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

[Yankfootball1]

We were the better team until Mirallas went off, he was very lively and was threatening. Second half, especially with McCarthy going off we lost it a bit, but Rooney and Dunc coming on got the crowd going and we grew back into it.

Not half as worrying as some are making out. The boss has said Lukaku will be fit and Mirallas and Stones must have been taken off as a precaution. Cleverly is impressing me and a sharp Baines is proper boss.

There's still a month of the transfer window left. Chill your collective beans.

I don't disagree with you - As long as we get
ACM/10
Back-up Striker
CB

If we do not address these weaknesses clearly then Roberto needs to address why (press should hold him to it). I can see him trying to give Kone/Naismith as much time to demonstrate their worth for the Back-up Role as possible. However - It is clear now we need strengthening there. The only move that I think he should receive criticism (at this point) is not getting in a ACM/10 in preseason to bed in. He was saying we needed a continental player in that Role at the end of last season. The only continental player is Gerard, If he thinks that Cleverly or Gerard fills that role than I do worry a bit.

 

[blue4eva77]

Funny isn't it.

End of last season couldn't come quick enough. Two weeks after it was over, you catch your breath and dust yourself off and convince yourself that was a one off. You can't wait for August and the season to begin to repair some of the damage. Now August is here, you don't want it to begin, dreading it.

Football ? FFS...

 

[BlueToff]

It picked right up after Dunc came on. More of an impact that Rooney.

It was Dunc's day. The crowd were there for him. Rooney wasn't gonna throw himself about and risk an injury, but he had two efforts on goal and we suddenly had a presence up top. Also, his shot from the edge of the box that was deflected was heading for the top bin.

 

[davek]

And you wouldn't be happy for him to come back? He's past his best but even so, he's still better than any player currently in our squad and will still be in a year's time (if this 'inevitable' move did happen).

I would be happy, yes.

 

[blue76]

It was Dunc's day. The crowd were there for him. Rooney wasn't gonna throw himself about and risk an injury, but he had two efforts on goal and we suddenly had a presence up top. Also, his shot from the edge of the box that was deflected was heading for the top bin.

No it wasn't

 

[BlueToff]

It's how we play that is the worry to me, rather than who is playing.

We have more than enough quality to beat Watford; I just don't believe we'll set up in a way that will allow us to actually do it.

I wanted to see signs of evolution in the way we play to react to how piss poor we were last season, and I've seen none of it.

I'm not going to panic yet, but I'm not eagerly anticipating the start of the season either.

Agree here. All this comes from the manager. I'm backing Martinez, but we've seen no signs of a real shift from last season so far. The team does look fit though, which is at least one improvement from this time last year. Hopefully Kev and Stones aren't injured.

 

[BlueToff]

I would be happy, yes.

Fair enough mate. May have misunderstood your original post!

 

[ElPorto]

 

[BlueToff]

No it wasn't

The replays I saw it looked like it was heading for it. He's not our player, he hasn't been for 11 years. But he came and did a job for one of his childhood heroes and improved how we played. Not hard, I know, when Naismith and Kone had been up top, but still, we looked a lot better.

 

[uknightbreed]

first 45 i thought we were pretty good ,apart from up top.
second half , well , energy dropped , concentration dropped , tactically the formation didnt work.
the last 15 was better, but a nothing more than sideshow tbh.

the custom dissing of our unfit for purpose players ..
osman looks like hes in an ex pro five a side charity game
kone isnt a footballer
naismith should be at darlington morecombe or grimsby.

 

[marty mcfly]

I don't know about that either. Rom will still get 10+ goals for us this season. He got 20 in all comps last season and was poor, so he'll slot. Naismith does a job and to be honest unless we bag a bargain we'll be talking £10+million for a striker who will probably get the same goals as him.

The big thing for me is sorting Mirallas out and getting a good attacking midfielder/wide player for the left who can fill in for Kev when he's crocked.

We will get players in, I'm just unsure who

Naismith doesn't do a job. He's awful when played up by himself or with Kone.

We need a striker when Rom is injured. Without Rom in the team we didn't score in pre-season until Duncan and Rooney came on.

So if that happens in the league we can essentially kiss goodbye to any points any games he misses.

btw - The games I've referring to are. Swindow, Stoke, Scottish teams and Leeds.

Not exactly top quality opposition either.

 

[LinekersLegs]

You could see Duncan was genuinely happy that Ty scored, one of the lads he'll have coached putting some of his tricks into practice which is the best legacy he can ask for really.

 

[TGW89]

If you did it last season, and lost your money, why you doing it again mate?

Call it an annual insurance policy.... or compensation, seeing as we'd end up like Sheffield Wednesday if we ever went down.

Don't get me wrong - a grand couldn't dilute the heartbreak of relegation, but £20 isn't exactly a king's ransom is it?

 

[marty mcfly]

I don't think I'm quite ready for the disappointment that will be Everton 15/16.

That's what pre-season is for.

 

[navidson]

Everything feels stale at the moment

It feels like we havent signed anyone for years - Because of the unusual situation of constantly loaning players and then ultimately signing them, it seems that Cleverley is the only new blood in the current squad. Looking at the same average names on the teamsheet and bench is pretty demoralising, with only the youngsters offering any sort of glimmer of excitement for the coming season

Hopefully we'll pull a couple of fresh, exciting signings out of the blue before the window closes - and I'd love to see some of the deadwood relegated to the past with players like McAleny and Browning being considered rather than the old dross currently clogging up the team.