Season › 2012-13 › News
Everton vs Reading
Match Preview
Having picked up their first win in four with the victory over Oldham in the cup replay on Tuesday, Everton's focus turns back to the Premier League where two straight defeats have put a huge dent in their Champions League aspirations.
With Tottenham and Arsenal facing off against each other at White Hart Lane on Sunday and Chelsea struggling for consistency amid managerial unrest concerning Rafael Benitez, this weekend's visit to Goodison by Reading could present an opportunity for the Blues to revive those fading top-four hopes.
At the very least, a win in what is the first of four consecutive home games would press their claims for fifth place and guaranteed Europa League qualification.
Marouane Fellaini aside, the starting XI that started the cup replay was probably David Moyes's strongest team and the Belgian could be fit to return this weekend after being rested against the Latics as a precaution. If he does play, the Belgian would likely be a straight swap for Phil Neville.
Victor Anichebe remains doubtful with the groin strain he suffered in the first game against Oldham two weeks ago, while Tim Howard will be assessed after taking a battering in the closing stages in the replay against the League One side.
In addition to the possibility of closing the gap on teams above them, revenge and redemption for the 2-1 defeat at the Madjeski Stadium in November should be a driver for Everton. In a reversal almost as ugly as the one at Norwich last Saturday, the Blues threw away a 1-0 lead in that game and lost what was, at the time, only their second defeat of the campaign.
Reading, meanwhile, are in the middle of a fight for their lives in the relegation zone and they've shown some fight in recent weeks, picking up three points at Newcastle and holding Chelsea to a 2-2 draw in January. Their last game was a 3-0 drubbing at home by Wigan and Moyes will know that this is a game Everton should win.
Reader Comments (90)
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2 Posted 01/03/2013 at 09:36:16
3 Posted 01/03/2013 at 09:41:29
4 Posted 01/03/2013 at 09:41:12
If Norwich dashed our hopes last week, the last ember will die out even with a draw with Reading.
We could be 10pts off 4th, 8th off Europa, finding ourselves as low as 8th with the RS leap frogging.
We know the team that will take to the pitch and we need everyone firing. I'm sure Moyes has made this obvious.
Howard
Coleman Jags Distin
Fellaini Gibson
Mirallas Osman Pienaar
Jelavic
Can you put bets on starting line ups?
I'd be happy with a two goal lead at some point, but I still think it'll be a win by 1.
5 Posted 01/03/2013 at 09:52:03
Think you left out Baines mate......
6 Posted 01/03/2013 at 09:51:50
7 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:38:35
8 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:36:08
Will he do it? No chance, he's a boring dour defensive coach that does not know how to be aggressive and attack.
9 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:45:34
Please let's hammer someone soon!
10 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:47:13
11 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:49:17
12 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:58:09
Let's face it, 4-0 might not be enough to build team confidence and allow the fans to happily spectate without fear of a late reversal.I demand a 9-0 lead going into the last quarter of the game. Who knows, maybe then Barkely would get a run out? Nah, it'll never happen. Barkely coming on, I mean.
13 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:16:12
14 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:15:11
I'd put Kev (Mirallas, not Johnson) up alongside Jela and let him do the running. In fact I'd go as far to tell Jelavic to stay within the width of the box and try and get onto anything. I would however also make sure he's put his boots on the correct foot!
I can't see how we are due a big win. It will go the normal way of maybe getting two up, conceding with about 15 mins to go and then nerves for the rest of the game. The bookies are confident we'll have this one but we all know the truth!
One last point, I know the first goal on Tuesday was provided by a cross at about the fourth attempt but we had a few chances second half when the Park End were screaming for a shot and none came. I think it was Osman in a good position who pulled it past the players running in. Surely a few more shots with players running in would have better effect rather than the Phil Neville school of passing it out wide!
I'd like to see where we are now in the league table of chances created in Europe.
15 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:08:51
Plain 4-4-2, get the ball wide and get crosses in to the box for Jelly, Vellios and Mo Fro to contest. Good old fashioned high tempo game, should be enough to get a couple of goals against Reading.
Let Peanuts and Ossie recharge and come back fresh for a more possesion style of play when we entertain the big boys
(Oh, and Distin and Mo Fro need to remember to mark up at corners).
16 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:39:53
17 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:31:53
Oh, and don't expect an elaborate goal celebration from me. I'm not into that. Scorers who point to their name on the back of their shirt should be immediately shot in the head by righteous snipers. I will just be jogging over to congratulate whoever it was supplied the pass for me, and then getting on with the game. I'm modest like that.
18 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:48:18
19 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:57:26
20 Posted 01/03/2013 at 12:23:27
21 Posted 01/03/2013 at 12:24:44
I play percentages. The way I look at it, if I try something outrageous 100 times then it's bound to come off at least once. Mr Moyes doesn't see things the same way, which is why I'm not currently a regular in the first XI.
I never thought I'd say this, but I hope Big Vic is fit tomorrow! Jelly is looking a trifle out of form - sponge legs, custard feet, whipped cream for brains, all topped off with a head that looks like one of those tiny grapes you get in tins of fruit cocktail. No dessert for me, thanks.
