Bury friendly ends all square

Wednesday, 18 July, 2018 82comments  |  Jump to most recent
Bury 1 - 1 Everton
Lynne Cameron / Getty Images
Everton were in friendly action this evening at Gigg Lane where they needed an Oumar Niasse equaliser to draw with Bury.

Sandro Ramirez gets another start up front alongside Cenk Tosun and Kevin Mirallas while Kieran Dowell is handed another chance to impress in midfield.

The Blues made a good start and almost ended up taking another early lead through Leighton Baines. The full-back, who opened the scoring in the practice match against ATV Irdning a few days ago, had the first effort of the game.

Tosun then went close after good work by Mirallas but fired a great chance wide before Dowell headed over and Mirallas missed with a free kick.

It was the hosts who took the lead late in the first half, however, through Neil Danns who stole through the Blues' back line to latch onto ball over the top to slot past Maarten Stekelenburg.

Marco Silva introduced Jonjoe Kenny, Matty Pennington, Ashley Williams, Antonee Robinson, Callum Connolly, Muhamed Besic, Davy Klaassen, Nikola Vlasic and Niasse for the second half and the Senegal striker struck the post shortly after coming on as Everton went in search of an equaliser.

Niasse contrived to hit the post twice more in the next few minutes before he finally found the net, tucking home the rebound after his initial shot was saved.

The woodwork would deny Everton the lead shortly after Cuco Martina came on in an unfamiliar left-wing role. The Curacao international powered a header onto the upright when he really should have scored.

Everton: Stekelenburg, Coleman (Kenny 46'), Jagielka {c} (Pennington 46'), Keane (Williams 46'), Baines (Robinson 46'), Schneiderlin (Besic 46'), Davies (Klaassen 46'), Dowell (Connolly 46'), Mirallas (Vlasic 46'), Sandro (Martina 75'), Tosun (Niasse 46')

Subs not used: Hewelt, Holgate, Lookman

Att: 2,133

 

Reader Comments (82)

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Kevin Prytherch
1 Posted 18/07/2018 at 19:29:36
Team for tonight:

Stekelenburg
Coleman
Jagielka
Keane
Baines
Schneiderlin
Davies
Dowell
Mirallas
Sandro
Tosun

Neil Cremin
2 Posted 18/07/2018 at 20:47:02
Ouch.

This is very familiar.

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 18/07/2018 at 20:47:30
So Jagielka and Mirallas in for Holgate and Lookman; otherwise, pretty much the line-up that played the first half at Irdning. Are we seeing Sliva's top selection evolving?

A bit premature without Pickford, Gueye and Sigurdsson, who must be first choice when he finally gets to run the rule over them. With those, it's the same absentees as last Saturday, still without Theo Walcott (ankle), Yannick Bolasie (stomach bug), Dominic Calvert-Lewin (back) and Beni Baningime (ankle) but do welcome back Davy Klaassen.

Michael Kenrick
4 Posted 18/07/2018 at 20:53:11
Changed line-up for the Second Half:

Stekelenburg, Kenny, Williams Pennington, Robinson, Connolly, Besic, Klaassen, Vlasic, Sandro, Niasse.

Subs remaining: Hewelt, Martina, Holgate, Lookman.

Michael Kenrick
5 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:36:11
Martina on for Sandro after ~75 mins.

No show for Lookman or Holgate...?

Mark McParlan
6 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:41:56
Klaassen and Sandro – woeful again, and desperately need shifting out as soon as possible.

Niasse, though terribly unlucky at times tonight continued to create problems through his sheer unpredictability.

Interesting how the 2nd half team, clearly the weaker second string on paper, actually performed better than the supposed stronger 1st half side.

Michael Kenrick
7 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:44:42
So I count now 32 players that constitute the current senior squad, with Brandan Galloway, Tyias Browning and Everton Mystery Man – Shani Tarashaj not part of it.

I couldn't find a line-up for the U23s game with Coventry City last week, so not sure if those three are in there — I doubt that Unsworth wants older players who have clearly not made the grade. Expect them to leave perhaps? But they each have no doubt lucrative Everton contracts running for the next couple of years...

