Match Thread Everton v Watford - Preview, Match Report and MotM Poll

[Stanley Parker]

Disappointing performance, especially in second half. Niggles and injuries beginning to show, and we have a tough schedule ahead.

City should field a strong team, but Spurs may well be tiring;
Tuesday 11th December CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Barcelona20:00Tottenham Hotspur
Saturday 15th December Tottenham Hotspur15:00Burnley
Wednesday 19th December EFL CUP QUARTER-FINAL Arsenal19:45Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 23rd December Everton16:00Tottenham Hotspur

 

[cadex]

Performances would suggest that we're better suited at playing away from home. Results at Goodison, as a consequence of a generous run of fixtures, have papered over the cracks a little.

Home results so far: Southampton (2-1 Win), Huddersfield (1-1), West Ham (1-3 Loss), Fulham (3-0 Win), Crystal Palace (2-0 Win), Brighton (3-1 Win), Cardiff (1-0 Win), Newcastle Utd (1-1), Watford (2-2).

We've played all the teams from the bottom half bar Burnley and Wolves.

That highlights the difference between sides challenging for the Champions League spots and us - we find it difficult to break down massed back lines. I'm confident that Brands and Silva will go some way to rectifying that in the Summer.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

Hope you are feeling back to 100% Dario fitness levels soon mate

Thanks macca mate,thats a "terry"fying thoughtlol

 

[Pabbers]

that was pants

 

[zzr45]

Just watched the highlights. Imagine if we could control a ball.

 

[Sharpattack]

Could smell it a mile off.

You weren't alone. I said the best we could get was a draw and was given the bird.

 

[Jeff Jones]

We've taken just three points from Huddersfield, West Ham, Watford and Newcastle at home this season. We've looked a good side at times but that isn't good enough.

It's often said that there are no easy games in this league. Our record in the last ten matches is won 5, drawn three, lost 2. Not that bad, is it?
I mean, it isn't going to win you the league, but that isn't what we were aspiring to on day one. If you were offered the same results in the next
ten, would you take it?

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

We had all the luck but I think the ref then gave them all the free kicks for dives to compensate and we could get a marginal decision on a foul for love or money which gave them momentum in the game.

 

[D410]

Very disappointing the way we lost our focus shape in the 2nd half. Our play is way too slow - allows teams to just sit and pick off the ball from the weaker players in the team.

The creativity is there within the squad but tactically we seem unable to change personal and shape to adjust to other teams.

 

[collymcd]

Think people are massively overreacting. The intensity of the game in the first half was extremely high. Second half we faded while Watford pushed on in that respect. Whether that's down to desire, athleticism, and run of fixtures who knows, maybe a mixture of all. The signs of improvement are there though. Finally we have some very capable footballers on the field. Unfortunately we still have some legacy issues but we'll continue to improve with Brand's oversight.

 

[Brisan123]

Thats a fair assessment. I am not going to [Poor language removed] Coleman off for either goal today, but what I will be critical of him and Walcott was the carelessness in possession in an awful spell after half time.

There was one incident, where Coleman could move forward with the ball, he's about 35 into our half, or play the ball forward. He turns back and play a bit of a hospital ball back to Pickford/Keane (who I have to say don't deal with it well). Things like that in football give the opposition a massive boost.

Likewise in the lead up to their goal, Walcott is trying stupid flicks and gives the ball away. He should have more game knowledge to know, having been on the back foot for 20 minutes you protect the ball there. You get a throw on, or a free kick or clip a ball down the line and get out. It's not the time for a silly flick.

The one positive (which is hard to take post the derby) is that there is a very clear divide (minus a couple of players such as Pickford) between the players we signed in the summer and the players who were here before. Maybe it's an extraordinary lucky window, or more likely the fella Brands knows what he's doing. More players will be needed.

The fortunate thing is, many of the players we are discussing moving on are no longer the Mirallas/Williams/Martina level where you can't give them away. They are decent PL players and we should get reasonable fees for them which can be reinvested, I think in the medium term we will see that.

I don't want to write lads off and I don't see much point in a fire sale in January. People should be given the benefit of the doubt, but you are probably right on the list. I suspect a lot of these las may go come the summer. It's sad, but I think Brands has shown enough for us to know he can find replacements for reasonable fees, so I can see that being the way it will go.

I also think Lookman may go in January. The link to Bernard is fair, but Bernard is much more consistent in his play and much better defensively. If we can get £20+ million for Lookman (which I suspect we will) it might be sensible to take the cash in January.

I’m not normally one for over reaction but after a couple of good performances against Chelsea and the RS the last 2 matches have been unacceptable in terms of performance and results
I agree a bigger cull than we thought will be necessary
As you said apart from Brands signings plus Pickford, Keane Siggy ( who was poor last night ) and possibly 3 or 4 others I’d sell the rest of the squad
I feel I’ve been over protective and too loyal to some players ( Gana /Coleman ) who on their day can be excellent but unfortunately that’s not often enough
Gana was atrocious last night , Voleman was unlucky for the 2 goals and I can’t poinr a finger at him for either of them but overall last 2 games he’s been poor
As you said we may get money for some of our players but the squad is weak for replacements all over the pitch
Brands has his work cut out to sell some of the dross
There was no money to buy Gomes in the summer so unless the puppet master steps out of the shadows I can’t see a lot changing in the Jan window
I’d say we will spend what we take in and possibly a loan in
As regards to Silva as was pointed out changes should have been made earlier , in his defence he hadn’t much to work with on the bench
It’ll be a long hard season with a few bumps but I’ve faith in Brands judging by his record so far

 

[davids]

Think it shows we are a decent mid table side and no more than that.With the squad we have European football next season would be a severe stretch.

 

[Eggs]

Think it shows we are a decent mid table side and no more than that.With the squad we have European football next season would be a severe stretch.

..we could finish 6th or we could finish 10th such is the traffic jam in that area. We could, of course, win the FA Cup but the team need to have the stickability attitude required to make that happen.

 

[davids]

..we could finish 6th or we could finish 10th such is the traffic jam in that area. We could, of course, win the FA Cup but the team need to have the stickability attitude required to make that happen.

At the moment though Europe would be a step too far.

 

[Mutzo Nutzo]

Utter garbage. Worst performance of the season for me. Their entire team gave 200% effort, they ran themselves ragged. They out muscled us, out passed us and tactically they targetting our RH side with Success giving Seamus a night he will want to forget. They overloaded us in midfield so Silva needs to looks at ways to counterract that.

We have got to step it up. Need a massive team performance against City - got a feeling he will deploy keane, Zouma, and Mina as a back 3. Walcott will drop out as he doesn't offer us anything.