Swansea City vs Everton

Although we competed relatively well last week for an hour, once the first goal went in there was no determination to get back into the game. Everton lads have been on holiday since the West Ham game.

I wouldn't mind seeing Kenny given a start at right wingback, also give Lookman a start alongside Lukaku.

I agree that our support for Lukaku is poor. The Deulofeu loan still mystifies me, I'd love to see him in the side. Mirallas simply isn't good enough for where Everton want to be.

The supporting positions in attack are the weakest part of our team and the ones where we need significant investment in the summer. You need three, four or even five players who produce for those two positions, we have one at the moment.

There, now, I got that off my chest! But, truly and like many others, I'm past all the mamsee pamsee excuses of those players who don't "put in".

Rocket up the arse and let's see some true character, please. Then we might come away with all 3 points, show Gylfi that we are a team worth consideration and, maybe, squeeze in to 6th spot.

I can't see Everton turning up if the last few games are anything to go by – especially given that Swansea and their fans will be bang up for this knowing if Hull have as expected beaten Sunderland in the 3pm kick-off, anything but a Swansea win effectively sends them down.

Just can't see anything from recent weeks to excite me that we are going to end the season in any kind of form.

Kenny in for Holgate. Walsh in midfield. Calvert-Lewin to replace Lukaku up top alongside Lookman.

Our recent form has seen us shot-shy and lacking creativity. The loss of Schneiderlin also leaves us a little scrappy in midfield and I expect to see Barry on from the start.

The team is looking unbalanced without Seamus on the right. Calvert-Lewin seems shoe-horned into the left wing but is surely more suited to the central role, thus we lack width. Until we have either wingbacks willing or able to get down the channels and deliver some crosses, our play will be predictably in to the big man and if he is well policed, we can expect little return, as our midfield don't get up in support of him in enough numbers.

I am afraid that we will lose this one and by a couple of goals. I would drop Barkley and Lukaku and start with Calvert-Lewin up top, with Mirallas and Lookman taking the wide roles. Barry, Davies and Gana in the engine room with the usual four across the back.

Let's just hope we can get up and running with an early away win next season, we haven't won away since January and it can quickly become a psychological factor if allowed to continue for much longer.

I can't see any lads from the U23's getting a game with Monday night's game with Liverpool so near, these lads need a boost to show they have a real future with the club. If not, some of them – the ones with real ambition – will be on their toes and away.

They train and try all week, run their plums off for the U23 team, and get scant reward except to see the likes of Lukaku (yes, I am pointing him out) stay on the pitch for every minute of every game no matter how he plays. Oh yes, he comes off now and again with a couple of minutes to go, to get an ovation after he has done well.

Look to the future Mr Koeman – some of these present stars (?) don't want to be here and will not be here long so sort it out – the whole playing staff that is.

No clue who I'd start in goal... they are both embarrassing... Doubt he will bring Robles back in though.

3-4-3

Stekelenburg
Holgate Williams Jagielka
Kenny Idrissa Davies Baines
Barkley Calvert-Lewin
Lukaku

Subs: Robles, Pennington, Besic, Barry, Lookman, Mirallas, Valencia

Basically, both keepers are sat on opposite bridges undertaking a banjo duel to see who gets first dibs on going in goal.

Three of the back four make the cast of The Golden Girls look like firm bodied, baby faced goers, with the fourth being younger, fairly decent, but about as deadly with a cross as Peter Vincent on his day off from fucking Fright Night.

Gana has taken up Gareth Barry's 'guaranteed a yellow' mantle, while the former master of the art-form mummifies even further with his arl arse moored firmly on the bench.

Barkley is back to being a mere Mutant Ninja Turtle, but minus the mitigating factor of being a teenager.

Lukaku may or may not turn up, but either way is likely to have a titty lip on and will probably only target those piss weak kids whose sole means of fighting back against a bully is sobbing and threatening to squeal to their mum.

No one else in the squad can shoot straight and so probably won't even bother their arse to make an attempt.

Valencia is a trier, but turd in front of goal unless taking to the pitch from the bench.

Calvert-Lewin and Lukaku have had about as much success striking up a tight relationship as Stalin and Trotsky.

