Elston Gunnn

Agree that our injuries have complicated, made fascinating, Koeman's team selection. Also agree with ANYT's list of definite starters. And if they are in fact "definite," then up to a point, Koeman's task is not complicated. But it's those last 2 spots, complicated both as to who starts and where. Isn't it likely that the 11 starters tomorrow will not have started a single match together this season? That complicates things. I'll guess that Schneiderlin's absence makes it likely that Barry starts. Davies and Gana provide pressing energy all over the pitch, but neither "controls from deep" the way Barry (like Schneiderlin) can. I will be surprised if Barry does not start. The 11th starter probably comes down to Mirallas or DCL; 50/50, I'll guess Mirallas. If Everton are behind at 60-65 minutes, and if Barry, as seems likely, can no longer play a full match anyway, his replacement at 60-65 minutes could be any of DCL, Mirallas, Valencia, Lennon, or Lookman. Or ..... Kone??? (Surely not.) But if ahead, not clear to me who would be a defensive replacement for a tiring Barry. If ahead, "controlling from deep" is no longer a priority. Need more energy/tackling/breaking up play/disrupting Liverpool's flow. Meaning, maybe, Lennon? If tied, subs will depend on whether Koeman thinks bold attackers can steal 3 points, or whether Everton are trying to hold on and take a point. I'll guess, to begin the match, 3-4-2-1 --- Stekelenburg Holgate Jagielka Williams Davies Gana Barry Baines Barkley Mirallas Lukaku

"british humor (or lack thereof)" Imported this comment from a post in the Derby thread, as I didn't want to hijack that thread on tomorrow's World Historical Event. But I am interested in Brit humour, I guess especially in comparison/contrast to American humor. I'm American, but have had friendly (enough) arguments with fellow Americans about what I see as the clear superiority of British (English??) humour. Maybe it's just the "Fawlty Towers" effect, but I doubt it, for me at least, as there are quite a few other Britcoms and other stuff that I find terribly funny. Deeper, more intelligent, I guess. Maybe it's just that at one point Brit humour was just new, exotic, a wonderful discovery for an insular person such as myself. (Are Americans more insular than Brits? Some irony there, maybe.) British acting, too, I find clearly superior to American stuff. Or maybe it's that the best of British humour, acting, something, is for me superior to, more sophisticated than, more intelligent than, the best the U.S. has to offer. To be fair, not to mention accurate, there's plenty of funny, complicated, sophisticated stuff on U.S. tele (telly) these days. The "Fargo" mini-series (#3 starting soon), "Better Call Saul" (also soon) are hilarious black comedies. Anyhow, love to hear some comments on whether the Brit humour is in fact (uh, opinion?) superior/more sophisticated.

in the nick hard cheese -- I suppose it's hard cheese if you're in the nick on the dole -- hard cheese, again redundant -- though I prefer the non-word-that-should-be-a-word for this condition: redundundant

Barry's contact expires June 2018. Think he signed a one-year extension last summer.

In top form today, Spurs exposed several of our less-than-top-quality players. Sorry to see that Barry hurt us. Fine, often superb, player in his time with us, but he made the worst of his chance to be included as a starter the rest of this season. Only spot minutes from now on, when we need another defender when leading late. If even that. Robles had a poor match, despite the late save against Kane. It's an open question, for me, whether Stekelenburg deserves the start against W Brom. Surely Koeman will want to buy a real #1 in the summer. I prefer Stekelenburg next week. I don't see that either Williams or Funes Mori deserves to continue ahead of Jagielka, unkess Jagielka looks past it on the training pitch. Williams was horrendous today, and Funes Mori is a mistske, not to mention a red card, waiting to happen, every match. Perhaps it would smack too much of panic to start Jagielka and Holgate next week, but neither Williams nor Funes Mori "deserve" their place next match. I think Coleman and Baines are still quality players. Coleman gets forward impressively, and does seem to me to pose a real threat, except for his crosses. Too many missed opportunities there. Far too many. Although it's commonly observed that "Everton's fullbacks like to get forward," I am increasingly frustrated with Baines, who far, far more often than not passes the ball backward rather than dribbling forward, taking on opponents. He's much, much less likely than Coleman to dribble with speed. A shame, as he's obviously far superior to Coleman as a crosser. Baines just ksn't newrly agressive enough going forward. I guess he's never been a physicsl player, but he strikes me as way too cautious these days. None of Schneiderlin, Gana, or Davies had a good game today, but they, along with McCarthy will still be a major strength. I've been a Barkley critic, not of his physicsl talent, but of his football brain. But the many TT-ers who praised Ross are right. Although he still slows our play occasionally while dancing with the ball, now it's only occasional rather than constant. And the physical gifts that others have rightly emphasized are indeed impressive, so he gives us real attacking strength. He doesn't get into the box enough for me. Am I wrong about that? Arguably, Spurs should have won today 4-1, 5-1. They made us look bad. Spurs and Chelsea appear the class of the league this season. So while we need not panic, I do think Koeman has to worry about today's abysmal play by Robles, Williams, and Funes Mori. I'd prefer some changes back there next week.