John Raftery
8 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:46:15
On tonight’s evidence Silva will need to be a miracle worker.
Ronald Hutcheson
9 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:47:49
No Lookman tonight. Is this the end for him or are we keeping him fresh for the weekend, hmm?
Alex Kociuba
10 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:53:05
Klaassen was utterly dreadful; didn't seem to want the ball, make himself available for the pass or challenge to win back possession. He's slow, can't cross and is no threat attacking-wise. I honestly think he's worse than Klaus Thomsen was.
Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:56:33
Michael, Browning is looking for a loan deal, I think his contract finishes at the end of this season making him a free agent.

I don't know what's happened to Gallaway's career, seems like he has given up; looked promising a couple of seasons ago.

Charles McCann
12 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:56:35
Not many positives tonight but there were a couple! Thought Besic looked good apart from one poor free kick near the end and then Niasse, what a handful! Not the most technically gifted player to say the least but he scores goals!

He has great strength, determination and a fantastic attitude. After maybe Seamus and Baines, he is now one of my favourites. :) Always plays with a smile on his face too. Well done Oumar.

Derek Knox
13 Posted 18/07/2018 at 21:58:22
I am afraid I will have to review my thoughts on Klaassen, and Sandro too, for that matter. They were both pretty ineffective, and both looked so ordinary.

I know it's only pre-season but you would expect a bit more to impress for a regular starting position, that sadly was the case for a few others too.

Tony Everan
14 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:02:38
21 goals less than Saturday, what’s gone wrong?
David Pearl
16 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:03:03
Hopefully he knows soon who to sell if any team out there wants them. We are carrying so many inadequate players, we need them gone. Niasse isn't one of them.
John Keating
17 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:03:05
I appreciate it's a pre season friendly where fitness and tactics are priority but it doesn't need a professional to see what we really have at our disposal.

As last pre-season Sandro and Klaassen looked totally lost and unsuited. Many have been hoping these two lads step up but, in my opinion, we have to accept they are just not up to it.

2 good young lads backing up Baines and Coleman. Niasse will always cause problems. That's about it really.

Hopefully we will see thing differently in a couple of weeks time. Could have been watching a last pre-season game.

John Malone
19 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:04:54
Derek (#13), totally agree mate I can't believe how short of what is required they both are.

Sandro actually has a good right foot and his brain is very sharp but he is just a level below physically.

Davy Klaassen has got to be up there with Per Krøldrup as one of our worst ever signings — he absolutely useless! He wouldn't get a game in a Championship side he is that slow and weak.

David Barks — do you still believe Klaassen is a good player??? Clueless!

Ian Bennett
20 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:12:45
A lot of work ahead.

Mirallas has a chance of making it back into the fold. He might play for himself, but least he's got something. Terrible performance from Klaassen and Sandro. They're too big earners that we ain't going to get rid of easily.

Worrying rather than optimistic.

Tom Bowers
21 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:14:32
Niasse hit the woodwork three times???

Just another training session and, with 9 changes at half-time, I am sure the manager is forming opinions about those not up to snuff.

Hopefully soon marching orders will be given to those underachievers and we will see some new blood.

Tony Page
22 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:49:17
"Always plays with a smile on his face too. Well done Oumar."

I would always have a smile on my face if I had fooled some part-time actor I was worth £70 grand a week! Jeeeezzz!!!

Sam Hoare
23 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:53:29
I only saw the highlights but the performance seemed better than the result.

Why no Holgate or Lookman? Two players I'd hoped would be regulars this season.

Gavin Johnson
24 Posted 18/07/2018 at 22:54:14
There's no way Klaassen is as bad as some people make out, but he doesn't look like he has the physicality to make it in the English game. The same can be said for Sandro. It's a shame because I'm desperate for them both to succeed.

I would be talking to one of these Italian clubs who were looking at Klaassen and offer him in a swap. Maybe a swap involving Joao Mario who's been an expensive flop at Inter. Sandro needs to be loaned out again.

Ralph Basnett
25 Posted 18/07/2018 at 23:05:13
I think Silva's face at the end says it all – "WTF am I going to do with this pile of shit!!!!"

