Pre-Everton ramble …

… before that RTB fella posts his little thing.

For some reason Everton always seems to act up when they come to the SOL so it’ll be interesting to see how many show up and how they behave. There always seems to be aggravating Scousers around the coaches and away entrance. This is an awkward trip so I’m not even sure they’ll sell out.

Their form actually stinks in my opinion although they seem to be escaping criticism because of how poorly the three bottom teams and Fulham have been. Since they lost to Leeds in mid-August, which was totally deserved, they’ve won one game. They only scored twice in October one of which was a penalty. Without Pickford, who’ll get a good reception, they’d be really struggling imo.

They look like they’ve gone stale to me and won’t be relishing a trip to Sunderland. Their supporters seem to see us as beneath them and won’t be excited to make the trip. Moyes to me, seems as fixated as any manager, with his style of football which seems the same as the last time they came.

It’ll be interesting to see what RLB does. Despite calls for Alderete, Reinildo, Ballard and Mukiele I think he’ll keep faith with Hume who played a lot of football in the Chelsea half. Hume hasn’t merited being replaced so I think Alderete will have to accept a place on the bench. It’s becoming a fight for the shirt if you lose your place.

Despite their contributions at Chelsea none of Geertruida, Traore, Rigg, Brobbey, Talbi, etc can expect starts …

… Moyes won’t have a clue how we’ll set up and neither will we

All mad stuff these days, it’s ’turn up and see what Reggie did this time’.

 

Everton have sold out, as expected. It should be a good atmosphere with Pickford getting a cracking reception on his SoL return

 

I can’t bloody wait! I absolutely love night games - the SOL will be bouncing! Just been looking at the other weekend fixtures and there’s some intriguing games. Teams below us playing each other (Fulham v Wolves, Palace v Brentford) so someone will be dropping points and other teams around us are playing each other (Man city v Bournemouth, Spurs v Chelsea) so hopefully a few draws as well. Can’t even imagine who Regis will pick for the starting 11?? I’d like to see Mayenda get a start possibly on the right wing

 

Yes, just did the same thing and looked at the other games concerning our relegation rivals. I know you’re not supposed to say this but, in my opinion, Sunderland have what I’d say was the ‘easiest’ game. we’re a team in form playing opponents who’s form is very poor.

Fulham need to beat Wolves but I don’t believe they will and that would really set the alarm bells off, same goes for West Ham who can’t afford to lose at home to Newcastle and Forest with Man Utd.

The trouble with this great start is that I’m torn between wanting teams around us to beat the bottom teams and hoping they’ll lose so we stay top six.

I reckon Monday will be the most confident we've been all season …

… and I don’t care how that sounds to the lucky underpants brigade

 

Same, Might even treat meself to a nice hotdog seeing as we’ll save time walking over the new bridge (work, so there’s no pints for me on Monday)

 

I had a pair of lucky underpants during the 6 in a row years - never washed them! Used to keep them in the garden - the smell kept the foxes away

 

Going to be an annoying weekend without a Sunderland game, just isn't right.
Fascinating how we don't know what team Reggie will play even though he only makes one or tweaks, not one of those managers who changes the team wholescale.

 

Hopefully a cracking night

 

It's a tactician's delight isn't it ...

... not that I'm one, I watch the game as a fan then look at the tactics the following day.

He can make one significant team change that totally changes the way we play, as he did at Chelsea.

Moyes won't have a clue what Reggie is planning and that gives us a slight edge in my opinion.

 

I have always had decent rapport with Everton fans , but the Toffies have always been a sticky problem . KLD has transformed us, and we now have some team at our disposal, so keep Jack quiet , no easy task, and it should be 3 more precious points in the bag . HTL.

 

I think he'd be a bigger problem in an away match tbh.

I know he's a professional player but I don't think he'll particularly fancy a squally Wearside night ...

... a few early 'firm but fair' tackles wouldn't hurt, well they would but you know what I mean.

 

A newly promoted team with international class game changers on the bench. Gtfi.
HTL
KTF

 

The return of David Moyes.
I call on all of those attending to give him hassle as soon as he steps off the bus

please log in to view this image

 

I see this game as Regis v Misery Guts.....hope Reg can outfox him and continue our cracking start.

 

Has Pickford played against us before?

 

"Dan Ballard about Sunderland’s flying start, what he owes Arsenal and his degree in trading"

“When the goal went in, it was crazy, I was just in disbelief. I don’t think there will ever be scenes like that again; it was the loudest. It was just pure emotion coming out,” he said."​

please log in to view this image

https://observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...hat-he-owes-arsenal-and-his-degree-in-trading

 

I don’t think he has tbh

 

My only whinge is that we’ve played a back 5 that’s picked up a very good result and you can’t really change an Xl that’s just beat Chelsea, but I don’t want to be playing that formation week in week out so let’s see what he goes with.

Grealish v Hume will be interesting. Hume will be carded 100%.

 

I see Everton are favourites to win the game

That’s fine, just keep underestimating us

 

Happy with that, let’s keep proving people wrong