Blues are held again as Baines earns a point from the spot

Lukaku was dropped the last EPL game, then had a great game on Thursday.

Yes, he was rubbish today, but not sure where youÂ’re getting this "Roberto wonÂ’t drop him" nonsense.... Surely your memory reaches 8 days back?!

Luckily for us, there are only two consistent teams this year, meaning we are only four points off top four.

Barkley another game of fitness and showed signs ... Coleman more time to get fit ...

Good McGeady performance, covered Coleman quite a few times and looked to put in good crosses, getting a habit with him .....

And my own first choice centre midfield will perhaps get a run of Gibson and Besic ... I have felt for a while that combination could produce a strong title challenge in a couple of years.

Draw away against difficult opposition in a good run of their own – I am happy with a draw. Above LFC ...

Now to make a move on Top 4 by Christmas!

ItÂ’s certainly a disappointing result for a team with aspirations of getting in the top four, especially given that the elusive 4th spot looks open for the taking this season. IÂ’m actually more disappointed that we couldnÂ’t beat Swansea at home. IÂ’m going to try and put a positive on todayÂ’s result in that we got a draw away from home on the back of a Europa game (Spurs lost their game today) even though Sunderland are a team we should really be beating regardless of any mitigation surrounding playing on Thursday.

One bright point in an otherwise frustrating game was James McCarthyÂ’s performance today. Today was the first time IÂ’ve really noticed him making attacking runs and itÂ’s an encouraging sign that he is growing in confidence on this side of his game.

Then the players, that shoulda been more than enough for an average side, donÂ’t shine and itÂ’s RobertoÂ’s fault all of a sudden (from certain quarters on TW).

Some decent play but no real intensity. We missed Barry big time. IÂ’m loathe to blame Europe, as we cruised against Lille and couldÂ’ve kicked on.

Players must stand up and be counted. Mirallas is really being missed, and the team should be set up around Naisy, at least until we get a quality playmaker in.

Also play Besic not Gibson. Besic is young dynamic and needs games Gibson is an injury waiting to happen and another bloody safe sideway passer.

Absolutely gutted by todayÂ’s result. Below is a list of our 84-85 team and their total games played that season:

Big Nev 63
Ratcliff 61
Trevor Steven 61
Mountfield 58
Gary Stevens 58
Bracewell 57
Reidy 55
Sharpy 46
Pat van den Hauwe 42
Sheedy 31
Andy Gray 31
Adrian Heath 26
John Bailey 21
Kevin Richardson 18
Alan Harper 15.

Settled teams that are winning keep winning. You very really see Real Madrid change their team.

WeÂ’re gong to have to get used to the frustration IÂ’m afraid and perhaps learn to be even more controlled with the tempo of the game to break down teams who are intent on stopping us scoring. There is no magic wand or silver bullet that can help us only hard work. LukakuÂ’s first and even second touch cost us again today as he was clear and should have produced the winner but he touched the ball too far and had no choice other than to go around the keeper, he must learn but there is a good player that just needs developing. The wall gap trick was good play by Sunderland and schoolboy error by us which lost us the 3 points.

We were far and out the better side and the only one with class, we will come good when we can stabilize the injuries and RM can really decide on what his best team is.

Still, weÂ’re above the RS!!!

COYB !!!!

What was the result??

Helen, Coleman was our main threat today. I think Hibberts been great, but Coleman was our only real chance of winning (or drawing) that game.

We just donÂ’t seem to take advantage of other teams around us dropping points, I thought Sunderland were shite & these type of average teams should be beaten with the squad we have.10th in a very average league (besides Chelsea).

The ref was a shithouse, to consult his linesmen when we got our pen just summed him up (why did he consult him???), it should have produced a red card.

Their goal was so poor it was laughable, if youÂ’re in a wall and they put two players in it, stand in front of them ffs! For me, any set-piece free-kick that goes through/over our wall usually ends up in the net anyway Â’cos Howard just cannot get over quick enough.

