Everton Build Up

[Craig_H]

Chucking Coates into that, would be ridiculous.

[MrMichael]

442 with Spearing and Lucas as CMers?

I'd worry about that, they'd offer nothing going forward.

Yup.

As I said above, you can't create anything if you don't have the ball to begin with. The emphasis would be on Kuyt, Suarez and Downing to create the openings, derby games are never pretty or won on guile alone and we need to avoid a repeat of that opening spell against Spurs.

[BobTheCharmer]

A full week of intensive fitness training and he'd be alright for an hour. Have the game won by then and take him off to solidify.

it would be madness to start him and risk a breakdown, he'll be eased back in. We're doing alright without him so there's no need to rush him. Can't wait until he is back properly.

[MrMichael]

Heard loads about Skrtel messing up and Carras legs going,
are these same people happy to swap either of them two for Coates, in a derby?

No way. Not yet.

Chucking Coates into that, would be ridiculous.

Completely agree.

[Craig_H]

it would be madness to start him and risk a breakdown, he'll be eased back in. We're doing alright without him so there's no need to rush him. Can't wait until he is back properly.

Wasnt Leeds and Wolves easing him back in?

He's said himself his groin is as strong as ever and whilst his match fitness isnt there yet, a week of fitness work should see him right.

He could easily do an hour.

[Craig_H]

Regarding centre back, Skrtel's biggest problem is when somebody runs at him, with pace and commits him. Luckily, Everton dont have anyone who can do that. I dont think Skrtel will be a problem for us at Goodison.

[Shanks]

Defence...

We'll get screwed on set pieces..

Baines and Fellaini will be their only threat..

[Gibbo]

I have a feeling Gerrard will start.

I would like to see something like

Reina
Kelly Carra Skrtel Enrique
Adam Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Bellamy/Downing
Suarez

But would be equally happy with

Reina
Kelly Carra Skrtel Enrique
Kuyt Gerrard Lucas Downing/Bellamy
Suarez Carroll

Id probably play Adam instead of Spearing(If Gerrard isn't fit) and Bellamy or Downing is
a tough one, but I think we will see the second shape I posted as opposed to the first, just not sure of the players in the team.

Will also be interesting to see how Suarez is in this match, he seems to play angry and I can see him being really up for it.

[BobTheCharmer]

I can see them targeting reina, he's all over the place at the moment, for whatever reason. He has a dodgy run every season, usually at the start and then shows up.

[IN_RAFA_WE_TRUST]

Reina

Kelly
Carra
Skrtle
Jose

Kuyt
Soaring
Lucas
Downing

Belly
Carroll

Suarez and gerrard unleashed on them around 60min mark if they are needed.

I want to mess with suarez head and get him pumped up for the scum.

[Shanks]

I want to mess with suarez head and get him pumped up for the scum.

Good job you're not the manager then eh!

[Corndog]

-------------Reina-----------------
---kelly----carra----skrtel-----enrique
-----------lucas-----adam----------
---bellamy------Suarez-------downing-
----------------carroll----------------

thats a very fluid three players in bellamy, suarez and downing could confuse the everton defense if they all mix and match. i'd like to see stevie g make this one, but i don't think he will start, i've gone for bellamy over kuyt but tbh its very close between those two, wouldnt be disappointed whichever one gets the start.

[Mostar]

Kuyt has got to start.

Could also make a strong case for Bellamy, with his stomach for the battle, workrate, pace etc. I'd love to see Dirk and Bellamy start.

Imo it will be the same line up as against Wolves with the exception of Dirky.

Kuyt for Hendo will be imo only change for Saturday. Dirk traditionally did extremely well against Bitters and I personally expect him to start.

Would love too to see Bellamy in starting 11 but I just cannot see it without dropping Downing, which I don't think Kenny will do.

[SB]

Reina
Kelly Carra Skrtel Enrique
Spearing Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Downing
Suarez

Adam or Bellamy in place of Gerrard and I'm sold on that. Stevie to come on after an hour.

[Exiled_red]

I'd be extremely worried about a midfield of Henderson/Adam/Lucas/Downing for the derby. Adam simply can't tackle and I'd be very concerned another game might pass Henderson by so Spearing is actually a decent shout, its probably too early for Gerrard to play 90 mins and although you could talk about a lack of creativity with Jay in there alongside Lucas, the Spurs game showed us that you can't create anything in the middle if you get badly outfought and never have the ball.

Kuyt really has to start, he's not an ideal on the right in a 442 but its still the best alternative for me. Defence we don't really have a lot of room for maneuvering with at the moment due to injuries so that sort of picks itself, and while we could maybe come up with something interesting in a 4-2-3-1 involving Bellamy, I think Kenny will stick with basically the same formation as the last few weeks. If he does I'd hope to see a team of...

Reina

Kelly - Carra - Skrtel - Enrique

Kuyt - Spearing - Lucas - Downing

Suarez - Carroll

I think the pace will be too much for Adam, and while he offers alot going forward, but not enough defensively, I'd stick Jay in for this one to give us a solid base from midfield. Also Henderson has gone missing in games for us this season we can't afford him to do that in the derby, also the games suits Kuyt's high work rate and he will provide protection for Kelly.