Everton vs Fulham
Match Preview
Seamus Coleman is ruled out with a hamstring problem
Everton go into what has the potential to be a hugely significant weekend in the dogfight at the bottom of the Premier League to avoid relegation as they prepare to host Fulham at Goodison Park.
The Blues come into the match week hovering above the drop zone, level on points with Nottingham Forest but above them on goal difference, two points better off than struggling Leicester and just three points behind West Ham and Bournemouth in 14th and 15th place respectively.
Importantly, while Everton are involved one of two remaining home fixtures where they might realistically be regarded as favourites, three of those afore-mentioned rival clubs face teams currently sitting in the top four this weekend.
That provides Sean Dyche and his side with the chance to open up a gap between themselves and the teams below them if results go as they might be expected to. The manager was keen to stress in his press conference, however, that Everton will continue to focus on what they need to do rather than sweat on results elsewhere.
Dyche will be forced into at least one change from the side that lined up against Manchester United last weekend, with the news that Seamus Coleman has sustained a "niggling" hamstring injury that will sideline him for this week at least.
The club captain was forced off during the second half of the defeat at Old Trafford with the complaint and was replaced by Nathan Patterson who is now fit himself after recovering from a knee injury that had kept him out of action since the first week of January.
The Scot's cameo last weekend was his first appearance under Dyche so it remains to be seen whether the new manager will instill faith in him to start in Coleman's place as a natural full-back against the Cottagers or whether he will turn to Ben Godfrey who has been starting ahead of Vitalii Mykolenko on the other side of defence in recent games.
Godfrey was withdrawn himself against United after having a torrid time at left-back defending the Red Devils' balls over the top of the Blues' high line and struggled at right-back at the Emirates Stadium against Arsenal last month when he came on a second-half substitute.
Dyche remarked in his pre-match press conference that full match fitness was a concern where Patterson was concerned given that he has not started a match for over three months. That could be what prompts the manager to give Godfrey the nod this time around.
Meanwhile, Dyche was coy over whether Dominic Calvert-Lewin will play any part this weekend. The striker will complete a full week's training if he is involved with the group at Finch Farm tomorrow and could be passed as fit by the club's medical staff to start for the first time since the home clash against the Gunners in early February.
Assuming Calvert-Lewin isn't risked from the start, Dyche still has the conundrum of how best to compensate for the absence of Abdoulaye Doucouré who serves the second of a three-match ban for his altercation with Harry Kane of Tottenham a fortnight ago.
Ellis Simms was handed the responsibility of leading the line along with Demarai Gray with mixed results but it remains to be seen whether Dyche will be moved to try something different, perhaps with James Garner in midfield and one of Amadou Onana or Alex Iwobi pushed forward in support of Gray.
Fulham travel without their top goalscorer and biggest threat, Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is in the middle of an eight-game suspension, and in the middle of a run of form that has seem them go winless in the league since mid-February.
Sitting comfortably in seventh place not long ago, Marco Silva's side have slipped to 10th place, some seven points adrift of a possible European place. Silva, himself serving a ban, will be watching on from the stand for his first game back at Goodison as a manager since he was sacked by Farhad Moshiri 3½ years ago.
Nevertheless, they are a well-organised side boasting plenty of good players which will make them a tough opponent for Everton.
Dyche will remind his players, though, that they have already seen off League leaders Arsenal this season, ended Brentford's long unbeaten sequence and run Champions League-chasing Spurs very close since he took charge almost 11 weeks ago.
With another committed, intense performance and the 12th man of Goodison, he will feel that the Blues have enough to earn what would be three priceless points.
Kick-off: 3 pm, Saturday 15 April 2023
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Andre Marriner
Last Time: Everton 0 - 2 Fulham
Predicted Line-up: Pickford, Godfrey, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Gueye, Onana, Garner, Iwobi, McNeil, Gray
Reader Comments (172)
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2 Posted 13/04/2023 at 14:46:31
3 Posted 13/04/2023 at 14:49:24
Looking at our remaining fixtures, apart from Bournemouth last game of season, the Fulham game is the one that is certainly winnable, we simply have to win.
We have got to gamble on Calvert-Lewin this Saturday, take the gamble.
4 Posted 13/04/2023 at 14:51:30
5 Posted 13/04/2023 at 15:20:29
Right now Patterson is probably best utilised as an option off the bench in the last 30 minutes if we need a more progressive attacking push.
I'd be delighted to see DCL back in the match-day squad. Starting him would be a big statement, but one that might put too much pressure on him and his body right now. Like Patterson, he's surely one to deploy only if the situation absolutely demands it.
6 Posted 13/04/2023 at 15:28:13
7 Posted 13/04/2023 at 15:39:40
Glad Calvin Lewin is back in the squad.
8 Posted 13/04/2023 at 15:58:20
DCL off the bench should give us all a bit of a lift...hopefully.
