FairWooney

interesting one this. I see Holgate and Keane as our first choice pairing when fit and happy with Mina as backup, clearly we need a 4th centre back but would have expected a loan or a backup type player to come in. Would be interesting to see who Carlo would see as his first choice after signing Godfrey. I felt Holgate really came on well last season and is also very good on the ball so would like to see him continue, Keane has improved a lot and has looked a lot more dependable. Mina has been ok though I still wouldn't be happy if he was long term first choice. With 30 premiership games last season he's not majorly inexperienced but I'd image would have to fight to get a start initially.

I was panicking that last 20 minutes whenever he had the ball and had players snapping around him. just wanted him to get rid so they'd keep away from him! ran the game brilliantly, hopefully Richarilson isn't out long because he is such a good outlet for James with his running down the wing

Agree, Tosun, Sandro, Besic and Bolasie are never going to make match day squad in any tournament for us so we just need to get rid to reduce squad numbers and wage bill. Delph and Davies likely stay as backup though Davies would probably go if someone put in an offer on him or possibly on loan as was suggested with the Southampton link. Until Gbamin is fit and playing I don't expect both Delph and Davies to go. Sigurdson has looked alright since we got the new players in and is a decent player to have as backup. According to https://www.spotrac.com/epl/everton-fc/payroll// he earns the same as Walcott and I'd rather have him than Walcott. Walcott is in the final year of his contract so would be get rid, save the 100k a week and get a small fee. Bolaise (75k), Tosun (60k) and Sandro (65k) are all substantial earners that need to go. Why the hell did Besic get a 6 year contract? when did we ever give anyone a 6 year contract?! I like him and had he not had so many injuries he could have probably done alright for us but we really got stuck with him with that length contract!

I don't think sig is going anywhere unless he's unhappy at being back up. I think Ancelotti sees him as a valuable backup to Gomes on a game by game basis and can cover generally in midfield if needed.

Think I fell in love watching him in the first half today! (I didn't get to watch all of the second) The vision and execution in his passing is second to none and the difference it makes to the team is huge. He doesn't need to run around or take people on as the his team mates know that when he gets the ball they can start making runs and he will pick them out. Richarlison as someone that loves to make those kind of runs must love playing with him. Even the likes of Seamus and Digne see the benefit as they can confidently make those runs up the flanks without feeling it'll be a wasted journey. When the ball gets played to him it's like the game slows down as he plays at his own pace but around him everything is happening as opposition players try to deal with what is to come. The way he controls things without dashing around is reminiscent of Pirlo who stroked the ball around like an artist with his brush.

great to see such a spread of votes on a win, shows how well the whole team are playing. This was a tough match and Palace look like a side that will trouble any team. They are well organised, get stuck in well when they don't have the ball and counter attack very well and we managed to do what we had to do to beat them through an all round good team performance

flicked through this, so we're in agreement Dom should be benched next week for Tosun and Sandro should be brought in as first option to come on? If we create enough chances that he can afford the odd miss while still scoring every week then we're doing a good job. He'll only keep improving his finishing the more he bangs them in. You only have to look at how many chances Salah and Mane have and miss to know that a good side doesn't need to score every chance to be successful. I'd be more concerned about Richarlison's wasted chances than DCL but I'm sure he'll start putting them away again soon.

I'd imagine James can strike a pen. I'd also like to see DCL and Richarilson backed to take them if they are competent (and they really should be) though. If DCL wants to compete for top goal scorer he should be able to take pens if he can show he's capable of scoring 9 out of 10.

A decent league cup run would do him good, getting first team matches every week for a few weeks. I'd like to see him get onto the bench and get some game time like he did last season. (Nothing to do with me putting him in as the cheapy in my fantasy football team!)

The plus to being in the league cup right now is it's giving game time to squad players. We have 3 league cup games this month if we win against Fleetwood, it's like a more competitive and lucrative reserves match! It helps that we've been given a very good draw in all 3 rounds. The third round is more difficult but at home and very winnable. I'd still go with a similar team for that game but maybe bring in Allan but for Davis in that game to strengthen the midfield.

Yes the financial return is great. But I don't watch and follow Everton in the hope that we'll make loads of money, I watch with a hope that I'll see us win trophies. Yes the financial return of top 4 and a run in the champions league is lucrative and will ultimately benefit you long term but I wouldn't sniff at winning the FA or League cup. Also I believe that having the winning mentality breeds more success, going into every game with a good intent to win. City may change plenty of players but they also put out a strong team including many players from the previous/following games league fixtures. Because they want to win every game Really we shouldn't need to argue this, with the squad we have we should be able to compete on all fronts with a little rotation and surely no one expressly wishes us to lose games.

shit, didn't realise it was that bad. hoping we get a backup then more than i did before!

Pickford/Virginia Kenny Mina Keane (Holgate in for one of them if fit) Nkonkou Allan Sigurdson Gordon Bernard Iwobi Kean Something like this would do me Bench that includes DCL, Richarlison and James Other options would be Walcott and Bolasie. EDIT: Forgot about Besic, not sure about putting him in, depends how he's looking fitness wise and what Carlo thinks. when changing the team a lot that's a position want to rely on so if Allan is up for game time I'd stick with him.

we always get this argument over top 4 v winning a trophy. while top 4 is a great prestige thing and getting into the Champions League is huge ultimately there is no trophy for it. Arsenal consistently made top 4 under Wenger without ever getting back to winning the league. While it would be great to be in that position I'm sure every Evertonian would love to see us actually win something, after all that's what it's all about really. we haven't won a trophy in 25 years and if the next trophy we won was the league cup I really wouldn't mind so long as we win something. On the flip side I do believe that some rotation is required in the cup competitions. Not by changing as many players as possible as some teams do but by ensuring that players you want to give some game time to get it and those that could benefit rest are able to get it also. Those that can make a a key difference if required should be available on the bench. I'd happily see DCL, Richarlison and James benched tonight but they should be available if required to help us progress.

