McCarthy on course for return against Palace

Longer term Mc and Bez are the CM pairing, both have plenty more to learn and Barry has it to share. Barry "Takes it for the Team", and deliberately. Anyone that doesn’t understand that doesn’t really understand the basics of football.

I don’t see RM immediately ditching GB or MB, after all the repeated, enforced changes have contributed to our situation this season. Personally, I’d start Barry and "gently" introduce Mc after half time....probably after the hour as a straight swap for GB.

By which time, hopefully, we’re already 2 or more to the good and can play with fluency again.

Roberto is not for changing.

Martinez knows his players better than us, but watches the same games we do. I’m still on his side at the moment... just, but, if he chooses Barry over Besic for the next two games, I’m switching to the Out brigade.

We have missed McCarthy but only a fully fit McCarthy, it’d not worth playing him if he’s not absolutely 110% because we have seen him out there this season and he’s been a shadow of the James McCarthy of last year.

Do we need him back? Yes.
Do we need to rush him back if he’s not totally there yet? No.

Let’s hope Martinez learns from rushing back players this season has resulted in further setbacks.

He should be out there looking to bolster the squad and sign a player who can add a different dimension to our stagnant attacking play.

I’m not holding my breath though.

I mean defender? I know he’s great on the ball but a defender needs first and foremost to be able to stop the opponents scoring, he and his partner are the final line before goalkeeper, and it’s not about bringing the ball out and looking sexy doing it, it’s about getting your head on anything you can.

Stones at West Ham was savaged to be honest, I know he’s not played much but for me, he needs to develop more before I make "phenomenal dreamteam" superlatives.

Besic is a MIDFIELDER guys, he has not won a single header since he’s been here. Remember Gareth Barry at Hull?
A midfielder, not a centre half.

Fuck me!

I also agree about Besic in defence. He did well at the back for his last club apparently but he’s not a defender in the PL in my view. I think he’s showed a bit of promise further forward, including against WBA and that might be worth encouraging when Macca comes back.

I think it was Kevin Ratcliffe who said that we can’t and shouldn’t really expect a guy Stones age to be our big defensive leader.

I agree, it’s all expected too soon at this level, he has ability on the ball but needs longer to develop.

If we get out of this mess Barry will be one of the reasons we do. If RM did leave him out at Palace, it would probably be to avoid him being suspended for the derby. I tend to agree with Tony (#7), best to ease McCarthy back in.

He’s not a defender. We need to buy a good solid defender. One who is v comfortable winning headers!!!

We need Del Boy in.... I like the look of that lad el castaway that people are mentioning but I’m not sure I can see it happening. Him and Del Boy on the flanks and Mirallas scratching his balls on Tottenhams bench?? Possibly, just possibly.

Somebody pays say 㾻 million for Mirallas then we get Del Boy and El Castaway for ٦M and ٣M respectively..... That’s ٠ million left over to put towards that Norwegian stopper..... Then just a centre back needed..... It’s easy this management lark I should be taken on...

I think in most PL games you will need just one and pair him with someone who can actually pass forward. I would pair either Besic or McCarthy with Barry who seems to be slowly regaining his form. For me he just offers a completely different dimension than Besic or McCarthy. When we play the defensive minded teams like WBA at home, I would pair McCarthy or Besic with Barkley.

Let’s hope it’s the long-awaited corner that we turned (allegedly) 3 weeks ago...

Stones is still learning and Besic, well we’d give away half a dozen penalties per game. Also as important, there would be no height centrally with Besic about 5’ 8" or 5’ 9"... Can you imagine us against West Ham, Stoke, Chelsea!

Besic has shown what he is good at – leave him be.

Could it be because he’s been played out of position too much? Could it be because the whole team are being asked to play to a system that is largely alien to them? Barkley set the Premier League alight the past season or two and you don’t become a bad player overnight.

Get his confidence back, play him in the right system in the correct position and he’ll be fine again. I bet if he was sold to a club with coaches worthy of the name and he cold retain the fitness levels seemingly lacking at GP this season, you would see a great player emerge.

The crap performances are not ALL down to the players...

