Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Everton vs Watford
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Romelu Lukaku is being assessed to see if he will be fit to face Watford
Thanks to one of the latest finishes to a season in recent memory and the new season kicking off a week early to accommodate next summer's European Championships, Premier League action resumes this weekend after just 11 weeks, although for Evertonians in particular, it feels like it has rolled around a little too soon.
Just two additions to the squad over the close season, a spate of hamstring injuries and doubts over whether key striker Romelu Lukaku will be fit enough to start mean that many Toffees fans go into the season opener against Watford in slightly apprehensive mood. There is unquestionably the excitement that comes with the return of competitive football to Goodison Park but also a nagging feeling that, for the second season running, the team is not fully prepared.
Though Roberto Martinez insisted after the friendly with Dundee on Tuesday last week that he did not expect Lukaku's injury to be serious and that it was merely a case of him feeling "heavy-legged", the manager was unable to confirm whether his main marksman will pass a fitness test before the big kick off this weekend. He explained that the Belgian will be assessed over the final 48 hours but, unless it's a ruse to keep his rival in the opposite dugout guessing, it would seem as though it might be touch and go as to whether Lukaku will play.
With no striking reinforcements yet secured, the No.10's absence would leave Martinez with a number of questionable fall-back options. The most obvious would be to field his only other centre forward in the form of Arouna Kone, but the Ivorian has just one goal to his name in two years with the club – a year on the sidelines notwithstanding – but his pre-season showings have left many Blues aghast at the lack of decent goalscoring cover.
Steven Naismith and Kevin Mirallas can both operate up front but neither are suited to the lone striker role as it is employed in Martinez's system so accommodating either would require a modified approach. Conor McAleny, while impressive in the summer friendlies, is too untested and inexperienced to risk. Fingers crossed, then, that Lukaku makes it.
Elsewhere in the side, like Mirallas, John Stones is expected to shake off an ankle knock and take his usual place at centre half alongside Phil Jagielka as part of a very familiar defensive unit anchored by the Gareth Barry-James McCarthy axis. Muhamed Besic, Darron Gibson, Aiden McGeady, Steven Pienaar and Tony Hibbert are all ruled out through injury.
It means that the main question marks surround who fills the attacking and wide positions. Ross Barkley is a clear candidate to play in the hole behind whichever striker is selected, with Mirallas on the right and Tom Cleverley or Leon Osman on the left. Gerard Deulofeu, the other summer acquisition only has an outside chance of being involved, and could only hope for a place on the bench at best given the caution over his hamstring.
Whichever line-up is selected, it should have more than enough to overcome a newly-promoted side but the Premier League is a much more competitive environment these days and the promoted clubs, with their enthusiasm for the start of the new adventure, can prove to be very tricky opponents.
Watford promise to be a different proposition to the kind of team they were the last time they were in the top flight – admittedly some time go now. Now run by the Pozzo family, who own Udinese in Italy and Granada in Spain, they also have a new manager in the form of Quique Flores and, in contrast to Everton, a slew of new faces in the dressing room.
The Hornets have signed no fewer than 10 players this summer when you add the permanent acquisition of Matej Vydra (from Udinese, of course), including two players with Premier League experience in the form of Etienne Capou, whom they acquired from Tottenham, and former West Ham midfielder, Valon Behrami.
They also boast a physical striker in the form of Troy Deeney who will be the target for just the kind of aerial service that has proved to be such an Achilles heel at times for Martinez's Blues. Deeney scored 21 times for Watford in their promotion-winning season last term while Vydra notched 16 so there will be plenty for Everton's defenders to watch out for. All those new signings will take time to gel, though, and acclimatise to the Premier League, however, which will hopefully work in Martinez's favour.
Assuming that the Blues control the game in the manner in which we expect and his side can keep the visitors at bay, Martinez's main concern will be scoring goals at the right end. Even with Lukaku in the line-up, his team struggled at times to find the net but if they can get things clicking and get an early goal, it will get the home crowd on side and, hopefully, pave the way for an opening-day win.
The alternative is more worrying given the psychological toll that the poor start a year ago took on the players and, eventually, on the paying customers at Goodison Park. Failure to win would not be disastrous, but with such a tough sequence of fixtures over the next two months, it would be a bad way to start.
Kick off: 3pm
Referee: Mike Jones
Quotes sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports
Reader Comments (78)
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2 Posted 07/08/2015 at 09:21:03
Sorry. It's "heavy leg" syndrome isn't it......?
3 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:01:08
I'd be happy with that.
4 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:29:06
I am sick of the media ex players from other clubs telling our staff who we pay a salary too which club they would be better off playing for tell them all to sod off!!!
5 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:32:25
6 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:34:59
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
McCarthy Cleverley
Mirallas Barkley Osman
Lukaku
7 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:46:10
If not, I reckon we can play Mirallas or Naismith upfront.
Or give McAleny a shot.
Likewise, I agree that we should play Cleverley in place of Barry.
