Man Utd v Everton. 5th October at 12.00.

[Robertor]

Loads of positives today including I believe there's been some sense made of the whole pre season debacle considering we looked very fit for the whole 90 minutes today, hopefully Martinez's physio qualifications have come in handy, not a huge positive but it makes the whole Europe affecting games argument a bit less credible. Baines (bar penalty miss), Naisy, Besic, Hibbert, Osman and Stones all did well today I feel. The one overhanging negative however I feel is Howard, he's just racking up mistakes week after week. Shocking from him for their second today, didn't leave the defence any time to settle themselves and again was reluctant to come for crosses. In my opinion he can't be too many mistakes away from Joel getting a game. If Cardiff aren't looking like getting promoted by January I'd love us to go for Marshall, we saw the difference today between two keepers; one wisn points for their team and the other costs their team points. Not good enough.

 

[BlueToff]

It depends on the team. We should have pressed Utd high because or their back line and lack of pace.

We played a few very good possession based team in preseason when we weren't fit. To play a pressing game you need to be fit and I just think we aren't.

We are mate - we just don't have enough quality because pretty much all of our best players are injured. Simple as. We're getting stronger as the games go on. Two weeks for Martinez to sort the tactics, squad morale etc out. McCarthy and Coleman will both be staying t finch farm which is good. Get them fit and ready to go against Villa. Start Eto'o up top with Naisy and bench Rom - let him prove his worth.

 

[toffeejack]

have we ever played 3 consecutive away games in 3 different countries within 10 days before?

The 3 chances we had should have been buried. This is why Eto should've been on as he'd have probably buried that Osman chance or that Barry chance cos he's a striker with striking instincts.

umm, there's a bit more to it than that, he'd have had to actually been in both those postions. not to sure he's in the area for corners either

 

[BlueToff]

It would appear people want Everton to play a long ball game. I thought we supported the School of Science not Stoke City. Stick to the passing game, play football and we will be fine.

We didn't have the players to do it today though mate. Hard with a sluggish rom, and Barkley and Kev injured and an unfit Pienaar. It'll come. Bobby has two weeks to sort it now. Stones injury is the main downside from today. It's absolutely devastating. Just hope he's back soon

 

[marty mcfly]

Just looked at that over the top ball now for the Costa goal in the Chelsea-Arsenal game. Why can't we switch it up and do that for Lukaku more often. No, it has to be tippy-tappy all the way...even when it's not producing results.

Besic played that ball and Lukaku missed last week.

However you're right, we don't take enough risks but have you ever seen McCarthy or Barry hit that pass.

Personally while Utd where poor we looked much better with Besic instead of McCarthy. I just wonder if the McCarthy Besic partnership would work better again.

 

[nsno-chris]

It would appear people want Everton to play a long ball game. I thought we supported the School of Science not Stoke City. Stick to the passing game, play football and we will be fine.

Theres a massive difference between playing long ba and being direct. A lot of counter attacking teams play direct football, its a perfect way of turning defence into attack in the blink of an eye, and using the pace of your team to its benefit

playing long ball relies on picking up the second ball in midfield

 

[Abraders]

World class striker on the bench, brings on osman. Says it all. Be arsed

Osman changed the game though... it was the right sub

 

[Abraders]

Besic played that ball and Lukaku missed last week.

However you're right, we don't take enough risks but have you ever seen McCarthy or Barry hit that pass.

Personally while Utd where poor we looked much better with Besic instead of McCarthy. I just wonder if the McCarthy Besic partnership would work better again.

Wondered this myself. McCarthy has the legs and enginge to do the running that Barry might not do atm, and Besic has the quality on the ball to do something decent with it. Perhaps letting Besic off the leash a bit with McCarthy covering would work

 

[joseph]

Besic played that ball and Lukaku missed last week.

However you're right, we don't take enough risks but have you ever seen McCarthy or Barry hit that pass.

Personally while Utd where poor we looked much better with Besic instead of McCarthy. I just wonder if the McCarthy Besic partnership would work better again.

Definitely worth a try. Besic is starting to become more influential in games as well as he acclimatises to the pace of this league.

 

[Khalekan]

On today's evidence it can only be a matter of time until Besic is starting games even when everyone is fit.

 

[DrEFC]

There's just no leadership in the defence, they look like strangers at times.

 

[BlueToff]

Wondered this myself. McCarthy has the legs and enginge to do the running that Barry might not do atm, and Besic has the quality on the ball to do something decent with it. Perhaps letting Besic off the leash a bit with McCarthy covering would work

That's definitely the long term plan I think. Barry has this season in him though, and hopefully this time next year Besic will have learned from him and Barry then becomes very able back-up.

 

[D410]

We lacked the courage of our conviction. Very worried that the manager and the players seem to me mentally miles apart in terms our game time and outlook both before and after games.

I,ve seen nothing long term that would suggest we are going to get this back on track in a consistent manner.

Positives - We are not in the bottom 3.

 

[ImKoneKoneKoneKone]

Osman changed the game though... it was the right sub

youre right those 3 points proved it

 

[BlueToff]

There's just no leadership in the defence, they look like strangers at times.

Jags and Stones looked solid again though mate. Not many times they tested howard (only the free kick in the 1st half really). They didn't get behind us at all. Their first was a good finish from a world class player, their second was because Howard cocked up. Yeh they had a few half chances from crosses but nothing special. We, well Howard, gifted them the win.

But now Stones is out and Distin comes back in, and the whole defence seems to just panic when he's on the ball. Stones calms everybody down, need him back as soon as we can.