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Peter Creer
1 Posted 02/03/2014 at 00:06:32
Another great report, as usual. Couldn't find you last week and hope that it was only car trouble that made you missed the game.

Watched the game live here in Canada and once again sat watching the boys in my Everton shirt. I have to say that your apprehensions around the game were well founded as West Ham arrived with four wins on the trot and confidence brimming. Their plan, sit back and absorb the pressure, which for the first 15 minutes was an incredible 85% possession rate for our boys in blue.

I would have to agree with your MotM pick of McCartney/Barry... they go together and were the rock on which the game was won.

In the first half we were just not making that last pass and Gerard Deulofeu was struggling to make a meaningful contribution. He did grow in the game but I always feel that he is one of those players who needs to make a great play at the start to build on. He is young and that will change as he grows as a player....let's hope we see that growth because he is a talented player.

My last comment will be about the return of Lukaku. It was almost written in the stars. Our team over the last few weeks has been a great team waiting to take off....much like the early season games. We needed a finisher and he arrived again today. Thankfully!

I believe that the team, and Seamus specifically, has been less willing to attack over the last little while and he starting to do that again.

A great win today and there is no doubt that Arsenal is there for the taking next week. COYB!

Jim Harrison
2 Posted 02/03/2014 at 03:24:13
Thanks as ever for your report, Ken, always a nice balanced take on the events.

A win is a win, and although it was getting a bit fraught, the positives still remain. Being able to dominate teams in terms of possession and limiting their scoring chances offers a great platform. Hopefully Bobby will be able to add a few players for next season with a bit of game changing quality (or Barkley will get fit and start playing as he did pre-injury). Lukaku is a proven goal scorer, he came on and scored. The game plan paid off eventually.

It's funny reading the live forum. It's all doom and gloom, told you so, he's shit, he's useless, pretty much from 5 mins in. Games won in the last 5 minutes get 3 points.

For me watching football is almost painful. 90 minutes of gut wrenching tension. But that is also the appeal. It does excite. Sometimes it disappoints too, but generally I like to watch the whole game out before throwing in the towel and stating with absolute disgust that "Pienaar is utter Shite" and "Martinez has to have a look at himself". Game won, out-passed opposition, more shots, more corners. The pressure told in the end.

James Elworthy
3 Posted 02/03/2014 at 09:02:22
This was a painstaking game to watch.
However the arrival of Lukaku revitalised our shot shy troops.
Impressive games for Stones and McCarthy and in some flashes Delboy.
Would be good to see Lukaku paired with the much maligned Traore if he is ever fit.
I am still not convinced by McGeady maybe he is the new McFadden.
The best team won though the ref was poor apart from the reprieve he gave us when Barry took Nolan out.

Michael Evans
4 Posted 02/03/2014 at 09:20:00
'We gather in the Room of Nonsense...'

Thanks Ken - that quote alone made me laugh !

Haven't been to Goodison in years because so many happy memories of going with my parents and Aunty who were lifelong blues. Sadly, all three are no longer with me and it would be too emotionally painful to be there without them.

Ken - Your writing style captures beautifully the matchday experience and for that I sincerely thank you..

I suspect there are a lot out there who read your report and appreciate it but choose not to comment.

When you are no longer doing your report for TW you will be greatly missed.

James Elworthy
5 Posted 02/03/2014 at 09:46:34
I did notice the sign with a painting of Dixie Dean on it outside the Winslow which I had not noticed before.
However didnt notice it had reopened which is good as pubs like that and the old Bluehouse were integral parts of the pre match ritual,
Was 34th anniversary of Dixie's death yesterday I believe. What would he be worth today
Jim Bennings
6 Posted 02/03/2014 at 10:18:34
The game undoubtedly changed when Lukaku came on for Osman.

Up until then it was a carbon copy of Spurs and Chelsea, lots of nice movement but no end product.

The pleasing thing for me is how refreshed Lukaku looked when he was on the pitch, it looked like the guy that was here in September and October, sharp and quick.

I particularly enjoyed the bit when a ball was heading out for a throw in towards the Family Enclosure but Lukaku burst to life with pace to keep it in then outstripped a West Ham player and put a good ball into the box, that was almost a chance out of nothing but what it did was tell me that Lukaku looked totally refreshed.

