bluenosetoffee

I agree if we are going to fill a loan space I would rather Gerry also. I have watched Januzaj play and because there is that much hype on him he goes at things alone, he basically plays as an inside forward not a winger. Gerry plays as a winger takes on defenders and crosses the ball well. I would want Gerry over him any day.

I, like everyone was optimistic when we signed Lukaku. The statistics speak for themselves, the two seasons before he signed for us the only two strikers who scored more were Suarez and RvP. He looked a force in his first season at Everton and now he doesn't look half the player he was. Some aspects of his game have improved but others haven't. His passing seems to be better and I agree with his back to goal improvement. What he hasn't improved on is his touch, he can have such a terrible touch at times. I also don't think it is down to Lukaku either, fact of the matter is the whole team hasn't played well. Not just Lukaku, our defence is poor as well. Something seems to be missing in the squad from last season but I can't put my finger on what it is!

I have said it once and I will say it again, it is tempo in the game. I know Martinez is all about patient passing and slowing the game down but this season all the tempo has gone out of the game completely. Now teams have cottoned on that if you put pressure on us straight away we will more than likely fall apart.

It is a tough one between Besic and Barkley. Besic made some great and important tackles, wasn't afraid to make a challenge. Went into a challenge now and again a bit strong but played really well. Even his passing and awareness is good, when he gets the ball he doesn't panic, made a few mistakes yesterday but he is still learning. Barkley playing as a holding midfield though, you see a different part of his game. He can collect the ball, take on defenders and pass the ball well. I was impressed with both of the players but Barkley for me just for the goal and how he took it. Also made a few key passes.

Lukaku for me, he didn't even get into the game. Eto'o and Kone looked more of a danger than Lukaku did and Kone was only on the pitch four minutes.

Garbutt had a great game, he took on defenders and got back and defended as well. His deliveries were good, so can't complain. Kone has a nice touch, looked strong and is good on his feet. He played well also and I would like to see him in the first team more. All the other youngsters didn't really do anything, I don't think Ledson had a great game, he needs to know when to pull away from a foul. That comes with age I know but he gave away needless fouls trying to get the ball back. I might be to critical of him but I don't think the rest of the squad could get into the first team. Browning has a lot to learn and I think loaning him out in January to a championship club would be the best option.

Something just isn't right at the moment. Last year when watching Everton play I was amazed, this is the kind of football I wanted us to play. (Not long ball tactics). This year we don't seem to be clicking as well for some reason. Not sure why though but when watching Everton play this year it seems different. When we were drawing against lesser opposition last year we didn't sit back we went for the kill. Now we score a goal, try and score another but to no effect. The second half against Hull was poor. The game against Spurs was even worse. Teams seem to be cottoning onto the idea that we do like patient style build up but put pressure on us, we fall. The last two games whenever we had the ball two players were on our player not giving them room to pass and play our game. What got on my nerves yesterday was we were drawing against Hull at home with 10 minutes to go and we looked the worse team. We didn't look like scoring, we didn't look a threat. We even went back to our old tactics of hoofing the ball up long to hope someone gets a head on it! The patient style of play is fine but a bit of tempo wouldn't go a miss. Quick 1-2 passes! Not 1 pass, take your time then under pressure and have to pass back to the keeper!

Why can't we put a game to bed anymore!? The first half yesterday we were the better team, Hull didn't really threaten. Last season we would score goals! One point we went 4 games scoring 3 goals each time. Now we can't even get a second! Hull were the better team in the second half. With 10 minutes to go they looked like they were going to score the winner. Listening to the commentators and they said the crowd are urging the team forward but that isn't the Martinez way! I get it, we use patient football but at the same time, with 10 minutes to go and having to pass back to defence or the keeper and not getting it out of your own half is ridiculous. Then when we did get out of our half we gave it back to them straight away! We looked like a team that couldn't play football in the second half and made them look like Bayern Munich with how they were pressing and us pushed back! I do believe in Martinez and I think he is a good manager but when we are drawing 1-1 a bit of tempo is needed not patient passing and waiting for the opening. Everyone played poor in the second half. Barkley is frustrating at times, can be world class. IF he passes the ball once in a while. It was the same with Sturridge! When he first went to Liverpool he wouldn't pass. He then adapted his game and is now one of the best forwards in the league! Against Spurs was a great example, Barkley taking on defenders on the edge of the box. Has McGeady on his left, Lukaku on his right (Ok Lukaku was man marked but McGeady wasn't). He had a shot and basically passed it to the keeper! We are missing McCarthy and Naismith. (Although I think Besic did play better this week than against Spurs). Anyway lets put that game in the back of our minds and focus on beating City on Sunday!

Lukaku McGeady Barkley Naismith Besic Gibson Oviedo Distin Jagielka Coleman Howard That is providing that Baines, McCarthy and Barry are all out.

