Manchester United vs Everton

I fear the worst mauling we have seen since the 7 at Arsenal a few years ago. There is nothing we can do to stop it with Koeman having now completely lost the dressing room with his latest comments.

Koeman's players, Koeman's tactics, Koeman's lack of man-management. Koeman's fault.

I was one of those who wasn't apathetic about him leaving. I wanted him to stay. But having left, he just had to be replaced early.

The negativity is such that I don't think many Evertonian's will stomach a 1-1 or 0-0 like the Man City game, he'll need to have some sort of a go.

Pickford; Holgate, Keane, Jagielka, Baines; Davies, Schneiderlin, Gana; Vlasic, Calvert-Lewin, Sandro.

I live in hope!

Won't hold my breath though.

Williams vs Lukaku #shudder#

Bog talking point: a subject discussed in the awkward moment when you bump into someone you know at a urinal.

This stems from not having an out and out Number 9 even though Calvert-Lewin does make a difference and from lack of confidence either in the system or them selves in managing to press higher up and get back to defend.

Klopp had similar problems over there when trying to get his players to play the way he wanted but with so many veterans we haven't got the pace to recover and that is creating uncertainty in the players.

I also get the feeling there is disharmony upstairs too, which may not be helping.

Upfront, Everton should play Sigurdsson as centre-forward with any 2 from Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Mirallas and Lennon on the flanks to give the team a more balanced attack. The midfield should consist of Davies, Gueye and Besic, because they like a fight. Unlike Schneiderlin, Klaassen and Sandro who don't.

There is no starting place for Rooney because he is neither a midfield player, attacker or winger.

Let's hope Bramley-Moore was not relying on the Commonwealth Games, although I believe it was... from the council's and pothole Joe's perspective.

I do not expect us to get anything from the game on Sunday but I am seriously hoping to see some fighting spirit demonstrated by whoever gets the nod from Ron, whatever the result. We are going to learn much from the next 10 days or so and I hope that it isn't that this looks the most likely season for the drop in a good many years.

Dreading Sunday.

I never predict us to lose but have gone 0-3 on Sunday in the hope of getting unlucky this time, if you get me. Will not be able to watch due to a social engagement but will be following you all on the forum for updates. Debating whether or not to record it for later viewing. I expect I will. Could be historic.

As a soon to be 80 year old and an avid Evertonian since age 5 I have never seen such anger and frustration as was posted yesterday after such a humiliating and poverty-stricken display by a so-called Everton team – not only from fans like myself but the Sports media in general, who likened the display to a major disaster and an unforgivable insult to the most loyal and honourable fans in the world, making a mockery of our pride in being labelled 'the peoples club'.

While most pundits have already written us off as any contenders for either the league or cups,starting on Sunday at Old Trafford, only a 100% effort will be acceptable both there and in the coming season which, being realistic, is now an exercise in damage control.

But please... no Schneiderlin!

Without his input, the blues will have nothing to offer in attack and at the back, United's strike force will have a field day. An ex-player once said football's a funny old game. I beg to differ.

No idea what team to play as I wouldn't want to throw the youngsters into the current malaise. Schneiderlin will definitely start as Koeman loves him and there's not really anyone else who can play that role that I see. Oh for Gareth Barry...

If I had to pick i'd go for a defensive approach with as much pace up top as possible and hope for a jammy counter-attack:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Jagielka Baines
Rooney Schneiderlin Gueye
Mirallas Calvert-Lewin Lookman

Even I don't like that team...urghh...

This time, I feel it will be a horror show.

I don't want him to start either given his form, but who else can play there? Gana and Davies would be overpowered by Fellaini & Matic, so he's the only option I can see.

If only we'd kept Barry...

How is a player that has been absolutely useless the only option? That is exactly the type of flawed delusional thought process going through our idiot manager's skull. Schneiderlin shouldn't be anywhere near the team, not even on the bench.

Let Gana do his job and be the holding midfielder and let Davies and Klaassen help in the more attacking role. Schneiderlin is pathetic. If he's not dropped now then he never will be. But what we absolutely do not need is to have a midfield pair of Gana and Besic, which does nothing more than invite the opposition to commit more men in attack knowing we offer very little going forward.

The job of a central midfielder is not to just break up play. I know that seems to have settled into the minds of many in England and like a cancer has infected the brains of many managers. The holding midfielder should shield the defense and offer support, but that should be with the goal of getting back possession and moving the ball forward.

For some reason that second part has been lost and I can not understand why. That's why Barry, even at his advanced age, was the best option we had when he was here. He was more than capable of picking the right pass to get the team back into attack.

Calvert-Lewin tries hard as does Sandro but alas neither are good enough yet. The goals will have to come from those behind but that isn't happening either. However, when that isn't happening you do at the very least need to defend and that has been a real problem in the last 3 games surprisingly.

Is it the back four falling apart or the holding midfielders? Either way they are all at sea and Koeman has some serious work to do to right the ship.

We can't score. We can't defend. I've never looked forward to a match less.

Keane, Williams and Jagielka at the back with Kenny and Baines at wing backs. Then Gana, Besic and Davies across the middle with the instructions to go in hard every time and tackle anything that enters our half.

Put Calvert-Lewin and Lookman upfront and tell them to try something special and enjoy themselves.

Disrupt their play and don't give them a second on the ball.

We then have most of our big signings on the bench if we need them or if someone is in danger of a red card.

Time to get rid of this shite manager and all his hangers on now before he takes us down. I want success for us at all costs. No more shite. I don’t care if we change managers every season, all I want for our club is success at any price. Does Moshiri want it? I wonder.

Many times over the last decade we have had bad games and we could agree on most of them. However, it was the incompetence and lacklustre nature of the defeat that shook me the most.

I know we can field a stronger team and probably improve on last night – but it's not going to be good enough against most of the Premier League this season, because our manager has shown no tactical nous or ability to get the best out of our slow, unbalanced and demotivated squad.

I hope for the best but fear the worst. A 100% effort on Sunday – win, lose or draw –is the minimum. Let's have some pride, belief and something resembling a game plan on Sunday at least.

"The job of a central midfielder is not to just break up play."

The 'dogs of war' may need to return to get Everton going again. The nearest Everton have are Davies, Gueye and Besic.

"The negativity is such that I don't think many Evertonian's will stomach a 1-1 or 0-0."

I for one would be pleased with a draw!

Then we will all have to sit and watch us defend with 10-11 men in our box for 70+ minutes and rely on hope and luck that a ball doesn't make its way into our goal.

No, sorry, that's not what we need. We need to actually offer something in attack. That "pray and hope" mentality is why we were completely dominated in the second half against Man City while having a man advantage the entire half.

My only hope is that the players realize, sooner rather than later, that their level of performance and, seemingly, their commitment to the cause, is unacceptable to the majority of fans.

As someone commented on another thread, even under Moyes we were hard to beat, and rarely thrashed. I do not see an on-pitch personality of the magnitude of (eg) Dunc, Carsley, Gravesen, Cahill or Campbell in this current squad; that worries me greatly for our prospects this season.

Never been so bemused by the club as I have been over the procrastination to get Sigurdsson in and not sign a striker. It's so maddening I could my foot through the floor. Roll on Monday morning, so I can read the headline "Koeman resigns".

I don't know why we can't just play 4-4-2 and give other teams something to think about defensively, so far every team we've played, including Stoke have really had no problems defensively.

