nogs

Hodgson is chatting shite saying he has to live up to two absolute greats to make the England team. Totti was young player of the year in Serie A in 1998 as Roma finished fourth, but didnt make the Italian World Cup squad. So he's putting pressure on Barkley by telling him he has to live up to an all-time great who wasnt even an established international at the same age. Ross needs to be given time and space to develop, he can and will get better. Totti came into is own about 24 when Roma won the title.
 
I do agree more goals would be nice. The miss against West Brom show he's still a nervous finisher.

Sign of a frustrated player for me. Coming on 91st minute is a massive insult. Martinez must know that. Still, inexcusable from Mirallas.

Sign of a frustrated player for me. Coming on 91st minute is a massive insult. Martinez must know that. Still, inexcusable from Mirallas.

Haha you've got to be the only Evertonian that doesn't think the build up to that goal was class!
 
Compare Rom to Barkley, they both try lots of things that don't come off, runs into blind alleys, miscontrol, loose passes. But they both keep trying it, and when it comes off, we score. And if it can come off just once for each of them per match, we score twice, and will win most games on this basis.
 
Now I've seen you mock Hodgson for criticising Barkley for the things that go wrong, rather than giving him the freedom to get it right. You do exactly the same to Lukaku, hammer him mercilessly for the things that don't come off. And then, just to prove a point, you hammer him when he has produced a piece of skill that leads to a goal. It really doesn't add up.

Haha you've got to be the only Evertonian that doesn't think the build up to that goal was class!
 
Compare Rom to Barkley, they both try lots of things that don't come off, runs into blind alleys, miscontrol, loose passes. But they both keep trying it, and when it comes off, we score. And if it can come off just once for each of them per match, we score twice, and will win most games on this basis.
 
Now I've seen you mock Hodgson for criticising Barkley for the things that go wrong, rather than giving him the freedom to get it right. You do exactly the same to Lukaku, hammer him mercilessly for the things that don't come off. And then, just to prove a point, you hammer him when he has produced a piece of skill that leads to a goal. It really doesn't add up.

Haha you've got to be the only Evertonian that doesn't think the build up to that goal was class!
 
Compare Rom to Barkley, they both try lots of things that don't come off, runs into blind alleys, miscontrol, loose passes. But they both keep trying it, and when it comes off, we score. And if it can come off just once for each of them per match, we score twice, and will win most games on this basis.
 
Now I've seen you mock Hodgson for criticising Barkley for the things that go wrong, rather than giving him the freedom to get it right. You do exactly the same to Lukaku, hammer him mercilessly for the things that don't come off. And then, just to prove a point, you hammer him when he has produced a piece of skill that leads to a goal. It really doesn't add up.

Haha you've got to be the only Evertonian that doesn't think the build up to that goal was class!
 
Compare Rom to Barkley, they both try lots of things that don't come off, runs into blind alleys, miscontrol, loose passes. But they both keep trying it, and when it comes off, we score. And if it can come off just once for each of them per match, we score twice, and will win most games on this basis.
 
Now I've seen you mock Hodgson for criticising Barkley for the things that go wrong, rather than giving him the freedom to get it right. You do exactly the same to Lukaku, hammer him mercilessly for the things that don't come off. And then, just to prove a point, you hammer him when he has produced a piece of skill that leads to a goal. It really doesn't add up.

There's a reason why tactics are drifting away from the lone striker, unless you have a Drogba they simply do not score enough goals. You might as well have Marcus Bent playing up top on his own as Kone, except that Bent at least had goalscoring midfielders behind, this current squad doesn't.
 
So far this season, bar the second half against Barnsley, we've been at our best with Kone and then Naismith dropping off Lukaku and making use of the space left my defenders marking him. No, he hasn't got the magic Drogba touch to play up top on his own, but physically he's a handful and defenders stand off him warily, creating space for a Kone, Naismith or even Barkley to exploit. Then when defenders do step up to to nullify those threats, Rom gets that little bit of space he needs to run at goal from 20-25 yards, where he looks really dangerous.
 
