Everton vs West Ham United

Moyes will be up for this. Funny how the media are ignoring this, no mention of it from any of the pundits.

I wonder will Delph make it back before the end of the season to tempt some club to sign him up?

They've won away at Leeds and Man Utd so I hope our midfield stand up in this game.

Let's hope Rondon breaks his duck in this one too.

This will be a tough game as the Hammers are shaping up well this season.

We do need Rondon to make his mark and this game would be a good time to start. Fingers crossed that the other two are fit very soon.

"Let's hope Rondon breaks his duck in this one too."

I believe he did the other night! Sat on it in the bath... poor duck didn't stand a chance, it was well and truly ducked! :-)

Disappointed at this news... I think the absence of our forwards makes this a very, very difficult game to win.

I am not that worried about Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin not playing. It would make it too easy for West Ham to set up shop. Rondon will help Everton to keep shape better and might even score.

It will be in defensive midfield that the game will be decided. I don't think that West Ham will have the same space they were afforded in previous encounters and a pacy interchanging Everton midfield going forward will give them problems.

My main apprehension is the fact that it is the first game after the International break but, after the last International break, Everton broke the taboo.

Strange to see Benitez as our manager, pitting his wits against Moyes.

Especially since Benitez has rekindled a lot of of the good things Moyes did, and we've managed to lose in the intervening years.

Expecting a win.

The bloke gets injured on the way to getting injured.

However with Gray and Townsend we have a threat still. Think this has draw written all over it but fingers crossed we can nick it.

Surely after the rest, we should at least get a bit more out of the guy.

We've done alright up to now with Gray and Townsend, along with Doucouré, so all to play for Sunday.

Good start to the weekend. My German Royal Blues (Konigsblauen), Schalke, got a good win away to Hannover. Looking forward to my 18- to 20-hour round trip and day out Sunday. Whoever takes to the field, I'm just enjoying watching Everton. It's going to be a blue weekend.

If Everton do the same level of teamwork, spirit and skill as at Old Trafford, then Everton should win. But it's all about hearts and minds. I'm sure Rafa will want to get one on Moyses and beat West Ham as much as the next team.

So let's hope for a good performance and victory.

Danny, great to see Schalke get a win and, despite hard times of late, they will bounce back. I still have a pendant from a trip to the region in the early 1980s.

I still recall one of the best results by an underdog team when they beat Real Madrid 4-3 in 2014. Huntelaar had one of those games, and was outstanding.

It's like 5 minutes from the days Everton were linked with him. Where do the years go?

Rondon has looked poor, I've been critical, but he's been a long way off match-fitness. He showed a few signs in the last game, he's had a fortnight's break, it's time for him to show what he's got.

Maybe give Anthony Gordon another chance to shine in front of a home crowd. I was impressed with him in the second half at Manure and with Townsend and Gray too, and with Doucoure hopefully picking up where he has left off, we should just edge it.

Like Paul B said, there will be a few on both sides, for different reasons wanting to make a point. Vlasic playing, and the Rafa vs Moyes battle of wits in the dugouts.

COYB

Rondon has the qualities that could setup the break that has been so effective for us. I can see him getting on to a few more balls and perhaps getting another chance or two in the box. It wasn't like they were in sync but there was an understanding of what the play was and where to move so there is hope with repeated attempts. UTFT!!!! suck it Ginge.

Their expected starting XI versus ours:

Fabianski
Coufal Ogbonna Zouma Cresswell
Rice Soucek
Bowen Benrahma Fornals
Antonio

Pickford
Coleman Keane Mina(/Godfrey) Digne
Doucoure Allan
Townsend Iwobi Gray
Rondon

I think both teams are evenly matched in all the departments. Probably, West Ham have an advantage up front (Antonio v/s Rondon) but I have more confidence in Pickford than Fabianski. Iwobi, I am hoping, will finally have his break-out game. Mina will be required to match Antonio's strength – if he is unavailable, then I fear that the likes of Keane, Godfrey, Holgate will be easily bullied by him.

Our substitutes bench is worryingly thin – apart from Gordon and Davies, do we really have someone who can come in and make a contribution? I would be happy with a battling performance and would take a spawny win.

In terms of tactical skills, give me Benitez ahead of Moyes any day.

Conclusion: we're going to win tomorrow.

https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/58900311

I wanted him to succeed at Everton, but happy for him. He seems such a humble, decent human being - hopefully he finds much success in football and life.

