Aidan

He can run like fuck tho

Martinez out! :shaking fist:

Gibson looks like hes never seen a football!

Even though its a friendly it is still extremeley frustraiting to see how much we're giving possession away. We're literally passing it to blue shirts. Think theyre all confused with this new black kit.

I stand by my Joel statement

Currently struggling to hold any sort of possesion. Hanvn't really got in it their final 3rd this half so far.

Robles is still looking very very... shit.

Nugent produces an absolutely stunning finish on the volley from over his shoulder into the very top corner of Joel's goal. Offside though. Shame for him it was gorgeous.

Watching a friendly is like being a heroin addict and taking some methadone to cure a fix. Its football but it just dosnt give me that hit. And as much as I love snods, I dont like him commentating.

Probably due to our ties with Thailand (pardon the aweful pun). I dont know why liecester though.

I still have no faith of any deal being done until he gets back from holiday late next week. If martinez has said we will sign him, although it's seemed to have been said in jest, however any respectable manager would know not to open their mouth like that therefore it leads me to believe that a deal in priciple has been done with Chelsea. I think we're just waiting for him to have time to himself on holiday and once hes back he will sign. I've got every faith that we will sign him this summer.

Stones isn't playing very well.

2-2

Aweful by Stones. Hopefully he will learn from that, Pre season is for mistakes, lets make them now.

In all honesty I dont see many of the U21's breaking through to the first team. Maybe Mcleanly and Garbutt (if a LB position comes up), not sure about any of the others.

Aye he looks up to the mark anyway. Hopefully will get some first team football at some point this season.

Passing sloppy, however that's expected pre season. Connor looking sharp.

Have to disagree on that one mate, I think he has the tackling, passing and mental ability to play there. Agreed, he's no Lahm though. We will just have to wait see.

Aye, I see what you mean, but I was on about the fact that he knows the way we play and will fit straight into the squad. I'd love to sign him today if it was possible, although I won't panic if we sign him on deadline day.

These 48 hours are stupid. He's not going to come back off his jollys early to sign to Everton. As far as I'm concered there is no point in even thinking about it until the start of next month. If there's one player we can afford to sign on the last day of the window its Lukaku.

He's one of my favorite players on my generation and I can say that with my hand on my heart. What he is physically capable of and his reading on the game is fantastic and I love to watch him defend, he makes it like an art form! I still believe he still has AT LEAST one season left in him. Wouldn't surprise me if he didn't retire at Everton and continued playing in the Championship or something. I don't think we've practiced that enough to be honest. Hopefully pre season will give us a hint in to how wer're going to shape up. I wouldn't mind seeing 3 at the back with Oviedo and Coleman as attacking wing backs, with Baines in centre midfield.

What would everyone like to see next season? Stones as cover for Jags and Distin or for Stones to come in and take Distins place in the squad?

That was my poor effort to try to imbed a twitter link! It should have been edited now, I gave up! :dont know:

Dominic King, the fella who first reported that he will sign within the next 48 hours. Increasing confidence that Everton will complete a deal for Romelu Lukaku: looking like extensive preparations been made for his arrival — Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM) Been a slow start to window for Roberto Martinez but securing Lukaku would be significant for Everton given how much faith he has in him — Dominic King (@DominicKing_DM)

Traore would be a good option to mix it up a little bit. He's scored goals wherever he's been (apart from France, however he's never got the chance to play). I wouldnt mind him on loan for the season until we can locate another target or bring a striker through the ranks.