Everton duo benched for Scotland friendly

This game will give the dead Â’ard hooligans from no-mark lower league clubs the chance to make a name for themselves though.

Because the England group has been so easy, this will be the sternest test this young England team will face.

I hope Jags is rested tho, we canÂ’t afford another centre-half injury.

No need to play if not playing a qualifier, just have some sabotage the pitch and send the players home.

Shitty games with no point.

Saying that, I hope they kick the overated Sterling off the fucking park.

I genuinely fear for him & if you could place a bet on a player getting injured, I would be straight down the bookies....

Will be watching from behind a pillow tonight.

ThatÂ’s the way good teams become even better teams... By working your tits off when your team has NOT got the ball. I have said for a long time that you only need to look at all the successful sides over the years, from the great United sides to the Barcelona under Guardiola.

The one thing they all had in common was a major hunger to press and harass their opponents when they need to win the ball back... I havenÂ’t seen England play with that kind of hunger for years.

I wish Everton would do that more often rather than play the game at such a slow pace, almost so slow that at times it resembles a chess match not a football game. The greatest teams are defined not just by their ability with the ball but their work without it.

The England manager spent most of the game hunched on the bench in his normal position. Fine. No problem...

But as soon as Ross (2 minutes play in the last 2 games) makes a minor mistake, Hodgson is suddenly on the touch line screaming foul-mouthed abuse at him.

Something unsettling here.

ItÂ’s going to be a long road with getting Ross where we need him to be, like we know he can do great things but it doesnÂ’t always have to be great, sometimes it just needs to be of good use to the team such as finding the right passes or learning to become better at assists and not holding on to the ball too long.

We never ever ever ever learn.

On to Saturday anyway.

Letting Ross off the leash in the next few weeks may allow him to display his talent but it might also lead to unwanted results for Everton and in these days of everybody wanting everything right here and right now there doesn’t seem to be any room for mistakes or learning your trade in the Premier League – which is why we see so much robotic football from most teams in most games.

Could be and I agree with your comment on the selections.

I have a gut feeling that his aversion to Ross has nothing to do with football ability or potential. Hodgson is a self-styled cultured man of the world, lover of fine wines, all things Swiss etc.

Ross is a root working-class kid still with a strong Scouse accent. Maybe Hodgson finds this "uncouth"or is reminded of the type of Liverpool fan who never accepted him when he was at Anfield.

Admittedly he has also worked with the likes of Gerrard and Rooney. But these were already multi-millionaires in their Cheshire mansions before he came into serious contact with them.

Yes for me, sheer snobbery. But as you say, roll on Saturday.

It was a good game and I believe the way England approached the match surprised Scotland, think the Scots thought England wouldnÂ’t look too arsed but the hunger and controlled aggression was there to see.

I actually didnÂ’t think Naismith had his best game, granted he was playing in a bog standard side with players that wouldnÂ’t get into many Premier League top clubs.

The one I did like the look of a bit was the left-back we were supposedly close to signing before he went to Hull.

The problem is that his game is either on or not; if not, he loses the ball regularly in dangerous positions, he becomes totally ineffective and a liability. Hodgson wonÂ’t stand for it; Martinez encourages risk, Hodgson wonÂ’t.

Barkley is clearly not showing anything in training with England otherwise he will be given a serious chance to show them in games. I think personally that Barkley has to learn how to play again with Everton, he has to learn how to impose himself in games, not necessarily by mind blowing dribbles, shots, but just by assisting, contributing. He should be left out of future England squads until heÂ’s a proven PL player. He and the likes of Lukaku have just wasted 10 days away with England / Belgium when both are clearly not playing well, and valuable time could have been spent at Finch Farm, with the likes of EtoÂ’o and other non-internationals .

I hope to god Barkley doesnÂ’t end up like another "world class" flop we had with Duncan McKenzie back in the Â’70s, who turned it on once in half-a-dozen games, he was shown the door by Gordon Lee who, for those that donÂ’t know him, was the Â’70s Roy Hodgson.

Having watched the last two games, itÂ’s clear that Roy has favourite players. How Lambert played instead of the in-form Berahino, (nothing against Lambert but heÂ’s barely played this season and the West Brom lad is scoring for fun). Sterling reminds me of a quicker Townsend, and I have Spurs mates who prefer Lennon to Townsend! The number of counter-attacks started against us when Sterling looses the ball is startling, but he has one good run with a percentage ball cross and the pundits gush.

