Everton vs Leicester City

Now that Leicester are pretty much safe, I would imagine Shakespeare is more concerned about their historic Atletico match. Hopefully they will all play with that in the back of their minds and not display the same intensity that they have recently.

Pennington seems a good lad but he's a Championship level player, similar to someone like Shane Duffy. For the disallowed Ibrahimovic goal he was all over the place. Slightly embarrassed for him and don't like that feeling watching and supporting an Everton player.

Bench for Matty, Holgate in the middle and let's see what Kenny can do at right back.

Let's see how Holgate fairs at centre-back.

Up front he seems reluctant to start Valencia and will the spat with Mirallas mean he will be on the bench. That would possibly open the door for Lookman, who seems to have fallen out of favour recently.

Seems apart from a collapse that we will finish in 7th place which will probably get us into the Europa League. I suppose most would have taken 7th for Koeman's first season, but if we are to improve next season then our transfer activity will need to be sorted very early into the window. As things stand at present, it looks like Lukaku will definitely be off and maybe Barkley as well. So having to replace your two main strikers wont be easy if they leave.

So this summer could be pivotal for Everton, I suspect there will be more players let go at the end of the season. I would suspect Kone will be sold if they can find a buyer, Niasse will be gone and probably Valencia will go back to West Ham. So there could be a massive turnover of players which doesnt really help as it will take time for players to settle in to a new team and a new City to live in.

Centre-back is a position that requires experience as, much like goalkeepers, their mistakes often lead to a goal being conceded. It's much easier to allow a forward or winger to make mistakes while gaining experience.

Often centre-backs don't establish themselves as a reliable player until they have played a hundred games or more. Maybe he will move elsewhere to gain that experience, but, like Keane from Man Utd, he may develop into a very good player.

Still a tough one though because if my memory serves me well,didn't they come with an under-strength side in the FA Cup?

It won't happen but I would like to see Holgate at centre-back & Kenny at right-back – two players in their natural positions. Get back on track after the disappointments of last week.

I'm not at all bothered who we loose in the summer, as obviously there not here for the " long haul", after all Rome wasn't built in a day, hang in there & play like we know you can – if the mood takes you.

Bigger problem would be the loss of Koeman, as any manager arriving, would have his own idea of players, tactics & transfers. Surely our supporters could see what a similar "brown shoe" fella could achieve, especially with our experienced, past selections – thank you, Coronation Street Bill.

Except for several non arrivals against the no-mark teams we have improved, on last seasons non event – so it's continue this & just get rid of these supposed superstars, who think there's a greener field elsewhere – on the bench, perhaps, but collecting this undeserved cash.

Leicester are there for the taking, but defo on a forward surge, they can only play as well as we let them – revenge for our supposed cup venture.

COYB

I'd go as follows if it was my team:

Robles
Kenny - Holgate - Jagielka - Baines
Davies - Barry - Gana Gueye
Barkley - Lukaku - Lookman

Subs; Stekelenburg, Pennington, Garbutt, Schneiderlin, Calvert-Lewin, Mirallas, Valencia

If Schneiderlin is fit I'd still like him on the bench. Barry played well at Man Utd and is one booking away from a suspension (bound to happen against a pacey Leicester City) so we will need a fit Schneiderlin against Burnley.

If he pulls up injured and Barry is suspended, our first eleven next weekend will have higher numbers on their backs than baseball players with all our injuries!

As I said, he's a good lad and will be a solid pro at the level below the Premier League. Certainly not someone we can afford playing in our first team for a few years while he learns on the job.

Time to aim high and not settle for being best of the rest with a nice bunch of triers. I've had enough of that and fancy a change. 11 tossers who win please, Ron!

One player who could be useful to us in our present dilemma is Besic. I don't know if he is near fitness or not, there seems to be little information coming out, but he can fill either the defensive midfield or centre-back role.

