Everton (A) - Sun 14th May, 14:00 | Pre-Match Thread

[SebastianBlue]

When Phillips and Rice have both been on the pitch for England, I’ve always been more impressed with Phillips.

Agreed.

Phillips’ confidence is completely shot, which is the real origin of his poor (very limited) play once he came back from injury. That can happen to a player making the step up and then immediately hitting a setback.

Could easily have happened to Rice, if he would have come to us.

 

[RayCTID]

Not the taking the game for granted with the line up.

 

[jmant10]

Same here, but apparently Lewis is not ready for such games yet.

Wonder if we are saving Ake for Madrid and playing the same back line as Munich at home.

 

[Indaparkside]

Bound to be a close game this. Be prepared for 90 plus minutes of torture!

If your an evertonian

 

[mcfc_ms]

Hopefully the plan is to go all out at the start to try and get ahead, and then gradually bring off players like Rodri, Haaland, Gundog, Dias and Walker around the 60 minute mark

 

[Gundogan's Moustache]

The nerves are out in full today think it’s cause I’ve not had a drink yet

 

[BamberBridgeBlue]

We have held them to 2 or 3 draws at Goodison though when they were challenging you for the title

Regardless of todays result, I think you’ll be fine. Although I accept it’d do nothing for your nerves. I’m saying you get 6 points after today which would be enough on its own. Would you take a draw now?

 

[Indaparkside]

Is the team news out yet

 

[OccupiedPalestineBlues]

Mostly resembles a Championship team

A championship side?

They absolutely thumped a very good Brighton side in their last run-out on the 8th of the month, they’ve have had 5 full days for rest and preparation and can put their all into today without worries as they can relax with their feet up until their next game on the 20th.

IMO I think we’ll have enough about us to win today but wouldn’t be boasting about how much better we are until after we’ve got the points because it looks arrogant in the first instance and could possibly be excruciatingly embarrassing after the fact.

Should be a tough game today, let’s hope that we’re in the groove and can make some early substitutions eh?

 

[Impeccable One]

I think this points towards Gundogan not starting against Madrid on Wednesday and a midfield of Rodri, Bernardo and KDB with either Mahrez or Foden on the right instead.

Whilst your logic is absolutely sound, I don’t see a world where Pep doesn’t start Gundog in Europe. He’ll just ask him to dig deep and he’ll probably be the first to be subbed today, if the game is in our control.