So, I think it's worth either of the following:
McCarthy, Cleverley
Mirallas, Barkley, Osman
Naismith/ McAleny
OR
McCarthy, Cleverly
Barkley, Naismith, Osman
Mirallas/McAleny
Much as I think there are flashes of Kone being up to it (whenever he is playing alongside Lukaku), he plying as a lone striker is not quite cutting it.
McAleny or Naismith deserves a chance upfront.
8 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:48:34
9 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:51:15
I cannot see him coming over to us... I hope I am wrong as it would make us a lot stronger.
10 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:52:04
11 Posted 07/08/2015 at 10:59:58
12 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:10:18
I wouldn't be surprised to see Barkley in the starting line up instead of Osman though as Osman does not have the legs to last more than 60 mins. Also wouldn't be surprised to see Lukaku on the bench, I just cannot believe the guy will be fit enought to start tomorrw.
Personally would prefer us to play 4-4-1-1:
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
Mirallas McCarthy Cleverley Oviedo
Barkley or Osman
Lukaku (if fit)
Unfortunately our squad is so thin that there is very little on the bench from an attacking perspective. If Lukaku's not fit then we only have Kone or McAleny as back up, former not good enough and latter very green. Still I'd hope both are good enough against essentially a Championship side!
13 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:17:06
14 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:22:23
Hope the rumour is true. Would give us some hope.
16 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:25:30
My team would be:
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
Cleverley McCarthy Barry Osman
Barkley
Mirallas
That is a good team on paper and one that many Premier League managers would like to be sending out this Saturday.
Hope springs eternal -- Up the Blues!
17 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:29:31
18 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:32:40
Being the lowest spending club in the league and being outspent by Watford... and considering the very poor season we had last year leaves me dreading this upcoming season.
I was at the Villarreal game and yes I know it was a friendly/testimonial (Rooney love-in) but it looks like it's going to be exactly the same lack of goals and penetrating the last third... as last season.
Hope I am wrong.
19 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:32:58
If he isn't ,then I think we could try a 4-4-2 and play Naismith and Mirallas up top.
Tim,
Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines
Cleverley McCarthy Barry, Osman
Naismith, Mirallas
Bench: Deulofeu, Barkley, Lukaku? Ovideo, Robles, Galloway, McAleny
Not a bad team with good options to come on off the bench.
20 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:33:09
Howard
Coleman Browning Jagielka Baines
Mirallas McCarthy Cleverley Osman
McAleny Barkley
You don't need 2 defensive mids in this kind of game. I'm assuming Lukaku is not fit of course.
21 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:47:03
23 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:52:52
DON'T PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!
24 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:57:17
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
Mirallas McCarthy Cleverley Oviedo
Barkley
Lukaku (hopefully)
Bob needs to change the system and play only 1 defensive midfielder.
25 Posted 07/08/2015 at 11:59:52
26 Posted 07/08/2015 at 12:01:45
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
Cleverley Barry McCarthy Mirallas
Barkley
Lukaku if fit; if not, he will play Kone so let's hope Rom is fit.
27 Posted 07/08/2015 at 12:01:53
Spot on
28 Posted 07/08/2015 at 12:03:32
29 Posted 07/08/2015 at 12:11:29
My main hope is that Watford is more ofa mess than we are right now and somehow ship us a couple easy goals. Whoever got my hopes up with Austin, damn you. He'd be a game changer for us. Too bad he'll end up being a bit player in cup ties for fecking Spurs. Stupid old game.
Kone is only useful alongside another striker so if no big man I think we need to go 4-4-2 or roll with SuperKev uptop with Ross behind him. Oyyyyyy vey people!
30 Posted 07/08/2015 at 13:22:23
I hope he doesn't play tomorrow less than 100%.
31 Posted 07/08/2015 at 13:54:31
Last season, if we had backed Roberto Martinez, we might have won the Europa League and now been in the Champions League... but we didn't; he played a poor defence so we cold concentrate on the Europa League. Moyes provided us with 11 years of useless drudgery that ended in him getting his ambition to manage Man Utd. RM is our best chance to win anything with the current setup and if he does win a pot then some Spanish club will want him, and then you will all be sorry.
We need to give the team a lift so they will respond to the crowd like they did against Man Utd. No more drivel just support COYB.
32 Posted 07/08/2015 at 13:56:53
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
McCarthy
Cleverly Barkley
McAleny Lukaku Mirallas
34 Posted 07/08/2015 at 14:05:09
35 Posted 07/08/2015 at 14:11:11
It will be interesting to see if Ossie starts the game... He could potentially be what makes the difference if they come and park the bus, but I'd be tempted to keep him on the bench to start with. His vision and craft would be better used when legs start to tire.
Anyone hoping that Barry is left out will be disappointed! In fairness, I'd like to see him play tomorrow... Roberto needs to learn to give him a rest every now and then this season though.
37 Posted 07/08/2015 at 14:41:57
He's young, spirited, unknown to the opposition and shown he is capable. Kone... none of the above.
38 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:02:16
39 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:13:48
Let's hope it's his last game in a Royal Blue shirt, if the Austin rumours are true.
