Ghoat

Could they have found a more awkward uncomfortable photo???
 
http://i1.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article11894350.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/JS99716959.jpg
 
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/arouna-kone-could-leave-everton-12534123

The last year has been brutal sure. The USWNT flaming out of the Olympics didn't help.

Yeah they just put like 2 screws on top and bottom till it grafts itself to the bone - the screws still show up on X-Ray lol. I was a high school jock, 4-5 years from being "fit", but I was back playing in basketball leagues less than a year later. Had it done in '93 and really haven't had an issues. Have some arthritis, but that's due to having torn cartilage removed in each knee in high school, then again in my late 30's, not directly from the ACL replacement. I just have to limit myself. Play golf, but don't walk the course, don't play in the field, limit myself to playing 'keeper and don't ref more than 2 matches on a given day - follow with ice, aspirin and a few adult beverages Still pretty freaking amazing that it "works" 25+ years later.

Here is what I don't understand. Why is it when the democrats have the votes to pass legislation without republican support, it's because they have a mandate and the republicans are being childish by trying to block legislation. But when then republicans have the votes to do the same, it's draconian and the democrates trying to block the legistaltion is patriotic and a moral high ground? It's either both or neither, but it can't be both.
 
Here is the biggest issue (to me), our congress doesn't govern moderately. With few exceptions, the democrats in congress vote and support issues too far left of center. And the republicans in congress vote and support issues too far right of center. And most of those in the senate likely won their elections by 20%, the house by 35% - and that is number is falsely inflated because many incumbents run unopposed or basically unopposed. When there is an open seat for whatever reason, they tend to be much closer. My point is when they get to DC, they tend to go way left or way right. That's ignoring 30-40% of their constituents off the bat. And the 51-70% majority that did vote them in, probably are not all far left or right ideologues. They end up representing the wishes of the national party, vs the majority of their constituents the were elected to speak for. That's not a good scenario.
 
Most Americans are generally moderate in their day to day lives, in my opinion. Lean left on some issues, right on others. But when it gets to the national level it becomes a black and white hypocritical clusterfuck with little tolerance. Due in no small part because it's profitable for organizations to create divisions for their own self-interest at the expense of the publics. And that's bullshit.

That was very cool to see - and watching Lookman latch on to Rom after the goal and the 2 of them talking.

Absolutely - it appears they like each other and like playing together, that bodes well.

I'll be damned, never knew about the Duracell bunny, learned something new. The Energizer bunny looks way more cool.
http://www.brandchannel.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/duracell-energizer-bunny.jpg

My only comment after watching that is, I like the way he crosses the ball haha

We Yanks are all about the dual nationals. We are building our men's national team in large part due to them. It's just a shame we don't have a couple of large military bases in Brazil and Argentina...

We Yanks are all about the dual nationals. We are building our men's national team in large part due to them. It's just a shame we don't have a couple of large military bases in Brazil and Argentina...

The thing that I like is his work rate. And he is ALWAYS trying to push forward, get wide, beat someone and put the ball into a dangerous area. His crosses aren't perfect, but they damn sure never seem to get blocked. He doesn't take bad shots - tho he doesn't always shoot well. Regardless, his main focus seems to be getting wide and lobbing bombs into the box, and he is doing it constantly.
 
I think more people would be higher on him if he wasn't being overshadowed by the other new boy that seems to be covering the entire damn middle third of England.

The thing that I like is his work rate. And he is ALWAYS trying to push forward, get wide, beat someone and put the ball into a dangerous area. His crosses aren't perfect, but they damn sure never seem to get blocked. He doesn't take bad shots - tho he doesn't always shoot well. Regardless, his main focus seems to be getting wide and lobbing bombs into the box, and he is doing it constantly.
 
I think more people would be higher on him if he wasn't being overshadowed by the other new boy that seems to be covering the entire damn middle third of England.

The biggest winners on TDD will always be the agents who using a willing press to feed rumors for leverage, pressure and improved contracts and offers for the clients - and thereby their own pockets.

Ditto. I'm trying not to get too optimistic about Jozy's form and finally turning it around - especially how he and Wood link up top.

The biggest winners on TDD will always be the agents who using a willing press to feed rumors for leverage, pressure and improved contracts and offers for the clients - and thereby their own pockets.

Thrilled, no. Content-happy yeah.
 
