Everton vs Nottingham Forest

19/08/2022 88comments  |  Jump to last

Abdoulaye Doucouré is expected to be sidelined for 3 weeks with a hamstring problem

Everton host Nottingham Forest for the first time in 23 years this weekend as the newly-promoted club travel to Goodison Park for the third fixture of the 2022-23 campaign.

The two clubs last met in January 1999 when a solitary Pierre van Hooijdonk goal proved to be the difference between for the Midlanders who were rock bottom of the Premier League at the time and heading for an extended stay in the Championship. 

This time it's the Toffees who are in the relegation zone in the fledgeling League table having lost both of their opening games while Forest got off the mark last weekend against more fancied West Ham with a 1-0 win at the City Ground.

For Everton, Frank Lampard will be without Abdoulaye Doucouré for around three weeks after the midfielder injured a hamstring in last weekend's defeat at Aston Villa.

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The Mali international was withdrawn during the second half of that game after feeling tightness in the muscle that was later diagnosed as slight damage by scans that will sideline him until early September.

There was good news regarding Allan, however. The Brazilian, who hasn't played yet this season after recovering from surgery over the summer and then taking a knock to the foot in training, is available again and can step into midfield if the manager doesn't elect to start new signing Amadou Onana.

"Allan's fit and he's in the squad," Lampard confirmed, "He's missed games in pre-season so we're trying to get him match fit and Doucouré's going to be about three weeks."  

“He’s certainly in contention and that’s a call I need to make and I’m giving it as long as I possibly can before the game tomorrow because as much as we want his impact — and I think he’s going to have a big impact — we need to make sure we do right by the player and the team.

The manager was circumspect on Amadou Onana's chances of making his full debut in midfield following his arrival from Lille 10 days ago, even though the young Belgian international made an exciting came off the bench last weekend and Doucouré's absence will leave him short in that part of the pitch.

“He missed a big chunk of pre-season and this is the Premier League and I don’t want to throw him there in too soon," Lampard said of Onana. "I want to use him at the right time and [give him] the right minutes so that’s something we’ll be managing over the next couple of weeks — we don’t want an injury situation either so it’s important to get that one right for the longer picture.”

With neither Allan nor Onana sufficiently match fit, it's possible that Tom Davies could be given a starting role after deputising for Doucouré in competent fashion against Villa, with Alex Iwobi reprising his role as a No.8 alongside him. The duo would, presumably, play in front of a back five that is likely to be unchanged.

Meanwhile, Dominic Calvert-Lewin returned to running on grass ahead of schedule earlier this week as he works his way back from the knee injury that has ruled him out of the early-season fixtures.

The striker's absence combined with a worrying lack of progress on the transfer front where forward players are concerned has left Everton desperately short of firepower. Lucas Digne's own goal at Villa Park last weekend was the only goal they have scored so far this season and unless Lampard is confident that Salomon Rondon is fit enough and sharp enough to lead the line, it could be a case of same again up front, with Anthony Gordon, Dwight McNeil and Demarai Gray. 

Forest travel as a largely unknown quantity given the dizzying amount of players that have come through the door during the close season. In Morgan Gibbs-White they are hoping to land their 16th signing of the summer, with a £15m deal for Brighton's Neil Maupay also reportedly in the works.

That takes there spending well past the £100m mark but all those incomings also make it difficult to assess Forest as opponents for this one so early in the campaign and with the new players just bedding in.

Steve Cooper's side looked vulnerable and somewhat over-awed in the face of Newcastle's intensity on the opening day at St James's Park where they were comfortably beaten 2-0 and if Everton can start well and get the Goodison crowd behind them then they can hopefully have enough to compensate for the glaring lack of firepower up front. 

At the very least, if Onana doesn't start, if Lampard's men can keep things tight until a good way into the second half, the Belgian could, along with Allan, provide the necessary drive that he showed in midfield on his debut to help get the team over the line.  

