Everton vs Manchester City

We played really well and competed but... ???

Anyone got anymore straws for me to clutch at?

Not really confident about King. Wish Moise Kean was playing...

They have only got carthorses to replace them.

You might think Carlo could pick the same formation for a couple of games in a row. Back to basics. Just lost trust in him.

I see Kean scored again vs Barca tonight. How much would he hate having to return here after the season he's experiencing?

But you know I don't think they would pay more than £35 - 40 million for him, what do you reckon?

Yes, I know he has scored against Barca tonight and he looks a lot fitter than he was with us, however, the French league is nowhere as tough as the Premier League.

Same with Bernard this season. He was probably our best player for an hour when scoring against United at Goodison, but I'm not sure he's started another game since then?

Kean always looked "leggy" when he was with us if you know what I mean.

There is no way he will come back to Everton, but will PSG want to buy him for anything over 35 - 40 million - I really don't think so.

Massive month, of fixtures, time to see the character and belief of this squad as Sunday was rank poor, unacceptable and tomorrow Everton, need to turn up.

The next game is what counts, tomorrow night, let's focus on us, and let Mr Ed and co, spout off all they like to deflect attention.

Now we'll have moody-arse, slow-arse and can't-be-arsed as our forwards = fuck all goals and a defeat. Brilliant

Not the greatest scouting mission carried out, was it!

What gets my goat is that knowing the lack of good back-up for Richarlison and DCL who have missed a few games between them Ancellotti didn't have designs on getting someone in before the deadline.

Richarlison and James just don't show enough bottle often enough plus Bernard want's out and Kean showing what he can do elsewhere leaving us in a poor situation for the rest of the season.

Fulham showed what Everton's main weakness is and that is having no idea how to get out of their own half when the high press is on which is what Fulham used from the start.
Other teams have used the same ploy to confuse Everton and take points from us.

I believe we have been in a false position most of the season and Ancellotti seems unfazed by it.

Th last minute signing of King doesn't make sense now that he's shown he didn't trust him as a starter against lowly Fulham.

To say we need some points from these next two games is an understatement.

We had probably the best strikeforce ever seen in a European Side.

Bernie Wright and Mick Lyons.
They certainly struck with some force.

No matter what, it wont be as bad tomorrow. We only lost 2-1

1. Short-arse
2. Arrogant-arse
3. Slinky-arse
4. Lanky-arse
5. Lightening-arse
6. Hairy-arse
7. Moody-arse
8. Smooth-arse
9. Chasing-arse
10. Slow-arse
11. Can't-be-arsed

Subs

12. Narky-arse
13. Slippy-arse
14. Not-as-good-as-Gana's-arse
15. Former-arsenal-arse
16. Royal-arse

Management Team

Confused-arse
Angry-arse

This game isn't key. There's two key games for me:

The Villa in-hand game we must win, and,
The derby.

If we win those two, it's totally game on. Lose either, and the folks who say 6th at best were right.

Tomorrow is a "free shot" in my book.

Of course, no one is reading my book, but that's beside the point.

Why so melancholy Crowley? 2-0 if not 3-0 to Everton followed by 2-2 at the RS.

Works for me. 😜

But quite seriously as I look at the drive towards 4th and a CL spot, I see gaining points on Liverpool and taking full points with the game we have in hand against Villa puts us in the top 4 and then it's game on.

We're not catching City. We're not that good. But whether we're good enough to finish in the holy grail of top 4 spots is simply down to those two games, and then how we fare in the remaining fixtures.

Evidence from Sunday says we're not good enough.

Evidence from the Spurs FA tilt and the never say die Man U game and the points total from all the other games argues otherwise.

Jury's out. Let's see what happens after this weekend. We'll know a lot, lot more come Saturday evening / afternoon here in the states.

I'd argue, without looking past City, this weekend's derby is the biggest one in the last 15 years. It will be telling. Do we take it to them and claim a spot amongst "the elite"? Or do we capitulate and settle into our deigned and rightful place in 6th-7th? Time will tell.

And, by the way, we can do it. We're not a perfect team. But neither are our opponents. We could very well go Top 4 realizing we aren't the finished article and look to improve while competing on Europe's highest stage.

Or we can lay a fart and be the cute team trying to gate-crash the invite-only party.

