Everton vs Manchester United

So he's not had an injury for some weeks now, just him saying he felt a tightness in his groin, so that's enough to keep him completely out of the squad for weeks.

Maybe he should stop wearing those tight evening dresses and schoolgirl uniforms and wear something more conventional, say a suit or a pair of men's jeans.

Sadly I think the time to cash in on him has long gone and we are stuck with an average striker who doesn't want to play.

It's 2022 . . . And you wonder why he may want to leave, when he gets this old 1950s nonsense from his own fans.

Good luck, DCL, hope you get to play and score soon. Fuck the begrudgers!

I agree, nice to hear some good and welcome news.

You say maybe DCL “should stop wearing those tight evening dresses and schoolgirl uniforms and wear something more conventional, say a suit or a pair of men's jeans”

How do you know it's tight evening dresses and schoolgirl uniforms that's causing tightness in DCL's groins, unless of course…… well, we'll leave it there eh!!

Seriously, this is great news, and I'd love to see him come off the bench with a game-winner.

Too bad Maguire's injured. His absence hurts our chances.

Hopefully the extended break and rest he has had will see him come back stronger but hope he is not rushed into the starting 11. No more setbacks please.

Lampard was more upbeat about James Garner ,saying the lad is fit and is in the squad and Lampard is excited to see him play in the team. Hopefully may get some game time on Sunday.

After listening to the press conference, I think we will see Garner sooner rather than later but whose place will he take?

Having done so without the services of our main striker.

We have the wasp in the ear that is Maupay ready to swarm over any defender regardless of size.

This team and squad is taking shape. Get ready for it blues and start believing.

We're marching.

Also Frank says Mina and Holgate back in full training next week and maybe in contention for the next match.

Good news all round, we are looking like a strong squad. Put it this way, I've got no fear about playing Man U, we are as good if not better than their current incarnation. They've got some superstars but are not quite the team that we are.

As for DCL, I couldn't care less what he wears. He always comes across as a nice lad and barring that game against United in April, I've always thought he's given 100% for us.

We're a better team with him (even though I've been pleased with Maupay).

Honestly mate, you sound like a proper dinosaur.

Really pleased ….if this is true. As was noted by Brian…#14 it really didn't sound like a confident ‘yes he's fit as a fiddle and ready to go'. Let's see

A fully fit & firing DCL is a handful and a goal threat. Wish our fans would support him. Especially after his goal v Palace

Some peeps appear to prefer a misfit like Strqualiski or the imperious Niasee rather than DCL who has even openly alluded to mental problems. Let's support our boys eh?

Paul (4) The kind of places where Dom frequents have a strict ‘no denim' policy, so jeans are out of the question.

Joking aside, I really hope DCL can get a run together and stay fit. He's a big asset to our team and deserves our support.

I as much as anyone want Calvert-Lewin to be all things great for us and win the World Cup for England. All I meant was he seems to be a bit reluctant to play, and he's obviously got other irons in the fire.

I don't give a flying fuck what he wears, tight or not. He has got nice legs though!😀

Calvert-Lewin has had one season ruined with injuries; some want to write him off as finished or injury-prone. Don't they remember that immense diving header to save us?? Short memories some people.

The lad had just established himself in the England squad, second only to Harry Kane, before the injuries. Some, like Paul Kossoff, say he's reluctant to play but the lad has played through injuries, rushed back unfit, had mental health issues, yet is seen as some Mina type glass-legged cry-baby.
Unfair, IMO.

A fit Calvert-Lewin adds a dimension to our team that cannot be underestimated. I believe Frank and his staff know how good he can be and are trying to give him the best opportunity to impact the full remainder of the season.

Bring him on second half while Man Utd are tiring, and give them a headache. Let Maupay rough them up, Dom finish them off!!!

COYFB

The world has changed, unfortunately, since most of us old fogies were young! Which was a long time ago for very many of us...

The future is in the hands of, of, well, bloody kids... I hope Coady and Tarkowski will gently slap them all into behaving like old-time adults in time... ;D

He maybe not be the greatest on the deck but his attributes in the air make up for it. I am sure this is the reason we bought McNeil as he is known to be a good crosser of the ball.

I say let Calvert-Lewin do his talking on the pitch but to join the consensus let's take this gradually and have him come on from the bench to start.

