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Steven Telford
1 Posted 11/01/2014 at 12:58:25
If Baines is a fitness doubt, don't risk him, especially when there is a derby on the way, there should be no issues with playing Oviado, he deserves it.
John Zapa
2 Posted 11/01/2014 at 14:21:44
This has to be the weakest bench that I have seen for a long time in the league.
Trevor Lynes
3 Posted 11/01/2014 at 14:18:36
The bench looks really weak without Alcaraz (injured again?), Distin, Jelavic, Gibson, Barkley, Kone etc etc.

I really hope no-one gets injured today!!! We are scraping the barrel (again) and Jelavic is not even on the bench so he must be leaving for sure.

We really need some signings NOW and not at the end of the window or during the summer. Roberto said we will be stronger at the end of January, I hope he is right!

Mark Frere
4 Posted 11/01/2014 at 14:28:44
Shame Barkley misses out but still a strong looking starting 11, should be more than good enough to brush Norwich aside. Does anyone know what kind of injury Alcaraz has?
Jon Ferguson
5 Posted 11/01/2014 at 14:47:40
Really gutted for Oveido! I love Baines but Oveido played so well he does not deserve to instantly lose his place, especially as Baines is still carrying a bit if a knock.
Dennis Ng
6 Posted 11/01/2014 at 14:54:19
The misses in Alcaraz is worrying. Will need more info on Alcaraz for sure...Barkley was said to have a knock...Always supported RM resting Barkley if possible. Though this team is very thin in reinforcements...
Kevin Rowlands
7 Posted 11/01/2014 at 15:00:52
Just heard the commentator say we have signed McGeady today from Spartak Moscow, welcome aboard Aiden!
Kane Dennison
8 Posted 11/01/2014 at 14:55:55
I think if Barkley was fit, Baines would've been rested, and Oviedo in but, because he is out, we may actually need that left wing partnership of Baines & Pienaar.

I am worried about Alcaraz though; great back up but come on, stay fit. Thank god Jagielka is back and can partner Stones and give him the guidance needed.

Shahul Hameed
10 Posted 11/01/2014 at 15:25:33
Need to improve on goals scored through corners. Seems like we have not got one this season.
Dennis Ng
11 Posted 11/01/2014 at 15:41:09
Fer looks pretty good. Damn that "dodgy knee" farce!
Ross Edwards
12 Posted 11/01/2014 at 16:41:57
Since we switched to 3 at the back we have gone right off the boil.
Ross Edwards
13 Posted 11/01/2014 at 16:53:09
Good win. 2 cracking goals, especially the Mirallas free kick. The formation change disrupted the rhythm, but all in all, a great performance today.

4th, here we come.

COYB

Drew Shortis
14 Posted 11/01/2014 at 16:58:57
Good solid home performance and two fantastic goals to enjoy. Norwich made a good game of it but we never looked like coming away with anything less than three points. As soon as Baines won the free kick I said "Mirallas to bury this" and he didn't disappoint.
Nick Entwistle
15 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:05:35
An Everton performance which is pretty much expected now, which is lovely to say. Barry's strike was great, but Houghton would have been incensed at the lack of closing down.

Another game, another win...

Patrick Murphy
16 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:02:45
I hope Norwich give the same effort and commitment in their games against our rivals - when Lukaku's 'goal' was disallowed it gave them a massive lift and seemed to knock the wind out of our sails. The first 45 minutes was as good as football you are likely to see at Goodison just a pity we couldn't make the score more emphatic.

I had a quick trawl through the live forum and whilst I agree that RM made a couple of mistakes with his substitutions he probably realised that the players were struggling and went for more defensive cover. Had the Lukaku goal have counted we probably would have gone on to get another couple.

But all we can do is win our game and hope one or two fail to pick up maximum points. We have over a week to recover from this game and be right at it for the next.

Dennis Ng
17 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:07:26
Drew, I thought Mirallas was a bit average before that but since then, it seemed to give him confidence and made a few good plays. I wish he didn't need that goal to do that. Overall, solid performance and definitely a decent showing by Naismith and Heitinga as well. I do wonder if the 2 subs changed the formation a bit too much and ceded too much possession. Last 30 mins was quite a nail biter, however bad their offence is.
Mark Taylor
18 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:03:50
Mirallas was much more like his old self today and looked like he was given more licence to roam.

Much less convincing was our defence, with Jags, Stones and Howard frequently nowhere near on the same page.

Injuries are a big problem now. The subs bench was thin already and if Pienaar is injured on top of all the others, we are going to be down to bare bones, especially as McGeady looks like he needs a few weeks off the pies before he's ready.

Dennis Ng
19 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:10:23
Mark, I'd agree with Stones being more average than before. Definitely still raw but decent performance. Hope he can improve his reading of the game, other than that, technical aspects has been great.
Brian Waring
20 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:07:21
For 70 mins of the game we twatted them playing some great football. Also, what impressed me today was our closing down when we didn't have the ball.
Amit Vithlani
21 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:08:39
I had clenched buttocks in the last 20 mins but other than that, I thought we did well. Work still needed on the 3-5-2 formation used when Heitinga came on and Stones had one or two shaky moments. Central pairing of McCarthy and Barry bossed the first 70 mins and gave us the platform to dominate.

Lukaku had a strange game. Sublime touch for Barry's goal but he missed a sitter and looks short of confidence. Will McGeady's arrival mean Mirallas plays centrally, giving Lukaku a break? If so, hope Bobby still gets a second signing, ideally a central midfielder. We do need a striker though, as come the end of the season all we will have left once Romelu-lu goes back to Chelski are Vellios and an injured Kone.

Linda Morrison
22 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:07:18
A very good result as Norwich are a bit if a dodgy team for us usually. I thought Alcaraz was out as Jags was fit to play but is he injured, again. If he is that is so disappointing. As with Baines it is not sense to play him if he is not 100%, and poor Bryan loses his place that on merit he deserved to keep.

Does anyone know what is going on with Jelly? I had Radio 5 Live on for the Hull and Chelsea game. No mention of him at all there. Same when they went to give the team news at Goodison. We need to hope Roberto has a few more signings lined up, although we will have Deulofeu back very soon.

Agree with the comments about the new signing. Someone needs to give him the address of the nearest Weight Watchers!

Dennis Ng
23 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:13:45
Brian, no doubt about that. I totally felt strange when we ceded so much possession to Norwich in the later parts of the game. Definitely great possession game first 60 mins.

