Season › 2014-15 › News Hull City vs Everton Lyndon Lloyd , 1 January, 137comments | Jump to most recent Match Preview John Stones is hopeful of returning after picking up a knock to his ankle against Stoke Everton begin 2015 with a second successive away fixture as they look to end their longest losing sequence thus far under Roberto Martinez's management. The Blues begin the new year just five points above their hosts, Hull, and the relegation zone they're hovering above on goal difference; the increasingly distant promised land of the Champions League is 12 points away. Before thoughts of getting back into the chase for Europe can be entertained, one that Martinez insists is still alive despite this side's poor form, the immediate focus is finding a win which, should they manage it at the KC Stadium, would be only Everton's sixth of the campaign and their third on the road. The Catalan has Steven Naismith available again for selection after the Scot served a one-match suspension on Sunday and John Stones spoke to evertontv on Wednesday expressing his hopes of being fit enough to play after taking a knock to his recently-healed ankle. While Phil Jagielka and Tim Howard had to be withdrawn at half time with injuries of their own, Stones managed to finish the Boxing Day clash with Stoke but joined both players on the sidelines for the defeat at Newcastle. Howard is ruled out until the end of January at the earliest with a torn calf muscle but with just an apparently twisted ankle, the skipper should be back in action a lot sooner, possibly for this trip to Hull. Article continues below video content That would provide a significant boost to the manager who saw his stand-in centre-half partnership breached three times at St James' Park. A restoration of what has become the undisupted first-choice pairing in Jagielka and Stones would go a long way to restoring some confidence at the back as Everton seek some solidity having accumulated the worst defensive record in the top flight bar QPR. What remains to be seen is how convinced Martinez was by the other he wasn't forced to make for the Newcastle game, most significant of which was moving Leighton Baines forward from his usual spot at fullback and drafting in Luke Garbutt. Both players emerged with more credit than most from an otherwise sorry performance and it would not be surprising to see the manager try the experiment again. Kevin Mirallas' goalscoring appearance off the bench will almost certainly earn him a recall to the side at the expense of Aiden McGeady after presumably being rested on Sunday but Romelu Lukaku's return is not a foregone conclusion. Arouna Kone's first start in well over year yielded his first goal and he will surely have shown enough to have earned another opportunity to impress. In midfield, much depends on whether James McCarthy is deemed fit enough to play given his recurrent hamstring problems and, if he is, whether Martinez was sufficiently concerned by Gareth Barry's ponderous and error-strewn display at St James' Park to be moved to take him out of the line-up. Muhamed Besic is waiting in the wings should there be an opening having not featured since the defeat at Southampton 11 days ago. There is no question that Everton need three points and they need them quickly, preferably against Steve Bruce's relegation-threatened side who will be missing Mohamed Diame and Michael Dawson but could welcome back James Chester after suspension. As the Tigers showed in the reverse fixture a month ago, they are well-organised and can be very difficult to break down and the Blues can expect more of the same high pressing aimed at stifling their forward progress and forcing mistakes as they try to play out from the back. Once again, this will be an examination of Everton's character and an opportunity for Martinez to follow through on his pledge to eradicate the individual errors that have plagued his team this season. With confidence as fragile as ever, that is going to be tough to do but there could be no better New Year tonic than an away win. Kick off: 3pm Referee: Kevin Friend Quotes sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports Global TV Reader Comments (137) 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 Denis Richardson 1 Posted 01/01/2015 at 00:22:08 Happy New Year to all Blues.Lose to Hull and it's a taxi for Roberto. Terry Bolger 2 Posted 01/01/2015 at 00:33:18 It's the start of the Walter Smith years all over again... the dream is over – in fact, it never started. Phil Rodgers 3 Posted 01/01/2015 at 00:35:22 Happy new yearI agree Dennis. Kieran Riding 4 Posted 01/01/2015 at 00:34:11 Happy New Year Blues.We all know it's going to be Jelavic today, so save your fume for West Ham. Mark Frere 5 Posted 01/01/2015 at 00:31:52 Time for a change of formation and we need players with plenty of fighting spirit.3-5-2:RoblesStones Jags BarryColeman McCarthy Barkley Besic GarbuttMirallas Kone Kunal Desai 6 Posted 01/01/2015 at 01:05:43 Happy New year to all blue near and far. Remember the year ending in 5 has been kind to us in the last 3 decades. Let hope we can get some silverware at Goodison in the next 5 months. Paul Hewitt 7 Posted 01/01/2015 at 01:43:54 All the best everyone we will win 3-0 COYB Tony Twist 8 Posted 01/01/2015 at 01:55:22 Happy New Year for all you blues. New formation, more like new