Everton Banter Archive October 25 2015

25 Oct 2015 20:51:09
Swan, I would like to apologise for the times I have defended Howard in response to your posts. I still don't agree he is as bad as you say but he is not the same keeper that we bought all them years ago. He has cost us too many points this season and something needs to give.
I don't believe Joel is the answer either. Despite 3 good games when TH was injured last year, he has looked dodgy in the games against lower league teams in the cups. We definitely need a long term replacement but who is available? In the short term, I would try a cheeky bid for Valdes from United, not the best keeper in the world but I believe he is better than what we have. There aren't many teams releasing good keepers at the moment that is for sure. Who would you have Swan?

25 Oct 2015 21:01:39
In addition to my OP, I was meant to say that we should be a bit more respectful towards TH. He is not the same keeper he was 5 years ago, age catches up with us all, but he has been a great servant to our club and made crucial saves in many games over the years. It's just unfortunate that he is not as agile or decisive as he once was. Every player, no matter what position they play in, will go through this in the twilight of their career. They just need to realise that they just can't do it at the top level any longer. We all know we need a change but let's not forget the good things he has done while he's been with us, he shouldn't be remembered for the mistakes he has made of late.

{Ed025's Note - but if he carries on he will be spud..

25 Oct 2015 21:13:26
Yes but that's the gaffers fault ed not ours.

25 Oct 2015 21:50:39
I have to disagree on Valdes mate, 90k a week for another Keeper who cannot catch. Utd fans seemed very uncomfortable with him in goal. I would love Butland (who has improved a lot this season) or Forster. Though neither are realistic.

25 Oct 2015 22:27:16
Valdes purely because he will be available Swan for a short term fix and then find long term replacement come the summer. Not too sure who I would want but there is a shortage of decent, and available, keepers.

26 Oct 2015 11:30:51
What's wrong with Joel for a short term fix? He deserves his chance imo. What's the point in having him at the club otherwise. Said I didn't rate him first season but last season I was pleasantly surprised with how he done. It was my opinion and I think a lot of people think he got a bit of a raw deal when Howard came back.

All I know is if I was in Joel's shoes and Everton signed a replacement for Howard that will be here for a good few seasons I'd demand a transfer. I'd be thinking what's the point in staying where I'm not wanted.

Give him a chance, haven't much to lose. Win win if you ask me. If he does well then he'd be our keeper. If he didn't then we'd know not to hold on to him. If that was the case then Everton's situation would be no different. Still need to buy a goalie. But we won't know unless he gets his chance to be our keeper or not.

Otherwise what's the point in having him at the club in the first place.

26 Oct 2015 12:52:31
well said NBTB, people mention Joel looking dodgy in the cup, course he will as he knows he can't get in the first team no matter what. When he is confident we know what he can do, he plays well then the keeper issue is solved. He has waited long enough, only have to watch his performances against West Ham and LFC to see how good he can be. Still young too so has time to get better.

26 Oct 2015 12:55:57
As I said NB, he had 3 decent games when he came in last year but he has looked suspect in other games against lesser opposition. I also did not particularly rate him when he was at Wigan. It's just my opinion but I don't think he is good enough from what I've seen of him.

26 Oct 2015 13:55:27
I remember a certain David de Gea looking dodgy when he first came to the prem and look at him now. Confidence breeds confidence so I say give Joel the chance and have a manager showing the confidence in him and maybe he can be the answer he has certainly shown promise in past performances. Anything is better than sticking with Tim 'Dracula' Howard.

26 Oct 2015 18:00:28
Good points Swan and bluegray87. Spudv you could be totally correct and he may not be good enough. Just think we'll never know till he plays at least 5 games in a row. It did take De Gea awhile to settle in.

Please take the chance Martinez. He can't be any worse than Howard. Come to think of it Martinez is partly to blame for Howard's form. He has never dropped Howard. Last season after Joel done well Howard walked back into the team. Played pretty bad for the rest of the season. Howard must of thought he was a shoe in for the team every game.

Maybe just maybe if Martinez gave Howard a scare and dropped him he'd take notice and buck up. Would certainly keep him on his toes. I'd certainly try it now at least. Drop him and if Joel happened to turn out to be desperate put Howard back in and he may have improved by then.

Anyway if Joel is started and is bad I apologise in advance. At least then we def know we need a keeper and also a back up. Won't know till Martinez puts him in the deep end. Go on Martinez could be a win win for everyone involved. Bar Howard who had a very good career imo.

26 Oct 2015 22:52:54
I'm not proclaiming to be right boys, just what I've seen so far doesn't instil me with any confidence. I'll be more than happy to be wrong on Joel as it will save us a few bob in transfer fees. With reference to De Gea, it was always going to be a culture shock coming from a league where the refs protect keepers more, but you're right he improved after a shaky first season. His problem was the language barrier and needing to fill out physically. Joel has already had a season in the league with Wigan, he should be able to hit the ground running. We will have a better idea of what to expect when the teams are named tomorrow, all eyes will be on Joel if he gets selected. Up to him to take his chance and show he should be picked in league games.

