Bailey

I would be disappointed if we didnt score at least a couple if that Vergini (sp?) plays. Everytime I have seen him, especially in a back 5, he has been terrible.

Sunderland 0 - 2 Everton Lukaku

What I will say about Gibson last night was that I liked the way he spread the play quickly. He went for one too many Hollywood passes but it helped us control the game and see the game out without a fuss.

He has a knack of popping up in the right place at the right time.

I dont get why Distin not being on the bench would be seen as there being a bust up when he started last night and also in the previous game at Lille? How does that work? He isnt on the bench so they must have had a bust up but then he plays and it means nothing?

I fail to see how he could deserve a chance ahead of McCarthy or Barry as they have both been excellent most of this season, especially recently. It also worth noting that McCarthy is leading the pass before the assist stats according to Executionersbong.

Gibson has been poor or average at best in each appearance this season bar last night (and its not that hard to look decent when your 3 up and in complete control) so he hasnt even deserved to be given more of a chance than he has been given so far. Barry and McCarthy are far better players and Barry has all his qualities and more IMO.

When we have everyone fit he will be a bench player this season too. The club can't not offer an extension but Osman needs to realise that his time has been and gone.

I don't know how much truth there was into the Fernando rumour but he has crap from what I have seen of him for City but it looks like an expensive bullet dodged.

Inter might be a more prestigious club but Seria A is way below the premier league and it's bent.

Dont forget we do have Hibbert and Besic who can also play CB along with Barry who incidentally was excellent at the weekend. Distin played the other week in Europe and I expect him to play tomorrow and again at the weekend.

I think he is because he reads the game better and can pick a pass which is something Lennon and your general quick tricky winger cant do so even if they can beat all 10 outfield players they are just as likely to mishit the pass or shot. Sterling is better than that and he is only 19 or something. He isnt as good as the pundits make out but he has a lot more in his locker than Lennon. In all honesty I used to think the same as you but I watched a couple of his games last season against decent opponents and he really impressed me. Real did play well last time either. IMO they arent all they are cracked up to be, they can butcher you on the counter with the quality they have but they can be frustrated and caught on the counter themselves.

They havent played any of the big boys yet though. I think the only teams up there that they have played is Spurs and Liverpool and they lost both. As far as opening fixtures go, bar Liverpool in the first game (which has proven to be easier than anticipated) Koeman couldnt have wished for a better start.

I cant believe that rule either, I would be livid if I was Hamilton. Luckily he is pretty decent around that track so barring a mechanical failure he should be ok. It was a great drive at the weekend too. He seems to be maturing as a driver now.

He is a far better footballer than Aaron Lennon. Lennon is quick but brainless whereas Sterling can actually pick a pass as well as skip by players whether he is out wide or centrally. He isnt in the greatest form of his career at the moment but he will sort himself out. I like Berahino though as well mind you. His movement is very good and although I find he doesn't get himself involved in the game enough at times, he does spring into life when the moment comes and he is an excellent finisher. He would link up well with the likes of Sterling, Sturridge, Barkley and Lallana in the England squad.

Hahaha

We played well in the first half at Wolfsburg and the end of the Krasnodar game but that's the lot!

We certainl didn't test the keeper enough but a lot of that was down to bad finishing or a poor final ball/touch. First half especially we created some decent openings on the edge of the box but overplayed trying to walk the ball in.

I'm not having that we were poor yesterday. If we play like that every game this season we would win a hell of a lot of matches. Defensively in that first half we were as good as I have seen us bar one small blip from Baines dropping too deep. We gave ourselves lots of opportunities and got ourselves in good positions without ever finishing the move off. Sometimes it clicks, sometimes it doesnt. Credit to Swansea though because they were excellent at the back and yet we still created more than enough to win the game. They were content to sit deep and hope they could feed off any scraps from Bony whilst also fouling us at every opportunity, which didn't help when the referee didn't play the advantage. I think we played the ball a bit too slowly in the second half and Swansea got a small foothold but in the last 20 we picked it up again and created more decent chances including Jagielka missing from a yard and Pienaar skewing wide from about 8.

I hope your joking... we might as well keep McGeady. Have the ability but nothing behind the ears to support it.

Real shame because he has looked solid.

I thought he did alright first half but ended up outside the box too often and I was surprised that he was the one moved wide when Lukaku came on. He got on the ball at the end but never really in a position to cause a threat.

McCarthy for me. Didn't think anyone played badly but also not too many players stood out across the whole game. I thought McCarthy was very good first half and his energy and commitment was epitomised by his 40-50 yard run and one two late on.

Yeh we definitely over played at times. Disagree about the Baines comments above, yeh his corners were shit but he played well otherwise. In fact I didn't think anyone played badly.

Cant believe we didn't win that game. Credit to Swansea though as well, they defended brilliantly.