Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Everton vs Stoke City
53 Comments Match Preview
Everton close out 2015 with a tricky home fixture at Goodison Park as Mark Hughes's improved Stoke City come to town fresh from a morale-boosting home win over Manchester United on Boxing Day.
The Toffees received a shot in the arm of their own morale, however, with a last-gasp win over Newcastle United that vaulted them back into the top half of the table at the Potters' expense. Tom Cleverley's stoppage-time goal ensured that the two sides come into today's game level on points, with Everton ahead on goal difference.
Stoke's 2-0 triumph over Louis van Gaal's struggling Red Devils means that they have beaten both Manchester clubs at the Britannia Stadium this month, but their home defeat to Crystal Palace, a goalless draw at West Ham and their defeat at Sunderland at the tail end of last month illustrate how erratic they can be, too.
Furthermore, while they've won three times away from home this season, all three victories came against teams in the bottom half of the table battling to find form. They've only conceded seven times on their travels but they don't score many either, managing less than half of Everton's away tally to date.
That should give Roberto Martinez encouragement as he prepares for this one despite the fact that Bojan Krkic, Marco Arnautovic and Xherdan Shaqiri are starting to gel as an effective attacking outfit. He will also be mindful, however, of how strong Hughes's robust side are at the back and that they will likely pose a more difficult barrier to break down than many of the teams the Blues have just faced.
Predicting which team the Catalan goes for is not as straightforward as usual and his selection may depend as much on fitness levels and how heavy was the toll inflicted by the heavy St James's Park pitch on Saturday as individual form and normal squad rotation. The back line largely picks itself but the manager has options in midfield and in attack.
Gareth Barry is vital in defensive midfield but his energy levels may be a concern less than 48 hours after playing the full 90 minutes on a difficult surface. He could start but then be replaced by someone like James McCarthy – if he is passed fit –Darron Gibson or Muhamed Besic in the second half.
Kevin Mirallas did well enough in place of Arouna Kone but it would not be a surprise to see Martinez restore the Ivorian to the line-up at home while Aaron Lennon was useful against the Magpies but Gerard Deulofeu, while flattering to deceve in his 20-minute cameo, did help create the winning goal.
With so many difficult games on the horizon, it's imperative that Everton use the nature of that 1-0 win at Newcastle to spur them on to greater attacking fluidity and potency, starting with this game against Stoke. It certainly won't be easy but, once again, it's one those games they should win if they are to show themselves to be the top six side they believe they are.
Kick off: 3pm
Referee: Mark Clattenburg
Full coverage: ToffeeWeb Match Report
Reader Comments (53)
Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer
2 Posted 28/12/2015 at 08:47:44
Shaqiri, Bojan and Arnautovic are to them what Barkley, Deulofeu and Miralles are to us, and in Shawcross and Wollschield at the back they also look solid defensively.
Hopefully the Newcastle result is going to be the catalyst for us to get a decent winning run going over the winter. 2-1 Everton, COYB!
3 Posted 28/12/2015 at 08:48:16
4 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:11:36
I'd personally like to see Galloway in place of Baines. Maybe give Barry a break and if fit play Macca. Deulofeu in place of Lennon. Barkley playing just behind Lukaku.
5 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:17:06
In midfield I'd bring Deulofeu in and play Kone to give some physical presence against a strong Stoke team who will try and isolate Lukaku. I think Lennon and Mirallas would be good early options off the bench if Kone doesn't perform.
I don't think Barry should play as there isn't enough rest time and someone like Gibson or Besic could comfortably fill in with Barry on the bench. We would go above United with a win today atleast until their gave this evening. COYB.
7 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:32:19
8 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:34:03
10 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:39:13
I said in the week on other forums and social media outlets that the Newcastle & Stoke games were must win and we've come through one and now we have to win this, and tbh, beat Tottenham Sunday aswell to put us right back in the mix for Europe!
Anything less just isn't good enough I'm afraid. If we don't get 6 points in our next 2 games (home games), regardless of how tough there going to be, then we could be looking at a season fighting for top 10, top 8 instead of a top 4, top 5 fight.
12 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:44:16
If we sit back and play the sideways football we will be asking for trouble.
