Liverpool vs Everton

It's the reason why I think Pickford should not play on Sunday, because he will get slaughtered by the steaming RS because of that injury. I understand that professional players should be able to laugh off any abuse thrown at them, but I think Pickford will bottle it up, before exploding in one way or another and do something rash.

I don't know if sledging occurs in football matches, but if it does then Pickford could be in for a torrid time.

If, on the other hand, a player is expected to play in a shower of shite, he will look for any reason to hide in the treatment room.

He will be goaded by the crowd for the whole game and could then have one of his rushes of blood where he comes steaming off his line when he doesn't need to.

He did it against Burnely and we conceded from the throw-in and he did it the other night against Leicester in the 2nd half but got away with it.

I don't get the logic. Pickford can be exceptional but may have a mishap. Begovic is old, slow, at best a modest keeper. So you'd rather settle for the modest option rather than the option which could be a game winner?

Alan

Yes it's amazing how we have so many "niggles" in this squad. Imagine if a medal was on the line. Would Gomes and Co be skiving off so often?

I agree about the little injuries - if we were going for glory they'd play through the pain, and if they cared whether we stayed up or went down, they'd play through the pain. Donny and Gomes aren't really that arsed - the former is going back to Old Trafford soon, and the latter going to a Portuguese or Spanish side I should think.

We need a complete clear out of this dreadful squad. Pity we ain't got a pot to piss in.

Gomes has never (and will never likley) recover from the injury by Son. He's also in contract for another 2 years+ so has no need to risk further issues by playing with a niggle cameos in the Championship next seaso, or a freebie move in the summer beckons – and playing this week or next makes no difference.

I think there are also big questions on whether the likes of Delph, Kenny and Dele Alli will be risking injuries, even if they play, but I think the first two will need to show they are worth another club coming in.

Dele is similar to Gomes in he's getting his £100k a week for the next 2 years, regardless of division, so does he really need to chance an injury running at 100mph and fighting for the ball?

Think we're on a hiding to nothing Sunday anyway. I think the only hope we have is getting pace up top (to exploit that horrendously high line they are going to play), getting players in who must or will graft, and telling the defence and midfield to "boot it towards the furthest away enemy corner flag you can, every time you can".

I'd still go 4-5-1 in defence, with a strict, 4-3-huge gap-3 when attacking:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Branthwaite Godfrey
Gordon Allan Delph Doucouré Richarlison
Dobbin

The thought of that vain German twat's face with his plastic teeth, hair transplant, lasered eyes and Botox forehead gloating to the press and walking on the pitch, fist-pumping after the game is making my blood pressure erupt already.

The Teutonic twat hasn't got an ounce of class in his body.

He's always prone to episodes of rashness, lapses in concentration and just downright weird actions only he can explain, in fact as I've always stated I think he's on the autism spectrum and needs testing for it. I get the argument that Begovic is old and slow but I'd still play him.

Look, whichever team we do put out we're still gonna get slaughtered.

I'm obviously being serious when I say I heard Iwobi was supposed to be one of those players, but I'm actually glad he's still playing for us now.

Is this how bad things really are, or is this because Iwobi has suddenly turned into one of our few energetic players? I'm not sure, but I hope he can keep his massive improvement going, now he's beginning to look like a real footballer.

Tony #10

I think its a given that we will play deep. We got right arsed kicked when Benitez had our back four sitting on the half way line for the Goodison derby. Surely Lampard will be well aware of that.

With Lampard also stating that Mina will not be rushed, I'm guessing it's Keane and Godfrey holding the centre-back fort. Now turning, speed and a high back line will have Keane breaking out in sweats so I'm confident we will be sitting deeper than deep at Anfield, probably in line with Pickford if I'm being honest.

Can't see further than Pickford in goal, for me it's something that will piss the choir boys off sitting in the Kop, absolutely nothing wrong with that.

I've already said on one thread, I wouldn't play Mykolenko because I think he's very weak on his right side, and this is the exact area that Salah loves to exploit, although the kid is definitely improving.

Dave 13, I share your distaste for their manager but by making reference to his nationality you are perhaps inadvertently crossing a line into racism. There are many on TW who appreciate German football and some of us actually like Germans. I even married one!

Frank is willing to use Iwobi there because he wants a possession style game to reduce the exposure of our back line in transition. Iwobi realized this was his chance at this club and has taken to it well.

If Frank can figure out how to limit turnovers from the back line or prevent quick out passes from the opposition on change of possession, it is a decent proposition. He hasn't figured that out yet which is my main concern, we are playing a high-risk strategy and we don't have the midfield to cover the breakdowns when they occur.

It was a veiled reference to Mel Brooks movie Blazing Saddles.

No racism intended, I still fucking despise him though.

Not long ago, Wimbledon did the same thing and everyone slagged it off as long ball but Liverpool do it all day long and the media now seem to love it...

But he's definitely improving, and my own opinion is that Lampard will only be able to play a possession-based game with different players, Dale, although he could protect the back four a lot better with a change of system, just like he did in that Man City game a few weeks ago.

Being from Burnley I'm currently hearing numerous stories/rumours about why Sean Dyche was fired. Today, I was talking to a local businessman who has ties with the club and he was telling me all kinds of tales about Dyche.

The main one being that Alan Pace (owner of Burnley) found out that Dyche has informally agreed to take over at Everton in the summer!! So, he immediately fired him.

How much truth there is in this is probably Zero but I thought I'd share it with you all.

Other stories about him include being an absolute tyrant behind closed doors, a real My Way or the Highway kinda guy. And how he doesn't allow his players to give their opinion on a game, they just sit there and listen to him pointing out what he likes/dislikes about the game then he immediately stands up and leaves the room!

This is along with him getting into a fight on the training ground with Max Cornet and Wout Weghorst but my favourite was when he went out on the piss with Duncan Ferguson after our game there a few weeks ago and both of them ended up in a nightclub and got into a fight with a bunch of lads!

They're almost all complete and total fiction but quite entertaining. Especially when you've had to listen to Burnley fans banging on about him for the last decade, like I have.

And I do not take to the guy either. For me it's the artificialness, on the inside as well as what we see on the outside. I was at a party when he was also there. It was full of RS fawning all over him. I was stood there having a beer and obviously someone set him up to come and speak to me in German. He came over, introduced himself politely and asked why I was an Evertonian. He looked gobsmacked when I simply recited in his language some famous lines that begin, “Evertonians are born, not manufactured….”

I finished by saying that I was born in Liverpool not Oslo and to be fair he took it all in good humour. But I still detest him!!

Somewhere on Twitter someone is reading each of those tall tales and taking them as gospel.