West Ham have built a very decent team while we have been mostly wasting money until recently and I think both teams will be battling for 6th or 7th this season but I expect their superior depth to give them the upper hand and it could prove so tomorrow as well.

Interesting to think what a combined team might look like currently. Maybe:

Pickford
Coufal Mina Zouma Digne
Fornals Rice Doucoure
Behnrama Antonio Gray

We can keep Iwobi as our secret weapon to confuse everyone in the last 20 minutes. And I mean everyone. Me, Everton, West Ham and Iwobi himself as you just never know what is going to happen when he gets the ball!! Moyes won't have a plan for that. Neither will we. Roll the Iwobi dice!

Thanks for the link, Ajay. I'm glad he's content and making a career for himself in the professional game. Hopefully it will be part of his journey back to the Premier League. One step back to make two steps forward as they say. Playing competitive football on a regular basis will benefit him way more than playing behind closed doors on a training pitch at Finch Farm.

He comes across as a very humble person who is grateful for what he has, not resentful for what didn't work out. Great positive mentality and attitude.

If we went for that, I think it would be a fluid formation, as is the case most games these days.

A 4-4-2 when in attack with Iwobi and Gray the forward players. Probably revert to a 4-2-3-1 when defending.

Very interesting call. With a quartet of Townsend, Gordon, Gray and Iwobi, there's a lot of pace and unpredictability there. And we'd keep the ball on the deck, which means we wouldn't be feeding the West Ham-centre backs their aerial Sunday lunch.

I think this will be tight but entertaining, it wouldn't surprise me to see both Richarlison and Dom start as Benitez is great at playing his cards close to his chest and bluffing the opposition. If they don't, then I saw improvement in Rondon against Man Utd and can see him breaking his duck (again Derek).

Looking forward to it, hope Moyes continues his bad form against Benitez.

If we work hard and fight tomorrow, this will definitely engage the crowd, and we all know Everton very rarely lose when Goodison Park is bouncing, so let's approach this game in a positive manner, singing “We Shall Not Be Moved!”

"We Shall Not Be Moved!”

You kept that quiet, when did you join the Salvation Army? :-)

I think they will cope with Rondon comfortably if we put in crosses, but intricate play through their lines might set them a different challenge.

Gordon has definitely earned the right to keep his place as I thought he grew in confidence at Old Trafford as the game went on.

You can bet that, as with all David Moyes teams, they will be well organised and hard working. They have a real handful up front in Antonio, who is scoring and also heads the lists for assists at West Ham. I think Benrahma is a decent player and if selected Vlasic will have a point to prove. They have strengthened their defence with Zouma, and with Declan Rice in midfield they look a strong side.

With Demarai Gray and Townsend being in good form, they might just give us the edge. I really hope that Anthony Gordon starts, as Iwobi offers very little; he looks like he could be a good player but lacks heart and that is a big minus in any player.

I think if Benitez leaves out Mina because of the games and the travelling he has done in the last week, then that probably means Godfrey partnering Keane. For me, Godfrey's positional sense is poor and his lack of winning aerial battles can be a problem.

Moyes mentioned they have a few injuries too; let's hope it evens itself out on the pitch and we just shade it.

I think Richarlison out is a blessing in disguise. He's played non-stop football for over the year and is probably in need of a break. Hope he's back in the next week or two, refreshed and ready to start firing again.

But, in fairness to Benitez, he has worked wonders with what he's got. He will need to for a while yet.

In the circumstances, a draw would be a good result tomorrow.

Steve, I do like Soucek and he will be a threat, especially from set-pieces. It will be an interesting match watching him and Doucouré.

I'd love to see Delph gone in January, and forget about any transfer fee. He's on over £80k a week; to get someone to take him would be unbelievable. As for offering him a new contract, I'm guessing that you're joking, he's probably the most expensive crock we ever signed?

I hope Rafa keeps Gordon in the team tomorrow ahead of Iwobi. Apart from his attacking threat, did you see him tracking back and putting in tackles against Man Utd? Did Iwobi ever make a tackle?

If you were expecting Tommy Lawton, you deserve to be disappointed. We'd all seen enough of him at other clubs.

Rafa is not expecting him to win the golden boot but, in the absence of our first choice strikers, he needs a presence to occupy the opposition back two in order to free up other players.

He won't beat three men tomorrow with his quick feet and I doubt very much that he will be chippin the keeper. But he is a big unit and every time you see him he will be in the thoughts, the eye line and the company of the West Ham centre-backs. He makes goalies think twice about coming for crosses too.