41 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:18:32
Robles
Browning Stones Jagielka Galloway Baines
Coleman Cleverley Oviedo
Mirallas McAleny.
42 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:24:14
43 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:29:24
God help us if we go behind; I'd like to think the crowd would get behind the team if we did, but in the current climate I can see it going toxic again.
44 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:36:51
No doubt if we get the right result, everything in the garden will be lovely; if not, it will be 'Roberto Out'.
Perhaps we should hold judgement until October, at least.
45 Posted 07/08/2015 at 15:55:22
46 Posted 07/08/2015 at 16:03:31
47 Posted 07/08/2015 at 16:41:46
Matthew #31 Can't say you're line-up excited me but it certainly made me sit up.
50 Posted 07/08/2015 at 17:46:39
Howard
Galloway Jagielka Stones
Coleman. McCarthy Baines
Barkley Cleverly
Lukaku
51 Posted 07/08/2015 at 18:08:01
Has to be the latter surely?
52 Posted 07/08/2015 at 18:25:13
Having said that, Watford are a big direct physical side so we will have to have strength around the pitch, therefore I would let Ossie sit this one out and tell Kone he is in the Last Chance Saloon to redeem himself, even though he has already failed his audition.
I would go 3-5-2 with Galloway or Browning being talked through the game by Jags and Stones with Coleman and Baines as wing backs and Barry McCarthy supporting. Cleverley to have a free role just behind Kev and Kone up front.
Once we have contained Watford's enthusiasm, I would bring Ross on for Barry to really get at them.
It is though, as Harold said, seriously worrying about the lack of quality depth in this squad.
53 Posted 07/08/2015 at 18:58:46
55 Posted 07/08/2015 at 20:37:43
56 Posted 07/08/2015 at 21:06:03
57 Posted 07/08/2015 at 21:13:41
58 Posted 07/08/2015 at 21:31:06
Always want to win something, it's a hope that will never leave me, but it's the tempo and style, that are going to be even more important than winning for me, this year.
59 Posted 07/08/2015 at 21:50:54
60 Posted 08/08/2015 at 00:52:34
Got my mojo back! Bring it on!
63 Posted 08/08/2015 at 06:24:35
64 Posted 08/08/2015 at 06:51:58
65 Posted 08/08/2015 at 07:02:42
We have done all we can to keep Stones, Mccarthy and Mirallas signed up, Cleverly looking an astute signing, Del boy back, possible additions to follow.
Nows the time to get behind the team and hope Bobbys magic Brown shoes return..
66 Posted 08/08/2015 at 07:39:17
67 Posted 08/08/2015 at 07:47:35
68 Posted 08/08/2015 at 07:57:58
69 Posted 08/08/2015 at 08:10:44
71 Posted 08/08/2015 at 08:33:21
Howard
Coleman Jags Stones Galloway
Mirallas Mcarthy Cleverly Oviedo
Kone Naismith
On paper I'm really good at this managerial lark
72 Posted 08/08/2015 at 08:44:21
An early goal and the confidence will flow, hopefully.
COYB.
73 Posted 08/08/2015 at 10:04:58
75 Posted 08/08/2015 at 11:59:00
But having said that, I am going for a 2-1 win. A lucky goal after 30 minutes of endless passing, only to concede from a corner after the break, and then a dramatic last-ditch winner. Macca and Coleman the scorers.
76 Posted 08/08/2015 at 12:00:16
77 Posted 08/08/2015 at 12:12:07
79 Posted 08/08/2015 at 12:24:20
80 Posted 08/08/2015 at 12:25:29
81 Posted 08/08/2015 at 13:05:32
82 Posted 08/08/2015 at 13:07:48
83 Posted 08/08/2015 at 13:15:42
84 Posted 08/08/2015 at 13:20:28
Going to the match myself soon, do a bet, watch my grandkids and great grand son coming to the house with their Everton kits on, excited at the start of a new season, then my two sons getting ready to take them all hoping for an Everton win, think back to when I was their age and how excited I used to be, would love that excitement to come back again, especially to me.
85 Posted 08/08/2015 at 13:45:48
86 Posted 08/08/2015 at 14:13:01
87 Posted 08/08/2015 at 14:15:24
88 Posted 08/08/2015 at 14:23:00
Barry continues in midfield.
89 Posted 08/08/2015 at 14:24:23
Would love to see us 2 or three up with half hour left and get Mcaleney on.
Come on today boys, first games have massive impacts on your season. Confidence builder
COYB
90 Posted 08/08/2015 at 14:27:18
91 Posted 08/08/2015 at 14:34:57
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1 Posted 07/08/2015 at 08:57:48
I suspect Lukaku will play even if at 80% because RM will be desperate to get a win here given the tough games to follow.
I expect we'll see:
Howard
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
McCarthy Barry
Mirallas Osman Cleverley
Lukaku
I think that team should be good enough to beat Watford at home but I hope it doesn't become our default team playing the same football that was so uninspiring last season. Time will tell.