Let's see if Frank brings him on later in the game on Sunday, but we shall see. Good to have his aerial threat available again to the Everton squad.

Great to have him back. By the way, the Coleman stats from the Southampton game, shows the anti-ToffeeWeb Coleman fans you haven't a clue.

Doesn't stop you looking like a fucking idiot.

"and he's obviously got other irons in the fire" – so what are they then? I don't know what they are, did Dominic tell you himself?

You seem to know more than we do – whatever you know, I think we should be told.

The lad is a good pro... mental health affects anyone in all walks of life.

He has basically been absent for 18 months. St Thomas the apostle after 3 years hanging out with Jesus couldn't believe he was back from the dead. I'm no saint and I haven't hung out with Calvert-Lewin for 5 minutes, much less 3 years, so forgive me for being skeptical.

I have this horrible feeling some niggly injury will strike. I do not want that to happen but, as a weather-beaten, once-bitten, twice-shy Evertonian, I can't muster any sense of optimism to think his problems are over.

I hope Dominic has been managed carefully to get him back to where he needs to be and can be.

There is a better management team around him now and there is at least some form of backup to take the pressure off what are still a young player's shoulders.

We saw what it meant to him at the end of last season. I don't think he's fallen out of love with the game. I just think he's had an unfortunate run. Let's hope he's back, fit and ready to contribute to this improving squad.

Starting with a diving header on Sunday evening.

@Rob, hopefully they can just deconflict the timings like they always do (or did) with the National. The only issue will be the need for extra support staff to answer questions from the Norway contingent. They'll be confused that there is a football match on in the City and it's not at Mordor. Also to stop them bricking the coach.

The same TWebbers were also constantly including Iwobi in the Deadwood list. Following the religious theme, many now have had a Paulian conversion.

I hope Calvert-Lewin will be back to his best; my concern is that his slow return is more mental than physical. Hopefully he will come off the bench and tower over the Man Utd defence and head home the winner, Duncan style!

I'm sure Dominic wanted to get back playing asap. He could have nailed down a place in the World Cup squad, so to suggest he was reluctant to play is a bit off the mark.

It could be that perhaps he rushed back too soon last time?
I am just hoping we can get him "right" and we can benefit from his contribution.

If he wants to move on, then the only option is to put a run together, start scoring, and prove his injury crisis was unlucky and not the norm. Either way, he plays.

Great in the air, fast and hard as nails – come on, Dom!

Sorry but are you saying Coleman fans who are anti-ToffeeWeb haven't a clue and Coleman was shite?

I'm a Coleman fan and thought he had a poor first half but decent second. I also think Patterson is the future.

But I'll never slag off Seamus as long as he breathes. Best Blue since Tiny Tim! UTFT

Coleman had a good game last week and showed that he's still got something left in the tank.

Unlike most comments, I would actually start him with Maupay up front. If he's fit, the more game time, the better; whenever he's knackered, bring him off and revert to the 4-3-3.

I'd also like to see Garner start; hopefully, he'll have a point to prove against his former employers.

Last time I was home on holiday, we won every home match I managed to go to, so hopefully that's a good omen going into this one. 🤞

2-1 to the Blues, Onana and Gueye to bully their midfield while the Goodison atmosphere carries us to the 3 points.

UTT.

No player walks on water. Apart from Kevin Sheedy and (for those older than me) Alan Ball.

Seamus Coleman had a decent and steady game last week. Yes, he made a few mistakes but so did a lot of players.

But Coleman didn't let us down and still has a lot to offer this squad providing we use him sparingly as back-up to the ever-improving Patterson. I wish we'd have done that with Allan, but that ship has sailed.

Seamus has given his all for this club and I have no doubt he will continue to do so until he can't run anymore. The supporters recognise that and it was telling that "60 grand, Seamus Coleman" was belted out on quite a few occasions at St Mary's last Saturday.

He is forever in our hearts. We are forever in his.

Bring the points home.

Best regards to Walt!

And on the same subject, he's a 25-year-old footballer and sometime model so obviously he's going to wear clothes that some people feel challenged by. Live and let live.

To quote Eddie Izzard when asked by a journalist why he wears women's clothes? His response: "These aren't women's clothes, they're my clothes."