27 Oct 2015 10:00:39
Your right spudv it is up to Joel to step up to the plate. We all hope he makes it. I'll be more than happy to be wrong about Joel too. If it doesn't work out for him (which your right its very possible that could happen) at least we'd be in a better position of knowing that. Then the search for a long term decent goalie could start.

Preferably one that can command at least the six yard box and a decent shot stopper. Not that much to ask seeing what they earn.

25 Oct 2015 19:45:41
Evertonians demand Howard be dropped but will he. Well Bobby.

25 Oct 2015 20:20:07
Course he won't, but he should, if you offered me a random swap for any Keeper in the League I would be chuffed as they are all better than him. Even Mignolet or Guzan would be an improvement. I'm just sick of him, like playing with 10 men, 9 actually if you include Coleman. Sunderland next, brilliant, Allerdyce will be launching crosses in all day. People can say why they want about Joel, least he makes a decision, yes he should catch more instead of punching but Howard just sits there. Apparently for NBC he was commentating on the Manchester Derby. He had the nerve to criticize David De Gea for not coming for a cross, are you serious, that's like Victor Anichebe criticizing Cristiano Ronaldo for not scoring enough goals. Won't be buying his book that's for sure.

25 Oct 2015 20:29:06
A bit hard there Swan but can't argue your point mate spot on other than buying his book which I will lol.

{Ed025's Note - the price will be too high stef...and just like tim they will have to drop it.. :)

25 Oct 2015 20:41:11
Haha very good ed very witty as always 😂.

25 Oct 2015 16:50:39
Sack Martinez? R some people for real? We have lost 3 times this season and all 3 teams that have beat us are currently in top 4, not like we getting beat by lesser teams, yes I agree new keeper is needed but to sack the manager because we lost to man city man United and arsenal is utter crap, before the season started and we all looked at fixture list and would ov meek made up with 15 points so we're only 2 points off that, so come on lads cheer up ay!

25 Oct 2015 20:21:46
I just ignore them mate, these are the same fans who boo their own players for not being 3-0 up at half time vs Manchester City.

25 Oct 2015 10:25:02
Before the game, I expected arsenal to batter us. The frustrating part is watching the game and we had a chance to get something from it. I think if our players did the basics right, we have enough skill to win any game we play. On their day, (not often enough), lukaku is an unplayable tank, Barkley is up with the best in the league, big, strong just needs to sort his decision making out, mirallas and lennon have pace to burn and geri can turn milk. At the other end mccarthy and Barry have been relatively solid. We have excellent young defenders - stones, browning, Galloway, even funes mori, who I was worried about. But just like everyone else, my main frustration has to be the goalkeeper. If we had southall or martyn, our defence would have so much more confidence and a lot of our draws would be wins. Sorry about the essay, it's just that this is the best squad we have had since howards 80's winners and us fans have been starved of success for so long, we just want something to cheer.

25 Oct 2015 10:46:14
Brilliant post mate. Sad thing is, this is one of the best squads in the country but we are let down by having such a poor Goalkeeper.

25 Oct 2015 11:11:15
Thanks Swan, we got potentially good young keepers but do we throw them in and they sink or swim or down give Joel a go. I'm not totally convinced by him but he is better than Tim. Tim been a great servant but time to go back to MLS or be a keeper coach somewhere.

{Ed025's Note - the sooner the better Geoff..

25 Oct 2015 11:23:17
Think Joel has to play, he looks shaky in the cup but what do we expect. He knows he isn't going to be in the first team. Can't judge him once every few weeks. He needs confidence, when he had his run in the team he was excellent. His distribution is brilliant as he can kick it and start counter attacks. Howard waits and rolls it out and gives the opposition plenty of time to get back.

25 Oct 2015 11:30:02
Have to agree, ed. I know I said it before but this squad got good blend of youth and experience, with some potentially highly talented youngsters in U21's, (henen, Rodriguez, ledson, Kenny, etc) if we had a rock in goal, we could finish anywhere, even top 4 with chelski struggling and everyone beating each other.

{Ed025's Note - I think top 4 may be beyond us Geoff, but if we play the right formation and start games the same as when we are 2 down..we could deffo be top 6 or 7 mate..

25 Oct 2015 11:58:53
Agreed, ed. Martinez stuck with 4-2-3-1 formation. No plan b. Why not try diamond with 1 holding midfielder and 2 up top. At least if you play different formations depending on opposition then future opponents can't plan how to nullify you, which is what happens a lot atm. He was good in first season, especially against utd when he played it long or arsenal when lukaku played right wing. Creative formations and varying styles of play mean we could adapt to the opposition tactics.