manager required. A loss today and then again in the FA Cup and Martinez should be on his way. The only way they are going to win this one is to play like a team with a win at all cost attitude, stop passing the ball sideways across their own penalty area, play decisive passes splitting the opposition's defence for our star forward to run on to and beat the last man, confidently lashing it past their goalkeeper and then repeating this feat several times during the match. Basically ignoring how Martinez actually wants the team to play.My team to do this would be: Robles, Coleman, Stones, Barry, Garbutt, Baines,McCarthy, Barkley, Besic,Mirallas, Lukaku.Best of luck blues. Christopher Wallace 9 Posted 01/01/2015 at 01:48:44 Roberto has seriously underperformed this season, along with the majority of players, who have let him/us down.On a similar note, our home fans have been letting us down for years! People keep talking about lack of heart and passion in the performances... Good description of our collective support.Strange, as I've no doubt every blue is as hardcore as they come, it just rarely shines through at GP, unless we're beating United or Pool ffs Paul Dark 10 Posted 01/01/2015 at 02:28:26 Happy New Year to Blues all over the world!1-1Jelly 48Barkley 73COYB! Derek Thomas 11 Posted 01/01/2015 at 02:32:25 Tony; Aarrh matey that be Mutiny, but do we have a Fletcher Christian on the field to do it...I doubt it Kieran Morgan 12 Posted 01/01/2015 at 02:47:42 The season starts now. In the second half of the season we always kicked on under Moyes from mid-table to challenging for Europe. I hope for the same with Martinez... Peter Barry 14 Posted 01/01/2015 at 06:12:30 When did we last lose four on the trot ? Because if that is what happens today then the writing is well and truly on the wall. Jamie Crowley 15 Posted 01/01/2015 at 07:04:24 We win. We've not lost 4 on the trot in how long?A happy New Year (in a way) is in the works. Richard Lyons 16 Posted 01/01/2015 at 08:18:28 If we lose today, next week vs West Ham will (should) be Bobby's Oxford Utd moment... 18th January 1984 all over again... We can but pray. Steve Pugh 17 Posted 01/01/2015 at 08:23:13 Last time we lost 4 on the trot was at the start of the 05/06 season when we went on to lose 6. Fulham (0-1), Portsmouth (0-1), Arsenal (0-2), Wigan (0-1), Man C (0-2) and Spurs (0-2). We finally got a goal and a point at home to Chelsea thanks to a James Beattie penalty. That season we finished 11th.Losing 3 in a row is a lot more common that we’d like to think, it happened twice in 2011/12, a 3-1 win at Fulham sandwiched in between meant that we lost 6 out of 7. That season we, predictably, finished 7th. It also happened twice in 2009/10. John Zapa 18 Posted 01/01/2015 at 08:59:48 A defeat would put top 10 almost beyond reach. It would also be a hole too deep for Martinez to crawl out of. Ant Summers 19 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:01:12 Hull City will be right at us today, guaranteed they play 5 in midfield. We need to keep a clean sheet that may be wishing too much.we have no secrets, all managers, clubs, pundits know if you keep the battle in the middle against US, we donÂ’t have the personnel at centre half and central midfield to cope against 5. The game we need to play today is wide and expansive, hope we do, if it comes down to a scrap...Im not looking forward to 5pm. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL ST DOMINGOÂ’S Sean Kelly 20 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:12:59 Happy new year to all Evertonians. Let hope itÂ’s a good one for us and whoever is in charge of the asylum. Colin Grierson 21 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:03:33 Happy New year to you all. I'm not going to predict any formations as like our current 3 match run... its pointless.A spirited performance is required with plenty of energy and pressing of the ball. I reckon we'll get a point. I hope he doesn't start McGeady he's a liability. Lukaku, who has the touch of a BBC light entertainer, could do with watching Kone from the bench. I'd also like to see Barry make way for Mo. I cant see it happening though. Ian Bennett 22 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:20:05 The darkest part of night is just before dawn. Everton to win 2 - 0. Young legs will win the day, with hold up play from Kone. COYFB.RoblesColemanStonesJagsGarbuttBesicMcCarthyMirallasBarkleyBainesKone Derek Knox 23 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:45:55 Happy New Year to all of you!I just hope the team and performances from here on in, make a happy new change.COYB Karl Jones 24 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:52:13 Hull ...one win in twelve, three wins all season...We all know whats going to happen here! Robert Duncombe 25 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:46:12 A few months ago Roberto said that Lulaku will show his worth in the New Year. That due to his toe injury and his World Cup hang over this new year is when he would truly. "catch fire" as a player. So come on Rom, we are all willing, pleading, praying for you do become a legend. Start your blaze of glory today will a brace at the K C. Or when Roberto spoke of the new Year was his thinking more of March time !!!! Happy New Year to all you blue boys and lets get back on track! Gerard Carey 