Everton vs Newcastle United

Still, effectively a 3-week gap between matches gives him an opportunity to shake it off. If it is minor of course.

Definitely at Finch Farm.

Maybe our finances are such that it's the only way we can acquire them.

He has been excellent in our last 2 games.

Please let us not go there again.

However, if there's a doubt and a rest will clear up his issues fully, then I would rather we let him sit it out.

Gutting though because it'll mean we concede 2-3 goals minimum without him.

Get some painkillers and then have two weeks rest.

We will get pasted if we start with Keane against the Skunks.

Either get Jarrad Branthwaite through it or get the big lad in that we spunked £16M on.

Oh wait, we won last week. Scratch that.

As much as Moyes has significant limitations, he was the architect of our team that had Baines, Jagielka, and Coleman in the back line plus Pienaar, Osman, Cahill, Arteta and more in it, all of whom had a goal threat in them.

Do we even have physios or a match conditioning coach?

He was still as good as anyone else the next day though because the kid is simply a natural footballer.

We are going to need some pace in defence this weekend because the Barcodes will use Gordon's speed as they did against Man City. So Keane is not going to cut it.

It may be worth playing Dixon as he has some pace along with O'Brien. Otherwise, we are going to have to play deep which opens up the middle of the park to their superior midfield.

I really hope Dyche has got his thinking head on for this game without the Carlisle Kaiser.

I will admit he's been better for the last two games but the prior 30+ games he's an accident waiting to happen. So you're kind of grading on a curve.

He still is an accident waiting to happen. Anthony Gordon will probably shred him apart.

It was a quad that started Calvert-Lewin's problems.

His issue isn't doing okay for the majority of the game. His issue is that, when he's put under pressure, he makes mistakes that cost games. Newcastle will put him in positions that neither Leicester nor Palace could.

If Keane starts, we don't.

Anyway, it is what it is and we have to win with the team we can put out. If it's not working after 30 minutes, sub the likely weakness and get on with it. Don't wait until 60 minutes, as the coaching rule book seems to preach ( a load of crap IMO).

I hope the crowd stays behind the team all the way!

Gutted to read that Branthwaite probably won’t make it, I’d probably fill the midfield a bit more whiteout him and perhaps drop Harrison - Harrison had decent second half against Palace and a great assist, but he usually frustrates me and tends to lose the ball in the final third. Just the one ‘winger’ in Ndiaye perhaps? The barcodes have a solid midfield so we may need to wrestle control of that.

Anything can happen, we’ll create chances and hopefully Gordon has a stinker if he plays up top - preferably sent off for diving!

I have never liked the bashing of ex players but Gordon has shown himself to be an odious RS twat so i am open to him getting some rough treatment but players and fans :)

On the defensive pairing topic I am hoping our new manager (who will inevitably come in with Friedkin) is open to playing 3 at the back and giving Patterson a new lease of life as a wing back (his favoured position). That back three of Jarrad, O'Brien and Tarks would have any striker shitting themselves.

When Young was red carded against Brighton. we were already beaten and being run ragged. However, unlike Tarkowski who has been repeatedly exposed without Branthwaite, I cant think of a single goal we have conceded through a Young error this season - Happy to have one pointed out to me though.

I also think Gordon must have turned into Ronaldo since he left because the guy dubbed (again by the over-excitable's) As a " orrible useless twat, with no end product" Is now giving them sleepless nights.

Why is he even being mentioned ?

Baahhhaaa

Newcastle are a good team and have injuries. We are a good team and have injuries. Any game of football can be won.

I won't be going to Goodison thinking we can't win. Play without fear. Support without fear. I'll see some of you there.

As Lyndon says realistically a point might not be a bad result tomorrow. Get more fit and ready for the Ipswich game

I think that Tarkowski and Keane just don’t pair up effectively, whoever’s fault it is, it just doesn’t work, I think we have seen that already this season, so if no Branthwaite then I would go O’Brien for Keane.

I would also swap Young for Dixon. I actually think Young has played well recently but he must only be used as a sub now for a part of the game, he is too old to play a full 90 at full back imo, we need some pace.

