Cornish Steve

http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/roberto-martinez-plays-down-talk-of-arsenal-swoop-for-james-mccarthy-as-everton-are-linked-with-chelseas-mohamed-salah-9898444.html

Only? That's almost twice as much as me, for crying out loud.

Everton 2-0 Hull Lukaku

Congratulations to Matt for predicting the correct score and winning this week's contest. For the month of November, there are joint winners: Deacs and TonkaRoost. For the season, MikeO retains a 3-point lead. MikeO has an even healthier lead for average points per prediction. Sorry for the delay in getting these results out. This was Thanksgiving weekend in the US, which is the biggest holiday of the year. Don't forget to make your Hull prediction. It's a midweek game, so you have just two days left to make it in time.

You need to see the glass as half full, not half empty. We're seeded, and we're going to play an unseeded team. That's much better than playing a seeded team. To win the whole thing, we're going to have to play strong sides eventually, so there's no point fretting about it right now.

No, I don't think they will come in for Coleman, Jagielka, and Baines; they'll join them. We need a core of solid defenders with the increasing number of games being played, and I can see Garbutt, Browning, and Galloway joining that core - gradually displacing Distin, Hibbert, and Alcaraz. These youngsters should get to play more and more during the transition. I really hope some of these younger players get to start against Krasnodar.

But since it's a loan, he can be pulled back at any time, right? Better to get him some playing time than have him, at best, warm the bench.

If we go with that, I'm going to change my prediction of final score to be 5-8.

Sounds like they were lucky to hold on, with Stoke pouring everything into getting an equalizer. Liverpool appear to be a team with zero confidence right now.

The importance of confidence, right? It makes a world of difference.

I agree with you, and I probably posted my thoughts on this to the wrong thread! http://www.toffeetalk.com/index.php?/topic/26752-wolfsburg-a/?p=436546

...or you have a second career you're not telling us about!

Be careful, because it comes with age - which will eventually catch up with you too.

So he did - sorry!

Check online about Assassin's Creed. One of my sons was telling me that they released the new version before fixing various problems. For example, if your characte jumps into a hay cart, he can't get out. Also, your character may be running along a road and will suddenly be swallowed up as if jumping over a cliff. The makers issued a software upgrade just one day after it was released.

Our younger daughter performed on stage last night as they lit the Macy's Christmas tree in Atlanta. She was very excited to meet, chat with, and sing alongside a group called Pentatonix (I'd never heard of them) - broadcast live on the local TV channel. At the end of the proceedings, Macy's opened its doors and almost everyone present poured in. Very savvy marketing by Macy's, I have to say - both here in Atlanta and also in New York.

It will be interesting to see what punishment, if any, will be meted out for this. While it was undoubtedly entertaining at the time for the crowd (based on their cheers), such behaviour could quickly cause chaos if it's not addressed.

Not sure how to capture and post a link, however if you type 'search.twitter.com' and search for 'Hibbert', you'll find a great picture of the team on a plane - presumably after the Wolfsburg game.

I agree with your about Besic, and he could become very important. Our recent strategy of building a cadre of younger players is already paying off. McCarthy, Barkley, and Besic might soon become the core in midfield. In the next 12 months or so, I can see Stones, Garbutt, Browning, and Galloway coming to the fore in defence. Then there are Henen and McAleny to join Lukaku up front. Add to this a couple of astute signings, and what potential for the future!

Couldn't resist. Nice to be wrong sometimes.

Spurs 1-1 Everton Barkley

At the BBC website, Mark Lawrenson is suggesting that we have an excellent shot at fourth.

Remember we were without Naismith, Coleman, Baines, Stones, Barry, Pienaar, Oviedo, Gibson and Alcaraz and, for much of the game, McCarthy tonight and we still won 2-0, away from home, to the 2nd team in the Bindesliga.

Just got back from Thanksgiving lunch and shortly have to leave to go see the lighting of the Macy's Christmas tree. Sounds like good news in Germany right now (except for McCarthy's injury).

It's game day, and I'm a little nervous about this one. I'm hoping for a draw but expecting a loss. If we win, it will be a big achievement