26 Posted 01/01/2015 at 09:48:06 Happy New Year to all. This really is a must win game. Dont care if its a scrappy own goal that wins it for us, just that we get the three points. Looking at the referee though we will get no favours there. Heres hoping Bill found a few million somewhere over Xmas for a new keeper, centrehalf and attacking midfielder!!!!, wishful thinking, sigh!!!!. Adam Luszniak 27 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:04:24 I for one disagree with those calling for Martinez' head. Bad run of games and very poor performances, yet he did enough last year for me to give him more slackvthan some on ToffeeWeb. A win today would help! Anto Byrne 28 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:02:58 Just when we need a friend, we get Kevin. So much as heavy breathe on a Hull player and it will be a penalty. Max Wilson 29 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:03:24 Let's hope the lad's have their mojo back. A defeat to-day seems impossible. Statistically that is. Clean sheet, lots of good movement forward please. Tony Rutherford 30 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:03:57 Ian Bennett, like the look of that team. Let’s hope it pans out. Come on fellas, New Years resolution... Be more positive..... At least until after the game!!! Paul Smith 31 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:01:51 I'd have Barry just infront of the back four. Thing is, I worry about who in that midfield can play the through ball for Kone & can he pick it up with his back to goal if not ? Kev's a must a class act so far amongst some average performers. Robles ColemanStonesBaines Barry Maca BesicGarbuttBarkely MIrallasKone Nick Armitage 32 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:18:38 Paul Smith 31 - with the way we have been leaking goals to poor opposition, do you think it would be an idea to go with more than one (unfit) centre half? Paul Smith 33 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:27:42 ATM Nick the whole team is blowing out of it's arse at 80 mins. Mike Childs 34 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:28:55 Happy New Years one and all. More than results I want to see heart from the players today. Sick and tired of the I'm just here for the paycheck attitude of many of our players. Phil Walling 35 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:34:42 Research for another thread showed that Roberto went 3-4-3 when things got tough at Wigan.If he decides to try this today, we may look something like :-Robles; Stones, Jagielka, Alcaraz; Coleman, Besic, Baines, Garbutt; Mirallas, Kone, Naismith.No idea how it would work but can't be much worse that what we've been seeing lately ! Jimmy Salt 36 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:40:18 Happy New year to all St Domingos.don't care to predict the result today, just hope things trend towards the positive from now on.The blue half have had a rough crimbo and we need to smile again. Joe Clitherow 37 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:45:45 Happy New Year to all Blues.So next two games are make or break for RM in my opinion, lose both and he could be gone quickly and I think the volume of his recent comments means he suspects it. I don't think he will be given time around the Europa because despite all of the wild optimism people have all we have really done is qualify for effectively the same stage as the FAC3 and been completely unconvincing in my opinion.All that said though, once the whistle goes he has my 100% support for a win (because that's for Everton, not any individual). The bizarre and deluded nature of his recent comments leave me convinced he will fail and is not right for us but I will be more than happy to have a double helping of humble pie. Heart dreads a scrappy Jelavic winner today, head says we must have enough to beat Hull, surely? Which Everton will turn up?COYB! Ian McDowell 38 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:57:33 Lets get our best 11 players on the pitch, so for me assuming they are fit I'd put Mirallas up front with Eto. Even Belgium used him as a CF in the world cup. Lukaku can stay on the bench until he can be bothered to break a sweat. Robles Stones Jags BarryColeman Besic Macca Baines Barkley Eto Mirallas Sam Hoare 39 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:05:22 Happy New Year all!I'd take Ian bennett's team. Need a win so we don't lose pace with Stoke. Ha. James Hughes 40 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:07:43 Happy New Year to all fellow Bluenoses Hope for 3 points and a good performance today. Besic in for Barry please.COYB Mike Childs 41 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:07:33 Thanks for the laugh Sam....ha some truths are better to laugh at then dwell on....Going to be an interesting 2015. I'm looking forward to today's game May that feeling last. Michael Winstanley 42 Posted 01/01/2015 at 10:42:07 Happy New Year Blues.No idea about today, lets hope we get the three points. Clive Rogers 43 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:29:53 Leave Barry out. His legs had gone 2nd half against barcodes. Also Naismith was shocking on boxing day. Sure he had a hangover. Disgraceful. Tom Evans 44 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:39:28 Without Huddlestone and Quinn two