Match Thread Everton v Chelsea. 12th Sep at 12.45.

[orchard]

Apparently Gaz Baz has been coached by this Hungarian camera-woman in preparation for tomorrow:

 

[zaitken]

He's had a lot of injury problems since the leg break. I was hoping he wouldn't become a crock afterwards but I'm not too confident anymore.

It's a shame because when fit he's superb cover for Baines and plays with a lot of passion.

Might get slated for this, but in the period before Oviedo suffered his leg-break, I would have argued that he was a better LB than Bainesy. Very skilful and a huge threat going forward and defensively still very solid. I just hope and pray that he can get back to that standard but somehow doubt it. His winning goal vs Man Utd was one of the best things I'd ever seen.

 

[WarringtonBlue]

I think you have to question the medical department (yet again) and Martinez for allowing him to push himself so hard to try and get back for the World Cup. It was such a horrendous injury he surely should have been eased back and not given false hope, a more realistic target should have been set. It clearly cost him most of last season and it looks like he's showing no signs of it clearing up yet.

It could cost him his top flight career when you consider he's in the last year of his contract with us and there's no signs of either his injuries clearing or talks of an extension. Be a real shame if it does and Martinez and his staff need to question themselves.

I read an interview with Alex ox lade chamberlain that he's sill recovering from a knee injury sustained almost 2 years ago. After the recovery it affects your balance and the weight you can put on either leg, leading to further problems. I'd imAgine it would be a lot worse with a leg break sadly

 

[blue61]

I'll be watching this in a bar in Murcia, we so desperately need to win this so 38,000 can sing 'Money can't buy you Stones', which means we probably wont. Just get into 'em.

 

[bluestevon]

If Galloway plays, I am sure they will test him. Big game for him. Thought he was shown up against City (most players would have been, they were that good). But two mares in a row would be a real setback.

which is why i think funes mori will start their mate

 

[AlexNyarkone]

If he's not then it will have to be Barry.

Depressing thought, he's so slow it hurts.

 

[Robertor]

Might get slated for this, but in the period before Oviedo suffered his leg-break, I would have argued that he was a better LB than Bainesy. Very skilful and a huge threat going forward and defensively still very solid. I just hope and pray that he can get back to that standard but somehow doubt it. His winning goal vs Man Utd was one of the best things I'd ever seen.

He was decent cover but he doesn't come anywhere near Baines. Absolutely nowhere near him.

 

[bluestevon]

Is Mori even quick enough to play LB at Premier League level?

he's faster than Barry or Jags by a way mate just from the bits i've seen of him

 

[Robertor]

he's faster than Barry or Jags by a way mate just from the bits i've seen of him

He'd have to be fast to be faster than Jagielka

 

[bluestevon]

He'd have to be fast to be faster than Jagielka

No expert on him by a million miles mate but he seems to have that quick first step which maybe makes him look faster, not seen anywhere enough to judge him - but definitely faster than Barry and looks to me anyway about Jags speed pre knee injury

I'd have him in the team for his ability in the air though as he 'leaps like a salmon'

think @AaronTheBlue could give you a heads up on his speed better than me though as he watched him the other day for argentina

 

[TheAlmightyFloater]

Courtois needs surgery on his knee and will be out for quite some time apparently.

Good for us but Begovic is still a solid keeper.

 

[bluestevon]

Courtois needs surgery on his knee and will be out for quite some time apparently.

Good for us but Begovic is still a solid keeper.

Looked shaky for them when he played though and then looked shaky for the International team as well supposedly, a long long way short of Courtois who is maybe the best keeper in the world atm, seem to remember Begovic can be prone to a few clangers - last season definitely seem to remember a spell where he had 2-3 of them in a row

 

[Robertor]

No expert on him by a million miles mate but he seems to have that quick first step which maybe makes him look faster, not seen anywhere enough to judge him - but definitely faster than Barry and looks to me anyway about Jags speed pre knee injury

I'd have him in the team for his ability in the air though as he 'leaps like a salmon'

think @AaronTheBlue could give you a heads up on his speed better than me though as he watched him the other day for argentina

I watched the Argentina match, mate. Didn't really get tested defensively but he didn't seem lightening, wouldn't have him in the team until he's proved himself as better than Stones or Jagielka which I'd be surprised if he does as they're both class.

 

[obc]

read word for word, well in.

no guessing on the score, just hoping for a positive result.

 

[bluestevon]

I watched the Argentina match, mate. Didn't really get tested defensively but he didn't seem lightening, wouldn't have him in the team until he's proved himself as better than Stones or Jagielka which I'd be surprised if he does as they're both class.

Fair enough mate, you probably know more about his speed than i do then being honest, then again can't normally tell the speed of a cb for certain till their tested and need to use it i guess, don't think theirs a shot in hell of him starting at cb unless it's a cup game or we have injuries mate really, can see him being introduced at lb though as that seems to be the way Martinez gets all his cb's experience - Browning, Galloway and Stones all played their first games their for him from memory (rb/lb)

As for long term, guess he's been brought in as a third choice cb and the hope would be eventual replacement for Jagielka (when age catches up with him)