Pearso

I don't see us in a relegation battle either. First season I supported the blues was 2011-2012, Cahill's last season if you'll recall and at Christmas time we were sitting in the position we were in now. We hit great form second half of the season to finish 7th, and were within reaching distance of (if I recall correctly) Chelsea in 6th who went on to win the Champions League.
 
The differences between then and now are:
 
-We have a manager who wants to win games, rather than not lose them.
 
-We have talent across the park, as well as depth rather than academy players filling up the subs bench.
 
-Bilyaletinov (sp?) was our winger going forward, now we have Mirallas.
 
-Saha was our striker, backed up by Cahill, neither of whom could even get a sniff of a shot away inside the box. Now we have Lukaku, Eto'o and Barkley.
 
-Phil Neville was our centre-mid with big-wig, now we've got McCarthy and Besic/Barry (irrespective of the latter's form, we're much better off with him than Neville)
 
 
I could go on forever about the positives over three seasons ago, but you all know them. My point is it's only December, and there's plenty of time to come good and start playing to the capabilities that we know this squad/manager produced last season. This time last season Arsenal were marching towards a title, and by the end only beat us to 4th because we threw it away.
 
Teams go through bad patches of form, it happens in every sport. We'll come out of it, I'm sure of it. Whether we end up finishing twelfth or lower end of the top 10 I don't know, but I'm certain we won't be in a relegation fight.

I don't see us in a relegation battle either. First season I supported the blues was 2011-2012, Cahill's last season if you'll recall and at Christmas time we were sitting in the position we were in now. We hit great form second half of the season to finish 7th, and were within reaching distance of (if I recall correctly) Chelsea in 6th who went on to win the Champions League.
 
The differences between then and now are:
 
-We have a manager who wants to win games, rather than not lose them.
 
-We have talent across the park, as well as depth rather than academy players filling up the subs bench.
 
-Bilyaletinov (sp?) was our winger going forward, now we have Mirallas.
 
-Saha was our striker, backed up by Cahill, neither of whom could even get a sniff of a shot away inside the box. Now we have Lukaku, Eto'o and Barkley.
 
-Phil Neville was our centre-mid with big-wig, now we've got McCarthy and Besic/Barry (irrespective of the latter's form, we're much better off with him than Neville)
 
 
I could go on forever about the positives over three seasons ago, but you all know them. My point is it's only December, and there's plenty of time to come good and start playing to the capabilities that we know this squad/manager produced last season. This time last season Arsenal were marching towards a title, and by the end only beat us to 4th because we threw it away.
 
Teams go through bad patches of form, it happens in every sport. We'll come out of it, I'm sure of it. Whether we end up finishing twelfth or lower end of the top 10 I don't know, but I'm certain we won't be in a relegation fight.

I don't see us in a relegation battle either. First season I supported the blues was 2011-2012, Cahill's last season if you'll recall and at Christmas time we were sitting in the position we were in now. We hit great form second half of the season to finish 7th, and were within reaching distance of (if I recall correctly) Chelsea in 6th who went on to win the Champions League.
 
The differences between then and now are:
 
-We have a manager who wants to win games, rather than not lose them.
 
-We have talent across the park, as well as depth rather than academy players filling up the subs bench.
 
-Bilyaletinov (sp?) was our winger going forward, now we have Mirallas.
 
-Saha was our striker, backed up by Cahill, neither of whom could even get a sniff of a shot away inside the box. Now we have Lukaku, Eto'o and Barkley.
 
-Phil Neville was our centre-mid with big-wig, now we've got McCarthy and Besic/Barry (irrespective of the latter's form, we're much better off with him than Neville)
 
 
I could go on forever about the positives over three seasons ago, but you all know them. My point is it's only December, and there's plenty of time to come good and start playing to the capabilities that we know this squad/manager produced last season. This time last season Arsenal were marching towards a title, and by the end only beat us to 4th because we threw it away.
 
Teams go through bad patches of form, it happens in every sport. We'll come out of it, I'm sure of it. Whether we end up finishing twelfth or lower end of the top 10 I don't know, but I'm certain we won't be in a relegation fight.

Didn't need to hack just paid the subscription like everyone else

Think you may need to look at rephrasing that Rubes .

On you go. Let us know how much you put on.
 
http://www.statto.com/football/odds/england/premier-league/relegation

Anyone who seriously thinks that needs to have a bet on it. 200/1 with SportingBet, chance to make a mint.
 
Be keeping my money in my pocket.

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha all the sack bobby can go and fuck themselves. We are playing absolute shite and are mid table and knockout stages of Europe. Yes his system has been found out a bit but I or anybody else cannot blame him for Barkley jogging around and being inept when it comes to awareness on the ball, he can't be blamed for Coleman playing like he's back in the Irish league, he can't be blames for Naismith and lukaku following each other around when they have been put in different positions, he can't be blamed for a good defence going bad. Everyone said we have a foundation at the back so he dorsnt need to touch it. He hasn't and all he has asked professional defenders to do is to pass a bit more and they've been found wanting. He is so concerned with individual mistakes at the back that he feels he has to play with two defensive midfielders...... If anyone mentions sacking Martinez do me a favour and go fuck yourselves.

