06 Feb 2017 15:43:30
Fantastic game and result on the weekend chaps, it's just a shame Utd or City didn't drop points but we'll keep fighting on, playing our own game and going about our business I'm sure. I'd just like to mention a few things.

First of all, I've seen a few posts questioning Williams and I have no idea why. I don't know whether I'm watching the same game as these posters but I can't believe he's coming in for some flack. His positional play is excellent, if you pay attention to him the whole game count how many times he reads a situation and intercepts the play.

He is also a born leader and adds composure to the back line. Granted he may be a tad on the slow side but he still has a great deal to offer. Also, I never like to criticise players, especially when they're playing well but unfortunately Mori once again showed his ineptitude in dealing with balls over the top.

If you watch their first goal again, our centre backs are in good positions to deal with any threat when Wilshere is on the ball. Just before the ball over the top is played Coleman pushes onto Arter which means Williams has to step up and mark Fraser. After this, Mori simply had to be tighter to King but instead he stood off allowing King to pull away. Despite this, he has been playing well lately and warrants his place in the team, but this is an issue that needs to be looked at in his game.

Secondly, i'd just like to give Schneiderlin and McCarthy a mention as I thought they were both superb. They really dictated the pace of the play and I thought the energy and desire that both of them showed was infectious for the whole team. It looks like Koeman has made a very astute signing and has been very clever in keeping McCarthy on board.

It would be unfair to mention just a couple of players as I could have mentioned the whole team and how well they performed. Joel made some very key saves in the game and is looking like a very top keeper at he moment. We all know the qualities of Barkley, Rom, Coleman etc. They are now playing under a manager who knows how to motivate them and get the best out of them so are beginning to perform week in week out which is refreshing.

It's also great to see that even the players we are bringing on from the bench are having an impact causing Koeman to have a selection headache. It's all healthy competition!

Lastly, I thought the fans were excellent again on Saturday. Goodison is becoming a real bear pit again. We rallied the team once it was 3-2 and really pushed them on to widen the gap and knock the stuffing out of Bournemouth. Just goes to show that the players respond to the atmosphere.

There's many more points that could have been mentioned but I didn't want to drone on haha. Anyway, up the blues!


1.) 06 Feb 2017
06 Feb 2017 17:05:31
Williams and Barry are both excellent footballers but are now at an age were they just can't keep up with the younger and faster players for 90minutes. Against Bournemouth Williams was beaten for pace a few times. We seem to play better at the back with three center-backs and I expect to see that being the norm until season end. If we get into Europe we need at least one and possibly two younger and faster center-backs and Williams and Mori, if still with us, will be back-ups or used for part of games.


2.) 06 Feb 2017
06 Feb 2017 17:08:00
Cracking post that Bitter.


3.) 06 Feb 2017
06 Feb 2017 19:24:09
Your both right to let in 3 goals at home to no disrespect Bournemouth is a worry but it was Barkley last month Williams this month so I wouldn't worry it's just how fans are. and the fans were fantastic on Saturday.


4.) 07 Feb 2017
06 Feb 2017 23:39:26
Good post BitterBlue. I said more or less the same thing about Mori in the live banter page during the game. He is over doing very well at the same time.

I guess there will always be some sort of mistakes no matter how well we play. Joel is stepping up to the plate. Long may it continue. He in the same squads as De Gea and Courtais after all. There must be something to him. Hope he improves even more and develops into a top keeper.