Holgate to miss Spurs trip

This is going to be a tough one. Mourinho to go cagey and keep it tight and feel his way in. We need to do the same, otherwise they could pick us off on the counter. If we can keep it level going into the last 30 minutes, then James could come on to make something happen late in the game. Yes, I expect him to start on the bench.

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
Allan Gomes Doucoure
Walcott Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

I expected a bit more detail about Mason's toe and how long he would be out for. It's a bit concerning he only ‘thinks' Mina will be available, Jarrad better bring his boots on Sunday he may well be needed at some stage.

Steve , I think you have got the starting line up right there.

Steve

Isn't Gomes injured? he was sent home by Portugal. I'd have though James is fitter at this point. If Carlo wants to work James in I would imagine Sig would be the man to play. Not that I would want that but just based on my sixth sense

I'll be surprised if more than one of our newbies start, they've been training less than a week. Gomes I reckon was one of those mysterious injuries players suffer on international duty to miraculously be fine for their club.

I'm not overly confident at getting a result against spurs, I'd take a draw at this stage given their firepower and our goalkeeper. So looking forward to seeing the new signings. I've not been this excited since we got Lukaku.

Who was it a few seasons ago who did something familiar and was out for months? I remember us doing daily updates on his big toe. I hope Mason is back soon as he's our best CB by a country mile.

Kieran, Gomes has trained as normal since arriving back from Portugal. He just had a bit of a knock, apparently. It might also be that they just didn't think he was up to a game, maybe he's still not 100%, he certainly looked hit and miss since coming back.

As for Sigurdsson ahead of Gomes, you may very well be right. Particularly if Gomes is not 100%, and I'm not talking fitness wise here. He might be fit, but just not be back to his best.

Dan, Carlo already said that Allan is ready, and he's been with us since before signing last Friday. Doucoure declared himself fit and ready last night. James looks fit and ready. The former two, though, should be more match fit, and perhaps, James might need to feel his way back into regular first team football and a game against Mourinho's Spurs is not the right one to start in.

Gomes came back not fit so unlikely to start. That leaves Doucoure and Allan in midfield with Walcott and Bernard. Up from Ric and Calv.

Steve, Agree with your line up with just one change.. would love to see Iwobi in the hole playing behind DCL & Richy instead of walcott.. Seriously, I have seen him play wonderful through passes at Arsenal...

Kieran, you barely have 5! Even I had enough sense to read Lyndon's write up stating that Carlo says Gomes (and Mina) are available... and I have very little sense at all. I hope you're wrong about Siggy starting (he's not my fave) but you never know - he and our other midfielders might respond positively to being effectively replaced. Stranger things have happened- like in that film where Bruce Willis befriends a young boy (weird enough already) but doesn't realise he's dead until the end I forget the name of that film.

Colin

I think it was Yerry Mina? I know Keane injured his toe but he kept playing.

Steve

Yeah I see Docuore playing. The advantage he has is that he is well established in the prem. Whereas James being new here, Carlo may worry about Jose sending someone out to do a hatchet job on him and shake him up before he gets going.

I don't see much of a role for Bernard, Iwobi. With the three new guys in midfield none of them are wide boys. So four across the middle won't work. I suspect 4-3-3 with Walcott or Kean as the the third. Or wingbacks providing width with two up top. Either way I don't see where Bernard or Iwobi come into the picture.

This has got draw written all over it. Neither team will want to lose.

Long time before Mina, Kieran. It might've been Phil Neville or Tim Cahill. It was during the Moyes era.

Duncan

lol. On Mina he said Carlo "thinks" Mina will be ready. Based on Mina's track record, if I see Mina anywhere other than in action I assume he is or will be unfit. So the "thinks" part is like a chasm of doubt to my mind.

I believe this is a good game for James to get in from the bench, and even better if it's still even. Good opposition would suit him.

In his joint presser with James, Carlo was specifically asked if he was happy with his full back cover (Nkounkou and JJK). He specifically replied that he was.

He was also asked if more incomings can be expected. Of course, he is not going to say an out and out 'yes'. Rather, he said the three signings we've made are what we wanted. The window closes on 5th October and maybe there could be more business if an opportunity arises, but he stressed he was happy with what he has.

James again impressed with his answers. Specifically asked how influential was Carlo Ancelotti's presence at the club in his signing for the Blues, he simply replied 'Mucho.' A lot.

James again impressed in his answers. His desire. His understanding of 'the project'. The need to win things at Everton.

Full presser here. Forward it to around 9m 30s to get to the actual presser.