It's a big improvement from last season where Lukaku was woefully isolated and therefore ineffective. Hats off to Martinez, he's finding a way to get results out of several players at the moment. But Lukaku, like him or not, is key to it. And best of all, when teams do start to work out the new system, we've got genuine wide men on the bench to play another way. Lukaku is also a pretty good poacher and will score a hatful if Geri keeps putting in crosses like he did against Barnsley.
 
In summary - it's a team game, and for me Rom is is doing just fine as a cog in the way we're playing at the moment.

They will. Did the same in the 60s when Racquel Welch (spelling?? Before my time...) started turning up because she fancied Peter Osgood. For a short period they were oh-so-fashionable then plummeted like a stone. 
Strip away the businessman faux supporters and we all know what their 'real' fans are, horrible neo-nazi thugs who take a Millwall-like perverse pleasure in being hated. Post Abromivich, good luck to them, they have been a cancer on the Premier League the last decade and will deservedly rot again.

Ive got mates who support all sorts of clubs, they've all said they hope we keep Stones. Once again Sky, Sun and their runty followers the Express, Mail and Star are trying to dictate rather than reflect piblic opinion.
 
The media in this country really is one of the most vile and corrupt of our social institutions, and nowhere is this clearer than football coverage. It's all about doffing your cap to the big boys, for 15 years it was Man United, now it's Chelsea. They are the biggest, the richest, the best, so no one else matters, everyone is there to serve their interests. When they don't toe the line, they become subversive and dangerous.
 
It's a view of the world that obviously suits the mega rich Tory bastards that run the media. Keep the masses in their place etc. Shame not everyone can see through it and people keep swallowing this shit.
 
Dragging the club's name through the dirt by association as in that Stones article is a cunt's trick. I suggest anyone who feels angry enough about it should write to the sports editor demanding they print/reveal sources and evidence.

Ive got mates who support all sorts of clubs, they've all said they hope we keep Stones. Once again Sky, Sun and their runty followers the Express, Mail and Star are trying to dictate rather than reflect piblic opinion.
 
The media in this country really is one of the most vile and corrupt of our social institutions, and nowhere is this clearer than football coverage. It's all about doffing your cap to the big boys, for 15 years it was Man United, now it's Chelsea. They are the biggest, the richest, the best, so no one else matters, everyone is there to serve their interests. When they don't toe the line, they become subversive and dangerous.
 
It's a view of the world that obviously suits the mega rich Tory bastards that run the media. Keep the masses in their place etc. Shame not everyone can see through it and people keep swallowing this shit.
 
Dragging the club's name through the dirt by association as in that Stones article is a cunt's trick. I suggest anyone who feels angry enough about it should write to the sports editor demanding they print/reveal sources and evidence.

I have to say it seems a bit odd that there's been no official word rejecting the transfer request or otherwise... it's all gone very quiet.
 
I also feel for Stones. The media is a disgrace the way it piles hype and pressure on what are after all very young, often quite immature young lads. There's no consideration for what this circus does to a player mentally and emotionally, and then they wonder why our top talent never go on to dominate internationally - bullshit like what Stones is going through will either leave a sour taste about the game in general, or make players terrified to fail under the spotlight.
 
Then again, neither agents nor the FA do any good driving and allowing the BS that goes on.

For me its the huge psychological adjustment required to start cheering someone I hated with a vengeance because they played for Manure... and the mrs saying 'didn't you say ... about him', just to remind me like.

First off, let's pay respect to Barnsley. League 1 shows we should have a bright future in this country, I saw Sheff Utd come from 2 down against Spurs last year and scare the hell out of them, and Bradford against Chelsea was on of the all time great FA Cup team performances. Barnsley gave us a real go, played the right way, and are apparently the youngest side in the league. Very, very impressed by them. There's some seriously good players in that league, let's hope Prem clubs realise that and start using that talent instead of looking abroad all the time.
 
On us... defensively I don't know what to say, it's not just the Stones situation, we've been shambolic for 12 months now and it's getting really worrying. We can't progress until we sort that.
 
Plus side - after half time, front 5 of Geri, Barkley, Lukaku, Naismith, Mirallas were absolutely superb. Let's not pick holes, we saw some awesome football up front tonight, there is real talent there. Oh, and fair play Martinez, half time subs were inspired.