9 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:05:06
My eleven for this Saturday would be
Pickford
Patterson Keane* Tarks Myko
Gana Garner
Gray O'Nana McNeil
Simms (or DCL)
*im also a fan of Ben Godfrey and if he was in form I'd play him before Keane but the latter has earned his place recently and Godfrey doesn't look comfortable nor confident.
10 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:07:54
Agree with that Dave Abrahams. Presence sometimes is as important as ability. I used to say it about Phil Neville. Not the best player but for that team around that time, when he wasn't on the pitch, his presence and influence on the other players was missed.
11 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:29:17
12 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:40:48
I expect it'll be Holgate at RB, which may not be a bad thing at all. He's a decent threat at set pieces as well as a decent defender.
Patterson, as others note, is still a bit raw and has only just recovered from long term injury. Shame but his time will come.
Hopefully it's a 4411 / 451:
Pickford
Holgate / Godfrey
Mykolenko
Keane
Tarkowski
Garner / Davies
Gueye
Onana / Iwobi
McNeil
Gray
DCL / Maupay / Simms
COYB
13 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:41:18
14 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:44:44
Off-topic, congrats to our old friend Steven Naismith beginning his top-level managerial career by being named interim gaffer at Hearts. First thing he did was kick old friend Robert Snodgrass out of the club to "spend more time with his family." Did anybody doubt that Nais would be a tough, hard-ass manager? Whoooo.
15 Posted 13/04/2023 at 16:51:51
16 Posted 13/04/2023 at 17:08:49
Pickford
Patterson Keane Tarkowski Mykolenko
Iwobi Davies Gana Garner McNeil
Gray
With Simms/DCL coming on in the 2nd half to run at a tiring Fulham defence.
17 Posted 13/04/2023 at 17:10:06
18 Posted 13/04/2023 at 17:14:31
I do hope it's Patterson as he has pace and physicality going forward, his defensive duties will get better the more he plays. All his injuries have come on International Duty, which is both unfortunate and stopped him having a run of games.
Looking forward to this match and meeting a few of you in the Harlech Castle (County Road, opposite KFC) 13.00 to before kick-off, Andy Crooks is over from Belfast and Peter Moore coming up from Worcester too, so there should be a decent TW contingency there, plus many regulars.
19 Posted 13/04/2023 at 17:16:43
20 Posted 13/04/2023 at 18:16:08
This season, he has shown again and again just how good a player he is. His experience will be missed and I am in the Holgate for rightback camp.
With a rejigged defence it will be even more important to score some goals. Fingers crossed, because this game really has to be won.
21 Posted 13/04/2023 at 18:56:36
There's pros and cons with all of them but I think the manager will go for Holgate, who is a tough customer and has a bit of experience playing there. Godfrey a bit more of a risk at right back then left back positioning wise. Patterson would be the natural choice but this is a crunch game, he's inexperienced and just back from injury. If he's looking the part in training though he could get the nod. Back 3 option unlikely.
22 Posted 13/04/2023 at 18:58:33
This compounds with the loss of Doucouré, whose absence was very noticeable. We've had less trouble in this area under Dyche so far, hopefully no more injuries.
23 Posted 13/04/2023 at 19:03:28
Nothing means nothing no more.
24 Posted 13/04/2023 at 19:33:36
25 Posted 13/04/2023 at 19:40:50
Half a game each for Simms and DCL should be manageable I hope. Maupay shouldn't be asked to play the lone striker role and we shouldn't try that 2 again this season.
26 Posted 13/04/2023 at 20:43:22
I'm not convinced yet that Patterson, cuts it with Sean Dyche, player requirements.
But be it, Patterson, Godfrey, Holgate or Mykolenko, who starts, they must do a good job, a very tough job, to eclipse Seamus in his current form, the slip up at United, was one of those mistakes, any player can make in any match.
But focus on Everton, and let's hope for a fair crack from the referee ( Anthony Taylor) and the line people.
UTFTs!
27 Posted 13/04/2023 at 21:49:18
That Anthony Taylor loves giving out a penalty kicks.
28 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:16:03
–
29 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:21:13
30 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:21:33
Even when Godfrey was in Ancelotti's 'Wall of 4' and on what passed for 'good form'...and that wasn't the highest of bars...he was a better LB than RB.
Off topic-ish; 50yrs since Red Rum first won - where did that all go?
31 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:31:14
He is a favourite son. I would like nothing more than that we achieve safety prior to the Bournemouth game and he plays in that match having announced his retirement.
32 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:32:50
sometimes players are playing things politically, sometimes they are just natural scumbags. Some are both.
The whole thing stinks and shows that when it suits for the drama, it will be allowed to play out with no real oversight or intervention.
33 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:37:45
Dyche doesnt seem to have a high opinion of Patterson but he is an international RB and has played some good games for us so for me he must be in there. Godfrey has been a shadow of the player of a couple of years ago and I wouldnt even have him on the bench.
DCL must start if fit and we have to be on the front foot from the off in this game.
34 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:38:36
But on Saturday, Everton, will atone for the display last week at Old Trafford.
UTFTs!
