Funes Mori not fazed by possible first Mersey derby

Although, I think FM will do alright if called upon in the derby, I would still prefer to see Stones (and Coleman) back.

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Stones Galloway
McCarthy Barry
Deulofeu Barkley Kone
Lukaku

Wow! On paper, it looks a real formidable line-up.

It has to be said, on paper, the best RS side also is not too shabby:

Mignolet
Clyne Skrtel Sakho Moreno
Can Henderson Milner
Coutinho
Sturridge Benteke

Interesting game, I think.

As for Funes Mori, I thought he was very dodgy in the 1st half against WBA but settled down and played well in the 2nd half.

As for Sunday, although we are supposed to be favourites because of 'their' poor start to the season and a Europa League game tomorrow night, I for one am taking nothing for granted; the reds are not as bad as they have been painted. I just hope no-one at Goodison thinks it's a no-brainer either.

The ones who worry me are Coutinho and Sturridge but isn't it nice knowing one Stevie Me isn't playing. He carried them through so many of our defeats by either cheating or being imperious (when he wasn't doing that he was getting sent off) so without him and their other on-field leader Henderson I wonder if they'll be very different from what we're used to being up against.

It's worth noting we haven't won a Derby since Cahill left.

Another thing I will be fascinated to see is Ross Barkley. Local lad, now gradually becoming the main man in the middle. Could this be the game where he stamps his mark on the Derbies? He's got the physique and the talent to do it...

The concrete upper deck undulates in waves as the whole crowd jump up and down, corner takers have two riot police holding their shields aloft to deflect the barrage of missiles thrown at opposition players (and the teams need a covered tunnet to be extended to enter/exit the pitch).

So, I don't think the crowd will bother Ramiro, Sturridge on the other hand....

Goodison will be bouncing, and I hope the players put in a shift and get a result. Eagerly awaiting the game with the usual nerves. COYB - Get stuck in!!!

I like the look of Ajay's team, one thing that has now become pretty blatant is we need to have Kone starting; he gives us that balance, he holds the ball up with strength and a great touch, it allows us to build momentum to attack. Without him well, we get little momentum to build, West Bromwich 1st half, then after Kone came on perfect example.

Del Boy brings that magic and creates where no other player has the same danger or kind of ability that his pace and delivery out wide brings.

Ross driving from midfield with Rom ready to play off the shoulder or get on the end of anything from out wide.

We really need Rom up for this one aggressive and using his size to bully their back 4, he can be unplayable when he wants to be.

We do need to watch Courthino and Sturridge, keep them quiet, give them some extra attention – close them down, double up etc.

We do that and I fancy us strongly, we owe big time, let's go and make a statement.

All reports I've seen indicate that Benteke will not be ready for Sunday. Also Sturridge is being rested on Thursday.

People who have slagged him off know feck all about players with ability! How can anyone say "Not sure about this guy"? Great performance. Fantastic promise from the lad. Great leadership qualities, leading by example! Top man! He put Jags in the shade against the Baggies.

He'd prob be fine if has to start due to injuries, but I would rather he came off the bench, if required as he was against Chelsea.

Give him to analyse and get feel for the game from the bench first. It'll be 6 months or so before he's used to the pace of the Premier League. Besic said it was the same for him.

Howard
Stones
Jagielka
Funes Mori
Coleman
McCarthy
Barkley
Barry
Galloway
Deulofeu
Lukaku.

I can dream...

Gerard #18, you missed out the GD...

A GD of +9 on Sunday lunchtime will do for me

Our midfield should swamp theirs and that makes me think it could hinge on defences. Our is inexperienced but doing well, theirs is suspect. So if Lukaku and Deulofeu can pick up from Monday night we are done.

But it's a derby. It'll probably be a nil-nil.

Anyone coming out that environment, is not going to be put off by anything the kopites can throw at him.

That said, If they're good to go, I want Stones and Coleman back in.

At long last, I think Martinez has actually made a very shrewd signing. Funes Mori has kind of come in under the radar of some of the big clubs, who have been paying silly money for defenders with far less ability.

I have no worries about him starting if needs must. I think he knows whatÂ’s expected of him and he had a very good game against West Brom, in my opinion. HeÂ’s going to be a very good signing, I think.