Swansea City, Stoke City, Newcastle Utd, West Ham Utd, Southampton etc all above us in the league... I know itÂ’s early days but the points we have dropped already tells me we will drop many more on this showing.

I could be talking bollocks here but IÂ’m gutted yet again seeing us drop points to another average/shite team.

There are enough games to keep all players busy but in their positions please! Also less chopping and changing is needed let the players develop partnerships!

A couple of good results and we are back in the race for 4th due to the very unpredictable season! IÂ’m trying hard to be optimistic (itÂ’s difficult).

Seamus had a slight knock on his achillies, and for me, especially against Â’a weaker teamÂ’ if he can play, he must play. I thought we should have beaten Lille over there, and so us spanking them at Goodison wasnÂ’t news to me, and leaving Seamus out didnÂ’t hurt us.

Ross is a bit different. He actually seems a fair bit off the pace.

Okay, they had a game on Thursday but FFS theyÂ’ve got a week off next week. Yet another 2 pts dropped with none of the contenders (Chelsea apart) setting the place on fire.

What is glaringly obvious is that the Premier League this season is of poor quality, the top 4 is up for grabs, sadly it probably wonÂ’t be us because we are just another part of a poor inconsistent league.

Where are our goals from midfield?

Where is the real end product of the constant passing game?

Where is the plan B?

Now Barry is missing for a while who is going to offer something a little different?

Do we have anyone who even can offer something different other than a safety first keep it simple way?

The season just hasnÂ’t got going for us yet whether it will who knows. We have two games against teams who are probably going to challenge us in terms of position this season in West Ham and Spurs at the graveyard ground White Hart Lane.

The Hammers will be far from easy and itÂ’s just the kind of home game where we are likely to have real struggles in, they will sit deep and invite us to attempt breaking down a well organized unit. Can we do it? ... At the minute, IÂ’d have to say IÂ’m quite doubtful.

I donÂ’t think that RM will agree with me though.

So, Roberto, here is your best XI so stop pissing about.

Howard
Coleman
Stones
Jagielka
Baines
Mirallas
McCarthy
Barry
Pienaar
Naismith
Lukaku

Subs: Robles, Distin, Oviedo, Barkley, McGeady, Ossie, EtoÂ’o

Sorry if IÂ’ve missed anyone out.

Sort it, Martinez. We had enough of this shit with Moyes so don’t go down that route — Please!!!!!! And drop Lukaku!

IÂ’ll not mention the injuries in that line-up. IÂ’ve been a big defender of LukakuÂ’s, but EtoÂ’o is the better option at the moment. Rom reacted in the right manner on Thurs after being dropped, so maybe a few games wonÂ’t hurt.

We obviously need Mirallas and Barry. I would love Stones back, but thought Distin was decent today.

We’re not a million miles off being the 2nd best team in the league (after Chelsea), the players just need to step up. I don’t blame Roberto – he’s replacing good players with good players... they just need to be more ruthless and on it.

The sharing out of points in the league this year means a decent run (which we usually put together at some point) will catapult is into contention. Up to the boys to go make it happen.

I totally agree with the rest of your points. If only we could get some consistency and stop arsing around in front of goal, top 3 could be on the cards.

I think it is more a case of players in their proper positions. DonÂ’t try to squeeze in all the good players in the wrong positions. No room for Ross, Nessie and EtoÂ’o for example

Roberto changes personnel a lot but expects them to play the same way everytime!

The manager isnÂ’t stupid. HeÂ’s putting players out there to win the game. He canÂ’t make the passes or take the shots for them (I know this might come as a shock to some).

He can throw a jab/straight right/fake/right hook combos in the dressing room to get these boys on their bloody game though!

We didnÂ’t look too much like conceding until the free-kick, and I thought the defence did well today, especially the two central defenders.

McCarthy is so good at cleaning up and even defending deep often, but his offensive momentum is not there - perhaps it doesnÂ’t need to be. I do feel that Barry and he do one personÂ’s job in the final analysis and would I therefore play Besic there as a forward-moving force.

