Everton Banter Archive August 18 2014

18 Aug 2014 20:46:02
Another observation I have made is that Stones is a wonderful center back, but useless at right back. Last season when he came in we had our best run. I think it was 11 unbeaten. He was superb at center back. The few times I have seen him at right back, he was so raw he was dripping blood. Positionally poor and useless at crossing on the run. So why did RM start with him at right back and Coleman on the bench? Coleman came on so was obviously fit. I really don't understand this one. RM obviously does a brilliant job overall and I really appreciate all he has done, but one or two things just puzzle me. I guess we would all do things in a different way.

I think Coleman was rested as a precaution because of his recent hamstring injury. I'm not sure, but I think Stones played RB for Burnley and was decent in the role for them.

Damn you auto correct! That should of course read 'Barnsley'.

{Ed025's Note - good effort though mate...but i dont want you to post any of my letters for me.. ;)

He played for barnsley and yes he did play right back. He doesn't look comfortable there at the moment though. I agree with degsy. He is going to be a wonderful cb. A concern I was talking about earlier was about rio ferdinand and his development. Rio made lots of mistakes for west ham (i know he was only young) but once david o'leary got hold of him at leeds his defensive game improved. His performances in the 02 world cup proved that. I wonder how stones will develop under martinez who is not very defensive minded , we can't even defend set plays. Just a thought I had earlier if anyone wants to comment

Coleman was injured for all of pre season probably wasn't match fit, but this highlights our need for RB cover unless someone like Kenny or browning can step up.

18 Aug 2014 17:30:23
Having had time to reflect on Saturday's performance and our progress, I would say it was almost exactly the same as last season's start. Played a team with less flair than us and dominated possession for long periods. Scored two good footballing goals. but conceded a sloppy corner and another fluke. Norwich 2-2 last season was almost identical. Now my point is, we had loads of corners and set pieces again, but never looked like scoring from any. We also looked vulnerable every time they had a corner or a set piece. If we spent a decent amount of time practicing defending set pieces as well as attacking them, perhaps we would score more and concede less. thus winning more points. I know this sounds like "the bleeding obvious", but RM said last season that we do not practice them in training? It seems crazy to me. We could be the best footballing team around, but win nothing because of this fact. I see most of the other top teams regularly score from set pieces and concede at very few set pieces.

{Ed025's Note - fair point degsy mate..

Totally agree Degsy. We are woeful at both attacking and defending corners and why we now stop putting the ball into the box at freekicks is beyond me.

We have two superb freekick takers in baines and mirrallas and should be using this to our advantage.

I understand he wants possession of the ball and makes the short pass instead of the ball in the box but this is more obsession. I love barca as well and martinio was obsessed with this same tactic. It frustrated Barca fans just as much.

Its clearly an issue which he should be dealing with in training. Otherwise what is training for?

18 Aug 2014 15:15:47
Apparently Matija Natasic has been deemed surplus to requirements at Man City. Great young centre-back imo. Would anyone here take him?

18 Aug 2014 15:34:17
On loan, with view to buy, deffo, will it happen? Nah

I'd take him, but I doubt we have enough for what City will be asking for. At least £15 Mil I would have thought

I'd take him on a free (not that I don't rate him) but I wouldn't go spend what funds we have on him, also he won't come to us I reckon juventus.

18 Aug 2014 17:05:44
Not sure about him but I am getting a little concerned about the defense. We seem to be vulnerable from corners/free kicks/lobs into the goal area and Jagielka and Distin do not appear to be able to cope with them. Teams are and will begin to realize this and put more pressure on them. From the little I have see of Alcaraz he is worse. Stones is one for the future and maybe Duffy but center-back is one area we need to start thinking about and building for the future.

I honestly don't think Bobby fancies Duffy. It's a shame as the glimpses I've seen, he seems to be a decent player, certainly more so than Alcaraz. Jags' legs seemed to be like lead against LC.

I think Stones and Distin should be paired against the arse. Jags clearly needs to improve his fitness.

{Ed025's Note - sounds like siamese twins that mate.. :)

As long as at least one of them can tell their arse from their elbow, Ed!

18 Aug 2014 09:48:34
Right, everyone knows how disappointed we all are over Ross Barkley`s preseason injury blow, but rest assured no one will be as gutted as the lad himself. Reminds me of the way Gascoigne used to be, had to be playing all the time attitude. Gutted for Barkley, hope he responds well to whatever treatment and he`s back terrorising defences sooner rather than later. In the meantime others need to step up and Bobby needs to earn his wages. Good luck Ross.

18 Aug 2014 07:57:27
ssn app is reporting everton are set to make an offer for eto after holding talks with his reps
I think this could be a rrally good move for us

18 Aug 2014 14:52:26
In what way is this a really good move for us?

I think the fact he's free and hopefully won't command too much in wages, is a good thing and he's experienced in Europe and gets goals wherever he goes him Konr lukaku and long will be the depth we need to challenge on four fronts unless we have the money to but a new striker, I personally don't think will sign anyone else

18 Aug 2014 15:36:12
'hopefully wouldn't command too much in wages', that's like hoping water won't be wet mate

18 Aug 2014 15:55:05
undecided on this really. Eto'o is an experienced goal scorer, that we can't deny, but how much would he command in the way of wages? The other issue would be his age but, if this is just a short term fix, then that isn't too bad. He's a similar age to Barry so if they are good enough then RM will not hold age against them. Finally, in comparison to what we have, and what we need for the extra games this year, I think he is better than some of the options we already have. For example, Kone is a year or two younger than Eto'o but is he anywhere near the same quality? No. Such a move could make a bit of sense but I wouldn't be too bothered if it didn't happen

It could be a good move becaus eto has scored goals at every club he played for.
And he is a free transfer but never mind swan cause the only people your not negative about are the players who cost over 50 mill and are in early 20's an out of our price range come on swan you tell us who is moor proven in our squad than eto I will tell ye there is no one at everton moor proven than eto

18 Aug 2014 20:33:53
Calm down little miss sunshine, I rate xavi, he's 34 and is free soon so you're wrong already, I only asked, easy boy