Season › 2012-13 › News
West Ham United vs Everton
Match Preview
Everton remain on the road for their last game before Christmas with another potentially physical and tricky match-up in store against West Ham at Upton Park.
It's three months to the day since the Blues last registered an away victory, that coming against Swansea City in a 3-0 win that helped establish David Moyes's side as early contenders for a top-four finish. A slew of draws but just one defeat since have kept them in the top six but the manager has beeing ruing his side's inability to win games recently.
Last weekend's bruising encounter against Stoke City was a case in point, although, with neither Manchester City nor Arsenal able to leave the Britannia with more than a draw, it was still a creditable result. Still, Everton had the chances to win the game and failed to do so, taking the number of tied games they've racked up this season to nine.
The game was costly, too, in that robs Moyes of Marouane Fellaini, his top goalscorer, for the Festive period and forces a slight reshuffle in the starting line-up for this weekend's game.
That could involve moving Steven Naismith forward behind Nikica Jelavic and bring in Bryan Oviedo, either on the left, with Steven Pienaar switching flanks, or the right where, as a predominantly left-footed player, he has struggled when used there as a substitute. Ross Barkley is another option in right midfield.
Or, Moyes could move Leon Osman into the more advanced role, leave Naismith where he is and bring either Thomas Hitzlsperger or Phil Neville in alongside Darron Gibson, assuming the latter is fit.
Finally — assuming he, too, is fit to start — Moyes could do a straight swap of Victor Anichebe for Fellaini up front in a bid to match some of the Hammer's physical presence. Neville has made a quicker recovery than expected from surgery of his own while Anichebe has had a long layoff with hamstring problems but it would be a surprise if either were deemed sufficiently match fit to play from the start.
Kevin Mirallas and Tony Hibbert remain sidelined as they recover from a hamstring strain and calf surgery respectively and neither is likely to be ready tom return until the New Year.
Sam Allardyce, whose side have one win in their last six — a home victory over Chelsea — will be close to full-strength, with Jack Collison available for the first time this season after overcoming a long-term knee injury. Yossi Benayoun will be missing, though, with a knee complaint of his own which will mean home-grown Mark Noble to pull the strings in midfield.
With the Hammers proving fallible against an erratic Liverpool side two weeks ago, Everton will feel that despite the absence of Fellaini they can come away from East London with what would be a very important victory... if they can create and finish their chances.
Jelavic had his most barren game yet at Stoke last weekend with fewer than 20 touches of the ball and just one half chance to speak of and Fellaini was equally quiet. West Ham will be hard to beat and, as an Allardyce team, won't be afraid to be dirrect but the Blues must go in with the frame of mind that they are the better side overall and have the tools to get the job done even with a depleted side.
Reader Comments (84)
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2 Posted 22/12/2012 at 02:06:29
...Under the man who can't fucking simply say "You or You — start on the bench today!"
I'm gravely afraid ...so.... Moyes, also get a decent 2nd in command to do the delegating – someone who has some sort of tactical/strategical overview and reading of any given game, instead of your usual bodylingual vacuous/clueless dithering/ gambling hope-for-the-best-ology on 'how best to put the fire out' tactics.
3 Posted 22/12/2012 at 04:35:39
Assuming Pip is fit he is straight back in along aside Gibbo, Naismith right, Nuts left. Brian still on the bench. Ossie behind Jelly if Jelly stays up top instead of drifting here there and fucking everywhere.
Would like to see Oviedo given a run out but is it worth breaking up Pienaar/Baines combo down the left.
Frankly I'm undecided about this. Think the stiff sidepart that is Brian ( very central American name) looks sharp and i'd like to see him given a run out. Nuts is better on the left than anywhere else. Do you break up the partnership with Baines to accomodate him in the team. I'm undecided. Discuss.
Barkley looks superb on the ball, doubt he'll get the role behind our striker/come winger come work horse that is the jelly man. So ossie in there then I reckon.
But matter is we need to buck up our ideas. There big headed manager will employ some mind games, as he did while he was at Blackburn moaning to the papers about Cahill being a 'clever player', then I remember Cahill getting a foul given against at every single challenge. Hate him for it as it worked.