The so called experienced players have let us down so far. Personally speaking I would play a natural right back in Kenny against United. Holgate is no full back and Martina is shite. Mirallas or Davis covering the young lad, the other on the left. Gana defensive midfield and Rooney behind the strikers.

We have to have a couple of young lads on the bench, we have to let these lads know they can and will be given a chance if the established wasters don't perform.

After that, well fingers and toes crossed and head below the parapet

Unfortunately, life is harsh and we will succumb to the inevitable defeat. It doesn't matter if Lukaku scores, as there are plenty of others who will if he doesn't.

Don't kid yourselves into thinking there is a magic wand that will make us a cohesive defending unit or a team capable of sustained attacking play.

We are capable of a bit of invention and perhaps a shock goal but normal service will be resumed soon enough. If we don't lose by more than two goals, it will be a good day.

You are forgetting a simple fact that Lukaku wanted to go, he did not want to play for Everton FC. In fact, the lad wanted to leave from the moment he signed; he always had bigger ambitions.

Therein lies the problem – our beloved Everton are not viewed as a big club with ambition to succeed and the sad facts are they have done next to fuck all about that for the last 30 years.

So we can moan and make veiled comments at each other regarding our opinions on players and "who's sorry now" attitudes all we want but it does not change the lack of ambition constantly repeated by the club.

The very same lack of ambition to succeed which is why the likes of Lukaku wanted away.

I see Koeman had a meeting today with his senior players – let's hope he listened as well as talked. Although if he doesn't get a response after talking to the players, you do wonder were he goes from there.

We seem bereft of any attacking ideas and defensively look like they will concede every time our opponents attack.

Williams has been poor and I have to say so far I have been very disappointed in Michael Keane. What happened to that dominant assured centre-back when at Burnley? He looks slow and hesitant as do all our players at present.

I don't hold out much hope in getting anything from Sunday but there needs to be a marked improvement in the 5 games after that – otherwise, Koeman will be under serious pressure.

Much like my thoughts on Man City, the space is behind their full backs. For Everton to get a positive result they need to play 4-3-3. The two wide attacking players must be quick and stay wide.

Turning this side is important to get us a platform in the game. That would be Lookman and Lennon.

Midfield more narrow, Gana at the base Sigurdsson and Davies as two genuine central midfielders. The full back needs to push up into the wider midfield areas.

Centre-forward has to be Rooney, but he has to stop searching for the ball. Despite a decent start for us, that quality pulls the shape pf the team apart.

Anyway Koeman won't because his back is up against the wall. So any thoughts of bravery will be shelved. His post presser and Man Utd presser reek of parking the bus.

Out lad. Sorry – not acceptable to me.

If we come out of it with a win it will be a near miracle. A draw would be a pleasant surprise.

He has to be given the responsibility of holding the ball up in Man Utd's half... by whatever means he can. Using every trick in the book. He needs to do it, week-in & week-out, as his priority. Agree he has to stop searching for the ball to achieve the above .

Pickford
Keane Williams Jagielka
Kenny Baines
Lookman Gueye Mirallas
Rooney
Calvert-Lewin

Big Rom will have the easiest of games. The way our defence play will make Lukaku look as if he is the fastest forward ever!

The reality is that Koeman will set up to defend and frustrate. In other words, we are not good enough to compete so let's see if we may just scramble a lucky draw or at least avoid a pasting.

Shocking. Not the Everton I have supported for over half a century.

I'll say 3-0. At 4/6, both teams to score – looks a good bet.

It was pathetic to watch last night, during one attack they broke from their half, ended up shooting over the bar. No player got within two yards of the Atalanta player at all during that period of play.

Rooney is not a centre-forward. The widely quoted stat of 4 goal attempts in the past three games is a disgrace. If he plays up front, he can't be left isolated. Also Schneiderlin – er... enough said.

From a personal viewpoint, I do not like abusing our players; at present they are hard to defend.

Pickford

Holgate
Jagielka
Keane
Baines

Davies
Gueye

Mirallas (right)
Sigurdsson (centre)
Rooney (left)

Calvert-Lewin

Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Baines, Davies, Gana, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman and Lennon (or Kev 'Le Sulk d'Or'). 4-2-1-3 with Calvert-Lewin up top.

If ever I knew he was miles from the sack, that was it. Absolutely gutted, no manager should ever feel that secure in his job regardless of results.

It's a high pressure, high reward environment, you cannot be afforded that level of comfort.

If it turns out to be true, I'll be disgusted in the Everton top brass. Saddening.

He has called Niasse back into the squad. I hope he makes the bench at least. More height and he has a go – scored twice against Man Utd last season. He most definitely can't do worse than what has been displayed up to now.

Come on, Ronnie – looks like you've been given a vote of confidence for now: try and make something of it.

I am hoping against hope for a fighting draw 0-0 or 1-1. A victory is clearly impossible.

It is quite like the last weeks of the Martinez regime where the worst things get, the better because they would hasten the departure of a failed manager.

At present, it seems Koeman is doomed, so the sooner the club bites the bullet, the better. Unsworth as caretaker until we source a permanent replacement, for me.

Man Utd must fancy their chances of a big win against the team with the missing midfield. By that, I mean opposing teams drive through it without opposition and when we have the ball in defence there is no route to get the ball forward quickly via it.

Some of his transfer targets are bewildering, let alone his team selections, which are also baffling. Even during games, he leaves substitutions far too late to have any chance of arresting a downward slide.

The only thing that worries me now as far as Everton are concerned, is the seemingly inevitable sacking. Firstly, who do we get?

Secondly as with most managerial changes, they come in and want to build their team; where is the funding coming from?

It is a worrying time for the Club, and at the end of the day, you can change the manager and the players, but we supporters remain disappointed and let down, again.

Dreading Sunday afternoon.

Anyone who thinks he is going might just have forgotten Bill is proud to be the man who pretty much won't sack anyone.

Martinez would have been here last season if Bill was solely in charge.

Koeman is Moshiri's pick, He will see the season out at least.

Koeman has time based on the fact it's the Transfer Committee's fault he didn't get his striker.

If we finish 10th, it's not his fault at all. He can say that it's that tricky 2nd season thing but next season promises top 4 and so much more with 33-year-old Giroud finally in the bag.

Fucking idiots run this wonderful club.

Everton should show some balls a la Crystal Palace, yes Crystal Palace who having realised their mistake by engaging De Boer have moved swiftly to attempt to put things right by getting shut.

If, and it's a big if for me, Everton are serious about breaking into the top 6 or 4, they have to act quickly. Take the hit financially and get rid.

Who to take his place I don't know, but this current situation is not acceptable.

Rant over.

I'd play Kenny at full back, and Holgate in his natural position beside Keane. I wouldn't play Besic, he's a loose cannon and will probably get a yellow in the first five minutes.

I'm dreading this game, and if Koeman picks players out of position and we show no passion, he has to go.

Lukaku will be up for it, and I knew he was going to be a huge loss, but he wanted to go, so we had little choice. The biggest shock, is that Koeman had two months to replace him, but unbelievably spent £45m on Sigurdsson instead. A striker should have been his No 1 signing.

The team play like they have just met and, with the tough matches we have had, I did not expect miracles (even if I hoped for some) but they are not entertaining, not trying, and – like many others – I cannot see how he turns it around.