The only thing likely to save us from another moribund match day performance is a mass promotion of untried, under 23 prospects to the starting 11 (then, if we were to get twatted, everyone would be totally sure to say "still, it made perfect sense to chuck in a whole host of kids at the same time with European qualification already assured", instead of something like "What the fuck was that tactically challenged fool doing making so many unforced changes, naming a virtual reserve side and pissing away three, still very important, points? Totally ludicrous decision-making on a day made for us to to turn around our dismal away form. 'Manage Barcelona one day', my battered arse mate").

It's the succubus of pre-match scene setting.

Some youthful input might lift things but I actually hope the manager and players suffer through a thoroughly uninspiring and sapping period and reflect on the decisions that brought this about. We didn't have to be playing dead rubbers at this point.

Play some youngsters. I'd like to see Calvert-Lewin and Lookman up top with Kev playing the No 10 role.

It would, just for for once, be nice to bench "The Almighty"!

Since he's going through his usual end-of-season "couldn't give a shit" mode, then I'm going through my "couldn't give a shit about him" mode.

We need to have a taste of life without Lukaku. The sooner the better for Everton Football Club. And us.

COYB

That really helps if you play a team game.

Can you say that about Maximus Stroppius.

The same sort of boost Pennington and Calvert-Lewin have benefited from? Being panned and prematurely written off as "not Premier League players", "Championship class at best" etc, by their own supporters, simply for looking nervy or not showing immediate superstar potential from the off?

Calvert-Lewin, despite being played out of position and often having to defend deep in his own half, has done enough in his few appearances to convince his manager he is deserving of a new long-term contract, yet a number of (supposedly youth promoting) Evertonians greet the news by saying he's 'crap' and it represents a massive waste of coin.

People call for these young players constantly, all the time, but if they don't pull up any trees by some arbitrary time-scale (say, on their bloody debut or in the next game or two) then they're written off as sub-standard and seemingly incapable of ever showing more.

"Throw them in... but if they're going to take time to settle... tell them they're shit, sharpish."

Although it's remote, I'd also give Liam Walsh a try; same attributes as Jonjoe, but the game against the shite Monday night will most likely put paid to that.

Over to you Ron – sort it.

Link

West Ham finished 7th last year and went into the 3rd qualifying round for the Europa League which had matches around 15 July and the start of August.

I'm just wondering that, if Man Utd win the Europa League this season and so qualify for the Champions League, then next season there will be 5 teams in the Champions League. Then do we still have to play in the 3rd qualifying round or do we go straight into the group stage, like Southampton did last season, as there would only be 2 teams from England in the Europa League then?

Europa League 2017

A similar kind of thing happened in Spain last season with Sevilla winning the Europa League and so 5 Spanish teams qualified for the Champions League and then the remaining two went into the group stages of the Europa League, as below:

Spanish La Liga Europe qualification

I don't suppose there is a website that spells this out clearly and we'll have to wait to see that happens.

My advice is don't even try and work it out, it's just so complicated trying to figure out who starts playing in what and when.

I'm merely going to await the pre-season fixture list coming out whenever that is in June or whatever and I'm assuming we'll hear something about this Europa League participation then.

For me the summer has to be all about making the necessary changes to the squad and making sure we add the flair and quality that we are so desperately lacking right now.

I'm anticipating a very busy summer in the transfer market both inward and outwards.

Go full strength this weekend and then play the garcons in the last two games if we're stuck in 7th.

I was talking about some of the others who have grafted all season and not been really noticed, Jonjoe Kenny will learn loads sitting on the bench for the last six games; Liam Walsh hasn't had the pleasure of sitting on the bench but he deserves some recognition for his season's efforts. There are one or two others who will get a lift from being selected for the first team squad.

I don't know if you travel away, John? I don't... but, if I did, I wouldn't mind seeing one or two of these lads adding some energy and skill plus movement to the away performances. The regulars in these games haven't given the support much to shout about over the last few seasons.

If you do travel away, John, what's your take on how we have performed? [Keep your language down, John, while you describe it.]

However, I choose to put the lion's share of the blame on the bloke in charge and the fairly conservative tactics he chooses to employ in away fixtures, rather than pinning it all on [BEEP] personnel. I don't see simply throwing more youngsters in as a short-cut to spicing things up, especially when they're going to be tasked with carrying out, to the letter, the instructions of the one man they absolutely need to impress, instead of being unleashed to play with youthful [BEEP] abandon.

Again, look at Calvert-Lewin carting himself up and down the wing and tracking opposition runners at the expense of his more attacking instincts. He's hardly free to play his natural [BEEP] game out there, yet he's still being judged harshly (by some) on the back of having to perform the very particular role Ron has hand-picked him for. 

