Tottenham Hotspur vs Everton

Get behind them, Blues, wherever you are.

We have no right-back, one left-back, we still have Michael Keane and Mason Holgate sitting on the bench.

We still have Neal Maupay on the squad list.

We make signings that are never ready to go straight away; other clubs start the opening day and everything is geared up and ready.

Mind boggles.

To get a result against Spurs will be… wow.

Dyches Team

Pickford, Holgate, Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko
Harrison, Iroegbunam, Gueye, McNeill, Doucoure, Calvert Lewin.

Team I'd pick and have a real go and give them something to think about !

Pickford, Dixon rwb, O'Brien, Keane, Mykoleno, Harrison lwb
Gueye, Iroegbunam, Lundstrum, Ndiaye, DCL.

5 3 2 Switching to 3 4 3 In Lundstrom and Ndiaye we have pace, as with Dixon,

It might end up as a goal fest but what do we have to lose ? Surpise us and them Sean, Go for it man. Bring Beto on after 60 minutes to keeo the pace up front when either Lundstrom or Ndiaye tires,

Don't worry JB, Holgate will be starting.

Agree completely with Lyndon's team. It's all so Dychepredictable.

It's why although I do my best to be realistic/reasonable when it comes down to Dyche, I just don't like having him as our manager.

I will see some of you there and no doubt talk to those watching from elsewhere.

Everton family. Regardless of what is going on around the club, nothing can take away the spirit of the supporters.

I suspect many of us will have our fingers crossed that the level of the likely loss is not too painful (what a dreadful approach) whilst our inspiring manager explains that it was a good performance in the circumstances.

Given the circumstances, I would beef up the midfield by playing Doucouré in his former position, and play Maupay as the Number 10.

No place for McNeil who currently offers very little and, having seen Maupay play for Brentford last season in that position, he does give defenders something to think about.

I would be nervous of Keane… against Spurs a defensive line across the goal line is not much use.

Same tactics (?) — start off on the front foot, miss chances, go behind and all the hope is gone.

Another season of struggle beckons…

With expectations low, a decimated squad, and it being early season this may be one just to throw Sean Dyche's trademark caution to the wind and just go out and play for a win.

I suppose Calvert-Lewin will need to be the centre-forward option but give him some support. Give the new fellas some game time, play the game on the grass and maybe, just maybe, the fans might get some faith back. It might not be pretty but just go for it.

That sure as hell won't happen but I'm honestly starting to think this might finally be the year we succumb with the shambles we are.

I wouldn't rule out a Solanke debut hat-trick.

Another tough season on the cards.

There are too many issues with that nowadays, VAR makes decisions against you, opponents are too quick or skilful for you, or a moments defensive lapse is always likely in matches that now last 99 minutes most weeks.

In this day and age you need to be able to carry a significant goal threat and a very important component to that is pace.

Mark I know if you can't be there, jumping and shouting at the screen / laptop!!

Many seem to think we are beaten before the first ball has been kicked. I'm not. Any game of football is winnable.

I'm concerned about getting drenched as the weather forecast suggests heavy early morning rain in London. But I should dry out by the time of kick off!!

In every sport. In every country. Every day. Favorites are overturned. The only sportsmen who are ever beaten before the start are those who have already surrendered. I'm so glad some of the posters on here wont be in our dressing room tomorrow.

This thread is a carbon copy of the thread last time we played Here, but Spurs needed the seasons worst VAR decision to scrape their poxy win.

Can we at least make Spurs (and their shite high line) sweat for a victory before we hand it to them ?

Danny

God bless you son. You've been mocked and even ridiculed for your undying optimism, but if we didnt have your faith, defiance and sometimes seemingly blind optimism within the souls of many blues, We'd have long since been playing in the lower leagues.

Danny, see you in the Redemption. Train is 8.45 so hopefully should be in there around midday.

The ref may even take pity on us and allow the 12 players! :-)

I honestly hope they are right and us pessimists are totally wrong. I'm still celebrating our last away day league success in balmy Burnley last December.

