Both teams had active winter transfer windows, however for Everton they only signed one first team player in Senegalese striker Oumar Niasse from Lokomotiv Moscow. He comes with pace and power but unfortunately for his club, he will not be featuring against Newcastle. Their other 2 signings are prospects for the future, while the most notable exit from the Evertonian camp was Aiden McGeady, who has left on loan to Sheffield Wednesday.
For the Toon, we have the pleasure of having welcomed Jon-Jo Shelvey, Henri Saivet, Andros Townsend and the Ivorian striker Seydou ‘Rhino’ Doumbia – the latter having a pretty prolific record in the same Country Everton’s Niasse has just came from – Russia. Despite a late push for Saido Berahino it was not to be and the Toon also failed to land a left back having seen negotiations fail (thankfully) for Jose Enrique and (not so thankfully) Kieran Gibbs amongst others.
Previous Meetings:
1) Of the 169 games between the two sides, Everton just shade it with 69 wins to Newcastle’s 65.
2) Newcastle have not won this away fixture since September 2010 courtesy of a Hatem Ben Arfa stunner.
3) In fact, the Magpies have only recorded 3 wins at Goodison Park since the turn of the Century (15 games). Everton have won 8 of those games.
4) Everton have won 6 of the last 8 games against Newcastle.
5) One glimmer of hope is that Everton have not won in the league since they bet the Toon back in December.
6) Unfortunately for us – both Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku love playing Newcastle. They have 8 goals and 4 assists between them from a collective total of 12 games against us. That’s a goal a game…
Team News:
Everton:
Oumar Niasse misses out as he arrived after the midday cut off point. Muhamed Besic (hamstring) faces another fortnight out whilst Kevin Mirallas (tendon) misses out. Tim Howard is touch and go as he recovers from a knee injury. Tony Hibbert remains a long term absentee.
Newcastle United:
Flying winger and new signing Andros Townsend looks set to make his debut whilst Seydou Doubia may also feature if he gets his visa in time. This game may come too soon for Jack Colback (hamstring) but Paul Dummett (also hamstring) is expected to be available. Vurnon Anita (you guessed it…hamstring) is not expected to be have sufficiently recovered whilst Gabriel Obertan (yes…hamstring again) is not back until March – but he can expect to play little part in the remainder of this season provided this hamstring ‘coincidence’ does not become an epidemic…Tim Krul and Massaido Haidara (both knee) remain long term absentee’s along with Curtis Good.
Shamrock’s Blasts from the Past:
Just a little reminder of some of the players that have worn both the Toffee’s and Magpies’ shirts in previous years then; Sylvain Distin, Allesandro Pistone, Dan Gosling, Duncan Ferguson, Steve Watson, Peter Beardsley, Paul Gascoigne, the late Gary Speed, David Ginola and finally Paul Bracewell. So there you go – some cracking players and mutually appreciated legends – some not so much!
An important game for us then, but an extremely difficult one.
Referee:
Officiating this one will be 36-year-old Craig Pawson, who first officiated a Premier League game between Swansea and our very own Toon. The result? 1-0 to Swansea, who would beat us in the same fixture later that year by 3 goals to Nil with none other than a certain Mr Shelvey scoring! Pawson has officiated 6 Newcastle games since the beginning of the 2012/2013 season – with the Magpies registering 2 wins.
Everton V Newcastle United
Goodison Park
19:45 3rd February 2016
HWTL!!
A win tomorrow could drastically change the mood of many.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
but he will only be replaced with someone of similar ilk. So what’s the point.
They have proved that enough times now.
They wont pay the money for a decent reputable manager/coach.
Likewise they wont pay for a top class striker. Or a top class defender.
Ashley begrudges paying any wages bar the very minimum. Just look at his shop and warehouse staff.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Troy – it is still within our grasp to get out of this mess.
5 wins and a couple draws will do it.
So with that in mind, a win tomorrow, at home is now a ‘must win’.