We are going to struggle upto Xmas and then spunk more panic money.

Play the kids, fuck the shit off at a loss and hope we are still Premier League next season.

How have we got this bad as a whole setup is unbelievable.

Still got my Season Ticket so I will still go but I'm dreading it already.

Oh, and Liverpool have only spent £170 mill so far!

Simon Smith
26 Posted 18/07/2018 at 23:15:21
Must have used all our goals up the other day 🙈
Tony Twist
27 Posted 18/07/2018 at 23:15:48
I'm disappointed with the distinct lack of improvement thus far by Silva. I think he should know who's who by now, you only have to watch recordings from last season to know who is worth working with and who isn't.

He should be solely concentrating on his starting eleven and bench personnel and get them playing competently as a team. There is not enough time keeping the likes of Mirallas and Schneiderlin sweet when you know their impact will be minimal.

Clive Rogers
28 Posted 18/07/2018 at 23:19:42
This is very worrying. At least half of those players we know are not good enough or past it. It's very worrying that Mirallas is one of the better performers. If he is forcing his way into the team, we are in serious trouble.
Michael Lynch
29 Posted 18/07/2018 at 23:26:24
The good news should be that, after tonight, Silva will be going to the board to tell them it's not just two or three new faces that he needs, it's six or seven.

Doesn't matter how good a coach Silva is, he'll struggle to get anything out of this lot.

Stephen Davies
30 Posted 18/07/2018 at 00:05:02
Tony?

Distinct lack of improvement? Christ on a bike.

How long would you give him? One more game?

Steavey Buckley
31 Posted 18/07/2018 at 00:06:13
After the Bury match, Everton finishing 8th last season was a good result. Something Everton may do well to accomplish this season under the circumstances of having Kevin Mirallas back as Everton's best player last night.
Peter Gorman
32 Posted 19/07/2018 at 00:24:38
Well, it is only a friendly and from the limited highlights there does seem to be more purpose going forward than under that big mess of a man we had in charge last season.

The problem is there is just not enough quality in the team, something we've already known for the best part of a year.

Silva would indeed have to be a miracle-worker to mould pigs ears like Schneiderlin, Keane and Williams into silky purses but on a positive note the fringe youngsters appear to be ready to bypass the dross and go straight into the team. Doubt they'll be enough to make a success of a season and nor would it be fair to ask them, so here's hoping for some real quality signings before the window closes – if Moshiri can be bothered to stump up.

Fran Mitchell
33 Posted 19/07/2018 at 00:24:46
Liverpool drew 0-0 with Bury, and people on here were saying they are title contenders.

Pre-season is pre-season. Today was a run around to see how players adjust to the system and specific roles. The performance is not important at this stage.

A good 5-6 of those out there will be gone soon, and another 3-4 will likely not play more than the occassional League Cup game.

Vin Genova
34 Posted 19/07/2018 at 00:28:30
Yikes, the doom and gloom on this board. It is preseason training, the players are shaking the Ibiza sand off of them still.

They are getting their legs back and no one got hurt, a successful run out I think.

Peter Mills
35 Posted 19/07/2018 at 00:36:24
Home just after midnight from Gigg Lane.

Mirallas played okay in the first half, as did Schneiderlin. Connolly did well in the Schneiderlin position in the 2nd half. Robinson showed speed and awareness at left back, although he is raw. Niasse was Niasse, he was the only player who really looked like scoring.

Apart from that, it was a bit grim. Does lots of passing, a lack of pace, little presence up front or in centre midfield sound familiar? Sandro, Klaassen, Besic, Vlasic, Williams, probably Tosun and Pennington seem unlikely to help us much. And Martina is unlikely to become a winger.

Patience has been called for, it looks as though we will need it.