Amit, I agree on the CM need. In fact much more than a striker. We are apply great pressure but not opening up their defence for good looks. Both goals from outside the area...

Kevin Rowlands
24 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:11:38
Good win, but have to say them last 15 minutes were very uncomfortable, for whatever reason we just took our foot off the gas and seen to invite them onto to us. The injury situation is starting to become a bit worrying as well, just read that RM said that Barkley will be out for a 'while', not good news.
Amit Vithlani
25 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:15:51
Linda,

I was watching the telly and Jelly was supposedly at the stadium discussing terms.

Barry Rathbone
26 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:30:13
Great looking forward to matches again, even with loads of injuries it matters little the belief is clear everyone is buying in and even squad players are stepping up with confidence.

It's harking back decades surprising one and all with a swift new signing as per McGeady and already 4th-ish is becoming natural ground rather than pie in the sky.

Bit by bit the real Everton FC is being restored.

Patrick Murphy
27 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:53:20
Anyone else watching BBC Final Score — They've had Mourinho on twice and have concentrated on the battle for relegation today. Now I understand that all the clubs deserve coverage but just because their favourites haven't played today why such a decision? MotD will probably be same as they concentrate on the lower half of the table and squeeze us on near the end.

Steve Guy
28 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:56:03
I worry that Alcaraz is like Gibson .....made off glass. Great result today, though.
Paul Ferry
30 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:57:17
To be fair Patrick - 241 - the bottom is starting to look cracking - six poijnts between 10th and 20th and what with the shenanigans at the top, it's goijng to be a great second half of the season. We are on 5-live right now.

Can always tell on here when toffee-webbers are a tad subdued by the number of post-match comments on the thread which is a little on the slow side.

Apparently Bobby has told the 5-live fella that the toe is worse than they feared - 'probably' could be a fracture and could be 'complicated'.

Anyway, Bobby will treat this as other setbacks as something to be positive about and explore options including right now the window - we will be fine.

Barry was purring today and I felt that Jags did a good job today not least in sheperding Stones who looked shaky. Thought that until sadly he went off nuts had his best game for yonks.

So, Bobby is human after all, not his best subs but a boss first half display and reasonably comfy in the end despite a dodgy last quarter.

Will this feel-good factor ever go away, licking my lips for the shite.

John Ford
31 Posted 11/01/2014 at 17:58:23
The change in formation in the last fifteen really didnt work Baines was trying to tell Jags where he should be on the left. Three at the back - It was a mess.

A cruise for the blues though. We had at least one more gear to spare Other than the dodgy formation later on, the only concern is scoring more goals in open play

Patrick Murphy
32 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:04:32
I agree with you Paul, but be honest if it had been United or our neighbours who had played and won today would they have ignored them like they did us.

I thought it was a decent performance today and a good win, I realise that some people will be disappointed by some aspects of the game, but we are not going to dominate games from first minute to last. The season will become even more difficult for everyone as there is something riding on almost every game. I hope that RM does bring in a couple of players in this window as we need to ensure that all the good work so far isn't undermined by a lack of bodies.

Mark Taylor
33 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:06:03
Paul, to be fair to Heitinga, I didn't think he did anything wrong. In fact he looked quite composed and had a few vital interventions. Perhaps the formation change was a problem or maybe Barry and McCarthy running out of a bit of gas.

On the other hand, Naismith did his usual. Apart from one clever run, he just headless chickens around the field with no attacking vision and a poor pass. I can't believe we would want to ship out Heitinga and Jelly, yet keep Naismith. The former have their shortcomings but they are both better footballers than Naismith.

Kevin Tully
36 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:07:01
Change of personnel - no change of style. The sign of something special.

A very strange occurrence today BTW. The ground started to empty with 5 mins of normal time left. Never seen that before, even when we have been 2 goals down.

Are we suddenly turning a bit blasé? Didn't like it.

John Malone
38 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:03:50
Good performance today, Stones is quality on the deck really good footballing brain. Lukaku and Osman we're much better all round. I thought we were unlucky not to score a couple more today.

Hope Pienaar recovers for the West Brom game we were terrible after he went off andwe played 3-5-2 lucky not to concede, not letting that ruin what was in parts a great performance from us today.

Special mention to Gareth Barry in my opinion the most important player in that Martinez team, must keep him in summer no signs of age quality every week an outstanding all round footballer.

Chris Morris
39 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:14:10
How long is Deulofeu out for now? He must be due back soon surely????

I'm hugely impressed with Stones, even though he wasn't great today he'll have learnt more in that match than any of the other ones he's played in so far.

Last 15 minutes were strange and I think Martinez may have made that more difficult than it needed to be at the end

Colin Glassar
40 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:20:16
He should be back beginning of February, Chris.
Patrick Murphy
41 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:18:18
Stones is a very good natural footballer and he can only get better the more he plays - obviously there are some raw elements to his game but if he's as intelligent as he appears to be he will learn and get better with time. When you realise that a stalwart like Distin is absent and young and influential players like Barkley and Oviedo are also absent we should be happy with the football we are seeing. It wasn't so long ago that an Everton side shorn of just one of its regulars would struggle to perform.
Andrew Sutcliffe
42 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:12:05
My name is Andrew and I am an alc...hmmn wrong site. My name is Andrew and I am a humble pie eater!

I fully admit to being ambivalent when Roberto Martinez was hired and was uncertain as to what direction we would take. I am happy to be consistently proven wrong and am now expecting to win every game.

Some of the football last year was beautiful to see but we have taken it to another level under Roberto, this along with his infectious personality it is enjoyable to be an Everton fan again.

John Stones looks a fantastic acquisition and plays the Roberto way, although I'm not sure about the 3-5-2.

It feels great to be proven wrong.

David Greenwood
43 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:17:27
A good solid win.

We've said before on here, how many times did Utd and Arsenal win the league just grinding out performances and getting the job done, not playing brilliantly?

I know its a cliché but its the sign of a good team that can without playing well.

What a squad we've got when everyone is fit.

Happy days.

Mark Taylor
44 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:17:55
Chris 259

The initial news from Everton suggested he would be back by the West Brom game, but subsequently, Barca indicated they thought the injury would take a lot longer. I think it was a grade 3 tear.

I've seen him on a video clip playing headwall with a Barca team mate but I think given the type of explosive player he is, Barca are playing extra cautious on having him return to action. End of the month to resume full training and playing early Feb is probably the most optimistic scenario and I wouldn't be surprised if the return was well into next month.