35 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:41:56
No consolation at all, nor was winning the Eurovision Song Contest with “Puppet on a string†when we finally got home.
36 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:43:02
I "met" Red Rum once - and Aldaniti. "Just" horses but I swear, both had an aura for sure.
You're right. Where did the time go?
37 Posted 13/04/2023 at 22:52:23
Everton have adequate players on defense to come in but as we all know the biggest problem is the offense.
Fulham are not doing well of late and have nothing to play for although we all know they will give Everton a hard time unless we can show them who's boss early on.
I am glad Mitrovic will be absent but of course Silva will be looking for something against the club he did nothing for except bring in Richarlison.
This has to be nothing less than three points given the standings and we cannot rely on other clubs slipping up even Leeds against RS.
38 Posted 13/04/2023 at 23:48:35
It's a bleak memory.
Red Rum's never meant much to me for obvious reasons but now that you mention Sandy Shore (for the times, a modest vocalist, who was termed "Pebbly Beach" by my scouse family) her song just may have been the catalyst for Kenwright squandering later decades in search of his "Puppet On A String."
Our young maths teacher, Mr Lawson, had a bet on Foinavon and was kind enough with some of his winnings to buy our school some mesmeric drawing equipment that left the then newly adored "Spirograph" toy in the distant shade.
He gave exhibitions of it in his own time - as a dedicated educator would.
39 Posted 13/04/2023 at 23:59:27
Keane, Coady, Tarkowski. McNeill and Iwobi wing backs. Garner, Gana, Onana as a midfield 3. Grey and DCL up top.
if not that, the I fully expect Godfrey at right back and Myko left back. DCL from the bench - although if fit I'd rather he starts and gets 60 minutes.
40 Posted 14/04/2023 at 00:32:00
41 Posted 14/04/2023 at 03:03:59
I can't stand Holgate or his fellow Chuckle brother Keane. However, Patterson can't defend and Holgate has previously done OK at RB versus Godfrey who seems like a tri athlete who's never played football before. So as long as he isn't playing in a CB partnership alongside Keane, due to our paucity of options I would reluctantly probably utilize Mason at RB with Coleman absent.
42 Posted 14/04/2023 at 06:01:43
Oh for the prime days of Baines and Coleman!
Think Dyche will probably opt for Mykolenko and Godfrey this weekend. He values consistency and will probably make as few changes as possible. He doesn't seem to rate Patterson.
Coleman can't be relied upon next season again surely. If we stay up then I wonder if we'll buy a new RB. If we go down then Patterson will be more than good enough for Championship you'd think.
43 Posted 14/04/2023 at 06:25:22
44 Posted 14/04/2023 at 06:28:31
Mike thought exactly the same about Naismith and his snodgrass decision. He finished off by saying let's concentrate on the players who are going forward!
45 Posted 14/04/2023 at 06:29:25
The loss of Coleman will be felt because it's another square peg, probably Godfrey, in a round hole.
Patterson is another one who is starting to do my head in with the amount of time out since he's been here, I can't believe he's actually been here for 15 months and I've hardly seen him.
Right back and left back will be added to the summer tranfer list of at least two strikers and a creative, attacking midfielder.
All providing of course that we don't end up with a transfer embargo.
46 Posted 14/04/2023 at 06:52:05
GD is proofing key, and a clean sheet in any game, is nice, but victory is key tomorrow.
On a seperate note good luck, to Steven Naismith in his caretaker role at Hearts. I rated him for team work and effort and he was the last Everton player to score the perfect hatrick v Chelsea -12.09.2015, the day after my Dad passed.
Tomorrow is a great chance for Everton to shine and progress up the table, and victory is important to get some positive momentum in the last month of this season.
UTFTs!
47 Posted 14/04/2023 at 07:02:23
48 Posted 14/04/2023 at 07:29:46
He should also be credited with his personal charitable work. He has put his name to helping Dyslexia, sponsors a scheme to help injured ex-forces personnel back to work and his work with the homeless in Liverpool and Glasgow is well documented.
And he does that in a humble unassuming manner unlike St Marcus of Manchester.
Doesn't seek limelight, attention or interviews that have BBC breakfast gushing over him. He just goes about using his fortunate situation to help others.
I'm not dismissing what Rashford has done by the way, but look at the difference.
As well as donating tickets throughout job centres in Merseyside for unemployed people to attend the match.
Take note absent charlatan board if you are not using your seats. There are people who would take them in a second.
49 Posted 14/04/2023 at 07:39:35
Pre-match, the Saddle Inn is a gathering point as is George McKane's "Dark House". Depending on how you're travelling, if by train, the North Western at Lime Street is always good for a pitstop before heading to the ground.
Personally I avoid the Spoons on County Road as it attracts away supporters (says me!!). Then I doubt there be many tomorrow.
The Brick and The Winslow are obvious ones, but I prefer them post match, especially after a decent result, as the sing-song gets boisterous bordering on emotional.
For tomorrow, you might want to consider the Harlech Castle on County Road. Derek Knox has rallied a gathering of a few of the regulars on this site. They will look after you.