Peter Gorman
36 Posted 19/07/2018 at 00:51:29
Vin, for any 'normal' season I'd expect a bit of Ibiza sand but let's be honest about it, this collective bunch with few exceptions has an awful lot to prove to the fans. The 'doom and gloom' (if you really need to call it that) stems almost entirely from the reminder that, after a highly diverting World Cup, we are back to the reality of just not being all that good.
David Pearl
37 Posted 19/07/2018 at 00:54:55
Rip it up and start again. Thanks to you Steve Walsh, take a bow. And Sandro really is that bad. Doom and gloom comes from taking a top 6 team and making us worse after spending £150 gazillion. Is it even possible to be able to sell or loan out the 15 players we need to? It's not 7 or 8 that need to go...

If l was Silva, l'd cash my arm in at the money store, then I'd kick half of them into touch and play the kids. That's Davies, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, Baningime... and build around them. We've nothing else. Yes, I'm having a bad week.

Ernie Baywood
38 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:00:04
I wouldn't start making any big judgements based on that game. It's their first competitive run around. It's going to take time.

Sandro and Klaassen are going to be interesting. They've shown they've got talent prior to joining us. Someone (Silva) has to figure out how they're going to get a tune out of them. I just can't accept that they are useless.

Preseason isn't the time to write them off. Nor is a handful of bench appearances. But they're not exactly forcing their way into the first team.

Peter Gorman
39 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:00:22
Peter, I'm glad you thought Connolly did well playing in a midfield position we've not really witnessed before, yet one he played the best part of his loan at Ipswich.

I recall a couple of Tractor fans last year expressing their surprise that Everton hadn't developed him much as a holding midfielder because he was excelling for them.

Connolly is clearly a versatile lad and therefore I hope he stays with our first team and gets his share of games.

Ernie – " I just can't accept that they are useless" – what timescale are you working to? I fear you may just have to accept it mate, they don't appear capable of grasping whatever opportunity to impress comes their way.

Nicholas Ryan
40 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:07:16
"Doomed, Mr Mannering, Doomed!".
Mike Gaynes
41 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:16:46
Did anybody notice that one of Bury's substitutes was one Sam Allardyce?

Grandson.

Kase Chow
42 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:27:30
Sandro is absolutely awful. I don't see a footballer there. He's shocking. Even worse than Brett Angell and that's saying something

Worse than Stuart Barlow. Worse than Jo. Worse than Michael Branch. Worse than any striker I can remember

He's even worse than Ings for them lot. I mean the guy is so turd he makes Niasse look like a world beater. He makes us want to forgive Mirallas because a half bothered Mirallas is 100 times more dangerous than ‘Mr stumble Sandro'

Sandro has no redeeming features (I don't care what he did prior to Everton). The guy is on a reported £100k a week

Just think about that for a while. £100k a week and he can't keep his balance. He can't hit the target. He can't outpace anyone. He can't shoulder anyone off the ball. He can't out jump anyone

He's so dreadful he's an embodiment of what an awful summer recruitment we had last season

£100k a week

Vin Genova
43 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:32:33
Peter, I hear you. I'm not concerned about the team yet, though I am a little concerned about Sandro and Klaassen now.

I've defended both in the past, saying they only need to get away from Big Sam.

I think Sandro doesn't care much now and wants to get as far from England as possible, but Klaassen by all accounts wants to be playing for Everton. He needs to show something quickly or he is done.

I'll still hold out a little longer on the two, to see how they look with the real squad and a game plan, but I'll admit it is not looking great for them anymore.

Terry White
44 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:35:19
I believe Sandro speaks well of you too, Kase (#42).
Peter Gorman
45 Posted 19/07/2018 at 01:36:02
Mike – I hope Sam Jr takes after his mother's side.
Gary Russell
46 Posted 19/07/2018 at 02:11:18
Highlights of post hitting...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9s9FN4NsW0

Lee Brownlie
47 Posted 19/07/2018 at 03:02:52
I suppose this is what you call 'coming back down to Earth' after the Austrian boys-own goal-fest, then? But then it WAS against the mighty Bury!!!
Albert Perkins
48 Posted 19/07/2018 at 03:28:31
Bury played Liverpool a few days ago and they didn't even score.
David Ellis
49 Posted 19/07/2018 at 03:34:07
It's pre-season. Doesn't mean anything. We could still be awful. Or not. Don't think there's any correlation between pre-season results and how the season goes. We'll see in August.

