Everton vs Norwich City

Gomes, Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison, Gbamin, Coleman and Delph!

And really that's just 3½ players.

Gbamin (sadly) we have't had for almost his entire tenure. Gomes (again sadly) just rarely lives up to the talent. And Delph's continued absence in not an absence; it's welcome.

And I agree with Danny, Delph is no loss. Should also mention the man who cannot be named – and he's no loss either.

Godfrey is a shadow of the player we saw last season and may still be feeling the effects of Covid so I would put Holgate in there alongside Keane and Mina and Digne.

Anthony Gordon looks more convincing than Iwobi... in fact, my deceased aunt looks better than Iwobi.

Glad to see Gbamin back, never thought I would say that 2 years ago but, since his psychiatric help, he has upped his game.

So I would go 4-4-2 with Gordon and Simms (okay, Rondon if we have to) and a midfield of Doucouré and Allan, Townsend and Gray.

KITAP1.

Let's hope the supporters get behind a very depleted team which is the club board's fault and not that of the manager or the team.

@Mark. 7 players out. Don't forget Sigurdsson.

It's a tragedy for the guy put I doubt he's seriously going to play top level football again.

As for the rest, what exactly is even the point of JP Gbamin and Fabian Delph?

Can we just try our utmost in January to find these two fellas new clubs because neither are ever gonna contribute jack shit in an Everton shirt, both signed two years ago now and can count on one hand the combined starts they've had.

And you make my exact point about Rondon. He was never that good even when he was good, and that was several years ago. I still doubt he will be much of a contributor.

Who plays right back then, Kenny, Godfrey or Holgate. Or will we see three in the middle and a return of the wing backs.

I'd prefer the flat back four with Holgate at right back. he's no natural but he is the best option for the role as things stand. Not convinced by Godfrey in that position and Kenny just hasn't looked good enough.

Pickford
Holgate Keane Mina Digne
Allan Doucoure Gomesh
Townsend Simms Gray

It's not going to happen, but Rondon is still not match fit after four months with no football. Benitez said today that he didn't expect to be using him so soon. Alluding that he would rather play Richarlison through the middle if DCL is out. Simms could be sharper and be a better alternative, and deserves his chance . It's the right time to give him an opportunity.

I feel sorry for him too but unfortunate as it is, we are not running a charity where we can spend £20 million plus on players plus no doubt quite considerable wages for absolutely no return two years on.

We need to move Gbamin on.
We need to move Delph on.
We need to move Tosun on.

Three player that are draining the club financially and offering nothing.

Said in jest because it must be soul destroying to be so unlucky with injuries. I wish all of them a speedy recovery.

So, either play Gray down the middle for his pace, or stick Big Dunc up front as a target man. Rondon can be in charge of the tea trolley at half time.

He also said he had spoken to majority shareholder C, who indicated money was now available to buy players in January. Benitez previously explained that the club were unable to add to the £1.7m of spending in the summer because they had been "killed" by financial fair play rules."

Team:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Mina Digne
Doucoure Allan
Townsend Iwobi Gray
Rondon

Thanks, Dave - I'll have a pint of bitter, please, mate. Anybody else?

Anyway mark Pukki out of the game and we have a chance!

Get your money on Rondon to break his duck tomorrow, you just know he is going to do it.

I expect RB to go with Begovic, Holgate. Keane, Mina, Digne, Allan, Doucoure, Townsend, Grey, Rondon and Iwobi. I personally would play myself before Iwobi but there you go.

Dont recall Cattericks or Kendalls teams having so many first teamers out at any one time like this.

Players often were ever-presents played every match in the season. Despite harder tackling many times broken legs etc..

Is it the speed of todays game or the effect of the insurances or medics ??

Any TW insiders comments to enlighten us all on this subject would be welcome

Personally I'd go Deeney, fighter ,vocal, doesn't suffer fools, ok …similar goals record to Rondón, but takes a great pen!

Plus the poor dears probably get a foot massage on their delicate pinkies before every game.

Is he who can not be named still being paid during his suspension.

I thought Begovic was a decent signing as number 2, but so far he has disappointed. I would rather have kept Virginia.

Subs bench should be inspiring tomorow. Tom Davies and a handful of teenagers with pulses.

Danny Willamson was a bargain by comparison. 15 games in 3 years, JPG needs 12 more in the next 8 months to match that astonishing record.

Hi all, we all have our favourite players and those we don't rate, but I find it distasteful to ridicule players when an "He's not good enough" remark will suffice. It's something that those of us who are planning to attend tomorrows get-together can discuss. It's also my opinion that not only has the game changed but also the attitude of some of the fans, but then I may be completely wrong. My standards were set over 70 years ago and I find it difficult to alter them now.

Where in the old days you had a debate over a pint or a half time argument without the players ever hearing a thing we now have fans swapping insults (and compliments) via twitter and the like.

Benitez has said this evening that he has met with Moshiri and he has funds available for January, with the exit of Bernard and James, and identified strengthening areas.

Please address our weak bench problem, by moving at least Delph and Davies on and get two decent midfielders on the books in January.

Although we have a number of injuries this is a watershed for RAfa. Win this and the belief goes on. Lose this and we are on the precipice of ending in tears.

People, including footballers, don't choose to be sick or injured and, of course, no one should face the sack after being off for just a few weeks. However, it would be very difficult to make a defence for someone who's been off for 2 years and a couple of others who are very rarely seen.

These players have cost £ms in transfer fees and many more £ms in wages. I think the time is near when the club must consider cancelling contracts even if it means the players would have no sell on value.

Although I'm sure Gbamin,Tosun and Delph don't want to be permanently injured they're nevertheless sucking the life blood out of this club. Together with the one we don't mention the four of them must be costing in excess of £1m per month.