Surely if he's close to match fitness, you'd put him on the bench? Unless he gets game time very soon, he might as well be out for the season. I agree with the shouts for Jonjoe Kenny at right-back, he has been chomping at the bit for a chance at the big table, he deserves it now.

At right back I'd have Lennon if Holgate starts as centre-back. Hopefully we control the ball without sitting too deep. 4-2 the blues!!

I hope Definitely Red falls at the first this afternoon in the Grand National.

Robles

Kenny
Holgate
Jagielka
Baines

Barkley
Davies
Gana

Valencia
Lukaku
Mirallas

Most likely:

Robles
Holgate Jagielka Pennington Baines
Idrissa Barry Davies
Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku

Subs: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Schneiderlin, J Williams, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Valencia

Or a slightly more risky:

Robles
Holgate Jagielka Pennington
Kenny Idrissa Davies Baines
Barkley Mirallas
Lukaku

Subs: Stekelenburg, Foulds, Barry, Schneiderlin, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Valencia

And I would like to see Schneiderlin come on for at least 20 to 30 mins!

At least Niasse seems to be doing something right!

We have too many passengers in the team that don't offer enough going forward against better sides. Leicester will offer a real threat as they are bang in form and there's always a rick our defence; Vardy, if he plays, will trouble us.

Lukaku will probably throw in his usual "mind elsewhere now the season is nearly over" performance, daydreaming of his big move away.

Barkley will be what Barkley is, get into good positions only to make the wrong decisions.

And seriously I will start to really worry about Koeman if he goes with Calvert-Lewin again, nothing against the lad but come on, there are clearly better options at this moment in time.

Subs: Stekelenburg, Pennington, Garbutt, Barry, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Valencia.

That would be my team, if Schneiderlin doesn't make it Barry in the team and Williams on the bench. I would bring Lookman and Valencia on later in the game to stretch them pace-wise.

I really hope to see him gone in the summer so as we can get a player in that wants to play for Everton.

Team ahead of the defence should, subject to fitness, pick itself now... but we'll see.

No need for 3 central midfielders playing against 4-4-1-1

When we have the ball get Lukaku and all of the 3 high up the pitch in one-vs-one situations.

This is a massive game and let's hope EFC turn up in good form and win tomorrow.

Leicester are on a good run since the Bard took over, but even with our depleted squad, we should have enough to see them off; but with the apparent lack of team spirit and dissent amongst our players, God knows what attitude we're going to see from our 'team'.

Roberto set us back a good few years and it will take a couple more seasons to get the right blend to compete. If I was an envious person I might kick the cat due to the wonderful footballers that other teams possess, but I don't care about their players only about what Everton can do and hopefully we will start to make inroads during the next few years and who knows we might stop looking over the way to gauge how we are doing – meanwhile we'll have to endure it and those that constantly use them as a barometer.

We need that little sprinkling of genius, that little player that we can either pull on as a sub even to go and potentially win us a match that looks certain for a draw for example.

We've had players of that ilk over the years, Rooney when he came through, Arteta had genius, to a lesser extent the maverick abilities of a Manuel Fernandes or Tommy Gravesen.

Is Besic fit? He's been in first team training for a month. Not the game for Pennington and I'm out of patience with Barkley.

Whether it's 3 or 4 at the back, it has to be the right balance. So, for me it's either Jagielka, Pennington and Holgate (3) or Jagielka, Holgate with Baines + right back. That's where I'm struggling so go with the 3. What's happened to Lennon though? Would offer more cover as a wing back if we go 3

Robles
Kenny Holgate Jagielka Baines
Gueye Schneiderlin
Davies

Calvert-Lewin Valencia Lookman

They're probably going to play a weakened team so why not? It would also send a strong message to the other two...

"Not going to perform? No problem – there's the bench."

I liked Arteta as a player but he was never the player people perceived him to be.

Rack your brains and think of one pass in his whole Everton career when he got a player in one-on-one with the keeper?

