Everton vs Fulham

I can imagine the febrile atmosphere if he gave a twin attack of Cannon and Dobbin a chance to start together and see if we can sweep away Fulham on a powerful front foot performance with the 12th man of Goodison playing its part.

I doubt such an attacking, brave, adventurous forward selection will be made. Instead, the subdued inner dread of misfit Maupay 'blunt-spear missed-headering' the attack will leave me hoping for another KITAP1 special. UTFT.

Due the results of poor club management over the seasons, Everton have had difficulty getting the players they need and are likely to fall short in this transfer window.

For seasons there has been enormous pressure on the centre-forward position. Calvert-Lewin has had mental and physical challenges as a result. This has not been helped by poor recruitment which has resulted in playing players due to their contracts, which has proved a barrier to replacing their under performance.

Really, Everton are back to hopefully "punching above their weight' as Moshiri adapted the Kenwright way of survival in the Premier League on a shoestring and the hopeful emergence of a greater fool. He may emerge okay, but will have spent more than the nothing Kenwright spent.

Still expect Calvert-Lewin to start and get first 60 minutes-ish if he manages it. Other than that (and Dyche maybe going with Godfrey next to Tarkowski - who was the one who did start last week), I recon Lyndons prediction is unfortunately spot on.

Really don't like Iwobi in left-midfield, if Mykolenko was fit, I'd have liked to see Young there in front of him. Or most of all I'd have liked to see a narrow 4-3-1-2 used with no natural wingers available anyway (as big an issue as strikers right now).

Doucouré behind both Dom and Maupay (the latter could be transformed in a two), but Doucouré then swapping intermittently with each of the 3 midfielders behind. For me, I'd drop Gana to bench (ready to come on at 70 minutes to take us through the 100-minute games) and try Onana, Garner and Iwobi together there.

All smoke in the wind though… without a spare striker, that system would be abandoned as soon as Dom cracks.

Have Calvert-Lewin and Maupay ever been selected together yet (on any rare occasion when both were available)?

No use in exhausting Calvert-Lewin first game out, it's a long old season ahead.

1-0 with a Tarkowski header, COYB!!

I love the first game of the season. Full of hope and minus all of the stress the end of last season gave us.

I was going to ask other ToffeeWebbers where the goals are coming from this season, but I genuinely think goals (plural) are something we wont be concerning ourselves with as I don't see us scoring more than once very often.

Altogether now,
“One nillllllll to the Everton !”

Onward Evertonians. Full support. 💙

Goals coming from Pickford (3) and Maupay !!!

Not sure Branthwaite starts, think it be Godfrey or Keane. Dyche will go with PL experience.

The rest of the team will be as Sporting, apart from Branthwaite for Godfrey.

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Branthwaite Young
Garner Gana Doucoure Onana Iwobi
Calvert-Lewin

Prediction, very hard fought victory.

Everton 2 Fulham 1

The manager seems to be quietly going about his business and protecting the players from the surrounding circus and deafening silence as he did when he came in.

We may just surprise a few this season.

Join the ride, it's going to be interesting as always!

Is it me, or has the "random" fixture generator long been abandoned by the authorities?

Sky generated Derby Sundays with Merseyside, Manchester or North London all on the same day?

And the Friday night opener being Burnley (Vincent Kompany) and Manchester City?

Very convenient and staged for the cameras. Can't wait for the punditry.

Anyway, it's Everton against Fulham tomorrow. That's all that matters.

Z-Cars, Spirit and Forever. I think I'll be humming and singing them throughout the night.

Maupay winner to clinch it.

I was thinking the same thing when the fixtures were announced for this season. Villa early season again. And they even pencil in the hoped-for scores for all these games!

There will be lots of tight games this season. We'll win games we 'should have lost' and lose games we 'should have won'.

You know my thoughts on Dyche. Under-rated coach. A proper manager. He is now, thankfully, also the spokesperson for the club, in the absence of anyone else. I trust him and feel assured when I hear him speak. I never want to hear from our club management again, until its changed.

Whatever the result tomorrow, I think we'll finish 13th or thereabouts.

Hopefully it's me who has been the jinx, because I'd stay away forever if this was the case, and then thousands of fellow Evertonians, could begin to follow a genuinely serious football club, once again.

Jerome often speaks about finch-farm, not being a very serious place with regards to the players having a real professional attitude, but I get the feeling this is changing, and if I'm correct then this is something that should stand us in good stead throughout the season. Hopefully you can confirm this Jerome!!

