Cisk

I've just posted on the BHA line up thread to see a change here n there - I think this cup game against WHU is needing a stronger team than past rounds. Thinking James and Allan in for this one with DCL

Theres something telling me we need to adjust for this game - I'm against changing for change sake but let's see if we can throw a surprise here n there, maybe push 3 up top for this one. I think BHA will load the wide areas as we are currently set up

In fairness Gomes did keep the ball ticking around - not very penetrating mind you but did keep it recycled and retained possession.

I'm going Allan I think

DCL---Got us going and did the dirty work at the end to secure the win

Oooohhhhhh........BIG Call!

Absolutely right.....we would lose this type of game time after time over past 3-5 seasons

Time for Iwobi or Bernard for Gomes

I'd be angry if we had that given against us!! This area does need reviewing by the rule makers

Disagree, I think the club bought him thinking he would hit the ground running and be a real Rom replacement. The money we paid is ALOT for a potential only player. I was watching him Weds thinking I dont know what style of forward he is. I've settled on a fox in the box. He doesn't seem to be intelligent to make penetrating runs, nor pacey to burst through defensive lines running onto the ball. Hes not a hold up the ball striker and he not a silky footed trickster. I'm a bit lost as to what striker he is... seems to just exist in the penalty area (when hes not running around like a headless chicken between centre circle and the D).

I still see us needing a RW and CB to be honest - both on loans for now. CB on loan (with option to buy maybe) so we can assess options at the end of the season to see how our younger CBs are developing. RW on loan purely due to lack of assumed funds (if funds are there I'd buy in this position) - Dont necessarily see James as being our starting RW each game and Theo fails to delivery time and time again. His performance vs Salford for shocking. If any fringe players leave then these need to be replaced too (Kenny, Kean, Theo, Iwobi, Lossl). The other squad fillers can go without replacements I feel

Not sure we will tweak anything or should from the league's two starting XIs to date - if we did tweak though I'd be tempted to bring Bernard in for Gomes and play him in the middle as the advanced MF. This will be a tough game as we have both started very well and I dont think we have done too well in recent travels to Selhurst Park (different team and ethos now though so whether thats relevant I dont know). The battle on the wings for both teams is key to this game - Whoever's wide midfielders overcome the oppositions full backs will win this one

BERNARD!!

Doing a really pro job so far - looking good again (yes, I know it's only L1 opposition)

Looks a horrible pitch to play on!

Why not - we need someone in at CB. Loan with option to buy maybe so as we do not commit funds and assess against the CBs we currently do have come next summer. Although not overly optimistic about him as he did not shine too much at Shalke last season from what I saw

Yes dont see it myself - not an upgrade on Kenny and hes a little older too. Really dont see the need to waste money on Full Backs unless its to replace any we have that move on.

Can't see Siggy playing this one following his recent family news. Is Mina fully fit - if not I think we may need to play with Coleman or Digne at CB but still start with Kenny and Niels at FBs. Iwobi needs to start on the right to see if he can produce anything - Walcott doesn't deserve too after the Salford game. Bernard through the middle again as he looked good there Gordon on left again, Kean in the middle and then 1 of Davies/Delph/Gomes with Doucoure. I wonder if it is worth playing Besic in the middle to get him in the shop window a little - yes he will be cuptied but I am not sure he will be going to a top English team who will worry about this?

I can't slag him off - Not that we will know, but who else was waiting in the wings to pick up the club from Johnson. Kenwright was probably not the right man to (or have the right skill set) pick this up but I dont recall any other saviours from these days. Kenwright may have been too much of a fan of the club, but did what he could within his means - the club missed the boat of investment pre-Premier League and was always on catch-up. The European ban on English clubs had a massive impact on the advancement and money of our club in the late 80s.

Had to be no changes

Everton 3 - 0 WBA James

That was very visible I thought too - 1st half performance he could have been pulled and moved on. Second half much different - a Carlo rocket at half time maybe?

Even better maybe, we had to pay for Seamus - Niels was free (long way to go though - maybe we should loan him to Blackpool - but signs are there that he could be very good)

I agree Haf - not much else to take from this game other than Theo is shite and youngsters (mainly Gordon, Niels) look very promising. Bernard, Suggy & Davies still useful although expensive on the wages for what they deliver! Keane I thought was MoM tonight. Virginia a surprise and did everything he needed to do too. I dont think we need to worry about either FB position or the LW position for reinforcement. What is a must is a true RW, followed by a CB - both purchases in my mind!