Elston Gunnn

At beginning of season, Benitez said something like he’d rest Richarlison sometime early in the season. Maybe this is time for him to rest?

I’m a Gomes fan, especially because he’s so good with the ball at his feet, very tough to be dispossessed, makes some wonderful passes. But Aidan raises a legitimate point. So I’m wondering whether Gomes is best suited as a “get us going” second half substitute, when tired legs begin to slow down some opposing players, thus rendering Gomes’s lack of pace somewhat less detrimental. Not saying he should never start, but when DCL returns, and if James and Benitez ever get on the same page, and Gbamin gets healthy, there’s not a lot of room in midfield for Gomes to get lots of starter minutes. Yet he’s a truly talented offensive player in spurts. He can be a real “get us going” 2d half sub, for any of several midfield/wing starters.

A minor point, but I didn’t think Coleman could play 90+ minutes.

Our passing has been a weakness far too often over the last 3-4 seasons, and once again, today. Burnley passing, spacing, energy impressive. We look disorganized, lost, especially in midfield. Gray impressive again.

Now Digne with lousy pass.

Another lousy pass from Allan.

Lucky us. Discombobulated defending.

Jeez, Allan??

Burnley much better organized, good spacing, crisp passing. Only Gray looks a threat for us. Discouraging so far.

Awful pass from Doucouré.

I’m guessing it’s intended to be 3-4-3 to start, with Digne and Coleman wingbacks, and lots of high pressing from front 3. Doubt Coleman can go more than 60 minutes running up and down the touchline, so maybe Davies comes on, or Gomes in middle with Doucouré moving to RWB late on.

Ah, thanks, maybe everyone knew that, I just missed/forgot it.

Ha, no, I’m sure you’re first-rate, in ever so many ways. But now you mention training, I think maybe Benitez said he picked up quad knock in training. Probably 2 minutes after the video you saw. That “2-3 weeks, maybe more” was/is real downer.

Benitez interview pre-match said broken toe, and now also quad, I think. Said out “2-3 weeks, maybe more.” Blecchhh.

Benitez, briefly, on James’s strengths and weaknesses: https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2253507/what-the-papers-say-13-september Maybe not all that revealing, yet Benitez’s short comment doesn’t do justice to James’s offensive brilliance, which starts but doesn’t end with his left foot. He is understandably vague about James’s weaknesses. I guess you could say Benitez is being sensible, practical, dealing with an awkward situation involving a player he doesn’t really want but who also might still produce goals and assists. Wonder how the “James problem” affects team spirit, confidence, player relations, match-planning? Issues like this — player wanting out but still around — pretty common?

I feel for Coleman — always — as this was surely his last chance at either WC or Euros. ROI very unlikely to make it out of UEFA WC group stage, and next Euros are 3 years away. I suppose it’s vaguely possible that at age 35 he’d be a bench player in the Euro quals in 2024.

Unless Kenny or Holgate proves dependable as very regular RB cover, it seems highly likely that Benitez will have to be creative. One option might be using Townsend as a right wingback in a 3-5-2. He could get forward plenty as long as Allan and/or Doucouré stay back. In fact, with no clearly dependable cover for either FB position, maybe we’ll see 3-5-2 or 3-4-3 more than a few times? I’m thinking Coleman himself is better as a wingback than strictly RB.

Coleman much less active second half. ROI tried to hang on, but 2 Ronaldo headers, the last at the very death and over an exhausted Coleman, gave Portugal a 2-1 win. Coleman will be devastated.

Coleman is probably ROI’s most active player in first half. He has to be as a wingback. But I concede patto raises a legit concern. Btw, ROI GK has saved a Ronaldo PK, and ROI has scored a header. It’s 0-1 to ROI at end of first half. Good match. Coleman effective.

Coleman involved in all 3 of ROI’s best offensive chances in first 30 minutes. He doesn’t look slow at all. It appears he’s being depended on more for offense than defense. But he’s up and down the touchline constantly, so he’ll be using a lot if energy in this match.

Coleman back in ROI squad for Portugal WC qual match today. Seems to be playing wingback in a 3-5-2. Hope he doesn’t play in all 3 matches over next 7 days. ROI’s easiest match is their second, so maybe he doesn’t start that one. But ROI will also be desperate to take 3 points in that one, so hard to say. Only good news re Coleman getting rest when returning to Everton is that our first match after international break isn’t until that Monday night. But it wouldn’t be a shock to see Kenny starting v. Burnley.

Coleman is everywhere. Admirable energy, determination.

Maybe 3-4-2-1?

The “actually second choice” does seem accurate in my viewing experience. I’d guess the all blue is worn several times per season more than either the official away or official 3d kit. I just never understood before why the official away and 3d were little used, so I appreciate the explanations from you and SteveO. And I see the intense Evertonian loyalty to the primary color, plus the differentiation from “some other” clubs.

Ah, yes, thanks. So I assume we will will not wear blue v. either Huddersfield or Brighton. Against Brighton, who wear blue/white vertical stripes with blue shorts, I assume we will see the away kit. Against Huddersfield, I could imagine either the away or 3d kit. Still curious about fans who purchase either away or 3d kit. As long as the team wear each once or twice per season, it’s understood and maybe even preferred to see Everton in home or “4th” kit almost all the time?