I could see DCL becoming a 20 a season player. I also think Richarlison could get 15-20 with the kind of service he was getting from James at the weekend. He found so much space out there and can run at the last man and pick off the shot. I think he will really be aided by having a stronger midfield in front of him and should cut a less frustrated figure. I'd expect 10 goals from James from his quality and the positions he was taking up. That could be a decent return from those 3, then you have the goals chipped in by the defenders and Doucoure and the backup players like Bernard, Gordon (hopefully), Sigurdson (maybe). Gomez doesn't put many away but he can hopefully chip in with a couple. I don't really think he'll win it but 80/1 with Bet365 on DCL winning golden boot is a massive price in my eyes.

I'm feeling confident after the Spurs game but top 4 or even 6 is tough. I'm going to say we can make top 6. I'm hoping we can go all the way in a cup, very difficult of course as you will always end up having to play at least one of the top 4 if you want to win it. We are well capable of beating anyone on our day though and I'm going to be confident and say we can win a cup. Either will do! I think saying Carlo would walk if we finished below 7th feels poor on his part, he's been backed to buy the players he wants, he's got a strong team and if the team doesn't hit the heights that he wants it to then that's in no small part down to his management of what he's got. If we perform well, show plenty of improvement and look close to pushing for top 5 spots then he'd surely want to carry on. Look at Bielsa at Leeds, he pushed them on brilliantly in his first season but didn't get promotion, I'm sure he could have gone elsewhere but he had an unfinished job and pushed on to get them a brilliant promotion season. James I feel is more of a risk to lose with an unsatisfactory season. The fact he has taken a 2 year contract "with option for a 3rd" would suggest we've sold him the clubs dream of success, he's bought in but only to the point of wanting to see it. If we finish 8th with no Europe and not enough to suggest we're going to be major contenders in to the next season then he won't be signing up for a 3rd season. At which point we'd have to sell at a reduced price because of it being the final year of his contract. This makes his contract a fair risk meaning they really have to back Carlo with any other players he needs if they can be afforded and they have to push to do well on all fronts.

I guess if money was no object then we'd take him. My view though is we have a very good starting 11, we have a few players that offer a different option who are decent and we have cover in all areas in some form. While he could be very useful I'd not take him right now. We need to lower our wage bill first up by getting rid of some dead wood before we can splash on any more high earners. I think with what we've spent on players and new players wages already we need to be careful, gate receipt's might not be a bulk of a side like ours revenue but it does bring in a lot, we are missing that right now and need to be mindful of this. I'd also like to see Gordon getting a look in on the wing as he looks an exciting prospect. I also think the Bernard can offer a lot, and may also benefit from our improved midfield. The only area I'd say we may need a player is at centre back. I'm ok with our current 3 players but we definitiely need 1 more for cover if nothing else.

He's going to have a great time this season if James keeps slinging those balls across the pitch to him. He's got the pace and skill to always be running into space down there when James picks up the ball on the right and James has shown he's capable of picking out the man more often than not. Looking forward to seeing plenty of that!

Defo like to see Kenny get a game. The other lad if Carlo thinks he's ready (sounded like he did well in friendly) In mid I'd like to see Bernard and Walcott or Gordon with Gordon at least on bench. Rest Gomez. Play Kean and have Richarlison and James on bench to make impact if required I'm not normally fir but changes but it's early in and we have players who have lost their spot or are pushing for spots that need game time

I'd agree, striker and midfield wise I think we're fine for now, defensively we're short, even if Kenny is rated enough to get a go with Coleman at right back and the other lad we brought in on the left is suitable backup we saw at the end of last season how short we were on centre backs. Mina has his fair share of injuries and we don't really have anyone to step in if 2 of them got injured. Unlike many i'm happy to give Pickford another season but a quality second choice who you could throw in to make him realise he can't coast along would definitely be good.

James looks like a wax work, we sure that lad hasn't knicked him from the Columbian Madame Tusauds?!

Most dangerous corners we’ve seen all season, always got it into dangerous areas. Amazed we never really got on to any of them. excellent all round performance, great to see him getting some games and still be able to produce top performances. i agree with having, it would be a shame to see him playing on when he’s no longer up to it. Quite hard to judge as a player and for the coach when he gets so little real game time though. i think baines himself will know when it’s time to stop.

Love that he's out in Manhattan dressed like a bit of a lemon enjoying a break with Tom Davies! Don't think I'd recognise either if I saw them out like that! Good to see players wanting to spend time together during a break. Those red sandals though

I'm not that sure about it when your lacking enough quality to rotate but in the case of Keane I'd rather he get game time than thrown in when we're desperate. Similarly Holgate's been brilliant but we shouldn't put too much pressure on him and make him feel he's a must pick. Was surprised Bernard missed the last game but he never plays 90 so maybe just preserving him. I'd have him in my team as often as possible though. The only guarantees seem to be Pickford, Digne, DCL and richarlison. Seems to be working ok anyway

I thought we were much improved today on that front. Much quicker getting the ball forward and not playing back top often. Lots of really positive passing and in the first 20 of the second half some really slick attacking football. It was only Newcastle though and they sit back so much there's no excuse for not attacking them. Not mad on the substitutions, Seamus on for Kean was a bit of an odd defensive move, I know he's used sidibe forward a few times before but when we looked pretty comfortable I don't think the change in shape was a good move. Niasse, do we have to give him these cameos in order to get rid??