Also the Russian replacement for Mirallas on a free, that won’t work either. Any other carthorses you want to bring in?

Managers are not in the business of having favourites. They pick the players they trust to perform a certain role. Unfortunately, many fans do have favourites who can do no wrong and non-favourites who can do little right. This results in a lucky bunch of lads who get away with murder and the usual scapegoats who are blasted before they kick a ball. Happy days.

Roberto needs to focus on McCarthy and Besic as the preferred partnership. If another team enquire about Barry in the summer, then the manager needs to swallow some pride, admit he got it wrong with the contract, and let them take him. Ledson, with some first team experience, will only get better but I think he is capable of covering for either two if out of form or injured.

This season was the time to take more of a risk and bring through the youngsters, as many were expecting this second season syndrome. In a way, the manager gets a Get Out of Jail card but, due to the massive pressure he mustÂ’ve been feeling this season, IÂ’m more concerned that it will be more difficult to bring them through the next one.

Hopefully weÂ’ll get to those magic 40 points as soon as possible; Roberto can then reflect on the mistakes heÂ’s made and be more bold like in his first season.

I do feel that Barry has not been as good this season as last. However, we can replace ’Barry’ with virtually any other player’s name and that sentence will still be accurate.

I think he would be a lovely balanced footballer, who wants to be progressive, if played just in front of our defence. A few months down the line perhaps, but such a naturally gifted lad. If Mr Moment knew anything, this team could be very useful if quickened up and the best players were in control of the ball most of the time.

He won’t though because he thinks everyone can be like Iniesta if they play enough triangles in training. I hope he watched the cup games at the weekend – seemed to me the tippy tappy brigade of teams got beat by quicker, direct play.

This season he was rushed back from injury and was really poor in a few games, for that reason. He is on his way back to form and to me he is key for turning this season around.

If he does make a change though, my money’s on Besic dropping back down to the bench as I cannot see RM shifting from a 4-2-3-1 formation and given we’ve had a massive break there’s no need to rest anyone ’cos of fatigue (i.e. Barry). Then again, Besic will get a few games soon enough as I read somewhere that if Barry gets another yellow between now and 12 April he’ll get a two match suspension – so that’s him out of the derby and Chelsea matches!

ItÂ’ll be a shame for Besic but at least means thereÂ’s decent competition for the CDM places. I just hope Oviedo starts on the left at AML as Palace have plenty of pace in their side so weÂ’re going to need to be sharp tracking back.

I would love to see an attacking 3 of Oviedo / Barkley / Mirallas. BarkleyÂ’s confidence is a bit shot but away from home he wonÂ’t be getting too much stick from his own supporters so may be ok, especially playing central. Mirallas is still the most creative player we have so has to start.

Unfortunately I can see us starting with one or both of McGeady and Naismith and being overrun in midfield.

According to the OS Oviedo signed a 4-year contract when he joined in 2012 (not 3 years as mentioned on TW). So based on that heÂ’s got another 18 months left at least.....

Think we can all eat a bit of humble pie on that one (me included)

Good news at least.

I hope Macca is fully fit because when he has been lacking in that department, he really has not looked like the player of last season(as Jim Bennings said).

Incidentaly Jim, I saw Besic win a marvellous header in our box recently, against either the Hammers or City. He was salmon-like in his leap, so there.

I did wonder where people had got the impression his deal was up this summer!

Brendan, I donÂ’t recall Barkley being used as a winger too much last season, hence the tirade of abuse the lad getÂ’s from the stands. Nor do I remember us passing along the back four nearly as much as we have this season.

However, I DO remember us attacking with pace and passing with quick, short FORWARD passes, something that has been missing this year. I also remember us having width and speed and playing to LukakuÂ’s strengthÂ’s which we havenÂ’t done this season. He is not and never will be a "back to the goal" target man.

There will be ructions if here isnÂ’t...

I thought the rumour that Barry has it in his contract that, if fit, he plays, canÂ’t be true... but, the more it happens every week, makes me think that there must be some truth in it, no other explanation.

The only thing that we can say without doubt is that there were times last season when there were signs that we would witness this nonsense.

