Bailey

Players are dropping like flies!

Of all the players in the squad Distin is probably the last players I could see kicking up a fuss.

Just seen a video of the crash on twitter (@portalhamilton). Its absolutely horrific and Its a miracle he is alive.

I think there may be some truth in it (because I would expect the bowlers and wicket keeper to have a closer bond than most of the other players and it may be a little cliquey) but no doubt it is over-exaggerated in order to help sell his book.

Exactly this. It sounds like bullshit to me... Makes me laugh though that people call Martinez too nice and then when he supposedly bollocks someone he is criticised.

Its still crazy to think that we have had a really poor start to the season but we are only 5 points off 4th. Its frustrating because we should be right up there and we have to play a little catch up but 5 points is nothing. In 4 games time we could realistically be looking at top 6 again.

Barry for me. I think his impact was underrated. Stones second and then Baines/Besic in third. I also thought Pienaar did well in the circumstances. Clearly wasnt match fit but he gave all he could and if it wasnt for his run Hibbert wouldnt have won the penalty.

I agree. I get the point that Stones shouldnt have been as deep as he was but if Howard either clears the ball a long way down field or plays the ball into touch the goal isnt scored because we would have been able to set ourselves and Di Maria wouldnt have had all the time in the world. You could maybe say that Jags has a role to play because Falcao becomes his runner and he stands and watches even though he can see Stones in front of him. Either way for me about 75% of the blame lands on Howard because if he thinks and doesnt turn the ball straight over to them, we are in a far better position to either start a counter attack or at least get our defensive shape back. It was stupid and unnecessary from him and he did the same thing at the end of the game. We need to start an attack and he gives the ball away 30 yards from goal.

I don't think there has been a lot wrong with his subs in the last 2 games on the whole. Lukaku on at half time and gets us on the front foot. Osman came on and was very influential whilst he was on the pitch and potential tally could have equalised/won it. They might not be the subs we all wanted but it's hard to argue they weren't effective in their own way.

Jesus Christ it's like ground hog day in this thread. I thought he started well yesterday but he lacked a lot of support in the end of the first half. 2nd half he should have been better but in all honesty he didn't look interested. He had a rabbit in headlights look, almost as if someone had handed his arse to him at half time and he didn't know how to react. I just wish you could bottle up what Naismith has inside and give some of it to Lukaku. I don't expect Lukaku to work as hard as Naismith but Lukaku didn't look like he gave a toss and did the pathetic look if chasing the ball as if he was tired. Incidentally when there was a threat on goal he was full of energy again.

Howard to blame for the 2nd goal... He really is a fucking idiot and he almost did something similar right at the death. Compare him with the quality of saves from De Gea and that was one of the bug differences. Poor first half but a good 2nd. Gutted we didn't get a point and i'm very worried about Stones because he was class and we can't afford for him to be out.

Frustrating half. We haven't been bad but they have troubled us all game with crosses into the box. Can't really do a great deal about the goal other than to stop the cross. Shocking pen from Baines but it was a very good build up. We haven't created a lot but our touch has let us down in the final third or when opportunities have arrived mainly McGeady, Lukaku, Naismith and Pienaar. The main difference between the 2 teams has been Di Maria. He is having a bit of a field day down our right unsurprisingly and he is making them tick in the final third. Considering Pienaar isn't fully up to speed I think he has put in a real good shift. If only McGeady could do the same on the other side.

The way we stuck to it and came back into the game and actually finished the game was a positive though. The 60 mins of shite before it wasn't good but we actually fought back and started to look like our old self in the end.

Definitely agree about being given more of a chance, just commenting on what I saw last night. From what I saw it wasn't his decision making that was necessarily the problem it was the execution that was lacking.

At least with Gerry you could see that if he got a chance to make something then more often than not it resulted in a chance. I have seen Atsu get into some good areas but he hasn't produced and yesterday he made a real hash of some fairly simple passes.

Well spotted! Personally I would line up with Chambers-Stones-Cahill-Baines. I think it would be by far our strongest back 4 but I imagine it will be Stones-Cahill-Jags-Baines which is worrying given how many goals we (Everton) have shipped this season! lol

As I mentioned though the stats don't tell the whole truth. Passes were Co. Pleated or dribbles were completed but they didn't necessarily help the team. Like I said, I only watched the first 45 mins and as I mentioned his finishing was superb.

No Chambers? Agree with Clyne, glad to see he has been given a chance. Will be interesting to see if Stones will start ahead of Jags.

I watched the first half. I thought he was on the outskirts of the game for most of it, he slowed play when he should have been quickening it, his passing was getting there but not as accurate as it should have been and his touch was ok but again it cause him to slow down or move away from the where the space was. He took his goals supremely though, couldn't have asked for more. They were gifted to him because of how badly Gala defended but he made the most of his chances. Good overall performance though but most strikers would look good against that opposition. Will be interesting to see how he does at Chelsea.

He got into some good positions but his decision making was shocking. He could have done some damage but constantly he gave the ball away.

Stonesy!

Shocking for 60-65 minutes and then we started to dominate for the rest of the game which is a positive. We recycled the ball far better, actually put some effort into winning the 2nd ball (Hibbert, Stones, McGeady and Barry especially) and got into some great positions without making the most of it until the goal. Stones was an absolute monster. The number of great challenges, his desire to add some pace to our attack and the amount of times he covered Jags and Hibberts arse was incredible. He would have even cleared up after Jags for the goal if the latter didn't interfere with that touch. Bringing on Lukaku at half time was a good move because he did very well whilst he was on the pitch. Eto'o will get the plaudits for the goal but look how Lukaku drags 2 defenders with him for the goal to create the space. Osman's influence in the last 30 mins shouldn't be underestimated either. I don't know why we didn't make any more subs but in fairness the players I was slagging off actually pulled their finger out. I'm guessing we will see Besic start at the weekend!

Get in! Been coming too. Massive tackle from stones in the build up.

That has to be handball and a sending off!?

Been better in the last 10 mins. Not finding that final ball.