Everton v F.C. Porto, August 3rd, KO 16:00pm.

[marty mcfly]

Lukakus appearance bit was a bit of damp squib I thought, didn't move beyond the technical area, held his new shirt up and was gone just as his song struck up. He probably felt a bit awkward it being Ossies day and not exactly being a stranger at The Old Lady, but I'm pretty sure his probable appearance had added quite a few thou to the gate.

Probably in shock after that first half performance

 

[andybaker]

The actual score doesn't matter (I wrote LOL whenever we scored) but the manner of the performance was more than worrying.

There's a difference between knocking the ball around and playing good football but conceding a few goals from slack defending. We on the other hand barely got a kick in the first half. The second half was much better, bringing on Besic and McCarthy and pushing Osman wide plugged the big hole in the middle they where playing through and after that it was a more even game.

But I never want to see Osman or Pienaar start another game and Ross can't play further back. He's not defensively strong enough.

your problem is that you were worried.

End of story. You shouldnt be. Still missing basically 5 from the first 11 that first half

Baines, Coleman, McCarthy, Mirallas, Lukaku.

Honest to god, he plays half the team, then the other half of the team and people even bother to take anything from the game?

Besic looked decent. And potentially the absolute bargain of the summer. Thats literally all you need to walk away from that game with.

 

[orchard]

The actual score doesn't matter (I wrote LOL whenever we scored) but the manner of the performance was more than worrying.

There's a difference between knocking the ball around and playing good football but conceding a few goals from slack defending. We on the other hand barely got a kick in the first half. The second half was much better, bringing on Besic and McCarthy and pushing Osman wide plugged the big hole in the middle they where playing through and after that it was a more even game.

But I never want to see Osman or Pienaar start another game and Ross can't play further back. He's not defensively strong enough.

I don't think we could change our attacking options much yesterday, due to it being Osman's testimonial, and players available, I also think Martinez left McGeady on to play himself into contention.
Osman's still a good option for 20/30 min's off the bench imo, Pienaar was good yesterday mate, and if we're going to get the most out of Baines (who has also come back firing - if you'd care to look for positives), we need him.
Yes it wasn't ace and was disjointed, but i've seen our first team playing together in pre-season, 3 games in, look like complete strangers and incapable of stringing a pass together. Don't forget we're a few weeks behind most teams due to a Martinez 'strategy', and only time will tell whether this will pay off in our opening fixtures.

 

[marty mcfly]

Yeah, unfortunately Howard can't guarantee which side of the field he's going to hit with a kick let alone pick someone out. Also very slow to come off line so doesn't do the sweeper job that modern goalies like Lloris and Neur do either. Good shot stopper thought.

I know but that's the safest way of beating it. The other way is to play through them but unfortunately the ball keeps going back until it reaches Distin who then either turns away and passes to Howard or goes on one of his runs which scare the pants of us.

I do sometimes think that the midfield doesn't help out here though McCarthy should be looking for the ball more and we should be switching the ball more from side to side because this goes over the press too. How many passes where hit to the wings and where over hit or wide of their target. Thankfully we now have a player who can do that in Besic, a genuine top class player who could easily play in the more technically demanding leagues.

The answer is always. You need the quality. Be it goal keeper, defenders, midfielders etc.

 

[marty mcfly]

I don't think we could change our attacking options much yesterday, due to it being Osman's testimonial, and players available, I also think Martinez left McGeady on to play himself into contention.
Osman's still a good option for 20/30 min's off the bench imo, Pienaar was good yesterday mate, and if we're going to get the most out of Baines (who has also come back firing - if you'd care to look for positives), we need him.
Yes it wasn't ace and was disjointed, but i've seen our first team playing together in pre-season, 3 games in, look like complete strangers and incapable of stringing a pass together. Don't forget we're a few weeks behind most teams due to a Martinez 'strategy', and only time will tell whether this will pay off in our opening fixtures.

Yea I think he left McGeady on because he was so bad, has been in all of preseason which is perhaps why he looks like he's playing with fear. I really genuinely think he was giving him this pre-season before signing another winger.

It was hard to judge Baines yesterday. The whole team where so poor in the first half and normally him and Pienaar look telepathically linked but yesterday looked like strangers. I think Baines is fine. I thought he had a good world cup, one of England's most creative players and he's not a worry.

But I think you've hit the nail on the head. They all look like total strangers, it's perhaps unfair to single out any one player.

 

[marty mcfly]

your problem is that you were worried.

End of story. You shouldnt be. Still missing basically 5 from the first 11 that first half

Baines, Coleman, McCarthy, Mirallas, Lukaku.

