Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

I know every match we play always seems to be a little bit more important than the last one, but this is big.

I'm big on style and the manner in which we do it, but right now we need three points on the board. I'd settle for a boring narrow win right now

Both teams do better when they have less possession and the thought of Jota running at or in behind Mina and Keane makes me nervous.

I have a feeling Silva will start Schneiderlin as he is (disappointingly) our best 6 positionally and so offers some protection against the counter-attack that will be Wolves weapon. This would have been a crucial game to have Gueye or a fit (and fast) Gbamin.

Whilst Kean looks more likely than DCL to score a goal he also looks more likely to lose the ball and help spring the Wolves counter so DCL may be an option if he wants us to be better in possession.

I think Iwobi has to start and I'd be tempted to play Delph over Gomes. Maybe he'll play both if he opts for a midfield 3. Lots more versatility in this squad now so difficult to predict the formation and lineup.

I don't think this is how he'll play but would love to see him go more direct with two strikers (Kean and Richarlison) and two narrow wingers (Bernard and Iwobi). Full backs providing the width. Something like:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Delph Schneiderlin
Iwobi. Bernard
Kean Richarlison

Let Wolves come to us and then quick direct balls forwards to Kean and Richarlison or carried forwards by Iwobi and Bernard.

I bet you the winning team in this match will be the one with least possession!

Bring DCL on when we're comfortably ahead, but using him from the start would be a step backwards from Wednesday night when we finally played some entertaining winning football.

The question for me is can we control the game? The key is midfield. The loss of Gueye is huge for us but if we can have Delph, Gomez and Schneiderlin control the play then we will do better last season than this and the style will allow us to develop further than a team.

Really looking forward to this one and I predict DCL getting a brace.

Looks a nil - niller to me !

Schneiderlan should keep his place as arguably he has been our most consistent performer.
Can anyone honestly say Gomes has been better than Schneiderlan since the back end of last season.

Granted we're at home, Wolves might be a bit leggy and we'll hopefully start Iwobi and Delph; but I think Wolves are a much better unit than us.

Here's hoping for a victory (3-1 to Everton, Iwobi to score 12 Kean to score 17 and Ferguson to score a free kick).
Realistically 0-2 to the Wolves.

We couldn't score in a brothel.

I think he will start with Calvert-Lewin who desperately needs a goal, and he must be feeling the pressure from Kean. I expect that Kean will get a run out in the 2nd half. I expect a tough game with us just edging it by the odd goal.

For me it could either way but I am tipping at least 4 goals in this game. The faithful can play a big part in the result.

Picking the forward line and midfield is a real conundrum nowadays (having three left wingers doesn't help) but if it was up to me it would be 433 and

Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne,
Gomes, Schneiderlin, Delph,
Kean, Richarlison, Iwobi.

As an aside I haven't seen an Everton footballer with legs like Johnny Morrissey for 50 odd years until Kean came on the scene - that lad is a solid unit.

Awobi from the bench and the same with Kean. Calvert-Lewin will get the nod for ball retention.

Key question is middle of park and I would go with Schneiderlin and Gomes as two hard games in a few days for Delph is asking for an injury set back.

So from Lyndon's Team I think Marco would bench Iwobi and Delph and go with Schneiderlin and Bernard to create a more match fit and solid set up for the team.

Wolves are a very good side with a very tactically astute manager. This will be a tough game. I can see a draw.

However having said that I thought Torino were a bit unlucky on more than one occasion, and the luck which you need sometimes as well as skill and workrate, was on the side of Wolves. They will also be buoyed by the results against us last season.

I wouldn't change things too much and Lyndon's suggested line-up looks good to me, although I think I would prefer Kean from the start to Calvert-Lewin. Midfield will be important and although he played okay midweek, don't think Schneiderlin should be risked. Hopefully Gomes will have had both a rest and time to reflect on his non-productive spell at Villa.

We need our front 4 to take their chances and Calvert-Lewin, for me, is the weak link. He's improved massively but he's never going to be a finisher. Just look how bad and costly his miss was against Villa viewed from behind the goal - Link

Pickford
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne
Iwobi, Sigurdsson, Delph, Richarlison
Kean, Calvert-Lewin

Keep hearing that we are solid at the back, but sometimes I don't believe everything I read, and it's still the middle of our defence, which worries me the most.

