Everton vs West Ham United

Mina has height but makes us all nervous as hell with his decision making and lack of pace. Someone on here called him Yerry across the Mersey last week. From what I've seen so far this season, Yerry and his pacemaker would be more apt.

It's this game that illustrates the limitations we have as a squad right now. Risking 5 or 6 changes will definitely be a risky thing to do. 2 or 3 maybe. Mina cannot be trusted obviously to play more then one game in a short period of time, meaning we continue to play the impressive Keane in every game and move Digne to centre-half due to a lack of options in that area due to injuries and a shortage in depth in that position.

On the positive side is this means we get to see Nkounkou again and get the chance to assess him against much better opposition. I think he will relish it and show once again that Brands has unearthed an absolute gem of a player. I would play Gordon in front of him - he is desperate to play and prove himself worthy of at least a place on the bench come Saturday against Brighton.

My team.
Pickford
Coleman
Keane
Digne
Nkounkou
Bernard
Allan
Doucoure
Gordon
Calvert-Lewin
Richarlison.

We may not have a squad capable of winning the Premier League yet but we definitely have a real opportunity in this cup competition of going all the way and winning it. COYBs.

I hope the rumours of Zouma are true and he comes back. He knows us and we seem to get along really well together.

Save James as "secret" weapon. Use Bernard. Keep Allan in. Use Davies and rest Doucouré. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison has to start. I'll give Gordon the nod over Iwobi. Start Kenny and rest Coleman.

Pickford
Kenny
Keane
Mina
Digne
Nkounkou or Gordon
Bernard
Allan
Davies
Calvert-Lewin
Richarlson

On paper, we should win fairly easily; but then again football isn't played on paper. If we field a decent starting 11, with enough quality on the bench to pull it out in the end if needs be, I see the score being 3-1 Blues.

West Ham have been clouded in chaos, and the media love making David Moyes appear totally inept.

But Moyes has actually done a decent job at West Ham considering. And some of his signings have been very good - Bowen, Souceck. In Antonio they have an excellent player, and a couple of wild cards in the form of Haller and Yarmalenko. Rice is also a good midfielder.

But we should be too good for them. What team Ancelotti goes for will be interesting. Will he risk the 3 signings? This is possibly our most viable option for silverware, and just imagine the ecstasy and relief that an early piece of silverware would provide for the rest of the season.

I expect maybe Allan and Doucouré will both play, and James will be on the bench. Bernard may play after his excellent performance last time.

This is no Sunday league opposition so I expect Carlo to beef up the team in midfield and have is preferred strike force upfront.

But, at last, I do believe that the stars are aligned for us. We have an ambitious billionaire owner (backed by an even more ambitious multi-billionaire in the background), who have appointed a stellar manager who has won absolutely everything at least twice and he is building a team that will be capable of consistently producing winning results, home or away against any opposition.

We just need to continue to believe and be patient (I hope).

The main problem we have is that by bringing in James/Allan/Doucoure we've changed to a system that doesn't favour some of our other players at all. We have no one who can really do the same job as James or Allan so we'd need to change the system to fit others in.

I'm just going to trust Carlo's judgement on this one and enjoy the game!

I wonder what side West Ham will field, will they also blood some fringe players or go pretty much full strength. After the games this weekend we go into an International break, so it would be great to go into the break with maximum points in the league and also progress in the Caraboa cup.

If you had to choose between winning against West Ham or Brighton which would you pick? I think i'd maybe go Brighton. To win 4 out of 4 in the league before the break would set us up so well for the rest of the season I feel.

But then a cup win is also long overdue! Hopefully we can win both.

I think it probably comes down to individual choices. For example both Rodrguez and Gomes have had a fair amount of injury problems over the last two years. Asking them both to play 3 game within a week may not be ideal. But the likes of Doucore and Allan are maybe a bit more robust. Calvert-Lewin had a slight strain last week so i'd not risk him.

Also I think the Carabao is an important opportunity to offer game time to fringe players who need to keep their eye in so they can be useful when we inevitably need them.

Pickford
Kenny Keane Digne Nkoukou
Doucore Allan Sigurddson
Richarlison Kean Gordon

We have to be really up for it to get through, Pickford and our defenders have to be on red alert from set pieces. Moyes will see each one as an opportunity.