However it may show how individuals are progressing (as opposed to the team). Sounds like Klaassen and Sandro aren't going to make it, even under Silva, but I think we already had three coaches and a full Premier League season to work that out. A terrible shame (and gob-smacking waste of money). Surely if it was just a physical thing they could bulk up in the gym. I suspect there's more to it than that.

Bill Gienapp
51 Posted 19/07/2018 at 04:23:38
First pre-season friendly (not counting the 22-0 shellacking)... freak-outs and meltdowns right on schedule!
William Cartwright
54 Posted 19/07/2018 at 04:41:32
Bugger me after all the calls for patience it seems the ToffeeWeb instant rage button has been pressed too many times already! However, Klaassen looked absolutely bloody useless and Sandro not far behind.

Niasse for me was super. Someone must have told him it was a friendly; he thought "I am good at that, I do smiles, which he did very well and looked our best player.

Well done... and up yours, Koeman!

Alan J Thompson
56 Posted 19/07/2018 at 06:13:24
Doesn't say much for the pace of our defence if Bury can score by chasing "one over the top".

If we don't find a pacy defender, then it looks like park the bus against any side quick on the break.

Brian Porter
57 Posted 19/07/2018 at 06:50:57
Niaase has to stay. He showed again last night that he has a hunger for goals abd has the power to shake off the last defender and hit the target. Even Tosun failed in that regard last night.

I still can't understand people who want rid of Oumar. There's goals in that lad and we need him, even as our super-sub.

As a first real run out last night was okay. Better second half than first. No Lookman, which I prefer to believe was simply to deny Leipzig's scout a view of him. Wish we would publicly tell them to do one, he's not for sale!

Paul Mackay
58 Posted 19/07/2018 at 07:33:57
Love the way people start laying down how our entire season is going to pan out based upon a pre-season friendly.

It's a PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY!!!!!

We shouldn't be reading anything into it.

Also, love Williams describing Bury as a ‘stern test'. Assuming he's on drugs?

Alan J Thompson
59 Posted 19/07/2018 at 07:37:25
Paul (#58); Write to him, mate, tell him, "It's Bury – not Inter!"
Paul Mackay
60 Posted 19/07/2018 at 07:38:36
Alan (#59),

I would but I assume he can't read.

Robert Workman
61 Posted 19/07/2018 at 07:46:14
I was impressed by Baines, Mirallas, Dowell, Besic, Kenny, Niasse and Robinson — but not by Ramirez, Klaassen or Vlasic.
Alan Rodgers
62 Posted 19/07/2018 at 08:21:18
Klaassen proved his worth at Bury – he was anonymous. Couldn't even get in the game at this level.

Ramirez was good out wide and takes a good corner but he's not a Premier League striker.

Kevin Prytherch
63 Posted 19/07/2018 at 08:32:08
I've only seen 12 minutes worth of highlights but from them...

Bury had one chance that we should have defended better. I also think that Pickford would have done better.

Davies and Dowell seemed to link up well in the first half.

Sandro did a couple of good things, I can only presume he didn't do much else than what was in the highlights.

Kenny looked good, as did Baines – might be writing him off prematurely.

Niasse was Niasse, he would be difficult to replace.

Tony Abrahams
64 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:07:52
Funny reading this thread, but everyone has their own opinion, and mine will be just as funny to some.

I know it was only Bury, and I know most only played for 45 minutes, but we looked fitter after two weeks than we did at the end of last years pre-season. I normally can't watch but I enjoyed the second half last night.

Ernie Baywood
65 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:15:11
Sandro hasn't played any worse than Niasse did in his first few games. In fact, I'd say he's been better – even after seeing his comically wayward shot! Niasse stood on the ball and fell over while shooting at this stage of last pre-season.

I'm glad I'm not tasked with getting something out of him. Though I'd probably have a crack for Silva's wage.

He can't be shit, can he? I know sometimes transfers don't work out or just aren't a good match/fit, but he has to be better than what we're seeing. Did deliver some decent corners for what it's worth.

