Everton Build Up

The back four picks itself as for the rest perm any six from ten the way we are playing at the moment. Need a performance and a result after last night plus it has the added edge for Koeman's return.

Guess it will be

Forster

Cedric Virgil Fonte (if fit, or Yoshida) Bertrand

Romeu Davis Clasie (but I'd rather Hojbjerg or JWP) Tadic (if the ref likes his mask)

Austin Redmond (but prefer Long)

If Tadic can't play, Boufal or drop Redmond back and start Long with Charlie.

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I fear Lukaku.

(And we just don't score enough)

Yeah whatever!!!........................... Better see some extracted digits!!

The best thing about this game coming after last night is we know we will make at least 7 changes.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38038456

Southampton v Everton (16:30 GMT)

 

Everton's performance in last week's draw against Swansea only underlined how much work they need to do.

 

Yes, the Toffees made a bright start to the season but I don't think for one minute that will have kidded their manager Ronald Koeman about their prospects.

 

They lacked urgency, and played too many square balls. Everyone seemed to need an extra touch, which makes it easier for the opposition to defend against.

 

That needs to change on Sunday, because we know how good Koeman's old team are at the back.

 

Southampton's results have dropped off recently too, but their run of one win in six league games includes draws with Manchester City and Liverpool, so they are hardly struggling.

 

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Lawro's prediction: 1-1

Who will get the own goal for them?

Forster

Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand

Romeu, Hojbjerg

Redmond, Boufal, Tadic

Austin

Rotate the front 3 behind Austin with Romeu doing what he does best and Hojbjerg dictating play in the centre. Boufal is fit and needs game time, just throw him in the mix! We couldn't do any worse and he clearly has talent/flare which we're in serious need of.

Forster

Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand

Romeu, Hojbjerg

Redmond, Boufal, Tadic

Austin

 

Rotate the front 3 behind Austin with Romeu doing what he does best and Hojbjerg dictating play in the centre. Boufal is fit and needs game time, just throw him in the mix! We couldn't do any worse and he clearly has talent/flare which we're in serious need of.

It's the team I'd pick but doubt Puel will go with this formation, unfortunately.

Is Tadic meant to be back? Please let Tadic be back.

Is Tadic meant to be back? Please let Tadic be back.

He's a doubt.

Forster

Cedric, Fonte, Van Dijk, Bertrand

Romeu, Hojbjerg

Redmond, Boufal, Tadic

Austin

 

Rotate the front 3 behind Austin with Romeu doing what he does best and Hojbjerg dictating play in the centre. Boufal is fit and needs game time, just throw him in the mix! We couldn't do any worse and he clearly has talent/flare which we're in serious need of.

This is the team and formation I'd like to see but it wouldn't happen under Puel.

The next 4 games will make or break Puel

Needs 3 wins from the next 4 minimum

No more pîssing about with squad rotation please Mr Tinkerman

Had a look on their forum and they are not happy bunnies at all.

Club where I wish Koeman still was 3 - Club where he is 1

Be lucky to get a draw

As much as the zombie taka bored me towards the end of Martinez's rein the constant lump forward to no-one is not helping our forward players at all, going direct into the channels to run onto is one thing, punting it knowing Lukaku is gonna be second best most times is soul destroying, to watch and to play

For the first time this season not going into a game confident of a win, which is a real shame.

could be a bad day for koeman, the whole club needs to see a reaction, which he was incapable of motivating against a crap swansea side

Even in the dark times of El Fraudo I would always predict an Everton win

 

Unfortunately Ronny Klueless is only here for his hefty wedge - and not just the one he is using on the golf course 5 working days a week

Forster in goal

VVD at CB

They like to put in crosses...

Austin scores goals

 

Yep...lucky to draw this one.

 

Koeman to have a face like a beetroot after the game.

I look forward to Koeman not looking in the slightest bit bothered about our performance, and then throwing on Valencia to save the game and wondering why that's not worked out so well.

 

2-1 Southampton and post match interview that includes comments about why Lukaku shouldn't have to play in games like this and should instead have been playing in La Liga this weekend.

 

Nice one Ronald, how about using all those wages to take a one way trip to the moon.

Ah, bugger it - they'll murder us!

We are playing as poorly as I can remember. There is no pride in this team...they are a bunch of bottlers and we need to clear most of them out of our club.