Dom to start and Everton to win against a club who may suffer the second season syndrome.

Tony, get that sandwich board out. I expect to see you walking up and down Goddison Road with "The End Is Nigh, Bill" on your board.

As bad as Maupay plays as a hold up striker how is he supposed to do the job with two big defenders marking him and nobody backing him up when he does get the ball, I hope Dominic starts the game with Maupay and Dobbin on the bench and Garner starting the game and using his well aimed passes to players to run onto as well as covering Patterson. Fulham will miss Willian as well as their want away striker hopefully.

A hard fought victory and three points in the bag will give us a good start to the season.

Haven't the 'spare' cash these days so I'll be in my 'armchair' as ever shouting the blues on. I think we'll win this but our current squad is still woefully short, and short on goals. I hope this is being fixed as we speak. Maupay leading the line with Keane at the back fills me with no hope whatsoever. Fills me with dread!

Pre-season was a bit dull wasn't it? Well on to the proper stuff. Poor result v Fulham last season (one of many). Let's make Goodison a battlefield no team should be taking points from us at home unless they've been in a battle.

I do think Dyche will drag us up a level this season. UTFT's.

Kenwright OUT NOW.

A nil nil for me. I hope I'm wrong because these are the games we need 3 points from to stay up this season.

Kenwright MUST GO.

My hope, or doubt, is that the new Manager has had time to come up with something different, and not, "and now for something completely different".

As goals might be at a premium I'll take twenty 1-0 wins right now and a relatively stress free season.

Trying to plan some trips to Goodison with my son and dad this season, imagine every game will be a sellout as the time to say goodbye to The Grand Old Lady draws near. There'll be a few tears shed over the next 18 months or so, hopefully not for what happens on the pitch!

COYB, I'm plumping for 2-1 (before we go on our 1-0 streak).

Thanks Bill, Thanks Miss Dynamite ;) The fans must not relent this clown is not welcome at Goodison Park and needs removing, I mean hes only had 30 years to prove himself, and prove himself he has

NSNO

Examples of use:
You've been so quiet and Maupay that I've been worried about you.
Lawson, Jonell, Roses are for the rich.

They're not interested in people coming in and being Maupay around the training ground.
The Sun(2017)

You're moody on the inside and Maupay on the outside.
Times, Sunday Times(2015)

1. dejected; gloomy
2. aimless; idle
languishing, listless, droopy, or glum

As I said, I really hope he comes good, but it doesn't seem likely in Dyche's team set-up or given his general demeanour on most occasions.

If we go into the game with Maupay as the lone striker, with no Calvert-Lewin and also the injured McNeil missing, it is going to be a tough afternoon, no mugs Fulham, Willian destroyed us on the left last season, he is the one we need to get a hold off, then you have Mitrovic and Jimenez to worry about.

All down to our starting 11 tomorrow, I would start with Branthwaite going toe to toe on Mitrovic, but I think Dyche will select Keane and go with experience over raw talent.

Tougher opening game than people think, need a good end to the transfer window and players back, if we act before the window closes we will be fine, just need to ride the storm for now and hope and prey we can get more minutes out of Calvert-Lewin this season.

The only prediction I will make is a half cleared ball by their defence will fall to an Everton player, we will be out of our seats and watch in slow motion, as the player draws his foot back to crack it one, and still in slow motion the crowd shouting noooooooo, as Guaye cracks one into row Z

Will awake tomorrow, bar will be open in the searing FL heat. Both TVs with games on.

Tomorrow is an important game. We need every single point against our "peers" if we are to survive. Fulham is one of those peers this upcoming season. We can't drop home points to those other teams we mean to finish above.

I'm hoping Calvert-Lewin comes on around 60 minutes. McNeil out is a major concern, but I'm hoping we'll be ok with the rest of the squad fit as a fiddle and healthy. I'm also looking for "breakout" seasons for Onana and Garner. They're going to another level this season I'd wager. Both young and bags of talent in my opinion, I have high hopes for them both.

UTFT, let's do this.

I more thinking about which song I go to sleep to tonight with the dogs before getting up very early in the morning. With the dogs to talk about the match ahead before heading off.

I can't choose between I guess that's why they call it the blues or the story of the blues.

I think I'll go for the former. More than life itself.

I totally respect everyone's views. I share them.

It is beyond belief that the two apparent leaders, who will likely be absent tomorrow, remain non-communicative. On our own again. Disrespectful. Distain.

