FairWooney

Real shame with him actually looking like he might finally get some game time. Could have really offered something extra up the right side.

Unless DCL has injured himself again I'd highly expect he'll be starting and with a decent time in training with him I'm sure Frank will have been working with the available squad to get the most out of him. It's a shame to drop Gray as he's been arguably our biggest goal threat this season but I'd go with what we had last season with Richarlison on the left side and DCL in the middle. I do quite like the look of that 4-4-3 with Iwobi. The 3-4-3 with Coleman was suggested on the Echo podcast around Frank seemingly wanting to keep Seamus in the side. Wouldn't be my preference but would get Patterson a game and give him some protection.

I see Richarlison knows where the net is for Brazil! Admittedly we aren't creating him a lot but his frequent offsides are frustrating, really needs to work on timing those runs as if he wasn't getting caught offside he'd have had a lot more chances.

I can see where he's coming from but he's not totally blameless and should be careful with laying into the players every week. The team did start brilliantly with great intensity but how long the players could carry that on following a long later tough match against Newcastle. Once they scored we struggled to work our way back in and maybe lacked another plan that didn't involve that same intensity. Gordon as a left wing back worked great going forward but probably no so good at the back and it would have put more pressure on the defenders to spread themselves thing, especially when Iwobi came on though by that point it was pretty much over. The second half I'd say was pretty disappointing in that I never felt we really did much to push Palace and we seemed pretty resigned to defeat from a very early stage. Admittedly Palace played some very good football at times, managed play well and play some very good attacking football as well with quick skillful players that we struggled to deal with.

If we are creating as little as we did against Wolves I'd resort to route 1 ugliness and get crosses into the box and people in there to attack it for the last 10 minutes! DCL if available, Rondon and bang Keane or Branthwaite up there for their aerial threat! If nothing else it causes the opposition to have to work hard at the back and the chance of a deflected goal, foul in the box, headed goal or just a corner. We don't have the ability or threat to just keep trying the same thing until the final whistle.

I think it's unlikely that he starts on Thursday but think there's a good chance he plays him in the cup which would be a sensible thing to do if he's not hugely confident in him based on what he's seen in training. Ideally he'd get 90 minutes in the cup this time though. I think that he'd probably be best at the moment played in a 5 as it would allow him to make the most of his attacking ability whilst having a decent bit of cover to help him out at the back.

I only listened via EvertonTV as I had a long drive home but that's exactly what they were saying early on. The players were playing with a lack of confidence and a fear of making a mistake, I think this feeling would have been compounded by the Spurs match where we were torn apart so easily which would have been a real blow to whatever confidence they did have following decent performances against Leeds and Man City. The Newcastle game won't make things any easier, they are a team that are beatable but in great form and in complete contrast to us are full of confidence. With our lack of goals the players are obviously worried that an error that leaves to a goal not only gives an angry crowd but also leaves the team desperately trying to create a goal when they appear incapable of doing so at the moment. Lampard and the coaches not only need to try to give them a bit of confidence to play their game and believe in themselves but also to work on alternative methods of creating a goal! Even if it's getting players in the box for some route 1 filth at the end of the game.

French isn't widely spoken though maybe a few more people probably take French at school than in the UK due to it's vicinity and ease of getting there! The old language in Guernsey was a local language called Guernésiais which was a kind of Norman French language that dated back to when Guernsey was controlled by the Norman's. We do indeed have a lot of French named roads!

Gordon all day long. Worked his socks off, some great work beating their players a few times, put in some good tackles especially the one to stop them popping off a shot in the first half before getting straight up the other end. If only everyone played like him!

Where do you get not starting Gordon of all people? He was a bright spark in an otherwise poor performance. He was all over the pitch, he was beating their players, trying to make things happen and working his socks off. Memorable one for me was when he was fouled, had not long got back up when he made a cruical last ditch challenge to stop them getting off a shot for a likely goal then 5 seconds later was fouled again whilst breaking forward on the right wing in their half. Only Doucoure put in more tackles than Gordon, he made more key passes, won more fouls, more dribbles and more crosses. I don't see anyone else doing what he's doing for us at the moment.

