Veteran duo to miss Burnley clash

Yep, agreed Jeff. Bare bones indeed, “Dear Santa Thelwell, please could we have Jake O’Brien in the New Year sales if possible..?”

I don’t have a preference who replaces Jarrad; but, I am interested in who Dyche picks. Keane who could be got at by the Burnley fans, or Godfrey whose confidence, apparently, seems shot at the moment.

A big question for someone being paid big bucks.

Hope Keane is fit. We might need his long-range shooting.

Here’s a meaningless but fun statistic: Of the last nine goals Keane has scored, seven have either won or tied the game for us. And the 8th was Palace, which may have been the most critical of all. He only scores important goals.

Just thought I would slip that in before the inevitable slagging begins! ;-))

Jeff #1, agreed. Keane can head the ball and pass. Godfrey can tackle. We need what Keane brings more. But I’m sure Dyche will get it right.

Simon #2, Keane has played against Burnley at least eight times since the transfer 6 years ago. I strongly doubt he can be “got at” by their fans anymore, even if they were so inclined.

At least we’re not having to rely on Holgate anymore, thank Christ!

UTFT’s

I like that post, Mike, it makes me feel more optimistic.

I’ll never forget that goal he scored against Palace, or my post goal reaction!

Without slagging Keane, I’d be interested to know how many own-goals he’s scored or has been involved in error with goals scored by the opposition?

I’m not having a go, I’m genuinely interested.

I’ve just looked on Transfrmrkt, these are his EFC stats;

206 games, 12 goals and 9 assists. He’s never had a red card, but he has had two yellows once.

I just wish he could return to his form he had under Ancelotti.

If we are going to sit back and let them try to break us down, it’s Keane.

If we are looking to press hard and attack fast, Godfrey will be better suited.

I have no worries about Keane being selected and is fit.

I just hope Burnley is not a banana skin now things are looking up.

It’s not going to be an easy game – they seem to be showing improved form.

That Keane goal against Palace is in my all-time ever Top 10 Everton goals, for both importance and pure quality. But you know what I’m gonna say next, Mike!!

Is there not a thread about what happened outside the Premier League headquarters in London today?

Some people are questioning the wisdom, but for me, I’m just delighted that they have genuinely united both a football club and a fan base for the first time since 1995.

We have found a way of winning without a great deal of possession. If we can keep that up, and win, that will do me.

We should have enough strength in depth to get a win at Burnley, but they do have a decent record at home against us. So, I’m hopeful of a win.

Keane is better in the air, Godfrey is better on the ground. Both have mistakes in them and lack concentration.

Keane has reached his peak, Godfrey is still looking for his and has potential but did Covid and the injury take his mojo away?

Keane worries me, but Godfrey worries me a bit more. His positioning, not dominant enough aerially for a Premier League centre-back, not enough composure on the ball. Keane will just about get the nod if he’s fit enough.

I can see McNeil and Harrison creating many chances on Saturday against this weaker team and us bringing home another 3 points.

Listening to Dyche’s press conference today, he says ‘Keano’ is back training, who’s a favourite of Sean’s.

I’m guessing he’ll start, even though Godfrey has been on the bench. I’d prefer Godfrey because Burnley have more pace than height. If he does start Keane, Godfrey is definitely on his way next month.

Love the optimism but we don’t win many when Keane plays.

Them stupid gammy hands that he always seems to stick out wind me up – a penalty waiting to happen. As for his form under Ancelotti – just shows you how much easier it is to play in an empty stadium.

Not sure about Godfrey either though.

God, I sound miserable.

Then again, if we score first …,💪🏼

Step up, Nathan Patterson!! He needs to see this as a massive opportunity to get a grip on that right-back spot.
It’s the only spot in defence we are missing a regular right now. Go show you can be trusted.

The suspensions and injuries are making this a bit tricky, and we all knew how thin the sqaud is, now we will find out just how hard a few missing bodies will hit us.

But, if we had to choose one of our upcoming matches to have a couple suspended, it would be this one. COYB!!!!

Simon (6),

I think Michael has had two red cards, one versus Brighton, I think, a very controversial sending-off which was a VAR decision, say no more. The other one was a two yellow cards sending off versus West Ham.

What has happened to Tyler Onyango? He has disappeared since the first few games.

Really down to the bare bones and it’s not much of a choice between the two CBS. I’d go for Keane as he did play well alongside Tarkowsli for a while. I can’t see another clean sheet but if Sean gets them fired up and no complacency then we should have enough attacking threat to win.

Big game this one…

Win this and we could overtake Forest and Palace.

It’s no surprise that we’ve turned it around without Keane and Holgate in the team.

It was obvious to all of us for years.

Simon #6,

No problem, I’m your stats guy. As an Everton player, Keane has had three own goals and four errors leading to goals.

Agreed, he was at his best under Carlo. The season after that was when the wheels came off for Keane, and he hasn’t regained the faith of the fans since then — despite the Palace and Chelsea goals.

I’m more concerned about this game than I am the previous 2 games.

This is massive; win this and our confidence will be sky-high.

Off-topic but pleasing milestones: Rebecca Welch will become the first woman to referee a Premier League game next weekend, Fulham vs Burnley.

And the first Black ref since Uriah Rennie 15 years ago, Sam Allison, will run the Boxing Day match between Luton and the Blades.

Hopefully Keane will be fit to play as you’d think playing at his prior club and catching splinters for the last few months will put some fire in his belly. Dyche will also have mixed emotions but, again, also have that extra special desire to win.

RB we’ll be fine with Patterson and Onana coming in for Gueye is back to the norm CM.

All big games but this obviously takes on that little bit more given we can put 8 points between us and them with a win, and maybe Luton and Sheff Utd as well. Right now all I care about is getting as much daylight between us and the drop zone as quickly as possible. We’re going to get more injuries so get the points in asap.

They’ve lost 12 out of 16 so let’s not see the Christmas charity Everton for a change. With quite a few of our team being prior Burnley boys I think we’ll do ok.

Not going to predict results anymore after I thought we’d beat Man Utd!