Speaking from personal experience playing football, cycling a ton, and climbing a ton too – when you get injuries, they very often follow one another. Not being able to exercise and then taking it up again after injury almost always led to further small, niggly injuries. Even more so now I turn 50 next year!

I happened to watch a TV show about Alan Shearer last night and he talked about when he did his ACL and then kept picking up more injuries as he tried to return, and it made me think of Calvert-Lewin and how his situation is similar. Okay, he isn't going to score goals like Shearer but the injury issue is much the same.

It happens all the time – Calvert-Lewin is no special case in that regard. Support the kid, don't beat him up over it. He's an Everton player, after all.

I thought the same about Coleman, who was very rusty during the first half against Southampton, but I thought he got so much better the longer the game went on.

Do stats show how many times a player takes a bad touch, which puts him on the back foot, instead of driving forward, Christy?

Anyway, the more positivity there is before a game, the worse we seem to play. I know this is just another contradiction from someone who wants a united fan base, but tomorrow is a massive test, and if Everton can come through it, then maybe it will be time to sit up and become more excited, and “united” – especially if we can beat these Mancs!

I think if Iwobi had been an apostle of Jesus, after 2½ years even Jesus would have swerved him!.

Utd should be well up for this game, we always seem to play teams who have had a large kick up the ass from the previous results.
Nevertheless I can see us getting something out of the game, whether its a win I'm not too sure.

This team is starting to pick itself and, with a greater level of consistency in the choice of the first 11, performances will get better; those who are left out will have to work that bit harder and take whatever minutes they get to impress.

Calvert-Lewin to get his first minutes of the season and hopefully he opens his account with the match-winning goal.

I see Man Utd's Anthony has been warned over Everton. Not sure if that means on the pitch or our crowd or both. Good to know people are getting wary of us. No cheap goals and we can have these tomorrow.

Weve missed that I think...

COYB

That was an England game if memory serves me right. It was an incredible leap. While the defender didn't jump, he certainly didn't duck either.

Would be good to see that salmon leap again.

The people in charge of the playing side are ambitious and hard-headed. We're no longer drifting hopelessly and that makes it much easier to be patient and to have a sense of perspective.

Don't we all feel that this is the most promising time for the team for many years? Much work to be done but we can be confident that it will be done.

DCL may roll around in a skirt on his free time for all I care.

It's a kilt Lev, a kilt. Just a quick change of word and BANG! Masculinity restored for DCL.

Dominic is cut like a Greek god. He's a damn handsome bugger. If fashion is his thing, who freaking cares??? Kid looks to me like he was born for it.

He was also born to play footy, and we should be thrilled he's back and pray for his continued health.

Man Utd is a big game. We either seriously announce "we're back" by taking 3 points and nearing the Euro spots, against a team who will be incredibly motivated coming off their bare bottom spanking to their rivals, or we lose to that motivated team and take our place in the middle of the pack – that dark void of "meh".

Up the table contenders or middle of the pack average? Sunday will be a barometer of that question, in my opinion.

Pickford or DeGea
Patterson or Dalot
Mykolenko or Malacia
Coady or Martinez
Tarkowski or Varane
Gueye or Casemiro
Onana or Eriksen
Iwobi or Fernandes
Gordon or Sancho
McNeil or Anthony
DCL or Rashford

Patterson's absence is a blow, of course, and Maupay might start ahead of DCL, but even so. We should be confident going into this game.

Yes, Calvert-Lewin is injured and has been, and we should be patient and not hold it against him.

Wait for it... BUT!

I completely understand the frustration. Calvert-Lewin hasn't gone down with a leg-breaker or some really obvious injury. It's been the little niggly things keeping him out of the lineup. And frankly it's been a fucking eternity. Yes, the diving header game wasn't too terribly long ago, but he was in and out of the lineup at the end of the relegation-threatening run last year.

Everyone's seen it – that dude who is seemingly always injured, and the injuries never really look too damn awful. You wonder is the fella crying off, or simply lacking toughness?

Why is this guy injured? Then think, "Toughen up man. I'd go if I was in your position! You found the courage to get out there end of last season, find that courage again, Sally."

I don't fault anyone for thinking the above, or getting frustrated with the situation. When the niggly injuries go on ad infinitum, it's not a cardinal sin to start to question.