Strong ,fast , aggressive and attacking football from the off.
Could be a red card or two in this game!
13 Posted 28/12/2015 at 09:46:51
Howard
Coleman
Stones
Mori
Galloway
Delboy
Cleverly
Barry
Besic
barkley.
Lukaku. Besic played on the left to help out on the left side. Intricate football will unlock there defence then long ball to Kobe if all else fails
15 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:03:00
This totally nullifies our fullbacks going forward.
I fear he will play kone, who will fall asleep for that vital second that sees shaquri ghost inside.
Honestly, I'm a huge Mirallas fan but if naisy is fit I would play him. Naisy has the work effort and the ignorance to mix it up with their henchmen.
On the other side arnautivic is in form and one of the hardest working wingers in the prem. If we start del (which we should), then young del will be knackered by half time. This is where Martinez needs to make a change at the first signs of him lagging. I'd change him on the hour for Mirallas to keep the defensive/attack balance of the team.
My approach would be a trade off between attacking intent and nullifying the wide men. I would start del but Roberto needs to be prompt with the sub. We used to constantly lambast OFM on here for his regular 60min subs, what I wouldn't give for a 60 min sub these last few games!
16 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:04:10
To quote a former manager of mine, "it would be like feeding buns to a bear"
17 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:06:25
Fancy us to nick this and really hope so as one of my best mates is a Stokie so COYB!!
18 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:18:45
I see another goal from him, today.
Sorry Helen can't go with Galloway today. We'll need the creativity of Bainesy down the left with Mirallas in front. Besic in the middle for sure but he's not a winger.
We need to be powerful down both flanks. As for the right I'd start with Lennon and bring on Geri for the last 25 mins.
Same for Macca. It's no use bringing players back that are not match fit or match sharp especially against an in form team like Stoke.
If RM gets his team selection and tactics right,
I'm with Craig, 2-1
COYB!
21 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:42:25
Start with the freshest legs that can manage their wingers, attacking midfield.
Hit them on the break with some intelligent passing from Gibson.
Bring on Mirallas or Del when their legs are tiring.
Wonder about Baines fitness - maybe Galloway should start.
Lukaku was great against Newcastle but maybe he should get a break for first or second half.
Would be great to see one of our youngsters get a chance to run their heart out against a tired team - Walsh or Dowell.
...Or we could just field the same side as Newcastle, heh.
22 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:42:27
Start with the freshest legs that can manage their wingers, attacking midfield.
Hit them on the break with some intelligent passing from Gibson.
Bring on Mirallas or Del when their legs are tiring.
Wonder about Baines fitness - maybe Galloway should start.
Lukaku was great against Newcastle but maybe he should get a break for first or second half.
Would be great to see one of our youngsters get a chance to run their heart out against a tired team - Walsh or Dowell.
...Or we could just field the same side as Newcastle, heh.
23 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:47:18
I have'nt missed many home games since I started in 1948 but will miss this one through a wedding, so come on Everton make my day and win this one,preferbally with a bit of style but anyway will do today.
24 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:47:19
If Everton is to improve on last year's final placing it is vital that we chalk up more wins and we have shown that we can beat teams below us in the table.
25 Posted 28/12/2015 at 10:58:05
26 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:05:57
We're gonna need to give it everything today and take our chances.
27 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:10:43
Del/yellow? Good plan.
28 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:13:50
But unless we develop that gritty ability to grind out a result as well as win with flair - which starts with a solid back line - I just don't see us improving on last season. Hope I'm wrong.
29 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:15:07
Barkley's lack of effort without the ball a big concern for me too. Certainly wouldn't use Kone - not tough or quick enough for this game.
COYB
30 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:21:39
31 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:28:26
Hopefully our luck has changed after out playing Palace, Bournemouth and Norwich and dropping vital points, partly due to bad luck, maybe we are finally starting to get the rub of the green.
If so I think we can beat Stoke and build up much needed momentum, because January is a key month for us, and an opportunity to see how our season will develop. There's no secret formula, hard work is required though.
33 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:29:52
35 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:31:54
IMO they have a better balance to the side than we have and I'm expecting a tough match; today and next Sunday vs the Spuds will give us more of an indication about how good the team is.
