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Andy Crooks
1 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:16:07
Good stuff, Paul.
Tony Ateman
2 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:28:59
Thanks Paul. Two things:

Calvert-Lewin looks as thought he has been learning how to compete in the air from Duncan Ferguson. He has learnt a few tricks.

Martin Atkinson is a cheat who does not like EFC. He has form.

Will Mabon
3 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:33:30
Paul, Niasse did not mis-control at all! He took it away from the player in close attendance to make room for the shot. Watch this below, taken from behind the goal. Also shows how good the pass from Davies was.

Link

Steve Hogan
4 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:36:39
Never one for knee-jerk reactions after more than 45 years of supporting Everton, but I'm deeply concerned, even after a small amount of Premier League games, that our manager is unable to see what his best starting eleven is?

There is absolutely no way, given the lack of creative ability in the side, that Tom Davies should have started on the bench against Bournemouth.

I don't like to see player's pilloried, but Klaassen is so out of form at the moment, that it is criminal he started that game, for the team and the player himself. I don't know if he will come good; I sincerely hope so, but at the moment, there is simply no value in him starting a league game.

We were very near, the sort of toxic atmosphere at Goodison on Saturday, that reflected the latter days of Walter Smith and Martinez, before they were eventually dismissed.

Koeman's 'last throw of the dice', with the introduction of Niasse, might only mean a stay of execution, when we meet more resilient sides than Bournemouth.

Packing the side with so many similar players, maybe to justify their purchase in the beginning, simply does not make sense. We desperately need pace and more pace, both in midfield and up front.

Lookman, after an average display recently, has seemingly been cast aside, the manager isn't prepared to tolerate younger players having an 'off' day, despite the player being one of the few players in the current squad, who can leave defenders on their heels, but, as with all out and out wingers, you need to accept some inconsistency for flashes of brilliance.

I fear for Koeman's future, I really do, a sheer lack of vision in the selection of the players at his disposal and the 'stifling' way the team is set up to play is leaving the fans totally underwhelmed.

There is an alarming lack of goal threat in the team, and more worryingly, a very low level of goalscoring chances being created as a result. The question is, does he have the intelligence to drop, or leave out, the players he signed in the summer, for the greater good of the team?

Unless there is a massive improvement or turnaround, I feel we are in for a long season.

Paul Kossoff
5 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:45:00
"Simon Francis didn't elbow him intentionally."?

Yes he did. I've watched the incident over and over, slowed down, normal speed, he intentionally elbowed Rooney, he knew where Rooney was, and knew what he was doing.

I don't believe this bull that to jump you have to raise your arms, what, and then throw back your elbow with force? He raised his arm and threw back his elbow into Rooney's face: a penalty and a straight red all day long.

Mark Andrews
6 Posted 24/09/2017 at 20:58:19
@ Will Mahon #3. Thats a really good clip, thanks for posting. I've been as vocal as anyone with my criticism of Niasse but that was an impressive bit of play from the lad.

His movement off his defenders, leaving them unsure and creating space, his willingness to go wide to receive the ball, his tenacity to win the ball back after receiving a poor pass, his link play to get back in position then creating space before taking his goal with aplomb, all very impressive.

The lad deserves a run in the team.

Will Mabon
7 Posted 24/09/2017 at 23:05:51
Steve (#4):

I agree with all of that, with the exception that I don't fear for Koeman's future. I fear him staying.

Dick Fearon
8 Posted 25/09/2017 at 01:45:13
Paul K @5, I have said many times that in heading duels, any part of the arm raised above shoulder height is dangerous and should be banned. If that law was applied then players would need to rely solely upon timing and leaping ability.
Nicholas Ryan
9 Posted 25/09/2017 at 12:55:08
Coming out of the ground on Saturday, I heard the following:

Dad to sons: 'Right lads, we're off to B & Q...
Sons: 'Why Dad'?
Dad: 'To buy that Niasse a fucking locker'!!

Priceless!