Mirallas and Pienaar are our best bets on the wing by far, followed by Atsu, even Coleman with Hibbo behind him (though McGeady did his best today, even put in a few tackles and made an impact of sorts in a one-dimensional way – he was one of our better players ...).

Rom, Sam and Nace (possibly Ross) can alternate up front (2 or 1+1). We do need a settled team, and we need to address the passing issue. Players must hold the ball and not just pass to a free player but pass with a view to a forward shape where possible. This was happening at points last season (before Christmas) – but not this. We’re playing Martinez-Moyes football this season.

First we must plug the defence – today’s back four is our best by miles, in my view. Hibbo can come in where necessary, maybe Browning and, of course, Stones (will be relieved to have him back). I do think the goals will come. If Rom is injured, please rest him; he looks so sluggish.

Unless something changes, we will be lucky to get an EL place this year – and we won’t win the EL on current form, not even close.

Just my tuppÂ’orth.

With Bainesy and Coleman attacking at every opportunity, Barry/McCarthy do closer to 4 jobs, rather than the one job you state.

Pienaar has been great for us, but IÂ’m not sure he still has the legs to be effective going both ways. No problems putting him in against teams like Sunderland though, and I reckon he could be decent in a free role (though Barkley, and particularly Naisy are prob better options).

Defence werenÂ’t bad today, and at least weÂ’re not leaking as much. I was hoping for an ugly 1-0 today, and not too far off.

A painfully obvious below-par still looked a few classes above Sunderland today, although a draw was fair on balance of chances.

We need a bit more grit and hard work to grind out these games where our flair is missing.

Interesting – and noted re GazBaz and Macca.

I thought Nace did well when he came on – always looking to go forward fast, and he gave the Sunderland defence the slip a few times. I’d like to see him link up more (not necessarily on the wing) with Seamy whose directness and pace would complement his.

I have no doubt, by the way, that Rom is a class act, and we should encourage him. I do get the impression (and I have no idea, not being an insider) that RM, the man with a degree in physiotherapy, doesn’t always allow players injuries to heal properly before re-introducing them to first team football – baffling, if so.

They may have looked like a worldy in their last game, and then been an embarrassment in training.

WeÂ’ve got goals in the team, especially when Kevy returns. We now know we can keep it tight. A bit of balance and a lot more bite, we can start blowing these teams away.

I was gutted not to win today. Not a bad point though...

Sideways passes in midfield. We need creativity just behind the forwards. Ossy should have started in place or Ross. ItÂ’s now 3 games on the trot that heÂ’s been useless with moves breaking down with him. Burnley, Lille, Swansea and today. (sorry, four!)

Ross needs to fight for his place. Pienaar should NOT be dropped in his place.

What team would you have started with?

McGeady is a winger who played on the wing.

Barkely and EtoÂ’o slotted in when Sunderland had the ball.

EtoÂ’o is one of the greatest attacking player IÂ’ve seen in my lifetime, and Ross is the young pretender - they should easily be able to interchange in order to baffle the opposition and exploit space when we have the ball.

Everton had their chance but they blew them. EtoÂ’o in the 3rd minute. Barkley around the 30 minute mark and a gift wrapped chance for Lukaku.

Fluff those chances and you are wind up in the situation that Everton were in today.

ItÂ’s not one player to blame or the manager. ItÂ’s up to the team to get better results in games like this.

Between the Premier League and Europa League Everton donÂ’t have a single game where they have won by a one goal margin in 15 games. They either win by 2+ goals or get draws in the games they get anything.

My point is to keep a really good run going you need to win some games by a 1-goal margin. Chelsea and Southampton are leading the league in a large part by having games that might have been draws turn out to be 1-goal victories which get you the 3 points you need to keep you at the top of the table.

Why change a winning team???

This keeps down the number of points teams accumulate. If this keeps up, the number of points it will take to make the top 4 will be less than last year.

