Lukaku Stands Tall As Everton Turn Tables On Dynamo Kyiv

Hmm - While it was clearly a promising performance, I think they made us look good in the second half (did we want it more, or did they want it less?), and I found it frustrating that our dominance led to so few clear-cut scoring chances.

However - well done, and letÂ’s continue the winning ways on Sunday - but please give Barry a rest. I lost count of his stray passes...

What a turnaround! Why canÂ’t we play with that energy every week? Jags and Rom were phenomenal.

All season we have been too often be providing service to Lukaku with his back to the goal, one lesson which should have been earned a long time ago is that its better to have him run on to it.

We really have a top class striker, and he is well worth the price tag, it will be a hell of pity if our tactics fail to capitalize on the brilliant players we currently have.

Barkley and Lukaku should be absolutely terrorizing defenses with raw talent and natural physical power.

Something to hold onto going back to Kiev. I was hoping for the 3rd goal but regardless I agree that we are setup now for a counter attacking game plan next Thursday.

Jags led by example and Lukaku (ignoring all his offsides) played like a 㿈 million striker. Naismith is our engine and If I was manager his name would always be first on the sheet. Howard, Barkley and Mirallas gave us what we have come to expect. Useless players that wouldn’t be anywhere near the starting 11 if we had a manager that was able to take charge of the dressing room.

Good to see Osman coming back and giving us a quality 20-min display. Hopefully the momentum can be carried into Sunday because we need 3 home wins to get to safety.

Make no mistake that it was the players who changed the tactics yesterday. RM and his philosophy are finished in the Premier and Europa Leagues. He can pack it in his suitcase and travel to the next town where they might believe his bullshit. Hopefully on Sunday the players play it their way and get the crowd into it from the first minute.

If the players can replicate the last 60 minutes of last night’s performance for the rest of the season, we will be okay.

It’s true that Lukaku has been terrible for the most part of most matches this season. But, Holy Crap he was awesome for 60 mins or so last night. What a joy to see him crashing through defenders and scaring the shite out of them.

And he enjoyed himself a lot more when Kone was on. Lukaku was everywhere – knowing he had help up front so it wasn’t on his shoulders alone to lead the line.

With most of the team having average games last night, we’re still carrying a lot of poor form but I actually have no fear for the second leg. It’s the League that worries me still. I hope Roberto and the players can isolate what works well, and keep on doing it. Playing with pace and forward momentum suits us – I want to see that every week. Twice a week, in some cases.

Mohammed, are you absolutely sure the manager had nothing to do with the changed tactics? RM is doing terribly in the PL but so far in the Europa his philosophy seems to be doing quite well in my opinion.

He’s a very frustrating manager and I’m not sure he has it in him to make a success of the PL, but I think it’s pretty shortsighted to say that Martinez has nothing to do with our progression in the Europa League.

Mohammed (4) - "Naismith is our engine and If I was manager his name would always be first on the sheet"

Agree.

His touch is often shocking, as is his passing, but his head never goes down, his attitude and effort are fantastic, he doesnÂ’t switch off until the final whistle and he makes things happen when weÂ’re lacking momentum.

If Mirallas gave half as much of a fuck, heÂ’d be a world beater.

Last week someone posted (as a criticism of Naismith) Â’I donÂ’t get excited when he gets on the ballÂ’, on another thread yesterday, someone posted the illuminating Â’heÂ’s shitÂ’

Odd for people to watch that much football, yet not have a fucking clue about the game.

A Drogbaesque performance from Lukaku, loved his attitude to the game and his performance along with Jags and McCarthy lifted the crowd. Shame we couldn’t get the third but as Lyndon says, the fact that they need to attack next week may well play into our hands.

Forget the block on Barkley for the goal or having no-one on the posts, the biggest issue of last night’s game and the one against Arsenal is that the corner should be cleared from the corner of the six-yard box. It’s embarrassing, if you look at McCarthy, he should be meeting that Ball before it gets anywhere near the striker, same against the Arse! Basic basic defending.

That’s been my position defending corners for years. The job is to go and meet the ball of any underhit deliveries. It really isn’t difficult. Anyway, decent result and onto Sunday. Same direct intent please.

Sandra, we did have McCarthy on the post but he had to come out to try and close the man down who Barkley should have been marking. A pretty well worked corner in my opinion.

Agree 100% Mohammed. I’ve said a number of times on here that Naismith should be the first name on the team sheet. He’s a fantastic professional. Hopefully it’s starting to rub off on Lukaku who was immense last night. A beast.

Apparently, the Goodison crowd and the players will pick the team to face Newcastle on Sunday. Also, the tactics and substitutions will be decided during the game by both fans and players alike.

Captain Phil J will be the on-field liaison between the Goodison faithful and the players and between them they will make any tactical changes deemed necessary. Acting manager, Roberto Martinez, will be replaced by a cardboard cut out. Joke.