Richarlison or Gordon 1:1 after a long ball would be so much better than Richarlison or Gordon vs 6 after CB1 passes to CB2 seven times before Pickford lumps it anyway. We're in denial.

Villa once mullered them 7-2 with a young Watkins, Barkley and Graelish exploiting that ball over the top. No idea why others don't do it more to them and try and pin them back a little too.

I really don't want to watch this game. We'll get nowt from it.

Maybe play someone like Dobbin for this as it'll be the last thing they'll expect. Just constantly hit long balls over the top and have Richarlsion spin in behind also (although he's always offside). Gray and Gordon are also pretty pacy. We need to use this but we probably won't.

I totally disagree with those thinking Jordan will be a weak link, though! He did silly things, especially while taunted by Newcastle's fans that one time, very long ago. He seems to have quickly learned from that feast for the media, though... :)

Only one team could get ever away with this behaviour.

Why Liverpool won't win the Premier League this season

My team, Pickford, Godfrey, Keane, Branthwaite (big lad, left foot, performance at Chelsea etc) Mykolenko, Delph, Doucouré, Iwobi, Gordon, Rondon, Richarlison. And on the bench and to be used depending on how the match progresses: Coleman, Mina, Allan, Alli, Gray, Dobbin.

I think Frank has generally not used his substitutes well and, in this game, he really needs to up his game. As I am thinking, at some time, we may need to go to Plan B – always assuming that unlike on Wednesday we will have a plan. Feeling better already.

Pickford has coped with loads of flack recently. He will be fine. Give him some credit for putting that issue right.

Sunday has to be a 4-5-1 set-up for me. I am going with the following using Dele as a false #9 since Rondon just doesn't have any pace.

We need legs in midfield and that is why it has to be Doucoure instead of Delph for me. Also Mykelenko should be rested for this game as, at the moment, he won't be able to cope with the intensity of the game.

Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Godfrey
Gordon Doucoure Allan Iwobi Richarlison
Dele

Just because I think he should be taken out of the firing line doesn't mean it's going to happen. I would play Pickford every game, and I just hope he can laugh and smile at those steaming red shite bastards behind the goal, and take all the abuse that's coming his way.

It could well work in our favour, and make him doubly determined to keep a clean sheet, and shut the bastards up.

If Lampard watched their game v Manure then hopefully he will have learnt some of the basics of not what to do, at any level of football.

The Everton midfield centre concerns me but I'm thinking of playing Rondon, as a lone striker, to rough up their defence, but where will the feeds come from, to get to Richarlisons and Gordon on the flanks.

Them two players will give their all, as they do, but the RS shower will perhaps be overly confident, they could slip up, and their keeper is as calamitous as some of their former keepers.

Focus on the game and give their best, take the chances, shoot on site, and hopefully the officials won't take the piss.

So start with the same team as Leicester, and start from the off like their playing careers are on the line.

UTFT!

God help us on Sunday, they will have the VAR and the ref with them. I would give them the 3 points and not bother turning up. Hate them with a vengeance!

I'd swap Gordon for Gray around the same time, and look to then play off Alli, who has got the potential to play people in, or ghost into the box, and although this would be my dream scenario, I'm also very aware that football is a much harder game than this in real life.

Liverpool are definitely going to try and hustle and bully us early on, and this is when we have got to stand up strong, but we have also got to look to counter-attack them, otherwise it's going to be a very long afternoon.

Effort can definitely go a long way in these games, and can definitely hide a multitude of sins if we are lucky!

Pickford;
Coleman, Branthwaite, Keane, Godfrey;
Gordon, Doucoure, Allan, Delph, Richarlison;
Rondon, Dobbin.
I know it's 4-5-2, but they'll have the ref on their side.

Probably need plenty of height in the side, given the number of goals I hear they are scoring from corners.
And I'd be happy to see Kenny playing; he'll know what to expect and will have the right mindset.

All the midfield were poor on Wednesday and Iwobi gave the ball away countless times.

If not lets at least pick up a point by playing 10 men behind the ball. Put 2 men on the posts for corners. Hardly cross halfway. Defend for our lifes.

I would love to hear the commentators/red shite pundits not getting their predicted 4-5 nil victory.

Frank ask Simeone for a gameplan. If you want to walk away with a point. We need all we can get just do not throw 3 points away.

Knowing this, we either play Rondon as a centre forward to hold up the ball and rely on Richarlison or Gordon to break from the wings, or we play someone pacy like Dobbin for balls over the top. I fear that if we do the latter, Van Dijk will be to clever for him and completely nullify him, so I would go with the former.

As for the rest, a back 4 of Holgate, Keane, Mina and Godfrey would be my choice, with Delph, Allan and Iwobi in midfield.

If we can survive the Klopp blitzkrieg for the first 30 minutes, that's when they usually run round like madmen, score a couple, and finish the game.

While Van Dijk sits in his armchair asleep, our only hope is to push up and attack.

As mentioned by the late Jimmy Harris, how can you play with one attacker versus a back four and a ballplaying keeper. We must start with Rondon helping Richarlison or else.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Godfrey
Doucoure Delph Iwobi
Gordon Rondon Richarlison

Rondon may not have the pace but he has the strength to potentially hold off their players and get a ball to Richarlison, Gordon or Iwobi bursting forwards. Someone is gonna have to hold onto the ball at times and he's probably our best bet.

Rondon is a seasoned professional who can get under St Virgil's skin, which may just pay dividends. We need to try everything we can to get anything from this one.

Gomes had a decent game in his debut derby while on loan. In fact, the red shite brother-in-law said, "If you don't sign him, we should."

Then he got the full contract and the injury – game over.

And, like Lampard – or any derby at theirs, for that matter – Yes, I'll take the draw, thank you.

Gomes? I'm gutted (not); he epitomises Everton over the last 4 years.

As for Sunday, we need to be aggressive and game spoiling, who cares what the purists say. We will get slaughtered however we play and whatever the result, so fuck 'em and get stuck into the bastards.

As for Sunday, if we perform like we did on Wednesday, we'll be spanked. I'm looking forward to it – after all, it's a derby.

They are brought in having been in some kind of slump with their clubs and just pick up good wages at Everton whilst continuing to contribute nothing.

An awful scenario may present itself and that is whilst Marco Silva's Fulham get promoted, the club that booted him out may just pass them on the way down.

The expected result on Sunday open's up another chance for Burnley to improve their position with a home game against Wolves.

We will be lucky to get a shot on goal on Sunday but if we put eleven behind the ball and they don't score in the 96th. minute we may just get a draw.

