Everton vs Newcastle United

I note that Mina is weeks away at best, he should be back just in time for the lap of honour after the final home game.

Every single player in our squad sees their reputation enhanced for a long as they don't play in a serially losing team, but we are kidding ourselves if we think players like Delph or Davies will make a shred of difference. I'm not even sure, based on current form and seeming mindset, that Calvert-Lewin would.

Mina is the biggest miss. He is far from perfect but he does marginally improve our defence when he plays, which nowadays is not at all often.

If it's to be a late decision then he's unlikely to have much impact if marginally fit. Maybe better to leave him out to improve fitness for when we need him even more. After recent showings he doesn't yet look able to provide any more than R... Ro... Ron... you know who.

Not much going for us lately, is there?

I had to laugh yesterday when someone posted they'd love for Tom to be fit now for his character. Tom who was too scared to get a tap-in at Man Utd.

And as for Delph? People moan about the fans being critical, he is hardly likely to lighten the mood with "We are all shit"

As for Calvert-Lewin, fit or not, I would play Rondon with Richarlison out wide. Whether he likes it or not, he's more effective wide.

The only solution is back to basics and 4-4-2 or a flexible 4-3-3 which even this lot should be able to get to grips with. Failing that, it's prayers and candle time.

I agree therefore that Rondon must play – especially as players love scoring against their old sides. Getting crosses into the box is key though with him up top. If he is not scoring, try Dobbin instead but naturally with balls in behind to use his pace.

I think we also need to play a 4-5-1 for the rest of the campaign now. Godfrey in at left-back and Patterson in at right-back, with Branthwaite and Holgate the centre-backs. Get some energy and bite into the centre-midfield area with 2 young lads like Price and Onyango in there to look after the back 4. Can we get Warrington back from Tranmere, as he seems worth a go? Van de Beek as the third centre-midfielder to play a more attacking role.

Hell, why not try the Keyzer Soze of Everton, that is El Ghazi, out wide and see what he can do? I'm not sure he really exists though as he has disappeared since joining us. Would stick with Gordon and Richarlison in the wide areas first though but he is worth a look at some point surely?

Just feel it's so sad what has happened to the club recently and where we are now. Feels like we are back where we were pre-Moyes – no passion from the players, poor squad, no identity on the pitch and a bit of a laughing stock for others in football. We've effectively managed to regress 20 years backwards – what a waste of time and money.

I'm sure he, like his predecessors over the last few years, will need some time but he is in the unenviable position of being in charge of a relegation-threatened team which is playing like it.

We still have a few games in hand but, with very little offensive prowess, we will need some big performances on defence to eke out some draws which may be the difference in the end, if the other dross teams around us don't get points.

Watch him do nought to sixty out of Goodison in two seconds if we go down. Over-paid, over-rated.

Surely a fit person is better than a half-fit player trying to return to match fitness? We need fighters and don't be surprised if Iwobi gets a start; when it mattered against Leeds, he stepped up.

Look at some of our old boys, Dom. The grass isn't always greener. Everton pay your wages – so pull your finger out, son!

Pickford - minus the shenanigans with the Barcodes faithful.
Holgate Keane Branthwaite Godfrey
Gordon Doucouré Allan Iwobi
Gray Richarlison
Bench:- Dobbin Patterson Van de Beek

A team that could fight for our survival? Who knows.
COYB

Looks like we'll be starting life in a new stadium playing in god knows what division with hardly anyone in it.

Pickford, Coleman, Holgate, Godfrey, Mykolenko; Gordon, Allan, Doucouré, Van de Beek, Gray; Richarlison.

The problem is of course that we don't have time. So, I would put him on the bench and maybe bring him on for the last 10-15 mins to hold the ball if we are winning,

Richarlison may play Number 9 for Brazil but international football is much slower than the Premier League. He is much more effective wide left, play him to his strengths.

Rondon has looked much fitter recently. He scored a hat-trick for Venezuela a few weeks ago, was unlucky not to score against Leeds and got 2 in the cup game. Forget the level of opposition, strikers gain confidence from goals and he is a more natural Number 9 than Richarlison. Also, playing against one of his former employers may give him an extra edge.

Play three in midfield and forget the obsession with two. I'd also start with Alli.

