Doucoure and Delph out injured for at least a month

Considering that Benitez had mentioned that Davies will be out for 8 weeks (that means another 6 weeks from now at least).

Allan has just recovered from Covid and Gomes can only contribute well in the last 30 mins of a game when players are tired.

I can't believe that we are trying to sign another forward in addition to El Ghazi who was already deemed excess in an area where we are well stocked.

Will the new manager will play an innovative 4-0-6 formation with a front 6 of Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Gray, Gordon, Dele Alli, El Ghazi? It would be a lot of fun - we either win 7-5 or lose 3-8 or something like that.

If we don't strengthen the midfield, it does not matter if Guardiola or the tea lady is the coach, we will get relegated.

Time for the young lads to step up?

Not great is it? Gomes has looked slow and ponderous lately, and Gbamin is surely in his last days at Everton, having played only a handful of times.

Does it really matter who manages us at this point? He has one hand tied behind his back with the current squad. We definitely need a lucky manager more than we need a great manager.

What are the board doing? We need two midfielders before Monday night or the risks of relegation are far higher. No matter who the manager is.

Get a manager in today. if it's Lampard get it done, he'll be backed and given a chance by the majority of supporters.

Get two central midfielders in who can bring energy, battle and are good on the ball. Loan them, buy them, do whatever is necessary. DO NOT LEAVE THIS UNTIL MONDAY. [If you do we will get stuffed up at the last minute and laughed at for being so naive].

We are sleep-walking into an unnecessary relegation battle, without the resources we need to fight it.

Come on the Everton board, it's time to make a decision today and turn 100% of the focus to the necessary midfield signings.

Why injury-prone Delph was ever bought is another question that needs answers…

Agree strongly. But what if Kia Joorabchian doesn't have 2 x available midfield player clients. What do we do then???

Onyango didn't look out of place when filling in on Saturday and could potentially be utilized in the coming weeks.

As others have said, we must get a couple of central midfielders in who have skill, durability and can control the centre of the pitch for us. if they could also manage to pass well and not give away possession every 5 minutes when under pressure it would be good.

Unfortunately, as seems the Everton way with transfers lately, we appear to be obsessed with stockpiling multiple players in the same position (ie, wide attacking players currently). we have not only needed a few decent centre mids for a while but also at least one new central defender.

without any new re-enforcements, we might have to look at Holgate in midfield again or take a chance on one of the young lads. Or bypass midfield altogether when playing!

How about bringing in Mata from Man Utd until the end of the season – or would that be Bernard Mk II?

Gordon has to start the next game so maybe move Townsend inside to sit in the middle with Allan, surely with his experience he could do a job there.

Think Doucoure is much better in a three anyway as it gives him licence to get forward a bit.
at least the cup game is first so we can try a few things out before Newcastle which is a must win.
COYB

Seriously though, what was the point in signing Delph? Why is he still here?

We are in a relegation battle so we need players who will relish the battle. Maybe not the very best but players with character who could galvanise the players around them and create a good fighting spirit.

We can move Coleman to left back, Kenny at right back, Keane and Mina at centre back and Holgate and Godfrey in midfield.

We’ll strike fear into the hearts of everyone!!!

Who's this “Delph” fella?

Doucouré will obviously be a miss but clearly wasn't 100% when he came back, but was needed.

Not that we didn't need it anyway, but a midfield enforcer required.

Opportunity for Warrington to get near the squad?

I actually think Coleman would relish playing just in front of a back 4, breaking up attacks and pushing the team forward.

Although, the centre-half position is a contentious position because Mina always gets injured since his legs are made of glass. Unfortunately, there is nobody else as good as him when he does play.

If only. Exactly what is needed. If he brought his Dad as well even better.

All the games from now on will be high intensity so we need a strong aggressive MF but thereagain we have been saying that for years and we ended up with Delph and Gomes.

We don't realise how much we miss central midfield players that contribute goals or assists.

We have probably missed Sigurdsson and James Rodriguez more than we anticipated as this season has worn on.

The pesky injuries that Doucoure and Allan pick up regularly now are becoming problematic, whilst Gomes and Gbamin permanently run like they are carrying a wagon on their back.

For me a loan deal for Ross Barkley is a complete no-brainer now, if it works for him then great, if it doesn't then he goes back to Chelsea.

But the transfer window is closing soon, will Everton get the midfielders in that are needed or will they buy top ups, that army needed like El Ghazi?

Faulty Towers on steroids is the Everton board.

Van de Beek on loan has a lot of potential. Benitez supposedly didn't fancy him, but he's gone. Unfortunately, Brands did fancy him, and, well, he's gone too.

Gbamin, Delph injury write-offs.
Davies, Doucouré, Allan and Gomes injury concerns.

How can we do anything when we have to rebuild the engine every week because of injuries. There isn't a single midfielder we can rely on to play 5 or 6 games in a row.

Play Townsend in the midfield and tell 2 others (anyone not injured) to stay deep and defend.

We need 2 midfielders who are up for a challenge. Van de Beek isn't up to it, I'd rather have Lingard. Loftus-Cheek? Yes; Barkley? Yes; Longstaff? Yes.

Seriously, I'd suggest moving Townsend into the middle. Yes, normally a winger, but an efficent and knowledgeable defender who can maintain his composure on the ball.

If Gbamin is anywhere near your top 5 fittest midfielders, never mind players, you know there's an issue. But no fear, we have Tomas Muller, this young hungry buck, eating £300k-a-week, so we'll be fine for 17th.

To be honest, if Chris Wood is all the barcodes can get, I'm more arsed about Watford catching us now they have Woy.

He's technically excellent, can create and score and isn't afraid to mix his game up and put a good shift in.

Plus, he is also an excellent winner of free kicks and penalties.

But £300k/wk... forget that.

That said our current midfield is shite, so Stephen Hughes, John Collins and Claus Thomsen would look like world beaters.

Then a must win for all reasons v The Barcodes.

It’s now or not likely, if Everton don’t beat Newcastle at St James.

The first of a few 6 pointer games, to see this season out, but staying up, hopefully.

Patterson, Keane, Godfrey, Mylolenko

Allan, Holgate, Gbamin ( Gomes sub for last 30 minutes)

Gordon, Richy ( Capt), Grey. ( subs DCL / Townsend during last 30mins).

We cannot afford an injury to Pickford. DCL not up to 90 mins yet. We need to know how good Patterson & Mylolenko are and they need to know what its like to play at Goodison in a FA 3rd Rd. We also need to know if Gbamin can give us anything at all. Holgate has to be tried again as a DM because we are running out of options in midfield. Gomes looks best as a sub for 30 minutes.