It might be a bit early to make any claims of dependability. His ratio of disasters is still holding strong.

Definitely two in midfield is giving the pitch and the game to the opposition. Palace should have scored more in that first half last week. Harrison is hardly anyone's favourite but he strengthened the team when he came on last week, can he keep it up?

Maybe not but he is much better than Lindstrom in his present form and some knowledgeable fans say Lindstrom is being played out of position, whatever his best position is he doesn't look strong enough for the Premier League at the moment.

Defense is the key but they cannot seem to look anything but out to lunch almost every game.

If they can ride their luck and Young has a decent game against Gordon, who knows?

What you say about Lindstrøm not being strong enough, is exactly what I said after seeing him in the Premier League. The lad needs to bulk up a bit or he's going to flounder and he's too skillfull for that.

I'll have to do the job myself; without Branthwaite we could lose 10-0!!

What are the fucking coaching staff doing at Finch Farm?

Let's hope he plays, if not I would hope the Manager finds a way of adding some pace to the defence or at least adding a further person in midfield to give the defence more protection.

He's actually played over 700 games.

I don't think mentioning the games he didn't play in strengthens you case against him. Just the eight goals conceded by calamitous defending when he wasn't even on the pitch.

If it's disaster ratios you are interested in, then a quick look at the goals we have conceded will tell you everything we need to know. X most definitely, marks the spot.

Look Ernie. I know you are right. A fella approaching 40 shouldn't be getting anywhere near our team, But he is and it pisses me off when people slag our players off long before a ball is kicked.

I truly believe that anyone prepared to climb down from the TW bandwagon will testify that Young has been the very least of our problems this season. 40 is not good, but five international defenders and an international goalkeeper looking like they have never played the game in their lives Is a whole lot worse.

The defensive unit is not functioning. Scapegoating the only one who looks like a professional at the moment isn't the answer. It will not fix anything.

But Pawson is just as bad if not worse than Oliver. Kavanagh a partner in crime too.

So somehow we have to get through this game without tackling while Newcastle can foul away.

It is time Dyche showed some initiative if Branthwaite is out. We don't need a strapping big slow defender to replace him we need a mobile defender best able to deal with Gordon.

I will be delighted with a draw and no red cards for us!

COYB!

If Jarrad is not available I would beef the midfield up with Gana, Mangala and Ironbraum, leaving Calvert-Lewin up front with McNeil and Ndiaye for support.

Everton with Keane and Young are like tripe and onions.

What does O'Brien need to do to get a start and prove himself?

Personaly I think Keane has something on Dyche. Simon Jordon pointed out the other week, when Keane plays, Everton generally lose.

I’d like to see O’Brian get a game. Supposedly paid £17m for him and he’s catching splinters on the bench. However, I cannot imagine it won’t be Keane in the middle, especially if Dixon has to come in.

We’re at home and scoring and they have Isak and I think Wilson out so both suffering with injuries. Hopefully we get something out of the game to keep momentum going. Then have a couple of weeks to get the walking wounded back.

Apparently in our last 20 home games against them we’ve won 12 and drawn 7 so no need for doom and gloom (just yet).

Looking forward to it.

I hate to say it but Godfrey at least was fast and could play as an emergency full-back.

I think these changes were led by financial fair play constraints rather than football.

He’s not really had a chance to show what he’s about tbf.

And I guess a little concerned about anything Dyche chooses being a blunt instrument for character assassination

I don't know who he is but it's widely accepted on TPF that he has a contact in the club.

I'm not trying to claim he's been our biggest problem this season. Just that, as you yourself say, he shouldn't be in the team.

He's got this knack of looking alright until he makes a game-defining mistake. He simply doesn't have the reactions or the recovery speed. Not his fault – he's doing 'pretty well for an arl fella'.

In 4 games, he's had one disaster. Play him another 4 times and he'll have at least one more. Decent teams know they can target him.

If the argument against Dixon (or Patterson when fit) is that he's young and will make mistakes then I'd still go with him – at least there's something to learn from those mistakes.

Whereas Young just continues to learn that Father Time has caught up with him and he can't do anything about it.