With that lot playing tonight, we need the curse of the Europa League to strike on Sunday, and we play them off the park.

Everton: P 8, W 4, D 3, L 1, Pts 15 — Looks great to me!!!

In addition, there was at least one more occasion where he lost the ball in a very dangerous area, and one where he ended up the wrong side of McClean who could put in a dangerous cross.

I'm probably overly critical here. Anyway, it was good to see him toughen up in the second half and play a more direct, incisive game. He does seem to have a sweet, left foot which should be used with more confidence.

I, too, have faith in him becoming a top-class player for us, but would definitely prefer Stones back in for the derby.

As far as Funes Mori goes, I'd like him to keep things simple until he settles a bit more. Hopefully Stones will be back anyway to partner Jags (who's been back to his best lately).

On paper and form, I'd say we should beat them, but despite losing some of its intensity in recent seasons, it's still the derby!

They have injuries, no Henderson, Benteke on the bench at best, Sturridge not long back and obviously made of glass, Firmino has a broken bone in his back, Lovren is touch & go depending on what you read (and shit anyway) and their defence is extremely suspect. Oh and no Stevie refshite.

We should have Coleman and Stones back (fingers crossed) and it's at home so we have every reason to feel confident.

I don't make predictions but I do think we'll win this one.

R Firmino – Back Injury – 2 weeks
D Lovren – Ankle/Foot Injury – 3 weeks
C Benteke – Hamstring Injury – 4 days
J Henderson – Metatarsal Fracture – 7 weeks
J Flanagan – Knee Injury – 3 months

I certainly thought Funes Mori looked tentative in the early part of the game but that's only to be expected when a player is finding his feet with a new team in a makeshift back four. At no time did I ever think he was approaching 'shocker' territory though.

His decision-making seemed decent enough to me. One last-ditch intervention involving a perfectly timed, well disguised, sly shove in the back to stop his opponent getting a clear sight of goal suggests he does possess some defensive nous and an awareness of danger.

As for his attempts at cross-field passes towards Deulofeu that never came off? I spent almost the entirety of the first half screaming for players to look up and switch the ball out to the right, where Deulofeu was stood all alone, in acres of space, like a guy with a slapped arse for a face giving off a future serial killer vibe at a speed dating event. Funes Mori was the only one with the awareness to recognise and attempt to remedy this, so this I'm inclined to give him a pass in regards to the fact that he overhit a couple.

Not having a go at Jagielka, who had a good game, but twice he kicked clearances without thinking about them. One went back over his head and luckily went straight to Howard, the other he just kicked straight down the middle of the field right to a WBA player and put them back on the attack.

Funes Mori, two or three times, just whacked it straight into the crowd, giving time to regroup and face the next attack; suited me fine, he knew what he was doing and was for the good of the team at the time.

Yes there is not as much to fear from them; thank God Gerrard has gone after nearly 15 years of torture from that odious shit but they still have players who can hurt us.

I just hope we can soon shackle this inferiority complex we seem to have carried or rather been burdened with for years against that lot.

Also, he seems a mentally strong, confident character which is just what we need out there in that sort of game. Those are the sort of people who drag the team to wins even when we aren't playing well.

Also. Deulofeu must must must start and play all game — he will terrify them and is able to produce the magic to get us the points.

Why do we only count from 1997? Why not from the start of the Premier League era which, although not exactly a fantastic record against them, we have only lost one more game than we have won at Goodison with the rest drawn.

What are we afraid of when it comes to the other lot? We are a decent team... they are a decent team; we can score goals, so can they. As ever, what has happened yesterday doesn't matter — it is only what happens during the match at the weekend that matters. If we perform well and have the rub of the green, we have as much chance of beating them as we would playing any other opponent.

Patrick,

Probably that deal they seemingly struck with Satan.

I'm merely making the point that over the last 20 years we have struggled badly for wins against them, I know we had a decent record for a spell but we have witnessed too many years of letdown as Evertonians in Merseyside derbies to generally have anything but a negative outlook.

Sunday is a chance to really banish some recent poor memories such as that semi-final or the Anfield hammering; all we've had is respectful draws but we are long long overdue a proper Blue celebration on derby day.