DonÂ’t get me started on Milner... (Showing my age but that is like Carlton Palmer keeping Gascoigne out of the team back in the 90Â’s!) The only two players that stood out for me were Clyne and Lallana. IÂ’m quite envious that Liverpool have him as his close control and ability to keep the ball under pressure would fit perfectly into our team (in the place of Osman).

I understood the Downing inclusion because heÂ’s having a great season for West Ham but he plays in RooneyÂ’s position, as does Ross, which is why Barkley wonÂ’t get any major game time for England under Hodgson.

Roy also likes his team to press and quickly win the ball back and Ross isnÂ’t that kind of player yet.

Lallana would have been perfect for the way Everton aspire to play, he has quick feet and a good football brain, he moves similar to the way Teddy Sheringham used to in his day.

Martinez = average player who had flair, played the right way

Barkley = ridiculously talented young player.

Two managers likely resent the ease with which the lad finds the game and can’t tolerate his occasional scattiness – "Get rid" is their motto. So therefore pick on him.

One manager identifies the player he wishes he had the talent to become and wants to get him to be a great.

So if he doesnÂ’t bid for Barkley itÂ’s because he envies his talent. Do me a favour!

Delph is another sure fire top player who would be perfect played alongside McCarthy. This would provide both attacking and defensive abilities in midfield. Delph also pops goals in and provides assists.

I also hope we go for the Arsenal lad up front as I see him playing the Pienaar role in front of Baines, plus he would score more often than Pienaar.

Mourinho himself is very well known to obliterate players with mega talent if they lose the ball by expressing themselves – but loves a good midfiled spoiler.

I just hope the manager has refreshed himself during the international break to finally get over his World Cup hangover because he hasnÂ’t seemed the same since he got that pass took off him!

Having said that, Hodgson sure loves his Redshite players. Hopefully McCarthy will be fit for Sunday but RM wonÂ’t rush him if Gibson is fit.

It grieves me to say it but both Wilshere and Oxlade-Chamberlain are way ahead of him in development and both have had their share of injuries as he has.

God forbid he had chosen Â’the other colourÂ’ but had he done so, he would be in the same place developmentally as he is today. Perhaps.

If BK was thinking about cashing in, he would it seems have plenty of support on these boards but to me it would be a mistake. It was bad enough watching Rooney scoring for Manchester United... watching Barkley strutting his stuff in any other shirt than Everton blue would be very painful.

Few of us has any doubt that Ross is blessed with great talent and physique and SHOULD have a great future .But thanks to the outpourings of his manager and most Evertonians he is in danger of drowning in a sea of over-expectation.

LetÂ’s cut the kid some slack, let him learn his craft and judge him in 18 months time. If heÂ’s not Â’a starÂ’ by the time heÂ’s had a couple of seasons as a regular in our side then heÂ’s going to have to face life as just a bloody good player !

Pointless friendly – just like all the other pointless wins against minnows in the qualifiers. As soon as Italy or similar crop up, it will be the same old story.

He doesnÂ’t like him and itÂ’s as clear as day.

You do realise that his assist last night has been WilshereÂ’s sum total contribution to England in 26 games. Unless of course you include falling over on his arse whilst pulling a face that is just asking to be slapped.

Going on league performances only Downing has been getting good reviews and he was exposed last night in an international game. Barkley has been called up for England before and has always put in a good performance and if like you suggest going on league performances he should not have been called up even though you say he is blessed with great talent and physique.

I found it refreshing that Hodgson had a go at him, he deserved it having run around chasing the ball like a 10-year-old (and so easily getting passed around) when he came on. ItÂ’s no bad thing to have some stick thrown at a player by the manager occasionally, all the top managers do it.

Of course Martinez never does as he has a one dimensional approach to managing from the touch line, that is, always being positive. The managerÂ’s skill is to find the right balance of stick/carrot, good guy/bad guy and not to simply try to make sure your players like you all the time.

Mile Oates - 24: Â’I hope to god Barkley doesnÂ’t end up like another "world class" flop we had with Duncan McKenzie back in the Â’70s, who turned it on once in half-a-dozen games, he was shown the door by Gordon Lee who, for those that donÂ’t know him, was the Â’70s Roy HodgsonÂ’.

Well Mike you ask about others knowledge of the 70s but I think that you might want to do a little bit of homework yourself!