We'll know a lot after this weekend in my opinion. And I won't give up hope until then. I'll cling to the Spurs game and the Man U game as evidence that we do have a team with aspiration.

And if it all goes south, anyone can say, "I told ya so." I'm just not prepared to give up quite yet.

I think it's time to start bedding in a Keane/Godfrey partnership. It's a pretty clear winner for me. If we change from that it should only be because we want Godfrey's pace at RB. Personally, I'd back our captain at RB.

I don't think we can play Allan, Doucoure and Davies. It's just a bit too industrial. At the same time I don't think we can afford James in the 3. Gylfi or Gomes is a nice balance.

Up top I'd play King with Rich and James off him. That's got a decent balance of aggression, pace and quality with a good midfield base behind it.

Plenty of alternatives. Iwobi gives us a hard working winger. Gylfi a harder working attacking midfielder. It's all about getting the balance right.

I've always rated John Stones. But I'd still press him every chance we get.

That same back four that was grinding out great results seems the logical choice tonight Lyndon, but Digne looked shattered the other night so I'm not sure how he will manage, having to play in such an industrious position?

We will miss Lewin, but I'm certain we've got the players to go and have a real good go at City tonight. We are going to need the rub of the green, and we are also going to need Ancelotti to pick our “most competitive” players to have a chance, whilst adding you get nowhere without belief, and shouldn't even turn up, if you don't feel the team can compete!

Olsen
Holgate Keane Mina Godfrey
Davies Allan Doucoure Digne
James
Richarlison

All fighters in the team tonight, no powder puffs please, apart from James Rodriguez in his no10 position if Carlo can fully fire him up.

"Play like we did on Sunday and City will feckin bounce us"

Seriously the way City are playing this could actually get really ugly, especially the way we seem that keep gift wrapping goals to teams, think we've kept one clean sheet at home all season.

What I don't want however is a better performance, 2-0 defeat tonight then at the cesspit on Saturday teatime another shitbag no-show to go with the many others at Anfield over the last 20 years.

Your 11 reminds me of the "dogs of war team" that won the Cup in the 90's. Let's hope they show the same spirit tonight as that team showed back in the day or indeed the same spirit shown 7 days ago in the Cup tie.

I reckon Allan, Doucoure and Davies gives you plenty of effort and would give City's midfield a challenge. But that's all in our own half.

It would great if we win, but city are in good form.

Ancelotti has a real job to do tonight- send them out motivated and determined with none of the “I feel tired” nonsense from Sunday. City are easily the best team in the league and I don't expect to get anything but we must perform and be ready for them on Saturday.

Carlo cannot work miracles. He's done some good things, some of his decisions have puzzled me, but I believe we have made progress over the past 14 months. There are many changes in playing personnel still to be made, that process needs stability, I reckon we've got the right guy in charge. And I'm quite prepared to say that after a poor defeat and before two very tough games, it doesn't make me a happy clapper or an apologist, it's just how I see it.

With no DCL then I think King has to play up top with possibly Iwobi on the right and Richarlison on the left and James playing in the number 10 role. Because we have to give our fullbacks cover, to play James wide right would just see our fullback over run time after time whoever plays there.
That would mean only 2 central midfield players from Allan, Doucoure or Davies. He could maybe start James on the bench and include all 3 midfielders to start and see how the game progresses.
I just hope it doesn't become a game with us sitting with 9 men camped on our 18 yard box. When we have possession its important we don't give the ball away as easily as we did against Fulham.

I would love a dogs of war approach but I don't think Carlo will do that, but we have to find a way of putting their back 4 under pressure, something that very few teams seem able to do that. I think thats the only way we can get something from the game, put pressure on their defenders as its something that they are not used too and I still think although he has improved a lot this season there is still a mistake in Stones and Walker and if he plays Shivchenco at full back he is also liable to make a mistake.
Look everybody knows its going to be hard tonight, but unless we compete for everything from the first whistle it could be a very long night. I see Aguerro and De Bruyne are in the squad tonight, hopefully neither will start and again wishful thinking lets hope Pep has to bring them on late in the game to try and get a result.

I think it might be a line uttered by Basil Fawlty, or similar, in a moment of existential angst!