Sadly, I was shouting the same in the 86-87 season as Gary Lineker continuously frustrated football purists such as myself with inadequate footballing performances; however, he scored goals. The man couldn't pass, dribble or do anything other than score; that's what he was paid for and that's what he done.

He will go missing, he will frustrate, but over the course of the season a striker like Lukaku makes a difference.

Arteta was one of our best players in the last 15 years – he was far more consistent and effective throughout his 5+ years with us than Barkley has ever been or ever will be.

When has Ross ever given 100%?

http://www.fctables.com/h2h/everton/leicester/

I'm in the same mode as Kevin (#37) above: I'd be happy to see Kenny, Holgate, Jags, Pennington and Baines in defence with Barry or Gueye in front for security. I wouldn't risk Schneiderlin unless we need to (if he is fit).

I'd be tempted to bench Davies (to balance having the kids at the back and one in front) and see both Mirallas and Lookman start (why is he not getting time?), if not Lookman then Calvert-Lewin, with Valencia maybe getting a start, and Lukaku off the bench, again if needed.

Highly experimental, and unlikely, but some options to try against a probably weakened Leicester team. (I'd like their young left back – Chilwell? – and Schmeichel in the summer, please.)

Koeman should make Billy big time sit and watch tapes of Costa and explain to him this is what we want. After his pathetic last two half-assed performances, yes, you're damn right I wouldn't have him in the team, and after the Williams incident, he wouldn't even be in the squad.

He was on loan with Wigan Athletic for the first 6 months of the season but Transfrmkt lists him as returning to Everton on 2 January. But not a word about him since that I can find.

That means he's been back 3 months without getting a single game for the U23s... or anyone else.

Lukaku does have world-class service when he plays for Belgium, and still manages to look clumsy.

He does score goals for them but his first touch is appalling for a player who thinks he's a world-class player.

I think Everton will be up for this one and I'm predicting a 2-0 win.

It's about the game tomorrow; I believe the team I suggested would give a very good account of themselves and at the same time deliver a message to them two.

Take his goals out of the equation and where are we this season? He's a striker and paid to score goals. Over the course of the season, that's what he's done and hopefully, what he'll do tomorrow.

Arteta was integral for Everton in his spell, don't forget he missed a year's football with ligament injury 2009-10, even when he returned he was class, was a dead-ball specialist who scored a variety of goals.

He also was our player of the year when he played wide midfield in 2005-06 where he put in skillful dazzling performances.

Don't forget too that he only had James Beattie or Andy Johnson in front of him, not Lukaku.

The only crying shame was that he was never called up to Spain squad partly due to the outstanding all-conquering squad the Spaniards had back then.

You can't argue with his goal return, he's the premier leagues leading scorer ffs and we should be over the moon to have the Premier League's leading goal scorer but, and this is the part that pisses me off, I just can't love him like I loved Sharpy and Andy Gray and others like em, and it's all because he's made it quite obvious that he sees us as a stepping stone and never misses a chance to make that obvious.

It's like going out with a really fit bird only to overhear her telling her mates she's only with you coz you've got a few bob. We'd all be so much happier if we were just living in ignorant bliss, but Rom's took that away from us and that's why he divides opinion so much.

If he was saying how much he loves the club etc etc when he's away on international duty, or if he'd have just said fuck all, he'd have the backing of every single supporter.

Think about it.

One name I expected to see more of was young McAleny who seemed to do well and was likened to Rooney and set for bigger things.

As for tomorrows game its going to be another nail-biter if the Foxes play as they can, although their Champions League game might be a factor in giving us an edge. In my opinion, Kevin Mirallas has to start after his unfair sub last week, and, of course if the Big Man decides to turn up.

I don't think he's flawless and he is by no means the finished article; however, 20-goals-a-season strikers are hard to come by (as we know) and all successful teams need one regardless of how frustrating they can be, how often disinterested they are and how selfish they are.

Let's get a Marcus Bent; he worked hard.

As I said I liked Arteta in the role he played for us but anyone who thinks he was a player who created chances for the forwards is very much mistaken.