The first 30 minutes were abysmal and everyone around about were going ape-shit! And quite rightly! To hear posters on TW say we shouldnÂ’t boo the players, well you sit there and watch that crap.

In my opinion it was the players who changed things around. You could literally see them saying bollocks to this shit. Once we started playing forward balls the whole game changed.

What surprised me was how noticeably we tired in the last 10 minutes. Seeing as we never started playing until the 30th minute it was amazing how we couldnÂ’t keep going for the last 60.

Regardless what Martinez said after the match he was definitely happy with the shite sideways passing of the first 30 minutes. He was nodding and encouraging the lads. After they decided to change it he was a bit lost.

After watching a rerun later and listening to BainesÂ’s comments (or lack of them), if we stay up, it wonÂ’t be because of Martinez.

I agree Eugene that Naismith's attitude and will are exemplary. He has an Everton heart for which much can be forgiven. He lacks a yard and I think it's fair to say that he has had passages this season where he's been very poor in his touch and form generally. His goal return is average, though he has the happy knack of getting goals in bigger games and against better teams.

But he is a man whom I am very pleased to see wearing our shirt.

Whilst it is always good to see Everton players on TV having a stint as pundits and giving an insight into the club, let us be fair to Leighton Baines with his comments on TV at half time and after.

He is in a difficult position to comment on team mates and the manager and how the team is organised and set up, especially as he is still part of the squad.

He did appear vague on certain issues such as how to defend corners and taking them which didn't come over too well. He could have expressed that better.

Perhaps clubs should think twice about putting players in that position.

Gerrard was similarly put on the spot recently with the way he suggested Balotelli did not respect Henderson and Liverpool as a club for pinching the ball and scoring the penalty. I assumed from that Balotelli may not be the best loved player.

Anyway, whoever wants to take the credit for Everton turning it around yesterday, be it the crowd, the team or the management, it was a great achievement to get back into the game and take a lead into Kiev. If we can score over there, and I think we can, it will make it an interesting game. A nil-nil going into injury time would be hard to watch.

I might like to see Gibson in the starting line-up to perhaps provide some forward impetus. Also perhaps Kone and Lukaku up front. I would take Mirallas out and possibly Barkley to accommodate the above changes. But then we need width so it's hard to pick a starting line up.

Also forgot to add that I have been a critic of Lukaku on many occasions but credit where it's due. He was a lot better than usual. First touch and control was much better.

John#12

John, you comment on how we tired in the second half, well, that's been one of my biggest complaints against Martinez this season. As a team, we are nowhere near as fit as we should be, or have been in recent seasons.

And when Osman came out a month or so back and said that a hard, fitness, Martinez training session on a Tuesday was the equivalent of the easy Friday sessions with the ball under Moyes regime it's not difficult to see why we are knackered after 65-70 mins.

This season we have conceded half the goals against in the last 30 minutes of matches, 21, as we have in the first 60 minutes, 20. That, to my mind, is down to lack of fitness which leads to tiredness and a lack of concentration.

Great to get back to winning ways I agree with most of the posts the victory had little to do with the manager's tactics. It's important we keep the momentum going into the Newcastle game with the players taking the initiative and, with the crowd behind them, we can secure the victories we need to get us to safety.

Surely when we're safe, the manager must be replaced: his failed tactics are bankrupt... he's become an embarrassment.

Ian #14 - I think the whole current first-team player on the panel is a recipe for disaster, one slip of the tongue or misguided utterance by the player could cause ruptures in the squad. I could just about understand Gerrard being a guest of ITV as he is nearing the end of his career and won’t be part of LFC next year.

But having a player such as Baines who will hopefully be part of Everton’s squad for a few more seasons is in my opinion inappropriate, but I don’t suppose the clubs have much power to stop the broadcasters from this type of access, after all this is one of the many reasons why the TV companies spend so much money on the sport.

What a rich vein is ToffeeWeb – several great reports of the match, every match. Kenrick and Lloyd as experienced holding reporters, giving Traill free licence to roam the keyboard match after match (inexperienced but developing nicely).

Some significant, specific footballing talking points (Rom's muscling for the first goal, Jags passion etc), but the big talking points for me are about what was going on around that. Did we really see the players take the initiative instead of being hidebound by sterile tactics? Did we really hear Baines "say" those things "between the lines"? Did we really see the crowd dictate tactics?

Am I naive, again, in coming out of a match thinking that this might just be a turning point? After a miserable start, the passion and pace were tangible. Newcastle next – come on, everybody.

Last night was surely the most compelling evidence yet that the manager's system (retaining posession to draw out the opposition and wait for gaps) does not suit us as much as what the players chose to do (get the ball forward quickly and directly to Lukaku with runners in support).

And yet Roberto has made it clear that he will stick to his beliefs despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary.