This lad must be tied down, as I would almost have him on a par with Baines now. He is physically more imposing, and his delivery of corners is far superior.

Plus ca change......

He should still be dropped for Besic though, as Besic has been head and shoulders the better of the two in every game theyÂ’ve played. Besic & McCarthy for me every day of the week.

On the subject of McCarthy, I read that weÂ’ve won 1 game in 13 without him. I think that says a lot about his importance to the team and also a fair amount about the accuracy of the opinions of a few posters here who posted several months ago about how little McCarthy offers us and how limited he is.

I think JimÂ’s comments regarding Stones lack of ability as a defender is also wrong. Certainly heÂ’s prone to the odd mistake; something every defender we have has in them. But itÂ’s clear he can tackle exceptionally well, coming away with the ball on many occasions. HeÂ’s also decent in the air. We certainly look far more solid with Stones in the team than without.

Hold on, square and backward passing? Ah well, that probably explains why Martinez loves him so much!

Peter, on your comment about John Stead, I remember only too well him scoring against us at Goodison for both Sunderland and Blackburn, just another in a long line that unfortunately excelled against us!

1) McCarthy has been a massive loss to us this season. Okay heÂ’s not a Totti or a Zidane but his work rate allows other players to play with more freedom as they know he will have their backs.

2) Stones was immense against Andy Carroll, keeping that pony-tailed thug quiet for most of the game and he can jump and tackle!!

3) Barry, despite having a slow start to the season, is starting to look his old self again. I thought he was our best player against WBA, always looking up to start an attacking move, bossing MF etc....

Like others have said, I hope Macca doesnÂ’t start. The last thing we need is for him to do his hammy in again. Bring him on for the last 15-20 mins to get him some game time before the derby.

I think his passing has been decent too. Our overall passing accuracy has been in the 80-90% bracket and Barry would be an integral member of the team getting lots of time on the ball and contributing to that. He also plays some decent balls forward...but that is not his core job.

The reason we play so much sideways football is not down to Barry any more than it is down to Coleman or Baines. ItÂ’s primarily down to the players in front of him not making runs, and not showing for the ball enough, meaning there is no pass on. WeÂ’re far too static.

As for his foul count, I actually think heÂ’s quite astute in that respect. Compare McGeady with his red-card lunge when West Ham were in their own half doing nothing, to the challenges Barry makes which are often either well timed and result in us getting the ball back, or give a foul away but also stop the opponent from breaking on the counter.

Criticising Barry, as the most defensive of our midfielders, for Â’giving fouls awayÂ’ or not making killer forward balls, is like me criticising Jags for his lack of goals or heading the ball out for a corner too much. Sometimes giving a foul away is far preferable to the alternative.

Like I said, I think a lot of the negativity around Barry is because of Martinez giving him minutes instead of Besic. Hate Martinez for that, not Barry.

I donÂ’t want a salmon playing centre half for us... but saying that, he probably couldnÂ’t have done too much worse than our lot this season.

Robles
Hibbert, Stones, Jagielka, Baines
McCarthy. Barry
Besic
Coleman. Oviedo
Lukaku

With A goalie, Barkley, Distin, Garbutt, Naismith, Kone, Lundstram as subs.

This is a game we must win and in my opinion this team will work. Please, Roberto, play this side.

And maybe Barkley rightly so but Barry shouldnÂ’t be getting in ahead of Barkley. Those rumours about him having something in his contract about if fit he plays reared their head last Monday at the game. Now, I canÂ’t believe for one minute thatÂ’s true but if there is anything in it its a disgrace.

As for McCarthy coming back, yes weÂ’ve missed him. But it wonÂ’t make a blind bit of difference to our attacking play because we donÂ’t trouble goalkeepers enough. I wonÂ’t be surprised if Besic Barry and McCarthy all start at Palace I donÂ’t think Pardew is going to be too worried if he sees that the way their playing under him. Personally I just canÂ’t see where the next win is coming from.

Oh, arenÂ’t we signing anyone? After all, weÂ’ve just let a striker go...

Say what you like about Barry, but he has forgotten more than Besic knows – his positional sense and quality on the ball is still on the whole top draw. He’s getting on but is still worth a shirt for me.

