Season › 2012-13 › News Everton vs Liverpool Lyndon Lloyd , 27 October, 75comments | Jump to most recent Match Preview It's cliched but there really is nothing like the derby. There can't be another game that generates such a mixture of excitement and dread; no result — save, of course, for a Cup semi or final — can lift you higher with a victory or leave you so crushed by defeat. It seems lately, though — and I don't think I'm alone in this — that any excitement for an impending derby has been so consumed by dread of this fixture that they've become an occasion not to savour but to avoid contemplating and to get out of the way as quickly as possible... unless, of course, you've got some well-placed Betfair Premier League bets on the game to keep your mind occupied! Therein lies we Blues' problem with the Merseyside derby: we've developed a disturbing psychosis around playing Liverpool and it's to the point now where we're handicapping ourselves on the very occasion where we need to be as mentally, spiritually and physically strong as possible. Exhibits A and B: the Anfield surrender in March and the FA Cup semi-final defeat where, in the latter case, a club as one seemed to lose its self-belief after one game-defining error by Sylvain Distin. On paper going into it, the Goodison derby of a year ago was an altogether more even affair and Moyes's side was crippled by the shocking refereeing of Martin Atkinson, but those two most recent encounters with Liverpool seem to have sent we Blues into a psychological tailspin. Article continues below video content Everton's record in the derby under David Moyes stands as a constant reminder of this apparent inferiority complex, one borne originally of an ever-increasing gulf in resources and available talent but one that is now, thanks to the manager's patient building and the Blues' form in 2012, no longer supported by any factual rationale. The current Liverpool team is without doubt the worst in more than a generation. Their own attempts to rebuild a side capable of recapturing former glories through a succession of managerial appointments has been a massively expensive failure and they've now had to lower their sights and dig in for the kind of long haul with which Evertonians have become very familiar. Moyes's Everton is a side that has been talked about as dark horses for the Champions League places come May and the team's early season form had borne that out until a combination of refereeing incompetence, injury to key personnel and, last week at least, some ill-advised tinkering with the most productive area of his formation has seen them drop important points against lower-table sides.. With Steven Pienaar suspended for last weekend's incredibly harsh second yellow card, Darron Gibson ruled out for another week and Marouane Fellaini doubtful, this weekend's game at Goodison may not be tipped quite as much in Everton's favour as it might with a full squad. Nevertheless, though they might not admit it, the Blues remain favourites based on home field advantage and their excellent sequence over the last 16 League games, a run disrupted only by a solitary defeat at West Bromwich Albion. Liverpool have just a pair of wins — one at home, one away — and, their rout at Norwich aside, have struggled to score goals. That should give Moyes confidence if he can shore up his own defence which has had a propensity to concede soft goals early in recent weeks. Tony Hibbert may help in that regard if he is passed fit after recovering from a calf injury but Seamus Coleman will likely continue at right back if not. In left midfield, Kevin Mirallas is expected to get the nod to fill in for Pienaar, while Steven Naismith, who impressed as a second-half sub at Loftus Road last week, could benefit from the South African's absence with a rare start, either up front with Nikica Jelavic or wide right. Sooner rather than later, Moyes must find the psychological key to getting both himself and his players "over the hump" when it comes to playing the enemy from across Stanley Park. It can start this weekend with an organised, commanding, confident performance against a Liverpool side that is still finding its feet under a thus-far unconvincing manager. It shouldn't be hard if the players deliver on the talent they possess. In the likes of Jelavic (albeit starved of service in the last two games), Leighton Baines, and Mirallas we have match-winners; in Jagielka and Distin we