The club surely cannot continue to sustain this level of absence.

I agree Simms should be used at some point but we don't know just how fit he is, either. He hasn't played a competitive game since being injured practicing penalties for Blackpool!

Mind you, he could hardly be as unfit as Rondon who is on the slow side at the best of times.

Given RBs mention of available money in January.

May I suggest that we bid for Lorenzo Pellegrini - Roma Captain in January or next summer. Central midfielder and the captain - exactly what we need in midfield. Especially as Gomes, Davies, Iwobi, Gbamin and Delph are not up the standard we need to move forward. Try for Jesse Lingard too.

If we can get Koulibaly, I would still go after him even at his age - he would be the organiser and brick wall we've cried out for ages now.. We could still get 4 / 5 years out of him - just look at Silva and what he's done for that CFC defence.

As for a full back I leave that to RB and Brands. After all its about time we bought a decent one to give Coleman a rest. Isn't it ???

Bill W @ 68, totally agree there should be some sort Cancellation/Termination of Contracts for players if they 'don't do what it says on the tin' I'm sure a few would be 'less sick and more readily available if if their Lottery Umbilical was in danger of severance. See you later mate at BM or before in The Royal Oak. Have Andy Crooks over staying in my place, he's really looking forward to a good day, let's hope that starts with a win.

Wonder if Everton charity day will be in full swing today to aid that rot.

We just need to get back to winning ways today and personally I don't care how we do it. I'm going for 2 - 1 to the blues.

Onward Evertonians. Full support. 💙

Norwich were saddled with a diabolical schedule (seriously - Liverpool, Man City and Leicester City out of the gate?), but they had a good opportunity to right the ship last week and got tonked by Watford, so there's no reason we shouldn't be able to get the job done.

Puukki might be out? Sounds ominous, doesn't it?

Norwich will win their first game soon, we have to make sure it isn't today. Hope that Pickford and Digne can play and that Gray and Townsend have got their shooting boots on.

Pickford

Holgate Godfrey Mina Digne

Doucoure Allan

Townsend Iwobi Gray

Rondon

I'm with the older fans... support the players in a blue shirt and stop moaning of things you have no control over.

Why can't we mention the Iceman's name? Anyway, Rafa has been dealt a shit hand with injuries. He took the job knowing that he was inheriting a crap squad.

He is here for the long term... mid-table security and his job is safe!

Character and will today and to take the chances.

Rafa will be setting up with his best available Team, there's no reason why Everton, can't win, but Norwich will be fighting for their lives.

Onwards and upwards and to bounce back after Villa and QPR.

Even with the injuries I'm still confident we'll win this comfortably. Norwich are a very poor side.

I send “posso waves” and cosmic grooves out from my room into The Astral for all to share and will see you this evening in spirit or body - - with a firm handshake - - your friend - - George

As always, fine words that capture the emotion and make me feel very emotional!

I know we are famous for letting teams who havent won for a while beat us or players who havent scored for ages score against us, but this is Norwich possibly without Cantwell and Pukki, I mean if we cant beat these comfortably then we are in bigger trouble than I imagined.

For some reason some on T/W some like to give our best player Richarlison stick, well I saw a couple of fans put a picture of him sitting on the train going to watch us at QPR didn't see any of the other injured players doing that.

One other comment on clamour for including Gordon. I have yet to see that he has the potential to be a PL player. Still way behind Grey and Townsend.

For all the toffees going to the holy ground today, let us all please drink it in. I for one will never take going to the match for granted again.

Playin' out blues ? 💙

A scrappy 1-0 will do the job but will not leave us feeling too bright. Let's hope for a good dominant display and at least a two goal cushion. I hear Pukki's out which lifts my heart!

I'm not feeling too optimistic tbh, but mitigation before it's needed, we are a skeleton of a squad at the moment. However, that notwithstanding, I'm staying with my "go to" 2-0 again for this one.

Happy Birthday and You and your daughter have a great day at Goodison.

Must admit, matchdays in London have always intrigued me as you see all flavours!

Homeward Bound as Simon & Garfunkel put it. See you there blues.

Perhaps time for a draw with the mighty Norwich ?

Of all the teams Farke could face, we are the fixture most likely to deliver Norwich their first points on a plate. Who can forget the 0-2 'performance' vs Norwich in 2019 that lifted them off the bottom of the table.

Iwobi played that day and injuries mean he is likely to feature today. I'd much prefer Gordon who at least has an eye for a goal and is willing to take a penalty, unlike our fearless footballing Jedi warrior.

Can optimism triumph over experience? I hope so, but much depends on having Allan, Doucoure, Gray and Townsend putting another shift in and our back four paying some attention for 90 minutes (a big ask, I know).

Please Everton, rack up some more points so we can at least face next week's probable Manure massacre with some fortitude.

COYB

I thought the same about Gordon but he was one of the few bright spots on Tuesday night. He may still prove us all wrong and I'd like to see him have, at least, some minutes v Norwich

I would also play Mina alongside Holgate. We can't keep defending deep and expecting to hit these teams on the break. We need to take the game to Norwich, reduce the space on the pitch and look for Allan and Doucoure to turn over possession high up the pitch. We won't do that with Keane playing.

I would also start with Gordon. He seemed to have a good understanding with Digne down the left. My only concern is that Gordon and Gray don't offer a lot defensively, so Townsend would have to tuck in a bit and potentially lose some attacking impetus on the right.

After Rondon has run himself into the ground, we need to trust some younger players rather than playing without a striker. Surely Norwich is a good team to introduce Simms for the last 30 minutes, regardless of whether we are winning or losing.

The rest of the side picks itself.