Everton v QPR. 15th Dec at 20.00.

[Boss_Blue]

Just got in.

Besic, Barkley and Naismith all played well.

QPR are terrible.

Referee was a tit.

Half time entertainment wasn't.

 

[Del]

I found all that very frustrating. I agree it takes wins and momentum to then gain confidence to get our top footy on show again but I thought being 3 up was a great opening to really get at QPR and express ourselves more than we have at any point this season. Instead we stuttered and stalled allowing a poor team possession and time.

Ross and Besic were fantastic in the middle though, in fact if it had been Mcarthy and Barry there today I think we'd have really struggled. Naismith makes such a huge difference as well, his energy and running just causes all sorts of worries for defenders and midfielders. Aside from those mentioned plus the glimpses of sheer class from Mirallas the team looks so laboured, worryingly like they aren't enjoying playing.

I'm a proper fussy divvy though so maybe I should lighten up...

We did the same thing against Wolfsburg

Honestly, From the first goal to the third we battered them, Attacked with pace and pressed high up

Third goes in and we drop off

 

[GrandOldTeam]

@Tubey was spot on last week

The problem starts with Lukaku losing possession time and time again, Nothing sticks with him

That's not his game though... He's not that player. You don't want Lukaku with his back to goal - that's why he's much better with Barkley in the number 10.

 

[Elong]

TXT my mate the same thing

He's a fat slob

lol

 

[Del]

Rom had his quietest game in an Everton shirt but it's embarrassing how quick the daggers are out.

People just don't understand the striker he is. He's not a Marcus Bent or a Andy Johnson...

We created nothing today until we were 2-0. One moment of brilliance (as well as deflection...) from Barkley. A big dose of fortune in Mirallas FK with a hefty deflection.

And still not a bad return so far for Lukaku - same amount of goals scored as last season. More than Rooney, Hazard and a few more big names.

Support the lad FFS and enjoy him while he's here - he won't be for long.

Kone done more in 10 mins coming back from 14 months out

The lad needs a dose of the bench to wake the lazy yard dog up

He can't pass/control the ball or win headers

28m ffs

 

[f.t.r.s]

pathetic booing jags for passing it back near the end, we were 3-1 up with no pressure
to do anything more

 

[Tubey]

Rom had his quietest game in an Everton shirt but it's embarrassing how quick the daggers are out.

People just don't understand the striker he is. He's not a Marcus Bent or a Andy Johnson...

We created nothing today until we were 2-0. One moment of brilliance (as well as deflection...) from Barkley. A big dose of fortune in Mirallas FK with a hefty deflection.

And still not a bad return so far for Lukaku - same amount of goals scored as last season. More than Rooney, Hazard and a few more big names.

Support the lad FFS and enjoy him while he's here - he won't be for long.

That's not the problem - it's that nothing whatsoever sticks to him, and that's what we need him to do. I'm not asking him to 'headless chicken' about the place; I'm asking him to know how to control and shield a football and give an easy pass. Basics for a striker that he can't seem to get right.

He scores goals, but the return is nothing special so as to justify ignoring the very obvious problems he causes our whole game when he's on the pitch and has a stinker, which has been regularly this season.

 

[Del]

That's not his game though... He's not that player. You don't want Lukaku with his back to goal - that's why he's much better with Barkley in the number 10.

Then why buy him?

 

[SunKing]

We did the same thing against Wolfsburg

Honestly, From the first goal to the third we battered them, Attacked with pace and pressed high up

Third goes in and we drop off

See I don't remember that now though, I remember the boring bits around it and feel all empty about the game.

 

[Simo]

Soton away is causing me deep consideration on my accy. They must be due a bounce back after 4 consecutive defeats. Kone needs to start this game.

Has anyone else noticed that Lukaku cannot win a ball in the air?

I think most would agree he hasnt for most of the season, still reeling from the free header on the six yard box against the RS..AARRGGHH.

 

[peteblue]

I think Besic will be a better player than McCarthy in time, and if Besic continues as he is, how can he be dropped for McCarthy.

I'd like to see Barkley, Besic and McCarthy together, they are too good to drop any of them, we build it around them.

Those three have the potential to be a world class midfield......

 

[BlueToff]

Howard - 6 - Didn't have a lot to do but should have done better for goal
Coleman - 6 - Not getting forward nearly as much
Jagielka - 5 - Looked very shaky
Distin - 6 - poor first half, better in the second
Baines - 5 - had a poor one today
Besic - 8 - Very assured. Looking good.
Barks - 9 - He (and we) needed that performance. Played out of position but was superb.
McGeady - 5 - good cross for the goal but frustrates
Naismith - 7 - Showed what we've lacked recently.
Mirallas - 6 - Not his best game but did well. Hope his injury isn't too serious.
Lukaku - 5 - Poor but didn't get service (again)

 

[The Mighty Quint]

Besic will be class for us but McCarthy is probably our most important player, you'd drop someone else before him

You can play Besic and McCarthy together and they will be phenomenal, but then Bobby plays Barkley further forward where there is little space and he gets crowded out all the time.

To get the best from Barkley, he needs to see more of the ball as he did tonight, so that means a deeper role.

It's Bobby's problem, but for me, he needs to find a way to get Barkley, Besic and McCarthy on the pitch in midfield at the same time.

 

[Seanjd]

Central midfield is clearly Barkley's position in the future, as Jamie Carragher the master of all football insight called, and Barkley was good tonight. But I can't help but think that he would get ripped by a better team who flood the midfield, hence why he is usually played in an area where losing the ball is less of a catastrophe.

He did look much more confident tonight though.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

Kone done more in 10 mins coming back from 14 months out

The lad needs a dose of the bench to wake the lazy yard dog up

He can't pass/control the ball or win headers

28m ffs

Can't win headers? Behave.

He won't flick them on no, again, he's not that player but deliver an attacking Ball like his header vs West Ham where he knocked himsel out or a corner like the header he scored past Liverpool and he'll bury them.

And Kone. Always knew he'd win fans over because he'll move.