A win would be massive because it would really buoy the fans, and if this team is to develop, then the fans are really going to be the most important thing at Everton this season.

Let's just hope the players can do enough to get the supporters right behind them, because if they can, then I'm sure our crowd will help us take care of the rest.

As far as predictions go? It could be pretty entertaining. I can't see a clean sheet tomorrow but a close game, and will go for 2-1 win, perhaps coming from behind again now we have shown we can actually do it. COYB, IMWT.

I appreciate his qualities but would like to see Kean start tomorrow. It's going to be a tough game, but I feel optimistic and am excited to see how we lineup. Delph is a certainty for me.

If we continue work the flanks, seemingly endlessly under Silva, looking for the perfect cross then I think we won't score.

We need to add variety, chosing the flanks when we counter as that's where the space will be behind their wing-backs. But we need to keep the ball and commit in the middle and most importantly down the side of a centre back.

Kean starts over Calvert-Lewin, in a tight game you a player who can create for himself. The latter is far too reliant on the system.

Iwobi has earned a start and Richarlison and Sigurdsson need to sit a game.

Kean, Bernard & Iwobi. That front three needs to be narrow and high, it will occupy their back three.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Delph Bernard
Iwobi Kean Richarlison

Pace and creativity IMO, but will need Gomes and Bernard to shine.

Suspect the usual 4-2-3-1 though. If so, hopefully Kean or Tosun in for DCL, Richie on the left and Iwobi or Bernard tried again on the right or both in place of misfiring Siggy. If no-one grabs that right hand side, bring Antony Gordon through and give him a few games?

Wolves will be on a high after Torino, and I don't think they'll be fatigued as perhaps many teams can be after, 2 games in 4 days.

My gut tells me that he could also start with Alex too, and Siggy, Bernard could make way, but Marco Silva will soon want to have a team that picks itself.

Schneids, aside from Palace has been steady, and I hope Andres takes stock from the Villa game and goes from strength to strength.
It's a must win, and I'm taking a Moise to open his goal scoring account for EFC, tomorrow.

Hopefully we'll see a good match and EFC victory.

Pickford
Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne
Delph, Gomes, Sigurdsson
Bernard, Calvert Lewin, Richarlison

I think we will need to be more disciplined against wolves, and so Dom will get the nod – He may not be a clinical finisher, but we need his ability to bring others into play. Bernard and Digne have a good understanding, as do Seamus and Richarlison who should be on it after his goal midweek. There's a possibility Gylfi might get dropped, but would that be for Bernard orIwobi, with the other playing on the left. That is if Marco Silva isn't tempted to see if we can use Delph's distribution to free Gomes and Sigurdsson and get them involved a bit more.

Anyway, it will be a tough game, they could be leggy after the European exploits, could go either way, but I can see ya winning.

Mind you the team we are about to play, would probably call it a Wolf Pack! Howling at the Moon!

I think Bernard and Kean could play well together, with Bernard looking to feed him a pass for Kean to run through the defence.

Games like these need a bit of class to break through. For all DCL's fantastic efforts I have saw enough of Moise Kean to think there is more of threat with him. He is still finding his feet and still to get to peak fitness, but I want to see him start and to get that fitness through playing matches. Goals will come.

Iwobi and DCL have done nothing wrong and the starters whoever they are need to perform or they will be sidelined.

Would like to see an attacking line up:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Gomes Delph Sigurdsson
Iwobi Kean Richarlison

Look where we will be if we lose tommorow, same points as the team in 17th.

A lot of other favorable results. We need to capitalize and take three points. We'd jump up the table to a position we should be in.

Just to let you know, the last time Everton won after falling behind in a match.

December 2017, managed by Sam Allardyce, a 3-1 win over Swansea City.

Disgraceful record.

And frankly, given the wat ManU, Chelsea, Spurs and Arsenal are playing this year, there won't be an easier time to break into the Champions League spots for ages.

Iwobi was unlucky not to score against Villa and could easily have had more than one against Lincoln. That level of threat cannot be ignored so I think he will get the nod ahead of Bernard.

