Watford vs Everton

Stekelenburg
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori
Coleman, Gana, Barry, Baines
Mirallas
Lukaku, Valencia

Subs: Robles, Jagielka, McCarthy, Davies, Deulofeu, Barkley, Calvert-Lewin

No team work ethics. Koeman is struggling to get anything from this bunch.

As always I wish the traveling fans all the best and hope I am completely wrong.

I'm not even sure what team is our best line up now; should Barkley play? Probably not... but he is a scarcity in our team – someone that can get a goal from distance.

Lyndon's team on paper looks quite strong, but too many players are not performing and the system – if we have one – is not working well also.

I like the look of Gareth's team selection, that would offer a far better chance of success, but I would be shocked if it were chosen.

My team (4-4-2):

Robles
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori, Baines
Coleman, Gueye, Cleverley, Mirallas
Deulofeu, Lukaku

Subs: Stekelenburg, Jagielka, Barkley, Valencia, Barry, Davies, Lennon.

Stekelenburg is probably the better of a rubbish two, he does seem capable of pulling off some great saves although I do feel a keeper should be judged on his ability to do the simple things consistently (such as not letting a Middlesborough striker head the ball out of your hands when you're about seven foot tall).

More attacking with less focus on Rom

There's no way Williams won't play... and there won't be more attacking with McCarthy in midfield.

At the start of the season I felt he was trying to play to Lukaku's strengths and we were creating and scoring quite a few goals. Now, you look around the team and wonder where the hell are the goals going to come from. Bolasie, whilst very frustrating at times was at least one guy that can suddenly beat a man and create a chance but alas he's now fallen by the wayside and suddenly Koeman must be very worried.

Koeman, a bit like Moyes, is a much more defensively minded manager and I think this is why we play with the back 4 and 2 defensive midfielders every game. This was fine when your other attacking players were full of confidence and they were creating chances. Now we look terrible and often just hoof the ball up to Rom asap and get frustrated with him as he has no support and often loses it.

Most of us are hoping the Jan window will be a busy one and will save our season but how often are we let down by that window and let's face it, why don't look to appealing to anyone at the moment. Whilst we are probably glad to have dodged Sissoko, I'd say he's feeling the same about us.

I get the feeling players like Deulofeu, Lennon, Lukaku, Mirallas can't wait to get moved on as their body language says I don't wanna be here or to play for this guy. I wonder does Ronald miss the South coast as well and the lower expectations from the fans. He reminds me of when Mark Hughes was in the Man City job and you knew he was doomed to fail.

I'd rather give out free raffle tickets to the fans, pull a number out of a hat and let the competition winner pull on the shirt.

Opinions hey?!?

I'm just glad it's not the 4:00pm game on Sunday – at least it will be over tomorrow.

I've been one of Lukaku's biggest fans but I can't wait for him to go now, he's bone idle. "Who will pay for him?" is the question. It's interesting there was no comment from the club about this Summer move.

Isn't it where he plays for Spain U21s?

Either way, we need a performance tomorrow...

I've already written this, but partnering Lukaku with Valencia up top and putting Deulofeu behind them (remember all Geri's through balls to Lukaku last season?) might be THE solution.

Therefore, as you folks post your starting XIs, here's mine:

Robles
Holgate - Williams - Funes Mori
Coleman - Gana - Barry - Baines
Deulofeu
Lukaku - Valencia

As others have said, he seems to play there for Spain U21s, so why not give him a run in that role?

I don't think it'll happen, though. It will probably be 4-5-1 [yawn]; we desperately need a win though, because honestly can anyone see us troubling Arsenal with their movement and speed? And both scoring for fun.

If he plays Cleverley tomorrow, it's an insult after his shambolic performance last Sunday Time to deliver, Ronnie boy. Nothing tomorrow and it's going to be a long bleak winter...

In my opinion, and an increasing number of Evertonians, Lukaku is no longer interested in performing for us and at least needs some support to take the pressure off him, Niasse could be the answer if given a run ,

Although I initially didn't rate him at first glance, I hear Unsy has vastly improved his game and deserves to be considered instead of being ignored and blatantly insulted by a man who refuses to change his ways, a la Martinez.

The game is live over here in Canada at 7:30 am and we also have the MLS Cup Final in Toronto to follow COYB.