The Sky monies have definitely evened things out, so it's just up to the players to have that winning mentality; 1-0 will do me.

Having watched the Blues for over 60 years, these games seem to be getting to me more now than when I was younger. I think I read a stat last year that said Liverpool have won more derbies at Goodison than we have... no wonder I get paranoid about this result — and our record at Anfield is abysmal

At best they're Spurs (and an injury to Sturridge and they're Villa or Stoke).

The reality is Liverpool haven't been 'Liverpool' for fucking years now.

All the stuff they did (or had) that made them successful for years, they simply don't do (or have) anymore.

They used to do the canny purchasing of the occasional player, carefully introduced who wouldn't rock the boat and would fit in to a very simple but effective system.

Now it's millions of pounds thrown at all sorts of bums and mercenaries who come and go (not to mention the 30 odd out on loan).

There was always a good few local fellers, a few scots and managers who were in touch with the support and understood how to harness the working-class 'vibe' of the place.

That's all gone and the place is now basically a football tourist destination (I have red mates who have all but given up on them because of what they have become).

Consistency - gone.

A kop full of rabid scousers - gone.

Boot room - gone (cheers Souness!).

We should now be taking advantage, we should refer to them as Stoke, we should get over any psychological nonsense about them being 'Liverpool' because they patently aren't.

Up the Toffees!

The most frustrating thing about so many Merseyside derbies of recent years is we have made very average Liverpool teams look good.

Yes, some of it's luck but most of it is down to the mentality. I'm actually embarrassed by our failures over the last 16 year's at Anfield, not to beat what has on more than one occasion we have been there, a poor Liverpool side.

Gets an obligatory telling off, perhaps a card but the shite are now without the only two players that should cause us any trouble.

Then bring Stones on at half time to stop him being sent off.

Another positive is the young talented players on our side that will hopefully have the fear and respect towards that pathetic excuse for a team that they deserve — NONE!!

We need to hit them early and hit them hard. Get them on the back foot and keep them there. Plenty of quick, incisive passing, like the Chelsea game. Also, lots of crosses — Lovren and Mignolet are calamitous. Skrtel can't always get away with his judo exhibitions in box. Sakho has the agility of a giraffe in quicksand when he's on the ball — get about him as much as possible.

The fans have a huge part to play here, well before the first whistle.

Let's do these bastards, and do them properly!

They can't score with the ball in Row Z.

No idea where the bizarre idea of him having close to a "shocker" came from!

No need for us to throw the kitchen sink at them around the 70th minute.(like we usually have to do). Win this game early. They are not that good. And please do not revert to tippy-tappy. Front foot. Front foot. At all times.

And remember also that Gibson can make a forward pass. We have options. Which is good.

On a slightly different topic, I can't remember us having such a big team on the park. Apart from Deulofeu, and in the last few minutes Lennon, all the lads must have been 6 foot plus.

I remember coming out of Goodison when we beat them two-nil, in Hodgson's only derby match. I know it's always great to beat Liverpool, but I honestly couldn't understand the hysterics of Evertonians.

They were fucking shite, and I was fuming that we hadn't gone for the jugular when Arteta scored the second goal. I think it's the only time in my life I've never been overjoyed at beating them and I just kept wishing that we still had a Peter Reid in our team. We would have won five-nil that day if we had, but I will take two-nil on Sunday, if only to keep Rodgers in his job!!!!!

"The place is now basically a football tourist destination". So true. I read recently that Man Utd and the Shite prefer not to have as many season tickets for real fans as they could because they rely on the tourists who spend money in the club shops.

When you look at the "supporters" on TV, half of them are Japanese wearing bobble hats, scarves and rosettes. It's like us when we were kids in the... er... fifties. You never see a blue wearing a rosette and carrying a rattle these days, do you?

In one "Superclasico", Funes Mori was attacked with a homemade pepper spray before the start of the second half so, unless Liverpool fans goes on berserker mode (?), he will be fine.

I hear ya. I'll settle for 1-0 at the final whistle but not now – they are there for the taking and we have a great opportunity to hammer them into the ground.

