Match Thread Everton 2-4 Brentford. Sun Jan 4th. 3pm

[davek]

2-0 Everton.

 

[MisterJ]

When does the Afcon finish?

 

[hallamblue]

When does the Afcon finish?

Gana won't get back in the team at the moment and N'Diaye is injured so not that big a deal I suppose.

 

[Vaughan]

will be a tough game, andrews is a good coach and these are dangerous from set plays where we have looked vulnerable

but a lovely routine 2-0 early jan win with garner scoring a free kic will give me very nice 08/09 arteta long sleeve we’re gonna have a good year vibes

 

[Caso01]

Kayode on 4 yellows for them, hopefully he gets booked against Tottenham tomorrow and misses our game as I don’t think my nerves could take him launching long throws into our box all game.
For that reason I can see O’Brien back to right back and Keane in if he’s ok.

 

[maccavennie]

If Grealish, Charly and Keane are back and there's no other injuries to report, we've suddenly then come out of 2 away games with a threadbare squad with 4pts. Plus we've seen Patterson contribute, Mcneil contribute and Dibling contribute where all 3 have played their point.

For talking sake, if the team was the same against Brentford as it was against Forest, the bench could look more like this -

Travers
Keane
Alcaraz
Beto
Grealish
Aznou
Graham
Campbell

That would look a little better wouldn't it. The Brentford, Wolves and Sunderland games are absolutely massive and it'll be all hands on decks. Everyone needed, everyone needs to contribute

 

[Eggs]

…..tough game this, Brentford’s form has picked up and they despatched Bournemouth with 4 goals recently. They are two points behind us with a game in hand, they also have superior goal difference.

I’d be concerned posters thinking this is as easy as Forest was difficult last night. I think they’ll carry threat and we probably need a couple of goals to get something.

Weakened team but let’s hope we carry a bit of momentum and can claim the 3 points. Difficult game.

 

[Curtis]

…..tough game this, Brentford’s form has picked up and they despatched Bournemouth with 4 goals recently. They are two points behind us with a game in hand, they also have superior goal difference.

I’d be concerned posters thinking this is as easy as Forest was difficult last night. I think they’ll carry threat and we probably need a couple of goals to get something.

Weakened team but let’s hope we carry a bit of momentum and can claim the 3 points. Difficult game.

Brentford's home form has been formidable, but their away has been atrocious only 2 wins this season so they're beatable even in our current state.

 

[Drico]

…..tough game this, Brentford’s form has picked up and they despatched Bournemouth with 4 goals recently. They are two points behind us with a game in hand, they also have superior goal difference.

I’d be concerned posters thinking this is as easy as Forest was difficult last night. I think they’ll carry threat and we probably need a couple of goals to get something.

Weakened team but let’s hope we carry a bit of momentum and can claim the 3 points. Difficult game.

It's a difficult game - just as last night's was. But one we must look to win unless our ambitions are merely to be mid-table. The next three go a long way to determining whether the springtime will be one of continuous hopeful progress or merely a period of consolidation. Four to six points and cup progression sets us up with meaning. And that's the best context for truly building a squad: giving them something to play for. In that sense, chasing Europe and cup glory is what we need to be doing. Otherwise, let's declare ourselves satisfied with 11th, safety, and irrelevance.

 

[Pabbers]

Really tough game, they are decent or CAN be decent, very much like us, on our day.

We get behind them and go at them early, like Forest at home, take the game away from them.

 

[Thomasc]

I’m going to predict a defeat for every game until the end of the season as it seems to be jinxing the opposition.

 

[Eggs]

It's a difficult game - just as last night's was. But one we must look to win unless our ambitions are merely to be mid-table. The next three go a long way to determining whether the springtime will be one of continuous hopeful progress or merely a period of consolidation. Four to six points and cup progression sets us up with meaning. And that's the best context for truly building a squad: giving them something to play for. In that sense, chasing Europe and cup glory is what we need to be doing. Otherwise, let's declare ourselves satisfied with 11th, safety, and irrelevance.

…I try to not look at fixture lists but I’m aware of the next two PL games and the real opportunity we have of cementing a place in the chasing pack.

The crowd could have a big part to play in this one.

 

[Pabbers]

…I try to not look at fixture lists but I’m aware of the next two PL games and the real opportunity we have of cementing a place in the chasing pack.

The crowd could have a big part to play in this one.

This, this is going to be a massive factor in many of our games imo.

 

[MikeH72]

Villa have just come off an 11 game winning streak that's taken in top PL opposition and a couple of tough CL games. It shouldn't be beyond us to knock off tripe like Forest, Brentford, Wolves and Sunderland...the latter three all at home.

But this is what Ilm talking about: expectation levels at Everton dumbed down for years and it'll continue apace too because the man who got the ball rolling on expectation management is back as manager again.

No, mate. 4 games is what we can win here - I for one am never going to dumb down my expectations of what's doable.

Except for this time last season when you told us to be happy with 17 points at this stage. “Look at the table” you kept saying, scoffing at anyone who thought we should do better. Tell me more about the dumbing down of expectations.

 

[Rob17896]

Full strength us we should put teams like this to the sword but we’re a long way off full strength.

Yes. Playing away makes a less expansive game more effective. More difficult to sit in at home if the opposition dont want to attack you as much.