SimonButtle

Who cares?

Why would Ross want to be managed by Moyes again?
 
And I honestly wouldn't take 50 million at the moment. It's a lot of money if true but with the WC coming up there's the potential for his market value to go above that. But that's besides the point as I don't want us to sell him at all regardless of the price. If we want to build something special under Martinez, as we seem to be doing, keeping Barkely is surely one of the most important things. Would be a kick in the balls if we went and sold him over the next couple of years.

I don't think anyone is trying to suggest that are they Dunc? i think it's more a case of(based on the current form of the team, a team of players he mostly bought) it's looking like we might have been slightly under achieving at times, you even admitted yourself in a previous post that he had gone stale and a parting of ways was needed. Maybe he's just not quite the messiah some made him out to be. I look at it as we had stability under Moyes, under Martinez it looks like we have a future.

Yeah lets get it back!

If we beat Man United and Arsenal however... then we are in serious buisness. Can we beat them??? Why not! Great time to be a blue!

Well that's the second game in a row that we've controlled from start to finish, which shows that we're growing and getting more accustomed to the tactics that Martinez has implemented.
 
First half we lacked the intensity that we showed in the derby. It's understandable but it was still disappointing to go back to doing everything too slowly. We had all the ball and kept hold of it extremely well but due to the slowness we really did struggle to create much. So while we were the dominant side it was hard for us to get through Stoke, they may have a new manager but they're still a very well organised side. It was looking like it'd be another game against them where we'd have to grind something out of the game. It was telling that on one of the few occasions that we changed up the pace of our play in that half that we opened them up and managed to get our noses in front. It was a sublime bit of interplay between Pienaar, Deulofeu and Barry to work the opening. You could argue that there was a bit of luck that the ball found it's way from Barry to Deulofeu but that luck was earned because they had the balls to take the chance. Getting the goal right before half time was key I think. If we'd gone in 0-0 I don't think we'd have played the way we did in the second half. It was a kick in the bollocks to Stoke and a confidence boost for us (and for Deulofeu).
 
Second half we were much, much better and now as well as controlling the game we were dominating it. We weren't fully fluent in our play but we played much quicker and with bucket loads of confidence, which meant that we no longer struggled to create chances. We were creating them almost at will. Each and every one of our players looked like they were enjoying themselves out there. Especially Deulofeu. He looked like he was having the time of his life. I know I was enjoying watching him play. Literally every time he got the ball I was on the edge of my seat, just waiting to see what he'd do. It was no surprise that we went on to score another three goals this half, and in truth we could have had even more goals.
 
The biggest things to take from this game are that despite us not being anywhere near our best we still managed to completely control the game, score four goals against a good defensive side, stop the opposition being a threat and keep a clean sheet. Roll on United.
 
 
Howard - Barely needed at all but kept his concentration well so that the couple of times he was needed he was perfect.
 
 
Coleman - I really must be missing something with him this season but I'm not seeing the rampaging attacker from last season, and yesterday was no different. He looks reluctant to push forward when he gets the ball with space in front of him. Maybe it's a tactical thing, I don't know. I did think he handled himself well defensively yesterday. Especially early on while Deulofeu became accustomed to being asked to track back etc. And even though it was flukey as hell he was in the right place at the right time to get a goal.
 
Jagielka - Despite us not being tested too much defensively I thought he still managed to look very solid. He was in complete control all game long, and his distribution was pretty good too.
 
Distin - His distribution wasn't quite as good as Jags', IMO, with a couple of misplaced tackles and long balls to no one, but he looked unruffled in his general defensive play.
 
Oviedo - With not playing much recently it was understandable that he might start out a bit hesitant. And he did. He just kept things simple and didn't really try much. But as the game wore on his confidence visibly grew and he pushed further and further up the pitch and his interplay with other players improved. His goal highlighted how his confidence had grew - shooting from outside the area on his weaker foot. We didn't feel Baines' absence whatsoever as an attacking force. In fact, you could argue that Oviedo was a bit of an improvement as he also got himself an assist, which is something Baines doesn't have this season.
 