As for goalkeeper, I agree with those who feel that neither Stekelenburg nor Robles are the answer; However (and not forgetting Sunderland last season), Robles is the lesser of two evils.

Davies deserves a prolonged spell to show what he can do and several more should be given some time as substitutes. Everton fans are knowledgeable enough to give them time to develop, even if this means making mistakes.

The rest of the squad have been given ample opportunity to show what they are capable of – or more to the point – what they are not capable of.

My overall concern is we don't create much of anything. This is saddled with an obvious overall lack of any pattern of play. Against United, I watched Funes Mori and Williams stroll out with the ball on numerous occasions, look for something short then hoist a big one into the channels after shrugging their shoulders. It smacks of the Moyes era.

I wouldn't mind if we were getting the results. If I could see a tactical end game. I can't. I don't understand how we are trying to play. In the early games (Sunderland away) I was really encouraged by what appeared to be an instruction to Deulofeu and Bolasie. As soon as the ball goes wide, feed Lukaku with whipped crosses. Now it seems pedestrian and without purpose.

I would also beef up the midfield by bringing McCarthy in freeing Barry to be more creative and play Mirallas with Lukaku up front (the only 2 natural goalscorers we have).
I would also put the last keeper to keep a clean sheet for us in so my team would be:

Robles
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori
Coleman, McCarthy, Gueye, Baines
Barry (Barkley 2nd Half)
Lukaku, Mirallas.

Perhaps, subconsciously, I just want 2016 to end!

I think you are all being very hard on Stekelenburg. Yes, he made a huge blunder last week, but I still think he's a good keeper and is a lot more experienced than Robles.

He is the product of 'total football' a man who played with great players and great clubs. He is probably just as concerned as us that he can't get this group of players to play that way. It will happen but not with this lot.

Look at Borussia Dortmund – now that's a team.

He has been far more error prone than Robles ever was and IMO was largely responsible for the slaughter at Chelsea.

But Deulofeu on the team sheet? You must be joking

I use the word 'static' instead of 'lazy'... but I mean lazy!!

Robles tomorrow please – and that's only because we've nobody else.

Stekelenburg is far too inconsistent for an experienced pro, so I would start with Robles. After all if the captain can be dropped then so should others who are making regular mistakes.

Incidentally, if Lukaku doesn't pull his finger out, I would drop him next week, and put Kone up top. Might wake him up – Martinez eventually did it ,and it did make him play better.

Maybe the penny has finally dropped. He's not up to it!

That way more forward thinking players can be included in the team.

Stekelenburg
Coleman, Williams, Funes Mori, Baines
Gana, Barkley
Lennon, Mirallas, Deulofeu
Lukaku

Barkley is a fine player and under the right manager will become a great player. He is maybe a little short in confidence but Koeman's handling of him isn't helping.

I have serious doubts about our manager.

Koeman will go with a conservative approach, of that we can be certain. Nothing wrong with that, as long as we break with intent and aggression.

Groundhog Day again. We all dare to hope this is the turning point. Some mugs (me) will even have a cheeky Ayrton on 0-2.

Hope springs eternal. We may not be champions this time next year, but who knows? We could all still be millionaires.

The main problem I have with him, and this has always been the case since he broke his leg, is that he can't or won't tackle and chase people down.

Apart from that, the only thing that lets him down is his team mates lack of movement. Barkley could be a top class footballer in the right team and environment.

If he needs experience, ship him out on loan if you must; anywhere but here.

That's what I shout at my laptop every game. Wouldn't be nice if they did all of this? Should be bare minimum for professionals, but these sensitive lads are different, aren't they?

We've been waiting for a turning point for weeks. It's not going to happen in January, it's going to happen with these players.

I keep saying to myself that we're 8th without playing well, what will happen when we do?

A strategy, 1-0 will do me!

About the only names that have deserved their place on the teamsheet are Gueye, Coleman and Barry. Perhaps Bolasie at a stretch, though we won't be seeing him for some time sadly. All the others have been inconsistent at best or terrible at worst.

I'm trying to convince myself that its all about adapting to the new system and one or two decent results will turn around the form and performances but it's getting harder and harder to believe.