Final point, if we do end up with 6 pts, will I be delighted or even more pissed at the 6 points dropped this month.
36 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:47:03
We do not know the reaction of legs and niggles within such a short recovery period for them and us.
I hope Hughes plays their three front men from the off and we do some keep ball in the first half - get their legs gone.
For us expect a refreshed Kone to play with the vigour of a few weeks back. Also back will be Geri - again pre-meditated rotation from RM.
Same reason that I expect Barkley to start as he was spelled up at Newcastle.
Coleman, Stones, Mori will stay the same bar an injury and Jags will be rushed back.
Whatever RM decides on Baines recovery protection from injury given 40 hours and a trip. Galloway will freshen things up but lacks the accurate vision and passing links and the attacking of the best left back in Europe when match fit.
Centre Mid - Think he will go with Besic and Cleverly resting Barry on the bench. 2 of these three.
Just leaves Lukaku, which will get a spell at 60 mins with Mirallas or Naismith on.
37 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:47:37
Kone could carry the water bottles. Nothing else. (watch what happens now, Kone will come on and score a hat trick)
38 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:50:29
I expect a re-freshed Kone - think at his age and the lay off he could not keep the pace, energy and sharpness he showed earlier in the season ..
So Hatrick for Kone it is!
39 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:53:05
40 Posted 28/12/2015 at 11:55:40
41 Posted 28/12/2015 at 12:01:03
No idea - good performances or bad, our collective memory appears to be wiped after each game (well...I can't think of any logical reason for why lessons appear never to be learnt).
What would be nice would be that when/if we have one of our irresistible spells (first 25 mins NUFC, fist half Norwich etc) we show a little more calm and hit someone for 3 or 4.
We can but dream.
Right, well I'd better get my coat on and get moving, coz I don't know the meaning of losing (splits side laughing) and get down to Goodison Park.
OOOOOOOOOOO!
Up the Toffees!!
43 Posted 28/12/2015 at 12:19:25
Right, well I'd better get my coat on and get moving, coz I don't know the meaning of losing (splits side laughing) and get down to Goodison Park.
OOOOOOOOOOO!
Up the Toffees!!
44 Posted 28/12/2015 at 12:29:08
I suppose I'de better get my own arse in gear and saddle the horses. Enjoy the game, Lads, give the live thread some stick,
Might as well join in...
OOOOOOOOOOO!
Up The Toffees!!
45 Posted 28/12/2015 at 12:40:54
46 Posted 28/12/2015 at 12:41:38
So, let's see if it is true for this game. According to them our line up is:-
Howard, Baines, Stones, Funes Mori, Coleman; Cleverley, Barry, Barkley; Kone, Lukaku, Deulofeu.
47 Posted 28/12/2015 at 13:20:25
This will be a tough game.
48 Posted 28/12/2015 at 13:51:27
If we can beat this team, that will be 2 back to back wins, then I would feel confident in saying our season starts here with a good run.
It's no good guessing on who is going to play. But if we have as much possession as we did against Newcastle, this time we will have to make it count. Or against these it could be our downfall.
50 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:06:38
51 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:08:32
52 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:14:47
We really should win this one, but I think we'll be lucky to get a draw. If form is, in large part, a psychological thing, I fancy Mark Hughes will have them better prepared than Roberto...
53 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:15:06
54 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:15:47
55 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:22:50
56 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:25:41
57 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:26:40
58 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:26:47
A tricky game against one of the league's meanest defences. Ever hopeful of an Everton win and our first back to back victories in the league this season. We need to on a WINNING run.
59 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:27:04
60 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:28:29
61 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:35:27
I would like to see McCarthy and/or Besic used in this game.
I do not think it will suit Geri at all based on his tantrums recently when he has been tightly marked so I would go with Lennon again.
Despite some criticism I think Barkley is getting better every game so he would be a definite in the middle for me.
I know it wont happen but I would try Bainesy in the LM position and Put Galloway LB.
64 Posted 28/12/2015 at 14:40:17
66 Posted 28/12/2015 at 15:51:56
Add Your Comments
In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.
Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.
Top of the Page
1 Posted 28/12/2015 at 08:45:24