Steven Naismith

paulbefc · November 8, 2014

bluemangroup said:
He's in a really excellent vein of form and I'm glad he's doing as well as he is, but this is where the manager has to earn his wages. Naismith isn't going to win us every game and we've got one of the best young players in the country ready to go. Rotating between those two while keeping them both hungry is a horrible balancing act for Martinez.
You could maybe put both in behind Rom and put Pienaar on the left. That could work.

I do think there's a chance that could work. It's certainly worth trying.

What can't happen is Naismith getting dropped for Barkley, unless it's the odd game purely for rotational purposes. That would be a truly dreadful message to send Naismith and the rest of the squad. Barkley has been unconvincing since his return and Naismith has been great for a year now. Ross needs to win his place back from the bench if we're not going to try and accommodate both in the same XI, just like Naismith did. If he's all that, it won't be a problem and won't take him long.

bluemangroup · November 9, 2014

paulbefc said:
I do think there's a chance that could work. It's certainly worth trying.

What can't happen is Naismith getting dropped for Barkley, unless it's the odd game purely for rotational purposes. That would be a truly dreadful message to send Naismith and the rest of the squad. Barkley has been unconvincing since his return and Naismith has been great for a year now. Ross needs to win his place back from the bench if we're not going to try and accommodate both in the same XI. If he's all that, it won't be a problem and won't take him long.

Think you've got to know when to pick and choose which opponents each of them play against. It'd be cruel to drop Naismith straight up for Barkley though you are right. Barkley has to have a chance to play himself into form as he doesn't seem to be as sharp off the bench. It's a conundrum really.

paulbefc · November 9, 2014

bluemangroup said:
Think you've got to know when to pick and choose which opponents each of them play against. It'd be cruel to drop Naismith straight up for Barkley though you are right. Barkley has to have a chance to play himself into form as he doesn't seem to be as sharp off the bench. It's a conundrum really.

If that's true then that's his problem. If he has to start, there's still the EL. We all want him to start sexing everyone as we know he can, but he needs to pull his finger out. I don't want to sound like I'm having a go at him, I'm just considering the scenario where we're not considering playing Nais and Barkley in the same team and so holding him to high (Naismith's) standards. He's not hitting them currently.

bluemangroup · November 9, 2014

paulbefc said:
If that's true then that's his problem. If he has to start, there's still the EL. We all want him to start sexing everyone as we know he can, but he needs to pull his finger out. I don't want to sound like I'm having a go at him, I'm just considering the scenario where we're not considering playing Nais and Barkley in the same team and so holding him to high (Naismith's) standards. He's not hitting them currently.

Team selection should be on merit and Barkleys match sharpness shouldn't come at the expense of Naismiths good form. On this we agree. Just a bit of a dilemma really unless we play a fluid system with both of them there and a proper winger on one side at least.

strummer · November 9, 2014

A lot of sense spoke there lads.good stuff.they've both got match winning attributes and I agree with you blueman this is where bobby earns his corn.horses for courses

Haston · November 9, 2014

They have linked up well in the past, thinking about Barkley's brilliant goal against city last season, Naismith's one touch lay off was sublime! It will be one or the other tomorrow unless Naismith starts out wide!

Furey1878 · November 9, 2014

paulbefc said:
I love the myth that Naismith inhibits the performances of other players.

The Naismyth?

Jadubsee · November 9, 2014

Can we talk about Steven?

Has there been a player in the past decade who has embodied Everton more than this man? Hated as a useless signing under Moyes, your boy Naisy - the Albino Terrier - has become indispensable under Bobby Brown Shoes. I could kiss the lad. Works hard as, displays supreme intelligence, scores goals, is a constant thorn in the opposition's side, wins headers above men two feet taller than him...

I can't recall any player who's changed my opinion as much as Naisy. Everton, him.

orly · November 9, 2014

Imagine if Dalglish in his prime had the Kopitery nuclearblasted out of him - like what happened in the Fantastic Four cartoons in reverse

The talent and the albino milk complexion, plus the good character, are what is now left embodied in the great Naismith

royalblue66 · November 9, 2014

Going to be. Our. Player of the year is the Phantom.

bizzaro · November 9, 2014

royalblue66 said:
Going to be. Our. Player of the year is the Phantom.

He's going to GHOST right in and win it is Naisy

davek · November 9, 2014

Naisy sits this one out today.

Makes sense. It's good we have a different option on the bench to turn a game with if we have to chase it. By that point it'd need two up top which suits him.

Haston · November 9, 2014

davek said:
Naisy sits this one out today.

Makes sense. It's good we have a different option on the bench to turn a game with if we have to chase it. By that point it'd need two up top which suits him.

Yep it does make sense, he has played a lot this season and when you factor in his work rate it makes sense to rest him! Good option to bring on against tiring defenders