RS fans are full of the fear and trepidation that usually percolates amongst our fans coming into these games. We need a wave of optimism and positivity in the stands before the game. We need the players to come out with the same attitude, and let the fans and players play off each other from the get-go... as it should always be.

I'm buzzing for this one!!

With no Gerrard, Henderson or Carragher, any idea who will be assigned to kick Deulofeu back into the changing rooms in the first 5 mins? It's the only chance they have.

Personally I'd like to see Gibson again, I thought he was really good against West Brom and I think he'd add the extra dimension we'll need against the RS.

As for Funes Mori – it's great he's settling in so well and won't be fazed by the derby atmosphere, it shows we're building a decent squad... but I'd prefer to see Stones & Jags as the centre halves.

No, but I've seen a couple of dummies up there in the Directors Box!!

A lot will depend on whose strikers are on form and if the good Sturridge and shabby Lukaku show up then we will struggle. Hopefully it's the other way around.

Time to turn a good start to the season into a great one.

In his two previous games, he made massive last-ditch blocks which left him lying on the floor on a couple of occasions. Unfortunately, with Stones and Coleman out, he had to play even if he wasn't quite 100%, which I don't believe he was. Let's hope he's back to his best for the derby.

Mr Atkinson is not our favourite ref but he might be okay for this one. I've watched him a couple of times this season and his efforts to keep the game flowing handed a big advantage to the more physical side. Personally, I would rough up Sturridge right from the kick-off. He hates it. What we must not do is give him or Courtino half a yard of space around the edge of the box.

At the other end, they will be terrified of Deulofeu and Lukaku. Three goals against West Brom is no mean feat and it should have been five or six. Paul Merson reckons it will be a high scoring game and he might well be right. Both teams will have good chances and we'll need to be very clinical.

As for Funes Mori, he trains and plays with Lionel Messi and Kun Aguero and they would soon complain if he wasn't up to scratch. Settling into a new culture, a new football philosophy can't be easy and, all things considered, he did a very good job the other day.

Another factor arising from the emergence of our "Golden Generation", is, few of the players, if any that start for us on Sunday will have experienced the demoralising defeats year on year that some of our other sides have suffered in the past. Because of that, and undoubtedly because of RM's attitude, they are unlikely to emerge from the tunnel on Sunday with a lack of self-belief and expecting to be beaten.

Yes, the players need to realise this, shatter the illusion that they have some kind of aura, they no longer do. Now get out there blues and show us what you can do from the KO, not just the last half hour!

Howard
Coleman
Stones
Jagielka
Galloway
Lennon
McCarthy
Barry
Barkley
Deulofeu
Lukaku

Subs: Robles, Funes Mori, Gibson, Osman, Naismith, Kone, Browning.

I feel our best chance is to get down the flanks and attack their centre-backs if as expected they play 3 at the back.

You talk about tourists at Anfield and "real supporters" and I have no problem with that. I'm not from Merseyside and so I wouldn't consider myself as much a fan of Everton as fans from the area are.

I've tried to put myself in the shoes of an Evertonian from Merseyside, i.e. if I supported my local club and then all of a sudden (or gradually) people from all over the globe became fans of "my" club, how would I feel. I reckon I'd probably resent them.

However, the feedback I got previously from TW was that all blues are welcome regardless of where they come from which seems to be at odds with the view on here of Liverpool fans. Norway always gets a mention as well as Japan on this thread.

Sorry for hijacking the thread but would some of you not just tell me that I'm nothing but a blow-in so I can put this to bed?

If I referred to Everton as "we" over here I'd be asked who this "we" is and how I could consider myself part of what is a club I have no actual connection with.

I've been going to Goodison for 30 years, I have a southern accent and do sometimes get a few looks in pubs, especially when we're playing London teams (home or away). I never let it get in the way, and have met loads of great people home & away (and abroad) who are scousers as well as from other parts of the UK and always felt like part of the family (for want of a better phrase).

I think the difference being pointed out above, is the amount of 'nu-fans' clubs like the RS and Man Utd rely on these days.

We (Everton) don't have that same level of worldwide support, and are very much a British supported team as far as I can tell.

Some of our most loved players have been from various other parts of the UK, including London and the south.

To answer your question: If Everton has touched you – you are an Evertonian – no doubt about that mate.

