Elston Gunnn

Agree with these important points. Unfortunately, from RM's most recent comments, seems unlikely Coleman will play. Of course, if he's not fully fit, medically, can't take any chance. RM's comments re the Coleman injury are interesting, if double-talk-infuriating from an Everton fan's perspective. I think I've finally caught on to RM's distinctions among: medically fit, "ready for the ball" - which seems to mean able to do individual drills - full practice fit, ready to get limited sub minutes, and ready to play a full match. If he's double-talking to fool Rodgers into assuming no Coleman, he's sure fooled me, too. It will be a wonderful surprise to find Seamus's name anywhere on the teamsheet tomorrow, but it will be a surprise.

I worry that Coleman's head knock may continue "under observation," rendering him unavailable. But desperately hoping he's fully fit, I wonder how this would work: Howard Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines McCarthy Gibson Barry Lukaku Naismith Mirallas Three DM's, but Barry has excellent all-field vision, good for a few long passes into space to create opportunities. And Gibson's passing is a real strength, yes? Second half subs -- Besic in if Gibson can only go 60 minutes. Eto'o for Lukaku at 60-65 minutes. Oviedo or McGeady in for either Naismith or Mirallas.

I'm still guessing Oviedo at LM. Surely.

Is it likely to be Garbutt at LB, Oviedo at LM?

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/22/everton-bryan-oviedo-capital-one-cup-swansea-city Suggestions here that Oviedo will start, Hibbert will start or play, and RM considering starting Howard.

Everton 3-1 Crystal Palace Eto'o

Just watched RM's pre-CP press conference. Not very revealing, unfortunately, re squad changes for CP. Have to guess, based on just a few tantalizing comments. 1. RM said Coleman's knock wasn't serious, but also said he's "under observation." I assume this is standard precaution protocol, but wonder whether it just might mean Stones at RB on Sunday. 2. Praised Eto'o. But my impression is that RM isn't likely to start him v. CP. As Lukaku was substituted last eve, I'll guess he plays 60 on Sunday, Eto'o for 30. 3. Gibson -- Although I'd hope he could start Sunday in place of Barry, my impression from RM is that Gibson will be more gradually reintroduced. Surely Gibson might come on for a little longer stretch Sunday, then start v. Swansea?? 4. But if we see Gibson and Eto'o as subs on Sunday, that would leave but one more sub, and if RM starts essentially the same 11 on Sunday as last 2 matches, wow, we'll have some tired lads in second half. 5. Which seems to suggest at least a few changes. Not just that hypothetical 3d sub, but as starters. Especially given another of RM's comments, that "some players need 48 hours to recover, others need 72." So, if -- if -- my impressionistic guess is accurate that Gibson and Eto'o are likely subs, who might actually start in place of any of, say, Barry, McGeady, Naismith, Mirallas? Obvious candidates seem to be Osman, Besic, Atsu. Possible back line of Baines, Jagielka, Alcarez, Stones? 6. RM made one minor error, in noting that of our next 7 matches, "6 are away from Goodison, and in 4 countries." He's close, as it's 5 of next 7 away from Goodison, and sure enough, 4 different countries!

Yes, we'll have a vigorous discussion on the forthcoming CP thread, given the final 30 minutes tonight and Swansea away 2 days after CP.

3-3 probably would have been a fair result. Disappointing, but closer to actual play on the pitch. Baines really good defensively today. Eto'o very impressive. Jagielka wildly inconsistent. Many good hustle plays on our goals. Defense tired last 20 minutes, or more. Shots/on goal -- Everton 12/7, W 27/13.

Lukaku gets some rest, good. Now get Naismith out before his second yellow. Preferably Besic, but Osman if necessary.

Want to see, well, a 4th goal, of course, but also gradual subs starting around 60 minutes -- Eto'o for Lukaku, Besic for Naismith, Atsu for Mirallas.

That's no penalty, outside the box.

Mostly evenly contested match. Still seems we give too much space when W are advancing ball from midfield. W look dangerous on build-up, crosses. One horrendous back pass from Jagielka (I think) near end of half. Lukaku, Mirallas, Coleman have pace, shows in this match. Baines with wonderful, smart, smart header (!) off bounce toward poacher Coleman for goal just before halftime. Will be hard to keep clean sheet. W has some talent, will test our center-halves.

Mirallas working hard, Baines, too, and Coleman poaching! 2-0.

Nice defending by Baines, shielding against 2 rushing Wolfsburg players as nice cross came in.

Some beautiful football there. Three good passes, Naismith with wonderful control. Might be own goal, or Naismith's. Wonderful one-touch passes. Everton 1-0.