Jeff Gwilliams
45 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:24:15
Some good bits today but a bit of sloppiness was drifting in as well. This time last year we were looking good and we did not strengthen in January; we could tell then that we were getting knackered and toward the end of the season it told as we fell away. We need more than McGeady to carry on.

Jim Bennings
46 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:26:49
Another good solid home win and another clean sheet, nine now for the season. We tailed off a little once Pienaar and Osman were replaced by Heitinga and Naismith but what went previous was some phenomenal football — especially in the first half, where it could have been Barcelona in all blue.

There is much optimism about this team and with Deulofeu and McGeady to come in things look bright indeed. Shame about Barkley but surely a broken toe should not mean being out that long?

We need to be aiming for three points against a West Brom team that has won just THREE games all season so we have to target the win there. And then it's on to the Shite and how I would love it if we could take that shite apart on their own turf. We will never get a better chance.

ps: Gareth Barry is God. When is he going to gain recognition for having a fucking outstanding season at Everton? After all, didn't Osman get capped last season despite being 31? Barry should be close to that England squad on this form.

Phil Friedman
47 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:30:50
Patrick 241: if you think BBC are bad,you'd lose your mind if you were in the States watching the United-Swansea match (United just scored, btw)--all the talk about what United need to do to get into the CL by catching up to Arse, City, Chelski and Liverpool...no mention of us at all. Putrid stuff.
Brian Waring
49 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:34:07
I know Jags is solid, but I wonder if the reason Stones looked a tad shaky at times was because he never had Alcaraz alongside him.
Patrick Murphy
50 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:36:47
Got to sell that merchandise Phil, that's the bottom line when it comes to coverage of the Premier League. Talk about a symbiotic relationship between the rich clubs and the TV companies.
Phil Friedman
51 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:38:08
Although the last 15 mins were untidy, we've only conceded 3 goals in the last 15 minutes ALL SEASON. So no worries.
Mark Frere
52 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:42:30
A good routine win today, the last 20 minutes was very disappointing though. I think people are reading too much into the change of formation, it's not the first time this season we've changed to 3 at the back during games; usually we've played fine with 3 at the back. It probably had more to do with Barry and McCarthy running out of steam and Pienaar and Osman coming off while playing well.

Naismith truly is a dreadful footballer – he offers plenty of effort but nothing else; needs shipping out along with Heitinga.

Kevin Tully
54 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:49:29
Have we got the worst defence it the League yet since we employed that gung-ho Spanish chap?

Sure I remember some footballing oracles predicting we'd would be shipping 4 or 5 every game?

Ross Edwards
55 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:52:20
Correct Mark. Naismith shouldn't even be labelled as a footballer, he is terrible.

Patrick Murphy
56 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:50:06
I actually thought we were three at the back for most of the game as Seamus spent most of his time on the right wing.

Kevin you may have spotted something that crossed my mind the other day – In 2003-04 we had a poor season but we did have Rooney, if you get a chance to watch the DVD of the season – notice how barmy the supporters were in most of the games, it just doesn't feel the same this season and it's difficult to understand why the crowd has been for the most part pretty laid back. Perhaps we don't believe that EFC can achieve what we all want as much as we used to.

Ross Edwards
57 Posted 11/01/2014 at 18:54:38
And that we'd be in the bottom half with relegation battles returning too Kevin.
Kevin Tully
58 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:08:42
Strange today Pat. I can honestly say I've never seen the Street end and Park end emptying out with 5 min's left in the recent past.

Even we we have been behind, Goodison Park was always full until the final whistle.

It's as if some have a little too cocky!

Is it a good sign? Not for me.

Kris Hall
59 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:03:53
Folks, let's look at the positives instead of highlighting (the few) negatives. Gareth Barry was outstanding today. I worried about missing a creative spark in the CM area with the absence of Barkley and Del Boy.

Barry linked up expertly. His always plays the right pass. Pienaar has been an unsung hero for us these past couple of months. He doesn't get enough praise. Especially in a game like today when we are missing a few flair players.
Another clean sheet too.

For the first time in a while Lukaku's first touch was good. He had a good game. Some people may worry about attacking cover, but we have goals in us and from all over the park.

Defensively we were ok. Another clean sheet and thats 42 points from 51 available at Goodison, not a bad return that!

I was surprised that Bryan O was dropped for Bainesy. Bryan has been excellent since he came into the team and gets into positions that perhaps Baines wouldn't. But in hindsight it was a shrewd move. Bainesy had a good game.

All-in-all, I am delighted. We are 4th. Another clean sheet and we continue to play very attractive football even with a few lads off the boil and injuries to key players.

Patrick Murphy
60 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:14:49
I agree Kevin, Goodison is at its best when it snarls for the whole 90 minutes and this is certainly a new phenomenon at the Grand Old Lady — Is the media to blame? Have we become so confident? Have the demographics altered so significantly? Or is everyone just so tired following the Holidays?
Tommy Coleman
61 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:13:20
Another top draw performance. I look forward to every game.

Keep it going Blues.

Kevin Tully
62 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:20:23
Pat – putting it down to "It's all over, we've won this"

Don't get cocky, Blues! Doesn't suit our "Woe is Me" outlook!

Gavin Ramejkis
64 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:27:02
Back from the game and have to say in periods of the first half the passing was absolutely sublime, two stunning goals – have we scored a boring goal this season? Second half and much of the same until some almost suicidal substitutions opening the game right up for Norwich to come back at us.

Pienaar should have been replaced by Oviedo and Heitinga although he did clear some attacks was obviously going to be fighting them with a gaping hole in the midfield, daft decisions. Man of the Match: Barry by a whisker. Stones, another towering display from this 18-year-old behemoth, let's hope Stoke do us a favour tomorrow.

Kevin Tully
65 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:33:08
Has anyone mentioned we're safe?

Yaaaaaaayyyyyyyyy!

