I'm not sure Ramirez will be a particularly prolific this season. He's not a Fellaini type who powers into the box to monster headers. He'll get a few though and a hatful of assists.
Semi-Saints related news. Adam Lallana's partner has given birth to their first child, Arthur Lallana.
Gazzaniga Clyne Fonte Yoshida Richardson Schneiderlin Davis Ramirez Puncheon Lambert Lallana Subs: Davis, Fox, Hooiveld, JWP, Mayuka, Guly, Rodriguez. I'd do a 4-2-1-3. Tempted to do a 4-3-3, swap Puncheon with JWP and put Ramirez on the wing in order to stop Fellani dictating the game, but I think we need to have Ramirez in the number 10 role to really go at them. Attack is the best form of defence. Would swap the full backs around because Richardson would be able to play out of position better because he has more experience and a good left foot for crossing. 2-1 Everton. Lallana to open the scoring just after HT and Everton to hit back straight away with Jagielka and get one near the end through Mirallas and hold on.
Attack is our best form of defence and we should really kick on after the win against villa. Obviously we shouldn't be naive as they look good this year but we are more than capable of winning the game. On a side note anyone know how many tickets we've sold??
Everton v Southampton (3pm) Referee: L Probert Assistants: R Ganfield, M McDonagh Fourth Official: R East
I'm not expecting him to be terribly prolific either. But I am envisioning us being down 2-0 with 10 or 15 minutes remaining, and the team resorting to shooting from distance against a crowded defense. And as Ramirez can put his foot through a ball, and would seem like one of the most likely candidates to find himself 20-30 yards away, with space enough to maneuver for a shot, I went for him.
Lawro the football experts prediction [h=2]Everton v Southampton[/h]Southampton deserved their first win of the season against Aston Villa last weekend and picking up their first three points is extremely important for them, but going to Goodison Park is a different proposition altogether. [h=2]Capital One Cup... or Champions League?[/h]Everton boss David Moyes messed about with his team for their Carling Cup defeat by Leeds on Tuesday and got a bit of stick from fans for it. I know why - the supporters want a trophy - but would they prefer a serious bid to making the top four and Champions League? That's what Everton can aim for this season, and Moyes obviously felt the time was right to take a look at some of his fringe players, because they are going to have to feature at some point. In fact, I don't see Saints picking up very many points away from home full stop. They look very vulnerable when teams go at them, and Villa didn't really offer much of a challenge in that respect. In the Championship, Nigel Adkins and his side probably felt they could go away and win at most places but I think they will learn very quickly that things are different in the top flight, especially when they travel to places like Goodison where they have to play the crowd as well as the team. The Everton fans were singing 'we're going to win the league' during their impressive win at Swansea last week. I think they are getting carried away a bit there, but they have made such a strong start and don't forget they should really have beaten Newcastle which would mean they would have even more points. You get the feeling they are going to have a really good season, although that might depend on how many injuries they get. Prediction: 2-0
Not sure he dislikes us. He doesn't actually want us to lose, but not sure we can. I also think it's the home games we must win as we are weaker defensively than when we go forward. The difference between us and Lawro is that we all recognise our potential to improve once the team gels, whereas to him we are unproven.
Can't see anything too offensive in lawro's piece. It's his opinion and right now a fair one. I believe we'll get more from away games than he thinks, but that's football.
Just seen interview with Boruc on Player. Says his first few days at Saints have been tough because he's been out of football for a while apart from sessions at QPR and Everton, so not match fit yet. Hopes to get some games and try and get back into Polish national team. He has been here for 2 victories so hopes he is lucky for us. Sounds like Gazza will get another chance at Everton to stake a claim for number 1 keeper.
