Everton vs Burnley

Seems that both Seamus and Irish team management made the call to protect Seamus.

As for the James comment. Nothing new to report. Get fit enough, prove you deserve a place in the squad & we'll go from there.

Some rumours today about us making an offer for Maitland-Niles in January.

Personally, I don't think Jonjoe Kenny is ready and Holgate should only ever be a last resort at right-back.

If the pre break Everton show up for what will undoubtedly be a tough game against opponents who know how to be difficult, then can we gain a glimmer of hope that the manager is finally getting some workrate out of this squad?

If we flop, then the next game will be equally instructive on how this particular manager deals with the long term malaise that seems to hang around Finch Farm.

I was not totally in favour of Rafa Benitez when it was first mooted but early indications have left me viewing him very favourably and I think he deserves some credit - I remain optimistic not pessimistic at this time and long may that feeling continue.

The James situation can turn out badly or improve rapidly. He clearly wants to go to the next World Cup and (probably) leave to pick up an attractive contract. The question is: how will he achieve these?

Certainly not by sulking and sitting on the bench. You would hope that his agent plays a part and explains that he needs to play to maintain his "status". Here's hoping.

He has to show he is fit first then wait for a chance like everyone else. If he doesn't do it on the training pitch, why should he be trusted to do it in the heat of a game when we need every player to be fully engaged?

I hope he has it within himself to force his way in but I doubt that he has. Hopefully I am wrong!!

The 80s team had no super stars but a good bunch of players with fight and determination to grind out results when needed and play with flair and confidence...

Rafa is great in pre-match interviews...

I watched the training vid on Thursday and Gbamin was there with the rest of the lads. He looked to me to be training and moving well so he should be available.

With Godfrey back and challenging and Iwobi improving the squad feels stronger than last season.

It means the entire Kenny vs. Iwobi debate was a waste of time.

So many hours lost forever out of so many lives.

The debate about his replacement is only just getting going.

For the Burnley match, perhaps Rafa will try the 3-4-3 formation if he does not want to risk Coleman:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Godfrey
Townsend Doucoure Allan Digne
Richarlison Calvert-Lewin Gray

SUBS: Begovic, Kenny, Mina, Gomes, Gbamin, Iwobi, Rondon, Gordon

I hope James can feature. His words are positive although, and maybe I'm over-analysing, he refers to Everton as "they".

I'll give him the language / translation benefit of the doubt and accept he's not an Evertonian.

But I'd love to see him live in front of a Goodison crowd.

Danny, can't see James not getting either a start or a place on the bench, by all accounts he seems to be focused, at least until January on the job in hand. Besides paying the alleged wages he is on, can't see him NOT being utilised to the max, as he is undoubtedly a potential match winner, but with the new ethos and team play, he may just have a few more running, either with him, or for him.

Burnley are a tough nut to crack but there is more about us than in this fixture last season. The pace and service from wide positions is better, Burnley will be under pressure from it and a good few chances will come for DCL. Burnley will likely concede free kicks trying to stop the supply and dead balls in from Townsend and Digne will be dangerous ones we will score from.

Everton 2 Bayern Lee*0

*as the subtitles called them the other day

Okay, cheap shot at the cousins!

I'll take that Tony. It will make the 410 mile round trip worth it!

But Burnley are no mugs and have done well in recent seasons.

I'd go with Lyndons squad and earn a victory as there's no easy fixtures in this leagues.

Typically post international fixtures Everton in recent seasons normally come back poor, but I believe Rafa will get a winning tune tomorrow night.

Conversely, if we turn in one of our depressing performances and the crowd has turned typically hostile, he might just disappear into his shell never to be seen again!

I do expect to see him in the squad tomorrow, however.

If we are ahead going into the final 20 mins l'd put Kenny on and protect Coleman. Then Rondon might also get some minutes. Iwobi probably deserves some time too, leaving 5 disappointed players.

Good job we have the QPR game. I just hope he doesn't try the 3 at the back again. The players know their roles, don't be an Ancelotti.

