AlbanyNYToffee

I could be wrong on this but I think Brands meant permanent signings. I'd expect us to be active in the loan market. Plenty of talent available there and less risk.

I see your point @Zoo 2.0 but I'd like to see us go a little stronger than that. Two things we know for sure is Doucoure has to start (suspended against Leciester midweek) and Branthwaite leaving on loan. I'd also argue we need to get DCL back out there to try to regain some form. Pickford Coleman Mina Keane Godfrey Davies Doucoure Gomes Iwobi DCL Richarlison That lineup above comes from what i hope to be full strength (other than Doucoure) against Leicester: Pickford Godfrey Holgate Keane Digne Davies Allan Siggy James DCL Richarlison

This is what makes all of this so difficult. I think Villa should be 'punished' if you will because it is their fault they haven't controlled the outbreak. It is very difficult to keep players/staff from getting COVID but it is not difficult to control an outbreak. Positive test, contact trace, everyone stays away from the facility, 10 days later you're back in business. City and Newcastle got it right. Villa clearly is not.

Across the pond all we have are twitter rumors - anyone closer to the action have better info on whether this will be played or not? It seems harsh on Villa to only have one day of training but at the same time teams continue to find ways to postpone matches and the season will be difficult to finish as a result. I'd think you should play as long as you have enough COVID-free bodies - regardless of the amount of preparation you were able to have.

Ben Godfrey is an animal. What a signing.

Wolves 1 - 1 Everton Siggy

LOL is so overused. That said I actually laughed out loud at this.

Direct from Carlo. No "Richarlison, Kenny, Calvert-Lewin, Allan, Delph, Gbamin and Pickford. Players available: James, Digne, Iwobi are back." Seems obvious without DCL but he also said Tosun will play. I'd HATE to see Digne risked here. Olsen Holgate Mina Keane Niels Davies Doucoure Gomes Iwobi Tosun Bernard Hopefully we can get Doucoure off at halftime for Godfrey (and play him or Holgate at DM) I hate to put the cart before the horse in thinking we're going to win this but I'm surprised and very nervous to hear no Richarlison or DCL. That's new and hopefully n

I don't know enough about Eriksen specifically to say yes or no, but I feel very strongly that this position, that 3rd CM, is the biggest priority right now. Replacing Siggy/Gomes/Davies with someone of real quality to form a partnership with Allan and Doucoure and we should expect to compete for top 4 the rest of the way. We can deal with RB and other squad depth in the summer. In American pro sports every league has a trade deadline which is usually about 2/3 of the way into the season. I've always looked at the January window in a similar manner to those deadlines. It's a chance for t

Agreed. Hope/think it’s only a matter of time before Holgate takes Mina’s place. Harsh on Mina as he’s been playing well but you never know what you’re gonna get from him.

Everton 2 - 0 West Ham Richarlison

Will miss the squad debate, but this is fantastic news for us. We'll be healthier and better rested when it's rearranged and City will likely be back playing in champions league and will rotate. COYB.

Come on Bill that's twice now. There isn't a fan in the world suggesting we should not try to win this, or any, game. Your argument suggests we should only have a squad to cover for injuries. We've got a huge squad if that's all we're doing. I believe that rotating for this game, and the starting XI above rather than our regular XI, gives us the best chance to win. City will be tired as well. Fresh legs and minds could win this game.

Been thinking about this lineup for days and I'll be happy with any XI that doesn't include him. Too important to what we're building and played too much recently. We have this same debate every year at this time and it's always fun. No one is suggesting we shouldn't play our best team available, and none of the players are crying because they're tired. It's science. The players who played Sheffield United cannot possibly be back to 100% in 46 hours. So the question for everyone is would you rather play our regular starters at say 70% fit or are any of our reserves at 100% fit better

Everton 1 - 1 City Keane