Chris Morris
66 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:34:30
YERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

We're EVERTON and everybody should take note

Anto Byrne
67 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:34:59
I had a great day out at Goodison Park today, sat in the Main Stand and witnessed some outstanding football. I thought all these people here watching are so privileged to see the beginnings of something so special. It's been a long while between drinks for me and sadly I must return to my home in Western Australia. I plan to come back in 2015.
Gavin Ramejkis
68 Posted 11/01/2014 at 19:55:44
In Taybarns in Wigan (kids wanted tom come here for tea) and spotted another bluenose having a nose bag wearing a short sleeved home shirt, wonder if they are TW regulars.
Gerry Quinn
69 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:03:09
What was the deal with that young boy coming out onto the pitchside with RM? And was that him that made the announcements, Gavin?
Patrick Murphy
70 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:22:01
Gerry they had children helping out in all the matchday roles as part of the themed day, a kid announced the time added on, some children were helping the stewards and so on and so forth - Mind you I hope it hadn't been the little bloke who made the team changes in the second half.
Gavin Ramejkis
71 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:30:32
Not sure if anyone explained Narkley's absence above, he has a broken toe and will be out a couple of months, he tweeted as such and that he'd take an injection to play in the derby.
Patrick Murphy
72 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:34:40
Gavin he would be foolish if he had an injection to play, it's not worth missing the rest of the season if he can be patient and let it heal naturally, whichever way you look at it, it's a major blow for the club and for Ross as well. Better he comes back in March than take a chance and make it worse.
Si Cooper
73 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:26:43
Haven't seen the game yet so no comments to add as yet.

One question though: why not Oviedo on for Pienaar? Was Pienaar not playing left midfield, or did the re-jigged configuration not suit Oviedo's strengths? Was the game already won and so it was not worth risking a player who may have to start the next game?

I can't work out what RM thinks of Oviedo. He seems fairly reluctant to use him of late which can only be because either he doesn't rate him that highly, or because he is making sure that he is available to cover the likely unavailability of either Baines or Pienaar.

Mick Davies
74 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:04:26
Chris Long scored on his debut for MK Dons today and the reports co ing from all the lads out on loan have been positive. I hope the next couple of seasons sees a few of them making it in the first team.

Good win today against our bogey team, just hope the Rednoses slip up tomorrow and we can push on for a CL place

Phil Brown
75 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:01:50
Patrick #346 - Couldn't agree more. Remember all the troubles that young Wilshire had following his foot injury. It's taken him a full season to get over it.
Mikey Waterman
76 Posted 11/01/2014 at 20:57:34
Great win today and a great performance overall. Norwich could have had a goal but we should have had quite a few more. Important to get the win especially with the likes of Barkley being injured.

A word on John Stones, this kid is gonna be special - sheer class. He's the most talented English defender I have seen at his age. Okay he got caught out a couple of times in the first half but let's not forget he is 19!!! I cant think of a single team in the league who has started a 19 year old centre-half this season - it's completely unheard of due to the difficult nature of the position. Then when you consider the fact that he is English and not an expensive foreign import it makes it even more incredible. His composure on the ball is absolutely outstanding, hes good in the air, the timing of his tackles is spot on and he can carry the ball out very, very well. In the kind of football that we are playing now it is absolutely IMPERATIVE that the centre backs are as comfortable as possible on the ball, they essentially become deep-lying playmakers in this possession-based football which is why I am ridiculously excited about this lads future. I look at the likes of Phil Jones and Chris Smalling who the media love to rave on about and Im sitting here thinking "not a chance is that oger or that lanky bastard half as good as Stonesy is". So great to see youngsters given a chance, Stones and Barkley are the future of this club and the future of England (not that Im really arsed about England). Apparantly Tyias Browning had a very good game today for Wigan, played right-back and seemed to be a bit of a beast! Also Chris Long bagged a goal on his debut as well! Bobby's revolution is just beginning.....

Mikey Waterman
77 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:16:31
Stephen #372 - I think your assessment is very harsh and generally inaccurate. To compare Lukaku to Jo is beyond absurd. Ive read some silly things on toffeeweb over the years but that one has to be right up there.
Mikey Waterman
78 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:20:01
And to simply say "Stones very shaky and his worst game so far" is a huge disservice to the lad. Sure he looked slightly shaky in the first half in particular but why would you focus on that with no mention whatsoever of the positive aspects of his performance?? I just don't get that kind of negativity, hes a kid for christ's sake who is so comfortable on the ball you could mistake him for a Spaniard! That can only be considered a good thing!
Martin Bormann
79 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:22:08
Decent enough performance, a couple of nice goals but a bit confused with the subs at the end.

With Jelly looking to have gone, you would think we would give Vellios a run out, instead we got 15 mins from Johnny which seemed pretty pointless to me seeing as he may well be off too.

Colin Williams
80 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:24:38
Mikey, well said mate , some stupid comments about Stones performance today. Massive talent for our club, top player and a great future, hopefully with us for very long time.
Brian Waring
81 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:30:43
Stones' positional play was a bit suspect a couple of times, but overall he played well.Don't forget, he's still a young lad learning his trade.
Mikey Waterman
82 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:31:21
Completely agree Colin. He seems like a well-grounded lad with a good head on his shoulders as well, which certainly bodes well. Hopefully he will be with us for many, many years
Si Cooper
83 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:21:29
Mikey, I think Phil Jones is a great young defender though he may be more about power and pace than silky smoothness. He is the only defender United have who I would be keen to see at Everton.

Chris Smalling is distinctly average and cost United far too much for what they got (as did Ashley Young), Raphael and Evra are decent but not as good as we have, Ferdinand is past it, Vidic is on the wane, and Evans is poor.

Roy Adams
84 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:41:35
John Stones will be playing for England within 2 years... I just hope we can afford to keep him.

BK — find a buyer!

Brin Williams
85 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:43:50
3-5-2 eventually got us there but I hope we do not use that formation too often.

Stones is a thoroughbred - I just love the way he moves - he oozes class and I can forgive him 2/3 errors when he got the wrong side of the player albeit from some silly midfield error.

We are getting to be a team to be reckoned with - roll on./

Darryl Ritchie
86 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:37:02
Naismith is eager and willing, but never...ever...have him have to cover a player like Redmond. I heard a rumor somewhere that he used to be fairly quick; no more!
Redmond was by him easily...consistently.
Sam Hoare
87 Posted 11/01/2014 at 21:17:21
It really is all quite exciting at the moment and yet we are really fighting to stay in the top 4 with Man U and spurs in close pursuit.

A shame that the Europa league is such a non event and that Martinez could not bring in Barry, McCarthy, Gerard and lukaku before the first 3 games of the season!

Should be content I suppose with playing good football and developing the likes of Barkley and Stones but really feels that if we could get some of that CL money then we would have more chance of keeping all these gems, including señor bob himself.