All this means a slightly stronger team is needed to overcome West Ham. We need to win the midfield battles and get some control on the game. I think playing Delph on the left of the midfield three can give some cover for Nkounkou's dangerous sorties down that side.

Really looking forward to watching Gordon and Nkounkou against this much tougher opposition.

Pickford

Kenny Keane Mina Nkounkou
Doucoure Allan Delph
Richarlison DC-L Gordon

I would be tempted to play a strong side. I'd rest Rodríguez for Bernard who looked knackered by the end on Saturday, I'd give Nkounkou and Kenny a game with Digne playing CB. Other than that as it's been.

Pickford
Kenny Coleman Keane Nkounkou
Delph Doucoure Gordon
Bernard DCL Richarlison

SUBS: Virginia, Mina, Digne, Davies, Siggy, Iwobi, Kean

Ajay@32 has probably got it about right.

Only variation might be Davies for Doucoure and maybe Kean for Richarlison. I'd like to see him alongside DCL.

Things are looking up so why not field the strongest side.

Moyes would love to put one over on us and the Hammers seem to be playing better.

I still don't have much regard for this competition but when you get the winning feeling you just want it to continue no matter what.

The goal Everton conceded at Palace was like so many in the past and I wouldn't like to see Digne fill in the central defence especially as they have some tall guys who are good in the air.

This game may come down to penalties yet again so it becomes a lottery at that point.

No reason to be doubtful though. Admittedly, West Ham played an excellent game vs Wolves but, there again, Wolves allowed them an incredible amount of space all over the pitch (surprisingly). We might do so in some areas but not "the lot". On our right, we need to have Seamus. On our left I'd be happy with either Digne or Nkounko (pls excuse the spelling). Centrally, with Allan breaking things up I would likely choose Gordon and Sigurdsson. I'd tend to go with Keane and Mina as CDs, the latter because of height to cope with WH's aerial strength in set plays.

Up front, DCL supported by Bernard, Iwobi and a strong bench to include Richy, Kean and James. I'd have Pickford in goal for this one, too!

Just win it... finally... and make me cry!

What can I say but am a sensitive Cancerian.

I agree with Sam regarding the Brighton game preparation. Pickford in goal.

It is 'and/and' for me all day. Let's win v WHU AND win against BHA.

I have no doubts that is Carlo's approach as well.

He is taking the Carabao Cup very seriously. He surprised us with just how strong a team he selected last week v Fleetwood. After that game he said we are 3 games away from the final. This constitutes a serious declaration of intent IMO.

As others have already pointed out, with the international break after the Brighton game we have a full two weeks off. In October and November we revert to weekend only games, no mid-week fixtures.

This all points to Carlo naming a very strong starting XI v WHU. They, by contrast, have more of a selection conundrum IMO.

They played the last fixture of the weekend Sunday evening. Moyes would be risking a lot with the transfer window closing next Monday to ask fatigued bodies to play again so soon. Part of him will want to put one over us. His more pragmatic side may lean to protecting der Hammers PL status more than progress in the League Cup.

I haven't watched a single second of WHU this season, but reading reports they were unlucky at Arsenal and tore Wolves a new one as well as thumped five v Hull in the cup. They offer yet another different challenge to those we have already overcome.

But such is the buoyancy and quality of football from Everton this season, whatever the line ups, I fancy us strongly to progress. AND to beat Brighton on Saturday.

I would be tempted to give Pennington a shot rather than risk Luca out of position against Prem opposition.

Bolasie is on his way to Olympiacos.

To all those questioning why Moise isn't looking overjoyed when he is scoring, he obviously has a lot on his mind trying to juggle being a squad player for us and picking the team for the Hammers.

The slight worry at the moment has to be the number of games some of the players have been involved in already. Keane, Digne have played every match and even though theres an international window coming up most of these guys will be away with country duties. Colombia don't seem to have a game so I wouldn't be surprised if Mina started with Keane getting a break. Also Richi might get a break and be on the bench.

We really need another Centre half though. Hopefully we can get one wrapped up in the next few days and that gives him a few weeks to get him intergated before the RS game.

Anyway heres hoping for another win. COYB.

After Saturday, we get a weeks break before the Derby, let us keep the momentum going and field a strong side.

I would give Nkoundou and possibly Kenny and Gordon a run out, other than that, I would start with a strong midfield and forward line.