Everybody knows what you get from Burnley, 2 big physical guys up front with a lot of high balls tossed into the box or played long in the air for their competitive forwards to chase and upset the defenders. We need to be competitive in the air and I think that's why Benitez will pick Mina and Keane for the aerial battle that Burnley will mount. I think the way to beat Burnley is move the ball quickly before they can get back into their defensive shape. I think Richarlison, Gray and possibly Iwobi will be the key to us winning this game, as they can all carry the ball at speed.
I noticed Burnley and a couple of other teams are putting 2 or 3 men next to the opposition goalkeeper from corners, and given the size of the Burnley lads, Pickford Keane and Mina will have to combat this threat.

But I think we may just get by with a 1 goal margin, but it will be a hard fought game and Burnley will look to impose their physicality all over the park so to win we will have to match that physicality and hopefully let our more skilful players win us the game

Like many others I hope £90k/250k-a-week James gets on at sometime. No matter what he earns, he has still given better value than many of our recent signings.

They find two large shells buried in the ground. One has a brainwave, and is convinced that if they get them back to Liverpool through the Tunnel a reward will be theirs for their discovery.

They carefully load the two devices on to a trailer, and head off towards Liverpool. Halfway through the Tunnel, one says to the other "what happens if one of them things go off ?" The other one calmly replies " No worries, we'll tell them we only found one !"

Where's my coat ?

But the James debate goes on(and on). Personally I dislike 4-2-3-1 system; the only article I've post in Tweb was a rant against the system, and I think a flexible 4-4-2, a la Brighton or 4-3-3 gives more options in the final 3rd.

That being said, there is a case that 4-2-3-1 with a fully motivated James in the middle of the 3, with Gray, Townsend or Richie being his legs flanking him and Duke and Allan behind, would be our strongest side.

Apparently, it's Rafa's go to formation, and we could have a bench of Davies, Gbamin, Gomes, delph(when fit..on second thoughts, no Delph). And attacking options of Iwobi, Rondom, and the luxury of resting DCL or Richie( obviously with the obligatory titty lip).

Don't forget how many goals and assists he gave the team last season. Plus he's costing a bleedin' fortune, build the team round him.

As for James, you can't build a team around someone who is leaving - be that in January or June - and is often unfit. But you can accommodate him for certain games or for a Plan B in the attacking 3rd. So maybe an option for the last 30 mins but not a starter.

If we need any alteration for Burnley it's a higher defensive line, because Burnley have no pace to run in behind - and condensed space will allow our superior players to keep them on the back foot.

Brian, it would be no suprise if he didn't make the squad at all as you say. When all the players are fit, and they seem to be apart from Delph then a few are going to miss out leaving no real room for Branthwaite and Gordon. They should be out on loan and playing.

UTFT!! Suck it Pool.

It goes without saying that we will need to match them physically but I also think a similar formation would help as, player for player, we really are better than these all over the park.

I wonder will Rondon be needed to back up Calvert-Lewin as he will be getting volleyed up and down by their centre-halves, make no mistake.

Maybe a low-scoring draw tomorrow as I fancy them to score from a set-piece unfortunately.

Onward Evertonians. Full support 💙

Hopefully Rafa's hands-on approach will have kept the workrate going. As you say, this game will tell us a lot about Everton under Rafa. I am also optimistic.

Not the right game for a James cameo. Maybe next match. I expect he'll start against QPR though.

I think the team picks itself with the only question mark as to how to fit Godfrey back in.

Personally I don't give a monkey's about James. He won't be here that long anyway so let's build a team for the long term.

So far, so good for Rafa but we all know how things can come undone in a hurry.

The ''billionaire'' teams all got victories this weekend so we need to stay up with them with a positive performance and there shouldn't be any excuses as the whole team is basically fresh.

However, if we want to take the game to Burnley and starve them of space before they can get near our box, then we have to play a high line, so Holgate and Godfrey would suit that better.

I'd say go with the latter and take the game to Burnley. We've had our fingers burnt too many times against the likes of Burnley by giving them too much respect and defending too deep.

