Elston Gunnn

Mirallas looks up for it. Now taking the pens....
 
Why!?
 
Because he's pining for a big move and wants to add to his CV. Greedy cunt. Fuck off.

Doesn't it just, and as I said in a different thread, a win moves us nowhere, we're marooned where we are at present.
 
We can't move up with awin but we can drop down with a defeat.
 
Very real situation.

It feels horrible looking at the Premiership fixtures this morning and needing the bottom 3 to all lose and Man Utd and the Shite to win, lol definitely feels like were in a relegation scrap at the moment!

Return to some of that shocking football we've played this season and lose at home to WBA.......then we'll see who's happy clapping.
 
Return to some of the exciting football from last season and beat WBA 3-0 ......and we'll be looking at things through totaly different eyes.
 
That's how crazy this game is.

I come in peace, truly.
 
Paddock's post has got me laughing. But not at Paddock. Just images, and good memories.
 
1. I'm charmed, in more ways than one, by the Britism, "all fur coat and no knickers." Comparable to the Americanism, "all hat, no cattle."
 
2. But then my mind started wandering to hats and knickers, so naturally I thought of the Randy Newman song, probably made famous by Joe Cocker, "You Can Leave Your Hat On." Whimsical eroticism. Never know where TT will lead.
 
3. Once I got past the knickers [........], I honed in on Paddock's, um, bottom line, that McGeady is utter garbage. I'm certain you're all way ahead of me on this one, but just to be sure, the relevant comparison is surely this brief interchange in "Waldorf Salad," the "Fawlty Towers" episode featuring Basil's battle with the ugly American tourist.
 
Mr. Hamilton: What I'm suggesting is that this place is the crummiest, shoddiest, worst-run hotel in the whole of Western Europe.
 
Major Gowen: No! No, I won't have that! ...... There's a place in Eastbourne.

Not literally true, but close enough to literal truth to be uncomfortable. Most important is that we build on momentum from last three matches. Stoppage equalizer from Lukaku to force replay. Then Naismith header to come back against City. Then inspired Cup play - the better team playing 65 minutes down a man.  
So, even without a win in last 3 matches, all 3 showed significant improvement from mostly self-induced deep hole [abetted by some tough ref decisions and maddening injuries]. Maybe it's pathetic to feel as if these most recent 3 "feel like victories," but we can remember how truly pathetic our play had become.
 
Emotionally and psychology, we were looking into the relegation abyss. These last 3 constitute a big step back from that abyss. A loss to WBrom, and we're looking over the edge again. A tie, even a miraculous late equalizer next Monday, won't suffice. Such a point in the table might, sure, ultimately keep us up, but anything other than 3 against WBrom -- WBrom at Goodison, for heaven's sake -- will feel like a loss and will be, not just feel like, a momentum destroyer.

I come in peace, truly.
 
Paddock's post has got me laughing. But not at Paddock. Just images, and good memories.
 
1. I'm charmed, in more ways than one, by the Britism, "all fur coat and no knickers." Comparable to the Americanism, "all hat, no cattle."
 
2. But then my mind started wandering to hats and knickers, so naturally I thought of the Randy Newman song, probably made famous by Joe Cocker, "You Can Leave Your Hat On." Whimsical eroticism. Never know where TT will lead.
 
3. Once I got past the knickers [........], I honed in on Paddock's, um, bottom line, that McGeady is utter garbage. I'm certain you're all way ahead of me on this one, but just to be sure, the relevant comparison is surely this brief interchange in "Waldorf Salad," the "Fawlty Towers" episode featuring Basil's battle with the ugly American tourist.
 
Mr. Hamilton: What I'm suggesting is that this place is the crummiest, shoddiest, worst-run hotel in the whole of Western Europe.
 
Major Gowen: No! No, I won't have that! ...... There's a place in Eastbourne.

Haf, you have to realise. People make this assumptions based on what they've seen.
 
1st Season - Naismith was dire. Couldn't control the ball, couldn't run, couldn't do anything right. He had injuries, but when he was classed as 'fit' and played, he was terrible. People then made their conclusions that he was dog turd. Fair enough.
2nd Season - He gets a full pre-season under his belt, is played in his proper position and starts showing glimpses of a proper player. Bags a goal or two and grows in stature. He then got better. Everything about his game and attitude got better. He deserves his starting spot and is arguably one of the only lads deserving of a starting place. He proved people wrong, but their opinions were just based on the first season. He proved me wrong and I love him for it.
 
