Newty82

I thought mirralles was? Missed the first few mins. Although kev has now gone back to the middle? Pah, I dunno. Anyway.....GREAT GOAL!!!

How does it not make sense to bring ossie on? If you brought one of the wingers on, you'd have to swap more around. Which is more unsettling early in a game.

Ha! Strangely, he's the only one I could think of...although that's because my 15 year old step son is a baggie!!! I hope he fucks up royally!!!

I totally get the doubts about teams sussing us out. And I'm curious on that one too, not just at the back but all over. That's my test for Martinez. But that's to be judged in months and months time, not after one game. The mistakes made are basic communication errors as you gents have pointed out. That's down to the players, not Martinez. They need to sort it out. I'll be concerned if it happens game after game. And pre season doesn't count for me. Man Utd had a brilliant pre season. Then look. I can't at all buy into any comparisons to previous era's or previous teams. Because the stats n facts don't stack up. And I can't buy into last seasons defensive record being a fluke or luck. You get that once in a while, same as you do with bad luck, but not over a whole season. 3 top posters there...Pad, Matt, Rom...but I'm swimming against you on this one!!!

It's funny how you can get really good highly rated coaches step into management and fail. It's happened to a few. Although the names escape me just now. Bizarre.

Hang on. Are we saying that this back line can't play how Martinez wants them to play, based on the Leicester game? Or based on last season? Because I don't get it. Our back line was the one of the best last season. 3rd best record. And 4th most clean sheets. The same back line conceded more and kept less clean sheets under Moyes. So in which way is it less stable, less able to perform??? I enjoy how we play. It's proper football rather than the traditional 'boot it out' that you hear up and down the country at every kids game. Admittedly, it gets a bit hairy at times. And mistakes happen. But it's effective. Most of the time.

That's the one!

I actually though we would start this way tbh! With Coleman out, but wasn't sure who would play the right wing back role. Anyway, from that clip it was a defensive fuck up and one of our gems, Stones, will learn from it when he watches it back.

Ai. Just saying what I can see on the video. Looks like Baines has pressed on. Distin has shifted over. Jags has drifted over. Coleman has temporarily stepped into the back line. Stones is on the right. Looks like as Baines is coming back, Coleman steps out. Stones then drifts over and leaves his man unmarked...who scored!!!

BBC has it the other way round??? You never know really!!

Just watched this back umpteen times. At first it looks like stones, jags and Distin only. But then you see Baines move back into the left position as he back tracks. Coleman look like he is ahead of the back line.

Other way round isn't it???

From all your comments...was anyone watching the same game as the other?!!! Just shows the diversity in opinions. Anyway, just glad the season is back! Thank to fuck for that!

Spot on. Always think the newly promoted teams are really tough in the early part of the season. Tried streaming this game but they all pissed me off. So did it the old skool way...Toffeetalk, BBC app and sky sports on TV!!! Seems like a proper game of 2 halves. Looking at the stats, and what you boys say, did we actually create in the 2nd half?! Shame we had some quality on the bench that wasn't used sooner. Doesn't feel like 2 points dropped for me, just a typical opening game for us.

You're far too rational! I just took it at face value.

Haf's being a proper fan...air all your views on a player, but once he's in give him your full backing. Also Haf, you touched on something for me. The signing of kanchelskis! That was one of my favourite moments as a fan do far. He scored 17 goals didn't he?! Then got sold again...One of my worst moments!!! But that was the Everton way under Johnson hey? Anyway, looking forward to this season. Do we have that 20 goal a season striker that we have gagged for since Kanchelskis (a 'winger', but ya ' know!)?

Top tip: Stay away from fan forums for a while! You may get put off any club you 'choose'. Loads of info in the net for your reading. Days upon days worth. Welcome by the way, once your in, there's no way out.

Yeeeeeeeeessssssss! Get in there Romey Laaaaa! Get them top class loans in...loved the hypocrisy of that from others last season.

Now we are skint!!! Haha!!!

Well, I said all along he'd be welcome here at the right price. I thought 15mill was the right price, upto 20 mill even. As did most I think. When I first heard tonight that he was coming for 24 mill, I thought 'ok, fair enough' and felt quite excited actually. 28 mill was a bit of a shock at first bit I guess it reflects the modern market. When you look at prices for Shaw, Lallana, Luiz etc. I guess it's right. Now I hope he can feel settled, feel at home. Not have to worry about being loaned out to a new club, new area etc. I really hope, and believe, this will unleash a better player. He comes across real well. Glad he is here now (but what we going to talk about now?!) As for Chelsea...what a way to make money! Buy a prospect for 18 mill. Loam him out, get some loan fee's...then sell on for a big profit! Mercenaries!!!

Haha! Doubt it. But bloody should have been...whoever negotiated that needs shooting!!!

28million...my word!!! Lukaku looks delighted though!!

Haha...I did that before but got Barkley talking!!!

Ok...even I'm going to say you are wide of the mark with 3 and 4.

Who said that? Where's it come from?