He'll be somewhere close to peak fitness tomorrow and I think we will start seeing him do what it says on the tin.

I'm hoping he is nearer to full fitness; apparently, him and Godfrey have been having individual sessions to get up a level. So in theory we could see improved performances from both.

Sometimes it's too easy to get on a player's back too soon, Rondon seems willing to put a shift in but it was the fitness that was needed to catch up to his desire to perform. You're right, he won't be a superstar striker but, if he can just get 100% fit and do his job, he will be an important player to fill in and help the team by challenging and occupying defences, creating a bit more space for others to exploit.

Saying all that, I was really looking forward to Calvert-Lewin being back after the break; hopefully he is back strong next week, along with Richarlison.

All they need is proof that the person attending is COVID-19 clear, so if you have the letter or app, I would try and have some photo id if you have anything to match the document with yourself.

Just to include, those that are still heading back to Liverpool after the match and are joining up for a drink in the Crown, next to lime street, can meet up by the holy trinity statue.

As I have not been on previous meet ups, I will look out for Danny in the Schalke top, and look forward to any others, anyone else heading to Lime Street or just town itself feel free to join us for a drink after the match.

Iwobi and Gordon will probably share time. These are the games we just have to win – nothing less is good enough. We are better than them; we win this one going away with them crying that they should have had at least a point. COYB.

From what I have seen so far of Rondon, he looks more like Charles Lawton's hunchback than Tommy Lawton of Everton, with the same foot-dragging movement of the hunchback.

Got my humble pie ready for when he rattles a couple in tomorrow.

Fingers crossed. The work ethic can be maintained as I expected West Ham to put in a shift. Home advantage will at least give us an edge and, with Gray and Townsend, we've got a chance up top but it's really difficult to call, depends on what team turns up – for either side.

Hoping for a win but I sense an Antonio goal for some reason. Maybe 2-1 or 2-2. I can't see it being 0-0.

This is not sustainable for much longer. I believe we must play in both halves, starting now, to keep the positive results coming. If we continue as a one-half team, our motivation and team ethic will evaporate. The next progressive steps need to happen now. This game will, more than any so far, outline where we are going.

Last season at this time, Carlo was smiling – just waiting for the bubble to burst in total abject certainty. I believe Rafa is working harder this time to move the progression on.

Ours could be the most entertaining of the weekend, who knows?

Well if it is after Villa v Wolves and Leicester v United, it is going to have to go some!!!

So I take it you'll be on the 'Bells' in the Pub! :-)

Today, in context, Everton turn up and win, and win well.

“What's Our Name?”

Darren is spot on.

Rafa is doing well with this squad... and we could do better with a bit of luck.

Enjoy the game if you're going and get behind the team, keep the negative crap for the pub afterwards..

What the fuck is going on with Tosun? A month ago, The Echo showed him back in training but he's seemingly gone AWOL since. I'll admit I'd forgotten he existed much less played for us before that article but what's going on with the joker? Him, Delph and Gbamin giving Williamson and Bilic a run for their money in terms out output versus input.

Mind-boggling when you think about it, and just imagine the waste of resources, not to mention finances, in signing these characters in the first place. This is further exacerbated by the prick who signed them, is given hefty compensation for being a total and utter waste of space and good oxygen too!

Okay, I know players are human and some can incur unfortunate injuries, that is part and parcel of the physicality of the game, assuming they ever played in the first place, but we seem to have a propensity for seeking them out, or am I being too clinical?

As for the game, I think that, as long as we turn up and pull our tripes out as we have been doing, then that's all I want. A slight mistake, a slip, and it could be the game's won for either side.

I'd love us to win, as I think these players deserve all the things going for them that Everton don't usually get. I certainly think they deserve us to get right behind them from the start, just for the effort they put in.

After watching the highlights of our Man Utd game it surprised and delighted me, the football we were playing, the three (I think!) passes we made, the running involved and the goal, involving Allan, Gray, Doucouré and Townsend was brilliance on the pitch!

That and the football we produced and the number of our players buzzing around Man Utd's box when we had that wonderful attempt on the offside goal (I think I counted eight of our players all around their penalty area) reminded me of some of the great footy we used to see off Howard's team in the mid-eighties. Wonderful!

Keep that going, Blue Boys, and including Rondon in that. He's a Blue and deserves our support, if he's picked, and tries his best; that'll do for me... Well, I'll support them from the Bullens Road Upper Stand.