1st Season - Robles. Didn't get much of a seeing to, didn't start many games but those he did, he was also terrible. Flapped at crosses, spilled easy balls and made mistakes that lead directly to goals. I KNOW he didn't play many games but from what people saw of him, people formed the opinions that they did. Again, rightly so because that was the level of performance we based our opinions on.
2nd Season - Has he chance. People moaned and thought, "fucking hell, here we go" (based on their experiences of him also being a liability last year). Which is perfectly ok, they can have that opinion because he didn't do anything in his first season, to change people's opinions. Now, through a small blessing (Howard's injury) he's been thrust into the starting 11 and I have to say, he's started to look a capable keeper. The jury is still out on him (1 game (West Ham) shouldn't cloud everyone's opinion but it should highlight the potential)). That being said, if he keeps improving and learning, he has all the attributes (command of the area, reactions, coverings) to be a decent keeper. Let's hope it continues and he grows as a result of it. He's well deserving of the praise for yesterdays game.
 
1st Season - McGeady's first season, was none existent. Admittedly he only had 6 months to get up to speed but just didn't look capable when he did play. People formed an opinion on him.
2nd Season - Now he's had a full pre-season under his belt, played in a fair amount of games, as a starter and as a sub and to be honest, has done very little to change people's opinions. People talk about giving him time, but he's had it and has nothing to show for it. A bit of "energy" in 5/10 minute spells in a game, is NOT going to change people's opinions on him. For a winger he can't pass a man, he can't control a ball at speed, he can't tackle (when he's doing his defensive duties) and he just doesn't look 'fit'. He got sent off yesterday for being a proper tit. An attitude I can't see being changed (was at Celtic and in Russia).
 
So you can blast people for judging players too soon, which I will give, as i'm prone to it myself. But to suggest we judge a player based on whether his "face fits" is absolute bollocks. Complete and utter turd. People's opinions are based on what they see, on the pitch, in the shirt. Pure and simple. People are allowed these opinions. I fucking hate this whole "forum warriors bollocks" because the irony is, the people making that claim are writing it on a forum, with their own views (you fucking warriors you). When a player proves me, fans wrong, we love it. Naismith has done it and excelled. Robles is starting that upward battle and winning. McGeady is doing very little to change the majority of fans.
 
There are examples of it happening in reverse. Atsu. If it was based on who's "face fits" then Atsu would have been a class signing for Everton. Young, dangerous, direct, has buckets of potential but has done ABSOLUTELY fuck all for us. When I've seen him, he looks a tenth of the player i've watch at the WC, Vitesse and Porto. This Atsu wouldn't be fit enough to clean their Atsu's boots. It happens. We have opinions, positive or negative towards players. If they're negative to start, it's up to the players to prove that they're worth the appreciation of the fans, that wear that shirt. Prove us wrong.
 
We can have opinions whenever we fucking like. You have yours. Keep them, express them, fight for them but can people stop blasting each other for it, it's boring. My opinions are formed on performances and so far some have disappointed (McGeady, Barkley, Coleman) and some have surprised (Joel, Besic and Mirallas).
 
I'm done.

Blimey Crusty, we played with 10 men and controlled the game for large periods. That was a night and day difference performance.
 
How can you call for a new keeper after that? Robles has pedigree. Look at the stature of him - perfect for a keeper, he has great reflexes, you don't make saves like last night without that and he is agile. The only thing missing is games and he has played well in the last 3 games after looking very edgy in his previous ones which is totally understandable. Amazing what confidence can do for a keeper. His distribution is very good and has good feet.
 
The irony, if Robles never played for us and we as Evertonians watched that perfromance last night, many would be saying "sign him up!". Games make the keeper.

Not much yet from Barkley. McGeady, Naismith still energetic. Lousy giveaway by Besic. Ditto Naismith. WH counter dangerous. WH corner. Robles catches it.

careful though, Fox fans, it maybe difficult to see which team is which as everyone in London must wear burqas....

“There have been two big changes with James this season, one is the amount of international football he’s played, and that has brought extra work [McCarthy has played once for Ireland this season, against Georgia in September].
 
Martinez can talk some real shite sometimes...

Have to give some credit to McGeady for fighting hard to keep his balance and get between those 2 defenders to push the ball out to Oviedo. And credit to Oviedo for the solid ball into the box. Lukaku deserved that goal, and his two mates made it possiblle.

watched the first half and then turned it off, didn't want to ruin my new years day with this shit. besic was our best player in the first half, and he was off. RM is smoking crack man.
 
not happy, RM won't get sacked cause BK is too cheap.
 
My lineup for the future
 
Robles
Coleman Stones Jags Garbutt
Besic Barkley Baines
Lukaku Naisy Mirallas
 
Subs - Eto'o, Kone, Osman when he's fit.

Ignoring the usual wind up bickering and bullshit, Im going to concentrate on the positive that Baines looked solid in that central position. It's only 1 game, 1 half even, but for the first time that I can remember, we had someone who could attempt to pick out that killer pass.
 
Drop Barry, move Baines inside and let Grabutt go LB.
 
Oviedo also worked hard when he came on

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/should-referees-apologise-everton-boss-8360973
 
I neither expect nor want (unless things get really desperate in April) a bunch of awful refereeing decisions favoring Everton, to balance things out. But I don't want our boys to be subjected to any more of what at times seem like obviously incorrect calls, of both omission and commission.