I agree with everyone else, he had a good WC but that doesn't mean we should get him. Enner Valencia had a good WC but I don't exactly rate him either. Arsenal should send him out on loan to another premier league club to see how he does first.

I would take him if what is said true. A year loan and 7mil after that if we want him. He is a young CB and could be decent. Recently signed a 5 year contract at Barca so not sure what to believe.

I call bull****!

Jagielka for me but Stones is a close second. I voted for Jagielka not only because of the goal but him and Stones played well. I have slated Jagielka recently saying he isn't the same player as last season. I still think he isn't as good as he once was but it was a top performance by the defence in general.

I would play Browning. I know it might be chucking him in the deep end but I wouldn't want to rush Coleman back from injury so soon. Browning is a natural CB, but he is strong and could hold the ball up field. My starting 11 would be: Howard Browning Stones Distin Baines Besic Osman McGeady Naismith Oviedo Lukaku

Herrera is a BIG loss to United. I spoke to United fan today and he said Herrera to United is like McCarthy to Everton. Can't agree that much as he has only played 4 games for United but he said he tracks back and is the spine of midfield. Hopefully Coleman will be back against United. See how fit Shaw really is or isn't as Van Gaal suggests.

He would be a great signing. He is a good counter attacking player and he would fit in straight away at Everton.

I think he played well against Crystal Palace. He took on defenders and cut inside the box. Gave defenders a real problem. Only problem I have with him is his passing is a bit weak and he doesn't track back. He isn't as technically gifted as Mirallas or even McGeady but he has pace which will cause Man United a lot of problems.

Mirallas will be a big loss for us. I would start Atsu on the right. With his pace and United's defence being the way it is then it is there for the taking.

Tim Howard has a book coming out at Christmas which would be an interesting read.

Tim Howard isn't overrated, he is having a bad spell at the moment but I am confident he will come out of it stronger than ever. The amount of games he has kept us in as well. He is a big player and having him in nets gives me more confidence than if we were to have Robles in. I agree not to write him off either but stick with FA Cup for now. He doesn't catch the ball, he doesn't get down quick enough, doesn't close players down and doesn't use his voice to control his defenders. If Robles was in nets for the first 5 games we would be conceding more than normal. I remember when De Gea started for United and he was shaky as fook but now if one of the best goalkeepers in the league. The difference being United had a good defence so took the pressure of him a bit. With our defence the way it is we would literally chucking him in the deep end. I agree with Jagielka, since the WC he seems to have lost any pace he did have. Still a good player but it is safe to say his best days are behind him. Distin is quick and manages to track back quickly. I can't recall any clumsy fouls this season that Jags hasn't made either. This weekend if Coleman is out I would start Hibbert on the right with Stones and Distin in the middle. I also agree with signing a new defender. Alcaraz isn I can't agree with Barry though, it is working that combination at the moment. McCarthy the workhorse that he is running all the time and Barry making the important tackles/interceptions. It is a bit like Gerrard and Henderson combination. The whole team is playing bad at the moment and to drop Barry for Besic wouldn't be the answer.

Isn't Galloway a DM?

Bring Davey Moyes back as defensive coach and defensive scout!! ;-)

What does everyone think of this cup? Be good to see how far the team can go. Hibbert is supposed to be back and Oviedo and Kone is a possibility. I would start Joel Hibbert Browning Jagielka Garbutt Besic Gibson Atsu Osman Oviedo (If fit, McGeady if not) Kone (If fit, Naismith if not)

I disagree I think McGeady was on of our better players. When going on the counter attack he was the difference and played some important balls and held up play. I do agree about the tracking back though but maybe he has been told that by Martinez. Maybe Martinez didn't want to shut up and shop and wanted more goals. I noticed when Eto'o came on McGeady started to run back and Eto'o said something and for some reason it looked like they were playing two up front near the end McGeady and Eto'o were in line with each other. Maybe this was because Gibson came on and was told to cover the right field or something because we had 3 centre midfielders on the pitch with McGeady, Mirallas and Eto'o all playing up top on the counter. Yeah we were very lucky with the score but that is football like you say. Another team giving them that much space would punish us, Chelsea being a good example. We didn't really close them down last night and let them get the shot away on more than one occasion. Again maybe this is a Martinez tactic to back off the opponent, don't go to tight to the player and get punished but at the same time giving them loads of room is asking for trouble! I think if anyone had a mediocre game it would be Lukaku. I do believe in him don't get me wrong, it has only been 5 games into the season. His hold up play was great and was good with his feet once he had the ball under control. Wolfburgs players seemed to be a lot quicker/stronger than him though. Also his passing is terrible and his touch can be poor as well. How many times did Lukaku take on defenders yesterday and go for the pass and misplace it, I lost count if I'm honest. I do think he is a good player but yesterday he had a bad game in my opinion.

Good result. We were good at the counter attack as well. What worried me though was how much space we were giving them outside the box and letting them get their shot away. We held off them and didn't close down enough but overall happy with the result!