I think it will happen just to prolong the agony a wee bit more.
But I still fear for the future.
Its going to be squeaky *** to the end of the season.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
It’s us against Norwich for 17th place. Talk about a mini-league Troy mate. Down to two teams. Either us or them will go down. I would love to be proven wrong but I see us fighting it out with Norwich right to the bitter end. And it will be bitter for one of the two. Harrumph.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
It is definitely within our grasp. Two points behind Norwich with 14 to go. It’s ridiculous really. But we have played so poorly over 24 games and have so many crucial injuries (and a suspension) now that some are losing hope. A poor performance by us may finish McLaren. It would be Ashley’s last chance to have an impact this season with 13 matches left.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Bootsy
A win tomorrow should give great hope. We just need to finish one place above our present position. I only wish you and others would get behind the team, for once.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
Troy. whats with the Jerry Springer ‘final thoughts’ you keep producing 😛
I hope the new dude starts.
If he doesnt I can see berahino scoring and showing what we should of really bid for.
heart says all out assault and win… so I’m going for a draw.. 😥
gashley(Quote)
11 wins and a few draws and we stay up. Or 10 wins and a lot of draws. If we can’t do that then we deserve to go down.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
The penny seems to have dropped with a few of the players.
I reckon they have told SMacca to stick his containing and counter attacking shyte and we are going all out for the win.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
No, we have the players to beat Norwich in wor mini league Tsunki mate! I’m almost completely definite aboot that. Almost completely. We need to be strong for the club now. I’m even going to forget about Ashley until we survive. Come on lads and lasses! Support the team (but not Ashley)!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Sorry, wrong blog. Harrumph. But the sentiment remains! We must defeat Norwich for 17th place!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
on paper we have the easiest fixtures. that includes B’mouth..
time to show what we’re made of…
gashley(Quote)
17th place must be ours! We claim it and now we must take it! Grasp it strongly and fend off mighty Norwich!
GeordieTwo(Quote)
God I wish we had Kevin Keegan, Peter Beardsley and Alan Shearer in the squad right now. Young and fit and ready to burst some nets….
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Gashley
I’m dying to see how long you last sticking with your opinion that you wouldn’t sack McLaren with 6 games to go cos we won’t get anyone better.
YCMIU. 😛
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’m so open minded about tomorrow my skull has a hinge on. I think we could win, lose or draw.
Troy Stavers(Quote)
😛 😉
gashley(Quote)
If we do get beat tomorrow we are definitely doon! But if we win at Chelsea next week we have a chance of staying up.
I can’t be any clearer than that! 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
the scene is set for Berahino or mackem flop Sessegnon to score the winner. 👿
gashley(Quote)
we’ve only won 1 in 9 so we’re definitely due 3 on the trot…
gashley(Quote)
Why does Wij seem only to play well at home? He was invisible against Everton. It’s a huge worry. What are we supposed to do? Bench him for away games? Can anybody think of a decent away game he has played?
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Nine goals for Wij at home. Nine out of nine! That is truly bizarre…..
GeordieTwo(Quote)
cant see many goals tomorrow. They’ll come and sit back, trying to hit us on the break. We will struggle to break them down as usual and what price WBA win 0-1 Berahino the scorer?
Stuart79(Quote)
The plan for tomorrow. I suggest Attack Plan Z. We keep Brom in their own end for the entire game. We shut them down and score a brace to win it.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Just can’t see a win tomorrow after what I watched mid week. Up until the Everton game I still thought we’d get out the drop zone but we were total rubbish on Wednesday, the new buys look lost and that worries me most of all.
kimtoon(Quote)
Has anyone got a better attack plan? Don’t be shy lads and lasses, these are desperate times….
GeordieTwo(Quote)
And what about the missing on defense Kimtoon mate? Are you worried about them? I am. That’s why I’m suggesting Attack Plan Z. All out attack. They’ll be so distracted they won’t even notice we have no defenders…..