The last outing vs Man Utd did seem to represent a marginal step forward so there is that to be hopeful about. I'd still argue that a handful of kids should be included to provide fresh impetus if nothing else. Holgate's inclusion seemed to have this effect last week. I also think that Lukaku badly needs a partner to spark, shame or help him to his best.

Robles
Holgate, Williams, Funes Mori Baines
Coleman, Gueye, Barry, Mirallas
Lukaku Valencia

Might as well have a proper look at Valencia to see what he can do and I think Seamus will put the graft in on the right side of midfield and is as capable as any of our other midfielders of creating or scoring a goal. Barkley and Deulofeu to come on when we concede the first goal...

It's not the ability to pass that I think is his weakness – it's the ability to see in time the pass that is on.

I also agree about the tackling weakness. Though, interestingly, signs of some life there this season.

I think we all are desperate for him to do well. I really am.

The team I'd like to see tomorrow, and file under more chance of winning the lottery is:

Robles
Coleman, Funes Mori, Williams, Baines
Deulofeu, Gana, Barkley, Mirallas
Valencia, Lukaku

For me, Barkley isn't a Number 10 – he's a centre-mid all day long. Another possibility is Holgate at right-back, Coleman aat right-midfield, and Deulofeu instead of Valencia, but I'd like to see Valencia given a run out.

That being the case, it is time for Rom to demonstrate his worth.

Contrast that with Lukaku who thinks he is one of the best strikers in Europe but will not put a good shift in to help the team. He has to do his fair share of the graft, no matter how poor his industry and general play is, he is never substituted, as others have pointed out, is this to stop his value falling when he eventually goes.

I know it must get on Lukaku's fans nerves the way we criticise him, but he definitely doesn't pull his weight. I hope he has a go tomorrow, it will not be before time.

I've said it repeatedly but unless whoever plays in those five shirts ups their running, tackling and sheer effort from the horribly low levels so much enjoyed and relied upon by our opponents, we're going nowhere, and with results-don't-matter millionaire contracts like our squad take for granted, it wouldn't matter if Jesus H Christ was our manager.

They are also betting that we will finish 7th in the League, do they see something we cant?

I wouldn't be keen to take either bet, but it seems that they are none as harsh a judge as us!

Everton Supporters Club NY.

If Rom insists on being a lazy twat, aka the Sun, then Valencia needs to be the stars and run around him.

4-4-2:

Any keeper but Stekelenburg
Clearly Holgate but he'll pick Coleman
Williams
Funes Mori by default
Baines
Gana & Barkley in the middle, eyebrows raised all over the shop
Davies for fuck sake Ron on the right mate
Mirallas on the left
Sun & Stars up front.

Based on that, no square pegs in round holes, basic shape, 2-0 win.

Standard.

Galloway impressed me last season; is he going to be sidetracked. Browning is back to fitness, I believe. Davies is another that will probably go to waste.

My money's on exactly the same formation, with that useless twat Cleverley in there somewhere and Valencia catching cold on the bench until the 81st minute.

Most successful teams play one up top, but that man works hard (Aguero, Costa, Lewandowski) and compliments good movement into the box from other players in deeper positions.

With 4-4-2, there is a greater chance of losing the midfield and you end up having less possession and creating less chances. The simple answer is boot out Rom and try Valencia up top. I am sure that this would bring a big smile to the other ten faces in blue.

Mister Dehenneys, Carmine Street. Round the corner from were you are.

Open for the game always. Beer available breakkie etc.

I would start with Robles and Valencia, play Barkley further forward. At least give it a go, try something different... if it goes tits-up, then bring on Lukaku and the like.

One thing's for sure – we need to try something different.

I've said many times that the biggest problem we have is we don't have intelligent movement. How on earth can Barkley (or anybody else) pick out a killer pass when Lukaku is standing still? Or Deulofeu has gone too early? What happened to Baines offering all game? We complain that Lukaku has a poor first touch, but when was the last time you saw a midfield player busting his balls to get up to join him, or go beyond him?

Stagnant players leads to predictable football. Predictable football inevitably leads to hoofball. Hoofball without movement leads to misery.

Football can only be beautiful if you work very hard at it... and I don't mean the Moyes run-through-a-brick-wall type of hard work when opponents have the ball. I mean the sort of work teams like Barca put in when THEY have the ball. players all over the pitch offering the man in possession options. Players prepared to make runs that may go unrewarded with the pass, then doing it again... and again.

