Everton 0-1 Valencia Weds 7th August 2am

[orchard]

Hope there isn't trouble in the camp like.
Is it a whip-lash from the previous manager dictating every move to one who expects players to use initiative within parameters?
Gibson was the sore thumb for me, but whether that accounts for the lack of creation I don't know.
:|

 

[Elong]

It's pre season. Take a chill pill lads.

 

[hktoffee]

Not it's not, did you watch Wigan last season?

They went down because they had the worst defence in the whole league.

Well that was their own fault is it? And scoring 47 goals in the league did not set the world alight. I really think it was a myth to say Wigan was a good attacking team.

 

[Zodiak]

Not it's not, did you watch Wigan last season?

They went down because they had the worst defence in the whole league.

Check the stats, they had an awful blend of woeful defensive record, and bang average attack. This "Wigan are great going forward" is unsubstantiated ****e.

 

[ProZ]

People blaming Robles for that goal need to leg it.. I would not have bothered diving for that either.

As for the performance where do I start?

Tonight was definitely not a 3 at the back formation as FOX advertised. Stones was playing RB which might have caused some confusion. I was literally screaming for us to go to a 3 at the back to gain some control of the midfield as we could not seem to complete 2/3 passes in Valencia's half.

I genuinely don't think the strikers are our problem, we just don't have the technical ability combined with the mobility in the central areas of the pitch, we need players to start dropping into holes and looking to carry the ball working triangles. I think Chebe and Jelavic where fed scraps and they are not really to blame.

 

[TyphooToffee]

It'll be good to see the best team play the whole game in English conditions on Sunday. The best team is hard to pick though as the likes of Stones, Oviedo, Barkley and Naismith have all staked a claim to be regular starters. Can you pick a best starting XI? I know I can't.

 

[Greek Fisherman]

I noticed Martinez pull Gibson up to have a chat when he come off.
Can't blame him, played like absolute....

 

[hktoffee]

Good hit out, 3 games in 7 days, the humidity and quality of the opposition contributed to the lackluster performance.

Teams in the premiership rely on the long ball when things aren't going there way. Today we didn't even try to change it up when it wasn't working. As someone mentioned earlier their keeper didn't have a save to make which was disappointing.

We need to buy dynamic midfielders. Fellaini and Barkley are the only two we have.

Hopefully the globel market does not continue to be Wigan.

 

[Maestro Haze]

Check the stats, they had an awful blend of woeful defensive record, and bang average attack. This "Wigan are great going forward" is unsubstantiated ****e.

I didn't say they were 'great', they went down because of their woeful defence that never tightened or improved throughout last season.

 

[Maestro Haze]

Well that was their own fault is it? And scoring 47 goals in the league did not set the world alight. I really think it was a myth to say Wigan was a good attacking team.

I didn't say they were, I said that their downfall was because they conceded far too many goals.

 

[SchoolOfScience]

We scored two goals all tournament. A bit worried about that particular fact tbf.

A touch unfair I feel.

The opposition have been a level above us, It's hard to break teams like these down and that's why they're so good!

I'm quite happy that we've been keeping the ball fairly well and I reckon the attacking will fall into place with a settled first team

 

[Zodiak]

Yeah I did as I am watching it in America as on holiday. They said Gibson was arguing with Martinez when he came off and mentioned he wasn't happy last game either because he doesn't know his role. I can only go off what they say.

For me it just seems the players are struggling with his knew style of formation and tactics compared to Moyes as they seemed to be arguing a lot tonight with each other. Felt like they were unsure what they was meant to be doing but that's my opinion.

Yes that didn't go unnoticed. A few players were having a heated discussion with each other coming off at half time too. There seems to be a little confusion and I suppose it will take time for the players to adjust to new tactics.

They've been used to playing a certain way for years so maybe one or two are struggling a little with the transition.

What we have to remember here though, is we've just played Juventus, Real Madrid and Valencia! And not been rolled over by any of them.

 

[Maestro Haze]

I don't think we have -nothing at all like last year when we were maing more chances than the rest of Europe or something.

Worrying.

Worrying? Why on earth are you worried?

We've just played Valencia in a pre-season game, it's not about winning in these games.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Right, time for some shuteye. Thank [Poor language removed] I ain't in work tomorrow!

 

[uknightbreed]

looking at the stats on espn over the 3 games , overall we have pretty much matched every team 50-50 in every way. possesion passing tackling .which is excellent looking at the quality of teams we have played.
its not like we have been played off the pitch . the difference is that for there 50 percent of possesion the opponents have had twice as many shots on target (9 against 18) and more shots (32 against 44)
as i said earlier , our play in the final third is letting us down badly.