McKenzie, a flop! Not only was he adored by us – although apparently not by you – he could change a game in the twinkling of an eye and worked much harder ’for the team’ than your words imply.

He was, quite simply, a breath of fresh air and to say that Lee Â’showed him the doorÂ’ because he had one-in-six-good-games (and thatÂ’s bollocks) is forgetting (distorting?) and false revision of the highest order.

Lee hated McKenzie. Not because he was lazy or half-arsed or put in the odd good performance, but because he was McKenzie and represented all that Dracula did not like about the way that footie ought to be played.

It was highly unfortunate for us and for Duncan that Lee took over the reigns from Bingham a month after magic Duncan signed on the dotted line.

We all agreed that Duncan McKenzie was magic. Lee fecking hated him and that was why much to the horror of us he was shown the door.

I’m sure Steve Gerrard, Raheem Sterling Henderson, Downing or Adam have never played a stray pass in their lives, have they? It’s not the first time he’s had a go at Ross and rather begs the question who picks the side – turkey neck or the rag press? Me, I’d go for the latter

Regarding Lee, myself and quite a number of season ticket holders signed a petition and sent it to the club to try and get him out. Our opinion of Lee, that he set up the team to play the game in that a draw was a point well earned, a win was a bonus and a defeat was, as they say these days, just collateral damage.

Needless to say, we just got a reply from one of the clubÂ’s spin doctors to say they are pleased with the managerÂ’s efforts.
,

Duncan was worshipped by the Goodison faithful (even in those days there were a few morons who didnÂ’t appreciate his genius) and I still shed a tear on the anniversary of his leaving us. IÂ’ve never forgiven that fucking dope Lee for breaking up that team it was. IMO, one of the greatest fuck-ups in EvertonÂ’s history.

We love you Duncan, we do
We love you Duncan, we do
Ohhhhh Duncan we love you.

HereÂ’s another more conventional memory of Duncan - McKenzie v Stoke

Finally Colin here are highlights of Andrew BrandÂ’s debut for Everton at Elland Road with McKenzie playing for Leeds - Not a good watch for Blues though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV0c5lh8vYM">Brand-ed

And to say he broke that team up when Thomas (who left for Wolves!) and Latchford (who after a couple of months mouldering in the reserves decided to stay) both wanted to leave for financial reasons, Dobson decided it was time to go back to his first love, Burnley, and Pejic got crocked – so that was the heart of his team ripped apart.

Now how he rebuilt the team is a different matter!

Paul (47), almost every player that I’ve heard talk about Lee does so with affection – even Duncan says they got on personally so I don’t think you can say Lee hated him. I suspect it was more like incidents such as the semi-final at Bolton – remember the missed penalty when Duncan ran up to take it then for some reason stepped over the ball, walked back to his mark and then tamely pulled his shot wide? Or it could have been tough away games such as City at Maine Road when Latchford and Thomas were injured so we really needed a big performance from him but he was totally ineffective – even George Telfer was more dangerous on that day!

For myself, I agree that Duncan was a breath of fresh air after some of the dull football weÂ’d had to endure under Billy Bingham and he definitely worked harder than some would have you believe, but whether he was a team player in the sense of fitting into a team pattern, which in those days tended to be a rigid 4-4-2 or 4-3-3, is another matter, and Lee simply decided, after about a season and a half of watching him, that he wasnÂ’t the man for him.

Don’t talk rot JJ, Lurch Lee hated talented players — that’s why he got rid of them all.

What happens to them??? They get a job in the game and turn into the idiot who tells Barkley to get rid. Imagine all those years ago if their heroes never had the flair to do a Cruyff turn or try and lob the keep instead of hitting bottom corner. The game is becoming dull as it is without them trying to give players like Barkley frontal lobotomies.

Funny isn’t it, our next game is against West Ham and if someone said "Name a West Ham player that you thought was great as a kid?" – It wouldn’t be McKavennie, Martin Allen or anyone like that... Alan Devonshire would be the name. I loved the way he would take players on and his skill.

The point that people are talking about is his take on players like McKenzie with one of his statements on flair players: "People talk about stars and flair – as far as I am concerned, you find stars in the sky and flares at the bottom of your trousers."

Lee built his sides on teamwork and hard work rather than individual talent. This showed up in the 1979-80 season when we finished 19th, just above relegation.