Everton Banter Archive January 01 2018

01 Jan 2018 15:53:53
Hi Ed 025 any info on when Ross is due back mate,

{Ed025's Note - very shortly GB but its unlikely to be in an everton shirt mate..

02 Jan 2018 01:51:41
I fear that Ross Barkley has been driven out of our club and seeks pastures new. Blame who you like, but it’s such a shame.

02 Jan 2018 02:06:35
Then, if true, let him go rot in h.

02 Jan 2018 15:16:46
Bobby it’s more the way he’s living his personal life than anyone at the club.

01 Jan 2018 21:05:33
happy new year edds and fellow blues. i'm just wondering if we are signing the lad tosun, i thought he would of been at tonights game to watch, if he was in England. does anyone know if a deal is close.

01 Jan 2018 20:35:57
Whole team needs rebuilding except for Pickford,

01 Jan 2018 20:39:52
Massive over reaction I think. Some good players in the squad still. Need a few quality additions in some key areas for sure and plenty of players in the squad have potential rather than pure quality at the moment but saying everyone other than Pickford is not good enough is ridiculous.

01 Jan 2018 20:50:53
A good bench mark to consider is normally at this time of year the rags are full of rumours about top teams going in for one of our top players or maybe two of our players of top class standard, but its all quiet at the moment, apart from pickford who else would get into a top european team?

01 Jan 2018 20:51:14
who has stood out for you mate in our last few games, they are all guilty of glaring mistakes.

01 Jan 2018 21:11:14
injection of recruits sooner than late this team is not good enough.

01 Jan 2018 21:19:17
I tend not to look at what players would get into other teams because it’s subjective and no one agrees. I remember telling Liverpool fans for years that Baines, Coleman and Lukaku would walk into their team but I got told Clyne, Enrique and Sturridge were miles better. It’s the same with other teams, I remember West Ham fans during “The Payet season” telling me that not one of our players would get in their team and Diafra Sakho is better than Lukaku etc.

What I look at is how good they play for us when I watch them every game, the only players this season with any credit imo are:

Pickford-He’s the best keeper we’ve had since Martyn don’t care how many Americans moan, he’s miles better than Howard, he’s only a kid and he’s been boss this season, I dread to think what we would be like without him. People use the argument of “oh he concedes too many” or “he got Sunderland relegated” or “he looks good because he has so many shots to save”.
That is bollocks, he was in a Sunderland team that is one of the worst ever in the premier league with a 245 year old John O’Shea and Lamine Kone at the back, David De Gea isn’t keeping that team in the league mate. He doesn’t often make mistakes, I have no bias, he’s not a scouser, he’s not came through our academy, but though his performances he deserves credit, a good talent and a good goalkeeper, anyone who thinks otherwise I’m sorry, conceding goals doesn’t make you a bad goalkeeper, making mistakes or conceding goals you SHOULD save regularly make you a bad goalkeeper.

Kenny-I want him to stay in the team, he’s better defensively than Coleman and seems to link better with the winger, he’s worked his arse off this season and has been nothing short of superb in the last few weeks.

Holgate-For a man who has barely played centre back since we signed him, he’s slotted in effortlessly, his pace is ridiculous, and he’s been our best centre back this season, when you consider that we signed Michael Keane for over 30m quid, have Ashley Williams and Phil Jagielka who are 2 longstanding premier league experienced centre backs and a 21 year old kid has been far and wide the best, days a lot for how good he is.

Gueye-Nothing surprising here, never gives anything but his all.

Lennon-Does a job, gives 100% regardless of how the match is going.

Sigurdsson-Big money move and he had no pre season and he’s been boss, he’s another who no one can doubt, being given a job to do and he does it, he runs everywhere, perfect attitude.

Rooney-Same as Sigurdsson minus the big money move, our best goal threat and probably our best attacker this season.

DCL-I don’t really rate the lad that highly but he’s worked so hard up front by himself all season.

Apart from those players? The rest either haven’t put the effort in or have underperformed. The players who haven’t put the effort in are the worst ones. The likes of Schneiderlin, Mirallas etc can go and it doesn’t bother anyone I don’t think.

01 Jan 2018 22:01:16
I agree with what you've chosen Swan. What I would say though is the new lads just haven't had a chance to settle into any kind of rhythm. The get put in the in yhe next game dropped. Lookman scores 2 plays superbly well. Gets dropped and put on the bench for the next game and gets 11 minutes to do something. Hasn't played since!

Snids and Kev can go and it's time to move some others on like Besic. Sometimes your squad can be too big.