COYB... I haven't even had me brekkie yet!

Brian Wilkinson, I'll meet up at the Holy Trinity statue and I'll have my yellow and blue Danka top on, if I can get it on! (It seems to have shrunk a hell of a lot around the midriff area) and my Everton Wembley cap on.

I've noticed that, as I get older, these Everton tops seem to shrink in certain areas. I have tried to get a refund from the Club Shop but, after checking their records, they said "You have had this for 23 years, and have just missed the guarantee deadline by minutes!" :-)

Heaven knows we sure need him.

He's scored regularly in the past, hopefully he hasn't forgotten how.

He's only just turned 32 so I am not expecting him to be finished yet, just needs to get up to speed and, if he does, he can be a real handful. As Dazza mentions, he doesn't have to do anything fancy (he can't) with the system we play – he just needs to occupy some defenders and be a nuisance.

I feel hopeful towards this afternoon which worries me slightly as, over the past years, when a patch of form leads me to optimism, I am usually let down by this team. However, we seem to have a different edge under Rafa, hats off to him as he is doing a great job so far. Really can't wait for Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison to return though.

Keiran - I don't have similar stats for Gbamin and Tosun but Delph just seems like a total lead swinger to me.

And I seem to have joined the Lime Street bound train that is populated with the entire West Ham travelling support.

They appear to have a uniform. Skinny ripped jeans worn above the ankle with no socks and white trainers. What I would call a body warmer, but I believe there's a more modern term for it. And to complete the look, a peaky blinders style flat cap.

Oh and then sound as Cockney East end as you can, even though half of them are probably from Surrey.

Going to be a longer than usual trip this one.

Gordon: "Fans chanting my name was the best day of my life!"

He has stepped it up a notch this season, looks more at home and physically stronger. Fantastic to see him progressing, a lot more to come.

Should be a close match and a draw possibly the most likely result.

A win would lift us into top 4 with a two point buffer; over the last few years, it seems opportunities to make ground have all too often been followed by choking or weak performances but this team may be fashioned from stronger stuff. Fingers crossed!

I agree, Sam, it's no easy game for us; but then there's no easy games. We have to go out and try to win each and every one that comes along; and that is what Rafa is instilling into our players. It's an attitude we haven't had for years; perhaps decades.

Difficult to find any match reports to discover how Niels is playing.

Sam, we're not allowed to lose. It will make my trip back unbearable with this lot.

Tempted Rob, but I'd properly put myself in a Rorke's Drift situation!

My son read something yesterday that suggested Calvert-Lewin's injury could be worse than is being made out, hence the delay. Talk of him being out until Christmas.

I hope it is gossip and unvalidated.

I agree with Brian H, that Godfrey's positional sense isn't the best, and feel it will only improve once Everton try and defend to the kid's strength, which is 15 yards further up the pitch, and this is something that will also make our midfielders' job so much easier.

I could just imagine Peter Reid being on the same pitch as Michael Keane, or Des Walker, having to defend so deep, because his defensive partner won't push up and play a higher line, and my conclusion is that neither of them would have reached their true potential, in a game that is all about opinions of course.

But, as somebody said, '4th beckons', so we have to file it under 'Potential Banana Skin'.

But in real terms, we snatched a draw from the jaws of victory 2 weeks ago at Old Trafford and a like performance should see us through.

Should...

I think the modern term for "bodywarmer" is "gilet". A fairly comprehensive article on its origins can be read here:

What is a gilet?

Something to pass the time on your journey - LOL.

Have a good day, and here's hoping we get the right result.

Separate note. An actual sensible conversation with some of the West Ham hoardes I am surrounded by. They were discussing fixture planning.

It doesn't affect me as I have to travel regardless of being home or away, but sometimes you wonder what goes through the Premier League planners' minds. This lot travelling before work tomorrow. Our cousins having to get to Watford for a 12:30 kick-off yesterday.

I get that TV dictates, but you would think they could apply common sense when forecasting the fixtures.

Thanks Hugh. A welcome distraction. I've now got a guy boasting proudly about chancing it today as he's been banned from every West Ham game this season. But he's got a cap and mask so he thinks he'll be okay. If you could stereotype a fan base, I'm surrounded by them.

Still 45 minutes to Lime Street. I'm hanging in.

Whoever does the Premier League fixtures doesn't give a toss about the fans. I don't know if you're aware of this, but we are at home to Brighton on New Year's Day, with a, at the moment, 3 pm kick-off. Brighton to Liverpool is about 275 miles so, assuming this fixture is not put back 24 hours, then I doubt we will see many, if any at all, Brighton fans at Goodison on New Year's Day!