But the matter are hand is this, and I've put alot of thought into it. We don't often lose so ....that's it....3 points it is then.
4 Posted 22/12/2012 at 09:37:53
Our squad is far better and with the Hammers missing Diame and Diarra, breaking them down shouldn't be an issue.
Hopefully Howard doesn't have another 'mare and we can stem their flow at the back.
Dealing with Carlton Cole is down to Distin and I feel that he can more than match him for both strength and pace.
5 Posted 22/12/2012 at 09:25:38
Jelavic
Pienaar
Oviedo Osman Barkley
Gibson
Baines Distin Jagielka Coleman
Howard
Bring on the abuse ...
6 Posted 22/12/2012 at 09:49:34
West ham are decent on the left with Jarvis, so being strong on the right will be important for us defensively. We need plenty of width on the left with matty Taylor playing out of position on the right for them. He's going to look to come inside a lot which is where baines/Oviedo/pienaar should exploit when possible.
Time for a big game off pienaar I think.
7 Posted 22/12/2012 at 10:09:43
8 Posted 22/12/2012 at 09:59:30
I like your team. I just feel that Oviedo and Baines both seek the same space. Pienaar cuts inside and gives Baines the room to bomb on.
If Hitz or Nev start then I'll be devastated. We have Gibbo in there. The rest of the midfield needs to offer some attacking threat. I'd go with Pienaar, Osman, Gibson, Barkley, Naismith in midfield. It's time to play Barkley. Get him in while he's still got confidence he gained at Sheffield Wednesday.
COYB
9 Posted 22/12/2012 at 10:14:05
One thing's certain — there's not a prayer Barkley will start. You just get the feeling Moyes doesn't trust him. No, it'll be the Finch Farm mafia — wouldn't want to upset them, now, would we? I expect another bore draw.
10 Posted 22/12/2012 at 10:53:50
14 Posted 22/12/2012 at 11:27:51
15 Posted 22/12/2012 at 11:28:10
16 Posted 22/12/2012 at 10:59:00
I like the look of Oviedo, but putting him on the right is not his natural position, and swapping him for Pienarr on the right stops baines playinbg his game to some extent. Plus Pienarr just never seems as good on the right.
Naismith is yet to totally convince on the right, and has done better popping up in the box. A winger he is not, so i'd be interested to see him behind the striker today.
That leaves either Barkley on the right (and most would agree he probably won't start) or Coleman, who has performed in parts this season. I'd say Neville is fit i'd go for the following -
Howard
Neville - Jags - Distin - Baines
Coleman - Osman - Gibson - Pienarr
Naismith
Jelavic
I'd bring on Barkley for Naismith if he proves ineffective, or just to give him more game time even if this formula works
17 Posted 22/12/2012 at 11:38:07
Thought it'd be merely speculation from somewhere.
18 Posted 22/12/2012 at 11:34:54
19 Posted 22/12/2012 at 11:46:20
The problem that Moyes doesn't make purchase players on that basis.. therefore we don't have a dedicated right winger able to step in..
I agree with the point above that Mirallas is probably the biggest miss, because we become very lop sided.
20 Posted 22/12/2012 at 12:11:24
21 Posted 22/12/2012 at 12:23:20
22 Posted 22/12/2012 at 12:28:13
Fellaini is great when things are going well like v Utd he was unplayable. However he was poor in the 2 games you mention and he gets frustrated too easy when decisions go against him.
Gutted Mirallas isn't fit, certainly options though for Moyes to consider today.
23 Posted 22/12/2012 at 12:43:19
24 Posted 22/12/2012 at 12:39:55
25 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:07:25
26 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:18:17
27 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:30:11
28 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:31:59
29 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:32:54
Hmmmm, what he offer against United, Arsenal, City, Fulham, Swansea, Sunderland & Villa.
Goals!
30 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:36:41
31 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:41:25
32 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:40:57
33 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:38:16
I get the feeling there are a lot of folk on here who initially slated the lad a few seasons back, when he was settling in as a 19 year old, for not being worth the transfer fee and now can't wait to stick the boot in when things go wrong. He's class and we will miss him today.