Jimmy Hill
88 Posted 11/01/2014 at 22:10:21
Stephen Sulliven #372
Mate, you must have been watching a different game. Osman had a very good game throughout. Won several vital balls and made very few mistakes with his passing. I thought at half time the whole of the midfield were really dominating.

Jo what planet are you on completely different a styles. Thought Lukaku held the ball brilliantly today especially for the Barry goal. Would have scored only for the linesman giving a questionable offside.

RM probably learned a few things from the last 15 mins and didn't get punished.

Osman is a vital part of our squad and never let's us down. Get used to it.

Richard Carton
89 Posted 11/01/2014 at 22:45:20
Think a special mention should go to Leon Osman.....The football we played in the first half was amazing and the majority of this went through him. If only he was a bit bigger/stronger he would have been world class. Certainly at home in games we are expected to win, I have no problem with him starting games in there on that form.
Patrick Murphy
90 Posted 11/01/2014 at 22:48:47
I agree with the last two posts Ossie did have a very good first 45 minutes and kept the ball moving - was it really that long ago when he scored the winner against Norwich at Goodison in February 2005 although it has gone down as an own goal since.
Dennis Ng
91 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:02:22
Yea, on a few moves, I thought he was going to throw the other guy down on the ground. So much about his size being a disadvantage! Him and Pienaar are great. They might be getting battered too much from time to time. Pienaar's injury worries me most from the game.
David Graves
92 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:22:19
Stephen @ 372 : "Stones shakey"??. Nonsense.
Dennis Ng
93 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:23:54
David 470, I wouldn't say shakey. I think I said it right the first time. He misread a few moves and was nearly out of position. Composure on the ball, CLASS! It's an experience thing.
Paul Ferry
94 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:26:50
Gerry mate - 337 - that little lad on the PA was none other than our very own 18-year-old Ross Edwards, he did great, I was very proud of him ........
Phil Friedman
95 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:28:38
Hodgson came to GP to look at Ross today, but he probably wasn't disappointed with what he saw in Stones. England centre half in the making!
Patrick Murphy
96 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:38:48
I was hoping MOTD would show that 'goal' from Lukaku because at the time I never even contemplated it being offisde but perhaps it was more clear-cut than I thought.

Is Ross only 18 years of age - Ah Bless. Well done young man.

Brian Denton
97 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:40:08
MOTD didn't show Lukaku's disallowed goal. From my seat it looked quite a close call. Can anyone who watched it on tv live say if it was clearly offside?
Dennis Ng
98 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:41:16
Phil, I think he should pick other players on how they fit with our England contingent. I feel England will benefit from us the same way Spain did from Barca.
Nick Entwistle
99 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:43:16
The angle on the replay was too oblique. It was almost from the corner flag so was difficult to tell, though I think was a close run thing.
Dennis Ng
100 Posted 11/01/2014 at 23:44:40
Patrick, Brian, I thought he was onside too. The replay showed a shitty angle so I cannot say for sure. Lukaku did well regardless.

Like goal line tech, I think offside is one of those rules that can be governed by tech in the future. It's a black and white rule that is murkied by often incompetent refs!

Side note, saw Chelsea before our game and I hope Torres keeps scoring, except against us, and double the goals against rs. That way, Chelsea might not have a place for Lukaku!

Ross Kerry
101 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:02:18
Top 4, well deserved. Great goals, we're starting to win games in second gear, scary.
Steavey Buckley
102 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:05:42
Considering the amount of corners that Everton win nearly ever week, there is little evidence of them being effective when just lofted towards the middle of the goal where opposition defenders, usually, just follow or help the ball out of the danger area.

It would be more effective if corners were swung in from right and left, because it only requires a touch to guide them towards the goal. The same with free kicks from both sides of the field are always more effective when they are in-swingers such as the goal Liverpool scored in the recent derby game from an in-swinging free kick from Gerrard.

Ross Kerry
103 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:08:58
Stephen Sullivan, I agree re. Lukaku. Early goals paper over the cracks off his lazy performances. I can see why JM doesn't want him at Chelsea.
Patrick Murphy
104 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:17:58
Steavey, it's inexplicable the way we fritter away corners - especially when we have players in the team who can take free-kicks so well. It has been an area that we haven't fully exploited, even when we had old big head in the team. Delivery is everything and the fact that we do it so poorly is frustrating to say the least, it is an area that the staff should be working on, especially when we get so many of them in most games.
Dennis Ng
105 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:26:29
Patrick, agreed. I do think the corners we get these days are due to our attacking approach. We need a striker from that stand point but I wonder if we can invest in a CM that will open up the defence better for other players to get more quality shooting lanes.
Patrick Murphy
106 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:30:50
Quality Shooting Lanes - I have never heard that before, a true Americanism if ever there was one - However, I understand what you mean Dennis, but my point is if you put the ball into the six yard box with pace it can just hit somebody anybody and find its way into the net.
Mike Corcoran
107 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:28:14
Sully, Osman was good today. He's so much more creative than he's given credit for (as attacking mid)
Dennis Ng
108 Posted 12/01/2014 at 01:33:38
Patrick, agreed. I doubt the current recruiting trend RM is going will get us bodies in the box with quality finishing. That and the way we're putting balls in the box from corners is a bit disconcerting...This is one of those things you think afrohead actually has a use!
Darryl Ritchie
109 Posted 12/01/2014 at 02:02:15
With Barkley out with a bad toe, the truth of the matter is, that we need Ossie. That may change with the window, but I've heard that our priority is a striker.
Darren Hind
110 Posted 12/01/2014 at 07:18:08
I’m struggling to understand the criticism levelled at some of our youngsters recently. It’s not that long since we were watching people like Cahill and Neville being selected long after they should have been retired at this level.

Of course Stones will get caught square on from time to time, Ross WILL sometimes choose the wrong option and Lukaku will have the odd game where he looks ineffective, but these are supremely talented kids and all three will go right to thee top.

I don’t believe half of the hype I read about Martinez, but it’s some achievement to allow these kids to learn their trade by making their mistakes and still keep winning. It takes courage and it should be both applauded and encouraged.

