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

[Saint Domingo]

On the plus side: I thought we moved a VERY good Spanish team around that pitch with ease in the first half. A decent forward on the pitch and we'd have got a firm grip of that game.

The players look sharp and switched on (not Naismith obviously). If Lukaku is on the pitch against Watford we'll win that very handily.

I'd question whether Villareal are very good considering how may points they were off fourth in a three team league and have just sold their best striker. Also are they anywhere near match sharpness? Probably not considering their season is still three weeks away. I don't know why there's an impression that Kone is the only thing wrong with this team. It was clear all last season with Lukaku playing up top. The tactics are wrong, there's no balance in midfield, and no creativity. It was seen again today. I know this team can keep possession across the back 4 and 'move teams around'. I also know it couldn't penetrate a paper bag. Apparently pointing it out though makes you a massive WUM. If this pre-season has genuinely left people feeling positive for what is ahead then I will be surprised. If people just want to cling to blind faith and optimism then each to their own.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

 

[marty mcfly]

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).

Next season? I would. I'm not sure how much I would want to pay for him but I would love to see him back. Not sure about after that.

 

[BlueToff]

I'd question whether Villareal are very good considering how may points they were off fourth in a three team league and have just sold their best striker. Also are they anywhere near match sharpness? Probably not considering their season is still three weeks away. I don't know why there's an impression that Kone is the only thing wrong with this team. It was clear all last season with Lukaku playing up top. The tactics are wrong, there's no balance in midfield, and no creativity. It was seen again today. I know this team can keep possession across the back 4 and 'move teams around'. I also know it couldn't penetrate a paper bag. Apparently pointing it out though makes you a massive WUM. If this pre-season has genuinely left people feeling positive for what is ahead then I will be surprised. If people just want to cling to blind faith and optimism then each to their own.

They were missing their best player in Dos Santos as well. They outplayed us but the second goal is totally on Howard. Poor defending by Coleman, granted, but Howard was typically slow to react and then pretty much dived out of the way of the shot. He's terrible.

 

[when i score we riot]

Watford is gonna be a breeze and then everything after that an absolute nightmare, starring Martinez' quotes like Freddy Krueger

 

[Saint Domingo]

They were missing their best player in Dos Santos as well. They outplayed us but the second goal is totally on Howard. Poor defending by Coleman, granted, but Howard was typically slow to react and then pretty much dived out of the way of the shot. He's terrible.

Should have been the first player replaced in this window followed swiftly by Grandad Barry.

 

[BlueToff]

Next season? I would. I'm not sure how much I would want to pay for him but I would love to see him back. Not sure about after that.

He's never relied on pace, so he's good at the top level for another two/three years I reckon. As much as I despise him for United and he's been 'poor' for the last season or so, he can still create something out of nothing. Something we seriously lack at the moment, as Barkley seems too scared to take the games by the scruff of the neck.

 

[sageyefc]

Was i hearing things or did Kenshite get a cheer at the end too.

 

[MikeH72]

After being upstaged by a 43 year old overweight Duncan Ferguson, I'm now fully convinced Kone is the worst player I've ever seen play for Everton

 

[davek]

I'd question whether Villareal are very good considering how may points they were off fourth in a three team league and have just sold their best striker. Also are they anywhere near match sharpness? Probably not considering their season is still three weeks away. I don't know why there's an impression that Kone is the only thing wrong with this team. It was clear all last season with Lukaku playing up top. The tactics are wrong, there's no balance in midfield, and no creativity. It was seen again today. I know this team can keep possession across the back 4 and 'move teams around'. I also know it couldn't penetrate a paper bag. Apparently pointing it out though makes you a massive WUM. If this pre-season has genuinely left people feeling positive for what is ahead then I will be surprised. If people just want to cling to blind faith and optimism then each to their own.

Villarreal four season's ago took apart a Moyes team ear marked for a CL finish. Men against boys stuff.

Today we looked the better outfit. I'm not arse about the result. Over the 90 minutes we were the better outfit.

Now THAT is something to work with. Villarreal would obliterate the likes of Liverpool and Spurs. No question.

 

[BlueToff]

Should have been the first player replaced in this window followed swiftly by Grandad Barry.

Barry was very good today, I thought. Do I think he should be starting every game, no. But he is still key to our play when we play more direct. Any time he got the ball in the last 10 minutes he was making incisive passes forward. That's when he's at his best.

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

Villarreal four season's ago took apart a Moyes team ear marked for a CL finish. Men against boys stuff.

Today we looked the better outfit. I'm not arse about the result. Over the 90 minutes we were the better outfit.

Now THAT is something to work with. Villarreal would obliterate the likes of Liverpool and Spurs. No question.

Hopefully if we keep being the better outfit and losing we will win the league!

 

[marty mcfly]

He's never relied on pace, so he's good at the top level for another two/three years I reckon. As much as I despise him for United and he's been 'poor' for the last season or so, he can still create something out of nothing. Something we seriously lack at the moment, as Barkley seems too scared to take the games by the scruff of the neck.

He's been playing out of position a lot. He's still a quality player and I loved that when he came on he desperately wanted to score. Even taking that shot from 30 yards. None of this playing for the team rubbish - reminded me of Rooney before he was sold.

 

[BlueToff]

Villarreal four season's ago took apart a Moyes team ear marked for a CL finish. Men against boys stuff.

Today we looked the better outfit. I'm not arse about the result. Over the 90 minutes we were the better outfit.

Now THAT is something to work with. Villarreal would obliterate the likes of Liverpool and Spurs. No question.

Weirdly enough that friendly was the season that they got relegated. They lost a good few players but they brilliant at how they play - which is keep-ball, basically. They showed that in the second half.

 

[Jxg]

Despite there being loud cheers and his name cheered?

I'm sure I watch different games to some people.

You'd hear the cheering for Rooney, then you'd hear about the same amount of booing.

Then you'd hear people who were cheering going "Rooney, Rooney" to cover up the booing.