No doubt he will be given more time but, when the new majority shareholder has loaned £80 millions, I cannot see him being pleased and sitting on his hands too long as a drop into the Championship would cost to much.

Lukaku will score – you just know he will.

I would play Lennon on one side, and Mirallas on the other. Rooney has to start up front for me. The board have badly let all of us down (including Koeman) by not getting any of the strikers the manager was calling for. The best we can do is play Rooney up there, with cameos from Calvert-Lewin, until we can get someone in on January now.

Too many square pegs in round holes was the undoing of Martinez. Let's hope Koeman is aware of this, and starts playing Sigurdsson more centrally also.

Pickford
Kenny Baines
Keane Jagielka
Gueye
Lennon Sigurdsson
Rooney
Lookman
Mirallas

This would set up as a 4-1-4-1. Lennon would have to get up and down to support Kenny. A risk I know putting Keane and Kenny on the same flank but I think the link from defence to attack would be more fluid in this formation (I know three passes in a row would be an improvement on the recent constant concession).

I'm not a Mirallas fan,he's been far too inconsistent and moody but needs must,wishful thinking I know and it will never happen but that is the best chance we'd have of actually getting out of our own half and creating some goal scoring opportunities. What is there to lose?

Koeman needs to find a winning team and fast or we're in danger of losing too much ground on Huddersfield!

Pickford
Kenny Keane Holgate Baines
Mirallas, Gana, Davies,
Lookman, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin

Let Rooney captain for this one. Koeman, you are like Martinez – crap! I'd really love to see if Big Rhino Unsworth could take this on. "Dogs of War" – we need to see that passion. COYB

I'm starting my rain dance now...

Rooney is the key if he could play tucked in behind two quality strikers.

This Sunday, only blood, sweat and true grit is acceptable. Bar a miracle,we will be routed by half time, and the Koeman Project will be in serious jeopardy.

Some thing is not right and the classic case of failing to meet the primary objective of this summers transfer plan, is there to see, but no care, no game plan and no fight is not acceptable. Everton were pathetic last night. The management and players betrayed the fans.

It's torture these days watching or listening to our games. It's gone back to the wretched stench and tedium of Walker's and Smith's, tenures as managers.

For all the grandiose plans and optimism made by Moshiri's reign, it is a nap in true Everton style that it goes flat and stagnant when with proper planning, it could have been, the start of something good.

For all I know there may be a wad for players in January, but who may want to join Everton?

Atalanta we're so much fitter and had more guile, we will get the same hammering in the home leg. The stench will be far reaching.

Damage limitation on Sunday... bar a miracle.

nb: I'm gonna do a bet for odds on 4 shots on target for us in the 90 minutes.

I know they're a different proposition this season but I think they're still a way off being title challengers despite the views of many to the contrary. If I were a United fan then I would be worried about all the expectation of a crushing romp (but I say that as an Everton fan...).

As I say, a faint hope.

I am always optimistic but realistic enough to think we could get hammered, again.

BREAKING NEWS. Everton sign new defender prior to Sunday's clash with Man Utd. 54-seater bus. Ronald says he will park it in-front of goal

"A few months ago I had Lukaku at my disposal and now all I have is Oumar and you lot promised me Giroud, so don't blame me for the current fiasco."

The worst thing is, I reckon they'll swallow that and allow him so much rope that, by Halloween, it will be just that, a fucking horror show with us languishing at the foot of the table.

Rooney will get sent off on Sunday – that's written in the stars.

I've given up on them.

They looked like an unfit alehouse team, and made Atalanta look like Barca, but looking at the big lad up front who bullied the defence all night-and we couldn't sign a forward in the window.

So how should we approach the game? personally if I was Koeman, I would look at it the way a 2nd or 3rd tier team would approach getting Man Utd in the cup. Dogs of War, fight for every ball, unsettle and knock them out of their stride.

Make it the most boring heap of shite yet seen the season, because let's face it we ain't going to score a ton of goals, so we need to stop them going in at the other end. Everyone knows the stats but what makes it worse is that the 8 conceded should be more like 16.

One thing that's obvious is that the 2 holders should be scrapped because if the idea is to protect the back 4 it's failing miserably, so for this game I'd go 4-4-1-1, the midfield 4 being Davies, Schneiderlin, Gana & Besic. Horribly unbalanced admittedly but with instructions to chase everything down. Kenny at RB for width, and Mirallas up top and Rooney in the hole. I'd pick Mirallas because of his experience and when he can be arsed is a decent player.

Obviously there's no chance of this team seeing the light of day, but we need to stop this horrible run. At the moment, I'd take a Moyes performance and a 1-0 defeat from a goal in the 80th minute; yes, it's got that bad.

The second half of your post was better then the first! When you say it was the worst performance in 50 years, it wasn't. It was shite, admittedly. But was it worse than the 4-0 defeat under Martinez away at Anfield? Was it worse than the 5-1 away at Man City under Moyes? Was it worse than the 3-0 defeat to Tranmere at home under Smith?

Sunday is not going to be pretty, but we have got to stick together. Last season, we had a dreadful run around November time yet we turned it round.

We've scored a massive own goal by not getting a couple of strikers in the transfer window, so it is going to be a struggle. But after Sunday, the fixtures get easier. We've just got to get through Sunday and then hope we can turn it round.

I would play Kenny at right back and Baines at left back. I would play Jags and Holgate in the centre half berths as Keane has been far worse than Williams or Jags in recent games, indeed it seems that Koeman's signings have all had the benefit of the doubt of late.

I would also drop Schneiderlin. I have been shocked at both his lack of fitness last season and his lethargy this!

Davies and Gueye for me with Rooney at 9 and Sigurdsson at ten. I would put Lookman on the bench and Henen too, after seeing how good he looked from a few clips last week.

Got to be worth a go.

Actually your team is not far away from one I would select but I wish we had an alternative to Schneiderlin.

Over the years many have scoffed at Moyes's knives to a gunfight analogy. As someone said earlier in the week we'll be taking spatulas rather than knives to Sunday's gunfight.

Barry with his experience would've been invaluable in Europe with some of the younger lads. Koeman hasn't got a fucking clue letting Deulofeu, Barry and Lukaku leave.

No way in hell Koeman will play two up front. When last did an Everton team go to any of these "places" and actually go for it? I can't even remember. Maybe pre-Moyes.

We'll do well to keep the scoreline down. I hope some of the youngsters get a game. Can't do any worse than Morgan or Phil "I'll just watch the ball hitting my with ass" Jagielka.

And, blaming all this on the lack of a striker just wont wash. Sandro, Rooney, Calvert-Lewin, Lookman – the cupboard is not as bear as Koeman may wish to make out. He got 90% of what he was looking for over the summer.

Anyone know what's happened to Garbutt and Tarashaj? They seem to have totally disappeared.

It could be embarrassing. We've seen a capitulation of sorts in the last three games. Mouriniho wont let his team slacken off in the second half like Chelsea, Spurs and Atalanta did, he will want and demand more from them.

I am hoping that he will play Kenny at right back and Lookman on the wing, at least that will give us some pace which has been seriously lacking in the least few weeks. Although no doubt it will be Martina at right back and feck knows who on the right wing, we seem to be playing a 10-0-0 system at the moment as no-one seems certain as to where they are supposed to be playing.