I do think that Lampard's tactics of high pressing was fairly reckless against a Spurs side that are always good on the counter and with our defence who aren't the quickest (or the best). It felt a bit like I was watching Leeds, lots of pressing forward but as soon as the ball gets turned over you know the opposition are going to get a chance at the other end. Much like Leeds under Bielsa we need to find a middle ground where you're not over pressing and leaving yourself very vulnerable. As also mentioned the defence were left exposed by Doucoure and VDB being further forward and a lot left for Allan to do. No doubting the defence were poor though, with most of the goals they had lots of room and other free players available while our defenders were flailing around. If Godfrey is fit he really needs to come in, much more assure and capable of coming forward whilst being able to cover ground in getting back also.

Bit late on putting this up but my Man of the match was Doucoure. Thought he really showed his class tidying things up and not giving them anything in Midfield. He was also quick to look to move the ball on and tried to get forward as well. He absolutely bullied their midfield. Gordon a close second, he looked easily the most threatening player, really tried to make things happen but may tried too hard to be the star and his desperation to score also made him a bit greedy at times. He played with a bit much arrogance perhaps though believing he's the best player out there and he can walk over the non league opposition. I don't begrudge that, top players have that arrogance and belief in themselves (look at Rooney's film saying how he'd walk into the changing rooms at 16 believing he's the best in there) but maybe just needs to keep that in check and concentrate on doing the right thing.

Lampard confirmed that Mykolenko will be playing

I fancy we'll get something out of both Chelsea and Man Utd at home. Wouldn't disagree too much with the others unless we can turn around our away performances.

I saw us play there once, I can't remember when it was (but Google can), it was in 1997, we were pretty poor but did put Guernsey away 6-0. I went to the airport to see them all arrive though I think they'd maybe enjoyed the inflight hospitality a bit much as they all legged it to the toilet! Big Dunc was playing and scored, Graham Stuart got 2 and Gavin McCann got his only ever 2 goals for us! I don't think Premier League teams would bother with the expense and effort of getting to the Channel Islands for a game nowadays though where most of preseason is promotional trips! Even Bristol City only sent an U23 side I think when they played a preseason friendly recently.

Exciting one for me this. As a Guernseyman and former Guernsey FC season ticket holder it's not only great to see our players making it on to the big stage but even better when they can join Everton. Not only that but he's I know his parents who are cousins of my step dad (awaits inbred Islander jokes about us all being related!). Sadly I've not actually seen him play as I left Guernsey before he started playing for them but have followed his progress and he's really grown quickly at Bristol City, joining at a young age and becoming a regular in the team loved by the fans so quickly. He was travelling to Southampton academy every weekend from Guernsey when he was still at Primary school and I think until he was about 14/15. Seems a lot of interest in him, Spurs, West Ham and Leicester all interested at the moment. Hopefully Lampy and the new DOF can convince him Everton is the place to be. Got all fingers crossed that the lad joins

Hopefully he does get to play in the FA Cup game and can put in a good performance. I don't see Lampard wanting to drop the experience of Coleman often at the moment, if we can pull ourselves away from the current messy position he may feel he can give Patterson a game or two to show what he can do and get valuable experience. Preseason will be big for him to stake his claim in the side. Hopefully Kenny can continue to impress and we can have 2 young right backs pushing each other for that spot.

