Olympique Lyonnais vs Everton

Will he play Sigurdson and Vlasic, who with DCL and Williams are our only other scorers in any competition this season?

With DCL our only striking option, he has, I fear, hog-tied our attack before a ball has been kicked.

He said today he has two cup finals in which to prove his credentials for the full time job. Well, David, you of all people should know that you don't win cup finals by leaving out your top goalscorer and your most experienced defenders.

Whatever team you now decide to send out against Lyon is on a hiding to nothing. I was right behind you when Koeman left and you got the caretaker role, but I think you have missed the boat with this game and putting it bluntly, as far as the full time managers post that you obviously covet is concerned, I think you've blown it before a ball's been kicked.

I'm almost afraid to watch the match, but my Evertonian masochistic streak will probably compel me to suffer along with everyone else.

Hopefully they get a win and we can look forward to a competition for a few more weeks.

How about Mirallas as a striker? He's done it before and he certainly won't be upset about leaving behind defensive responsibilities.

This redundant idea that experience is needed to win games is a joke, the reason our defense has been nothing short of abysmal is down to having players that are far too old and far too slow, Baines and Jagielka both should have had replacements brought in years ago, but the clubs ridiculous sentimentality in keeping these players around because they've been here for a long time is detrimental to the club.

We signed Keane for roughly £30m , whose been unsettled and lost confidence because at right back its been the inexperienced Central defender Holgate or the inadequate Martina, and his central defensive partner has been the old, slow, mistake prone jagielka or the old, slow, mistake prone Williams.

Rooney is a whole other topic of conversation, one in which I am amazed few other evertonians see. He's stealing a spot in the starting 11 from someone who is better than him for no other reason than "Wayne's come home!" His passing has been inconsistent (some truly spectacular passes mixed with "he was probably united's best player when we lost 4-0") he's slow, his shooting isn't good enough for the chances he gets and he quickley loses his temper and starts acting like a child, but because he's scored 4 goals he needs to be playing!!!

In an age of football which is clearly showing that speed is the most powerful weapon teams have to attack with, wether through quick players a la Liverpool/Leicester or quick play a la Man City/Arsenal/Barca we're being left behind the top teams because of players that are just too slow and too old.

I have been disappointed with Davies so I would bench the guy and see how Schnids does in a more advanced position.

Defence wise Is our big worry, let's hope Unsworth gets it right.

I would not be disappointed to see:

Robles
Martina Holgate Williams Lennon (as LB)
Beni Schneiderlin Besic
Vlasic DCL Mirallas

Subs: Pickford, Feeney, Klaassen, Kenny, Henen, Sandro

Either way, although not technically, that's us out of this competition.

I wouldn't knock Unsy for leaving Baines and Jag's out, because they were very poor against Leicester, however Rooney, although too eager at times, at least is our most realistic chance of a goal.

In all fairness to Unsy, the damage was well done before he got involved in first team affairs. I just hope that whoever plays, does so with some purpose and style, and gives us something to cheer, albeit too late.

I have submitted posts, edited them, submitted them again, and the same auto-incorrect has re-appeared after re-submission.

Now that was almost a tongue twister.

I don't understand having a pop at Rooney. He's our top goalscorer and the only one who has looked like scoring all season apart from Niasse off the bench. For me the only player who seems to want the ball and have time with it when he does...every other player treats it like a hot potato. Not sure what more he could be doing in a sh## side who are struggling.

Let's see who impresses and stakes a claim for Watford on Sunday. Sorry to have to say this but we simply are not going to get out of the mess we are in if we are depending on Baines, Jags and Rooney.

At least he'll be rested for Sunday. We may need him.

In a practical sense, the older players were going to have to be phased out at some stage. If we are going nowhere with them playing then twice the reason to drop them and bring in players who might improve things on the pitch.

I can't see anyone having the immediate effect that a lot of posters on here want. Mourinho couldn't turn this round in a week!

Itll take players time to come to terms with playing at pace again after being so pedestrian and negative for 12 months.

Perhaps that's why our younger players are our better performers of late? Because they weren't as exposed to koemans “tactics”.

I'm probably biased as I didn't want Koeman in the first place. His history spoke for itself and most (who follow European football) were aware of it.

I'm also not a believer in “a big name Manager will attract big name players” - what like Ashley Williams??

