Everton v Wigan, 11 Aug [R]

[patfan1]

The season starts in 3 days ... and it's dead quiet about this game on Saturday!

Damn, I can't wait!

COYB!

[batch]

Reckon we'll line up as so -

Kirkland
Melchiot Boyce Bramble Kilbane
Valencia Scharner Landzaat
Koumas
Aghdododo The Hesk

With Koumas dropping into midfield to make it a 4-4-2 when not in position of the bag of wind.

Would prefer to see Granqvist instead of Bramble and Melchiot at left back, but that doesnt look like happening. Got a decent record there but a draw would be a good start this time around.

Was going to go but decided against it after paying £30 to see only half of the pitch in the previous two seasons.

[spider_kin]

wow. time went fast!!! woot! COYB i just hope my internet is back up by then!

[IU34]

I kinda hope Faddy gets the start.

I'm also hoping our CM's aren't Neville and Carlsey. Oh Lord....

[HogDaddy]

My lineup prediction, for what it's worth.

Howard
Jagielka - Yobo - Lescott - Valente
Neville
Pienaar Osman
Arteta
Johnson - Anichebe

Bench - Turner, Stubbs, Carsley, Anderson, McFadden

I'm predicting Osman starting in midfield, but I'd rather see Anderson or even VDM. Let's see if VDM has anything left or not. And I'd like to see Jutkiewicz get some minutes, but it may be too early for that.

We'll see how I did come Saturday.

I'll be tracking this one thru ESPN's site and looking for updates on Big Soccer from anyone who can watch on TV.

COYB!

[IU34]

Don't see Pienaar playing to be honest since he just got his visa and hasn't played in any preseason games (despite the closed game against Ventura County).

[HogDaddy]

Don't see Pienaar playing to be honest since he just got his visa and hasn't played in any preseason games (despite the closed game against Ventura County).

I'm less certain of the midfield selections than defense and attack. I thought those choices were pretty apparent. There are a lot of ways to go in the midfield. It is a bit of wishful thinking on my part. I'm wanting to see more creative type players on the field, so Pienaar was my best choice for that role. We shall see on Saturday.

What are your thoughts on the starting 11, IU34?

[belhavenback]

so what's the word on Baines? i assumed he would jump right in the lineup but what's his injury status?

[batch]

so what's the word on Baines? i assumed he would jump right in the lineup but what's his injury status?

Wont be fit. Only played 45 mins for us in pre-season. Came back from the European Under 21's with a thigh muscle problem that troubled him for much of last season then was laid low for a couple of weeks with a virus. He's done little to no pre-season training so far.

[njligernj]

so what's the word on Baines? i assumed he would jump right in the lineup but what's his injury status?

My guess is that the "injury" is really a "don't play him against us" deal similar to the agreement with ManU over Howard. Only, because people raised their eyebrows over that deal, we've smartened up and will blame it on an injury. So he won't play because of "injury" and I'd wager he'll be fit again for the next game.

[TX Bill]

I see it going this way:

....................Howard.................

Jags.......Yobo......Lescott....Valente

Neville......Arteta....Carsley.....Osman

...........AJ............Anichebe............

Subs:

Turner, Stubbs, Hibbert, McFadden, VDM

Unfortunately, a bit of a defensive lineup (not unlike what they threw out against RSL in midfield) but it's obvious with Cahill out, we need one more attacking type midfielder. I don't think VDM will get the nod and McFadden is a striker so other than Osman and Arteta, I guess Da Silva. Perhaps he'll be on the bench as opposed to VDM based on preseason.

The sooner Pienaar is available for selection, the better.

[IU34]

I agree with TBill's lineup, just switch Neville and Arteta around and I think Moyes will throw this squad out. This team should beat Wigan, but geez, not sure they could win (or tie) at WHL.

[TX Bill]

I will say that this midfield is the exact same midfield that we had against RSL and preseason or not, we lacked imagination and flair in the center of the park. That's why I moved Arteta in and Neville out. Arteta would lend a bit more creativity and danger and would see the ball a lot more as well.

But I'm guessing Davie will stick with what he knows.

[TX Bill]

Looks like Pienaar is available for the match:

http://www.evertonfc.com/news/archive/pienaar-available.html

[canadianscraggledog]

Looks like the most likely starting 11 that TX Bill posted. Pienaar probably won't start but might come in as a sub. He hasn't had much time to gel with the team.
Stubbs on the bench is interesting. I can see him starting in CB and Lescott as a LB and Valente on the bench, but we'll see.

[IU34]

Looks like the most likely starting 11 that TX Bill posted. Pienaar probably won't start but might come in as a sub. He hasn't had much time to gel with the team.
Stubbs on the bench is interesting. I can see him starting in CB and Lescott as a LB and Valente on the bench, but we'll see.

A few reports say this will be the case. It will be TX Bill's lineup with Stubbs in over Valente. Faddy is injured, so the bench will probably consist of Pienaar, VdM, Valente, and perhaps de Silva.

[mischaDCU]

Didn't know how to edit the other thread title to include the [R], so started a new one...

Soccernet has the lineup as:

24 Tim Howard (G)
2 Tony Hibbert (D)
5 Joleon Lescott (D)
18 Phil Neville (D)
15 Alan Stubbs (D)
4 Joseph Yobo (D)
6 Mikel Arteta (M)
26 Lee Carsley (M)
21 Leon Osman (M)
28 Victor Anichebe (S)
8 Andrew Johnson (S)

Subs:

30 John Ruddy (G)
19 Jorge Nuno Valente (D)
16 Phil Jagielka (M)
20 Steven Pienaar (M)
7 Andy Van der Meyde

Anyone have audiocast link?

[mischaDCU]

This lineup seems pretty conservative, but Davey is going with what he knows, I suppose. Surprised about Valente on the bench and no Faddy anywhere. Is he hurt?

We don't have much offensive firepower on the bench -- I hope we don't go down a goal...

[elementbr10]

25 mins: Headed goal by Leon Osman (Everton) (high centre of goal) from left side of penalty area (12 yards).Everton 1-0 Wigan. Assist (cross) by Tony Hibbert (Everton) from right wing.

[spider_kin]

i finally get internet back on at home (some one had unplugged a wire somewhere in the building) and there's not video link :( boo!