Another drab away day methinks... 0-0.

I bet Lukaku starts... sigh.

However, if he plays Jonjoe Kenny, it would hopefully be at right back and the same for Liam Walsh in his natural position, midfield. The point about these two lads is they would be bursting their guts out to show what they could do for Everton, even if Koeman was daft enough to put one of them in goal!!!!

It isn't largely about players. The manager's tactics remain unsuited to the players we have. In any event, no matter who we sign or what shape we have at the back or who the goalkeeper is, we will struggle to control games and to contain opponents unless those change.

Koeman's pronouncements, and the links to players like Sigurdsson, don't fill me with confidence about him changing his current, haphazard approach.

There is no doubt that he will see his contract out. Talk of Barcelona is a joke.

Seriously, I hope City win and a few of the Hull lads that I will be with know my colours and will hope that we beat Swansea after the City game has finished.

Not so long ago, we were battling relegation like Hull and I'd have been pissed if teams playing our rivals treated games like testimonials sending out kids and soon-to-depart veterans. If Kenny and Walsh deserve to play on merit then play them. If not, don't play them.

Tell your Hull mates not to get their hopes up. It looks as if we've got one foot on the beach already...

The U23s will have had their final game against Liverpool, and we will know whether we still have any chance of catching Arsenal, which I for one have not yet given up on. They go to Man Utd this weekend, so better to support United, although they'll be pretty knackered this weekend!

It is a shame the Under-23s play on Monday which will hamper the chances of a couple getting a game tomorrow. I agree with another poster, give Kenny and Walsh a run-out for the Watford game.

You have earned the call-up slot to stand-in and write the official TW Match Preview next time Lyndon is indisposed.

As for tomorrow, Hull should beat Sunderland as they're already gone and Marco Silva's home record is excellent, so Swansea will have to go for it otherwise they risk being 5 points from safety with 2 games left. That means the game will be more open than the West Ham one was for instance, so I fancy us to score a couple.

I can't see us being up for this one unless Koeman bloods some youth, which I doubt.

It will be Barry in for Schneiderlin and very few other changes, I suspect.

Me, I'm torn between giving Kenny his debut at right wing-back and letting Holgate be part of a back three, versus them being drilled into orders by Koeman and not being able to show any of their potential. (John Daley – decent shout there.) I said something very similar on the Calvert-Lewin thread.

But, if I had the reins for this, given that we've been piss-poor for a month or so, and away games are like wakes, then I'd go with:

Robles,
Holgate, Williams, Jagielka
Kenny, Davies, Gana, Barry, Baines
Lookman, Lusaka (I'm leaving this autocorrect in 'cos it's not wrong is it?!)

A large, well-built, mostly stationary edifice of African origin. Yes, I think you might have hit upon something there, John!

[Although I initially misread it as Moussaka... must get new specs.]

Ron – sort it out, Guv... after all, Barcelona is calling!!!

I hope Koeman gives a few of the youngsters a run out but the serious planning for next season should already be well underway. At least 4 to 5 new faces needed and there's still some old faces that need shifting.

A good stab at getting rid of dross last year but still some left, as well as players who've reached their 'use-by dates'. To move the club forward, the likes of Barry, Jagielka, Besic, McCarthy, Kone and Lennon need to be quietly shown the door. Added to that we've still got the likes of McGeady, Cleverley, Niasse and Deulofeu on the books. So in total about 10 senior players who's futures need to be resolved away from the club, which will open a massive gap in the wage bill and so hopefully help to bring said new faces in.

Central midfield is solid with Gueye, Schneiderlin and Davies. Badly need to sort out attacking mid and striking options as well as beef up defence. Throw in a goalkeeper as well although I think with Robles there it's not such an emergency. Creativity is seriously lacking in the side and I just don't see Barkley being the long term answer. We need a Mata/Silva type player. Even Sigurdsson would be an improvement.

Over to Walsh and Co.

After the Burnley game I think there was some genuine hope – both for us, and within the squad – at the potential for sneaking into 5th or 6th.

Feels like Man Utd and Arsenal both coming out of tough games with 3 points in the two days after we beat Burnley led to an acceptance that we'll just finish 7th. And as a result the team aren't as motivated; as has been demonstrated by the West Ham and Chelsea performances.