Bad
No new striker
No additional playermakers/competition at mid,
Niasse is still here
Gibson got an extension
Embarrassed by Sissoku
 
Good -
Upgraded Keeper (starting IX)
Upgraded back 4 with Williams - Stones would have been shit if he stayed (starting IX wash with one lost)
Upgraded Midfield with Gueye (starting IX)
Upgraded front line with Bolasie (starting IX)
 
Bonus -
Kone actually looks serviceable and lively
Mirallias looks like his head is out of his arse and looks good
Holgate has unexpectedly become a PL quality starting RB (to this point)
Rom is still on Merseyside
Enner may or may not give us a boost at wing/forward, but he's a loan so the risk is mitigated
 
Random thoughts -
We have brought in 4 new players into the starting IX that are all upgrades to what we had - and John Stones pretty much paid for all of them
We significantly upgraded at the manager position
Steve Walsh is a good hire
If we had actually signed Sissoku, he would have made Aaron Lennon's press conference look like a party. Dude didn't want to be here, period.
Keeping JMC was good business to me. McCarthy is rock solid, but 35 and he WILL get YC accumulation, Besic is out, JMC is needed depth
Folks flipped out when we were rumored to offer 30M for a player as being foolish, but are pissed we didn't spend the 100M kitty we expected. Pick one.
We didn't lose any of the youth we expect to move to first team soon. Did I mention Holgate?
 
And the end of the day,Koeman has the team looking more organized as a whole, our starting IX, bench and staff are better today than in April, or July. And we're starting 7 points in 3, last year we had 4 from 3. And we have 100M to spend in January!
 
Great, no - but I do think the glass is half full.
And I hope Sissoku gets dick cancer.

you misspelled "Beer-thirty"

Howard has 32 saves and 4 clean sheets in 9 games, 11 goals given up, 5 were in one game, 2-5-2 in that stretch. They are in 3rd, 5 points off with 2 games in hand.
 
I keep up with the standings, but for the life of me, I just can't get into MLS. Love the US National Team and may pause and watch some of a game if it has a prominent national player, or one of the rising new boys...but I just can't get into our domestic league, even tho it's much improved. The closest team to me is Orlando,750km next is Houston Dynamo 1000km away. Yes, I know Liverpool is almost 7000km away, don't let logic get in the way, I'm making a point. Or something.
 
Unrelated, the owner of the Atlanta Falcons and Home Depot is the owner of the new expansion team, Atlanta United FC (WTF?) that will begin play next year, and are finishing a new stadium built for both football and "soccer" that is going to be nice. Supposed to be like 71,000 for the Falcons, and have configure to 30,000 for MLS, with a retractable roof and retractable seats to allow for a larger pitch, better lines of sight etc... Atlanta is only about 250km, and an easy 2.5 hour drive, so I'm sure I will make some games next year and maybe adopt a MLS team finally!

Correct, I'm 44 years late showing up, something got hung up in the Atlantic I'm sure.
 
If you understand anything about American college football, Auburn University specifically.....you know I get it. Auburn has a rich history (but not elite). It's not flashy, ritzy or upper crust, it more down to earth, rural-ish. The years we are predicted to go 13-1 and challenge for the national championship we shit the bed and go 8-5. We may be 12-2 one year and crash to 3-9 the next. You hate that love you Auburn, but when they suck, you proudly wear your gear while silently cursing your love. I have sworn them off so many times, but every time they play at home I drive there - planned my wedding around their schedule. Once it "gets you" it's done. I never had a choice, all of my father's family that went to college went there, or one of the branches, as did I. It's part of your DNA (which sucks a lot sometimes!).
 
And honestly, that's what attracted me to Everton originally - "The Peoples Club". I loved the game, I just didn't have a "home". The more I learned about the way the Club saw itself and supporters, and the more I learned the way the supporters saw themselves and the Club....it was very familiar, I knew I had found my club, for better or worse. And as a bonus, Auburn's primary color is blue, and our arch rival within the state is University of Alabama (with a richer history) - with red/crimison their primary color. Makes it extra easy to hate Liverpool, it's that fucking color.....
 
If you ever need an American College football team to cheer for, I know one that Evertonians would love - aside from them inexplicably crushing your soul every few years. Regardless, Everton is stuck with me.

One of the few benefits of being 6 hours behind, I won't have to stay up late, I'll know by dinner if I'm pissed off or not :shaking fist:

Correct, I'm 44 years late showing up, something got hung up in the Atlantic I'm sure.
 
If you understand anything about American college football, Auburn University specifically.....you know I get it. Auburn has a rich history (but not elite). It's not flashy, ritzy or upper crust, it more down to earth, rural-ish. The years we are predicted to go 13-1 and challenge for the national championship we shit the bed and go 8-5. We may be 12-2 one year and crash to 3-9 the next. You hate that love you Auburn, but when they suck, you proudly wear your gear while silently cursing your love. I have sworn them off so many times, but every time they play at home I drive there - planned my wedding around their schedule. Once it "gets you" it's done. I never had a choice, all of my father's family that went to college went there, or one of the branches, as did I. It's part of your DNA (which sucks a lot sometimes!).
 
And honestly, that's what attracted me to Everton originally - "The Peoples Club". I loved the game, I just didn't have a "home". The more I learned about the way the Club saw itself and supporters, and the more I learned the way the supporters saw themselves and the Club....it was very familiar, I knew I had found my club, for better or worse. And as a bonus, Auburn's primary color is blue, and our arch rival within the state is University of Alabama (with a richer history) - with red/crimison their primary color. Makes it extra easy to hate Liverpool, it's that fucking color.....
 
