Royal Blue Mersey - Everton vs West Brom: Premier League Matchday 24It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2018-01-20T17:50:23+00:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/166734992018-01-20T17:50:23+00:002018-01-20T17:50:23+00:00Allardyce: An under-11 team could’ve scored against us
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/REuoczrOKW8JBeS3tzxKC1j5XdE=/0x142:1683x1264/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58393843/907539788.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Manager berates his side for poor performance</p> <p id="LHFJMB"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> came from behind to draw 1-1 at home to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a> and after the game manager <span>Sam Allardyce</span> was displeased by the Toffees’ effort. </p>
<p id="NB6xre">However, he started with confirming what we all suspected regarding midfielder <span>James McCarthy</span>.</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="sO2W4Y">“It’s a double-fracture, tibia and fibula. We’ll do it [the operation] as quick as we can, that very much depends on what the specialist or surgeon says.</p>
<p id="dM8yvB">“His tibia and fibula have been broken from his really brave efforts to stop West Brom with a possible scoring opportunity. He’s paid a heavy price for his commitment there.</p>
<p id="DzNEVO">“Obviously it’s a big blow for him and us, because he’s had so many games missed recently with not so serious which we thought we had overcome, and certainly had overcome over the last few weeks.</p>
<p id="OdOrSr">“Now this is one serious injury which we know will keep him out until next season at some stage, that’s a big blow.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="gkDmXz">Speaking about the result and the Baggies’ goal, he added - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="8cY9zp">“The only good thing that came out of today was the point. The performance was well under par.</p>
<p id="UMhMpp">“The goal today, an under-11 team could’ve scored against us.”</p>
</blockquote>
<aside id="dVKcAu"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"James McCarthy suffers double leg break","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16913120/james-mccarthy-injury-double-leg-break-tackle-salomon-rondon-everton-west-brom-seamus-coleman"},{"title":"West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton: Roller Coaster","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16912772/everton-west-brom-recap-reaction-result-score-goals-highlights-theo-walcott-cenk-tosun"}]}'></div></aside><p id="KoBxkQ">He went more in-depth with where the side needs improvement. </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="iGc947">“It’s difficult to watch that today, I think every fan in the ground is probably wondering what they were watching compared to a couple weeks ago. I see a lack of confidence due to recent results and not moving forward from where we started from, it’s my job to keep pushing the players but there were a lot of nerves out there today which caused lots of misplaced passes and I’m just pleased in the end we got a point out of it by our substitute making an impact. Some of our decisions today were not the right ones and it’s our job to sort out those decisions in the minds of the players.</p>
<p id="ntsxjh">”I think frustration is an understatement. I’m holding it in, the players know they didn’t perform today, there was a lack of performance and we must pick ourselves up and work hard to be more ready mentally. We need to overcome that and see the ability we saw when I first came here – we’re the only ones who can make it better and we must work hard to do that.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="wZQIlR">He had some encouraging words about latest signing <span>Theo Walcott</span> who made his debut today, laying on the pass for Oumar Niasse’s equalizer. </p>
<blockquote><p id="AkYvSu">“A great volley which he might’ve scored from and his header back to set up Niasse. Our players must understand where Theo likes to have the ball but our players didn’t pass well today, he’s a great player with plenty of talent but we have to play in the right way.”</p></blockquote>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16913184/everton-west-brom-match-recap-sam-allardyce-comments-james-mccarthy-leg-break-injury-confirmedCalvin2018-01-20T17:23:11+00:002018-01-20T17:23:11+00:00James McCarthy suffers double leg break
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/n-sa8rfQ6u2T7eG9bvLJ8j9pNjI=/91x0:1167x717/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58393643/907587818.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>It’s like deja vu all over again</p> <p id="upYaLE"><strong>UPDATE:</strong> Everton have confirmed that the injury is indeed a double leg break. </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="OqJhV1">
