Everton v Spurs. 3rd Nov @ 13.30.

[davek]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/24797343

Too right.

Their doctor needs sacking after that. You dont accept the player's own subjective call on health issues. And the Spurs manager has made himself look a proper nobhead for two weeks running.

 

[davek]

Just wanted to say lads, having been to the Hull match and the Spurs match yesterday, it was an absolute pleasure to finally get to Goodison Park. It was a dream come true, honestly. To all the lads in the Upper Gwladys two weeks ago and Park End 2 yesterday, thanks for making a Yank feel more then welcome. Now to count the days down until I can get back (probably years rather than days).

On the game itself, I thought we were really, really poor in the first half putting in maybe our worst half of football since our ****show agains Robbie's Wigan team last year. The second half was better, especially once those proactive subs were made. Honestly, I don't think that Spurs side is all their made out to be, all style and no substance, notably from that awful diving cheat Soldado. Finally, I thought, as you all must as well, that the officiating was terrible throughout, absolutely terrible.

Spot on. I'm amazed we failed to take a golden opportunity to grab 2nd place yesterday. I dont rate this Spurs team at all. They have some solid players like Sandro and Vertonghen but they are not vintage Spurs. They cant score and dont look like scoring or creating chances a lot of the time. We had way too many players go missing there yesterday. I think that was a hangover of the Moyes days when most of those players on duty were petrified of seizing the day and striking out to claim a big victory/important leap.

I'm cheered by the fact Martinez has given them a kick up the arse at HT and sent them out to force the issue. In retrospect, I reckon if the Lloris injury hadn't have occured we'd have gotten the head of steam up to take the victory yesterday. I think the crowd sensed it and that was the source of the frustration in booing the long delay Spurs took to sort themselves out re a substitution (that never came in the end).

 

[Sozzled]

Spot on. I'm amazed we failed to take a golden opportunity to grab 2nd place yesterday. I dont rate this Spurs team at all. They have some solid players like Sandro and Vertonghen but they are not vintage Spurs. They cant score and dont look like scoring or creating chances a lot of the time. We had way too many players go missing there yesterday. I think that was a hangover of the Moyes days when most of those players on duty were petrified of seizing the day and striking out to claim a big victory/important leap.

I'm cheered by the fact Martinez has given them a kick up the arse at HT and sent them out to force the issue. In retrospect, I reckon if the Lloris injury hadn't have occured we'd have gotten the head of steam up to take the victory yesterday. I think the crowd sensed it and that was the source of the frustration in booing the long delay Spurs took to sort themselves out re a substitution (that never came in the end).

They were lacking a clinical striker. They have one on the bench. If he'd have started I think they may have scored in the first half. Soldado just looks completely out of his depth. Positional sense is terrible.

 

[Pabbers]

They were lacking a clinical striker. They have one on the bench. If he'd have started I think they may have scored in the first half. Soldado just looks completely out of his depth. Positional sense is terrible.

He needs time, and a midfield that is happy to even try to get the ball to him.

 

[davek]

They were lacking a clinical striker. They have one on the bench. If he'd have started I think they may have scored in the first half. Soldado just looks completely out of his depth. Positional sense is terrible.

Doesn't matter who they have on as forward because they dont get service. Lennon and Townsend are too concerned at driving inside themselves than getting balls in from wide that can aid a striker.

This Spurs team under AVB are VERY conservative. They needed sorting out yesterday by us. It's a big shock and disappointment to me we didn't do them.

 

[SteKelly]

They were lacking a clinical striker. They have one on the bench. If he'd have started I think they may have scored in the first half. Soldado just looks completely out of his depth. Positional sense is terrible.

Soldado is clinical mate. Positional sense is terrible? I wouldn't say that like as he was only good in Spain because he could finish. Thats all he is. (a finisher) and he was at the right place all the time.

I would say hes worth about 15-20m not 35

 

[Sozzled]

Soldado is clinical mate. Positional sense is terrible? I wouldn't say that like as he was only good in Spain because he could finish. Thats all he is. (a finisher) and he was at the right place all the time.

I would say hes worth about 15-20m not 35

10 PL starts four goals, 3 from the spot hardly clinical so far. Great record in Spain no doubt but the fellas under a lot of Critism from his own fans. They have Defoe on the bench who has 8 goals in 13 appearances.