I like to think of myself as a realist; I have seen nothing to indicate we are anything but relegation scrap fodder, that's not after one game by the way.

It's around our recruitment, tactics and manager. We have not progressed in any of the above, in fact we have gone backwards.

If we get a result tomorrow, I will be as happy as anyone on here. I'm not a told-you-so gloater and will be as upset as anyone if we get a tonking.

Ndiaye to provide to pace and put Lindstrøm on for Doucouré and we will do well.

Mark Murphy, mate get your money on a win and Fuck solanke he's had one good season.

Tarkowski's dodgy hamstring should not be risked. A relatively minor issue now can develop into a major problem and a lengthy layoff further down the road. We need him fully fit for the season ahead.

Whatever the result tomorrow we all need to remember nothing is decided in August.

Pickford

Harrison
Keane
Obrien
Mykolenko
Mcneil

Doucoure
Gana
Iroegbunam

Calvert Lewin
Ndiaye

I was being told a couple of seasons ago, we had no chance against Brighton, but battered them 5-1.

The semi final against Tottenham in what was the build up to our last trophy. We weren't given a chance. But we won.

I don't go to any match thinking we can't win. We may not, but just give us a performance.

Like many have said, how can we have so many injured after a light pre-season, and one game ? Of the starting 11 (8 really), none stand out as being either goal scorers or match winners.

Ah well, there is always Debbie Revisits Dallas - On a Zimmer ! :-)

We almost upset the pundits and then surprised in the Final. I still wish my son would have witnessed it, but he was only 5 months old, sol he's never seen Everton lift a trophy

But we know Dyche, so expect Ndiaye and Lindstrøm to get runs out in the last 10 minutes when we are chasing for a consolation goal with 10 men, the same as last time.

Dixon probably won't even make the bench.

Even in such a low league position, that team was head and shoulders above this miserable lot.

I'm up for the Doncaster match, so if you're going, I'll see you there.

Safe travel to the Blues travelling from Merseyside and other places. A relatively short trip to North London, but still a tricky one.

Belief, that's what I go into every match with.

I would hope to see Ndiaye and Lindstrøm given decent time on the pitch, not necessarily at the same time, to add some pace up front.

Bit like this current team — it would improve with a better manager.

Means only one of Keane or Holgate starts and the two wingbacks would (hopefully) give decent cover to the back 3.

Also Ndiaye starting would give Spurs something to think about and a runner off Calvert-Lewin for the inevitable long balls.

However, imagine Dyche will put out a back 4 with Holgate at right-back.

Amokachi was about to be hooked, but didn't follow instructions.

Next thing he scores!!

He went on of his own accord without Joe Royle's signal.

That is why I hope Lyndon has got the starting line-up completely wrong. With what he has available, he has the potential to put out a very competitive midfield.

I would go with something like Ian's team at #36 but I would go for flare in that area; however, like it or not, Michael Keane will have to start.

My team would be:-

Pickford
Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko
Ndiaye, Gueye, Doucouré, Iroegbunam, Harrison
Lindstrøm
Calvert-Lewin

Dyche will never have a better opportunity than this to try a different approach. If it fails, there will be little flack; if it gets a result, he will be hailed as the tactical genius that outsmarted the media's current love child, Ange Postecoglou.

The memory fades.

I remember rocking my son in one of those cradles for babyies when the fourth goal went in. I jumped up and flipped him across the room. Fortunately he had a soft landing on the couch opposite. I got I right telling-off for that. But with a big grin on my face.

Focus is on tomorrow.

Going to be tough, but considering Spurs only drew with Leicester, let's be optimistic, and back the team, instead of all the negativity.

Amokachi wasn't in the starting line up that day and wasn't about to be hooked.

He wasn't meant to come on, not sure who was but on he came on, and as they say, the rest is history.

As for tomorrow not a good hunting ground for us; ditto Man Utd, Chelsea, Liverpool… so not expecting anything.

Be delighted with a draw.

Good shout on that team!

I don't care about couches or who walks on that pitch. I'll be behind them. Into matchday mode.