<p id="Pdz2mq">Is this the curse that Republic of Ireland players who feature for <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> have to deal with? </p>
<p id="kx8mE1"><span>Seamus Coleman</span> has only just resumed full training after suffering a gruesome double leg break last season, and now it looks like <span>James McCarthy</span> could be out with the same. </p>
<p id="Jny0YF">An hour into the game against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a>, Salomon Rondon found himself free in the box on a counter and was ready to fire home left-footed. However out of nowhere came McCarthy sliding in to steal away the ball. Unfortunately, Rondon could not stop the forward momentum from his leg and made contact with his foot right in the middle of McCarthy’s lower right leg. </p>
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JiWxKNlCTcV-sBNTFns0UF6f6u0=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10067885/907587668.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="N03wGr">The Irishman collapsed in a heap with his hand raised. Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford immediately called for medical support. Rondon ran after the ref to ask him to blow the whistle to stop play. </p>
<p id="0UoTbI"><strong>WARNING: The following image could be considered graphic for some, please view with caution. </strong></p>
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/PUjkdIqJUyNb3Vjev6wEZOb8kds=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10067881/907585750.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="RD2uoy">Coleman, who was in the stands today, immediately went to the changing room to console his teammate. The commentators later announced that McCarthy’s parents, who were at the game, had accompanied their son as he was immediately whisked away to a local hospital. </p>
<p id="lAiS9z">A cloud of foreboding washed over Goodison Park as McCarthy was stretchered off and Rondon broke down in tears. </p>
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kSeKG58UCJg-eTNCJgYsSAMDhVE=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/10067903/907629594.jpg.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="zX16un">Everton came back to equalize soon after and the game finished 1-1, but everybody’s thoughts were with McCarthy who has had some cruel injury luck throughout his career, but nothing worse than this. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16913120/james-mccarthy-injury-double-leg-break-tackle-salomon-rondon-everton-west-brom-seamus-colemanCalvin2018-01-20T17:00:02+00:002018-01-20T17:00:02+00:00Man of the Match and Player Grades Poll for Everton vs West Brom
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/_0aPT9xrZUEMAvtwiVnx8BemMc0=/12x0:1857x1230/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58393453/907587230.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tony Marshall/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Grade the Everton players and manager on their performance today</p> <h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a></h3>
<p id="HBo89P"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- Pickford; Kenny, Holgate, Williams, Martina; McCarthy, Schneiderlin; Walcott, Sigurdsson, Vlasic; Tosun.</p>
<p id="4vBHH1"><strong>Subs:</strong> Robles, Jagielka, Keane, Gueye, Rooney, Bolasie, Niasse.</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a></h3>
<p id="GHVAtp"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- Foster, Gibbs, Evans, Dawson, Hegazi, Krychowiak, Barry, Brunt, Phillips, Rodriguez, Rondon.</p>
<p id="iPIAcw"><strong>Subs:</strong> Myhill. Nyom, Robson-Kanu, Livermore, McClean, McAuley, Field.</p>
<h2 id="2787Tz">Final Verdict</h2>
<p id="74tJOj">Everton started this game like they have multiple others this campaign - disjointed, uncoordinated and mostly unwilling to put in the hard work. West Brom for their part came ready to play and scored early from yet another defensive error by the Blues, and were good value for their lead at the break. </p>
<p id="Z5HDVC">The Blues looked much better in the second half, but a hush fell over the stadium after <span>James McCarthy</span> looked to have sustained a horrific injury not unlike what happened to <span>Seamus Coleman</span>. </p>
<p id="3DHrTn">When the game resumed, <span>Wayne Rooney</span> found new signing <span>Theo Walcott</span> at the back post, and his header was volleyed home by Oumar Niasse to tie the game. </p>
<p id="CQzG0u"> </p>
<hr class="p-entry-hr" id="BALGSw">
<p id="FCS5f7">Who was your Man of the Match? Vote on the player grades here on how they did. </p>
<p id="Qm0i1Q"><em>If this poll is not showing up on your screen, please </em><a href="https://goo.gl/forms/EeEnTBR4jxoeNFiI2"><em>click here</em></a><em> to go and grade the players - we apologize for the inconvenience.</em></p>