Richarlison was much improved on Wednesday and his goal will work wonders for confidence and match fitness. I think he will play in his strongest position on the left.

That just leaves Kean vs Calvert-Lewin and I think DCL will get the nod because he holds it well and rarely gives possession away. Against a team like Wolves with their counter-attack threat, giving up possession when we are well up the pitch could be suicidal. Personally I would prefer Kean to start because he poses a greater goal threat but as I say, I think it will be Calvert-Lewin:

My predicted line up;

Pickford
Coleman. Keane. Mina. Digne
Delph. Schneiderlin. Sigurdsson
Iwobi. Calvert-Lewin. Richarlison

We still have a very strong bench with; Gomes, Bernard and Kean all available.

I am not going to try and predict the result but will very disappointed if we don't win.

Who needs a Latchy?

Richarlison was kept on for the entire Lincoln tie and produced at the end so I reckon he gets the nod, but its good for the team that Iwobi now provides competition and its 3 into 2.

Looking at City today, the composure in the box is what separates them from the rest. The build up play yes, but the composure is Pep and Arteta taught.

That top six is there for the taking, if Silva plays the players that create and make a difference. That means Kean & Iwobi creating chances for themselves and others, creating space for Richarlison & Sigurdsson to thrive.

We'll create more and will probably give the ball away more, so hopefully Delph will be in there to get it back.

It's about the mindset of the team for me. That's the bit I don't quite trust yet. I'm hoping Delph will make at least part of the difference in that regard.

Also, a previous poster mentions Calvert-Lewin ‘working his socks off' and ‘always being a handful' unfortunately, only one of those statements is true.

Full support for tomorrow. Another close one beckons. Play with pace please Marco.

That means Kean.

A better side would be taking points off them, but still time to even things out, I still don't think they are that special, but Man City are a different matter altogether.

Tony @ 66, yes be interesting who wins the starting slot between Calvert-Lewin and Moise Kean, I suspect it will be Calvert-Lewin with the intention of keeping their defenders on their toes, or pulling players out of position.

As for goal threat, he may surprise us and slot one in, he is overdue one, mind you he will surprise himself too if he does. Really liking Alex Iwobi the more I see of him, he knows where the goal is and not afraid to have a dig, also impressed with Delph, hope he gets the nod too.

It's now a given that our lovely neighbours will score at least 2 every game.

'A fanatical or enthusiastic follower' and uses the example: "He is a devotee of football".

I believe I used to qualify for that description at one time. I'm afraid, however, that I'm no longer fanatical and my enthusiasm has waned somewhat, although,, at the age of 81 and not enjoying an A1 health rating I still attend Goodison as a season ticket holder. I give my support to whatever team is selected, [of course I favour some players above others], and if Dominic Calvert-Lewin is selected, I suppose you could class me as a Calvert-Lewin devotee.

I also checked the word 'Sarcastic' that is described as, 'Using harsh, bitter words intended to hurt or insult, especially in an exaggerated or ironical way", I would much rather be regarded as a devotee than be deemed sarcastic.

It just feels right, maybe its because Delph and Iwobi look like very good purchases. Kean naturally needs a little longer but I think he's shown enough to promise goals in the future.

Whatever, we definitely look a stronger squad on paper than last year and I think Wolves are going to get turned over.

“This was their ninth match in 36 days since they kicked off their season at the end of July but no one at Molineux is grumbling about a heavy workload. Perhaps it will take a toll later in the season, but Nuno thinks otherwise. “This is what we want” he said. “We want to play and play. We use games as a tool for us to grow as a team.””

A great attitude, but at home with the proper approach and application we can beat them. I wouldn't presume to pick Silva's side, he has options, let's hope he gets them right.

The position that you put Sigurdsson in has to be a box to box runner in that formation and he isn't that. His problem is you can't really put him anywhere in any variation of 4-3-3. Only Tom Davies can fill that position or we need to abandon that formation. That is the problem we have, Silva is committed to 4-3-3 yet Sigurdsson can't play it.

I watched Salah, play the Charity Shield game, like it was a World Cup final, and hope that their three front players suffer a bit of burnout as the long season progresses.