At the minute, I see us as an in-between club with loads of potential. That's okay by me.

I actually was starting to warm up to him a bit this season but then he opened his big fucking mouth again and never backed it up in the next two big games.

Last season he downed tools for the last 14/15 games and never scored at all, he helped get the then manager fired. When that same manager was announced as his new national team boss he is clearly filmed taking the piss at Old Trafford with his mate when they heard the news.

He then later on states to the press that his new national manager understands his strengths and how he plays – the same bloke he had helped get fired at Everton.

Do I want this sort of person at our club? No fucking chance!

He'll be a good player given time and played alongside a partner that compliments but offers something different.

Hey, as long as we win tomorrow who cares who scores? In my unfortunately long experience, it matters not over time. Players come and go; always have.

Costa (your earlier comparison) was allegedly pushing for a move away to China in January; or certainly using it to strengthen future bargaining. They're all the same. An unfortunate trait of the modern game.

As for Lukaku, it's not and has never been personal with me, it's business. He is not even close to being a world class player; a great finisher, yes. Imho, the sooner he's gone from.our club, the better.

Most of all, I'd like us to finish the season well and give hope for a better one next season. I'm still positive about what's happening and believe that we have to be patient and expect some reverses especially this season.

We're a league below Chelsea and I ask: Can we build a new ground and buy players to become as good as them? I really doubt it unless we first keep our good players (Lukaku and Barkley) and hope that we get 2 or 3 top players through the Academy.

I say keep Rom and Ross because there aren't players on the market to replace them, even though they still have work to do on their games. Ross especially is a much maligned lad who has actually played very well this season.
COYB

Excellent post, you've summed up most supporters' feelings brilliantly, regarding Lukaku.

We will tolerate him until he leaves, but there will be no love lost when he finally buggers off.

Luke Garbutt – lovely left foot... poor defender.

Therefore there is nothing to fear from selling them both, especially if they want to leave.

"We've had a couple of seasons where we've not been in the mixer so we've got ourselves to blame in that respect,' he said ahead of today's game against Leicester.

"If we were regularly knocking on the door for fourth and fifth as the club did in previous years, we'd probably be a bit more annoyed.

"But as it is we are a club that finished 14th last season so we've got to make people sit up and take note. The only way we can do that is finishing high up in the league."

No problem, Phil, as we're in 4th now... or is it 10th???

Personally I didn't really give a shit about the derby or the Man Utd fuck up at the end because, even if we'd won those games, we'd still finish outside the top 4 because Man Utd have games in hand on us anyway.

Europa League has always been our aim, and we're guaranteed it unless Leicester achieve the unthinkable in the Champions League. I'll be cheering on Atletico this week.

You never know – we might not drop many more points till the end, bar Chelsea I suppose. But it all feels just flat to me and till now, every match was a big match. Drives my wife nuts when she hears it.

Personally I didn't really give a shit about the derby

Really? I think you're in a minority of one there, mate.

Btw, thanks Brian, and here's me thinking everyone on here hates me... I just say it as I see it and appreciate that everyone is entitled to their opinion. For me though, see Peter Roberts posts, he's always spot on regarding you know who.

At #22, Ross Barkley, above players such as Kante and Aguero.

At #4, Romelu Lukaku, though I'm sure Rom would place himself even higher.

So let's remember that not everyone is negative in their view of Ross and his overall performance this season.

He is playing due to injuries and suspension and, whilst not setting the world alight, he is giving a good account of himself.

It will be interesting to see if Pennington starts or Holgate moves to centre-back or even if Morgan is fit to start and Barry drops back. I hope Mirallas starts; I thought he was good on Wednesday and always looks a goal threat.

Our rejigged defence will be under pressure and I doubt that it will keep out Vardy and Co. Hopefully we will attack well enough to score one more than them.

