Everton v Stoke City

[Neiler]

As above but i feel this one will be tight to be honest especially after Thurs. Pienaar, Baines and Saha have provided that little bit of extra quality consistently for us so far and been the difference in winning and drawing games for me - other players have performed in fits and starts, we need to develop consistencey. Havnt been happy with the midfeild or defence overall if im honest. Namely teams are making to many chances against us and we are not reacting well to being pressed - as Stoke undoubhtedly will, they are also strong at the back with a lot of options and Sorenson is in very good form - i can see this being very very tight. I would think of Billy coming in for Rodders centrally for this one if Pienaar is fit.

Stoke are far from being push overs, have really developed as a team.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Rodwell, Cahill and Fellaini need to play as a three man midfield, they need to play closer together and keep us solid in the middle of the park. We went back to the 4-4-1-1 against Portsmouth and it leaves us exposed, as a 'two' none of them are good enough defensively to protect the back four.

Having three in the middle also gives us more outlets for the back four, three midfielders to pass to rather than one or two. That's the only way I can see us making up for our lack of Arteta or Neville.

And Bilyaletdinov has to play now, even if it's just for his set pieces. We nearly score everytime he whips one in. Awful decision by Moyes to bench him against Portsmouth.

 

[Neiler]

Rodwell, Cahill and Fellaini need to play as a three man midfield, they need to play closer together and keep us solid in the middle of the park. We went back to the 4-4-1-1 against Portsmouth and it leaves us exposed, as a 'two' none of them are good enough defensively to protect the back four.

Having three in the middle also gives us more outlets for the back four, three midfielders to pass to rather than one or two. That's the only way I can see us making up for our lack of Arteta or Neville.

And Bilyaletdinov has to play now, even if it's just for his set pieces. We nearly score everytime he whips one in. Awful decision by Moyes to bench him against Portsmouth.

Is it worth considering Jonny H as a sheild for the back four mate? Havnt been overwhelmingly convinced and he has a long way to go for me so far - but i wont judge him untill he is at least 10 games in.

In terms of creativity i think we could do worse then have Billy centrally, Ossie and Pienaar (if fit) in the same team.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Is it worth considering Jonny H as a sheild for the back four mate? Havnt been overwhelmingly convinced and he has a long way to go for me so far - but i wont judge him untill he is at least 10 games in.

In terms of creativity i think we could do worse then have Billy centrally, Ossie and Pienaar (if fit) in the same team.

He looked even worse when he moved into midfield but it's early days, we'll have to wait and see really.

I think it's a case of trying to find the best balance out of Rodwell, Cahill and Fellaini at the moment, we don't really have other options.

I'd have Cahill and Rodwell in the middle and Fellaini just infront. Cahill works harder than both of them and he's more likely to mix it. Rodwell and Fellaini are a bit too laid back as a partnership.

 

[Goat]

Im totally convinced that Heitinga can not tackle to save his life, he just cant do it, he either misses or just gets the player. Lots of heart, lots of passion, can pick a pass and is decent going forward, but everytime he tackles I feel like crying.

 

[Robert Jarvis]

Are you sure about that Goat, really sure.

As for the team to play please Davey leave out Osman.

 

[Goat]

No im sure next week I will be saying hes the best defender since Baresi, its my viewpoint, I can change it on a weekly basis if I want.

 

[TX Bill]

I can see this being a carbon copy of the Portsmouth match with maybe a few less chances for Stoke but a tough match nonetheless.

 

[Neiler]

He looked even worse when he moved into midfield but it's early days, we'll have to wait and see really.

I think it's a case of trying to find the best balance out of Rodwell, Cahill and Fellaini at the moment, we don't really have other options.

I'd have Cahill and Rodwell in the middle and Fellaini just infront. Cahill works harder than both of them and he's more likely to mix it. Rodwell and Fellaini are a bit too laid back as a partnership.

Aye mate lets give him a chance though, to be fair he provided the cross for Sahas goal and hes been shifted around in different positions while he adjusts to the league, Moyes seems to have a lot of confidence in him given the playing time he has had with another two full backs in the squad compared to say Billy who i think its fair to say we would have high hopes for even though we have a dearth of wingers/midfeilders.

I wouldnt necessarily be dissapointed with Cahill beside Rodders, though id prob have Mofro in beisde him and Tim advanced. I think Rodders and he are a better outlet for the back four and retain pocession better, while Tim seemed to be finding his range yesteday in the box. That said i agree that as a sheild for the back four Rodders and MoFro could improve drasticly, press and hold a higher line.

 

[Brownie]

If Pienaar is out I would start Gosling. We will really be struggling to cover for Pienaar's workrate, Dan Gos is the only player I can think of that has the energy and enthusiasm to compensate. I'd probably start Neill as well I reckon.

Good to see Cahill having a long range shot against Portsmouth as well, he does seem to have gone into his shell a bit lately, only trying to score headers.

 

[ToxtethBlue]

Wouldn't be against that to be honest.

Bilyaletdinov has to start aswell, every time he whips one in with his left foot we nearly score.

No one can replace Pienaar though, he's a gem, on and off the ball. His willingness to get on the ball is key really.

 

[Brownie]

That's what I mean, even though Gosling is obviously nowhere near as good as Pienaar, he still likes to get on the ball and run with it if he can. That's the main thing I liked about him when I first saw him play, he's not a [Poor language removed] like a lot of our players.

 

[Cena]

If Osman plays centre-mid like he did against Hull and was MOM we will have more creativity and balance in the middle. Osman is NOT a winger

 

[Hibbo]

That's what I mean, even though Gosling is obviously nowhere near as good as Pienaar, he still likes to get on the ball and run with it if he can. That's the main thing I liked about him when I first saw him play, he's not a [Poor language removed] like a lot of our players.

Yes Brownie, a great football mind. Gosling laid his golden egg when he played a goal against the red team. He does not develop like the young Rodwell. I fear the next Osman.

 

[chicoazul]

If Pienaar is out I would start Gosling. We will really be struggling to cover for Pienaar's workrate, Dan Gos is the only player I can think of that has the energy and enthusiasm to compensate. I'd probably start Neill as well I reckon.

Good to see Cahill having a long range shot against Portsmouth as well, he does seem to have gone into his shell a bit lately, only trying to score headers.

Thats a good call that.