Everton v Spurs. 3rd Nov @ 13.30.

[Joey66]

pienaar looked very slow in the first half

needed to be subbed Naismith would have done better!

 

[bicycleheader]

We tightened up after about 25 mins and had two good banks of four everytime Spurs attacked after that. Moved across the field well to cut out their options and after that they rarely got between the lines or in behind us....unless we created problems for ourselves with a poor pass or being caught in possession.

I think we will rarely have so many players in such poor passing form at the same time. Even Barry had a few that went astray second half. Pienaar is being overly criticised, he looked for the ball time and time again and was linking decently in the last half hour. Mirallas was easily our worst player today although Osman wasn't much better I guess.

Lukaku needs to learn composure. He never puts his foot on the ball or pauses a moment before picking his option. He wants to do everything first touch and on the move. Which is brilliant when he is in the box but not so good when being a linkman. His role was crucial in this game and he wasn't up to it.

Thinking back now on the game I would have to say McCarthy was our best player. He was as poor as most in the first 25 but after that, and like Barry, he kept us ticking along and was in the right place for any dangerous breaks for Spurs. He is very calm in possession too.

I think Martinez learns as he goes along and will know that we sorely missed Barkleys energy and pace for that first hour. Right to rest him but maybe the wrong game.

 

[davek]

What your ignoring in that first paragraph is that spurs are a top top team. Yes they may have showed teams how to try play against us but all but a select few will NOT be able to do it with the same quality at there disposal.

We also will get better at handling teams doing that, just as the likes of Swansea, barca etc have had to get used to it.

Yes, and also who didn't know before today that you have to press us to get any joy?! Wasn't exactly a code that needing cracking by Spurs.

 

[Christiffa25]

Anyone who thinks Pienaar was our best player needs to have a word with themselves. Him and Osman were poor. Great subs from Bob - all positive - all with the intention of winning the game. Overall 6/10.

Pienaar was much improved second half tbf. Problem is in the big big games he's not quiet good enough. Same with Osman.

 

[Vaughan]

first half spurs looked very physical and athletic, we couldnt cope, struggled to get out of our half. passign was sloppy and osman did a sire job of linking midfgield and attack

looked a lot better second half but still struggled to create many clear cut hcances. though spurs are a very, very good side.

MOTM for me was Barry. Stifled their creative players and always economical with possession

other positives were that we looked a lot more solid at the back than in recent weeks and Deulefoeu tracked back a few times. Hope he starts next week alogn with Barkley

 

[rochdaleblue]

When we have so many of our top players off form, you have got to be happy with a point. Remember spurs have only conceded 1 away goal all season. At the end of the day we are disappointed because of the performance as much as anything else. Definitely a point gained rather than 2 lost with miralles, lukaku, baines, Coleman and piennar under performing.

 

[Christiffa25]

Yes, and also who didn't know before today that you have to press us to get any joy?! Wasn't exactly a code that needing cracking by Spurs.

Spot on davek

 

[TheFinnFan]

yes but second half he was boss

bobby gave them a speech

 

[deipnosophist]

...the big winner this weekend was Arsenal. Next week, cant see ant result impacting on our remaining 7th other than possibly Spurs v Newcastle. Although, the Toons probably cant do two in a row

 

[davek]

Interesting comment about Lukaku:

Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "In the first half Spurs had the initiative in the game. We were good defensively but we lost the ball too cheaply. In the second half we were completely different, imposed ourselves and forced Spurs to defend in their own half. "It was a very level game but what I will take from it is our character. We found a way to impose ourselves in the second half and I really enjoyed watching a game that both teams tried to win until the last seconds.

"We were making decisions with our heart and trying to get the ball forward too quickly. We know how powerful and effective Romelu can be but it became a pattern rather than an option."

 

[deipnosophist]

first half spurs looked very physical and athletic, we couldnt cope, struggled to get out of our half. passign was sloppy and osman did a sire job of linking midfgield and attack

looked a lot better second half but still struggled to create many clear cut hcances. though spurs are a very, very good side.

MOTM for me was Barry. Stifled their creative players and always economical with possession

other positives were that we looked a lot more solid at the back than in recent weeks and Deulefoeu tracked back a few times. Hope he starts next week alogn with Barkley

Mine too

 

[Brennan]

If Osman starts another game for us I'll cry.

 

[paulbefc]

What your ignoring in that first paragraph is that spurs are a top top team. Yes they may have showed teams how to try play against us but all but a select few will NOT be able to do it with the same quality at there disposal.

We also will get better at handling teams doing that, just as the likes of Swansea, barca etc have had to get used to it.

I'm pretty sure I haven't been ignoring that and have said it's not a bad result. I am talking about today's performance and previous ones.

They're a top team that we're competing against for European places. The performance was a bit disappointing given the importance of the game. Sure, some teams won't be able to stop us i.e. Villa last week and Hull the week before, but Villa could have been 3 up at half time and Hull looked dangerous at 1-1. That's why I'm saying we have to brush up a bit as teams will have us sussed if we don't.

 

[Yid4life]

No real shock for anyone to see that one end in a bore-draw.

13 clean sheets in 17 games for us which is something i suppose - need to start scoring though!

 

[Chang Elephant]

If Osman starts another game for us I'll cry.

Surely that's it now, it can't continue. I aim to live long enough to see a time when he's not cast iron guaranteed his place either starting or off the subs bench.