Cornish Steve

Increasingly, it seems, the FA has scheduled games for the 'eilte' teams on Sundays and Mondays whereas the hoi polloi must play on Saturdays. It may be subtle, but it creates the impression that only the elite teams matter - which feeds the arrogance of their managers. I must say that I was delighted today that Cardiff beat ManC to prove the pundits wrong. We'll to the same with Chelsea.

Aren't they holding back his career? Shame on them. The player's wishes should always come before finances.

Yes. He'd give squad members the opportunity to play and rest some of the regulars.

He'll get to play against the more open and less physical teams. WBA yesterday were rather like Stoke, and Deulofeu would have made little impact. Play him against Swansea or Liverpool or Crystal Palace and he'll enjoy himself.

Cardiff 1-2 Everton Kone

Any Moyes is doing it again. Several news sources are stating that ManU will offer 35m after their game against Chelsea.

Comments from RM after today's game: “I heard Everton do not sell cheap,” said Martinez, a direct quote from Moyes when he was an Everton manager. [Love it!] On suggestions it was Everton, not United, who chose to make the double bid public, Martinez didn’t hold back, either. “The offer was in the paper before it was made to us,” he said. [in other words, you're playing the press to unsettle my players.] "People should look after their own things internally. I am sure they have their own issues like that. [Rooney, for example.] I could come out and give my opinions about his players, but I will be a bit more respectful. [in other words, I'm not stooping to your level.]"

Hey, come on. The glass is half full. Unbeaten, first clean sheet.

Personally, I think that RM is being too cautious. He said upfront that he would build carefully on the foundations that Moyes built, which explains the Moyes-like line-up and keeping players too deep when they should have been in the West Brom box. Forget that, Roberto, trust your instincts. I'd rather win on 4-3 and lose one 5-4 than draw two 0-0.

The commentator on the stream I was watching (alongside Trevor Francis, I think) said at one point that Fellaini needs to be freed of his shackles. I hate it when the press buy into the Moyes narrative on this. The sooner we can get these transfers done, the better. They are such a distraction.

How frustrating.

If we take off Jelavic now, it will hit his confidence. Have to allow him to make it through some of this half. Then switch to Kone. And replace Mirallas with Deulofeu.

Fellaini is quite impressive today. Barkley is trying too hard to repeat last week's performance. Coleman and Baines are adding width to the attack. Osman poor. Defence too slow to shut things down. Jelavic is missing in action. Let's see how RM changes tactics at half-time. I get the feeling that if we score one, we'll score two or three. Has Howard even touched the ball?

I don't know how RM plans for games, but I'm guessing he changes tactics each week in light of the strengths and weaknesses of the opponents. We can be sure he has a plan to neutralize Long, Mulumbu, and Morrison.

I agree. No injuries. Don't give him that excuse. I want him to lose fair and square because of poor tactics, poor team selection, and mediocre man management.

It's in all the papers right now. Of course, they see the potential for a huge ding-dong, and they might just get it. Moyes' arrogance is quite astonishing. "I know my players", "you're still learning, little man", "I've never cared for finances, just for the careers of my players", "I would have given them up at half-price if Sir Alex had asked me when I was manager". What utter and total crap. Mind you, Mourinho was just as bad commenting on Lambert this week: "He's like I was at his age, but he'll grow up to be like me." Who do these guys think they are? When do ManU play at Goodison? We're going to be so fired up, the fan support is going to be so intense, and RM will go for the ruthless kill. What I wouldn't give for a 5-0 Everton win! Can you imagine the headlines the day after that? Oh, the satisfaction of just dreaming about it. PS - I enjoyed the following tweet: Moyes: "I spent 11 years at Everton. I know how Everton works. Roberto doesn't yet." Martinez: "I've won a major trophy." Moyes: "............"

Personally, I think RM has handled the situation with firmness, dignity, and class.

The guy has lost it. His words are the very definition of hypocrisy. Quite unbelievable. The arrogance of the managers of the Big Four clubs this week has been astounding. I really hope Everton and other teams knock them off their perch. They act like all other teams are no more than their feeder systems.

He's definitely the face is US soccer. Don't underestimate his influence here. We'd win a lot more support from America.

McCarthy, Aldeirweld, and possibly Marrone for Fellaini? Would you still say that's a downgrade?

If it happens, I would guess a number close to 12m.

An excellent read - thanks for posting! The author writes that Everton and Moyes "was not an unhappy marriage but for some, when the curtains were drawn the old bedroom spark just wasn't there any more." Given Moyes' recent attempted steal of Baines and Fellaini, I'd say he's still out to screw Everton.

Of course it depends on the Baines / Fellaini situation. Would you buy a new house before your old one sells? With the influx of 50m (which is what it would take), RM would bring in several new players. Without that money, maybe Everton could afford one more player in this window.

We were promised an "interesting read".

Hey, come on! Is the glass half full or half empty?