The Newcastle game is a crucial game.Probably the most important home fixture in years, such is the situation.

I remember watching an England game in the pub years ago. As usual, we were getting stuffed by Poland or a similar level team.

Down 2-0 with 12 mins to go, a bloke stood up & shouted at the TV 'Get Peter Crouch on'. I'm feeling about the same now as I did then hearing that. What the fuck?

As for Calvert-Lewin, frankly I'd be having a little meeting with Newcastle board members tomorrow to see if they might be arsed in splashing a few million our way this summer.

If the Board and players (I deliberately put that in lower case) can't be arsed, why should I? This Board has a lot to answer for.

C. Crap
A. And
Z. Zero
O. Onfield
O. Options

Hopefully a better sponsorship in the near future.

I've supported this lad over the years but his body language (I'm no expert) seems to show he's not bothered anymore.

I'm not sure Calvert-Lewin will be in the right mindset, but surely to prove a point to the World he's got something to prove, in football terms.

Everton's biggest game this century, and a squad of players who will battle and fight every ball tomorrow night is needed.

At the moment, I'm leaning towards Allan and Doucoure but Van de Beek has not been showing that much in the last 2 so I would start him with a view to subbing him later.

The back 4 needs to be strong and quick so I would go with Coleman, Keane (I know), Branthwaite Godfrey. Let's hope the Geordie Wearsider does not get ruffled by the opposing supporters again.

I'm no fan of Iwobi either, but he had a brilliant game under Frank at the start and we haven't seen him since.

Let's go gun-ho with a midfield 5 of Allan, Gordon, Richarlison, Gray and Townsend. Should be goals there. Rondon starting up top – he looks fit now. Calvert-Lewin shouldn't be starting any games at the moment.

Not getting at you, mate, just this will be a game where a lot more is needed from all departments, and more importantly, one where we need to stop the slide, gain points, and rise from the ashes!

More seriously (that wasn't!?!), can we play with just Richarlison alone in the middle of the attack and both Gray and Gordon wide, seems like having players to put crosses in but little chance of anyone not patrolled by two defenders getting on the end of it while overlapping full-backs just seems to be leaving gaps at the back.

Let's hope Frank has had some revelations on the road to Finch Farm, failing which somebody might let him know there is a church in the corner at Goodison.

We're running out of games where points are to be had, tonight is one of them.

Don't screw it up!

Forget attacking fullbacks. Ours should just dig a trench and sit.

My strongest team from players available or maybe available.

4-3-3 and nail the formation and best side down. Let them form an understanding and positional strength over these last twelve games.

A side is needed with the minimum weakness, but still has a goal threat. I think this side is one that the players can understand and function in. It would steer us to safety. Every back line we come up with now is a gamble of sorts, can you name one that isn't?

Pickford
Holgate Keane Branthwaite Godfrey
Doucouré Van de Beek Allan
Gordon Calvert-Lewin Richarlison

If Calvert-Lewin is not fit enough, consider playing Dele Alli in that role as a deeper centre-forward, false 9 position. He's decent in the air and can ghost into the box. Maybe not a bad alternative anyway?

Gray shares the wide roles with either Gordon or Richarlison in the 2nd half.

COY Blues!!!

At the end of the day, he's not available nor registered, so I suppose it doesn't matter.

As for who we do have available, it barely matters. They either show up and go for it or they don't. Our issues go so far beyond tactics, formations and selections. None of that will matter if they simply phone it in again.

We'll know soon enough. I hope those who can be in L4 are feeling more optimistic than me. We need them.

Team of people grafting like their lives depend on it please Frank:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Branthwaite Godfrey
Gordon Doucoure Allan Iwobi Richarlison
Calvert-Lewin

Whilst I'd love to include the new fullbacks and tell them to bomb on too, I think both have likely had the confidence knocked out of them over last month. I also think Gray, Townsend, El Ghazi, Van de Beek and Dele Alli from the bench gives us options. Unfortunately the latter two “trot” too much for me to start. Right now, we need grafters, and we need them in the middle.

"Picking a team and tactics is beyond my area of expertise, I'm afraid!"

Just sodden win!

Lampard, prior to the Wolves games, said that Everton needed to not take for granted their recent success at Goodison and then proceeded to change the style and formation of play. This could be only described as panic by him after the Spurs game.