If that is the case I'd be surprised to see him on the bench tomorrow night.

The Burnley game last year was the nadire of the Carlo era. Pissing around in the six yard box with goal kicks … didn't take a genius to think of pressuring the nervous nellies. I'm hoping for a more pragmatic approach tomorrow. I've nothing against Burnley — fellow founders — and I don't think anyone could do better with the resources than Dyche. But we are Everton and not a charity (don't tell DBB) so we need to hammer them

Think I'd start with at least one of Keane and Mina if not both. Burnley's threat will primarily be from long balls, set pieces etc and though they are not the quickest both Mina and Keane should be able to cope with the pace offered by Burnley even when playing a high line. Though when fit Mina and Godfrey is probably my first choice pairing. Otherwise I'd probably pick Iwobi over Townsend as he offers a little more creativity in tight spaces and I suspect we may need more than constant crosses into the box against Burnley. Coleman starts if fit, otherwise Kenny. Rodriguez from the bench if we need a goal.

Pickford
Coleman Mina Godfrey Digne
Allan Doucouré
Gray Iwobi Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

Get at them and don't get drawn into their game. Keep the ball on the deck, get it wide to try to stretch them and keep the crosses low and drilled.

Simple this football thing right?

They look like our best bet for this season.

I wonder how many times they've played together as a centre-back partnership – as opposed to Godfrey filling in at full-back. I wouldn't be surprised if it's no more than about 5 games.

"The first half especially we weren't good enough, particularly in a 25-minute period, and we got punished for it. Burnley played to their strengths and won a lot more second balls than us in the first half. They appeared a yard sharper and I've not really got an explanation for that.

"You can't really say anything about our work ethic, but they seemed to pick up a lot of second balls and that's disappointing. They had us under pressure and we were made to pay for that.”

Let's hope he remembers them and we start well. As ever with us, the first goal will be key. Can we win? Of course we can... Will we? Who knows? We are the definition of inconsistency.

Let's give these a good hammering tonight. COYB

I like the injuries working their way up the body comment. (Hope he's putting plenty of Factor 50 on his baldy bonce.)

Enjoy Geoff. It's great to be back!!

We should have too much for Burnley, on paper that is, but we know what to expect from them which is not always easy to deal with.

Nevertheless we are odds on to win, which I think is a fair assessment of our chances.

Off topic, but I see he who shall not be named has not been named in our 25 man squad now the window's closed. No great surprise but that's another name I shan't miss from the match day squads.

And he is still there front and centre of the midfielders listed on the Official Everton Website | First Team. His bio even boasts that "He featured in more games (44) than any other Everton player in 2020-21"!!!

And given all the incredible shit being thrown in the direction of James over his salary, I'm sure we're still paying ********** his full salary under contract – or they would surely have had to announce something?

But we're not supposed to talk about him, or even suspect that he is the suspended one.

If you can't spell Gylfi Sigurdsson, just put ***********, and we'll know who you mean.

I've got time for a cheeky one in Wetherspoons near the station then it's London and Liverpool bound.

See you at the Grand Old Lady Blue Boys.

I am astonished at the 44 stat' thinking surely Pickford played more than him, but on Googling that I see 'he' was the only squad player to feature in every league fixture.

It would nice to know what James' salary actually is. £90k/week officially, £250k a week bandied round.

However a Mina-Godfrey partnership is much more appealing and we need to get that sorted soon as.

Burnley are a dour team and rely heavily on set pieces especially getting the high balls to Wood who, though not fast is strong along with his partner Barnes who likes to put himself about.

A 1-0 win may be all we can hope for today.

Don't tempt providence Bill, that is their next case !

