NYBlue

Skimmed through the pages and then went back to click on the link, didn't realize until the page started to come up that this was another Durham article. The guy has some strange fetish with Everton.

It wasn't the quote about supplementing the wages which in itself is completely ridiculous that it requires no comment but more the earlier comment that Martinez has done a good job managing Barkley that he "has absolutely no problem with Barkley staying at Everton"

A lot better. I did have some serious concerns at the beginning of the season but the style of play and positivity after the dealings in the transfer window has been immense.

4th was just a little too far this time but I feel very excited about the potential for next season.

I'd take him for the right money. Since he will be going into the last year maybe a loan similar to Barry's deal. I don't think he excels in any one area but you can't dispute his commitment and he would be a great fit in the locker room.

http://www.nsno.co.uk/everton-news/2014/05/liverpool-fans-need-to-wake-up-and-stop-the-bitterness/

I'm a bit late to the party on this one. Good reading everyone's different opinions etc. One thing that I think is worth mentioning living in the US we have NBC Sports covering the game and as result we had Arlo White and Lee Dixon commentating on the game. As opposed to what I'm reading about the Sky coverage with Tyler and Neville I don't remember either of them saying anything about Goodison being quiet etc. Yes, they remarked that it was a little strange and they picked up on the Gerrard chant but not in a context of the crowd wanting to throw the game or anything. They did what their job requires of them and commentated on the game that was happening in front of them.

Did that just happen with Lukaku??

That was just pathetic.

 

,,,,at the same time wouldn't we have the perfect response? That Captain Twatface tried to throw it away but we saved their arses, that they wouldn't have won the title if it wasn't for the Everton cavalry showing up at the last minute to rescue them?

That's true but can you imagine the responses coming back after informing them of that titbit of information. It'll be bitter this and bitter that.

I totally understand people's opinions on Europa. For me, if Martinez sees that as the next step in progressing Everton under his leadership then I'll be happy for us to play in the competition.

I'm normally well up for the City game and I want us to win but if we lose my reaction will just be 'meh' and to look forward to the Hull game. For those who live in the city and would have to contend with RS fans harping on about the title I completely understand where you are coming from.

I more want Liverpool to fall at the last hurdle simply because Gerrard will look back on his career and know he was that close to it but that his slip was the turning point. Whether it actually will be or not is neither here nor there, deep down he'll know it.

 

everton thing? it's an every team thing. chelsea lost some stunners, so have liverpool, man city, and arsenal. no team is perfect, so you need to expect a couple cock ups every season.

I completely expect cock ups every season, I guess I'm growing accustomed to cock ups when the games are hugely important in the grand scheme of things. The teams you mention are all above us and while having experienced said cock ups were able to counter balance those, those games which we draw but the others win. That goes back to the winning mentality that Miguel was talking about.

The problem is winning mentality. Big egos, are a good thing for this. There's not many egos in our side. Mirallas and maybe Deulofeu.

If it's a winning mentality that is lacking then this goes back to a topic a while back that I posted regarding Liverpool and England's use of Dr. Stephen Peters and how he has turned Liverpool around.

I hear what you are saying about ego, I'd probably put Lukaku into that bracket with Mirallas and maybe Gerry but then they tend to blow hot and cold. Occasionally they can play the opposition off the park but it's rare and often they are indifferent.

As evidence by the change in winning in some of our big games Martinez obviously helps, maybe it's just another season required with RM positivity to continue to run through the squad.

Exactly. This has been a great season all told and a few cockups are natural and acceptable - so long as we learn from them

I'm not so sure it's a Martinez thing rather than an Everton thing. I've learnt over this season that there will be times when it goes very wrong and as you mention it's natural and acceptable…to a point. It's more that the games where it has gone wrong have been key games that were an opportunity to really kick on and solidify our position. It happened under Moyes as well.

5th and Europe would be a great season if we can just make it over the line but we need to eradicate these mistakes as a club. If the same thing continues to happen next season then we will need to take a step back and really try to identify what the problem is and then address it if possible.