<div id="Y8R5v4"><iframe src="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeyrFUe91SJQCcsq9z_DQyLwP6mY6-l87rvCczJX4Sy1BMiTg/viewform?embedded=true" width="100%" height="800" frameborder="0" marginheight="0" marginwidth="0">Loading...</iframe></div>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16911456/man-of-the-match-player-grades-poll-ratings-everton-west-bromwich-albion-walcott-niasseCalvin2018-01-20T16:58:52+00:002018-01-20T16:58:52+00:00West Bromwich Albion 1-1 Everton: Roller Coaster
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<img alt="Everton v West Bromwich Albion - Premier League - Goodison Park" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lF599iTLx2vdA4GnicKQUpEfTt4=/0x0:2937x1958/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58393525/907600782.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Peter Byrne/PA Images via Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>A tale of two halves.</p> <p id="Jn2TLD">The result of <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s match today is second fiddle to our concern for <span>James McCarthy</span>, who suffered a serious leg injury in a 50/50 clash with Salomon Rondon. </p>
<p id="anRBwx">The Irishman went in for the ball, and Rondon attempted a shot that resulted in his leg coming through the back of McCarthy’s. The Venezuelan was left in tears by the severity of the injury and McCarthy exited on a stretcher. All the best, James.<br><br>Everton would go on to take a point from the match after Oumar Niasse scored fairly late on.</p>
<ul>
<li id="12DIEU">Everton’s first shot on target in 21 days - 251 minutes of league football - came from Jonjoe Kenny, outside the box, on his off foot. Sure. </li>
<li id="JEU2ZS">While the Blues’ attack mostly misfired, <span>Theo Walcott</span> acquitted himself well. A deft header into the path of substitute Oumar Niasse allowed the Senegalese striker to level the match, and Walcott nearly won it late with a vicious volley that was saved by Ben Foster. Everton’s new right winger was likely their man of the match on the day.</li>
<li id="YWjjXX">Meanwhile, Cenk Tosun was largely silent, but through no fault of his own. Everton had trouble working the ball through the midfield and Nikola Vlasic provided a pretty poor outlet down the left. Tosun clearly has an excellent first touch and shows a good understanding of the game. He’ll be fine.</li>
<li id="SFac3w">It’s time to abandon the pairing of Mason Holgate and Ashley Williams. Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane are simply better players. On Jay Rodriguez’s opening goal, Williams left Holgate stranded in acres of space and the youngster pleaded with the linesman for offside rather than tracking Rodriguez. Messy. </li>
<li id="7W1ZDP">Everton played one of their worst halves of the season in the first 45’, but <span>Sam Allardyce</span> got his substitutions exactly right. <span>Wayne Rooney</span> provided more expansive passing in the midfield, while Yannick Bolasie and Oumar Niasse were far more willing runners than Vlasic or Tosun. </li>
<li id="U3qwEt">
<span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> will be criticized in some spaces, but not this one. It’s very difficult for the Frenchman to find progressive passes when the movement from the attackers is nonexistent. You’d hope that once Sigurdsson, Walcott, Tosun, and Bolasie have played together more often, the movement will improve. </li>
</ul>
<p id="qoVi5G">About 60 minutes of crap, and about 30 minutes of intrigue. Which, I suppose, is better than the 90 minutes of crap last weekend. A draw is better than a loss. Hooray for progress. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16912772/everton-west-brom-recap-reaction-result-score-goals-highlights-theo-walcott-cenk-tosunevertonchris2018-01-20T09:00:02+00:002018-01-20T09:00:02+00:00Everton vs West Bromwich Albion: Gamethread
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<img alt="West Bromwich Albion v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/ac2lpoWKWVWS2PebrpA6TbnHJVg=/0x0:4178x2785/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58332047/898788516.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Chris Brunskill Ltd/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Toffees desperately need to get back on track against the relegation fodder Baggies</p> <p id="tj4rzW">Last season, 35 points was the magic amount needed for survival in the Premier League. Currently, both <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> (27 points) and <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a> (19) are below that mark. The Toffees’ manager fears that if his team continues in its current form, they risk slipping into the bottom tier once again. For the Baggies, that is already their reality.</p>