The truth is that from October (after an international break) to January, this was a Everton team that downed tools on the previous manager to get rid of him and may pay the price for that against a team he brought back from the Championship and laid the foundations that will keep them out of it.

Lampard needed to play Rondon, the one player with the most experience in dealing with them. Finch Farm needs to have worked hard defending and attacking on set-pieces. The game will be won or lost in midfield and the Everton backs have to cut out the errors.

Newcastle will be up for this game mainly out of loyalty to Benitez. So Everton will need to be equally up for it at Goodison Park. This is the most important match for Everton for over 20 years and needs to be the basis for a fight-back till the end of the season. Everton need to put the work and effort in that should have got them European Football last season.

I feel this is the most important game in the history of this great football club.

George McK out there in the cosmic - we will need your finest work tonight.

"Everton were taken apart by them when they last met"

Yeah, Everton have been battered this season but not by Newcastle. The officials that night were absolutely shocking and our players were undone by the physical tackling dished out by the likes of Shelvey.

Everton will play football tonight, have the crowd behind them and have enough physical presence to deal with that total twat Shelvey. Oh... and we will win.

Rondon is looking fitter and if he can bully and upset the Skunk's defence alongside Richarlison, it may just let Richarlison in on a few chances.

It's going to be a tough game, we need battlers on the pitch and my line up would be:

Pickford
Coleman Keane Branthwaite Godfrey
Allan Van de Beek Gordon (Gray)
Richarlison Rondon (Calvert-Lewin)

Tonight, we must make Goodison rock with cheering on the players. Let's do our bit and the players have no excuses on our part.

To the players, be professional and do your job. Remember, your agents will find you clubs if we go down. However, relegation will always be a scar on your career, no matter where you go.

Only hope the team can put on a good performance. Don't think I've ever felt as low as this about our chances of survival. COYB.

You've either picked a 10-man team or a 12-man team looking at your suggested line-up.

Presuming you meant the folks in brackets to be alternatives or subs?

We've got enough issues as it is without the need to field less players! I know it looks like we have players missing but you need to add at least one more into your line-up.

If we want to win, we need to play on the front foot - and that means pace and power at the back to cope with counter attacks. Pace and power is not Keane, Holgate or Coleman.

Would a back 4 of Patterson, Godfrey, Branthwaite and Mykolenko really do any worse than what we've had recently?

If we do want a midfield shield, and we don't trust Allan there, then is it worth playing Holgate there and letting Allan and either Doucouré or Van de Beek hunt for the turnovers in midfield?

As the weeks go by, I'm thinking more and more this squad hasn't got enough to stay up. Awful defence and very few goals. Pickford and Keane have both been relegated once, can they find extra belief?

It's gonna be difficult for us all in a few more weeks as the trap door widens for us, our lovely neighbours are gonna love it and give us Hell as they take a trophy haul.

Chances are he'll be gone in the summer anyway, so let his new club rehabilitate him.

I'm really not sure if I'd stick Rondon up front. It does feel like a desperate measure, considering how poor he's been, but then Richarlison ain't really doing the business either.

Gray looked miles off his game on Sunday as well, so I'd be tempted to start with Iwobi if Richarlison is our striker.

It does feel like re-arranging the deckchairs on the Titanic though.

Play Richarlison up front and you get one in the box at key moments.

If you have one in the box, they're against at least two centre-backs. Odds are against you. If you have two in there, you've got more of a chance.

Easy game, this management lark. Surprises me how many struggle with it. Four shots on target in four games... and I honestly can't remember them.

These players are not bad players – they are just mentally weak. They can pass a ball as good as anyone in the league when they are training. Get them on a pitch and have the opposition chase them down then they get scared, panic and make a mistake.

I can only see a 0-2 result tonight.

We have been far too open in all three away matches. Lampard is slow to change formations within a game – we were 5-0 down against Spurs before he shored the defence up.

We played exactly the same style against Man City as we did against Boreham Wood. It was probably wise against City but we were lucky to get the win against Boreham Wood. Why wasn't this solid formation also deployed against Spurs?

The formation against Wolves seemed okay in itself but why keep Allan on the bench throughout? He has his faults but he is by far our best midfielder and the only one I can see capable of breaking up opposition attacks.