You don't need world class players to play good football; of course having players like Inesta, Xavi and Messi helps, but just look at what Eddie Howe is doing down in Bournemouth. Most of his players would be considered "decent" at best, but fuck me do they entertain their fans? Howe may not be considered a top manager, but he has an infectious enthusiasm for playing the game the right way and his players all seem desperate to get in on the act.

I cant remember the last time I have seen consistent, intelligent movement from an Everton team. Perhaps Pienaar and Baines? but even then it was more a result of the two players "gelling" than anything Moyes preached.

Koeman MUST know the value of good movement. He grew up in a country which prided itself on "Total football", ffs. The problem he (along with many other top players who've become managers) has, is getting his players to play the same way? Does he and his staff have the communication skills? can they influence games from outside the playing area? We know the could act, but can they direct?

Why doesn't Gibson play? He is by far our best midfielder.

That is a truly damning stat and no amount of poor service hides the fact that Lukaku is simply not putting the effort in. A hungry striker starved of service would move around more, drop deeper, change his game and try something different to get more of the ball, even if it means he's having a pop from 25, 30 yards out.

Two games and not a single shot attempted? That is just ridiculous! And he's supposedly worth £65m?

Without Lukaku, we're in the scrap at the bottom of the table.

The only point I would not completely agree on is while the other players don't make Barkley's job easy, its not the only reason he's not developing into the player we hoped.

He doesn't appear to have the sharpness of mind required to get to the very top. I hope with more coaching he can overcome his shortcomings but I have serious doubts that he will.

The movement and pressing has stopped and I can't help thinking that, for the second time running, we've got a manager who has good ideas without being able to communicate them to his players, as say, Conte clearly does.

I can see the argument that he's got a hodgepodge of players who aren't quite good enough and that we'll be better with better players... But will he get them? And surely we could be seeing better than what we're seeing

Lukaku stands up there alone and we effectively have 7 defensive players behind him.

Do we always need to play two defensive midfielders? As much as I like Barry, I think that role could now be filled by Gana, thus freeing up a spot to an attacking player!

Why not start the game at Watford with the same line-up and have a bloody go?

Maybe that's too naive!

I have mentioned it before on other threads, Borussia Dortmund are the prime example. They drew 2-2 with Real Madrid at the Bernabeau in midweek. Watch that and you will see a team playing like a team for the full 90 minutes. If they can do it, we can do it. I'm sure this is what Koeman wants.

As already stated we played like it for 30 minutes last week, let's play like it for the full 90 minutes today. If the players can't adapt, get rid of them. It must be made clear that we don't want prima donnas at the club.

I echo your sentiment's exactly! But I also acknowledge the fact that player's who are physically strong and fit, have good technique and have a footballing brain are the best players out there and they cost top whack!

Players like Rooney, Gerrard, Suarez who are pure bread natural out and out footballers are few and far between. I've come to the conclusion that most professional footballer's have their own certain strengths but in general all have to work on a lot aspect's of there game and it's down to their own desire and the coaches to improve their weaknesses and mould them into complete' players!!

My point is it's very hard to 'polish a turd'! And we haven't got time to to 'make' Barkley the special player we all want him to be. He should be showing a lot more already if he's going to become a top class player!!

For me, Barkley is not and never will be a Number 10! For me, he should be moulding himself on Frank Lampard and Yaya Toure deep lying ball playing central midfield player who powers through the middle and arrive's on the edge of box to plough shot's in! Barkley has strength, speed and power not number ten qualities such as being nimble, quick footed quick minded being able to see a pass before it's happened!!

Everytime I've watched Barkley play from the halfway line, I've been impressed. when he is up top where the options are limited and the emphasis is on beating your man or using a bit of guile he is useless!

I really hope Barkley doesn't get let go and sign's a new contract because I like most blue's would love nothing more for him to become our main man our talisman and become good enough to be our captain but if I'm being really honest I think if that was going to be the case we would know it already!

Hopefully Koeman will change the hoofball style today with Bolasie out put Barkley back in the team and we will win 3-0 with Rom and Ross the goalscorers!! COYB! FTRS!

Midfield of Gana, Barkley and Davies,

Wingers of Coleman and Deulofeu.

Attack Lukaku and Mirallas or Valência.