Dave Abrahams
66 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:29:22
I only watched the second half; thought they were decent considering it was the first game they had played this season. Niasse is better than Tosun for me and, if they don't keep him, I hope they get and ask for a fee of more than £18M for him; he will provide more for Everton than Tosun.

I would like to see him play a few games with Calvert-Lewin, who will provide him with plenty of support.

Rob Dolby
67 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:45:35
I watched bits of a competitive game last night. Mirallas looking good but how many times have we seen that from him to then spit his dummy?

The young lads did okay against physical opponents. Niasse showed why we need to keep hold of him.

If Sandro and Klaassen had been bought for peanuts from a Swiss club, then they would already be out of the door. Sandro is in the same class as O'Keefe or John Spencer. Klaassen is Mike Milligan or Stefan Rehn.

We need to start bunging their agents big time to get them off the payroll.

Peter Gorman
68 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:47:43
Dave, I seldom find anything to disagree with you but you must be codding us to say Niasse is better than Tosun or that he can provide more for the team.

On a curious note — why do some posters always think those who criticise the team/performance etc are either angry or depressed? Don't you know that this Everton mostly inspires apathy?

Steve Ferns
69 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:48:50
Let's remember we played at the weekend, then last night, and we'll play on Saturday and Sunday.

Jagielka missed the weekend, so he was always going to play last night if fit. Holgate will feature at the weekend when it'll be interesting to see who he lined up alongside.

It'll also be interesting to see if anyone plays two games in two days. It'd need to be someone fit like Davies.

Franny Porter
70 Posted 19/07/2018 at 09:57:58
I'm not "too" concerned at the moment, anyone with half a brain can see we desperately need a pacy left-sided centre-half so I'm sure Silva and Brands are all over this.

Shame about Sandro and Klaassen but this many people can't be wrong, can they?

John Hammond
71 Posted 19/07/2018 at 10:36:21
First friendly of the season with a new manager and the same players as last season and I couldn't care less what the result was or how we played. Right now Silva needs to get us the fittest we've ever been.

New signings are on their way, certain players will be leaving. The first couple of months of the season will probably be a bumpy ride but we can't expect anything else after the mess of last season. It's not a quick fix.

Michael Lynch
72 Posted 19/07/2018 at 10:59:31
Our two best players last night were Mirallas and Niasse, but I'd be keener to keep the latter than the former. Mirallas has flattered to deceive on so many occasions now, but Niasse is what he is. By far our most dangerous striker at the moment.

I'm not saying he's a great player, but defences are scared of him and he knows where the goal is. Or at least the goalpost last night. He may well start most games on the bench, but I'd be surprised if he doesn't beat Tosun on goals per minute.

Dave Abrahams
73 Posted 19/07/2018 at 11:09:21
Peter (68), that's fine mate, you could be correct. It's just a matter of opinion and I honestly see more in Niasse than I do in Tosun. Hopefully, if Niasse stays, they will both provide goals for Everton this season.
Barry Williams
74 Posted 19/07/2018 at 12:03:43
We still have Pickford, Gueye, Sigurdsson, Walcott, Calvert-Lewin, Bolasie as well as McCarthy to consider; over half a first team. So it was what it was, a pre-season friendly!

I have to say though, Niasse is a very underrated player, I have been saying it for a while. It is not how you get there, but what you do when you arrive!

Steve Carse
75 Posted 19/07/2018 at 12:24:29
Sandro is a lower-league footballer. Klaassen? I think it's all been said already.

For me, the most disappointing performance came from Dowell. Not that he played poorly; but he was unable to shake off the tight marking and never once found the space in midfield to thread a telling pass or have a pop at goal. And I was really hoping that he could push himself into the starting eleven before the season opens. Last night, he did himself no favours in that regard.

Brent Stephens
76 Posted 19/07/2018 at 12:39:30
I thought Bury's #6 in defence was impressive. Sign him now!

Lots re the Blues I could comment on but, as one, Robinson looked very comfortable and confident.

Andrew Lum
78 Posted 19/07/2018 at 13:49:55
I'd just like to know which position Connolly was playing last night?
Tommy Surgenor
79 Posted 19/07/2018 at 13:58:39
Connolly played holding midfield.
Mike Gaynes
80 Posted 19/07/2018 at 14:40:48
Steve (#75), agreed, and he was not seeking the ball — disappointing work rate.