Honest to god, he plays half the team, then the other half of the team and people even bother to take anything from the game?

Besic looked decent. And potentially the absolute bargain of the summer. Thats literally all you need to walk away from that game with.

I'm worried because our bench looks really poor not because the first team does. I already knew Besic would be the bargain of the summer.

 

[The Cowboy]

Yea I think he left McGeady on because he was so bad, has been in all of preseason which is perhaps why he looks like he's playing with fear. I really genuinely think he was giving him this pre-season before signing another winger.

It was hard to judge Baines yesterday. The whole team where so poor in the first half and normally him and Pienaar look telepathically linked but yesterday looked like strangers. I think Baines is fine. I thought he had a good world cup, one of England's most creative players and he's not a worry.

But I think you've hit the nail on the head. They all look like total strangers, it's perhaps unfair to single out any one player.

Baines did not have a good world cup. It was not his fault he had a terrible world cup, but he did. Not that I think it bothered him, as the whole team was so abject that it wasn't like he stuck out like a sore thumb.

 

[andybaker]

Is thi

I'm worried because our bench looks really poor not because the first team does. I already knew Besic would be the bargain of the summer.

jesus wept! Its the strongest squad weve had in 30 years lad.

He wants a winger/attacker in before the start also. We havent even loaned anyone yet!

How anyone panics with the genius we currently have in charge is beyond me

 

[The Mighty Quint]

 

[matty1878]

If he plays like this for us in the Prem we have a player

 

[The Cowboy]

What I take from that video:

Looks a bit one-footed but that doesn't seem to limit his abilities
Very strong into the tackle, most looked very fair but will likely see many annoying free-kicks and yellows given against him by pansy refs
Doesn't give up when he loses the ball, the way Fellaini used to
Some of his long cross-field balls are superb, can imagine Coleman revelling in these

Good times.

 

[madkiwi]

The actual score doesn't matter (I wrote LOL whenever we scored) but the manner of the performance was more than worrying.

There's a difference between knocking the ball around and playing good football but conceding a few goals from slack defending. We on the other hand barely got a kick in the first half. The second half was much better, bringing on Besic and McCarthy and pushing Osman wide plugged the big hole in the middle they where playing through and after that it was a more even game.

But I never want to see Osman or Pienaar start another game and Ross can't play further back. He's not defensively strong enough.

Probably in shock after that first half performance

I know but that's the safest way of beating it. The other way is to play through them but unfortunately the ball keeps going back until it reaches Distin who then either turns away and passes to Howard or goes on one of his runs which scare the pants of us.

I do sometimes think that the midfield doesn't help out here though McCarthy should be looking for the ball more and we should be switching the ball more from side to side because this goes over the press too. How many passes where hit to the wings and where over hit or wide of their target. Thankfully we now have a player who can do that in Besic, a genuine top class player who could easily play in the more technically demanding leagues.

The answer is always. You need the quality. Be it goal keeper, defenders, midfielders etc.

Yea I think he left McGeady on because he was so bad, has been in all of preseason which is perhaps why he looks like he's playing with fear. I really genuinely think he was giving him this pre-season before signing another winger.

It was hard to judge Baines yesterday. The whole team where so poor in the first half and normally him and Pienaar look telepathically linked but yesterday looked like strangers. I think Baines is fine. I thought he had a good world cup, one of England's most creative players and he's not a worry.

But I think you've hit the nail on the head. They all look like total strangers, it's perhaps unfair to single out any one player.

I'm worried because our bench looks really poor not because the first team does. I already knew Besic would be the bargain of the summer.

Please take two.

 

[AJC5]

If he plays like this for us in the Prem we have a player

He reminds me a bit of Oliveir Dacourt in that video. Technical ability, pace, passing ability and tackling. I like the way his first touch and pace always seems to take him into space and he always looks forward. Could make a big difference in our midfield play as Barry and McCarthy don't really drive forward and don't take risks in possession.

 

[royalblue66]

Was at the match yesterday and seen Kone, and for anyone wondering on his fitness I have to tell you he was actually limping,I kid you not.

 

[marty mcfly]

Baines did not have a good world cup. It was not his fault he had a terrible world cup, but he did. Not that I think it bothered him, as the whole team was so abject that it wasn't like he stuck out like a sore thumb.

Baines was one of England's most creative players and defensively there was nothing he could do when Gerrard and Rooney don't drop in to give cover like what happens when we play a 4-2-3-1.

I thought he had a good world cup. It's not his fault Roy is a moron and Gerrard a has been.