Hopefully we can do the opposite, but we really need the fans on-side for this to happen, which is why I think getting 3 points tomorrow is vital.

Let Calvert-Lewin start, and hopefully occupy the Wolves defence, and then let Kean come on and score the goals that it seems Dominic is not capable of, or let it be the other way around, as long as “The Team” wins.

The window is closed; the squad, although much better, is still short, so the best thing that we can do as fans is support the players, especially if they work hard for the shirt.

*Sings* "Champions league, we're havin' a laugh. ChampionsLeague we're havin' a laugh."

I wasn't really intending it as a 4-3-3 but agree that's what it looks like. I guess I am so used to seeing that Silva wants us playing in a 4-3-3 formation. The actual formation seems to end up more like 4-2-3-1 or at least something similar.

What I was really getting at is that Siggy seemed more comfortable with Delph playing than Gomes. I know it was ‘only Lincoln' but he was much better as was Schneiderlin.

Link
Head down straight for goal, creates space with a little shimmy, and aims for the only space in the goal available to him - top right hand corner. He will score plenty for us and I hope he opens his account tomorrow.

Actually we are Everton and a win is expected. Just get on with it.

Wolves where on par or slightly better than us last season, this game will show whether we have progressed.

TBH... I'm not holding my breath.

How much time are we prepared to give Silva to bed in his new players? I think if we can beat Wolves it would make a few people look up and realize we are real challengers. If we don't, are we just headed for another building season?

Here in Toronto, the Blue Jays baseball team have had a big losing season but fans have accepted this year as a building season as they have got rid of nearly all their players from the last few years and replaced them with top up-and-coming young players. The hope is they will have as many wins and losses next season and will be contending team in 2 years time.

Football doesn't want to wait that long. Silva is steadily rebuilding his team with players who have basically failed to make it at other clubs and has got rid of most of our younger players.

What is the tipping point when we and Mr Moshiri think building time is over and we want to to be a winning team. I think today may be a good indication of when that tipping point will come.

I think Iwobi has shown enough to be a starter and I believe Kean's home debut will get the crowd up for it. I think we also need to think about our two top scorers so its either Sigurdsson or Davies depending on formation,

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Davies Schneiderlin Delph
Richarlison Kean Iwobi

OR

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Schneiderlin Delph
Sigurdsson
Richarlison Kean Iwobi

While he may smile and rationalize if we lose, I am more likely to rant and rave and blame most of the world and chase the dog out of the house. Basically I am still the same in my eighties as I was when I was in my teens. In fact I dislike losing more than ever. John knows all of this as he emails me. I actually listen to his advice but just don't follow it. I still like and respect him.

Perhaps I am just a grumpy old man but I really do enjoy being one!

Jamie #65, Iwobi played mostly on the right side in that game against us last season.

Tony #84, I just think a player should have to earn a starting spot. Sidibe looked good, but he hasn't proven himself superior to Seamus.

John #92, I hope to be one someday too. I will thoroughly enjoy it.

Quality post sir

Looks like all the post numbers changed since my last post, but I hope you guys figured out who I was responding to.

Wolves is a team that likes to control the psyche and we should avoid this at all cost. I'd go for the following to take the game to them!

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Delph Gomes Bernard
Iwobi Kean Richarlison

Subs: Sigurdsson, Calvert Lewin, Sidibe, Schneiderlin and Stekelenburg

If we can start scoring we will do okay.

I think Calvert-Lewin will start today and I'm okay with that. His work rate and play outside the box is excellent, one goal for confidence and we could see a whole new Calvert-Lewin. I just don't want to see Walcott anywhere near the pitch again.

Buzzing here, sitting in airport waiting for first trip to Goodison this season. So no live forum for me today. COYB

Iwobi Kean Richarlison
Bernard
Gomes. Delph
Digne Mina Keane Coleman
Pickford

The lack of goals and shots on target is the biggest issue. Maybe this is the game to try Bernard in that No 10 or 'David Silva' role instead of Sigurdsson, who has had a slow start to the season.

I think that, if Iwobi and Richarlison are reminded in no uncertain terms of their defensive responsibilities, that team could have balance and have a serious attacking threat. It could offer our best quality attack.

