Pearso

I've got to say, I've been shocked by the amount of people I've seen saying we played badly. Aside from the whole penalty debacle, I thought it was more West Brom playing the perfect game (considering they game for a point) than Everton blowing it. We didn't set the world alight by any means, but as has been mentioned, you throw those tactics at any team and it can work. Chelsea beat Bayern in the Champions League final with those tactics.

*Only cause of Dembele. Whats Deulofeu going for these days? I saw a cut price figure not long ago when there was a bit of speculation that barca didnt want him. Not sure if I read it on here or in an article but if we could get 12-15 for Kev could we bring Gerry back for good? That would be a great replacement for mine.

They're off to Qatar for a training camp. Look on the OS.

He does need to come out and apologise. It's making news over here in Australia (something that doesn't happen unless it's regarding Man U/Chelsea/City/Liverpool), he's embarrassed himself and the club on an international level, and bottled a must-win clash against West Brom at home, the kind of games we expected to win comfortably last season. BUT I feel like people are taking their frustrations out today on Kev purely because he's the easiest target. The side was frustrated all game despite having the lion's share of possession cause that prick Pulis was so damn focussed on parking the bus he even had their striker man-marking our fullback. Naturally that frustration is felt by the fans, and Kev actions are blown up because of it. If we never got that penalty the usual cries of Barry's to old/slow/lazy and Martinez making dumb substitutions would be rife again. Likewise, if Kev hits the mark we'd be questioning why he didn't give it to Baines but his ego problems would seemingly be forgotten. I saw an Everton side with so much damn possession we should have netted 3 or 4 goals, yet we didn't even force a proper save out of their keeper. If we were up 2-0 at the time I don't think people would be calling for him to be sold immediately. It was a dumb, selfish moment that has been inflated ten-fold because the game finished as a draw.

We'll finish between 8-10 I reckon. It'll come together eventually, it already looks as though we're turning the corner.

It must be hard taking instructions from a manager only a few years older than you when you've achieved much more than him. Perhaps he's just not buying into what Martinez wants. I was under the impression a massive part of him signing was to mentor Lukaku, so I agree with you MC, its weird he's only lasted 4 months.

http://m.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/football/rumour-mill-messi-or-bale-to-replace-falcao-reds-chase-barkley-man-city-go-striker-crazy/story-fnp0lxay-1227184251215 Wanted by Liverpool apparently. Good luck with that Brendan

Joel Coleman Jags Stones Baines Besic - Barkley Mirallas Naismith Oviedo/Garbutt Lukaku We seem to go reasonably deep in the cup each year, here's hoping this year is no exception.

Distin, Jags or Barry.

absolutely magical isnt it? Myself and half a dozen mates went over from Sydney about two years ago and I fell in love with the city and that vibe on game day. I was actually planning on moving over for a couple of years now I finished my degree back home but it fell through. Was devastated cause I couldnt wait to get back to Goodison Park on a Saturday arvo.

Absolutely, but as I mentioned, once there's wind in our sails and we get back on track the team won't need 'lifting', and that's where I believe Eto'o will show his class.

That's my point though. As much as I love Naismith, the fact he and Kone are being mentioned for reasons to move him on is ridiculous. He's leagues above both of them. You don't weaken one area to accommodate another. I get that you're just calling it from Martinez's thinking, not your own, but for mine if playing Eto'o up front in a 2 with Lukaku, or subbing them off for one another in the lone striker role means Kone and Naismith miss out then so be it.

I agree with the article. He's going through a pretty lean spell, but which player isn't? When we get back on track and gain some momentum, results start going our way, players start hitting form etc. I think Eto'o will play a huge role for us. He plays some balls and shows vision which shows that he really is world class, even if his age slows him down a bit. Add to that the mentoring aspect he provides for Lukaku and I can't see why anyone would want him gone. If you want to shed wages I'd be looking at Atsu, Gibson, Pienaar, Hibbert before Eto'o. Obviously Eto'o would free up much more but I think he just adds too much value to justify letting him go.

