Elston Gunnn

http://www.espnfc.us/story/2787394/colorado-rapids-want-to-bring-tim-howard-to-mls-sources

I don't think Lukaku came off, as RM never used the 3d sub. Only Deulofeu and Osman came off. But I'd guess Lukaku starts v. Chelsea, as Everton will have a full week to recover after Chelsea. Beginning Jan 24, we do have 5 matches in 14 days, so maybe RM will actually do some rotating of players during that hectic period. I hope Mirallas rather than Kone or Cleverley starts v. Chelsea. Deulofeu or Lennon, either ok by me at RM, one subbing for the other at 60-70 minutes.

Roger East

Appears that what I thought were long-shots -- Stones at RB and Osman starting ahead of both Kone and Mirallas -- weren't so long after all. Maybe the actual "formation" will be 3 at the back, supplemented by Barry and Besic alternating to protect the back 3. That would allow Baines to work the left with Osman, assuming they work with each other nearly as well as Baines and Pienaar. I hope Osman's smarts are more on display than his slows. And if the latter, that RM brings on Mirallas at 45 minutes.

Yarmolenko -- http://www.espnfc.us/blog/espn-fc-united/68/post/2785224/andriy-yarmolenko-is-saying-no-to-the-premier-league

Very good, confident dribbler, even when pressed. I assume the plan/hope is that Besic and McCarthy will be a fierce midfield pairing long-term. Besic maybe the more likely of the 2 to get forward for cross or blast from a little distance.

Seems the only 2 starting spots in question are Jagielka-Funes Mori at LCB and Mirallas-Kone at (not exactly) LW. I guess I could imagine Stones at RB, or Osman out left, but those seem long shots.

Anyone know whether Oviedo's cross was from the right, and right-footed?

For those who have no info, here's link to BBC Sport and stats. http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/35211391

Me neither.

Happy to see Robles.

Three left-footers in the back. I'd think Funes Mori stays at LCB. Probably Oviedo over at RB?

I'd guess Stones, but maybe Lennon, who started at RB once this season.

If Robles helps us pull out a wonder win against City, maybe Roberto will appoint him our FA Cup goalie, too.

On replay of their late goal, it looked as if Stones was asleep, woke up as ball in air. Again, can't close out, this time a lead at half.

I'll admit I'm so disappointed in RM's weird decisions in so many areas that even if he started exactly the (somewhat) changed elevens that I'd like to see in the 3 matches coming up, I'd probably still be criticizing him. If it's true that the decision to bring back McCarthy seems a mistake, the decisions even to include Cleverley on the bench -- much less start him -- is another weird one. Maybe an Achilles problem can be very minor, but I'd have thought some rest is essential. Speaking of essential, it now appears that Cleverley joins Barry and Lukaku, and I guess Barkley and Kone, too, as essential starters against everyone but D&R. Maybe them, too, who knows. Roberto is weird.

Howard's contract expires 2018. The 2016 contract expirations are Gibson, Oviedo, Pienaar, Osman, and Hibbert. http://toffeeweb.com/season/15-16/squad.php

Although I became an Everton fanatic several years before Howard came to Everton, my sense is that he developed into a solid GK, but is clearly solid no longer. But there must be some sense among fans of years of attachment to him, and mutual loyalty, so it will be unfortunate if he and Roberto deny reality, resulting in bad blood between Howard and the fans. I think Roberto must know Howard is coming either to his departure from Everton or to becoming backup, mentor to young GK(s), elder statesman. I very much prefer that it not end badly, but unless Martinez and Howard make sensible plans, it will.

Actually 2 in 3 days. Nevertheless, I'll guess Roberto and Barry will decide he can recover sufficiently in 6 days, so he starts Sunday. Then I'll guess they also decide he can recover in 3 days, so he also starts v. City in the League Cup. Then he rests v. D&R in FA Cup. It appears to me that for Roberto, Barry and Lukaku are essential starters in the essential matches. And only D&R is non-essential, in the sense that Everton should win even with many changes.

I can't remember, so I can't dispute this. Still, McCarthy has reinjured his groin, and Cleverley has injured his Achilles. So if as expected Roberto sticks with 2 DMs, his options to pair with Barry for the next several matches seem to be: 1. Move Barkley back there. 2. Osman 3. Besic 4. Gibson I hope Barry doesn't start 3 matches in 7 days. Surely Gibson and Besic can start in that 3d match, FA Cup against D&R.

We're (almost) all pretty angry at Roberto right now. Including his decision to bring back McCarthy for what sure looks like a match too soon. Why not start Besic today? Or Gibson? Anyhow, if McCarthy and Cleverely, too, are out for a few weeks, I'd think we'd see both Besic and Gibson some. Can Barry actually play 3 games in 7 days, or 5 in 14? That's the schedule in first half of January. Unless Gibson leaves. Maybe he stays through most of January?

Another troubling fact about giving up 4 today: none of the 4 came off a set piece or a corner. Heaven knows what would have happened had Stoke taken more than 2 corners.

Have to assume McCarthy will miss some matches. And wasn't his sub, Cleverley, then injured second half and replaced by Naismith?

We led after 75 minutes. Roberto didn't use Besic (or Gibson) as 3d sub. Yes, a tiring Deulofeu might have gotten an assist for a 4th goal. Yes, Kone and Lukaku might have worked some magic. But what I'd have thought was the obvious percentage play was to take out one of those 3 and put in an extra defensive mid. I repeat, obvious. Isn't it? Roberto?

Penalty call was probably 50-50. But Stones had a poor outing, several awful passes. Overall, once again we led late and cannot hold on. I don't know why Roberto didn't sub Besic in once we led. Did he use the 3d sub?