West Bromwich Albion vs Everton

, 1 September, 40comments  |  Jump to most recent
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With the transfer window closed — not without some late drama at Goodison Park — and coveted stars like Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini still safe in the Royal Blue bosom, Everton travel back to the Midlands to take on West Bromwich Albion a week after taking apart Aston Villa on their own turf.

David Moyes had already managed to add Costa Rican left-back Bryan Oviedo and teenage winger Matthew Kennedy on deadline day before the last-breaking news that the Club had struck a season-long loan deal with Club Brugge for Belgian international, taking to six the total number of incoming transfers after the prior arrivals of Steven Naismith, Steven Pienaar and Kevin Mirallas.

The 23 year-old defensive midfielder's move won't be done and dusted until Everton receive clearance from FIFA in the coming days but the announcement of his impending arrival will have added one more shot in the arm to a team — not to mention its fans — that is humming right now with potential and anticipation.

Moyes takes his side's 100% record in all three games so far this season to the Hawthorns to take on a WBA side who have made a good start to the new campaign themselves. A comprehensive opening-day victory over Liverpool, followed by a draw at Tottenham and a League Cup win at Yeovil mean that Steve Clark's men will also be full of confidence for this one.

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While Moyes was in London attending the hearing for Oviedo's work permit, Steve Round told reporters at Finch Farm that the Blues have a fully-fit squad for this weekend and that will give the manager a nice selection problem, not least because of the goalscoring form of Fellaini and Mirallas.

There was a fluidity to Everton's play last weekend that allowed the Belgian to move in and out of central midfield at Villa Park last weekend and it will be interesting to see whether Moyes drops Fellaini back a little alongside Darron Gibson and uses Mirallas behind Nikica Jelavic or plays Mirallas out wide in place of Steven Naismith or finds some other combination to use all four of these in-form, more attacking players at once.

At the back, John Heitinga will be champing at the bit to make his first start in the Premier League but that might depend on the fitness and energy levels of Sylvain Distin. At right back, meanwhile, Tony Hibbert's neck strain appears to have cleared up so Phil Neville's hamstring tweak against Leyton Orient in midweek might not necessitate Seamus Coleman continuing in what was his natural position before he came to Everton, but Moyes will make late checks before he decides.

For the hosts, arguably their biggest threat, loan striker Romelu Lukaku, could miss out after picking up an ankle strain and pacey forward Peter Odemwingie is also a doubt with a thigh strain.

There is no doubt that a third successive League win would be the perfect platform to take into the international break and it would certainly provide another statement of Everton's intent this season. With the team already hitting high gear, the most recent acquisitions will only intensify the belief that this team should fear no one in their quest to break into the top four this season.

Lyndon Lloyd

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Reader Comments (40)

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Jamie Crowley
1 Posted 01/09/2012 at 02:26:10
I pray Lukaku is out - guy scares the shit out of me. Despite my child-like giddiness at present thanks to our signings.
Ernie Baywood
2 Posted 01/09/2012 at 02:30:57
Never thought I'd feel this nervous before a game at West Brom.

That feeling that we're on the verge of something special, with further boosts to the team coming, and the knowledge of how happy I could wake up on Sunday morning.

COYB!!!

James Flynn
3 Posted 01/09/2012 at 02:37:03
Good player Jamie. On the other hand, WBA fans need to be afraid of our boys. Very afraid.
Pat Finegan
4 Posted 01/09/2012 at 02:50:00
I've never been this optimistic about Everton before. If we get a win out of this one, I'll be expecting big things this season.

Funny how Toffeeweb is turning into a happy place.

COYB

Jamie Crowley
5 Posted 01/09/2012 at 02:47:43
Dear Mike Green -

Please forgive Mr. Flynn. He's a New Yorker, and hence hasn't a clue when to "let it go."

If you were familiar with the Northeastern American culture you'd find James simply hilarious. As you're probably from GB somewhere (think your Welsh if my memory serves me correctly?) you may think him a right twat.

He's not. It's Northeastern USA charm, and frankly we find it hilarious over here.

Ugly Americans... ich!

Conor Skelly
6 Posted 01/09/2012 at 02:51:39
Howard
Hibbo Jags Distin Baines

Miralles Gibson OJ Pienaar

Fellaini
Jelevic

Pat Finegan
7 Posted 01/09/2012 at 03:03:22
Don't think Odjidja is available yet, Conor. Likely Ossie or Nev in there with Gibson. I'd prefer Ossie personally but either will do.
Jamie Crowley
9 Posted 01/09/2012 at 03:33:24
James don't disagree, but don't entirely agree. He's no Freddy Lynn, Jim Rice, Roger Clemens... errr.... Kevin Youklis... double errrr....

It's professional sports. Everton let Cahill go with no "send off", no rousing ovation for that man's incredible contribution to the Club.

Same thing. Beckett will always get an ovation at Fenway.

Now Lackey on the other hand...

