weebittight

Nolan had his head turned to look at the ref before he even hit the deck. Clever from him. They offered very little and scored a hugely deflected goal. Big Sam also made a tool out of himself with his comments about Noble "getting the ball" in the sending off incident. Phil Mitchell made the right call there.

Different story entirely when you have a centre forward with a physical presence as well as ability. Totally deserved three points. Martinez has matched my expectations - and more.

Birmingham, Portsmouth and Wigan were going to be in the dogfight. A better example is Swansea. Their cup run did not effect their season and they have just heaped more glory on themselves by a. matching The Shite on Monday and b. winning at The Mestia last night. Wigan returned to London a few days after their Cup triumph and gave Arsenal a game for over an hour. As pointed out by Hafnia thier season was devastated by injuries to key players - a couple of whom even missed the win over City. We have a much stronger squad than Wigan did.

Agreed. The obvious choice.

We should have won one last season - but Moyes was out-coached at Goodison by someone. You need a lot of luck but a lot of people might see us as a good bet for one of the domestic knock out trophies. The reality is they are the only things we are seriously competing for other than 6th place < which you cannot parade on an open top bus> I know people who massively undervalue the League Cup - but I think winning something gives the club a lift - not to mention a European berth.

Like your team and your thoughts regarding selction bar the Spanish kid - El Pive? Believe me I am a trumpet blower for the youngters to get a chance but this lad seems very raw. Think a home game against one of the smaller clubs might be best re a starting berth - but certainly an increasing amount of minutes off the bench would blood him more gently into a a pace of football he has yet to encounter.

I would definitely start Lukaku. Osman was singled out by Martinez for a strong second half performance so I'd expect this to be the only change. West Ham blow hot and cold but are tough to beat at home - and their keeper can be unbeatable on occasions. I fancy us to win a close one.

Chuffedtobeblue

I mean all the negativity towards Martinez has been put on hold for the moment and tranferred to McCarthy. Could some of these whoppers not give the boy ten games or so before making a judgement?

My thoughts. Chelsea certainly missed a bagful of chances which I think is to be expected with such an array of creative talent. The Happy One did us a favour with his team selection I thought. Yes we rode our luck but we also defended brilliantly at times too. Barry the star performer for me - but Osman finished the game buzzing after an erratic start and we had a number of other who were on top of their game defensively. Flicked through a number of other Everton fan sites this morning and the negative attention has now turned from Roberto to McCarthy < after watching him for twenty minutes> We really do have some wabs among our support.

He cannot do the things Pienaar can when he is out wide but he has a habbit of popping up with a goal. The boy is so obviously a second striker Full marks for the shift he put in and for being Johnny on the spot for his goal.

Not far off where I stand on Moyes thiis. All the " Liverpool have spent this and that " after a defeat rang hollow very quickly with me. I don't miss him and I think given time with this new boss we will come back stronger and far more watchable which is important to me.

That is very disappointing to hear. Hopefully the Martinez plan for this season's trip to Anfiled is to have a go at winning. I made the point earlier in the week but it bares repeating. Moyes always talked a lot about what we didn't have. Accentuating the positive seems to be a strong point with RM - which I find refreshing

I think United have taken more points of us than any other team in SKy era. Other than City the others mentioned have largely feasted un us but in fairness we have gone down to some quality goals from richly talented individuals like Drogba, Henry, Torres pre transfer and Van Persie. I am sorry to say it but our record at Anfield under the Wizzard was pitiful.

O'Neill would be an excellent choice and I am guessing he may fancy a chance at managing at international level. I remember him playing for Distillery before he left for Forest. I am old.

Should be a cracking game. Unfortunately for me I am delivering pizzas on satuday from five o'clock. I will listen to it on the radio in the car and watch a recording. A draw would be a great result but a win would kick start the season. I absolutely loathe Mourinho. Ideally we win and he is hit in the nads with a misplaced clearance.

Don't like to see this personally. The majority of Irish players I heard yesterday and today have plenty of positive things to say about Trapp. Twitter is a curse in my opinion. I don't want to hear what the players think - I just want them to show me effort and skill on the pitch and realiise just how fortunate they are to be getting mega money for playing a sport. Me and my aching prostate are currently working five nights a week on top of my day job - so I don't care if Darron <daft spelling> has the hump or not.

Lot of folk were predicting cricket scores against us simply because Martinez walked into the building - it's at the other end where we have faltered so far. Good players make good tactics and we have plenty of good ones. I am very encouraged by what I have seen and who we have brought in. Let's see where we are in ten games.

In fairness I can understand why a lot of fans like him - he appears passionate etc etc but empty vessels make much noise. I prefer the strong silent types myself - eg Stubbsy, Gary Stevens. They didn't have to pump their fist for me to know they loved The Blues.

Yes

A good appointment. I also met him one day in a sweet shop in Lymm, Chesire. He was stood next to me in line at the counter. I froze and didn't speak to him. He probably appreciated that in hindsight.

I am not a fan but I think he has the body shape, look and gait of a midfielder whose best position is central defence. His Premiership bow - away to Portsmouth - at right back was truly dreadful. He was roasted continuously. I have honestly seen sixteen year olds have better debuts. He was billed as a 'Jack of all trades seasoned international' but for me he is what the Americans call a "Tweener" - neither fish nor foul <defender or midfielder> I never bought into the fist pumping. It reminded me of the bipolar Gravesen who was either sugar or shid from game to game and within a game. I know nothing about him off the field but I simply cannot believe he is still with us because he wants to be.

What was that? I couldn' hear what you were saying. Open your mouth when you speak Ps I said I wasn't offended. Lighten up eh?

Lot of people here in Ireland have similar difficulties with the accents of our English cousins. No offence taken.

Never fancied him. One of the worst players to have played in a World Cup final. Lot of fist pumping masked some very ordinary performances. I will concede he did have one good prolonged spell in his time with us. An upturned jug ratlled with a stick that's him - lot of noise very little substance.