Within the manifold sub-plots of this 90-minute passion play, Amokachi's arrival on centre stage was a comic cameo. Rideout had limped to the far sidelines after 67 minutes but, having deemed himself fit to continue, indicated to the bench his readiness to return. By then Amokachi was on. "What a good mistake," Royle smiled.

Everton were so committed to the cause, so in tune with Royle's game-plan of closing down Spurs' creative sources and bypassing the visitors' defence, that Gerry Francis's stylish side had no chance.

"We came out of the traps very quickly," Royle added. "Semi-finals are traditionally tense and nervous but we came out and played well." None would argue, not even the Spurs diehards.

Everton, who under Royle have treated every match as a cup tie, began at whirlwind pace, Anders Limpar demanding three fine saves from Ian Walker in the opening 10 minutes. Crucially, they maintained the pressure. With Unsworth and Dave Watson shackling Klinsmann and Teddy Sheringham, and Parkinson throwing a blanket over the midfield, Everton were primed for goal.

After 35 minutes of spirited pressure, they broke through, Jackson rising at the near post to head in Andy Hinchcliffe's inswinging corner. What a gift. With no one defending the upright, and emergency left-back Stuart Nethercott the wrong side of Jackson, Spurs had only themselves to blame.

Should we all just bet on Richarlison to score instead?

There is not one Evertonian who would not want Everton to roll Spurs over; you never know what to expect from Everton, that's for sure.It's possible we went into the same mindset last Saturday, over 36,000 Evertonians roaring them on from the start, thousands more worldwide…

It would not make a difference if 30,000 Evertonians were at Spurs roaring them on with a trumpet solo blasting out — once they cross the whitewash, it is the mindset of the players.

Some have been labelled as doom merchants, others as top Evertonians, fighting the cause. At the end of the day, we all want the same result.

But rather than have a go at some who are sitting on the side of caution, no matter how positive fans are, there will be some nervous and worried about no Branthwaite or Tarkowski in the heart of defence, no fit right-back, a left-back injury away from no leftback.

We have seen time and again just how bad we are in defence, when we have Keane and Holgate in the same line up, not a pop by any means, but they just make mistake after mistake, when they play together.

So I can see why some are less confident than others for this game, does not make them doom merchants, just using logic and probabilities for the outcome.

Anyway let's hope for a result tomorrow, that's the best we can hope for.

I wholeheartedly agree that all Evertonians would want Everton to win tomorrow, or in any other game that involves our club.

Whatever the make-up of the defence, all of them will realise that one mistake by any one of them, which leads to a goal, decreases the odds of winning the game exponentially, all because we don't know how to attack.

In the rare games where we do show attacking intent, we can't punish the opponents by taking those few chances that do come along.

The problem today is that the mindset of players, fans and everybody connected to the club is one of caution and fear, all of us being afraid of getting relegated. That caution and fear has become part of the identity and culture of the club.

It's a great pity that the business side of the club couldn't have shown similar caution before it saddled all of us with a dog's breakfast of a squad and many of us now going to games with fear rather than hope.

I think the last time we beat Spurs at their ground I was down the road at Twickenham watching Saints win the Challenge Cup. At the end, as the players paraded t'coop, the blue sat next to me showed me the score from White Hart Lane. We were absolutely gutted that we'd chosen “the wrong game” to attend. Bizarrely there was an enormous Tottenham Hotspur flag in one of the Twickenham stands that day.

Tomorrow, I won't be shopping with the missus or hiding behind the couch. I'll be playing my other love, cricket, hunting for 2 wickets that bring up my hundred for my club. I don't attend footy matches before September, otherwise I would be there.

I will, however, be hoping for a Blues win as I always do. I'm filled with trepidation based on what we all assume to be Dyche's defensive line and approach, but I'll still be clinging on to the old belief that God is on our side and hope he's in a good mood rather than the twatty fickle mood he's been in more often than not with His team!

Good luck to all going tomorrow — I hope you have a great day! UTFT

If selling Branthwaite means we can bring in a right-back, left-back, right-wing and striker, then reluctantly I'd sell.