have a potentially watertight defensive pairing to keep Luis Suarez and his diving antics quiet; in Moyes we have a superior manager; in the Goodison faithful, we have the perfect 12th man. As difficult as it will be not to let any anxiety cross the threshold onto the pitch, the onus will be on the home fans to be vociferous and unyielding in their support. Lyndon Lloyd » Read more Moyes: We need to prove our superiority Reader Comments (75) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Peter Barry 1 Posted 27/10/2012 at 06:55:16 "Over his decade at Goodison, Moyes has won just three of 20 league games against Liverpool."This from an article in today's Daily Mirror and it says it all about Moyes and his big game bottling inferiority complex about the RS. Sean McKenna 2 Posted 27/10/2012 at 07:52:58 Why the fuck do I get so nervous before a derby? It's Saturday I'm in work and all I can think about is the derby ffs. I'd luv it, just luv it if we beat them... Com'on ta fuck, Everton. COYB Gareth Fieldstead 3 Posted 27/10/2012 at 07:42:53 Great article, Lyndon. I have never enjoyed derbies... in fact the last derby I was confident for was in 1985 and we were 3 down in 22 minutes! Never fancied us since. I think Fellaini will be fit but my concern is the pairing of Neville and Osman; I can just see Liverpool having a field day. I would have Anichebe or Naismith behind Jelavic, stick Fellaini in midfield and consider Hitzlsperger as the defensive midfielder. Oviedo on the left and Mirallas on the right. If we are struggling, we can then put Fellaini up front and consider Osman. As Ferguson once stated about Saha, if he hadn't have been so injury prone, he wouldn't have left OT; ditto Gibson. Hopefully Moyes will have some money to spend in January because we are desperately short in midfield. Fingers crossed the referee has a decent game and we play as well as we know they can, if that happens I would be surprised if we got beat. Peter Warrington 4 Posted 27/10/2012 at 09:21:50 I reckon it's simple arithmetic: • If Gibson and Fellaini both started, we would win this one, finally. • If one started, we would draw. • If neither, we will drop another 3 points (and given how poorly we played at QPR, our confidence is probably ebbing again). I will be watching the teamsheet with interest... Mark Tanton 5 Posted 27/10/2012 at 09:32:04 I see Davey has been scathing about their dirty cheating bastard yesterday. I felt ill at ease about this – is he just helping Rogers motivate his horse-mouth fuck face? I hope it doesn't backfire. Paul David 6 Posted 27/10/2012 at 09:43:12 My team:HowardColeman Jagielka Distin BainesMirallas Osman Fellaini OviedoVellios JelavicI know a lot of people will think it's suicide going for 4-4-2 but I can see Jagielka and Distin hoofing the ball a lot in this game because they won't be given time on the ball; having 2 up front gives us a better chance of the ball staying up there. Jelavic has been missing in the last 2 games because he has had no support or service and I do believe having a partner will help him. I was tempted to put Hitzlsperger straight in ahead of Osman who only plays for 10 - 15 mins a game but I think it would be asking a bit much considering it would be his first match in a long time.Moyes's likely 11:HowardHibbert Jagielka Distin BainesNevilleAnichebe Osman MirallasFellainiJelavicIf he plays anything like this side, I fear for us. I fucking hate derbies. Andy Walker 7 Posted 27/10/2012 at 09:30:41 All the Liverpool fans I know are really looking forward to the match and are convinced they will get a result despite their poor start. They have confidence. On the other hand, the blues fans I know are 'dreading' it despite our great start. I have been going to Goodison since 1969 and it's NEVER been any different. Why the hell is this? As supporters we seem to quickly loose faith in our side if things don't always go to plan and it's not something that's just happened under Moyes — it's always been the same. This anxiety and negativity that's embedded in certain sections of our support is self fulfilling. You don't need a degree in psychology to know it makes its way onto the field via the slagging off of our players and then that affects how they play. Sure, we may have criticisms of our players, but when something happens in a match which suddenly causes us to start having a go at our team, it helps no-one except the opposition. It's amplified in a derby