Toffee_in_LA

Big game today, have not felt this energy for a cup game since... the FA Cup derby I think. Hope the outcome is a lot better for us. We just need to get through, fly the English flag for Europe.

Wouldn't we have been unbeaten the whole of 2014 at Goodison then lost in one of the last games we had in 2014 to Sunderland (?)

Think you're talking about 2013 when Tim Howard was sent off and we conceded a pen to Sunderland.

Unfortunately, I was at a bbq the entire game so I couldn't listen but luckily, I heard it through the Everton app. I was really nervous hearing how much they attacked us the first 5 or so minutes, but delighted with the result. Lennon, Alcaraz and Lukaku received continuous praise. Can't wait to see the 20 mins highlights when they become available in the states. Now on to the Europa before another big game against QPR.

 

Straight down the middle penalties are probably just as effective as carefully placed ones given that the 'keeper virtually always chooses a way to go leaving the middle of the goal empty (unless he can get a foot to it). Stats on it would be interesting.

I remember being in one of my econ classes (game theory) and we had a penalty kick problem/study done that had recorded all the penalties taken in a league since its inauguration (can't remember which one). Point being, you should always choose to kick it to a side (assuming that neither you nor the goalie know which way the other is going). You are always much more likely to score by picking a side, never pick middle. Hope that makes sense but it's kinda hard to explain

Edit: I completely explained that incorrectly. Think about it like this, if I'm the penalty taker and I think the goalie is going left, I go right. If I think he's going right, I go left. If I think he's staying down the middle, I pick a side. It's never to your advantage to pick right down the middle because as say looking at Lukaku's PK, the goalie went one way but still got a foot to it.

4-0 now and the Aston Villa that couldn't score goals seems to be gone

Unlucky Ossie, great cross from Lukaku, he can be such a bulldozer on his day.

Roommates yelled at me when I celebrated the goal, lol. GET IN THERE!!!

Think we are running out of gas here, lets get a goal here blues!

Really worried that we are going to get sucker punched here, we need a win

Oh Barry... get it on target at least

Mirallas off leaves us with no width once again though, don't know about that

Atsu warming up?

Hi fellas. Just got in from work.

 

So how dogshit have we been tonight?

Horrible first 30 minutes or so, much better since

Naismith has been poor today but saying he has been one of our worst players this season is just inaccurate. He had a good first half of the season and like the rest of the team, his form has dipped since.

 

?

I bow down and say I was wrong, He just isn't a LM and that is frustrating me, not his fault of course but I'll eat crow any day of the week if he can keep doing that, all for the team

WTF WAS ALCARAZ DOING THERE!!! HOLY SHIT!!!

Why didn't Lukaku lay that off... I don't know whether I'm sad or pissed right now, the fact that that was our first shot too... sad

GET NAISMITH OFF!!!!!!!!!!

Even the commentator is saying we have no width. We need to get them on the counter because our play right now is just... sad, plain, boring

Our passing is fucking atrocious... are players closing their eyes when they pass it?

The players need a fire lit under their asses. We are playing at home and yet they are playing like headless chickens

FFS, we might get buried here... and that was Barkley that gave him the free run there... FFS

As someone that doesn't mind fans jeering too much, I think they need to get behind the players right now, not be on their backs

They've had two really good crosses so far, Jags fell asleep on that last one

I have a midterm that I should be studying for... but I'll be watching the game (and studying a bit). Like some of y'all mentioned, I wish I could enjoy the competition/this game but our league form really has me worried so I am not really looking forward to this.

I like your optimism Brett.

 

What if the manager doesn't select the correct tactics as appears to be the case up until now?

 

I think he has had a reasonable length of time to create a side that suits him ( he didn't inherit a poor team ) and hasn't provided anywhere near the required cohesion within the team or points!

 

I don't mind losing so much if there has been grit, determination and a good level of play but I'm not seeing that in the way I did with motes for example.

 

Saying all that I haven't got a clue who would be best to take over!

Firstly, welcome to the forums Felix, I'm definitely liking your constructive posts that you have given thus far . You can probably tell what side I am from my profile picture and signature but as late as last week, I said that I would keep him for the season. After this game though, and especially the first half, I can't see how to justify keeping him on. Get him out!