Carlo & James Presser pre-Spurs

If we play a 4231 or 433 Siggy plays as an attacking midfielder he will do well, where is falls down is when hes asked to play defensive midfield, when he played there in 2018/19 he scored 12-13 goals with a similar number of assists (this is from memory but its about right). Even last year although he was far from good he he was at the top or close to the amount of yards covered per game, so hes not lazy. He is just a crap defensive midfielder.

As for holgate ive just got this horrible feeling its going to be one of those injuries that just seams to go on for ever.

Gomes was sent back with a small knock, he wasnt going to play so portugal alowed him to go back to the club, hes been training as normal.

As for the game on Sunday, does anybody know if the same conditions exist as implemented for the rump end of the locked-out conclusion of last season?

That is, the away teams travel and play the same day, rather than overnight as would be the case in normal conditions?

This is a considerable mitigating circumstance that hinders the away team and helps the home team.

The last game v Spurs was a dreadful affair. Both teams extremely poor, only won on a fortunate deflected own goal by Keane.

Being the first game of a new season in a completely different football calendar and so little time for a proper pre-season, it's anybody's guess how games will go.

Be nice to see some of the new boys play right from the off though.

Anyone watched the behind the scenes series on Spurs and Mourhino.

Mourhino is encouraging them to be dirty bustards out on the pitch which may explain Sons tackle on Gomes last season.

I believe what goes around comes around and I wouldn't be disappointed if Son gets clattered early doors. Kane has looked short of pace since his injury but I am concerned about Moura and Son who can both run at defences and score goals.

I don't rate Mat Doherty nor Davies neither of whom are a patch on Kyle Walker and Danny Rose so I hope we can exploit the full back areas and with Vertonghen now gone and LLoris in decline I hope we can get a few.

Cant see us keeping a clean sheet so i'll go with 2-1 to us in a tight boring game.

Steve Ferns @ 1. Rodríguez will start and should start and he should play in the number 10 role. The team should and will be
Pickford
Coleman
Mina
Kean
Deign
Walcott
Dacoure
Allan
Richarlison
Rodríguez
DCL

James will start. We don't have the depth to not start him, especially against the better teams.

More concerning, the pairing of Keane and Mina, which has never inspired confidence. Kane will be licking his lips. I would expect it to be:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina Digne
James Allan Doucoure Iwobi
DLC Richarlison

Jay @ 18.

Carlo is asked in today's presser if he watched the Spurs documentary. He smiled and said he had, that it was typical of every professional football club and that Mourinho shows himself to be a good 'dressing room manager'.

And so it begins.....

Jay (18) Mourinho clearly told his players to take out Richarlison at every opportunity when we played them late last season.

He got fouled a number of times.

Carlo should be taking a leaf out of that unpleasant ex Manure manager Ferguson this weekend by calling in advance for "a strong referee." Putting a bit of pressure on the officials often worked for the Manure.

Jay,
Dont know if you can get the series or have watched it but I'm up to episode 4 and after Jose's initial motivational speech it seems some of the players are still disenchanted and Mourhino gives the same team talk before every game.

" I want you to play with confidence, grit and determination" and it wears off after a few games especially losses and there's even a couple of games where he asks Kane to do the team talk.

Thanks for that Covid link BTW it was very enlightening. I went for a retest yesterday and am Hoping to be cleared for normal service to resume although I do still get tired once ive been up for a couple of hours.

Hope you and the family are still doing ok..

Not at all what I expected but very interesting nonetheless with plenty of industrial language thrown in.

Colin

I remember Cahill has Metatursal problems for a long time but didn't Hibbert have some kind of a "knock" also that mean he was "doubtful for the next game" every week for about the last two years of his career.

Kieran, good point about Mina's fitness. We have a few like that in our squad unfortunately.

Extra strong shin pads for Richy. If Mina starts I wonder what the odds are on him coming off due to a strained muscle at some stage ? Expect Branthwaite to play a part at some stage.

My team
Pickford, Coleman, Mina, Keane, Digne
Walcott, Allan, Doucoure, Gordon.
DCL, Richarlson

Would take the draw now and no more injuries.

No Jay, I haven't seen the Spurs documentary yet. Still looking for a source.

Nice to hear you are doing well. I hope the test results give you a clean bill of health. Got my 'sign off' from the neurologist just yesterday. After four months of deeply frustrating symptoms which prevented me from performing anything like a 'normal life', the last 3 weeks I've been symptom and drug-free. A corner definitely turned.

