bluenosetoffee

No matter what manager we get in we will be in the same situation. Even if we went for Conte in the summer instead of Benitez we would be in the same boat. The club can't spend anymore money unless they sell. I think FFP is a joke, it should only affect players in the European competitions. Otherwise it is just making the "elite" clubs stay "elite". Anyway, the manager isn't just at fault for the recent performances. The players are showing no passion, no heart and there is so many players who think they are bigger than the club. Team morale is at an all time low and has been for a long long time. You can see that when players are arguing with each other instead of having each others back. It is frustrating the way we are playing but still have to give Benitez time to try and change things.

We do need another CB and Zouma would be perfect fit. He has been at the club before and I really think he would flourish under a manager like Ancelotti. Mina IMO is just not consistent enough, Holgate/Keane would be the pairing.

I don’t see much from Kean to suggest he should be given a chance over Tosun or DCL. His attitude is poor. Dropped from Italy by Mancini because he was late to team meetings, dropped from Southampton game because of the same issue. Does he train well? Is his attitude poor in training? Is he all that is cracked up to be? Every time I see him play he tries the same trick, ball comes to feet and tries to turn the defender and in premier league that doesn’t work. Only young so hope I’m wrong. Silva needs to be given time, I think we’ve been to hasty with sacking managers. Martinez being an example - highest point total first season, 2 semi finals another season and sacked with 1 game remaining and no chance of relegation? (This was without a budget and given the chance to get his own players) Koeman was sacked after 2nd season, yes in relegation but that was in October and not given the chance and now Holland are playing well under him.

For me it would be between Unsworth and Ancelotti. Unsworth is a true blue and will show the passion on the touchline. Ancelotti has been there and managed the best players in the world, won champions league and is a great manager.

No nothing in the side....No pace, no imagination, no threat.....If we play like we have done in the last 3 games then it is going to be 4-5 to United. We just don't look like scoring. Whilst United have all the attacking power at their disposal.

To be honest Barkley probably didn't like all the criticism he was getting from Koeman so didn't want to sign a new contract. He is probably used to being nursed and handled carefully back from Martinez and Moyes. Doesn't like people pointing out his bad points and likes to be known as this next big thing player instead.

The whole window Koeman has said he is going because he rejected a new contract. They price him out of the market by asking so much. Barkley has seen everyone going on about how much he would improve under Spurs so he rejected Chelsea to "consider his options in January". What the actual fuck!? He is selfish with the ball and selfish in real life as well. There is no improving him! He thinks he is a lot better than he is because the English media has hyped him up to be the "next big thing". Yet being an Everton fan we know he has his games but is not consistent enough and always tries the shot instead of passing. Sturridge is exactly the same, great player yet will always go for goal instead of the pass when he can! Barkley tonight has pulled down Everton's pants and said nope doing what I want, although we are the ones who have brought him through the academy, made him a player where Chelsea are willing to pay 35 million for him with a year left!! I'm just ranting but I'm sorry I just do not like how this has turned out. We priced him out of a move then fee agreed and then he says no! Let him play in the under 18s, because he doesn't want to be an Everton player as he didn't sign a new contract so why let him play in training!?

Half full - everything happens for a reason and there will always be something right around the corner. In terms of Everton, I am optimistic every season. I'm not like a Liverpool fan where I think each year is our year but I am optimistic. This year there is a definite optimism around and think this is our best chance in years to win a trophy. Only position I think we are missing and Koeman admitted it yesterday was a striker. Against Stoke and other games we just seemed to miss something. I said at the time it was a striker but not just that, I think we are missing a bit of muscle in the team as well. A physical all and out and out player, who can hold the ball up go forward.

I like Pickford, I love how he makes a save but then pings the ball out straight away. I would have loved Lukaku to have been in the team with Pickford, this is what he was calling out for was quick to get the ball out and that he could take on his man. I am living in the past but I think Pickford is that good, the save at the end of the stoke game, saved us 2 points. Then the saves he was making yesterday and screaming at the players, England next no.1 definitely. I don't think Butland has a scratch on him.

