Everton Build Up

[Kenneth]

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

Agree with all of that

[Kenneth]

Funny how everyone dives straight in with the ATTACKING line up on the build up..

Easy to pick..

The problem is, we are conceeding too many early goals..

What about the DEFENCE...

Obviously an issue, but MrM's back four kind of picks itself without Johnson and Agger available.

[MrMichael]

Funny how everyone dives straight in with the ATTACKING line up on the build up..

Easy to pick..

The problem is, we are conceeding too many early goals..

What about the DEFENCE...

Bringing Spearing in, which most people so far seem to agree with, is hardly an attacking move. Neither is playing Kuyt necessarily, who will always track back and work hard, especially in place of the (so far) ineffective Henderson.

We've got **** all choice with our defence. Johnson and Agger are injured and Coates... well, I can't see anyone seriously suggesting giving him his first league start in the derby.

[Craig_H]

Reina
Kelly Carra Skrtel Enrique
Spearing Lucas
Kuyt Gerrard Downing
Suarez

[BobTheCharmer]

Adam has to play, he creates goals, end of. But I would play him ahead of Lucas and Spearing on Saturday. Let them do the donkey work.

[BobTheCharmer]

Carroll should play as well, well up for the fight.

[Craig_H]

The front four i posted should be plenty capable of creating chances.

[BobTheCharmer]

The front four i posted should be plenty capable of creating chances.

Gerrard won't start. Adam should play.

[MrMichael]

Would work if Gerrard's genuinely fit enough Craig. I'm just not sure we can really take that risk yet, especially as the bitters would undoubtedly hack the hell out of him. If he doesn't start I really wouldn't be so keen to see Adam play there in his place, he was far too easily out fought in that opening against Spurs and the pace of the game just won't suit him imo.

I kinda think this game could be made for Andy Carroll to come good too. I reckon that Kenny will start him and stick with 442.

[Craig_H]

Would work if Gerrard's genuinely fit enough Craig. I'm just not sure we can really take that risk yet, especially as the bitters would undoubtedly hack the hell out of him. If he doesn't start I really wouldn't be so keen to see Adam play there in his place.

I kinda think this game could be made for Andy Carroll to come good too. I reckon that Kenny will start him and stick with 442.

442 with Spearing and Lucas as CMers?

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

[Shanks]

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?

[Craig_H]

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?

That would *actually* be the daftest decision in Kenny's whole management career, if it's what he did.

[Shaggy]

Yeah I'd be amazed if Gerrard starts. Great to have up our sleeve for the last 30 if we need him.

[Craig_H]

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.

[Shanks]

That would *actually* be the daftest decision in Kenny's whole management career, if it's what he did.

Given the fact that Everton have no pace in attack then it might not be so bad..

Midfield is were it's at..