of their better players, there can be no excuse for a poor performance this afternoon. Jelavic will be on one to bag a goal and that will be a headline in the making.But FFS please Everton, three points today. Gavin McGarvey 45 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:20:41 Well, like everyone else on here, my fingers are crossed for an Everton win. It won't be easy with so many players out and a makeshift defence.If they are available I would go for:RoblesColeman Stones Jagielka BainesMirallas McCarthy Barry Barkley GarbuttLukakuIt would leave Eto'o, Naismith and Kone on the bench, along with cover at centre half.It's going to be a tight game and I'd like to see us play with some width and have ideas about how to change things if things don't go our way, e.g. withdraw Barry and bring on Naismith to make a 4 4 2 etc... All the games are big now we've drifted into trouble. Hope Martinez has what it takes to turn things round and get the players performing now they've started to come under pressure.COYB Neil Wood 46 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:13:09 What is needed today is a thumping of Hull. Although any victory will be welcome, a 3 or 4 goal thrashing will do so much to lift spirits and boost confidence.That's what Martinez needs to push... Send them out saying that nothing short of thrashing Hull will do.. Do it for your club, your fans and the people who stay loyal to you despite what you have offered up recently.For the kids who are so nervous and excited at going today and watching YOU! For the girl who goes with her fella and loves to see the thrill on his face when you win.For the 84 year old lifelong blue who has seen so much in his life and worked his fingers to the bone to raise his family and allow him the small priveledges in life such as watching you.For the fan who sets off at 9.00 am travelling 100's of miles just to see you.For me, who other than the 84 year old has been part of those scenarios.Heart, intensity, willingness to win, commitment and pride. That's all we ask. Brian Hennessy 47 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:52:40 I too think it is too early to be calling for Martinez to be sacked.Hopefully Barry will be benched today, I think more than anyone he has been our worst player of late.Would like to see Lukaku and Kone both play to see how that works out and stick with Garbutt and Baines on the left.Happy New Year to all blues, here's hoping for a fresh start today... Derek Knox 48 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:55:05 Paul Hewitt#7I would like to know what you were drinking last night mate, 3-0 away, that must have been some hallucinatory beverage. Hope you're right though all the same, as we need to arrest the slump, before it gains momentum. Sean Kelly 49 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:56:54 Jimmy itÂ’s been more grimbo than crimbo lately James Marshall 50 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:59:12 For a fragile team like ours, Hull away is really not what we need! I fear for them this afternoon, but I admire the spirit of some of you, even going to far as to predict scorers and time of goal! Good luck with that. I think it has 3-1 to Hull written all over it. Denis Richardson 51 Posted 01/01/2015 at 11:56:00 Clock ticking down to KO, will we see a 'phenemenal' performance? Eric Holland 52 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:00:08 Would like to see two powerful strikers up front. RoblesColeman Stones Jagielka BainesMirallas McCarthy Barkley Besic Lukaku Kone Creativity and cover in midfield. James Marshall 53 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:15:28 Eric, you've got 3 central midfielders, and a winger there - Hull play 5 in midfield so I hope it's not that lineup as we'll get over-run in the middle. James Marshall 54 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:21:43 Hull have managed just one win at the KC Stadium all season, and have scored just eight goals at home. They have lost four of their last five home games and only managed to score one goal in that period.Which means we'll probably get turned over today! Mike Green 55 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:25:14 1-1. Mike Keating 56 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:20:15 Does anyone know what has become of Bryan Oviedo? Colin Glassar 57 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:26:32 Thanks for that James 54. It could also be fat Bruce's last game for them so I'm not too confident about today but still think we will nick it. James Marshall 58 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:28:30 Given that our team are low on confidence, and need to toughen up, I don't see Oviedo getting a game at the moment - the guy snapped his leg pretty badly remember, so his confidence in his own fitness is probably lacking (naturally) and therefore too much of a risk right now. John Malone 59 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:30:47 Kone is a big boost and has got to start the way he held the ball up and spun past his man was class he looks like the quality we've been missing to build attacks from.If Martinez can make the best use of this transfer window and bring in a good goalie, a pacy right winger who can deliver a final ball and a strong centre half I'd have good reason to