Kickoff: 3pm, Saturday 20 August, 2022
Referee: Andre Marriner
VAR: Tony Harrington
Last Time: Everton 0 - 1 Nottingham Forest (Jan 1999)

Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Patterson, Mykolenko, Davies, Iwobi, McNeil, Gordon, Gray

 

Reader Comments (88)

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Derek Taylor
1 Posted 19/08/2022 at 14:17:11
I suspect we may be back to square one with Kenwright making the £30 Million offers for players and then sitting down to negotiate paying at 30 bob a week!

Lampard was a model of obfuscation in his presser today and gave no assurances that the striker problem was of particular concern to him. He even mentioned Rondon's availability as a relief!

Jack Convery
2 Posted 19/08/2022 at 15:54:18
No doubt it will be Iwobi and Davies to start in midfield with Onana coming on after the hour mark. If Gordon is left out, then maybe Allan will start alongside Davies with Iwobi moving forward. I would like to see Stan Mills at some point too.

Pickford, Patterson, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Davies, Iwobi, Gray, Rondon and Gordon.

If Gordon is left out

Pickford, Patterson, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Davies, Allan, Iwobi, Rondon and Gray.

Kieran Kinsella
3 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:02:48
Frank "Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out on the grass now." So another pot head.
Brian Murray
4 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:03:50
Dcl running on grass. Doncoure has three weeks to learn how to pass a ball what’s not to love.
Denis Richardson
5 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:28:45
Lampard referring to Ali '"The only thing I know for sure is that hard work correlates on the pitch." Read into that what you will.

Not too unhappy about Doucoure being out as Onana looks like a decent signing. Personally I'd have him starting against Forest - most of the Forest team is new as it is.

Another game tomorrow with no striker. You've got to think all hell would break loose if we get to 31 August and haven't signed one. There'll be people with pitch forks outside GP. I think we've got irons in the fire for a couple of Chelsea players and the dominos will fall once the Gordon situation is done and Chelsea have signed one or two more. The likes of Broja, Gallagher and Gilmour can then leave. I'd be very happy with all three.

We'll be waiting until next week however before anything else happens. Hopefully Lampard will start Rondon and he can score or give one of the AMs the space to. Here's hoping the ball goes in off someones arse for a 1-0 win tomorrow. Already don't care about the performance.

Jeff Armstrong
6 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:48:09
Risk averse Frank will start with Davies over Onana, but will probably start with Rondon over Gray or McNeil, he wouldn’t risk the wrath of the home crowd by starting the same failed front 3 again, would he?
……nah too risky.
Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:55:16
Jeff (7),

Does this mean you think Lampard will start with Gordon?

Dale Self
8 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:56:41
I resent the pejoratives for having a puff. Some of these probably would benefit from some off season intake. As for Doucoure, and not to start the slag machine, but was that on his pirouette in the box when he overran the ball and allowed the shot? It is good to be darting back but you have to be in control of your body and anticipate the pass there. Maybe he pulled it as he was attempting something more impressive, don't know.
Jeff Armstrong
9 Posted 19/08/2022 at 16:58:45
Dave 9, yes I think Gordon will start, but in a more natural position out wide, with either Gray or McNeil opposite.
Jerome Shields
10 Posted 19/08/2022 at 17:11:23
Think Davies will start in place of Doucoure and it will be the same sort of front three Gray, Gordon and McNeil. If Gordon does not p!ay, anybody's guess. Frank normally sticks to his training blueprint.

Hope they get a result against Forest, a crisis in August is too much for most battle-weary fans.

Mike Gwyer
11 Posted 19/08/2022 at 17:27:08
We sort of really have to win this game and judging by the number of players Forest have bought, they will have about 20 subs to our 5.

What I think we need most though is luck, coz we got fuck-all in the last two games.

Jeff Armstrong
12 Posted 19/08/2022 at 17:36:16
He might put Calvert-Lewin on the bench to give him some much needed “match day experience”...
David Bromwell
13 Posted 19/08/2022 at 17:36:23
We have got to at least start with Rondon, and Onana alongside Davies, with Allan to come on if required.

Always remembering that we will only get all 3 points if we score and we certainly looked most likely to score last week when Rondon and Onana were on the pitch.