{Ed025's Note - he is very rigid Geoff, when Ross plays deep it seems like we have 3 holding mids and a massive gap between the midfield and an isolated lukaku, I'm thinking of applying for his job mate..what do you think?.. :)

25 Oct 2015 12:21:21
Think you'd do better. Although, sometimes I think my missus would do better job and she don't even know offside rule. Maybe a young manager from lower down leagues would be good. They seem willing to learn and adapt and have a passion to improve both the club and themselves.

{Ed025's Note - to be honest Geoff I expected Martinez to be like that..best laid plans of mice and men and all that hey.. :)

25 Oct 2015 12:55:10
Also, ed. I suppose we got to be grateful for one thing. We could support Newcastle, Sunderland or villa.

{Ed025's Note - or even Liverpool Geoff .. :)

25 Oct 2015 14:05:25
Hahaha. True dat.

25 Oct 2015 14:45:13
Thought the line up yesterday was good, real intention to attack, but while we keep making so many defensive errors we are always on the back foot.
Sorry to see Jags injury but it gives Funes Mori the opportunity to stake a claim now.
Soetimes its as if we could do with moyes managing the back four and Martinez the rest!

{Ed025's Note - our midfield is the problem wakka...barry has a brain but no legs, mcarthy has legs but no brain, barkley loses heart at times...friggin hell this sounds like the wizard of oz.. :)

25 Oct 2015 14:59:17
Think Besic alongside Barry would be perfect. Has the legs of McCarthy but the Footballing ability McCarthy lacks.

25 Oct 2015 15:17:52
The only problem with besic is he possibly a red card waiting to happen. Plus Bobby doesn't seem to like him. Although, he is only young and will probably mature and prove his quality. I have been surprised by most of Bobby signing not being as bad as I thought they were. I. e. Kone, cleverly, etc.

25 Oct 2015 15:19:14
Besic is full of enthusiasm and heart but again is a bit reckless and a risk with being sent off just like Barry.
Ed025 you are spot on! with your post. So who is going to help these layers develop? they all have so much promise.

{Ed025's Note - thats bobbys job wakka..

25 Oct 2015 04:09:12
Is barkley ever going to for fulfil his potential? .

25 Oct 2015 08:22:22
Saw the whole game and to be fair Barkley is fulfilling his potential, thought he had a good game playing in the position he should be playing in.

25 Oct 2015 09:34:03
This season I think he is doing good but yesterday was prob his worst game for me. From the start there was no urgency about him. Around the 9th minute the ball ran away from him and he didn't bother sprinting for it. He had plenty of time to get it back but he hesitated. Shouldn't be doing that. Should be getting stuck in from the start.

He is one of my favourites, hopefully he doesn't repeat that performance much more for the rest of the season.

25 Oct 2015 09:59:31
The lad is 21 and having a fantastic season some of our fans need to get off his back and start supporting him a bit more.

25 Oct 2015 11:22:34
Hey mate 21 years old rememberanother 21 year old who won the world cup and the hearts of every evertonian to boot alan ball he was running games at 21 someof are blinkered fans think barkley can do wrong hodgson has himself to tee lazy without the ball and when he's lost it expects every one else to win it back for him to lose again last week v man utd he lost it and Lennon sprints 60 yes to win it back only for the golden child to lose again time after time this happens but because he's
ascouser he can do no wrong and don't get mean started about Howard and by the way i'm 59years old not 20 and have seen all are great players and believe me barkley ain't destined to be one cob luv ya.

25 Oct 2015 11:30:19
I did say he's doing good Bluey79. Think there is room for improvement though. Prob my second favourite player but does lie back sometimes when he's well able to get stuck in.

25 Oct 2015 13:03:17
mossley hill al, so if a player hasn't won a World Cup at 21 he can't be great? . Messi and Ronaldo may as well give up then. Woy is deluded, Ross is an attacking Midfielder, Woy is not a man I'd want coaching Everton's young players, he has no clue. Why not have a go at Ozil, Silva or Mata for not tracking back. I do think he needs to get stuck in more, I'm not Ross' biggest fan as everyone on here knows but using something Woy Hodgson said as a way of having a go is ridiculous IMO mate. This is a man who prefers poor hard working players like Welbeck, Milner and Delph over technical players like Ross or Oxlade Chamberlain.

25 Oct 2015 22:35:51
Swan i'm not saying you have to win a world cup at 21 to be great but the hype over barkley has become obsessive he needs to become more of an team player rather than a individual then maybe he could add that little bit more to his game and become a great.

25 Oct 2015 01:21:08
Biggest disappointment for me today was that both manager and players seemed happy to have come away with only a 2-1 defeat. Almost like it was a moral victory. Sad when our best player is our left back and he's only 19. Thought our movement and passing was dreadful today and hate to say it but jags getting injured and Barry getting suspended might just do the team a favour. Top 4? No chance. Top 6 no chance. Top 10 maybe if we stop playing with two holding midfielders, and actually attack teams.