StellarStripes

Everton have looked like a side with top 6 ambitions. They have been sharp, concise and positive in their play whilst we look devoid of any composure, confidence and are performing abysmally. Fuckin awful stuff.

Looks like Pardew seen enough from Ben Arfa centrally against Villa to set our team up around him today then. ------------------Krul Perch---Taylor---Willo---Santon ---------Cabaye---Anita Jonas------Ben Arfa------Marveaux -----------------Cisse That is a sexy line up! 2-1 to us.

Worth a tenna like.

Aye and Anita in the middle with Cabaye. Hope he isn't nervous though and is aggressive instead wanting to avenge last seasons result whilst getting one over a side who will be round about us in May. Tonight needs some guts and I hope Pardew and the players have some fire in their stomach. Time to kick start our season with an important away win and a good team performance.

Aye, I just think Pardew is just trying to get the 442 to work and hoping Ba and Cisse will forge a lethal partnership but time and faith in that system is quickly running out. We seem to be stocked pretty well for the other, our best system, the fluid 433/451/4231.

This. Was class when he was here, left in a bad way and ultimately it turned out the be what turned his career to shit. I find it hilarious that he is now sat on a bench at a shitty midlands club. Krul is by far and away a much better keeper.

He could do with going out and getting games. Had we not signed Anita I reckon he'd have got a good bit of pitch time in Europe. Seems Bigi, Amalfitano and Vuckic will be ahead of him.

Can't wait for tonight! Will be interesting to see how we line up and who gets the nod. Expecting big performances from Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Ba and Cisse. If they can hit their stride, keep it tight at the back and retain the ball whilst using it well we could and should get a good result.

I think Jonas will be used for his work rate and his ability to run with the ball while Marveaux will get chances to provide and create with his vision and technical ability. Its nice to have two different options on the left. I would still like to see Ben Arfa on the left and Jonas on the right though. Im suprised we havent used a tactic more of switching sides through out the game.

I have to agree with CT like. If we are going to be weakened in defence we have to be stronger in attack, have the ball more, keep it better, use it better and lessen the threat that can be put on our distrupted defensive unit. Saying we are relying on Barfa too much is a little premature though CT, we are only three games into the league season, Ben Arfa has hit the ground running and has been our best player but we will see Cabaye step up, i also think Marveaux will be used quite a lot too, as will Amalfitano. Its just a case of us getting up to speed as a team and finding our stride in a system. Thats where i will agree with you again, the system, the managers ability to choose the correct one and utilise the best players in each specific role. This is where AP has to stand up and show why he deserves the accolades he picked up last year. He has been hindered by injuries though, you have to take that into the bargain. Once we have Tiote back and Cabaye into form we will se a different side, most likely a 4231 system too. Jonas and Ben Arfa on either side of them with Ba sitting behind Cisse. I fully expect Marveaux to be used on the left quite a bit too. What is your fascination with Ferguson CT? I actually think he is shite...

You are right. That won't happen. Although Tav looks to be a good prospect and could start in the PL this season, Monday is too soon. Secondly, I would like to see that attacking three behind a striker, balance on the wings and Barfa in the number ten but if your to drop one of Cisse and Ba it would have to be the former imo.

----------------Harper Anita---Taylor---Willo---Ferguson -----------Gosling---Bigi Obertan----Vuckic----Sameobi ----------------Shola

I would definitely like to see us go with 4231 in this one, valid point made about Barfa and Baines. Hatem is going to be our bit of magic in a game which is likely to be a scrappy affair. ----------------Harper Anita---Taylor---Willo---Santon -----------Cabaye---Jonas Ben Arfa-------Ba-------Marveaux -----------------Cisse Anita and Santon could swap fullback positions, Jonas and Marveaux could swap roles in midfield and Ben Arfa could swap with whoever is on the left, leaving Ba more centrally behind Cisse. Definitely a system and line up that can work and cause problems to Everton.

Expecting it to be a feisty affair on Monday like, what after the defeat last season, the comments from AP and Jagielka, they will be looking to get close to us this season and the fact we havent got going yet. We have been disrupted by injuries to Krul, Colo and Tiote who will be missed but I have confidence in Anita and Bigi to step up and do a good job. Harper in goal is a worry and I hope Williamson can have a solid game alongside Taylor. Big big game for Cisse, Ba and Cabaye, all need to start showing more and influencing games. All in all I'm feeling confident though. 1-1 draw or a sneaky win by the odd goal. Fancy Cabaye to be our MOTM.

4th behind Man City, Man U and Chelsea. In front of Arsenal, Spurs and Everton.

Cisse scored an absolutely amazing header from the edge of the box for Senegal. Would be a timely boost for us now if he is getting up to speed and can hit some form.

Anyone considering going to the Maritimo game? My uncle wants to go but how does he get tickets if he is not a ST holder or club member?

Once again you can't back up your opinion with anything...Moron

This is true and I fully expect Pardew to stick with 442. AP thinks Cisse and Ba will come good as a partnership and with Tiote back in the middle with Cabaye, the system will work. It could but I, like most think we are more suited to 4231.

So you'd never drop a player for poor form? You really are a moron aren't you!

I do think going with one of the two would work. Gives whoever it is the sole responsibility of getting into and onto chances. Doing so makes the selection of the 5 behind him so important.

Ben Arfa looked lively all game and we would see more of him on the ball in dangerous areas like his goal today if only we shifted the the 4231 more often.

Aye. Ba is the reason we are using 442 so much in a game which has quickly moved away from that formation. Less teams use it and we have arguably one of the best sets of players to use the 4231 well. With many options within that. I think if I was in charge I would be tempted to drop Cisse and go with the 4231 with Jonas, Marveaux and Ben Arfa supporting. It would or at least should light a fire in Cisses stomach.

Although I have said in the past Colo could do a job there, to consider it like many of your suggestions is just stupid man. How many CB's do we have? I think Anita ha said CM is his position but I don't think it is. He could work in a 3 though alongside both Cabaye and Tiote.

I don't understand why AP is sticking to this fuckin shite 442. Why not commit to the 4231 and use Ba in behind Cisse? Ba drops deep anyway and a more central partnership with Cisse might blossom. If not the let him do a job on the left, Jonas on the right and Ben Arfa in the hole. Cabaye could play that role too if we went with Anita and Tiote in central midfield. We have the players for the system it just needs commitment and conviction in selection.