Everton v Ruzomberok Report and MotM Poll...

[Abraders]

Said it before will say it again, I completely disagree with this whole 'it's just pre season' malarky.

If we lose next week and get knocked out, is it 'just pre season'??? No absolutely not.

In fact last nights game was everything we worked for in the entirety of last season.

 

[Bluecranks]

Said it before will say it again, I completely disagree with this whole 'it's just pre season' malarky.

If we lose next week and get knocked out, is it 'just pre season'??? No absolutely not.

In fact last nights game was everything we worked for in the entirety of last season.

It's not 'just' pre-season, but it is pre-season all the same. It was a competitive game and I would have preferred us to be more energetic but we can't peak in July with a Premier League season still weeks away. Ruzomberok were playing their fifth competitive game, so that was a factor.
The crowd didn't help, either - they - okay, 'we' - were as flat as the team when a bit of atmosphere might have got the team going.

 

[Abraders]

It's not 'just' pre-season, but it is pre-season all the same. It was a competitive game and I would have preferred us to be more energetic but we can't peak in July with a Premier League season still weeks away. Ruzomberok were playing their fifth competitive game, so that was a factor.
The crowd didn't help, either - they - okay, 'we' - were as flat as the team when a bit of atmosphere might have got the team going.

True about the atmosphere, but Everton know they need to play well to get the fans on board. It's almost always been like that in recent years!

 

[leslad]

Although it wasn't the best performance, it was the first time in a hell of a long time where I was genuinely excited to watch us and see how we could make a new look squad work.

It will take time properly integrating players like Rooney and Klaassen with what we already have. Can't deny their skill though, compared to some of the utter faeces we've had play for us like Cleverley and Kone, and that also makes it exciting.

Can't wait for the next match

 

[gixerk6]

Said it before will say it again, I completely disagree with this whole 'it's just pre season' malarky.

If we lose next week and get knocked out, is it 'just pre season'??? No absolutely not.

In fact last nights game was everything we worked for in the entirety of last season.[/QUOTE

Hopefully next season if we are in this competition we will do better in the league so we won't have to go through all this qualifying crap and be in the group stages straight away and therefore have a full pre season under our belt

 

[formerly manx toffee]

Sandro looks good so far, Keane has made a few bad mistakes but has gotten away with them. Gana is only half a player, he wins the ball
quite often, but doesn't have a clue what to do when in posession, get the £7M back from Villa and give it to Barkley to enhance his contract,
Last night was crying out for Barkleys class!

Really note sure where to start with this.

Sandro was energetic and had a nice touch. Ran into odd places though. Went outside rather than inside. I am non commital. I think he could be a gem but last nights performance was Luke warm.

Keane. Thought he did ok actually. Did look funny when he got free in the last third. Nose bleed time.

Gana. Best player on the park by a distance. 7m is a steal. At his age, in his position, in this market....heaven knows his value. Your amount squared I suspect.

Barkley. Doesn't want to stay. Offered 100k by all accounts. I defend him from the boo boys as he is still developing and I do believe in him. Not worth more than 100k though and wants a new challenge. Bye Ross.

Actually I think Davies may have made a difference last night.

 

[Woolly Blue]

Said it before will say it again, I completely disagree with this whole 'it's just pre season' malarky.

If we lose next week and get knocked out, is it 'just pre season'??? No absolutely not.

In fact last nights game was everything we worked for in the entirety of last season.

It's just a coping mechanism mate.
If we'd won 5-0 people would have been saying it was a great start to the season.

 

[Abraders]

It's just a coping mechanism mate.
If we'd won 5-0 people would have been saying it was a great start to the season.

Agreed.

I really thought we'd spank them, off the pace or not.

 

[blueblue]

It is a problem every season for different teams. It is a huge game for the opposition, for Premiership teams it is a training exercise crossed with a competitive game, a difficult challenge.

At this stage last season we would still be playing games for fitness and touch, later games bring intensity and fine tuning.
As the manager says next week will see Everton fitter and somewhat closer to being ready to play.

 

[Agent Blue]

Keane got my vote for just looking like he belongs. So calm, positionally aware and likes to play football but not overplay (yeah you John Stones)

Totally agree, self assured confident performance. At least he gets to play in his natural position unlike some of the others ie DCL, not the lads fault but a winger he is not.

 

[Huyton Layne]

Totally agree, self assured confident performance. At least he gets to play in his natural position unlike some of the others ie DCL, not the lads fault but a winger he is not.

Yeah. Still a little baffling that DCL, a striker that doesn't seem effective on the wing, gets to play on the wing ahead of lookman and never gets a chance as lone striker even as a sub.

 

[streeky]

The love in with DCL continues. I hope the manager learns from this performance, against a packed defence you need someone with the ability to go past someone. If DCL, cocu the clown and mirallas start over there, i will be a bit worried.

 

[Conspiracy-theorist]

Wasn't great, but I fancy us to be sharper with Sandro on from the outset in the away leg.

I'm also confident we'll score at least once, and I can't see them scoring three.

 

[Abraders]

The love in with DCL continues. I hope the manager learns from this performance, against a packed defence you need someone with the ability to go past someone. If DCL, cocu the clown and mirallas start over there, i will be a bit worried.

I think Martina could maybe be swapped out for Kenny, and Sandro start over DCL. Perhaps Lennon over mirallas for his workrate and a bit more pace for the counter.

 

[McMagic]

Really note sure where to start with this.

Sandro was energetic and had a nice touch. Ran into odd places though. Went outside rather than inside. I am non commital. I think he could be a gem but last nights performance was Luke warm.

Keane. Thought he did ok actually. Did look funny when he got free in the last third. Nose bleed time.

Gana. Best player on the park by a distance. 7m is a steal. At his age, in his position, in this market....heaven knows his value. Your amount squared I suspect.

Barkley. Doesn't want to stay. Offered 100k by all accounts. I defend him from the boo boys as he is still developing and I do believe in him. Not worth more than 100k though and wants a new challenge. Bye Ross.

Actually I think Davies may have made a difference last night.

I always struggle in conversation with posh people, a £70M price on your head, a person that lives on the Isle of Man, and a man
that puts an 'E' on the end of not. PS. Davies is a good kid.