At times it's like watching the Under-10s; actually, the Under-10s would probably give our first team at game at the minute.

One thing is certain though, Lukaku is captain in my Fantasy team and, for the first time ever, Baines is on the bench!

For all those blowing smoke up Lukaku's arse, how many points would we have without his goals? And we will win on Sunday.

They only go 1/4 Spurs to beat Swansea and 2/7 Liverpool versus Burnley!

Sorry to say, though, measured against the likely top 6 clubs, we have a second rate manager, second rate players, second rate owners and a second rate stadium; doesn't make for pretty reading, does it?

The 'New look' Everton.

The usual negativity from some on here, I thought we were supporters? Do you know the meaning of the word support??

Opinions are fine. Criticism is fine and well deserved after recent events. But get behind the shirt, encourage and support. Get behind the team, we don't hire or fire, we don't recruit, we are supporters, fans.

I honestly believe we have lost our way as a vocal tool at matches to contribute to a team's momentum.

I've seen much worse than this, and to throw our hand in after 4 league games is scandalous.
COYB

The Old Lady second rate?

William Ralph, the Golden Vision, the last of the Corinthians, the Holy Trinity and the School of Science to name a few – not to mention Edson era Antes do Nascimento. Depois virou Pelé! and some Portuguese geeza to grace the only "ground" in this country to stage a World Cup semi-final.

If we manage to keep them to 3...

This is more than Koeman, Kenwright, or Moshiri – this is about pride in the shirt, pride in the fans... pride in the legends that wore this shirt with passion.

Let's beat these Manc twats; fuck Lukaku, fuck Mourinho... fuck Pogba and his fancy boy haircuts... lets get fucking stuck in. Win, lose or draw... make sure them twats play the game of their lives to get any points.. do that and I'll back Koeman to the hilt. COYB

Lookman & Mirallas to provide pace and width, as we'll likely be sitting deep – this provides a fast counter-attacking threat.

Rooney in his preferred role, actually providing Calvert-Lewin with support.

Looks balanced to me. I think two holding midfielders just invited pressure. But we somehow think of that as normal now?

Pickford
Kenny Keane Jagielka Baines
Lookman Gueye Sigurdsson Mirallas
Rooney
Calvert-Lewin

We were facing their mighty Babes when dear sweet Lord against all odds we marmalised them 4-0.

Right from the kick off we threw the kitchen sink at them and they fell to pieces. A bit of the fire we showed on that memorable day is needed.

NSNO

A breath of fresh air is needed and Unsworth changed it right after Martinez got sacked and that was the best Everton performance of that season.

Williams vs Lukaku? they might be well matched, both static, in fact I'd back Williams against him, because Lukaku was not noted for putting himself about... It's when all the new players around Lukaku feed him balls into the space and on to his toe, where it'll all turn to custard.

I fancy us to snatch a draw from the jaws of victory... it's the Everton way.

I wonder what the odds are for a Lukaku double and a Rooney sending off.

David @87; I like that... and repeat it for all the season's games

The board has to decide, forget about Europe, top six or anything else, is this the way they want to see "Everton play football".

If it happens, let's talk about it on Monday. Let's not fucking surrender beforehand. COYB.

I have been a bit worried about the performances, but you have to balance that against the teams we played – Chelsea and Spurs didn't have to play their best, but they easily had the players to beat us, even if we played well. Atalanta were well up for it and we collapsed – before their first goal we were still in it. Like Koeman says, it seems we weren't prepared for them, plus we're low on confidence right now.

But if you look at the results against Stoke, Hadjuk Split and Man City – we didn't play that well but we got the results we deserved – mainly because they weren't top teams (Man City excepted). We did enough because our players were better than theirs (or the game plan worked).

So, on balance, with a team that's adjusting to playing with each other, we're not great but we're not as bad as people think. Yes, I think we'll lose against Man Utd - they're a top team, at home, and in good form.

But let's properly assess the team in the run of fixtures after that - we've got Sunderland, Bournemouth, Apollon Limassol and Burnley all at home. Then Brighton away. We may well be feeling a lot better after that run of fixtures.

I'm as worried as everyone else about the team's lack of fight and lack of attacking threat. I really just wish Koeman would pick an XI and stick with it for a run of games so they can settle into playing with each other. We have talented players, they can do this. Let's keep faith for now.

You are on something there.

A cricket score at Old Trafford!!

You've just summed up what's wrong with our club from top to bottom.

"Let's Assess where we are after playing Sunderland / Bournemouth etc."

So The clueless one has spent over £150 million to compete with Bournemouth / Brighton etc – embarrassing!

Complete lack of ambition and embarrassing - we are EFC and should be comparing ourselves to Mad Utd & Man City etc

The whole setup stinks from beginning to end.

He also, very publicly, has said Jonjoe Kenny isn't good enough to start in the Premier League (but fucking Martina is?) so what does this do for the lads confidence?

If he had called out Baines, Jagielka, Williams, Schneiderlin, (I won't include Rooney as at least he's trying), Gana etc for being shite then that would balance things out; but he doesn't – he just picks on the kids.

We're not going to suddenly 'gel' as an attacking force so we're hoping for a fighting performance... and this side just doesn't have that in it.

Reckon it's going to be very messy and Mr Koeman might have a new meeting added to his diary on Monday.

I'd take a draw too - but can't bear to watch us camp like in the City game again

We may well get beat but betting on them to lose – you really need to have a long hard look at yourselves. Fucking pathetic.

If that is all accurate, I agree, we have a serious problem with him. Added to which, I personally do not see any benefit in criticising individuals publicly anyway. One wonders how much of the dressing room he actually still has left.

We have seen with Roberto that we would get overrun playing Mirallas, Barkley and Deulofeu, it's the same now with Sigurdsson, Vlasic, Sandro, Mirallas and Klaassen.

Play Rooney up top with Sigurdsson behind then pack the midfield with workers and leave Martina at home.

Koeman has to realise that the players he has bought might look good on the ball but off it they look awful. Workrate first, then try to play.

The "senior players" are not mentioned by name. Must be easier picking on kids I suppose.

I wouldn't throw Kenny in tomorrow, definitely start blooding him mid-week though. It appears our manager is seeing what he wants to see – though I am very unhappy with him at the minute I don't think he should get the bullet just yet, though if things don't turn around sharpish he will have to go.

Perhaps a little introspection has done him some good, he might start working his nuts off to sort it out as opposed to swanning off on his golf holidays when it is obvious so much work needs to be done?

Team confidence has evaporated. We might scramble a few draws and the odd lucky win. Our only hope is the return of injured players and the January transfer window.

We are in this position through incompetence. ,We're in big trouble here. It's fanciful to think we're going to kick on after Man U. Where are the goals coming from? Team confidence has evaporated. We might scramble a few draws and the odd lucky win. Our only hope is the return of injured players and the January transfer window.
We are in this position through incompetence. ,,BlueKfrog,1,08:48:30,,86.167.204.223,ok,19283,09/16/2017 08:48:30,GRW,reader,, 850917,35487,toffeeweb,16/09/2017,Alan Smith,sm16ger@gmail.com,The right wage will attract players. Teams below us signed:
Zouma
Krychowiak
Renato Sanches
Mcguire
Begovic
Gibbs
Dragovic
Chaloba
Hernandez ,The right wage will attract players. Teams below us signed:
Zouma
Krychowiak
Renato Sanches
Mcguire
Begovic
Gibbs
Dragovic
Chaloba
Hernandez ,,,0,09:06:31,,82.132.231.194,probation,20258,09/16/2017 09:06:31,sm16ger@gmail.com,probation,, 850918,35489,toffeeweb,16/09/2017,Geoff Lambert,geofflambert@yahoo.com,"I love the optimism of some on here I don't want us to lose ever, but have you been in a coma for the last few weeks.

