Everton vs Chelsea

He hasn't looked right for weeks to be fair, let's just hope it's one game out because this injury crisis hasn't even come when the congested fixture list by the end of December arrives, how many more are going to drop?

We are in a bad place, injury wise, so I'd hope he picks a 4-3-3 with players in their right positions and they play hard. However without a holding guy, whoever is charged with that role, will wander and expose us.

It's deffo going to be blue murder tomorrow, not even the sophisticated, nuanced booing of our crowd will stop Chelsea.

But it will be interesting to see the starting line up and shape, and bearing Chelsea rested their first team this week, for the Champions League.

But it's 11v11, surely tomorrow the team will find some zip and desire to play for 95 minutes and have a bloody good go at Chelsea?

We have no choice but to sit deep.
The lack of pace in Keane and Mina gives us no other option.
That in turn accentuates the space in between the lines.
We are playing with three seperate units at the moment, defense midfield and attack have too much distance between the seperate lines.
This will not change until we get centre halfs woth pace.

Also, IMHO, he should be told to stay up there and not be dropping deeper to get involved with any defensive duties. The combination of Pickford, Keane and Mina (the Three Stooges) are a fucken disaster at the back and need replacing ASAP. I'm sick of seeing Keane waving his fucking arms around and flapping every time he has the ball at his feet and Mina constantly fouling.

One bonus: at least the weekend won't be ruined by 2:30pm this week.

It doesn't matter that Holgate and Godfrey are not good crossers of the ball, because there is only Digne who is, but he is out injured for the next couple of months.

Personally, I'm gutted. I think he showed signs of his early season form again, perhaps because he wasn't bouncing from here to South America. Bit of a bummer for the lucky people who got tickets, too. Let's just hope Sigurdsson isn't the replacement.

If we can't manage to incorporate a player like him into our team, we may as well just all pack in here and now.

I'd go 4-4-2:

Pickford
Holgate, Mina, Keane, Godfrey
Iwobi, Doucouré, Allan, Gordon
Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison

If we're not yet ready to compete for the European places, at least we can appreciate the skills of a player such as James – even if he doesn't defend as much as other players – can't we?

Forget Simms, Carlo has already said a day or so ago, that Calvert-Lewin will have to be rotated in the coming weeks, with Carlo mentioning Tosun as the replacement.

West Ham don't have Sigurdsson, a better keeper, more than one striker and better defensive marking. Their midfield is also not pedestrian.

Calvert-Lewin is only a young guy and should be able to take the pressure of these games. Sure, rest him for the Mickey Mouse Cup by all means... but he links well with Richarlison, so why change matters?

The problem of late is clearly the putrid midfield and now, with James injured, what can we expect tomorrow against Mount, Kante and company???

I am beginning to have my doubts about Carlo and his tactics.

And Dave, there aren't any bargains these days... save Coleman.

Dave #10, I read in more than one place that we ultimately paid £12 million for James, certainly a bargain considering his price tag of £63 million six years ago. As to his salary, both Sportrac and Sportekz list him at £90,000/week, on a par with Richarlison and Digne but well behind Bernard, Mina and Gomes. Life just ain't fair sometimes.

As for his fitness, except for an injury caused by assault by Van Dijk, he has played most of the games in the league this season and has played in all his international matches too. I would say the reason he hasn't been as prominent of late is that he is still knackered from flying halfway across the world for Colombia.

Bit of a myth that he doesn't defend. He does, but he doesn't get back quickly and a couple of teams have exposed that space. When the team are in defensive positions, he mucks in. I think against Burnley he was second to Allan in attempted challenges.

We will miss him against Chelsea as he has the ability to do things that no other player we have can do, but his impact has been reduced with Digne out of the team, as arguably has Richarlison's.

You were indeed a Bowen advocate long before I saw him play and you were right. I feel that's where we went astray. Moyes and his scouts were well attuned to lower-league talent: Cahill, Ramsey, Walker etc; some we got, some we didn't... but we knew them and tried.

I feel like Brands rolled in with his PSV wishlist and got starry-eyed signing Gomes and Co who snubbed Eredivisie. Meanwhile, we lost track of the domestic market

Great, we'll have ya! Play well for the first four games, and that's job done, James.

We can all see he's World Class now, so we'll all just keeping harping on about his sublime skill for the rest of the season, as he does little to sod all.

Is he a dud because of how he plays or because of his injury record with us?

As for James, we knew what we were getting in him when he signed up. Not a player who was going to play the majority of the season with his injury record.

If we had brought him in as cover and to be part of a squad which already has strength in depth then fine, but we don't have that depth and therefore it was always a big risk bringing in a player expecting to make the starting XI every game.

(1) Carlo;
(2) James now categorized as a luxury;
(3) Doucouré being past-it, not in Watford shape;
(4) Mina no good, Keane slow, Godfrey inexperienced.

Literally, Richarlison's form dipped after suspension; so did many of our players.

