Match Thread Stoke City v Everton 1/2/17 KO 8pm GMT

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Unsure how we failed to deal with Crouch, who was even doing fancy deft flicks in the first half, such was his confidence against our back line. All in all a pretty meek effort from our back three in dealing with him and Arnautevic. Just delighted we had Robles who was by and far man of the match! Gueye coming back into the side should help us out massively, as he'll cover every blade and stop players having the freedom of the field as Crouch did last night. Gueye 100% to start against Bournemouth.

...it's difficult with a bean pole forward, the challenge is to cut off the supply which is one of the reasons he brought McCarthy on. Adams hit some fabulous crosses in (as well as that ball over Holgates head for the first goal), sometimes its easier to let Crouch win the header unchallenged and concentrate on the 2nd ball. It's what many teams did with Duncan Ferguson.
 

I have to say considering the windy/rainy conditions I thought it was a really good game. We started on the front foot and could have been 2 or 3 up, Everton came back into it right at the end of the half and the second half was just nip and tuck and could have gone either way. I think the officials arguably came to the right decision on the Everton goal although looking at the pair of them probably more by luck than judgement.

Seen quite a bit of Everton now as my in-laws are all Toffees and I think there's the makings of a real top class team there in the next 18 months under Koeman. Probably get shot down for saying it but I don't get the Barkley hype, yes on his day he's superb but maybe it's just when I've seen him he appears disinterested and lacks the right decision making skills when he gets in good positions, he's not a kid anymore I expect more when I see him I'll be honest.

With the inflated English market you could probably flog him to Man Utd for £35m and get a better more consistent player in the same mould and strengthen the team elsewhere. But that's just me, good luck for the rest of the season folks......
 
Our midfield is much improved, which is great to see. However, while it is great to have players like Lookman who can create chances for us (as he did in this game), we would have benefited from a more aerial attacking threat. Not saying to go route 1, but someone who can knock it down for Rom to run on to or attack the goal from crosses. We don't have the players that can play that killer through ball consistently, so we would have been better served playing it wide for Coleman and Baines to cross. This is why I would go with Valencia vs. Bournemouth in place of Kev. He's not the greatest player, but he's better at pressing and is decent in the air.
 
Probably get shot down for saying it but I don't get the Barkley hype, yes on his day he's superb but maybe it's just when I've seen him he appears disinterested and lacks the right decision-making skills when he gets in good positions, he's not a kid anymore I expect more when I see him I'll be honest.

You won't, although we love Ross, most of us frequently cite these as frustrations too.
 

Don't get everyones view on Barkley, the lad is a class act. Who else in the team has the dribbling ability of the lad? Look how many defensive players are on the pitch. Who else can he bounce off in that team? He never has the chance
to display his talent as there is a serious lack of genuine runs into space and no unselfish runs to take away the man to create the space for the lad to run into. Lukaku stifles Ross as most of his runs are turd and requires a holly pass to hit. Poor lad is the only creative player, has to beat 3 men at a time to even get close to Lukaku. Barkley needs another baller to compliment him. Our team is not good enough for him, hope for his sake we invest in some actual ballers before he goes and does a Rooney. We expect too much of him when he is in a team of dross.
 
If Morgan is a def. starter and Gana has been our best player this season and should start, I would have Davies
ahead of Barkley on Saturday. Davies had a couple moments of brilliance in their box whereas Barkley had another of his exasperating games especially in terms of passing and shooting.
 
You won't, although we love Ross, most of us frequently cite these as frustrations too.
the frustration with Ross is because his talent is undeniable. He has the ability to totally boss and dictate games and we expect that from him every match but doesn't do it nearly enough. If he was a bang average player like Henderson or Noble the exceptions wouldn't be so high. Love the fella though and wouldn't sell him.
 

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