Like Everton, we have serious fitness problems. Our normal contingent of 25 is down to 18. Missing both of our inspirational 80-year-olds and a guy with a hand injury. (Hand injury???) We're shooting for top 4 after finishing 6th last year, but it'll be tough with our depleted ranks.

Hope to come home to find the Blues have banked three points, but honestly, without Jarrad and Vitalii, I'll cheerfully settle for one.

Hopefully the turning point for Everton fortunes is near.

My starting XI:

Pickford
O'Brien Tarkowski Keane
Harrison Gueye Mangala Young
Ndiaye Calvert-Lewin McNeil

Subs: Virginia, Dixon, Garner, Iroegbunam, Doucoure, Beto, Lindstrom, Armstrong

Newcastle also have significant injury problems of their own. No reason not to try for all 3 points.

I hope it works. If not, I enjoyed my time on here and, UTFT!

Right, off to zzzzz after the last dry white is poured, thinking of a Ndiaye romp and a Gordon missed pen.

Wish me luck please with my FPL team for today: Raya - Gabriel - Digne - Porro - Mbuemo - Semenyo, Saka - Palmer (C) - Jackson - Solanke - Watkins

It's difficult to argue with any of that. The fact is; Young is an Everton player. We should be supporting him. After two excellent games, he is entitled to expect some praise.

Fans pay their money (one way or another) and they are more than entitled to criticize players who can earn more in a year than they may earn in a lifetime, but for fuck's sake, mate, can't we at least wait until the game starts before we start putting the size nines in?

We're meant to be on their side!

'you're gonna get your fucking heads kicked in', 'we are evil', 'you'll never make the station', 'you're going home in a fucking ambulance', 'i was walking down lime street swinging my chain ... ' 'jesus christ was an evertonian', 'i'm a bone legged ... '

Come on now!

Take care mate, hope you are feeling good.

But knowing Dyche, he'll play Garner at full-back, which hasn't worked, instead of in a 3-man midfield.

Benitez got slaughtered for Rondon but I'm sure if you would have asked him, then I'm certain he would tell you that, if the club had given him some money, then there is no way in the world that Solomon would have been asked to sign for Everton.

(Benitez should have never been given the job either, especially when they gave him about £2 million to spend, I know!)

We are fans who want the best for our club, and will all obviously disagree with the manager on his team selections at different times, just like thousands of us will do today if Michael Keane, is picked Dave, because that Tarkowski looks awful without the calming influence of Jarrod Brainthwaith playing next to him!!

Every fan, player, coach supporting each other. NSNO!

“We're all mad we're all round the bend!
We are the Stanley Stanley Park End - graaaaahhhhhhh”!

Sweet dreams, Yanqui!

"Lady slagging me off from the bedroom." I assume that is your next door neighbour! :-)

Jose Mourinho possibly our next manager!! What the Fuck???

Also, I can't see him working at Everton under our current financial situation – he's not one to operate within constraints.

He may yet prove to be a good signing but it could take a bit of time.

Can't see a back three starting today so I'd have my three most mobile central midfielders. For me that would include Iroegbunam but I suspect the manager will pick Doucs.
Ndiaye, Calvert-Lewin and McNeil looking to keep them fully occupied at the other end.

Keane is getting Tarkowsis share of criticism as well as his own at the moment. I think Lindstrøm is obviously still adjusting and a knock last week affected his performance.

He's got decent pace (well, definitely when compared to McNeil and Harrison), looks to play forwards, looks to make himself available, runs the channels, and is a dead-ball specialist. I think there is a lot more to come from him.

A game in the balance. Right attitude and focus essential. Come on you Blues!

Myself I have a feeling we will win this game, no great logic involved but I think we can do it.

5/2 Everton
6/5 Newcastle
11/4 The draw

I get the message:

"Bad request: your browser sent a request that your server could not understand. Size of request header exceeds server limit."

Tried to access from a few different search engines but no joy. No problem accessing any other website either.

Last resort of turning phone on and off again... fingers crossed.

Neither are especially good as a left-sided centre back.

O'Brien is right footed but may be a better bet there.