I did say that in some strange way we could use the injury he sustained at Anfield as an actual holiday for him to get his head sorted and come back looking shiny and new.
The Lukaku of late December and most of January looked so tired and jaded.
It's early days on his return but surely the target for him now is to smash the 15 goal mark.

Special mention today for McCarthy who was truly fantastic and I am struggling to find a better more effective defensive midfielder in the Premier League as good as McCarthy.
He gets about the pitch so well, its now easy to see just why Martinez wanted him so badly.

Pienaar and Stones also deserve praise for their performances.
Stones did well against potentially dangerous strikers and Pienaar was forever busy with the ball and searching for that elusive goal.

Baines too had a very good second half in my opinion.

Oh well on to next weeks Cup Final anyway...sorry I mean Quarter Final.

Chris Sharples
7 Posted 02/03/2014 at 10:19:32
Thanks Ken a great report once again.

I don’t care what people say about RL ’s form before his injury we’ve definitely missed him, people tend to forget that he’s only a young boy & most of his goals were scored as a substitute at WBA.

Stones looks quality has absolutely all the attributes to become top class,he will make the odd rick but who doesn’t.

Last thing IF we are going to come up on the rails for 4th Arsenal look set to implode as others have pointed out next month is the key!

Jim Bennings
8 Posted 02/03/2014 at 11:21:50
Romelu Lukaku is a quality footballer and a player that will lead the line for the much fancied Belgium at the World Cup in Brazil so in my opinion we should enjoy this lad while we can.

I hope he can go on a scoring run now, with a home match against Cardiff next and Swansea and Fulham after that, there is no reason why he cant add to his goal tally before March is out.

What Lukaku wants is what he got yesterday from Baines, a ball played in first time ripe and early so he can get a clear shooting chance, and the thing I love about Lukaku is just how sweetly he strikes a ball, its always the sign of a good striker when the ball whistles into the net crisply.

It was a typical Lukaku goal which reminded of the one's he got against Southampton and Villa or the many he got at West Brom last term.

If he gets 15 this season, thats two full season's in the Premier League he has scored a good total.

Regarding whether we can catch Arsenal, well the next month will decide that fate.

We have a selection of very winnable matches that if we are serious then we must go on a winning run, its not that difficult, West Ham had won 4 on the bounce before yesterday and they looked very limited.
Arsenal have some hard matches against Spurs and Chelsea so we can live in hope.

Chris Sharples
9 Posted 02/03/2014 at 12:58:07
Agree with most of that Jim. I’m afraid Peanuts is a little bit of a enigma to me, & LB’s deliveries until now this season have either been delayed or haven’t got past first defender.
Another point is RL thrives on through balls slid in either side of centre backs or indeed over the top (Man City for example), at times we just need to mix it up a bit. The problem being especially in yesterdays case West Ham simply came for a point & until we start scoring earlier they will just sit deep .
Dave Brierley
10 Posted 02/03/2014 at 14:07:39
Michael Evans (#305) – "I suspect there are a lot out there who read your report and appreciate it but choose not to comment."

Michael is absolutely right, Ken, and I am one of those who always reads your report but don't often comment. As an ex-pat I get only get to about 3 or 4 games a season at Goodison but whichever way I've seen the game, you fill in lots of the gaps and give a really balanced view. Thanks for what you do, it's really appreciated.

How true your comment, "Strange how match day fans seem less interested in such things compared with the ToffeeWeb site.." Couldn't agree more.

James Elworthy
11 Posted 02/03/2014 at 16:11:56
6th is now Europa League spot
Dave Williams
12 Posted 02/03/2014 at 19:51:40
Do you think part of the Pienaar problem is that opposing teams now know what to expect from him and LB and position themselves to cope. This makes it harder for them to get past defenders and a bit more pace is now required which Pienaar has never had- he is quite quick but never had raw pace to get past a player.

I still like him as he still works so hard for the team and is always prepared to try something a bit different- his back heels are brilliant and are maybe one reason why he checks back as the defender goes with him and LB will move past them anticipating the back heel into space on the flank.

I think he deserves a bit more credit from some fans- look how Naismiths performances have improved since we recognised what he does rather than condemn him for what he can,t do.