I live 90 miles away but it doesn't matter if it's 90, 900, or 9,000. If you feel it in your heart – you're one of us.

By the way, I thought that Western they named after you was brilliant – Audy Murphy – must have been Irish!!

Now, now. Some fans take to it like ducks to water or Mancs to... err... glue.

If only everyone made the effort of this fine fellow. He may look like something Doc Brown sent back to the future from the 'Boys From The Black Stuff' era but this guy is actually a Belgian seeking to blend in with his RS brethren... by looking like a slack jawed Deliverance-style mountain man who would sooner make you squeal like a piggy than reveal he couldn't even spell his own name if you wrote it down and asked him to copy it.

Link

Link

I think you've misinterpreted my post or my English is so bad I've not explained myself properly. My point was that at Man Utd and Mordor they artificially reduce the number of season tickets for their own fans in order to entice the tourist and corporate sector.

Many of the "one time visitors" are not really fans at all, just there to have the experience of a Premier League match and, just like we might do in, say, the Florida Keys, buy a load of tee shirts etc. to show we've been there. LFC and MUFC will just LOVE all that dosh kerchinging into their tills.

They arrive by bus, watch the match, and then bugger off to Stratford-on-Avon to become Shakespeare fans for rest of the day.

I very much doubt that you're in THAT category. Of course, we have fans all over the world who, for whatever reason, have been touched by Everton and can be as fanatical as any of us but, for one reason or another, will never be able to come to Goodison, sadly. They'll still be one of us though.

It was about 6 o'clock and minutes after we went in hordes of... yes, Norwegians, flooded in. They'd been to Anfield and were all decked out in the badges and other crap that is so popular across the Park. It was quite funny to see, all with a sort of sing song voice when ordering their snap.

Lets not kid ourselves, our board would be doing cartwheels if we enticed coach loads of foreigners to spend their hard-earned in one of our two (just two!) shops!

James (#71),

I've been to Norway and, yes, they were lovely people with some of the most attractive women I've ever seen. Bloody expensive though!

For me being an Evertonian doesn't mean being from Liverpool or having a season-ticket, it is simply a state-of-mind (I have many mates who are genuine 100% blues, who aren't from Liverpool).

Can the whole thing be defined?

Probably not....but I'll give it a go.

A football tourist buys a red scarf and goes to Anfield (to the 'world famous Kop'). 'His team' lose 4-0 but it has little effect on his mental state or the pit of his stomach. He's basically over the result in a few minutes and now his mind is on going to The Cavern and/or buying another 250 nicker's-worth of Beatles' tat.

The Evertonian on the other hand, no matter where he's/she's from (or where he/she is), hears we lost 4-0 and doesn't choose to be depressed or have a shitty empty feeling in his/her guts – it just happens... naturally (so to speak).

That's (kind of) the difference.

By the way, much of what I've written has come from red mates, I have four mates who (apart from the occasional game) have knocked it on the head. They genuinely despise what they have become and (to use a bit of Sky bollocks) their 'match-going experience.'

I am with Eugene on this, we need to get over the inferiority complex that has existed for far too long and begin to treat Liverpool like any other middle of the road team.

If Roberto gets it right, and there is no reason at present to believe that he won't – we could become the dominant force in Liverpool over the next few years. COYBB FTRS!!!!

I hope she was worth every penny...

How could I have said that.

Alan Ladd – boyhood hero – and Audy Murphy the star of 'To Hell and Back' with how many Purple Hearts. How did I get that wrong?

Both legends of course – like Dixie and the Golden Vision.

We are doomed on Sunday.

We're constantly complaining about the PR and marketing at Everton. We should have gone to Australia when we had Cahill etc. Wouldn't Everton end up with these tourist fans then? And don't we probably have a few of them already?

Also, I don't mean to offend anyone but the whole "when Everton touches you" can be applied anywhere.

I'd be confident enough that fans of Newcastle, West Ham and Villa all reckon they've been touched by their club and it'll never leave them. Don't get me wrong, I'm massively in to the Blues and I jump and scream at every kick when I'm watching. But hours later when the dust is settled I realise I support them for no logical reason and I could easily have supported.........say it quietly......ok, I won't say, but you know what I mean. Sorry.

