Aidan

Edited, cheer mate.

2015/16 Average pass % Strikers Troy Deeney - 60.9% Andy Carroll - 61.6% Salomon Rondon - 65.5% Jamie Vardy - 65.8% Graziano Pelle - 66.1% Christitan Benteke - 66.1% Shane Long - 66.4% Giroud - 68.1% ------------------ Lukaku - 72.6% ------------------ 2016/17 Average pass % Strikers Peter Crouch - 52.9% Jon Walters - 55.3% Troy Deeney 58.4% ------------------- Lukaku - 62.9% ------------------- Christian Benteke - 63.4% Austin 63.7% Shane Long - 63.8% So Lukaku's pass % has dropped significantly, but its dropped because we now play long ball up to Rom, rather than a Martinez possession based philosophy. It's interesting to see the players pass % similar to Lukaku's this term, and the teams and philosophies they play in. In reality, it indicates that Lukaku is no worse than any other isolated striker who is expected to hold the ball up with absolutely nobody around him. Also just a quick mention, which also caught my eye, is that Rom is averaging 1.5 Key passes per game, ranked 35th in the whole league. In comparison for out and out strikers only Harry Kane (1.6), Diego Costa (1.6), Zlatan Ibrahimovic (1.8) and arguably Alexis Sanchez (2.6) have made more on average per game. (Source: Whoscored.com) Not usually one for stats, but I hope it shed's a different light and gives a different outlook.

All you need to do is watch the way we play and notice that when the ball is hoofed up to him there is absolutely nobody around him to pass to. Its so difficult for him. Hes probably the most isolated player in the whole league judging by the way we play. I challenge any striker in the league to do heaps better at retaining possession in this Everton squad.

Koeman said to be on SSN next and will tell us about his interest in a "young player", probably Lookman.

Been around the Charton forums out of curiosity and they dont seem the lease bit phased, more bothered about the money.

I know what you're trying to say Haf, and no, I'm not picking a fight. I just cant believe some of the nonsense I see on this thread. So, just to clarify, you're saying that the 71 goals in 145 Everton games (according to Wikipedia) Rom has scored somehow comes as a cost to the team? How do you work that out? It's almost as if you're saying that Rom has cost the team more than 71 goals, in the 145 matches he has played, just from having an inability to hold up a ball (which he is instructed to do, even though everyone, including Martinez, Koeman and himself knows he cant) and a lack of enthusiasm, or willingness to chase balls down. How long did we go from seasons to season wishing we had a proper goal scorer, nothing too spectacular, just a "Jonny on the spot" type player who was reliable and would poach goals and be more likely to score a one on one rather than fluff it? If you think that somehow the team would benefit with any other striker we could realistically get then you're barking. Im not picking a nob intentionally Haf, it's just your point doesn't make much sense.

Yeah. what a hindrance those 70 goals are for us

Admittedly he hasn't looked too good when I've seen him, but he is in a very poor team. I'd still take him over Jags.

Nothing I would love more but he deserves to be along side the best players in the world, he really is that good.

Still a solid CB good for covering injuries and rotating every now and then. But then again so is Holgate. Lets see where hes at in the summer, unless of course him going to Sunderlands means we get a decent deal for Kone.

Nope, I'm not getting confused, we play with 5 at the back all you have to do to see that is to watch the last game. Our fullbacks seem to do the same job in a 5 as they do in a 4, it's evident isn't it?! If that's lack of experience in playing as part of that set up then it's pretty poor. We aren't very good at all with 5 at the back. Not much better with 4 though, either!

In fact if you watch our first half it was more like 7 at the back. When we play 4231 we have 4 defenders on the field and 2 defensive midfielders. When we play 5 at the back we have 5 defenders on the field, and usually 2 defensive midfielders along with that. Its 5 at the back. Chelsea play 3 at the back, we do not.

Would be annoyed if Stek came back in for Robles. Would also be annoyed to see 5 at the back again. Robles Williams Funes Coleman Baines Gana Davies Barkley Lennon Mirallas Rom

Seamus Seamus Seamus!

Inter Milan and Juventus both want to sign out-of-favour Man Utdmidfielder Morgan Schneiderlin on loan when the transfer window reopens for business in January, according to reports on Calciomercato.com.

Had more games to do it in and never reached the heights he did after his first 5 seasons if I remember correctly. Not to put the greatest premier league striker ever down.

I hope Davies gets a start. Fully deserves one, looks like he will improve the squad, is a composed player and doesn't seem phased about performing on the big stage. Plus Barry needs a rest, to put it kindly.

Hull 1 - 2 Everton Lukaku

Interesting, I thought Barry mostly passed backwards and Mori was solid.

Liked Lennon today he worked his socks off from start to finish. Mentions for Williams, Davies and Barkley. Hopefully Davies starts next game.

Much better second half. Needed a goal to open up space before we got going. The defence did all that was asked of them, Robles has to keep Stek out of the team after his limited cameos this season. Holgate still looks to have great potential, but for me his potential is as a full back not a centre half. We looked tight and didn't give too many chances to Leicester today, and whatever they did get Joel dealt with confidently. It's not coincidence the game was a lot more comfortable when Barry went off, his past 5 or 6 games have been worrying and maybe his game time should be limited from now on in. Gana him usual self, although sometimes can be prone to losing the ball cheaply and it would be nice to see him work on that area of his game. Which leads me to my next point, Davies looks like a real player. If Koeman wants this 433 style of play he'd make a perfect box to box player in time. Looks strong, good balance, good feet, good tackler of the ball and he also doesn't look scared of the ball. Maybe the harsh Evertonian limelight on him will allow Barkley to grow back some confidence and perform more like he did today. Furthermore, on Barkley, Koeman did well to bring him on into a winning side where he has more space to run into and he can pass more instinctively. He should be pleased with himself and made a couple of great passes today, including the assist for Rom. Mirallas got the goal but doesn't look in check with the "team". His performances aren't very good and I don't think he brings and awful lot to Everton. On the other side Lennon chases everything down, is so vibrant and energetic and helps pressing from the point heaps and bounds. If he only would have had an end product, and cross or a goal in him he could have been an absolute class player. Lukaku, again, did what he had to do today and although at times largely phased out completely, he took his goal very well. Good overall performances are scattered and mainly in bits, but seem to be improving a little tiny bit at a time. I'd like to see us go into a game with the intent we finish them with. Foundation to build on there, a good result, not fantastic, as realistically I'd expect a fit Everton side to be beating a struggling Leicester side without their two best players. Let's take the momentum into the Hull game.

Squeeze the life out of them?

Barry has been absolutely awful and slows the play down, which I never new was possible. Mirallas is playing for himself as usual. Lennon and gueye are the only two out there actually running around. Lukaku can't get in the game. I feel sorry for most of them as they have clearly been instructed to target Leicesters left back and it's been completely ineffectual so far.

Just out of curiosity when you pick up your flicker to change the channel on the tele and the buttons aren't working does everyone sit there for hours on end clicking those buttons trying to get them to work or do they get off their arse and change the batteries?

Same amount of points 17 games in last season with worse goal difference. And the football is worse. Koeman needs time but so do most new mangers, it's still not good enough.