Mikey Waterman
112 Posted 12/01/2014 at 11:09:23
Stephen #508 - I'm sorry mate but I think your assessment of Lukaku is ridiculous. I don't listen to the headlines, I base my view on players from what I see when I go the match and nothing else. I thought Lukaku played very well against Norwich. You mention his link up play but what about Gareth Barry's goal yesterday?! Lukaku took a spinning ball out of the air in what was one of the best pieces of control I saw all weekend and laid it off to Barry who ended up scoring! WHat about that mate? It's you who is basing views on reputation because you seem to think a 20 year old lad who has barely completed a full season in the premier league is gonna be ripping people for fun and scoring every week - that will not happen mate. There's a reason he is on loan to us! Its because he is nowhere near the finished article and Chelsea want us to help him become that finished article. Lukaku does SO MUCH off the ball that you probably don't even realise the impact he is having on the game. He doesnt have to score every week to play well.
Frank Duffy
114 Posted 12/01/2014 at 14:25:58
Just love our Manager. It's a pleasure to watch Everton now. Even if we end up with no silverware, next season there will be. We attack even when one up, not defend with fingernails bitten down with panic.
Mick Davies
115 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:01:40
I have been Osman's biggest critic for years, and he is a liability in defensive areas, but with the injuries we are suffering, he is the obvious choice to replace Barkley. I do feel that, although Ossie is physically weak, his crucial development was crushed by OFM. He has never been played consistently in one position and joins a long list of good prospects who were inhibited under Moyes and lost their way.

Osman's forte is his passing, and if Moyes had put him in that position years ago, I feel he would have adapted into a regular threat to opposing defences. He will need to be at 100% now until Barks returns, or we buy a replacement.

Jackie Barry
116 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:21:04
Those flukey RS completely against the run of play. They are the most overrated of the teams including us at the top, we have a full strength team and we can wipe them off the park.
Jackie Barry
117 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:24:14
Their kit is awful too. LOL
Ajay Gopal
118 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:25:31
About the Liverpool goal on BBC from the live blog: "A mis-hit pass by Raheem Sterling, a shot going miles wide, a huge deflection and it goes in! Lady luck with Liverpool today." Why didn't Everton get this kind of luck at Stoke – Mirallas hit the bar twice and only a final minute dead certain penalty gave us a draw! And how the ball stayed out of Sunderland's net in that 1-0 loss, I will never understand inspire of watching several replays of the 2nd half especially.
James Marshall
119 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:41:53
I was bang in line with Lukaku, and he was offside. Just.

Stoke are falling apart at the Britannia.

Colin Glassar
120 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:45:11
Stoke are shit and they're handing this game to the rs on a silver platter. The rs aren't much better tbh.
James Marshall
121 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:47:00
If Stoke score next, they could get at them. If the RS score again its game over - stating the bleedin obvious.

Charlie Adam is the worst player I've ever seen. He takes all their set pieces and would struggle to cross the road, let alone a football.

And there it is, 2-1 :-)

James Marshall
122 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:55:17
See, I know everything about football.

Charlie Adam = shit ;-)

Hahahha!

Colin Glassar
123 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:56:00
Two former rs players ruining their season. Brilliant.
Jackie Barry
124 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:56:10
LOL. Now do em' Stoke, they will crumble if you get at them.
Colin Glassar
125 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:59:57
The rs really are an overrated, overhyped pile of dung. I wonder what the two 'neutral pundits' on sky are going to come out with on their halftime analysis?
Jackie Barry
126 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:00:00
I have seen the rs playing this season a few times on tv, family ties who made the wrong choice, LOL. It is funny how their fans and some of the media describe their play and scintillating, yet when I see it I think crikey we are playing better football than they are. Simple fact is without Suarez they would be nowhere near the top, luck has a lot to do with it in their case.
James Marshall
127 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:02:16
They're dreadful. They sit back and attempt to soak up the pressure even against shitty teams like Stoke, who play dire football then hit them on the break. The RS are pretty decent on the break, but that's all they have going for them. Defensively awful. Even worse without Agger - Kolo Toure is pitiful.

This could easily end up 5-5.

Paul Ferry
128 Posted 12/01/2014 at 16:59:50
Ruining their season - 2-2 at HT - might be pushing it a little Col! Sharing your glee needless to say but this poxy shower of shite, well you know what I'm gonna say ...
Jackie Barry
129 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:04:02
as scintillating, you know what I mean. You could always edit that for me editors.
Paul Ferry
130 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:05:23
Agree about Toure James, piggy backing on younger bro' - never rated him highly and was chuffed when Brenda thought that he might be an answer to the leaky back four. That - how do you spell it - countinhinio fella is pure fluff today, nice on the eye when 4-0 up but when the fleshdripper walking dead come to town .....

Ooohhhh I bet Brenda is slapping them all with her bra right now

Colin Glassar
131 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:05:31
Paul, I meant if they don't win this their title 'hopes' are over. Their deluded fans will think this year is their year but they will now fight it out with us, and a few others, for one of the top four spots, max.
P.S. Did anyone else see gerrards hoofed ball up to nowhere and that idiot Quinn said something like, "what a clearance"? If that was a Stoke player he'd be saying that was poor, or desperate, or worse. These guys are so biased it's unbelievable at times.
Paul Ferry
132 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:14:14
got ya Col and that it certainly will
Jamie Barlow
133 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:15:22
James Marshall, how about a Walters is shit comment?
James Marshall
134 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:17:25
I'm gonna give it a few more minutes before I start slating Stoke players again ;-)
Jackie Barry
135 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:17:30
So even if we are left in the top 4 after this we will not be considered top-4 contenders. I know it is early day but wouldn't it be truly awesome for Martinez to do it laugh back at the people who scoffed at his "I'll get you champions league football" comment to BK. Right now it looks like he truly knows what he is on about, Makes our British born managers look so overrated.
James Marshall
136 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:20:57
Ridiculous. No way that was a penalty.
Paul Ferry
137 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:15:52
QUESTION So the barcodes fella gets his goal ruled out and Pardew turns purple - not many finer sights in footie - for interfering with play. This is what I saw. Barcodes fella smacks it - two other Barcodes fellas

(oh fuck penalty, bastard Sterling, ladies and gentlemen we have a new c**t diver, but those night of the living dead defenders ... )

are running back away from goal BUT one of them jumps up to let the ball get past him and into the back of the net and if he hadn't jumped it would have hit him and not been a goal ...

So surely the Barcodes jumper was interfering with play?

John Ford
138 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:21:53
RS goals - complete fluke, stupid mistake, and a non penalty. We cant buy that luck over a whole season, never mind in one game.
Paul Ferry
139 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:23:16
you know it's a fucking dive when the diver on the deck looks back at the ref with a face like that cheating fucker Sterling ... 'ave I got it ref, ya see that, 'ave I conned ya, don't give me a yellow that's embarrassing ...
James Marshall
140 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:27:23
Nice to see the two Gerrard's, Anthony and Steven running the game together.
Jackie Barry
141 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:28:20
What a cheat.
Linda Morrison
142 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:25:31
Yes I'm afraid that RS certainly have the luck of the Devil at present. But the referee made a terrible mistake I am afraid. The Derby is a must win now.