I watched the film recently. Let's say it hasn't aged well. Some funny fighting scenes though. You know real fighting, not like in the EPL when they think they've been hit.

With Henderson, Gerrard, Carra and Moreno out, the only nutters they've got are Skrtl and Lucas. Rom and Macca will take care of them.

The only balancing factor will be the referee; as is usual with them, we will be playing 12 men.

On the other hand, no matter where he plays his defending at set pieces is not particularly brilliant. By the time he has told everyone where to stand he usually finds himself in no-man's land.

Funes Mori looks a decent old-fashioned CB who is good in the air and likes to give it the boot but I'm not yet ready to face anyone without Jags. Hopefully he just had an off day against the Baggies. We'll see.

I can never be optimistic about Everton. We ship soft goals and miss easy chances. Every win is a shock to my system. Looking at this season's results we really should be sitting on top with the whole world talking about us. Now wouldn't that be something?

We're a quality outfit. No doubt about it, but we do have spells like the first half the other day when the forwards lose possession and the defence goes asleep.

As for the derby. Eugene #40 is spot on. The real Liverpool are long gone. They are now Spurs with a worse defence. I hope we take our chances.

As an American who was "chosen" 9 years ago I (very much inexplicably) live, die, eat, breath, and shit Everton.

So when Eugene says:

For me being an Evertonian doesn't mean being from Liverpool or having a season-ticket, it is simply a state-of-mind (I have many mates who are genuine 100% blues, who aren't from Liverpool).

I say nail meet head.

There are SO many human beings out there that ARE "sporting tourists" and they make me sick.

There are some of us on the periphery who aren't from Liverpool that just love the Club. Again, for whatever reason I'm honestly not sure.

But it is very, very nice to read a post from someone I consider an absolute 100% Blue nail my personal situation spot on.

Also, and I've said this in the past, as an "adopted" Blue I think it's imperative that those of us who are "adopted" listen to and respect all of the opinions of the "dye-in-the-wool" Blues.

A born and bred Blue friend of mine from Liverpool whom I watch games with here in the States recently said, when I banged on about hating Kenwright - "it's a shame these new-found fans don't understand the ethos and make-up of our Club."

Of course I argued my anti-Kenwright stance with him, but...

I completely respect him saying that and he has a RIGHT to. If I listen, I may actually learn a thing or two... from a "lifer".

I think part of the package when you're an "adopted" fan of any team (in it for life mind you) is that you really can't get shitty with the "dye-in-the-wool" fan - read "Blue" in this instance.

They've earned the right to say to me, and any other "adopted" Blue, whatever they want. It's in their DNA and the fabric of their person.

My two cents worth...

Great post Eugene.

Now lets batter those fuckers this weekend.

There is absolutely NOTHING wrong whatsoever with a Liverpool based Blue saying that Liverpool isn't "Liverpool" any more.

They aren't Liverpool's team. Norwegians in their masses being "tourists" as Eugene rightly points out, smattered with mis-guided locals...

Any "adopted" or "removed" Blue taking offense to that is missing the point from the perspective of the Liverpool based Blue.

And any "adopted" Blue taking offense to that is, in my opinion, way too sensitive.

I do miss the glory days of the 80s when Merseyside reigned supreme in the football world but that night in Belgium, and their attitude afterwards, changed everything for me, so fuck 'em. I hope they go bust and get relegated!!

Howard, Coleman, Galloway, Jagielka, Stones, Barry, McCarthy, Barkley, Lukaku, Naismith, Lennon.

Subs: Robles, Funes Mori, Deulofeu, Kone, Browning.

Picking Naismith might be controversial but to me he's a big game player and tends to save his best in the big matches. He's also scored before against the dark side which may mean he could be a Timmy in disguise. Put Del on for Barks if he has another off-day.

In which case, scrap my thoughts of 4 goals in the first 10 minutes on Sunday – it will have to be one every 20 minutes!

Barkley's off-days are interesting in that they're not anywhere near as off as they once were – his overall levels have improved to thankfully support his on-blob games... He's amongst the last players I'd be thinking of taking off – at least at this point. Build around your best players, is my thought.