34 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:43:22
It's baffling.
35 Posted 22/12/2012 at 13:42:47
Howard
Jags Heitinga Distin Baines
Naismith Neville Gibson Pienaar
Osman Jelavic
36 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:06:53
37 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:06:13
38 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:06:06
39 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:08:25
40 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:08:25
41 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:08:25
42 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:10:13
43 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:08:53
44 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:08:20
I have a bad feeling about today.
45 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:11:53
46 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:12:33
We may have an embarrassing lack of depth but that's a crap lineup.
47 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:13:57
48 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:13:58
Vic pushed up with Jelavic and Osman on the right is more probable
49 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:13:21
50 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:15:13
51 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:14:40
52 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:15:30
53 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:15:43
54 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:17:25
56 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:17:04
With all these defenders on the pitch don't you think it's about time for a clean sheet??
57 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:20:54
58 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:18:57
Boring 0 - 0 at best.
59 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:21:56
60 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:12:14
61 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:22:14
62 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:21:56
63 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:23:22
64 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:19:27
It's either Heitinga or Nev in midfield...Barkley must be gutted. What does the lad have to do to get a game.
I'm a Moyes lover but this seems insane. At times I just scratch my head at his thinking.
If Gibbo is sitting in then where is Heitinga/Neville playing?
Anichebe is in for his height. Don't worry that hes never won a header in his life...he's tall so must be decent.
Jesus, I wish that bloody apocalypse had happened.
65 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:23:52
Everton XI: Howard, Jagielka, Distin, Heitinga, Baines, Neville, Osman, Gibson, Anichebe, Pienaar, Jelavic.
66 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:24:40
67 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:25:39
Surely Ovideo, Hitz, Barkley and Vellios deserved something better
68 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:27:39
69 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:26:19
Subs: Mucha, Duffy, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Velios, Barkley
70 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:26:47
71 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:32:08
72 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:29:55
73 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:32:30
74 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:21:56
75 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:38:35
Subs: Mucha, Duffy, Oviedo, Naismith, Hitzlsperger, Velios, Barkley
76 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:35:53
77 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:40:28
Plan A anyone?
78 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:41:33
79 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:43:45
80 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:45:54
82 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:48:00
83 Posted 22/12/2012 at 14:47:45
I think Vellios should be given a start over Anichebe but can't see beyond a draw there... I could be wrong, and we don't get beat, another option.
84 Posted 22/12/2012 at 15:53:11
A fuckin shambles of a selection.
85 Posted 22/12/2012 at 15:58:04
Real opportunity lost. Barkley and Oveido defo should have been in the line up. Anichebe and Neville starting was a massive step backwards.
86 Posted 22/12/2012 at 16:38:32
Editorial Team
87 Posted 22/12/2012 at 21:01:23
88 Posted 22/12/2012 at 21:07:27
"Anichebe is in for his height. Don't worry that hes never won a header in his life...he's tall so must be decent."
89 Posted 22/12/2012 at 02:06:29
Under the man who can't fucking simply say "you or you start on the bench today "... I'm gravely afraid ...so.
Moyes, also get a decent 2nd in command to do the delegating, someone who has some sort of tactical/strategical overview and reading of any given game, instead of your usual bodylingual vacuous/clueless dithering/gambling hope-for-the-best-eology on 'how best to put the fire out' tactics.
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1 Posted 22/12/2012 at 01:44:05
Howard will have to be at his best and actually command the box, and Jags and Distin will need to run things with Gibbo doing his regular work. As Fellaini is out, and Osman a certain starter under Moyes' regime, I'd rather see him put the short man up with Jelavic to get him the hell out of midfield in a game that we need to dominate if we're to win. Stick Hitz in there, or even Heitinga - I know neither are lighting the world up at the moment, but we need someone who you know will kick people and not lose easy ball.
Also think this is the sort of game that Naismith will get an early goal in, but would rather see Oviedo getting at least half a game to run at, essentially, a less talented team than what we've faced so far this season - no disrespect to West Ham, but they are over-achieving at the moment.