If all the above are not good enough for Everton... who should we bring in? Can anyone suggest one reputable manager who would be willing to come to Everton?

Players-wise, who? Sigurdsson, Davies???? No need to mention the injuries we've got.

Cut everyone some slack please, frustrated or not – it is still our beloved Everton Football club... COYB

If I was in the ground I'd be getting behind the team, but on this forum it's moaning and venting time for me; each to his own. I'm all for the positive voices, it'd be pretty depressing if you weren't here to counteract doom-mongers like myself.

James is brilliant and I love him but, if he's only going to play 15 or so games a season, it's not going to be easy for him to make an impact and get some momentum going.

This season is already feeling depressingly familiar, and those voicing these concerns are not responsible for the form of the team, or for the positive people on here and their state of mind. It's frustrating. And if you can't express that on here, then where?

It's good to know there's still just about a majority of believers on here who think Professor Ancelotti is going to do the business for us. I hope you're all right.

How often in the past have the players stayed tuned in for 95 minutes and how often have they sometimes failed to turn up?

A few weeks back, it was claimed by the media that Gbamin may be available, I wonder if this is true?

We need brains and brawn tonight and bottle from start to finish, there's no excuses for folding. Big concerns about our defence getting cut up and our midfield out-ran.

As the home team, it will be interesting to see the set-ups, shape and formation. Hopefully the midfield and defenders will close down and stop or reduce long-range pot-shots. If only our players would shoot more from outside the box.

Hope eternal, and let's see if Everton, can as they are capable of, pull off a good result.

Olsen
Holgate Keane Mina Nkounkou
Davies Allan Gomes
Gordon Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Carlo's team tomorrow:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Mina Godfrey
Doucoure Allan Gomes
Iwobi Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

This is Everton all over these days. The excuses are all lined up before a ball is kicked.

This crew couldn't hold a candle to some of the Chelsea teams in the past. Why are so many people planning on watching it from behind the couch?

If Carlo can inspire the passion we witnessed against this grubby little club 12 months ago, he gets the same result. We're Everton, for fuck's sake, and we are at home.

Yeah we'll be missing the X-factor today, but we will also be missing the zero-factor too. Maybe, just maybe he will be replaced by skill, hard work... and passion

I've just seen we are 7/2. My tip for today is to log on to your betting accounts or get yourself down to the bookies. Lump on and quit with the excuses.

Everton are 7-2 at Goodison? Hopefully Christmas is coming early for plenty of Evertonians tonight🤞

I can't help thinking the solutions are maybe already at the club. Be brave, Carlo.

Kenny Keane Godfrey Nkounkou

Doucore Gomes Allan

Iwobi DCL Richarlison

Easy

After a particularly dire performance in the 70s, I and a couple of accomplices left the sanctuary of the Gwladys Street terrace with 10 minutes to go, made our way in past those leaving the Main Stand, and pushed on for the summit assault to the top deck.

Once there, we joined some other disgruntled patrons in hurling cushions onto the pitch. My ire was aimed particularly at Tiger McLaughlin's head, shining in the floodlights, but my aim was poor and my calculation of the aero-dynamics of a foam-filled cushion was flawed. The missiles drifted down through the illuminated rain to drop harmlessly onto the emerald turf. Several of them were back-heeled over the touch line, with some nonchalance and disdain, by John Connolly.

It will be a nostalgic trip there tonight.

We beat Chelsea at Goodison last season, doubt if Chelsea will miss so many chances this year, especially with this leaking defence and too many sixty minute players, and that is an exaggeration with some of them.

Also, the lack of pace will see us line up on the edge of our own box. That in turn widens the gaps between the lines, allowing simple runs to cut us wide open. In effect, we end up playing in three separate units.

Pickford
Godfrey Keane Holgate
Iwobi Doucoure Allan Gomes Nkounkou
Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

Also, I'd love to see Carlo have Gordon ready to come on to add some pace for the last quarter.

God I'm sick of his recent selections and the turgid performances.

We are missing James today, we missed him for long periods in the last three games when he was on the field, some fans say he does his bit defending gets stuck in, and attempts some tackles, that's what I'm complaining about: his attempted tackles, pathetic, when he's good he's very very good, when he's poor, which is often, he is very, very poor and we can all see it, but most shrug it off and say “ his good points are worth waiting for” not for me, too often he is putting his own team under needless pressure, and this weak squad can't afford a luxury player, which he is until Carlo sorts him out, he also knew what sort of player he was buying.

Sorry to say we are still a mid table team.

11 years ago today we got a 3-3 away at Chelsea and Carlo was in their dugout. I only know this as it was the day we got married. I'd take 3-3 tonight.

Gomes needs to start showing up now but second half l'd give Bernard a run out (although it will probably be Davies).

We also need to feed Dom... and It would be nice to see Nkounkou on the bench, he has a left foot you know!