Each time we get a corner why not we jut sy nah it's alright just take the goal kick.

No doubt we'll snap their hands off at the prospect of such a bargain.

Wouldn't take him back, he was a dick during the games we played them but that gives an indication of how much he wanted to beat us. Baines put him in his place during the last game in any case.

Says he won 26 tackles in 18 games. Looking for a player to bring a bit more than that to the table

I wouldn't be overly excited at signing him, one plus point though would be surely he has the right attitude and temperament to not cause any problems amongst the rest of the squad.

When I go back home to Los Angeles during the winter, I have to wake up at 5:30 am to catch 1 or 2 games. 5:30 AM! But I do it because I love watching this club and support it to the fullest

 

As for this Traore, I think a lot of us are being very harsh on the lad. Not everyone can step in and be John Stones and boss a game playing in the BPL for the first time. He was coming off an injury and still managed to bag us a goal. There's a reason Everton went after him (I'm not necessarily disagreeing that this wasn't partly a panic buy, more like a necessary one) but having said that, I'm sure this wasn't the only striker we were scouting/had a chance to get during the January window. I definitely think he can play and deserves more than one game to prove he is worth the investment.

Being on East Coast I like having the majority of the games at 10am but do struggle with the early kicks which as you say are the 5.30am PST / 7.30am EST games.

As for Traore, far too early to pass proper judgement. If he is crap after a full season playing a part within the squad that would be a different matter.

Personally I think the dithering cost him.

 

Summer transfer window was there for him to bring in some big names. He dithered and ultimately it cost him.

Which comes from a lack of conviction and adaptability.

I remember when he was running down his contract that he said he fancied managing in the German league. That certainly won't be happening now. He'll likely take a break, possibly be a pundit at the World Cup, get another job at a premier league sitting in mid table but he's always going to be viewed as the man that couldn't hack the job.

Bottled the big games and bottled the United job.

What do people think of Van Gall?

Don't rate him at all. I hope they appoint him because that will be years before they are anywhere near success.

I disagree. Would Messi be in that bracket? Because he's never done it at world level.

 

One of the best midfielders in "European football" which is the only club football that matters and the biggest stage.

Good point but for me the biggest stage is the world cup though. Club football for sure and unless Messi brings it in Brazil then he'll have fallen short.

Anyone who thinks Gerrard hasn't been one of the best midfielders of his generation is clueless.

For me that means having delivered on the world stage which he hasn't done.

I have to congratulate Stretford and Rooney. If it's true that Moyes is getting sacked, they've played a blinder with his contract this year. Be interesting to see how Rooney gets on with Van Gall if that's who they choose cos there is no way that Van Persie will shift if that's the case.

He's been responsible for carrying that club for longer than I remember. I give respect up to a point but as Fearthainn says above it's more to do with his leadership and drive.

There's the whole one club thing that has generated this love in with the media. I knew once Fergie left that the wheels would come off at Old Trafford and I know once Gerrard goes that the wheels will come off at Anfield as well. They may have mitigated it for a while by bringing in Rogers but at what cost to their core values after all the stuff with Suarez. Not that any of them will take that on board as the whole country rejoices should they be crowned champions but the table doesn't lie and they deserve it.

For me though he has been the prime reason for our inability to beat them. He brings something else to that team when we play them and yes I'll be glad when he's gone because they won't have that to fall back on to.

The british do love the fairytale story/ending and thanks to god knows how much luck from referees over this season they'll get what they wanted. As evidence by the penalty decision against Chelsea RS don't even need to be playing to be given penalties and a helping hand. They have more than their fair share of luck.

This post could turn into more of a rant about the RS more than anything else so I'll just conclude: He ain't as good as everyone makes out (oh and he's a bit of a cunt)

Comments from Baines on the differences between Moyes and Martinez:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2607842/Leighton-Baines-says-Roberto-Martinez-thrown-shackles-Everton-ahead-David-Moyes-return.html