Right now, Southampton have a really good chance of finishing in the top 4. I watched their game this weekend and they looked really good. With only 5 goals conceded through 11 games, they have the foundation of a winning formula. With 25 points through 11 games, they donÂ’t have to average 2 points a game to reach the 70-point level.

Paul,

I think you get a view on a particular player and then let then colour your view of them evermore. McCarthy was excellent, IMO, today in going forward – he carried the ball forward with pace and directness, he was almost up on their goal line at times. A noticeable difference.

I think Mason got it right on the penalty by not sending the lad off, but has that bloke got a sense of humour as he looked really peeved when Macca knocked him over by accident.

We were okay at West Brom, we were shocking at home to Palace, awful at Anfield but saved with seconds remaining thanks to a great goal, awful in the main against a rookie shit Man Utd team.

It improved slightly against two poor opponents in Aston Villa and Burnley but the last two have again been poor.

I thought he was meant to not miss any game time and the screw removal operation was a simple one??

I have to admit that Moses is playing better than I have ever seen from him, didnÂ’t really think he had it in him.

It wouldnÂ’t surprise me in the least if Atsu was back at Chelsea in January to be honest, and then loaned out over-seas, maybe a weaker league, Holland etc.

There has obviously been a shift in mind set since the opening weeks of the season as the wheels were threatening to come off big style after conceding so many goals... but the price we have had to pay to shore up the defence is that our attack is a little less potent – although we still created enough chances today, but so too did Sunderland in the first half.

Injuries have hindered us and they are continuing to do so and weÂ’ll just have to be happy to grind out points as and when they arrive. I know you want Everton to win games in style but this is going to be a tough old season and Evertonians arenÂ’t the only set of fans perturbed at the lack of victories.

I thought that ThursdayÂ’s win would set the team up for today and they would go there with confidence but it is a ground that we rarely seem to display our best qualities even when we have won there in the past.

How bad was BainesÂ’s penalty today! Could have easily been a loss.

On todayÂ’s game, they should have had 2 straight reds and to be fair Poyet admitted it. That Gomez tackle was disgusting and cowardly.

Otherwise, it was a mediocre performance against a poor team. We suffered from having several who are not at all match fit and played that way (Coleman, Barkley, Gibson), and as usual, we often failed to some bodies in the box when in a good position. McGeady had another decent game by his standards, so maybe there is some hope there. McCarthy was excellent and EtoÂ’o continues to look class and makes Lukaku look like the very rough diamond he is, albeit one with a potent shot on him.

One final point, the commentator on Sky was making out that HowardÂ’s falling on the ball outside the area was some kind of genius moment. To me, it looked like another one of TimÂ’s periodic brainstorms; he had ample time to get a boot through it and I am also pretty sure that the ball was played last by a Sunderland player, so he could also have just dribbled it back into the box and fallen on it.

Frankly we have been poor this season by the standards we aspire to and the only reason we remain within 4 points of CL positions is that this looks like it’s far from being a vintage EPL – you only have to look at the embarrassing recent performances in the CL for proof of that.

Definitely IÂ’d love Delboy back here in January, IÂ’d snap BarcaÂ’s hands off, trouble is if they want to loan him to us again, apparently they werenÂ’t too pleased.

What on earth goes on in Tim HowardÂ’s mind?

First question should be "why was he even outside his area when Jagielka had the situation under complete control???"

The man is in my opinion mentally unstable.

One Flew Over HowardÂ’s Nest..

I really thought we had turned a corner Thursday when we completely outplayed Lillie – okay, a mid-table French team, I hear you say but are Sunderland a better team? A team that got stuffed 8-0 a few weeks ago... Not for my money!

Now I am a big fan of "tika taka" football because, when it’s played properly at a fast pace, the opposition are chasing shadows and they tire; however, what we play is slow laborious pass about in front of their 22 yard line – it’s so easy to defend against!!