Did they by chance ask whether it's a good idea for Everton to actually wear the official away kit just every once in a while for an away match? Everton have worn the third kit a few times this season, but maybe the away colors only once?? (What match was that? Can't remember.) Not sure why they didn't wear the dark away kit against Stoke, choosing instead to wear a kit that doesn't "officially" exist - all blue. So, a question showing my utter ignorance about away and third kits: will many fans purchase away and third kits, even if they know one or the other will almost never be worn?

If Koeman opts for 343 most matches, I'll guess that Jagielka is effectively the backup for all 3 CBs. He played to the left of Stones most of the time, I think, so he's comfortable enough on either side of the pitch. As for backups to Baines, I'll guess it's Garbutt and maybe Lennon, the latter of whom has played LW and is a willing runner and helper in defending. Schneiderlin? Maybe. Backup to Coleman might again include Lennon, plus Holgate and McCarthy.

Get McCarthy on.

Davies outworks most eveyone.

Glad to see Remy tired. He's looked dangerous.

Ross and Rom have missed pretty good chances last 2 minutes.

Got to do better, Barkley.

Not enough men in the box. Ever.

Wasted last 20 seconds. Instead of popping it into the box, we pass it backwards and tippy tap it. Drives me crazy.

Williams's defending on the Benteke header was atrocious.

Amen. Always worrisome. Robles's positioning (of himself, not the wall) looks a step off sometimes. And defending of freekicks too soft, too often.

Liverpool lose at Anfield to Swansea City (!), dropping Palace into relegation zone. They'll be desperate for a win.

Agree. This is such a disappointing development, and leads me to ask a general question which may be relevant to Deulofeu's departure, temporary or maybe permanent. Is the EPL a significantly more physical league than the other top leagues? Significantly. If yes, has Deulofeu so far demonstrated that he is simply not up to the physical demands of the EPL?

Baines may be out? http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2017/01/19/boss-confident-baines-will-be-fit If so, and if Koeman goes for 343, I'll hope Oviedo gets a start at wingback. What are the other options? Schneiderlin or McCarthy?

While eating shepherd's pie?

Oviedo is signed until the end of the 2018-19 season. If Koeman either prefers or will intermittently employ a 343, Oviedo seems a decent replacement if Baines is injured. I wouldn't think a wingback sub/squad player is a priority, and doubt whether we could get someone better than Oviedo for such a role in the near future. Maybe Garbutt and Oviedo will compete for that backup role for 2017-18.

I think Oviedo is much better as a wingback than as a fullback. I've totally lost sight of Garbutt and Galloway, and whether Koeman would think either can play as a wingback.

I've no idea what longtime Everton fans think of Spurs and their fans. But this Spurs team is very impressive. Fun to watch, as in match right now v. WBrom. Totally dominant, so fluid, beautiful football and goals. Kane especially today.

A small request here: I hope one of you will go back to Paddock's post #386 and punch in a thumbs up, so it will garner the prestigious "Favorite" designation. I fell over laughing when I read it. Then went to my wife -- who cares absolutely nothing about Everton or any sports team anywhere -- and read it to her. Except I kept breaking down with tears of laughter at the words "and eat ......" Finally got it out, and she was laughing hysterically, too. Our closest friends here in the U.S. are Brits, and we talk food periodically. My wife has thought of doing a shepherd's pie, but now, maybe not. Thanks, Paddock. Hope you survived the meal. Please post on some topic tomorrow morn, so we'll know you made it.

Say more about this point, please. Serious request, as I hope we get him, and hope he makes us better this season and beyond.