Everton v Ruzomberok Report and MotM Poll...

[Jags..class]

Hope we play better next week or we will be kicked out of Europe at the first hurdle

 

[Wezzo_66]

Had the feel of a testing pre-season game. You can imagine that things will improve as the new players settle and they all get sharper.

I do worry about the system though with Rooney up top, I don't think it is creative enough with the players available to Koeman now. Stoke will set up very much like last night's opponents - so both legs will be a good test.

 

[Groucho]

Gana is a wrecker mate, his job is to break up attacks and pass the ball to one of ours, which he does 99 times out of a hundred?

I know most of us see a different game, But he shouldn't have even been on in the second half, one pass in particular a short back-pass
to Williams, would have been swallowed by any top 4 prem side. I don't think that he is even teachable (If there's such a word).

He is half a player: Does he do what David Batty Did? or Does he do what Bryan Robson Did? Who was the better player?

I'm with Bluebonic here.

Puzzled at the dislike of Gana here, thought he did well.

 

[bicycleheader]

Gana MOTM for me. None of them were particularly good though.

But it was a pre-season game so it doesn't overly matter

 

[paulf]

Great going to the game again...good to see the new guys..was well impressed with Sandro's cameo start at Goodison...his timing of runs is simply superb..once he settles into the team think it will be another bargain buy....Oh and the Hollands cheese pies at Chan's on City Road have gotten bigger (to accompany the chips curry and rice )

 

[hullefc]

We were a bit slow in our play. Not enough people moving into space and with 2 staying on the wings we were predictable. When Mirallas moved inside we played better and there was some good link up play with him, Klaassen and Rooney. Klaassen played well and was moving into space and moved the ball well, was my MotM. Gueye was his usual self getting stuck in and breaking up attacks, did it very well. The CB's didn't really have many outlets again due to the movement in front of them Gueye needs to move 10 yards or so up the pitch when we have the ball. Schneiderlin's passing was poor last night and will probably improve as he gets more match practice.

Sandro made a hell of a difference when he came on was busy and moved around a lot. If he does that then someone needs to move down the middle. Still think we need a bit of guile and seeing that Barkley is off then Sigurdson will provide that. A front 4 of Sandro, Rooney, Klaassen and Sigurdson would work well and with the full backs bombing on and Gueye as well we could become a better attacking force.

 

[PhilM]

Gana for me by a long shot deserved the MOTM, although to be fair there wasn't much choice apart from a comfortable Keane at the back.

However, the moment where he (Keane) had the ball on the right of the box resembled Bambi-on-ice which brought a few laughs from the crowd.

Quite a sluggish, disjointed performance overall with a lack of pace was evident up front, yet I hope that'll be rectified by the opening game.

 

[Legend Barry Horne]

Shows the 3+ more signings are still required. Shows even spending £100-200m won't necessarily bridge the gap to top 6 - those next signings will be key. And the young players will need to come through and make a real impact as the season progresses....

 

[Legend Barry Horne]

I was pro Rooney coming for the winning mentality, benefits off the pitch, and ability to make some contribution on. Also some were against, saying he was a bit over the hill on the pitch. It may well be that both sides are correct. Will be interesting to see how he's deployed - lack of pace does seem to be an issue and may struggle to make an impact vs top opposition. Certainly very capable of moments of genius however. Signing another striker is absolutely key. Believe we do run the risk of actually being less effective than last season (at least in the short term). We're definitely moving forward in terms of of 3-5 year vision however - and patience required....

 

[McMagic]

I'm with Bluebonic here.

Puzzled at the dislike of Gana here, thought he did well.

I don't dislike any players at all, other than the totally abhorrent Luis Suarez!

 

[chrismpw]

better a wool than a RS

Confusing. Most rs are wools though.

 

[Paulinho81]

Just watching the replay down here.
Hard watching Everton trying to score a goal. Real hard watching.
Made impotence look potent.

Very underwhelming. A bitch of a game to be highly motivated for but also an eye opener. Yet again we suffer from a serious lack of pace. I only hope the genius that is Walsh gets his bum in gear and makes a real discovery. Not a 28 year old discovery from Palace Swansea or Leicester.
These so called dicoveries and great scouting could have been done from a fan with one eye. No pace is our killer as usual.

 

[Paulinho81]

I don't dislike any players at all, other than the totally abhorrent Luis Suarez!

Gana an Mirallas were the only 2 players last night willing to move out of position to try an stretch the game or make something happen. Not much worked for Mirallas he got the sky report MoM.
Schneiderlin will never be as good as the best Gareth Barry. He cant move at all.

 

[Marius57]

My breakdown of the performances:

Stek: good save from offside header but kicking and even short passing was very poor and put us in trouble a couple of times.

Cuco: yes, nervy to watch when defending, but actually put some great balls into the box which no one attacked (probably as we aren't used to good crosses going in) but the defending is an issue.

Keane: looked strong in the air and often nicked in front of players to intercept. Looks happy with the ball at his feet (in own half). Seems very assured.

Williams: Put us in danger a few times, seems unfit and not ready for competitive matches yet.

Baines: got forward well, had a lot of space, didn't use it well enough but that's been happening for last couple of seasons as he slows.

Schneids: played well, spread the ball out wide well and got back when needed. Professional.

Gana: MOTM for me, but mainly based on 2nd half. Thought his passing was poor in first half hour, but improved a lot. Seemed a lot closer to being fully fit than the rest.

Klaasen: some brilliant play, and should have done much better with his chance. Seems to like one touch and clever play which at times (his dummy) was probably a step ahead of teammates who didn't read what he was doing.

Mirallas: main threat imo, showed the only pace we had till Sandro came on. Looked to make runs and take people on to get a sight of goal. May play a big role just because of his pace and directness.

Dcl: worked hard, made some good chances. I like him but he is not a winger.

Rooney: had some good moments but first touch and passing was poor imo. Hopefully it will come back. His shooting was a bit rushed as he clearly wanted to impress and mark his return. Jury's still out.

Subs: Sandro- similar to mirallas review really, wanted to shoot at every chance which I like.
Lookman and davies: not a lot of time for either, can see that being their roles a lot when opp is tiring.

 

[ToffeeDan]

Koeman picks his own men.. (data based on season of debut for youth developed players)

Moyes players: Baines (Jagielka, unused sub), Mirallas. (Unselected: Garbutt, Coleman (injured), Barkley (injured))
Martinez players: (Barry, unused sub) Davies (substitute) . (Unselected: McCarthy, Robles, Besic, Dowell, Connolly, Lennon, Pennington, RFM (injured), Niasse, Kenny)
Koeman players: Stekelenberg, Martina, Williams, Keane, Schneiderlin, Gueye, Rooney, Ramirez (sub), Lookman (sub), DCL, Klaasen, (Pickford, Holgate unused subs) - not selected: Bolasie (injured)

So all of his signings, bar the injured Bolasie, were selected last night. This suggests the possibility of two camps in the squad now.. the old and the new.