Peter Barry
10 Posted 01/09/2012 at 03:38:33
This game should be a good pointer as to where we really stand in League form. WBA comprehensively destroyed the RS on the opening day and had a creditable draw with Spurs too. So a win over them or a good - not bore - draw would to me seem to show that our good start is not a flash in the pan but perhaps a sign of good things to come. I certainly hope so.
James Flynn
11 Posted 01/09/2012 at 03:49:37
Peter - Fair enough.

But if we're going to excel this season, clubs like WBA have to be thrashed in their own building. That wil be our "sign of good things to come".

Ernie Baywood
12 Posted 01/09/2012 at 04:06:51
Agree with Peter (for the first time I think), a good performance and a draw would be a 'par'.

What's given me hope so far is that in three games we've shown there is plan A, B, and C... not just turning up with the same approach in each game and hoping as we have in the past. The more mire pragmatic approach was exactly right against Utd. Villa was measured, Orient expansive.

You can see why formations seem to have changed in the better teams. They offer more flexibility and transition.

Pat Finegan
13 Posted 01/09/2012 at 04:23:56
An Evertonian who likes the Red Sox? Isn't that like a Jew who likes pork chops?

Rule 1: Never affiliate yourself with anything affiliated with Liverpool FC. The Red Sox are not kosher.

Andy Peers
14 Posted 01/09/2012 at 04:33:37
I think Moyes has been visited by the ghost of Dixie Dean.
Jamie Crowley
15 Posted 01/09/2012 at 04:32:39
Pat -

Whereas I don't disagree with your Rule #1 in principle, surely you'd agree to the Cardinal Rule of Sports:

Don't trust bandwagon jumpers. Fealty to purpose and team is paramount. All else come from the Evil One.

As I was born in Boston, and have been through Hell and back with the Sox, can I help it their owners found LFC a sound business investment?

Waiting for the fucking Yankees to buy Everton, to completely fuck up my sporting life.

If that happens, I'll convert from Catholicism to Judaism, and start every day off with a large helping of bacon.

Stuart Gray
16 Posted 01/09/2012 at 06:21:24
Back to the game. I've got a bad feeling about this, probably because we have a recent history of thinking we might win a game only to play below par. Plus it's an international break, we always seem to lose before an international break.

To my mind Moyes has some demons to put to rest, He has to keep his teams playing well and not have those below par performances. And he has to beat Liverpool. Win this game and it's a start, I look at the fixtures and I think we should have 6 wins out of 6 by the end of September. Do that and I might start believing.

Jamie Zeqiri
17 Posted 01/09/2012 at 08:22:40
Thanks Stuart, needed that dose of Toffeeweb style realism, it really was no fun at all running purely on the good feelings generated by a season started with three terrific performances, three wins, keeping all of our essential players and bringing in more. I was so miserable reading only about how good things are rather than how terrible they could be if we now go on a run of 35 heavy defeats in a row and heaven forbid I spend any time at all not thinking about the shambles of a team that play across the park from us even though we are not playing them until the end of next month and, although the league is in its foetal stage, they cannot go above us for at least a couple of weeks.

Thank you for saving me from the lunacy of enjoying the good times while they are around.

Nick Entwistle
18 Posted 01/09/2012 at 08:35:09
Howard
Hibbert Jags Heitinga Baines
Fallaini Gibson
Naismith Osman Pienaar
Jelavic

Mirallas off the bench.

Barry Rathbone
20 Posted 01/09/2012 at 09:12:29
Should be a good game, Albion always have the ability to surprise and we're the best team in the land at the moment.

Expect a competitive game possibly them taking an early lead with a 2 - 2 scoreline 15 mins from the end.

At which time we'll go up the gears and win 8 - 2.

Pete Anthony
21 Posted 01/09/2012 at 09:31:20
Nick E's team I will go along with, with Distin in for Johnny.

To state the obvious, if we can start right again i.e. good tempo and the forward players menacing with a good rhythm, we can have this won by HT (again). Confidence, LOVE IT.
COYB.
Ernie Baywood
22 Posted 01/09/2012 at 09:53:41
Might still be Distin and don't know if Hibbert is full fit but Nick's team should start.

What's more, it's also the team i'd pick so it must be right.

Mike Green
23 Posted 01/09/2012 at 09:58:07
Barry 767 - "we're the best team in the land at the moment"

With the exception of possibly Chelsea, and Swansea could have a shout too you are absolutely right - how sweet does that sound?

Hopefully the players will go in todays game confident and up for it, no reson why they shouldn't. We've had a pretty faultless start and that includes the transfer window so quietly optimistic about today, a draw wouldnt surprise me though.

I think WBA's result against LFC flattered them to be honest but they're going to be going for it today I reckon so Barry you're right again - competitive will be the word!

Only 5 hours till kick off - isn't it great being on the up!

COYB.

Ian Smitham
24 Posted 01/09/2012 at 10:02:45
Flipping Eck, picking our best team has just got a lot more difficult. Nick, I appreciate TH is fit, but can not see him displacing Pip, and Distin is the Managers first choice at CB (L)

Aside from that a very likely set up including what I think will be the general formation of the team for the season ahead. 4 2 3 1. Suddenly we seem to have a squad to play that style and rotate the players without weakening the team, happy days and good luck to those going to WBA today, enjoy the trip and what I think will be 3 points and giddy heights in the table tonight.