And why does Dele Alli keep getting thrown on? He seems a million miles off the pace and looks to be very overweight. (I am being very polite here.) Can't Lampard see that Alli's regular introductions have yet to improve anything?

The tactics against Wolves seemed to be to play at as high a tempo as possible but this just led to misplaced passes and a lack of joined-up play. And in the second half, we became so tired we were incapable of anything very much. Surely we needed to be told to just calm down a little after the first few minutes?

I am truly extremely concerned that Lampard really doesn't have much of a clue about game management and this threatens to be the reason that we don't stay up.

Sorry about the rant… but I do feel a bit better for getting it off my chest. :-)

Apparently, he was going to contest driver identity: 'Honest Officer, it was that other random, stupidly-dressed Lamborghini driver, who hangs around the Runcorn Bridge'!!

I think, apart from the Brentford cup game and Leeds at home, we don't score a lot of goals. Gray and Gordon, while being very good attacking players who can go past defenders, their goal returns aren't great.

I also think Richarlison playing in the main striker role makes him an easy target for defenders. Because of our lack of goals, I think we all feared the worst when Wolves scored first, especially with their defensive qualities.

I think tonight Newcastle will try and frustrate us and think, the longer they keep it at 0-0, then the anxiety of the crowd will make our players more nervous. So an early goal would certainly help.

I am sure Lampard and the team will see tonight's game as being pivotal in our season.

We need goals and I would play Rondon up top, he is a different player now than when he joined were he was miles off being fit. He is better at holding the ball up than Calvert-Lewin and I would play either Richarlison or Gray just behind Rondon and the other wide left.

This would mean just Doucouré and Allan in midfield; now I know, when we have played 2 in midfield, we often get outnumbered, but tonight I would have them in a more sitting role like they did against Man City.

And I would also tell both full-backs to be very selective when they join the attack.

Holgate at right-back to shackle Saint-Maximin; Keane and Branthwaite to counter their big lads at set-pieces and provide a threat at ours, which we didn't have against Wolves because we were too small. Ben at left-back.

Three in centre midfield: Allan, Doucouré and Gray as a Number 10, with Richarlison and Gordon as the wide men and Rondon up front.

Tell Rondon to put himself about and rough up their back four and that he will be given an hour to do it. Then if we need a goal (or, heaven forbid, goals) let Dobbin run at their defence and give the Villa loanee a try out wide.

Tell them all to fight like never before, don't give them time on the ball, double up on Saint-Maximin, try shooting at the goal and cut out the passing around at the back. Make use of Rondon's height and physicality.

This management lark is easy, isn't it!

Whatever team Lampard selects, the players need to toughen up, stop making mistakes on set-pieces, and give their all, because our up-and-coming fixtures are harder than this.

Pickford,
Patterson Branthwaite, Keane, Godfrey
Gordon, Allan, Van de Beek, Richarlison.
Rondon, Calvert-Lewin.

I haven't a clue what the best team is just now.

As the man says in "Wargames", "I'd piss on a spark plug if I thought it would do any good."

An early goal is essential; if the Barcodes get one, though, we are in big trouble.

So, if we can't get 3 points today with numerous factors seemingly in our favor (for once) then I am convinced we go bye-bye.

Come on, boys, pleeease dear Lawd just WIN!!!

I hope we get a couple of early goals and settle in for a comfortable victory like we did against Leeds.

Winning these matches will be a hell of a lot easier than fighting our way back into this league. COYB!

These were dead and buried not so long ago and this just shows what a few wins can do to a team that are near the bottom of the league.

With a third of the season left, I wouldn't normally be overly concerned, but this is different, our team have been on such a poor run of form that it's knocked every bit of stuffing out of them, meaning they really need the crowd tonight, especially after remembering what Daniel James said after the Leeds game at Goodison the other week

First off, Coleman v Saint-Maximin scares me. We need a pair of legs at right-back so Holgate if Paterson really is as out of his depth as it appears.

Ben Godfrey at left-back for similar reasons, so that means Keane and Branthwaite in the middle.