think we could turn our season around and finish the season well, only time will tell! Dave Williams 60 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:23:58 Happy New Year to everyone Huge variation on desired team for today on here.My version based on players who will scrap and be comfortable playing possession at the back:RoblesColeman Stones Barry GarbuttMirallas Besic Barkley McCarthy BainesKone NaismithThat said I can see so many reasons to play another team and in another way - I guess that's what Roberto gets paid for.We must go out and fight for 90 minutes with determination - something we've not done for a long time now. Watching Sky over Christmas it struck me how Man Ure players celebrate goals so much more passionately than us at the moment - hate to say it but we need some of their spirit! Charles McCann 61 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:17:12 Happy New Year to all, I agree with those who would like to see Barry benched today. He is too slow and offers little to the team attacking wise. I'm probably in the minority here but i'd prefer Alcaraz to partner Stones. Jags ain't comfortable enough in possession and his passing is terrible. Hopefully Garbutt retains his position. Team for me would be RoblesColeman Stones Alcaraz GarbuttMirallas McCarthy Barkley Besic BainesKone Tony McNulty 62 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:33:34 Lots to look forward to: Europa; Lukaku's return to form; a new Head of Medicinal Services on the way. Tony Draper 63 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:39:24 SAD NOTE, linked to todays game.WIZIWIG has closed as of midnight last night.ANY links/sources for todays game, much appreciated Tony Draper 64 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:45:51 In answer to my own question.......LinkAppears useableRecommend Chrome users apply Adblocker Dave Lynch 65 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:47:20 I'm having a fiver on Jela getting a brace.You just know it will happen, then again I couldn't back the winner in a one horsed race so will probably jinx him, which is my cunning plan... Martin Berry 66 Posted 01/01/2015 at 12:53:56 http://www.footballstreaming.info/streams/todays-links/index.htmlNot used for a while but may have to if new link supplied by Wizwig doesn't work. Joe Foster 67 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:03:36 I got to believe after all the flak the team has had over the last few days they have to be well up for this. Steavey Buckley 68 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:12:48 There are too many players off form this season, because Everton's league position does not lie. If players don't improve, they need to be quickly shown the door and find other clubs who are prepared to tolerate their lethargy. As for Darren Gibson, his intention, appears to be, to draw his salary, week by week, while injured, and then get fit to play for the ROI, where he gets injured again, by playing for them. Sam Hoare 69 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:22:06 Wonder if RM is watching the Man U game? 2 goals from corners Roberto. Maybe something worth us working on... Brent Stephens 70 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:16:48 There are several suggestions I like on the thread for what the starting line-up should be. Yet it counts for nothing if the way we play isn't right. We need hard men and skillful, creative ball players. Somewhere in there, then, I'd like to see Kone, Mirallas, Barkely, Besic, McCarthy, Baines, Coleman, Stones. And let them play intuitively!Torn between Jags and Alcaraz. Robert Workman 71 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:33:49 Read on BBC website that Everton have put less crosses into the box than any other team in the Prem.Prosit Neujahr! James Marshall 72 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:39:36 That's because we play to narrow. I've been whinging about it all season. You buy a 6'3 striker for 㿈m then don't play to his strengths. Stupid management. Jackie Barry 73 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:46:45 On another note we need to improve on the much vaunted idea that we have this fantastic youth system. I see another prospect Hallam Hope has signed permanently for Bury I believe. Too much crowing from the roof tops about this in my opinion and something we have needed to improve on for years. Andrew Hawes 74 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:40:15 #68 Steve Buckley : Your comments are identical to the ones Kone received for a year? Now he is the best thing since sliced bread after a goal and a couple of games.Same accusations could be levelled at Kone, Gibson, Alcaraz, Hibbert and Pieanaar this last season or two for that matter. Your comment doesnÂ’t really make sense... injuries are injuries. Players sign a contract and are entitled to their wages, injured or not. I personally donÂ’t have a problem with players injured but working hard to get back – look at players like Scott Sinclair sitting in Man CityÂ’s reserves for years, just lifting his salary?? Raymond Fox 75 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:24:20 I agree with James post 50.This game is no cakewalk, their fans will be right up for this, so will their players, its a must win game for them, even more than us.Were away