Malaga CF vs Everton FC- Saturday 11/08/12 - KO: 20:00

[Cena]

Ahhhh, the predictable "if you question something Everton do, you must be a BU supporter"

That infuriates me.

Anyway, I love how we play terrible teams pre-season and don't play well yet all other teams are playing top European quality.

The day we played Motherwell, Liverpool played Roma. Playing better teams, gives u a sterner test, which is the best preparation for me regardless of result.

We play no-mark teams every year and never put in a performance. Bookmark this and if we beat Utd fair enough, but I am worried about them coming and I can only see another poor start.

 

[RFUS]

TBF though mate, some of our best preformences last season came with Nev and Gibbo in the team, im not saying they cut through teams with creativity, im saying they provided the foundation and licence for out better players to do it.

You have to look at how most teams are setting up, very few teams this year will not be playing with two anchor midfielders behind a front four.

I'd say it was in spite of Neville to be honest mate. Anyone can sit in front of the back four and point. I'd love to see some stats about his pass success rate, as he seems to give the ball away a lot. Also whilst I can remember Gibson, to my surprise, making a lot of very good interceptions and mopping up well I can't say the same about Neville.

Rodwell has shown that when asked to do a defensive job he can do it (Silva vs City) and unlike Neville he has control and ability on the ball, to offer something the other way or at the very least not be a hindrance to us when he's in possession. Plus he's more athletic and far, far quicker.

Our best results last year (the 4-0s) also came without Baines in the team, but that doesn't mean Distin does a better job at LB.

 

[Bigmaclad]

We're gonna win the league lads, no need to worry.

 

[Neiler]

I'd say it was in spite of Neville to be honest mate. Anyone can sit in front of the back four and point. I'd love to see some stats about his pass success rate, as he seems to give the ball away a lot. Also whilst I can remember Gibson, to my surprise, making a lot of very good interceptions and mopping up well I can't say the same about Neville.

Rodwell has shown that when asked to do a defensive job he can do it (Silva vs City) and unlike Neville he has control and ability on the ball, to offer something the other way or at the very least not be a hindrance to us when he's in possession. Plus he's more athletic and far, far quicker.

Our best results last year (the 4-0s) also came without Baines in the team, but that doesn't mean Distin does a better job at LB.

Id have to disagree mate, but then its all about opinion, i think we all know Nev isnt going to make us tick or be playing 45 yard passes. Hes performences at the end of the season were excellent though - he did a lot of hardwork in there - more then Gibbo defensively IMO - but Gibbo was the better/more creative footballer. It was a nice balance.

Its not always about whats done on the ball or last ditch knee jerking tackles in DM, a lot of the owrk is of the ball positionaly setting up and closeing down space, creating that barrier that asks questions of the opposition attacking players, its also about winning the battle.

Listen im not saying, hes a well rounded player, a creative force, but hes very good at a specific job in the team and balances well with Gibbo, im just the ciriticism is harsh. With Gibbo and Nev playing together our defensive record was awsome in comparison to when they were not in the team. That said i think its the partnership that works having Nev in their by himself doesnt appeal to me.

 

[bainesontoast]

Neville:

Pass success - 81% (884/1092)
Interceptions per game - 1.2 (32 in total)

Gibson:

Pass success - 84.1% (390/464)
Interceptions per game - 1.9 (21 in total)

 

[RFUS]

Id have to disagree mate, but then its all about opinion, i think we all know Nev isnt going to make us tick or be playing 45 yard passes. Hes performences at the end of the season were excellent though - he did a lot of hardwork in there - more then Gibbo defensively IMO - but Gibbo was the better/more creative footballer. It was a nice balance.

Its not always about whats done on the ball or last ditch knee jerking tackles in DM, a lot of the owrk is of the ball positionaly setting up and closeing down space, creating that barrier that asks questions of the opposition attacking players, its also about winning the battle.

Listen im not saying, hes a well rounded player, a creative force, but hes very good at a specific job in the team and balances well with Gibbo, im just the ciriticism is harsh. With Gibbo and Nev playing together our defensive record was awsome in comparison to when they were not in the team. That said i think its the partnership that works having Nev in their by himself doesnt appeal to me.

I just can't agree mate. I understand what you're saying and what you're claiming Neville does well, but I don't think he does do it well. He's just so slow and immobile. I only really mentioned what he does on the ball because I think we could have players who do what Neville does defensively but also something on the ball too.

I miss the days where we had someone like Arteta in the centre, making us tick. Now we have workhorses everywhere and the occasional flair of creativity on the left flank.

Neville:

Pass success - 81% (884/1092)
Interceptions per game - 1.2 (32 in total)

Gibson:

Pass success - 84.1% (390/464)
Interceptions per game - 1.9 (21 in total)

To be fair 99% of Neville's passes are 3 yards to the left/right, so that probably makes him look a bit better.

 

[Royal Blue Jersey]

Starting to see why you are proper kitted.

I have to apolgoise for my outburst. I don't really know where it came from - I was stressed on the day but it's no excuse - I think I was just so blinded by some inexplicable anger that I read this comment as some sort of personal attack. Looking at it now I think it's just funny.
So again I apologise for acting like a [Poor language removed]. And to the rest of the thread...

 

[Cena]

I have to apolgoise for my outburst. I don't really know where it came from - I was stressed on the day but it's no excuse - I think I was just so blinded by some inexplicable anger that I read this comment as some sort of personal attack. Looking at it now I think it's just funny.
So again I apologise for acting like a [Poor language removed]. And to the rest of the thread...

Is right lad, well said