GeordieTwo(Quote)
That was Attack Plan Y against Everton Kimtoon mate. This is Attack Plan Z. Totally different. This will be much better…. You’ll see.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
A lot of people get their Attack Plans confused. But not Steve. This definitely has a Z on the end of it. It’s an alphabetical thing that Steve uses apparently…… 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
Stuart
Your twisted bullshit gets tiresome. I made it quite clear in the summer that I would love any new signings, but once they renewed Colo’s contract, confirmed him as captain and signed Mbemba, there was no way that we were going to sign a new centre half to start. Comments from McClaren made it clear that Taylor and Lascelles were important parts of the squad so any signing at centre half would have been a youngster. Especially considering we also had Dummett and Willo as options.
I was concerned about the lack of an alternative to Janmaat, would have loved an improvement at left back, but it was clear that Haidara and Dummett were the options. So it was also tiresome for people demanding defenders when it was clear it wasn’t going to happen.
We’ve obviously got pretty **** bad luck with injured defenders right now, so clearly we should have signed one in Jan. A blind puffin knows that. From what I understand we tried for a player who could play left back or centre back but he chose to stay in Spain at the last minute.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Well I’m looking forward to tomorrow’s game. It will be like a cup final. Mind it was 1955 when we last won one. 😯
Troy Stavers(Quote)
NEWKIE
As I said, I didn’t want McClaren in the first place. But Pardew was hounded out and that’s who we ended up with.
We’ve obviously had problems with the squad but huge investment now means a manager should do better.
My point was, you don’t sack a manager 1 match after the club has signed 4 more first team players! Should have sacked him at early Jan or need to give him some time to work with these players.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS that’s sounding a little bitter coming from you @555 (the height of the Washington Monument in feet by the way). It’s not bad luck about injuries, it’s poor, poor planning. And it’s been going on far too long. Saylor has been useless for years, Willo sold, Colo overwhelmed at his age. It’s horrific planning and huge wasting of the budget on endless French midfielders.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
We have other cup finals coming up as well Troy mate. The Sunderland match, the Bournemouth engagement, the Norwich promenade, and the Aston Villa walkabout as the second last match.
GeordieTwo(Quote)
But at least we do have Attack Plan Z to fall back on…. 😯
GeordieTwo(Quote)
so WBA have four players missing as well so who will up the dope,mmmmmm
icedog(Quote)
McClaren should have been sacked in December so I don’t know why it should change just because we’ve bought 4 players. If he wasn’t good enough at the start of the season he ain’t good enough now! He just needs to go so stop with this piffle about not sacking a a manger after buying players.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stuart – please – he wont be sacked until it is too late, if at all.
sacking SMacca is an admission of failure by the board.
They should offer their own resignation at the same time.
If any of them had a spine.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Ha ha ha
all we have to do is finish as high as 17th and suddenly all is well with the world.
Fat ******* wins again.
50k fans cant wait to hand over their hard earned for another season.
Beggars belief really
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
The fat waster doesn’t deserve to be the owner of a premier league club, but the fans don’t deserve to be supporting a team in the championship.
so finishing 17th will be seen as a success from both parties.
a bit pathetic really
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
But like Troy says, a win tomorrow will drastically change the mood of many………………..most will think we will beat chelsea, until we don’t. 😉
Then it will be all wailing and gnashing of teeth once again.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
G2
Of course it’s bad luck! Haidara barely being fit was unpredictable, Mababu’s injury was bad luck too. Taylor hardly being available is not exactly a surprise, but to lose Mbemba, Dummett AND Lascelles in the same game when you already have 2 full backs our and a half fit Taylor???
In what world was that not bad luck?
We tried to strengthen in Jan and missed out. We’re really only one left back and perhaps one right back (depending on where Mbabu will play and if he’s good enough) short of a full squad there, although I’d also like to see Taylor replaced with someone more reliable with injuries.