Richarlison is not effective as a sole striker but Calvert-Lewin has shown zero. Can scarcely believe I'm saying this but give Rondon a start with Richarlison playing off him. That leaves us with a two-man midfield again so play the more energetic wide men, Gordon and Iwobi with Allan and Doucouré in the centre – hopefully the latter will shake off his lethargy. We can always revert to a 3 by pulling Iwobi for Van de Beek and maybe give Calvert-Lewin and/or Gray in the last 20 minutes.

Not said with a great deal of confidence but I think this is the best of a pretty bad job...

For this match, we have to ditch the serial failures, do something different and bring in some of the recent signings, Patterson (give him a chance and don't hook him at half-time, for fuck's sake), Mykolenko, Dobbin, Dele, El Ghazi, and there are more young uns to be considered besides. If we play the old faithfuls, and we all know who they are, then we will fail.

Cry Havoc and Let Loose the Dogs of War.

I understand that our defence is so shit that Lampard feels the need to play three centre backs but that leaves us hopelessly short in midfield.

I'd love to see three in the centre of the park, both protecting the defence and supporting the attack. My line up for tonight would be an attacking 4-5-1:

Pickford, Coleman, Godfrey, Holgate, Mykolenko, Allan, Doucoure, Van der Beek, Richarlison, Gordon, Calvert-Lewin.

No fight, no leadership or urgency, for fuck's sake, they're playing for the blue shirt... show some balls!

Newcastle were dead and buried in the Premier League. What makes you think they won't be physical again and get away with it? They are a different proposition now.

It's been entirely stop so far.

I wonder if his agent will instruct him to play the odd game so he can somehow get his big money move.

"Boss Ryan Lowe confirmed after the match that the players would be reimbursing the 614 fans who travelled to the game."

Unless Calvert-Lewin starts to play and show people he is a proven goalscorer, that is when other clubs will consider a big money move.

With his present status, he appears to have difficulties, getting minor injuries and lack of match fitness. Until he gets back into goal-scoring form and match fitness (and that needs regular playing time), I think his agent will want him playing as often as possible to increase his value.

What got us out of it then? Given the lack of ability in some of those sides, probably team spirit and (mostly?) luck.

I can't help but think our luck must surely change. We've been on the receiving end of terrible refereeing decisions (robbing us of 4 points since Lampard took over) and injuries too.

Unless we're cursed, the law of averages should help us out sooner or later.

Dearly hope it's tonight.

I won't be losing any sleep tonight as I am due off the first tee at 11 am in the morning and will accompany a mate who is 91 years young tomorrow and can still hit scores under his age.

Drives a golf buggy like a lunatic, much like Calvert-Lewin drives his sports car, and fights like hell to win at all costs and really does dresses appropriately for his age!!

Laughs at me a lot as he was once a director of a current Premier League side and says that this Everton side is the worst he has ever seen in his life (yes 91 years).

Knows a bit about footie and has seen the love of his life go up and down a few times in his lifetime and remembers the barren years when they really struggled to get back up.

He has it that word from way down south recently was that some players were laughing at the Everton players after the game and were asking for cut price deals on super cars that would be for sale come June. This was instead of asking for shirt swaps as nobody wanted an EFC shirt.

Just about sums up our current squad.

Will look for the score after the golf is done and we go for the birthday dinner. The birthday boy tomorrow has more fight in him than quite a lot of those who will line up against the Barcodes.

Good to have something to look forward to tomorrow instead of dropping my head onto my study desk in anguish in the morning, as I have been doing for many months.

Can't be arsed even thinking and wondering about tonight's line-up as I am off to bed now and don't expect any miracles tonight.

Another loss tonight may well be RIP, Everton FC. Loved you for 67 years.

I would actually like to make the Iwobi call. He at least had a couple of decent (one even good) games in the last few months. I realize he is generally useless but Mason has been useless for 7 years, Keane for 6.

Doucuore hasn't been here as long but almost has the same ratio as Gomes and Iwobi for x number of bad games to good games. Same with Rondon, Calvert-Lewin has been useless all year, Rondon has had a couple of decent games.

Hilariously, the Echo had an article today talking about how injuries to key players have disrupted things for Frank. Before quoting Frank himself, The Echo listed Tom Davis and Fabian Delph as examples... Frank unsurprisingly mentioned neither.