I'm with Darren and Tony too, Rondon had visibly improved in the last match and is doing a job for the team and will be an important team player for us today. Fingers crossed he gets a goal; if he does, I bet the other players will all be delighted for him as he seems a team player.

Up the blues! Going to get the food shop done and prepare a roast dinner so that I can watch the match in peace with some nice ales.

You've just reminded me of waiting for a coach to go to Sheffield Wednesday for an early kick-off on New Year's Day. Very dark, very tired, but made the coach! Can't remember the exact year but late 80s. The coach firm ran from an industrial park between Speke & Hunts Cross. Began with A, but I can't remember the exact name.

The Carlsberg 4 packs are kicking in with this lot now and they're getting noisy.

Hopefully they'll be tired and disappointed on the way back.

What?

Gilet is a French word that's been in use since the 1700s, not modern at all.

It's basically a cardy (cardigan for those foreigners from outside of Liverpool) or a waistcoat.

Please excuse my linguistic deficiencies. I always knew them as body warmers!!

This is a painful journey.

Recognising West Ham probably have a better squad these days but if Allan and Doucouré continue their form we can give anyway a game.

I hope Gordon gets another start on the left and Rondon can break his duck.

Whatever you do, Danny, don't let any of them see this thread over your shoulder!

Bright white trainers on some fat fucker who also sports a baseball cap with some daft-arse logo on just makes 'em look like complete tits! Other than that, anything goes really. Lol. IMHO, of course.

I was gonna wear my gilet / bodywarmer today but I've jibbed that one now.

What time do you get into Lime Street?

2 -1 to the blues I fancy with Gray getting one for us.

Full support, Blues! Onward Evertonians. 💙

I've been a critic of Big Yerry since he got here. Not only has he made numerous basic errors, but he has often looked as wooden as a tree house, but you have always maintained he would prove himself to be a very good centre-half if he could just get the games under his belt.

Disallowed goal apart, I thought he had his best game in a blue shirt at Old Trafford. Not spectacular – just very, very good. I focused on him and Keane quite a lot and it was great to see an Everton centre-half taking ownership of the back four.

He spent most of the game looking across the back line, chatting and pushing his hands past his hips trying to move the play up 3-4 yards. Keane didn't look, err, keen, but he went with and so did the full-backs. We looked a much more capable team as a result.

Two or three more games like that and I may just have to concede you were right all along... Mind you that would be no hardship. Never had a problem with an Everton player proving me wrong

13/8 for home win

13/8 for an away win

23/10 the draw

They're all heart

Safe journey Danny, setting off myself in a mo, will put the black watch away top on make it easier to spot for those meeting up after game by the trinity statue.

Since he joined three seasons ago

Games played 72 Win 43% D 25% L 32%

Games missed 39 Win 35% D 18% L 46%

I will wait for the teams before any prediction.

Enjoy your first bevvy in The Crown you should be there by now, put it on my slate, I go under the name Brian Williams in there!!

I appreciate that "gilet" is French and actually predates the 1700s.

My point for Danny was that - athough, throughout the 1980s garments of this ilk were known, in the UK, as "bodywarmers", it has since become fashionable in recent years to refer to them as "gilets" rather than "bodywarmers". That is where the "modern" aspect comes in - not in the name itself.

Hopefully we nick one in before them. COYB!

Hopefully we nick one in before them. COYB!

Some clubs get by because they have strength in depth thanks to big bankrollers and so they always have a strong starting eleven.

Everton have to work a lot harder and so every game is tough.
Today is no different.

The problem is on the offensive side of the coin where Rondon who tries hard is lacking what we need. However with hard work and the right attitude Everton are getting by under Rafa so we can have some confidence in getting a result today. C.O.Y.B.

These are games we must win a home. A win puts us back amongst the leaders. A loss looks to place us mid table. Three points, please.

Its going to be tough but lets hope for the best, with our new signings coming up with goals again.

Rondon will have the advantage of a rigid deep backline. I expect him to score this game. He will also engage the backline. Moyes will be in fear of him and this will give other attackers space.

Defensively, Everton will have to deal with space behind Seamus once he is engaged. Hopefully Keane is not in charge of covering it.

In the first 5 minutes, we will know what type of Everton has turned up. After the International break, with hands-on Benitez, Finch Farm is not the International Holiday Camp it use to be.