Post match I often wander across Stanley Park to the Arkles, but I don't recommend that. It's just a personal thing to have a swift one in my late Grandfather's local. He was an Evertonian, but it is a red pub. Easier to get a cab back to Lime Street even if it makes me feel bitter!
50 Posted 14/04/2023 at 07:45:46
Regarding Williams, that impressed me as well.
51 Posted 14/04/2023 at 08:08:26
Henry Newton had a decent game too - the only decent game I saw the glass kneed bluffer ever have...I'm sure Harry bought him on the strength of that one game - 5yrs too late.
Tommy Jackson excluded, there's a good case to say that Howard Kendall - in March 1967 - was the last decent signing he ever made.
52 Posted 14/04/2023 at 08:26:11
That doesn't mean we turn up an win, we will have to be our best to achieve that, even the Bottom 9 clubs will hurt you if you are not 100% or make a sloppy unforced mistake.
It's a worn out cliche the ‘must win game', but it certainly applies to this one. Both for the big opportunity to get 3 points and also to regain the momentum.
I think the manager will revert to the tried and tested hard to beat 4-5-1 formation and will be happy to restrict Fulham and pick them off with a goal and another from a set piece. It frustrates some fans but it is what works best with the players we have got. A back three formation or a 4-4-2 always leave us exposed , they may sound good in theory, but in practice seldom work for us.
Here's my guess;
Pickford
Holgate Keane Tarkowski Godfrey
Iwobi Garner Gana Onana McNeil
Gray
Calvert-Lewin likely kept in reserve for the last 20-30 minutes to help keep possession if we are winning, or score the winner if we're not.
Can't underestimate the importance of this match. COY BLUES !
53 Posted 14/04/2023 at 08:30:55
54 Posted 14/04/2023 at 08:49:56
55 Posted 14/04/2023 at 08:53:26
56 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:00:07
I loved him while he was with us, probably the best player I have seen in an Everton shirt IMO. However, something tells me he doesn't have the stomach for a relegation battle and I can't see him being much of an SD player. MLS beckons for our James me thinks.
57 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:00:14
It's why smart Clubs buy young up and comers. They buy them cheap, don't pay them much and then hopefully, if they've bought well, sell them at a large profit. Like it or not, given Everton's revenue level and the FFP considerations meaning we can only lose so much money, we need to be one of these smart clubs (not the dumb one we have been run as for years that now, per our owner, has us facing an existential threat!)
58 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:01:59
A right Rogues Gallery came up in my head. Ernie Hunt, Joe Harper, Rod Belfitt, Bernie Wright, Newtons x 2 (actually a bit harsh on Keith), Tiger McLoughlin… perhaps you're right.
59 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:11:07
60 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:13:14
But that was then. Politics, stadium, board. They can wait until Sunday.
Tomorrow it's about the players that walk on the pitch we all dreamed of walking on with us behind them.
61 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:21:50
My email is dozzerday@gmail.com if anyone fancies dropping me their number ðŸ‘
62 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:38:30
63 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:48:52
64 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:49:48
65 Posted 14/04/2023 at 09:53:40
66 Posted 14/04/2023 at 10:07:58
Says something when our best RB is the guy we've been trying unsuccessfully to replace for the last five seasons.
I'd go godfrey just because we need to be solid and he has strength and speed. He was let down a little by our tactics at OT. That ball over the top was always going to let a fast winger like Anthony in. BG was exposed with a choice between drop deeper and risk not holding the high line therefore playing Anthony onside or a foot race every five minutes. Turned out to be the latter.
One of the few times Dyche got it wrong tactically for me. We got of conceded five easily.
67 Posted 14/04/2023 at 10:12:16
Howard as a manager again 2 more times
Ferguson
Gueye
Jeffers
Unsworth
Rooney
Pienaar
Stubbs
McFadden
David Johnson
King
Alan Harper
Beagrie
Fernandez
Jo
Gravesen
I'm sure there are more. Very few were a success sending time round.
Why would we want to add a washed-up, released twice since he left us 18 months ago James to the list?
68 Posted 14/04/2023 at 10:40:30
69 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:13:50
70 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:25:52
71 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:26:10
Garner in
Keep it simple
Strong midfield!
72 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:27:07
73 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:31:59
74 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:45:07
75 Posted 14/04/2023 at 11:54:40
76 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:03:34
He'd piss all over every player in our squad when it comes to ability - yeah he can't run, but who needs running when you have the ability he has? Let the others run around while he picks them out.
I was gutted he played for us during the pandemic and never got to see him live. I'd have him back in a heartbeat, even just for the last 8 games.
You get 5 subs now, so using James for maybe 20/30 minutes per game, he'd light the place up and create more than our entire squad.
77 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:06:55
Trevor Steven and Kevin Sheedy were also better over a longer period of time.
78 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:14:45
79 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:14:53
80 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:21:37
We were supposed to be selling him due to S + P rules and the high salary we could not afford.. then we went out and got more players so much for that one..