The last few games have been worse than Bobby brown shoes and you think we will go to Old Trafford and pinch a win or a draw!!!!

Die hard or deluded?

I am so far in to Darren and Tony's camp now.

Koeman Out!

Collin, that's not how I read it, he does say that if things don't improve Kenny may well get his chance. The pertinent parts are printed below,

"League this season, he is among those who Koeman has asked for a reaction. “I know we need to change some things but Sunday is not the time to change a lot of things,” the manager added. “Sunday is a game for men and experience. They need to show it.”

That gameplan would again exclude Jonjoe Kenny, despite Cuco Martina's struggles at right-back since he arrived on a free transfer. Kenny, 20, impressed in Everton's under-23 Premier League 2 title-winning side last season and the England Under-20 World Cup-winning campaign in the summer. The defender has featured only once, as a substitute last season, under Koeman, to the bewilderment of many Evertonians, but that may soon change.

“He is one of the talents,” Koeman added. “I know, because I hear a lot of times the name of Kenny. I mentioned one time that the Under-23 competition is not the Premier League. The standard of performing is a training session by the first team. He is on my list, of course, but I think it's not the moment to put Kenny in. But if I don't get enough on Sunday and next week then maybe there comes an opportunity for the boy because he is a talent.

“But you can't say that if someone is playing well for the Under-23s he is ready for the first team. That is too easy. Tom Davies was an exception but now Tom Davies is struggling a little bit more. Last season he came in the team and he was playing out of nothing. Every weekend he was playing out of nothing. Now he is thinking, he is thinking, and he lost the spontaneity a little bit. If you saw the team yesterday [at Atalanta] there was no football that I like. They started and they went for it. We started afraid. That's what we need to change.”

Team selection is a total lottery for this game because whoever is picked we will lose badly IF there is still the lack of effort,fight and structure to the team. That said on paper we have a squad of good players and if they go out with that dogs of war attitude we could be competitive. I think we need Williams to play to cope with the physicality of Lukaku, Fellaini and Matic and we need a really big performance from Rooney who will Ben fired up for this.

Pickford
Kenny Keane Williams Baines
Davies Gana Schneiderlin (one last chance cos we need him)
Sigurdsson Rooney
Mirallas

Niasse on the bench

For heavens sake... fight for the club – if you're not prepared to, then leave!!!!!!

He's right of course. But whose job is it to make them confident and fearless? Who is putting the fear into them?

If only we had a £6m a year, world class manager,who been there and done that, who could help these players?

You all hated Mr positivity, Martinez. But he was doing the exact opposite of Koeman right now and you'd bet Kenny would be playing. I want to see the manager exuding confidence, even if it is all a sham. I want to see him reaching for the stars.

We finished 7th and spent a fortune. This isn't Moyes and finishing above where we should be. He can't argue a knife to a gunfight anymore. If he does, he spent the price of a gun on a knife. So this is all his doing.

I might be being a bit harsh on Koeman regarding the younger players but he brings it on himself imo. He constantly "criticised" Ross last season but didn't mention half so much the deficiencies of other players. Maybe it's his way of trying to motivate certain players but it doesn't seem to be working.

Every management course I have ever been on emphasises never to pick out individuals. If things are going well then you praise the team. If badly then you criticise the team but not individuals because that will alienate the team, some start to blame the people picked out by the manager and regard themselves as doing okay and you quickly get a team bereft of team spirit and boy do you then have problems.

His man management is poor hence the fall outs with several players,his buying of players is poor as the squad has no balance and no main striker,his team selection is poor as it lacks balance,lacks width and players are out of position.

More and more he is looking like Mike Walker to me and maybe Joe Royle can step in again to guide Unsy along with the first team.

That's what I meant to say Dave, you just said it better.

I expect this will be his team tomorrow:

Pickford
Martina
Williams
Jagielka
Baines
Schneiderlin
Gana
Sigurdsson
Besic
Rooney
Sandro

4-5-1 to try and keep the score down.

Will they give it a real go? – that is the burning question!

Get Holgate in his natural position and dispense with Williams who has become a massive liability.

So disappointed because the recruitment seems on the face of it to be a bit of a shambles. Top heavy with central midfielders and so-called Number 10s who have no pace and offer no goal threat albeit we were told he was bringing in more creativity.

I would love to see the minutes on the transfer strategy meetings. What is the plan? What is the proposed style of play? And where do they all fit in?

This was supposed to be the season we put the old Everton to bed, but we have merely become a laughing stock.

Eddie Howe is no soft touch but as a man manager seems streets ahead of Koeman who (certainly right now) seems quite unable to empathise with his players. I know they have had a rocky start to the season but just look what Howe has got from Bournemouth – hardly a squad of Galacticos.

It will be interesting to see how we get on against them next weekend... I do not predict us bagging another 6 goals!

Steve. This particular pearl from you follows a quote where you also believed Martinez bequeathed a better squad than what we have now.

We jettisoned Howard, Osman, Hibbert, Gibson, McGeady, Stones, Kone, Lukaku, Deulofeu, Cleverley, Oviedo, Barry.

I would only have Stones and Lukaku back – Barry at a push.

Still leaves NINE players who were not good enough. I take it you have some sympathies towards the Phenomenal One.

The fact that Koeman is stinking the place out does not change facts and history.

Martinez presided over some horribly appalling performances. That Koeman has also managed to sink the team to such lows does not make Martinez a better manager.

One was shite and deserved to be removed and the other is rapidly heading in that direction.

I know the first team is different gravy but the ideology,tactics etc are what the team is built on. How can the first team be so devoid of this?.

Martinez had his philosophy running right through the club, continuity was there to see. (I know it never worked out but you get my poin.) I don't see anything resembling this in our current manager.

It's not only damage limitation to the score line, you get the feeling the manager and the players would actually be okay with a 1-0 defeat.

What a gang of bottlers we have at this club. Ambition? You're fucking kidding me. Not fit to wear the shirt.

Koeman was so focused on getting rid of everyone rather than using what he had and making it better.

And Martinez may have presided over some appalling performances but he also presided over the best performances of the last 30 years. There's no way Koeman will come close to 72 points, never mind thrashing good sides.

Whatever is happening with the U23s is down to Unsworth and Ebbrell.

As the film line said "Be afraid... be very afraid." Well, I am.

It will most likely happen again. Thing is, they can be no worse than the seniors who are an embarrassment.

You're right Jimmy, I have watched the Under-23s a couple of times and they play a far better style of football than the first team do. And that's a problem for any youngster who gets a chance in the first team.

Instead of fast flowing football with plenty of pace and movement he is faced with slow, turgid football with no movement up front or through the middle. How can any player shine and grab his opportunity when he's face with that?

It just gives Koeman the opportunity to say he's not ready yet. The fact is, he is ready but the first team aren't good enough.

It's the fourth most we have ever got!!!

What do you think is happening now?

And it's only the start of the season the way this manager is performing we will be lucky to amass 42 points never mind 72.

