Leeds United vs. Everton - 3pm KO - 1st August

toffeejack · July 31, 2015

Furey1878 said:
http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2015/07/31/boss-plans-to-fine-tune-fitness

"Roberto Martinez plans to give each member of his first-team squad at least 90 minutes of playing time over the course of the weekend double-header against Leeds United and Villarreal."

seeing as we haven't released our first team squad for the season that could be anybody ha

Furey1878 · July 31, 2015

Can't wait to see Barry play 90 minutes in both the Leeds and Villareal games and then start against Watford.

Furey1878 · July 31, 2015

toffeejack said:
seeing as we haven't released our first team squad for the season that could be anybody ha

There are certain players who are nailed on to start against Watford:

Howard
Coleman
Stones
Jags
Baines
McCarthy
Mirallas
Lukaku

So they'll all play a half each in both games.

Pienaar's gloves · July 31, 2015

Abraders said:
On my way to leeds now to pick up keys for my new uni house for my final year, and I'm buzzing for the game! Got my ticket the other day.

Just wondering though, some of my mates will be buying on the day. Will I be able to shuffle about and sit with them?

I'm here with my missus who has just moved into her new place for uni. Love the market.

My best mate bought his ticket at the Park End yesterday and asked about this. They reckon there will be enough spare seats for us to all sit together.

bizzaro · July 31, 2015

bluemangroup said:
@bizzaro needs to sort his twisted weird misshapen head out. Well in @Pienaar's gloves for stepping in last minute to do this.

Boss_Blue said:
Gone

@bizzaro

Again

Arse

ijjysmith said:
Well in @Pienaar's gloves

@bizzaro arse gone again.

@Groucho @the esk

Know that the match preview I will be doing will be later in the season. Please stop derailing this match thread with irrelevant posts.

ijjysmith · July 31, 2015

bizzaro said:
@Groucho @the esk

Know that the match preview I will be doing will be later in the season. Please stop derailing this match thread with irrelevant posts.

Off topic this.

I find it difficult to believe that players will play 90 minutes in these games.

WON'T SOMEBODY THINK OF THE HAMSTRINGS?!

Woolly Blue · July 31, 2015

Pienaar's gloves said:
Good day patrons and visitors to GrandOldTeam.

This weekend sees the return of foes Villareal to Goodison Park, along with Wayne from Croxteth, to honour one of our heroes and complete our warm up to the season.

Saturday, however, we turn our attention to Leeds United.

Fitness should be peaking about now - for those with their hamstrings intact - in anticipation of the visit of Watford and all around Finch Farm there will be efforts to ensure that we learn lessons from the poor start made last season. Two games in one weekend may be an opportunity to test the fitness of every squad player.

Here is hoping that it isn't the surround for a pre-season injury disaster.

Elland Road should stir fine memories for travelling blues - not least a little game against Tottenham Hotspur in 1995.

A look at the opposition then...

Many would agree that Leeds are a giant of the game that has fallen, and fallen far. Originally the phoenix club following the disbanding of Leeds City FC in 1919, the club went on to win plenty of domestic honours in the 60's and 70's as well as a title in 1992 before overspending in the Premier League era and forming the term 'doing a Leeds' as they fell through the divisions.

Leeds are now in the Championship and finished fifteenth last year. They are managed by nice guy and Manchester City legend Uwe Rosler, suffering because their owner, crazy Italian entrepreneur Massimo Cellino is incapable of attracting anything other than negative headlines.

He is scared of the number 17, and I am led to believe seat numbers at Elland Road go from 16 to 18. Crazy.

Back to the blues, pre-season has been a mixed bag. We've taken apart all of the dross, yet the Stoke win was hardly convincing and Arsenal tore us open.

Hamstring injuries have been an issue and the medical and conditioning staff should take a good look at this.

Young players have looked the part though, particularly Dowell in midweek. Hopefully they can give Martinez something to think about this season.

A few tips for blues on the move:
Leeds Station to Elland Road is walkable on a nice day, takes a little while though, might want to take a cab.
Evertonians are welcome at Howards Bar between the South and West stands.

Forza Everton.

Nice one mate.
You can now put on your CV that you've had a matchday thread stickied on GOT.

It's not been much of a help to Chico though.

Boss_Blue · July 31, 2015

bizzaro said:
@Groucho @the esk

Know that the match preview I will be doing will be later in the season. Please stop derailing this match thread with irrelevant posts.

Woolly Blue · July 31, 2015

bizzaro said:
@Groucho @the esk

Know that the match preview I will be doing will be later in the season. Please stop derailing this match thread with irrelevant posts.

Boss_Blue said:

Stick to talk about the match please gents. Don't forget we have new tot up rules for short, sharp bans.

caught · July 31, 2015

Another good chance for youth teamers to play with some of the seniors by the sound of it. It's good that Martinez is giving everyone a proper chance to stake their claim. Leeds are pure scruffy so I hope we hurt them.

Also, condolences on the loss of your arse, @bizzaro

Eggs · July 31, 2015

Mikey_Fitzgerald said:
Going to this

Doubt we'll put a full strength side out like, but at least I can tick Elland Road off my "stadiums visited" list

....never a good hunting ground for us back in the day, the Rooney goal a good few years ago was our first win there for a while if I remember rightly. I vividly recall Joe Royles header from Alan Ball's angled cross. I always like Elland Rd, fortunate enough to score a few goals there as well but that was a long, long, long time ago (any excuse to get that one in).

Pienaar's gloves · July 31, 2015

A local called me a 'scouse *****' this afternoon while I ordered lunch in a city centre pub.

I want blood.

Let's kill them.

quasi modo · July 31, 2015

Furey1878 said:
There are certain players who are nailed on to start against Watford:

Howard
Coleman
Stones
Jags
Baines
McCarthy
Mirallas
Lukaku

So they'll all play a half each in both games.

Change Mirallas for Barry and it's spot on.

Charles Hawtrey · July 31, 2015

Leeds was one of my first Home alone games back in the 70's. Some flat capped,fat, toothless yorkie asked me to go fetch him a pie at half time. My natural response was hurt but defiant F-off! his reply was a swift boot up the arse with some steel toe capped worked boot! them were the days!

Pienaar's gloves · July 31, 2015

The pub I have listed on the preview for away supporters has apparently closed. If anyone knows where we might get on it, give us a shout.

EDIT: answered my own query here:

The Drysalters, Elland Road

http://www.thedrysalters.co.uk/index

Located near to the Elland Road football ground and recently refurbished, we are a good place to park up on match days and all away supporters are welcome.
We serve food throughout the week from a new main menu, offering excellent value seven days a week. The pub has a good range of beers and bottled drinks, a selection of which are at Bargain prices!

See you there.