as we are even more anxious and you can then see the confidence drain from certain Blues players (over the decades). I have known a few professional footballers over the years and they have all said the same. That is, the Blues support is intimidating and a genuine 12th man when it's right behind our team, but they always had a hope that it could suddenly switch and then they felt they were in with a chance. They always looked to frustrate our team and hoped our support would get on our team's back and work in their favour. Let's just all show some bottle and get behind the lads for the whole match and do what we're best at ie being the best supporters in the land. We can work at saving the moaning and slagging off until after the match. However hard the emotion of the occasion makes this, we need to hold our nerve as it will help our team to hold theirs, perform to their best, and beat the feckers. Phil Walling 8 Posted 27/10/2012 at 10:05:31 I'm looking forward to the return of Tony Hibbert and a measure of tinkering to cover for the absence of Pienaar. Call me a harbinger of doom but I have absolutely no faith in Moyes's ability to negotiate these matches successfully; even if we were ten points clear of `them`, he would still see us as the underdogs. David Hallwood 9 Posted 27/10/2012 at 10:20:10 I'm a 'glass half-full' person — except when it comes to derbies; the last time we went in favourites was in the semi and I thought we had no chance and posted it at the time. The last derby I went to was the 2-2 at Mordor the season before last, and you could practically smell the fear from the players (it's a knives and gunfight sort of thing).So here's my predictions... Filthy slimey diving bastard will win a pen, to even up our early goal and it will end up one a-piece. Gerard McGregor 10 Posted 27/10/2012 at 12:47:57 Andy Walker`s observation about Everton`s negative psychology in derbies rings very true for me but it is not easy to deal with. Odd really but it seems part of the Evertonian fabric — fans and players, alike. However, in last season`s Goodison derby, I felt before the Saurez dive, we were looking the most confident that I have see us in a derby. But in the end, it was an ominous defeat, adding to the negative feeling that, even if we outplay them, some snide red or blind ref is going to cheat us. I think we should certainly leave out Osman, Hibbert and Anichebe, who as locals carry this negative baggage into derbies more than the other players. Here's hoping against fate. COYB Ian Bennett 11 Posted 27/10/2012 at 12:50:50 I think he will go with the following:-HowardHibbertBainesJagielkaDistinColemanNevilleOsmanMirallasFellainiJelavic Danny Kewley 12 Posted 27/10/2012 at 12:35:37 We are better than them now. As long as we don't lose our bottle, we will hold our position in the league. Forget the bloody past, this is now! I hope I am right but I've got a feeling Kevin Mirallas will have a cracker tomorrow! Ian Bennett 13 Posted 27/10/2012 at 13:16:27 To have any chance, we must keep 11 men on the pitch — it's pretty much as simple as that really. Tom Bowers 14 Posted 27/10/2012 at 13:16:09 Even with Osman and Neville playing, Everton should get the result assuming they play both reasonable games and Suarez or the Ref don't reduce us to ten men. On the other hand, just conceding early is a problem we have to make go away.Good tactics and captaincy are the key but we are somewhat devoid in that department on too many occasions. Derby games are all too frenetic due to Liverpool's emphasis on speed and so our midfield need to work hard and tackle well to keep Gerrard quiet as he is their catalyst still. David Hallwood 15 Posted 27/10/2012 at 13:35:30 Danny (#518), I agree with the sentiments, and go as far to say that we've been better or at least a match for them for 3-4 seasons, but I side with Gerard (#516), in that there is a deep negative psychology at work and it's hard to shake off.I could go back to 3 seasons ago, when we lost 1-0 at Mordor. At one time we were both down to 10 men, Kariakos (?) sent off and Fellaini off injured and we bossed the game. Then Howard comes for a corner identical to the Southampton corner this season and the rest as they say, is history.But that was in the middle of the best set of results, when we drew with Arsenal at the Emirates, beat both Manc clubs, Chelsea and Sporting Lisbon, and Liverpool were a very ordinary team. We just cannot seem to be