Everton V Manchester City

[bigl1cks]

Awful decision in my opinion however, the final result will determine if it is the correct one.

[evertonjoe]

Straq to score then engage in a tense stare off with Jelavic leading to a feud for our only striking berth.

[marky v]

Would losing a match and not playing well really set you back that much??? how and why? he's lost youth, reserve and even first team matches before,

you can't protect young players from losing a match it happens and to be honest playing the best side in the league its even expected, he needs to know the big players are better it's a challenge to equal or better them

[pjk]

I'm baffled as to why he's dropped Duffy.

Got to agree with Samwise. See above FFS This forum is quick tonight See page 6.

[Outworlder47]

Richards is hobbling in warmups. Zabaleta may come in instead.

[bryan]

It sure is frustrating to know that any of the opposing 11 players tonight could probably buy our club.

[irishtoffee]

is vic injured again? at least silva is missing

[sam of the south]

Where's Vic? Have I missed something?

[Outworlder47]

is vic injured again? at least silva is missing

David Silva is starting.

[Major Clanger]

you can't protect young players from losing a match it happens and to be honest playing the best side in the league its even expected, he needs to know the big players are better it's a challenge to equal or better them

It's not losing matches you have to protect young players from, it's the usual knobheads booing him if he makes a mistake.

[Risky]

I think there's some overreaction to Duffy being dropped in here to be honest.  He's 3 games in to his PL career, so there's no need to get upset about him not getting the experience of playing against City.  If he's good enough, he'll have plenty of opportunities in future.

If he were to come in tonight and have a poor game, which is possible and he has made mistakes so far (he's still at the stage where people turn a blind eye at the moment) then that's what could really do the lad some damage.  He'll be down about not starting tonight for sure, but I doubt it will hurt his confidence.  I'm sure he'll have been spoken to, told he's done well so far but that we don't want to put him under too much pressure when he is so new to PL football.

Youngsters are blooded slowly at EFC, but if they're good enough then they will find there way and stay in.  That's always been the case and I don't think there's cause to get too upset on the basis of tonight's team.

By the way, personally I WOULD have started him tonight.  I can completely understand the argument against it though.

[irishtoffee]

Everton XI: Howard, Neville, Hibbert, Heitinga, Baines, Donovan, Fellaini, Gibson, Drenthe, Cahill, Stracqualursi
Subs: Mucha, Duffy, Forshaw, Barkley, Gueye, Baxter, Vellios

Man City XI: Hart, Richards, Kompany, Lescott, Clichy, Nasri, Barry, Milner, Nasri, Aguero, Dzeko
Subs: Pantilimon, Zabaleta, Kolarov, Savic, De Jong, Johnson, Razak

Not a whole lot of attacking options for Mancini off the bench. If we nick a goal early, we've got a great chance for 3 points.

this gave me false hope of silva being out. Nasri is named twice is what caught me out

[Outworlder47]

this gave me false hope of silva being out. Nasri is named twice is what caught me out

Whoops. Yeah, Silva for one of those Nasri's (though I'd probably prefer two Nasri's!).

[krakkokain]

Who is starting at the back Phil or Hibbo?

[Tellittoyourking]

Any streams? Stuck in the office till half time