nutmegwolf203

It seems the only thing that would keep Lukaku around is more money and clauses for any future departure. We are in a stronger position now, every club is susceptible to the 'business' of football, and to continue focusing on the negative and not acknowledge the fact that every football club does things their supporters don't like, that's the circus. Lukaku's a misguided, overrated, intelligent talent, that's on the verge of either becoming great or forgotten. Forgive him for being a prick and stop thinking about him and see that he's just put the club in a bad position with his shitty attitude. He's not a winner, he's an entitled millennial. I haven't seen this recent interview, but it seems Koeman is just being honest. Transparency is key, so I support his approach. In the current market and with the idea of having unity in the dressing room I'd sell, regardless of his skill set. I'd rather see a hard working and grateful team play at Goodison, than someone sulking and ruining team morale. Fuck him, his wage demands and his lack of respect.

Obviously I'm not sure about what's actually happening behind the scenes, but I think that despite Koeman and his reputation, the combination of high player valuations and our poor recent record is working against us. It's probably just hard to get higher caliber players to come to Goodison. This has probably been said before, but I'm just tempering my expectations because I think there's a lot of rebuilding that has to be done around the club. That being said I believe they've started in the right direction.

That's actually a rational way of looking at it.

Only seen a replay on a grainy stream from a bad angle, haha. It looked like a Geri dive. I just expect him to dive when he's in the box. That's the one thing I don't like about his game. If he didn't, fair play, but that's what it seemed like.

I honestly don't think Jags has been the best captain, form or not. I just never thought it was his strong suit. He seems like a great person, but perhaps not the type of leader the team needs. That's why I'd factor in energy and attitude in appointing the next captain. In my opinion you could go for a steady head like Barry or someone with more passion and drive like Besic/Coleman. Besic is still green in a lot of ways (and generally undeserving so soon), so I'd go with Seamus because he's critical and vocal. A move like that might even give his game more energy again. I think he's pretty inspiring and I've seen him critique the play of others on more than one occasion. He seems like he's always attempting to be constructive.

I'm a fan of El Shaaraway. He could do well in the prem. He's got a center mid's football I.Q. Really fun to watch.

"Longest Thread for Drivel" is right. Wow, I just, don't care anymore. He can leave; could've left last season because he's been disrespectful towards the club and the supporters for far too long now. In fact, if the club's going to keep him he should be doing some PR damage control to win everyone back. Obviously his agent has influenced things, but Pogba and Ibra, despite their own unique personalities have actually been pretty tight lipped about transfer dealings. Perhaps not the best examples, but at the very least, speculation seems to happen around them without them engaging the media directly. Regardless, he's been a dick, and I hope there are other prospects for the position that have talent, ambition and genuinely want to be at Everton. This is not in reaction to any recent media outbursts, just how I feel about this whole pseudo-saga If he's not sold in this window he's got to perform either way.

Thought it looked great. So far, both home and away have been really well done.

My sentiments exactly. He'll be a tidy player operating right behind the striker.

Mirallas, I had to look up what I thought you were referencing. If this is indeed it, it seems as if she's urging anyone who reads that open letter to go through the correct channels and demand change. I don't know what race war you're talking about. In fact, I'm not even a Beyonce fan really, but she has stood up and used her platform responsibly. Police reform is the next step, or a next step, and the public can be instrumental in making that happen. http://www.beyonce.com/freedom/

