nogs

Yes you did - we won. How about players are starting to understand his system and style better, players are starting to gel, find their own form, learn their own roles? Or do you just want to have it that when we lose, it's the manager's fault, but when we win it's nothing to do with him?

I don't think much has changed. Most of us would have said we were quietly optimistic about progress under Silva before Pickford's brain fart v the shite, then we reverted back to the sort of form and football that got Koeman sacked - hapless. But it's largely the same personnel in the same system. The difference? Probably a combination of a new manager getting his ideas across more effectively the longer he works with a group, new players finding their feet, more players finding some form and confidence. It's too early to get carried away, though, this is still the side that capitulated woefully against Newcastle two matches ago, the lack of leadership at CB, real creativity in midfield and the need for a proven goalscorer to lighten the load of expectation on the 21 year old who has become our first choice CF all still apply. I think what we are seeing is that calls for Silva's head were very, very premature.

I disagree DCLs finishing was terrible yes. I don't remember him missing any really clear cut opportunities. If anything I'd agree it's his decision making let's him down, he doesn't quite have that intelligence yet to get into the golden opportunity situations. I think that's mainly a maturity and experience thing. But yes my biggest beef is the timing. We've scored 6 goals in 3 games. He's now established himself as our first choice CF, he provides a very effective focal point that is allowing others to play around him. Do you think we are somehow carrying him, and scoring goals despite him? Imo he is getting picked on merit and it's working. And yeah I take your point about me not thinking Sigurdsson was all that effective. But I didn't describe him as terrible and he is a £45m senior pro who I don't see contributing that much when he's not scoring.

Oh ffs we don't agree on something do we?! You can only play what's in front of you, we bossed them at their place, enjoy it you miserable sod.

It's been an odd season. Things were looking promising up to the first Derby then we fell off a cliff for 3 months, playing the kind of abysmal shit that was served up this season. Same players, same shape - and suddenly we look a team again. Lots of really promising performances throughout, but Gomes stood out for me, playing like that I'm happy to change my mind on whether we should pay the money to sign him permanently, ran the midfield with ease.

Really?? He's the one player I was disappointed in tbh.

That puts you on a similar level to Pete coming on and picking on Gana for zero reason. Pointless. He led the line well and worked his arse off in a dominant attacking display. Want to question why we didn't batter them 5 or 6 nil? Apart from Bernard's goal, neither him nor Richarlison did enough to overload and make the extra man in the box, DCL was often the only player in the box when crosses were put in. And what did £45m man Sigurdsson do all game? Don't think it was DCLs best game as it happens, but the targeting of individuals when we should be celebrating an excellent team performance winds the fuck out of me.

I've criticised him a lot this season but he's been the best player on the park today.

That's how to do it! Attacking midfielders overloading into the box, simple tap in! Great ball from Richarlison to Coleman BTW.

Two or three balls right across the six yard box now and only DCL in there, someone else has to be taking a gamble

Need to put one of these chances away

Starting to look like the team we were in November. Excellent start, incisive football.

Are West Ham worse at defending corners than us??

Back to Barkley - I'd say his two performances for England in recent days just prove how shortsighted and stupid the Goodison boo boys were with him (as if any further proof was needed). A bit of time, a bit of maturity, a bit of support, and you've got a real player. Similar story with the England fans who booed Sterling at Euro 2016 - look at him now. I struggle to understand the level of stupidity it takes to boo or scream abuse at a young talented player on your team for making mistakes tbh. It's not a difficult concept - get behind them and give encouragement, they flourish. Throw abuse at them for not being Lionel Messi, they shrink into their shell and you see more and more inconsistency. You don't beat people into being better at anything.

Paying for a ticket does not entitle you to scream abuse, that's a horrible argument. Were Montenegro fans justified in aiming monkey chants at England players just coz they bought a ticket? Where's the line? Football is used as an excuse by dickheads to act like dickheads. Yeah it's always been like that, but it doesn't mean you have to sit on your hands and accept it.

Goal and an assist in 45 mins so far for England...

It's about mutual respect though. Too many fans of this club can't accept young players get better with time, encouragement and freedom to make mistakes. If you're 21 and some bellend (or several dozen) screams 'you're fucking shit you fucking cunt' every time you miss a pass, you end up sticking two fingers up.

He was publicly criticised by Koeman who showed the extent of his knowledge of football by signing Klaassen as a replacement. He also got abuse from sections of the Goodison crowd that I don't think there's any excuse for any player wearing our shirt to get, let alone a young kid who has come through our ranks.

Also like Lukaku and Stones a player we have glaringly failed to replace. Watching him play for England tonight he is everything our midfield is missing. Fans can boo and call him a thick cunt all they want, he's the type of player other clubs aim to build a side round, we were too busy pointing out everything he couldn't do. Rinse and repeat with the latest crop of youngsters.

Incredibly harsh. He did well to head the second down and on target and got an assist as a result.

I wouldn't call that a free header he had to out jump their defender who he left for dead. It wasn't a good enough connection no but why do we have to focus on the negatives all the time? His ability to win the ball in the air made our goal, headed that one down and goal wards and forced the error that let Richarlison score. I thought his all round link up play was excellent today, he ran tirelessly, showed excellent technique bringing long balls under control and good awareness bringing team mates into the game.

Thanks Pete. Your usual delusional opinion convinced me to vote for Gana as MoM, it was a toss up between him and DCL, I appreciate the help you provided making my mind up.

Well that 2nd half was completely unexpected! Defence looked all over the place early doors, Keane and Mina looked solid second half. Richarlison did nothing first 45 mins, ran Alonso ragged when he was on the right 2nd half. Pickford made some essential saves throughout, proved he's got character after that disaster last week. Coleman looks like he's adjusting to losing his pace - he can't bomb on and pose the goal threat he used to, but he showed real leadership today. I thought Gana was excellent throughout, so important to have his bite in there, and DCL lead the line brilliantly, shame he couldn't convert one of his two big chances but deserved his assist. If he can improve his finishing, he will be a superstar.

Brilliant interception from Gana and then the energy to break up the pitch. Better ball from Richarlison puts him in.

People criticise DCL for his finishing but some of the work he does as a target man is superb, he has a beautiful touch with chest and both feet and good awareness.