As for the instructions - do you honestly think Martinez has told the players to pass along the back more, play slower than as opposed to what he had asked for last season?

I think not. I believe we are suffering due to a range of factors. Collective loss of form and unlucky injuries to key players at key times have been the main reasons in my eyes. Add on second season syndrome – teams now set up two banks of four at home against us and extra fixtures in arguably the toughest group in the EL – that we topped by the way – then the season was always going to be a struggle.

As for Barkley, Ray, he has played on the wing because the two main points I alluded to – injury and loss of form to other players. Barkley has played in the hole numerous times this season and further back against QPR and I feel he has been equally disappointing there as well. But again that isn’t his fault – second season syndrome again. Players & managers know him and know his threat – we see him getting more attention and you can’t exactly burst into space when there are two banks of four in front of you.

Interestingly enough, I have read that BarkleyÂ’s chances created and key passes, while still being fairly low, are greater than last season. His take-ons and successful dribbles are high as well.

The players are not performing to their usually consistent high standard. What is most puzzling to me is that we are supposed to have this great team spirit – seems this is only true when the goings good. It doesn’t look like we have any characters or leaders to take us out of this current slump.

I would look at playing the 3 of them in certain games though with Barry behind allowing the other two to use their industry to support the attack or in front to provide a 3 line defence.

I actually think Barry has epitomised Everton this season. He took a while to get going, has struggled for his best form and takes a bit to long in getting things done.

I think he is a good player but the speed of the game has caught up with him. Not sure how much he can involve himself in a game anymore unless hes going too deep, because itÂ’s the only way he can make space for himself these days?

So, yes, I do think that Martinez and his "possession" philosophy has been the problem and, further more, I also think his possession at all costs has been foisted onto the team against their better judgement. Only Stones and Alcaraz out of our central defenders are comfortable with the ball at their feet and both have been missing for stretches this season, and to expect Jags and Distin to change their natural game is, in my view, quite wrong.

I agree that weÂ’ve had our share of injuries to key players, but Barkley on the wing? I donÂ’t think so! He offers more than Naismith or indeed an ageing EtoÂ’o when he is on form and in his correct position and I think his loss of form coincides with his being played out on the wing.

IÂ’m not sure that I agree with this second season syndrome business. I regard it as less of a "syndrome" and more of a system being sussed out by more flexible coaching and managers. And OUR failure to have a plan B.

Hopefully we will play better away to Palace as they will surely take the game to us, allowing us to hit them on the break, resulting in a high tempo game. We certainly benefit from teams having a go at us and not from those that park the proverbial bus.

Players don't play at pace when confidence is low. Players will play the easy square ball and keep possession rather than hear the groans of the crowd after giving it away. Coleman and Baines are most obvious examples of this – Baines more so because of the incredibly high standards he has set these past few years but tbf there were even signs last year before he got injured he was dipping and Oviedo came in with such amazing effect.

Before Martinez I was incredibly nervous holding onto a win. Last year we bossed games right until the very end keeping possession with little worry of conceding. This year couldn't be more different and that's where I think it's a different system argument falls down a little. If Martinez was really setting us up to just keep possession above all then you would think we would be more defensively sound at least. As for Jags/Distin changing their natural game they played alot together last year and they played well. Barry dropped deep into a three to take the ball, the full backs pushed up, there was movement, people wanting the ball and we played with pace = confidence. Seemingly all gone this year.

Martinez wanted to continue with his philosophy that served him well last year, and in my opinion, to play us out of our bad form rather than go for a quick fix which is commendable. I mean what happens if Martinez says right this passing thing is out the window we'll be go direct we'll lump it up. What if the bad form continued? What would the excuse be then? The players said they went more direct at Man City and West Ham. If the philosophy is so wrong how come we didn't win the Man City or West Ham games then? After all the players changed the tactics and we were more direct?

