Elston Gunnn

Voted for Delph, thought Keane and Allan deserved consideration. Even better, except for the Holgate incident, thought every single player looked energized. Gray is always dangerous, Richarlison often so.

I think it’s 9 EST/8CST. The normal NBCSN times for Sat were an hour different, as Europe changed their clocks already (I think). But as we change our clocks tonight/overnight, we’re back to normal Sun morn times in US, 9 and 11:30 EST, 8 and 10:30 CST. I’m in Eastern time zone. My DirecTV on-screen guide says Everton-Spurs is 9 Sun morn. Hope I don’t mess this up.

Allan has made some dreadful passes.

Holgate seems the very definition of lethargy. Really tough to root for him, sorry to say.

Their one player outfought our 2 at the top of the box. Happens too often. Not enough fight.

Intermittently over the past several seasons we have been the most embarrassing team in the EPL. It’s happening again. Not literally the worst team, of course. But the most embarrassing.

Relentlessness is the trait I most value in sports. Whatever is the opposite of relentlessness, that’s us. Timidity?

Football is a passing and running game. Unfortunately for us. We’ve been a poor passing team for the last several seasons. And we lack pace. Among other things.

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2313532/new-date-for-leicester-clash This is an unfortunate schedule change, as it means Everton are in London for a Thursday night match, and then must play Leicester midday Sunday, rather than at the originally scheduled time, Monday night.

Outfought again in the box. Our boys, playing like boys, will hear some boos. Good thing lots of fans are already leaving.

I think it’s because they sense we are not tough, to put it kindly, best exemplified by weak defending on corners. We get outfought a lot, all over the pitch. Also because our passing is sometimes woeful.

Agree. Surely by 60-65 minutes.

This is it, both generally all over the pitch and specifically with Pickford there. Iwobi has been outfought repeatedly.

Vague “injury report” from Benitez: https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2288211/benitezs-everton-injury-update Nothing close to definitive about anyone. There’s more here on Gordon’s progress than anything else. Only possible reference to DCL and Richarlison is “the others,” who are “improving and we will see.”

Good crisp thumbnail. I want relentlessness in our play.

Recent death of a ManU legend, I think.

Either I forgot or just never realized Godfrey had played some midfield. I put Digne further up for 2 reasons: (1) as for his own skills, he seems more effective pushing forward than defending as a FB; (2) and in comparison to Godfrey, he’s a better crosser than Godfrey, right?

This sounds right to me, especially after the injury update given today by Benitez. We’ll be very lucky to take a point. Maybe we can score from our one corner of the day. Time for Mina to head one in. https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2276341/everton-boss-gives-team-news-update Only Gbamin fit to return, and now Iwobi has a “little problem.” Maybe something like 4-3-2-1. Doucouré and Allan need to be strictly protecting DCMs for this match. Pickford Holgate Mina Keane Godfrey Doucouré Allan Digne Townsend Gray Rondón Davies, Gordon, Kenny, Gbamin, Dobbin, Simms the bench. Jeez.

4-2-3-1, I assume.

Naughty, naughty boy.

The cruel irony for Davies himself is that in missing the PK, he’s deprived himself of his best opportunity to start: Carabao Cup matches.

Hope not, as Gomes, who is very good at protecting the ball at his feet and providing some clever, accurate passes, is no DCM. Whether it’s 4-4-2, 4-3-3, or 4-1-4-1, Gomes has to be moving forward, not staying back.

A reasonable fear. Yes, please, 4-4-2. And because of dmim’s reasonable fear, Davies has to stay back, generally because Gomes is the offensive threat but defensive liability, and specifically when Digne bursts forward.

Happy with these starters, and happy to accept Benitez’s 2 friendly amendments to my hopeful post above. Now I’ll hope we’re up 0-2 on 60 minutes, when Simms can replace Rondón. Then at 70, Townsend out for an extra defender, who nets a corner header for 0-3. Then at 80, Gomes replaced by Allan or Doucouré. Piece of cake, Bob’s your uncle, give us a biscuit.

Lots of hope in my post here. Some of you will find it more hopeless than hopeful. I hope for a starting lineup of mostly squad players. Will hope such a squad of squad guys will show energy from the opening whistle, never stop running, press, opportunity to show Benitez what they offer. Begovic Kenny Holgate Branthwaite Digne (c) Iwobi Davies Gomes Gordon Simms Rondón Bench — Lonergan, Keane, Mina, Godfrey, Allan, Doucouré, Gray, Townsend Doubt Rondón should be asked to go more than 60 minutes, so push Iwobi or Gordon up in 2d half, bring on Gray. Not confident Gomes can last the full 95, either. Should anyone disagree — Ha! — I hope you’ll be constructively critical, not vicious. Mate.