Glad you found the article interesting. As for this quote at the end:

'Not at all what I expected but very interesting nonetheless with plenty of industrial language thrown in.'

Are you talking about the Spurs documentary or the CV-19 article???!!! If the latter, I think I may have sent you the wrong link!

Keep safe! Keep healthy!

Jay Harris

I feel like Jose has really done a number on Spurs. They were style wise a halfway house between City and the RS but he has turned them into a dour Moyes type of side. Hojberg, being the typical kind of industrious but limited player to destroy dreams. Consequently, I am not anywhere as worried about their goal threat as I was when the smashed us at Goodison a few years back.

According to Lampard Tomori won't be loaned out. Chelsea won't lend him to us because it would simply strengthen one of their rivals. Apparently we could get Branislav Ivanovic for free. He's 36 but so was Gough and he turned out ok. I'm sure he would do as some extra cover on a one season contract.

Really good to get the season started. And with the new recruits we can go to WHL feeling in good shape. Mourinho absolutely will target Richarlison. But we now have more quality, a range of optiond and hopefully a midfield that can give it back too. Hopefully Allan and Rodriguez will also help us stand up to referees too. Kenny seems like that sort of player too. We've been far too accepting for too long.

Should be a fairly cagey, even game. Maybe a 1-1.

Back to Holgate - a top centre back in the making and a leader at a young age. But he has been poor in the pre-season games v Blackpool and Preston.

Several dreadful mistakes in the first game and, in the second game, he got injured diving into a tackle after he'd lost control of the ball. Hopefully, he can recover the form he showed last season.

Just hope Martin Atkinson is fully clued up about Mourinho's systematic, rotated fouling on Richarlison.

With our new players giving us some much needed toughness, shape and creativity, hopefully Tottenham will have a bit more to worry about than Just Richie this time.

Jay Harris @18, you can't blame Mourinho for Son's tackle. Pochettino was still manager. I can still hear him defending his angel “Sonny” who's “just not that type of player”.

Frank Crewe

Gough did a job for us but the task then was simply to avoid the drop. Ivanovic's is past it his mind has totally gone.

I'd be very surprised if Allan doesn't start. James I suspect will come off the bench. Doucouré I have no idea.

Duncan @9 Stranger things have happened but you do realise that That Bruce Willis film didn't really happen. It's fiction. Sixth Sense was the name of the film.

Superman spinning the world backwards was also pretty strange.

James might well play on Sunday - but, if not, there is a EFL cup game on Wednesday next week, so he may get his debut then.

Spurs have deteriorated a bit and somehow it coincided with the loss of form of Christian Erickson, and injuries to Kane and Alli.

Yes Kane is back and a threat but the centre back partnership they had in Alderwireld and Vertonghen was very strong and that has also deteriorated.

Having said all that It's never been much of a happy hunting ground for Everton but without a crowd and both teams probably with newer faces, it's more than likely be a scrappy game.

If Everton's defence can play soundly then they have a real chance of getting something.

It's going to be even harder to watch the league cup match on Wednesday with the new signings running out at Goodison. It was hard watching Everton playing at home without being there, but not being able to welcome the new players will be even harder.

Start all 3 new signings if they're fit. The only way to get match fit is minutes on the pitch.

We need to show intent and get winning from the off. Starting with anything close to last seasons midfield would be an absolute disgrace.

Mina and Keane at the back will be fine if the midfield does its job. A bit of debut magic from someone and we could easily get the win.

The old Yerry Mina injury prone thing.

He played 29 times last season. Had he not been rushed back due to Holgate's injury in post-lockdown, that could have been more.

Also, Gibson will play ahead of Branthwaite, I am sure, if they're both still here.

Could've been Hibbo, Kieran 👍

Jay #18,

You don't rate Matt Docherty? Try having a look at his stats from last season. I'm still shocked they sold him to Spurs.

I find it hard to see how Mina is match fit. Having said that, our midfield in front of him is 100% stronger.

Hope to see all three (Moneyball signings) play on Sunday.

One from a relegated team with ability
Two with ability but left out in the cold by current managers

Isn't this the type of player the stats man in the film would bring to Brad Pitt's attention.

Guess what happened to that team when it gelled?

With the players at our disposal, we should be looking to win every match.

What I want to see is a no glitz, pinch a goal, victory. No euphoria, just then move onto the next game, repeat and move on. Make us unbeatable in a business-like professional manner.

Leave the head-turning performances until the turn of the year. It's endurance we need, no settling for a draw, we just need to be clever and manage games.

