Aidan

If the first six minutes of this game is any measure of Barkley's coming season... We're in for a treat.

Hi Ben, I really don't want to sound harsh and I am happy you have chosen everton as your preferred team but I have never fathom how someone can just pick a team and start supporting them.
 
It's either drilled into you or an experience has made this choice for you.
 
Supporters really do baffle me nowdays. When I was young I never listened or toll on board anything my dad said but due to him supporting everton and me being around that experience I was hooked. It's like something you cannot choose. I could have taken a easier more smug, glory hunting path when I was younger and followed man utd or liverpool for that matter but it chooses you.

I'd have bought ten if I knew it would aid the Lukaku signing.
 
 
But he's signed now, so a shirt will do. #
 
Maybe with Lukaku on the back

FUCKING HURRY UP IM DYING WITH ANTICIPATION RIGHT NOW.

Should start in next 48 hours

I think we are all going to have to buy full kits to finance this one!

He can run like fuck tho

That's a bit harsh. Things can change in an instant, and predictions are exactly that: Some work out and some do not. Timing is important in the Lukaku saga, and I think our friend is probably right.
 
Now I must get to the gym and keep my wayside in check.

Heading through Bangkok airport they have a stand full of leicester merch!
 
Seems so oddly placed!

Jagielka's fault, obviously.

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

He's crap.

If the doctors told me I had 48hrs to live then I would try and sign for Everton because I would last longer!

Statistically more goals are scored at the front post from a corner, than the back post. This is why so many are targeted at the front and hit the first man. Better delivery would help though.

This.
 
Corners that don't beat the first man are soul destroying.

A lot land on Distin's 50p head too... and go out for a throw in.

i remember 3 goals from corners last season..that's it...we must be amongst the worst in the league at them

Never in a million years would the club tell workers in the shops this before it was announced. Imagine the scenario <all staff members called to a meeting> "listen don't say fuck all but get ready for an influx of Lukaku shirts it's gonna get messy" .... "Oh and don't forget to remind the punters there's no socks till beginning of August" I can see them all sworn to secrecy by Elstone and him rubbing his hands thinking the jobs a good-un!
 
Silly rumour that is just not true!

Long 48 hours this...

Best post I've seen on this site and agree with every word of it. Thanks for sharing your opinion!

Best post I've seen on this site and agree with every word of it. Thanks for sharing your opinion!

Its no secret I like the lad, I dont think Ive argued someones case this much ever. But I started thinking; maybe I'm letting my admiration for the lad get in the way of a proper analysis of him. So, rather than concentrate on the positives, which I think are clear (Ive summarized them with links to proof where required), I decided to pick up on this negatives put forward...

Pros Goal scorer & Creator 15 in 31 apps (2 subs) + 6 assists. Responsible for combined total of 21 from 61 goals Premiership goals (33%, a large portion of them being winning game deciders) http://www.espnfc.com/player/139437/romelu-lukaku?season=2013 http://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=56521&season_id=143 http://www.evertonfc.com/first-team-stats-2013/14 21 Strong Fast Sell on value Rated by Martinez Proven over 2 EPL seasons "Super Sub" or starter Ability to score in most scenarios (head, both feet, 1 touch, driving run, inside and outside box) http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/players/profile.html/romelu-lukaku Cons Price tag Never been argued that its inflated, I've always said 15m + potential add-ons up to 20m. Can go missing in games Who doesnt? Not a great argument but he will only improve and Martinez is the man to get the best out of him. Even the games where he isnt scoring, hes making an impact a lot of the time. Same argument can be applied to Barkley. Can have a poor touch Who doesnt? Some times its great, sometimes its terrible, like any developing player. I wont argue that this will be perfected but it can and will be improved upon but this is a matter of opinion and no point arguing individual beliefs. Again, Barkley can be used as a comparison here. Struggles as a target man Agreed, but then play to his strengths. You dont take a player like Barkley for example and play him on the wing or a holding midfielder to improve his all-round game, you play to his strengths. Same applies to Lukaku - let him run on to it. For when running through isnt working, use him as a distraction / battering ram to open space for others to exploit. Attitude Such a strange statement - "thinks he's better than he is". You want him to have the mentality that average is ok? He wants to be the best, he is aiming for the top. Its called ambition and good on him for being positive. However, he now has to walk the walk more consistently, which he has admitted is up to him. Martinez has repeatedly praised the lad for his mentality, praising his constructive arrogance like he has done with Barkley and Gerry. "1 goal in 11 games" - 1st game into that run, he setup Oviedo for the winner (under pressure, turned his man - Im sure the argument against this will be "he was trying to shoot", which is irrelevant - he setup a goal). The next game, against Arsenal, he setup Deulafeu and again not intended, but occupied defenders and got the slightest of touches to take it to Gerrys feet (who then did the hard work). 3rd game into this run, assist for Barry goal. Nothing to note in the Swansea or Sunderland game but then his 1 goal in 11 was the winner against Southampton. So, out of the first 6 games of this terrible scoring streak, he is directly responsible for 4 goals. Not bad going. Nothing to mention in the Stoke game, assists Barry for opening goal against Norwich. The next game against WBA, assists Mirallas. Liverpool game, disappears along with the rest of the team. So 11 games, 1 goal and 5 assists - responsible for 6 goals in those 11 games, no matter how intentional or not. All that I can conclude is that people are understandably seriously put off with the price tag, because it represents the majority of our budget, and so are trying to find any little thing to justify why we shouldnt invest the money. Thing is, to address the negatives, you can get your chequebook our for 40m+, because you're talking about a Suarez / Ageuro/ etc quality player. Or we can invest in a youngster our manager believes in and enjoy the benefits we already have seen. I mentioned Barkley, who we would be wanting for around double the 25m City recently offered, despite the fact he contributed less goals and assists. You want to argue more technical proficiency? I understand why, but then Barkley is wanting in a few areas of his game too. The point Im trying to make is, I cant help thinking the critics of Lukaku will be as harsh on one of our own. edit: sorry its a bit rushed, called into a meeting sooner than expected

http://efootballnet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/barkley-and-stones-englands-diamonds.html
 
Worth a read, best piece of journalism I've read in a long time.

http://efootballnet.blogspot.co.uk/2014/06/barkley-and-stones-englands-diamonds.html
 
Worth a read, best piece of journalism I've read in a long time.