Agree. I expect Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman, Barry, McCarthy, McGeady, Naismith, Mirallas, Lukaku. Then, no matter the scoreline, 3 strategic subs at 60, 70, 80 minutes, probably for both wingers and Lukaku. Then, some revision for CP on Sunday, but still a near-as-possible strongest squad. Major revisions v. Swansea (= not our very strongest squad, but still a group that could nick a surprise away win), by which time the derby v. Liverpool takes priority in terms of squad rotation.

Europa coverage in US on FoxSports 1 and 2 is usually English clubs, Celtic, and for some reason, Napoli seem to be covered sometimes. So today we get Everton, Celtic, Napoli, and Spurs. I feel for your frustration. Until last season, when new NBC Sports Network obtained the EPL, I rarely got to see Everton, maybe 3-4 times a year at most.

Yep. Hope to attend a match someday. For tomorrow, happy we get it in US on FoxSports 1. I plan to be screaming, preferably for each of Everton's 3 goals, and not at a disastrous back pass.

It's true that RM is being paid rather more than I to think way too much about the problem - or as RM prefers, "enjoyment" - of this crowded list of matches. Still, thinking in some detail about possible lineups must surely be an acceptable expression of Everton football obsession. Next you'll tell me there's no Santa Claus, or that Basil Fawlty is a kind-hearted soul. Take your own speculation about the revised 11 RM may play Thursday. Unless I'm once again overthinking - distinct possibility - you suggest no Lukaku or Mirallas starting v. Wolfsburg. Although it would surprise me a little, yes, I could see Mirallas rested, even held out totally; but for Lukaku, given his publicly professed desire for European football, to be held out entirely from this first EL fixture - that would surprise me a lot. As I said in my post, I agree with you that we're likely to see several to lots of new faces v. Swansea.

Here's Roberto - somewhere between useful update and maddening double-talk/imprecision - on squad depth for next three matches. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/2014/09/15/eto-o-and-distin-injury-boost First big test of squad depth, as Everton play 3 matches in 6 days. This first Europa Leage Thursday/Sunday challenge will be relatively easy, as both matches are at Goodison. But that 3rd match on the 6th day [not to be confused with Dylan's "5th daughter, 12th night, 1st father, 2d mother, 7th son" hilarity], away to Swansea only 2 days after CP, must surely require massive changes. Unless Roberto's strategy will be to feature essentially the same, current-first-choice, lads for Wolfsburg and Swansea, and inserting a mostly different group in the Sunday tie with CP. For me, this 3-in-6 presents an intriguing squad depth problem for RM, made more problematic because of long-term injuries to Barkley, Oviedo, Kone, Gibson, intermediate-term to Pienaar, Hibbert, short-term to Distin, Eto'o. The video in the link is from the WBA post-game interview. Roberto deflects the interviewer's inquiry as to how he'll "juggle the resources" in upcoming matches, by referring to the "enjoyment" of competing in several different competitions. We then learn - maybe, for Roberto is perpetually optimistic - that he will choose his Wolfsburg 18 from the WBA 18, plus Eto'o, Distin, and Browning. No way Browning [right?], but if both Distin and Eto'o come into the squad for Wolfsburg, I'd guess Garbutt and one of Atsu/Besic/Osman would be dropped, probably Atsu. Ossie will surely be rewarded with a spot, both because of his service to the club, and because he showed well v. WBA. I'll guess we'll then see some minor "juggling" for CP, and major juggling for Swansea. As RM is quoted as saying Hibbert "will be back" for Swansea, I'll guess he will be in the Swansea 18, and that Atsu, Besic, Osman, Garbutt, Alcarez, Gibson, Robles, Eto'o, maybe Hibbert will start v. Swansea. And 2 others. I suppose Oviedo and Kone might be "available" for Swansea, but I'm skeptical. That Pienaar isn't even mentioned by RM in this "injury boost" update implies he's not back soon. Not good. An alternate "juggling scenario" might, of course, be to start essentially the same eleven v. Wolfsburg and Swansea, using a mostly different eleven in the middle fixture v. CP. But I'm guessing Roberto will see CP as more important than Swansea, and thus will try somehow to have the strongest feasible squad [14 who actually play] for the first 2, then juggle major changes away to Swansea, the relatively least important of the upcoming 3-in-6. Will any player actually play 70-90 minutes in all 3??

WBA 1-3 Everton Lukaku

More re Martinez on Cleverly loan. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2014/sep/11/everton-roberto-martinez-tom-cleverley-manchester-united

Coleman, too, right? A lot more often than the vast majority of fullbacks, anywhere. Actually, that "anywhere" is hyperbole, or a guess.

McCarthy and Coleman each credited with one assist in box score from ESPN.