Steavey Buckley
10 Posted 25/09/2017 at 13:03:36
The same thing happened to Rocky when the boxing manager took away his locker, but Rocky would have none of it, and broke back into it.
Dave Abrahams
11 Posted 25/09/2017 at 13:10:43
Will (3), thanks for the link. I sit in The Upper Bullens and from there on Saturday, I thought Oumar's goal was a good 'un, from your link it was a fuckin' cracker.

Thanks for your report, Paul.

Paul Traill
12 Posted 25/09/2017 at 13:17:38
Will (#3), thanks for the link. While I still think he mis-controlled it .Another thing I noticed on there which I hadn't during the game was how well he did to win the ball back in the first place to start the attack. Fantastic Niasse. Well done!
Paul Kossoff
13 Posted 25/09/2017 at 14:17:00
Regarding raising arms to head a ball, here's a link to Mark Hateley of Rangers – all headed goals. Not once does he raise his arms or put his elbow into the face of a defender.

https://youtu.be/D8XZhcsScmc
As Dick said, this habit of raised arms should be banned.

Danny Broderick
14 Posted 25/09/2017 at 14:55:39
A touch harsh there, Paul, when stating that Niasse mis-controlled it. No offence mate, but you must be the only person who thought that!

That apart, I agree with most of your report, although I think a score of 3 for Davy Klaassen is a tad harsh also. The lad is trying but he is clearly not up to speed. He might need a season to adapt physically to the Premier League – he seems to be struggling for stamina. Has he finished a game yet?

While I am writing this, I can't help thinking that most of our central midfielders seem to be struggling this season.

Tom Davies bucked the trend with his pass for the first goal, but to be honest I even think he has struggled for us in one or two games this season. I can only think that centre-mid is not a great position to play in our team currently – little width and movement up front is no doubt the cause of this.

I am hoping Koeman saves Klaassen for the Europa League, as he is struggling in the Premier League. Davies has surely played his way in to our first choice team now, and hopefully Jonjoe Kenny is there or thereabouts also.

Brian Porter
15 Posted 26/09/2017 at 08:36:31
Excellent piece as always Paul, but I have to agree with Will (#3).

Niasse's first touch for the goal wasn't a miscontrol, but was a great piece of skill, showing excellent close control to take him away from the defender to give himself the space to make the shot. Even the commentators saw it as such, unusually for them whenever Everton are concerned. Let's hope Koeman gives the lad more opportunities to repeat Saturday's performance.

Andy McNabb
16 Posted 26/09/2017 at 23:47:17
Thanks Paul. Always a good read. Loved your journey to the game mate – make the most of that one. That sort of convenience doesn't always happen for me at airports!

Will, thanks for the clip. I get to Goodison about every 3 years these days but what I love most is hearing the comments as the ball is moved around – takes me back. The goal wasn't bad either!

Björn Kausemann
17 Posted 27/09/2017 at 14:44:00
Hello mates. The match vs Bournemouth was not amazing. But the result was okay.

After I visited some pubs like The Spellow and The Winslet (great atmosphere) I entered the Grand Old Lady. But the atmosphere inside the stadium is a little bit quiet. I think it is about the all-seater. But the eruption after the goals was absolutely incredible.

After the game, I went to The Elm Tree and The Royal Oak where the crowd was very friendly and the atmosphere great again. So I'll be happy to come back in December or latest January.

Bye from a German Evertonian.

Martin Mason
18 Posted 27/09/2017 at 15:08:37
You're really welcome, Bjorn.
Will Mabon
19 Posted 28/09/2017 at 15:08:31
Bjorn, sadly it is a little subdued in Goodison nowadays. It didn't used to be that way, it was one of the best. The spirit is still there but everyone's gone a little shy – it's all too cultured nowadays! Bring some standing back, I say.
Will Mabon
20 Posted 28/09/2017 at 15:10:02
Andy @ 16:

Some of the background "Comments" on that one were interesting...


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