All our other peaks were on the back of good management making the team greater than the individual players (Royle and Moyes).

Pickford; Kenny, Holgate, Keane, Baines; Gana, Sigurdsson, Davies; Lennon, Calvert-Lewin, Rooney.

Koeman will play this:

Pickford; Martina, Williams, Holgate, Baines; Klaassen, Schneiderlin, Gana; Sigurdsson, Rooney.

We're doomed either way until he is sacked and Rhino takes over.

My team would be (3-5-2): Pickford, Holgate, Keane, Jagielka, Kenny, Davies, Rooney, Gana, Baines, Sandro, Calvert-Lewin.

Koeman will never pick this team though.

Koeman must be the first manager to sell the premier's best goal scorer and replace him with anyone but.

For me, it's got to be the old Moyes tactics 4-5-1 with Martina playing in front of Holgate stopping Rashford and providing some pace going forward.

Sigurdsson in front of Baines with Schneiderlin and Gueye holding with Rooney ten and Calvert-Lewin lingering wide right between the centre half and full back waiting for the diagonal ball over the top from Rooney!!

Give up the the space up front allowing United to push on and counter with Calvert-Lewin and Martina's pace with Rooney and Sigurdsson arriving late at the back stick!!

I wish it was that simple as above but for me it's the best plan to go up a United full of pace and goalscoring quality!!

Regarding Lukaku, if you put Brett Angell with all them players that are around Rom, Brett would score tap-ins. Thierry Henry even said Rom is lazy on live TV.

I wouldn't use Jags but we have no one else, maybe is it Gibson (newbe from Newcastle) but too soon for him. Play Martina...hmmm, no don't think so.

De Gea
Valencia Lindelof Jones Blind
Herrera Matic
Mata Mkhitaryan Rashford
Lukaku

I would play the much maligned Williams to tackle the physicality of Lukaku. Remember Lukaku ripped Keane a new one last season, and the lad's confidence is suffering at the moment. Keane can be the spare man. Rashford I would tackle with Holgate. Mata with Baines. Mkhtitaryan with Schneiderlin, with Gueye free to press forwards and pick up runners.

Matic is the key man here, he is a good passer of the ball and he is the one who has transformed United in the transitions. We need someone to get about him, to close him down and stop him playing. Davies would be great at that. However, we also need to take advantage of getting the ball off him and being high up the pitch and in a great position. Therefore, Klaassen or Sigurdsson would be the man.

Blind is not the best player and you can get at him. He is slow. Meet this with pace. Play Aaron Lennon. On the left, they have Valencia comes in, who fails to convince me as a right back. So play Lookman down the left and get at him. Pin him back. I would play Calvert-Lewin up top.

Sadly, no room for Rooney, which removes the whole Rooney return sideshow. He can come on as an option later in the game.

Calvert-Lewin
Lookman Sigurdsson Lennon
Schneiderlin Gueye
Baines Williams Keane Holgate
Pickford

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Keane Baines
Gana
Sigurdsson Klaassen
Lookman Mirallas
Rooney

Blend of youth and experience with 2 wingers who don't really cross so no need for height, but both fast and tricky and willing to shoot. Rooney must be told to stay up front!!

Steve (#147), I for one didn't hate Martinez.

Amit (#156), your observations about jettisoning is somewhat one eyed is it not, Stones and Lukaku brought us £125m+. Cleverley came on a free we got £8m. Osman and Hibbert were retiring when Koeman arrived. Deulofeu was tied to his contract with Barcelona.

Martinez is doing very well with Belgium so far is he not. Koeman managed 6th and 7th in two seasons with Southampton. See the connection there!

I still want Koeman gone though, the main reason being I simply don't like the guy as a person. Add to that his mismanagement of Barkley etc, his negative tactics and some of his signings. It just seems strange though how he did so well at Southampton and his performance with us at present.

I repeat, Steve. Comparing Martinez to Koeman does not make Martinez any better. Both have royally stunk the place out.

And I see you continue to laud Martinez's achievements. Certainly achieving 72 points was laudable. But it was compeletely offset by two consecutive seasons of being in the bottom half and achieving less than 50 points.

Koeman's shiteness has resulted in something I never expected to see on this forum: a harking back to the doomed days under the brown shoed bullshit merchant.

"Martinez is doing very well with Belgium so far is he not.
Koeman managed 6th and 7th in two seasons with Southampton.
See the connection there!"

No Raymond @178 I don't see the connection.

Belgium play international football. Different game to managing in the Premier League. Ask World Cup Winner Luiz Felipe Scolari.

Big Ron deserves some credit for his achievements at Southampton, but I put it to you that he would have achieved 1 place lower had Bobby bothered to set us up to defend and worked on set pieces, amongst other things he chose to neglect.

Both Koeman and Martinez are not good enough for this club. The board chopped Martinez 1 season too late. I hope it does not do the same with Koeman, or we will continue to be the best of the rest, which these days starts from 7th onwards.

All I wanted to say is that if the team is going to go on a bad run, surely it is preferable against the top teams. Just imagine if we had these same results against teams like Palace, West Ham, Bournemouth, Newcastle etc. Then we would be in real trouble with fixtures against those top teams still to come.

We could play well against the top teams, if that were the case, and still get beaten by a better team.

I know this is little consolation and will only be relevant if we put in improved performances, along with points, against Bournemouth, Burnley and Brighton.

If we had their start, Huddersfield, Swansea and Southampton at home, the RS and Burnley away, I would have expected at least 10 points from those games.

The way we set up and attack we will struggle to score against anyone and our only saving grace until recent games was a reasonable defence. That's gone too.

Wont be surprised to see us in the relegation zone and (as good as) out of two cups in the coming weeks. We are that shite.

If we aspire to join the top group of clubs then the whole mindset of the fans, players, management and board members need to change. After the money we've spent and the money we're paying our "coach" then the start of the season should be viewed as completely unacceptable.

If Koeman isn't cutting it then he should be axed. The "big clubs" don't fuck abut if their manager isn't performing. In the cut throat league we play in there's no longer time to patience.

Meanwhile... a defeat by more than two goals – which let's face it feels probable rather than possible right now – and we're in the relegation places.

You don't need to speak English to know the crowd is happy when you've made a tackle, that they are happy when you have a shot or do a trick, or they are unhappy when you piss about with it at the back in the more "continental style".

You could take Barcelona and dump the in Stoke and watch the team be influenced by the crowd.

They are fighting for everything, full of passion, taking something from Chelsea Spurs and Liverpool, away games too.

If they can show togetherness and passion for the cause, well so should we. Our players and manager should be fighting tooth and nail over every blade of grass.

Evertonians will never settle for anything less from any player or manager.

Charlatans are not welcome.

Slow laborious passing, no movement, no effort, no guts, no system, no leadership and basically no idea is just not acceptable under any circumstances.

We're pretty quiet until someone makes a big tackle, or something aggressive happens to get the crowd up. You have to balance out the physical side with the technical side, and I'm not sure we currently have a problem with physicality. We do however have a problem with our technical side.

Too many similar players for my money – too many midfielders all doing the same things, just in different positions, and nowhere near enough width.

We've been so narrow in all our games it's painful. Stick Lookman, Lennon, or Mirallas on the pitch and get at the opposition down the flanks a bit, open the game up, play at a higher tempo and stop giving teams so much time & space.