After that we have 3 home games left and we may have a shot at getting points in the other two at Leicester and Arsenal but with Burnley suddenly getting points and this despite being managerless it may indeed come down to the wire with that game at Arsenal. Shit, I hope not.

Despite the debacle of the past 6 years we are still a premier league club. Yes we are looking down the barrel but now is not the time to throw the towel in.

Gomes and Van dev Beek are definitely not what we need for this game and I wouldn't start Calvert-Lewin anyway.

Strange as it may seem we have plenty to pick from. I would play a team with a mixture of fight and experience.

Without Alli chasing that lost cause at the death we would be a point worse off.

My team:

Pickford
Coleman, Mina, Godfrey, Mykolenko
Godfrey, Allan, Delph, Richarlison
Alli,
Rondon.

Silva will have a chuckle seeing Watford go in the opposite direction but will it be a double whammy? Meanwhile Fulham may have a laugh seeing Scott Parker trailing in their wake. Personally I'm not convinced by Silva. Once again as in Greece and Portugal he's a year into a job with a team someone else built. Yes Fulham we're relegated but they were improving under Parker. And as Norwich keep showing us being good in the EFL often equates to being relegation fodder in the prem. Regardless Silva was just a brief sideshow in our long demise. I honestly don't bear him or any ex manager ill will. None of them, not even Kendall in his prime was able to operate without board interference.

I'm 45 yrs. Getting beat by 10 men, twice in 3 seasons, in the late 00's - when they weren't even any good - did it for me. We barely laid a glove on them as well. I realised then that the club had developed a serious problem playing there. Prior to that we didn't win many but you could rely on them to have a go, at least.

I didn't go to the semi-final as I knew what was coming and couldn't face it. True to form, with half an hour to go I knew we'd lose. You could see the players wilting, crumbling psychologically. I haven't seen one since the Pickford game. It's pointless. There's something seriously wrong in there. It's not normal.

These shithouse surrenders have been going on for 15 years - 15 YEARS FFS - and I just can't watch them anymore. I can't handle it. The club is spooked. It has a complex. We seem to have driven down the cul de sac of defining ourselves in terms of what they're not, completely losing our identity in the process.

We haven't won a home derby for a fucking DECADE.

A home 0 - 0 is celebrated like 3 points. It's so small time. So fucking embarrassing. So pathetic. Klopp must think we're a fucking joke. It isn't even a rivalry anymore. Our record at Anfield is a stone cold disgrace.

There is absolutely no chance that this rag tag bunch (and that's being polite) with seasons worth of previous for folding when the going gets tough, will produce at an Anfield full house. None whatsoever. As soon as pressure arrives, they crumble. They can't even get a point at fucking Burnley in a 100% must not lose.

It is 99% a foregone conclusion. Liverpool's squad is light years ahead of us in terms of talent and mentality. I'll take a 3 - 0 now to protect the goal diff for the down to the wire relegation battle ahead.

They can change tactics to suit any game so the best hope we have is to frustrate the shit out of them and defend in numbers. We also need to be disciplined, stay on our feet and not dive into tackles because they will get one of us sent off easily with their evil ways.

Delph and Allan worry me with their lack of pace and inability to tackle properly. They are pivotal to keeping these bastards at bay though, and being the older heads in the team, they should sit deep to make sure the rest hold their positions because we will get battered otherwise. I'm fuckin' terrified but praying for an Andy King moment.

Looking beyond Sunday, there are two games involving Watford that will be crucial to our survival. We need to beat them and hope they beat Burnley as there is 6 points taken from Burnley.

I might just watch Blazing Saddles instead of the derby and hope that all of the righteous people out there forgive me given the alternative horror movie being shown at Anfield.

You are right that this fixture is all about mentality and they have it in spades as well as a devastating forward line. That is why I picked the team I did (by the way, I didn't mean to put Godfrey in twice – it's Gordon on the right for me). It is also the reason that Keane and Iwobi don't get a look-in.

I hope he plays Mina if he isn't injured.

We are suffering big time at the moment. As I see it, we either have to try and pick ourselves off the canvas or vanish into obscurity. That is the stark reality facing this once great club and its fans.

I suppose that the reason I won't give in (like a punch-drunk fighter) is that I was brought up on the Everton of the '60s – I can't let go.

Fortunately I have only ever been to Anfield once – we won 4-0😳 – everyone thought we were going to get hammered that game. Have 5/- on Everton at 14/1 - it will make you feel better.😉

Coleman has to start as there's no-one else. Pack the middle with who? They were gash against Leicester: Allan looked leggy and this was 11 days between games; Delph I've got no time for, he's a cheat, a mercenary, he's a Kenwright player.

On the wings, Gordon and Richarlison with Iowbi in front of our invisible midfielders. Rondon up front and I hope that he tackles that twat and puts him out for another year.

I want Klopp's extensions to pop out of his cap, the horse-toothed twat. Fuck, I hate them almost as much as I hate us right now, for fuck's sake.

We need this, there's a time and a place to step up and be counted, with this bunch of players it'll be divine intervention. I've never seen a team so fucking afraid of success, it's like it's beyond their grasp, look at Richarlison in the last game, for fuck's sake... he should have had a hat-trick but was lucky to get 1.

Van de Beek, because his thoughts are with a Man Utd future, and Gomes smarting over being dropped and not fancying playing against Liverpool.

I did think that Van de Beek should have started the last game, but Dele Alli proved a better sub than him.

I expect Delph to start on Sunday. The other changes will be Mina out on risk grounds and Rondon to start on the strength of his last outing.

Link

Do we need any more incentive than that to prove everybody wrong? Journos will all be gutted if we survive as they love the big story. Everton going down is a bigger story than Burnley.

Let's show them and get behind the team. UTFT!!

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Keane Godfrey Digne
Doucouré Davis Gomes
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin.

I would go for something similar:

Pickford
Coleman Holgate Mina Godfrey Mykolenko
Doucoure Delph Iwobi
Richarlison Rondon.

Going to put a bet on a win, not because I am being too optimistic. I just think that any team can beat another on a given day and I like the crap odds being quoted for an Everton win.

Laurie #61,

Absolutely spot on. If it wasn't for Alli chasing Pickford's clearance and then crossing a ball that could be attacked, Everton would be sitting in the Bottom 3 right now. But we are not.

Bring it on.

I am fearful of a stuffing but trying to be optimistic, imagine if we did win? It would be glorious, I hate them so much!

Hopefully a siege mentality and "Thou shall not get past an Everton shirt" approach will be used tomorrow.

And hopefully the Everton players don't take the bait from them shithouse divers that they have in their team, and keep Salah on his right side, and Rondon lays into their near-post defending and rumbles them.