Southampton will destroy us...I won't bother watching the game

Southampton have looked rotten every time I've seen them play this year. Problem is that we haven't looked any better over recent weeks.

 

Still though, we've got absolutely nothing to fear going up against them. Their attacking play is even worse than ours, to the point where it seems they've given up on going forward.

This team has no chance against Soton.

Southampton just lost to Sparta Prague, of course we'll be the team they bounce back against.

Southampton were awful, which usually means we'll end up doing an Everton against them on Sunday.

And finally...

I have a strong distaste for the cheeky Nando's going, snap back and vest wearing soccer am mutants that inhabit this city.

 

Their delusion is also not to be underestimated

Had a look on their forum and they are not happy bunnies at all.

I do like that last chap. Upset about our 'delusions' of a top half finish and decent Europa run. Meanwhile the down to Earth, realistic Toffees are going to finally "smash the glass ceiling" of the top 4 and challenge for the title.

From today's press conference:

Tadic unlikely to be ready ("was bad injury, lack of training since").

Jose should be OK though ("Will be assessed today")

KOEMAN ON SOUTHAMPTON RETURN

“It’s nice to be back. Myself and the rest of the technical staff had a great time there.

“I had a great time and the job was very successful. I’m very proud to have been the manager of Southampton.

“I don’t know (what reception I will get). I can’t change the feelings and opinions of the Southampton fans. For my career I will look back at it being a great time.

“But I understand different opinions and different reactions and I’m not afraid of that. I made the choice to move and I’m happy to be at Everton.

“The past is the past, managers change and players change and I think looking forward is the best thing to do.”

Southampton FC ‏@SouthamptonFC

#SaintsFC's Claude Puel says it is unlikely Dušan Tadić will play against #EFC, while José Fonte will be assessed.

KOEMAN ON SOUTHAMPTON RETURN

“The past is the past, managers change and players change and I think looking forward is the best thing to do.”

Well you would do wouldn't you, you fat Dutch git. I think you know full well what type of reception you'll get, and rightly so.

Hopefully the occasion will get some passion out of the squad and we'll actually look like we give a toss.

Southampton FC ‏@SouthamptonFC

#SaintsFC's Claude Puel says it is unlikely Dušan Tadić will play against #EFC, while José Fonte will be assessed.

 

Yeah, that's a shame, if there was any truth in the rumours Tadic and Koeman didn't see eye-to-eye he may have had something to prove.

I think the only time I've enjoyed this fixture was watching Pahars keep us up on the last day of season at the Dell with a couple in a 2-0 win!

Can't say I'm particularly looking forward to Sunday.

Yeah, that's a shame, if there was any truth in the rumours Tadic and Koeman didn't see eye-to-eye he may have had something to prove.

 

I think the only time I've enjoyed this fixture was watching Pahars keep us up on the last day of season at the Dell with a couple in a 2-0 win!

 

Can't say I'm particularly looking forward to Sunday.

I loved this fixture two years ago. Was about 5 days before Christmas, we stuffed them 3-0 and everyone was singing, "feed the Scousers, let them know it's Christmas time!"

Yeah, that's a shame, if there was any truth in the rumours Tadic and Koeman didn't see eye-to-eye he may have had something to prove.

 

I think the only time I've enjoyed this fixture was watching Pahars keep us up on the last day of season at the Dell with a couple in a 2-0 win!

 

Can't say I'm particularly looking forward to Sunday.

2004, Fabrice Fernandes with a sensational long shot (definitely an attempted cross) to make it 3-3 at 90min.

I loved this fixture two years ago. Was about 5 days before Christmas, we stuffed them 3-0 and everyone was singing, "feed the Scousers, let them know it's Christmas time!"

2004, Fabrice Fernandes with a sensational long shot (definitely an attempted cross) to make it 3-3 at 90min.

OK, you're right, 1 or 2 others But that's probably it.

That 0-3 at SMS last year still 'kin hurts, though!

KOEMAN ON SOUTHAMPTON RETURN

“It’s nice to be back. Myself and the rest of the technical staff had a great time there.

 

“I had a great time and the job was very successful. I’m very proud to have been the manager of Southampton.

 

“I don’t know (what reception I will get). I can’t change the feelings and opinions of the Southampton fans. For my career I will look back at it being a great time.