With 5 defenders out, I can’t believe there are many PL clubs who wouldn’t be fielding kids or a player out of position
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TDS – sorry mate, but that is utter tripe.
we are short of at least 2 CB’s
1 RB
2 LB’s
2 strikers. (1 PL proven)
we need competition for places to improve and remove complacency and to cover for the annual injury crisis that has plagued us for the last decade at least.
Add to that a top coach/manager
and an owner with desire to make us the best we can be.
And thats just to start with.
we are so far off that, that our EPL status is seriously at risk for the foreseeable future.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
The vast majority of the squads we have are way way below the level required to compete.
which is why we are where we are.
plain and simple.
Every team gets injury crises/suspensions to cope with, but most have strength in depth to cover.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Problems are those :
To allow Mbemba, Coloccini, Wijnaldum(Best player),Shelvey and Townsend to play at their best you need focal points: in defence the real focal point is Taylor who would be uncontested captain ifinjury free all those years, midfield you have a platform with Tioté and Colback to win midfield battles and keep it simple, upfront you have Mitrovic whos holdup is crucial. Even more away from home. To get the best of Janmaat you need a player who can hold it and make a pass. Remember Jonas with Enrique? Someone who can protect his full back and have chemistry with. Sissoko-Janmaat as duo is hurting the team as theyre too easy to read, Saivet orright midfield is the deal worth to go for.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Janmaat-Sissoko as duo leave gaps and hurt the defense. Need a driver next to the LB(who should be defendive minded).
I also think that Colback as right midfield could be fine with Tioté. They’d protect and bring the best of Shelvey Wijnaldum Janmaat. Townsend needs to cross the ball a lot.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Id for something like that, Taylor or Lascelles must play now, I consider Wijnaldum as n10/2nd Striker
————————–Elliott——————————
–Janmaat-Lascelles–Coloccini-Chancel–
—-Colback–Shelvey–Tioté–Toonsend—-
——————Mitrovic-Wijnaldum—————–
Darlow,Dummett/Taylor,Anita,Sissoko,Saivet,Ayoze,Doumbia
—————————Elliott————————–
-Janmaat-Lascelles-Coloccini-Mbemba
—-Saivet-Shelvey-Colback-Townsend—-
——————Mitrovic-Wijnaldum————–
But 1st team probably better
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
For WBA this the strongest team imo:
———————–Elliott————————
-Janmaat-Taylor-Coloccini-GIBSON-
–Saivet—-Shelvey—Tioté—Toonsend-
—————Mitrovic-Wijnaldum————
Gibson Tioté Saivet Taylor to get stuck in, Saivet to track back and cut inside(can make a pass). Mitrovic needs to start, his physicality and hold up are key
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Doumbia Ayoze Sissoko to come of the bench, but McCa has to not destroy chemistry with bizzare subs.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
What cost result is head coach inability to put the right players toghether. Mbemba-Colo suffer from that(as duo) even they they play well aerial weakness remails which is easy to understand why, Colback(best player last season and key player)-Anita did their best but you need a playmaker next to Colback or Anita or with the 2, Dummett-Wijnaldum on left wing is no better than Dummett Sameobi at all. 442 is all about duos, side by side. Its not about putting the 11 best players(ability-wise) its about the best starting 11.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Janmaat-Sissoko create a lot but hurt even more the team with no engine midfield to support Sissoko.
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
For me its more about coaching. A setup ala Pardew, Moyes, would be different in orther to put the best 11 to play the full90 minutes. We play better just because of the new quality players brought(Wijnaldum, Mitrovic, Mbemba and hopefully the new 4 players). Pardew would of love to have Mitrovic Wijnaldum Shelvey Townsend at Nufc
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
Honestly want David Moyes or Sampaoli(Solano in the staff).