Everton 3 - 2 Leicester

Re: Lukaku shouldn't be in the squad after the Williams incident: Given our current 'shit creek' scenario, after the current spate of injuries and our lack of attacking threat, your comment on Lukaku is a bit like ripping off your balls to spite your own dick.

It's pure daft logic, considering Lukaku's goal contribution.

Here's hoping all on here have a great result!!

Lukaku is an enigma. At his devastating best, revisit his four goals against Bournemouth; at his worst we don't have to look much further back than his last two games and then throw in his Belgian press soundbites and you have a player who can deeply polarise opinion.

It's amazing that we have a 20+ goal a season striker – with potential to be much better – whose stock with the home support is so fragile.

I think that boils down to the feeling that Rom doesn't want to score goals for us, he wants to score goals for him, which we can swallow when he's scoring them but when he isn't we are quick to question what is the point of Big Rom.

Personally, I lay a lot of that at the door of his agent – if they'd been a bit shrewder on the PR front I think our views on Rom would be far more united, he'd get far more support from Evertonians, which ultimately would do far more for his cause.

Regarding Rom's stock with the home support, it is clearly strong rather than fragile. He was cheered in the last home game. Plus, a recent poll on TW had 62% of votes in favour of the club keeping Rom for the duration of his current contract, even accounting for the risk of him going on a free transfer at the end of that period.

Clear evidence of firm support for Rom from the bulk of Evertonians, despite (a) the wishes of a minority for him to be sold, and (b) all the bullshit from the media saying he will be sold.

Anyway, on the important topic of today's game, 3-1 to us.

What other teams would put up with or tolerate his displays?? Our Wembley performance against Man Utd said it all – how can we further/improve team spirit, dressing room togetherness, with him present and saying these ridiculous things on international duty??

Agree his goals kept us up, but any building for our future good is non existent, & Koeman knows this and will take the required action at the season end!!!

COYB

Just getting myself in the mood for the journey under The River like some Jules Verne another great Evertonian) character - - I will be driven in my chariot by the wonderful Malgorzata - - that's Gosia to me and you:

"And I shall watch the ferry-boats
And they'll get high
On a bluer ocean
Against tomorrow's sky
And I will never grow so old again
And I will walk and talk
In gardens all wet with rain
Oh sweet thing, sweet thing
My, my, my, my, my sweet thing
And I shall drive my chariot
Down your streets and cry
Hey, it's me, I'm dynamite
And I don't know why'

I will pass Smith Street and Great Mersey Street and remember Sunday mornings listening to 2 Way Family favourites with Lonnie Donegan ( who I had the privilege to meet and have a pint with) - - looking up to Stanley Road recalling having a "pint of Spensos" on Saturday evening after Confession in St.Ollies and pretending it was Guiness - - playing Allalio and Kick the Can - -Saturday mornings helping me Mum with the shopping down Greaty to earn my pocket money for the match - - calling for Brian Brady and going up to Goodison as early as 12.30 and waiting for the gates to open - -passing Wessie Road Baths and memories of running along the road with our "cossies" on under our trousers trying to be the first in the water - - never ever thinking that I would live anywhere else or that The Barlow Arms would become my Match day Home and was even called The Dark House.

Had time this morning to sit and read with a second coffee - - poured from my Yellow Coffee Pot into my Yellow Mug - - a la Rimbaud - - read little Osip Mandelstam - - another good Blue
“My turn shall also come:
I sense the spreading of a wing.”

Bit of Van in the background -- switching now to one of my favourite tunes of all time - - remember dancing to it a feeling cool in the CI on Sunday Nights - -with my green heringbone suit and Ox Blood Comos - - Its Allright by Curtis mayfield (The Impressions) - -
"When you wake up early in the morning
Feeling sad like so many of us do
Hold a little soul
And make life your goal
And surely something's gotta come to you
And you gotta say it's alright
Say it's alright
It's alright, have a good time
Cause it's alright
Whoa it's alright"

Just sat here with Blue Light coming into room via open window and a little breeze off the river - - turned around and I am sure I saw Erik Satie sitting on my sofa - - haven't seen him since appearing at Le Chat Noir around 1913.