I suspect the club wanted rid after Ancelotti went.. so the "inside sources let the BS of his salary get worse and fed into it. Don't believe it? All too convenient with this bloody board.
Regarding his age / quality / injury etc.. Even at the end of his era, he possessed more skill than anyone in the first team, so he was slaughtered in the press for his lifestyle..
You see all I saw was quality.. but all others saw was lazy.. he didn't run a million miles an hour like Keane, tackle like Iwobi, or finish like Maupay, so they must have been better.. yeah.. they must be..
81 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:22:17
Agreed, but to get him in for 8 games? God knows we could do with the help!
82 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:26:08
83 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:29:41
The Dele Alli conundrum is such a shame - the kid has ability but appears to have the brains of a rocking horse.
Give me a fit James any day of the week (mainly Saturday's)
84 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:35:09
85 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:38:48
86 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:39:08
87 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:41:06
88 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:46:17
I think the lost generation has been sucked into low expectations. Well done Bill & Co, but you won't take my expectation away from me or take the fight out of my heart and Everton soul as long as I breathe. Most Evertonians demonstrated that last season. Sheer refusal to give in. Well, we need it again.
Kanchelskis and Beardsley. Quality. James likewise. Some around me at the time muttered about Sheedy being lazy on occasions. All perception I guess.
I would add to that list Anders Limpar. I liked watching him for Everton. Always head up, looking for where the ball was going next and a great precision passer of the ball.
It not any supporters fault or an indictment on any Evertonian's judgement, but we've almost collectively become fearful of genuinely creative players after years of being starved of or drip fed them in small doses.
I wonder how many peoples thoughts may have changed had they witnessed Rodriguez in the flesh at Goodison?
I would love to have watched him in Royal Blue.
89 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:48:02
90 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:50:21
Quality creative players complemented by workhorses.
Young potential complimented with experienced wise heads.
91 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:52:21
The problem wasn't all money, it was the physicality of the Premier League. After the glorious start when he was strutting his stuff and helping us to the European places opposition teams and managers made him a marked man. Not just marked but taken out and taken out early in games. He got no protection from referees and was fouled to the extent of him being partially injured or negated.
92 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:53:07
93 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:53:08
No Ajay, I wasn't being sarcastic, I was merely saying that to have a God given talent like James, only to squander it through lack of application, is a shame and almost criminal.
James was/is hugely talented but chose to spend his latter playing years in sub standard leagues, in my opinion. I doubt if he'll ever get fit or strong enough to play Premier League again.
94 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:57:58
We can all see a team screaming out for some creativity but there's fear attached to it because they don't always pull their weight in other ways so they're seen as a liability.
As a result we've scored a paltry 23 goals in 30 league games.
95 Posted 14/04/2023 at 12:58:14
96 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:03:34
97 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:10:50
That can be debated, but right now I want to focus on the team I will watch tomorrow.
98 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:14:49
99 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:14:59
Ancelotti brought him here but didn't take any responsibility for his career here, just shrugged his shoulders when asked about his injuries and let him skive as much as he wanted before he did one himself with him and Rodriguez both minted after their very brief stays here.
James (81), Maybe, it all depends on which Rodriguez turns up and he is older now and every game is a ninety minutes or more battle for survival, he will make sure he survives but doubt, very much, he would be much use to Everton now, he took the urine out of the club, manager and players not to mention the fans the last couple of months he was here. Thanks but no thank you very much.
100 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:15:18
There's a reason we are in trouble, and it's not bad luck. The people at the top are guilty of gross incompetence.
Setting all that aside though, we HAVE to win tomorrow.
101 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:29:04
If you are walking to the ground from your home in Walton or Everton. If you are getting a Merseyrail to Kirkdale. The 81D from Speke or train from Hunts Cross, Kirkby or Southport.
If you are on a train or coach from far flung parts of the UK. If you are travelling from abroad. If you are up at a ridiculous hour watching from afar.
We are all there tomorrow. Descending on Goodison. Every single one of us. In person or in spirit.
102 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:32:53
103 Posted 14/04/2023 at 13:34:52
105 Posted 14/04/2023 at 14:07:54
106 Posted 14/04/2023 at 14:09:01
108 Posted 14/04/2023 at 15:22:08
109 Posted 14/04/2023 at 15:28:50
;-)
I know you meant Stanley Mills, maybe some of our friends on TW who follow the U21s can give us some insight.
110 Posted 14/04/2023 at 15:55:14
But his injury problems began in the Goodison derby when the thug Van Dijk deliberately clobbered him. He was never the same after that.
Ironically, LFC and their cronies in the media went all drama queen about St Virgil's subsequent ACL, when in fact if he hadn't deliberately taken out Rodriguez, then the course of the game would have been different and, in all likelihood, St Virgil wouldn't have been injured that way.
It's this kind of thing, this cheating, thuggishness, and bias, that makes the modern game repulsive.