 
Deulofeu - I'd wanted him to start and the lad did not disappoint at all. He was eager to impress right from the start (probably a bit too eager at times) and was a constant bright spark for us. His positivity is a beacon for others, he was never wanting to take the negative option or the easy option. It was go forward or go home. Their left back will be having nightmares for weeks because Gerard tore him apart at will. The end product wasn't always there, which needs to improve (and will the more he plays), but he makes things happen. While the end product wasn't perfect he still managed to score a beautiful goal and grab himself an assist. So he is learning. And his ability to run at pace and have amazing control of the ball was just frightening. I thought he also worked hard defensively too. At first he seemed a bit confused about what was being asked of him (not an unwillingness to help out) but the longer the game went on the better he positioned himself to help out Coleman.
 
McCarthy - Probably his best performance for us yesterday and I hope the doubters are coming round. He dominated the midfield for us. He might do it more quietly than Fellaini but he's no less effective. Not much got past him all game long and he was incredibly disciplined - not only in tracking runners but also not launching himself into any tackles that could have brought his fifth booking of the season and a suspension. He was also our engine room, his energy levels knew no bounds. What I loved most about him yesterday was his willingness to drive forward with the ball, which is something he's more than capable of and I've wanted him to do more. Yesterday he did and he almost got himself his first goal for us because of it.
 
Barry - Quietly but methodically mopped up everything in front of the defence. And due to our dominance he was also able to push forward at times.
 
Pienaar - He won't get the plaudits that Deulofeu did from many but I thought he oozed class yesterday. He buzzed about all over the pitch, linked up well with every one, played a massive part in our first goal, he used the ball intelligently all game long (I doubt he gave the ball away very often), he worked hard to help out Oviedo. He made us tick and gave the likes of Deulofeu that platform to do their thing. He just did everything for me. There wasn't a negative point to his game, IMO. My MOTM.
 
 
Osman - Look, there's no doubt we lost quite a lot by having him play in place of Barkley and after his first half showing I thought it was going to be another typical game of his where he doesn't really do anything wrong but he doesn't really do anything at all. But second half I thought he played well tbh. He got himself involved and kept the ball moving for us.
 
 
Lukaku - A quiet game from him with the odd glimpse of his obvious class. The main one being his movement for his goal. That was top quality. If he's still going to score when he's not on his game then it doesn't really matter.

Cleverly is truely shocking. How the guy starts for a top 4 team and also our national team is a fucking joke.

I agree, we need to keep hold of Mirallas because before he was Martinezerised he looked like a quality player

Hate those bastards .

Funny...
 
Newcastle director of football Joe Kinnear tried to sign midfielder Shane Ferguson after a scouting trip to Birmingham - only to be told the 22-year-old was already a Newcastle player and had been loaned to the Blues.
 
Full story: Sunday People

I know this is going to upset some people (one in particular - Steptoe...) but the board have to be commended.
 
We had a 'fan to club' communications problem. They addressed it (Alan Myers - Who has been fantastic in my opinion)
We needed the 'right' guy to move our club on, from the very healthy foundations created by Moyes (Martinez - putting to bed many of my initial worries and 'gets' the club)
The club was outed for not doing enough for the match going fans (Retro day, Spanish day, Crest vote - little things that would have cost time and resources)
Club have been questioned when it came to attracting new, younger Evertonians (Family deals, Free tickets to U21's - which I have to applaud and I don't have kids. There were hundreds, if not thousands, at that U21's game, really nice to see)
Keeping our best players (Baines - Kenwright's resolve has gifted us with the worlds best LB for at least a few more months, whether we can hold out from United's advances, is a separate matter)
There's no current 'issues'. There's usually something 'wrong' or that people don't agree with but currently, there aren't any.
 