Looking forward to the game - - still points to be played for - - be nice to get "home" after recent "travels" - - ready for a nice pint in TDH - - I am meeting 2 friends from Norway who were/are Beatles Nuts but I converted them to Evertonianism - - "Ahhh Cool Jerk" - - - and as always will meet our lovely Irish Friends - -prefer Saturday KO's to Sundays but 4.00 is better that 12.30 or 1.30 - - OK just beginning to move on - - camera ready - - little bit of Stone Soul Picnic - - it will be an interesting team selection - - for me I never criticise the younger players - - but have have high expectations of the experienced players - - will be interesting to say the least today.

Since I last wrote it has been Vincent Van Gogh's 164th Birthday (30th March)and I celebrated it as I always do - - this year it was filmed by Made in Liverpool TV - - see here - - go to 16mins 01 secs - - Link.

With a warm handshake - - George Vincent Van Goodison.

Not only in goals but performances; two poor performances against the RS & Man Utd non-existent at Chelsea, didn't play v Spurs at home, scored at WHL but otherwise well marshalled by two world class centre-backs-just the sort he'll be playing against in the Champions League. Good games v Man City (including a stormer of a goal) and v Arsenal.

So a mixed bag, and still lots to learn about ball retention and hold up play, as the spat with Williams showed. Will he stay or will he go? Who cares... we did okay when Rooney left (who BTW is twice the player Rom will ever be) and we're in a healthier position now, so if he's going, and it looks odds on, let's hope Ron spends the money wisely.

Thank you for putting me in a really happy place.

I look forward to any post-match thoughts/delights you may have.

Costa and Lukaku are two strikers with the attitude all top strikers need. Difference is that Costa can hold up the ball, wind down time and bully the opposition. Lukaku must acquire this to be as good as he thinks he already is.

Today is very close to call. Valuable game time for the demanded now maligned youngsters. The One For Arthur winnings will be partially reinvested in the both teams to score market.

I don't know wether to play Satchmo, or Don McClean, after reading that George. Tres bien scouse!

Up the Blues!

"Ross Barkley needs to raise his game if he wants to be part of what could be an exciting era at Everton with Ronald Koeman in charge. I haven't seen enough evidence of progress and learning his position from the 23-year-old midfielder since his breakthrough season four years ago to convince me he will change that in the years to come, though.

"That's why I called him a “playground player” after watching his performance in the Merseyside derby last weekend. He needs to show greater understanding of the game and greater consistency or he could end up sitting on the bench. Instead of the rumours of him moving to a bigger club, he may find himself bound for a smaller one."

Wonderful stuff as always. And on a lovely sunny Sunday morning.

The CI on a Sunday, goodness that takes me back. Trying to bunk into the bar upstairs and Gerry on the dance floor, making sure there was enough space between boys and girls dancing together. Walking home to Orrell Park afterwards, my dad still up waiting to smell my breath when I got home.

Interesting game today. No alcohol for me – Lent!

I haven't read what Souness said in the Times today, but last week he said after the derby that Barkley keeps making the wrong choices. I agree, his decision making doesn't get any better; yes, he has improved under Koeman this season but if we hope to challenge for a top 4 spot he has to improve and quickly.

I watched Spurs yesterday and Dele Alli was total class, by the way you never hear anyone describe him as young Alli and he isn't 21 till later this month. Yet Ross at 23 is still sometimes called young Ross. The biggest problem Spurs will have is trying to keep him out of the clutches of Real or Barca.

It's ok once you stop shaking!

After committing the cardinal sin for the past two days – mixing drinking and gambling. I was in need of a bit of kick start today. You've just provided it.

You took me back about 40 years with your Good Vibrations. Beach Boys, Wembley stadium "not cool" was the general consensus by then.

That was before they brought the house down.

Ross, is definitely improving but it's not easy having to be the creator when the team doesn't have great forward movement and sometimes I think he plays better coming from deep.