Cholo A. Sall(Quote)
If McClaren makes it to the end of the season and we avoid relegation in say 16th or 17th place that would still represent a massive underachievement and the whole lot of them should be cleared out. However, if we send out the following team tomorrow i think we have a very good chance of a win:
Elliot
Janmaat Taylor Coloccini MBabu
Sissoko Saivet Shelvey Townsend
Wijnaldum Mitrovic
That leaves Aarons, Perez and Doumbia as attacking subs so it is still a decent team as long as we attack and try not to expose the defense.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I put in Townsend because we just signed him and all of the hype that comes with an expensive new player who supposedly “knows the league” means he will play. I am not sure I would have him ahead of Aarons though, but we shall see.
Mitrovic has to play as he is our only target man and outlet for a few of Taylor’s hoofs if we are under pressure. Also, Shelvey might aim a few of his hollywood balls at him, and it is obvious that Perez cannot play as a number 9.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I just wish Betsy would be more positive. He must be a barrel of laughs on the drink. 😆
I know you want them relegated but I don’t. If we finished 17th then it would be a success in my opinion. Success in terms of maintaining top status football.
To be fair to Ashley this season he has splashed £70m.
I’ve always maintained I would give him a chance if he changed his ways.
He just now needs to learn that he needs to change his DoF.
Ashley will have his trigger cocked now and if this continues Charnley will be gone. Likewise McLaren.
I wouldn’t underestimate the importance of survival to Ashley this season.
Mark or mock my words. 😉
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I’m predicting a defeat today and at Chelsea and the choice will be taken from Charnley. McLaren will be gone.
Mommw;-)
Troy Stavers(Quote)
I like the look of that line up Eric.
we may just have a chance so long as we go offensive from the off.
The defence will concede, of that I have no doubt, so in order to win, we must be looking to score 2 goals at a minimum.
Saivet was solid enough the other day, looked a million times better than Tiote. Shelvey and Toonsend have to start their first home game.
The 2 up front is a must also. Gini only scores at home and Perez can come off the bench if necessary.
Howay the Lads.
2 – 1 😉
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Ha – I’ll mock your words Troy, as they are total tripe as per.
I do NOT want relegation, but I am realistic enough to see it as almost an inevitability with this circus.
Its hard to be positive all of the time. You’ve just predicted defeat yourself. 😳 😳 😳 😳 😳
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
we’ve won 1 in 9 West brom have lost 1 in 9… will be tight i reckon 😯
gashley(Quote)
a dour 0-1 defeat today, and more banal grinning and gurning from McClaren.
I reckon Sissoko has downed tools tbh. The bloke was an absolute disgrace at Everton.
Munich Mag(Quote)
Strange how we always seem to have lots more injuries than every other PL team. Wonder why that is? Maybe it’s because we’ve made cut backs in our medical felt?
I reckon McClaren could go with three centre halves today. Maybe Janmaat as a third centre half and have Townsend and Sissoko as wing backs. Personally I think I’d go with Aarons in a 4-2-3-1 formation. We should be doing most of the attacking today and Aarons shouldn’t be too busy. Always a risk of course but what options do we really have? If not Aarons it would be Sterry. He’s a left back so maybe through him in and hope we get a performance like Mbabu showed on his debut.
My bet today is 2-0 Mitro to score first but wouldn’t surprise me with a 0-0 or 1 goal either way.
Stuart79(Quote)
Apparently Mbemba is out for weeks 🙁
kimtoon(Quote)
If it aint 3 at the back we must start with Sterry.. We can’t have Aarons there. hes better further up
So Stu, youre going for a win, draw or perhaps a loss… you might be right there like 😆
Gashley(Quote)
Aye, par for the course, Kim. Funny how things like this happen when you neglect one part of the team. Can’t expect players to play every game without getting some sort of injury.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’m putting my money on a win but it’s the scoreline I’m looking at, not just whether it’s a win, lose or draw. Wish it was that simple!