With regard to Barkley and whatever is or may be broken.

The healing time for broken toes is 4-6 weeks. The healing time for a broken metatarsil is 6- 8 weeks. (Excuse my spelling if it is incorrect)

So whatever is broken he won't be at the Derby.

My understanding on Deloufe is he would be back with the team end of this month.

Anyone any idea what's going on with Alcatraz?

Jackie Barry
143 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:32:38
We have not heard that anything is broken as of right now though, correct?
John Gilfoyle
144 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:27:28
John Ford totally agree, and worryingly that jam/ref decision is usually X10 in a derby for some reason. Watching Liverpool they are nothing special apart from the rat. I think we'll finish the stronger this season, as our play seems more consistent and believe we have more room for improvement.
Paul Ferry
145 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:38:57
fuck
Paul Ferry
146 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:40:52
Jesus 22 goals since mid-September, says it all really ...
Ray Roche
147 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:43:32
Do you think if we all e-mailed the FA, Mike Riley at the Referees Association and Uncle Tom Cobbley and complained about Skirtl and his WWF impersonation we might get a pen? The twat was at it again in the first half...
Kunal Desai
148 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:47:31
Typical - these yard dogs playing fucking shite against the RS and put in all the effort against us.
Jackie Barry
149 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:47:53
Question is if he doesn't get champions league football how can they possibly hang on to him. Somebody probably from Spain will pay.
Jamie Barlow
150 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:51:04
COME ON STOKE!!!
Paul Ferry
151 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:52:57
I hate camp guard Skirtl - ah good, the Evertonian makes it 4-3, come on flesh-drippers - he's a filthy twat and gets away with murder in both boxes.
Paul Ferry
152 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:56:11
Crap!
James Marshall
153 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:56:12
Rubbish.
Paul Ferry
154 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:57:30
I thought that the flesh-drippers were supposed to have a half-decent defence, gobshites ......
Jackie Barry
155 Posted 12/01/2014 at 17:57:53
Stoke, you tarnish the memory of Sir Stan.
Jackie Barry
156 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:00:25
Yep Shawcross has been poor today.
Jackie Barry
157 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:01:25
Lucky, lucky, lucky, that's all they are and we all know what happens to that eventually.
James Marshall
158 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:01:03
They've only conceded 7 at home all season until today.
Dennis Ng
159 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:01:31
Not helped by dubious calls.
Patrick Murphy
160 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:01:55
Wouldn't be surprised to see that ugly get Shawcross line up against us in the Derby. I wonder how many players are RS supporters as they always seem to step up their game against us but go to pieces when faced with the ugly side.

Jackie Barry
161 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:03:31
Blimey, you put pressure on this RS side and they crack. We can beat them at their place no problem, as long as we have some of our injured players back.
Paul Ferry
162 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:03:59
Okay, that's that then, bring on the derby, can't come soon enough except that while their crocks seem to be recovering in tile ours are still on the sidelines and some we know will not be on the pitch. Fuck, camp-guard Skirtl is so hideously ugly.
Tahir Abdullah
163 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:04:17
I absolutely hate the RS; despicable lot all of them
Ian McPherson
164 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:08:04
I fancey us in the derby. The shite were very lucky, 2 flukey goals and a dogey peno. Very over rated, rat boy single handed has them in 4th.
Colin Glassar
165 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:06:45
Despite the score line that was one of the worst footballing exhibitions I've ever seen. It was more like rugby league at times and I'll tell you what, that rs defence is fucking awful. If we go at them we can beat them at their shithole.
Dan Heaton
166 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:08:47
Time for some "non bias" after match talk with Hamman and Carragher. Can SKY rim the red shite bastards any more.
Jackie Barry
167 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:11:15
Yes, Ian, and the media drools over them like they are playing exceptional football.
Dennis Stevens
168 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:12:37
I would rather we get players like Barkley & Deulofeu back just after the Derby than have them missing for the rest of the season as a result of getting crocked in the Derby.
Jamie Barlow
169 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:13:05
Liverpool play well on the break but they'll be expected to do more than that in the derby. I just hope we have a team left by then. We're falling like flies at the moment.

Why doesn't Suarez ever get injured?

Dennis Ng
170 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:20:49
Jamie, cos hes the one injuring others. Refs turn a blind eye to his action since he took up the "reformed juvenile" act.

Dennis (801), agree. We should always think long term. The derby is important but I think many will say we have the team for the game.

Patrick Murphy
171 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:19:08
I must admit that I really want Everton to gain a CL place, but as each game passes and the monied clubs continue to win and we have begun to suffer injuries to key players – perhaps we should concentrate on the FA Cup; after all, if you win it you get into Europe. I don't mean we should give up any hope of gaining Europe through the league, but with a depleted squad we may have to alter our priorities. We really could have done without the derby being so close to the FA Cup tie.
Colin Glassar
172 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:21:19
They are very good going forward, defensively they are weak. Our defence is excellent, going forward we are strong. I predict an away win in the derby and a riot (of joy) afterwards.
Ian McPherson
173 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:25:38
Sorry but the Europa league is the kiss of death. If you can get through your group with the reserves fair enough but not worth risking with our small squad.
Jackie Barry
174 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:24:47
I understand where you are coming from Patrick but isn't the financial incentive from the europa league very poor when compared to the champions league? If we are to continue pushing forward the champions league is imperative in our future successes. We are not likely to be sold anytime soon so we have to aim at what is goign to bring us the most cash.
Kevin Naylor
175 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:30:17
Does anyone know how many times those twats have been on telly so far this season, their next 4 games (albeit one is the Derby) are on which means they get more of the share of the TV money. The media are doing everything to get them back in the top 4.
Dennis Ng
176 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:33:19
Them,Spurs and MU. Our game yesterday far more entertaining than spurns lucky win against CP and yet they're on TV and I had to stream ours online. It's giving them so much advertising advantage if you ask me, they should have to pay to get those screen time.
Jackie Barry
177 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:34:13
Kevin, even if we won the league I think they would still be on the telly more the following season because 'it was going to be their year, once again'.
Patrick Murphy
178 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:30:31
We will end up in Europa even if we manage to finish fifth or perhaps even if we were to end up in fourth - A Man U win in the CL would deprive us of our place in next season's CL.

