Lukaku to Spurs

[Pabbers]

I can see why you think that, but we saw when he's out injured that isn't really the case, he occupies the oppo, and even an off form Lukaku is better than none at all, given our options, as others have said he's only 20 and weve leaned on him heavily in that department all season

The absence of a striker of any note, was the reason we missed him.

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Still want him for 20m tbh.

He"s 500% better than Kone and 10 years younger.

We don't need many new players. Sign up Barry and Lukaku and get two more in on loan = contending for top five again next season.

Don't forget the squad 'increases' by two further bodies in Kone (lol) and Gibson next season, so that'll only go to strengthen us further, plus youngsters such as Garbutt, Duffy and Browning etc will be a year older and pushing the team, Oviedo will be back to fitness, the team will have had a year's experience under Martinez...

 

[Khalekan]

hahaha

Did you see that kopite ranting and raving on RS TV ? Penfold i think his name was.....

He seemed to think Ba was Chelsea's best player lol

No, I didn't see that.

 

[Little Ralphy]

Lukaku needs a lot of work to his game, that's clear for everyone to see.

But I can't help but feel that his latest dip in form is more down to the change in team selection and system. Suddenly he's finding himself in wide areas and Naismith is getting the ball and in to positions that we would want Lukaku in. The problem for Everton is that while he's a willing worker, Naismith doesn't have the qualities that Lukaku has so we don't possess the same threat, especially in games when we are expected to have more possession and make things happen.

Having Lukaku wide also means that we have little to no quality coming down that flank, and no real sense of a link up with Coleman, who is forced to shorten his runs a little as he knows he's getting no help from the big man.

It's like the side has lost all shape and the pattern of play has been affected.

I'd buy Lukaku if we could afford him. I think Bony is actually a better player at the minute. But at 20 years of age Lukaku is almost a no-risk purchase, we could recoup the money we paid for him and then some if he's decent as in 3 years time he'll still be young.

 

[Royal Blue Jersey]

Lukaku needs a lot of work to his game, that's clear for everyone to see.

But I can't help but feel that his latest dip in form is more down to the change in team selection and system. Suddenly he's finding himself in wide areas and Naismith is getting the ball and in to positions that we would want Lukaku in. The problem for Everton is that while he's a willing worker, Naismith doesn't have the qualities that Lukaku has so we don't possess the same threat, especially in games when we are expected to have more possession and make things happen.

Having Lukaku wide also means that we have little to no quality coming down that flank, and no real sense of a link up with Coleman, who is forced to shorten his runs a little as he knows he's getting no help from the big man.

It's like the side has lost all shape and the pattern of play has been affected.

I'd buy Lukaku if we could afford him. I think Bony is actually a better player at the minute. But at 20 years of age Lukaku is almost a no-risk purchase, we could recoup the money we paid for him and then some if he's decent as in 3 years time he'll still be young.

Naismith has been playing behind him. Weve shifted him wide to accommodate Naismith because Naismith is better

 

[Little Ralphy]

Naismith has been playing behind him. Weve shifted him wide to accommodate Naismith because Naismith is better

Naismith isn't better though, that was my point. The side has suffered as a result of the change. Naismith obviously has a far higher work rate and in games when we have less possession may be useful as he works back etc. but in games when we need to go out and create and break sides down, Naismith is taking up positions that we 'should rather' have Lukaku in.

Naismith also offers nothing creatively, and when played behind Lukaku occupies the space that Barkley would normally work in. It's almost like we have shoe-horned a player in cos (you could argue) he possibly deserved as much after some decent displays, but at the detriment of superior players around him.

 

[RaleighBlue]

Naismith isn't better though, that was my point. The side has suffered as a result of the change. Naismith obviously has a far higher work rate and in games when we have less possession may be useful as he works back etc. but in games when we need to go out and create and break sides down, Naismith is taking up positions that we 'should rather' have Lukaku in.

Naismith also offers nothing creatively, and when played behind Lukaku occupies the space that Barkley would normally work in. It's almost like we have shoe-horned a player in cos (you could argue) he possibly deserved as much after some decent displays, but at the detriment of superior players around him.