UTFT!

Pickford
Coleman Keane Holgate Mina Godfrey Mykolenko
Allan Delph Doucouré
Richarlison

That's right. 6 at the back. Sod it. Play for the draw. Tell Delph and Allan to sit and tell Doucouré to make the odd run forward.

I wouldn't want to be Lampard though. He's in a no-win situation. Play defensive and get beat – everyone will say he should of went attacking. Play attacking and get beat – everyone will say that was the wrong choice. Unfortunately this time around I have no confidence in our ability to not ship goals and I fear they will beat us by 5 or 6 goals.

JJK and Mason will be walking reds tomorrow.

I'm behind Frank, he's our manager.

Okay, it's a derby, and if we get beaten again, I can accept that, just. But on Sunday they in all probability will put us in the bottom three.

So play with pride, stay in shape, keep 11 players on the pitch, and take the odd chance that may come our way and a near miracle may happen.

Also, Frank has a big part to play, let's see him on the pitch during the warm-up, wind up Klopp and thank your supporters before and after the game, whatever the result. We can do this!!!

Hoping for a result which would quite literally make our season tomorrow. It's a great opportunity. And we should enjoy the high-profile games while we can.

I know we all see a different game, and although I thought Delph improved the longer the game went on the other night, I also think Liverpool love playing against players who are not quite up to it physically, and that's why I'd genuinely go with Holgate.

Whoever we play, I just want to see an Everton team understanding each other, rather than looking at the floor, shaking their heads and accepting that we are not good enough to compete with Liverpool, and that's why I'd go as physically robust as possible tomorrow.

The whole media has pulled in behind Burnley's survival in the Premier League. Burnley have always had a welcoming open access to the fans and, according to recent reports in the media, to them as well. Burnley are using that to good effect now.

Everton's claims of being The People's Club and pronouncements by Barrett-Baxendale, with connections to oligarchs ring hollow in comparison.

Only months ago, The Mail was singing the praises of our 'brother' Bill. Obviously Denise thinks that is better PR than allowing any access at the moment. Probably wise given that the rats will be running for cover, herself and Bill leading them.

Most likely lose the derby, Burnley maybe beat Wolves, we would still be 4 points clear with a game in hand. Sobering thoughts. The whole season probably comes down to them 45 minutes, and we had it in our hands.

Interesting comments by the interim Man Utd manager today around the club needing 'open-heart surgery and other honest assessments. Nobody at Everton ever seems to express such sent sentiments, especially at board room level.

Win lose or draw tomorrow, let us see a team that is at very least organised well and fighting for each other and more importantly for Everton Football Club

Jerome - like most comments from our management committee they are simply self serving

We need end product, not just hard work – he may be the one tomorrow

So, for me, it's Branthwaite and either one of the other with Godfrey right back and the improving, with each game, Mylolenko at left back.

Rondon must start with Dobbin on the bench, even though it must be a very defensive performance by Everton, bringing us a draw.

If, by some miracle, we don't lose, I'll be stunned, regardless of what team we put out.

I can feel it now – we get thumped tomorrow and go down on goal difference.

Agree regarding Branthwaite.

We'll have done well to keep the score below three. My guess is it will be similar to there midweek performance – anywhere between four and six lashed passed us.

The outcome? 0-1 to Everton. COYB's.

The fuckin' state of some of us moaning about Liverpool and how unlucky we are compared to them… Boo fucking hoo.

They're run well, recruit well and play and compete brilliantly.

We're a joke of a club, top to bottom, and such comments only strengthen this argument.

My advice would be to forget our biggest rivals and discuss us and only us as there's loads here to moan about.

Roll on Sunday evening when the ref, Sky, BBC and God get a bit of the blame for poor old Everton's plight.

Rant on hold.

I think things have come together lately and I am optimistic for the future. So the three Fs:

Fuck the board.
Fuck the red shite.
Fuck the naysayers.

Get behind the boys.

I don't think Klopp will play a full-strength team with their Champions Leaue game coming up, so expect to see Origi and Milner and the like. Let's get after them! Come on, you blue boys!!

It's one of the most predictable fixtures in the division and in recent times possibly the most one-sided derby in world football.

I want Doucoure, Richarlison, Iwobi, and Gordon to chase them down - and not give them a minute on the ball.

Godfrey to man mark Salah, and Coleman to man mark Mane. Mina and Keane in the middle, with Mykolenko staying at home at left back with a brief to stop the right back crosses.

Pickford

Coleman
Mina
Keane
Godfrey
Mykolenko

Delph
Doucoure
Iwobi

Gordon
Richarlison

If Salah and Mane play I cant see it going well for us though.
16/1 us to win with 6/1 a draw is about right, we kept City quiet for long spells so we have some hope.

Midfield, not Delph for this one. Are both Allan and Doucoure fit?

Stranger things happen. Here's hoping.

4-5-1

Pickford
Godfrey Mina Keane Mykolenko
Gordon Doucoure Delph Allan Richarlison
Iwobi

Bring on Alli and Rondon for Gordon and Iwobi, if - as expected - these 2 have run themselves to the ground.

4-5-1
Begovic
Coleman Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko
Gordon Doucouré Delph Allan Richarlison
Rondon

Bring on Dobbin, Alli and Iwobi in the second half.

We live in hope eternal. Fekk the RS, - UTFT!

Rondon although slower and isn't about to press the centre backs too often is a better finisher and should be given a few games to see if he and Ric can form a strike partnership.

DCL is athletic and good in the air but he's not shown it this season possibly due to injury or the managers tactics.

So if we are not going to put crosses into the box for Dom and he's not (forever what ever reason) closing down defender's there's little point of him being on the pitch.

VDB and Gomes goods technical players but just not Premier league standard.

If, as many fans argued, we can't afford the luxury of a far superior player in James R, these two are never going to bring what the fans and managers demand.

I'd have the four, Delph, Allan, Iwobi and Doucoure in midfield and whoever plays up front must be able to match Richarlison's usual effort without the ball.

Holgate nowhere near the pitch at any time and anyone who thinks they need a rest for games to come are asked not to come back.

A point here, or unthinkably three, will send a message to Burnley, especially if they lose to Wolves, that we are here to stay.

We have been in this position before, always found a way out, you can go back to the Joe Royle derby in 94-95, no-one gave us a hope in hell.

You can then fast forward to a rampant Man Utd going for the title, going 3-1 up against us on their own patch, then 4-2, we ended their title dreams with a 4-all draw.

We ended the Red shite's title run a few years back, with a draw at Goodison, the last points they dropped to hand Man City the title.

