Leicester City vs Everton

The supporters will. The players need to.

On a different note, amazing to see the concrete staircases being lifted into position in the Stadium.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2606302/new-everton-stadium-update

Dare I start believing we could stay up? But then they kick you right where it hurts when you do. COYB.

I'm hoping next week when we will have more of the ball that Frank plays Delli and inserts some class into the team. Coyb

I totally agree with you over Gomes.

Six of the easiest points we'll ever pick up, right?

Will #11, correct. There are battles for Gomes, but we don't play any U-16 teams on our schedule.

Maybe if we're a goal down in minute 80, he should get a chance. Other than that... no thanks.

If we play like we have done - ceding possession and hitting on the break, we have a chance. They are worse than us at set-pieces, so Mina on corners could be a danger. And Richy and Gordon targeting Soyuncu, running at him, and we will win free kicks.

Another 1-0 would be fantastic.

They say never change a winning side - but I don't really agree. Too often we've gone with that philosophy, and we havnt won 2 games on the trot since lord knows when.

Grey was improved against Chelsea, but I think either Alli, who imo has shown signs of improvement and an ability to make key passes, in a false 9 with Richy and Gordon flanking, or DCL if he's fit. Rondon also has done well and having a target man could be useful when playing traditional 'away team' tactics.

Between Allan and Doucoure in the middle is a toss of the coin tbh. Doucoure offers more going forward, and on the counter. But Allan may well be better suited to shackling Maddison.

Pickford
Myko, Mina, Holgate, Coleman
Allan, Iwobi, Delph
Gordon, Alli, Richy

Grey, DCL, Doucoure, Rondon all offer options from the bench to change things.

I'm going for 2-0 Everton, Richy and Alli. COYFB!

Yes, a win is vital, but to take a point is massive in context, but I expect Everton to win this game, if Richarlison is leading the line.

Burnley, every shot is going in, Leeds, have a tough run in.

If Everton can get the 3 points, at Leicester, I reckon, Everton will be safe.

A point won't be a disaster.

But as we all know in, football, strange things in context, do happen.

The Chelsea game last week, was something unique, but the the whole week, in the week before, after the game at our old ground, for me, in some ways set the tone.

It was Everton at its finest, and the true grit Evertonians, fighting - Dunkirk spirit, that stood out then, and has stood out for Everton FC., over time, and in the last 30 years plus and the close shaves, with pending disasters.

Leicester, is massive and Everton, will be there on Sunday.

Fekkn proud and this is a massive period in the clubs history, but Everton will prevail, and be in this EPL, in 2022-2023.

“ Whats Our Name?”
“UTF!”

They've so hugely bollocksed up expenditure for six years as to risk the worst sanction ever delivered to a so-called "top club" in negating their ability to merely survive, never mind prosper.

Pickford, Charly, DCL and Gordon are the only sales that MAY enable our self-proclaimed football know-alls, only via Billy Bullshit admittedly, to show savvy as THEY all ponder who the fuck to sign for peanuts this summer to deliver the polar opposite of what Kenwright's chosen one, Moshiri, spouted out six useless years ago.

Meanwhile, may of us seemingly still cling onto the apparent hope that, despite the obvious and spreading realisation that we are inept to the whole wide world in terms of football savvy, we have at the same time somehow by-passed players and agents zeroing in on a life-enhancing final contract with fuck-all effort.

He appears to be on the bench most matches but never used, I am not saying he is a World beater but from what I have seen of him he is not that bad, and has a goal in him. Demarai Gray will have a lot to prove on Sunday, so let's hope he plays out of his skin and puts the side that rejected him to the sword !

COYB 💙💙

US media reporting tonight that LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly and his group have bought Chelsea for £4.25 billion.

That's about $5.25 billion -- the most expensive sale of a sports team in history. The previous record was less than half that.

Insane.

Check your email mate. Everyone else, I've had a depressing day of being poked and prodded in hospital so Everton better bloody well not get relegated as it might finish me off as my fortunes tend to mirror the clubs. I just hope Burnley lose tomorrow as psychologically it woukd give us a lift before a tough away game.

Get well m'man.

Always thought that the two fixtures against Leciester would be crucial in the run in. Glad Everton got a wake up call against them at Goodison, in the first fixture. . That could still prove a important point. Surely they will know what is required this game.

I hope you're right about Dominic being wrapped up for important games, but I can't help think it is preserving a sellable asset.

