Aidan

Current squad going into next season (minus the kids): Pickford Patterson Coleman? Mykolenko Keane Tarks Holgate Godfrey Doucoure Garner Gana Onana McNeil Gray Iwobi Simms DCL Maupay From my reckoning, a must for us to sign: GK, RB, LB, CB, wide forward, striker. It would be good to add some depth to that, but I'm not expecting much. I can see Coleman getting another year, although I still think we need to recruit another RB regardless. I'd like to see a few experienced players come in. Some contracts that are up: Phil Jones Johnny Evans Veltman Cresswell Coufal Serge Aurier Soyuncu Lerma Adama traore Zaha Weghorst

COME ON YOU FUCKING BLUES

See you all on the other side.

Happy with the line up. Doucoure and Iwobi need to be on song today.

I've been okay all week and and soon as I saw the team sheet I started shitting myself.

No way Dyche won't be given a crack this upcoming season. I know the board are stupid but I don't think they're that thick. I think it's what we need at this moment. Hopefully he can get a few sturdy players through the door and we can start to build a team with more balance than previous seasons.

The more I think about it the more I think you're right. If we have a back 3 I think Dyche will play a midfield 5, if that's the case, Mykolenko doesn't fit in as McNeil will be in the left spot. A 4 could be possible with Keane/Holgate at RB but that doesn't excite me. Whatever the set up, it's a bit bare bones and the game will be a challenge, Dyche will have to get it spot on tactically, the players will have to be up for it and add the 12th man that is goodison to the equation and hopefully we can make it over the line. I think Haf mentioned the Bournemouth lads might already be on their holidays, I hope that's the case. I'm praying for an early goal to settle the nerves.

An early goal will be huge. Hopefully Mykolenko and DCL will be back to feature, the latter fingers crossed will be fit for a start. I know we've been guilty of rushing him back, but I think for this game we have to take the risk. Watching the game last night had me like I was watching Everton, celebrating everything that went Newcastle's way. How they didn't win is beyond me. Fortunately our hopes are pinned on a home game, I would be very concerned if we were away. I'm really not looking forward to this weekend, going to be anxious all the way up to Sunday evening. Everything is crossed we have something to celebrate at the end of it.

We just need to keep our heads, focus and stay in this until the 80th.

Onana had to foul him.

Awful from the referee

If we win, and leeds and Leicester don't tomorrow/Monday, we will be safe won't we?

I didn't realise a win today could see us safe. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room right now.

Absolutely no idea, doesn't seem anyone in that team can play left back. McNeil? But I don't see why Dyche would do that.

Not sure what to make of the line up. Back 3 with Patterson?

It seems that way doesn't it. Hopefully it's not a niggle.

You're right his dribbling has also come on. Seems to do a fancy flick every time the ball comes to him. I wonder if it's been something he's worked on during his injury

Am I allowed to laugh at this?

Positives out of this half, DCL looks absolutely terrific. Did I forget how good he is at holding up the ball or has he somehow improved?

There's some sensitive souls on this forum isn't there?!

And back to Everton we go.

What a shame, such a fantastic start. Let's just keep up the level of performance. The difference of quality is shown right there, holgate struggles with a really difficult chance, city take theirs soon after.

De brunye is the only one I see rested, maybe Grealish I think he's been playing consistently recently. I expect they will want to put this to bed quickly today.

Not too sure resting will make much difference. Obviously playing them without KDB and Haaland will be a small advantage, but their 3rd squad is probably 3 times better than our first team.

You joke, and I wouldn't hold my breath on getting anything from the game, but they will not be wanting to go to goodison park next week at this stage of the season.