able to beat them, I’ll watch it tomorrow with very little hope or expectation.But WTF, COYB Kevin Tully 16 Posted 27/10/2012 at 13:27:55 Agree Danny, I've a feeling Mirallas loves these type of games, and he has no psychological baggage that others show in Derby games.I would put Hibbert in & play Naismith on the right of midfield. Unless Anichebe is on for the last 20 mins in the middle to throw his weight around — he is a waste of a shirt. Steve Smith 17 Posted 27/10/2012 at 13:50:57 Moyes was already talking the game down in his PC yesterday saying we lost twice to them last year but still finished above them, don't know whether he was saying this to take the pressure off the players or trying to prepare us for defeat.Anyway, fuck it, I'm still going for 2-0 to us with Mirallas first GS. 60/1 Saegaran Kana 18 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:06:02 I'm not confident about this one due to our injuries and Pienaar's suspension. I've noticed that Moyes will always play the local lads in derby and that means Osman, Hibbo and Anichebe to start. Mirallas should play on the right and Oviedo on the left. Stick Fella upfront with Jelavic if he is fit. But ffs.. our defence this term is leaking to many silly goals and this must be addressed first against a not so potent LFC strike force. I think it will be another draw if we tried to win and not go there trying not to lose. Come on Moyes... let's not slip away after a great start to the season. COYB!! James Martin 19 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:21:56 Did you see Moyes's interview on Football Focus? Seems to cast doubt on the assertion some have made that Moyes only thinks about staying up every season. Also acknowledged that he considers this Liverpool side weaker than the one in 08-09. Hopefully this will be reflected in a good performance tomorrow. Paul Gladwell 20 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:46:00 I totally agree with Kevin there in putting Hibbert and Naismith down the right, I would be pretty confident with that. John Crook 21 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:43:27 The first 20 minutes will be vital... I'm praying that Marriner is not listening to Carragher and Gerrard trying to referee the game as they do. The referee's performance is of paramount importance tomorrow. Hopefully no stupid yellows early on (for both teams). If the fans can ride the early storm of the tackles and going in here there and everywhere and the players can handle the tension and apprehension in the atmosphere, then I think our quality will come through and the home crowd will roar us on....I'm off to get pissed just so I can sleep properly tonight. Ernie Baywood 22 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:56:30 A few weeks back I was bricking it about the derby... we were playing well and had close to a full squad.A few injuries, a suspension, and a couple of draws and I'm now much more at ease.Says something about the way this club has conditioned me!COYB! James Martin 23 Posted 27/10/2012 at 14:56:16 Is anyone else quite glad that 'Kenny's rejects' Downing, Henderson and Carrol probably won't be playing. I always fear for us against fast physical opposition whereas Rodger's penchant for smaller technical players may work in our favour as we have often outdone footballing sides at Goodison. Perhaps we should look to exploit Fellaini's height over Allen in a more direct manner than allowing them to pressurise Osman and Neville and get on the front foot. Old foes such as Kuyt Bellamy Carrol and Carragher aren't playing so lets get this monkey off our back once and for all and just do them and send them back down to the depths of the table where they belong. Ian Bennett 24 Posted 27/10/2012 at 15:30:13 Downing, Henderson, Carroll, Enrique. That's some outlay on dross. Paul Gladwell 25 Posted 27/10/2012 at 15:36:28 I pray these fuckers get relegated one day, I`m 42 and each year it gets worse, I don't go to their shithole and generally do a long walk when its on the box and for home derbies like tomorrow I will need at least five pints before I enter the ground so I will be in the pub seriously early.As silly as it sounds, I think the game could end up on how Neville plays, he is capable in these games of putting in a good show; however, we get the other performances. Clarence Yurcan 26 Posted 27/10/2012 at 15:40:52 I cannot watch this match. I am extremely nervous