Southall,
Ablett, Watson, Unsworth
Snodin, Ebbrell, Horne, Limpar, Stuart
Rideout, Cottee

Our 98 last day team was

Southall,
Barrett, Hinchcliffe, Watson, Short
Oster, Williamson, Speed, Stuart.
Ferguson, Cadamateri

With the exception of Barratt, all of the other defenders were solid, no nonsense, not flashy but reliable. None of them were elderly except Watson in 98, but he wasn't as exposed as Coleman is at right back. Hinchcliffe also offered something going forward which none of current full backs do.

Speed was better than any midfielder we have now. Rideout and Ferguson better in the air than anyone we now have. Cottee a better finisher than anyone we have now. Stuart more productive than Gordon and Gray. Horne and Ebbrell better at the tough stuff than Docuore and Allan. Only Oster and Williamson stand out as "nothing players" in 98, but they no worse than most of our current lot.

The gutless, heartless performances on the pitch are now causing the crowd to give up.

Everyone attending tonight, please get behind the team 100% regardless of the selections and formation. Only sheer willpower can deliver a result.

PS Snapping the disgusting RS Shelvey in two in the first few minutes would improve crowd morale no end. Getting him sent off would be even better.

COYB.

No, Kean, please, and let's not put Ben in the center. Richi needs to be out wide with Gordon- it's the only place he affects the game.

Cheer not boo. That's from a blue legend.

When he shells out his hard earned to watch shite I may listen to him.

Big Nev always the contrary one lol

Be braver FFS Blues and take the game to the Toon with a balanced team of five defensive players and five offensive players...that's what needed now to get us out of the shite...Back to basics...4-4-2

Begovic
Pattison
Godfrey
Branthwaite
Mykolenko
Gray
Allan
Gordon
Townsend
Rondon
Richy

Sorted!!!

I confidently predict future club historians will judge this to be the lowest point of Everton Football Club team-wise.

We thought we had seen the worst in 1998 but your analysis is correct – this team is worse not just in ability but in character too.

Sadly in a perfect storm, it is also a low point in leadership off the field – can you really see a new investor or sponsor of any meaningful reality putting funds into the club under the current management – it is ludicrous to suggest they would do so given the running down of Everton's football standing under Kenwright and the complete financial mismanagement he has overseen under Moshiri.

I await with dread the next instalment from Paul the Esk on his appraisal of the current position and future predictions.

Farrelly scored the goal, Thomas Myhre was in goal, Barmby missed a penalty – that's just three for starters. I think there is at least three more different players who started that day.

But, whoever he favours, lose tonight and we are doomed and his time as a Premier League manager will be over. What a good job we will have Chairman Bill to steer us back to the top echelon!

You owe us big time.

I wonder if all those other clubs who used to phone up Bill when in trouble are wondering what Everton would do in this situation?

Myhre; O'Kane; Short; Tiler; Watson; Ball; Hutchison; Barmby; Farrelly [McCann 91']; Madar [Cadamarteri 49']; Ferguson.

The only other Premier League chairman I ever met was Deadly Doug Ellis and I can't imagine he would ever have looked to Kenwright – or anybody else – for advice!

Why did we sign Dele Alli? £40 million and he can't get a game in this side!

Sorry, someone had posted that online. I wondered about Farrelly. I'd still say Ball, Watson and Hutchison had more guts than anyone in this current team and the defensive two had more technical ability too. Ferguson and Madar were better than Calvert-Lewin on this season's form.

Michael Keane completed his move to Everton from Burnley for a fee that could rise to a club record-equalling £30million... let that sink in.

Defence should be Coleman, Keane, Branthwaite, Godfrey. Midfield: Townsend, Gordon, Doucouré Allan, Gray; Richarlison up top.

This is not a game for Van de Beek to start. Play 4-5-1; get at least a point.

I am nervous as hell. I am sure all at the ground will try to help our players and spur them on to the win we crave and need.
Not a clue how we'll line up, hopefully nothing too bizarre!

"https://unblockit.cam/
When you get to this website scroll down to “sports streams” and pick one. The best two are LIVE TV and CRICFREE. You will have to navigate some adds but that goes with the territory. Premier League games are on there and a lot of other leagues."

We did not pay £40 million for Dele Alli.

Until he plays in 20 games for us, which will not happen this season, we pay no transfer fee. Zero. Ater 20 games we pay £10 million. He has to play in 80 games before we pay £40 million.