OK. Here we go! Two days to our next match. We played up to Man U's game, let's hope we continue playing at that level. As many have mentioned, Felli is coming into an amazing player, especially now he is in the attacking mid, not defending mid. Jags and Distin had some great great defense going on, reading each other and the game well. Baines and Peanut are in tandem as we have always loved and well... Everyone else seems to be infected with the bouyancy that 3 signings can do to a team - 3 signings EARLY in the transfer window as well (for us, 2 weeks before deadline day is like first day of the window for other teams ) I'm cautiously optimistic about this game. Hope I can catch it online, I am loving being on the West Coast so far, but this time thing is gonna suck - especially for the Noon kick-offs (GMT). 4am wake up calls are never fun. What do you all think going into this game?
We don't have the best of records against Villa recently. Plenty of draws or narrow losses, especially at Villa Park. Villa will be up for it, despite their opening day loss against West Ham. The first home game for Paul Lambert, fans will create a decent atmosphere in the hope the players respond to it. With regards to a line-up, I don't see there being many changes, if any, to the team that beat United. Moyes has a tendency to ease in new signings unless forced to start them through injuries to other first teamers so I can't see either of Naismith or Mirallas starting the game. We'll have a lot of momentum from the last game, we're capable of mixing it up, intricate, forward flowing football with the likes of Fellaini, Pienaar, Osman and Jelavic or long balls to Fellaini's steel chest. If I was to predict anything now, I'd say score draw.
I would say we you have to keep the same stating 11. I would love to see Mirallas but I am not sure where he will be playing. I don't think Osman should be on the bench after his performance down the stretch and what he turned in against Man United. I would say take Fellaini and move him back into the center of the park with Gibson. Play Osman at the OMC/2nd forward and Mirallas out wide or flip flop those two. I am still looking for 1-2 more players in during the window yet.
That's a fallback at least, though 8am breakfast & a match (from a link somewhere) sounds much more attractive! If I'm a good boy, I'll have been up for a while already and run and done some chores first - then I can watch the game with a clear(er) conscience.....
I have a golf outing so I am trying to decide if I follow it on my phone (text updates) or try and watch it in the afternoon. However later in the evening I have my college alumni game so I may not be able to catch the whole thing. Decisions.
Are you moving out to the West Coast? I agree 4am wake up calls aren't fun. But you can always stay up through the night, and then crash after the match.
Already here! In the LA area. Drove across the country at the beginning of August. I didn't stop and sight see, as my cats were in the van and I'm terrified of baking them in a hot car (along with a bazillion other things that could hurt them... I worry a lot) but it was a nice drive to see different states... I drove through 12 in total. I'm feeling a draw on this one as well. And I agree on Moyes not starting newbies unless necessary, so Mirallas I expect to see in the 2nd half. if it's on FSC at 230 EST, maybe it's on here at 1130... I'll have to look into that.
After checking their schedule, it looks to me like Fox Soccer Channel will be showing a replay of the match at 11:30 am Pacific coast time. The actual match will be played at 7:00 am Pacific coast time. Hopefully there's a good soccer pub near you?
Distin (back) and Jelavic (groin) both MIGHT not feature. No word as for sure yet this morning. If Jelavic does not I suspect Naismith with start instead of Mirallas which is the exact opposite of what every Everton fan wants.
Taken from last year's game notes, and adding in the one game that took place... League Games: 194 Everton wins: 71 Draws: 51 Villa wins: 72 Everton scored: 297 Villa scored: 299 FA Cup Everton wins: 4 Draws: 1 Villa wins: 4 Everton scored: 17 Villa scored: 16 League Cup: Everton wins: 2 Draws: 4 Villa wins: 3 Everton scored: 10 Villa scored: 10 TOTAL League Cup: Everton wins: 77 Draws: 56 Villa wins: 79 Everton scored: 324 Villa scored: 325 Doesn't get much closer than that.
looks like a draw all around based on that info! Hope Distin is ok although Johnny H can fill in there well. For Jela, I do want to see what Mirallas has, but Naisy deserves a shot too, doesn't he? We will see in less than 12 hours COYB!
oh good lord. I stay in bed an extra 10 mins and miss a damn everton goal... COME ONNNNN no fair! I'm soooo tired, I couldn't get to sleep last night at all
Everton (to face Villa): Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Distin, Neville, Gibson, Naismith, Pienaar, Fellaini, Osman, Jelavic. Subs: Mucha, Heitinga, Mirallas, Gueye, Barkley, Coleman, Anichebe. He sat Hibbo for Naisy.... WTF. Hibbo has been so solid... why put Nev back at left back? that's just unfair, unless hibbo's injured. he's not even in the subs!!!!
Everton seem to want this a lot more than Villa at the moment. AV can't seem to get anything going when they get the ball. EFC is going at them but not doing too well in the box... My eyes hurt I'm so sleepy... :S
FELLLLLIIIIIIIIIIII!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lovely cross in, link up from Jags and (Gibbo?) crossed into Felli, headed down, and the goalie didn't do very well. 2-0 COME ON YOU BLUES!
JELLLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA w00t w00t!!! brilliant pass back from baines... 5 defenders and jella was unmarked... 3-0!!!!
HT 3-0... for all that Everton look like they are serious about this season, Villa look completely out of it... bit strange, but oh yes, I will take this! Naisy and Gibbo need goals too
that was a terribly weak red card. He just clipped Jella's heal, seemingly unintentional... You kinda feel a bit sorry for Villa right now... When I think of teams who would have a game like this, I wouldn't think of them! oh well... we were due some good luck, so COYB! Capitalize! You never know, a single goal could mean the difference between rankings at the end of the season, let's get some more in our + column!
Coleman came on for naisy in the 64th, Mirallas just came on and almost got his first touch from a good cross from coleman.