Robert Leigh
14 Posted 19/08/2022 at 17:58:19
They play a front two so three at the back to continue. I’d like to see:

Pickford
Holgate - Coady - Tarkowski
Paterson - Onana - Iwobi - Mykolenko
Gray - Rondon - McNeil

Like though as above with Davie instead of Onana, and Gordon instead of Rondon.

Big three points already.

Christopher Timmins
15 Posted 19/08/2022 at 17:59:21
I am going with a starting 11 of:

Pickford
Patterson
Holgate
Tark
Coady
Myko
Davis
Iwobi
McNeil
Rondon
Gordon

Home win!

Andy Peers
16 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:00:27
There is no way we can win this game if Tom Davies starts. Has to be Onana. I would also drop Gray for Rondon and give Mcneil and Gordon a target. The rest of the team picks itself with the 3 center backs.
Jay Harris
17 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:01:19
My preferred line-up;
Pickford
Patterson Coady Tarkowski Myolenko
Iwobi Allan Onana
McNeil Ronson Gordon

Suspected lineup:
Pickford
Patterson Holgate Coady Tarkowski Myolenko
Onana Allan
Gordon Gray McNeil.

If we don't get 3 points tomorrow, I expect the crowd to start turning.

Mike Owen
18 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:03:09
As soon as I saw that this game had been scheduled for August, I remembered a season-opener in the Seventies when Brian Clough brought his newly promoted Forest team to Goodison. Am sure many other ToffeeWebbers will remember this game, as we were expecting a win, but got turned over, losing 3-1.

Thought I'd look the game up. It was 1977, but what has surprised me is that it was on the very same day, the 20th, which evertonresults.com has pointed out.

So, we'll be playing them 45 years to the day. And kicking off at the very same time, quite something these days as we don't have too many Saturday 3pm kick-offs.

Small things amuse small minds, some of you may be saying. But if it takes my mind off our revolutionary 5-5-0 set-up, that's fine by me.

With Forest having signed 137 players in the summer, I'll be interested to see how they gel as a team.

Anyway, I am hoping for another shock 3-1 win, this time to us.

Jay Harris
19 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:04:28
Frank didn't inspire confidence when he said he couldn't guarantee him or Gordon would be there when the window closed.

It might have been tongue-in-cheek but it was a very unusual thing to say.

John Keating
20 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:05:03
Robert,

Good team; however, Gordon has to play unless a deal has been agreed with Chelsea.

Gray or McNeil, either, should make way for Gordon.
Onana has to play.

More important — we have to get 3 points.

David Hayes
21 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:06:52
You can clearly see the life draining out of Lampard. He was always surrounded by serial winners and quality difference-makers. The time he spent at Derby was just preparation for the next success in the Premier League.

Now… realisation that he is dealing with serial losers, without the two players who scored the goals and drove them on, is showing and causing him pain. This is not what he signed up for.

He wants a steady upward journey and plaudits at each forward step. This is not how its panning out another relagation fight is the most likely outcome of he stays, which I think he won't. So I don't know what the answer to fixing this self inflicted mess is, but it's going to be a long hard road,just to stay up.

Jack Convery
22 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:07:39
I'm expecting Gordon to be left out. He's too valuable to take a risk on losing £50M!!!

So Pickford, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Patterson, Mykolenko, Davies, Iwobi, Rondon, Gray, McNeil.

Onana on after the hour mark and, if fit, Coleman getting 15 minutes too. Vinagre or Allan to get a run out at some point. I would love to see Stanley Mills at some point too.

COYBs – 3 points to get the season really underway.

Lev Vellene
23 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:19:59
A Rondon Hat-Trick, Frank knows it's just been waiting to happen, once Rondon got enough rest!

Hmm, or was that a combined Gordon/Onana hat-trick? Why is it so tricky to be a prophet???

Sean Roe
24 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:22:22
This is one of only a few opposition defences that Rondon should be able to dominate to some extent so he has to start for me.

Other than hoping that Gray doesn't start, it's pretty much the usual suspects.

