c1982

7 hours ago, Romey 1878 said:

2-0 up at home with a minute of added time left to play and it finished 2-2. You don’t get more Everton than that. 

After playing brilliantly for the 92minutes (or whatever it was) before. Didn’t we bring Niasse on really late and he could have made it 3 but just fell over instead?

2 hours ago, Romey 1878 said:

I'd sell him now for the rumoured £10m if we have a replacement, if we don't then definitely not.

I hope we do sell for £10m - the fee and high wages off the books makes business sense for a bit part player. I do wonder if the timing of Odegaard asking for a loan - someone who Ancelotti bought and trained with the Real 1st team (at the age of 15) - may create an opportunity for us. He did well enough for Real to cut short his 2 year loan deal this summer but he’s found himself out of the 1st team again.

9 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

how is his defending?

His attacking is his main strength. To be honest I haven’t really noticed how good his actual defending is - what stands out is his pace and dribbling ability. Obviously, pace will be a good defensive attribute but I’d guess teams would target him aerially.

2 hours ago, markjazzbassist said:

I don’t remember him from Brighton matches, is he that good?  Never stood out

Class - lightning quick. On the downside, he’s knee high to a grasshopper but I suppose we have plenty of height elsewhere.

Something clicked in the 2nd half against us with Fulham - we were lucky to get away with the win. Thought at the time that they’d survive this season and they’ve been excellent since.

I went with Godfrey as Neto (who I think is a brilliant player) didn’t get a look in all game. For what brilliance Digne did in attack, it was clear he’s not 100% and struggled defending but having Godfrey behind prevented that being an issue.

Iwobi was excellent as was James and Digne. Doucoure, once again showed great energy but the stand-out once again was our back 4. Looking at that line-up, I didn’t expect 3 points but there’s always a chance with Ancelotti’s tactical knowledge. A very satisfying win!

1 minute ago, StevO said:

Has anyone improved as much as Keane since Carlo came in? Unbelievable. 

Possibly Mina - the pair have ‘matured’ and just become so consistent. Godfrey and Holgate have a huge task to get in, in their preferred roles but both doing brilliantly too. A great problem to have!

Problem with all of these exciting players from the continent is that January is not the market to buy them in unless they’re nearing the end of their contract or you can get someone out of favour (usually loan to buy) or with a release clause. Yes, the January market can help transform a season - see Fernandes to Man U for instance but it’s not a market many teams invest as much in and many teams will charge a January premium with it being mid-season. Josh King could be a very smart, low risk, short-term fix. No, he’s nobody’s first choice but his versatility and proven ability to do well in this league would have and could still come in handy on say a 2.5 year contract.

3 minutes ago, Bailey said:

I thought both Davies and Gomes were well off the pace. They didn't get near the Rotherham players for most of the game. They were made to look slow both physically and mentally. 

Gomes was without doubt the better of the two but I think that was because he showed up in moments. He would do something every 10-15 minutes that made you remember he was on the pitch. Davies largely did something every 10-15 minutes that made you wish he wasn't on the pitch. 

We’ve seen a few times now that they just don’t work as a pair. Neither takes control of the game and the communication between them seems really poor. I haven’t got them to hand but there’s analysis of their positioning when playing as a pair and it’s not pretty!

He was class in Italy before West Ham signed him but has been a huge waste of money based on what he’s done there. There’s clearly a talented player in there - on-loan, it could prove a stroke of genius but it could also prove that he’s not suited to English football.

Mystic Pete! 
 

4 minutes ago, Bailey said:

I found it quite funny myself (the photoshop not the riot). 

A little shitty on the Chicago fan club (I think they got a fair bit of stick!) but very funny all the same!

19 hours ago, MikeO said:

No in that one Rio Ferdinand nearly won it for them at the end, great save from Howard; you're thinking about the 3-3 at Goodison when we got two late goals then Martin Atkinson blew the final whistle when we were breaking at speed, Moyes was furious.

Jagielka was running through on goal as I was running down Queen’s Drive back to my mate’s car (his and another’s decision to leave at 1-3)... never forgiven them for that one!

Doucoure - the whole team was better with him on the pitch. Mina made us look a lot better too. I thought Tosun had a decent game but would still happily see him sold and a pacier player brought in.

Davies and Gomes for that header 🤢

With a midfield 3 of James, Gomes and Davies, we’ve not got a very good mix - we should dominate Rotherham but we’re missing what Allan or Doucoure brings which allows us to control and dictate play.

For them, I’ve been impressed with the right-back Olosunde - been very lively. Just googled him and he’s a young American lad who was at Man U.

I had Nyarko 8 on the back of the away kit when we signed him. That was a poor choice in hindsight!

Class player - yes please!

https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11820/12178779/moise-kean-paris-saint-germain-in-talks-with-everton-to-sign-forward-for-31m

I’d love him to do well here but this is the inevitable outcome and hopefully it means we’ve got something lined up - someone who could have an instant impact.

1 hour ago, Romey 1878 said:

Absolutely no chance he's going to be accept lower wages.

If it means a longer contract, he may do. Many do when they get into their 30s. May not get a better contract elsewhere and clearly still part of the first team squad here - for now.

A new contract could always mean reduced terms but an extra year or 2. Maybe Ancelotti sees him as an important squad player. Maybe he doesn’t want a £40-£50m ‘investment’ to go into the final year of his contract and wants to protect whatever we can get back for him.

21 minutes ago, Romey 1878 said:

Digne has to come straight back in when he's fully fit. Even if Godfrey is doing well once he's ready there's no question he goes out of the side regardless.

Richarlison needs an overlapping full-back too. Pretty average at times without one.