Chris Leyland
179 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:27:54
Patrick problem is, you can't really 'concentrate on the FA Cup' as it is only a few games and your are entirely dependant on the luck of the draw to an extent as to how far you progress. I said in December that we should just take things a game at a time and that remains the case both for the League and the cup. That remains the case and see where we end up as a result.
James Martin
180 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:30:45
Liverpool play on the break home and away against even the worse sides in the league. Even with the lad twice at Goodison, perfect conditions for playing on the break we still destroyed them. If they try and play us at football we’ll annihilate them. As usual there best hope will be everyman back and hole that one of Suarez, the referee or a set piece will get a result for them. In the long term Martinez’s approach will pay off more thnan Rodgers. One takes responsibility for your own play regardless of the opposition. The other relies on scoring first and the opposition not being that good. They are never in control as shown at the Emirates, Stamford Bridge and the Etihad. If we score first we’ll show them up for what a poor side they are, utterly dependent on one player.
Jackie Barry
181 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:36:13
Man U winning the Champions League? Doesn't bear thinking about. Nah no way.
Dennis Ng
182 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:36:35
Patrick, at this moment, I can only say, lets soldier on alongside RM.

I understand your concerns but not much we can do. If we start aiming for only the FA Cup, our form will falter. What keeps us going right now is that we're playing every team every minute in the most beautiful fashion since god knows when. To pull back that enthusiasm is quite difficult without repercussions.

Kevin Naylor
183 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:37:00
To my reckoning they've been on twice as much as we have and yet there is a point between us. If I had a gun today at Stoke I would have shot that horrible coont Sturridge after he scored, he epitomises everything about them I hate.
Patrick Murphy
184 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:36:11
We have to remember that the TV coverage is not for the British audience it is for the World-wide audience, Politicians, Economists and accountants et al will love the fact that these foreign owned monies clubs are able to get such coverage as it helps with the balance of payments or whatever it's called these days through the sales of merchandise etc - that's the bottom line and football is just a commodity that helps to feather the nest.
Ross Edwards
185 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:39:15
These biased media pundits claiming that the RS's play is wonderful. It isn't. It's quite negative and boring if you ask me. Sit on the wait, break and pass to Sewer Rat, or hope for the ref to give them a penalty.

We play the best football in the league. And no, Ian Tunstead, that is fact.

Paul Ferry
186 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:33:56
Although I don't agree wholeheartedly with Patrick - 807 - I see where he is coming from. I say that coz this season has an 83/84 feel for me and you won't need reminding that we won the cup that season and were grooming a title team.

For what it's worth my view is that Chelsea and City will finish top 2 and in fact I have absolutely no doubt at all about that, so much so that I don't care if they win every game apart from us needless to say coz they will finish top 2. They are not our rivals as we will not finish in the top 2.

Our rivals are Arse, Shite, Spuds, and Manure for the top 4 and I believe that we can end up top 4. So, positions 3-6 are up for grabs and we are right in the mix and Chelsea and City can win every game for all I care except for the obvious ones.

Jackie Barry
187 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:42:07
The World Wide audience thing is a good point Patrick, however you would be surprised how fast they catch on if your team is doing well. Over here is the US I have had far more people talking about us than in all the prior 6 years I have been here.
Dennis Ng
188 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:58:41
Patrick, Jackie, I agree on getting that extra airtime.

Actually, I have another idea. Much like the Yankees having their own TV, and I think Chelsea too, can't we have our own TV (which I know we have in some form) and play highlights of our games? Like not the short version highlights when we see only chances, but even half chances, build up play. This should go well with our recent array of media outreach. I don't know the contract stuff with Sky but if we can squeeze more airtime for ourselves, particularly in USA, I think it will benefit the club tremendously.

Also, if I may say, trying to win fans in Asia over is pretty hard since they are sold MU and rs left right and center. If what I hear about "loving the underdogs" is correct here in USA, USA might be a better ground for us to expand our fanbase than the hordes in Asia.

Patrick Murphy
189 Posted 12/01/2014 at 18:55:04
Jackie no doubt that performances do help especially in your neck of the woods and the US audience is relatively new, too so much live coverage, but Everton for a variety of reasons have 20 years to make up on these TV faves who I'm convinced if any of them had a poor season and were threatened with relegation there would be some change of rule to ensure they remained in the top flight.

Has the interest in English Football increased significantly with the advent of blanket coverage of the Premier League - or is still too early to tell?

Dennis Ng
190 Posted 12/01/2014 at 19:07:18
Patrick, with NBC winning the deal, it is a huge boost, but the fact that they still choose the regulars to put on TV pisses me off.

NBC pretty much broadcast everything, Olympics, NFL Superbowl, news, whatever. It's like the source of all TV, at least international sourced TV. Can't remember WC but I think its NBC too. Now, if the game is not on TV, my local cable will have it streamed. That's how I catch the games.

I would say the rise in performance is a good thing considering the timing of the NBC deal.

I wish there is a distinct way to complain and demand NBC to broadcast our games. Surely people want to watch the up and coming "Barca" over the sputtering Spurs with 90 mins of attractive football and excitement.

Colin Glassar
191 Posted 12/01/2014 at 19:53:42
With all this media coverage, wtf haven't any investors come forth? We are the last of the big teams not to have been bought by a billionaire.

We all seem to have lost sight of this due to our splendid displays but imagine what Roberto could do with a few million quid extra. The mind boggles to imagine how far we could go.

Dennis Ng
192 Posted 12/01/2014 at 20:02:46
Colin, that is equally baffling to me. However, would RM still be here if we're like the RS, Man Utd, Man City? He did turn down those RS. It's good that RM's here first. We might be able to fit an investor to our history and long term plan rather than the other way round (eg, the Red Bluebirds).
Colin Glassar
193 Posted 12/01/2014 at 20:37:21
I'd just love to see Roberto having a decent transfer kitty Dennis.
Dennis Ng
194 Posted 12/01/2014 at 20:44:47
Colin, no worries, I understand. I spend many days feeling the same too. I guess you can say much more this season than most!
Jimmy Hill
195 Posted 14/01/2014 at 08:51:52
Oh Stepehen Sullieven I think I'll rely on Roberto's football brain over yours. Osman in my lesser footballing is a vital part of Everton squad and has been a terrific player for us for many years.

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