09 May 2015 18:07:15
Im not saying we were awful today, because pretty football was played all over the place bar the 18yd box. Here there n everywhere, but our crosses and passes into the box are woeful and when they do get through its up n over or a pass to the keeper. There was 2 frauds out there which really let us all dowm, Lukaku and Barkley. Lukaku, wants to be the best in the World, Martinez virtually says he is. Well he made it clear in the first 5 minutes where his attitude was heading, 4 abysmal simple passes to the opposition and it didn't get better. Even when clear on goal, just no conviction, and at times downright lazy!! Barkley flatters to deceive, all silky skills going round n round, sideways but ultimately going nowhere! Where are his shots on goals we are all told of, he played in a good role for him today but did he ever look like having a shot of note?! one measley one straight at the keeper and what's even more worrying, he caant do 90 mins. We all know Ossie can't so its why people get on his back, but he does more useful things in 90 mins than Barkley does and has plenty of attempts at goal. Its shocking to see a 21 yo treading water after 65 mins, at times falling over his feet, for once the 21yo bit really has no place here, he should be ready for another 90 mins at that age and its not like he's been overplayed this Season. Like everyone has said, he's no super star in the making, we can all see it, you know when its someone special because there is a hunger in them a bit of devil, its not there with Barkley, he is just a silky footballer who doesn't know how to lead a game and looks to everyone else to do the leading with him just a periphery to the game.
09 May 2015 19:38:09
Some good points there Howie. I will try and be objective here and put my own slant on it without being too emotional. Firstly, RM seems to have his favourites like all managers. Unfortunately Barkley seems to be one of them. I know I am repeating myself, but he signs players who statistics show score few goals. The one exception being Lukaku. I personally thing too much is expected of Lukaku re goals. I have pointed out many times that the majority of our goals have come from Lukaku, Mirallas, Naismith and our full backs. Players like McCarthy, Barry, Besic, Lennon, McGeady and Kone statistically score very few goals. When RM loads the team with these players, the emphasis is that Lukaku must score or we don't win. Or very rarely win. I don't know the exact total, but the list above have probably scored less than 7 goals in total in ALL their games with Everton. I can hear the comments from certain posters now about injuries. blah blah blah. but that list of players have probably played about 200 games for us and scored less than 7 goals. Maybe someone can be arsed to check? Anyway, Lukaku has too much expectation and must be pretty easy to double up on with defenders to nullify his effectiveness. Then you have stopped Everton. For this reason alone, I would nearly always have Naismith and Mirallas in the team. Just because they both score a few goals. In the past Osman would be in this category too, but he is now slowing down and although can still pass a cutting ball through, hardly ever gets in a scoring position. If we lose Lukaku through transfer or injury, in my humble opinion, we are in big pooh. We need 6 or 7 new young players who can contribute goals. I said this last season and was ridiculed. (as I often am for putting through my honest assessment)I really fear for us. I see a good young up and coming player in Barkley who is a good sub to throw on with 20 mins to go playing 90 minutes and in positions that are not his natural. He has the odd good game but overall looks like a little boy lost. Both Mirallas and Naismith should be in the team ahead of him. Or try him up front with Lukaku in a 442 set up. That was another one I got ridiculed for. Not that I am paranoid or anything. My assessment is big worries for us. I just don't see how we can bring more goals to the squad and I hear discontent re Distin, Eto'o and others. I think RM lost the teams support earlier and has done well to recover. But like I said before, we were playing much better football 2 seasons ago with both our full backs being used as overlapping wing backs whipping in super crosses. Our tactics now are not effective for Baines or Coleman overlapping. The slow build up allows the opposition to get 2 defenders on the wings and nullify this type of football. We do get lots of possession. 22 shots today. 4 on target.wow. I wonder if that shows what I am saying? Plaayers like Mirallas who has a wonderful shot or Naismith who works his socks off and is probably our best header of the ball both on the bench. Lennon was good for a couple of games.but like I said.why to Spurs want rid? They are not stupid. McGeady was a terrible signing. Kone was. Barry and McCarthy will never score more than 3 a season between them. To me the future looks bleak. Sorry to be so negative, but that's how I see it. Have done for a while. Last point which I made in a previous post. we can't even beat the bottom teams any more. A few lucky wins this season has put us in a false position. We are actually higher than we should be.
09 May 2015 19:48:10
Nail on the head howie yet only Barkley comes in for stick. We didn't pay nearly 30 million for Barkley that's the difference. Lukaku got put in the pocket of Coates yes that's right the same awful centre half that got shipped out by our neighbours. Tbh what has he actually done this season that makes you stand up and think ay this fella is the real deal and worth what we paid? He doesn't bully defenders he doesn't stretch defences with his movement and he can't win a header. Never mind if a big offer comes in for Ross I'd take anything we can get for Rom.
09 May 2015 20:59:47
Barry got 3 goals last season and mccarthy got 1, that's 4 in total, 1 more than 3, unlucky.
10 May 2015 06:41:19
I knew you would come back with an alternative statistic Swan. But I had counted in those 4 goals in my total sum. Yes you are right. 4 from them two. Besic has scored how many? Lennon has scored how many? McGeady has scored how many? Kone has scored how many?.like I say, probably 200 games between them and less than 7 games. If you are just going to be argumentative for the silly sake of it, I won't bother answering your posts any more. But on this one, I did notice something about football once. If your team scores less goals than the opposition, then you sometimes lose games. I was very surprised when I realised this. Like I said previously. Less than 7 goals in 200 odd games is not enough from the midfield and forwards. It leaves too much responsibility on Lukaku. We need to sign and play players who score goals. It is very simple. Naismith and Mirallas should be in the team every week ahead of Barkley, Lennon, Kone, McGeady and even perhaps one of Barry and McCarthy.
{Ed025's Note - i agree we need more goals from midfield degsy, mcarthy needs to be in the side though mate, its all about balance..
10 May 2015 16:39:21
Degsy doesn't believe in balance ed, just sign strikers and stick them in every position, that will win games!
10 May 2015 21:41:17
Thanks for telling me what I believe in mate. I wasn't sure on that one either. Surely scoring goals is about balance? That's what I was saying. We could include Mirallas, Naismith and McCarthy. But then why play Barry, McGeady, Lennon or Kone? Anyway, whatever I say, Swan will disagree.
10 May 2015 23:00:18
Hey you told me what players I believed where going to be quality so i'm just returning the favour. didn't understand the middle of the post, the whole 'we could include' and 'why play barrt' etc, don't know what you're on about. The last bit is true, mainly because what you say can be summed up to 3 seperate things, your posts are 1. About what a messiah osman is, 2. What a messiah moyes is, or 3. Players who don't score goals aren't good enough. I disagree with all 3 so yeah I agree on the last part, hey we agreed.
11 May 2015 17:52:07
Lol with all the negativity on here lately ed I do enjoy degs and swans banter makes me laugh every time
{Ed025's Note - they are both great posters coby...but need to spend a bit of time on the naughty step mate.. :)