What we need is someone who is dedicated to the job. The job is his life. Someone who is as passionate as us fans. Unsworth is that man.
Koeman would rather go on holidays or golf.

Although looking back at my team, I realised that I had left out Siggy and Lookman entirely! So, if I am allowed 1 more shot at the team, I would go:

Robles
Martina Holgate Williams Besic (LB)
Beni Schneiderlin
Lookman Siggy Mirallas
DCL

SUBS: Pickford, Feeney, Gueye, Klaassen, Lennon, Sandro, Vlasic

I don't agree with leaving Rooney out, but let the guy have his go before we sharpen the knives.

He is adopting the ancient Greek device of testing the quality of decision-making by taking decisions twice - once when drunk, and once when sober.

So any player U21 could in theory play for us but Niasse obviously doesn't fit into that category and would have to have been specifically registered.

The League is all now, we're in deep shit.

so my team would be
Pickford
Kenny
Martina
Feeny
Baningime
Schneiderling
Siggurdsson
Vlasic
Mirallas
Lookman

As for tonight I think no matter what team and formation we send out we're going to need a ton of luck. Do we sit back and keep it tight and hit them on the counter? Is that even possible with this defence? Mirallas, Lookman and Vlasic as the front 3 to break at speed?

As for the team I'd put Mirallas up top, because he's a proven goalscorer and he can also press from the front. I also like the idea of Davies at RB and I'd bring in Lookman and Vlasic to complete the 3 up top.

Midfield Gana Siggy and Macca if fit or Beni if eligible. Defence, how about trying out schiederlain as he wouldn't be under the physical assault he'd have to cope with. And we are short of bodies.

And as for Royal's mousse, if it can get the 👍in France it's good to go anywhere

Incorporating the young players he knows so well , with some experienced ones. I will be hoping that something clicks and we get a win.

I would like to see Lookman Vlasic and DCL all start. I think it will be the best chance of getting the 2 goals we will need if we have any chance of winning.

I think we have a big enough squad to play a second(ish) XI that's still high on quality...

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Williams Martina
Schneiderlin Banigime
Lookman Siggurddsson Vlasic
Mirallas

You could play DCL up front if intending to start Niasse on Sunday but the youngster has had quite alot of game time and could maybe use a rest. Plus i'd quite like to see Mirallas given a shot as striker so long as they can play the ball to feet and get runners near him.

We don't have a main striker who can lead the line effectively, and his choices to fill the other forward roles are players who have poor goals per game ratio. Out of this group that consistently seem unable to score more than 1 goal a game, he has to fashion a result while having to rest some of his most experienced players.

So whoever he picks he will be critisized, and no doubt if we fail to win a lot will come on here tomorrow urging the board to appoint XY or Z. I feel extremely sorry for Unsworth he has been left with a squad that is devoid of strikers and a team massively low on confidence, as well as an ageing team as was exposed against Leicester. Yet despite all of this he is expected to produce 2 performances and results in the next 2 games to have a chance of an extension to his role as manager.

I never bet on football, and certainly never bet on Everton to lose, but given the shitshow this season I might have a punt on Lyon by 2 goals tonight.

There is no doubting the kid is talented; he has been playing for the U23s since about the tender age of 17 and I believe he is now captain of that side at 18. Plus, watching him play he is a 'no-nonsense' defender in the old mold.

But is it fair to the lad to throw him into this baptism of fire, away to Lyon of all people? In this Everton side? There is no doubting the potential of Davies, Kenny and Baningime but the former two have suffered from the shitty form of a side stock full of supposedly more experienced and professional players. Meh, on the other hand if anybody can coax a game out of these kids it is their proven manager Unsworth. I've no idea anymore.

Bench: Robles Feeney
Besic Mirallas Davies Lookman Sandro

Of all the candidates under general discussion as manager I would like most to see him given a shot but only if there are those definite signs of improvement with Unsy - not just in the wish he can produce something.

These next two games are going to be decision makers for the board I figure and I really hope the lads play well for him.

Besic at LB!

There's a scary thought.

I hear Pat Van Den Hauwe is back working for EITC. I'd prefer him.

Unsworth has no choice but to experiment and tune the team he wants. Is it brave, is it foolhardy ? . only by trying will we find out. I think they are starting to play better, and given some consistency will improve. We have quality young players here, who need to be given a chance.

