Everton

[Bender]

I think Everton will do well today. They still have the defensive solidity of Moyes drilled into them. Martinez is gradually introducing an attacking style of play on the foundation of a team which is strong defensively. I think it will work very well this season.

It will be interesting to see how the style of play develops over the next two seasons when the effect of Moyes tactics wears out and Martinez strategy starts dominating the team. I think they will gradually worsen out like Wigan.

who they playing ?

[peekay]

who they playing ?

Sorry meant this season

[Chazza]

Three new Everton crest options. The fan vote starts tomorrow, which do you like? pic.twitter.com/Zy3rznrNO5

[ChesterDave]

They'll pick the first one.

[baitman]

They'll pick the first one.

the **** tats thread will be full of dumb bitters who have had the wrong one done

[ChesterDave]

the **** tats thread will be full of dumb bitters who have had the wrong one done

I hope so

Amazingly this is a headline on the news oages of BBC website. Not in the sports section but in the actual news bit. Madness.

[Chazza]

Darron Gibson: Everton star may return from knee injury this season

Everton midfielder Darron Gibson could return from a knee injury before the end of the season, manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed.

The 25-year-old damaged his anterior cruciate ligament during the Republic of Ireland's 3-1 win over Kazakhstan.

It was feared he could miss the rest of the campaign after Everton said he was facing surgery.

But Martinez said: "I was expecting the worse but with the scans on Wednesday we are really positive now."

The Everton boss added: "It is an anterior cruciate ligament but the whole structure of the knee is perfectly fine and it is going to be straightforward surgery.

"I am looking forward to seeing him back hopefully this season and in that way it was good, positive news taking into consideration what it could have been."

Gibson missed the start of the season because of another knee problem.
He had only just returned to international action after making himself unavailable for the Republic.

Gibson opted out of the Republic squad during the final 15 months of former boss Giovanni Trapattoni's reign after being left on the bench throughout the Euro 2012 finals.
The midfielder indicated his intention to end his self-imposed exile in the wake of Trapattoni's departure last month and was duly called up by interim boss Noel King for the final two qualifiers against Germany and Kazakhstan.

He played the full 90 minutes in Cologne last Friday as Ireland went down 3-0, but managed only 35 minutes in Dublin four days later before suffering the injury.

Gibson was treated on the pitch for several minutes before being carried off by medics with his right knee heavily bandaged.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24551812

[Chazza]

Doing alright aren't they?

[Gibbo]

Yeah Martinez, like Brendan, appears to have taken the step up well.

The loaning of Lukaku has done them wonders.

[RichC]

Lukaku was a great signing for them, hate to say it being Barkley looks like a real prospect for them as well,

[destinydude]

Have to take them seriously for the race for 4th spot. They are leaking so few goals away from home unlike us.

[The Reverend]

Huge result for them today , I think they could really be pushing for top four end of the season . As always with Everton it depends on injuries, the squad looks thin

[Reece]

Hard to not be impressed with what Martinez is doing so far.

[Shaggy]

Yep very impressive. Really good side.

[Reece]

Wonder how they'll do once they lose Lukaku though....