so there's a good chance we'll get stuffed by the ref again. Away games are difficult I don't care who your playing.Hull missed easy chance after easy chance last week, saving it up for us no doubt!Our players confidence will be very low, it just has the feel of another defeat to me.I hope I'm completely wrong, a win would make me very pleased indeed.PS. The price for us to be relegated is coming down at a rate of knots too on Betfair.I looked a few days ago it was 60-1, yesterday it was 55-1, today its 38-1!We have City after Hull, so punters are probably seeing that if we lose today, things will be even more grim. Martin Berry 77 Posted 01/01/2015 at 13:55:35 Everton XI (to face Hull City): Joel, Baines, Jagielka, Alcaraz, Coleman, Barry, Besic, Barkley, Naismith, Mirallas, Kone. Martin Berry 78 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:02:16 Everton substitutes: Griffiths, Eto'o, McGeady, Oviedo, Lukaku, Distin, Atsu. Nigel Gregson 79 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:01:15 There are no 'easy' games in this competition. COYB we'll need to give it our all. Kieran Riding 80 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:02:47 No start for Rom then ??Atsu still around is also a surprise. Colin Glassar 81 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:02:39 Speculation or fact Martin? No Garbutt? Sam Hoare 82 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:03:27 So still we have either Naismith or Barkley playing out wide. And A knackered Barry running through treacle in the middle. Is Garbutt injured? Kieran Riding 83 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:05:09 He's on the naughty step Sam. Peter Bell 84 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:05:33 Looks like Garbutt has paid the price for spilling the beans on our training methods Tom Evans 85 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:07:12 Besic to the rescue. Paul Dark 86 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:05:12 Alcaraz before Distin is a mistake.Thank God Besic is playing. He clearly brought Macca back too early. Hope Rom comes on. I have great hopes for him. Mark Frere 87 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:05:40 Really disappointed McCarthy hasn't recovered. Naismith or Barkley out wide! When is Martinez ever gonna learn! What a cretin! Ian McDowell 88 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:01:01 Really not got a good feeling about today. Our defence is a disaster and should have been addressed months ago. Phil Walling 89 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:07:57 Garbutt about to be shipped out , I hear ! Colin Glassar 90 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:09:37 4-3-3? Ian McDowell 91 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:08:42 Whats up with Pienaar? Is he likely to be back soon? Paul Dark 92 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:10:28 Garbutt to be shipped out? Seriously? He's an amazing prospect. All because of his interview? Ian McDowell 93 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:10:45 Can't understand no Garbutt unless he is injured. Joe Foster 94 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:11:22 I hope not Phil. James Marshall 95 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:10:43 We're gonna get done today. Martinez is clueless sticking with the same teams that don't work. Tosser. Colin Glassar 96 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:11:32 Being sent to Wigan Phil for Al-Habsi. Paul Dark 97 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:11:46 Ian: knee problems; two weeks away supposedly. Kieran Riding 98 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:11:45 Ian, we don't want him getting injured before we have the chance to sell him. Sam Hoare 99 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:11:49 Will be gutted if Garbutt is shipped out. He's our best prospect by a mile at the moment. Colin Glassar 100 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:12:46 Injuries love Everton. James Marshall 101 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:13:33 Garbutt leaving? Where do you get your info? Paul Dark 102 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:12:18 He'd have been better off playing Rom on the wing than Nace or Ross - or Atsu, of course. Anyone but McGeady.The formation is so set. Max Wilson 103 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:06:55 Yes, this is the team. 01 Robles 23 Coleman 30 Alcaraz 06 Jagielka 03 Baines 17 Besic 18 Barry 11 Mirallas 20 Barkley 14 Naismith 09 KonéSubstitutes 05 Eto'o 07 McGeady 08 Oviedo 10 Lukaku 15 Distin 19 Atsu 45 GriffithsCant say it fills me with joy because at this level, two poor choices candestroy your chances. We were told Luke would be back at his best in the New Year and here he is, at his best on the bench! Glad to see Oviedo in the offing. If Naismith wastes a good forward pass to-day it will do my head in. And/or fade out of the game. James Marshall 104 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:15:39 He's a stubborn twat. Same formation every week. Watch us flounder again. Joe Foster 105 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:15:54 How much would we even get for Garbutt Kieran Riding 106 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:17:21 