Boreham Wood pulled off a great shock win at Bournemouth in the last round and played a really good game in doing so, they shouldn't be underestimated and will be well up for this, the biggest game in their history but given our recent performances at home under Frank I think we should deal with this one and and put them away fairly comfortably. The important thing is to do like we have done in the last couple of games at home and impose ourselves early on with the fast pressing and high tempo that the fans also feed off of. Obviously the difference being that I'd expect we'll have a majority of the ball and they will focus on keeping tight at the back but I'm sure we have the quality especially if we play with that early energy to break through them early on. I'm going with a few changes to give players a run out and others a rest Begovic Patterson Keane Branthwaite Mykolenko Allan Doucoure Townsend Gordon Gray Richarlison Subs: Pickford, Holgate, Coleman, Kenny, Gomes, Iwobi, Rondon, Onyango, Dobbin 3 defensive changes is a bit of a risk but Coleman needs a break, Patterson needs to get a game and as long as his head is in the right place Mykolenko should be getting a game as well. Either Keane or Holage could drop out for Branthwaite but I've kept Keane in more for his experience in an otherwise inexperienced defence. I'd like Allan to have a rest but Gomes is the only person I could replace him with and I think, especially with the defensive changes that it wouldn't be wise to leave out the best player for breaking up attacks in the middle. I would have liked to have rested Gordon and/or Richarlison but wouldn't waste time on Rondon and not sure about throwing Dobbin in either. Iwobi could play but I'd prefer the direct attack from Townsend/Gordon/Gray combination. If winning comfortably I'd get Allan, Richarlison and Gordon off. I'm going to say we put them away well here and keep the "giant killing" ITV commentary quiet. 4-1 Gordon x2, Gray and Richarlison to score Hibbert fan boy Kane Smith can have a goal for them!

What have any of the last 22 posts got to do with Ashley Cole? Mods not bothering anymore? Just because Ashley Cole is a defensive coach shouldn't result in a long rambling thread between a group of defensive experts criticising one of our centre backs. There's a thread for Michael Keane already.

One thing he's benefited from under Lampard is that the 2 wide men get a lot of freedom to move across the park allowing him to be more involved and get in more dangerous places. It also gives him a taste for more of a no.10 role which I could see him filling at times also.

Why Is it I always come to this thread wanting to vote for everyone or no one at all?! Tough one as everyone performed. Really impressed with Kenny out on the left, VDB looked quality and Gordon is looking more like the real deal every week. Iwobi put in a top performance given his chance and the defence, none of whom would make anyone first choice gave Leeds nothing. Great team performance and well done Lampard for getting the team pressing so well and overrunning Leeds from the start

The first of the two games this week didn't go well, a pretty poor performance and I felt that Newcastle buoyed by the big home support were beating us to 50/50's and generally looking that bit more up for it than us. We seemed so much more sloppy than at the weekend though that may also be down to the extra pressure that Newcastle were putting on us all over the pitch compared to Brentford. I'm going to assume that Gray and Mina will both be out. Crossing fingers that Mykolenko will be back. Pickford Coleman/Patterson Keane Holgate Mykolenko Allan VDB Dele Gordon DCL Richarlison I think we need to move to a 4-3-3 this week, partly because of the defensive injuries and partly because it will better allow us to bring in the new midfield players. DCL should hopefully be fit enough to start now, and with Gray out this works out fine with Richarlison moving back over to the wing. Dele didn't impress me much last night but neither did Gomes so it would be good to work on getting VDB and Dele working and getting fully integrated into the team and match fit. It would be good to see Patterson finally get a game but so far it seems neither Ferguson or Lampard has deemed him ready to take Coleman's place in either league or FA cup. If Mykolenko isn't fit I'm struggling for who should play there, Coleman struggled at first when he played there a few weeks ago but settled in ok defensively in the end and kenny came on there the other day so I'd probably rather one of those plays there than Townsend try to fit in. Against Ayling and Raphina we need someone who can do a good defensive job.

He has a 2 year consultancy role with them from what I'd heard when he joined which starts in the summer.

Rangick has a contract for a job at Man Utd, why would he leave that to go to Everton?!

Gordon also though I'll give an unpopular opinion that Coleman had a good game. I know not many like to say anything positive about our captain but he put in a plenty of good challenges, got forward well and rarely gave the ball away (had more touches than anyone bar Allan). He also was available in acres of space loads of times in the second half and no one would pass to him!