Everton v Hajduk Split, Match Report and MotM Poll...

[degsy]

Keane was solid
Gueye was everywhere
Pickford was solid

But Morgan for me, that first half performance was immense

amazing what a bit of competition sitting in the stands will do.

 

[degsy]

So you want Davies to replace Klaassen...but claimed you watched the game......

For me, there were multiple very good performances, but I thought Keane was a rock defensively, and scored the opener. They really only had 3 real shots, and I believe 1 if not 2 were from fouls they committed that were not called.

You'll get that when you bring your next door neighbours over to Reff the game. Look forward to seeing how the Scottish, Welsh, or N.I. Reff goes over there...like that'll happen.
We'll probably cop for an Anglophobe Frenchie or a Spaniard with a Gibraltar / Malvinas complex.

 

[Caolam]

You'll get that when you bring your next door neighbours over to Reff the game. Look forward to seeing how the Scottish, Welsh, or N.I. Reff goes over there...like that'll happen.
We'll probably cop for an Anglophobe Frenchie or a Spaniard with a Gibraltar / Malvinas complex.

Conspiracy theory type of a guy, are we ?

 

[Khalekan]

Pickford again for me.

Those two or three vital saves after not being tested much tested sends us to Croatia with that all important clean sheet.

 

[Albro]

Keane for me.

Excellent
Keane, Gana, Klaassen, Schneiderlin, Pickford


Solid
Rooney, Martina, Baines


Serviceable
Lookman (based on his second half - but first 90 minute game so understandable)
Williams
Besic


Below average
Davies, DCL, Mirallas

 

[ilikecheese]

This should be renamed the Idrissa Gana Gueye MOTM Award.

 

[Sinski]

Everton were vastly superior - but failed to make it tell.

And it was another strange selection. A forward line of Mirallas, Rooney and Lookman, and Martina was putting in high crosses. We looked like a team without its centre forward.

Second half was disjointed and disappointing. Besic appeared, and played long enough to get booked.

Still, Pickford was there to save us again when it mattered.

Had to laugh when he got booked because you knew it was just going to happen.

 

[Bluebonic]

I thought Baines looked like the Bainsey of three seasons ago in the first half, all over the place, shooting at goal, running into their box, fabulous. Martina also reminded us how potent we can be when both our full back contribute to the attack. i thought Lookman and Mirallas brought a different dynamic too, width and pace, what a lovely combination that is but the most pleasing thing for me is the emergence of a true spine to the side, in Pickford, Keane and Gana, we have a central spine that could serve this club for years, we just need to cap it off with a centre forward and we are set for a period of growth and success that should crack a smile on even the most detemined sceptics faces!

 

[TyphooToffee]

Gana for me but Klaasen and Keane were excellent, Pickford looks like he's never going to concede, and Martina made a mokery of those who doubted Ron's judgement!

 

[TyphooToffee]

Keane looks commanding and I'm made up her got his goal

Same goes for Gana

 

[TyphooToffee]

Just watched it on youtube after work. Feck Sky, this is how it should be...with Blue commentators.

Gana or Scneids for me. Makes a huge difference when they work together, find that balance and play to their strengths. They were like the oil that was missing before.
Would like to see Davies replace Klassen next time.

No, Klaasen needs to play every game so those around him get used to his speed of thought.

 

[TyphooToffee]

amazing what a bit of competition sitting in the stands will do.

I was thinking the same

 

[Eggs]

...last night was a 'phew' moment for me because I've been concerned at performances to date. Despite the acquisition of good players I wasn't seeing a good team but last night was a lot brighter and gives me real hope.

MoM could've been either goalscorer, I went for Gueye who did what he normally does but looked particularly composed on the ball and took his goal very well. Just getting on the end of things is what we need a box-2-box midfielder doing.

Keane and Pickford continue to impress. I thought Martina and Baines both played well and it was good to see Lookman given his chance even if he lost his way a little in the 2nd half.

Rooney started well but looked to run out of steam. I'm of a view that he has to be used sparingly, even if he plays a part in every game. At this point, Koeman will want him on the pitch but it might have been better to replace him rather than Klaassen. Klaassen's pass to Rooney on the stroke of half-time said a lot about what the lad is capable of, he might be more effective than appears.

Time will tell but I'm a lot happier with us now. Phew.

 

[Telford-Feb-85]

Great atmosphere in there last night. Klaassen is a wonderful player. His movement is on another level. When he and others properly bed into the team and the understanding of each other increases we are going to have some outfit to go and watch. Keane great, Lookman great, Pickford solid, decent performance. Coyb.

 

[msb]

Lookman was "poorer" in the second half because they started doubling up on him, left space in the middle, so bringing on DCL was the right thing to do. His )DCL) problem is that he was so much faster than their backs that he was offside for every through ball, whereas he could have waited and out-sprinted them.

Nice set up and anyone that thinks Tom Davies should be picked ahead of Schneiderlin, wants to go seek help, he is not a like for like player - hence bringing on Besic, the new Barry in terms of yellow cards.

Nice problems to have, fitting all these players in and keeping them all happy. Gana my MOTM, but he is going to win it every week if he continues like this.

And a big shout out to the defence, Keane in particular, but Baines and Cuco looked strong. Williams was solid enough and Pickford excellent, his distribution is something that will pay dividends for us this season (and for many more).