Linked in "What is wrong?" thread.
 
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/should-referees-apologise-everton-boss-8360973
 
Consistency is the issue. The number of decisions that have gone against Everton in the first half of this season is noticeable and has had an impact. We probably all agree that good play should have been able to overcome poor refereeing calls, but that doesn't totally negate the disadvantage we've faced in several games.
 
Surely one needn't be either a complainer or conspiracist to acknowledge that poor ref calls regularly have an impact in several sports. Just occasionally a poor call has such a major impact that it can be said to have come pretty close to determining the outcome.
 
We want RM to do a better job, players returning to fitness, players playing much better, and sensible, professional, consistent refereeing. In sum, a happy new year.

I think the main problem is lack of confidence not which particular type of football we played. Last year we played very good counter attacking football against Newcastle away. We defended really well and were full of attackihg intent when we broke. Same against Utd away, and Chelsea at home
 
Similarly against Arsenal at home last season we took them apart and dominated them, we enjoed good victories where we dominated posession and created many chances. Our defence was one of the best in the league.
 
This season with mostly the same team our defence has looked shakey from day 1. Both against Leicester and Arsenal we threw away leads and have looked vulnerable. As a result our defence has been pressurised and cracked. This has spread to the rest of the team, and we look totally devoid ofnany belief. Players dont want to make mistakes, and are afraid to take chances, and we just dont create.
 
Why is our defence so leaky? Because Jags came back from the world cup a wreck, and this spread to the rest of the team. I also think that we are missing having Pienaar playing at anything like good standard, and Mcgeady for whatever reason just hasnt settled. We just havent had any wingers to allow Baines or Coleman to play off.
 
We have played players out of position in an attempt to cover our lack of wingers and also accommodate Barkley, Eto, Naismith, which just has not worked. The players all drift inside, the fullbacks get isolated and we just get predictable.
 
I am a fan of Martinez and a big believer of his style of football, we are not playing as fast paced as last year because of our lack of confidence. I dont think he has lost the dressing room, I just think he strugglling to list the team. I think he will lift them but only once we sign 2 new wingers to replace Pienaar and McGeady, and signed a new centre half. We need tonget Stones and a.n.other to be the central partnership and get them playing ASAP.
 
Our best chance this season is in Europa, we should concentrate on that and use the league to blood new players and build for next season.

Also there's now a 4 pointgap between us and 11th it's getting to the stage where a win isn't moving us up and we're getting sucked into the bottom half.

Martinez: "“I never felt we were outplayed or tactically inferior."
 
This is the kind of shit that infuriates me. I understand he likes being positive and everything but come the fuck on. We lost to a team that had lost 6 GAMES IN A ROW and had many players out... what would he call it. That we were unlucky?

Not sure what to say.
 
Well, the only thing I want to say for sure is....let's not tare each other to shreds lads, no need for the nastiness.
 
 
I only caught the last half hour or so (got a stream just as they got the 2nd). But I didn't see anything at all. Just a load of Everton players pushing on but nothing happening.
 
I'm feeling a bit numb really. I'm just feeling gutted for the first time. I'm not sure what's happening to us? We are playing like a bunch of strangers. There's no fluency, rhythm, belief. It's just...weird.
 
I'm saddened that Martinez picked this team. After Besic and Barkley showed so much promise against QPR. Shame. And to make no subs at all?! McGeady, Kone, Pienaar...all with critics...but all fresh legs, attacking options, to come off the bench.
 
I see no sense in playing Naismith, Eto'o and Barkley in a 3, as they all naturally want to go central. So they just step on each others toes and nullify each others threat.
 
I dunno. Just so so disappointed. I don't recognise this team just now. I can count on one hand the games I think we've played well in from all competitions. So disappointing.
 
I'm not writing the season off but the 2nd half of the season is going to have to be something special.

Must admit was very surprised how fit he looked...fair play to him..you'd think being out that long he'd look out of shape

Best case: Celtic, Dnipro, Young Boys, Aalborg, Guingamp
Fair enough: Villareal, PSV, Trabzonspor
Difficult: Ajax, Anderlecht, Torino
Disaster: Sevilla, Roma

Need to see Robles, Kone, Atsu,Garbutt & Browning.....then I'm happy - Gibbo and Oviedo a bonus.

RM says in post-match interview that he's "incredibly proud" of how the team played. Amazing. I'd like Distin to say something like, "The manager is standing up for us, but the Hull goal is down to me, period."
 
Second half, a strange combo of overconfidence and panic. Way more daft than deft passes. Just utterly daft.
 
Pienaar and Osman may have been fluid enough in years past, but now they are not physically strong enough to hold off opponents.
 
I appreciate the energy and promise shown by Besic, Barkley, and Lukaku. Mirallas, too, at times, though the chip attempt seemed foolish, as it usually does when it (usually) doesn't work.