Essentially it's an attacking side with wing backs. I'd argue 5/6 of those players are attacking pieces. I'd advocate the same. However if we don't play high and retreat deep it will become a back 5 and the wingbacks hindrances.

Keane has to attack the centre forward and bully him and know the other two can easily cover him. One of those centre backs has to step into the midfield space to create a base for that midfield.

Everton have squeeze up and put pressure on the supply if it's to work. 🤞🏼🤞🏼🤞🏼

Of course this hasn't been helped in my opinion by the team selections from what was available, and the substitutions even more bewildering. All conjecture really because we will never know if different personnel would have yielded different results.

I feel fairly confident that we will get at least a point from this game, Chelsea are good, don't get me wrong, but they are also capable of making a few mistakes, which we must exploit if that does happen.

It will be interesting too, to know if the 2000 fans who have been balloted for attendance will make a difference. I only know of Peter Mills from TW to have been selected, but it will be nice to hear comments from anyone else lucky enough to be there later on.

COYB

I long for the day when the words 'pace, quality, abundance and Champions League' are said about Everton.

Pickford's frown, a centre back at left back, a midfielder at right back, a slow giant at centre back, Doucoure's rubbish twin at centre mid, Iwobi all over the place, Sigurdsson's hair never out of place hovering around the middle, the Ghost of Anthony Gordon on the wing, a sulking Brazilian waving his arms up front. And a couple of others.

Everton's form has been awful and the injuries don't help.

Carlo has not changed the tactics and now is talking about resting his top striker.

I fear apathy is setting in to give us all a forgettable Christmas unless there is another Christmas miracle in the next few weeks.

In fact Pete has a double today... he's attending the Marine game first and then on to Goodison. Hope he has a double glorious day.

Hopefully he has watched Paolo Rossi videos on how to get in position 10 secs before the defender, enough for Rossi to be confident that he would score. Rossi was also a good holding attacker as well, with instinctive runs into the box to get on the end of one twos as well.

I actually thought that Rossi was the best of the whole lot.

If they do, we could get a result.

You just never know.

It's been a while since we've produced an organised display and that the defense has looked calm and solid. But maybe something is due.

It's got to be an energetic team with pace to transition quickly and hit them on the counter. So I'll go with

Pickford
Holgate Godfrey Keane Nkoukou
Doucore Davies Allan
Gordon DCL Richarlison

No chance in hell Carlo plays that team but there you go.

Gordon and Nkounkou, so at least we have out let's and can go with Chelsea toe to toe, when the opportunities arise.

Let's see the ghost of Chrimbo past - last year, and Everton, get stuck in and upset the odds.

It can be done.

I would like our front 3 to play narrow like Liverpools front 3 play, that allows some interplay between the front 3. This also allows sapace for the fullbacks to overlap when the chance arises. We must deny Chelsea possession in midfield and also get our midfielders into attacking positions to help the front 3. Most pundits will have this down as a banker away win for Chelsea given our recent form, but I believe this game will be won or lost in midfield and on our day our midfield are more than a match for Chelsea's midfield.

On paper, we have a stronger midfield for this game, the worrying part is our defence, if we do not start with recognised left and right backs, which I have a feeling we will not, then Chelsea will attack us on the flanks.

The starting 11 selection, will give some idea, how the game is going to pan out.

I have a feeling Nkounkou and Kenny, and possibly Gordon, will be held back for the midweek game.

I am more hopeful of our game in the cup against utd, where I expect, the players we have been calling for, will start in that game.

Davies is neither fast nor a full back so should not be played as such.

Godfrey has good pace so presumably he starts at full back.

Davies and or Holgate to support Allan in midfield. Sadly I thunk that means both Mina and Keane playing centre back but I hope not.

Ric due a goal

Just having a bit of dinner, thawing out, now heading off for Goodison. Wrap up, it's cold out there.

Come on Blues, make it a double.

Other managers will have done their homework on Everton's performances since the RS game and know where the weaknesses are.

I hate to say it but the early season momentum has long gone and just getting a point today will be very welcome.

Something in the back of my head keeps pecking away at a header from a corner and Kean at 33/1 keeps popping up.

Kenwright continues to stink the place out. Ancelotti will pick another ridiculous team tonight.

I am not expecting anything to shock me in team selection, usual suspects starting and Usual suspects coming off the bench, for once shock me, please shock me.

If this really is the message to Carlo, then he has nothing to fear by giving a couple of kids a run out !
,
,

I'm not a Kopite. Is that your default insult to anyone who dares criticise the set up?

But I have nothing positive to say about the current regime.

It's supposed to be harder to get out than in! Hmm.

Surely it wasn't that bad? Or were you visiting Strangeways for reasons other than as a guest at her majesty's pleasure?

Yes, and I still standby that. Sheffield United have had a shocking season but Wilder has been sensational before then. A lot of the issues have been due to Aaron Ramsdale being a disastrous replacement for Dean Henderson.

Keep an eye on Steve Cooper at Swansea. Doing a brilliant job.