Although the Night Games can be a nuisance - - rushing after work - - especially the 8.00pm KO's - - trying to get back to TDH for a pint (I should be so lucky these days) -- but for all that there is something magical - - wondrous - - about walking up from TDH and getting to Spellow Lane/Walton Road and seeing the “Goodison Glow in the nightime air” - - hearing the hum of the crowds - - the smell - - “Just like way back in the days of old Then magnificently we will float Into the mystic” - - and for a moment you can stop at the Traffic Lights - - close your eyes - - lift yourself and it is as if “sound and perfume swirl in the evening air”.
It is now Monday afternoon and I am busy with my Yellow House work - - I am lucky to be working from Home - - many will have to try and get to the Game from Work - - for me I can take a few moments as I normally do - - look around my room at the art posters/postcards/photos/drawings on my wall - - Everton photos and Memorabilia on my desk and walls - - sit and listen to some music - -to lift me and inspire me and raise my spirit into the nightime sky - - read some poetry and then get ready for the game in a fully committed cosmic groove - - I will pick up a friend and take him to TDH - - optimism and hope abundant - - indeed rampant:

“When no fair dreams before my "mind's eye" flit,
And the bare heath of life presents no bloom;
Sweet Hope, ethereal balm upon me shed,
And wave thy silver pinions o'er my head!
Whene'er I wander, at the fall of night,
Where woven boughs shut out the moon's bright ray,
Should sad Despondency my musings fright”

Thank you Mr. Keats (A Great Evertonian - - whose Apartment is near The Mc Donald's next to The Trevi Fountain in Rome - - maintaining the Roman Link - - drop in and see him next time you are there - - he loves talking about all things Blue)

And an Ode To Evertonians/Live Forum:

Dare I hope to hope?
Is it safe? Is it right?
Am I hoping for nothing
But a black and empty night?
Hope should make me happy.
I should laugh, sing, and dance
Because I am hoping. Right?

Let's go with the “possos” - - close your eyes for a moment - - see Goodison under a Cobalt Starry Night - - Hear the Sellers and Smell The Smellers - - see Blue Ribbons flowing - - catching on the wind behind all the Blues walking towards Goodison - - floating and swirling in the evening Blue Air - -
“Hark now, hear the sailors cry
Smell the sea and feel the sky
Let your soul and spirit fly
Into the mystic”

I was speaking with Friedrich Schiller this morning - - we had to be quick - -he was getting ready for the Game and it's a long trip for him - - another great Blue - - he said:
“We speak with the lip, and we dream in the soul,
Of some better and fairer day;
And our days, the meanwhile, to that golden goal
Are gliding and sliding away.
Now the world becomes old, now again it is young,
But "The better" 's forever the word on the tongue.”

Well said Fried (as I call him) I said - - “Cosmic Georgeous” (as he calls me) he replied.
So now I will get myself ready - - finish my bit of work - - go and pick up Dave and then onwards:
“Soon we'll be away from here
Step on the gas and wipe that tear away
One sweet dream came true today
Came true today
Came true today (yes, it did)”

And finally a blast on my “gobiron” - - a bit of Harmonica for You Blues - -there you go - - just for you - - out of the window - - down to The River - - over The Water - - over Bramley Moor - - along those Blue Remembered Streets - - up to Goodison - -catching the afternoon air and floating on The Astral and coming into your Window - - just for you - - with Blue Cosmic Grooves and “Posso” Waves - - All The Way - - with a Firm Handshake - - from your Friend George”
For my part I know nothing with any certainty, but the sight of the stars makes me dream.
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?
There is no blue without yellow

Should be a great atmosphere, but as you alluded an awkward time, for those who live locally and have work or other commitments. Let alone those faithful individuals, who it is even harder on, and who travel a fair distance just to be there, and cheer our boys on. Enjoy it George, and all Blues, and hope to see you, and many others on the 25th at The Bramley Moore.

Let's hope we have a season of sailing into the mystic.

It's a long while since we've been there.

As for tonight's any sort of win is good enough for me, as long as it is a couple of goals to the good, and not hanging on, to a slender lead.

Can honestly see us getting three, but then do everything but put a fourth away, to take us top.

Am remaining 💯% positive on this one folks,now we have wingers and some real pace,am going for a 3-1 win.

Dom should thrive in this game as he's boss in the air and will be a handful for their defence whilst helping out ours from Burnley's set plays.

