Zoo

1-1.

It was an own goal^

Everton TV is perfect for me too, I've watched all of the game thus far without trouble. Only thing missing is a HD version .

To beat a team 3-1 when you're in first gear and still finding match fitness is commendable. We've scored six goals in our first two games of pre-season which isn't too shabby and no go up against some serious competition in the coming weeks.

Gerry and Mirallas have looked the best thus far, especially the Spaniard. I'm really excited to see what he can bring to the table this season.

That miss literally could see him sold. You can't miss them, especially when you've been shite for the past two years.

Three goals and a clean sheet. Can't really ask for more?

That's great from Ross, need to see him doing that more .

Gerry has been the best player on the pitch by far. He would have had two this afternoon had it not been for that stumble earlier.

I'm not jumping the gun here and saying we should sell Lukaku and promote Gerry but I'm really excited about seeing him as a No.9

He's magic! You knooooooooooow!

You can tell it's pre-season. Some serious lapses of concentration and there's some serious sloppy play but I guess that's to be expected. To our credit we have had some decent spells too, the first 10-15 minutes were a joy to watch.

Mirallas & Deulofeu impressed me (especially the latter in the No.9 role) and I'm eager to see what the second XI can do.

Yeah I think steklemberg will start. Robles has made some comical errors.

I don't think either will. Our first choice keeper is yet to arrive IMO.

Joel really is making the sub keeper role his own after this performance.

Balloon.

Shocking tackle considering it's a friendly.

1-0 Mirallas then Barnsley hit the post.

Despite it only being a friendly it's crucial we start well.

Bought an online ticket for the OS streaming service - heard it's crap quality but it's worth a try for only a few quid to see if it's improved.

Didn't see the game but looking at the team sheet and the players that are still on holiday our squad is very poor. We need a lot of reinforcement and quality players at that.

Ridiculous statement.

Regardless of opposition it's always nice to get a win and a clean sheet. I've seen the goal but that's the only part of the game that I've managed to catch, hopefully some highlights appear on YouTube later this afternoon.

If Niasse was as useless as some people have made out today then he could well be moved on as early as this Summer I think. Koeman doesn't seem the type to carry passengers.

Didn't see him play, manage or in person but it's obvious just how well thought of he was around the place.

A massive response is needed today - a massive win would be a fitting tribute to a club legend.

Ivanovic.

New band from the US that I've been listening to recently. Two lads and a young girl up front, the following track is from their debut album 'White Noise' and I have to say it's one of the best albums I've heard in recent times.

I was signed with the Everton Academy for a year as a goalkeeper.

Most of the success I enjoyed though was at Primary School level. At the time that I was there a lot of us were taking football really seriously and it was rare that we drew again never mind lose one. We managed to do the league and cup double two years in a row which is a record that hadn't been done before.

Both players might be moved on, really dissapointed with mcgeady I thought he would be good I think he will be given till January to improve if not we'll take a fee so wont lose on the deal. hopefully it was a bad day at the office but he was poor.

I've always defended him but the game yesterday made me question as to whether he should be at the club. He was clearly trying and I said in my earlier post I'll give him praise for that but he just seemed so out of his depth it was frightening. As you say, if he doesn't start to put in good performances he could well be moved on this January.

Just got back from watching us against FC Porto. It was a bit of flat game in truth as both teams were clearly saving their energy for the season but it was good to see the lads back and pay tribute to Leon Osman who has been a fantastic servant to our club.

The first-half was very poor by our standards. We didn't have a single attack in the Porto half up until the 40th minute when we were handed a very un-deserved lead. Their keeper Fabiano made a shambolic clearance, leaving a 2 on 1 situation with Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith bearing down on him. It was Steven who got the goal and to be fair to him it was a great finish from what was an easy chance. Luckily for the rest of the half we were in full motion and looked likely to make it two.

Back onto the first half performance though it was really worrying how poor our marking was. Both wings were left un-marked as Tony Hibbert and Leighton Baines were drawn across to counter Porto's midfield threat leaving Quaresma and Torres free on the flanks to do whatever they wanted. Aiden McGeady, who had the worst game I've ever seen from an Everton player in a long time was constantly out of position, sometimes even further forward than Steven Naismith and Steven Pienaar on the other wing just didn't seem to get into the action. From the first whistle till the goal we were under fire and if it wasn't for Porto's abysmal finishing we would have been done and dusted in 10 minutes.

The second half thankfully was much better as we dominated possession and the game until a counter attack from the Portuguese outfit ended with Jackson Martinez finding the net. It was totally against the run of play and based on the second half performance was un-deserved but it kick started Porto's engine and allowed them to turn into the force they had been for the first 45 minutes. We were back to defending and whilst it was a more even half I was dissapointed at how little we tested their goalkeeper. Tyais Browning had a chance with about 80 minutes gone but saw his shot blocked away and Leon Osman himself should have scored deep into the last 10 minutes but poorly snapped at the chance.

The biggest positive from the game without a doubt was the arrival of Mohammed Besic who came on after about 50 minutes and with his first touch did a 360 turn around one of the Porto midfielders. Out of all the balls he made in the game (long, medium range and short) I counted only two that went astray which is astonishing considering how new and young the lad is. At first I didn't know too much about him but now I've been convinced that he's good enough to go shoulder to shoulder with the likes of McCarthy and Barry in the first team, his confidence is second to none as he flew into many challenges against players twice his size and brought a calm and controlled presence to the midfield when we really needed it.

Overall, it was a poor display from both teams. Neither Porto nor Everton really tested each others keeper enough and whilst Porto were the better team they probably didn't deserve to get the win as they simply didn't create enough decent chances. Mohammed Besic looks like an absolute diamond of a signing and he's only going to get better under the leadership of Roberto Martinez and the coaching staff at Finch Farm.

Our worst players on the pitch were Aiden McGeady and Joel Robles. Aiden for his poor marking, poor positioning and poor distribution and Joel Robles for his poor distribution and un-willingness to catch a ball which many times put us under unnecessary pressure. Both players have come to the club with a good background but both players are yet to convince me that they are good enough to wear the Royal Blue jersey.

Happy Birthday old man!

Plus I didn't realise Bill picked the team either. He has done very well to keep us in the top half of the table. In all seriousness, fair play to him for picking 2 excellent managers but don't confuse on field performance with off the field performance.

1) Picks two great managers that both took us to bigger and better things.

2) Doesn't get involved with the team like Roman Abramovic does at Chelsea, the manager is free to do what he wants.

3) Puts his hand in his pocket when we need it, Romelu Lukaku was needed and we've got him.

4) Keeps us debt free and away from trouble.

Sure we aren't winning the league but we're on cloud nine with Bill in charge, I'd rather have him over some Asian just using us as a tax fiddle.

With all the players sold over the last few years we have had this kitty held back for a long time and whilst he should be applauded for getting a good wedge for players like Fellaini, it's not like he has put his hand in his pocket.

Has he pocketed all the money, got us relegated and bought a few houses with the money from selling Goodison Park? No, he's kept the club at the right end of the Premier League and has us on the verge of a new, positive era.

Going to this with a few Porto fans, going to be a massive game!