Match Thread Everton vs Ruzemberok, Thursday 27th July, 8.05pm

[Gladystweet]

Have never understood the reasoning behind why other teams results are used to try and put our results into perspective.

It's baffled me as well.

 

[GlosBlue]

they've played one (1) league game

could easily have gone to slavakia with a deficit to overturn

And six (6) Europa League games...

 

[Toffe3m4n]

I'm finding it difficult to subscribe to this notion that we're still 'early' in pre-season when referencing our fitness levels. We were woefully off the pace for most of the match tonight to the point were it looked like the players were moving around with lead weights strapped to their legs. First team training started up again on July 3 and we've since played 3 friendlies and now a competitive game - so when will we start seeing these players operating at '100%'? In August against Stoke? Later?

I'm really hoping that we go there next week and show a lot more effort than we did tonight, because we're going to need to if we want to progress.

That being said, I do agree with Koeman's suggestion after the game that the away leg could turn out to be easier for us as the onus will be on them to open up the play, which will no doubt leave them with a few holes. I think overall they (the oppo) did well tonight, came with a clear game plan to keep it tight, organised, and work hard and they've come away with a decent result.

That being said... Sandro Ramirez though eh?

 

[DownOnTheUpside]

And six (6) Europa League games...

there's still no excuse

we could have easily lost that 2-1 tonight and been up against it to stay in the competition

there's quite frankly no excuse for professional footballers to turn up half fit and half arsed to any competitive game

 

[ToffeeTim]

Would it not have been intelligent to have ensured our starters had already got a full 90 minutes under their belt at least once

 

[Gladystweet]

Have never understood the reasoning behind why other teams results are used to try and put our results into perspective.

....or games from over 30 years ago.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I'm finding it difficult to subscribe to this notion that we're still 'early' in pre-season when referencing our fitness levels. We were woefully off the pace for most of the match tonight to the point were it looked like the players were moving around with lead weights strapped to their legs. First team training started up again on July 3 and we've since played 3 friendlies and now a competitive game - so when will we start seeing these players operating at '100%'? In August against Stoke? Later?

I'm really hoping that we go there next week and show a lot more effort than we did tonight, because we're going to need to if we want to progress.

That being said, I do agree with Koeman's suggestion after the game that the away leg could turn out to be easier for us as the onus will be on them to open up the play, which will no doubt leave them with a few holes. I think overall they (the oppo) did well tonight, came with a clear game plan to keep it tight, organised, and work hard and they've come away with a decent result.

That said... Sandro Ramirez though eh?

You find it difficult to subscribe to something professional people involved in the game confirm is actually a thing?

 

[McMagic]

would it kill us to play two wingers and two centre forwards?

Rooney constantly looked isolated when playing forward, why not pair him up with Sandro and have lookman and miralles on the wings?

Mirallas is a bum, and always has been dead weight. He must be getting picked for transfer reasons.

 

[Mikelangelo]

Tonight was exacally as I expected it to be. The lads were obviously in pre-season mode and played like it. Early days and obviously we can't really judge anyone based on that. The important thing is we got the result and kept the clean sheet. I'm far more confident about the away leg then I was tonight. Satisfied.

Exactly this. We are in pre-season.... we will get through to the group phase and the competitive games will give us a head start in the premier league!

 

[a bell maul]

I think the quality of the opposition maybe surprised one or two here. They would easily have beaten the likes of West Ham and Newcastle and Brighton.

 

[a bell maul]

We must combat travel fatigue next week. I suggest we park the bus, frustrate their attack and maybe nick a break out goal. But we must be on our mettle; they have some quality players and appear very well coached by an ex international player who clearly knows his mustard.

 

[chippy1722]

We must combat travel fatigue next week. I suggest we park the bus, frustrate their attack and maybe nick a break out goal. But we must be on our mettle; they have some quality players and appear very well coached by an ex international player who clearly knows his mustard.

I can see Barry playing next week.

 

[Abraders]

I'm finding it difficult to subscribe to this notion that we're still 'early' in pre-season when referencing our fitness levels. We were woefully off the pace for most of the match tonight to the point were it looked like the players were moving around with lead weights strapped to their legs. First team training started up again on July 3 and we've since played 3 friendlies and now a competitive game - so when will we start seeing these players operating at '100%'? In August against Stoke? Later?

I'm really hoping that we go there next week and show a lot more effort than we did tonight, because we're going to need to if we want to progress.

That being said, I do agree with Koeman's suggestion after the game that the away leg could turn out to be easier for us as the onus will be on them to open up the play, which will no doubt leave them with a few holes. I think overall they (the oppo) did well tonight, came with a clear game plan to keep it tight, organised, and work hard and they've come away with a decent result.

That being said... Sandro Ramirez though eh?

In regards to Koemans comments...

Hmmm... like SK Brann did??

I'm worried about the second leg, we genuinely need to improve tenfold and ensure we progress. It would be comical, and a disaster if we were knocked out.

 

[Abraders]

I also think all this 'we're in pre season' talk id mad too, we literally play Stoke in 2 weeks time for our first game of the premier league.

The player fitness isn't going to change that much in two weeks, though the full 90 mins will help.

We simply must win away next week. We should have ruined them today. Everton that.

 

[everton2004]

Wasn't the result many were expecting, but we take a one goal lead into the second leg. Thoughts.......

MFK turned up with a gameplan of "not to lose". They were very hard working and tough to break down. Fair play to them.
Klaassen looks a very good player - will obviously need time to gel properly as will the rest of the team.
Sandro.....very impressed, he changes direction like a housefly.
Keane.....but for one mix up between him and Stek, very composed - could do with another CB to play alongside him.
Rooney.....played well I thought, nice interplay between him and the other forwards
Gana......well, what can you say that hasn't been said already. Love the guy.
DCL.....struggled a bit out wide but was strong in the air and some nice quick passing
Martina......not as bad as many make out. Clearly rusty and was caught out a few times, but decent going forward and has a good cross in him

As others have mentioned, think there will be changes to the starting lineup next week. Sandro kicked us into life in the second half.

As for the Park End.....not used to watching the match end-on. Looking forward to getting back to my usual seat in the MS