Everton 2 v 0 Forest

Tony Everan
25 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:25:12
I'm expecting Gordon to be left out too, Frank thinks he will be going by his answers today. If he got injured it could destroy our season and chances of bringing the reinforcements we need.

4-2-3-1:

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Coady Mykolenko
Allan Onana
McNeil Iwobi Gray
Rondon


Sam Hoare
26 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:28:56
Only real question marks are over Onana and Gordon. I think both may well start as Lampard knows that if we get beat tomorrow then it's a relegation battle already.

As much as I like Mykolenko I think the 3-4-3/5-2-3 (whatever formation you wanna call it) will work better with a left-back who can produce more from an attacking point. I'd be tempted to start Vinagre tomorrow and save Mykolenko for the matches where we expect to be defending more.

The squad is not ready yet. But Chelsea have apparently bid for Aubemeyang today. If they get him in I think there's a decent chance they'll let Broja leave on loan, which presumably is what we've been waiting for.

Martin Mason
27 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:30:20
I see an improvement tomorrow yet perhaps not a win. Improvement can't happen overnight even when you have all of the best players in place.

I believe we will see gradual improvements as the season goes by and very strong performances in the New Year. We are going the right way (McNeil apart?) and I see now as the start of the Everton revival.

Will Newman
28 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:30:49
Danny O’Neill: if you still need a lift to the game tomorrow, we can pick you up or meet you somewhere convenient. Ring 0208 715 3494 to make arrangements.
Andy Meighan
29 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:33:51
Reading between the lines there it doesn't look like Onana is starting. Personally I think it will be Allan.

So a starting eleven of:

Pickford, Patterson, Mykolenko, Coady, Tarkowski, Holgate, Iwobi, Allan...

Up front now this is where it gets tricky. Is it the same front 3 who don't look like scoring or will he play the lump Rondon?

Not liking the look of that midfield or strike force (ahem) indeed. Hope he doesn't leave Onana until we're losing at half-time. Why not just start him? The lad is raring to go.

Kunal Desai
30 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:36:01
I'm still on track here with predictions of 2 to 3 points from the opening 5 fixtures, which is probably likely to be extended to 8 fixtures considering the September ones we have.

Nottingham Forest will come to Goodison and take 3 points with ease. They won't have an awful lot to do all afternoon by way of soaking up any pressure from our non-existent forward line which I would not even consider as being powder puff.

Dennis, Lingard, Gibbs-White (take your pick) will see off a comfortable 1-0 or 2-0 victory. Everton are that predictable these days.

Winston Williamson
31 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:36:51
Got to win our home games. Simple as that. Regardless of who we’re playing or who is in the line up. Winning at home is a must!
Andy Walker
32 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:40:07
Lose this and we could easily still have zero points by mid-September. Even if we don't lose, we'll do well to have 3 points by mid-September.

Writing on the wall for Frank, I think. What do you expect with no proper, fit striker?

Jeff Armstrong
33 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:44:56
Kunal, nice to see your on here supporting and promoting the team, rather than your own negative predictions.
Joe McMahon
34 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:48:45
I just somehow hope we take 3 points tomorrow.

Also concerned about Frank's health, he wears his heart on his sleeve and being Everton manager is ageing him by the day.

Bill Gall
35 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:50:15
After listening to him talking, I doubt if Onana will start but will come on as a sub. Onana has only been at Everton for a week, so I am sure Lampard and his staff are fully aware of his fitness levels and learning the team tactics.

We don't know his level of fitness as his last game was on 3 June with the national team. I don't know if he was a starter for that game or a substitute. Prior to the international game, he played 20 minutes for Lille in a 2-2 tie on 21 May.

He does not seem to have played a lot before his transfer, unless they had pre-season games, so I guess that Lampard is a little nervous about his match fitness.

Stephen Williams
36 Posted 19/08/2022 at 18:51:47
Our season starts tomorrow – as I always thought it would. Our spectacular results against Chelsea had to stop at some point and, after their first-day poor showing, Villa were always going to step it up against us in their first home game.

