Match Thread Everton 3-3 Manchester City Monday 4th May 20.00

[Drico]

How on earth could anyone think Moyes will go for anything other than the same XI against the possibly Champions elect? If he doesn’t take risks against lesser teams then there is no chance here. The pragmatist in me says they want the points more than we do.

"We" only want a point...

 

[Charles Hawtrey]

What did Moses say in the presser - anything?

 

[Bluepablo]

What did Moses say in the presser - anything?

From the BBC

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

Beto is back in training and available after going through the concussion protocol.
No other team news to report. Moyes said there are a few niggles and knocks but "everything is as we are" and "we will have to see where they are Monday night".

Moyes says Everton have heard back from the PGMOL after being denied a penalty at West Ham. "It is always rubbish you get back... it is never what you want to hear."

Reflecting on this season, Moyes believes Everton have had a "settled" run without much drama and he thinks they have laid good foundations during their first year at Hill Dickinson Stadium and they want to build on it.
On challenging for European football: "The players aren't used to it. But it's a better feeling than trying to avoid relegation. Hopefully we keep improving and challenge the best teams."

Moyes says this season, and the new stadium, will mean "not much" when it comes to transfer business this summer: "Players want to play in the Premier League but they also want to be involved in European football. We've been close this year, top end of the league. We struggled to attract players in the summer because they want European football."

On Manchester City's form: "It is not unexpected - Manchester City are capable of things like this." He said it will be tough "but we know if we can do something special it could help us greatly".

Moyes spoke of the difficulties Monday night games pose to him and the fans: "We need the TV companies' money. If you're good enough and get Europe you won't have them as much. I feel for the supporters, for the younger generation who are at school the next day, late nights and all that. We don't want to discourage that generation of fans."

 

[JelavicBrate2]

Same here, I would at least like to see the club making some representation for next season. Know the reason given is the number of clubs in Europe but cannot see Sky subscribers cancelling because there are some Mondays with no evening match.

Premier League and Everton don't care as long as fans attend. TBF to RS about 10 years ago their fans walked out, Liverpool conceded 2 goals and they went back on pricing policy. They are in my opinion gonna have to change, because once novelty goes of new ground, how many people are gonna be rushing to watch us playing leeds on a cold Monday night. Think they'll be loads of empty seats on Monday to be honest. If fans boycott or protest, they'll listen.

 

[TheBigIguana]

If there’s ever a game for Moyes to go cautious, it’s this one, considering how well City punish teams on the counter and switch play quickly. With this squad, there’s no sense going toe to toe with them, because every transition and every turnover would give City the chance to get at us and run into huge spaces against our slow and clumsy back line.

Same goes for experiments. If ever there was a game where we need Gana, it’s now. No point throwing Dibling, George or Röhl in there. Then when Gana’s legs go, bring on Iroegbunam. Or move O’Brien to centre-back, put Garner at full-back, and play Iroegbunam alongside Gana in midfield. Young players need to be integrated, but this is completely the wrong game for it.

Ideally it would be the game to go cautious but now you can’t because you blew the opportunities to get the points the last three weeks.

 

[RomanReigns]

Shame grealish is ineligible for this one

Huge loss

 

[rigg]

I'd like to congratulate Patterson, Aznou, Rohl, Iroegbunam, Alcarez, Dibling and George on their inevitable starts in an open and attacking formation on Monday.

And I'm particularly looking forward to the manager's interviews afterward about how "well that didn't work did it"

 

[daza_1973]

Think we checked out after the Chelsea game. Manager and players seem to think that win was enough for the season.
After watching palace, villa and forest mid week not pushing on for the very winnable lower euro comps is disgraceful for a trophy starved club like ours.
2-0 city

 

[Kurt.]

8-0 city

 

[Andy McGurk]

Moyes says this season, and the new stadium, will mean "not much" when it comes to transfer business this summer: "Players want to play in the Premier League but they also want to be involved in European football. We've been close this year, top end of the league. We struggled to attract players in the summer because they want European football."

Maybe....and this is wild suggestion.... but maybe, push for wins against poorer teams to get European football?

Tbf, I'm using a similar excuse to avoid a bbq tomorrow.

"I'll need to drive over, do some shopping for food then get home for my dogs as I'm the only one home this weekend"

Means

"I want to keep my money and can't be bothered being around people"

""I

 

[Blue Alert]

It’s a shame we haven’t got a much better squad, full of fit, in-form, world-class players available for this one. Would’ve made a difference.

 

[anton66]

If Beto doesn’t start it’s going to be 10 v 11 because you know who Moyes will put upfront.

 

[Scally1878]

Always just feels like City is just a write off game, don't even feel anything or bothered when we concede against them or anything, just a boring affair all round really.

 

[Rehnman]

Think we checked out after the Chelsea game. Manager and players seem to think that win was enough for the season.
After watching palace, villa and forest mid week not pushing on for the very winnable lower euro comps is disgraceful for a trophy starved club like ours.
2-0 city

To be honest, I don’t think it was that, it was two games later - we were doing great till the 87th minute of the Derby… when Branth went off. From being on a run of what was about to be only one loss in six at that point, we haven’t got a point since and have conceded just over every half hour. With the ping of a hamstring, Europe receded!

 

[welshtoffee]

I hate Monday night games, especially City who will probably steamroll us without getting out of 1st gear.