For me its the huge psychological adjustment required to start cheering someone I hated with a vengeance because they played for Manure... and the mrs saying 'didn't you say ... about him', just to remind me like.

Gloating time

Pretty much what Martinez said in press conference, even said 'a few hours' so expect it to scrape through 23.55 on deadline day...

Bit confused about what Mirallas and Deulefeo's role is... surely 1-0'down at home is the time to change shape and attack with two wingers?

More filth from the Sun. IF he doesn't go, I'd love an explanation from the sports editors as to where they are getting these stories from. Its pretty disgusting the role they are actively playing in unsettling a talented young lad.
 
I disagree with others though, I don't think we should sell even if he hands in a transfer request. I've said it before, he has FOUR years left on his contract, what's the point in having long contracts if players can walk away from them at any time. If he wants to go, it should be explained to him that that will only happen if we are duly compensated for his potential value over the next four years. If not, sorry son but you just have to knuckle down and play for us. I find the idea of players sulking and not giving their all because they don't get their own way in a transfer ludicrous, the money they are on they should be uber professional at all times whoever they play for. And from what I can tell, Stones seems the sort who would take the knock back on the chin and get on with it like a professional.

Can you blame their fans for feeling entitled though, the way the media fawn around them and ex-players talk shite about how Stones should go there, of course the fans will expect him to move. The disrespect shown by the media in all of this has been appalling, shows just how deep the lines of money and patronage weight the game in favour of the few. Really pisses me off.

Can you blame their fans for feeling entitled though, the way the media fawn around them and ex-players talk shite about how Stones should go there, of course the fans will expect him to move. The disrespect shown by the media in all of this has been appalling, shows just how deep the lines of money and patronage weight the game in favour of the few. Really pisses me off.

Totally agree Steve. Having 4 21 or younger ready for Prem football (Barkley, Stones, Garbutt, Galloway) is quite an achievement. Add in two or three more out of Besic, Browning, McAleny, Dowell, Ledson, Holgate etc. and you can probably start talking about a golden generation. And lets not forget Lukaku is still a kid really, plus Gerry.
 
And yes, drive and committment is everything. Best way to nurture that? Get them in playing together and foster a real collective identity, team spirit and shared will to win. Crack that and it's exciting times.
 
But like I say, we're two or three years away from seeing that bear fruit, and as you say, the odds for all or most of them making it are strongly against.

Totally agree Steve. Having 4 21 or younger ready for Prem football (Barkley, Stones, Garbutt, Galloway) is quite an achievement. Add in two or three more out of Besic, Browning, McAleny, Dowell, Ledson, Holgate etc. and you can probably start talking about a golden generation. And lets not forget Lukaku is still a kid really, plus Gerry.
 
And yes, drive and committment is everything. Best way to nurture that? Get them in playing together and foster a real collective identity, team spirit and shared will to win. Crack that and it's exciting times.
 
But like I say, we're two or three years away from seeing that bear fruit, and as you say, the odds for all or most of them making it are strongly against.

Totally agree Steve. Having 4 21 or younger ready for Prem football (Barkley, Stones, Garbutt, Galloway) is quite an achievement. Add in two or three more out of Besic, Browning, McAleny, Dowell, Ledson, Holgate etc. and you can probably start talking about a golden generation. And lets not forget Lukaku is still a kid really, plus Gerry.
 
And yes, drive and committment is everything. Best way to nurture that? Get them in playing together and foster a real collective identity, team spirit and shared will to win. Crack that and it's exciting times.
 
But like I say, we're two or three years away from seeing that bear fruit, and as you say, the odds for all or most of them making it are strongly against.

This morning's press conference:
 
Manager Roberto Martinez also ruled out any sale for John Stones who has been linked with Chelsea and Manchester United. Martinez is determined to keep the 21-year-old at Goodison Park.
 
"I have said before the player is not for sale and that is the end of it," he said.
 
Sounds pretty categorical to me. Now can press and pundits kindly fuck off and stop talking about OUR player going to Chelsea, it's an absolute disgrace.