Big Dunc testimonial - EFC vs Villareal at Goodison, Sun Aug 2nd

[Eggs]

........I want to enjoy watching us.

 

[Roidrage]

Come on mate use your loaf, their is no way Martinez is going to get sacked this side of Christmas, if Kenwright had any doubts about Martinez the end of last season would have been the time to pull the trigger not after a poor pre season and 3-4 league losses.

I see us losing 5 of our first 7 games

Surely he would be gone after such an awful start

 

[roydo]

What was the attendance? Anyone know?

34000 and some loose change. Pretty good.

 

[Titus Bramble]

I agree with Dave here, in fairness. I'm happy with this pre-season. The results today or yesterday don't concern me (yesterday we played with a load of youngsters). What I am worried about is the same-old same-old from Martinez. We look sharp at the start of games but once teams cut us off a few times we seem to run out of ideas. However, when we're direct as we were later in the game we looked dangerous again. It's all about the right balance, I just hope Martinez isn't too stubborn to realise this.

Now's the time to bring in our key signings, as well. We've brought in some decent options in Cleverley and Del, but neither of those are going to drastically change the way we play while still sticking to the brand of football, if that makes sense.

I'll give us two weeks to make a signing - preferably a creative midfielder to fill the Pienaar-sized void in our first-choice XI. A striker next and then a back-up CB who can really compete with Jags and (fingers-crossed) Stones. A new keeper would be lovely but unfortunately we're stuck with the Chuckle Brothers for the time-being I think.

This is the key, it's currently not quite right but we're not too far off I don't think.

 

[ianefc]

What are next weeks lottery numbers mate?

I don't know why? Just for you I'll predict we will win a good portion of our opening 10 games (inc last years top 7)

But then again that's not what this forum is about. We use it to give our honest opinion, and you aren't telling me to do otherwise.

Or were you saying we won't lose 3-4 games next season?

Probably, utterly deluded.

 

[Roidrage]

Surely Shelvey would have made a difference today, right?

We couldn't afford him

 

[BlueToff]

This is the key, it's currently not quite right but we're not too far off I don't think.

One player off having a very decent first-choice XI. Three players off having a very decent squad.

Also, a change of tactics (at certain times) would se us really being able to challenge for top six and a trophy. Top four will be tough for anyone outside of last year's four I feel.

 

[Titus Bramble]

I don't know why? Just for you I'll predict we will win a good portion of our opening 10 games (inc last years top 7)

But then again that's not what this forum is about. We use it to give our honest opinion, and you aren't telling me to do otherwise.

Or were you saying we won't lose 3-4 games next season?

Probably, utterly deluded.

I'm suggesting nobody knows how many games we're going to win or lose. That doesn't make me deluded.

 

[SchoolOfScience]

This is the same liverpool who are currently drawing with Swindon and have drawn against the mighty brisbane lions and a malaysia 11 this pre season.

I think we have made a bit of a mess of the scheduling and it's not helped by the growing injuries. However villareal are a very good team and we shouldn't lose site of that.

I don't know if your statement was tongue in cheek but don't let pre season fool you into thinking that any of them teams mentioned above are better than Liverpool.

Pre season is a time to gain fitness and experiment. Unfortunately for us Martinez doesn't even want to entertain the thought of experimenting on us building an attack. Time will be the judge but I will put my house on us being toothless again this season. Vault me

 

[Boss_Blue]

What did they do?

Holding hands as they jogged up and down lol

 

[BoysInBlue]

34000 and some loose change. Pretty good.

Biggest attendance for a testimonial/pre season game at Goodison for at least 25 years.

 

[Roidrage]

One player off having a very decent first-choice XI. Three players off having a very decent squad.

Also, a change of tactics (at certain times) would se us really being able to challenge for top six and a trophy. Top four will be tough for anyone outside of last year's four I feel.

Messi?

 

[Tramps_mate]

Negging's gone so I'm saying it - I'm going straight down the bookies tomorrow and putting 20 squid on relegation for us.

Just like I did after the Newcastle game last xmas.

It's 50/1 right now at Coral but just watch the price plummet after Watford snot us 4-0 next week.

Maybe just not bother supporting us any more?

 

[banno]

We need replacements for Barry, Osman, Naismith and Kone and add Howard to that. They are weak links. Still think our defence with Coleman, Baines, Jags and Stones still looks very suspect. If Baines and Coleman didn't have those attacking qualities then I would say they are average at best defenders. Our midfield players are static and are half the reason we are pedestrian with the ball. VR showed us the way with exploiting space and movement off the ball. More high energy is needed this season. If Mirallas and Lukaku miss the start of the season with Del then I cannot see how we will create anything from open play. We still play some good footy but its usually halted by a Naismith wayward pass or back passing. A playmaker is a must at all costs before the season starts or we will be blunt.

 

[Whistlin' Dixie]

34000 and some loose change. Pretty good.

Aye. Almost three times what Colin Harvey got IIRC.

Everton, that.