The foundations now will enable strong building in the future. I've said before we don't have the players for a European campaign, especially this one. The older players have been magnificent in there day, and have passion for the club. What we need now is fresh legs and hunger.

Martina was shocking last time at LB - what other options do we have though? None! Garbutt was not even registered for this competition or the Premier League. The amateurish incompetence shown by our club is beyond comprehension.

I can't believe we went into this season without addressing our aging defence. We look completely vulnerable at the back and I find it hard believe that we will score more goals then we will concede in most games, regardless of Which players are selected. We simply don't have the personnel.

Unsworth has a thankless task on his hands with a piss-poor defence and no recognized striker. Niasse looks about our biggest threat in front of goal (as limited as he is) but wait... he also hasn't been registered for this competition!

Koeman, Walsh and the rest of the people running the club have left us in a right mess. It's a huge shit sandwich and we're all gonna have to take a bite.

Allardyce being openly discussed as a survival strategy. One of the worst performances ever by an English team to date in European competition. Clueless performance after clueless performance. Tactically inept. Some quality players (and some of them are) looking totally lost.

And so to France tonight. Come on lads. Surprise me.

As many have said, tonight is a bit of a dead rubber so why not try our pacier forward options up top rather than wide left or right, we've nothing to lose and we may just discover a goalscorer?

Robles, Feeney, Cuco, Idrissa, Davies, Vlasic, Lookman

It could only happen to us, you couldn't even write a script, that drew a similar conclusion.

The only parallel I can think of, but not to the degree of us, was when Van Gaal went to United and bought a lot of expensive players who didn't seem to gel.

Oh wait a minute, I've just thought he was a Dutch Gobshite too!

...that being said, he was really highly rated, and being touted as one of the bargains of the summer because of his release clause. So I can't believe he's fundamentally a bad player, however underwhelming he's looked for us so far.

Europa League, with potentially a little less pressure, and less physicality, might be a good opportunity for him to get some minutes.

The season so far has really brought into sharp relief the huge gaps in our squad. Far worse than I think most had predicted, even though the worries were there.

I can't think of a Premier League squad with a less threatening attack. We have a promising, but no more, striker in DCL. A trier who, despite a couple of goals, doesn't look close to having the talent for this level in Niasse. A very lightweight player who hasn't come close to adjusting to English football yet in Sandro. And then Rooney, who really doesn't have the legs to play up front any more.

The fact that barely any of our fans can pick the same side/system shows that we have very few (none?) top quality players. The only player you can probably pick that we would all (or at least most) agree on for a starting role is Pickford (and Coleman when he's back).

Compare that to the mid 80's side where almost every position had a known starter because that player was invariably world class.

Or even the Arteta/Cahill/Pienaar/Baines side...

Your Van Gaal parallel is interesting.

I re-read Gerald Ratner's book recently (he of the "total crap sherry decanters"). He remarked that it was, "frightening how vulnerable big high street brands are."

Made me think: it is frightening the speed with which a team can drop like a stone, and how hard it seems to get that confidence back.

However the words 'clutching and 'straws' keep springing to mind.

COYB

My team would be

Pickford
Kenny Holgate Williams Martina
Schneiderlin
Sigurdsson Klaassen
Vlasic Lookman
Sandro

Schneiderlin could do with looking at what young Beni has been doing the last couple of appearances in terms of defending. I still think there is a player in Klaassen, the team has just been playing too slow for his one touch game (and his confidence is shot). I agree some of his performances have been awful but we paid £20m+ for him for a reason.

That is a team that is full of legs and effort (maybe lookman withstanding) will get at the opposition has a proper defensive midfielder (Gana doesn't have the discipline to be the lone DM) and also has a decent mix of experience and youth.

We were the better team overall in the home tie against Lyon and were unlucky in the end. I fancy us for this tonight, I really do.

This means we can use Baningime and Feeney without trouble, but Vlasic did need to be registered.

Gana Schneiderlin Beni

Lennon Siggy Lookman

Obviously no striker, but there again we don't really have one Niasse, ineligible.

I am surprised with that line-up to be honest but who knows, we have almost got nothing left to lose.

COYB

If you mention his time in Greece then he played on the left of a front three. He doesn't play central. He lacks height and he lacks killer pace. He's at his best on the left coming in off the right and playing off a striker who can play him through.