Possibly post ironic currently

Let's hope Allan isn't rushed back too soon and crock himself again, I can't see how he would be able to play 90 minutes tonight and Saturday after being out for so long.

Tom Davies, has been playing with maturity lately, so I'd play him deep, and then let Allen and Doucouré, run, fight and snap, but it's the flanks that worry me, probably Iwobi, and Richalison/King, with the other up front, or those three midfielders and a five man defence, to free James up, but I'm not sure about this because Rodriguez needs runners, so fight, and keep it tight, makes the most sense imo tonight.

Can't believe the support for our number 10, slow, poor passer, rarely plays on the turn and who's first instinct is to point and pass backwards. I thought he'd liven up seeing his contract is up for renewal but hope can get you depressed as an Evertonian.

Still hoping...but fading a bit, still I've been vaccinated so maybe I'll be able to support/moan from Glwadys Street soon
COYB

I will be happy now if we can finish the week by keeping City down to two goals and stealing a point against that lot.

It makes little difference whether DCL is playing unless Carlo sorts out his midfield. He can only play one of Gomes, Sigurdsson and James in any starting eleven.

I'm just hoping that our serial failures can at least summon up some backbone and commitment and abandon the metronomic passing back and forth along the back line. I almost cannot bear to watch tonight, but like people who slow down to see the carnage in the opposite lane after a bad accident my base instincts will no doubt get the better of me.

Wakey Wakey Everton - you've a game on tonight. Start earning your wages.

For those saying this is a defeatist attitude I entirely agree, but if Carlo can mess around, selecting weak teams for the easier games, then I think it you can also do it for the big games, less be honest Carlo threw away a very good chance of winning three points versus Fulham, ridiculous in my opinion.

We would struggle against City with our strongest eleven, let's save it for Saturday.

It's in the past now and fact of the matter, alot of top teams are not winning their winnable games like Everton.

I said I wouldn't watch tonight, but I can't help myself.

Okay, last Sunday apart when everyone was asleep he has shone at times but as a midfielder he doesn't get involved enough for my liking.

It's hard to see us getting any points against the RS or City especially when we have conceded 9 goals in three games and we are now facing potent attacking players in both camps.

We want to win all games especially the Derby match and the upcoming cup match against City but before that it is important they play a lot better today to show that the Fulham game was a one-off.

It will take a lot of stirling (excuse the pun) defensive work to keep City at bay.

I might sound like some young optimist but sadly I'm neither. I don't think we're good enough for top 4... I just want to see us have a go at the Champions in waiting.

Could be one of those performances that we talk about for years. Sobering, but that's where we're at. I wouldn't go out to keep it tight. Have a (balanced) crack at them. If you don't throw a punch you're just waiting to get beaten.

Olsen
Godfrey Mina Keane Digne
Davies Allan dacoure
Sig
King Richie

Can we call this game off because of injured or tired players or are we not allowed that luxury?

He also said it is time for City to lose.

And in this crazy season of predicting which Everton will turn up, who is to say it won't be tonight?

Coleman and Digne are the only players we have who can get any proper width in the team

Nick, I take it you won't be posting comments after the game then?!

Go on, Nick, watch. How would you feel if we got a point or three? Or even if it was a loss but a v good performance?

Try watching wearing sunglasses so nobody sees you; or with just one eye (most of us are one-eyed fans!).

Of all that's happened in the last few weeks nobody serious could add Davies' form to that list.

If DCL was playing I'd have given us more of a chance. Hard to see it now.

I think despite his flaws, Iwobi needs to start. Carlo seems to have a strange relationship when it comes to picking him. He's direct and has pace which is sorely lacking, especially when the great pouter has an actual reason to pout.

No place for James tonight even if he's recovered from that awful injury he picked up at Fulham.

You can bet your house, that Burnley will beat Fulham tonight.

Siggy on for James, Bernard on for Richarlison, Digne on for either Doucoure or Iwobi and switch around a bit.

From the minute of kick-off, I know I'll believe in our team, to do their best and get more than something from the match.

I suspect Carlo will play with back 5, I hope not. But if it finally works, happy days. COYB.

I just don't want to see anybody waving the white flag, or getting their excuses in before a ball is even kicked.
If we give our best and we are beaten by a better side tonight. We none of us can complain.