And when we do hit teams on the break they get across the halfway line then slow the whole thing down again, one of the worse culprits of this is Baines, he sprints past the halfway the always checks and looks for a sideways pass! I just wish he could be a bit more direct when we break...

In fact, I would like to see Oviedo as wing back and Baines ahead of him! We are badly missing Mirallas and the sooner heÂ’s back the better! HeÂ’s always looking to get a shot off and is positive in his movement.

As for our "star" 㿈M man Lukaku ... if he puts in another performance like that again, he may as well fuck off and do Panto this winter because he was woeful today.

Apart from the odd good performance, our general play has been poor this season... but, then again, apart from Chelsea and Southampton, everyone else has been unpredictable as well, with the players we have, we should be further up the league, no doubt. I just hope Bobby can turn it around.

In short, most Premier League games are close run things at the moment, often settled by a moment of genius or an individual mistake. We manage to have cut out most of the individual mistakes that were killing us early season but donÂ’t seem to be getting quite enough moments of genius.

EtoÂ’o almost had one today early on and McGeady had a great shot that was just wide. Barkley and Lukaku had the best chances but neither could find the end product and that is what we are missing.

Lukaku I hope gets a goal or two off his backside and gets back the confidence that every striker needs. Barkley is perhaps a more complicated matter as his position in the team is not so clear and there is more competition in the AMC roles. I think Etoo looks best suited there as he showed with another sublime assist today. Perhaps EtoÂ’o behind Naismith with his movement would be a combination worth trying...

Not sure how that answers my question @ 43.

Anyway, EtoÂ’o and Coleman came in and were undoubtedly our most effective players going forward.... so your "keep a winning team" pint is fair enough, but doesnÂ’t tell the story of the game.

Naisy was missed though, as was Barry.

I took exception to the square round peg hole bs that the other guy posted, without any suggestions as to how he wouldÂ’ve improved things.

It was also baffling why Barkley was playing wide left, when he is more useful playing down the middle, that provides Lukaku extra space to move about in. In all, Everton were dreadful in the first half with only McGeady showing any form from the sparkling win against Lille.

EtoÂ’o again in this match played too deep, to give Lukaku (who had a dreadful match) any real support, although he played a beautiful through ball to Coleman, who won the penalty.

Hopefully the international break will give us a chance to rejuvenate, sort out some of our injuries, and come back stronger at the end of the month.

COYB.

On a more positive note, there is only 4 pts separating 10th spot from 4th, but losing these type of games could cost us long term.

I hope Barry makes a good recovery

The wall. What wall? It was too far to the left of the right footed free kick taker and the big fellas and little fellas were all in the wrong place. No excuse. Coaching? What coaching?

Hope McCarthy is okay. He was limping at the end. WouldnÂ’t like to be without him and Barry.

A difficult game that turned into a battle. The lads up front are not getting it together. They know it. We know it. It has to be sorted. Two good chances wasted. CanÂ’t do that in the Premier League.

Jags Distin and McCarthy played to there ability other than that we had far too many sub standard performances. Yes, maybe Naismith should have started but we had enough on the park to blow Sunderland out of the water.

IÂ’m a big fan of Lukaku but he was shocking, he seems to struggle to find a place when EtoÂ’o is up with him although on paper Sammy should be a perfect foil for him. Ross is still nowhere near his best, McGeady is one of the worst passes of a ball IÂ’ve ever seen, and two holding midfielders is too much versus any Sunderland sale team. whether we are home or away.

Very very poor game all round, shocking considering ThursdayÂ’s performance.

Gary Neville wrote an article recently that when he was playing, 80% of the coaching was defensive – positioning, body posture, how often to look at the ball when marking, defensive walls, one-on-one practice etc. But he gathers from talking to the Academies that defensive coaching isn’t done so much now. It certainly seems that way at Everton.

You watch Nais when he came on. Limited footballer but he passes the ball and then bombs into the box. DoesnÂ’t come off so he comes back out. I watched Fletcher do the same all day... always an option centrally.

