Elston Gunnn

Mirallas gets a brief reprieve. Ok, 10 minutes.

Hints from US halftime announcer that Deulofeu and Kone are warming up. Presumably, surely, to replace B&M. So, where do Bolasie, Kone, and Deulofeu line up in the 3-across?

Hope Koeman sends Barkley and Mirallas -- and the team and fans -- a signal. Off, now. Give them another chance in second half against Middlesbrough, or preferably wait until Norwich City.

Barkley and Mkrallas off, Lennon and Deulofeu on at start of second half. No waiting.

Barkley piling up,the mistakes. Wake up, score a late goal, or off.

Barkley so poor in so many ways -- giving ball away several times, allowing opponent to outhustle (!!) him for pass 3 times, ball watching as Sunderland moves toward our box, running aimlessly. Maybe he'll hit a scorcher of a goal. If not, sub out at halftime.

Barry will turn 36 in February, As of now, his contract expires next June. If he has a really good season -- say, one of our top 3 players in 2016-17 -- should he be offered, and would he accept, a 2-year extension?

I think Roberto liked him ..........

I'm glad we didn't sign Sissoko, but the Barkley backup is an issue. I suppose Cleverley might fill in very occasionally there. Amd I wouldn't mknd seeing Deulofeu there at some point, with 2 of Mirallas, Bolasie, Lennon on the wings. I guess Kone and Mirallas, possibly Deulofeu, are backup strikers? Enner Valencia at 22:59?

I, too, am very surprised he's not been included for the Slovakia match. Not that I think he's been playing as well as MC11, hafnia, and others say, but because several of the other midfielders don't impress much. As to the substantive issue of his strengths and weaknesses, I'll hold up my hand as one who does tend to focus more on his flaws than his positive play, and so might be "picking on" him too much and not "taking note of what he's doing." What I see him doing, way too often, is trying to dribble past multiple defenders near and in the box, foolishly and repeatedly hoping nearly to dribble the ball into the net, rather than blasting it. Second, too often -- not always but too often -- pirouetting between 2 defenders or reversing direction and losing the ball. Koeman commented a few weeks back on this latter tendency, and said they are working on this problem. What MC11 describes as "giving the team a chance to reshape and have a breather," I see as slowing potential attacks and missing shot opportunities for himself and others. I see Barkley's marvelous abilities and so assume his strengths will become more apparent (even) to me, as he displays them more consistently. And perhaps I am simply wrong about the weaknesses.

Playing very well for Baggies today. LB, getting forward quite often, confident, took a good shot, couple of good crosses.

For me, back 7 all played well. Gana, Holgate, Williams, especially. Barry unspectacular but so smart. Steckelenburg a couple of good moments. Gana everywhere, MOTM. Of front 4, happy to see Mirallas wants to shoot, and boy does he. Bolassie gassed before finally taken off, but dangerous. Lukaku just not finishing well right now. I assume it will come, but I don't see 30 goals there. Nor £60m. I'm not a Barkley fan. Just have to admit my bias. He seems to want to walk it in, make too-clever-by-half-assed passes, foolish turns. He is so gifted physically, intermittently exciting, often disappointing. I'm just not a fan. As he matures, maybe he'll become a great one.

Ref today is Michael Oliver. Is that good, bad, or no news?

Coleman out several,weeks. http://www.evertonfc.com/news/2016/08/13/coleman-faces-several-weeks-out

Next 6 EPL matches all definitely winnable. Even with injuries and window-uncertainties, we need 12-13 points from next 18.

One of the reasons Spurs have too much time on the ball approaching our box is that Barkley is gassed, or at least wandering around, threatening no one with his "defense."

Barkley still on the pitch?

Wonderful to see every player working hard. Excellent half, with 2 minor exceptions. Funes Mori got away with bad defending on non-foul. And Barkley still trying to control ball among 2, sometimes 3, defenders.

This looks right to me. Possible these 10 would line up more as 3-4-3, with the up-top 3 switching intermittently. Holgate Jagielka Funes Mori Lennon Gana Barry Baines Deulofeu Barkley Mirallas

Speculation here is £11-12m: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/aug/10/everton-sign-ashley-williams-swansea-city http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/37036709 Presumably "based" on other speculation that the original - rejected - offer was £10m.

Jagielka's in final year of contract, I think.

Did Williams play mostly at RCB or LCB last season or two at Swansea? Is he like Jagielka, comfortable playing either/both?

Stream .... http://www.hesgoals.sc/news/8749/Everton_vs_Espanyol.html

Will appreciate regular comments, as no tv or radio here. Was trip inside or outside box?

No way of knowing whether he will recover in time to play in a few matches next spring. But if -- true, if -- he heals and suffers no long-term effects, he has plenty of time to establish himself as a valuable player for Everton. His contract runs to 2021.