Simple eh.

It is the same when you have a centre-forward who can hold up play in the opposition half or win a free kick or even a throw.

It buys time to maintain shape and get organised.

And god forbid, a bit of width and a dedicated centre-forward may even get us a goal at some point!

It's not rocket science!

Pickford

Davies
Holgate
Williams
Keane
Baines

Rooney
Gueye

Mirallas
Sigurrdson

Sandro

I am not confident any side koeman picks from the current crop available is likely to win at Old Trafford but that team seems to have a bit more mobility and pace which I think is what we need at the moment.

I seem to spend half my time at the game swearing at him and, since I am taking my lad tomorrow, I could probably do with him not playing

Bainsey's left wing raiding is also very limited now and Seamus is injured. Neither Holgate nor Martina have impressed at full back so far so defensively apart from Keane it's been tough.

When you turn to solidarity in front of the back four (or three) Schneiderlin nor anyone else has been outstanding and perhaps letting Barry go was a tad premature.

Whatever, the players they have should be able to park the bus effectively when necessary such as Swansea today but of all teams Everton are the most inept at it. It's likely to be backs against the wall tomorrow and as long as it stays 0-0 it will be another nail-biting afternoon because our boys have very little offensively. Dare I say they need divine intervention.

I don't see the latter being the case at all. There is simply no consistency, neither in personnel nor formation. Instead of good players expressing themselves and getting on the ball, they are hoofing it forward and hoping for a miracle. We have no archetypal Number 9 anymore which renders this archaic style of football obsolete, pointless and frankly unworthy of the 'School of Science'.

TV pundits usually try to be diplomatic but just this past week we have heard our team being described as 'awful' a 'shambles' and 'boring'. I won't be nervous tomorrow because I really don't expect anything. It shouldn't be this way, though.

I do, however, expect them to go out, give 100% and show some pride in wearing the blue shirt. Some passion from our coaching staff would also be nice!

As much as the senior players undoubtedly need replacing, now is the time we need them to stand up and be counted; it wont happen but this would be my team;

Pickford
Kenny, Jagielka,Keane, Baines,
Gana,
Lennon, Rooney, Sigurdsson, Lookman,
Mirallas

Lennon and Lookman would have to put a shift in covering the full backs but at least this team would give us some pace on the counter and much needed width. Wishful thinking I know, it will never happen under this dull, uninspiring charlatan. Bottom three tomorrow I think.

Martinez made no secret of the fact that his emphasis was on scoring goals. Guardiola has the same outlook, but you can get away with it if you have an attack that can score for fun.

I've no doubt if Martinez lost the dressing room, the defenders were the most vocal. Throwing players forward does not do any defenders any favours and reflects badly on them.

Getting back to the topic.

Logic says that at present we have no chance of getting anything out of this game, but certainties have a habit of often getting beat when least expected.

What I would say is if we go there to only defend we will get murdered. Koeman should put an attacking side out and go for broke, if we get beat going for it, so be it.

Everybody expects us to get beat anyway!

I have supported Everton for 50 years and, for me, when the day comes when I want us to get thrashed, I will no longer consider myself a supporter.

I have lost faith in Koeman. I am gutted at the apparent lack of effort. However, there is some bile on here that is disturbing. It is like an anger contest.

If you don't use the word shithouse then you are not an Evertonian. If you only ever post when want to vent spleen you will always at some stage to have the chance to boast that you told us all along.

What is most of concern, is the lack of application and just plain positional sense or lack of it. They are playing like a bunch of uninterested individuals, that are laughing all the way to the bank. Every team in the league would suffer the same fate, if they didn't have a strong and respected manager at the helm.

Unfortunately Koeman does not possess either of those qualities. He needs to have both before any tactics can be adhered to. He has shown himself to be pig-headed, stubborn and a poor communicator. A recipe for getting the sack. (And putting the fans through the mill.)

I can't understand that at all.

However, I felt at the start of the season that 7 points after 5 games would represent a decent return after such a difficult start. If we win tomorrow then we're on 7 points and just a single point behind Spurs and Liverpool after having a far tougher run of games.

Of course, at this minute, it's difficult to envisage us winning tomorrow, but we were close to beating City and it is certainly not an impossible task.

A win at Man Utd and perhaps we can look forward with a little more optimism. Whether we win, lose, or draw tomorrow, I am not ready to give up on Koeman yet. He went through poor runs with Southampton on a few occasions before going on winning streaks. Hopefully tomorrow can be a catalyst for an upturn in form and results.

We are Everton. We expect our side to give 100% when they put on that shirt but I also expect our fan base to give 100% support when it comes to match day.

How can anyone possibly sit typing away hoping we get thrashed call themselves a true fan? Yes it's shit at the moment but most would have taken 7 points come 5 games into the season with the start we were given

Win tomorrow and things will look awfully different. Have faith.

I have a very strange feeling about tomorrow and feel their could be a shock and I for one will be cheering until my throat hurts. I am an Evertonian. COYB

We have one actual wing back at the club, Seamus Coleman, even he was fit we still could not play that way.

Even if it mean dropping better players, play with balance and a geniune thought for cadence within it.

So up for mockery is my effort for tomorrow. A genuine attempt at 4-3-3 with the wide forwards high and wide, balls in that space behind the United full backs.

Pickford; Martina, Keane, Jags, Baines

Davies, Gana, Sigurdsson

Mirallas, Rooney, Lookman.

The wider mids are disciplined and better passers than most.

Yeah, in my head it was pretty good 🙄

As Paul (201) mentioned, Swansea and Burnley looked good, but ultimately it comes down to drive. We need to show our drive tomorrow and for the entire season or we won't challenge no matter how much money we spend.

But, of course, I cannot be optimistic. I haven't lost my marbles yet.

Now, I know everyone's a bit depressed, but to try and rehabilitate Roberto Martinez is beyond the pale. Any minute now, we'll have someone on here longing for the good old days of Mike Walker.

Pickford,
Kenny, Keane, Holgate, Baines,
Gueye, Schneiderlin,
Lennon, Sigurdsson, Rooney,
Calvert-Lewin

I think Lennon deserves a run as he is the only player we possess who looks to get in behind teams and give us natural width. Rooney and Sigurdsson can interchange positions and Calvert Lewin plays up front because Sandro hasn't shown much yet. I would play Kenny and Holgate at the back for their extra mobility.

The player I've most been disappointed with this season is Schneiderlin whose form has not been up to much. Personally I can't wait for Coleman and Bolasie to come back as they are both dynamic and will add more pace which we lack badly.

Again its not so much the result I'm hoping for more an improved performance where we at least stand up to them and have a go.

After this 4th test against this seasons top four our season begins in earnest and the youngsters can be introduced gradually for the future.

Personally I'm frustrated but in the cold light of day the fixture list has been cruel to a new and developing team.

Pickford
Cuco Keane Williams Baines
Idrissa Schneiderlin
Sigurdsson
Mirallas Rooney Calvert-Lewin

Stek, Jags, Holgate, Davies, Klaassen, Vlasic, Sandro

But I think we might go with the following: which is more solid at the back (Holgate needs to play in a back three)

Pickford
Holgate Keane Williams
Cuco Idrissa Schneiderlin Baines
Rooney Sigurdsson
Calvert-Lewin

Barring a miracle, where do we go from here?

