Everton 0-1 Valencia Weds 7th August 2am

[Coach]

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.

Because, looking at all of our preseaon games, we haven't made many chances. We made loads more last season.

Add to that that we are trying to play a new defensive sytem and I find that worrying. Liverpool got ****ted last season while trying to make a similar adjustment to a new defensive system. I expect us to get ripped apart in the Prem where we will get pressed much more than has happened in preseason.

We need to be making loads of chances to compensate for being under pressure at the back.

 

[dannyboy]

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.

Been our problem for far too long. Team's shut up shop against us and we look so bereft of ideas to break them down.

 

[Zodiak]

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.

Agree we do look a little toothless in front of goal. Despite many on here lauding Kone's arrival, he's certainly not going to solve our age old problem of lacking a top quality striker. We now simply have 3 average strikers instead of 2.

But I also agree we've done ok generally against very good opposition. Let's see how we do on Sunday on home soil.

 

[Maestro Haze]

Because, looking at all of our preseaon games, we haven't made many chances. We made loads more last season.

Add to that that we are trying to play a new defensive sytem and I find that worrying. Liverpool got ****ted last season while trying to make a similar adjustment to a new defensive system. I expect us to get ripped apart in the Prem where we will get pressed much more than has happened in preseason.

We need to be making loads of chances to compensate for being under pressure at the back.

Firstly we have a new manager, someone who is reactive and change formations when he feels is necessary, he needs time to do it his way.

You're worried at what exactly? The time for mistakes is now, in pre-season where they don't matter one bit.

We've played three very good teams, it was always going to be tough to make chances against sides who have very well organised back 3/4, the Madrid first half is proof of that.

 

[Elong]

Been our problem for far too long. Team's shut up shop against us and we look so bereft of ideas to break them down.

We miss a quality "number 10", have done for a long time, and will continue to until we get a new owner.

You chuck in Rooney, Bale or even a Mata into our team, we'd be Champions League.

 

[Greek Fisherman]

Hopefully the globel market does not continue to be Wigan.

I agree mate. Hope all the doubters got a glimpse of Ever Banega tonight. Different class.

 

[dannyboy]

We miss a quality "number 10", have done for a long time, and will continue to until we get a new owner.

You chuck in Rooney, Bale or even a Mata into our team, we'd be Champions League.

You're not wrong. Tbh I think our best player in that role is Fellaini but I'm probably in a minority of one who thinks that on this forum.

He contributed 12 goals from that position last year, I can't really see Barkley/Osman or whoever else plays there replicating that this time round.

 

[Elong]

You're not wrong. Tbh I think our best player in that role is Fellaini but I'm probably in a minority of one who thinks that on this forum.

He contributed 12 goals from that position last year, I can't really see Barkley/Osman or whoever else plays there replicating that this time round.

No you're probably right, he is the best player in that position in the squad, but it's not his best position. Square pegs and round holes, despite how well he does up there.

 

[Maestro Haze]

I agree mate. Hope all the doubters got a glimpse of Ever Banega tonight. Different class.

He's good on the ball for sure but I didn't see much else. Other than the half chance that they scored from I didn't really think they were that great in front of goal.

They just dominated possession, it didn't surprise me as these Spanish teams do do that well.

 

[Zodiak]

You're not wrong. Tbh I think our best player in that role is Fellaini but I'm probably in a minority of one who thinks that on this forum.

He contributed 12 goals from that position last year, I can't really see Barkley/Osman or whoever else plays there replicating that this time round.

That's a good point actually. 12 goals from an advanced midfield position, is impressive. Who else will replicate that if he either moves, or plays the deeper midfield role?

I still think we need a quality striker. We have a few who can "do a job", but none that will score us 20 goals a season.

Trouble is, they cost big money so that's something we're going to have to accept that we won't have under this current board, unless Martinez can get lucky and find his own Michu.

 

[dannyboy]

That's a good point actually. 12 goals from an advanced midfield position, is impressive. Who else will replicate that if he either moves, or plays the deeper midfield role?

I still think we need a quality striker. We have a few who can "do a job", but none that will score us 20 goals a season.

Trouble is, they cost big money so that's something we're going to have to accept that we won't have under this current board, unless Martinez can get lucky and find his own Michu.

The striking department deeply concerns me, I wouldn't back any of them to make it into double figures next season.

I don't think we stand to gain much from dropping Fellaini back. We're just losing the focal point of our attack for me. Don't get me wrong, he'll do a decent enough job in front of the back four but it's not like that's an area we struggle in anyway.

 

[TheFinnFan]

Was Jelavic injury serious????

 

[somuchfun]

Was Jelavic injury serious????

Martinez said dead leg, so nothing to worry about.

 

[TheFinnFan]

Martinez said dead leg, so nothing to worry about.

Ok...woodleg x

Thank God nothing serious.

 

[davek]

Conceded 4 goals in three games against Juve, Madrid and Valencia.

Impressive.

Betis will get a terrible hiding on Sunday.