Everton v Arsenal. 23rd Aug at 17.30.

[Greek Fisherman]

Martinez on Sky Sports saying when was happy and will take the 1 pt. Said we "ran out of legs" *shakes head*

 

[Jacob]

We looked absolutely knackered half way through the second half. Osman is ok as a sub...but he only has half a game at most in his tank and shouldn't come on in the first half. Im worried about Jagielka and Distin...Jags looks a shadow of himself and his hesitancy seems to be contagious and the defence looked shaky once Arsenal stepped up a gear after their changes. Their second goal was nothing but a disgrace on our part. Naismith is the only plus at the moment Im afraid.

 

[Matthew mcdonnell]

It was pretty clear that energy levels did drop though. Arsenal rung the changes early and gave us the runaround for 10-15 minutes before they stuck the knife in. You have to say that the initial goal was coming, but the second one was just a sickner..

First one annoyed me more though, just no effort to close players down at all, almost like asking them to score

 

[davek]

Both games cried out for besic imo aroubd the 65 minute mark, massive boost in energy and someone whose comfortable taking hold of it, teo games have screamed out for stones to get back in the cb too

Agree with the first part mate, but we need another jittery CB like we need another midweek friendly.

 

[Azzurri]

Why did we even buy besic if we're not going to use him, he would have helped us see out both there games instead we're starting off a carbon copy of last season, only with Europe to deal with as well. 6th place nailed on at this rate.

Two games.

 

[paulbefc]

Last season first two games:

0-0
0-0

This season first two games:

2-2
2-2



We aren't getting this "fitness" any time soon and we aren't getting it with our Europa League games. Preseason was an absolute cockup and everyone who was saying "oh, it's only preseason", well, look at where we are now. Playing midweek closed-door friendlies to get players up to fitness and missing out on two easy wins which, guaranteed, we'll look upon at the end of this season and go "if we had won those two easy wins, we'd have finished 4th".

Did you watch any of the first three games of last season? Two of those sides got relegated, the other was WBA at home where we failed to score and this was after a "good" pre-season.

Unreal knee-jerking and aimless blame throwing.

 

[Jxg]

...last line of defence often get the blame. Sometimes you just have to accept goals are scored, it doesn't mean somebody needs to be dropped. I think we were too comfortable and settled to see the game out. No threat in the 2nd half, we always need to pose something of a threat and that (for me) is where we came unstuck.

Fair point, but our CB pair are old and can't last a full game now. They often get the blame because, often, it is their fault.

 

[jimmythenut]

There's a number of positives..but more problems unfortunately. No back up striker?? Cannot name another club in world football that doesn't have a second striker or forward on its bench (even if it's a youth/ untried player) Distin and Jagielka have lost us two victories now..something is glaringly wrong at the heart of our defence. And thirdly, the creativity and counting pace of Barkley needs addressing..2 nil up and we offered nothing in the second half! Albeit, Steve Naismith has been our stand out performer!!!! Martinez needs to start getting things right!

 

[Del]

...last line of defence often get the blame. Sometimes you just have to accept goals are scored, it doesn't mean somebody needs to be dropped. I think we were too comfortable and settled to see the game out. No threat in the 2nd half, we always need to pose something of a threat and that (for me) is where we came unstuck.

Goals should never ever be scored, EVER

How dare the other side create chances, WE ARE EVERTON (In Spartan's voice)

 

[Ring master]

People cant make Barkley not been there as excuse why we didnt win,no one would probably mention him if we held on today,ie we can cope without him etc some would say,if he was in team we could have lost,no one would ever know

 

[EverBlue86]

Why did martinez buy besic? Serious question I reckon he worries he'll get sent off/give away too many needless free kicks and put pressure on us which surely begs the question why sign him then knowing this?

 

[toffeejack]

Wonder why we change it this season. It is like watching the old Moyes managing Everton.

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "We ran out of energy and it became a feeling of wanting the game to end. We are not that sort of side that's not the way we play.

"I was delighted with the performance for 80 minutes I thought the first half was phenomenal. We'll make sure going forward we make it a 90-minute performance."


behave, it was purely down to fitness, he brought three attackers on

 

[Del]

Vault me

I have a sore back mate, Not sure I can jump that well at the min

Willing to give it a shot though, Were do you want to meet up?

 

[Jimmy Flangemoth]

Another 2 points dropped that will bite Everton on the jacksie come the end of the season.

Neither Jagielka who I think is a poo captain nor Distin are good enough.

Agreed.

 

[IllinoisBlue]

Martinez saying on sky that we didn't have the energy as it was an early season game.

It was the same early season game that Arsenal were playing and they did not tire AND didn't they have a CL game in midweek?

Poor excuse from Martinez.