Got Besic at $2.75 odds (don't know how to put that in a fraction for you Poms, sorry ) to get booked, I thought it was a steal! If nothing else today I'll be making some dosh from old Mo' running through Aguero. :jump for joy:

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/everton-fc-saviour-romelu-lukaku-8402788 All the speculation about dressing room unrest and frustration at Martinez's tactics would obviously never get fed from any of the players or Bobby himself, but Lukaku has admitted the players asked to play more direct vs West Ham and he reckons that's why he had a cracking game. Couldn't agree more.

Oh and that point about Martinez reluctance to practice corners pissing me off so much, given I never used to feel a single bit worried about defending corners under Moyes. I dont like comparing to Moyes but we really were solid in that aspect and now its a genuine worry every single time we concede one.

I was just about to post my surprise at the lack of recognition for Oviedo. I felt he had a good game, didnt set the world alight or draw attention, but he did the little things right and looks to be a very underrated player by Martinez given his lack of match time. I feel the solutiom to our winger problem is to find a combination that works between Baines, Garbutt and Oviedo for LB/LW and leave Barkley/Naismith/Eto'o central with Mirallas and McGeady on the right.

People will claim he did it with Moyes squad/foundations, but he still sold Fellaini, brought in Barry, Gerry and Rom and taught different style of play. Moyes inherited Fergie's champion squad and how did that turn out?

Cech won't happen. Schwarzer has apparently just signed with Leicester, Jose won't have a sub keeper that isn't established. If the papers and Twitter-hype are to believed this window we'll be losing McCarthy to Spurs, Coleman to United, Atsu to ACoN and signing Al-Habsi. Might have to get an early bird special on Setanta Sports for next season to watch Championship matches.

I doubt Martinez would let him go unless it's for double what we paid, and Spurs seem to be more of a quantity over quality club in terms of player recruitment... He's more important to the side now than he's ever been. Highly doubt this will happen.

Manc twats all over Twitter getting giddy about this. I really hope he doesn't go because there's nothing I love more than watching Mancs start talking like a player is theirs and nothing happens. http://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/549524/Roberto-Martinez-Seamus-Coleman-Man-Utd-link - Martinez denied he'd be willing to sell him a few days ago.

He has become a bit of a scapegoat, but I cant get that pathetic attempt at an offside trap out of my mind. The ball was pretty much over his head when he pushed up! Mind you Joel didn't do him any favours, he should have dealt with it comfortably.

Duncan and Haf I don't know how but you've both got me convinced you're right, I don't know how that's possible because they're completely opposing arguments. Moyes is pretty irrelevant here though. I agree with Haf in that Martinez has a go at the top 4 and he's not afraid of copping a beating for trying to win away (ala Anfield 4-0). I don't buy this idea about Martinez destroying Moyes' foundations though. We were flying last season, should have made Champs League, I can't see how pretty much the same squad + Samuel Eto'o manages to have the wheels fall off. Yeah I guess the buck stops with the manager and he's got to answer the questions, but I feel as though the players are equally to blame. As MikeO said earlier about Howard, you don't just one day forget how to stop playing. That second goal yesterday was one of the most embarrassing things I've seen - Barry fucking pulled up for the offside trap a good second after the ball was played through. Worst of all it was fucking Jelavic, who couldn't stay onside if he was playing central defence when he was with us. You can't blame Martinez for Barry being a complete and utter spastic. Sure he's wrong to keep picking him but I feel the players are equally to blame.

Some fella on Twitter was saying they're family friends with Baines' dad, and that: -Distin had a blow up with Martinez and was dropped -Stones begged not to play Boxing Day cause he wasn't fit. -Eto'o told the squad not to listen to Martinez because he would ruin their career -None of the players talk to Martinez anymore. Sounds like some wanker trying to get a few re-tweets to me, but it wouldn't surprise me if true given the past few weeks.

Not at all mate, but I'd rather have a laugh than pull my hair out at the moment. I'm on holidays snowboarding in Japan, not gonna let this rubbish ruin it for me.