Lukaku played wide – both sides. To the point where there is simply nothing central when the likes of Eto’o, McGeady or Ross get the ball in a half-decent position. So we play wide again. Still nothing in the box.

WhatÂ’s the point of all these good attacking players if no-one wants be anywhere near the goal? Jamie Carragher could play these attacking roles if all you have to do is shuffle the thing from wing to wing all day.

Lukaku – don’t go wider than the penalty area. If we get the ball wide... his only job is to be in the box ready to attack that ball if it comes in. Run!

Ross – did he set foot inside the penalty area all day? He’s an attacking midfielder! Stop being so scared of being out of position and get in there. It’s part of the job.

McGeady – at least he had a bit of a go. Instinct to skin his fullback is wasted when he gets there only to realise there’s no bugger in the centre. It’s just an elaborate bit of skill before we start shuffling it back and forth again.

OÂ’Shea and Brown wonÂ’t have had many easier games than that. No-one played on them. They just held position all game.

If you are forced to play central midfielders instead of wingers then adapt the game plan accordingly. Barkley (as is often the case) looked lost; running into brick walls and blind alleys, with little aim in the final 3rd. No wonder EtoÂ’o and Lukaku were at times not available for a pass from Barkley.

LukakuÂ’s miss aside, that poor performance was entirely down to RM. Sunderland offered absolutely nothing offensively; thank goodness Cattermole and Giaccherini were unavailable for them as well. The end result could have been much worse.

Their supply yesterday was crap and they were feeding on scraps. The thought of McCarthy being injured just sends me into depression. It is too much to contemplate. Do you think weÂ’ll beat the Hammers at the moment?

Boring, boring safety first crap.

Howard at fault for the goal – crap organisation, and he was moaning at them afterwards, but it seemed to me that the taller lads were at the other end of it.

He also nearly fucked-up with Jags in the strange lying on the ball incident. That could have cost us, it wasnÂ’t clever, and another example of his poor judgement of late.

As I have said, I honestly believe Howard has some kind of mental problem; either that or heÂ’s hyperactive because over the yearÂ’s thereÂ’s been too many incidents of manic unexplainable behavior from a so-called professional keeper.

How many times has he cost us goals with rushing out fouling players for penalties over the years? How many times has he ended up behind the line BEFORE the ball has even crossed it?

Yes, heÂ’s a good shot stopper now and again but his overall behavior is ridiculous.

As I state, why is he even outside of his area yesterday with regards to the "lying down " incident?
Jagielka had the situation under control, then he sees that halfwit standing behind him like some kind of lost poet rambling the Alps and a potentially dangerous situation could have arose.

Then there was the Crystal Palace penalty incident this season, the Old Trafford balls-up by bullying the ball down the pitch instead of out of touch knowing his goal was empty, because for some other manic reason heÂ’s by the corner flag.

Even the Gerrard free-kick at Anfield, weak wristed, he should have kept it out because it wasnÂ’t in the corner of the goal.

We need to get shut of the fella, how long can we keep calling him Number 1 anyway? At his age we are going to need to start looking for a REPLACEMENT – not just amateur back-up.

As Colin @45 so succinctly stated, albeit in the past, that we have Â’wastedÂ’ points against Leicester and Arsenal from a winning position. Okay, that was not the case yesterday, but still I feel that a game that was possibly Â’winnableÂ’ was made harder by reckless defending, and a lack of guile in the final third.

Couple this with injury to Barry, and then later McCarthy, for once we are thankful for the International Break. I still canÂ’t help feeling, and I have mentioned it before, that BobbyÂ’s substitutions are bewildering at times. That game was crying out for Besic to replace Barry, and Atsu to replace McGeady who (although decent against Lille) was generally a passenger yesterday.

West Ham next, who also seem to be on an upward curve, will also prove to be a testing game, and I think team selection and availability of key players will be critical, if we are to get three points.