Despite our obvious issues in attack, I have no doubt we'll also step up tomorrow and pick up much needed 3 points. It won't be particularly pretty but that doesn't matter.

I just don't get people going against us at home against a bottom to middling team. Just glad that most doing that don't seem to actually go to the game. We need positivity at the ground to create an atmosphere to drive the lads on.

Bill Gall
38 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:00:37
Gordon is under contract to play for Everton and I don't expect him to be left out of the team.

Sure he could get injured but he is an Everton player unless he is sold, and with all the talk about him wanting to leave, no problem, just put a transfer request in and show you want to leave.

Kunal Desai
39 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:06:45
Jeff, I call it as I see it. Would love to be more positive about this club right now but there isn't anything that currently stands out. It's called realism and it's likely to play out that way.

Thankfully we have a wonderful board who sold one of our forwards thinking they could get by without replacing him. Yet again, the board go under the radar.

They are a rancid lot but Evertonians give them a free pass as every season goes by sadly.

Raymond Fox
40 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:10:27
I agree, Andy, Onana wont start the game, although I would be tempted to.

Anybodys guess about Gordon, I think they should start him, we need the points.

We all have seem to have picked the same defenders, Keane got us the first goal against Palace though, but he seems to out of favour for now.

I'd go with Rondon up front, Iwobi is the first name on the teamsheet, Gray is due a goal, and I think Davies will start.

I thought earlier in the week that we might win a close game, but I'm not that confident now, we are all over the place.

Trevor Peers
41 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:10:46
Got to love some of the posts on here, talk about blue tinted optimism. God loves a trier and all that but, with the best will in the world, I just can't see us scoring with that awful forward line. A draw is the best we can hope for.

By the end of September, we will have paid the price for trying to win football matches without scoring goals! First time it's ever been adopted as a new tactic and definitely will be the last.
Danny O’Neill
42 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:23:28
I'm taking 3 points home tomorrow night Trevor. Or maybe Sunday morning. As long as we get the points I'll go home happy.
Trevor Peers
43 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:30:42
Hope they prove me wrong, Danny, it would be a lovely surprise mate!
Jack Convery
44 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:41:05
Any suggestions for who takes the penalty if we get one?
Jeff Armstrong
45 Posted 19/08/2022 at 19:55:19
Jack #42,

I think after wrestling the ball off Gordon, Coady will bury it!

John Kavanagh
46 Posted 19/08/2022 at 20:00:48
I'd love to be optimistic, but my 'Everton that' warning light is flashing brightly. Forest have 16 new signings and debutants just itching to open their accounts and we all know who any player yet to score a goal most likes to play against.

As for us, I think Gordon has already stated he wants out and may well refuse to play or just put in a token effort. Don't entirely blame him because we would only pay a fraction of what Chelsea have probably offered. We prefer to reserve the £100k plus wages for sick notes and wasters.

Lampard looked completely demoralised at his presser as I would be if facing the prospect of having Mr Puft as your only striker. All the early optimism about us finally getting things right is rapidly evaporating.

Best hope is that our new defence holds out until the second half and Onana and Mills are brought on to snatch a winner. Otherwise, we will soon replace Man Utd as the official crisis club.

Andy Crooks
49 Posted 19/08/2022 at 21:04:57
Tom Davies trains like fuck. Dele is, apparently, lazy as fuck. Which one might be a match winner? Tom, because if you train like fuck you play, if you don't you go to Turkey.

Duncan Mackenzie wouldn't get a look-in today.

Rick Tarleton
50 Posted 19/08/2022 at 21:06:00
We must start with a false number 9, just like Barcelona did in 2012 when Messi was at his peak and as Man City did when they won the Premier League last season.

This tactical masterpiece means you haven't a target man, but in the cases above you've enough talented midfielders to improvise that role.

In our case, it defines insanity in that you repeat something that manifestly does not work and believe it will get a different result.

Dave Abrahams
51 Posted 19/08/2022 at 21:07:14
Jeff (8),

Yes, Gordon playing wide would be better for him and Everton but I doubt very much he will be playing or even on the bench.