The other change would be Kone for Naismith as I think Kone offers more creativity. Maybe Nais can come on after 5 minutes and get a hat-trick.

Call me negative and defeatist by all means.

Either him or Stones, I have confidence that they will turn up real good.

As for the derby it's all been said and felt. Martinez will win back most his detractors if he masterminds a good win.

We can and will do it.

I would like to see our own local lad Ross Barkley take on that role for Everton. He certainly has the potential. Can you imagine if he scores the first goal on Sunday – Goodison will turn into a mad house – that would rattle them. As Eugene has posted – they are nowhere near the level of the "real" red teams we have to face in bygone years.

Up the Blues!

Meanwhile Everton have enjoyed an impressive start to the season flying high on 12 points from 7 games.

Hmm, something's not right.

So, in essence, you're probably here for the long run but the clowns who visit for the weekend probably go home, throw a dart at a map and see who they are supporting next week.

It's still anyone's guess who comes out on top of this encounter, but the crowd have a big influence so let's hope they too are in form.

After 8 games they'll still only have 11 points as well.

Credible draw against Spurs and good win at Saints & Chelski. The other games, not so great but managed points.

I hate the derby, always have, even when we went on a non-losing streak for a number of seasons. It always seems that no matter how shite they are, they manage to get themselves up for it but our players shit themselves and surrender.

With Stevie Me Laaa (no forehead) gone, hopefully they will be missing that certain something that sparks a team to fight for the bragging rights; hopefully Barkley can take over that mantle now.

I believe Jags and Lukaku need more consistency within their bread-and-butter thirds of the pitch (Jags, first third.. Lukaku, Last third). I believe, IF this happens, we will celebrate with a great victory over the mediocre RedShite.

They weren't much better than Norwich or Villa but their kick-and-rush style to two quick front men just seems to bewilder opposition defences a bit like they did in 13-14. With our keeper and a potentially makeshift back four that has been conceding it's fair share as well, I'm not massively confident.

Saying that, we have firepower ourselves and should do well if Deulofeu is given time and space against a three-man attack.

I always look forward to them and they bring back good memories of the abuse and banter of school days in Walton (also at comprehensive). Then finally being able to claim bragging rights after Mr King's amazing goal in '78

Let's give them a 3-goal beating this weekend please and maybe one day they will understand why we call them shite!!

COYB

Re any us/them comparison, it's fair to say neither side have 'set the football world alight' in recent years, but never forget the difference in money.

In recent years they have carried on like pissed up sailors in a Thai knocking shop. They've thrown hundreds of millions at their 'project' and it has got them fucking nowhere.

We are only a point better off right now and there's a long way to go, but worth remembering that, whatever our 12 points have cost us (transfers, wages agent fees etc), they have spent 4/5 times more... to have a point less.

Never feel optimistic about derbies but am feeling relatively calm about this one. RM says Coleman and Stones are still doubts but I reckon if needed Browning and Mori would cope well.

COYB

I was offered double time overtime on Sunday which I have declined as they wouldn't let me leave at 2 to see the second half.

My poor man has been a nervous wreck since Tuesday.

My next visit to Goodison is for the Villa match with my daughter who has requested this for her 18th birthday present.

COYB

That said, Eugene's spot on as usual. They're low on confidence and cohesion and we need to go at them from the whistle. Get the ball forward quickly and let Lukaku and Deulofeu make their back four fill their britches.

As for the formation: I woudn't ever make experiments in a game like this. Let's stick with Roberto's preferred 4-2-3-1, needless to say the personnel picks itself:

Howard
Coleman (Stones), Stones (Jagielka), Jagielka (Funes Mori), Galloway
Barry, McCarthy
Deulofeu (fully deserves a start), Barkley, Koné
Lukaku

Suarez gone, Sterling gone, Stevie G gone, Carragher gone, their one leader left Henderson injured.

Go out and give it to them, keep their 2/3 danger players quiet, pack up when they're attacking and hit them on the break.

We have enough quality to win this and win it well if our boys turn up with a fearless attitude.

He's no more comprehensible than Dalgleish was!

"Sure."

Here in Texas, I think I've found a girl who's a keeper.

Then it hit me.

Link

Link

(specially in the barber and/or low-flow shower head episodes)