Everton vs West Ham United

Go and get something at Old Trafford.

And then pay us back at Bournemouth for last season.

This was from three years ago:

A talented midfielder with Kenyan roots, Tyler Onyango, has been promoted to the Everton first-team by manager Carlo Ancelotti.

Everton's U23 manager David Unsworth said Onyango has great potential and will be a superstar in the future.

“He's a boy with a big opportunity and, potentially, with a big future. “He looks the part, his gains are outstanding, he will get better and better. He's got the physique, the pace...I'm trying not to get too excited too soon but I like seeing that.

“All the best players start with us when they are 16 or 17, it's always been the case and history will tell you that and he's another one. He's come in and he's taken to the level straight away,” Unsworth told Echo.

Maybe he is ready to come of age and will fill the Onana/Gueye void?

As for Everton, I don't know how or when we are going to create clear cut opportunities in open play, in order to score goals, and put us on the front foot at home.

Having said that a corner set piece and a 1-0 win will keep us out of of the dogfight at the bottom in the interim.

1. Pawson
2. If Onana is not fit to play - Dyche should do the simple thing and play Dobbin or Kieran’s shout, Onyango. Something positive.

But if he wants to move Harrison inside play Seamus or Patterson wide right – and not Young.

It’s bad when Pickford is our main play maker.

We'll certainly be hurting without Onana and Gana, but if that's the case, Dobbin would have to come in with Harrison moving inside, and Garner sitting deep.

Anyone but Ashley Young starting or Andre Gomes being given defensive responsibility is all I ask. That and a win. We need three points. Badly. For morale more than anything. COYB!

I like Calvert Lewin as most others do, but how long do you persist with a non-scoring striker ? His general play is good, but in front of goal, it's the cow's arse/banjo scenario seemingly.

He was possibly our best player against Palace in that dreadful game, won all the aerial duels, but was both lacking support, and rarely in a scoring position, but when he was, he transformed/metamorphisized into Mr Magoo.

I will be there on Saturday, our friend from N I, Andy Crooks is over, Peter Moore (Worcester) and Steve Thomas (Cornwall) so we will all be meeting pre-match at The Harlech Castle. If you are not one of the regulars, please come along and put a face to many names on TW. You can even buy me a pint ! :-)

In Paqueta and Bowen they have top-class midfielders who we would kill to have in our starting eleven. (Actually, the poor run started after Phillips went there). Paqueta in particular is a wonderful player.

But they don't do clean sheets and are shaky at the back, though the keeper is much better than that.

I, of course, fully expect us to win. Not because West Ham are "average" but because I always do, unless it's City. That said, I could imagine Moyes beating us, quite frankly.

I'm sure that some West Ham lad has popped on here and is having a good laugh at your post with his mates as that is exactly what they want to hear Paul. Thankfully, Sean D would bollock anyone who said that.

West Ham at their best - and they have been without Paqueta for months - are fecking dangerous. Calling them "average" is the worst possible frame of mind for this match. Judged on recent performances, we will need to be much better to topple Moyes's boys.

But they do leak goals. This is where with all my fingers tightly crossed I pray that the DCL/service dilemma could be put to bed at long last,

2-1

COYB

I hope Onana is fit as I believe his height will again be crucial from set pieces.

Agree with Lyndon that Godfrey should start. Only thing I would change from Lyndon's team is that I would start Beto up front and bring on a fit Calvert-Lewin later as defenders, hopefully, tire.

We have to take advantage and drag ourselves clear of Forest and Luton asap for reasons yet to come. Nothing less than 3 points.

I'm no big Calvert-Lewin clapper, by the way, but this is where we are: he suits Dyche. That's the way it is. This is what we have become.

Beto is erm – you Calvert-Lewin lambasters and lampooners – Championship. We have no choice but to persist with Calvert-Lewin.

One reassuring thing throughout this drought is that he has not been crocked for weeks or months, which not many people have pointed out in the rush to condemn, criticise, and caricature.