Is Jelavic starting ? Phil Walling 107 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:14:51 I hope not ,too. But little progress on new contract and will be a free agent this summer. Agent talking to other clubs already. Harold Matthews 108 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:07:52 Okay line-up with Naismirth helping Coleman with the left side Robertson threat. Hope Barkley shows a bit of interest.. Ged Alexander 109 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:19:17 Someone help me out, what has Luke Garbutt said in an interview which is critical?? Steven Telford 110 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:17:41 Inline with Roberto's philosophy, I optimistically predictHull 6-8 Everton.Defending is sooooooooo 2013 Brent Stephens 111 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:18:32 So if Garbutt does go, and Oviedo really is only 3rd choice LB in Roberto's eyes... James Marshall 112 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:19:47 If Garbutt is bring critical we should definitely fucking keep him. The kid has balls unlike the rest of them. Joe Foster 113 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:20:01 Not a bad line up in anyone's books bar Robles of course Steve Brown 114 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:18:53 Garbutt has probably picked up a knock or is being given a rest. Colin Glassar 115 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:21:12 The Garbutt rumours are garbage. The kid has a knock nothing more. Joe Foster 116 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:22:33 Someone needs to mention Dan GOsling to his agent Adam Luszniak 117 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:21:12 Garbutt may be out of contract in the summer but he won't go for free as he's under 24. Al Reddish 118 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:23:51 What did Garbutt say? Ged Alexander 119 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:22:54 The only interview I can find is in the ever-reliable Daily Star and it is anything but critical. This looks like squad rotation.http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/417527/Everton-Luke-Garbutt-Toffees James Marshall 120 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:25:58 It all sounds like Bollocks. Shall we move on? Joe Foster 121 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:27:06 Check out garbutt keeping the face post. Last comment Conor McCourt 122 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:27:00 Off topic I know but I think Butland of Stoke would be a great loan signing. I seem to recall he's a blue as well. Can anyone verify that for me? Alex Doyle 123 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:30:55 Quite happy with the team - good to see Baines back at left back, where he is most effective. Jags needs to have a good game. The Hull line up looks pedestrian and hopefully with a bit of luck and grit, we should win this one. You would certainly hope that the team is itching to win. Matt Melia 124 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:29:35 Happy New YearOut with the Old In with the Old !King Roberto Canute, stubborn to the lastHas Mr Garbutt blotted his copy book and upset Roberto?Best of luck Blues, chance for Kone to show his worthHappy New Year to ALL BLUE NOSES Phil Rodgers 125 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:31:44 So naismith wide? Ged Alexander 126 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:35:12 We may be in link crisis situation today. Craig Mills 127 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:35:14 Neil Lennon desperate for Garbutt at Bolton Phil Rodgers 128 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:36:22 So naismith wide? James Marshall 129 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:36:41 http://www.eplsite.com/ Clive Rogers 130 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:34:49 Mike #56Heard he has fallen out with RM after complaining about lack of first team and being told he is now third choice. Also he is apparently not the same player since his injury. Ged Alexander 131 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:39:04 News just in: http://cricfree.sx/watch/live/hull-city-vs-Everton-live-streaming Joe Foster 132 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:36:57 At least the gk is in the right position Harold Matthews 133 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:34:14 He said we had not practiced the new set-up before the N'castle match. James Marshall 134 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:41:40 Which I thought was hilarious, Harold! Ian Burns 135 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:44:44 Is there a Live Forum today? Harold Matthews 136 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:40:21 Oviedo didn't like the idea of having to train with the U21s.Besic can be a problem. His last coach strangled him in the dressing room. James Marshall 137 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:47:07 Yes, Ian. Click Live Forum up the top of the page Ian Burns 138 Posted 01/01/2015 at 14:47:56 Great thanks James Colin Glassar 139 Posted 01/01/2015 at 15:15:12 I was mistaken about Garbutt. He is indeed in trouble. 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