Sorry, but we have to rotate. We're in a title race!

Until then it becomes a competition for giving fringe players a chance to really shine although I suspect for many an experienced player their futures will remain the same- iffy !

I think Ancelotti will mix it a bit. Moyes will set up house expecting a similar Everton to play against, as we all know. . Ancelotti will make changes during the game and vary tactics, something that scares the life out of Dave.

The beginning of the third quarter I hope we get a look at Moyes face.

Steve #52

Steve I think he will play Pickford , he needs games. I hadn't thought about Kenny , but you are right. Sigurdsson maybe.

Who does Dacoure, represent at International level? just because Everton are not in action, it doesn't mean the likes of Richarlison & Rodríguez, wont be traveling back to South America to play in World Cup qualifiers next week.

This goes back to the days when there was a "First XI".

In those times league games were played weekly and cup games were allowed for in the schedule and slotted in at weekends throughout the season.

There was no European competitions, Internationals were primarily amongst the four home countries - played in the "close season" that generally lasted from late April to Late August.

The League cup was introduced in the 1960-61 season.

The European Cup was introduced in 1955 but was very different to today's tournament.

The cup winners cup was introduced in 1960 replacing the intercity fairs cup which ran for three years from 1955 to 1958.

So it is fairly easy to see that the need for a "squad" rather than a "first XI" has been growing since the early 1960's following the introduction of more European competitions and the EFL cup.

Add to this that the early days of the EFL cup the EFL did not allow any teams to "opt out" and also fined teams for playing perceived "under strength" sides early in the competition and the need fo recognised "squads" grew apace.

So, we arrive at today and as we often bemoan, only the very wealthy or most "attractive" clubs can gather and maintain a squad where the perceived "second string" is as good as the first, or in some cases better than the "first string" of other teams.

However, it is the system we are stuck with and with the number of competitions entered (even without European Football) and the intensity of the modern game, I believe it is impossible to play our "first XI" in every match without courting disaster.

Changes have to be made and managed, but I think Carlo is canny enough to make the right changes and have the right players on the bench, to meet most contingencies - at least I hope so.

He is French but has never played for them above under 21, though apparently he has just been called up for the first time now to represent Mali next week. Bad timing for us

I expect this to be a really difficult game unless we can score first.

In all seriousness, we do need to put out a strong lineup, and I believe Hammers will do the same for the same reason -- best chance for silverware this year. (Steve, I like your tongue-in-cheek quip, but no, we're not.) I do agree on Kenny, but if Mina's not playing, I think we have to go with Digne again in the middle. Stephen, no chance it'll be Pennington -- I just don't think Carlo has the slightest faith in him after his disastrous summer at Hull.

I really, really want to see Gordon start this game. And I'm with Robert, I'd like to see Kean up front with DCL and give Rich just a bit of a break. He was a tackling fiend last weekend.

Pickford.
Kenny, Keane, Digne, Nkounkou
Doucoure, Delph
Richarlison Sigurdsson Bernard
Calvert-Lewin

West ham have very nasty run of games, they will rest more in my opinion.

We might strike lucky on our South American contingent. Asia and Concaf qualifiers look to have been postponed, I think there's a doubt the Comebol games will go ahead?

Exception has to be made for Keane and Digne, because of our shortages there and I certainly wouldn't risk Mina in a game like this. He gets injured even when he isn't fatigued. Luckily we have a few back ups that I don't think will greatly weaken the team. Nkounkou may arguably strengthen it, certainly offensively. Gordon also looks to be champing at the bit. We can surely fashion a competitive midfield out of what we have, albeit we will miss the box to box talents of Doucoure and Allan's defensive terrier role. I might be tempted to play one of those, whichever of them says they are least tired. I'd try and fit Bernard in there, I think he's the best of that bunch of last year's misfits. Then have the likes of DCL, Richie on the bench in case we need the cavalry.

“However, a ball being deflected onto a player's arm when it is in a ‘natural' position would now be looked at differently.“

This from the OneFootball site.

Nick @61 that was gutting. I though our name was on it that year. We'd just knocked the RS out after the 4-4 and another replay win at Goodison. I think West Ham then went out to Forest. Also remember us losing to them on penalties in the FA cup 3rd round under Martinez having nicked a late equaliser at home. Their keeper hit the winning penalty. Wasn't McGeady sent off?