I pray that Calvert-Lewin will prove the naysayers wrong, my chilly fear is that he might not.

But Beto, feck me, I hold my hands up in the air in despair for what we have become.

UTFT

It certainly won’t be an easy game but then very few games are for us!

Our inability to create anything from open play at the moment is concerning and both McNeill and Harriso have looked pretty underwhelming of late. Dare I say we are missing Iwobi a bit, who was our best creator from open play and ball progressor last season.

If both Gueye and Onana are out then I could see Dyche dropping Doucoure back and maybe having to bring in Beto or Dobbin. Hopefully we won’t see Young on the right wing again, having him and Godfrey just makes our entire right flank useless with the ball.

Depressingly our best chance may be a set piece or a mistake by West Ham. Let’s hope our defence play well as in Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus and Ward-Prowse West Ham have the type of scorers and creators that we are desperately lacking at the moment.

Hopefully the 4 points back might return some confidence and clarity and some of the form and energy we saw before Christmas.

Kevin Sheedy what a player, and let's not forget, he had to play with the old heavy ball, imagine if he had the light ball – like Beckham had – for free kicks.

UTFT

We are sleepwalking into trouble with the current style of play.

I doubt it, but how good it would be for Karma to kick in and him be absolved in this game? 3 penalties in the first half for us, 3 sendings-off of West Ham's danger men, and a resounding 10-nil win, goal gluts for Calvert-Lewin and Beto!

This is a lovely dream. Hope I never wake up. UTFT.

Coleman
Tarkowski
Branthwaite
Mykolenko

Harrison
Onana
Garner
McNeil

Doucouré

Calvert-Lewin

Should be good enough to take something from the game but it won't be easy as sadly West Ham have far greater attacking options.

Flying over from Shannon for game, first in 4 years. Maybe will head to Harlech, what time are you guys meeting up? UTFT.

I see this as a tough game. Moyes has signed some good footballers and yet his defence can be porous. It sounds like Onana will at best be on the bench and Gomes may play which is no bad thing provided he is told not to tackle in our half, especially if Ward-Prowse is playing!

It could be time to pair Chemitti with Calvert-Lewin after the former's two goals in the week – though I have a feeling that Dominic will score.

We need the home fans to support like they do away and cut out the boos and groans. We need a win!!

Hopefully a happy return home.

The four points we got back only made up for the pathetic
four we lost in the last two games. It's sad times when we are hoping Forest get a point deduction to keep us in with a shout of avoiding the drop.

Need to get at them from the start or the crowd will go quiet and there goes our 12th man.

Just a side note, I have been watching (Hammers chat Hammers v Everton) on YouTube to get an idea of what the opposition think of their chances at the Old Lady. The two Hammers are fully backing us against the Premier League and make some very valid points.

Just thought I'd mention that there are no Merseyrail trains running to Kirkdale tomorrow, buses are laid on.

Dyche?

I don't think that's why he's shown patience, Mark.

I think it's because he's sorted out the leaky defence and improved us on the last two seasons. I'm not his Number 1 fan by any means but I think he's doing a good enough job to buy some patience.

Link

Sadly I have to agree with you. Undoubtedly a nice bloke who tries hard, Beto simply reminds me of "the Stracq" from a few seasons ago, though I think Stracqualursi was a better header of the ball (actually, Bernie Wright may have been a better header of the ball).

We only bought him because he was the best we could get at the time – nobody wants to come to Everton, and quite frankly, who can blame them?

Lampard was taking us down probably with 3 or 4 games to spare.

But I have to agree that he doesn't look impressive. A slightly better version of Niasse imo but he will hopefully find his feet soon and prove me wrong.

I spose if he scored 10 goals a season he'd be considered worthy of a place in the team, but I just don't see it ever happening for him in the Premier League.

And yes, his opportunities are limited due to the prolific Calvert-Lewin being picked ahead of him.

If nothing else, he is a handful and I actually think he seems to be getting in scoring positions more frequently than Calvert-Lewin. His technique and touch do not look great but they improve with confidence and a run of games.

