Aidan

1 hour ago, Btay said:

We’ve got to find 4/5 players at least and get those signings absolutely right.

I think we have to sign at least 6/7 players, ideally 9/10.

Current squad going into next season (minus the kids):

Pickford

Patterson
Coleman?
Mykolenko

Keane
Tarks
Holgate
Godfrey

Doucoure
Garner
Gana
Onana

McNeil
Gray
Iwobi

Simms
DCL
Maupay

From my reckoning, a must for us to sign: GK, RB, LB, CB, wide forward, striker.

It would be good to add some depth to that, but I'm not expecting much. I can see Coleman getting another year, although I still think we need to recruit another RB regardless.

I'd like to see a few experienced players come in.

Some contracts that are up:

Phil Jones

Johnny Evans

Veltman

Cresswell

Coufal

Serge Aurier

Soyuncu

Lerma

Adama traore

Zaha

Weghorst

COME ON YOU FUCKING BLUES

See you all on the other side.

Happy with the line up. Doucoure and Iwobi need to be on song today.

I've been okay all week and and soon as I saw the team sheet I started shitting myself.

No way Dyche won't be given a crack this upcoming season. I know the board are stupid but I don't think they're that thick.

I think it's what we need at this moment. Hopefully he can get a few sturdy players through the door and we can start to build a team with more balance than previous seasons.

8 hours ago, RPG said:

My concern, rather oddly, concerns how we line up if Mykolenko is fit. If Mykolenko is fit and starts at Left Back in a flat back four, who starts at Right Back?

I think there is a case for making the decision early to start with a back three, Iwobi and McNeil as Wing Backs and Mykolenko on the bench. Something like: 3-5-2

                          Pickford

                   Mina  Tarkowski  Coady

     Iwobi  Doucoure  Gueye  Garner  McNeil

                         Simms  Gray

The more I think about it the more I think you're right. If we have a back 3 I think Dyche will play a midfield 5, if that's the case, Mykolenko doesn't fit in as McNeil will be in the left spot.

A 4 could be possible with Keane/Holgate at RB but that doesn't excite me.

Whatever the set up, it's a bit bare bones and the game will be a challenge, Dyche will have to get it spot on tactically, the players will have to be up for it and add the 12th man that is goodison to the equation and hopefully we can make it over the line.

I think Haf mentioned the Bournemouth lads might already be on their holidays, I hope that's the case.

I'm praying for an early goal to settle the nerves.

An early goal will be huge.

Hopefully Mykolenko and DCL will be back to feature, the latter fingers crossed will be fit for a start. I know we've been guilty of rushing him back, but I think for this game we have to take the risk.

Watching the game last night had me like I was watching Everton, celebrating everything that went Newcastle's way. How they didn't win is beyond me. Fortunately our hopes are pinned on a home game, I would be very concerned if we were away.

I'm really not looking forward to this weekend, going to be anxious all the way up to Sunday evening. Everything is crossed we have something to celebrate at the end of it.

We just need to keep our heads, focus and stay in this until the 80th.

Onana had to foul him.

Awful from the referee

33 minutes ago, dunlopp9987 said:

It won't? If we win and lose against Bournemouth, and Leicester and Leeds both win their final 2, we're down

If we win, and leeds and Leicester don't tomorrow/Monday, we will be safe won't we?

I didn't realise a win today could see us safe. I'd love to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room right now.

1 minute ago, Hafnia said:

3 at back? Is Onana gonna be left back? 

Absolutely no idea, doesn't seem anyone in that team can play left back. McNeil? But I don't see why Dyche would do that.

Not sure what to make of the line up. Back 3 with Patterson?

1 minute ago, RPG said:

Maupay on for DCL. Dyche has given this one up and is keeping DCL fresh for the 2 games that matter.

It seems that way doesn't it. Hopefully it's not a niggle.

4 minutes ago, Btay said:

I think he’s just gotten a bit better with the ball in terms of dribbling/skill. 

You're right his dribbling has also come on. Seems to do a fancy flick every time the ball comes to him. I wonder if it's been something he's worked on during his injury

4 minutes ago, dunlopp9987 said:

Yeah I wasn't aware a rogue "lol" would cause such an uproar

Am I allowed to laugh at this?

Positives out of this half, DCL looks absolutely terrific. Did I forget how good he is at holding up the ball or has he somehow improved?

There's some sensitive souls on this forum isn't there?!

And back to Everton we go.

What a shame, such a fantastic start. Let's just keep up the level of performance. The difference of quality is shown right there, holgate struggles with a really difficult chance, city take theirs soon after.

2 minutes ago, Zoo 2.0 said:

So this whole City resting players thing?

De brunye is the only one I see rested, maybe Grealish I think he's been playing consistently recently.

I expect they will want to put this to bed quickly today.

Not too sure resting will make much difference. Obviously playing them without KDB and Haaland will be a small advantage, but their 3rd squad is probably 3 times better than our first team.