Man City 1-1 Everton. Saturday 1st December @ 15.00.

[harry]

I remember people saying the same about Bily and JMcF....all he needs is time to adapt and a run in a fixed position, though nobody knew exactly what that position was then and still don't now

Wouldn't you rather give him a season then make a decision. Surely that makes more sense than giving up on him after 13 games. The lad has had a serious injury and is getting used to a very fast and frantic league.

 

[Sideliner]

sure give Naismith some more chances but all i am pleading is for DM to give more benchers at least 1 proper chance -
how do you know who to sell in January ? the player who was consistantly average on the pitch or the player who was consistantly a full time bench warmer - we need to rotate our whole squad more if we are in the process of building a team - especially if we have European hopes - at this stage we might as well have had a squad of 15 players - despite average to disappointing results the same players play week in and out - we need a change from our present course - becuase going sideways will take us out of the picture soon

 

[Steve Wigan]

Every week that passes this season I really cant see the massive gap in class that the 'big' clubs had over the rest of the league (or certainly over 'middle ranked' clubs) in the past. We need to grab three points each week. That's how you get a CL spot. A defeat from United or Stoke should be taken with the same sense of missed opportunity.

It really is a poor league. I fully expect us to finish 6th or 7th, but a club bubbling under the well resourced squads favourites to fill the 4 slots can, if they steer clear of massive injury crises and play an all out attacking game, pick up enough wins to darken the doorway into that exclusive club.

I don't agree that its a 'poor' league..I think that the gap between the 'elite', that is what used to be the 'Sky Top Four' nand a number of the others has narrowed considerably. Anyone can give anyone a game.There are less certain winners than there were. The Manc clubs appear to be in ascvedency at present, but they are playing no better than a lot of teams, including us. Third and fourth are definitely up for grabs this year, and its even possible that another(Spurs, or us ?), could upset the current top two. Its the best and most open season for years, and we have a better chance than most of making the top four.

 

[EFCNIK]

I don't agree that its a 'poor' league..I think that the gap between the 'elite', that is what used to be the 'Sky Top Four' nand a number of the others has narrowed considerably. Anyone can give anyone a game.There are less certain winners than there were. The Manc clubs appear to be in ascvedency at present, but they are playing no better than a lot of teams, including us. Third and fourth are definitely up for grabs this year, and its even possible that another(Spurs, or us ?), could upset the current top two. Its the best and most open season for years, and we have a better chance than most of making the top four.

If we could beat Norwich at home I would agree with you.

 

[davek]

I don't agree that its a 'poor' league..I think that the gap between the 'elite', that is what used to be the 'Sky Top Four' nand a number of the others has narrowed considerably. Anyone can give anyone a game.There are less certain winners than there were. The Manc clubs appear to be in ascvedency at present, but they are playing no better than a lot of teams, including us. Third and fourth are definitely up for grabs this year, and its even possible that another(Spurs, or us ?), could upset the current top two. Its the best and most open season for years, and we have a better chance than most of making the top four.

It's narrowed because the 'elite' have come back to other clubs in the last few seasons, not that the others have made giant strides toward them. The Chelsea/Arsenal/United teams of 3/4 seasons ago would have routinely murdered most clubs directly below their level.

It's a much poorer league nowadays.

 

[kenada_blue]

Every week that passes this season I really cant see the massive gap in class that the 'big' clubs had over the rest of the league (or certainly over 'middle ranked' clubs) in the past. We need to grab three points each week. That's how you get a CL spot. A defeat from United or Stoke should be taken with the same sense of missed opportunity.

It really is a poor league. I fully expect us to finish 6th or 7th, but a club bubbling under the well resourced squads favourites to fill the 4 slots can, if they steer clear of massive injury crises and play an all out attacking game, pick up enough wins to darken the doorway into that exclusive club.

Just needs someone to take it by the scruff. 3rd is now achievable for Chelsea, Spurs, and us if we click again.