I could use more colourful language but they can just do one. They should.

But when tomorrow comes, it becomes about the team and getting the result.

Stu@21, I don't think Silva out-thought us, I thought we beat ourselves by playing with a 4-4-2 formation, that day?

They passed it around because Everton never put any real pressure on the ball, in a game that I thought was our worst performance under Sean Dyche. (Along with United away - another 4-4-2)

I don't think the mood was helped before the game when people heard Maupay, was in the starting line up, and even though we were very poor that day we still should have went in leading, only for Maupay missing a sitter just before the half time whistle was blown?

Knocked it off, you know I knocked it off
While I was sitting in the corner with my tracksuit off
I was hopin' I'd be playin'
But I never thought I'd be winnin' the game
You knocked it off. Yeah, I knocked it off
While I was standing on the goalline when the ball got crossed
I thought I'd have a go and shoot it
But I never thought I'd put it away.

Surely it would be better physically for Dom to start after the full warm up ? It would be better for the team to have him from the start to maybe get a positive start even if he can't last the match.

Hope Branthwaite gets the nod.
I'd play Onana off Maupay if he's going to start. Tell Onana to roam, to get forward, carry the ball the way he has in preseason.
I think we will be solid, hard to beat but blunt still upfront If no DCL or danjuma.

With Danjuma, DCL, Chermiti and hopefully gnoto soon we may have a bit of threat.

COYB

Calvert-Lewin now has injury free minutes, says he feels good, start him and if he feels the pace at half-time sub him.

Branthwaite needs to play. He has to know he can be a regular starter at Everton. He is another we have to look to for our future. Left-footed, quick, tall as long as he continues to improve alongside a nasty Tarkowski, play him!

Totally agree. On TW, the season before last, I was suggesting using him off the bench, in a sort of Mick Lyons up front role, when we were chasing a game.

I agree with the 'Keane up front' shout too. Better target man and finisher than Maupay.

I remember Steve Watson getting a hat-trick as an emergency striker as well.

Willan and Mitrovic are still with them and, according to Marco Silva, are fully committed to the cause, so it won't be easy. I would have felt more confident if Mina had been here but it's a lottery on who plays alongside Tarkowski.

For me, Godfrey is too small and poor in the air so Mitrovic will be too much of a handful for him. Michael Keane always has a fatal mistake in him but may be more suited to this game. Jarrad has the most promise but against scheming old heads, it may not be the game for him.

Midfield picks itself so tactics and forwards are the only debatable issue.

I hope Danjuma is fit. He seems to have settled in well at the club and is a bit of a character. I also hope Calvert-Lewin gets the nod even if it is only for 60 minutes out of 100.

I know Demarai Gray seems to be on the outs but this is an ideal game for him and, unlike Maupay, he knows where the net is, not that that will make any difference to Dyche.

This is a game which we need to target the 3 points but come to find Everton have drawn the most opening day fixtures in the Premier League so it's about time we changed that and the last 2 seasons' home losses to Fulham.

1-0 to the Everton. UTFT.

Then the Gooners come to town. Gotta a feeling we just might be this season's stealth team!

COYB

Playing Keane up front wouldn't be the worst decision, as you say, we have done it in the past with Mick Lyons, and Jimmy Gabriel.

It's my opinion that, with the exception of goalies, a decent player can operate in more than one position, some better than others.

We must start to turn Goodison Park into a fortress again and perform much better on the road (be much braver),p icking up points early doors is key this season methinks.

They are no mugs and we will be fortunate to nil them.
The players that Dyche has to choose from don't inspire much confidence that we can score many goals, that's our Achilles heel and everyone knows it.

What the result will be I've no idea, obviously I want a win but we may have to settle for a draw.

Hibs v Lucerne Thursday good win!
Tomorrow v Fulham good win
Next Thursday in Lucerne for second leg! Good win

No rest for the wicked but it will be a great week!

A swift one in the North Western at Lime Street.

I'm going to take a swing past Bramley-Moore Dock to take it all in.

Then to the Saddle, on to the Harlech Castle and the Brick. If you are there, I'll see you.

Then into our home.

The customary trip to the Arkles for my Grandfather after the match.

Maybe time for one in the Crown before the train back?

Then sleep all the way home with a smile on my face.

I will leave at 7am and get home about midnight-ish as many others will do.

It's more complex than a military operation.

But always worth it. Who is not looking forward to this?