I like that team it looks strong, shame to leave Gordon out, but maybe give him the last 30 mins for Bernard.

When we last had a good run, the players response was that nothing can be judged until the first 10 league games. The same applies this season. If we are still competitive after that we can really believe and hope. Until then it is a work in progress.
Lets hope so but for the moment, we all need to focus only Winning on Wednesday which will be a tough test.

A solid squad tomorrow with enough options on the bench. If need be.

Unlike previous efforts in this Cup, Carlo is taking it serious.

Let's hope tomorrow is a night of success for EFC.

I can't see Zouma or Tomori coming either , but I wouldn't put it past Chelsea to string us along and leaving us high and dry with no time left.

Any business with them has to have a realistic deadline to give us time, or avoid them like the plague.

Thought he was his usual anonymous self, that explains it. Against Salford he was anonymous but I remember seeing him.

So if James and Rich get the call, they're gone. Allan has not been in Brazil's side recently.

Terry #70, Moyes is indeed isolated with COVID, which is why he's been phoning it in to Irvine the past couple of games. I have seen no news on whether he'll be on their touchline tomorrow.

I forgot to mention Mina, who is a fixture in their backline. He will certainly be called in as well.

Some people think West Ham play better when he is not there. Hope he makes a good recovery.

Neill#77

Good points. Ancelotti needs a cup run to keep developing p!ayers, so that he has depth and alternatives available. . As you say Everton are going to have to keep up to a steep learning curve, if they are going to be up there after ten games. I thought Doucoure got a surprise how much attention he was getting on Sat and how important it was he stay deep. Rodriguez also got a idea of the pace of Premier League teams against Crystal Palace. he looked a little puffed. It took Sigurdsson to steady things. I thought Everton where slow get control. of the game against 10 men West Brom.

Your briefest of analyses of the games so far is technically correct, albeit that you selected just a negative fact per match.

All true - but leaves out the glaring positive of every game so far: a massive upturn in our attitude, team ethic, spirit and subsequent standard of play. Another world so far.

It also happens that when these positives are present, those negatives don't have so much impact and things tend to run in the teams's favour.

Yes it's a work in progress, but already, a work of progress. There may be opportunity for some real negativity later on - but it looks for all the world like the direction will continue to be generally positive, whatever the fits and starts.

I do tend to use the 10 game mark myself though.

And I hate to be the apostate here, but neither is going to happen.

No chance. We should comfortably put them Away tomorrow. They are functional at best and for a Moyes team, they are shocking defensively. I don't see what anybody sees in Declan rice. Even last year our below average midfield played through him like he wasn't there.

I'm in rush for the second coming of Jesus now that Everton are doing well but that's a fluid situation.

Carl

Wolves thrashing apart WHU were really unlucky versus Arsenal and one of the form teams prior to the summer. Plus they've history against us in this cup

The next game after that is you know what and I would want the squad to be chomping at the bit for that one. God knows we are due a victory against RS.

Now for tomorrow and blowing West Ham away.

Mina isn't able to play games back to back so rest him. If no Branthwaite, Doucoure to play CB, pace and height?
James too important for the league, rest him.
Full backs should continue to be rotated.

I'd play Bolasie on the right and Gordon left. Pace and supply for DCL and Ric upfront.

Good test for midfielders. Davies and Bernard or Allan and Davies.

Gomes on to control game in 2nd half along with Walcott for Ric and use his pace centrally.

Win or loose, I want to see good football from our fringe players. Its about continued progression. Energy, slick passing, fast, forward movement.

This season will be an anomaly, it's chaos already, teams with European games, and crazy fixtures will be vulnerable. We cannot rest up and look at this as some form of development on a journey. Ancelotti knows this and here to go for it.

We need to win this game, QF's not until December, we can play our strongest XI in the langue and make serious headway whilst others have to rotate. I thought the window was closed, the ladder pulled up. We have the briefest of chances to catch up as bigger clubs are stretched thinner than ever.

I really hope we grasp the nettle and go for it.

Saying this saddens me. When he first emerged I had high hopes of him but he seems to have unfortunately disappeared up his own arse when it comes to self-perception.

Mason Holgate seems to be more grounded, as an extremely young man.