This is a complete shambles of a start to the season.

Koeman has spent £200m so far to completely build a new team: the 12th most expensive one in the world allegedly. And we seem further away than we have been for years.

Comparisons have been made with the worst of Martinez, Moyes and Smith, but this is Mike Walker-esque.

We are drifting hopelessly towards further humiliation, capitulation and oblivion with Holland's Donald Trump at the helm.

The scene is set for a significant drubbing today, with Lukaku and Fellaini teed-up perfectly to rub our noses in it. You couldn't write the script could you?

Sadly, despite a senior player summit, I still despair for both our immediate and mid-term prospects.

How Koeman expects to do anything without a proven centre forward beggars belief.

And we pay this Dutch dunce £6m a year?

He hasn't got a clue.

Oh, and Lukaku to be "respectful" by curtailing his celebration(s) when he scores.

Today we'll see again how it measures against one of the top teams. Badly I expect. Over the next few weeks it will be tested against a lower tier of team and if it fails those tests too then it must be ended before it does lasting damage to our club.

All I can say is that you must have a short memory.

Big loss or bore draw today.

How wrong we all we're, he's a football dinosaur, his type of football would of graced the Italian ultra-defensive approach of the 1960's.

How wrong we all we're, he's a football dinosaur, his type of football would of graced the Italian ulta defensive approach of the 1960's.

Plenty more danger however from Utd but they are miles behind City (especially with no Pogba) and look how we did there.

I'm up for this. COYB

I do see a Silver Lining - - or else what is the point of us all writing on here, nervously waiting for the game to start - - making sure we have our Season Tickets - - smiling when we think of our history - - who we are and what we stand for - - putting ourselves constantly through The Sacred and Profane - - forever treading and following Dante's Journey through Inferno to Paradiso - -and what ever today brings knowing that we will again get up and begin again on Wednesday and Saturday - -"and we all shine on like the moon and the stars and the sun - - and we all shine on and on and on and on and on".

This is a battle between belief and reality - - believing in something in the face of everyone else ridiculing your beliefs - - between Logic and Love - - this is a belief in The (very ) Heart of Being Blue.

“Fate's arrow, when expected, travels slow.”

“O grace abounding and allowing me to dare
to fix my gaze on the Eternal Light,
so deep my vision was consumed in it!

I saw how it contains within its depths
all things bound in a single book by love
of which creation is the scattered leaves:

"How substance, accident, and their relation
were fused in such a way that what I now
describe is but a glimmer of that Light.”

My shout to those men in Blue who will march on to that Gladiators field in our name, in our cause and in our stead - - “Behave like men, and not like witless sheep...”

We are and always will be Blue - - no matter what is thrown between us - - We Are Brothers and Sisters - - All - - We Are The Blues.

With a firm handshake - - and "posso waves" and those cosmic grooves all the way - - your friend - - George

We struggle when we play 3 at the back so lets stick with a back 4. I doubt he will play Lookman or Davies as he has already said that this is not a game for youngsters. But please can we have at least 1 wide player with pace. I would rest Schneiderlin he has probably been or most ineffective player this season, so bring in Gueye for him.

Can you please frame the post at 237 from George and leave it at the top of the site on the homepage.

But what has been most damaging os the lack agression. The team has Just been too passive, to easy to play against.

Schneiderlin and Gueye should be a nightmare for any midfield to play against, but Erikson and co wouldnt have believed their luck.

What we need Today is see the players try and make this a miserable afternoon for Herrera and co in Utds midfield. Everytime Lukaku gets near the ball, we need players closing him down, clipping his heels.

How we miss Barry for a game like todays.

On the Koeman side of things, I just don't think he has the kind of personality to change or boost things. He will have to be suffered a while longer.

1) The players 'respond' and miraculously look like they know what they're doing and want it badly.

2) Those in charge of the club are doing some due diligence on managerial plans B, C & D.

Please, just perform today, will you?

1. is for our attackers to be on the half turn facing the opposition-way too many of our players have the back to the opposition and play facing OUR goal leading to the sideways and backwards passes.

2. is for the front players not too drop off into the centre circle-run behind their defence, run wide of their defence but don't run away from their defence toward OUR defence

3. try running forwards, passing forwards, try pressing and tackling their players-you never know it may just work!

My Grandson is probably your youngest admirer -being nine he never fully understands what you are talking about but he loves your posts.

I gave up trying to explain Gus Foley to him last week, where do you start ? but he instantly got the battle of Belief v Reality - Logic and Love... and he is seeing a silver lining too. It must be catching. I notice Dave A responded to your last post, Proof positive that your cosmic grooves a reaching all age groups.

I don't hold with this "We will get hammered" lark. Every match is a new opportunity for everyone at the club to turn things around

Your post was a breath of fresh air, even when we end up miserable after a game, you have a very nice way of making sure were aren't before it.

I'm hoping for a 3rd

I'm hoping people will stop moaning about Lukaku leaving and the decision to let him go

He wanted to go

He went

Simple

Darren, have you been dropping acid? Unlike you to be the optimist on here.

Back to George, he's telling us to believe in our team even though they have thoroughly depressed us in the last few weeks, well I'm looking for that silver lining George and maybe it will show through the darkness today.

There was a short poem I team once that shows how to believe in the darkest hours.

I believe in the sun even when it's not shining I believe in love even when I cannot feel it I believe in God even when he is silent.

That was written by a Jewish prisoner in one of Germany's death camps, well if he had belief in those times so can we over a game of football.

We are The Blue Phoenix - - we will always rise again and again. No matter what.

Some fantastic knowledgable people on here - - could publish and Anthology of TW Letters.

The Premier League players live in a bubble unlike Gaelic football players, who work alongside fans, and are happy to do so, not mucking about on social media every 2 mins. The Ron tactics will be predictable, Koeman will wait until 75 mins when we are 3 down to change anything. The Ron subs will be brought on. Lukaku is a cert to score.

Right now, instead of feeling like I'm going to be executed at dawn, I'm feeling remarkably relaxed about this game. I don't know what it means but we could be pleasantly surprised.

The problem of continually rising from the ashes is we're continually dumped in a position where we have to do just that.

I'm sitting outside Old Trafford waiting for the team news but fear more of the same, to be honest.

Evertonians are ever the optimists: we have to be!

Pickford
Martina Keane Williams Jagielka Baines
Gueye Schneiderlin Davies
Sigurdsson
Rooney

As defensive as it gets.

I think Kanchelskis would have been better in this era as a wide forward in a 433, and Limpar was a more natural 10 than out and out winger.

9 Ramírez
11 Mirallas
20 Klaassen
21 Besic
22 Stekelenburg
29 Calvert-Lewin
30 Holgate

My grandson set his computer for the two Sunday games, it's just gone off now, I'm useless at getting it back on, so that's it, hope that is not the silver lining I was looking for, me missing the inevitable.

No, still hoping for a better performance.

I'm also concerned. Very concerned - but a whole load of concern ain't gonna bring Lukaku back. I would rather be without him than with him at Everton and unwilling to play.

As you rightly said Colin the sin was not replacing Lukaku not selling him

Koeman talks about pace and sticks Rooney in the team. Should have had his contract ripped up after his drink drive episode.

Where's Lookman?

Apart from Pickford they all need to grow a pair - including Koeman who is just confusing the shit out of everyone.

Still

Rant over

COYB