<p id="HQZHoV">When the two sides met less than a month ago on Boxing Day, the match had all the feelings of a relegation six pointer. The visiting Blues defended for their lives and had limited chances of their own. While home town Albion lacked any inkling of finishing ability. The result was a 0-0 draw that left all who witnessed and participated in the game feeling a bit sick.</p>
<p id="Sqei4Q">West Brom may have hit a vein of form, though. Going back to their first match with Everton, the Baggies have nabbed five points from their last four Premier League fixtures and even advanced in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> with a 2-0 win over Exeter City. </p>
<p id="KClyPt">Everton, on the other hand, are struggling. The last point they earned came in that match with WBA. Since then, they have lost to Bournemouth, <a href="https://thebusbybabe.sbnation.com/">Manchester United</a> and <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a> in the league, and been knocked out of the Cup by in-town rival <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>.</p>
<div id="OfGLRB"><div style="left: 0; width: 100%; height: 0; position: relative; padding-bottom: 56.2493%;"><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Rq712lFwhJQ?rel=0&" style="border: 0; top: 0; left: 0; width: 100%; height: 100%; position: absolute;" allowfullscreen="" scrolling="no"></iframe></div></div>
<h1 id="t9lUce">Match Details</h1>
<p id="Tn0k5V"><strong>Date and start time:</strong> Saturday, January 20th at 7 a.m. PT / 10 a.m ET / 3 p.m. BST</p>
<p id="jLb1aE"><strong>Stadium:</strong> Goodison Park, Liverpool, England</p>
<p id="sd4UgU"><strong>Capacity: </strong>40,157</p>
<p id="jWmOa0"><strong>Weather: </strong>41°F/5°C, partly cloudy, 12% chance of precipitation, 9 mph winds</p>
<h1 id="NylbZy">How to Watch/Listen</h1>
<p id="ZqDVb5"><strong>TV:</strong> none - <em>United States</em><em>; </em>none <em>- </em> <em>United Kingdom</em></p>
<p id="mGBAfE"><strong>Radio: </strong>Everton Match Centre, WBA Radio, TalkSport Radio World</p>
<p id="W4aiBF"><strong>Live stream:</strong> NBC Sports Gold</p>
<p id="FsYgq9"><strong>Gamethread:</strong> Comments section below starting one hour before game time</p>
<p id="eB2O1I"><a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502958/everton-vs-west-bromwich-albion/">Information from LiveSoccerTV.com</a></p>
<h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="HBo89P"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- TBA</p>
<p id="4vBHH1"><strong>Subs:</strong> TBA</p>
<h3 id="hYm7g5">West Bromwich Albion</h3>
<p id="0kJu8K"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- TBA</p>
<p id="7Rp86j"><strong>Subs:</strong> TBA</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16891630/everton-west-bromwich-albion-start-time-lineups-tv-schedule-live-stream-how-to-watch-online-2018_TyYoung2018-01-20T05:00:02+00:002018-01-20T05:00:02+00:00Everton vs West Brom: Injury Report
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<img alt="Everton Training and Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/CMJ5jVB4ECY2EFlJ8tUYcas-TiM=/0x0:3283x2189/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58389597/907112540.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Who’s in and who’s out for Blues against Baggies</p> <p id="NEzTFX"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> have lost four games on the trot and manager <span>Sam Allardyce</span> will be keen to see that horrendous streak come to an end. The Blues have failed to register a shot on target in their last two home games and that will need to change sooner than later too. </p>
<p id="P3CMED">Both new signings this month Cenk Tosun and <span>Theo Walcott</span> are expected to start as Allardyce looks to go on the front foot against a <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a> that won for the first time in twenty Premier League games last weekend. </p>
<aside id="TaQVsH"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Can Tosun and Walcott boost Everton’s failing forward line?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/19/16908846/everton-west-brom-premier-league-match-preview-theo-walcott-cenk-tosun-sam-allardyce"},{"title":"Everton vs West Bromwich Albion: Projected XI","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/19/16905192/everton-lineup-west-brom-starting-11-projected-injury-report-news-latest-theo-walcott-cenk-tosun"}]}'></div></aside><p id="GUeRcB">Defender Michael Keane has recovered from the gash on his foot that has kept him out for two spells this season. Winger Aaron Lennon, who is expected to complete a move to <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> in the next few days, trained with the squad yesterday and could be given a farewell appearance at Goodison today. </p>
<p id="3oc4Wc"><span>Seamus Coleman</span> is back in full training but lacks match fitness as he ramps up his regimen in the next few weeks. </p>
