Swansea City v Everton. 22nd Dec @ 16.00.

[dannyboy]

I'd rather we don't put the pressure on ourselves. Forget about how the team's around us are doing, just take each game at a time.

We're still only 17 games into the season, it's not a must win by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[Brownie]

You'd have to say it's a must win really.

 

[dannyboy]

You'd have to say it's a must win really.

It's not. Lose this and win the next five and then who cares that we dropped points against Swansea.

It's your form that defines the season, not one off games in isolation.

 

[Azzurri]

With Liverpool having won, we need to win this to remain within striking distance.

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Oviedo
McCarthy Barry
Mirallas Barkley Pienaar
Lukaku

Robles, Stones, Alcaraz, Heitinga, Osman, Naismith, Jelavic

Injured: Baines, Gibson, Deulofeu, Kone
​

Injuries are starting to stretch us, but our first XI is still quality.

​

Difference is when injuries stretched us in the past we had the likes of Magaye Gueye starting who's nowhere near the bench now.

 

[dannyboy]

Difference is when injuries stretched us in the past we had the likes of Magaye Gueye starting who's nowhere near the bench now.

Let's be honest, one more injury to our forward/flair players and we're buggered.

 

[toffeejack]

It's not. Lose this and win the next five and then who cares that we dropped points against Swansea.

It's your form that defines the season, not one off games in isolation.

is right mate. only with 5/6 games to go do games really become must win. unless you're in dire straight at the bottom of the league. a draw would still see us 5th and still only 5pts off top, not exactly must win.

 

[dannyboy]

is right mate. only with 5/6 games to go do games really become must win. unless you're in dire straight at the bottom of the league. a draw would still see us 5th and still only 5pts off top, not exactly must win.

Exactly, Swansea's a difficult place to go. A draw is definitely not the worst result in the world, especially if we go onto win the two home games.

 

[Eggs]

Exactly, Swansea's a difficult place to go. A draw is definitely not the worst result in the world, especially if we go onto win the two home games.

.......Sin Miedo.

 

[Azzurri]

Let's be honest, one more injury to our forward/flair players and we're buggered.

Not necessarily. Be a huge blow obviously but Naismith and Osman aren't horrifically bad (never thought I'd say that about Naismith). We could throw either of them wide or push Oviedo further on when Baines is fit.

Not ideal, obviously, but a lot better than Gueye or McAleney which it probably would have been a couple of years ago (sorry Conor).

 

[dannyboy]

Not necessarily. Be a huge blow obviously but Naismith and Osman aren't horrifically bad (never thought I'd say that about Naismith). We could throw either of them wide or push Oviedo further on when Baines is fit.

Not ideal, obviously, but a lot better than Gueye or McAleney which it probably would have been a couple of years ago (sorry Conor).

I don't mind Naismith, but him or Ovideo playing left mid really isn't the making of a team getting into the top 4 spot.

The squad still desperately needs investment in January, we're deluding ourselves if we think otherwise.

 

[Blues Harp]

The attitude of the players when Fulham equalised last week impressed me - we played counter attacking football and there was always a belief in the team that we would win eventually although the final score flattered us somewhat. Take that attitude into the game tomorrow and we should get something out of it..hopefully Roberto is breeding a winning mentality into the side - no bad thing as winning breeds confidence.. hoping for a win as my expectations are now higher, but a draw wouldn't be the worst result ever...Ross is due a goal, also Romelu so I'm going for 2-0

 

[Eggs]

.........Barkley pen, both due. Only doubt, I wonder whether he might play Osman away from home.

 

[Big Doug]

We have been very unlucky with injuries this season its rare to get a season lay off injury yet we have had 2 in 17 games abd another 2 keeping key players out for 4-8 weeks martinez needs to get through to January and bring in a quality money CM signing, a winger on loan until del gets fit and a replacement for jelavic

 

[Azzurri]

I don't mind Naismith, but him or Ovideo playing left mid really isn't the making of a team getting into the top 4 spot.

The squad still desperately needs investment in January, we're deluding ourselves if we think otherwise.

It isn't, but that's not the starting 11 is it? That's the team with LOTS of injuries. Who would Liverpool have there if they had so many players injured? Probably Aspas who is even worse.

We do need to spend in January, though, I agree.

 

[pablo315]

Exactly, Swansea's a difficult place to go. A draw is definitely not the worst result in the world, especially if we go onto win the two home games.

Totally agree, would never call this must win. However the game and the whole Xmas period presents a massive opportunity. Close to within 2 points of the RS and you have fancy us strongly to get ahead of them by New Year. They will get no more than a point from there next 2 games and all of ours are very winnable. However I take your point, there is still plenty of opportunities after tomorrow, not least the 28th January!