Bailey

We might not have been bringing on quality but we just needed some energy.

That was really poor, easily the worst performance of the season for me. West Brom were average but in the 2nd half they were by far the better team. We were poor in so many areas, we lacked cohesion, we lacked composure and we lacked any urgency whatsoever. Osman and Oviedo were really poor, in fact I havent seen Osman as bad for a long time. We kept going long (which I do think was a tactic to expose Lugano) but we weren't winning the 2nd ball. Because we were stuck between phases, we were badly out of position and as soon as West Brom won the ball back they had easy passing options. As soon as we got up the field we could really put pressure on them but a lot of the time we were undone but sloppy passes or poor touches, under no pressure whatsoever. Martinez rightfully deserves criticism for waiting far too long to make his changes. We got deeper and deeper (always a bad thing when you're playing against Vic) and it was only a matter of time until they scored because we couldn't relieve the pressure. I'm really gutted because that game was there for the taking and I felt like the players didn't want it badly enough (Mirallas excluded).

I hate playing against sides with a new manager. No idea how they are going to set up or play.

Must admit, I read something on one of the Everton forums/websites from a Celtic supporter that I thought was quite interesting considering my stance on him. He said something a long the lines of that he is the type of player that will continually frustrate you because he will show his skill and class to beat his man but then balls up the cross/shot. Whereas I consider it a bad thing because it does annoy me, he said that at least he is getting into those positions and by doing so he is creating space for others and with enough opportunities he will pick the right ball and therefore create chances that other players wont. I'm sure Martinez will help him play smarter and if he does and if he increases his conversion rate by 10/15% then he is going to be a great player for Everton. My jury is still out but I must admit that I am much more excited about the prospect of seeing him play than I was when we signed him. I hope he does well.

He is a striker. He has scored goals regularly at almost every club he has played for. He hasnt taken his chances for us but he has probably been involved in the most chances per minute on the pitch! I think his link up play is better than Lukaku's personally but then again he has gained that through experience which Lukaku will get.

Dont doubt he has ability, its the bit in between his ears thats a problem!

I very much doubt it. The players would be able to take them to court if they even tried it.

Love that. Youre a top bloke Jela and all the best!

No it wouldnt tbh. They keep saying its inhumane etc to play in such conditions yet they sign up each year for the paycheck/glory. They arent playing for a team, they are playing for themselves. There are plenty of opportunities in other tournaments for them to win so if they think its poorly managed in regards to the heat and they keep telling us that its wrong then the simple answer is to not turn up. Im sure the organisers would take note. If they are going to turn up and take the glory/money knowing what they are going to experience then they should keep their mouth shut and get on with it.

Im glad you spotted that because I couldnt remember him playing for them but at the same time couldnt work out where he was! I forgot we played Benfica, or at least I tried to! I don't think he is that much better at DM. He is the type of player that catches your eye because he does some brilliant things on the ball, but when you watch him closely especially in regards to his positioning and decision making/concentration you just see massive flaws in his game that haven't improved since he arrived. He might develop those skills later in his career but he is prone to make at least one big error in every game.

Calm down Dunc, we have 2 weeks to go yet! Although we might have to sign Big Dunc up though if something happens to Rom in that time!

All these people complaining still have the option of not competing. Not saying the conditions are right, because they clearly aren't but it makes me laugh that they know what its going to be like but still turn up.

I'd add David Luiz as a defender... Thought he was going to turn into a Carvalho style CB but he has ended up somewhere between Nani and Titus Bramble.

That made me laugh!

West Brom 1 - 1 Everton Lukaku

You don't even need to look at the stats, if you watched any of the games he played for Wigan he really stood out. I imagine the people who thought he was going to be a waste of money either didn't watch him play or thought he must be shit because he played for Wigan... Same as Kone I guess.

John Obi Mikel should be number one, two and three. How on earth this man is still at Chelsea and playing in the premier league is a joke. Slow, stupid, average passer, doesn't read the game that well and can strike the ball for shit.

I'm not expecting him to pull up any trees, but I hope that I am proven wrong. Welcome to the club! COYB's

Good win and dominant for the most part. Lost our way after the system change though and it could have cost us a goal. I think it was more to do with the fact that we took our foot of the gas and let our standards slip a little more than anything else.

How did we fuck that chance up... About 5 v 2... Good work from Naismith until that final ball.

That look on Roberto's face suggests that he isnt happy at all!

Coleman skinned twice now by Redmond... Really poor defending. These changes havent helped whatsoever.

We have taken our foot off the gas now. Experienced players getting a little sloppy.

West Brom, Cardiff & Sunderland for me. Im not sure how good the new managers will be in turning around their sides form. Poyet might do the Wigan trick of getting to a cup final and going down though! I think West Hame might stay up if they do stick with Allardyce. They are really getting hounded by injuries but he is starting to get some players back now and Carroll up front will be huge for them as their other strikers are piss poor.

I think the main naivety comes from thinking its the players decision! Their agents always follow the money!