As Seamus will not be available again this year, I would give Jonjoe a chance to see what he is made of and, as Schneiderlin is unavailable, I see no problem with a back 3 and Kenny and Baines as wingbacks with Davies and Gana anchoring the middle.

As there appears to be no movement on Barkley's contract situation I would try someone else in that position so my front 3 would be Mirallas, Lukaku and Lookman.

But, in a game of fine margins, the fact that we're almost definitely not going to finish any higher, and can't finish any lower, will still have an impact.

Having watched us for many years, no matter what the players and manager says, having the incentive always makes the difference:

May 1985, Everton wer League champions and probably the best Everton squad ever. Coventry had to win to stay up. Result: Coventry 4 Everton 1 .

His free kicks are no longer a threat and he has never been the best defensively anyway. As his pace diminishes further with age, so will his effectiveness.

Time for the way-too-inconsistent Mirallas to go too.

We had a habit of buying players who scored winning goals against us in the 80s (Wilkinson for one)... wonder where he'll be playing next season.

I'd swap for Barkley in an instant.

We're playing because the schedule says we have to... add to that our dismal away form and I'm not all that confident going into this one.

This will be a good test of character for both manager and players. A win would be a fantastic result, but a draw,or loss, is more likely.

The first-team manager's role is to win things as that's how he will be remembered. If 5 or 6 young players were in the first team but Everton won nothing, people would be moaning about that.

We have a summer break coming up and I am sure 3 or 4 young players will be part of the pre-season programme and have a long chance to show the Manager what they can do.

Let's not be in a rush to have young players in the first team. The best way the young players will stay in the first team is by making it really hard to get there in the first place.

"The Gunners, who visit Goodison Park on the final day of the season, are two points ahead with two matches in hand, leaving Everton's games with Swansea and Watford as potential dead rubbers."

Plonkers

I'd play:

Robles
Kenny Holgate Pennington Robinson
Davies Gueye
Lookman Barkley Walsh
Lukaku

Then bring Calvert-Lewin on at half-time.

Gives the Under-23s massive encouragement to play well and you get picked. I actually think Ross will play better as this would be a fast-paced team, I think it will provide more chances for Lukaku as we would have wing backs getting forward more options for the midfielders because of this.

I know it won't happen but that's what I would like.

So to play 3-4 of them tonight will only make the possibility of a winning end to the U23s season being more difficult. Ain't going to happen.

Robles
Kenny Jagielka Williams Baines
Gana Davies Barry
Barkley Lukaku Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Stek, Holgate, Walsh, Besic, Lookman, Mirallas, Valencia

A bad result today and TW will be awash with anti-Koeman outbursts – maybe that was the objective. COYB

I suspect that the likes of Holgate, Calvert-Lewin and Lookman are no more talented than our own grown lads who have won the U23 trophy under Unsey. But they were spotted and signed from the lower leagues for moderate fees which have to be justified.

It paid off big time with Stonsey so why not with these three? I think we all know it's a pipe dream for all three of them!

My slant on the youngsters is that rather than throwing them into the lion's den against Swansea (who will be well up for this one and fancying their chances to win) is that they deserve to be part of Monday night when, hopefully, they show their highly paid counterparts in the first team, how to win a Derby game.

If Koeman really harbours any hope of pipping Arsenal for sixth spot, he won't start youngsters in this game unless he has no option. What he will have to do is get the "first-teamers" fired up to the same extent that Unsworth will have his players on Monday night.

No surprises?

So presumably after we beat City 4-0, your reaction was Link

An assertion based on watching how many U23 games this season? Ah "suspect" – a suspect assertion.

Let's not forget that there are already quite a few, Davies et al, in the squad. The game tonight we do need to be up for. I really hope the players put a shift in. I can accept defeat, though it hurts but there's no excuse for not trying.

Today's game may again be a ho-hum end of season affair but we know sorry Swansea will be more interested in 3 points than Everton as they are in a desperate position.

I would give more time to the youngsters as you know they will be playing for their future but I would like to see at least an attacking show by the Blues to finish the season in style.

The season did have some high points but even with the games they won they looked far from a top four team.

No matter how the final 3 games pan out one would think that Koeman has some plans for next season and a top four spot.

I visit Paphos on a regular basis, Phil.

I will look for the hostelry with a dark cloud over it and give it a wide berth.

Only fair, isn't it?

That was the one surprise I overlooked