The top 6 is there to be challenged for this season. Leicester are up for it, and we should definitely go for it too, with confidence and an attacking set-up and mentality .

The game will follow a similar pattern of Everton initially dominating possession and Wolves setting up shop and forcing Everton wide. After that, Wolves will push up into midfield. Everton will be tested with the same tactics as last season, so Silva should no what's coming.

Can he pick the tactics and players to counteract Wolves? That is the big test for him.

It's all down to how well we play. When we play well, we never worry about the opposition.

Of course, it's impossible to say what the result will be. It's also possible that the posts who are 'overly worried' about Wolves, and predict that we'll lose or at best draw, are simply trying to manage their own expectations so as to minimise disappointment in the event of a bad result. Understandable if you're an Evertonian.

The game is also no more pivotal than any other game. The aim is to win, each game at a time. The more games we win, the higher up the table we get. If we lose, we can still get high up the table by winning more future games.

It all sounds obvious, but sometimes you have to state the obvious.

Strange day for me - - my wife Gosia is in Poland and I have to pick her up at the airport this evening - - after the game - - so I have to take my car - - but I cannot/do not drink these days - - lemonade in The Dark House - - I will drive along Scottie - - passing my old home, schools, and haunts of the 50's and 60's.

Just had a look across The River from my top room - - bit cloudy but I can still see the roof of the Main Stand: listening to some music as I write to get me ready - - to set me up for the day:

“When I wake up in the morning, love
And the sunlight hurts my eyes
And something without warning, love
Bears heavy on my mind
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
A lovely day
When the day that lies ahead of me
Seems impossible to face
When someone else instead of me
Always seems to know the way
Then I look at you
And the world's alright with me
Just one look at you
And I know it's gonna be
A lovely day
A lovely day”

So will have to leave early for this KO and parking - - normally my wife drops me at the door of TDH - - got my camera ready for my Matchday Photos of the good and great in TDH:

“Zippin' up my boots
Goin' back to my roots, yeah
To the place of my birth
Back down to earth
I've been standing in the rain
Drenched and soaked with pain
Tired of short term benefits
And being exposed to the elements
I'm homeward bound
Got my head turned around”

Just closed my eyes for a moment - - let myself drift - - up into the mystic - - on the astral - - memories memories - - going to Goodison and TDH always triggers my memory - - Monday Night at Reeces by Owen Owens - - Soul Night - - my shot green silk suit - - tapered back vent - - parallels with 1 inch turn ups - - lemon button down Ben Sherman shirt - - black silk hankie in the top pocket - - ox blood “comos” - - dancing with Mary Walsh - - Oh Man:

“When you wake up early in the morning
Feelin' sad like so many of us do
Hum a little soul, make life your goal
And surely something's got to come to you
And say it's all right
Say it's all right
It's all right, have a good time
'Cause it's all right, whoa, it's all right
Now everybody clap your hands
Give yourself a chance
You got soul and everybody knows
That it's all right, whoa, it's all right”

Being an Evertonian is like being a soul man - - just listening to Marvin Gaye - - he must have been a Blue:

“Honey/Everton, you do me wrong but still I'm crazy about you
Stay away too long and I can't do without you
Every chance you get you seem to hurt me more and more
But each hurt makes my love stronger than before
I know flowers go through rain
But how can love go through pain?
Ain't that peculiar?
A peculiar-arity
Ain't that peculiar, baby?
Peculiar as can be”

Put it on for a minute and just float up into the astral - - into the mystic - - make you feel good.

You can fill yourself with optimism - - there was a research item in the news this week that said optimists live longer than others - - me - - I'm 70 in about 10 weeks - - but who cares - - life is beautiful - - been watching Everton since 1959 - - good times and bad times - - but whatever - - It's Great To Be An Evertonian :

“Cool jerk, cool jerk
Cool jerk, cool jerk
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
We know a cat who can really do the cool jerk
Well, this cat they talkin' about, I wonder who could it be?
'Cause I know I'm the happiest cat
The happiest cat you ever did see
When they see me walkin' down the street (hey, hey, hey)
None of the fellas want to speak (hey, hey, hey)
On their faces they wear a silly smirk 'cause they know I'm the king of the cool jerk, whoo”

Just put Jackie Wilson on - - - wow - - Higher and Higher.

