May be too early to tell about Traore, but on first impressions I don't think I will see many replica shirts knocking around Town just yet.

Bottom line is that the season remains very much alive!

With regards to Traore, I don't want to be too critical, it's his first game and his fitness is not there yet, but let's be honest: he is only going to be here for a few months anyway, he has come to help the team out and score a few goals.

I was a bit concerned like everybody that he didn't seem very mobile and his inability to win headers was somewhat mystifying given his size, so let's hope if he is given the go-ahead to face Chelsea next week he has become a bit more accustomed to what will be required as a Premier League striker.

It's not really like we are asking that much, just work hard, press the ball, jump when you're trying to win headers and make sure when that final whistle blows that as a striker you can look yourself in the mirror and say that you gave the opponent a really hard time; nobody is expecting hat-tricks, just put in a decent shift.

Barkley, McGeady and Deulofeu all need minutes on the pitch, so it will probably be a couple of weeks before we see those players back to their best. It's seems difficult for inexperienced players to get back up to speed in the Premier League after injury, so we have to show a little patience. Traore doesn't look like he is too arsed, and may well be waiting to get back to his club.

I get the impression Martinez actually approaches games with his subs as part of his game plan, rather than using them to rescue losing situations.

We will witness better performances, but I am quietly confident we can push on from here. It would be a shame if the season finishes with a whimper from here on in. Quietly confident about Arsenal, they will have their minds firmly fixed on the PL.

I thought McCarthy was terrible yesterday and was one of the main problems with the team. Time and time again he refused to show for the ball, or do anything with the ball when he got it. He kept knocking it straight back to whoever tried to pass to him, and never tried to do anything creative with it. I know he's primarily there to break up opposition attacks, but in the system Martinez wants to play, the holding midfielders have to take responsibility and be brave on the ball. Barry, for the most part, does this, but McCarthy yesterday seemed scared.

Our centre backs still aren't comfortable receiving the ball under any kind of pressure. For that matter, neither is Baines. When 3 out of your 4 defenders don't really want to receive the ball, it makes passing it out from the back difficult once the opposition press high up the pitch.

Having said all that, I thought Martinez reorganised well at half time yesterday, and we were much, much better in the second half.

I pretty much also agree with Declan's observations above.

Does anyone have any ideas why Ross Barkley is so lacking in form? Was he brought back too soon after his broken foot or is he just a young footballer still leaning his trade having a dip in form? I think the lad is brilliant but want him back to the form he was showing prior to the QPR game.

As for Traore. Guus Hiddink liked him enough to sign him and he has scored goals in the Champions League against some of Europe's top defenders. Against Roma he scored one and twice hit the woodwork. In the Europa League, he scored a beauty against the RS, flicking the ball over a defenders head before lobbing the keeper.

Judging a lad who is returning from injury and has not played since last season is ridiculous. Almost as stupid as those 2nd half high hoof balls when he was blinded by the sun. This lad has a great left foot and will score goals but, right now, Martinez is only concerned with getting him fit and helping him adjust to the Everton football philosophy. Unlike Lukaku, he has no big ideas and if he eventually comes good he'll want to stay.

Oh yeah. Must add. Just been listening to Talk Sport discussing Mr Webb’s non-penalty decision. How dare he. The RS are up in arms. A national scandal.

Anyway, a kopite just rang in to say that Webb is not the top referee. That honour can only go to one man. Mark Clattenburg. Mr Red himself.