Everton : Blackburn 25.08.07 [R]

[The Old Lady Hertha]

Before the match, a moments silence for Everton fan Rhys Jones, an 11 year old boy who was shot deal senselessly a few days ago. RIP.

Everton will not have Manuel Fernandes and Yakubu available for this match. Andrew Johnson maybe a doubt.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

Well when you put it like that, a 0-0 draw doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world. However, we will be looking to pick up the three points. I'm pretty sure Johnson is good to start and I feel he'll be a big part in us going about doing that.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Pienaar getting a start here, and I also wouldn't be surprised to see Neville and Carsley occupy the middle. It's a little early for a starting eleven prediction but I'll go with...

- - - - - - - - Howard - - - - - - - - - -

Hibbert - - Lescott - - - Stubbs - - Baines

Pienaar - - Neville - - Carsley - - Arteta
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Osman _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Johnson_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Hmm, I'm not sure at all. Is Vic fit? Jagielka might play right back but Moyes won't want Baines and Hibbert on the bench. I don't think Yobo will be fit in time.

Could get many opinions on this one.

[sarabella]

3 points. We gotta.

[Tony Dellbird]

3 points. We gotta.

I hope so!

[IU34]

Well when you put it like that, a 0-0 draw doesn't sound like the worst thing in the world. However, we will be looking to pick up the three points. I'm pretty sure Johnson is good to start and I feel he'll be a big part in us going about doing that.

Wouldn't be surprised to see Pienaar getting a start here, and I also wouldn't be surprised to see Neville and Carsley occupy the middle. It's a little early for a starting eleven prediction but I'll go with...

- - - - - - - - Howard - - - - - - - - - -

Hibbert - - Lescott - - - Stubbs - - Baines

Pienaar - - Neville - - Carsley - - Arteta
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ Osman _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _Johnson_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Hmm, I'm not sure at all. Is Vic fit? Jagielka might play right back but Moyes won't want Baines and Hibbert on the bench. I don't think Yobo will be fit in time.

Could get many opinions on this one.


I like this lineup, although I wouldn't be surprised if McFadden got a start up top. Rip Rhys.

[Revelian]

I just wanted to pop in and pay tribute to one of your own - Rhys.

It's a sick world we live in, and I hope this was only a one-off.

Back to the football, may the best team win.

Revelian

[Tony Dellbird]

It's just beyond belief how an 11 year old boy could ever do anything to warrant being shot.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

He didn't, he was shot randomly by a boy riding his bike....

[Tony Dellbird]

He didn't, he was shot randomly by a boy riding his bike....

I know but there must have been some motive behind it. You don't ride by on a bmx and start shooting for no reason at all.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

I didn't bother posting rumours of Lescott being dropped because I didn't think they'd be true, but they are....

Leighton Baines will make his Everton debut against Blackburn.

The left back signed from Wigan takes his place in the Toffees' defence after recovering from a hamstring strain.

He is joined at the back by Alan Stubbs, Joseph Yobo and Tony Hibbert, with Joleon Lescott on the bench.

In midfield it's the experienced duo of Lee Carsley and Phil Neville, with Mikel Arteta and Leon Osman handed the creative duties from the wide areas.

Up front James McFadden comes into partner Andrew Johnson.

Victor Anichebe drops to the bench along with Lescott, while new signings Stefan Wessels, Phil Jagielka and Steven Pienaar make up the substitutes
Howard
Hibbert Yobo Stubbs Baines
Arteta Neville Carsley Osman
Johnson McFadden

Wessels, Lescott, Jagielka, Pienaar, Anichebe.

Here's the original rumour from NSNO forums, I can only guess it's because he was horribly out of position for the Reading goal. Bit harsh to blame the result on him though. (Don't try and tell me it was Hibberts fault, I've seen and heard a lot of people scapegoating him and Stubbs for the goal).

My mate who works at bellfield had just told me that lescott has been dropped, for tomorrows game!

Baines plays, so does stubbs and yobo...no word on hibbert!

Apparantley the players know the team from the way they line up for training today.....When lescott
was leaving training befor my mate asked what was up and he replied 'ive been dropped....and he hasnt even told me why'!

edit: Game is being streamed on StarSports on Sopcast (channel 6029 on Sopcast)

[spider_kin]

is timmy h wearing the capn's armband or are they all wearing a black band in memory/honor of rhys

[spider_kin]

some blackburn player is a real hack (after me seeing one challenge :p) so i don't like him at all.

who dat in goal for bb?

everton is spending a lot of time in their attacking 1/2, even 3rd!

uh oh AJ needs to simmer down just a tiny touch.a bit over zealous on that tackle.

[IU34]

That's what happenings when Lescott doesn't start. 0-1.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

But we went 1-0 down last week and Lescott was there....

Howard should've saved it. 1-0 to Blackburn.

[spider_kin]

0-1 :(

wtf is up with phil neville? he needs to simmer down a BOATLOAD.
hmph

if they make me get a ticket to england just to slap them im going to be mighty mad :p

[IU34]

We are getting completely outplayed. Neville is shite.

[spider_kin]

way too much bb attacking at this point. baines had a great last second clearance. just now.

[JERMAIN*DEFOE]

We were the better side before the goal, but have been nowhere since. We're just booting it forward everytime, nobody is trying to get on the ball.

[IU34]

Hibbert is really horrible. His touch is ridiculous....

[patfan1]

We were the better side before the goal, but have been nowhere since. We're just booting it forward everytime, nobody is trying to get on the ball.
Exactly. First 15 we looked great, and since then Howard's had to be on his game, as they've gotten about 5-6 shots on goal that he's saved. Plus Baines making a save. No real service up top in the last two, other than the one that AJ got a corner on.

38th minute ... not good.

We're just booting long balls.