Stuart79(Quote)
hes a bit creepy, cringe-worth is McClaren
McClaren appreciated the fact the fans stayed with the players and tried to lift them on Merseyside.
Now, ahead of the crunch clash with the Baggies, McClaren’s message for the fans was simple, he told the Chronicle: “We need you.
“The fans come, they expect and they demand. We have told the players that.
“What a noise they made against Man United and West Ham. 😳
“We want to create that same type of atmosphere in all the home games. The fans are our 12th man.
“It is vitally important to put anything else to the side. They can grumble and boo at the end, but during the game they get behind the team.
“My message is, we need you against West Brom.”
And paying tribute to the fans who tried to keep the players going at Everton, McClaren said: “What if Mitrovic has scored that chance? That’s how games can turn. 😯
“I think our fans could see that at Everton.
“In the second half it was end to end and we opened the game up and attacked.
“We took risks and I think the crowd appreciated that. We attacked and we tried to score. 😯
“We were trying to turn it around, in the end we left ourselves open and lost 3-0. 🙄
“I’d rather that and be attacking and positive than just shutting up shop at 1-0 and not having a go. 😳
“I think the fans saw that. We have to do that against West Brom.”
McClaren also revealed that players had held their own inquest in the dressing room after the game.
He said: “There is a lot of frustration and anger in that dressing room – which is great. 😉 We want a reaction.
“That’s the key thing, we want a reaction from the players – the crowd too.
“We have told the players that 50,000 people will demand a performance from them.
“There was a lot of disappointment the other night especially with what we did with the ball.
“We can usually say at least we played good football, but we never passed the ball.
“We gave the ball away too many times and you can’t do that against Everton.
“So we need to do that better against West Brom.”
Gashley(Quote)
my heart says win. SM and the lack of fight says 1-0 loss.
Gashley(Quote)
we’ve been dying to ship Willo out for the sake of a few quid. Satka on loan and Taylor unreliable who breaks down farting.
to say our situation is unlucky is nonsense.
We shouldnt be relying on the likes of Taylor, Lascelles. theyre not good enough. Some question Mbemba, Dummett and some say Colo has been here too long. that leaves Janmaat as our trusted defender 😳
Its ridiculous to think we could do with Williamson now 😳
Gashley(Quote)
Gashley@592, I saw a different game against Everton than McClaren, there again probably so did the players and the majority of the fans.
Attack, when did we try that ? I must have nodded off and missed it. I just recall Rob Elliot pulling off wonder save after wonder save, the toon not being able to put more than 4 passes together, Mito missing a really good chance to equalise… and Sissoko, Wijnaldum and Shelvey all struggling to get into the game…
The bloke McClaren is a grade 1 blather merchant…
Munich Mag(Quote)
West Broms weak attack will batter our weak defence … the decisive factor is will we manage to score today, cos I fear we’ll need at least 2 goals to win the game…
Munich Mag(Quote)
I’m writing to he club to ask them if I can go to watch the matches that McClaren goes to watch. They seem a lot better than the ***** we seem to have to watch. Or at least a DVD of them.
Stuart79(Quote)
They are hard to break down as they have big lads in defence, that’s why we must start with Mitro who surely has to score at some point. Also we must try not to give too many corners or free kicks away as for the above reason they will win the headers. It could be very tight, think they’ll sit back and defend with discipline and hit us on the counter.
kimtoon(Quote)
Stuart79, regarding the injuries, we really seem to have been unlucky, plus several of the players probably aren’t athletic nor strong enough for the rigours of the Premier League ?
Didn’t McClaren bring in his own fitness coach ?
I wonder how many of our injuries are down to actual tackles and how many are down to overexertion on behalf of the player…?
That’s probably how Sissoko manages to avoid injury, because he spends most of the game ducking out of headers and shirking tackles..
Munich Mag(Quote)
same goes MM. I saw a perez chance and a Mitro miss. apart from that some awful play mixed with terrible passing.
Gashley(Quote)