Anyway. To tomorrow. Whoever plays, lets go and get those points.

I hope Lampard doesn't rotate too much, if at all, with possibly one eye on Watford.

I just hope we can get something out of the game, a draw and beat Watford on Wednesday would help our cause no end. We cant rely on Burnley and Leeds to get beat we have to help ourselves and games are now running out.

Our fate is in our hands.

The spine of the team is most important and if we have Pickford, Mina and Delph all fit it makes a huge difference. Its up top we fall down with ball retention. I'm guessing if DCL is fit he has to start unless Frank didn't learn from the last time we played them.

And get well soon Kieren, l've been prodded and poked myself the past few months.

Since he returned - far too early and nowhere near fit - DCL hasn't covered any ground and he's done zero pressing. Even after the 2 week international break, when he apparently trained well and Lampard was talking him up, he still looked miles of it.

He isn't even doing the basics such as making the ball stick. His touch is off and his confidence is suffering. He won't be match fit this season now, it's too late. He's had constant niggles, can't get any rhythm and should be on the bench for an effective cameo such as Newcastle at home.

Hopefully we can stay as we are and maintain the intensity, energy and pressing. However, if a change up front is required, I'd go with Rondon

We desperately need to win this, regardless of the starting lineup and formation I hope the players carry on with the spirit of the last couple of matches.

Our away record this season must be one of the worst ever in the top flight? Time to sort it out and get this bogey off our backs.

COYBB!!!

Having said that I can't see Frank Lampard changing the starting line up but we may see him coming on as a sub.

At the end of the day I don't care who starts or finishes the game as long as we get the three points because regardless of other results it will put a lot of pressure on Leeds and Burnley.

Nerve racking this is.

Up the Blues.

Everton must continue the level of performance shown v Chelsea, and take this fight to survive to victory.

Hard work and commitment, and hopefully break the away hoodoo, tomorrow and win back to back home and away games.

Ellis Sims scored a superb goal on 3 minutes, v Celtic, and he looks comfy in the Hearts team.

But tomorrow is massive for Everton, and is a game where Everton must take at least a point and ideally 3 points.

UTFT!

I just gotta feeling that this weekend could prove very pivotal for us... Burnley to draw (sigh),Leeds to lose but most importantly us Blues to WIN.

Just think we'll nick a win tomorrow...2-1 methinks.

COYBB

Eddie, have to agree with Danny re Pickford. Unlikely but never say never. For me though, anyone that wants him can eff off. We are now vulture-vulnerable alas.

Richie (pray not), DCL, and Pickford all seem the most likely candidates to me.

This Leicester game is big, but I honestly don't think this one is "key". Yes, of course all games at this point are precious, but I still maintain it's Watford, Brentford and Palace. That's nine points and we need all nine of them. Three straight games to save a season and end on 41 points.

EDIT - I originally typed "Bournemouth" instead of "Watford". I have NO idea why.

Reports are about 1000

We have to take care of our own business and given some luck we can do this.

I never expected to get the win against Chelski and Pickford must take the kudos.

However we cannot rely on Pickford and need to get a grip of the Foxes early. They have little to play for and had a tough game on Thursday but we cannot be hopeful they will take it easy..

We have been hoping for Burnley to lose for weeks but unbelievably they keep winning since firing Dyche and look what the Barcodes have been doing since getting Howe.

Let's get the job done!

Pickford
Coleman Mina Holgate Mykolenko
Gordon Allan Iwobi Delph Richie
DCL

Try and hit them hard and fast when we get the ball back. Work hard, and get all 3 subs on by 70-75 mins max for tired legs.

Entire next decade could depend on the next 2 weeks. Please blues, let's give it everything.

If we can somehow bring all the points home tomorrow the whole picture looks very different. One point, whilst being very welcome, but it looks the same as now.

Good point Leciester got too much space in midfield the last time and were able to push up their defensive line in support.Really need them to be pressed back. It was only when Rondon came on the last game,they where pushed back,and not the same threat going forward.

If Arsenal beat Leeds and we get the three points we will be above them both with a game in hand.

COYB

Ironically, goals and points at the moment are bringing cheers and emotions just as great as if we were winning the league or a cup. That emotion before, during and after the Chelsea game was just something else.

Please don't screw my perfect weekend Everton.

Looking at the games left, I am thinking 39 points will likely do it. 40 to be guaranteed, even Southampton look like they a stuck on it with the RS and Leicester away left to play.