I tend to think of Stones when Man City was mentioned. He looked ok at Everton, but he was operating in a sieve defence at that then. He had some great attributes good on the ball, good distribution, and good at positionally in defence, though prone to the odd mistake, put down to youthfulness. I find myself tempted too say in a defence that was deep with a covering player in front of it, that was weak. . So a lot of play was in front of him. He looked ok at Man City, but seemed to fail to rise above being a squad p!ayer.

When I think of Colman I can't help thinking of a established defender who hopefully will get the Silverware his career deserves. Stones may have won Silverware, but he will never achieve the status of Colman as a defender in the game. This is not a blue tinted comment.

If Stones was a Everton player now he would find competition for his position, such is the level Everton are now at.

Mike #108

It occurred to me after reading New York Times reports that Trump throughout his career has been a Parasite living of a Host. His Presidency is nothing more than that. It's like a ' Alien' sequel. He is not a Billionaire Billionaire , he is a Paracite Billionaire.

And, unfortunately, parasites often leave disease behind. America will be many years recovering from the malignancy of this particular pestilence, and I doubt the recovery will ever be complete.

Surely Dithering Dave will be no match for Carlo Magnifico?

Lössl
Kenny Mina Keane Nkounkou
Bernard Delph Sigurdsson
Iwobi Kean Richarlison

Subs: Virginia, Digne, Davies, Doucoure, Gordon, Walcott, DC

Digne on for Mina early in the second half 👍🏼

We've got good reason to be confident and have raised expectations right now. We just need to be mindful of knee-jerk reactions to our first setback, whenever it happens.

Pickford
Kenny
Nkounkou
Keane
Mina
Allan
Delph
Sigurdsson
Gordon
Bernard
DCL

If Walcott wasn't looking like a pariah I'd have gone for him ahead of Bernard since he's quicker, gives us more width and is more of a goal threat. But Bernard might be better at opening up a blanket defence as our poor man's Rodriguez.

Without Richarlison we will have less penetration so need goals from midfield (Sigurdsson) and wide (Gordon) otherwise it's too comfortable to defend against.

And hand on heart we are all still waiting for the other shoe to drop and for the whole thing to revert like a coach / pumpkin in Cinderella and for Moyes to do his ugly sister / pantomime villain and spoil the party.

We don't have a fairy godmother, but we do have an Italian Godfather, so we'll all live happily ever after.

Derek, if you're reading this, all the best and get well soon, mate!

Thinking about you Derek and looking forward to the next meeting, which at the moment doesn't look very imminent, very best wishes.

Luckily I brought my charger Tablet and phone with me, I didn't expect that I would be kept in, so virtually came ill-prepared. Breakfast was a hoot, porridge which just about passable followed by toast, an hour later and stone cold. Apparently they lost the recipe !

The cooks CV had Rentokil as the last position held so immediately became first choice. Would get a job at McDonald's any day, or Car Park attendant on the Titanic.

Hoping both for a win and any links that may work for tonight. Best wishes to all and George McKane who I believe is still also hospitalised.

COYB

I think West Ham will field a very strong team tonight , Moyes will want to keep his momentum going , he will think he has a chance in this competition .We need to fully expect that and field a team that can match West Ham physically so that our quality can win the day.

As has been said there is a break coming up and the QFs are not until December so I don't think there is a particular need to rest too many players before the home game against Brighton . We have a great chance of winning this cup and we should take full advantage of that.

Here's a question... would you rather have Barkley or Sigurdsson coming off the bench at 70 mins?

I wonder whether Barkley's loan to Villa will resurrect the old arguments as to how Everton didn't know what they were doing with regard to him etc etc. Just as they didn't know what they were doing with young Lookman who's absolutely ripping up the Bundesliga.
Oh no wait, he's not, there's talk of him going on loan to the mighty Fulham.

On a different note I see Bolasie has taken to referring to himself in the third person lol...."Bolasie has been firing in training" he tweets. Lad doesn't give up that's for sure but I think he'd be much better advised to look for a new club so he can play football.

I immediately thought of you mate, and I don't mean that in a derogitary sense, but rather those wonderful stories you have related to us at the TW Get together of your meeting with Ken Kesey at the Adelphi.

I have had another Ultrasound now and I think they haven't found anything sinister up to now. I think beds are at a premium so the walking wounded, of which I am hopefully one, may be despatched quicker than normal.