111 Posted 14/04/2023 at 16:15:54
112 Posted 14/04/2023 at 16:36:31
113 Posted 14/04/2023 at 16:49:44
Yes we have that. Ancelotti walked away more than well rewarded for his time here; his successor had to try and clean up the financial mess that others had made, given nothing to spend until he transferred Digne to Villa.
Then the players throwing their hand in during his management and the take over by the incompetent Lampard. On to Dyche taking over a thankless job of trying to restore the club and team into something like a proper club. I'm sure he'd have been delighted in having a player like Rodriguez in his squad!!
114 Posted 14/04/2023 at 17:20:14
Christine. I didn't know Real Madrid subsidised his first year's salary, I knew when he signed he was on 䀆k and couldn't understand the sudden jump to 𧶲k widely reported in the press which turned many fans against him.
115 Posted 14/04/2023 at 17:34:15
116 Posted 14/04/2023 at 17:58:13
Hopefully Patterson for Seamus.
117 Posted 14/04/2023 at 17:59:17
118 Posted 14/04/2023 at 18:04:05
Still not forgot him on his private jet, while we were getting battered at City.
Now Peter Beardsley different class, what a player he was.
119 Posted 14/04/2023 at 18:05:54
Quite how it took 2 years to come to this conclusion is simply scandalous.
120 Posted 14/04/2023 at 18:27:08
If there was something blocking the progress of Calvert-Lewin and over time, Sean Dyche and his staff have managed to get him back on track, they may be able to do the same with Dele Alli and we will have a good player on hand.
As for the team tomorrow, as I have never got it right before, to give Patterson a chance, I will go for Godfrey at right-back.
121 Posted 14/04/2023 at 18:56:41
Sadly, I am pretty sure Alli is a completely lost cause. My hope of a decent outcome is that he does enough for us to sack him.
122 Posted 14/04/2023 at 19:09:14
It is not a coincidence that we are fighting relegation again. We simply do not have enough quality especially in the final third of the pitch.
Like it or not, fellow blues, if we survive this season, you can expect more of the same next season: we will be surviving in the bottom half of the Premier League quite simply because we lack quality and, with the current financial mess, not a lot is going to change in terms of players.
123 Posted 14/04/2023 at 19:13:22
One of our own has taken more out of our club than most players.
125 Posted 14/04/2023 at 19:54:49
I don't see the logic of favoring Godfrey, who was so bad over the weekend, he had to be hooked at halftime, and is traditionally weaker at right-back anyway – or Holgate, who's a better option, but has basically played 45 minutes since October.
126 Posted 14/04/2023 at 19:56:08
The mystery surrounding the charges and his disappearance only serve to stoke the rumours.
This is where footballers' contracts should have disrepute clauses in. Where the club can terminate contracts and seek compensation from the players for damages if found guilty of criminal offences seen to bring the club in to disrepute. Or are clubs insured against this type of thing?
128 Posted 14/04/2023 at 20:32:49
Yes, he's not Gana, not Iwobi but you could lose Iwobi, Gray and McNeil and still have more creativity with James in the team.
He had a left-foot wand that Harry Potter has wet dreams about…
129 Posted 14/04/2023 at 20:54:15
I don't believe in it being a lost cause, and I don't think the club do; otherwise, they would have already got rid of him. He is listed as injured and until he is fit he will be under contract.
Calvert-Lewin has been unfit for most of the season with the opinion of a number of supporters believing that his problem was more in his mind than an actual physical injury. Nobody really knows but it seems Sean Dyche and his staff are slowly solving whatever the problem was, whether it be physical or something else, and that is why I wonder if Dele Alli's problems are solvable also.
I don't know what is in his contract but I doubt if the club can just sack him.
130 Posted 14/04/2023 at 20:59:40
Dele Alli is a lost cause as far as someone like Dyche is concerned. Dyche knows you get one chance at a top-flight career and you make the most of it; he won't pander to an ego who has pissed his career up a wall.
Don't waste your time on Dele All… Dyche won't.
131 Posted 14/04/2023 at 21:36:12
A real shame. Someone I thought was really a world class player in the making. The lad was frightening in his prime, shame that prime was as a 21- to 23-year-old.
Cut our losses, get what we can, or least worst deal possible.
132 Posted 14/04/2023 at 21:45:31
It would be interesting to hear his side of the story but who knows, the club dropped him like a hot brick when the allegations were made but not proven. A career ruined which ever way you look at it.
133 Posted 14/04/2023 at 22:04:09
134 Posted 14/04/2023 at 22:29:02
If Nathan Patterson steps in at right back, there will be the needed energy, and hopefully a cool head, too.
Imo Everton should have Ellis Simms/DCL (one starting and the other coming off the bench, if needed) as our main striker and target man. Would also suggest moving Alex Iwobi in central midfield (or starting James Garner alternatively) and Demarai Gray on the wing.
Sean Dyche said in the press conference that, apart from demanding his players to show the needed desire, commitment, energy and concentration, he would also like to see that the Everton players could adopt a kind of relaxed state of mind which allows them to perform to their utmost. The Goodison crowd will push our players onwards, and so it should, but the mentality of the players will always be decisive.