But the way I see it, Chelsea and Arsenal will turn it on for the final stretch and bag the spots due to the fact theyve done it before.

Moyes needs to go for broke and take even more risks. Theres nothing to lose and everything to gain as openings like this dont come around often

 

[kenada_blue]

It's narrowed because the 'elite' have come back to other clubs in the last few seasons, not that the others have made giant strides toward them. The Chelsea/Arsenal/United teams of 3/4 seasons ago would have routinely murdered most clubs directly below their level.

It's a much poorer league nowadays.

Have to agree.

While I do think everyone below the "elite" have improved massively, the "elite" have become poorer

 

[Walken]

Regards Naismith, it is a rule of thumb at Everton that if people say a player just needs to play behind the striker, then that player is gash

 

[Midnitemike]

Just needs someone to take it by the scruff. 3rd is now achievable for Chelsea, Spurs, and us if we click again.

But the way I see it, Chelsea and Arsenal will turn it on for the final stretch and bag the spots due to the fact theyve done it before.

Moyes needs to go for broke and take even more risks. Theres nothing to lose and everything to gain as openings like this dont come around often

Couldn't agree with this more. Either we act now or the club will take serious steps backwards next year due to the losses of key players and possibly Moyes himself. A point in the bag is the right mentality if your only ambition is to stay in the league, we are good enough this year to get a top four spot and need to press on for 3 points at every opportunity.

 

[GoatJR]

We would of won if Fellaini gave them a peno.
No need for the grab.
Here we have another draw.

 

[davek]

Just needs someone to take it by the scruff. 3rd is now achievable for Chelsea, Spurs, and us if we click again.

But the way I see it, Chelsea and Arsenal will turn it on for the final stretch and bag the spots due to the fact theyve done it before.

Moyes needs to go for broke and take even more risks. Theres nothing to lose and everything to gain as openings like this dont come around often

An inherently conservative manager. He's put together, after a decade, a very handy core of players. But he's also our major obstacle to overcome in order to get a CL place. He'll play safe in team selections and/or fail to change up during a game to break the deadlock or increase a slim lead. Also, we know Moyes cant handle the pressure of expectation. On the run in he'd transmit all his anxieties onto the players. That time we did get 4th we were a good few points ahead of Liverpool, who were in transition with a new manager and all over the place in the PL.

 

[kenada_blue]

An inherently conservative manager. He's put together, after a decade, a very handy core of players. But he's also our major obstacle to overcome in order to get a CL place. He'll play safe in team selections and/or fail to change up during a game to break the deadlock or increase a slim lead. Also, we know Moyes cant handle the pressure of expectation. On the run in he'd transmit all his anxieties onto the players. That time we did get 4th we were a good few points ahead of Liverpool, who were in transition with a new manager and all over the place in the PL.

You'd think though, with his contract renewal coming up, he might just think it'll be more worthwhile doing everything he can to get 4th spot (which even means bullying Kenwrong into ponying up something to push on) so signing for another 4 years means a new chapter.

Reason being is that he's not going to get a crack at another top 4 club and if he left would be pressing the reset button at a similar type club to ours.

Its now or nothing as he's got nowhere to go. Big players will leave if he doesnt get it. And it'll be another rebuild job number 4 if that happens.

No option IMO

 

[EFC Si]

it's depressing how acheiveable even 3rd is (let alone fourth) this season, and as usual we're just not taking our chances and bottling.

 

[mpatton]

Just got back. Good game, although we were a better team, i'm happy with a point. Would have been nice to see Velios come on for 20 minutes as jelavic wasn't a real threat and a fresh pair of legs would have been helpful. Haven't seen the tv yet to determine if their penalty was the right decision.

great stadium as well.

 

[Rook]

Just saw the match. We played well, unsuprising as City is one of the better teams in the league. Nice to see our defense not being a shower with Gibson and Hibbo in. The defending on free kicks though woof.