He's a good fit for a direct tactical system and has the combination of speed and size that can be hard to find. He's snatching at chances currently but showed in Italy that he's capable of finding the net, scoring once every 200 minutes which is decent in a mid-table team.

I'd love to see the two of them play together in a situation that isn't the 94th minute.

His fitness looks a major issue though and something Dyche probably can't stomach. He looks wiped out after a few sprints.

Yes, we expect a home win (in most games at Goodison of course) but history tells us that we really struggle when expectations are high. No one ever steps up to put away the chances.

A while ago, I recklessly suggested that one day the flood gates will open and someone's going to get a proper beating at Goodison.

Will it be tomorrow? We have a decent record at home vs the Hammers. Come on, Everton, give us a lift before the next disaster strikes. UTFT!

Scrabble a point then get on the road where the players seem more relaxed and hope for better results.

I obviously offered him a different slant on things and told him that after the shite we have endured for years, I think I've seen milk turn quicker, but I don't think I convinced him, and then he gave me a look, that made me feel like I had bipolar!

Looking forward to catching up to the regulars, if Danny is down, will try and get him into rugby league. :-)

See you all Saturday, all being well.

Before we start giving out about our strikers we have to accept that the service and support they are getting is non-existent.

My problem with Beto is his lack of first touch. Calvert-Lewin may well leave at the end of the season and then do what the guy at Brentford is currently doing.

It's not just here – fans everywhere are fickle but it's relative to expectation. Our issue surrounds still expecting the best in the midst of dross. Hardly surprising our journeymen struggle in such an environment.

Although we are not free scoring (or even scoring) we are unbeaten in 5 of our last 6 games. Brentford have lost 5 of their last 6 games with arguably a better set of players.

Lets get behind Dyche and the players and not get despondent when we don't score.

Look at what the encouragement has done in the last few years.

I have a spare ticket for the Upper Bullens, it is a good seat just past the halfway line.

I will be there and can meet anyone who wants it before the game.

Currently an over 65 ticket, but can upgrade easily at the Bullens Road box office.

Obviously at face value only.

Anyone interested drop me a line and mobile number to anthony@uberlabs.co.uk

All the teams at the bottom play top 10 sides this weekend, so anyone who picks up a win, it'll be like gold dust. I'm still looking ahead to playing the bottom 5 in our last 7 games of the season - we play Arsenal away last game so we need things wrapped up before then IMO so every point counts from now on.

Even draws are decent for us, especially since all the bottom teams leak goals and will lose more than we do. Nobody really enjoys a draw but those 4 points in our last 5 games from draws while our relegation rivals are losing games, could prove crucial.

I’d say at least a third of our crowd have never seen us win anything, so I don’t think it’s about expectation, I just think it’s about demanding certain things?

West Ham have some clever attacking players but I didn't think they looked particularly secure in defence especially at set pieces.

Tomorrow definitely winnable but I imagine it won't be pretty. Right now, a scrappy 1-0 win off someone's backside is perfectly fine.

Calvert-Lewin's not been getting great service but that's not to say he's not been getting any chances either. Just not going for him at the moment but hopefully with Doucoure back, we have a bit more fire power up front. That 5-1 win at Brighton seems like a lifetime ago

Fingers crossed for tomorrow – hoping for a win but at the very least don't lose, to at least keep the points ticking over.

It's been an emotional few seasons that has drained us.

Totally different at the away matches.

Tony, it hurts me. My middle brother was fortunate to see us win titles and trophies alongside me.

My younger one barely remembers 1995 and my son was only 5 months old. My season ticket holding nephew wasn't born.

I feel for them, but admire them as they keep going. Mine is blind faith we'll get back. Theirs is pure dedication. I respect them more than I do for my efforts.

We need a couple of wins just to get that confidence back.

Got a selfie with him in the Aldi of all places 2 weeks ago. I was explaining to my sons that this fella had a left foot like a wand and would be worth £100M plus today with all those goals and assists from midfield.

He was so polite and humble. They say don't meet your heroes, but I did and it was fabulous!