<p id="gDwi3S">For Alan Pardew and the Baggies, he will be sweating the fitness of Ahmed Hegazi and <span>Craig Dawson</span> who had a clash of heads last time out. <span>James Morrison</span> and <span>Nacer Chadli</span> remain out for a few more weeks. </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/20/16906990/everton-west-brom-injury-report-fit-starting-lineups-keane-coleman-tosun-walcott-hegazi-dawsonCalvin2018-01-19T20:00:04+00:002018-01-19T20:00:04+00:00Everton v. West Bromwich Albion: Writer Prediction League
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<img alt="Everton Training and Press Conference" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/4vXTi5KoNl-iCRmXV01h1yK1fvA=/0x0:5568x3712/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58385145/907164356.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Optimism at alarming rates this week</p> <p id="Gf2dWm">Let’s spend as little time as possible thinking about last week’s match against <a href="https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnation.com/">Tottenham Hotspur</a>, eh? <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> got crushed last weekend, as many of our writers predicted, and it was a match worth forgetting.</p>
<p id="WkHRHY">Since then though, the Toffees added <span>Theo Walcott</span>, gave Cenk Tosun a full week of training, and have a substantially simpler set of fixtures ahead. So, let’s quickly review the Spurs predictions one last time, then look ahead to this weekend’s match against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/west-bromwich-albion">West Bromwich Albion</a>.</p>
<div id="AHulAB"><div data-anthem-component="table:846790"></div></div>
<p id="uqbrf9">Most of our writers got the victor correct, though none predicted the obscene 4-0 scoreline. Two writers also correctly guessed Tosun would be the Everton man of the match, though that had more to do with the underwhelming performance of most Everton players than anything particularly positive the new striker contributed.</p>
<p id="NVvIyd">Because the results from the match were largely predictable, our prediction league standings didn’t change much this week.</p>
<div id="r7dcNq"><div data-anthem-component="table:593558"></div></div>
<p id="kWivpz">This week, our predictions for the winner of the match are unanimous — though that has more to do with the struggles of West Brom than anything positive Everton has done recently. </p>
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<p id="oJ2sYh">Theo Walcott and Cenk Tosun are all over this week’s predictions, with our writers predicting (or at least very much hoping) that Sam Allardyce’s two new signings hit the ground running.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/19/16910492/everton-west-bromwich-albion-predictions-preview-theo-walcott-debutAdam.Braun2018-01-19T19:00:02+00:002018-01-19T19:00:02+00:00Everton v West Brom - Match Preview
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<img alt="West Bromwich Albion v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LiwQiHnK4-rnw_YVrpEjOxK9-3w=/0x0:3360x2240/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/58384311/898754634.jpg.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Duo set for their Goodison debuts against the struggling Baggies</p> <p id="fq4b7B">When your team only has one shot on target in three matches yet the manager says they need to be MORE boring, you know you’re in trouble.</p>
<p id="MwM1X3"><span>Sam Allardyce</span> left plenty of <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>ians scratching their heads with his comments in the wake of last weekend’s 4-0 thrashing against Tottenham.</p>
<p id="bfalur">Allardyce suggested his team were too open, too attacking, and a back-to-basics defensive approach was needed against West Brom this weekend.</p>
<p id="a7noWC">This raised all sorts of questions for me. Firstly, if you’re going to play open expensive football, I’d advise against doing so against one of the best attacking teams in the country containing one of the most in-form strikers in Europe.</p>
<p id="prvwox">Secondly, if that was an open expansive display, how come the team once again failed to have a shot on target and struggled to get out of their own half?</p>
<p id="i06TYd">Thirdly, why choose to open up against a team like Tottenham yet play three defensive midfielders against Bournemouth, who hadn’t won in their previous nine matches?</p>
<p id="cofEoG">Allardyce is already facing an uphill task convincing supporters of his long-term value given the initial opposition to his appointment, so comments like that are not going to help his cause.</p>
