @21, you may be right. But where I'd give the upper hand to our current defensive players is that I truly believe this group will be much more reliable for a much longer period of time. That was a single season, and didn't pass the test-of-time mustard test. This group, man-for-man, is better defensively. And I think we're going to see the fruits of that for many years to come.

I Know there will be no fans there, but I still believe if it was any other team, then Pickford would start, so yes, I think it is down to the team we are playing, that Carlo might take him out of the firing line and give Olsen a run out.

Pickford
Digne Holgate Mina Godfrey * dropping keane may seem absurd, but who to drop?
Doucoure Davies
Rodrigues Richarlison Iwobi
DCL

This is the type of game we need to win. Too often we fuck up in this type.

Based on Carlo's comments I don't think DCL dropped his work rate, I think Carlo wants him up top as the fox in the box and not the workhouse running the channels as he was under Koeman. Obviously if we never get the ball near the box he looks like a lazy spectator but that's a consequence of the tactics and inept team mates

Anything less than a win by three clear goals will have the Ancelloti haters out in full force. It's not good enough, Newcastle are shite, the football was terrible and so on.

Winning by more than three will still be used as a stick to beat him with, why can't he do that more often, that was despite him not because of him etc etc.

Me, I think we will win 4-0 today, we have a few players with some demons to exorcise from the game up there, as well as being better individually and collectively and having a better manager.

I couldn't care less though what the football is like as long as we win. Anyone who thinks performance matters more than the result needs to give their head a wobble and take their trolling shite elsewhere.

COYB

It's harsh on Godfrey and Holgate, but in games like this we have to destroy the opposition from the off - and that means attacking full backs and wide players.

I think that playing this way needs a midfielder sitting to protect against the counter and, in Allans absence, that isn't Gomes.

He is honest, doesn't bullshit. He says how we are doing well, but could be better. How we are defending well, but need to attack better. He identifies where we need to improve, and how but explains also why we have set up as we have.

He is not like an Allardyce who would set the team up as 4-5-1 with 10 men behind the ball and would say he is happy with that and scoff at those who suggest we need to improve. Nothing of the sort.

Carlo talks with clarity that he targets Champions League, he challenges his players to improve and achieve Champions League - but he admits it is difficult. He admits we are reliant on specific players for goals, or set pieces, that our qualities are limited and need to improve.

This is a manager who knows what a World Class team is, he knows what a Champions League team is. When he's on the training field, he'll see more than anyone what we need to improve - that we need this, that, and the other.

Carlo has not been perfect, and the Everton performances have not been perfect - far from it, but for the first time in a long time I am 100% confident that Everton's future development does not depend on a change in manager.

Whether they have wised up, or have taken a severe enough kicking from opportunistic blues, or simply don't like the look of this Newcastle team. They are back to given nothing away. No value around for this one -Ten will get you five.
I'm hoping the trade off is that we open up and blitz these Geordie fuckers today. They are looking to stop the rot, so they will be a tough nut to crack, but if we can get an early one, we may just be able to expose a brittle confidence.

Fran Mitchell

Yep. You make a very fair point.

When accusations that Anceotti was only here to "top up his pension" were flying. I was front and center, but I have watched how he has warmed to the City, The fans and the club. He loves the place...I have been watching his interviews closely and think he believes he can do something special. You cant fake that..Not if your audience is largely made up of battle hardened cynical scouser's.

"Strike that accusation from the charge sheet, Your honor. There is no evidence to substantiate it" I was wrong.

Well said

You're happy to profit from Everton, but not to praise them.

How very Shakesperian. And mercernary.

That said; The robbed that smiles, steals something from the thief.

Olsen
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne
Doucoure, Gomes
Iwobi, Rodrigues, Richarlison
DCL

Richy back on the right hand side of the pitch where he belongs and is at his most dangerous. If I was a gambler I would have a few bob on him scoring two in this game.

I really rate Godfrey for his attitude, tackling, and pace - we have signed a proper footballer in that lad.

I am sure though, that Carlo will rest him for this game and Fulham because we will need those qualities in the other four February fixtures.

Up the Blues!!!

We lost against all of our next three opponents before Christmas so anything we pick up from these games will be progress.

"Progress is impossible without change; and those who cannot change their minds cannot change anything". George Bernard Shaw.

"Whether you choose to move on from your struggles and enjoy life or waddle in your misery, life will continue.” Germany Kent.

Pickford
Coleman
Mina
Keane
Digne
Doucoure
Siggy
Iwobi
James
DCL
Richy

Virginia and Olsen (Losl reported to be on his way out)
Kenny
Holgate
Godfrey
Gomes
Davies
Gordon

No Bernard or Tosun, also both reportedly on their way out.

The old adage of winning the individual battles for the right to play.

Newcastle will come for the draw and hope to grab something on the break.

Put yourself in their position. They would love to see Godfrey rested and Pickford in goal.

Just seen the team, harsh on Godfrey and Davies.