Shukes

Lukaku, Gerry says different. Though your right maybe we won't get a top player in his prime.

That's it precisely. How many times do you see professional footballers lose two steps because they expected offside. Coleman has saves our ass so many times due to jags and Stones being behind a step.

I'm feeling the same. It's just too quiet. I have a feeling they will line up a top signing and use that to satisfy us.

Wasn't it Osman that said they practise them, just not as much as they do open okay. I might have the wrong person. But one of them said...of course we practise them. Could be baines actually, not sure haha. Philosophy is there, just not sure it works. We always practised them. Part of our basic set up.

I see what you mean. For it to work it would need to he structured in a way that gives the attackers an advantage to start. When we did it, it was a training exercise with instructions....not really a match as such. Roberto probably has them doing something completely different....and ineffective.

He trod on Gerrys toe when going to sit on the bench to watch training.

It's totally the opposite to holding the line though. The idea is not to sit and wait for a flag. Keep a good line and then break when you have runners. Premier level defenders should be past needing practise to keep a line....should be haha. No one said they don't practise set pieces either. Even the players have come out and laughed at that. Fitness...from what I have seen its not fitness but motivation that's the issue. Against utd we looked the fitter team at the end...they just nicked a goal. What we lack is effort and motivation. Motivation is a managers main focus.

Don't think anyone's saying it benefits 11 a side Haf....Though it may explain why Rom looks dumbfounded everytime a flag goes up haha.

It's to stop counter attacks running straight through you while your defense stand there waiting for a flag. You just shouldn't rely on it, always hold your line but presume they are on. Not saying that's what Martinez is doing, just that it's nothing new. It's a pretty standard exercise.

With adults too. But yes was 9 against 9 not 11 against 11. It as designed to have players have to deal with breaks and counter attacking football.

Funny reading the comments to that link. One poster said.....didn't Jags get injured from the match? I doubt he was training at all. Good point.

I have done it with loads of teams. I did level one FA coaching too. Can't find where it days it was a full 11 a side match though....that I'd a bit strange. 9-9 yes. But 11 seems strange. The idea was to not depend on offsides, this was why we played 9-9, because of bot defenders just sat back instead of running back. We also implemented defensive zones to combat the sitting back. Football basics, play to the hostel and let the ref and linesmen sort out offsides. Keep your line but turn on your feet and run back.

I was thinking the same thing. Seen it all over. This is a nothing story. Really shocked if Jags kicked up a stink over something as basic as this. Just don't believe it's true for a second.

But is it as lame as Lukakus work ethic?

Feel for him but at least were through this hell of a season now. Get fit and build your strength up and we'll see how good he is next season

Opinion that's all. Mine is that I prefer the club to keep thier business quiet until the right time. I wouldn't expect them to come out and say...he's going when we have another manager sorted. I see it as the same as we have always operated. We try to act profesionally, sometimes it comes across good and sometimes bad.

We're also Everton, we like to do our business with a little more dignity. What will we gain for sacking him before the end of the season? Could there be negatives? For example other managers looking at us and thinking were too much of a risk after sacking Martinez.....wait till the end of the season rather than the upheaval and administration now. Get it all in the place and then do your business.

I think you could be right. Another fifa you tuber. Agents are doing a great job making him seem like a world beater, when really he's just a good player.

Lots of teams have looked at him, but only us and Stokenham shown firm interest....wonder why?

It's not the tackling as much as the effort to retrieve the ball....or offer something when we don't have the ball. I hate to see less than average players walk past him like he doesn't exist. If he had half the effort of Ali then o would be happy. His technique is unquestionable. I don't even have a problem with his decision making, it will get better with experience. His hold up play is excellent. His ball retention is excellent. He just needs more effort. He could be an amazing player. I just hope he isn't going to be a tabloid story in years to come.....Barkley could have had it all.

Not sure what any of hat meant. I looked in the mirror, still didn't think it was Howard's fault. Think I must just misunderstand the English language like you say. Err no I'm not drunk either. Thanks for the compliment though, been a long time since I have been mistaken for a handsome young lad...appreciate it mate.

It's ok wanting Robles to be so much better than Howard, but keep it real please ;-)

So the goal was Howard's fault? Desperation is evident in your voice my friend......or maybe just no knowledge of football.

Would have been pretty surprising if they didn't, they did it at Goodison haha.