We were very unlucky against Man City at our place, blatant handball denied us a deserved penalty, so it can be done.

Every single neutral will be rooting for us tomorrow, apart from Burnley; discipline is a must tomorrow, because if we are holding our own, they will have the officials and the VAR looking for any minor justification to give them a helping hand.

If Pickford can hold his shit together, and we do not pick up any silly yellow cards, then we can frustrate them. On current form, I cannot think of a tougher game we could come up with, but not impossible. We have gone there in recent years, won last season, Jagielka thunderbolt to give us a point, Siggy equaliser in the cup.

All the pressure is on the shite, it is a game no-one is expecting us to even pick up a point, that is our strength, play basic football, frustrate the life out of them.

Forget the quadruple, if Everton stop them winning the title again, and at the same time stay up, that will hurt those shithouses and keyboard warriors more than anything.

This is a chance for a hero to step up, a chance to put one on them, a chance for a team performance, instead of rolling over.

This will come down to every single player rolling their sleeves up, and backing one another up. Can you imagine being able to come out of that game tomorrow with a point or three? Near impossible, but not impossible.

No better time than these group of players to stand up, keep the faith, and hope we do not get shafted by the VAR.

Up The Toffees.

Great Post...

I've half toyed with the idea of not even going tomorrow and selling my ticket. Your post has just confirmed my attendance. Feck 'em.

(But I might just take a sofa with me to hide behind, if I can smuggle it into the ground.)

True – every word.

Wish it could be posted to every player's Twitter feed, Instagram,p WhatsApp or whatever so they see it.

It won't though...

Can you do the pre-match team-talk tomorrow, please?

Fantastic positivity! COYB

It's the New Zealand and Australian equivalent of Remembrance Day on Monday and, unlike the UK, we antipodeans get a bank holiday for it. I actually have a dawn remembrance service to go to and the game starts 3:30 am NZ time so I won't be watching live.

There'll be no point trying to avoid the score as my WhatsApp gets fairly busy at derby time, with family back in the UK from both sides. They'll just have to win it without me watching for once, I suppose. COYB!

It will go down in Bayern Munich style folklore history of "I was there!"

If you are still in doubt, go onto YouTube and type in Everton equaliser at Anfield, put it on full volume, and listen to the roar and sheer passion, when Sigurdsson slots the cup goal in, right in front of the Evertonians, in the Anfield Road end. The stewards get swallowed up and even some guy with crutches manages to clear a couple of rows of seats.

In fact, I would ask all fellow Evertonians to watch that YouTube clip, makes the hairs stand up on your arms.

The problem though is that this lot haven't displayed any depth of true spirit and fight. Add that to the fact that, on current form, the Redshite will turn any team over (it was very painful to write those words).

We will all cling on to the hope of a truly spirited performance and a miracle but fear the very worst. I won't be able to watch (cos I am a coward and cannot face the prospect).

Team selection? Pickford or Begovic? Probably both required (Pickford). Desperately need Wolves to turn up on form in the hope that we just might still be above Burnley by close of play.

We are all desperate for a result but, if we avoid a good beating, I wonder if many of us will be relieved and consider it to be the best worst-case scenario. How desperately sad is that?

We definitely need height to combat Matip and St Virgil at set-pieces so Keane and Mina or Branthwaite as centre-halves. 5 across the middle with Rondon up top. Richarlison is no centre-forward.

I will be in the Winslow before the game, around 2 pm if you fancy meeting for a pint.

I remember in the 60s we had to play them there and we had a ton of injuries so I was dreading the game so much I wouldn't even listen to the radio.

Then the paper boy came to deliver the Echo and said it was 4-0. I said I knew we'd get battered. He said no 4-0 to the blues.

COYB – make this our cup final.

What hope is there? Well that exact scenario worked out well for Cameroon v Argentina in 1990...

Some posters mentioned the RS 60/70 yard diagonal 'Wimbledon ball', I'd like to ask why the fuck don't we use it? We've got pace up front, it gets the ball as far away from our goal as possible, it might even give them something to think about.

Brian (#103), great post, but the teams you mention had bollocks, and would run, harry and sweat blood – something this shower of overpaid wasters think is beneath them.

As vs Leicester – a perfect example; they've got nothing to play for in the Premier League, and one eye on a European semi-final... Did we tear into them, get in their faces, put a few tasty ones in? Get to Fuck! We looked like we were playing an end-of-season dead rubber.

Compare and contrast to Burnley vs Saints; Saints had nothing to play for and rolled over nicely to a Burnley side fighting for their lives; I really fear that 1st May will be Mayday! Mayday!

So on to the game; it's a sobering thought that when Klopp arrived, we were above them in the Premier League, and Moshiri came to the club 2 months after. And like everyone, I've never seen such a chasm between the two teams, both off and on the field.

Sure, anything can happen, 11 vs 11 and all that, but last week I jokingly posted that we put an Ancelotti back 4 out: 4 centre-backs: Holgate, Keane. Mina, Godfrey; 5 in midfield: Coleman, Doucouré, Iwobi, Delph. Mykolenko, with Richarlison up front and hope to bore them to death. Looking at it now, it doesn't look bad.

If we're going to go 4-3-3, I'd keep the back 4, Delph, Doucouré and Iwobi and have Richarlison & Gordon flanking Dele Alli playing as a false 9.

I'm expecting absolutely feck all in the way of points but please give us a fighting performance, with mistakes kept to a minimum, and the odd forward pass going to a blue shirt would be nice.

Let's hope the players step up, and go into the game with the same mentality.

They went on an attempt at an earlier version of Arsenal's "the invincibles" in 1987-88, only losing their first match in March.

At Goodison Park to Wayne Clark's goal. I was beaming all the way back to my mum's Auntie's in Croxteth. These things can and do happen.

I didn't manage to get anything for tomorrow unfortunately or I'd have been there. But I will be there in spirit, probably sat in a London pub surrounded by many "lifelong" reds (since 2018) declaring love for Klopp and how they can't wait to go to their first match at Anfield. I may have my son and brother alongside me. 3 Evertonians in that setting is strength in numbers.

Good luck, Blues. Good luck, Evertonians.

I'm up for Chelsea home and at Watford. See you all there. Come on, Everton.

Brian, stop it. You'll have me putting my war paint on.

Holgate was one of the successes last season when he played right-back. He should be a good fit with either Keane or Mina with Ben Godfrey the other centre-back alongside Mykolenko, who has settled down into becoming a decent left-back, but not great.

Allan should play in front of the back four, because that's where his limited abilities are best suited, stopping the opposition getting any further forward.