If you ever need an American College football team to cheer for, I know one that Evertonians would love - aside from them inexplicably crushing your soul every few years. Regardless, Everton is stuck with me.

From the soccer "hotbed" of Montgomery, Alabama, which I *think* has 3 other Everton fans.....
Played from early years, both daughters have played since they were 5 (one just went off to college), have been a ref for 14 years (up to U-19) but for some reason never really enjoyed on TV, or cared for EPL until until 3-4 years ago. Maybe just lack of TV coverage in US.
 
 
Boring intro on why I became an Evertonian -
Started following Everton in 2013, Martinez's first season, so I am a bit of a newbie compared to y'all. I got into FIFA 13 or 14 don't remember, and eventually began trying to find a team I liked. That's became Everton for several reason - none of which involved Tim Howard. I liked the colors, I liked the "blue collar" culture, not a flashy team that bought success, not a bandwagon team that most Americans latch on to etc...And the more I learned and watched, the more hooked I became. Have hardly missed a game in last 2+ years. My Saturday/Sunday morning routine is now "Eggs and Everton" - up to watch kickoff (usually with a hangover) at 9am, 6am or 1130am if I am lucky!
 
I'll say this, which may amuse some - don't underestimate the educational value of FIFA. I know the game, tactics, officiating etc....but for a 'Merican, the "business side" of professional football is like nothing we understand from US professional or collegiate sports. It's not just for learning the players, leagues etc...but transfer fees, aggregate scores, relegation, qualification for Europa/Champion, promotion, multiple Cups, away goals, replays...OMG WTF??? But once that's all understood...hooked for life!
 
Oh, and damn Barkley for changing to 8, now I'm going to have to order new gear...

Correct, I'm 44 years late showing up, something got hung up in the Atlantic I'm sure.
 
If you understand anything about American college football, Auburn University specifically.....you know I get it. Auburn has a rich history (but not elite). It's not flashy, ritzy or upper crust, it more down to earth, rural-ish. The years we are predicted to go 13-1 and challenge for the national championship we shit the bed and go 8-5. We may be 12-2 one year and crash to 3-9 the next. You hate that love you Auburn, but when they suck, you proudly wear your gear while silently cursing your love. I have sworn them off so many times, but every time they play at home I drive there - planned my wedding around their schedule. Once it "gets you" it's done. I never had a choice, all of my father's family that went to college went there, or one of the branches, as did I. It's part of your DNA (which sucks a lot sometimes!).
 
And honestly, that's what attracted me to Everton originally - "The Peoples Club". I loved the game, I just didn't have a "home". The more I learned about the way the Club saw itself and supporters, and the more I learned the way the supporters saw themselves and the Club....it was very familiar, I knew I had found my club, for better or worse. And as a bonus, Auburn's primary color is blue, and our arch rival within the state is University of Alabama (with a richer history) - with red/crimison their primary color. Makes it extra easy to hate Liverpool, it's that fucking color.....
 
If you ever need an American College football team to cheer for, I know one that Evertonians would love - aside from them inexplicably crushing your soul every few years. Regardless, Everton is stuck with me.

My youngest is a Chelsea fan, ugg. We drove 7 hours for her birthday to see Chelsea play PSG last summer. She wanted a shirt, I told her you're getting a fn scarf, and you're going to like it!

From the soccer "hotbed" of Montgomery, Alabama, which I *think* has 3 other Everton fans.....
Played from early years, both daughters have played since they were 5 (one just went off to college), have been a ref for 14 years (up to U-19) but for some reason never really enjoyed on TV, or cared for EPL until until 3-4 years ago. Maybe just lack of TV coverage in US.
 
 
Boring intro on why I became an Evertonian -
Started following Everton in 2013, Martinez's first season, so I am a bit of a newbie compared to y'all. I got into FIFA 13 or 14 don't remember, and eventually began trying to find a team I liked. That's became Everton for several reason - none of which involved Tim Howard. I liked the colors, I liked the "blue collar" culture, not a flashy team that bought success, not a bandwagon team that most Americans latch on to etc...And the more I learned and watched, the more hooked I became. Have hardly missed a game in last 2+ years. My Saturday/Sunday morning routine is now "Eggs and Everton" - up to watch kickoff (usually with a hangover) at 9am, 6am or 1130am if I am lucky!
 
I'll say this, which may amuse some - don't underestimate the educational value of FIFA. I know the game, tactics, officiating etc....but for a 'Merican, the "business side" of professional football is like nothing we understand from US professional or collegiate sports. It's not just for learning the players, leagues etc...but transfer fees, aggregate scores, relegation, qualification for Europa/Champion, promotion, multiple Cups, away goals, replays...OMG WTF??? But once that's all understood...hooked for life!
 
Oh, and damn Barkley for changing to 8, now I'm going to have to order new gear...