<aside id="clX1Ao"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Sam Allardyce throws doubt on future Everton transfer business","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/19/16908836/everton-transfer-rumours-january-2018-sam-allardyce-left-back-luke-garbutt"},{"title":"Allardyce admits honeymoon period at Everton is over","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/15/16891628/sam-allardyce-admits-honeymoon-period-everton-over-tottenham-4-0-recap-comments"}]}'></div></aside><p id="zjFnUK">What will ease the pressure though is results. An eight-game unbeaten run in the wake of Allardyce’s arrival helped, but four straight defeats - three in the league - have dragged Everton back into trouble.</p>
<p id="oKns7M">Somehow, they remain ninth. But defeat on Saturday coupled with other results going against them could see the Toffees tumble back into the bottom half.</p>
<p id="LFRvvO">In one sense, this miserable season is already a write-off, with all hopes of a trophy gone and chances of a top six finish eviscerated.</p>
<p id="VPTk5C">But the team can’t afford to sleep walk back into a relegation battle. Get to 40 points as soon as possible and the planning for next season can begin. </p>
<p id="r5s09a">Planning that should try to ensure the mistakes of this year are never repeated.</p>
<h3 id="AlrXkV">The opposition</h3>
<p id="afdsWb">When West Brom sacked <span>Tony Pulis</span> in November they will have hoped the ‘new manager bump’ would have eased some of the pressure enveloping the Hawthorns.</p>
<p id="Te8L3k">That’s exactly what happened at Everton for example, while Roy Hodgson quickly got <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/crystal-palace">Crystal Palace</a> up and running.</p>
<p id="SFMhEh">But when the Baggies turned to another one of the old guard, <span>Alan Pardew</span>, it didn’t quite work out that way.</p>
<p id="ELCv95">Pardew failed to win any of his first 10 games in charge (though in slight mitigation he only lost four), with his first victory coming at Exeter in the <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/fa-cup">FA Cup</a> before last weekend’s defeat of Brighton.</p>
<p id="bEUBhj">That 2-0 victory was their first Premier League win since August and moved the club to within two points of safety.</p>
<p id="iVEFgJ">This is the Baggies’ best run in the top division since the late seventies/early eighties. But if they are to secure an eight successive season in the top flight, much improvement is needed in the second half of the season.</p>
<p id="7rY1VH">Pardew has yet to make a signing this month, though any transfer business may be resting on <span>Jonny Evans</span>’ potential departure.</p>
<p id="TWUnBN">The Northern Ireland defender has been linked with a move to Man City, though any funds are likely to be diverted towards bolstering a forward line that has scored just 18 goals this season - the third lowest in the division.</p>
<p id="W4mDGA">With trips to <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and Man City to come in the next few weeks, as well as an FA Cup game at Anfield next Satuday, it’s not getting any easier for the Black Country side.</p>
<p id="sv9LKg">The relegation scrap is well and truly on, meaning Everton will be facing an opposition fighting for their lives.</p>
<h3 id="3nPV9s">Team news</h3>
<p id="jKDuNC">Sam Allardyce has confirmed Michael Keane is available again after recovering from a foot injury.</p>
<p id="L0f3Cd">The Toffees boss remained tight-lipped though when asked whether <span>Theo Walcott</span> would be named in the starting line-up.</p>
<p id="iPjJNT">After making his debut last week it’s likely Cenk Tosun will retain his place and make his Goodison bow.</p>
<p id="VlqgCp"><span>Seamus Coleman</span> is back in training after his broken leg but isn’t quite ready to return.</p>
<h3 id="QTJSv4">Predicted starting XI</h3>
<aside id="E2DhGi"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Everton vs West Bromwich Albion: Projected XI","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/19/16905192/everton-lineup-west-brom-starting-11-projected-injury-report-news-latest-theo-walcott-cenk-tosun"}]}'></div></aside><p id="butAyA">Pickford, Kenny, Holgate, Jagielka, Martina, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Bolasie, Walcott, Sigurdsson, Tosun.</p>
<h3 id="xlhwI2">Final word</h3>
<p id="yruhiw">Although I did despair at Allardyce’s “boring” comments, it at least shows some awareness as to the importance of this match.</p>
<p id="oxe84M">After letting things slide over the past few weeks, Everton find themselves almost back where they started when Allardyce took over.</p>
<p id="6ietnk">This is a game they simply have to win and, looking at the two teams, they should.</p>
<p id="3KZRIi">That would lift Everton on to 30 points, a significant milestone in the grim footrace towards safety.</p>
<p id="4d74nq">I admit I will take a ‘boring’ performance if it means we will win. </p>
<p id="lAxIqX">But, like much of this season, would should be aiming for much higher than that.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/1/19/16908846/everton-west-brom-premier-league-match-preview-theo-walcott-cenk-tosun-sam-allardyceTom Mallows