Spurs are not what they were as I think they have deteriorated, whereas Everton have improved by the signings they have made.

It depends what formation Carlo plays as to who is in that midfield; however, I think Doucouré is a cert starter as he knows the game and is naturally fit.

Son is their danger man as he has a go himself or feeds Kane; if we can stop his runs we can pinch this one.

I predict 2-1 Everton and the Sky pundits sit up!

I find it hard to believe that, because we have new signings, they are not fit?? Why wouldn't they be fit? They are professional footballers who have been training with their respective clubs.

Let all 3 play if Carlo says they are fit enough. This midfield is going to be so strong! If Gomes gets to play in a 3, with Allan and Doucouré he'll look really good as he won't have to keep looking back in an attempt to protect Gylfi.

We can definitely win this game!! Come on!!!

My team away at spurs would be:
A 4-5-1 without the ball and a 4-3-3 with it.

Pickford

Coleman
Keane
Mina
Digne

James
Allan
Gomes
Doucouré
Richarlison

Calvert-Lewin

This is a really good positive thread for Evertonians but Tony E has just spoilt it for me by reminding us who the ref is on Sunday!

I'm looking forward to watching our new midfield players, and just pray it's with actions rather than words when thinking about the way Delph carried on early last season.

David Ellis (37). The film definitely did exist - I watched it from start to finish (despite my ‘mate' spoiling the twist). But you're right that it was fictional. It's a shame the £45million we spazzed on Siggy wasn't fictional money. Let's hope that this latest splurge turns out to be more productive.

If this was Moyes, we wouldn't see the 3 new signings in the starting line up until late October at the earliest.

Hopefully Carlo will get them in quickly as soon as considered fit enough not to pick up any stupid injuries. I mean, even if these 3 virtually stood still for 90 minutes it would be a huge improvement on the last season's midfield performances.

And thanks for clearing up the mystery of the film's title!!!! Brilliant

Kieran I agree after watching that series first few episodes his energy seems to have gone and he has always been defensive minded just like Moyes.

Steve I stand corrected I made 2 plus 3 equal 5 after watching Mourhino tell them to be dirty bastards.

I believe Allan and Doucouré have been match-fit and ready to go. Rodriguez is fit but hasn't had a game in a while so he may be on the bench unless he can prove his fitness before Sunday.

I believe our game is only available on Peacock in the US. Can anyone confirm?

Jay

So has Peacock taken over from NBC Sports. I'm caught up on Big Brother and Dr Who so I guess I'll switch out CBS or Britbox for Peacock.

Kieran I was using NBC Gold / NBC Sports last year. Just switched over to Peacock. Not sure how many games we'll be getting.

Yeah, Peacock is NBC's new streaming service, so they've moved all their Premier League content onto there from NBC Sports Gold this season. Annoyingly, I still don't see the matches listed anywhere on the site, but hopefully it'll be worked out this weekend. At least we aren't playing until Sunday, so we can see how it works on Saturday.

Steven/Bill

Cheers for the info. I didn't love the NBC Gold platform but overall I've liked the NBC coverage better than Fox with Max Bretos.

I hear you Bill. A bit disconcerting that I've paid for the premium and I cannot see any schedule.

Tony@50, "always look on the bright side" and all that, it could have been worse! Jon Moss perhaps?

Or is he in a retirement home for bent referees?

Matt #49, I agree with the team you have predicted except for Mina who cannot be anywhere near match fit. I think I would sooner start Lewis Gibson given the cover he will have with Allen and Doucoure.

Matt @ 49 - I would love to see that as our starting line up with Gomes pressing more forward and relieved of any tackling duties around our box!

I can't see Gibson getting the nod over Mina, this is a "top 7" game remember even if it is the first of the season. I'd expect both Carlo and Jose to be very cautious and look to keep it tight.

Don't expect a free-flowing, high-scoring game; a draw would be a good result for us (and that's not thinking negative before anyone kicks-off, just realistic).

I can see Allan and Doucouré starting with James coming on at some stage, probably for Gomes when he starts to get knackered and give away silly fouls.
COYB

I agree Rennie with regards to the tight game draw prediction. Either that or a set piece goal/ almighty defensive balls up, settles it.

Having read the posts above, it seems that the general consensus is that a draw is both considered likely, and also welcome. Difficult to predict as we don't know what formation or personnel that will be selected.

However, having said that, we are all buzzing on here about our new acquisitions, which I'm sure apart from those who's positions are under threat, are buzzing too, and I would imagine, feelings and spirits are high in the camp.