22 Posted 01/03/2013 at 12:35:17
23 Posted 01/03/2013 at 12:41:29
Horrible close niggly crappy game.
24 Posted 01/03/2013 at 12:51:42
25 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:05:59
Get Vellios in there. The fella isn't a kid anymore, he's 21 FFS! If he isn't good enough by now he never will be!
26 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:14:56
27 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:19:30
No, we've always scored at least 34
(i'll get me coat)
28 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:41:06
29 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:05:35
2005-06 was the worst where we drew three. On five occasions we W3. 02-10 we averaged 7.5 pts at home vs bottom 3. Clearly we're more of a scalp now but we should know that.
30 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:46:16
31 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:50:10
32 Posted 01/03/2013 at 14:47:18
Slowing everything down, giving the ball away and 5 yard passes backwards all over the pitch.
Can't wait.
33 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:11:13
Couldn't be...could it?
Mucha?
34 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:12:37
35 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:24:09
36 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:24:37
Howard
Coleman Jags Distin Baines
Oviedo Gibson Barkley Pienaar
Mirallas
Jelavic
3-1 toffees.
37 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:26:22
Just think at FF now Phil will be practising his last few minutes pointing, shooting practice you say? Nah, not here.
I've got my £2 on Jela to score first and us 2-0. Ever the optomist!
38 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:33:54
Playing Fellaini where neville played against Oldham won't work, how many times does he have to fail there for people to realise that. Gibson should move back and play the holding and Fellaini then should play next to him breaking forward. Knowing Moyes of recent times Fellaini will go straight back in behind Jelavic limiting us to a maximum of two goals in this game, none of which will be from Jelavic, and a very good chance that we'll concede from a corner. here's a novel idea, instead of playing the team that hadn't won in five games, play the one that has just won. I know its too shocking a thought for some to drop Fellaini but why not give it a go, if the reaction of epople on this site is to be believed then we coudln't get any worse than we were against Norwich or Man U.
39 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:35:08
Fuck it. 8-0 to the us.
40 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:39:59
41 Posted 01/03/2013 at 16:00:57
Would it help if we all held hands, formed a circle, and sang Kum Bah Yah?
42 Posted 01/03/2013 at 15:56:48
The team could do with a bit of a shake up and against a Reading side that will go on the attack and not sit back, it would be great if Moyes would give some of the 'fringe' players a run out. Oviedo has been mentioned above a few times, and I still cannot understand why he's been used so little this season. He seems to have a decent left peg and a bit of pace about him so could surely given an out of form peanut a rest? He looks a hell of a lot better than Gueye anyway. Also surely Duffy is good enough to play against Reading.
Vellios, McAleny, Barkely in the eyes of Moyes may not be good enough to start league games, but against the likes of Reading at home – surely they can do a job off the bench? After all Reading will probably start with one of our 'rejects' up front. Really would be disappointing if the likes of Neville, Naismith and Hitz again took to the field, starting or off the subs bench. It's blatantly obvious that none of them is a) good enough now and b) will improve in the future – so give some of the youngsters a go instead.
Would also get rid of the crap 'players are tired' excuse.
In saying that, think we pretty much know what the team will be.
43 Posted 01/03/2013 at 16:12:22
44 Posted 01/03/2013 at 16:38:16
So lets hope Jelavic finds some form in front of goal, and that rubs off on the rest of them. We need a good result, to set us up for the Cup game next week.
45 Posted 01/03/2013 at 16:44:42
46 Posted 01/03/2013 at 17:19:39
47 Posted 01/03/2013 at 17:23:59
48 Posted 01/03/2013 at 16:35:20
The bubble burst for our season a while back.
Tuesday night papered over the cracks.
Back to reality Saturday.
COYB
49 Posted 01/03/2013 at 17:23:07
50 Posted 01/03/2013 at 18:08:22
51 Posted 01/03/2013 at 16:55:12
Against Oldham he made no tackles whatsoever but dominated the midfield and sprayed clever passes all over the place, including the gem for our opening goal. With Neville behind him winning tackles and giving him the ball Gibson was free to do what he does best. Of course, it doesn't have to be Neville but for the sake of the team someone has to take on the thankless task of riding shotgun .
52 Posted 01/03/2013 at 18:41:26
53 Posted 01/03/2013 at 19:10:37
54 Posted 01/03/2013 at 19:26:41
I would still like to see Naismith played off Jelavic for a couple of games to see how it goes, if that isn't going to happen then most probably the best alternative for that role would be Osman.
55 Posted 01/03/2013 at 19:55:58
56 Posted 01/03/2013 at 19:57:14
57 Posted 01/03/2013 at 20:08:10
58 Posted 01/03/2013 at 20:32:48
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Fellaini Gibson
Mirallas Pienaar Oviedo
Jelavic
A lot of Jelavic's goals last year came from Pienaar though balls.