Doucouré should replace defensive-minded Delph, because Everton desperately need midfielders who can get forward along with the much rejuvenated Alex Iwobi.

Dele Alli is a far better player than Rondon to replace Calvert-Lewin, who can drift in towards the far post, where he scored goals for his previous club, Spurs.

Anthony Gordon will be one of the first names on the team sheet because he is playing well consistently, along with Richarlison, who has proven he can score goals once his mind is in the right place.

Your comments are the comments of every Everton supporter, but as noticed it never seems to get into the players' or coaches' heads, except in a certain ex-player from Scotland, and even he seems to just sit on the bench saying nothing.

The players need to get into them, like they did last season, and hopefully nick one on the counter.

Having read your post, I don't think any Liverpool fan could have surpassed your rant. Having attended games at Goodison since 1948, experience has taught me that anything is possible in a game of football.

Only a couple of weeks ago, fans who share your anticipation of results were wide of the mark, when they predicted a Manchester United stroll in the park. It may well result in a heavy defeat for Everton, but no victory or defeat has ever occurred prior to the game being played.

Maybe it is a media conspiracy against us.

I think we should play extremely deep and just crowd central areas. Unfortunately we have very little choice in the centre of the park so can't rest the regulars.

My team would be:

Begovic,
Kenny, Holgate, Mina, Branthwaite, Godfrey,
Doucoure, Delph, Allan,
Dele Alli, El Ghazi.

It is time to unleash the front two, invisible men. This won't be the team, play as many players that haven't contributed that much in the season and try and hold them at bay.

But I think we are going down anyway and let's just take a chance and roll the dice. It seems to work for the RS but no doubt we will crash and burn.

Best of luck, Toffees.

Hooray.

Keiran @125 – Funny as made me chuckle.

This is a free hit. You are expected to get thumped. Well, stand up, be counted and give us all the opportunity to put a smile on our faces as wide as the Royle Blue Mersey. COYBs!!!!!

Pickford
Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey.
Gordon, Allan, Iwobi, Delph, Richarlison.
Rondon

I don't care if we end up with 8 men on the pitch. Why should we just roll over and let them tickle our belly? Let's get at them and kick them all over the place!!

I couldn't believe it, what everyone has cried out for all season! I'm sick to death of this Pep/Klopp way of playing which every team has adopted, it bugs the hell out of me.

The goal is at the other end of the field!!! Give me the way we used to play, Baines and Pienaar over-lapping, Coleman bombing on as a winger, and us actually crossing the ball.

Cross the bloody ball. Get men in the box and cross the ball! Go long ball, win the flick-on headers, give the opposition something they haven't had all season because every team has adopted this weird way of playing.

Boot the ball long and put crosses in. I hate this playing out from the back tippy-tappy stuff, I haven't seen anything good come off it other than putting your own defenders under pressure which usually results in a throw-in or corner to the opposition.

How Liverpool press, and with Anfield behind them, I hope we don't do this tomorrow. Go long.

I've had enough of the Red Shite, Norwegian tourists belittling our club. I'm sick of hearing and reading how they are going to put 5 past us, how every single pundit is kissing their smelly Red arses. Tomorrow, we can put that to bed, we can finally silence them, we can stand up and be counted.

Every single Evertonian on here, we need you, the nation needs you. Let's all do our bit, forget any negative thoughts, believe, and pray like hell. But let's not do their job for them, by doubting our dream. Only then, when the game is over, can we then hold court.

But please for once, let us all stand up as one.

I do not have a ticket for tomorrow, but for those going, give it your all, we are right behind you.

Let's hope tomorrow, instead of shouting 'Freedom', I will be shouting '3 points!'

We just don't know! Liverpool need to win and we don't have anything to lose. If anything, our lads can relax and play their own game. Actually don't!! Work hard and, if individual mistakes can be cut out, you never know.

Try and sleep well. Not long to wait. Remember – anything is possible!!!

It's high time we found another hero!... they can be beat, Blues, just be brave for once and believe!!!

8 keepers?! Innovative.

Burnley v Wolves is far more important

Also, it is disappointing to see so many Blues give this Liverpool team some sort of unbeatable, mythical status. They will not win the Premier League and we should have beaten the team that will. There is realism, yes, they are very strong favourites, but why the lily-livered cowering from some supporters? Why the fear?

This is the best chance our players will ever have to be heroes, to be counted when it matters, to go to Anfield and rip their fucking hearts out. Be legends.

Usually I believe we can steal a win or settle for a draw.

Even if there's a lack of guile or lack of anything else for that matter, I will not tolerate a lack of effort. How can they go into the Chelsea game with any belief if they get rolled in this one?

We can do this UTFT!

They will never live it down, if we stop them picking up three points, the closer the game gets the more they will be twitching.

We have to hope against hope, that we get a fair crack with the officials and we keep our discipline.

Couple of early saves by Pickford to settle him down, those shite will be targeting him from minute one.

"If you are still in doubt, go onto YouTube and type in Everton equaliser at Anfield, put it on full volume, and listen to the roar and sheer passion, when Sigurdsson slots the cup goal in, right in front of the Evertonians, in the Anfield Road end. The stewards get swallowed up and even some guy with crutches manages to clear a couple of rows of seats.

In fact, I would ask all fellow Evertonians to watch that YouTube clip, makes the hairs stand up on your arms."

"We have gone there in recent years, won last season, Jagielka thunderbolt to give us a point, Sigurdsson equaliser in the cup."

Speaking of Jagielka, he's near post on the RS's corner. The ball hits him. Look who's up the other end setting it on a plate for Sigurdsson.

Link

Fucking hell, can you imagine if these lot supported Everton?

It's a game of football. An important one - they all are - but a game of football.

Zulu, what a film. The references to that and today reminded me of my favourite clip and some of the sentiment on the thread:

Drunken Christian Priest (i.e. ToffeeWeb Doom Mongerer): Death awaits you. Don't you realise, you're all going to die (repeat several times)

Worried Soldier (young Branthwaite): He's right. Why us?

"Sarge" (Seamus): Because we're 'ere lad. Nobody else. Just us

When my dogs smell fear, it makes them overly confident. When they see confidence, they are more reserved and show respect. Don't let lucifer's children smell fear in the Devil's Den today. Heads high, chests out. Let's get on with this.

I'm not buying this is a nothing game. It's the Merseyside derby against our historic city rivals and a club I despise. The moment we suggest that it is not important is bowing to their narrative. If we win this, I won't come down until I land at Goodison Park for the next home match.

I am aware that we are in the worst form in ages and Liverpool are at the opposite end of the spectrum. I am also aware that the confidence levels in the two teams are also poles apart.

