Everton v Crystal Palace. 16th April at 19.45.

[mrb85]

Because McCarthy wasn't fit. People are overlooking this.

We're not really. We could have retained the normal pattern of playing by, for instance playing Osman in centre midfield and Naismith or Barkley rather than Mirallas behind Lukaku.

 

[mrb85]

What was Howard doing for their headed goal???

 

[KevMirallas]

We're not really. We could have retained the normal pattern of playing by, for instance playing Osman in centre midfield and Naismith or Barkley rather than Mirallas behind Lukaku.

Osman in the spot Barkley played wouldn't have helped matters I don't think. I agree perhaps Naismith could have started ahead of one of the wingers (Deulofeu would have been my choice), but Martinez couldn't have predicted that Mirallas, Del and Lukaku would all be complete cack.

 

[sd_1992]

Not really happy with Stones' positioning for the first goal. He's stood behind Howard on the line! If he was marking Jerome he could have easily blocked Puncheon's shot.

Roberto claims that John was blocked off from tracking Dann on the corner for the second goal. It looks like he's trying to mark him from behind though.

He slips for the third goal. That can't really be helped.

The radio commentators had him down as man of the match but maybe that little bit of inexperience defensively cost us tonight?

Defensively i thought he was solid though i must say i thought his being behind howard for the goal was maybe a bit silly and should have covered the post. However some of his passes were absolutely world class. We genuinely don't have a better passer of the ball in our entire squad (including barry and mcCarthy) and i'd like to see him replace barry for the city game.

 

[the sniderman]

No one remember or care about referee decisions when they Wins the league. How many decision gone in the favor of SAF when they were dominating. Yet no one apart from RS complained. It will be the same this MAy. Us and United fans will be claiming that they were helped by referee, yet they scored 90 + goals a season and playing some breath taking footy which is getting noticed by worlds best.

I was bitter about their success, like you . But now what i care is us getting into CL. RS wins or not, we need to win against CITY .

If they win the league its because of the way they played football. What we need to do now is support our team instead of being bitter about the neighbors and get into CL and grow as a club.

**swings in between two skyscrapers** hey big red you are fooling no one. you are coming across desperate that having your own team top of the league you feel the need to come on here and pretend to be blue!! imagine that!! you do not look smart or clever. instead you look a bozo. and i am about to make you glow as red as the top you wear **blindsides chopper**

 

[slimspek]

Crystal Palace played really well. They swamped the ball and always got players going forward on the break. I do think they were a bit fortunate to score 3 times but sometimes there just games where goals just happen. I thought we were very disorganized. No one seemed to be anticipating crosses despite Baines and Deulofeu whipping them in. Also 13 corners and not a single goal? That's really poor.

 

[Khalekan]

Crystal Palace played really well. They swamped the ball and always got players going forward on the break. I do think they were a bit fortunate to score 3 times but sometimes there just games where goals just happen. I thought we were very disorganized. No one seemed to be anticipating crosses despite Baines and Deulofeu whipping them in. Also 13 corners and not a single goal? That's really poor.

My one complaint about our play this season is the way corners have just become a waste of possession 99% of the times.

 

[EFC Si]

If Arsenal draw at Hull on Sunday before our game then the mood quickly changes.

 

[Rupert's Tower]

Team for me

Howard
Coleman Stones Distin Baines
Deulofeu Barry. McCarthy Mcgeady
Barkley
Lukaku

2 changes from the last game, would possibly play mirallas instead of deulofue too...
3 games in 8 days so best to keep things abit fresh.....be nice to give either Barry or McCarthy a rest ahead of the United game but they're too important....

You want us to go to a Moyes esque 4-4-1-1 after playing 4-2-3-1 all season?

If Arsenal draw at Hull on Sunday before our game then the mood quickly changes.

The chances of that happening are zero

 

[ilikecheese]

The chances of that happening are zero

Sunderland and Palace disagree with this...

 

[Rupert's Tower]

Of course we've done well. But the reality is that this was our big chance. Like the RS having to win it this year or never getting so close again, so we will not get so close again, since whilst the PL has been exciting this year, the actual quality at the top has been poor but will undoubtedly be much higher next season once Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal and City open their cheque books again (maybe Spurs too should they finally get a good manager).

Agree with this, big chance missed this season. Spurs will come back next season and Man Utd will buy big and or get rid of Moyes, we'll have to be even better next season just to finish in the top 6. Cant knock our Bobby one iota, he's been a revelation but it's the hope that kills you. Would've preferred to have lost at Sunderland at the weekend rather than blow it at home to a bunch of long ball merchants managed by Tony Pulis. Cameron Jerome has to be one of the worst strikers in the league and Scott Dann was playing in the Championship a few Months ago. So frustrating

 

[JAYTALITY]

Lukaku will get on the scoresheet v United, he wakes up v the big boys , like alot of past strikers

 

[dannyboy]

Agree with this, big chance missed this season. Spurs will come back next season and Man Utd will buy big and or get rid of Moyes, we'll have to be even better next season just to finish in the top 6. Cant knock our Bobby one iota, he's been a revelation but it's the hope that kills you. Would've preferred to have lost at Sunderland at the weekend rather than blow it at home to a bunch of long ball merchants managed by Tony Pulis. Cameron Jerome has to be one of the worst strikers in the league and Scott Dann was playing in the Championship a few Months ago. So frustrating

Palace are a good team, mate. Tonight was never a given for three points and I think we all knew that.

I've been thinking the same for years that 'this' is our chance, but we always seem to bounce back the next season and find ourselves there or thereabouts again.

 

[dannyboy]

Crystal Palace played really well. They swamped the ball and always got players going forward on the break. I do think they were a bit fortunate to score 3 times but sometimes there just games where goals just happen. I thought we were very disorganized. No one seemed to be anticipating crosses despite Baines and Deulofeu whipping them in. Also 13 corners and not a single goal? That's really poor.

Lack of threat for corners has been telling for a while now. We need more variation/work on the training ground that's for sure. If you're getting as many set pieces as we usually do then it's criminal to not be taking advantage of them.

Also agree on us looking disorganised, there was also a real lack of cohesion/chemistry between the front 4 in the first half for me. All were pretty intent on doing their own thing, dare I say even selfish at times. They looked to beat their man first before settling for the easier option, really slowed our attacking play down.

 

[deipnosophist]

This thread has ROCKETED to 100 pages!