nutmegwolf203

Sam's been saying this a lot recently and I tend to forget this when analyzing the squad but we have a ton of players. Doesn't matter how you feel about a particluar individual, there are just a lot of players to utilize and try to keep happy. That's tough for everyone involved. I love Niasse's attitude, but personally I'd like to see someone like Sandro integrated into the squad and producing so we don't see him gone in January. I prefer that over accommodating Oumar who in my opinion isn'tt great at starting matches. It's tough because he does tend to score but his unorthodox style makes him sort of a luxury player.

I think so, but he still could have done better. His touch is incredible; he makes retaining the ball look easy. His shooting is just far too cautious. If he starts to just hit em when he's in those good positions I think he'll convert more chances.

Right, simple math and a decent memory would indicate it's right to just focus on rebuilding. We looked as bad as I've seen us in years only 5 fixtures ago. Given some people's comments you would think we're in CL places. One loss and we're in the bottom half, two and we're battling with the others in the basement of the league. This is an interesting, almost futile debate because it essentially highlights how people prefer to function in working/academic settings. Everyone's different, but I personally wouldn't want to have a party of any kind until the new year. When things are a bit more definite. Winning and being higher up the table will be reward enough. As has been said, they play football, they're already having fun...

We need a striker who understands what the pressure to succeed feels like. Someone who wants it bad enough. Despite their recent records I think they have the types of attributes that Everton could use right now, whether or not it turns out to be them. They're still thought of as the marquee players in their leagues; maybe that's more to the point I'm trying to make here.

Is that better man management?

I'd argue that he is building team spirit. Schneiderlin isn'tt at peak form, but he is playing a bit better and giving interviews again. That seems like a big deal to me, regardless of how you feel about the player. It's a postponed party not a demerit or a fine. I understand where you're coming from, and we'll probably never agree on this, but I think the players are just happy to be winning again. I'd be happy that I wasn't embarrassing myself every weekend any longer, even if I was Niasse, DCL, etc. After all it is a team sport, unlike track (athletics) or something like that. I'm of the opinion that even prospectively fun social gatherings can come at the wrong time. I turn down parties to do things for myself and my work all the time. I think them continuing their rehabilitation, which is what the pundits are calling it (rightly so), is what's most important. Also, they seem to be happy with Big Sam at the helm, he's getting results. It's almost like no one's upset but you. Not to be snide, but I don't think they're taking it as seriously as you or the media would elect to. I think we'd hear about it. "Cancelling Christmas" makes for a click bate headline but there's no real story there.

Totally agree, maybe I'm a bit harsh on myself but I wouldn't want to go to that party if I've performed or haven't performed the way they have up until now. If I don't deserve to celebrate something, I don't. What's there to celebrate for them, honestly? They'll still do things with their families and amongst each other so it's not a big deal to me. They're playing catch up right now and I bet when they're in a higher position in the new year even they will feel like it's actually worth it to acknowledge their achievements.

Dembele, Werner, Dolberg; that's the standard of striker needed. I know there are many variables that stand in the way of acquisitions like that but we're gonna have to pay up. It's proper punishment for not figuring things out in the summer. Calvert- Lewin has a bright future, but he could use a break. I'm sure Steve Walsh has a magnifying glass on him at the moment. Hopefully he performs his job with the enthusiasm of someone who wants to stay employed after the holidays.

Also, I hope all this wasted possession and withering build up play starts to stick soon. We're playing well in patches which is more than we could have said a month ago!

Hopefully SA is working his way towards fielding a more balanced front line. Lennon's a great pro and we do well with him in the side, but there should be someone on the other flank that mirrors him. Vlasic didn't show much of himself in a disjointed latter third of the match, but him and Lookman or Lennon and him would be a fun combo to watch. Sigg and Rooney playing in the same side only works in spite of actual functionality; they're both really intelligent so it's OK, but things could be more cohesive. Other than that we do look far more confident these days, despite riding our luck at times.

Yeah it's a strange pairing, but I think I understand what he was going for. I actually think direct comparisons (playing style, etc.) can be damaging and a bit trite for the players in question. I know that's one thing that annoys me about art criticism; it's not really as constructive as intended and can be misleading. I just think this kid has a great attitude and I have a wait-and-see mentality towards his development. He was not supposed to be playing this much and I don't think he has any contemporaries his age playing so often for their PL clubs. He deserves our support because he constantly gives everything and looks to improve. Maybe it's the lack of inflection on here, but it often feels like in an effort to exercise our wit we are quick to shoot down a player's potential. As if it's easier to be cynical and funny than just wish someone the best. I'm included in that observation, I'm sure I do it too. With that said, I retract my Harry Kane references, they're unfair. He'll grow in to a decent player though, I'm sure of it. He wants it too bad not to.

https://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/dominic-calvert-lewin-rom-leaving-i-knew-there-was-going-be-opportunity-now-its-down-me Awesome interview. I'm not going to heap unwarranted praise on this kid, but he has great potential and a hard working attitude. The fact that he was a CM makes a lot of sense. The player comparison towards the end is left-field and I like it.

I actually think he may have had something to do with that. I remember Owen Hargreaves (I think) saying after that match that Allardyce definitely had proper input on how we organized ourselves against WH. Of course, Unsworth deserves credit but we looked motivated and cohesive in a way we hadn't before. I think he's just what we've needed, but I hope he starts to be progressive in order to live up to the standards even he's spoken of. I expect the fixture at Goodison to be a huge positive step forward.

I agree, I think their styles of play are quite comparable. One thing that has impressed me is the variety in his goals; which mostly stem from great movement. It's all very encouraging.

I was under the impression he'd been involved in more goals than anyone in the team. Surely that means he deserves his place.

He seems like a striker to me. Reminds me of Defoe in ways; intelligent runs and shots from distance. I think he'll start to actually score if he's played regularly. That said, he can be an effective wide forward but not someone that whips in crosses.

Get rid of this clown. Doing the exact same thing that hasn't worked all season, after two weeks to think of something else.

Yeah that would be perfect

I think this is the main reason we're having trouble finding a striker. It's a high profile position within an especially inflated market and no one desperate to sell.

I disagree, I think he appealed to voters who felt alienated (insecure) and desperate. Circumstances and his good-ol' boy personality won them over. Today he's been ranting about people erasing history; harping on the statues and deflecting from his initial comments. Freedom of speech is easier to defend than racism...I get being the anti-establishment and seeking that in a candidate, but I've always found his actions repulsive.

Without question. Completely unfit to lead.

This is good news and now I'm excited about movement for other targets.

No real traction to this but, yes please!

Of course it's been said better than I could have put it: "I have almost reached the regrettable conclusion that the Negro's great stumbling block in his stride toward freedom is not the White Citizen's Counciler or the Ku Klux Klanner, but the white moderate, who is more devoted to "order" than to justice; who prefers a negative peace which is the absence of tension to a positive peace which is the presence of justice; who constantly says: "I agree with you in the goal you seek, but I cannot agree with your methods of direct action"; who paternalistically believes he can set the timetable for another man's freedom; who lives by a mythical concept of time and who constantly advises the Negro to wait for a "more convenient season." Shallow understanding from people of good will is more frustrating than absolute misunderstanding from people of ill will. Lukewarm acceptance is much more bewildering than outright rejection." -Martin Luther King, Jr. From, 'Letter from a Birmingham Jail' This can be applied to many marginalized groups.

In a cab on my first visit to NO last year I asked my driver what one of these very statues was; what effigy was it depicting? He said Robert E. Lee. That's when they were just talking about taking them down. After about four days in a very fun city I quickly remembered where I was.