So there could be a vestige of hope that I may not need any links and can watch at home as per normalish. What ever happens Everton and T W keep me going and proud to be a blue. 👍💙

Pickford
Kenny
Keane
Mina
Nkounkou
Delph
Doucouré
Sigurdsson
Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin
Walcott

Bench:
Lössl
Digne
Allan
Iwobi
Bernard
Kean

Give Coleman, Gomes and James a rest.

The Under-23 league is just players playing against teams of their own age group. So other than injuries there are no chances for fringe players to play in the first team. Carlo has already said our first team squad of 31 is too big and ideally he would prefer a group of 25, so loaning out some youngsters that arent part of the first team squad hardly changes anything.

Because most of our fringe players with the exception of Nkounkou and Gordon will be on excellent salaries, that trying to move them on is very difficult. We have tried loaning some of these players out, but we still end up having to pay a big percentage of their salary, so it does very little to reduce our overall expenditure. And most are sent back to us once their loan deal expires, so it seems there aren't any clubs here or Europe want to take these players on a permanent basis. I would imagine that having to carry a first team squad of 31 with their inflated salaries will start to have an impact on the club financially, that will have an impact on our future transfers.

I am sure Brands has been working very hard to try and move on some of our fringe players that are considered surplus to requirements, but with the fantastic salaries these players are on they will be in no hurry to jump off the gravy train.

Agreed. In fact I don't think Moyes has landed on his strongest team test as they have so many players in their squad. I expect them to field a changed team but like you say. I don't think it will be any weaker. Felipe Anderson for example is a really top player in my opinion. Haller was obviously big money and dangerous, Lanzini has given us problems before and of course Yarmolkeno destroyed us, albeit some years ago now.

I've seen Cavani being linked with Man Utd. This is a player I'd like us to be in for. Throw the money at him for a 1-year deal and option of a second depending on performance. What a rotation option with Calvert-Lewin he would be. And what an example from which Calvert-Lewin to learn.

Good to hear that you're back home George! 👏👏

Get well soon. We need your dreadful play on words on TW to counter the one-line groaners of that Brent Stephens fellah!

Good to hear also that George is now back home from his own hospital stay.

If you don't get home today Derek, here is my own preferred streaming link. You have to go through the usual shenanigans of clicking several times, closing annoying windows that pop up, but once you do, the picture is HD quality, rarely breaks up and ad free.

VIP Streaming Link

Great for all sports.

Good health lad!

Don't ever change!

I thought porridge was a staple in Dundee as my Mum from there certainly gave us that impression serving it up EVERY DAY for about the first 10 years of my life. Hope you enjoy the game and can sample finer fare soon.

See my comments in 81.

I am delighted with the results and in most cases the performances to date. All I am doing is highlighting that we need to be more cautious about our expectations.

I really hope that our current results will continue, but our real tests are still to come, not only against stronger teams but in the endurance of the team and depth in the squad when the fixtures condense over Christmas.

At the moment, it is a big improvement and a work in progress; for our dreams and hopes to be realised, we will have to wait a little longer.

I never tried the salt just a whole bag of Tate and Lyle each time

George, great to hear you're home -- may your recovery be swift and complete.

Brian, you haven't told me the Kesey story. I want that one.

Busy day today. My other boys in blue, the Chicago Cubs, open their series in the National League playoffs at the same time as the Everton game. I'm going to be using both computer screens and my TV all at the same time. My wife thinks it's hilarious.

[Looking skyward, whistling a tune, hands behind back, shuffling feet...].

I'm trusting that Radio Merseyside will be broadcasting this evenings game, listening to the games has become the norm for me, and although it causes a degree of anxiety at times, it's self imposed, no one to blame but myself.

Re porridge, my dad always used water and salt, with sugar when it was ready. I always make it with milk, no salt. I'm from Liverpool, but live in Stonehaven near Aberdeen. Couple of years ago I had a heated argument with one of the locals on how to make porridge, which kicked off when I said I used milk. He said I was a typical Englishman, no idea about porridge! I replied that I'm not an Englishman, I'm a Scouser!! He didn't argue with that point, just nodded his head and said “Aye”!

Exactly, we finished 5th then Irvine left, his replacement Round on arriving said “We are aiming for 6th.” Muppet.