I'm not convinced that Jelavic will score more unless some changes are made in the attacking half. Having Pienaar more centrally may help Jelavic, and with Fellaini pushed back we'll be more capable of controlling the game. Osman needs a rest, and Neville shouldn't be playing if all of those 10 outfield players + Osman are fit.
I feel that for the remainder of the season we will have to sacrifice Fellaini's aerial threat (holding the ball up) in open play, but have the option of playing long ball when needed in different games. Against Reading we're more than capable of out passing them, so keep it on the floor.
Gibson is good ahead of the back four, but can also push forward if needed, he's got a great cross. Fellaini can push further up the field. Hopefully this will alleviate any long balls from central defence in this game.
Fed up with negative subs recently, if we are leading, add an attacking player to the team, not the opposite. I've been more critical of our attack than defence this season, and we have to be taking our chances more than we have done. 2, 3 nil up we'll be comfortable.
59 Posted 01/03/2013 at 22:04:15
60 Posted 01/03/2013 at 22:29:20
True, Shane, but better the devil you know than the gobshite you don't. Plus, Howard has undeniably improved over the last few games, he's been (finally) a lot more commanding in the area, coming for balls that he wouldn't go near before. I've never thought of Howard as a bad keeper...you only have to think back to the likes of Gerrard, Lawson or Davies to recall poor keepers...he's been a good shot stopper with his Achilles Heel being his lack of authority in the area.
61 Posted 01/03/2013 at 22:36:34
You would think he learned his lessons from previous years one of then as recently as last season. Not our Davy, he craves to be seen as a master tactician and won't or can't leave well enough alone.
He should concentrate on the cup game after disposing (hopefully) of Reading.
Only if or when the Reading game is safely ours should he try experimenting with subs.
I have this horrible feeling he will revert to type and stuff things up again.
62 Posted 02/03/2013 at 01:43:29
63 Posted 02/03/2013 at 02:00:37
64 Posted 02/03/2013 at 03:55:16
I mean the manager MUST be held responsible if his 'Center Forward' is consistently, game after game, playing in the wrong part of the pitch mustn't he. Or are all Moyesophiles so blind to their Messiah's failings that they can't see that simple truth.
65 Posted 02/03/2013 at 06:27:06
67 Posted 02/03/2013 at 10:38:42
Stones Jags Distin Baines
Coleman Gibson Barkley Pienaar
Mirallas
Jelavic
Osman to replace Barkley on 68 minutes and 38 seconds.
Neville to replace Stones on 93 minutes 21 seconds.
Le Fondre to score equalizer on 94 minutes 23 seconds.
68 Posted 02/03/2013 at 10:43:32
69 Posted 02/03/2013 at 10:51:07
Lovely day here so taking my four year old, five games unbeaten he is surely we are due a good performance.
70 Posted 02/03/2013 at 11:05:05
71 Posted 02/03/2013 at 11:17:58
Let's think this through... We need to bring on someone to counteract him in terms of temperature, negating his ability to melt our defense. I suggest Hitzlsperger because his name is German for "iceberg". (Or if it isn't, it should be.)
You know, I don't think Moyes has thought about things this way. He should, he really should.
72 Posted 02/03/2013 at 11:24:48
73 Posted 02/03/2013 at 11:30:48
And don't tell me Vellios can't do a job – the guy's had about 15 minutes playing time this year. He would have put away at least half a dozen sitters missed by Jelavic.
As I said on another thread, if Moyes doesn't make meaningful changes (no Neville, no Naismith, no Jelavic – rest Osman. Bring in Vellios, Barkley, Oviedo) – it will be another draw at best.
74 Posted 02/03/2013 at 12:22:20
75 Posted 02/03/2013 at 12:48:39
76 Posted 02/03/2013 at 12:57:47
77 Posted 02/03/2013 at 12:55:10
Howard
Coleman
Baines
Jags
Distin
Gibson
Fellaini
Mirallas
Pienaar
Velios
Jelavic
78 Posted 02/03/2013 at 13:24:00
1:25 pm and the Freshy calls, then off to Goodison to witness a stonking win.
COYB!
79 Posted 02/03/2013 at 13:46:58
80 Posted 02/03/2013 at 13:59:41
81 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:00:08
Akpan bound to score first goal , people always score against us 25-1
Both sides to score (can't remember odds)
Jeli hat-trick 28 -1
If any come in I am up...
82 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:03:34
83 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:05:54
Springthorpe is out warming up. Mucha must be starting.
84 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:07:55
85 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:09:49
A Premier League debut for Everton goalkeeper Jan Mucha as Tim Howard is ruled out after taking a knock against Oldham in midweek
86 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:08:37
87 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:11:22
88 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:10:55
Taxi for Winston
89 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:13:42
91 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:18:11
http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/
92 Posted 02/03/2013 at 14:15:21
What's the secrecy regarding Barkley's injury? No word from the club on it.
Mucha is a terrible keeper...but he does talk to his defence unlike TH.
No suprises in the rest of the team..sadly.
Nervous about this one.
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1 Posted 01/03/2013 at 08:45:10