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Steve0
Player Valuation: £35m
It's not a must win but it is a should win, they've got a lot of injuries and their two most impressive performances came against Newcastle with a flattering scoreline and a Suarezless (i.e incredibly average) Liverpool team.
Other than that all their points have been against lower half teams, mostly lower third teams. We've got their number, espcially if Michu fails his fitness test.
Other than that all their points have been against lower half teams, mostly lower third teams. We've got their number, espcially if Michu fails his fitness test.
Great preview Chico, favourite one so far mate. Can't wait for tomorrow, 3-0 or 3-1 to the boys in blue to kick off the festive period in a bit of style. Bobby will have the lads well up for this, focused and ready to give them a footballing lesson. Lukaku and Barkley to be in amongst the goals. COYB!!!
Snoka
Player Valuation: £750k
Sorry all. I can not participate in the optimistic belief that we will win tomorrow. I'm fairly satisfied if we grab 1 point. But if we win... Yabba dabba doooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo................................... It will be free drinks on my acount on my local pub.
Mr. F
Player Valuation: £500k
For Everton this match is an opportunity to show how far we have come.
Usually, the teams that are top 4 on the table after 19 rounds finish in top 4.
Given a few of the teams currently above on the table are facing each other there's every chance we will be in there.
Whilst Champions League is a long term goal, we can already see that the team that is currently working towards that goal is one that is capable of reaching it.
Performances against the 'big' teams is one part of what it takes. Being able to win big like against Fulham and Stoke is another. Beating teams like Newcastle, Swansea and Southampton, teams just behind us, is another important piece.
Even if Everton finish outside of Champions League places, which is still likely, we are doing all the right things and Martinez has already shown that his team has what it takes to challenge given time.
Beat Swansea, and then Southampton, and we are genuinely good enough for top 4 now.
Usually, the teams that are top 4 on the table after 19 rounds finish in top 4.
Given a few of the teams currently above on the table are facing each other there's every chance we will be in there.
Whilst Champions League is a long term goal, we can already see that the team that is currently working towards that goal is one that is capable of reaching it.
Performances against the 'big' teams is one part of what it takes. Being able to win big like against Fulham and Stoke is another. Beating teams like Newcastle, Swansea and Southampton, teams just behind us, is another important piece.
Even if Everton finish outside of Champions League places, which is still likely, we are doing all the right things and Martinez has already shown that his team has what it takes to challenge given time.
Beat Swansea, and then Southampton, and we are genuinely good enough for top 4 now.
WarwickHunt
Player Valuation: £950k
I don't believe in games that are must-win or considered easy. There's no such thing at this level of football, one game at a time is the right attitude but you also need to have an eye on the next 2-3 fixtures as they're coming up thick and fast so rotation is a must.
I think Swansea will see this as a game they want to win as they're at home and Michael Laudrup wouldn't want anything less. I think they will play open attacking football which could put us under pressure at times so we have to go about our game and as long as they don't have the ball that's a good thing. I feel there'll be slow build up play on our part which I think is needed to win this game.
Rest Mirallas for Thursday and start Naismith. Keep everything else as is. Maybe give Barkley 45 minutes or so but not a full game.
I think Swansea will see this as a game they want to win as they're at home and Michael Laudrup wouldn't want anything less. I think they will play open attacking football which could put us under pressure at times so we have to go about our game and as long as they don't have the ball that's a good thing. I feel there'll be slow build up play on our part which I think is needed to win this game.
Rest Mirallas for Thursday and start Naismith. Keep everything else as is. Maybe give Barkley 45 minutes or so but not a full game.
If Mirallas is injured you'd just play Osman behind Lukaku, with Barkley and Pienaar either side of him. We don't really play 'wingers' under Martinez, Coleman and Oviedo are getting on the overlap and we have three attacking players behind Lukaku.
If we lose Lukaku, stick Kev up top with Ross, Osman, and Pienaar behind.
Blues Harp
Player Valuation: £60m
Very good points - we are enjoying being Evertonians again ..taking each game as it comes..
deipnosophist
Player Valuation: £80m
Wonderful League this year. The psychology has changed again with the results to date of the weekend (and although we all THOUGHT Liverpool, Man U and City would win), the fact that they HAVE, has placed added pressure on us. At the top end of sport, the 'top two inches', the mentalism, the psychology, is all that separates the winners and the also rans.
How will Everton react to the MENTAL pressure?
Defining
How will Everton react to the MENTAL pressure?
Defining
deipnosophist
Player Valuation: £80m
...and Newcastle's away 3-0 win at Palace places them seriously in the mix...what a competition! (Recall we drew [luckily] 0-0 at Selhurst)
deipnosophist
Player Valuation: £80m
...and David Silva should be in Hollywood...hate him now
Blues Harp
Player Valuation: £60m
Think Roberto has instilled an attitude in the team which was not there under Moyes - a belief that they are the footballers we know they are - you are right about the mental side but so far I think he has been spot on ..enjoying a different kind of Prem season so far - perhaps it will not happen this year but progress has been made .. we appear to have no fear ...At Last !!
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