Otis, now you're talking!. I remember hearing Respect for the first time on a breakfast show in '65 I suppose. On my way out to catch the bus to school (61 I think) and it was one of those moments. Never heard anything like it.

I was on a tight schedule, everything at the last minute, but I had to listen to the end. Missed my bus, late for school, caught by the prefects, detention.

Otis Redding got me detention!

I can give up booze but not Everton.

He's added a lot to his game; the inch perfect through balls, ball retention etc, but the amount of times he's given a ball in space; now the old Ross would drive forward; this one invariably, stops, checks sees what's on, then carries on, by which time the opposition is back in numbers.

Compared to other No 10s; Alli,Coutinho & Hazard, Ross is some way back.

"Sunday six-bells, and in between the silence there was conversation
And laughter, and music and singing, and shivers up the back of the neck
And tuning in to Luxembourg late at night
And jazz and blues records during the day
Also Debussy on the third program"
Take Me Back Take Me Way Way Back to Great Mersey Street.

Tony's right, Ross is improving, but quick enough? Would you build a team around him or buy a quality ready-made player in the summer? Instead of blaming Moyes, Martinez, Hodgson, and Southgate for 'damaging his confidence', maybe we could consider that he's a good talented player without that extra edge that takes him to a higher level?

I keep saying I hope he proves me wrong, and he doesn't. I really hope he does, but I think his only chance is to work and play with some real quality in that midfield.

Answer me these, if Koeman had bought him last summer for £25-30m, how much stick would he be getting on here? If Spurs shelled out mad money for him, who would he replace?

Until 2017, I'd personally never seen Ross Barkley, play two good games in succession, but this has now began to change, and if you highlight some of his individual play, then it's obvious the kid has got loads of talent. Putting it all together is the hard part, and only by doing this will he reach the next level, or as Souness says, even stay at it..

David, I'm not sure the West Ham fans, really rated Frank Lampard, but once Mouriniho! Got him playing in a position and a system, that suited him, he became a much better player, and he was probably also helped by getting out of the pressure cooker at Upton Pk, were he probably felt that the fans were never 100% behind him?

Hope your bet comes up today. Cosmic Grooves.

"Ox Blood Comos" .takes me back..mohair suits nostalgia rules, OK.

Regarding your green suits, reminded me of my lovely cousin, he died recently, a great blue and a great fella, Anyway he ordered a made to measure suit years ago in Neville Reads, in London Road, got it made to his exact design, paid for it while it was being made, had two try ons to make sure it was the way he wanted it. Finally he got and brought it home, went upstairs put it on and came down to show the family, his mam said nothing, just looked at the suit with her mouth open, his dad, my uncle Georgie mouthed Jesus Christ, my cousin Souey finally said what everyone was thinking. 'John the suit looks okay but why did you pick that colour' he said 'Black, what's wrong with black' John was colour blind, his sister said ' John the suits bleedin' bottle green, people will think your working at The Odeon or The Gaumont' he never lived that down.

Carry on with your match day postings Georgeyou brighten everyone's day.

That's what makes this site a good forum on all things Everton, we cannot all agree on views, but if we see someone who's disrespecting the club shirt, or not putting a shift in, we will vent our anger.

Today's game will be tough, but I think we will pick the three points up. We need to start the game quicker than past matches, Leicester will not want a high tempo game with next week's European game coming up, so let's hit them hard and fast and put the game to bed early doors.

I voted to keep him in that poll because, at the moment, we need his goals badly. If we can replace his goals there are large parts of his game, and his off the pitch disruption, that I could do without.

He is the league's top scorer but Evertonians aren't lifting the roof off chanting his name or on their knees begging him to sign his new contract. Support for him is there, but it would be on his current run.

He will hit a dry patch again and you will see Evertonians become restless, because behind the goals I don't believe the support is strong, I think in truth it's very fragile.

Happy to agree to disagree.