135 Posted 14/04/2023 at 22:36:36
I liked him as a player. Left a huge hoke in our team. Never replaced.
If the club were willing to write off his value let's say 20- 30m plus the final year wages we paid him without any statement of innocence or willingness to clear his own name.
Just because an alleged incident fails to meet the threshold for cps it doesn't mean it didn't happen, it means there is insufficient evidence for a conviction.
I'd be screaming my innocence on every TV channel, on every social media platform providing my own evidence countering the allegations.
136 Posted 14/04/2023 at 22:37:15
Okay, the Premier League is another step up, but how is he going to gain confidence, hence goals, if not played regularly?
138 Posted 14/04/2023 at 00:14:35
And to be able to choose between those two would be a luxury we haven´t had for ages, or months. With Simms being quite inexperienced and Calvert-Lewin lacking match fitness, could be a win-win situation for both.
139 Posted 15/04/2023 at 00:22:30
Do you think Sigurdsson would want to play for a club that (he may perceive) didn't support him in his hour of need?
Do you think Sigurdsson will be match fit and ready to go?
Personally, I think the answer to both questions is ‘no'.
140 Posted 15/04/2023 at 01:34:48
141 Posted 15/04/2023 at 01:39:44
142 Posted 15/04/2023 at 01:47:36
The manager who sold James and Digne, signed Rondon, unravelled the football operations team, led the DoF to quit, collapsed team morale, and brought us to the brink of relegation before being sacked is now the victim.
I think that is some weird alternative universe in play.
Lampard may have been a poor manager, but he got out of the massive hole that Benitez had dug for us with his catastrophic period in charge.
143 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:13:07
Dyche's system when working well depends a lot upon a collective pressing of the ball and blocking of passing lanes. This starts from the front. Doucouré was a big part of this as he can run all day.
Simms does not work hard enough from the front and so the midfield ends up getting bypassed more easily, we've conceded more chances in the two games he started than any others I believe.
Simms has his uses as a super sub when we need a goal but I'm not sure he can start regularly till he improves his work rate and defensive work. This may sound crazy to say about a striker but success under Dyche will depend upon efficiency of his system and that's why he needs a team of hard workers who understand their roles.
144 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:33:28
Simms is 22 years old. He's played less than 10 games for Everton's first team but lifted the roof at Stamford Bridge.
He is an output of the standard of what our academy has been in recent years. But he is what we have, so we use him.
I hope he shows for the ball today and gets a goal in front of the Gwladys Street.
Matchday mode now. Bring the points home blues. Forget the rest. They don't matter.
Everton matters.
145 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:38:21
Dyche will probably change things as little as possible but will have big decisions about who replaces Coleman and Doucouré, my guess would be Garner and Mykolenko (swapping sides with Godfrey).
Fulham will rely a lot on William and Pereira. Limiting those 2 will be hard and we could use Onana stepping us his efforts from last few games. Can't imagine Calvert-Lewin will start but 30 minutes from him (if he's fit) could make a big difference.
Hope Goodison is a bear pit as we really need 3 points today!!
Pickford
Godfrey Keane Tarkowski Mykolenko
Onana Gana
Iwobi Garner McNeil
Gray
146 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:42:25
I don't think starting Simms is the best way to do that. I'm not convinced Dyche will either for the reasons I stated. But we will see. Obviously if he does get the nod, he will receive my full backing!!
147 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:42:36
148 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:43:38
149 Posted 15/04/2023 at 05:45:24
I'll agree with you on bringing him on as an impact player.
150 Posted 15/04/2023 at 06:09:43
Today is purely about selecting the best unit to get the win. Personally I don't think Simms starts according to that rationale.
151 Posted 15/04/2023 at 06:11:41
I think we might see a few surprises in the midfield starters for this one.
Whatever happens we "must win" this game – full stop. I have lost count of the times that we have had the chance to change the course of our season by winning one crucial game and failed to do so.
The only time I can recall of us doing so in recent times was against Crystal Palace last season. We need a repeat – but please can we do it from the front this time.
Up the Blues!!!!
152 Posted 15/04/2023 at 07:47:28
153 Posted 15/04/2023 at 07:51:17
Godfrey is fit but brainless. Of the two, I would go with Patterson because he does get forward with some real purpose.
You can bet your bottom Dollar that Silva has instructed his team to hit our right flank.
As for DCL, if he does get on the bench, remember how it always takes a few games for him to be effective. If we have to use him, it will only mean we are behind.
154 Posted 15/04/2023 at 07:59:50
I hope SD picks Patterson who I like alot, the only real spell of games of us looking effective under Frank was when Patterson was marauding forwards. Garner deserves his chance in the centre today, I'd keep Iwobi out wide covering for Patterson. Gray to start up front, DCL to come on after an hour to get minutes. COYB!