I think he is definitely going to Chelsea – he's played his last game for Everton.

Bernie Quinn
52 Posted 19/08/2022 at 21:30:17
Danny at 39 - For God's sake, Write some more, Danny! Its so depressing reading all this doom and gloom.

We are a good team of players against a team of good players - and the good team usually wins. So it's 3 points for us!

Rob Jones
53 Posted 19/08/2022 at 21:42:01
Can we stop doing Kenwright's work for him re: Gordon?
Mark Ryan
54 Posted 19/08/2022 at 22:11:40
From what was said in Frank's presser I fully expect Anthony Gordon to start. He said words to the effect of "he's a massive part of what we're trying to do here".

I think he plays tomorrow...

Geoff Lambert
55 Posted 19/08/2022 at 22:35:25
Need to defend for our lives tomorrow and hope we can nick one from a set piece.

1-0 To the blues header from a free kick.

Ted Donnelly
56 Posted 19/08/2022 at 22:51:11
Can anyone give me a site to watch the game on?
Brian Wilkinson
57 Posted 20/08/2022 at 00:26:50
I have a strange optimistic feeling about tomorrow, all logic of not having a centre-forward is worrying, but if we do not start Rondon, I would go with Gordon and Gray out wide and try McNeil as the false Number 9.

We have already seen, he can get into the box and certainly has better heading ability than Gray or Gordon. We have tried Gordon there without success; put Gordon back out wide and play to Gordon's strength.

I'm going for a 2-0 win, McNeil and a centre-half from a corner for our other goal.

Paul Birmingham
58 Posted 20/08/2022 at 00:44:04
Brian, a very good idea, and I'd say is viable, and can be done.

But like Forest, Everton, have a few newbies, Forest are almost all newbies. That's for Everton to exploit on the park, but the midfielders and wingbacks will have to be in good synch and tune.

Steel, belief, keep possession, verbal communication, and belief, Everton, have a great chance to beat Forest, and I believe they will.

Albert Perkins
59 Posted 20/08/2022 at 01:04:09
Ted, 52. These are my go to links for the past 4 years.

https://livetv.sx/enx/?fbclid=IwAR0P4xhAubsGm0V9yVqTW-uKu5JH3lEujX6b-A81OIkLMv27MY_jLWv8P4A

or

https://phatgoc.tv/xem-bong-da-truc-tuyen?page=1

Paul Birmingham
60 Posted 20/08/2022 at 01:43:46
Rick, it's a great idea, but getting the mileage and commitment, to make this system, work at Everton FC, let's hope so.

In most games Everton's fitness, on average the last 5 years, in my view is lacking, compared to all opposition, across all competitions.

Laurie Hartley
61 Posted 20/08/2022 at 02:14:54
I can't see Lampard risking Gordon in the current circumstances. It's actually too much of a risk financially seeing as how we are skint. That being the case I think this is a game to start Alli and Rondon up top.

I have being having a long hard think about Alli. I can't see him wanting to go to Turkey – that really would be a personal disaster. I wouldn't say much to him I would just say “You're starting with Rondon up top”. He would then be faced with an opportunity to re-ignite his career. A bit of pressure might be just what he needs.

As for the rest of the line-up I think Lampard will stick with three at the back. My starting line-up would be:-

Pickford,
Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski,
Patterson, Allan, Onana, Vinagre, Mykolenko
Alli, Rondon.

Up the Blues!!!

Kim Vivian
62 Posted 20/08/2022 at 07:38:48
If Frank is serious about wanting, and trying, to keep Gordon at the club, he will definitely start him today. If he starts on the bench for a late impact appearance, then I will read it as keeping him in cotton wool so as not to jeopardise a sale.

My gut feeling this time yesterday is that no way would he start but, reading and hearing comments over the past day, my thinking has shifted somewhat.

Start or not, I'm expecting a tough contest this afternoon. Based on what I saw last weekend, our defense will be having a busy afternoon but hopefully someone somehow can manage to get on the score sheet for us (a couple would be nice) rather than relying on an own-goal here and there. I do hope and expect to see Rondon start.