I think 34 points will be okay as long as we don't get more points deducted. However, if we keep our heads above Forest then surely even with a deduction we'd be fine (as Forest would also get hit presumably).

40 may not be fine if they hit us with 10 again!

Luton are scrapping but a poor side and have lost their strikers through injury for a few games. With goal difference, we've effectively got 6 points over them and we've been crap. A win tomorrow would put a lot of daylight between us and them.

Plenty of games left but, if we go down, it'll be due to another points deduction imo.

I thought I was the only one thinking that, but it seems I'm not.

There's a train of thought on here that thinks he's doing a good job, can someone please show me any evidence of that?

It's March now and we've won 3 home games, I get sick of myself banging the same old drum but that is one poor stat given some of the teams we've lost to.

I'm going to stick my neck out here and say I don't honestly think we'll win another home game under this fella this season because, when we've got to force the issue, we're snookered.

Heading up tomorrow from London and hoping for the same victory buzz. Avoid the disappointed Hammers on train back! UTFT!

Gyökeres was not on a free. He cost Sporting in the region of £20M which I believe was a club record for them. He wanted to go there and it's looking like a good choice.

We all seemed to agree when we received the 10-point deduction if Dyche could keep us up that would constitute a good job. Perhaps you sat out that lengthy discussion. Please keep in mind that was before we fully understood our financial problems.

Help yourself to the dinghy if you must jump ship now.

"Help yourself to the dinghy if you must jump ship now."

None left mate, all them immigrants have commandeered them! :-)

Head to the Harlech Castle on County Road.

You will be amongst the wisest of people of Goodison!!

I can only second what Danny said there, you will meet a few 'good uns'.

[Not blowing my own bugle, or including myself in Danny's glowing accolade, but you can make your own mind up on that. :-)]

Doucoure was kept off the scoresheet at Brighton by a fantastic goal-line block by Lampdtey. Perhaps he can get on the scoresheet. McNeill is due one also.

Up the Blues!!!

Everything points to 3 points to the Toffees this afternoon.

I'm aware everyone says he's sorted the defence but, in truth, without Branthwaite, this season so far, he would not have sorted out our defence, it is in fact Branthwaite and Tarkowski, they have been immense

Get some confidence and stability for the final games. There's pllenty of winnable games and this is one of them.

Get 21 points and I believe Everton will be safe, barring possible further points deductions.

UTFTs!

I'd go for Garner.

The sooner that taxi pulls up at Finch Farm, the better. Then, at last, we can install the dream team of Duncan Ferguson and David Unsworth.

I feel we will have to score 3 goals to win. West Ham have goals in them. Interesting game. Moyes will tell his players to get at them early doors to get the crowd down. It's up to us to lift the players from the start.

Safe journey all.

Deffo Onana for me!

Get in front, close them down. Central midfield will be key to stopping them playing, Bowen is attacking in the hole so we need someone in front of him to stop the threat. Give him space and it's a tactical nightmare.

Do a Dick van Dyke on him in the first five and noble him but stop the supply and don't give them any space in our half.

Paul 92, 21 points from the remaining games is a bit ambitious! Anywhere between 12-15 would likely be the best we can hope for.

Have a great day.

I don't blame Dyche: the squad he has inherited, without being able to add to it, ensures he has to play this way. Maybe a touch more ambitious attacking-wise might help, as long as it doesn't help the opposition in quick breakaways!

Let's get Dobbin starting and subs around 65 minutes if not going well. Please, please don't play Young in any capacity.

Football has always been about doing your own job, and then also trying to help your mate, but until we get a lot more tandems, then the football, is not really going to entertain us.

Hopefully it will be enough to keep us safe, but just as we were beginning to relax and started looking like we could develop into a better team, the authorities struck, and it’s been backs to the wall, ever since.

I want to be entertained but I’d take a last minute fluke, if I’m being honest

Dyche favours a solid, organised, hard-to-score-against approach. That's not going to change any time soon.