Irvine didn't work out at Sheffield Wed but who would honestly? That clubs a mess.

What a prize plum he is.

Hope he does as well as Tomasz Radzinski.

Mick #187, it'll be interesting to see how Barkley fits in between Grealish and Luiz in Villa's midfield. They sure have gone for it this summer clearly wanting to mount a genuine challenge, not just survive again.

I don't mind the egg on the face, but truth is, prediction is a fraught game at the best of times; hence bookies. It's all fun.

Are you still boycotting by not watching games? I have my own opinions of this whole current fiasco but to miss out The Blues in this period? There are ways without the monetary input.

Go on, you know you want to...

Hang in there.

I'm convinced someone is taking the piss! 😂😜

Tonight will show us if we are serious about winning this thing.

So used to being let down in games like this, its time to shape up and make a statement. Everton are back. COYB.

This competition has become personal with me. Villa, Liverpool, going out to Grimsby in the early rounds when we were English champions, many more subsequent embarrassments and the Chelsea semi-final when 4ft-6in Wright-Phillips out-jumped 6ft-2in Lescott at the back post after McFadden should have squared for a tap in rather than go for goal. It's just always eluded us and I'm fed up!!

Now to allow my negative side into the discussion. I would not be surprised to see us dealt the hand of fate tonight despite our great start.

How ironic will it be to have the manager who took us so far from where we were when he took over but couldn't take us far enough, and never delivered a trophy, deny us the chance of a trophy once again?!

Before I get jumped on, I'm neither anti-Moyes or wear Moyes-tinted-glasses. The guy done a great job in difficult circumstances to lift us out of the doldrums but didn't have what it took to take us to another level. He's not a winner and later in his Everton tenure, he became a master in playing down our expectation as he has done since he left.

The last time we met was in 2007, we also won against a West Ham team featuring Everton alumni Luis Boa Morte and Richard Wright.

Moral of the story is, we always beat them and they always have some kind of Everton connection in their squad.

Apologies if it's not.

Let's go for it, full strength and have this put to bed by 60 minutes. Can you imagine, played 6, won 6 ?

We couldn't could we ?

Onward Evertonians 💙

Pickford
Coleman Keane Digne Nkounkou
Dacoure Delph Allan Gordon
Richarlison DCL

COYB!!!

I was at the first game in 1983 at Upton Park: a game etched in my memory. Firstly because Colin Harvey did the warm up with the players for the first time, much to the surprise of all in the away end. I think he'd just been promoted by Howard from the youth team that week.

Secondly, and against all expectations after a dismal season to that point, because we blew them away in a 2-2 draw they salvaged with a last minute equaliser. From memory, The first line of the Guardian report was “West Ham were fortunate to survive a breathtaking display of attacking football from Everton last night “. It was that Good, that unexpected.

To my mind the great revival of 83/4 dates from that match and Harvey's promotion rather than the Oxford game in the next (QF) round.

Sorry to go on a bit but I'll never forget what I witnessed that Night.

The Oxford game is always renowned for the back pass. But if you look closely, Peter Reid forces it by pressing the player. The importance of an energetic and pressing midfield when we don't have the ball.

(Some rather unnecessary racial stereotyping there)

My post was intended to be faintly humorous.

I don't get this resting players crap, we have done that for years and achieved absolutely bugger all - with rested players then getting injured. Perhaps because they are not fit enough and sharp enough?

The top players love playing twice a week in Europe and the league, make sure our lads are used to it for next season 😀 The more you play, the fitter you get, or is it all bullshit that these are top level athletes?

They are not playing that much over the next couple of months so plenty of time to recharge. It's been 27 years since we won anything so no more excuses.

COYB!!

Nice recollection. Funny in hindsight how quickly things turned around for the club over the next year.

The only Godfrey I know is private Godfrey from Dad's army and he is an even bigger sicknote than Alessandro Pistone.

It won't end well.

My 'Young Lady' has hardly missed a game. including the Derby Game, the FA Cup Final, and any game that didn't clash with Coronation Street. I suppose that I'm made of sterner stuff and stronger principles, I have vowed not to return to Goodison until it's safe for everyone, and by the looks of things it may turn out that at the age of 82 I've witnessed my last game, Manchester United 1-1 draw in March.