but cautiously optimistic. The outcome of this will literally decide the season. If we win: Guaranteed top-4 finish and possible league title. If we lose: 12th place. Tom Bowers 27 Posted 27/10/2012 at 15:52:22 A lot of their fans are pretty nervous too. Even more so this season as they have such a poor side. Having said all that, they do have more than their fair share of luck and more so in Derby matches so that's their main hope of winning. It would be nice for the Blues to have some good luck in this game. Paul Smith 28 Posted 27/10/2012 at 15:47:41 I have to say "talk about melodramatic" @ everyone... Chill, lads, we have all been through it hundreds of times, and it`s no different this time. I for one am looking forward to it, admittedly with a bit of anxiety but that`s why we love football so much. Let's get behind the lads and give the shite a hammering; I would've loved Gibbo to be fit and Pienaar to be available, but hopefully if The 'Fro turns up and Fizzer can get some fire in his belly then we can beat them. COYBps: I can't stand Brendan of Mordor. Ged Simpson 29 Posted 27/10/2012 at 17:28:28 My Reds mates at work also hate this game despite their success / luck / refs... Paul Dark 30 Posted 27/10/2012 at 18:09:20 With Pienaar and Fellaini out — and if we play Neville and (the very overrated) Osman in the middle — I fear we'll be overrun in midfield (which will be a key area in tomorrow's game).1 - 1 Edward Wallis 31 Posted 27/10/2012 at 18:24:53 I'm looking forward to tomorrow. Disappointed Pienaar is not playing but I feel we have got the skill and also the power to dominate midfield. I would have Neville at RB, put Coleman at RM. The thing we don't want to do is stand off at the start... just go for it, as I think Liverpool's confidence is fragile and they've got some inexperience in the side.Be positive and the result we all crave will come.Coybs Andy Meighan 32 Posted 27/10/2012 at 19:37:47 You've hit the nail right on the head, Lyndon. This is one game I go into absolutely consumed by fear. And that's down to the manager, the March 13 and semi-final debacles I will never forgive him for. It's strange that we've rolled over the big sides at home in the league but seem to freeze when we play these lot... What's Moyes's paranoia with them? I'd love to know. Even though we've got players missing, we should have enough to beat them. But you just know we won't. And what's the betting that having slagged Cilla Black off this morning, the carrot-munching prick will get the winner? The sad thing is we'll never have a better chance to beat them. But where have we heard that before?!?! Steve Cotton 33 Posted 27/10/2012 at 20:02:15 This is the best way to go into a derby so all of you calm down, we went into the last 3 as favourites and got twatted each time, so let's go in with a feeling we won't get much out of it and you never know the EFC of the Man Utd or Southampton games might turn up.If we think we will win, we won't as we are playing the devils spawn; if we don't expect to win, then we could come out on top....Be strong my friends.... Edward Simpson 34 Posted 27/10/2012 at 20:00:32 Paul- Fellaini is playing. On GOT they say the team is:Howard, Jags, Distin, Baines, Coleman, Osman, Neville, Fellaini, Mirallas, Naismith, Jelavic.Hope that Moyes reshuffles this though, Neville at RB, Fellaini in the middle, Coleman on the right and Naismith a chance to shine behind Jelavic. Barry Rathbone 35 Posted 27/10/2012 at 20:05:37 People saying it's a mystery why WE go into these games as nervous wrecks and they don't!!!Get a grip, look at what's happened since Shanks had enough of EFC being top dogs and did something about it.I won't go into it for fear of frightening the fragile but just look at the results and trophycabinets.About time someone at Everton pulled their finger out and took these reds as seriously as Shanks took us back in the day.Mystery indeed. Jack Johnson 36 Posted 27/10/2012 at 20:15:46 I'll weep if I see these starting on Sunday: Neville and Osman in the middle, plus Vic out on the right.The tempo will be breakneck and I don't think Neville's knees will cope as the game progresses. Si Cooper 37 Posted 27/10/2012 at 20:34:51 Edward S. (#581), I'd rather have Neville backing-up Fellaini with Osman, Mirallas and Naismith being fluid in support of the striker. Keep the defence as mobile as possible to counter their attacking threat. Edward Simpson 38 Posted 27/10/2012 at 