What may change is how high up the pitch we press them. Our good run pre-Xmas saw us pressing teams quicker and higher up the pitch. To good effect. That has somewhat diminished in the last month or two. I'm not sure if it's due to tactics or energy levels or nerves.

I'm happy for us to maintain a solid structure but within that we have to pick moments to be braver, to show composure, to press higher and to get men forwards.

Fingers crossed we see more of that today (though the setup will undoubtedly be defensive!).

Our two wingers are way too deep and our full-backs are seldom past the half-way line. For someone like Calvert-Lewin who thrives on crosses, they're seldom and far between.

I believe that this group is capable of more than they are producing, its very rare you see us with more than 3 players in the opponents box unless its a corner. Sadly even the clubs around us show more attacking intent, and I don't know why that should be the case.

I haven't been Onana,s biggest fans, and thats mainly because he always takes the easy option. I remember our first glimpse of him coming on as a late sub away at Villa, within 5 minutes of coming on he picked up the ball on the edge of the Villa box, went into the box beat a man got down to the goal line and pulled the ball back for us to score and reduce the deficit. I thought at last a midfield player who can carry the ball and run at the opposition, yet even under Lampard we never saw a glimpse of that attacking midfielder, why not. We have Gana who can sit in front of the back 4 allowing Onana to get forward, also at 6ft 4ins if he appeared in the box we also have another aerial threat.

With getting 4 points back from our appeal we have to win today, which will put pressure on all the clubs around us. I know Dyche wont change his style but I just hope we can celebrate a win for the first time this year.

Then they can rest up for a few weeks… But today, nothing less than 3 points.

I definitely agree that the key to us creating more, is winning the ball higher up the pitch and catching the opposition when there's less of them behind the ball — "in transition", to use a phrase Dyche and many use nowadays (I hate it!).

Gana, Harrison and Doucouré were the keys to this, they are the ones who can force mistakes by pressing higher at the right times of course.

I think west ham are a bit like us sometimes, where they prefer a team to come on to them and hit them on the break, while struggling with teams who sit in and let them have the ball.

So prediction is a tight affair that opens up second half and we nick it 1-0.

Incidentally, the replay was the only game I've been locked out of. Who eventually knocked us out in 1981?

I think Ratcliffe got sent off v City at home for nutting I think Tommy Hutchinson. I remember going the replay in the pissing down rain and got beat 3-0.

You're right, West Ham are a bit like us but with much more quality – especially on the flanks (full-backs and wide attackers) and in the Number 10 position (Paqueta / Ward-Prowse).

Tactically, Moyes will probably be fairly conservative still though. He knows he can invite Everton onto them because we seriously lack the quality to open up a defensive side. They will try to pinch the ball off us and break at speed which they are pretty good at.

This is why our home form generally is poor; we don't have the quality in attack or on the flanks to play on the front foot.

How do we combat this? Dyche will obviously choose to go long, play percentages, hope the ball drops for Doucoure or force set piece opportunities. Also pinching the ball off them as they build from the back – as we did well against Newcastle.

What else can we do? Vary it up with Beto and Dobbin up top instead of Calvert-Lewin and Doucouré? Play Patterson at right-back to help get crosses into their box? Go 3-5-2?

None of these are brilliant options. Probably the main thing is being brave enough to commit men forward in our 4-4-1-1(-ish) formation to pose a genuine threat from open play. Mykolenko and Godfrey are both good recovery defenders and should be able to handle Kudus and Bowen if West Ham break.

There's a new name in our line-up down there: 18-year-old Welsh forward Omari Benjamin, whose family hails from Barbados; he has been on the books of Arsenal's academy. I've no report that we've signed him, but I think he's more than a trialist.

Our coach has broken down for the second time so we are stuck at Keele services waiting for a replacement!

Will definitely miss the Harlech and might just make kick-off.
I was going to buy a drink for everyone at the Harlech so sorry I won't make it!!!

Fingers crossed for a coach and a win!!

Cheers lads, heading to the Harlech now for a pint then onto watch us beat West Ham!