But Dyche doesn't count them. He wont play them because "in his opinion" they are not good enough for the Premier League, nor fit enough.

He includes Tim Iroegbunam in this observation. Which begs the question, "What are you and that clown Thelwell up to recruiting them for then?"

We need a new dynamic team. Yet what have you gone and got? 5 players plus Maupay. None have pace. No goalscorers. No right- or left-back. You and Thelwell are very much to blame for this shocking state of affairs.

That Holgate and Keane will start takes us back to the very realistic possibility of relegation. That Keane is chosen for the first team before Jake O'Brien, because he had a good pre-season, when the teams you picked were humiliated and awful, beggars belief.

If that logic counts, why are McNeil, Calvert-Lewin and Gueye playing???

You had brought us out of despair and through the Premier League's vengeful spite and prejudice. However, you have taken huge strides backwards.

Chermiti and Beto were rarely used last season and I can see the same lack of use again. Just what the fuck is going on?
If we get less than a draw tomorrow, Dyche and Thelwell, that is firmly on you both.

Pickford
Holgate, Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko
Gana, Iroegbunam
Harrison, Doucouré, McNeil
Calvert-Lewin.

Harrison will turn inside on his left foot into every cul-de-sac. McNeil will pass back or run across the pitch in a straight line, and Calvert-Lewin will be everywhere apart from where he can do the damage... in the box.

Gana will give the ball away: 1-0. Keane will be caught upfield: 2-0. Holgate will give a penalty away: 3-0.

Beto will be on after 65 minutes to do... nothing.
Ndaiye will appear after 75 minutes and do… nothing.

Lindstrøm may as well go back home as, if he does play, it'll be on the right for Harrison rather than his preferred No 10 role.

The line-up is as predictable as the tide and we know the script ad nauseam.

Please, please, please prove me wrong, Blues.

I wouldn't mind:

Pickford.
Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko.
Dixon, Doucoure, Iroegbunam, McNeil.
Lindstrøm, Ndaiye.
Calvert-Lewin.

We all know that Branthwaite will be gone in the near future, either in this window or the next one… perhaps we'll get lucky and he'll stay for the whole of this season.

A caveat to that is we don't know how he'll recover from his operation and whether he'll be able to sustain his very good form in an Everton shirt.

The very worst-case scenario is that he leaves late in this transfer window, giving us no chance of adding to the squad, that's even if the money we get will be earmarked for incoming players.

If he does leave late and it happens to be to our bitter rivals, none of us should be happy with that scenario, even if it's a financial necessity.

I could just about accept the lad moving to Arsenal, Man City or even Man Utd; I can't stomach the idea that he might go across the park, for whatever amount of money we might get.

If Everton got £63M for Branthwaite, they'd spend £30M on Beto's older, less skillful cousin, £20M on bringing Wayne Rooney back, and give the rest to Dele Alli so he could have some more "mental health" issues.

When I got back to The Wedding House (mum and dad's pub) she grabbed me when I came in asking if I placed the bet... Much joy, mum and dad went on holiday for the first time in 20 years to North Wales — a £100 went a long way then.

Hate to think what the odds are after last week. Is the bus going to be big enough to park?

Sheedy steps up and slots in the equaliser. Then black-eyed Derek Mountfield heads in the winner.

We do not currently have anyone called O'Neil in our squad!!!!

If you look close enough, you might find a McNeil… although he has been difficult to spot lately.

Danny might get onto the bench tomorrow, we are so short of first-team players. :)

Danny only on the bench?? I'd have him at right-back or centre-half. Couldn't be any worse!!

By the way, I think we'll sneak a point tomorrow. 🤞

I was concerned and depressed before I came on ToffeeWeb. Now I'm suicidal.

I can't fault anyone‘s comments from Danny's never say surrender to Fred Quick's logical massacre.

I remain hopeful for a result but anticipating a massacre.

Although Leicester got a draw, they should have been 5 or 6 down by half-time. That they weren't gives us hope for tomorrow but we are no Leicester, especially with the injuries we're carrying. They at least have a cutting edge; we do not.

Stay strong, Blues, we need the constitution of an army for this one.

Here is the Everton team that played in that match:

Tim Howard
Tony Hibbert
Joleon Lescott
Joseph Yobo
Phil Jagielka
Mikel Arteta
Phil Neville
Marouane Fellaini
Leon Osman
Steven Pienaar
Ayegbeni Yakubu

Compare this team then with the present. Perhaps only Pickford would make it in. Which is why I am expecting nothing tomorrow.

[Answers here please!]

Being realistic, we're going to lose, aren't we?

I can see the positivity of those rallying the never-say-die attitude and belief, I really can.

I can also see the other side, where caution is thrown, where time and again poor team selection and lateness of subs coming on has killed our hopes.

Both sides of the fence have valid beliefs; the whole point of having a fans forum is for fans to have their own personal views. People's views should not be treated as a 'happy clapper', or a 'doom merchant' — fans can have differing views.

But, at the end of the day, we are all Evertonians who will be here long after players and managers have come and gone. Whether we qualify for Europe, win a cup, or the unthinkable relegation, we will still be here as Evertonians, following our football club.

The match I'm thinking of was 26 August 2006 and we won 2-0 at White Hart Lane with an oggy and an Andy Johnson goal.

26 August is also my wife's birthday, which just goes to show how brave I was in those days. As I recall, my wife said “You'd better not be going to Everton on my birthday!” So I went to watch Saints instead. You can imagine my confusion when she still didn't talk to me for days…

26 August is on Monday, so nearly Saturday, hopefully a sign… UTFT

Mark, I used to get messages from my wife asking me if I had run away to watch Everton!!

My argument was that she put up with me being away for 6 months or more multiple times over the years. But go to watch Everton for a day? I was often consigned to the couch and sleeping with the dogs!!

”Shove his prediction where the sun don't shine”!

Tim Iroegbunam will be dropped once James Garner is fit — it's all so predictable with Dyche.

However, it's never that easy. We will get chances in the game, we might take one. Keeping it tight, which we will and must, can frustrate Spurs. We have players with much to prove and we are away from home to Spurs, not Real Madrid.

This is winnable and I expect the coach and the players to believe it. We are "supporters" we are meant to be biased, we are meant to believe.

If was lucky enough to be travelling on the same coach as Rob Halligan, I'd be expecting the best.

What's the full line-up for tomorrow?

It can't be the same line up because Young is suspended!

I presume Dyche will start with Holgate, Keane, O'Brien and Mykolenko at the back; I can't see him going to a back 3 or starting Dixon, it's not his style.

I think most Blues will be very interested to see who will be his front 3 and Number 10, as I imagine Tim and Gana will be the central midfield.

You never let me down, mate!

I'm looking forward to tomorrow and catching up with Neil, Rob and his mates, Dave and Steve.

Brian, we'll be fine against Doncaster. I'm travelling up for a night match, so we had better be!

Fred, Edward, I'm available!!

Although he does pop up once a year, and scores a goal, gets hailed a hero, then sits back and counts his ill-gotten gains.

Let's hope it's tomorrow!

An injury crisis already? Surely most premier league teams have got loads of good players injured if they've got an injury crisis, but not Everton, who are only missing two, nailed on starters, unless you include James Garner, in that bracket.

It's the managers fault, he's shite, but even if he his, then countless managers have been getting sacked since Farhad Moshiri, was blagged into Bill Kenwright's beautiful dream.

The club, is an embarrassment with regards the way the assets of the playing squad have been slowly getting stripped, every time another manager gets the sack, but still the manager gets the blame.

I hope what Peter Mills suggests happens tomorrow, because one thing about ToffeeWeb, is that a positive pre match thread usually results in a bad result, although I haven't seen the fuckn team for tomorrow, and even if we start with the new signings, I think we might get overrun in midfield.

Fight Everton, then fight some more, but whatever happens I think instead of slaughtering the manager, I think the fans need to start concentrating on driving Moshiri out of our club before it's too late.

Hopefully the travelling blue army have a good day tomorrow, because they are simply amazing supporters.🤞

Andy, you say we're supposed to be biased, but surely we can look at the game as a neutral might and assess it as we see it?

I take your point but, personally speaking, I never think we will win. Years of disappointment have sucked the optimism and fantasy right out of me.

If we manage a win, it's a pleasant surprise; if we don't, then the depths of despair no longer beckon. Should fans air such views on a club forum? Possibly not.

If the fantasy of the game still beats strong, the last thing you want is doom and gloom — no matter the reality… but does that promote interest? I'm not sure.

Last week's horror show must drive this team to perform and give all in this game. I still feel we will battle well and may be just grind out a draw.

I'm hopeful we will sign at least a couple of players at the end of the window which will be accompanied by exits mainly Holgate, Maupay and Keane making way for the new signings.

We will also have full squad strength restored after the international break. Staying positive! COYB

The squad is horrendously unbalanced. Bet he wishes he had the likes of Richarlison, Iwobi, Digne, Sigurdsson, Mina and Gordon to select. All of whom were in the squad that only just stayed up in 2021-22. That squad should never have been there but was badly mismanaged by the Spanish waiter and Lampard.

The squads have been decimated since with few improvements, especially in the attacking areas. I don't think Dyche would have been anywhere near the relegation places with the 2021-22 squad.

Admittedly the style of football may not have been to everyone's taste. But ultimately that's what the anti-Dyche criticism comes down to. A dislike of his methods and his perceived lack of style.

I also find the football awful to watch at times, but having seen manager after manager fail with more resources, worry that any change will just make our chances of survival slimmer.

It's almost taking some sort of perverse pleasure in dragging everybody else into your negative misery arsed (did I mention that?) world.

I'll be honest, I just don't understand why someone make the effort and go out of their way to post in such a way.

If something pisses you off so much, why continue taking part?

Wonder if he can still see it anywhere? 😂😂😂

I'm not getting banned ffs!

We are only 5/1 to win tomorrow, that seems very skinny.
I'll be extremely delighted if we win, but at the same time surprised.

We are all over the shop team-wise, you have to be a rampant optimist to convince yourself we will win.

Rob, I'll see you at the place you sent me. I'll be leaving early once I've got the Ridgebacks out. I'm meeting Neil at the stadium.

Looking forward to it.

Why on earth would we drop our best player in July and August? Why would you do that to accommodate someone who himself should have been dropped after his fecking woeful display last weekend where he was offside more times than goals he will score this season?

Why would we not just drop Doucoure and bring in someone for him? Lindstrøm? Ndiaye?

I would play niggling Maupay with Beto up top tomorrow and leave Calvert-Lewin on the bench. His goals per game ratio is 1 in 6, for fuck's sake.

Ndiaye and Lindstrøm to play also.

Great energy, a few good goals, crap footballer by Premier League standards. Just my opinion, of course.

Spurs will give you chances as their game vs Leicester showed. I'd like Dyche to try that same formation with Ndiaye and Lindstrøm coming in for McNeil and Doucouré and Harrison switching to his natural left.

I think we can get something from this game.

If anyone has a last-minute spare I'd be interested. Collect at the ground. (Spurs that is!)

It's early doors, the season is a week old. Spurs didn't look too good at the back v Leicester on Monday night. Believe, and Everton can turn up tomorrow and tuck them up.

I remember in 2006, it could have been, Killer's last Everton game, but Everton took them apart. No one fancied Everton to win that day.

It was the start of our best away form, at Spurs those next 3 seasons. Tomorrow...it can be again.

I couldn't agree more but you're called pessimists, doom and gloom merchants, miserable as sin etc if you see what's in front of you every week.

Count me in, I'm one of them.

So we should only be beaten 5-0 now, Hurrah!

We gave Doncaster the Upper and Lower Bullens; after going on open sale today, they have 396 tickets remaining out of 2,976, I think their fans can sniff an upset as well.

Play with a strong team and Everton win but, like I said before, Rovers been playing some good football — Molyneux, Ironside and Billy Sharp are players that can cause huge problems if we do not shut them down. It will not be a walk in the park on Tuesday.

Anyway, back to Saturday, we can only hope we can at least get some pride back, no Solanke could mean Richarlison coming in.

I will wait for the lineup first but have a feeling O'Brien in for Tarkowski and Holgate for Young with Doucoure and McNeil somehow keeping their places — both those two owe the fans a performance; you never know — both might click tomorrow.

Ndiaye is a good tricky footballer who likes the ball on the ground, with a team that keeps possession of the ball, a team that plays through the middle of the park.

That's not Everton under Dyche.

We have played Spurs on exactly this date in the recent past - a 0-0 draw back on 24 August 1996 at White Hart Lane.

From what I remember, we were quite unfortunate not to win.

Do you really think that Everton with their sparse transfer kitty would have sanctioned a move for a player without the current manager's blessing?

So they have literally fuck-all to spend but they decide to impose a player on the manager, irrespective of his feelings on the matter?

Are you a complete utter numpty without any thoughts, brains or consideration whatsoever???

Have a think before you post, eh?

We had a couple of chances but I remember thinking 0-0 was a fair result. I'm 43 today, hopefully the Blues can give me a better birthday present this time around.

I'd probably be much happier with a nil-nil today than I was all those years ago. Safe travels to all those going to the match today, COYB.

28 years ago, my God! I was so optimistic back then having seen us recently win the FA Cup and my Dad bending my ear with all the tales from the 80s Glory Years.

I would never, ever have believed you if you'd told me back then that I'd still be waiting for another trophy on my 43rd birthday... it was impossible to comprehend.

I haven't looked it up, but didn't we beat Tottenham at their place a few seasons ago?

Safe travels, Blues. I hope those players bring the belief that we have. I'll see some of you there.

Hopefully not going back to bed by quarter to one!!

Spurs 1 (66 per cent possession) — Us 2 at my sunniest mate, drinking a lovely dry white.

But I fear the XI, please no: Pickford, Holgate, Keane, O'Brien, Mykolenko, Gueye, Iroegbunam, Harrison, McNeil, Doucouré, Calvert-Lewin .

Hope you're doing okay, mate, after losing your wife. Still feel for you. I hope the match/mates and up and down to home helps.

Up to bed soon and my march down Goodison Road is going downstairs.

As it's impossible to buy away tickets, thanks to our incredible, loyal support, I usually try and watch the match by hook or by crook. I'll try to avoid watching a stream today though, as this fixture annoys the hell out of me and I don't want my weekend ruined early.

My plan is to be very pleasantly surprised to see that we won and to be pissed off that I didn't watch the match, a rare watch of Match of the Day beckons…

Dyche needs pace up top to get behind the Spurs high line. Anything can happen.

Have a lovely day and a 3-point present from the XI.

It's early days and, win, lose or draw, there will be 36 more games to play. I hope we will improve after the break when Branthwaite is (hopefully) back and if we have an upgrade at right-back, that would be nice too.

It was always going to be another slog this season with resources stretched and Everton near the bottom of the spending tables again. The biggest victory would be a new owner to clear up Moshiri's mess but who knows how long that will take???

The way back, I hope, will be even more joyous celebrating our fantastic victory. COYB

Hoping for a win, but you can't make a Silk Purse from a Pig's Scrotum!

Even if you have the Balls to do it!

I've never noticed any such signs, nor even bouncers, in the Harlech, Brick etc? Are we the only club that don't treat away supporters with contempt? Are Liverpool FC the same?

By the way, is the Antwerp Arms still open to aways near Spurs??

My granddaughter just asked me if I'm happy with my birthday present of 4 beer glasses. I said "I will be happy to have all 4 filled at 4:45 pm-ish to celebrate a win and then a lie down!!"

COYB

I have first-hand experience of what you lot get up to!!!

If we get less than a draw tomorrow, Dyche and Thelwell, that is firmly on you both.

Does that mean if we win Dyche and Thelwell take the plaudits? Or does that not fit into the overall theme of your rant at post 64?

I have a suggestion for the book you're running with regard to what minute you'll switch off: Don't watch at all.

Martin, I have to say your post , IMHO, sums up what's wrong with TW posters in that some have us beaten before we kick off and just want to rant, and more so want someone to blame before the game's even kicked off.

And I'd be willing to bet on the book you're keeping that, if we do lose, you'll take great satisfaction from "being right"!

It was the match where Neville Southall made that extraordinary save from Falco.

I just don't know what happened. (I'd be a rich man if I did.) He came back after a lengthy injury a different player. He seemed to have recovered physically, but his focus and application seemed to stay on the sick bed.

Even when he is playing well — he often does — you can't relax because those lapses of concentration he is prone to can happen when you least expect it.

I believe Holgate and Keane are actually better footballers than Tarkowski. Unfortnately, Keane suffers the same lapses as Holgate. Tarkowski is generally steady as a rock (ignoring last week) whereas his two understudies can destroy a good team performance in a heartbeat.

We're all aware of the holes and inconsistencies in Holgates's and Keane's game, but it's important to remember these two have given some great moments and great performances.

I see it as a choice: you can torture yourself catastrophizing about the game days in advance, or you can buckle up for the ride hoping the wayward duo put in the sort performances which earned them their lucrative contracts in the first place.

It's also worth pointing that the game does not hinge on the performances of two players.

We've won since then, when Yobo got injured and wanted to go off — Alan Stubbs told him to run the injury off, he did and we won 3-1 at Spurs' ground.

We can do the same today — if we want to and concentrate on doing so.

Easy win against Doncaster then three points against Bournemouth.

We will be sitting easy on 4 points before the international break; don't worry, we will be okay.

But I'd say to all, be careful whatever station or coach park you're transitioning from to go to the ground, and if coming in at Northumberland Park station, be very careful.

All going the game today, take care and enjoy the day and see Everton beat Spurs. UTFTs!

I can't see Sean picking Dixon with Son up against him and with noTarkowski to guide him along. Holgate is capable of playing well and the away support is more likely to encourage him than the often toxic home crowd.

We were way too slack and wide open last week — akin to a pre-season friendly in the second half. Sean will rally and send them out to play tight and deep.

I think half the problem last week was that we tried to play more football and Gueye was all over the place so, once Tim tired around the hour mark, we had no central midfield.

There's always hope and a long way to go for Sean to get them playing the way he wants. Keep the faith and get behind the manager, team and club.

It is going to be an even more difficult game than usual given our injury crisis. We have little choice but to be ultra-defensive and hope to pick up a goal from a set piece — and with Keane, O'Brien and Calvert-Lewin, we should at least cause them problems.

D'you do children's parties?

He should have a stormer then 😂

Does anyone know anything about Mario Hermoso? Released by Athletico Madrid. 29 years old. Played over 70 games, in the last two seasons.

The reason I ask is he's left-footed and has played 53 games as a left-back, to go with his 249 games as centre-back. Just what we need once Keane and Holgate leave.

The Bournemouth game should be what we're building towards.

Where did that come from? His agent or his mum?

Get a grip people........

Looking forward to a good performance, 3pts and good journey back. UTFT!

To cheer Danny up, there is of course always a chance of a win even in unlikely circumstances. The FA Cup could not exist otherwise.

On an even more optimistic note, expectation can bear heavily, especially for Everton. That was the problem with last week, at least a draw was seen as within reach. Here, that burden is relieved and great things can happen when sportsmen can perform worry free about consequences (Bazball?).

Now I'm off before realism gets its look in

Hard work, good organisation and a good attitude can help us be competitive but it's going to be tough going. In attack, Calvert-Lewin is going to have to be at his physical best — and the not very inspiring trio of McNeil, Doucoure and Harrison will need to be much, much better than they were against Brighton.

Then there's the makeshift defence...

Roman or 'of Dock Green' ? Either is better alternative to you know who Sch !

It came from Carlo Ancelotti but given some of the gems you post, I'm sure he'll bow to your superior knowledge.

Sean 155

That scoreline will get you 150 quid or a tenner with Skybet.