Steve_E

That's what I worry about with him. He has a focus on conservative possession in order to control the game similar to Martinez and the fans hated him for it, though the fact that that style didn't result in good defensive performances and his grating positivity were factors as well of course. Now obviously that style can result in good defense, just look at van Gaal's United (I'm not going to use De Boer as an example here, because any Ajax coach is going to have a good defensive record in Holland), but I think that even then the fans might still hate the way the offense looks after Martinez. De Boer's also more of a straight talker than Martinez by the way and because of genetics he often looks like he's in a bad mood, which might be a welcome change as well...

I like a lot of the names bandied about. I think if they can get either one of Pellegrini or Emery, they should do it. I think Favre would be very good. Personally, I wouldn't hire De Boer though as I think the fans will dislike his style of play and that things could get ugly quickly in Goodison Park if he doesn't get wins straight away. Though if he does get hired, he can bring Milik and especially Bazoer with him.

Because no one would know for sure that he will be off, they didn't sell Stones last summer either, or for how much exactly.

I think the most important thing is to get a potential replacement in before he is potentially sold. Mino Raiola is going to get him a big-money move and if teams know Everton are flush with cash like that then that'll be reflected in their asking price for their own goalscorers.

I wouldn't hire De Boer, mainly because if he doesn't have success straight away the fans will be on him immediately as he plays the same kind of conservative possession-based game as Martinez. Think it's time for more of a direct, counter-attacking manager, preferably one that also focuses on high-defensive pressure.

I do think it's typical of fans of a team to overrate their blue-collar, hardworking players. The vast majority of them are interchangeable though. Skill is more valuable than hard work, which is why teams pay hefty transfer sums and huge wages for difference-makers.

Baines has been top class this season imo. Better than McCarthy who I thought had a bad start to the season. Coleman has just been injured a lot.

Baines or Coleman are our best players by quite a margin imo. Do rate McCarthy over Mirallas though.

What a shit, shit goal.

What a goal!

I was tricked! When you're naming your line-ups, the first name after the goalkeeper should be a full back! (And really it should be the right back)

Maybe we could just put Eto'o up top and Lukaku on the right to try and exploit Vertonghen's pace? He isn't a real left back.

We got lucky there. Should be one down.

There were family issues in his youth (which is why he now plays with Memphis on his shirt rather than his last name) and he had a reputation for having trouble with authority as a teen. Threatened to quit football and such because he had trouble with critical youth coaches. PSV are incredibly happy with his attitude now though. Here's a long piece on him in the leading football magazine in Holland which says that the former problem child has been an exemplary professional for over two years now and has basically transformed into the perfect son-in-law. Confident, not arrogant. And that he has an incredible drive to be decisive.

Eto'o letting Romey off the hook again.

Now go on and get the win!

There ya have it.

Goddammit, Lukaku, bad touch.

Everything is below average. No one offering any actual quality.

I genuinely think it's been the worst 29 minutes I've seen him play.

Apart from that one good touch he had to Eto'o when he shot wide, he's not done anything right.

He's been utter crap so far.

Great play from Eto'o and Lukaku. Would have been a great goal!

Lukaku looked on to me?

Brilliant goal.