Who is the better team? Everton or West Brom

This could be a really difficult match and an even harder selection for who I think may play in the WBA team.  Albion have a new head coach and no one really knows what Pepe Mel will do or what team and formation he will put out.  So I am taking a massive stab in the dark.

Everton don’t do well with teams that have new managers and also strikers who haven’t scored in a while, so im kind of hoping that Victor Anichebe is out injured still (Or should I be hoping he plays).

Goalkeeper

Ben Foster

Foster is a decent keeper and has done really well with the clubs he has had since he left Manchester United.  He is prone to the odd gaffe, so hopefully a few rasping Kevin Mirallas shots will squirm through his grasp.

Tim Howard

I don’t know if it is the fact that we have a new goalkeeping coach, but Tim Howard is having a really good season.  There is a confidence that he won’t be beaten and there is also a good relationship between him and whichever central defenders are back in front of him.

Foster 8 v Howard 8

Defenders

Steven Reid

He is an okay footballer, nothing else.  Doesn’t do a massive amount, doesn’t have great pace, but he is a decent lower Premier League table defender.

Seamus Coleman

Goalman as he is starting to become known is on a brilliant run at the moment.  Probably the most improved player in the Premier League over the last 3 seasons.  If he improves at the rate he is improving he could play for any team in the world.  Providing assists, goals and clean sheets.

Reid 7 v Coleman 8.5

Diego Lugano

Rumours that Gareth McAuley is injured for this one, which would be great as he is a decent defender.  Lugano hasn’t really adapted to the Premier League yet and Pepe Mel doesn’t speak much English, so Lugano could be interpreting the team for him.  He could pick himself! Job Done.

Uruguayan captain, but could he be a weak link?

Phil Jagielka

Back from injury to marshall the Everton defence.  Although the team didn’t really miss Jags due to his understudys performing really well, Jagielka is still the best defender in the squad.  A welcome return.

Lugano 6.5 V Jagielka 8

Jonas Olsson

Another big lanky centre-back. Neil Warnock described the West Brom centre-backs as clumsy and old fashioned defenders, whereas they are a lot better than that.  They are probably the reason that WBA haven’t lost more. Olsson is a big lump, but he is a decent player.  Whether he has enough around him to stop Everton is another story though.

Lanky, but a decent premier league defender

Sylvain Distin

Distin is back, which is great news.  Alcaraz and Stones performed well in their absence, but the Jags/Distin partnership is one of the best in the league and Distin is vital to the Everton defence for the moment.

Olsson 8 V Distin 8

Liam Ridgewell

He takes a decent set piece, that is about it.  Not very mobile and Kevin Mirallas should have a field day if he runs at him.

Leighton Baines

From one of the worst players on the pitch to one of the best players on the pitch.  Baines is on the verge of signing a new contract and that is great news.  One of the best crossers and set piece takers in the league.

Ridgewell 6.5 V Baines 9

Midfield

Morgan Amalfitano

He is one of them players that can be absolutely amazing or go completely missing.  He has skills, but he may not see the ball enough to use them.  Could be a decent player with better players around him.

Kevin Mirallas

I still don’t believe we have seen the best of Mirallas this season.  He started running against defenders again against Norwich and he scored a cracking free-kick, so maybe we may start to see the best of him.  He is a game changer though.

Amalfitano 8 v Mirallas 8

Youssouf Mulumbu

He is a very good player.  Good all-rounder, although he could probably add more goals to his game.  If Mel doesn’t get them up the league then Mulumbu may want to leave.

Gareth Barry

Massive signing. Great team player. Great passing range. Slow as hell.

Great signing and great professional

Mulumbu 8.5 V Barry 8.5

James Morrison

I like James Morrison, I think he is a decent player.  Not top drawer, but a decent player. Harries other players and has a decent engine.  Like a poor man’s James McCarthy.

James McCarthy

He’s like an expensive man’s James Morrison.  Great signing for Everton.  Doesn’t stop running. Will be a future Everton captain.  Hasn’t scored yet, could this be the game?  It could be scrappy, so maybe!

Morrison 7.5 V McCarthy 8.5

Chris Brunt

Used to be a decent player, but hasn’t done a lot for a few years.  Cracking left foot and could still score a wonder goal, but should have the pace to get around Seamus.

Steven Pienaar

Under-rated by a lot of Evertonians who don’t see the work or protection that he does.  Can be wasteful with his final ball, but wins lots of fouls in key areas due to his brilliant positioning of his body.  Great relationship with Baines down the left.

Brunt 7.5 V Pienaar 8

Attack

Saido Berahino

Berahino is an excellent prospect, but he wasn’t really getting many chances, but the departure of Shane Long could open up doors for him and Vydra.  He could go on to become a very good player.  Tricky.

Great prospect

Leon Osman

I think Ossie will get the nod for this game, with Ross Barkley being injured.  He gets a lot of stick from Evertonians as we look to improve as a team.  A lot is unjust.  Still a decent player, but too lightweight and slow for our team.   Good impact sub.

Berahino 8 V Osman 7.5

Nicholas Anelka

Causing more trouble in the newspapers than he has caused premier league defences this season.  Anelka is still a dangerous player, but he isn’t as good as he was and doesn’t get the service that he is used to.  We can’t take him for granted though. I think he will get the nod over Vydra (luckily)

Romelu Lukaku

Lukaku will be fired up to play his old team.  He hasn’t scored many recently, but he has had a little rest and also some warm weather training so I expect him to be back to himself.  He is a handful and West Brom will be fearful, which could open up room for other players.

Anelka 8 V Lukaku 8.5

Totals:

West Brom 83.5

Everton 90.5

Conclusion

On paper Everton should be too strong for West Brom, but we sometimes come unstuck against Albion and with a new manager they may be up for this infront of the floodlights.  The game may have come too early to start Aiden McGeady, but he could play a crucial role if he is to come on and try and unlock the WBA rearguard.

We have to be careful, but it should be a toffee’s victory.  History has told us not to take this fixture lightly.