155 Posted 15/04/2023 at 08:02:31
156 Posted 15/04/2023 at 08:37:28
I'm hoping that Garner is fit enough to start and get some passes going forward. Whoever plays today, I'm sure they'll pull their tripes out and the supporters will raise the roof again. I'm not so sure about Godfrey as a full back, either on the right or the left, but I think he could do a job in the midfield, as he's got a great engine but not quite as much of a brain.
It's sad, no going back, but I thought Moshiri sacked Silva to early; and went for a star name who didn't cut the mustard at all.
157 Posted 15/04/2023 at 08:47:23
Holgate might get the nod but Patterson will still probably be earmarked for the RB slot for many years to come.
It can come down to fitness, maturity, the tricky circumstances.
The good thing is that players like Godfrey, Patterson, Garner and Holgate do have qualities and they are the sorts of players Dyche has worked hard to improve in the past. They might all make a contribution in the run in.
158 Posted 15/04/2023 at 09:09:46
160 Posted 15/04/2023 at 10:35:05
161 Posted 15/04/2023 at 10:40:51
Right?
162 Posted 15/04/2023 at 10:44:18
163 Posted 15/04/2023 at 11:00:28
See some of you before. See some of you after. See some of you there. Share the journey with those watching.
We can do this blues.
164 Posted 15/04/2023 at 11:02:52
165 Posted 15/04/2023 at 11:05:26
Desperately need a win here, don't care how it happens as long as we get 3 points. Would be lovely to see Calvert-Lewin get a stress free run out for the last 20 mins where we are 3-0 up!!!
166 Posted 15/04/2023 at 11:19:44
He would love the Goodison crowd and the crowd would love him.
WOW.
167 Posted 15/04/2023 at 11:23:12
168 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:00:24
You don't need to sign broken ex stars like him and Alli to have creativity. Look at Mitoma and MacAllister at Brighton.
Look at how Arsenal have come on since getting rid of similarly talented lazybones Ozil.
And the reason we've scored so few is because Lampard is a bad manager and we've tied up so much money in disastrous vanity signings that would couldn't afford the likes of Kudus and Ouattara, who could easily be stars in their own right soon.
169 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:03:45
We need 3 points today and the role of our full backs will be crucial in providing the necessary attacking intent, therefore, Patterson and Myko to start and Everton to win!
170 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:05:02
Fulham are safe and are on a free shot, while our players are bound to be nervy.
How that plays out, who knows.
We are at Goodison so that might swing it in our favour, I sure hope so.
171 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:12:52
For this reason I want us to invest in Patterson's development who does cause problems moving forwards and I think eventually will add goals to his game.
172 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:16:04
Christopher (169) I was made up Everton signed Ben Godfrey but he hasn't developed like I thought he would, he's had his injury problems but he's more of an athlete than a footballer while Patterson, who has also had his injury problems, is a much better footballer with a brain to match, he, I think, will be a good investment for the Blues while there is still time for Ben to improve under Dyche and add football knowledge to his athleticism and become a more reliable player than he is now.
173 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:40:36
What's the best way to get tickets ?
174 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:40:51
Yep, Benitez brought Rondon in but I wonder what our pulling power and financial state were when he did. I also think Benitez brought in two really good players for about A million £££'s Gray and Townsend 2 of thebest players in the squad. fior the money
175 Posted 15/04/2023 at 12:57:26
We have seen little of Simms, he looked out of his depth in the derby but that goal against Chelsea is one that I do not think could be scored by any other fit member of our squad and on that alone, he deserves a chance. If by some miracle we are several goals up, bring DCL on for some match time- he usually takes several games before he's sharp, so he is an unlikely saviour for now.
It's somewhat depressing to find the loss of Seamus causes a minor crisis. That is partly because of his perhaps unexpected continued quality, despite his years, mainly because we still haven't replaced him. Godfrey is out of form, Holgate is risky and while I worry about Patterson's defensive nous, he is a proper RB unlike the others and he was the bloke we bought to replace Seamus, so if fit, he should start. Maybe make sure one of the DM's makes a point of leaning a bit more to the right because of course Gray is not going to provide all that much cover.
What will actually happen is the predicted line up in the article probably with Onana playing the Doucoure role between Iwobi and McNeil. DCL will play twenty mins and hopefully not with us chasing the game.
176 Posted 15/04/2023 at 13:19:23
Going to the last game of the season this is.
Oh,and whatever happens between now and the end of the season- just make sure Tom Cannon is back in an Everton shirt for the start of next season- he's already better and more reliable than Dcl, and Branthwaite
should be our 1st choice center half too. Youth next season please, had enough of highly paid experienced shithouses at Everton to last me a lifetime! Rather watch youth giving it their all in the Championship, than more crap from our current prima Donna's.
JUST FUCKING WIN.
177 Posted 15/04/2023 at 13:26:58
Today is far more important than looking backward.. I hope DCL plays but if he doesn't I hope the boys put the effort in that was lacking so badly last week.. its a must win..
178 Posted 15/04/2023 at 13:29:47
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1 Posted 13/04/2023 at 14:16:31