 

[Pabbers]

10 PL starts four goals, 3 from the spot hardly clinical so far. Great record in Spain no doubt but the fellas under a lot of Critism from his own fans. They have Defoe on the bench who has 8 goals in 13 appearances.

Defoe is scoring against part timer ffs.

Defoe has had his chance, and is 31 now.

Soldado has been here 2 months.

 

[Sozzled]

Defoe is scoring against part timer ffs.

Defoe has had his chance, and is 31 now.

Soldado has been here 2 months.

How long will you wait for him to start scoring?

 

[Carlito]

Something is going to have to be done about the midfield in January. Barry and McCarthy sit far, far too deep, and the wide players aren't threatening enough to discourage opposition full-backs and wingers from pouring forward.

Limiting space by having two holding players sat right in front of the centre backs worked well enough yesterday, as Lennon, Townsend and Holtby lacked the craft to create chances for Soldado, but letting teams camp in your half is always risky. We saw in the City game how footballers the calibre of Aguero, Silva and Yaya Toure will always find a yard or two to work in, no matter how hard defenders work to smother them, which is why I'm very worried about what will happen when Everton run into Suarez in three weeks.

Still, it's a point gained, especially considering the dreadful first half. I'm just glad Sandro went off when he did - it's like playing against the T-1000 when he's on the pitch.

On the subject of Tottenham, I think their fans are right to be a little bit frustrated. If they're going to pick runners in the advanced midfield positions then they can't expect to get goals from a penalty box striker. They'd have been better off breaking the bank for Benteke instead of ensuring they have three players for every position.

 

[toffee matt]

Great pic of the Street end yesterday

 

[davek]

Something is going to have to be done about the midfield in January. Barry and McCarthy sit far, far too deep, and the wide players aren't threatening enough to discourage opposition full-backs and wingers from pouring forward.

Limiting space by having two holding players sat right in front of the centre backs worked well enough yesterday, as Lennon, Townsend and Holtby lacked the craft to create chances for Soldado, but letting teams camp in your half is always risky. We saw in the City game how footballers the calibre of Aguero, Silva and Yaya Toure will always find a yard or two to work in, no matter how hard defenders work to smother them, which is why I'm very worried about what will happen when Everton run into Suarez in three weeks.

It depends on the opposition faced, I suppose. I think you saw yesterday Spurs leaving Sandro on his own to DM duties for long spells, but I dont think they'd have done that if we'd have had Barkley in there from the off. Martinez was probably delighted Sandro was removed and sent on Barkley to expose them there shortly after.

As for us, we need to see McCarthy add a more probing dimension to his game. I think he has it, tbh. I've seen flashes of him carrying the ball forward for Wigan, Ireland and Everton. Whether Barry can sit in front of our back four and hold on his own is the greater doubt.

 

[Pabbers]

How long will you wait for him to start scoring?

How long would I give a player that cost 30 million Euros ??????!!!!

 

[Ihaters]

Great pic of the Street end yesterday

Can't tell whether that looks more like they are taking the mick out of Howard, or failing in their attempt at a salute during the remembrance minute.

 

[Carlito]

It depends on the opposition faced, I suppose. I think you saw yesterday Spurs leaving Sandro on his own to DM duties for long spells, but I dont think they'd have done that if we'd have had Barkley in there from the off. Martinez was probably delighted Sandro was removed and sent on Barkley to expose them there shortly after.

As for us, we need to see McCarthy add a more probing dimension to his game. I think he has it, tbh. I've seen flashes of him carrying the ball forward for Wigan, Ireland and Everton. Whether Barry can sit in front of our back four and hold on his own is the greater doubt.

If McCarthy starts being a bit more adventurous in his passing then it may not be a problem, but at the moment I feel Everton are susceptible to being pinned back by teams that press high up the pitch.

Not that I'd put all the blame for that on Barry and McCarthy. They're getting very little in terms of an outlet from Mirallas, who is supposed to be the one to get Everton moving quickly onto the front foot.

Having said all that, the transition period we're in is bringing far better results than I ever imagined, so the vibe is still very much a positive one for me.