21:05:05 Si- Sounds good to me, I just hope that we don't start the game in a negative way. Go at them, and not sit back from the start. If we score bring Fellaini back maybe? There will be a battle for the centre of midfield I'm sure. Michael Rawlins 39 Posted 27/10/2012 at 21:10:16 Pienaar will be a big miss. Stop Gerrard — as we did years ago when Carsley had him in his pocket and scored the winner — and we will get the 3 points and send them crawling back across Stanley Park. Si Cooper 40 Posted 27/10/2012 at 21:18:54 Edward - the centre of midfield is were I was picturing Fellaini, with Neville aiding and abetting in the nitty-gritty defensive stuff, and Osman / Mirallas / Naismith a bit more advanced to provide the conduits for our attack.I know the big man has done a good job in the more advanced role but I think we need his presence where the battle is likely to be. Kevin Day 41 Posted 27/10/2012 at 21:58:05 It doesn't matter who plays, just as long as whoever does wears their heart on their sleeves and does themselves proud.For those going to the game or watching on TV, roar the boys on with pride knowing we are better than them, on and off the pitch. I for one will not be watching out if choice, I will be going to work locked away in a bathroom replacing tiles, for the first time ever I simply cannot watch this game, I've never not watched a derby in 20 years, but I simply cannot go through the turmoil and the stress of bizarre refereeing decisions going against us anymore. COYBs Edward Simpson 42 Posted 27/10/2012 at 22:51:27 Si,Here's hoping from the line-up that Naimsith plays as well tomorrow as he did with Jelavic in Scotland. We need them to link up well; one chance is all we need for Jelavic to score.COYB! Robbie Riddal 43 Posted 27/10/2012 at 23:59:00 I don't trust Coleman for this one. He's a liability defensively. Got to be Hibbert or Neville at right-back. Hoping Distin can up his game, though he's the better option alongside Jagielka I feel. Centre Midfield is our big problem. I'm just praying that we never see the feckless midfield axis of Neville & Osman ever again; I'd be tempted to leave both out, as Neville is simply atrocious and Osman has rarely contributed anything positive in the 15 or so derbies he's played. Not quite sure who'd fill in centre-mid then tho!!HowardHibbert Jagielka Distin BainesNaismith Schnitzlsperger Fellaini MirallasOsmanJelavicI worry that we're without Gibson & Pienaar against this lot yet again; we missed them terribly at Wembley. I also fear Evertonians are going overboard with how poor Liverpool are; they've been the better side in most games they've played this season, they just haven't had a cuting edge. Praying they don't suddenly rediscover one tomorrow. Susso and Saidi or whatever his name is look decent players and could cause us problems, but I'd hope Hibbert/Baines would be good enough and experienced enough to nullify the threat of Sterling.It'd take a convincing win against the shite in a really meaningful match to eradicate the nightmare of Wembley, but it really would be sweet if we could bury these bastards 4 or 5 nil for a change.Come on Blues...get after them! James Flynn 44 Posted 28/10/2012 at 01:22:22 Fuck them. Rogers whining about the refs. Sad.COYB!! Anto Byrne 45 Posted 28/10/2012 at 02:37:56 Do we roll over and give the shite another 3 points? Will the officials fuck it up once more? Can Moyes improve his dismal record with what 3 wins in ten years? Can we at least get some payback for the Wembley fiacso? Can we rely on Distin not to fuck it up? All will be revealed in the next exciting installment of derby Wars. Win lose or draw, we need to play well. Peter Jones 46 Posted 28/10/2012 at 04:01:07 We are the better team. We are at home. Fuck history. Let's make some new history tomorrow with a win. COYB. Focker out. Paul Johnson 47 Posted 28/10/2012 at 05:20:39 I have been so worried all week. You all know the that sickly stomach feeling. The short fuse with everyone you come into contact with.Losing Pienaar last week really threw any optimism I had for this game out of the window... but, as the week has moved on, I find myself waking with an unusual calmness. My plan for the day is to go and have a big breakfast and take a drive for a couple of hours. I will then call my boy who will be sitting in the Lower Gwladys for his first league derby (his first one was the Gosling cup game) and I have told him the only time derbies