I know itÂ’s painful at times but we have got to keep the faith, and hope we get back to winning more regularly.

COYB

Tim H has TouretteÂ’s Syndrome

You did know that, didnÂ’t you??

The fact he has been a class goalkeeper for club and country is pretty amazing considering what he has had to master/deal with etc.

He does make mistakes but can be utterly brilliant at times and let’s be honest – HE ISNT GOING ANYWHERE!!!

RM loves the guy and I cannot see him being replaced in the next few years. Unless he gets injured and Joel becomes the No 1...

IÂ’m talking about Barkley playing on the left, Why??? To accommodate either Naismith or EtoÂ’o. Ross and Lukaku have a great understanding when Ross is in the number 10 position. How many times have they started in them positions this season?

I have a high regard for McCarthy and Barry – but I would like to see Besic start much more than he does. I really think he could become a top world-class player. I emphasize ’could’.

Dont take my word for it its a statistical fact as shown by Gary Neville on Sky Sports.Those teams from the Premier League who enter the Europa suffer loss of the League form every time with no exception.

If you want the European adventure be prepared for the fallout.No good blaming managers or players it goes with the territory.

Why are we so slow when we attack? ItÂ’s pass, pass, slow, pass, pass, slow. And why take McGeady off? He was having a good game.

ItÂ’s incredible how Lukaku was still on the pitch.

Naismith, Barkley, and Osman are all players that are best used directly behind the striker rather than out wide. Regardless of what anyone's opinion on these players is, I think we can all agree on that. If we want to get two of those players on the field at the same time, we need a change of formation and go wingerless. I like McGeady, but when Baines and Coleman are causing this much havoc, they're basically wingers anyway.

If we play a 4-4-2 diamond, I think we'd really take teams apart while Mirallas is away.

Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
McCarthy
Besic Barkley
Naismith
Lukaku Eto'o

Baines and Coleman bomb forward like always. Bring on McGeady and Atsu for pace out wide if you want to change the formation to something more conventional. Whatever.

I just hate seeing Ross Barkley being criminally wasted to accommodate someone less talented. It isn't an either or situation. Play them all. And play them where the hell they belong!

I thought we’d got rid of the worst for that, Fellaini, but yesterday I was so pissed off with that pathetic challenge. Two points thrown away!

Seems to me that the manager has been thinking about the second half of the season before a ball had even been kicked.

First we werenÂ’t fit for the start, and now all this rotation and accommodation is stopping us from building up a head of steam.

I was more interested in Europe this season, but it would definitely be a chance missed if we donÂ’t get top 4, when you judge how bad the league is shaping this year.

Would love to know reason why but stats don't lie!!

We need to cut out the wingers and go 2 up front.

Howard's antics, the non-existent wall, the stupid Baines tackle, the two missed chances, losing Barry, the non-tackling, slow-tracking Gibson knee, no togetherness up front, the big fella looking confused and little Ossie brought on for the last few minutes when all the rough stuff was going on.

In the meantime, they brought on a lanky guy called Buckley who tore us apart and seemed to know more about attacking than our lot all bunched together. What a nightmare. Let's hope we learn from it.

The slow build-up is causing us to face a packed defence and we don't seem sure about the players who are best equipped to deal with it. Eto'o and Coleman showed the way but a better solution would be a faster forward tempo all over the pitch.

Unfortunately Lukaku is sadly out of form at the moment. I don't know what the answer is for him but, if it was up to me, Eto'o and Naismith would be starting every game.

Also Pienaar and McGeady would start every game on the flanks. McCarthy and Besic in midfield.

Back four picks itself at the moment. I personally am glad to see Distin back in the side.

To my simple and perhaps old-fashioned football mind to me that is square pegs in square holes.

The opposite look much more threatening with the ball and it's all hands on deck throwing desperate bodies around in our penalty box. I don't know if it's injury-related or confidence issue we need to sort out Rom he's not the same player we signed. If he's injured don't play him; if it's in his head that's Bob's job.