Plenty of good individual performances

Along with stupid haircuts, ridiculous salaries and so many tatts that players must do nothing else in their spare time, zonal marking is something that both annoys and bemuses me. Someone made the comment recently that a Watford fan had told them we would love the football but hate the defending from corners under Silva.

I'm not sure his attention to detail will fix this because he obviously does not believe in a big defender who is good in the air marking a big striker at corners etc. I noticed that, when equalising, Bournemouth had the choice of not one but three players in black and red to tap the ball in. I'm not a professional coach but surely something is very wrong when that is happening?

If someone could explain the merits of zonal marking to me, I would love to be convinced.

1. You indicated Dowell blew hot and cold. Yet he earned high praise on the radio. I suppose the radio commentators were impressed when he was "hot". I did not see the game at all, so ultimately defer to your judgement.

2. There was a debate on these pages over our youngsters. Calvert-Lewin and Davies looked decent by all accounts whereas Sandro was perhaps ok but not as impressive. My view is that none of the 3 are anything other than back-ups.

Given the choice between Calvert-Lewin and Sandro, I would personally offload Sandro due to his high wages and inability to play as a First XI choice. It appears he may be with the club, however, and it looked to me that Silva was trying to deploy him deeper and wider. He appears to have great technique so I wonder if the new role could suit him, although he would likely rank behind Bernard, Charlie and Walcott.

Perhaps Lookman is leaving after all, although I hope not, freeing up some room. But I think Calvert-Lewin is still a better bet – he does get goals and assists although he too, clearly is only a back-up, albeit one on a wage commensurate to a back-up.

Hope that Bernard is ready to go on Saturday as well.

Didn't see the game so grateful for all the reports etc. Pleased the gamble of making so many changes paid off – this kind of rotation helps squad cohesion as everyone feels involved, helps build confidence in the new/fringe players, rests key players and gives us a chance to check progress of the young guns it's all good (as long as we win).

Loved your Salle de Baines on the Live Forum which I read on the train home.

I can't agree with your rating of Jonjoe Kenny. Myself and a number of people around me in the Lower Bullens thought he was outstanding and MotM by far.

Zonal marking is effective but it does rely on the players to work with the system and the lethargy and complacency shown by the players when 2-0 up (ring any bells) was plain to see.

Tosun just stood by and watched the guy head the ball unchallenged for their goal.

A lot of work to be done on players concentration and awareness for 90 minutes.

Different formation, meant we never gave the defenders, enough protection, especially as I left the ground thinking all our defenders had decent games, individually?

I enjoyed the game though, thought we tired near the end, and it was the first time I have watched Dowell play live. I had been told he would frustrate me, but I actually enjoyed watching him play, although I’m sure he will frustrate me at some stage in the future though!

That’s not a criticism (yet!) it means I think he’s got a future, but it’s obviously up to him, how good it’s going to be. I like the way he makes time, he keeps the ball away from his opponent so naturally, and shows a real touch of class.

But if every player should play to his strengths, then Dowell, has got to keep forcing himself to stay involved, simply because he has no problems whatsoever when he’s got the ball at his feet?

The defence individually played well but, like the rest of the team when all back for corners, were hypnotised and fell asleep! Lots of us like what Silva is doing overall but not many agree with this zonal marking and he needs to fix or adjust it very quickly or we are going to get some hiding — something to compare with last season.

Having said that, it's now a pleasure to go to Goodison Park and enjoy a game. Hope we can say the same on Saturday as Huddersfield come and park the bus.

I always wonder about giving players scores per man, and whether they carry much weight. If you put Niasse up front for Barcelona, he'd probably appear to gain a higher score (individually) than if you put him up front for Scunthorpe.

Just prior to Calvert-Lewin scoring his first goal I was thinking he was the one I was most disappointed with but then he scored a couple of goals. There's posters on here slagging him off but he scored twice which is more than enough. He's just got to keep it up when he gets the opportunities.

JonJoe & Lucas had good games but I'd give Tom the MotM award given he's been somewhat below par lately and the misguided slagging-offs he's been getting from many on this site.

I thought he did great really, carrying the burden of Captain as well.

Given so many were playing their first game of the season it was encouraging that we won reasonably comfortably. The corner kick problem must be sorted out quickly. Our inability to keep clean sheets has already cost us points. It will cost us many more especially as teams will fancy their chances with routine balls into the middle. Hopefully, a settled back line will help but there are no guarantees of that.

In this competition, we have won all our ties at this stage since 2001-02. Our problems usually have been when we face one of the top four or six — especially Chelsea.

This Saturday, Huddersfield will have done their home work, and will park a few buses, as they say.

Defence will be interesting and whether Morgan starts, instead of Tom, in midfield. If Gana's out, both may start. Not sure about Dowell, could last a game, but it would be interesting to see, if he could step up. It's a critical season for him as well, in terms of his progress and development.

It's a game we must win, if we are to be trying to stay around the top 6 or 7.

Last night's performance appears to have been a marked improvement on our previous performances in this competition. I just hope we put out a stronger team in the next round and really have a go at winning the competition.

Decent enough win and when the players settled we played some good stuff. I was particularly impressed with the attitude when Rotherham scored, they just went up a gear again and could have had another couple.

Sandra was average at best for me, took the wrong option a lot of times, however he's not a winger and hasn't been playing regular. Dowell, I'm not sure what to make of him. He definitely has talent and he showed classy moments last night but too often you wouldn't know he's on the pitch. There seems to be something missing from his game to be effective in the first team but he's still young so can still get there. Was pleased with Calvert-Lewin with his goals, he certainly needed them and they were good goals too, 1st one a typical strikers goal and the 2nd was a peach.

Wasn't expecting a big crowd last night so left for the ground later, very surprising yet pleasing that we got 32,000. Thought Tom Davis had a tidy game too. Certainly the team could play better and the defence still needs a lot of work especially in the air but came away very positive with the performance.

And yet he is now being lauded as saviour of our midfield. Don't make me laugh... he is a shithouse of a player, and Dowell, Davies, Banigime, McCarthy, and (a half-fit) me, should all be picked before this charlatan.

Half-full and pleased....

32,000 turned up despite knowing it was a much changed side and we'd be playing lower league opposition. Also, 39,000 for a home league game includes the opposition selling out their 3,000+ allocation.

I don't know what Rotherham got, but they had a lot of empty seats. So, yes. We should be pleased. It's progress.

If we were in a 60,000-seater stadium, I would say half-empty... you would say half-full... either way, still only 50% bums on seats..