Carlo will try to spoil the game tonight. You don't need a Crystal ball to know that. Nor can we influence it.. but if we can pick our moments to strike. I belief this game is winnable.

17/2 is a decent price for a win when there is only two other possible outcomes. I'm hoping the shame heaped on the manager and some of the players after Sunday's debacle will drive them to an effort which will make a little punt worthwhile.

Pride, passion and an overwhelming desire to make up for the Fulham shit show will do me. A win would be an added bonus..

COYB

There you go Rob.

Im in the back row

Wrong thread

Whilst they are a very good side you'd swear we are taking on 1970 Brazil or 2009 Barcelona!!

Get the basics right, take our changes, play with energy, get in their face and we have a great chance!

We have French, Brazilian, Colombian, England, Portuguese internationals strewn throughout our squad with a internationally recognised manager in the dug out!!

This is not some minnow club as Pep said himself Everton are one of the great English football clubs. We have to believe these can be beaten despite them being in great form and despite the scandalous showing v Fulham.

Come on boys!!!

This season has been a saga of us cocking up completely against mediocre sides, whilst getting decent results from the better sides. Quite frankly, I'm more confident of a win against Man City than I would be if we were playing Burnley.

She is one of the happiest clappers on here.
I'm a close second

My only hope is that all logic goes out of the window and lady luck shines on us.

Without DeBruyne, Aguero and Gundogan they should be weakened - but their £1bn(+) squad means the reinforcements are all Champions League quality. So I guess we do at least know what we'll get from City.

It'll be very tough but we could still do well.

Me too. ,"I would rather be a happy clapper than a walking misery. I just wanna believe every week"

Me too. ,,,1,18:29:34,,109.249.181.37,ok,23848,02/17/2021 18:29:34,Tomrichards2@outlook.com,reader,,,no 1133063,40479,toffeeweb,17/02/2021,Mark Murphy,Billysdad01@gmail.com,"Except Christine, isn't that big Russian fella an Evertonian as well??

It's up to us to be switched on ready for those inevitable tactics and fight fire with fire. Defend like lions for 20 minutes then build on it.

Those worried she may be labeled a happy clapper. neednt be concerned.

No chance of it happening. She knows the difference between supporting her team and supporting dross

It would also mean the players were less exhausted against the RS on Saturday.

Christine is very obviously her own woman.
A lady of substance.
I
Love her positivity, whilst not being adverse to wielding the stick when required.
It was required after the Fulham game, and it was most certainly wielded.

It's Ash Wednesday. Check your pockets. 😉

Everyone has a chance against anyone else in this league so here's hoping. We are not going to end the season in the top four anyway. For that you need consistency and regularly beating the lower teams, which for psychological reasons seems beyond us, at present anyway. It is in our DNA- as soon as we look like achieving something, we get altitude sickness.

I often forget there's many people already into tomorrow on TW! Self-absorbed American, I assume everyone is on my time!

Alas, I live in no-meat fasting world for another 10 hours or so.

Under the pillow - a fine place to keep until the following morning. Well played.

I don't question Carlo's lineups. I trust him.

For the boys playing, show us what ya got. Get at it.

On the same basis giving my recent Nostradamus predictions I'm going for a 2-1 victory.

In fact in a strange way going into a game with low expectations is an easier night

Subs: Olsen, Delph, King, Nkounkou, Rodriguez, Bernard, Gomes, Coleman, Onyango.

Please Digne left midfield and not a back 5

'51 days after a late, Covid enforced postponement City v Everton at Goodison. Would've been 2,000 here in December with the teams level on points in the top 4. Tonight City can go 10pts clear and 1 win in 5 means Everton are 7th'

Such a shame we couldn't have beaten them in December. Suppose we better beat them tonight. Seen the teams selected. We can do it

Wake me up when he's wheeled out at the end and says as he usually does that we played with good spirit as he's counting his wedge and sipping his Coffee.

Gonna be a tough night but I hope Everton get right into City's faces, stop their rhythm not, force them on to their individual bad sides, and don't stand off and show them too much respect.

Here's for a massive improvement in tempo and performance and a victory, it would help take the smirks of a few people in the press and some RS supporters.

2-1, to Everton.

Don't be like Bill