Jamie Carroll
17 Posted 02/03/2014 at 20:34:17
Congratulations to James McCarthy on winning Young Republic of Ireland Player of the Year.
Dave Williams
18 Posted 02/03/2014 at 20:50:34
He's certainly not your average conventional winger is he Chris? His age means he will be one to replace to really maximise our potential but there are a few to replace before we get round to him in my view. In Artetas last couple of yearsI thought Pienaar was the better player and I wonder if we would have beaten RS in the semi had Pienaar not been cup tied?

Regardless of how well or not people think he is playing( and I think he is contributing a lot) I don't think he deserves any of the stick he has been getting on TW this weekend- any player who tries for the team like he does is alright by me!!

Chris Sharples
19 Posted 02/03/2014 at 21:07:50
Yes, I agree... but if it's not Pienaar, it's somebody else's turn to get flack, David.

I'm quite amazed how much stick flies around at times. I noticed even young Stones was getting grief the other day & mark my words, he really is a quality player.

Dave Williams
20 Posted 02/03/2014 at 23:02:38
I really like Stones and the sooner he makes a first team regular the better- just the sort of footballing centre half we need.

He reminds me of a young Tony Adams with more poise.

Harold Matthews
21 Posted 03/03/2014 at 14:41:34
James E. McGeady was not allowed to play his own natural game. Before he entered the fray Martinez gave him a five minute lecture on what he wanted done. Personally, I like him a lot and it was pleasing to see him carry the ball across the box to start the move which led to the goal.

Have to agree, it wasn't exactly a thrill a minute but West Ham are a big, well organised unit and limiting scoring chances is their speciality. Their clean sheet record proves this.

On the plus side. Delboy, Stones, Lukaku, McGeady and Barkley got valuable competitive minutes into their legs and returned unscathed. This augurs well for the very crowded fixture list ahead,

Brian Harrison
22 Posted 03/03/2014 at 16:16:48
Well done Tony Pulis who fined 2 of his players for diving in the game against Swansea. Pity other managers haven't got the same backbone, I think some managers are quite prepared for some of their players to dive as it just might result in a penalty and 3 points.
Ray Robinson
23 Posted 03/03/2014 at 16:25:31
Nice report as ever Ken. For once, we managed to break a team down that were clearly setting out for a 0-0 and/or maybe snatching something on a rare break. One thing that Saturday highlighted for me is that, brilliant though Deulofeu can be, he will probably never command a permanent position in the team (or Barcelona's for that matter) when his ball retention is so poor. For a team that likes possession football, he is actually a liability. However, he is a maverick and something out of the ordinary and definitely worth having on the bench when thing's are tight. I realise that he's only young but I think we've discovered our very own David Fairclough!
Harold Matthews
24 Posted 03/03/2014 at 18:28:04
Ray, For me, you have the greatest name in the history of sport.
Ray Robinson
25 Posted 03/03/2014 at 18:32:53
Thank you Harold, but you are showing your age! Anyway, what about Muhammad Ali?
Mike Hughes
26 Posted 03/03/2014 at 19:01:56
...and what about Danny Shittu?

Jon Cox
27 Posted 03/03/2014 at 19:20:56
Shirtlift?
Harold Matthews
28 Posted 04/03/2014 at 00:53:23
Sorry Ray. I grew up in the 30s and 40s with my old wireless set and The Ring magazine. Joe Louis and Willie Pep were magnificent but for me there was only one and his name was Robinson. Boxing as a mediocre light welter in the Air Force help me appreciate the sheer brilliance of these superb sportsmen. The skill of the greats in any sport defies description. We view with wonder and love them all.
Harold Matthews
29 Posted 04/03/2014 at 02:08:31
Sorry. That should read "light-middle", but it makes no difference. I was still crap.
Geoff Evans
30 Posted 05/03/2014 at 18:47:32
Brian #518

Well said mate, not the first time Pullis has told it like it is. Comes in the same week as the bloke who took his job at Stoke defended the donkey Adams for what was a cowards stamp on Arsenal's Chiroud.

Manager's soon moan if they think ref's got it wrong, don't mind trying to con them at every opportunity. Pullis is an honourable man who should be congratulated.


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