Everton v Hull Tigers. 3rd Dec at 19.45.

[marty mcfly]

I'm sure Atsu has had more than a chance in training to prove to Martinez that he is ready to start games. The little we have seen of him in games, he has been beyond terrible. I also agree that playing players out of position needlessly is not the greatest idea, i also have to point out that playing players who have proved to be woeful so far, completely out of form and offer nothing to the team (atsu), in a game that we simply have to collect 3 points is probably even worse.

Osman over Atsu

I think the reason is that Kev is back and Martinez doesn't like playing two speedy wingers who can be wasteful.

I likes someone to be able to do the Pienaar role.

Unless we're setup to counter attack.

 

[marty mcfly]

For the record I don't want to see three people prone to giving the ball away whoever we play, puts too much pressure on the Centre mids. So for me it's easy enough

Eto'o or Lukaku
Barkley or Naismith
Mirallas or McGeady or Atsu
Pienaar or Osman

I think Roberto might agree with you.

 

[PhilM]

I'm not convinced by Atsu but no idea why McGeady is on the bench again assuming he is fully fit.

He was playing every game for us over the last spell between internationals and I thought he was improving (Lille and Sunderland especially)

Atsu appears too lightweight in both his physical presence and his commitment in games. He rarely beats a man; he doesn't commit to tackles.

Technically he 'may' have the abilities, but the above problems means he isn't taking the oppertunity to show them in the Premier League.

With regards to McGeady, I think he's played relatively well. I only presume it is something tactical with regards to possible ball retention.

I can see Hull defending deep, and maybe he also sees Osman as a way to unlock their defence.

 

[bainesontoast]

Apologies if this offends people but I think fuming at a lack of wingers in 2014 is a primitive mentality.

 

[The Mighty Quint]

Wish he'd play Pienaar with Baines FFS.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

No. I will save myself the effort and wait till the end of the game before I go ballistic.

I'll hold you to that when Jela slots in his third before the halftime break.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Rosco better be behind the striker, if that little wimp Osman playing means he's pushed out wide I'm going to do very little about it except moan on this forum.

 

[LinekersLegs]

Atsu appears too lightweight in both his physical presence and his commitment in games. He rarely beats a man; he doesn't commit to tackles.

Technically he 'may' have the abilities, but the above problems means he isn't taking the oppertunity to show them in the Premier League.

With regards to McGeady, I think he's played relatively well. I only presume it is something tactical with regards to possible ball retention.

I can see Hull defending deep, and maybe he also sees Osman as a way to unlock their defence.

Think that is a fair point along with those posters who mention that Martinez seems to like to play a winger on one side and then a midfielder in the other.

Would have preferred McGeady in for Mirallas as want Kev fully rested for City and Pienaar instead of Osman but overall pretty happy with the team given our injury situation.

 

[Eggs]

Wish he'd play Pienaar with Baines FFS.

....I suspect RM would like this also but Pienaar has looked way off the pace for a while. RM is probably thinking McGeady, Atsu and Pienaar could make more impact from the bench tonight.

 

[IllinoisBlue]

Rosco better be behind the striker, if that little wimp Osman playing means he's pushed out wide I'm going to do very little about it except moan on this forum.

You will be in good company. This forum is a moaners paradise.

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

I know I said this about the Spurs team the other day before they completley battered us, but that Hull team is pure garbage.

 

[PhilM]

I know I said this about the Spurs team the other day before they completley battered us, but that Hull team is pure garbage.

While I am not a huge admirer of Spuds, them and Hull are miles apart in quality.

Much more likely that we turn these over and then Spurs.

 

[zirc]

McGeady has had this very issue hamper his game since his Celtic days. Was he signed without being watched first? That would be the case if Martinez only realises it now.



Exactly this. It seems Martinez wants to move more towards all width being supplied by our full backs and being narrow in attack.

Makes sense if we are eventually going to switch to a 3-4-3/3-6-1 on a full-time basis.

 

[Billy Dean]

Like the look of the starting XI. Good balance.

 

[blue4eva77]

Wish he'd play Pienaar with Baines FFS.

Bainaar is long gone mate. It was good while it lasted but Pienaar isn't the player he was for us.