Ant1979

A couple of games ago wasn't it the highest points total at that stage since 1986 or something? With a new manager, a new way of playing, that's pretty impressive. Injuries have decimated the squad in recent weeks, an already thin squad. Thin due to financial restraints rather than management failure I would suggest.

As mentioned by others, it's very difficult to get value in the January window and Everton are a club that just can't afford to pay over the odds. I would have thought most fans would be very happy that we're still challenging the top 4 with players just coming back from injury as well. Surely people can't expect instant champions league qualification in his first season, then get all negative when there's a slight blip. I'm still pretty new and don't want to offend anyone, but from the first couple of posts on here it reads like people were just waiting for him to fail. Personally I think he's done an amazing job, just my opinion of course.

Everton 3 - 1 Crystal Palace

Naismith

Love reading your nostalgic posts John, keep them coming

Spurs 1 - 2 Everton

McGeady

Everton 3 - 1 Aston Villa

Traore

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25931648

Finally completed, guess this one can be put to bed... thankfully

I think I'd rather live in Rome myself!

This! Me too, no question about it. Plus Serie A is and always will be more high profile than the Turkish league, regardless of how big a club Gala are

To be fair, having tried to find something out about this attitude thing, there is nothing other than a bit of fan hear say.

The other thing is that he dropped down from a big club in the biggest league in the world to play for Blackpool in the 2nd tier...in order to play regular football. That definately isnt bad attitude.

Can anybody point me in the right direction for tgis bad attitude thing? Like articles, press, manager and player comments etc???

A lot of it is probably based on his dad being a prize wanker, so people think he must be too? Just a guess, others might know more than me

Barry can also play LB if times are desperate, let's hope Baines stays injury free though

We already knew about this injury it's been discussed in this thread, that's why a couple of people had reservations, including myself. Lets hope there are no setbacks in his recovery and that's he's available soon

Could possibly have nabbed him for half his current price if it had been a few weeks ago, just shows what a few good games can do to restore a reputation. Class player on his day, would probably thrive under a manager like Roberto too

Mostly? Only since Mourinho came back. Before that he started week in, week out for two years and was one of their best players, if not the best.

Exactly this. He was voted their player of the year in both of his first two seasons

Then both managerial figures would appear to be making questionable statements, following on from Martinez' favorites declaration.

 

You can blast both areas of dispute with one shot by simply being aware that it's simply a game against lower league opposition, albeit at an awkard venue, that Everton are streets ahead in terms of ability and class, and all that 'romance of the FA Cup' etc, people look at fixures such as this and invariably envisage repeats of Hereford / Newcastle 1972 (or whenever it occured) and some great shock of epic proportions.

 

Which even then won't occur, as athough Stevenage are no pushovers, and take credit for some outstanding results over Newcastle and Tottenham in recent years, all Martinez needs do is field a strong starting XI on the day, and if the players this time show more heart and desire than Monday, the result will take care of itself.

 

This is the sort of fixture where Jelavic could have had a stellar game, but as moved on, will have to be dependant on other striking names to make their mark, and I expect them to deliver. While this is weaker opposition than Fulham last autumn, in that game Martinez rested a number of key players, and we suffered an elimination (League Cup) so if he's going to leave names out in favor of the Liverpool game thereafter, he will need to make some prudent decisions.

 

In all honesty would want the club to win the FA Cup again this year than a place in europe (ideal if both achievable) , and this fixture represents a good opportunity to progress a little further towards that objective. It should be a good game, both for the home team and (home) supporters with an atmosphere to savor, as well as neutrals wherever you may find them. Always a little apprehensive with regards this club and lower league opposition, and with all due respect to them, we shouldn't really be fucking this one up, and moving on once again, to a place in the latter stages.

So to summarise... Stevenage will be up for it. Everton are favourites. Ha

We'd be in the Europa League if that happened.

Yep, same as Chelsea gypped Spurs out of a place in the CL. Who knows hey, Moyes' tactics are pretty similar to Di Matteo's in that campaign!

football boner! Shame none of them will be playing for us next season!

Take that back! Haha one of them will be for sure, and who knows Gerry might spend another year on loan? Here's hoping

Moyes getting credit for playing Januzaj is like giving someone credit for wearing a waterproof jacket when it's raining.

The lad was pissing training sessions and running defenders ragged, he was star performer in the pre season tour. He's a rare talent.

Now then the £15m man Wilfred Zaha.... Any ideas? If he ain't better than Ashley young then I seriously doubt Moyes judgement. (Thinks back to Barkley sitting on bench watching Neville, heitinga and hitzlesperger get game time instead)

Looks like Zaha is going on loan to Cardiff, will be a good test of his ability I'm sure he'll get plenty of game time

good lord... Arse Whiner strikes again! Probably just jealous he didn't get to sign Mata. Would be great in the Arsenal setup (or ours for that matter!)

Mata, Barkley and Gerry behind Lukaku? Yep sounds pretty good!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25863298

Wenger says it's not fair that Man Utd can sign Mata because they've already played Chelsea twice so it's disadvantaging the other teams at the top. It does smack a little of whining to be honest haha

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25847809

Stevenage manager says Everton will be 'bewildered' by the place! Strange choice of words

He states that he's already given a detailed breakdown of 'other operating costs' at the general meeting last year. Not sure who is privy to this information though or whether it's made public?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25866676

Martinez says Stevenage are favourites. I understand respecting the home team regardless of their league status, but I'm not sure I agree that the home team is 'always' favourite regardless of what division they're in. He's just managing expectations of course, but Everton are rightly favourites in any away game against any team outside the PL top 6 in my opinion

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25850270

City have released him from his contract so he's available immediately for somebody...

Did the parents say that though or is it paper talk. Only time will tell....We seem to be getting some strikers in...

 

All we need now is to get a defender who can step in as Jags and Distin have had injuries which they could tweak at any time...

I wouldn't want to spend any of the probably fairly limited transfer budget on a defender with Stones and Alcaraz doing well in recent matches. Just need Alacaraz to stay fit for any length of time! Just my opinion of course

Liverpool 1 - 2 Everton

Lukaku

Heart always rules head in my case, which is why I'll never win at the predictions game!

But he did....2015 maybe?

 

I'm liking some of what this guy is saying (ten yards for dissent/only captain can talk to ref/abolish "triple" punishment) though I don't really agree with foreign player quotas. Live debates and how much they earn? Meh. Orange card for "sin bin"? Undecided.

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/25811977

I agree, some of what he says sounds good and other parts I'm not as sure about.... but one thing is for sure he sounds a vast improvement on Blatter!