Let's do this one Blue Boys, let's keep our unbeaten run going eh...and bag us all three points tonight and put on a show for the faithful!.

COYB

"A man in the bar told me he was offered Everton for 500m." Sounds like great detective work from Richard Keys there.

Andy #106, I'm sure Eddie didn't mean to insult your son Garth.

I never walked Everton Valley but many times as a kid I walked from Breck Road and then along Oakfield road before cutting down and passing my old school "Anfield Road" opposite the Flat Iron pub.

Never once did I walk the quickest route which was to pass the red shite's shit tip and then cut across Stanley Park to Goodison as I hated them even as a very young boy and avoided everything and anything to do with them.

Sitting here now and waiting for the game tonight. Just opened my first bottle of BUD with three hours to go before kick off. 5 left in the cooler box and my new 65 inch TV is up and running so hoping for another good result against the rough arses from Burnley. COYB.

Lived there once myself, long ago.

Apologies to any Stafford blues. No offence meant!

Time to put in a classy win, hopefully plenty of goals for Everton, to take them to top spot, and all talk about Everton after the match.

Over the Runcorn bridge, bypassing my family home of Speke and onto my home city as it comes into sight as I clear Mossley Hill Station and look over Wavertree towards town.

I've been to many places in the world, some I've love, some I'd rather not have been to, but this city is my home and always will be.

Come on Everton.

4-0 tonight

Glad to be back

If that red card is not recinded it will be a big surprise (not!), and it would also send a loud message to stop being such an effing prat if Klopp could be sent to the stands for a one match detention for his reaction.

Rant over.

2-0 Everton tonight, c'mon you Blue lads!!!

I lived in Austin, Minn. back in the late '70s. Starting my sportscasting career there. Covered the Gophers, the Vikings at the old Met Stadium, the North Stars and some serious high school hockey.

Whenver we play Burnley I feel tired. WHY?

On August 27 1955 I cycled to Burnley to watch us win 1-0. I t was 65 miles each way. We left at 6.am to see the game. Going was not too bad but coming back was HELL. I still remember passing Shweppes on Long Lane at 3.30 am on Sunday. I was 15 and we were able to do so many things without having to tell parents what we were doing. My Mum woke me on Sunday afternoon to ask me where I had been the day before.

Today I will walk 4 yards to watch us BEAT Burnley. PLEASE ??. Today my wife will once again ask why I get so anxious when Everton play.

Keys (I can't believe he is still on TV ANYWHERE) seems to have vendetta's against lots of people including Rafa and James who he was slagging off early last when we were doing well. I think he lives in a bit of a fantasy world and stirs up controversy so he gets attention. He also seems obsessed with criticizing Everton even though he claims to like them though I suspect that's to suck up to Andy Gray

Never been to Austin, Mike. Any reason to go? How did you become an Everton fan?

I'm just getting ready to go the game now, I've spoken to a few people today who are really excited, listened to Danny, giving us a running commentary on his journey towards Goodison Pk.. But it's only now that I've started to get in the mood, and realise how lucky I am to live so close to the ground, when I think about how many fanatical fans Everton have got all over the world🙏

One day I hope you all get to see Goodison Pk, under the floodlights!

Sounds like you're the lucky mascot but I am not sure TV will cut it. On yer bike mate, you might make the injury time

Another great post George, enjoy your night before and after the game, I'm expecting an Everton victory, hope it's 4-0 for you George.

Wow that was some feat to cycle all that distance, I know there was a lot less traffic on the road then but still, the innocence of youth. Could you honestly imagine any teenager, unless he was hoping to get into the British Cycling Team, doing that now, and they have much better equipped bikes than back then?

Sturmey Archer 3 speed gears and a leather (sprung) saddle and saddlebag, on the posh models that was. Jeez!

I can't get there tonight and was feeling quite miserable about it.

My spirits were lifted when I saw the face on the kid three doors down on the news that he could have my seat. You just lifted them a little higher.

Even by your standards, that was some post, mate.