Newty82

He's a direct player playing in a non direct team. Bit of a mismatch. I like what he could bring, if used correctly. He should be allowed to run at players with the ball played in front of him, not tracking back to find it and then having to stop to play an inside pass. Same for Lukaku really...play to their strengths.

The real thing is where we finish after game 38.

Yeah. Exactly. It can only, and will, get better.

Oviedo. Nobody else stood out to me until he came on. He looked real good. Some very nice passes, skill, runs etc. I see Besic is running away with it. Suppose he did have a good one.

Much better in the 2nd half. That was much more like what we expect to see. But it adds to the frustration. We can do it, but we aren't just now. The first half was just drab. Thought Oviedo made a big difference when he came on. Gave us an extra option and wasted very little. Be great when he's in full swing. Osman looked good when he came on too! Fair play to him. And Browning looked good again. Marching down the right side, putting those crosses on. That's why he came on. Lukaku needs to step up. I'm not a Lukaku hater, but I am a fan who looks at our main striker and wants more from him. He needs to sharpen up. I'm not bothered about his fee, his age, his touch.. today, right now, the team needs more from him. Another game down. We need to find ourselves and quickly.

Osman coming on. Blah.

These boys finding space too easily. Someone has to be responsible back there. This is a lot better this half. Hope it pays off. Pleased to see Oviedo back.

This is much better. Playing with pace and more forward passing and movement. Keep it up!

What a goal!!!

Christ...that first bit of play is the Everton we know! We need that a lot more often!

Here we go....cue it all...should make good reading!!!

Aaaaaaarrrrrgh....come on! Just feeling frustrated. Really biting my tongue here but can feel the anger in my stomach!!! Someone tell a joke!!!

I think Baines penalty miss sums it all up. It just isn't happening. We have created one chance. And I hate to say it but for the 3rd game running, we look boring. We really are emphasising a more cautious approach, which is understandable. But then we have nothing in the final 3rd. Big problems to solve here.

I mean 'mind to body' quick...not 'pace' quick. These days by the time they've thought about what they want to do its too late, they've been closed down.

Great take and turn from Lukaku!

Ah yes, Pienaar! Crikey, he's on and I forgot about him. Bit too slow though, as is osman.

Is Barkley the only one who can play that role???

Over half an hour gone and not one chance created. Shows how much more of a cautious approach we have. This isn't a dirty game, but the amount of free kicks is ruining the fluency.

Like I say, whoever takes their chances. We have more possession but haven't created a single chance yet. Their attacking quartet are finding too much space with clever movement. We ain't doing bad but we need to use our attacking lot in the right way.

Should be a decent game. I think we'll play with caution like we have against Liverpool and in Russia. After all, we are going up against Falcao, Van Persie, Di Maria and Mata...real good attacking line up. The positives are that behind that front 4 they are just 'normal'. So if we can balance caution at the back and use our own attacking powers, we have a chance. Only problem being, of course, is that we have yet to find the balance between solid defending and gungho attacking!!! The way the Premiership is just now, every game is tough to call. Will come down to whoever takes their chances.

In his appearances so far, I haven't seen anything to get excited about. Certainly Gerry last season had a more immediate impact. Hopefully he'll show something though. There's something there. A bit more game time maybe.

Yep. Was impressed tonight. I don't think we use him enough. He needs to be allowed to run full on at defenders each and every time. No stopping. Just give him it and let him go.

Stones. Great composure. Great tackles. Fluent on the ball. This guy's gonna be immense.

To sum up my feelings watching us for this game (other than last 10 minutes)...boring. We just lacked any creativity and 'oomph'. The most creative player on the pitch was McGeady. And I'm not sure we use him right, as in, get him involved enough to use his pace and skill to our advantage. Atsu has a lot of convincing to do. It was all a bit flat and lethargic from the team. I think we set up for a draw. With Hibbo (did ok but limited), Gibson (will get better with game time), Osman (useful but so lightweight and slow now) and Atsu (tbc) starting, 1-1 is a good result. Happy with that. Just wondering if all the player changes at the moment are having an impact on the fluency of our play. We need to move the ball from the back with more pace. Use the pacey wingers properly and allow lukaku to steamroll through the middle. Not a bad night overall.

...or 2-2-6!!!