All that being said, I think Calvert-Lewin clearly hasn't been fit, has been injured, and we need him back. Patience with his return would be proper. I can't wait to have him back frankly.

But I won't shit on anyone who's impatient and questions his lengthy layoff. It's a normal human reaction, if you ask me.

I'd say our midfield is better than theirs and our defense more solid but they have a huge advantage in attacking resources. Irresistible force versus immovable object?

I couldn't believe after discussing Man Utd for 8 minutes, they never said one word about Everton, and moved on to discuss Steve Bruce. Let's be honest, unbelievable Jeff.

I also read Garth Crooks saying if Lampard doesn't get us in the Top 6, he'll be sacked, another pundit who thinks he's God's gift to football.

Hope to see Calvert-Lewin on the bench tomorrow and getting a run out, hopefully when we're winning comfortably, and also like to see Garner getting game time. I know some would like to see Garner in from the start, but who would we drop in midfield?

Tim Sherwood, what a player he was. Prolific scorer (?) great tackler (?) sensational passer (?) incredible dribbler (?). Then he was hailed as Brain of Britain when he led Spurs to unparalleled success (?) and completely turned around Villa (?). Absolute legend.

It's good for me. Hoping to get back from Italy to Bristol Airport and up the M5, M6, M62 and M57 in time for kick-off.

Onto the game; and intriguing match-up with us having a better defence & midfield IMHO, whereas they've got better players that can do damage in the final 3rd. But I'll be disappointed if we don't get anything out of the game.

Regarding midfield, I'd like to see a complete change:

Pickford
Coleman Tarkowski Coady Mykolenko
Gana Onana Garner
Iwobi
Maupay Calvert-Lewin

Any width with Maupay and Iwobi

Once Calvert-Lewin is knackered, revert to Gray and Gordon in 4-3-3.

It's because he's Championship level.

I would trust to our own pace on the counter.

Martial and Fernandes are bogeymen and we must hope that the gods are with us.

Quiet Sunday night. All shops closed, buses every hour, most not running on a Sunday, trains on Sunday service, younger supporters have school on Monday. Traffic wardens, like flies around shite.

Both sets of supporters drinking from 12 noon onwards. Do BT and the FA give a fuck? No they don't.

Thanks to the brilliant Abrahams family, I was at the Easter Sunday thrashing of Man Utd – one of the best days I have ever had!!

You do realise, Joe, that (no pressure) the outcome of this match depends on you! Bring us a win.

Yes, put them on paper and we look comparable, what you can't put on paper is spirt, desire to play for each other, or the shirt.

In years gone by, if you listed our team against Man Utd's, you would say we'd be nowhere near them, but we haven't struggled, we've beat them even, as a team can be so much more than the sum of its parts.

That is what I'm seeing this season – a team is so much more than throwing big names together… ask Man Utd fans.

It won't be easy after they took a hiding last week, they will be up for it, but the good thing is we know our lads will be up for it. We don't have the same shirkers or missing-in-action mercenaries anymore.

We have some options now: Calvert-Lewin or Maupay. Gray, Gordon or McNeil. Garner or Doucouré if we need fresh legs.

Christy,

Garth Crooks never had time for us if ever there was a pundit who loved the "Big 6", it's him absolute weapon that man.

As for Sherwood, are we really arsed what he says? Probably only watches the 4 minutes they give Everton on MotD.

I'd be more arsed if the pisshead old fella in my local thought we were going down — and he's still thinking Des Lynam is on Match of the Day!!!

It will taste sweeter when we prove them wrong!!

I remember I was at a game at Goodison (vs Man Utd) some time around 2000 ish when things went a bit mental outside… let's hope tomorrow stays friendly. I'd love it if we beat them! COYB.

I couldn't have put it better myself. Absolutely spot on, yes you're right, there'll be setbacks, of course there will, but me personally, I haven't been this optimistic about a manager for years.

Well okay, Martinez's first season.

I've learned with age not to get carried away when we go on a run but I've got a real good feeling for Frank and his staff. And believe me when I tell you I am the eternal pessimist. 4 seasons, Frank, that's all I'm asking of you.

That must have been Maguire. After all, his head is up his arse so not difficult for Dom to jump that high.