I want us to stride out with confidence, be completely committed in every challenge, avoid/reduce stupid decisions and be brave. This is easier said than done with our present bunch of players. I also feel that the team selection needs to be sensible:

1. Rondon must start up top to give their centre-backs something to deal with. Gordon and Richarlison should be on either side of him to get the flick ons and passes.

2. Flat back 4 only with Coleman and possibly Godfrey and fullbacks with Keane and Branthwaite as centre-backs – hate 3 centre-backs + 2 wingbacks.

3. 3 in midfield – Along with the striker decision, this remains a key to the game. Allan, Doucuoré and Iwobi for me. I just feel that Delph will be tired and too slow today.

4. Despite all the drama around Pickford and the crowd, I have no doubt that he must start for us.

More recently we have become a Jekyll and Hyde side, by that I mean the way we played against Man Utd then a few days later when you would have thought that confidence was not only high but in the ascendancy, we capitulate against Leicester. I was at both games, and couldn't believe how things panned out in the latter, with minimal change to personnel, we played like strangers for the most part. Not taking anything away from Leicester, who did play joined up football.

Experience has also taught me that current form generally goes out of the window when it comes to a derby match, let's hope that is the case later on this afternoon.

COYB 💙💙

In other words get into this shower from start to finish. Sky arse Klopp has already put the ref and the VAR on red alert over the potential for it.

There has to be a balance between aggression and practicality. If we try to go toe to toe with them they will love it and will exploit the space with world class forwards to score 3 or 4.

We have to primarily cede possession and territory; press at the right time and counter effectively. Hope to grab one on the break or at a set piece. Of course better teams than us have tried this policy and failed but it remains our best shot.

For it to work we will need players who work extremely hard and who can dig in. Plus some height will be crucial if we are to nick a set piece.

Pickford – I'm not his biggest fan but his distribution could be a weapon today.

Coleman – an argument to start Holgate but leadership and experience required.

Keane – effective in a low block. Need the height.

Mina – our best defender. Need the height.

Godfrey – harsh to drop Mykolenko but need the height and harder for Salah to breeze by.

Doucouré – will have to cover lots of ground and get forward on ocassion.

Delph – tough one, but a more natural 6 than Allan.

Iwobi – one of our best players in last month, will cover lots of ground and is capable of holding ball when pressed and finding a forward pass

Gordon – need his hard work and pace

Richarlison – need his hard work and pace

Rondon – the most likely to be able to hold the ball up with Van Dijk behind him. Need him to be a warrior.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Godfrey
Gordon Doucouré Delph Iwobi Richarlison
Rondon

Fekk the RS, Mr. Ed, and the Sky cronies, - UTFT!

"Nobody fancies us, let's change the perception of us and start moving onwards to better things. Let's beat those kopites and stop people laughing at us COYB"

Love the positivity.

“In years to come, this will be forever known as the Rondon derby.”

I heard it first from you. BTW, your post number could prove quite prophetic also.

Up The Blues!!!!

We can win possibly ,but can get a draw definitely, and if any fan doesn't believe that it's not worth going to the game or watching it on the box, sticking with a 1-1 draw but hoping for a later winner from anywhere and anyone.

A 10-minute cameo appearance hasn't turned the cart horse into a thoroughbred horse. Maybe it was the two goals against Boreham Wood?

Van Dijk will have it easy against Rondon. The only way to cause Liverpool the slightest concern at the back is through pace and movement.

I did wonder about Dele Alli as a false 9 instead of Rondon, too.

I'd quite like Rondon to be a battering ram for 60 minutes and run himself into the ground, with Alli or Dobbin to come on for the last 30 minutes.

The key thing is, is remaining compact and working tremendously hard.

If we do that then we have enough quality on the pitch to get a good result. We shouldn't rule out an against the odds win.

Other than that, 5-3-2 keep our shape, defend for our lives, and Richarlison will nick a goal on the break.

This could be a game too many for the RS.

UTFT!

We just need a few posso waves from George to set the tone. Also another reason to be cheerful is that Burnley don't play Manure as they are relly dire and have got their beach head on.

UTFT

Great shout. Rondon was gasping against Leicester, after what, about 20 minutes!!! I can't get my head around how Van Dijk will have it tough playing against him, another factor being that Lampard takes forever to make a change, so if Rondon does play he will get at least 60 minutes. It doesn't bear thinking about – Rondon against Van Dijk for 60 minutes.

The only thing that will scare their back line is pace and, for me, Dobbin has it in bucket loads.

Bricking it for this afternoon but I have a feeling... so have decided to watch!< I was watching Midway on catch up last night and said to my (very non-football savvy partner) this could be a metaphor for Everton's game with RS tomorrow (she does know who they are).

COYBUTFT

You never know.

I'm not like I am usually on derby day because I honestly don't give a fuck anymore. I'm not even gonna go into hiding when the unthinkable inevitably happens. I've come to the conclusion that some things in life are inevitable and a fierce beating by them is on its way.

Stay safe and sane lads, we don't deserve this. I don't deserve having my emotions and passion sucked dry by a club I have followed with pride and passion for 60 years but I'm hollow and empty of any sort of caring.

For those lads brave enough to attend today's game... conduct yourself with dignity and don't rise to the inevitable baiting you will receive at the hands of the most ungracious fans on the planet.

Simple!!'

Whether we like it or not, Liverpool are light-years ahead of us. One of the best teams in world football against our pile of shite can only end one way – blue tinted glasses won't save us today I'm afraid, and no amount of positivity on the Internet is going to change that.

2-0 to them would be a good result I reckon. Goal difference could be a major deal now.

As an aside, I don't even think the derby is the important game today – Burnley v Wolves has more significance in my view.

Of course I too cling on to that vague hope without any real thought that any outcome will be positive.

A win? A draw? Redshite out of title race? Don't think even Bill Kenwright could put on a musical with that happy ending. But, for the next 6 hours, we can dream.

I'm predicting a Burnley draw and a narrow defeat in our match. By the standards of this season, that would make it a successful day. This shows how low we have become.

Still, one day we will be rid of Kenwright. That will be one of the greatest days in the history of Everton. The curse will be gone.

Fuck that – if we stay up, he can still have him surely??

One supporter, seeing the 14-1 odds, called on all true blues to get their money behind the team, as he had.

A reply backed him and said he had it in a double with Elvis returning on a unicorn, carrying a leprechaun with a pot of gold from the end of the rainbow.

I think that sums up our prospects and, for the sake of the rest of his career, give Pickford a day off.