John Ford
25 Posted 01/09/2012 at 10:10:34
Yes to Nicks team .....and Fellaini just in front of Gibson. Still far prefer him here to up front.

Did someone suggest Coleman for right back...no thanks, like the lads attitude and commitment - but watching him play always reminds of the chicken chasing scene from Rocky.

Terry Riley
26 Posted 01/09/2012 at 10:43:00
Just been reading on the belgian sport channel Sporza that Club Brugge think that the blues were too late in registering Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe and therefore expect Vadis Odjidja-Ofoe to be focused on their next game.............
Graham Mockford
27 Posted 01/09/2012 at 12:24:13
They say expectation is the root of all heartache, So I'm really trying to keep mine in check. Even the bookies have us favourites today FFS.

I'd be happy enough with a point today as I am sure they will be a much tougher test than Villa.
Denis Richardson
28 Posted 01/09/2012 at 12:41:37
Would have neville at rb as I don't want him in cm but think moyes will play gibson and neville in cm with hibbo at rb. (Assuming neville is fit?)

Although the purist in me would like to see fellaini and gibson as the two holding CMs, I have to admit the hair has been sensational playing off the front man, so fellaini and jelavic up top.

Behind them, pienaar is always a no brainer and I think moyes will stick with osman, at least not to change things too much. Naismith or Mirralas for the third AM spot, don't mind which tbh, as both seem decent.

Only issue I have is neville in the midfield - but given thats the only issue I have, I am happy with that. Last season, the issues would take up a page!

Really is key that gibson stays fit - would be fantastic if the new belgian kid could be as good in that position as well. (Then no neville in cm!)

Mark Dawson
29 Posted 01/09/2012 at 13:19:28
Come on Everton same again please! I hope he plays Nais on the wing with Mirrallas on the bench to bring on if things go tits up because we don't want to change things too much.

By the way, our new LB/LM Oviedo isn't on Fifa so he must be shite?
Paul Kelly
30 Posted 01/09/2012 at 13:23:49
Graham 850.

Fair enough for keeping your expectations in check, (we know all to well how we've been let down in the past) but surely you can't be happy with a point at West Brom.

I'd only be happy with 3 points when going to places like these.

(unless we're a goal down and equalise in the last minute of injury time:)

Keith Glazzard
31 Posted 01/09/2012 at 13:32:55
Woke up late so sorry if I repeat what's already been said.

The window madness over, back to reality and we have to carry on where we left off. If I know anything about Moyes, I know that's what will happen. All fit to play. No surprises.

Mirallas would have been called off after an hour, or less, against Leyton O if he was going to start today. But all going well he will almost certainly play a part. Come to think of it, if things are going badly, he'll probably be thrown in too.

Mike Gaynes
32 Posted 01/09/2012 at 13:50:13
John Ford, you've given me my first laugh of the morning over here. And you are absolutely right.
Graham Mockford
33 Posted 01/09/2012 at 13:50:40
Paul #862 what do you mean places like these. West Brom have established themselves as a decent team in the last three years, don't forget they beat Chelsea and drew with Man City last season, beat Liverpool on the opening day and got a draw at Spurs last week.

They are definitely no pushovers, I was surprised they are nearly 2/1 with the bookies. If it didn't break all the rules I'd be having a bet because it is definitely value.

So yes on the whole hoping for a win but I'd be happy with a point. Win your home games, draw your away games and you are definitely Top 4
Nick Entwistle
34 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:15:55
Everton unchanged according to BBC Five Live.
Nick Entwistle
35 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:17:27
I presume that's from Villa, not Orient!
Matt Traynor
36 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:17:32
Lukaku is out for WBA.

COYB.

Christopher Kelly
37 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:10:51
Jamie - while I love what you're saying, I'm going to nominate you for the run-on sentence of the year award!!

All jokes aside - can we just win this fuckin' game! These are the games that contenders pull out and pretenders shit the bed on. Nuff said. COYB

Christopher Kelly
38 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:18:51
Nick, I'd change Fellaini and Osman and you're bang on with everything but your spelling!

Distin might be in with a shout but Johnny needs to get in there at some point", right?

Graham Mockford
39 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:21:28
Christopher #881
Contenders! I admire your positivity but I'd save that stuff until November we are still riding high.
Paul Kelly
41 Posted 01/09/2012 at 14:46:46
Graham#862 You said it yourself, there a decent team, not world beaters

But on the way we finished last season, started this one and the players we've now got, you still don't think we're good enough to win at the Hawthorns.

I'll agree that they ain't pushovers, but we're better than them. Wouldn't be happy with a point at Norwich, Fulham, Sunderland, Swansea or the shite, all teams that finished within 3 points of them last year, and add to that list anyone in this league and Spain (getting carried away now, i'll stop)

C O Y B

George Sedlak
42 Posted 01/09/2012 at 15:04:57
Any streaming links for the game today?? Normally use atdhe.net but link to our game seems to be down today...
Paul Kelly
43 Posted 01/09/2012 at 16:28:46
15 mins to go against West Brom. Might take the draw after all :)

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