Match Day Thread Everton vs SAINTS - 4/4/15 - 15.00 K.O

Another League game, and another match thread for me. Lets hope this good run can continue - it is Saturday 3 o'clock after all.

We travel to Goodison Park on the back of a win last time out against Burnley at St Marys. That itself followed a very satisfying 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge, and a crucial home win to Crystal Palace - so it is 7 points out of our last 9 for Saints.

The Burnley game was one we were predicted to win, but we had to see off a spirited side in the first half. Long's goal was vital and the second we got fairly early on in the second half, enabled us to comfortably see the game out. I do though think Burnley stand a decent shot of surviving this season.

Long deserves to keep his place in the side I feel, and will be further buoyed after coming on to grab a late equaliser for Ireland last night against Poland. Graziano is lacking in confidence, but showed better control and hold up play in the second half vs Burnley, after enduring a pretty torid first half. Who knows, maybe he may regain some confidence by getting some minutes and scoring against England tomorrow night.

Anyway, Saturday's opponents Everton earned their first back to back victories in the league since October by beating QPR before the international break. By their standards, it has been a poor season for the Toffees, but they did do rather well in the Europa League, reaching the QFs.
They still have a dangerous group of players: Mirallas, Lukaku, Barkley, although their defence can maybe be got at.

Last six games (League):

Everton (13th) - LDLLWW

Saints (6th) - DLLWDW

Referee: Lee Mason

Team News:

Everton: Lukaku is nursing a hamstring problem and could miss out, along with Gibson, and Kone may return.

Saints: Forster is out for the season after his knee injury against Burnley. Rodriguez is still not ready for a return, and Steven Davis came off for Northern Ireland with a groin injury against Finland. It is not known how serious though. Other international players return this week, so hopefully no other knocks.

My Saints XI:


-----------------------Davis-----------------------

-----Clyne-- Fonte---Alderweireld-----Bertrand-------

---------Davis----Schneiderlin----Wanyama-------

---------------Mane-----Pelle-----Long-----------------

Prediction: Everton 0-1 Saints

 

I didn't know it was Wednesday..? Crikey, how the week flies..!

 

I was perusing the Liverpool forum and they've had a match thread for their game at Arsenal up for over a week already!

 

I'm off to this, really looking forward to it.

 

To while away the long days between now and Saturday we could have a sweepstake predicting how many more times Tom will remind us he has a ticket!

 

Well, with International week and no weekend game for us to continue talking about, I thought it was worth getting a thread up early.

 

OK, I'm sold.

 

It's for FLT's benefit.

 

I know, I was gently winding him up, but he hasn't noticed yet!

 

This is probably a match that will suit us. Everton like to take possession of he ball, but they are not so incisive and direct going forward. I think our defence can cope with them. And we will have a lot of space in the attack which Mane, Long and Tadić can exploit.

 

I think I might start a thread titled: "My trip to Goodison". What do you think?

 

I do agree with this but I think the same could be said the other way round. Not many out of the 19 teams to play there this year will go to Goodison and attack, so you could argue we might play into their hands as well? Should be a good game. I'd like to see us frustate them & crowd for the first 20 and try to dictate possession, I think we can win this, their defence is a bit dodgy and ours is brilliant.

 

This is the team I would field

Davis
Clyne - Fonte - Alderweireld - Bertrand
Schneiderlin - Wanyama
Mane - Davis - Tadić
Long
​

It's such a shame that Forster's missing. When I look at this back six, it gives me huge confidence. Who could penetrate that wall? I'm going for 2-0 Saints win.

 

This game is crucial. man utd have three tough games after the one against villa this weekend (city, chelsea and everton (away). If we can win we stay in touch and can close the gap. Also with the goalkeeper issue i think if we go a goal down the doubt might creep in.

 

Ban the toad!

 

15:00 Everton v Southampton Referee:- Lee Mason Assistants:- A Halliday & L Betts : 4th Official = N Swarbrick

 

Looking forward to this one, seems like ages since the Burnley game and i reckon we can win. 2-0 saints, shane at the double.

 

Glad to see my moderating skills are as finely-tuned as ever. I just love bringing people together!

 

I loved Z Cars, best police show ever.