Keep it tight at the back, be first to every ball in midfield, take our chances and come away with the points would be great.

Do not envy another 90 minutes having to listen to the midlands accents singing, in the stadium.

We're the left side, we're the left side, we're the left side over here

We're the right side, we're the right side, we're the right side over here.

Come on blue boys.

You are my life and soul. Let's make this another trip worth what I believe you are worth.

I live you Everton.

There's not many Evertonians to talk to down here in Luton so hence why I like reading all of you guys thoughts.

I'm obviously just round the corner from watford so although I don't yet have a ticket for the game I thought I'd venture down on Wednesday and grab one from the touts. Would obviously much rather be in the away end though so if any of you are travelling down and know of a spare I'd love to join!

First and foremost though - 3 points tomorrow!

COYB!!

UTFT

By the way Liverpool really got away with it with that tackle_/elbow/ thuggery on Son.Interesting to see the retrospective punishment.Not holding my breath.

Some sort of Myra curse?

Basically, I'll do anything for three points at this point.

Never thought I'd use the words "start Rondon" in the same sentence, but give him credit, he's fit and assertive now.

Never thought I'd agree with that either lol

I believe if we end up having forked out the full 80 we will have the real Dele Alli playing for us and he will still only be 28. If it pans out that way it will have been good business.

In the meantime if he comes on and score an 80th minute winner today and helps us stay up in the run in then he will have paid for himself.

Just my take on the deal and the player.

In the meantime - Up the Blues.

The question is, what Leicester turns up. The tired demoralised team with their thoughts on holidays or a relaxed nothing to worry about, free playing team I fear?

Once again we need a big defensive performance to take the early sting that is bound to come from Vardy & Co.

If we don't concede early and albeit from stupid mistakes then we have a shot at the points but another draw wouldn't be the end of the World.

Hate being in the bottom three at this stage but let's get out today !

Once again we need a big defensive performance to take the early sting that is bound to come from Vardy & Co.

If we don't concede early and albeit from stupid mistakes then we have a shot at the points but another draw wouldn't be the end of the World.

Hate being in the bottom three at this stage but let's get out today !

Substitutes: Begovic, Kenny, Keane, Allan, Calvert-Lewin, Gomes, Rondon, Dele, Welch.

no changes for us from last week

Fine by me.

Secondly, team wise against Chelsea we played as good as any of the games mentioned above but we need mobile attackers and a substitute list that can be selected for influence and affect, they are not just there a for a day out on a coach trip.
Rondon if you do play please prove me wrong, you scored twice in the cup BOTH were goalkeeper mistakes, one went through the goalies legs and one was saved but was just behind the line. It took you 8 games to score your first premiership goal this season. If you play it would be a great time to score several more.

Mr Lampard please note LFC played ALL 3 subs last night, yes you can play 3 now, changed a bit since you started in football.

Everybody else is on it Martin! They've locked you out!

I'm hoping our reported 5221 is actually a 451, with Iwobi moving from RWB to a central role. That's a better match for the trio of Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans and Mendy.

A good attitude and hard work will reap its results. We can win this.

I'm hoping our reported 5221 is actually a 451, with Iwobi moving from RWB to a central role. That's a better match for the trio of Dewsbury-Hall, Tielemans and Mendy.

A good attitude and hard work will reap its results. We can win this.

COYB

No point on the road since Chelsea on December 16th, cold Thursday night works before Christmas so come on Blues put this right!

I am glad as well.Maddison always is a danger as far as Everton is concerned.

leicester almost scored

Where are we going to get the goals to save us? Mykolenko and Holgate wouldn't have been my guesses!

Fans currently about 15 minutes into an extended version of Spirit of the Blues. By the sound through the TV, you'd think we're at home. Pretty special.

Tactically it looks good. Though the risk with 3 at the back is you get defenders on top of each other - and we've looked a bit of a shambles at times defensively. Even accounting for that, the goal we conceded was a special kind of cock up by Coleman and Mina.

The sticky tape holding Mina together gave up. Keane has been good... but with these defenders it's not how they look for 89 minutes that matters... it's the mad moment they've got in them. Let's hope we're not at home for Mr CockUp for another 45+ minutes.

We may need another. Fortunately Leicester look well capable of conceding another.

John #118
"Leicester are on the ropes. Out of Europe, nothing to play for, haven't won in seven."
Fairly obvious then how this will pan out.

Ha! Vindicated! 😀