Elston Gunnn

[Shukes’s comment from matchday post] “Garbutt struggles to make an impression in the U23s mate. He’s nowhere near this level. We need Baines and Coleman back and a new signing.” I’m always on alert when called “mate,” but at least Shukes didn’t call me a bloody idiot, no matter how tempting. Anyhow, I admit to ignorance of how Garbutt is doing with U23s. I’ll say that Martina is nowhere near this level, either, at least at LB. I’m pretty sure almost all on TT see that even a declining Baines is a much better option than Martina. And if Coleman can return - I’m nervous about whether and when he can recover - then I suppose Kenny can be temporary backup at both FBs. True enough, we desperately need a new LB signing in Jan.

No, no, not for Rooney! Sigurdsson on a yellow, Sam.

Sigurdsson on yellow. Sub Jags for him.

Rooney’s pass to DCL was excellent.

Get Martina off, Lookman on. Pickford Holgate Williams Schneiderlin Kenny Gana Lennon Lookman Sigurdsson Rooney DCL

That “clearance” from Martina was his “best” foot. Garbutt surely a better option asap - January?

Sigurdsson helping Martina is a recipe for second yellow.

If Klopp tells them to attack over and over against Martina, this will end up 4-0.

Worry that Sigurdsson will get a second yellow. Don’t trust him, nor, more important, Pawson for that matter. For now, Lennon on for Sigurdsson, Rooney to left, Lennon right. Lookman and Vlasic later, unless we score a miracle goal, in which case Jagielka, I guess.

Even a marginally improved Martina is a pathetically poor LB.

Klopp doesn’t just think his B team can beat us, he knows they can. We’ll be exhausted by 60 minutes.

Taking a point today would be wonderful. Three, hard to imagine. I suspect Klopp may think his B team can still beat us. I am so happy that Derek Rae is the announcer. For me, Rae is the very best. Phil Neville his partner, not so happy with that.

Although the word “ coward” is harsh, it does remind me of something I have found maddening in the last couple of seasons. I have the impression that when other teams attack, they manage to have multiple players in the box. But - again an impression - Everton rarely have more than 1 or 2 in the box for a cross. This strikes me as one of several examples of our lack of ...... something. Energy, alertness, aggression, pace, smarts, courage? What? Maybe my impression is just wrong, or maybe it’s changing this season, I don’t know.

Here's an article on Charsley from last season. Looks promising, and several of you liked his play today. http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-youngster-harry-charsley-best-12619799

Radio guy says maybe GK should have stopped that. Any opinion from those of you watching? Are you watching?

In the visual lineup posted on the OS, Klaassen appears to partner Schneiderlin as a DM. But I wonder whether he will likely play as Rooney has recently, in what SteveO has correctly called a Deep Lying Playmaker role. Maybe one of you will know whether that’s how he sometimes played for Ajax?? Also, is that how Pirlo played in the last years of his career?

It would be surprising to see any of the 7 you mention not starting tonight. As to Vlasic or Lookman or any of the others not fresh for Sunday, I’d guess if any play well tonight, they might be brought on as a sub Sunday. Most are young, anyway.

If few defenders in the travel squad, maybe 3 at the back. Robles Feeney Collins Besic Schneiderlin Baningime Charsley Klaassen Lookman Vlasic Mirallas

If numbers and letters are causing you to throw up, this season is wreaking havoc on your constitution. Maybe you need an extra helping of Weetabix. I accept your friendly amendment. I see Rooney’s role, then, as DLP, which is more precise than DM or FM. (If these letters make you nauseous, again, Weetabix. Perhaps the organic or protein versions. Or maybe banana or chocolate. Speedy recovery!)

Toothless so far. We’re second to nearly every ball. DCL needs a partner, Niasse. Gana is a disruptor who fails to disrupt enough these days, as he misses far too many tackles.

Baines out, and NoLeftFoot is no replacement. Kenny much better on right side. So I’ll hope for 3 at the back. Baningime to stay back, letting Kenny and Davies push forward regularly. I’d like to see Besic, but I doubt Allardyce would select him. We’ll probably see Gana. Pickford Holgate Keane Williams Kenny Baningime Davies Sigurdsson Rooney DCL Niasse

Yes, and since this role is tough to represent in standard numerical formations, the reality of Rooney’s role looks something like this. GK 4 defenders Single DM (who mostly stays back) Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney Rooney 4 attackers

Rooney likes to roam the pitch, and he seems to have enough energy left to be pretty effective doing so. I doubt he has enough left to play, say, 3 matches in 8 days, but with proper rest, he’s still a creator and goalscorer. For me, this means his role can’t be accurately reflected in any numerical formation. In a 4-2-3-1 or 4-1-3-2, he could be listed as the 10, but Sigurdsson would be as or more likely to play in that area of the pitch. Or, in a 4-2-3-1, he could be listed as a DM with Gana or McCarthy (.....), but he’d actually play in front of the actual single DM. That DM - Gana is the obvious example - simply must stay back to help the back line. (Gana, an anti-Rooney, is neither creator nor goalscorer. He’s a disrupter, but when, Rooney-like, he roams, he sometimes disrupts his own team, in missing a tackle and allowing our already-porous defense less help.)

Biggest conern for me now is second yellow on Sigurdsson. At some point, bring Vlasic on, or slide Davies up and replace him in DM with Besic or Baningime.

I’d much prefer Besic or Baningime instead of Gana. Martina on the left?? I concede that he actually crossed with his left foot twice the last time he played, but it’s a major weakness. And he’s a lousy defender on either side of the pitch. Hope Rooney partners DCL and isn’t all over the pitch. Though, if he roams here and there, maybe he’ll make a brilliant pass leading to a goal. I’ll be watching, expecting a trainwreck, hoping for a miracle - effort, competence.