So, if there are any members from our B.O.D's, that happen to be reading this, I personally thank you for your efforts in recent months. It's been refreshing and enjoyable as an Evertonian and long may it continue.

This thread has inspired me .
 
Got a beautiful old Kimbara 12 string guitar that just sits in a corner looking nice (only has six strings currently and six bridge pins missing).
 
Just ordered a complete new set of strings (+bridge pins) and I'm going to practice 'til my fingers bleed .
 
Who knew spam could be useful?

What if they made a new drink, and called it Blue Moo

As soon as I see a rumour where it's money plus a player it's instantly dismissed as completely made up.

Make it £15M plus Hernandez and its a deal

Heitinga's case is a weird one because he has played against bigger and stronger striker's that the likes of Benteke and Cole and absolutely dominated them but for some reason the year after he won player of the year, he went to the Euros (or WC!?) and put in some of the worst performances I have ever seen from him and that transferred into his club form last season.
 
I think part of the problem is that he is a confidence player and he needs to play week in week out. Even when he came into the first team, he looked dodgy and it was after a run of games that he started to really dominate some of the best strikers in the league. He was dealing with situations that Jags and Distin hadnt even thought of some of the time and his ability to play that accurate long ball was a really good outlet for us, not to mention someone that was happy to draw a defender in without panicking. Now though, he cant even do that properly and those long passes we used to take for granted arent hitting their man, or at least regularly enough and instead of using his aggression and attitude to bully the striker off the ball, now they are doing it to him. Not to mention, when he did fuck up before, he at least put the effort in to rectify the situation but now he seems to accept it and sulk a little.
 
I have no doubt that he is the best CB we have at the club if you looked at this all round ability, but the confidence was knocked out of him last year and I don't see any sign of it returning.

Johnny's game has never involved pace he has always been a master of reading the game so he would never of got himself into that position were it would be a foot race as am sure he knows more than anyone he would lose. He is very much like Weir in the way that he never relies on pace.
 
There's a reason as to why Distin has to play next to Jags, Jags is prone to errors more so than Johnny and quite a lot of the time due to Distins pace he gets Jags out of jail.
 
Distin and Heitinga is the best partnership we have hands down.

On his day he is easily the best defender we have, problem is those days have been few and far between bar one freak season resulting in his player of the season award. A move is probably the best option for both parties imo.
 
Some folk on here do make me laugh though, how can you say you want to move on from Moyes hoofball then say you want rid of a defender like Heitinga? He is exactly the type of defender we need to play this new system

Im fed up of people using this as an example, if that's the bench mark fans want to use for all our future strikers, lets just not bother and learn to play without, he only scored a few more than Jelavic, it was hardly 20-30 a season.

Fourth Official ‏@FourthOfficial_ 2m
Anichebe on his way to West Brom for talks according to @smadeley_star

We've got to get a striker in if he goes. We have to. Martinez has to have something lined up, surely? If it was any other club I'd think they would, but this is Everton.

Knew our excitement would be for nothing. It's the same every transfer window.

I don't see why, it's not like he's featured much this season.

16:46

Everton haggle with Wigan over McCarthy fee

From Sportsmail's Adam Crafton: 'At this moment, talks have frozen between Wigan and Everton for midfielder James McCarthy. Everton boss Roberto Martinez is still keen to recruit the Republic of Ireland international, who has been granted extra leave by the national team as he looks to force through the move.

'Everton are prepared to pay up to £13million, but the payment would be staggered in installments, while Wigan want the cash up front.

'Latics Chairman Dave Whelan is still holding out for £15million but may compromise on a smaller fee if the money is paid quicker.

'Everton's need for McCarthy is lessened by the imminent signing of Fernando from Porto and if a deal is to go through, Wigan may have to compromise. Talks are expected to recommence after United and Everton reach an agreement for Marouane Fellaini.'

Doubt the Astori one alot.