When are people going to realise this clown got lucky last season??...inherited a solid back four and has turned it into tissue paper. Inherited players like Barkley & Mirallas but can't get the side to create. The guy is a charlatan, l'd rather have Moyes ATM.

Bad workman always blames his tools.....you dope!

Hi Davey, how's your Spanish getting on?

Howard
Hibbert, jagielka, distin, Baines
McCarthy Besic Barry
Mirallas, Barkley
Lukaku
 
The reasoning behind this is I think hibbert is a much more accomplished defender than Coleman of late. And I didn't think I'd be saying that at the beginning of the season.
 
I feel three holding midfielders are warranted for how exposed we have been of late. Especially at city. Yet we can still catch them in the break with three blistering payers up top. If we do get ahead we are better set up with notmuch to change with three holding midfielders.
 
I would stick besic on toure and frustrate him.
 
I know it looks defensive minded but if we keep them quiet for the first twenty minutes, there's every chance......isn't there?

Yep I need to think as far back as Naismith...

Can't believe the Barkley bashing. He and Lukaku are the future of Everton, and whilst they're both starters in the 11 each week, THEY'RE BOTH STILL 21!
 
FFS, give them time. We've watched both of them do amazing things on the field, they're not over hyped duds. Give it three or four seasons and we'll be lucky to still have either of them.
 
Mirallas was playing in Greece until his mid 20's until Moyes picked him up, and he's come along to be one of the best wingers in the premier league. Those saying Barkley has learnt everything he will learn need to get their heads checked.

I had to double check we weren't still in the League Cup given some of these selections. They're gonna be hard to stop with their current form but maybe that's the best part about playing them straight after an international break.

I had to double check we weren't still in the League Cup given some of these selections. They're gonna be hard to stop with their current form but maybe that's the best part about playing them straight after an international break.

I had to double check we weren't still in the League Cup given some of these selections. They're gonna be hard to stop with their current form but maybe that's the best part about playing them straight after an international break.

Can't we just get over the whole bust up thing? Even if there was a dust up, it may not be entirely of a 'negative' nature, for example, Martinez telling Distin to change his training habits as he is 36 now and needs to adjust...and Distin saying "not a chance, my bodies a temple...."
 
Close you eyes, go on, don't be shy, and picture the scene at Finch Farm....
 
(Distin is flexing infront of the mirror after his 4th gym session of the day...)
 
Distin: BOOM! Check the arms baby!
 
Martinez: Listen Sylvia, you're 36, wind the training in a bit...
 
D: BOOM! Check my abs...what you say?
 
M: I'm telling you to wind the training in a bit. We're giving you a new schedule. You get your bus pass next year, calm it down.
 
D: BOOM! Boss, my body is a temple. I'm fine. Here, touch my thighs...solid mate, solid.
 
M: Sylvie, I'm a physiotherapististist, you need to wind it down. You'll get a soft tissue injury. You'll be out for anywhere between 2 weeks and 4 years. We need you this year.
 
D: BOOM! Need more weight on the bar, boss, pass me the 20's.
 
M: You're dropped you french *&£$*
 
See what I mean? It's entirely possible.

Who cares how old he is?! So long as he keeps up performances like at Burnley he could be 70 for all I care.

Howard
Coleman Alcaraz Jags Baines
McCarthy Barry Besic
Eto'o Barkley
Lukaku
 
Snuff out their wingers and play through the middle

Our game plan must be to bore the opposition into submission.
 
Yaaaaaaawn.

"And Aiden McGeady just gives it away far far too easily" to the surprise of no Evertonias

All you have to do is watch him when we're warming up to see he has bags of control, he's trapping it, flicking it about and all sorts in the little shirts bibs warm up they have before kick off. I think it's a combination of no service, desperation to score and a 28 million price tag which is weighing on him and everytime something doesn't go right makes him panic and try too hard.
 
It'll come with him I'm absolutely certain of that.

Have to agree to disagree, his control is not the best, but he is a goal scorer and will I believe go on to become a massive player for us.

Oh and Howard... I thought he had a solid game, but he definitely stuffed up for Gerrard's goal. Mark 'cokehead' Bosnich was one of the pundits on Fox Sports here and he summed it up pretty well, saying Howard started off his line and had to dive backwards for the ball, hence pushing it into the net. Had he started on his line he has to dive forward and he has momentum on his side. It wasn't like it was placed in the corner.
 
Tbh I thought they outplayed us, so I think I'd be pushing it to say we should have got the 3 points if not for Howard.