I really enjoyed watching Baines last night; he looked fleet and fit, skipped into the box like he did at his peak. If he can stay healthy and Robinson continues to develop... ah, well, I've said this before.

Jay Harris
81 Posted 19/07/2018 at 14:42:39
Why does everyone talk about last season?

Most of this squad have been here for a few years and we've been shite since the end of Martinez's first season.

We can't keep a clean sheet and our midfield has no real direction or enforcement.

The real worrying thing for me is that Kenwright still seems to be in charge of transfers.

Michael Kenrick
82 Posted 19/07/2018 at 15:33:48
Steve (#69) — "Jagielka missed the weekend".

Must've been one of your all-night raves in the Algarve that he missed... I'm pretty sure he played the second half of the Irdning goalfest.

You can't be confusing him with Klaassen? He did miss the game with a minor injury.

William Cartwright
83 Posted 19/07/2018 at 17:07:33
I've just watched the best goals of Tim Cahil on Everton's website. Leaves me speechless in terms of what we had, and what we are missing. The drive, the passion, the genuine commitment to the team, not just from Tim, but also from the others in the team. Makes me sad for what we have lost and where we have gone wrong in the past few years.

It seems like a lifetime ago, and a seismic cultural shift away from where we ought to be. Was it possible that Moyes was really as bad as we thought? I can't help but think what his astute transfer moves would be worth today. His scouting network really was something special.

Jack Convery
84 Posted 19/07/2018 at 19:49:34
4 pts and plus 22 goal difference. Keep that up and we'll be fine – now where did I put my anti depressants ?
Mike Powell
85 Posted 19/07/2018 at 21:57:23
After watching the Bury game, albeit was a friendly, we need to get rid of half that squad. We need at least four class players. A centre-half is a priority, a box-to-box midfielder, and a striker who knows where the net is.

I don't think Touson is the answer; Niasse gives 100% and will get goals but will be lucky to get double figures. We need a left-back; I think Bainsey is coming to the end of his career. Players like Sandro, Klaassen, and Dowell, to name a few, are not good enough.

Sam Hoare
86 Posted 20/07/2018 at 09:38:56
Can anyone who watched the match comment more on Besic. In the highlights on the OS at 10 mins there a passage where he brings the ball out from deep in our half and runs at and their midfield, using a burst of pace to go through a few men, he then plays a lovely reverse ball to put Kenny in whose cross really should have been put away by unmarked Martina 5 yards out.

That small passage is something I've rarely seen Gueye do. And never Schneiderlin. I wonder if after a good loan at Boro that Besic might be able to seriously compete for a role in our team; currently, the competition in the middle is slightly underwhelming. Joe Williams is another who did well on loan last year and might fancy a shot once he comes back from injury.

Brian Williams
87 Posted 20/07/2018 at 10:14:41
Think we should be careful about getting carried away over Besic and the couple of good things he may have done this pre-season. I have a good season ticket holder, Boro supporting mate, and I asked him what he'd made of Besic over a good number of games.

It would seem he hasn't changed as my mate said: He'll be brilliant in one passage of play and then give the ball away and put the opposition in on goal, loses his head and risks red cards on a regular basis, and very often loses concentration and can be invisible in the big games.

He (my mate) reckons Boro is Besic's level.

Tony Abrahams
88 Posted 20/07/2018 at 12:19:58
He was our best midfielder on the night, Sam, simply because he was the one who looked to go forward the most, with either his passing or with the ball at his feet.

It was only Bury, I know, but it doesn't matter if it was Real Madrid because midfielders should always be looking to move the game forwards at times, and we definitely need someone capable of doing this – otherwise, we are never going to improve.

Alan J Thompson
89 Posted 21/07/2018 at 12:18:52
When we did play Besic in midfield, given that before we signed him he supposedly played in central defence or was used to man-mark, he did show an aptitude to carry the ball forward as he did against Chelsea and hit the post before being subbed owing to injury which allowed Naismith to score a hat-trick.

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