 

“But I understand different opinions and different reactions and I’m not afraid of that. I made the choice to move and I’m happy to be at Everton.

 

“The past is the past, managers change and players change and I think looking forward is the best thing to do.”

For those that like moving pictures: (the sound doesn't kick in for the first 45 seconds for some reason)

Koeman: "I'm really happy I moved to Everton because its a big club"

The referee for this one is Craig Pawson. Last time he reffed us was the 1-1 draw at Everton in April.

I'm concerned about the lack of preparation time for the post-Europa matches. Presumably the players will be off today, and then training on Saturday? It doesn't leave a lot of time to work on tactics for this game. Or maybe I'm giving too much credit to football clubs assuming they actually do a lot of preparation for matches..!

------------Forster--------------

--Cedric VVD Yoshi Bertrand--

------------Romeu---------------

-------JWP-------Hojberg-------

Long------Redmond-------Austin

Assuming Fonte is not available of course, we need a win, time to step it up and start well. I fear that if we don't take an early chance, then we will lose/wont score.

Don't rate our chances against Everton.

No Firepower,Weak Midfield and VVD speculation hasn't helped.

------------Forster--------------

--Cedric VVD Yoshi Bertrand--

------------Romeu---------------

-------JWP-------Hojberg-------

Long------Redmond-------Austin

 

Assuming Fonte is not available of course, we need a win, time to step it up and start well. I fear that if we don't take an early chance, then we will lose/wont score.

Jwp??? Why? He's proven he's rubbish time and time again.

I hope we're practicing our set pieces because I can't see us scoring from open play.

I would play a 4231, but the prediction from me is what I think Puel will play

Forster

Cedric Fonte VVD Bertrand

Romeu

JWP Davis

Boufal

Redmond Austin

Bench: Taylor, Yoshida, McQueen, Clasie, PEH, Long, Jay Rodriguez

(if fonte not fit then yoshida with stephens/gardos in bench ofc)

Here is the link to the Everton forum pre match discussion, they don't sound very confident considering they are 7th

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/everton-v-southampton-sunday-27th-nov-ko-16-30.92897/page-9

Regardless of Koeman I've never liked Everton , always been a bogey side of ours. Couple of things you can guarantee - Stekelenberg will have the game of his life and Lukaku will score, he's got a good record against us.

Still a few hundred tickets left for this game, Everton have sold out 3,300 good following for 4.30pm on a Sunday fair play to them even with the £20 subsidised tickets.

We could really do with the win , let's hope we don't go behind as we will struggle then.

Have to say I'm struggling to understand the Tadic situation. Ok, it was a bad injury but he came back on and finished the match against Wales yet here we are two weeks later and he's not fit to play for us.

Have to say I'm struggling to understand the Tadic situation. Ok, it was a bad injury but he came back on and finished the match against Wales yet here we are two weeks later and he's not fit to play for us.

I believe somebody said he had surgery.

If the injury was serious enough to require surgery shouldn't we be asking why Serbia allowed him to play on?

I think a defeat will see fans turn on puel.

He will do well to last until beyond the new year.

Be nice to see a performance from redmond where he is a threat to the opposition. Which poster again said redmond was easily good enough to replace mane? LOL

And boufal? I thought he was brought in to play like Ben-arfa in the 10 position? He looks pretty average so far. Early days yet but it won't be early days for much longer!

My prediction FWIW:

Koeman will be booed for 10 cringey embarrassing minutes, it'll fizzle out after Everton score (against the run of play) Saints will dominate possession in the midfield and Redmond will run around a lot in front of them without actually doing anything. Austin will grow more and more frustrated at the lack of service and Shane Long will run very fast with the ball before screwing it wide or tripping over it. Our very own set piece specialist JWP will have a free kick and an opportunity to equalise...he will chip it tamely into the wall or the goalkeepers hands.....we will lose 0-1, Koeman will say what a great club we are, Puel will say that our strikers need to score more goals....

