Late Barkley goals seals win

The 'support' link was pathetic! I missed the whole game.

Funny thing is, I didn't even expect it to work! Typical Everton!

Fucking useless!

To be honest, I was surprised by the amount of Scottish Evertonians who were there. Also lots of Ex Pats now living in Scotland.

When Naismith was leaving at the end there were chants of "Walkin' Away", then it was quite surprising to hear the chants from one section of "Hello, Hello we are the billy boys" Just young lads in one corner I think, but probably reflects the two horse race nature of footy up here.

In the first half with Hibbert and Neville as full-backs there was not much turf being chewed up down the lines and I don't think there was an over-lapping run I can recall. All I can say is it was a good goal by Ross Barkley and when watching live in a small ground like tonight, you can see he's the real deal. I think he really is. In the 2nd half a number 42 came on at left back with Phil Neville into a 5 man midfield. His name was not listed in the programme and no number 42 on the OS, but I think it was Conor McAleny who did get down the line a few times and put a few crosses in.

That's all.

That would have been Luke Garbutt at L/B who came on, the lad we nicked from Leeds. I know a few DU fans and although we have a nice link (Dunc and er, Alec Cleland?!) good to see Ross look good, score and most importantly send you boys back home with a win. Unless you're staying in Motherwell? I've been there. Don't.

Howard
Hibo Duffy [MotM, IMO] Distin Nev
Coleman Rodwell Junior Osman
McAleny Anichebe

Coleman was on right wing with Osman on left. Duffy won EVERY header and was solid and cool under pressure.

Thank God there was a goal as it was destined for 0-0 throughout! Barkley was awesome when he came on, proved to make the difference with strength and good hold-up play. I was also impressed with Garbutt and Junior. Anichebe looked disinterested and didn't even applaud the fans when he went off, like everyone else did.

MAN THE FUCK UP

Me and my two sons were some of the Scots Evertonians (their first of many Everton games to come) and even I was suprised at the amount of Scots in the away end. Most had the strips on etc although I think there was an element of local neutrals in there as well. But there's definitely a big support this side of the border.

If anything DU had more of the ball and chances in the 2nd half but I was glad at the goal at the end, always makes these trips worth it.

I hate to sound like 'one of those people' - because I've always been a big fan of Hibbert's defensive ability (especially the way he's shackled players like Walcott and Ronaldo in the past) - but was pretty poor last night. Most of United's good work came down his side, admittedly he faced 2 good players (Gary Mackay-Steven is a player we might see in the EPL in a few years), but he's faced better.

I just think it's because it's pre-season though and he isn't at the races yet.

There was also 1 or 2 Dundee Football Club chants (the neighbours over the road) from the Scottish fans in the away end.

If Moyes carries on from last season's end (which seems advisable) and plays Fellaini behind Jelavic then I imagine it could be Junior and rodwell competing for the central midfield spot alongside Gibson. Osman and Barkley could also be options. So long as its not Neville. Shudder....

Rodwell looked good when he came forward a few times, although I still feel Rodwell isn't a player who should be played in a fast-paced ball-winning position like he is played in in midfield.

He needs to be given a chance at right back, where he successfully played for Blackpool, or sold and the money spent on an actual winger.

To be honest I just can not see Coleman getting any better as a winger, he needs playing time as a right back because that is where he belongs. He probably has to be loaned out again to Blackpool if he is ever going to get any better. Any top team in the championship will do, but he certainly can not stay at Everton as a right winger that is for sure.

With regards to Junior, I have to say this guy looks very decent, also Barkley is showing better form now then during the second half of last season. We have cover in the central of midfield, perhaps it is time we sold both Anichebe and Coleman. That way we can afford to bring in a real right winger. Pienaar can not handle being the only creative player in this team, other teams will have learned from the past and stop us on the left hand side, then we are clueless.

I feel very certain that if we do not get Pienaar then we will struggle to create chances for Jelavic, and we will be out of contention for Europa League by end of season because of it.

I'm not saying he is the answer. I'd like to see him have a go there though. He definietly, no question in my mind, isn't a winger; and so, like I said originally, if we aren't going to play him right back we should sell him on and use the money to fund an actual winger or right back.

Donovan and Pienaar are both good example of Moyes attacking players in that they were pass well have quick feet but are always to be found grafting in support of the full backs. Trevor Steven was the same. His partnership with Gary Stevens wasnt just about overlapping in the final third.

Coleman has a bit of pace, determination and strength. Unfortunately at the moment he is headless, lacks vision and relies on determination rather than a footballing brain. This could change but I doubt it.