Btay

After seeing that our defense didnt wake up from preseason slumber, I'm very nervous about this game.

I think a lot of the teams looked rusty over the weekend just gone. We were good in parts, the boys will find their feet and to be honest, we step up for the bigger games so this could actually be good for us, fingers crossed atleast

I'm all for this! However, if Martinez comes out and says he backs naismith to cover Barkley then I'm happy to see him given a run!

We have options in the formation we play, which is fantastic. I think we did ok with the formation we used on the weekend, add in Coleman for Stones are we have that threat from both sides which is what our games about. Mirrallas needs to impress.. For me, it's going to be individual performances from Lukaku and Mirrallas verse either Sanago/Giroud and Sanchez as to who wins the game.

 

Think Barry had a poor game to be honest. Naismith for me. Baines and Pienaar could have had it as well based on the first half, but they dropped off immensely.

I agree with you here Steve. Unfortunately bringing Peanuts off changed the momentum, Mcgeady lost the ball a lot at the end of the game but that could have been fatigue as he put a good shift in at the start. Barry was struggling at the end! And Mirrallas lost the ball just after coming on and walked back which is incredibly frustrating.

Anyone who fails to appreciate the player naismith is after this performance so far needs to give their head a wobble. He is excellent at finding space in tight areas, his finish before was class, ball behind, leaning back and got it on target.

Exactly. Smart player.

However, not a week in week out player for me. I appreciate him none the less though!!

For me,

Howard

Coleman/ Jags Distan Baines

Stones

Besic Barry McCarthy

Mirallas/ Peanuts

McGeady Lukaku/Naismith

Still strong side even if the Belgians don't start and Coleman is just short.

Lewis Holtby?

We've needed a playmaker for the past couple of years, its got to be ossie to replace him for now.

Naismith more wide?? That's where he took all of his criticism. He's most certainly not a wide player mate. Last season. Proved that, he's a lot better through the middle.

 

Etoo would be ok but he hardly set Chelsea a light last season

Agree, Naismith second striker almost like a shadow striker, his runs and timing are best perfect and he is actually a tidy finisher!! I wouldn't want Eto, seems a bit of a dick to me

This could end up a huge game in our season.. Even with Ross out I have faith that the team we put out should be able to grind out the result.

If lukaku isn't playing, naismith up top with peanuts in behind, McGeady and Kev(if fit) otherwise Atsu may have to start...

Experienced striker available on a free, last season he showed he is still at the required level, and he has always been ultracompetitive. Off the pitch he's always been an asshole, but on the pitch he's one of the guys that will play his heart out for the team. I'd have him over Koné and Naismith, and for the EL games he'd be my starter.

 

I'd take him if his attitude off the field does not disrupt the general atmosphere of the club. The club has created a great atmosphere of professionals with a healthy Brit core and that's what gives this club its identity. Martinez will talk to him and he'll decide if Eto'o is up for the task.

Personally I would have Naismith over him. And I may cop stick for that. But Naismith works incredibly hard plays for the badge, and regardless of what people may think he is one of our better finishers in the squad. Eto is just looking for a pay packet I'm afraid...

Leicester 0 Everton 3

Barkley

Don't really get the hype around him to be honest.

 

Don't want Kevin going anywhere either.

I wouldn't want Kevin to go anywhere as well. I just think Depay is going to develop into some thing special

Depay is quality, and if we signed him then that would be a true statement on intent IMO

He's the type of player that I can see if in form being invaluable in the derby games and also against the lesser sides when we need that bit of steel and drive.

 

I liked the lad from the little I saw in the world cup and since being linked in clips etc and I know it's early days but I can see him becoming a top top player for us.

Exactly right this!

Against the lesser teams we could get away with pushing McCarthy more forward and just leaving Besic with the cb's as he is mobile enough to cover the ground where as Barry realise on his (excellent mind you) positioning. I think teams will soon learn if they want to get near our penalty area their going to have to wear a kick or 2 of Besic

I can understand Martinez's thoughts here... It's no secret our squad size is questionable and come Christmas/January games are going to be coming thick and fast and that is when these World Cup players are going to get Jaded... I'll take a Mirallas/Lukaku @ 80% for maybe the opening week or 2 and have them 100% when we have 2/3 games a week!

Joe, but when has Pienaar? He had a good spell 6 months after his return from Spurs and since then has looked half the player. Seriously.

 

Very lethargic and messy in his play. At least McGeady's show determination and ability. Pienaar for me, has done very little.

 

I've been thinking about this Pienaar/McGeady debate nearly all pre season and for me, I rate Pienaar, what he does for the team cannot be under estimated HOWEVER my biggest qualm is he just doesn't get enough Assists or Goals.. A Winger for me should effect around 15 goals a year to carry their weight be it 10 assists and 5 goals whatever... I understand Pienaar's game is bringing others in and link up play with his back to goal so perhaps it's time for him to move centrally and alternate with Ross. McGeady has been poor pre season, no argument there. But he shows a desire to improve and works equally as hard for the team, his pace and ability to beat a man could become a huge asset this season. At least I hope

Then it's not cover, it's a stop gap. That's fine but if Coleman's out for, say, three months and Hibbert is all we have? Fuck. Me. That's frightening.

This here is my biggest fear... In a strange way, we got lucky with the injuries we had last year, Kone and Gibson were both easily covered through Lukaku/Jelivic and CM we are strong. This season if we got 2 season long injuries to either Coleman Kev or Rom I can't see our back up to those positions coming anywhere near close to the quality we need

Right joke it's not being covered on Everton TV live. How fans in Aus/US are meant to watch the game is pretty disappointing.

I like Richards, but I would rather see Duffy given a chance this season, and I would rather an out and out rb

Glad it's finally over

McGeady with the corner kick and Ossie is on the other end to put it in the net. Everton 2 - 1

Sorry just read this!!!

Who scored? Sorry it's early work hours in aus at the moment!!

How did Duffy do? Think he is going to be key to our CB depth this year.

I'm happy to wait a week or 2 longer if it screws the deal down from 22-18mil... No matter what you say 4mil is big money and we cannot just throw it away on rushing a deal through, if we get both Rom and Besic for 22mil surely that's worth the weeks wait?

Just to go off topic quickly, watching the Tottenham v Seattle friendly, and the young RB for Seattle, Yedlin looks tidy! Incredibly quick, put a few good crosses in after some good runs! 21 aswell!