2017/18 Cuco Martina

Big Fat Sam · December 12, 2017

He cannot use his left foot, which is a little bit tricky if you're playing at left back. He is clumsy and doesn't really master anything on the field. He is athletic I guess, but that's no reason to play him. JJ LB and AL or MH RB.

Osamabindiesel · December 12, 2017

Our fans look for any confirmation bias they can find, and if they can't find it, they stick to their guns anyway. Cuco played well at Anfield. He should be replaced ASAP, but he did a hell of a job. If I'm not mistaken, he was the one who psyched out Mane on a sure goal by taking up the perfect position between him and his THREE WIDE OPEN TEAMMATES IN THE MIDDLE. He probably saved us a goal there.

Barnfred 55 · December 12, 2017

Nymzee said:
From what I remember they didn't really have a decent RB in the summer but got Callum in and that lad Iorfa from Wolves on loan.

A year or two ago Iorfa was more than decent. Not sure why he suddenly became surplus to requirements at Wolves, but if he has re-found his form from a couple of seasons ago he's not far off premier quality IMO. Must be about 23 now.

The thing about Connolly is that he can cover numerous positions. He won't really excel in any of them but won't let you down either.

blueblue · December 12, 2017

Osamabindiesel said:
Our fans look for any confirmation bias they can find, and if they can't find it, they stick to their guns anyway. Cuco played well at Anfield. He should be replaced ASAP, but he did a hell of a job. If I'm not mistaken, he was the one who psyched out Mane on a sure goal by taking up the perfect position between him and his THREE WIDE OPEN TEAMMATES IN THE MIDDLE. He probably saved us a goal there.

We were told yesterday that he was there by accident... give it up , he has taken over the scapegoat mantle and will be blamed win, lose or draw.

MikeH72 · December 12, 2017

Big Fat Sam said:
He cannot use his left foot, which is a little bit tricky if you're playing at left back. He is clumsy and doesn't really master anything on the field. He is athletic I guess, but that's no reason to play him. JJ LB and AL or MH RB.

Worrying, especially as he has two of them.

Nymzee · December 12, 2017

Barnfred 55 said:
A year or two ago Iorfa was more than decent. Not sure why he suddenly became surplus to requirements at Wolves, but if he has re-found his form from a couple of seasons ago he's not far off premier quality IMO. Must be about 23 now.

The thing about Connolly is that he can cover numerous positions. He won't really excel in any of them but won't let you down either.

From what I've seen Iorfa has lost his way a little which is disappointing. He's a beast of a player.

Barnfred 55 · December 12, 2017

Nymzee said:
From what I've seen Iorfa has lost his way a little which is disappointing. He's a beast of a player.

Reminded me a bit of Mica Richards when he first burst on the scene. Would be a shame if he went the same way.

evertonarntwe · December 12, 2017

cant believe people are saying he had a decent/good game at anfield, crazy people. if rooney hadn't slotted that pen he would be getting stick from everyone but because we got a draw people are defending him

he is useless, baines is useless they both need gone

would play JJK and Holgate at full back until Jan/ coleman returns, I know that means dislodging Holgate at CB where he has shone, but sam has got Williams playing half decent again so pretty sure he could do the same with keane

Big Fat Sam · December 12, 2017

It's actually really sad seeing the decline of Baines.

During the Steven Pienaar years of 2008 - 2014 - bar Pienaar's his brief spell at Spurs - Baines was unreal for us. Never seen such a combination of players on one side of the field for us, they just clicked and it was a joy to watch.

After Pienaar left Baines was still solid going forward, albeit slightly less productive, and particularly from set pieces. His goals gradually got fewer and fewer - just two a season for the past three in the league - and his failure to drive home a direct free kick for around four years has been puzzling; that doesn't require a solid midfield partner or ability to run up and down the line all game.

The failure by the club to replace Pienaar successfully led to Baines' attacking displays becoming less influential on the team, coupled with numerous injuries which now make it look like he's scared, or possibly unable, to take players on or whip a ball in at pace.

He's never been a solid defender, all too often accused of being happy to watch a player cross the ball instead of closing him down and getting a tackle in, yet his years of magnificent attacking displays and set piece magic were more than enough to gloss over that.

But without those spectacular free kicks and only penalties to show for his goalscoring, plus a now complete lack of pace, and the average defensive talent and poor players surrounding him, he really looks finished at this level now.

I'll always think of him as one of the best left backs we've had over the past 30 years, it's just sad I guess to see his Everton career slowly coming to a halt before our very eyes. He definitely needs to be replaced as a starter in the summer.

Coachmarkjohnson · December 12, 2017

I hope the lad does well with us, but the 50/50 that he chicken'd out of in the last five minutes was shocking! That's the most disappointing thing with some of our players; we know they're not the best but we at least want to see them trying. The positives are that he's been part of a good defensive line during the last three matches, just want to see him winning more challenges and not being blown over...

johnnydawg68 · December 12, 2017

Osamabindiesel said:
Our fans look for any confirmation bias they can find, and if they can't find it, they stick to their guns anyway. Cuco played well at Anfield. He should be replaced ASAP, but he did a hell of a job. If I'm not mistaken, he was the one who psyched out Mane on a sure goal by taking up the perfect position between him and his THREE WIDE OPEN TEAMMATES IN THE MIDDLE. He probably saved us a goal there.

Heard the stats showed he made more tackles and intercepted more passes than anyone...which I find hard to believe, but maybe there's something in what you say about confirmation base if so.

Case in point...according to WhoScored.com he was our highest rated player against the RS.

https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1190301/Live/England-Premier-League-2017-2018-Liverpool-Everton

Osamabindiesel · December 13, 2017

johnnydawg68 said:
Heard the stats showed he made more tackles and intercepted more passes than anyone...which I find hard to believe, but maybe there's something in what you say about confirmation base if so.

Case in point...according to WhoScored.com he was our highest rated player against the RS.
View attachment 42808
https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1190301/Live/England-Premier-League-2017-2018-Liverpool-Everton

Good work as always J. It's one thing if he had a completely average performance and everyone was taking a dump on him. It's another when he actually has a good game and people are still looking for opportunities to put players down. It's a toxic environment and I continue to be disappointed by our fan base.

royvernon39 · December 13, 2017

Compared to how he played against Atalanta at home, he was world-class at Anfield.

Sorry,, just remembered that trade-mark header to an opponent in the area.

Please ignore the above.

madkiwi · December 13, 2017

nsno-chris said:
The unsung hero of derby

Get in Cuco you absolute beast

johnnydawg68 said:
Heard the stats showed he made more tackles and intercepted more passes than anyone...which I find hard to believe, but maybe there's something in what you say about confirmation base if so.

Case in point...according to WhoScored.com he was our highest rated player against the RS.
View attachment 42808
https://www.whoscored.com/Matches/1190301/Live/England-Premier-League-2017-2018-Liverpool-Everton