Everton v Chelsea. 30th August at 17.30.

[Zodiak2]

If you were a neutral and settled down to watch that on a Saturday tea time with a Chinese (other takeaway outlets are available), then you'd have absolutely loved that game.

For us though, very confusing and painful at times. A few highs, and many lows!

Great goal from Mirallas, but an even better one from Naismith, this lad is deadly when he gets chances inside the box.

Great movement, great touch to get away from the defenders and set up the chance, and an icy cool finish.

 

[1966efc]

With virtually the whole first 11 on international duty, R M won't be changing much any time soon. Appointing a new captain would be tantamount to putting P J on the transfer list and that isn't going to happen.

R M addressed the need for strikers. There probably wasn't / isn't the dosh to buy better CB's as well. In the great scheme of things, he may have thought he could get away with it for another season and it's likely he will except against teams like Chelsea. Luckily, only City are as good as Chelsea.

R M is a terrific bloke from what I can see but he's been built up by the Club too much. So, for the benefit of any fifteen year olds who are in any doubt, he isn't Gandalf or the Annointed Avenging Porcupine of the Lord ... he's a guy working with a limited budget to gradually improve a good team into a better team. He will add some shine to good players but he cannot make them world beaters. It'll take time and there will be horrible days on the way. One thing is pretty sure: young, strong, technically gifted players working with a great coach will make us look silly on occasion no matter what our tactics / formation / subs are. This is the downside to that speech he gave about money only accelerating the process.

We shipped six. But unlike the anal orifices infesting Anfield Road, we won't be burning Spanish flags, forming a Spirit of Catterick Knitting Group or marching down County Road. We're Everton us and we have the balls to see out the tough times as well as enjoying the good.

 

[ilikecheese]

With virtually the whole first 11 on international duty, R M won't be changing much any time soon. Appointing a new captain would be tantamount to putting P J on the transfer list and that isn't going to happen.

R M addressed the need for strikers. There probably wasn't / isn't the dosh to buy better CB's as well. In the great scheme of things, he may have thought he could get away with it for another season and it's likely he will except against teams like Chelsea. Luckily, only City are as good as Chelsea.

R M is a terrific bloke from what I can see but he's been built up by the Club too much. So, for the benefit of any fifteen year olds who are in any doubt, he isn't Gandalf or the Annointed Avenging Porcupine of the Lord ... he's a guy working with a limited budget to gradually improve a good team into a better team. He will add some shine to good players but he cannot make them world beaters. It'll take time and there will be horrible days on the way. One thing is pretty sure: young, strong, technically gifted players working with a great coach will make us look silly on occasion no matter what our tactics / formation / subs are. This is the downside to that speech he gave about money only accelerating the process.

We shipped six. But unlike the anal orifices infesting Anfield Road, we won't be burning Spanish flags, forming a Spirit of Catterick Knitting Group or marching down County Road. We're Everton us and we have the balls to see out the tough times as well as enjoying the good.

Excellent post mate...you've restored my faith in Evertonians.

 

[matty1878]

Ok home against who Palace?

Two pretty uninspiring performances...but they tore us to bits today.

Home to the foxes. Good teams don't play superb every week they find ways to win.

 

[Igrok]

Opa Wigan style...
Roberto we need 1-0 wins....not entertaining football....

 

[matty1878]

Opa Wigan style...
Roberto we need 1-0 wins....not entertaining football....

Thing is our defence isn't
Wigans nor will it be. Yes school boy errors for every goal but that can be addressed.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Gutted we shipped six at home and something needs to be done about the defence

What, I don't know. Maybe Jags or Distin need to be dropped?

This is one of those situations where you wish we could play again right away to make things right, as opposed to waiting for the international break to be over

 

[matty1878]

Gutted we shipped six at home and something needs to be done about the defence

What, I don't know. Maybe Jags or Distin need to be dropped?

This is one of those situations where you wish we could play again right away to make things right, as opposed to waiting for the international break to be over

Jags needs to not play for England tbh as his confidence looks in bits

 

[Stutheblue]

The fact we conceded 3 goals virtually straight from the kick offs killed us yesterday. Still hurting from that because we didnt get the chance to build more pressure to force an equaliser (which I reckon we could have done). Poor defensive performance again and it needs addressing. On a positive note, not many teams will score 3 against Chelsea. Two of our goals were quality moves and the other a great finish. Overall I was more gutted how we dropped two points v Arsenal (poor defending again - particularly the first goal) than yesterday. We should have 4 points, or even 6, now. Frustrating.

 

[tonyhorne]

Mate...he did a snidey dive right after the scrap with Coleman...he's well on his way.

Yeah, and it was one worthy of Phil Neville. I hope he forgets that sort of nonsense and keeps the eyeball to eyeball stuff going. I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on...........

 

[Steve Wigan]

I disagree. I thought he was superb. I would much rather have an in-your-face honest scrapper than a diving-biting cheat like Suarez. I really enjoyed him and Coleman having a go. More of this. Less of the theatrics.

I agree with you. Thought straight off...this guy is going to be a massive personality in the Prem...and Coleman did very well against him(Howard did as well!) End of the game, big embrace between Howard and Costa, massive mutual respect, tough and unforgiving during the game, but respect after the final whistle. This is a mans game, lets not forget that.

 

[Stutheblue]

On a positve note, how good we our 3 goals by the way? And, what about that move which ended up with us hitting the post? That almost made it 4-5 with time left.

 

[Gotagotmug]

I agree with you. Thought straight off...this guy is going to be a massive personality in the Prem...and Coleman did very well against him(Howard did as well!) End of the game, big embrace between Howard and Costa, massive mutual respect, tough and unforgiving during the game, but respect after the final whistle. This is a mans game, lets not forget that.

There was a video a while back tracking Costa and Pepe during a Madrid derby and he was mega snidey in that. Personally not a fan of his antics - maybe that's because I've already seen enough Chelsea fans online pretend it was fine for him to taunt Coleman yesterday - but I'll be surprised if he isn't second top goalscorer after Naismith this year.

 

[Gotagotmug]

On a positve note, how good we our 3 goals by the way? And, what about that move which ended up with us hitting the post? That almost made it 4-5 with time left.

I thought it had gone in and screamed the house down, only to look like a right pillock when I looked at the screen again

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

As bad a game as you'll ever see Jags and Distin play.

Awful offside attempts, lack of closing down, turning away from shots, lack of cohesion and understanding of the others position, just plain shocking.

However, writing the pair off after that horror show is ridiculous, albeit I hope It's made Bobby think about a last minute CB signing.