Let's go with confidence. It's our club and our team. Not theirs.

Apologies. I am in the zone.

As posted above, I would say the Cottee debut hat-trick in the 4-0 vs Newcastle is my favourite opener. I'm so glad I was at a wedding for the 1-6 game vs Arsenal!

We won the league with the then most ever points.

I'm not suggesting that by no means, but tomorrow is a game of football. Win, lose or draw, it doesn't shape our season.

I will just be glad to be there.

Hard-fought 1-0 I'm going for.

That season getting increasingly squashed on the barrier behind the goal in the Street End was the greatest season ever for 15-year-old me. Jonelle jumpers, Trim Trabbs, teenage discos, drinking and the greatest team in the effing world bar none that season.

It'd certainly surprise me!

Going and hoping for a win tomorrow, but seeing Maupay as our option up front doesn't instil any confidence in me whatsoever. Hopefully be proved wrong, as long as we get 3 points on the board, I will be happy.

Hopefully see you in The Harlech, Danny!

Like many I expect, I probably won't sleep much tonight.

Also looking forward to seeing the usual faces and maybe one or two new ones tomorrow. To all Blues, travel safely and roar the team onto victory.

UTFT!

I can't seem to find any injury news though. Presumably McNeil, Calvert-Lewin and Danjuma are all not quite fit to start (or possibly feature at all in the opener). But what of Cannon, Gray, Dobbin and (getting a bit more far-fetched here) Dele Alli?

I also wonder whether Dyche might go with a back 3 tomorrow (as he ended the season) rather than squeeze 4 or 5 central midfielders into a strange looking 4-5-1 formation.

None of this is ideal – and Fulham are no mugs – but I expect us to look fit, organised and commit numbers forward in attack.

Apparently, Dele Alli had a setback in training and is back in the treatment room. Danjuma had a mild knock but I'm hoping he is fit. He looked a bit of a character at Finch Farm and was doing his best Yerry Mina impression.

McNeil has strained ankle ligaments so we're likely looking at another 4 weeks and hopefully Calvert-Lewin is available despite Dyche poo-pooing the idea.

Gray hasn't trained at all preseason but I hope Dobbin gets his chance.

The less said about Maupay the better.

If I've got one gripe, I wish people would get a grip about the current boo-boys. I've watched the frendlies and the training videos and numerous matches: Neil Maupay may be limited as a player but he fucking grafts, he performs well in training by the looks of it. Does anyone think maybe it's the Goodison Groan that lowers his performances on match days?

Let's get behind whoever is on the pitch, and fucking support them. UTFT COYB NSNI

My team: based on who I think is available:

Pickford

Young
Tarkowski
Branthwaite
Patterson

Garner
Gana
Onana
Iwobi
Doucoure

Calvert-Lewin

Subs:
Crellin (not convinced at all by Virginia, give this lad a chance, unless he's on loan?)
Keane
Mykolenko
Godfrey
Gomes
Dobbin or Cannon
Maupay or Chermiti

Anyone going, loud proud and controlled aggression. UTFT

I fully agree with you that more than anything we need a positive mindset for the new season. I don't know how I would be able to cope with another season of despair, underachievement and last round miracles.

Hope Youssef makes to the bench. Wish we would have signed Yosser H and gave him a job to headbutt few in.

It will be a tough game, they all are, but Fulham missing Palinha is helpful and possibly Pereira too. I'm not sure of the situation over Mitrovic but I don't think he's featured for them in pre-season a great deal.

Pickford
Patterson Tarkowski Branthwaite Young
Onana Gana
Iwobi Doucouré Danjuma
Calvert-Lewin

Just hoping for us to keep a clean sheet and nick one at the other end.

A young useful outfit that will give many lesser teams than Man. City lots of trouble but without a decent striker may pay the penalty down the line much like Everton will do again without someone coming good this season.

I hope Leigh win today as well, fifty two years since a visit to Wembley makes our record look half decent.

Harrison Reed always seems to save his best performances for games against us, so I hope Onana, Gana, Doucouré and Garner can put real pressure on him and stop him being busy.

That's how far we have declined under Moshiri

Deals seem to be protracted always don't they.

Will we get to see Deli Alli, Gbamin or Gomes again in a blue shirt or will they be gone, who knows.

What we do know is today's probable starting lineup depending on who Dyche's preference is up top and in central defence.

It should be good enough to compete with a side like Fulham and if not then God help us.

C.O.Y.B.