It was a shame about the result. Yes United were all over us but we defended well and put bodies on the line to keep the 1-0 lead. Unlucky at the end. I didn't understand Koeman's subs though, Pennington on and Calvert-Lewin. Yes we were getting hammered at the time and added another player to help defend fine. That okay, I get where he is coming from but Lewin on the other hand I don't understand. 1) Barkley was playing well, him and Lukaku were doing well getting United on the break. 2) United defenders were tired and I think we needed a bit of pace. Why not chuck Lookman in the mix and say to him. I want you to run at these defenders, take them on and get past them. Calvert Lewin can't do this but maybe he is better at defending I don't know. Watching the game it looked like we could have easily got a second goal on the counter if we had the right players. Oh well, onto the next game.

It is probably to do with the Benteke deal. They want to make sure they have him before letting Bolasie come to Everton. Same as Stones to City, we wouldn't have let him go if we knew we couldn't get a CB in straight away.

As if Liverpool would sell a player to us. Benteke is a good footballer but looks so out of place at Liverpool and he shouldn't be a replacement for Lukaku. He is good at holding the ball up and at using his head but has no pace. I just wonder if this is the type of footballer we want does that mean we are going to be a long ball, physical team.

I wonder how Rio will do hosting the Olympics. it has been getting a lot of bad press recently but surely if it was that bad the athletes wouldn't turn up, swim or even stay in the accommodation.

I really wonder where these stories come from!? As soon as I seen this I realised, never take notice of what a paper says on football gossip. Only take it as truth if it is on skysports/bbc.

I think Martinez could do well at Belgium. If Lukaku and co don't put thoughts into players minds to begin with, hopefully, it will be a fresh start for players and manager. Martinez is a competition manager, he seems to get the best out of players for cups. Two FA cup semi finals and won the cup with Wigan. Could be a good appointment if given a fair crack at the whip.

If Chelsea are seriously offering 65 million straight up then what an offer! You look at Suarez to Barcelona, that was 75 million and Suarez was consistent the whole time. Lukaku has his off days and can be brilliant one day then rubbish another, this could be down to age but if Chelsea are seriously offering that much then YES! Even without Remy - YES!

Wouldn't surprise me if he signs a new 4 year contract tomorrow with Swansea.

Signed a new four year contract: http://www.skysports.com/football/news/11701/10514311/stoke-citys-marko-arnautovic-signs-new-four-year-contract

Sounds a bit like Mirallas, on his day can beat anyone and shows the flair that we all crave but other days look like he can't kick a ball. All depends how is head is on the day. If this deal does go through I just hope this doesn't mean that Lennon will now be benched most games. He showed the desire last season and looked decent on the wings giving defenders a problem most days.

Also can't see this one happening, he would be worth more than 40 million and if he were to leave he would do it for another champions league club. I reckon he will stay for another season anyway.

He is already thriving at Leicester... 17 goals 11 assists If that isn't thriving then not sure what is to be honest, the man had an unbelievable season.

Sunderland - Nope! Norwich - Nope! Villa: Not a chance! Newcastle: Townsend and Wijnaldum!

Spot on - I do believe his agent is making him talk to much. I also believe like you that he is just a generally a nice person and very ambitious. Unfortunately it looks like he is going to move on this summer but if the reported 56+ million is true, double the amount we paid then we can't turn that down.

I like Deulofeu - I have read through this thread and I am going to reiterate what other's have said it is his defensive duties that let him down. The amount of times he gets frustrated (I notice this when he whips a cracking ball into the box and nobody gets onto the end of it) then puts his hands up in the air and doesn't track back because he can't believe nobody got on the end of his cross. Lennon has been superb on the right hand side for Everton. It used to be Baines/Pienaar combo that teams didn't like but now we are starting to get that with Coleman/Lennon. This is what the Sevilla manager said about Gerry after the loan spell last season: “He has incredible qualities but lacks others. Put him out there, one on one and ... pfff,” Emery told Sid Lowe. “But make him play football with teammates, on a big pitch, and it’s hard. He doesn’t have the maturity or capacity for sacrifice yet. "I told him: 'There are players here who aspire to a contract like yours, men with less talent but more hunger: Iborra, Carriço, Vitolo. They know what it costs. You haven’t experienced that. When you do, you’ll grow. I hope you get that. If not here, somewhere else" What he said about the teammates is interesting, although, I do think he has performed better this season at tracking back and defending he still has a while to go and can't get frustrated and shrug his shoulders if the team isn't performing which he can do as well. So talented but just has that little bit more to learn.

I want West Ham in the next round! Get revenge for last weekend! So them it was a one off