are ever fun is when you win.No beer today just me alone in my apartment in Nairobi. (I don't want to be near anything in red today.) With a knot in my stomach waiting for them to get every bastard decision. Screaming at Osman... when he backs out of a 50-50. Knocking the lampshades of the ceiling when we score.Come on Davey (Brenda Rodgers isn't fit to lace your boots), send us out with positive intent today, we are Everton Football Club, a club to be proud of, so let's go and let that shower of horrible bastards know why we are above them in the league. Osman to score today as well a Jelavic, us to win. Just going to go and be sick. Ernie Baywood 49 Posted 28/10/2012 at 07:54:02 A derby from Australia is sickening. 16 hours from waking until kickoff. Was always easier when all you had to do was wake up, get ready, and head to the match. You never grow out of that sick feeling do you?First time all season I've wished we had Cahill available. Paul Andrews 50 Posted 28/10/2012 at 08:14:17 Negative interview from Moyes in the Observer."Liverpool had so many good players when I first came it was difficult to work out how to stop them.Maybe it is still like that"10 goals in 8 games they have scored,what position are they in the league?You can pack that in straight away David. Joe Bibb 51 Posted 28/10/2012 at 09:08:21 As long as our lads wear surgical gloves for the prematch hand shake then I am confident we will win. Dennis Stevens 52 Posted 28/10/2012 at 08:58:17 For once, I'm quite pleased to be going into work today! Tony Twist 53 Posted 28/10/2012 at 09:19:35 sounds obvious but we need our front pack of four to pull them left right and centre, if fellaini is carrying a minor knock then he will play him up front so it would have to be a four of jelavic, the two belgians and naismith, if they have done the hard work on the training pitch then we will cause them trouble. It will have to be the hammer (just hope he is fit) and heitinga in the middle and neville, jags, distin, baines at the back. Moyes will be key today, lets hope he doesnt revert to form! COYB John Ford 54 Posted 28/10/2012 at 09:41:47 A big game from Fellani could make all the difference mainly because he 'll take some heat off Osman and Neville in the middle. Keep Vic on the bench and give Naismith a run out right. High tempo, loads of movement, speed of thought and run the shitheads off the park. Mike Gwyer 55 Posted 28/10/2012 at 09:55:11 Tony 687. You have left out Osman and whether you like it or not Osman will play. If Hibbo is fit then he will get RB and from what I'm hearing thats going to happen. So Neville will then stay CM with Osman.Your front four will probably happen though I would say Naismith and Coleman are fighting for the right mid position.With the right attitude and good football to the front two we will win this match. Andrew Ellams 56 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:05:43 Watching Sunday Supplement on Sky and some arse has just suggested that Moyes might be pissed off that he didn't get offered the Liverpool job because he feels like he should offered an opportunity at a bigger club.What the hell are these people on Gavin Ramejkis 57 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:06:01 I rarely enjoy derby matches these days from what they have become* a debacle of blatant piss poor referee decisions which ruin the game* a display of cheating* a display of negative overly defensive tactics surrendering the game Ernie Baywood 58 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:08:04 Paul Andrews... was that the same interview where he suggested we were the better team, favorites for the game, and that it was time for us to show it.Personally, I think there's been a change in Moyes in the build up to this one. No plucky underdogs. Time to smash them! Barry Rathbone 59 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:09:14 ANDREW 698, just seen it as well, that Custis journo is as thick as a brick and Henry Winterton talks in platitudes saying absolutely nothing. Jason Heng 60 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:19:48 How many times in recent seasons have we been psyched up for derby glory, until DM fucks up the starting line-up?Will we see a centre-mid pairing of Neville and Heitinga? Osman on the left and Anichibe on the right? gosh... can't wait. Andrew Ellams 61 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:28:47 Barry, the Scottish guy was