And for us real old Evertonians, there's Dave Hickson!

Everton to win 3-1 and fondly think of Christine doing her Irish Jig whilst I drink my Tizer – a 7am kick-off is a little early for Irish Whiskey!

In Frank I Trust.

Up the Blues!!!

The kick-off time doesn't take supporters into consideration. I see our fixture away to Newcastle is a midweek evening kick-off as well.

Again.

Good luck to all those travelling today, I feel for the West Country Blues, they won't get home until 3:00 am at best. As we know, the TV people don't give a fuck about fans.

Let's start the day with England beating the convicts in T20!

COYB

A win could take us top 7 and above Utd and the RS but when that looks possible it usually goes tits up. Just for once, let's get it done. COYMB.

Whatever the reality of our situation, the outside perception of our season hinges on tonight.

Similar feelings but I guess that's down to mostly disappointment having supported for over 60 years. Reached the stage of not expecting a win in any big game during the Moyes era and, bar one season since his departure, it's remained that way.

But fingers crossed…

It's been a hectic week up here. The highlight was an Irish Comedy Club night where a good Irish comedian started slagging off scousers. He was doing okay till that point, made it worse with a few off-cuff comments about football... about supporting the other lot.

So I heckled him, asked him if he had ever been to Mordor?

"No," he replied, "but I got a tattoo."

So I suggested to him that it was on his backside.. so he asked me if I had even been to Liverpool? Ahhh... fatal mistake. "Born there," I replied, "have you ever been to Ireland?"

"My parents are proud Irish' he said.

"Ahhh, so you're a fake Irishman and a fake RS supporter too!"

He was getting riled at this point... he then retorted, "so what about you, you're no better than me!"

"But the difference is, I'm an Evertonian and you wouldn't exist without us!"

Post performance he was still peeved, trying to knock me by repudiation my own Irish background. So, I asked the band to play a jig... and I smiled.

After I sat down, he came over, gave me a glass of Guinness and said "I hope you beat those Mancs on Sunday!' And his parting words, "Great jig, by the way!"

I am wary however of a Man Utd backlash from last week. Seamus, Tarkowski and Coady are all old heads and may have a lot to do to keep Rashford and Anthony quiet.

I am watching it in the pub tonight with two Man Utd friends, I'd settle for a draw but genuinely feel this is very winnable. I think the crowd will whip the boys up and we will edge a nervy game 2-1. COYB.

What you had to listen to your in the Irish pub is, unfortunately, what I have to listen to every day regarding the rs, here in Ireland. But I just don my blue face on and put them in their place and leave them red-faced. COYB.

United are rather like Everton in the sense that they lack consistency, destroyed last week by Man City (Who would not have been by that first-half display?), yet were excellent against Liverpool. I hope

Everton can get an early breakthrough and dent their confidence quickly.
COYB.

You've been putting some good stuff up here recently. Especially about Seamus, but you're now telling us you listen to what Crooks and Sherwood have to say?

I'm just going to assume you've been on the lash.

Joe @48.

I've got complete confidence in you.

If Calvert-Lewin starts, I think Everton will be full on from the off. If Maupay, then I think it will be sit back and hit them on the break.

If Calvert-Lewin is fit, play him; if not sure, don't play him at all.

Calvert-Lewin in form is a big asset although he, like some players, does have limitations. Nobody is perfect.

He will probably come off the bench today which makes sense but hopefully not a desperate move at the time.

We are still a work in progress with a lot to do and hopefully that will continue on the upward slope today.

Yes, there is, let's face it, a realistic chance of defeat tonight.

The most important thing is how we react to that outcome in the weeks to come. Have we turned the corner? By that I mean would we come out fighting in the next game or go into our shells as we have done so often before.

So, for me, not so much bothered about the result as much as our ability to bounce back.

Yes, there is, let's face it, a realistic chance of defeat tonight. The most important thing is how we react to that outcome in the weeks to come. Have we turned the corner?

By that I mean would we come out fighting in the next game or go into our shells as we have done so often before? So, for me, not so much bothered about the result as much as our ability to bounce back.

Mark and avoid, delete, move on, Christy. I think those two are only surpassed by Chris Sutton.

What's this talk of defeat? The ball hasn't been kicked yet and the game will last 90-plus minutes.