Players Ratings vs Arsenal

I think too many costly mistakes by him this season have cost us... he needs replacing in the summer.

I think you'll find that if the lad can play away to Arsenal like that, then he should've been more than capable of getting some more time on the pitch in the last 2 seasons, like so many of us have been saying.

Exactly what have Naismith or Neville contributed to deserve so much more playing time than Barkley? 20 or 30 minutes here or there at home against weaker sides are ideal for a young player who needs experience. If he'd have been given bits and pieces over the years, he could be running the show for us now and giving Ossie a rest, but I fear daveys "softly softly" approach has just set the kid's development back 2 years rather than brought him on. Same for Oviedo, he gets absolutely fuck all from Moyes, but we keep seeing the same old faces getting starts or coming off the bench in every game.

Factor in that Moyes is constantly harping on about his first 11 being knackered and too old, and it becomes very difficult to understand quite why he's so reluctant to play players with potential.

I'm not saying Barkley hasn't got areas he needs to improve on, because his judgement needs improving about when to get rid of the ball rather than dwell on it, but that is exactly the kind of thing that playing at the top level will teach him. Sitting on the bench isn't going to give him the experience he needs.

I've said it before that Neville and others cost us goals and give possession away the same as Barkley. But Barkley is young, learning and has the potential to improve and be a very good player for us.

Agree on Howard's distribution. There was one time though that he got the ball in his hands, bowled out a great throw to Gibson who turned and drove forward into the Arsenal half... and I was just left thinking why the hell don't we do this more often?

We asked way too much of Big Vic with some of the high balls we aimlessly chucked at him.

If only Bracewell had been fit for the '86 World Cup – Maradaona would never have scored and we would have been winners with 5 outfield Everton players in the starting 11.

When Jelavic came on he basically went and played left mid! I don't get it, the boy has no pace and can't really pass the ball very well but he is a natural goal scorer, just stick him on and tell him to stay in the box or don't bother playing him at all! Fuck running the channels – we have enough players now to do that, and for god's sake in training someone explain the offside rule to him!!!

Sam - Fair comment about the players but what about the fans - once again fantastic away support for the blues. Not as vocal as at WHL but we had to start the Arsenal fans off, my god they are a quiet fucking bunch.

I thought Gibson gave Wilshere and Arteta plenty to think about as they were mislaying more passes than we were in the first half – the booking didn't even slow him down. As for Fellaini, fucking immense, he shows no sign of being intimidated and (most) of his passing was a joy.

But at the end of day the Arsenal knew we were in their backyard, shoving shit right in their faces – and for me they did not like it one bit. Fucking lightweights. Lastly, just wish we had a striker – a real number 9.

ps: The Mirallas incident was a classic and really sums up the Arsenal team.

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With Gibson, I would look to get his surgery done ASAP. If we end up having dead rubber games at the end of the season I wouldn't even leave it until the summer.

In terms of Moyes and his tactics on the night, it seems like he got them spot on. We had to defend but seemed to do so in a controlled manner instead of desperation stuff.

Barkley - I concentrated on him when watching replay. My initial thoughts, immense - considering the limited time he's played with the boys (and when I mean limited I mean actual Premier League games), the pressure he was put under, and his limited experience, he justified (I believe) his position for next weeks game. When he received the ball, he linked up well with the wingers continuing the flow of our attack and ensure that we continue creating pressure. There was a shot he did around the 65min mark where he created a bit of room from nothing and without a run up, punched it just a whisker wide of the top-right corner post. Exciting times ahead for Barkley and us Evertonian fans!

Mirallas - Such class! I thought work-rate today, was great. His link play and understanding with the likes of Gibson and Barkley was great to watch, all balls were played forward and kept pressure. You can tell he's getting his confidence with his play. For example, 32nd min he tracking back, one-on-one with Gibbs and managed to get the ball and completely flick it back and start the counter. Definitely ticking all the boxes I guess, with the work rate he expects.

Coleman - defended brilliantly all game. 76min sticks when Arsenal were countering and it was essentially 5/6 on 4. Ox-Chamberlain was unselfish and decided to cross in. Coleman put in a last ditch effort and managed to put a foot in front of what appeared to be a definite goal.

Unfortunately not the 3pts we desperately wanted, however definitely a performance to be proud of! Until it's mathematically impossible to make top 4, I'll continue to dream and hope we somehow make it!

The reason we play so much better with him in the squad is not rocket science. Its because without him, we usually have either neville or heitinga in there and they are not midfield players and they usually play shit in that position. Hence we're playing almost with a man short.

Its a travesty that we've been doing this for so many years. There is simply no excuse for playing players out of position in such a crucial area of the field on such a consistent basis.

For me Gibson is the heartbeat of the team always available for a pass never panicks under pressure and a top passer of the ball short or long. I don't have a problem with him defensively as IMO he tracks back well.

Results with him in the side compare very favourably with him not in the side and it is not always Heitinga or Neville that take his place.

Note on big Vic: although it wasnt his best performance by a longshot he was given hopeful punts in the air against two lumps of centre halves and expected to chase down all night. I did however feel he should have done better with the through ball from Barkley.

As for a defensive liability what a joke. How many games have we lost with him in the side, and how many of those were down to his errors? He's one of the first names on my team sheet, I just wish we could find a couple more of his class at that cost to pad the threadbare squad.

Unfortunately, for the other 95% without the ball he doesn't put in a full shift and gets away with it. Fellaini, Pienaar and especially Osman have to put in a double shift to cover for him and receive heavy unfair criticism.

Moyes doesn't miss much and is already making noises about the leg excuse.

Given Pienaars performance in the match and also resent performances, it's a bit odd as to why Oviedo isn't getting more game time. He seems to be tidy on the ball and has a good left peg. Pienaar is either knackered, off form or both - hopefully he finds form again soon, if not Moyes needs to take him off and give Oviedo a start or at least more minutes on the pitch in the 2ns half.