Hoping for better of course, but predicting a draw today.

Andy Meighan
63 Posted 20/08/2022 at 08:59:43
Kunal 26. If you're that optimistic of Forest taking the points why don't you lump on them. Sounds to you like it's buying money.

Obviously a lack of firepower is worrying, but we've more than enough in us to get a win. Our crowd will see to that.

UTFT.

Danny Baily
64 Posted 20/08/2022 at 09:08:21
Massive game, we'll need a bit of luck today. This fixture would no doubt have us greeting the coach with smoke flares if it were held in May.

I hope Frank and the lads are going into it with the right mindset: we desperately need 3 points.

Mark Ryan
65 Posted 20/08/2022 at 09:31:16
Tragic that we still have Holgate in the team and Gomes, Keane, Davies, Allan on the bench. Shows how desperately thin our squad is.
Ted Donnelly
66 Posted 20/08/2022 at 09:58:27
Cheers Albert #59...UTFT!
Dave Abrahams
67 Posted 20/08/2022 at 10:07:24
Laurie (61),

Did you leave Iwobi out on purpose? He's not my favourite player but might need his energy in two-thirds of the pitch, the final third attacking part needs him to do a lot more.

Danny O’Neill
68 Posted 20/08/2022 at 10:22:04
Here we go. Well en route and looking forward to it as well as the first 3 points of the season.

Hopefully see a few of you there. I can't hang around after as I've got catch a National Express coach to head home and timing is tight.

Brian Harrison
69 Posted 20/08/2022 at 10:38:18
I don't know if Lampard's relaxed attitude to not having bought a striker since Richarlison departed, was more a message to potential clubs who we might want to purchase one of their strikers, that we won't be held to ransom.

While I agree – don't just buy a striker for the sake of it, as it has to be someone the manager wants, and that looks like it's Broja – but I think Gordon will have to go to Chelsea for them to do a deal with us over Broja.

Many posters have speculated about maybe Gordon not starting. Well, if he doesn't, you have to ask why they haven't done the deal, because sitting him on the bench doesn't help us win today's game. I hope he plays and Lampard plays him in his proper position, out wide, and not as a false 9 which doesn't work for Gordon or Everton.

I hope Lampard puts our best defensive midfielder back in the team, as I think Allan and Onana is our best pairing if he wants to continue with just 2 in midfield – another poor tactic like his 5 at the back.

I think Lampard listens to Uncle Harry too much, last season Allan was playing well and Uncle Harry was on TalkSport saying Allan had no legs and Frank needed legs in midfield; from that day onwards, Allan was hardly selected.

Raymond Fox
70 Posted 20/08/2022 at 10:39:04
Home advantage is a definite plus, we are 10/11 favs so someone fancies us!

Will Gordon play or not, that's the question.

Martin Mason
71 Posted 20/08/2022 at 11:07:06
i remember the 1977 game well when Forest came up. They absolutely annihilated Everton and we nicked a lucky 3-1 defeat. Should have been far more.
Paul Birmingham
72 Posted 20/08/2022 at 11:23:58
Good journey up to Goodison, Danny, and here’s to a great day for Evertonians.

Roy Johnstone
73 Posted 20/08/2022 at 11:41:42
Mike Owen 18. That forest game in 77 was my first game. Getting ready to go today, completely oblivious to it being 45 years to the day until I read your comment. Bizarre, and a good omen I hope. UTFT.
Brian Murray
74 Posted 20/08/2022 at 11:46:57
Roy. I think Elvis died that day or week. Like today we need a little less conversation little more action. Coyb need someone to really step up and if not working change it at half time not repeat not the last 20.
Danny O’Neill
75 Posted 20/08/2022 at 12:00:14
I like him Rob, not a bad call.

Thanks Paul. It's been a strange and disjointed trip. On the plus side, it's not rammed as usual and I've got a table to myself.

Downside; due to the strike action, no catering, so nothing to put on the table. Guess it will have to wait until I get to the Northwestern at Lime Street!! A couple in posh 'Spoons before heading to the ground.