My prediction FWIW:

 

Koeman will be booed for 10 cringey embarrassing minutes, it'll fizzle out after Everton score (against the run of play) Saints will dominate possession in the midfield and Redmond will run around a lot in front of them without actually doing anything. Austin will grow more and more frustrated at the lack of service and Shane Long will run very fast with the ball before screwing it wide or tripping over it. Our very own set piece specialist JWP will have a free kick and an opportunity to equalise...he will chip it tamely into the wall or the goalkeepers hands.....we will lose 0-1, Koeman will say what a great club we are, Puel will say that our strikers need to score more goals....

If thats the case I think I will take the wife Christmas shopping, second thoughts I'll go to the game you could be wrong we could end up with a performance of a lifetime from them all.

0-0 or 1-0 defeat. We won't create a decent chance in the match but Puel will bemoan bad finishing

My prediction FWIW:

 

Koeman will be booed for 10 cringey embarrassing minutes, it'll fizzle out after Everton score (against the run of play) Saints will dominate possession in the midfield and Redmond will run around a lot in front of them without actually doing anything. Austin will grow more and more frustrated at the lack of service and Shane Long will run very fast with the ball before screwing it wide or tripping over it. Our very own set piece specialist JWP will have a free kick and an opportunity to equalise...he will chip it tamely into the wall or the goalkeepers hands.....we will lose 0-1, Koeman will say what a great club we are, Puel will say that our strikers need to score more goals....

Gave me a laugh Gunnery - could be frighteningly accurate. The only bit you left out was the likelihood of Lukaku scoring - he scored against us when he was with WBA and regularly for the Toffees. I'm hoping for a Boufal inspired win.

If thats the case I think I will take the wife Christmas shopping, second thoughts I'll go to the game you could be wrong we could end up with a performance of a lifetime from them all.

Of course we could and I live in hope, although unlike you I will be working so will have to make do with Blackmore and Merrington for this one

Gave me a laugh Gunnery - could be frighteningly accurate. The only bit you left out was the likelihood of Lukaku scoring - he scored against us when he was with WBA and regularly for the Toffees. I'm hoping for a Boufal inspired win.

Glad to be of service, it was mostly tongue in cheek but all entirely possible. I deliberately left Lukaku out of it for superstitious reasons....now you've gone and blown it !!!

Can't be bothered to hate Koeman. After a while you have to start believing it when people say it's not me it's you.

Can't be bothered to hate Koeman. After a while you have to start believing it when people say it's not me it's you.

Agreed, it's time people started to get over this type of thing particularly with our selling policy, or pretty soon they'll be booing half the Premier League. Ronald Koeman was one of our best ever managers, he was offered a shìt deal by Les, so he took a better offer elsewhere, EVERYBODY on here would have done the same and if they say they wouldn't they are lying.

Oops

My prediction FWIW:

 

Koeman will be booed for 10 cringey embarrassing minutes, it'll fizzle out after Everton score (against the run of play) Saints will dominate possession in the midfield and Redmond will run around a lot in front of them without actually doing anything. Austin will grow more and more frustrated at the lack of service and Shane Long will run very fast with the ball before screwing it wide or tripping over it. Our very own set piece specialist JWP will have a free kick and an opportunity to equalise...he will chip it tamely into the wall or the goalkeepers hands.....we will lose 0-1, Koeman will say what a great club we are, Puel will say that our strikers need to score more goals....

You should do the Super6 after that prediction..perfect

My prediction FWIW:

 

Koeman will be booed for 10 cringey embarrassing minutes, it'll fizzle out after Everton score (against the run of play) Saints will dominate possession in the midfield and Redmond will run around a lot in front of them without actually doing anything. Austin will grow more and more frustrated at the lack of service and Shane Long will run very fast with the ball before screwing it wide or tripping over it. Our very own set piece specialist JWP will have a free kick and an opportunity to equalise...he will chip it tamely into the wall or the goalkeepers hands.....we will lose 0-1, Koeman will say what a great club we are, Puel will say that our strikers need to score more goals....

Excellent summery.Has to be one of the most toothless Midfields ever to pull on a Saints shirt, unless you enjoy seeing the ball passed sideways and no goals.

Win tomorrow and Thursday is forgiven and forgotten.

Defeat here as Everton click into some kind of form.

We are garbage at the moment. Shame as we got a bit of momentum after a few teething issues early doors.

Win tomorrow and Thursday is forgiven and forgotten.

Yep.

Not forgotten for me though, but will be forgiven, only because we still have that insurance policy game against Beer Sheva for them to make it up again