The good news is that last night showed we have some great players. The bad news is that it's only when they decide to play more directly that they are able to showcase their talents.

As Eugene points out, Nais works his heart out in the cause and every team needs such a player. We've certainly had a few over the years that we've only valued when they are no longer around.

Have to agree also with Colin. Except for his last word!

30 mins in, I thought Rebrov had done his homework and we were going out, but – galvanised by their goal – all of a sudden, we started to play the ball forward. Whose decision that was, I don't know. But it worked.

Lukaku was immense: pace and power to set up Naismith, who I think can be a headless chicken at times but took his goal well. I thought Coleman started doing what he does again and looked a threat. Alcaraz...? Haven't we got anyone else?

Good (not great) win and something to take away with us next week. I just hope we don't revert to type against Newcastle on Sunday...

The most worrying thought for me is that, as bad as Howard has been, how many games has Robles played since he was disgracefully discarded by Martinez? Not many... if any, because Russell Griffiths has played a lot of the U21 games.

If Howard is injured (he won't be dropped), this means Robles will come into the team without hardly any game time.

Adam@7 from day 1 Martinez has made it clear that he believes in a system and philosophy that if applied correctly can beat any team. That system was showcased by Barcelona over a period of 3-4 years where they crushed all teams in their path. The reason it worked for them is because they had Messi, Xavi and Iniesta. While Messi is a great player the system only works because they were lucky enough to have 2 players like Xavi and Iniesta come along. Spain also won 3 tournaments because of this. Once those 2 players started to fade so did the system and Barcelona is now playing to the strengths of the players they have. (Which is very direct)
Had the tempo yesterday changed after we conceded the goal I would agree with you that the message could have come from RM to change the tactics. I was sitting thousands of miles away watching the game on TV and even I could feel Goodison reaching boiling point with the way the team continued to try and play RM's way until Jags and Barry started to play more direct and with a higher tempo. This was purely because of the tension they felt coming from the stands and no one can convince me otherwise.
My main problem with Martinez is that we never hear him after a game talking about how he catered our tactics to neutralize the strengths of our opponents. I would love for Everton to show up and not have to worry about the opposition and play RM's tactics and win but 6 wins in the prem (same as QPR) tells me we need to have a more practical approach.
For example next Thursday if Baines is fit I would play Baines and Garbutt down the left because their main threat came from their right winger(Yarmalenko?)
But RM will go into the game setting the team up to play to what he perceives to be our strengths. (Apparently Tim Howard is one of them)
I have lost faith in him and any success/ premier league survival will be down to the player's pride and supporter's passion more than his outdated system.

Mohammed
spot on.
People on here moan about the crowd getting on the players backs when we see this shite square and backward passing. ThatÂ’s their opinion and they are entitled to it.
However, if we had just sat there quietly last night politely clapping at every shite pass we would have lost that game for sure.
The crowds frustration got to the players and they, not that clown Martinez, changed the pattern of play !
The crowd won that match last night and if it takes us moaning and bloody groaning on Sunday to change things well so be it.

John, you are correct. No one sitting near me ever boos. They are much to polite for that. But recently their comments have been uttered in much louder voice and, it seems, timed so that players (and manager) can hear them clearly.

Last night I felt that people all over the ground adopted a similar policy. And the players took note.

Odd that the manager so easily took responsibility for the change in approach but, perhaps, that sums him up. An opportunist.

Like Phil I agree with Colin except for the last word. Why wouldn't I? After all I was the crazy pushing for Et'o to be player/manager. Call me naive.

Who was responsible for the turn-around, players or manager?
Watching the game on TV, it is sometimes hard to gauge the atmosphere at the ground but after watching the first 10 min the silence as they say was deafening. I was already starting to worry at the way Kyiv was pressing and Everton were doing their usual passing around at the back and was not surprised when Kyiv scored and thought, here we go, we are in for a long night.

After the goal, although the crowd became more vocal it became obvious that they were more critical of the typical slow passing game and let their feelings be known that came over loud and clear, and started to encourage the players when ever they started to move the ball quickly. This to me was the turning point in the game, and as over the last few months never seeing a Plan B, all the credits and praise should go to (a) the crowd for letting their feelings be known emphatically, and (b) the players for standing up and showing what they are capable off once the manager realizes, that sometimes slow build up from the back is not the only way to play.

Regardless who made the decision, congratulations to the team on their effort and desire to get a result. It was a lot better than what has been seen for a couple of months.

Think the players have felt supporter frustration on many occasions this season and it hasn't made much difference.

Last night (to me) felt very different - last night there was real anger and it looked like fear was the motivation - basically scared into action.

I think the turnaround had something to do with the fans reaction to the first 25 mins of our usual pass pass go nowhere style. So maybe the correlation between what we as fans do does have an affect on the pitch. When we started playing like we all know we can, the support was there for all to see and hear.