Kim Vivian
76 Posted 20/08/2022 at 12:05:12
Weren't we linked with Jiminez before he went to Wolves? I've always thought that and noticed him for that reason.

Brian - Really? - I thought he was in the building at Finch Farm recently.

Dean Williams
77 Posted 20/08/2022 at 12:06:40
Hey boys. Anyone know a good stream for later, I gotta work 😪
Dean Williams
78 Posted 20/08/2022 at 12:06:40
Hey boys. Anyone know a good stream for later, I gotta work 😪
Laurie Hartley
79 Posted 20/08/2022 at 12:34:54
Dave # 67 - to be honest, I forgot about him - that's why I put Vinagre in.

Looking back at the side I picked though to my eyes it looks balanced. Vinagre can get round the back, cross a ball and defend. I think there is more chance of us scoring with Rondon and Alli up front than the forward line we put out last week.

Allan and Rondon have to play in my opinion so for me it's down to perm any two from the three of Onana, Vinagre, and Iwobi. Unless of course the manager drops Holgate and goes 4-4-2 which I can't see him doing.

Ian Riley
80 Posted 20/08/2022 at 12:58:10
We must get a point at least. Strange but a six pointer at this stage. Forest score first we are done! We just can't score 2 or more!!!


Please prove me wrong lads!!!

Paul Birmingham
81 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:03:48
In the Heritage Society looking for some Chrimbo presents for the Family. Lol.

Good crack with Forest fans, they are believing they'll beat Everton 2-0.

In good spirit, I said the best team will win today and it's Everton!

Danny Baily
83 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:26:41
Raymond, narrow favourites at home to a newly promoted side says a lot!
Nicolas Piñon
84 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:32:53
Pickford;
Patterson, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Vinagre;
Allan, Onana;
Gordon, iwobi, Rondón.
Jay Harris
85 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:36:03
Rob
Jimenez has been injured and is just getting bavk to fitness. He is normally first choice but like DCL has had some injury concerns in the last couple of years.
Matthew Williams
86 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:40:01
With no Strikers, the best we can do at the moment is get a draw...0-0 methinks.
Rob Jones
87 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:43:15
I know he's got his limitations, but I just want to see Rondon make it into the starting eleven. If I see Gordon in the Number 9 role again, I might actually scream.

88 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:43:35
Please don't embarrass Gordon by putting him centre-forward.
Denis Richardson
89 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:48:38
Dean 77/78 see post 59…..

Honestly don’t know what to think about the game today. It seems like August is a write off until we get a striker or two in. I’m not a Lampard fan but I’m also not sure how any manager is supposed to function properly in this league without any decent striker available to him.

Penny for Lampards thoughts. Bet he never in a million years envisaged being in the situation he’s now in. Problem is, about 30k people could see the slowmo car crash from a mile off, have been seeing it for years.

Fingers crossed for today - no idea how we’ll play.

Dave Abrahams
90 Posted 20/08/2022 at 13:49:20
Laurie (79), I think it is hard to pick an Everton eleven at the moment, I think Rondon will play hopefully from the start, not sure about Dele with one paper saying the loan deal has been completed to the Turkish team, don’t even know if he’s here or in Turkey and we fans are the last to get to know anything from the club.

I still think we should have enough to beat Forest and I will be going shortly and cheering the Blues onto a win no matter how we get it, shades of last season already.

I hope you are keeping okay Laurie and we get that win which will cheer us all up and by the end of this transfer window we will be feeling much easier about our future prospects.

Christy Ring
91 Posted 20/08/2022 at 14:00:15
We have to forget about the false No. 9, it hasn't worked. Gordon can't head the ball and isn't physical enough in that position, but he has to start on the wing, whether Chelsea up their bid or not, and Rondon upfront.

I hope Onana starts, but listening to Frank's press conference yesterday, he's not match fit, neither is Allan.

Paul Hewitt
92 Posted 20/08/2022 at 14:03:17
Terrible midfield two.

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