Steve, those that are truly outraged have very little control over the media. Several news sources used mugshots of Alton Sterling as his photo during the story and somehow found it relevant to mention any prior arrests. This is how people of color are treated in the states. I'd say it's an extreme, but it's actually more of a constant. As I saw someone mention in an article, everyone's outraged about the shootings that have been caught on video in the past 48 hours. These just happen to be the only two encounters that have been witnessed in this way. For what's it's worth, I wrote something in response. I posted it to Instagram, hence some of the context and references: "July 5th marked the anniversary of the ass beating I received from the NYPD a few years back. Alton Sterling will have no such anniversary, his July 5th was the end of him; there’s nothing to look back on, or wonder if he could have done something differently. Because the truth is he couldn’t have done anything differently. He was tricked into becoming a part of a tragic canon of statistics that piles up by the day. The truth, or a certain type of truth is that they wanted Alton dead to begin with. That’s the truth I live by, the one that says I’m a ‘threatened threat’; some of us are born members of a brutal faction of burgeoning-star-athlete-killers. I’ve always been this way, on the brink of something. At times, it has taken a fair amount of self control to ensure that that ‘something’ isn’t negative, or the end of me. Although enforced by unstable and unintelligent bullies, the system is effective. It’s designed to set examples, discredit martyrs, and slander those who seek justice. Since his death, some news sources have depicted mugshots of Sterling, think about that. In no way is that appropriate. But perhaps it should be expected, before they did it themselves, this very country, with the same government sent a note to MLK suggesting he kill himself for the greater good. My new life resolution was to be more of an activist, to know more activists, and spend more of my time being effective towards social justice. I have not wavered, but it has taken me a while to figure out how to turn grief into growth. In this case, the things that bring me solace also tear holes in my heart. I’m here, I made it, but I’m also here and they didn’t. I’m making it my business to understand situations like this better. Orlando isn’t a problem for the LGBTQ community, it’s an ‘us’ sorta thing, Brock Turner and the circus that was his non-trial is an ‘us’ problem, police brutality/profiling is us, and we have to figure this out. As tragedies like this get more and more coverage, I’ve taken it upon myself to watch every bit of footage I can handle. I no longer dismiss things I once deemed too brutal. I no longer have that luxury. If you watch Alton Sterling’s murder, you will see something so brutal, so extreme, it almost seems fake. You must watch it; once you do you’ll understand that some things are fueled by an agenda, some things are on purpose. @questlove has posted the video if you choose to view it. My parents taught me about the cops and how they think of me, I listened, but out of fear I didn’t apply what I learned. Somehow I’m here typing this. Most of us won’t be that lucky. Before any of my other ideas are put into action I’d like to simply provide my presence as someone who’s a great listener. If you’re reading this and feel like I can relate to you in any way, if you’ve gone through something that has stolen a part of you; I can’t pretend to understand everything, but I can listen and do my best. Let’s exchange letters, emails, whatever. In short, I’m here to promote change, maintain my self-worth and build up the shine of those around me...I have no time for perpetual cynics and hashtaggers that choose to remove themselves from these issues."

"Everton is at the level where building their system around Mata only has benefits; their football last season was all-out attacking, free-flowing, possession-oriented football. Mata would also have the necessary attacking talent to pick out; Ross Barkley and Romelu Lukaku were spectacular last season, while Gerard Deulofeu and Aaron Lennon represent direct threats on goal. Mata could, and probably would be one of the best footballers in the Premier League again, which he likely can’t do at United. Mata has been a leader and a fan favourite for his short-lived three years at United, and it says enough about him that his standout attribute is his incredible professionalism and ingenuity, attributes that are often gone in football. United could be saying goodbye to yet another leader, a player who picked them up in a time of dark and tried harder than anyone to carry his weight. However, as I’ve already stated about his counterpart, Wayne Rooney (albeit for different reasons), it could be time for Mata to move on. By moving to Everton, Mata would be helping a team with massive potential step towards it, and he would be able to do things he never got the opportunity to do at Manchester United or under Jose Mourinho. United fans love the Spaniard as much as any other player at the club, but bidding farewell would be best for him and Old Trafford. Mata will forever be a part of United, whether he’s at Old Trafford or not, only a true Red Devil would score a bicycle kick at Anfield." Really level headed perspective, given the circumstances.

Exactly, it's toxic. Hoping every player absorbs the Evertonian mentality is unrealistic, but having the decency to express ambition in private is not. He should know better, even in spite of his loud mouth agent. If he stays he'll need to go on a PR campaign to allay constant heckling from supporters.

Besides being injured and the state of the Fulham team...didn't he have a horrible season there? Including a performance he felt compelled to apologize for? This is what I heard/read, not something I know first hand. Just trying to get an assessment of his ability. I agree that his development has been hindered by the depth at the LB position.

A combination buy of Embolo and Batshuayi would be the move. They both seem eager and willing to work within a team.

Michy Batshuayi

Right, it's very easy to point fingers at the manager, but that match was lost because of the lack of energy and commitment from the players in the first half.

http://www.football365.com/news/romelu-lukaku-the-ridiculous-statistics More praise for the big man. He's worth everything and I'm glad he felt that at Goodison last night. I'm quietly confident that they'll get him and some of the others to sign new contracts. They have to be looking at Leicester and Spurs right now and think 'we can compete'. At least that's how I think.

I have a feeling that's growing pains more than anything. Barkley's getting better and as he becomes more confident in his scoring ability he holds on to the ball. The challenge, or next step, is threading passes like he did yesterday and finding the balance of score or assist.

Is Sydney not an androgynous name in the UK (or elsewhere)? Most of the Sydney's I've ever met in the states have been women. In fact I'd say it's a much more common female name here. Not like it matters, but I do love those subtle societal differences.

Jay Jay Okocha, George Weah, Mohamed Salah are some others

Yeah that was beautiful, but this half really just needs to end...

I honestly don't think that aspect of his game was that bad, but, like you said the usual finishing wasn't there. That atmosphere sounds horrible to play in. It's cyclical though and no one's really at fault, but there needs to be some leadership out there to provide a catalyst. One thing that is obviously making the whole team nervous is Howard's form. He was directly responsible for both goals. He'd hardly been tested all match and then two subs come on and he flaps at crosses. Joel needs to come in.

I agree, Baines seems to lack proper drive to play.