This is my way of getting ready for the game - - will get into TDH and see all my friends - - Mick will give me my 4-0 betting slip - - The Irish Gang will be in the corner - - John Potter on “his” stool” - - Dave standing at the bar with his pint - - The Kirkby Gang - - Gaffer - - Sammy and his gang sitting in the “couie” - - George and Alistair in the back room - - The Gin and Tonics I call them - - my daughter Helen who has been coming to the game with me for 40 years and my grandson Liam (home and away) who has been coming for 20 years - - this is history - - this is belonging - - it's real - - it's love - - no need for full kit crap - - no selfie sticks or flags here - - real people supporting their Club.

Got to go now - - shower and shave and off under The River - - sending Cosmic Blue waves out to All True Blues - - Keep Them “Posso” Waves Man - - Up The Blues.

I make a little live video before I leave for the game - -have a look at it here - - - Link - - if it doesn't work go to FB - The Dark House Blues - - Keep It Cool but mainly Keep It Cosmic.

We are only allowed 11 on the pitch & 7 subs so out of a squad of 23 plus 3 youngsters, 8 players will be sitting in the stands. This is a fact of life.

My team would be:-
Pickford,
Coleman, Keane, Mina, Digne,
Delph, Gomes,
Iwobi,
Richarlison, Kean, Bernard,

Neither Sigurdsson nor Schneiderlin deserve a start but should be on the bench. Add to that a goalkeeper, that only leaves 4 more places. 2 attackers & 2 defenders?

Here's hoping for a win for the Blues to make it truly memorable for you.

We are asked to assume that none of Brands's 'magnificent seven' did any summer training at their previous clubs and that the 'Everton Way' is so full of mystic that Christmas will be here before these new boys are ready for action.

Of course, Silva and all of us know that's bollocks and, just as he did last year, Silva is saving his bullets whilst he needlessly proves that last season's team minus two is severely lacking but better things await around the corner. He hopes.

Mist and Mirrors all of it.

Watching both City and the other lot they are way way in front of the rest, both have fast strong goal scorers in their front 3 places, I think both Spurs and Arsenal also have lots of goals in their front 3 players but lack the overall quality of the front 2 clubs.

Hi Martin [80] Mike [102] Keiran [103] I appreciate your comments, but feel that the stance I adopted is exactly what any Evertonian would do. In my childhood/young adult days, if anyone insulted an Everton player I took it as a personal insult, and it seems that I have retained that attitude in my dotage years.

I felt that I was duty-bound to defend the honour of Gary Speed, from what I thought was a savage attack on his character, but as an apology has been extended I consider the matter closed.

Hi John [101] I had difficulty sending you an e-mail, I had actually made four attempts, and in the end I sent attempt No.3 which I retrieved from my draft mail, it was recorded as sent so I presume that it eventually reached you, Thank you for your character reference, my 'Young Lady' thinks it's a case of mistaken identity, I'm off to the match in a few minutes and I hope to hear from you soon.

Let's just enjoy it. I'll be cheering them on from my dining room table, I hope there's lots of noise all around the Old Lady.

I hope he starts Kean & Iwobi and we take the game to them.

Have a great day, Bill!

I would be disappointed if Kean didn't start. For all of Calvert-Lewin's work ethic, at the end of the day, the main job of a striker is to score. He's not a finisher and, if starting, should have support as he has the ability to bring people into play. However, I can't remember the last time Everton started a league game with 2 up top.

We simply don't score enough goals, end of. Need something new up front and the likes of Calvert-Lewin, Tosun, Walcott aren't the answers.

Iwobi and Kean offer something different from the usual.

There have been a few who have gone to the match recently as they're first occasion, and if memory serves, there have been wins, although we won't hold you responsible should it be any different today Bill, but I sincerely hope a win is what you witness. Enjoy it mate!

He seems to have more to offer than Calvert-Lewin who has had his chances. Why persist with someone who isn't getting the job done? Sure, he works hard... but so did Tosun and Niasse with the same ineffective results.

Wednesday's team selection surprised not only me but a few others, and apart from the opening blip, it was a positive one, let's hope to see the same positivity in today's turn-out.