I am a realist, but on match day, I personally don't see the point of supporting or playing football if you don't go into every match thinking and believing you can win.

We need the points as much as they do. It's a local derby. It's 0-0 at kick off. We need no motivation.

Rosary Beads were held this morning. Good luck to those entering unholy territory today. I wish I was there.

Good sensible post Danny, imagine being on the battlefield with some of the attitudes showing on this website. It's only a football match, but the white flag of surrender is truly nauseating, because even if we get absolutely destroyed today, never will I give any Liverpudlian an inch, because I'm a very proud Evertonian, who's just waiting for the curse to disappear!

Got a feeling we'll upset the odds today and have people eating their words. COYB!

Most of all, whatever the outcome, I want to see our lads working as a team, having no fear and enjoying the challenge. After all it's these attributes that we need to harness to stay up. I want to see a result, also visible progress that will help us through our last six games.

COYBLUES !

Whatever the team it has to be a fighting 451.

If we get thumped, I will be no less gutted for predicting it, so I won't. I despise Liverpool FC, their fans their players and ex-players. So, I will not be miserable before the game, nor anxious.

If I have to face that tomorrow, I'll take it, my God we all know how to. Today, I will believe that our players will find it in them to lose their fear, show their worth, and make us proud.

Bring it on.

That memory gives me optimism for today now that the form going in to this afternoon's match is reversed. We are no hopers on form; our boys need to be disciplined and narky and focused. COYB.

However, it will be the performance of the players in blue that is going to matter. By this, I mean if we fall to pieces and give in, then today could be the final nail even with 5 games remaining.

Burnley playing early and knowing the result is the only positive Lampard has in terms of motivation.

I say good luck to us, hoping for a miracle, a huge surprise but fearing the worst.

Klopp suggested, with Villarreal in midweek, he would have to be mindful of balancing the players for both games, I wouldn't be surprised if he rested Mane and Salah and played Firmino, Jota and Diaz up front.

So team selection will be interesting to say the least, for both teams. Liverpool tend to come out quick and try to blow teams away inside the first 25 minutes, so it's important we are switched on from Minute 1, unlike we were against Leicester.

I was just thinking if the roles were reversed, and looking at some of the comments above, I can imagine some of these posters suggesting Liverpool haven't won away since August and haven't picked up a point away since December, don't let them ruin our season by getting anything from the game.

Let's at least stick the boot in and destroy their quadruple chances. I hope we have Klopp frothing on the touchline and Lampard smashes those piano keys masquerading as teeth.

COYB.

The opposite end even as a kid was a joy to behold. A sea of blue and white. Ah well we have our memories. Oh and apparently good times recently.

I feel a bit more optimistic/childish naïve today; after all ,we put in a good performance vs Man City, only to be undone by a freak goal with an assist by the calamity kid.

Obviously, we're a different team away from Goodison, I think we've changed our nickname from the Toffees to the Agoraphobics but, to state the bleedin' obvious, we need a Mourinho ‘park the bus' disciplined away performance and defend like our lives depend on it; and please no high line, leave nothing to run in to.

Speaking of high lines, if the RS have a weakness, and that's debateable, it's they play such a high line. That's why I'd start with Gray or even Dele Alli and play balls behind them. We need an out ball, Liverpool play the 70-yard diagonal ball all the time, why we don't do that as opposed to the lazy lob up the middle is a mystery to me.

Like most of you, I'm looking forward to the game like the prospect of septic haemorrhoids, but football can also surprise and delight, not just permanently piss you off.

Me and our kid got some funny looks at school with me dressed as a Japanese sea captain, and him as Korean fighter pilot!😂😂

Best hope is the long ball over the top and fight for it in their half and then to stay up and get any free kicks or corners.

Please no Holgate or Kenny and some others like Allan could be red cards but we need battlers nevertheless.

As for Mykolenko, he stands too far off his man, fatal v Salah on a run.

All we can really ask for is 100% from every player, sound tactics, a bit of luck and fair reffing.

I can't stomach watching Kelly Dalglish, Carragher, Souness gloat and 50,000 RS fans taunt our long-suffering and amazing away support.

The breakaway 6 is never mentioned now: like it never happened and we're staring into the football abyss.

I hope that Pickford keeps his head and they're not claiming that we're the nasty club after today. Stranger things happen in football but I've not known the gap between us to be this wide in my time of being a Blue.

I hate the RS and all they stand for but they're a phenomenal team with a brilliant manager. We've got problems all over the pitch and need a miracle.

I feel this way for every game and I have been a Toffee for over 60 years, like my dad and grandad before me.

Lampard doesn't seem capable of pulling off a tactical masterclass, like Ancelotti did in this fixture last season. I fear that some very naive tactics could be deployed, à la Spurs away match.

Worst away form in the country and no win on the road since August, time to upset the bookies and ruin many a weekend coupon!

Leeds then face Arsenal and Chelsea ….. Leeds are also very worried... we have to win our home games and beat Watford and we'll be fine.

For fuck's sake, it's like telling Kante, Fernandinho, or Idriss Gueye to play in front of another holding midfielder, it doesn't fucking work.

Can you imagine Reidy or Carsley getting told to play out of position? Carsley got put on the wing in his early days at Everton, then put in his rightful holding role, and he was great.

This is why I have my doubts about Paul Clement as a coach and manager. But he coached at Real Madrid, Bayern, Chelsea. With the fantastic players these team had, my Granny could coach them.

So it's either Delph or Allan. I will go for Allan, not both.

Picforkford,br>Holgate,
Mina,
Keane,br>Godfrey,br>Allan,
Doucouré,
Iwobi,br>Richarlison,br>Dele Ali,br>Gordon

What will Frank do? Probably not what we think. Hope he gets in Klopp's face. Hope our players show these cheats no respect. Hope the officials are something approaching fair and not dying to be Klopp's mate.

There are more than a few of us who can't stand the 'grand ole team' song. It's outdated starry eyed rubbish in my view. I really hope they bin it off for the new stadium.

We're a relic, a museum as someone once said. Soon to be a museum that nobody wants to watch anymore.

We need modernising in every way, and that goes for the fanbase as well. All this 'istory bollocks does nothing for the present or future. I couldn't care less if we were good 40 years ago.

But don't live in the past or wallow in history.

Go and make history. Go on to better things. That's what those teams we fondly remember done.

Time was when footballers were pumped full of painkillers to play. The only loyalty left is from the supporters. I'll still support Everton no matter what league we are in. We are at the moment bottom three by 2 points, we need a second coming to get out of this one! Coyb.

I just hope our players are up for it today. I'm so over Everton playing second fiddle to that lot. Time to stand up and be counted.