I do agree we don't seem to have a Plan B and are firmly set on playing a 4-2-3-1. Martinez should keep his philosophy, we have the players to do so and to good effect but I would argue that Martinez is short of confidence himself. Where was the man who outwitted Wenger playing Lukaku on the right hand side last year and Naismith uptop? We need those sort of tweaks again this year but I don't see it happening. It'll be a long old slog to get as many points on the table as possible and with a decent EL run.

In short (sorry haha) I believe we have the same old system it just is not being performed well by our players.

McCarthy has been a huge miss, I don't think he's been 100% all season so I hope he's proper fit now as we need him to win the ball back for us. Plus he understands Barry's game and plays to its strengths (that may be an exaggeration but it sounded good).

Besic makes mistakes, he's still learning but we've seen what a player we have coming through to add to the first team.

And Stones is masterful.

Besic has been getting better with each game; I wouldn't want to see him dropped. I would drop Barry in a heartbeat and play both ideally but we all know that isn't going to happen.

Michael (79), Barry gets knocked off the ball far too easily (RS last season, Spurs this season) and it has been costly. As for not getting booked...

The fact that you've checked to make sure Bolasie is in Africa worries me!!! What has it come to when we are dissecting the Palace team looking for weaknesses, FFS.

It really is must win this Saturday.

I would also start with Kone and hold back Naismith. If Kone clicks, then we have a deadly combination up front in Kone and Rom.

Injuries apart, there is no need to juggle the back 4. Remember last season, we had a great defensive record since we had stuck to a consistent back 4 in Coleman, Jags, Disitn & Baines. We had Stones and Alcaraz only for injuries. This time we had juggled around our back 4 from the very outset. Coleman, Stones, Jags, Hibbert, Distin, Alcaraz, Baines, problem of plenty or RM being over confident I guess.We had a new back 4 in every match this season. I know injuries to Stones and Coleman had a role to play. We should just stick to Coleman, Jags, Stones, Baines, even if few matches, we let in a few loose ones. We will soon get our solid defensive record back.

Starting XI:

Robles
Coleman Jagielka Stones Baines
Barry Besic (compulsory change: McCarthy in second half for the worse one)
Oviedo (L) Mirallas (R) (optional change: Barkley for either, push Kone or Naismith wide)
Kone Lukaku (optional change: Naismith for Kone)

Viewed widely as more effective than both Alcaraz and Distin, he has much to learn and like those two is very prone to glaring errors.

He will learn much from the involvement in a struggling team and it is to be hoped that we will need less patience than we've needed with Ross to see him 'fulfil his potential'.

Another young man, Besic, is more advanced in his development but will have to play second fiddle to Barry who gets the manager's vote every time. I really do believe Roberto has made a promise to the latter (and also Ross) that he will be in the team come what may as Macca returns to bolster the line-up.

But for all these comments/reservations on these and others of our squad, I feel confident enough in our prospects against Crystal Palace to place my usual 'score' on our boys, having accepted the offered odds of 6/4. (Palace available at 9/5 whilst the draw is 23/10.)

Having McCarthy available is encouraging, but I want him playing every week until the end of the season, so gently gently against Palace.

Besic has earned a regular starting place. His feistiness does carry a risk, but for heavens sake a few more need a pint of his blood transfused. Let's also remember that he only joined us in the summer, he's only 22, has made just 15 appearances and he bloody well loves Everton. Mark my words, this lads first season is getting better with every game.

Stones will become a great defender, but he isn't there yet. He's given to dreadful lapses of concentration leading to massive positional errors. The "Gung Heroics" show that he really is a class ball player going forward and do make me wonder if he may not prove to be a DM in the longer term ?

I want RM to have the nuts to protect Barkley and bench him. Hearing the derision (call it booing, jeering or whatever, it's a bloody long way short of encouragement......and it's fucking wrong for a home crowd to treat a talented Evertonian that way) breaks my heart....the lads confidence is shot to shreds and he doesn't know his arse from his elbow at present. He's not a talented Apprentice Joiner, Electrician or Plumber who will go on to run large construction projects. So perhaps the good solid working class souls that pay to watch him need to remember that the rules that apply on site aren't the same as those that are required to see Ross become an Everton Legend like Billy Dean or Alan Ball. Back off him and back him up.

Plan A failed a long time ago!