Have you been watching the same run of recent games as I have?

Naismith offers about 1000% more than Lukaku creatively. He doesn't have the freakish natural talent, but his reading of the game is miles past Rom.

I do think Naisy is best off the bench against weaker teams though. He should start against the top 6-7, and be the impact sub against the rest. Ideally.

 

[Little Ralphy]

Have you been watching the same run of recent games as I have?

Naismith offers about 1000% more than Lukaku creatively. He doesn't have the freakish natural talent, but his reading of the game is miles past Rom.

I do think Naisy is best off the bench against weaker teams though. He should start against the top 6-7, and be the impact sub against the rest. Ideally.

I think I did make the distinction in my first post about 'games when we are expected to have more possession and make things happen'. Naismith can be decent in these games cos of his willingness to work, and we are generally further back in our play. But when we are in possession much further up the pitch, he often just gets pushed off the ball, or loses it easily. I know Lukaku doesn't posses the greatest of touches either, but he is strong enough to at least occupy defenders and provide a threat, which often leads to better opportunities for the players around him. He is a far greater threat in the box as well.

I think I already made the point about when both play, we lose one of the wide areas, or the Barkley influence in the final third.

I just think it's obvious if you take a talented striker who thrives on balls in to the box and play him wide, that his form will suffer. Likewise if you take a naturally creative talent like Barkley and put someone less talented in his space, then you will lose something there as well.

 

[RaleighBlue]

I think I did make the distinction in my first post about 'games when we are expected to have more possession and make things happen'. Naismith can be decent in these games cos of his willingness to work, and we are generally further back in our play. But when we are in possession much further up the pitch, he often just gets pushed off the ball, or loses it easily. I know Lukaku doesn't posses the greatest of touches either, but he is strong enough to at least occupy defenders and provide a threat, which often leads to better opportunities for the players around him. He is a far greater threat in the box as well.

I think I already made the point about when both play, we lose one of the wide areas, or the Barkley influence in the final third.

Yeah, I can see what you're saying. I mostly had an issue with the statement that Naismith offers nothing creatively. I think that's harsh.

I do think they can play well together even when we're expected to have more possession, but I think it's best when Naismith comes off the bench and Lukaku has been battering the center defence all day.

I do think pushing Barkley out wide is a failed experiment so far and should be swerved. He's been pretty anonymous the past two matches (I guess, didn't get to see Soton, but he was nothing special against United).

Naismith is like our Solskjaer.

 

[Barkley85]

he's 20 and needs to be rested he hasn't the stamina to play week in week out, neither does barkley, del etc. look at sterling last year for the RS he went of the boil after half the season as he was knackered. Having a fully fit traore on loan to cover for him whilst he is rested would be brilliant he would certainly be worth the £20 mil+ we would pay for him.

 

[Dutch Toffee]

Just heard on the Belgian radio. Yes, I always have a Belgian channel on that Lukaku might be off to Spurs next season. Their source was a Belgian sportsjournalist I believe, saying that Lukaku could possible join them on loan as a make weight in a deal to take Paulinho to Chelsea.

 

[steken1]

For me if Barry signs we're only a CM and a forward away from having good squad cover right across the pitch.

We don't even need a first choice CM either. That means we can go all out on a top forward. Rom fits the bill.

 

[BlueToff]

Just heard on the Belgian radio. Yes, I always have a Belgian channel on that Lukaku might be off to Spurs next season. Their source was a Belgian sportsjournalist I believe, saying that Lukaku could possible join them on loan as a make weight in a deal to take Paulinho to Chelsea.

That's been reported over here as well mate…

But in the Mirror, so it's probably g**h!

 

[Wat Tyler]

Spurs dont even know who their manager will be

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

Have you been watching the same run of recent games as I have?

Naismith offers about 1000% more than Lukaku creatively. He doesn't have the freakish natural talent, but his reading of the game is miles past Rom.

I do think Naisy is best off the bench against weaker teams though. He should start against the top 6-7, and be the impact sub against the rest. Ideally.

Sort of what Park Ji Sung did for United under Ferguson.