Stones rues Everton's luck at Old Trafford

Gagging order needed for Martinez and all players! Make it stop please!

Rom wants Champions League and so he should with Everton. Roberto promised Bill he would get us in the Champions League, and Rom has done his bit.

Leighton and Seamus have not become bad players overnight. They attacked at every opportunity, now they rarely cross the half way line. Get off their backs. They were both touted for high-profile moves, but stayed. Ask yourself why? They have had the stuffing knocked out of them. You get one guess why!!

Kevin Mirallas, short fuse, why? Frustration, above average player stifled through lack of opportunity. Wonder what he thinks of Roberto? Probably unprintable!

Eventually Robles got his chance, however, he should have taken Tim's place very early in the season.

In short, don't blame the players for the mess we are in. No Plan B, no idea how to make a team out of a squad of talented players.

Simple, Martinez out now!!!!

In this piece I think that Stones is saying that Everton have quality defenders and we should recognise that. I do. I just do not trust the coaching that makes a top quality back four look susceptible week in and week out.

The Manure goal should not have been. Seamus should have cleared it to the right - in the direction he was facing. It was a mistake. It was not bad luck.

At the other end, we failed to score. Was this bad luck? I think not. A lack of some good luck, maybe.

Once Gerry was taken off we seemed to go back to the way we played against Arsenal. He was quieter in the second period but.... still with the skill and desire to set up something. So, why sub him?

Bob, I think it was Gary Player who said "The more I play, the luckier I get."

Despite what many think I thought the team hassled, chased down and played well for an hour on Sunday, Lost a goal and the heads dropped and the hassling of opponents stopped. From that moment the motivation to fight and any hope of a fightback went out the window.

Lennon was lost, Barkley wasted, Lukaku on his own for like 90% of the game, Cleverley started well but faded badly, McCarthy faded from the first whistle. In short, the back four played well, the midfield stuttered and the forward(s) had no service. The Engine of the team needs fixing not fine tuning.

We have three or four players who cannot last a game chasing everything that moves, midfield has gone after an hour... no legs and no replacements. Barry, as good as he has been, can only last an hour doing what we do, McCarthy even less, Wing backs?? Take your pick... all of them are getting dragged into the mire chasing back covering in midfield for Barkley, McCarthy and Barry.

Replace the engine, keep defenders the right side of the halfway line and support the man up top... pretty simple really.

Should send that to Finch Farm defending dept.

Hats off to you sir :)

Mick,

I thought the same thing. I played it back several times and Stones wasn't marking anyone as no Man Utd. player was near him. He stopped inside the six, near his goal line, and as the wide player took it to the end-line, he didn't adjust and stood facing his own goalkeeper. If he had just turned sideways or facing out it was an easy clearance.

It looked like Coleman also thought Stones was going to get it instead of letting the ball run to the back post. Doesn't excuse Coleman for letting the player run by him or for trusting that his center back would make the clearance but it again shows the little things not being drilled into these players about defending.

Sick of the "this could be the turning point" or "we were unlucky and played well" it is now two seasons of stupid positive spin on a team who have clearly had enough of him. I too would be sick and tired if my boss constantly told me to do what he wants his way and it wasn't working or showing signs of working!! Just bonkers!!

I'm 53 and if I was younger I would know no better than nearly men Bingham, Lee, Moyes etc, but I have seen what a bit of vision, nous and ambition can get us until them shiesters got us banned.

You have heard this tale a million times but it doesn't go away until Moshiri grabs us kicking and screaming away from the inept lethargy that's ran through the club since the Catt's ticket went.

It has to be said, I doubt John Stones would get anywhere near selection for the Argentine team. For me, Funes Mori is far closer to being an international class defender than Stones at this stage of their respective careers. Stones is rather over-hyped and has a lot to learn.

The problem is, Funes Mori cannot play his natural game under Martinez and Stones will never truly fulfil his potential playing for Martinez either. We have two potentially top class defenders who are having their best attributes coached out of them by our numbskull of a manager.

Christine – sound summary, I reckon!

As for your performance, John, spot on. MotM by a mile. You obviously decided to concentrate on basic defending and concentration. Plenty of time to develop your ability on the ball,make sure you are selected by getting the defensive side of your game prioritised.

Your display was the best I have seen you for a long time, exactly what we need with the semi coming up.

Listen to the fans who understand that a defender has to defend first ball playing ability, which you have in abundance can come as you develop.

Don't be swayed by the fans who comment along the lines of "we conceded 3 goals there but did you see Stonesy nutmeg the centre forward?"

Far better the performance you gave on Sunday.
Rock solid in defence and excellent on the couple of occasions you stepped into midfield.

So if you want to be the top side you have to have lots of luck. So we have to start with a lucky manager and we need lucky players. We have supporters who are lucky to have Everton.