I don't believe that an away win in London, (a rarity I know, hitherto) is beyond the realms of a possibility, and would be a brilliant way to kick start our new season off in style.

COYB

Fkn hell lads - lets start the season thinking we're chasing the win. If we start getting roughed up then the draw would be welcome, but for me - it's 3 points on Sunday, 1 at a pinch and a loss? don't get me started. Just go for it - there's 37 more matches after this one so let's start as we mean to go on.

Jay #56 agreed. Allan and Doucoure will deffo play and with James it will depend on what Carlo has seen in training as to whether he is ready to start.
With Allan around Spurs will have plenty to think about if they target Richi again as he is unlikely to allow it to happen. I think Tom will start alongside Allan with Doucoure in between them moving further forward and James on the bench. Theo wide right purely because we don't have anyone else who is comfortable there.
It will be fascinating to see how Carlo intends to play now he has a midfield with aggression and creativity- it's very early days but Spurs will give us a good test.

Kim, would love 3 points and yes, let's hope we go for it. Just saying that a point against that miserable get would be a decent result.

Steven/Bill/Kieran, Peacock still hasn't posted its Prem schedule for tomorrow and I can't find a way to contact them -- even the "chat" feature is automated.

Glad we have a day to experiment with it before we play on Sunday.

Just seen the training photos today for the Spurs game on the Everton website, not one photo of Doucouré, so I assume he is not training yet, does anybody know?

Mike

Peacock is starting to sound like one of NBC's former employees. "We are going to build a platform, it's going to be huge, and we're not going to pay for it." OK nice but where the Hell is it?

We need to win the FA cup again!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Bd70tSNCuw&ab_channel=BritishPath%C3%A9

Mike/ Kieran just go into the Peacock app and search for premier league schedule.

Spurs V Everton is there.

Dont know why NBC is not showing such a high profile game.

The game is now in the "Live and Upcoming" on Peacock Premium

Peacock Premium info:

https://soccer.nbcsports.com/2020/09/11/nbc-sports-premier-league-schedule/?utm_tags=nbcsemail1002&mi_u=0F7720B2-1092-4A89-8EC6-872ACA6A474B

You do have to get Peacock Premium by the way for $5.99/ month replacing NBC sports gold

Jesus above.

Link

Jamie, I looked up, can't see him. Maybe when the clouds clear...

No matter what eleven starts the most important thing is that they defend properly as a solid unit when not in possession.

All too often last season they were all over the place making it much easier for the opposition to get to dangerous positions.

It may take a few games for the new lads to settle in so I am not expecting a blockbuster start and certainly hope they can avoid any more injuries etc.

Hahaha Will. Very good.

Jay #75, I swear those listings were not there four hours ago. Maybe my nasty email woke 'em up. Anyway, glad to see it.

Jamie #79, if he's up above me now, he's choking on orange ash.

Erm...I switched to Peacock last Sunday, all the content was there, maybe they serve the East coast more promptly!!! 😜

Tom, 81:

Exactly as I see it. It all needs to build from there. Doucouré and Allan should go 75% of the way to achieving this if they perform.

Yep, looks like the match links are now up on Peacock, so we Yanks should be good to go. Whew!

As to Jay's question, I'm not sure why NBC isn't showing the match, especially since it's the only one on at that time. I'm guessing they're contractually obligated to stream a certain number of matches on Peacock, and the week 1 schedule is wonky because the two Manchester matches were postponed.

Bill #87, the game may also have conflicted with NBCSN's contractual commitment to Mecum Auto Auctions.

Yes, I'm kidding.

Mike - ha ha, I saw that and was initially confident it would eventually be updated to Everton/Spurs.

Well, I checked the guide last night and it *had* been updated... to Arsenal vs West Ham. I was obviously confused, until I realized... it's the Women's Super League!

Changes bloody changes.

I was quite used to NBC sports gold and the annual renewable subs.

Anyway we haven't lost an opening game in 8 seasons and we haven't beaten Spurs since 2010. Aren't we due at least a bit of luck.

Is Peacock doing the same as NBC Gold, where if the game is on the TV, they aren't going to have it streamed? I cut the cord years ago and have to deal with dodgy links if it's live on one of the NBC channels. I'd love to not have that issue this year.

Also, the only place I've found the Peacock App other than mobile is on XBox. I understand that they are still in talks with other platforms like Samsung Smart TV's.

Kristina, I have a Samsung and a Vizio and the Peacock App is on both.