so positive about the club up until that point.RIP Brian Woolnough, the journalistic voice of reason Barry Rathbone 62 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:34:53 Andrew, agreed, Woolnough was a class act. Jimmy Sørheim 63 Posted 28/10/2012 at 09:47:59 We all know that Moyes is the one who picks the players, and in the derby he normally picks wrong.Players out of form like Neville will be picked, and the poor use of Anichebe as a winger will come back to haunt us too.What makes us feel ill is the fact that Moyes makes a mistake before or during the game.I hold out little hope of a win, our midfield with Neville and Osman is the worst in the league.By the way, a far as league form goes, the Red Shite are on 10th and we are in 9th, that gives us a clearer picture of what we are up against!Moyes will be the one who controls the result here, if he picks Neville and Osman then we are in for a shitty match, just like the QPR and Wigan game.Home form does not matter as long as Moyes plays the weakest possible central midfielders.Gerrard will have a field day with both of them.I pray and hope Moyes makes a change to the central midfield, but Moyes has his old favourites he will never drop. Like Cahill last year who was abysmal.My nerves before the game comes from not knowing if Moyes will fix our midfield up, or not. David Hallwood 64 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:39:32 Mornin' All TWebbers, from a cold, miserable, wet Merseyside, will the conditions have a part to play, who knows but given that both teams are meant to good passing sides, it will be intersting if either side goes long, should it happen we've got the edge. Like eveyone here I'm worried about refereeing decisions, I was watching the Clattenberg derby on ESPN last night and even though I knew what was comig, I was still effing and blindin' at the TV. Marriner needs to stand tall and grow a pair for the 90 minutes of cheating, whining and diving. COYB Tom Bowers 65 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:50:57 Be sure that we will not get 3 points if Neville,Osman and Anichebe are starting — even if the referee has a good game. Richard Earle 66 Posted 28/10/2012 at 10:50:04 I'd like to see Oviedo playing left midfield for at least 45 mins instead of Neville or Osman. Let's give the lad a chance to prove himself. He should be fit enough and will be keen to impress the manager to gain a regular slot. Neville is way too slow and Osman too lightweight for a match that will be run at the usual frenetic pace. We really can't do worse than having Laurel and Hardy in the thick of things. Paul Andrews 67 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:25:00 Ernie, possibly is.He says the same thing every time we play them,then khasis the game.Lets hope today is different. COYB Gerry Quinn 68 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:43:08 BBC - Marouane Fellaini starts up front for Everton with Steven Naismith replacing the suspended Steven Pienaar. Gerry Quinn 69 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:43:49 Everton starting XI: Howard; Coleman, Jagielka, Distin, Baines; Naismith, Neville, Fellaini, Osman, Mirallas; Jelavic Ray Said 70 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:47:49 Forum here ladshttp://www.toffeeweb.com/comment/live/ James Crolla 71 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:45:31 Ernie, I am with you (hi from Melbourne). Reading all the build up just makes me angry, particularly the comments on the BBC:http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/20109061Its a forum discussing cheating in the game, there are some real idiot reds! Ged Simpson 72 Posted 28/10/2012 at 12:55:00 http://www.toffeeweb.com/comment/live/ Tom Bowers 73 Posted 28/10/2012 at 13:06:12 Conditions going to favour the strong and the sure footed and with Neville and Osman that will be a problem. Fellaini a probable risk and without Pienaar midfield will certainly be weaker but if Mirallas can mark his first Derby and Jela is on song we may get something. Gerry Quinn 74 Posted 28/10/2012 at 13:02:47 I see the RS numbskull is on that Forum - unfortunately I can't handle the shite he throws in to the discussion so I'll have to revert to plan B and stay away Ged Simpson 75 Posted 28/10/2012 at 13:19:11 Gerry - he's gone Anto Byrne 77 Posted 28/10/2012 at 14:27:07 Fucking buck-toothed cunt! Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads