Everton Pre Match - Premier League football is back

[BlueKnob]

Morning Guys, Everton fan here.

 

Firstly I'd like to apologise for the other Everton fans that have signed up and been tits, it would be nice if they could recognise when they're being wound up and maybe chip in with a bit of humour to counter it, rather than leap on their high horses and start waving around the big club tag and attempting to belittle Leicester.

 

I wish you all the best for the new season, I don't know a great deal about your team but the Championship isn't an easy division to get out of so I don't expect you to be a pushover.  I expect it to be a draw, and if I'm honest I wouldn't be all that disappointed with a point, Everton have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot so as long as we don't turn up and get taught a lesson (ala Palace at Goodison last season) I'll be happy.

 

I can't see either Mirallas or Lukaku starting, I'd expect to see them for maybe the last 30 minutes, Martinez doesn't like to rush players back, if anything he's possibly a bit over cautious when it comes to bringing players in after injury, or in this case the World Cup.

 

Good luck fellas.

[Haydos]

Morning Guys, Everton fan here.

 

Firstly I'd like to apologise for the other Everton fans that have signed up and been tits, it would be nice if they could recognise when they're being wound up and maybe chip in with a bit of humour to counter it, rather than leap on their high horses and start waving around the big club tag and attempting to belittle Leicester.

 

I wish you all the best for the new season, I don't know a great deal about your team but the Championship isn't an easy division to get out of so I don't expect you to be a pushover.  I expect it to be a draw, and if I'm honest I wouldn't be all that disappointed with a point, Everton have a habit of shooting themselves in the foot so as long as we don't turn up and get taught a lesson (ala Palace at Goodison last season) I'll be happy.

 

I can't see either Mirallas or Lukaku starting, I'd expect to see them for maybe the last 30 minutes, Martinez doesn't like to rush players back, if anything he's possibly a bit over cautious when it comes to bringing players in after injury, or in this case the World Cup.

 

Good luck fellas.

 

 

That's more like it.

 

Do you think Martinez is confident without those two? What would be your predicted line up then?

[BlueKnob]

That's more like it.

 

Do you think Martinez is confident without those two? What would be your predicted line up then?

 

I think Martinez has confidence in his philosophy, as do I to be honest after a bit of a shaky start, and he knows who can and can't fit into the way he wants to play. I don't think we have enough squad depth to cover those 2 positions though, and I can't see Atsu making his debut in the opener either, so it leaves us a bit short.  

 

I'd probably go with a starting 11 of;

 

                           Howard,

Coleman (if fit), Jagielka. Distin, Baines

                  McCarthy, Barry

           McGeady, Barkley, Pienaar

                         Naismith

 

Back 4 is pretty solid and would be the expected back 4 for most of the season I would think, with Stones to cover either Jagielka or Distin.  I pray Coleman is fit because Hibbert is the other RB option, and he's shit.

 

McCarthy and Barry are solid, but I'd like to see Besic get plenty of game time as well, he's looked great in the brief glimpses during pre-season and I'd be confident in him doing a top job if he had to step in for either of our defensive mids, or even further up the field as well based on what I've seen.

 

Only Barkley really excites me from the front 4, McGeady is average, Pienaar is reasonably poor now and Naismith plays better off the Striker, but I think he'll be forced up top on his own in the absence of a fully fit Lukaku, although I understand there might be a chance of him starting, slim though I think.

[Haydos]

I think Martinez has confidence in his philosophy, as do I to be honest after a bit of a shaky start, and he knows who can and can't fit into the way he wants to play. I don't think we have enough squad depth to cover those 2 positions though, and I can't see Atsu making his debut in the opener either, so it leaves us a bit short.  

 

I'd probably go with a starting 11 of;

 

                           Howard,

Coleman (if fit), Jagielka. Distin, Baines

                  McCarthy, Barry

           McGeady, Barkley, Pienaar

                         Naismith

 

Back 4 is pretty solid and would be the expected back 4 for most of the season I would think, with Stones to cover either Jagielka or Distin.  I pray Coleman is fit because Hibbert is the other RB option, and he's shit.

 

McCarthy and Barry are solid, but I'd like to see Besic get plenty of game time as well, he's looked great in the brief glimpses during pre-season and I'd be confident in him doing a top job if he had to step in for either of our defensive mids, or even further up the field as well based on what I've seen.

 

Only Barkley really excites me from the front 4, McGeady is average, Pienaar is reasonably poor now and Naismith plays better off the Striker, but I think he'll be forced up top on his own in the absence of a fully fit Lukaku, although I understand there might be a chance of him starting, slim though I think.

 

You don't think Martinez will take a chance on one of those two to give a bit of umph to the attack?

 

You've got a strong and experienced back 4 and dangerous full backs and I think you're quite similar to us in the way that you have a pretty balanced team. I'd still place you as slight favourites but I think we have a chance if we take the game to you.

[6ups 6downs 2 cups]

I wonder what reception Howard will get from the kop? Only say that because of the USA Belgium game when he was superb in a superb game , probably deserves a round of applause! I'm probably being naive though!

[BlueKnob]

You don't think Martinez will take a chance on one of those two to give a bit of umph to the attack?

 

You've got a strong and experienced back 4 and dangerous full backs and I think you're quite similar to us in the way that you have a pretty balanced team. I'd still place you as slight favourites but I think we have a chance if we take the game to you.

 

I can't see it to be fair, I think there's more chance of Lukaku than there is Mirallas, but he'll probably prove me wrong and do the opposite now.  Lukaku grabbed a couple in a behind closed doors friendly with Sheff Wednesday this week so he's got 45 minutes under his belt, as did Mirallas I believe, but I just can't see it.

 

If you press us I think you'll get a lot of joy and there's potentially a mistake or 2 in us, if you sit back and invite pressure though then I can see us getting a decent passing game going and looking good, just depends whether we have enough up front to take any chances.

 

I'm an Evertonian though, so it's in me to be pessimistic and downplay things based on years of disappointment, last season was great but there's always that nagging feeling that it might go a bit wrong at any given moment.  We've got a great core of young players though and we've built on that with Galloway from MK Dons and potentially Henen from Anderlecht (I'm lead to believe that's done, just not announced yet).

 

Always enjoyed watching Leicester in their Premier League days and remember the likes of Izzet, Lennon (before he turned into a ****), Heskey, Claridge and Guppy when I was younger.  Hopefully you can build on last year and get off to a good start (after you give us 3 points obviously) and push on from there.

[whitlock]

I wonder what reception Howard will get from the kop? Only say that because of the USA Belgium game when he was superb in a superb game , probably deserves a round of applause! I'm probably being naive though!

 

[BlueKnob]

I wonder what reception Howard will get from the kop? Only say that because of the USA Belgium game when he was superb in a superb game , probably deserves a round of applause! I'm probably being naive though!

 

If you could also form a human wall on his goal line for 90 minutes as a show of appreciation we'd be grateful.

[Carlos88LCFC]

The worrying thing is out wide if we do play a 433 with Schlupp against Coleman & maybe Pienar will switch to that side if they see Schlupp as the weakness in our team. Could cause a bit of trouble down that side. Maybe it would be worth sticking Hammond in the "Cambiasso" role!

[daddylonglegs]

 

Watch this and try to not get ridiculously excited. hope to be hearing this a lot this season!

[The old lady]

I was a good poster until some fans on here thought I was being patronising so I was giving back, don't have a problem with other supporters

[MickM86]

Hi Pat

I tried but they didn't allow me back. There's no more I can do.

Thanks for the support as always

[Corky]

Mark Selby will be parading the World Championship trophy at the game.

[Manwell Pablo]

Point will do me Saturday. Anything more than that will be a massive bonus. Normally I wouldn't be that bothered with a defeat but the fixtures we've got means will more than likely struggle till Burnley at home.

[ARM1968]

A point would be a massive bonus. Seriously. Everton are a class above with a full strength side out.

[Ric Flair]

Everton for me are a quality outfit, let's not get all defensive because their fans rate their team. We've got to accept we're amongst the big boys now and when we start to earn a bit of respect then the tide will turn.

Without Albrighton, Vardy and Knockaert we look weak. There's still enough quality to give Everton a game but if they turn up and perform how they did for a lot of last season then even a point would be fortunate for us. I'm afraid our fans are going to be in for a lot of disappointment if they fail to realise the step up this season. We are so used to winning nearly every game, it's going to be hard to swallow.

Hopefully if we're missing a few of our best players and Everton are too, then they might be out of rhythm and that gives us half a chance to exploit it in our own ground.

Massive game. A good opening 20 mins is key.

[Fosse93]

Vardy (if fit) and Nuge have to start upfront for me.

 

Praying to the football gods that one of Albrighton/Knocky will make it!

[pat's van]

Hi Pat

I tried but they didn't allow me back. There's no more I can do.

Thanks for the support as always

Mick I'm so sorry to hear that. Some of the lads on GOT will be gutted (not all of them though).

 

I'm gonna do an entry in your football diary in your honour if that's ok with you.

 

Hope you enjoy the season, and hey we can always keep in touch on here, it seems friendly enough.

 

Your friend, Pat.

[Babylon]

The fact we had a number of players at the World Cup and you didn't means your whole squads been able to have a full pre season.

 

We had a player at the world cup and he wasn't that long coming back after most of our other players. He played against you in Thailand when all of yours were still missing, and he got further than England did with Algeria.  I think perhaps our gaffer gave them a bit too much time off.

[Babylon]

Everton have quality all over the pitch so it's going to be very difficult, but we have to element of surprise and a winning mentality (for the moment) that's carried on pre-season.

 

Without the injuries I'd feel so much more confident as we could change the game if we needed to. Now it feels like we only really have one option if they are all missing still. It's especially gutting about Knocky and Vardy as those two were the ones who caused Everton the most problems in the friendly (yes I know it was a weakened team).

 

Heart says 2-1, Head says 1-2

[kingfox]

If Barkley plays, three in the middle for us is a must, we need someone in there who will track his runs, and stop him finding space around the 18 yard box. Playing two in midfield proved difficult against QPR away last season, yes we won the game but, the amount of times Kranjcar was finding space in and around the 18 yard box was a joke. QPR were wasteful that day, but if Barkley does the same type of thing at the weekend, he will more than likely punish us. 

 

Everton fans have already mentioned their pace from the Right & Left backs, Coleman is an incredible attacking fullback who can bomb straight down the line and whip in a cross, or he has a knack of cutting inside and causing endless problems by just running at the defence. Konchesky will not be the right player to play, he will either get left for dead or one mistake could well cost us a penalty. We need pace at full backs to keep up with the pace Baines & Coleman have, as well as the likes of Pienaar, McGeady, Mirallas & Atsu whoever they decide to go with on the wings. 

 

At the minute I would play with injuries & no new signings into account...

 

Schmeichel

 

De Laet - Morgan - Moore - Schlupp

 

King - James - Drinkwater

 

Mahrez - Ulloa - Nugent

[Toffee_Fox]

Anyone can beat anyone on their day and in this league, lets be honest about that, anyone who says Everton can't be beaten is very naive, even us as Toffees know we fail to produce away from home on a regular occasion.

 

Atsu has signed and Martinez has said he is fully fit to feature too.

[Stadt]

Anyone can beat anyone on their day and in this league, lets be honest about that, anyone who says Everton can't be beaten is very naive, even us as Toffees know we fail to produce away from home on a regular occasion.

Atsu has signed and Martinez has said he is fully fit to feature too.

Let's hope he plays on the left then

[Babylon]

If Barkley plays, three in the middle for us is a must, we need someone in there who will track his runs, and stop him finding space around the 18 yard box. Playing two in midfield proved difficult against QPR away last season, yes we won the game but, the amount of times Kranjcar was finding space in and around the 18 yard box was a joke. QPR were wasteful that day, but if Barkley does the same type of thing at the weekend, he will more than likely punish us. 

 

Everton fans have already mentioned their pace from the Right & Left backs, Coleman is an incredible attacking fullback who can bomb straight down the line and whip in a cross, or he has a knack of cutting inside and causing endless problems by just running at the defence. Konchesky will not be the right player to play, he will either get left for dead or one mistake could well cost us a penalty. We need pace at full backs to keep up with the pace Baines & Coleman have, as well as the likes of Pienaar, McGeady, Mirallas & Atsu whoever they decide to go with on the wings. 

 

At the minute I would play with injuries & no new signings into account...

 

Schmeichel

 

De Laet - Morgan - Moore - Schlupp

 

King - James - Drinkwater

 

Mahrez - Ulloa - Nugent

Almost exactly what I was thinking, but I think Konch will start ahead of Schlupp and I can see Hammond starting ahead of King if we want to keep it tight, swapping for Kingy if we need to push on later on.

 

Edited to say: I feel dirty, didn't realise I was agreeing almost with Kingfox.

[Toffee_Fox]

Let's hope he plays on the left then

 

I assume he will come off the bench, Pienaar will be on the left, and Mirallas on the right, if not he will be on the right