Mohamed #4
Eugene #8

You are both spot on with regard to Naismith. There was a moment last night that highlighted his importance to us and it wasn't the goal. In the 85th minute he was closing down their right back and urging Kone (who should have had a lot more left in the tank than Nessie) to close down their centre half. It is that kind of desire and selfless work for the team that ,for me, allows him the odd technical hitch. He's a superb professional and Im' glad he's a blue.

The crowd certainly played their part last night. I don't think there is any debate as to whether the urging of the crowd made the players increase the tempo and look to get if forward with more urgency. It was mentioned in commentary by Peter Reid.

I used to live in Bangkok and watched a fair bit of Thai boxing. I was never sure whether the tempo of the drum beat that accompanied the fights was set by the fighters or the drummer. Last night it was the drummer controlling the fight, of that I am sure.

Don't get this Naismith love in. You're admitting he has terrible touch, vision and passing but tries hard and plods around a lot shouting at the referee and others. Effort and attitude should be bare minimum, it's just that most of the others are lacklustre and passive which makes him stand out a bit.

He scores the odd goal which is something but he's clearly bottom feeder Premier League or Championship at best.

Well Mike
"Bottom feeder Premier League or Championship at best"
HeÂ’s obviously at the right Club then !

Mike, 32 - you serious? How would you compare Naismith's overall impact on last night's match with that of, say, Mirallas or Barkley? Naismith's qualities make it more possible for us to have a Rolls Royce like Barkley in the team. That in itself is a massive contribution.

Mike
every team needs a grafter and some passion.

Naismith supplies that in spades.

So did Phil Neville and he was not technically gifted.

If only the cardboard cutout (Thanks for that Colin it sums RM up perfectly) had the same intensity instead of being so laid back we would have a higher tempo of play every game.

I'm sorry to say I agree with Mike Price but still relieved he scored that goal. There are too many deficits in his game to make up for the "enthusiasm". Rangers didn't stop him going.

But lots of my Toffee mates are saying something worrying, that the Goodison crowd changed the tactics, not the manager! Doesn't that frighten you if it's true? It does me.

We'll see if three points can be gained on Sunday. Personally I'd rather see us safe in the PL than anything.

Dam it to Hatties and I have been on Naisy too but he does still score goals. A game changers that some with higher talent don't do. at least he gives his heart all the time. My only criticism is he sometimes goes down to quickly but at his size & speed any advantage we can get I guess......

Like him or loathe him he is one of only 3 scorers we have in the team, and if Mirallas is having an off day then we need him.

We're all happy when he scores or does something decent in a blue shirt obviously, and he does win a decent amount of headers for his size.

He tries hard but isn't very good at it. He shuffles around, has no pace, not a very good tackler, he's not aggressive and he is incredibly limited technically.

Maybe it's because he plays out of position, but he's clearly not a good enough striker at this level. Seriously, he would struggle to get in any of the upper Championship teams. Not to worry, we've just extended him until 2019!!

As much as I admire Naismiths workrate, selfless running and attitude, we could have done with more of the same ilk this season. The truth is heÂ’s limited. The amount of times he misplaces passes is criminal. Yes in the last few games heÂ’s hit a bit of form but for months before he was poor... but there seems to be a train of thought on here that, if you criticise certain postersÂ’ favourites, your automatically categorised as a moron who knows nothing. Well thereÂ’s thousands of us who attend.... and the game is all about opinions. I actually think Naismith is an average player – nothing more, nothing less. Does that make me a bad judge of player? It probably does to the Naismith apologists...

Mike, he has scored 7 in the Premier League, a couple in the Europa and even one against Poland (who ain't no slouch). Not bad for a not so good player. He is often played out of position but he gives his all for the Blue shirt. I would take Naismith any day over the likes of Mirallas who does sod all until he gets his 60-min substitution. I agree the man isn't the most gifted,but without some of his goals this season we would be in an even worse mess than we are in.

The booing sparked them into life. Because that first half an hour was as piss poor as we've seen all season. But, after that we were excellent.

Eugene, you make a couple of very pertinent points. The first is about Steven Naismith. I defended him on here against dog's abuse. In fact one poster suggested that opposing fans were laughing at him. Well, I'll be the first to admit that he lacks a little guile but, in in my view, he can read the Alan Ball thread on this site and say, hand on heart, "I haven't got the talent but by fuck I've got the heart of the great Evertonian."

Second point, we started frightened of the supporters and played the worst in ten years. Then, the team got fucking terrified of the supporters and played to save their lives. You were spot on, we are where we are; let's get to fuck out of it together. Every Evertonian at that game last night should feel proud.

Pleased with the win against a side that were happy to sit on an early away goal but I didn't see a lot to get excited about. Martinez is still blaming everyone but himself and I'll believe we've turned the corner when it happens.