01 Jan 2018 22:21:29
I think everybody except Pickford is a huge over reaction. Players are not performing as well as they could but doesn't mean they are not good enough long term.
I've been trying to find a way to judge if a player is a good enough player for us and its tough but i think i've settled on a way.
If we were to transfer list a player and, say, 10 other teams in our division would want him, then it makes him a top half player and so a good player to have within the squad. (theoretically of course, and for a team that is not considered top 6) . In this scenario, i would say there's a good chance 10 other teams would want Keane, Rooney, Gueye, Sig, Davies, Lookman, Bolasie, Coleman and Kenny. It's not a bad foundation to build upon in my opinion.

01 Jan 2018 23:47:23
Got to admit that I'm liking the matured Swan a lot more than the Swan before he took a break! No offense intended mate. Agree with everything you have said in your comment.
Going back to the OP, there are things that need changing without doubt but we will be pissing in the wind if we went out and replaced everyone bar Pickford. Part of our problems this season stemmed from bringing in 7 or 8 players last window, did we honestly expect each one of them to hit the ground running? Especially the ones that came from different leagues, it can take a while for them to make an impact. We need a LB, possibly for cover but must be able to push Baines for a starting slot. We need someone who can finish up front immediately, obviously. We need more creativity although I would like to see Vlasic and Lookman to be given a fair crack of the whip. We could do with another cb, left-sided, but if Funes-Mori is back soon then we can get by until the summer.
Let's hope we have a decent window this month and that we get the right players in to help us kick on and forget the first few months of this season.

01 Jan 2018 20:09:31
Time for a reallity check chaps, i'm on the fence re sam, but whoever manages that team of players would need to be a mirical worker, if we try to play the top mega, mega, spending teams who have been trying to buy top spot for years at thier own game toe to toe we are only fooling ourselves, so let's play boreing against the money teams because we are even struggling against the so called lesser teams, when the cavelry arives we can start to ship out some of the 2nd class players, bring some 1st class players in who in turn can begin to teach the youngsters how its done, then the numpty glory hunters who support the money buys you trophy clubs will have a point when slagging our style of play and they will have a valid point, but it will take many many years for us to match thier billions spent and i hope by then we do better than third or fourth.

01 Jan 2018 20:05:53
Time for a reallity check chaps, i'm on the fence re sam, but whoever manages that team of players would need to be a mirical worker, if we try to play the top mega, mega, spending teams who have been trying to buy top spot for years at thier own game toe to toe we are only fooling ourselves, so let's play boreing against the money teams because we are even struggling against the so called lesser teams, when the cavelry arives we can start to ship out some of the 2nd class players, bring some 1st class players in who in turn can begin to teach the youngsters how its done, then the numpty glory hunters who support the money buys you trophy clubs will have a point when slagging our style of play and they will have a valid point, but it will take many many years for us to match thier billions spent and i hope by then we do better than third or fourth.

01 Jan 2018 19:46:40
Agree Ed0333. I was hopeful Allardyce could save us, and he has however, I was hoping he would surprise us and turn out to be a longer term prospect. I know now that he isn't. And I know plenty will say, he needs time, he needs signings, he needs this, he needs that. A top class No 9 will not help us, playing as we are. We have ppenty of pace and wingers but they don't get in the squad so that's not the issue. The problem is we sit with 11 behind the ball so deep that we can't counter attack and we don't play enough attack minded players to ever be on the front foot.

{Ed0333's Note - you got to ask yourself smit666 do you see yourself getting into the top 4 with Sam Allardyce even with limitless financial resources?

01 Jan 2018 19:58:08
I don't see us getting 4 shots on target with unlimited funds let alone top 4.

01 Jan 2018 21:51:24
It has to be short term the football is awful.

{Ed025's Note - your bigging it up there irish mate..

01 Jan 2018 19:42:01
Well just left the game what a difference in the 2 halfs, 1st half we looked organised even with the changes Sam made but without being anything like a threat to Utd. Then second I at least thought w would come out and get at them instead we backed off and let them come to us Rooney mistake for the first goal, 2nd we just watched it go in, we just don't seem to want to attack teams we look scared when we go passed the half way line. At least after Fri we will only have the league to look at and I would love to go and beat them lot but not happening hope they prove me wrong.

01 Jan 2018 19:35:58
Another poor performance and same mistakes made, how many times are we going to play Holgate at RB he is woeful there has no quality in his delivery at all.
Martina again at LB but is so one footed it's unbelievable for a player at this level.
Absolute lack of quality admittedly we all know but are we the only club that never plays their record signing in his best position and today leaves him on the bench?
So many issues I cannot say them all but last 4 seasons have ended up with us having a weaker squad and nothing more than mid table mediocrity!
Our recruitment system is flawed and needs addressing, otherwise the pressure on our youngsters will end up destroying any confidence they have!

01 Jan 2018 20:32:03
Wakka these lads must show something in training in particular I talk about Schneiderlin and Martina, I would add to that as you say Holgate at RB. Sam has done his job (I think) because surely we can get 12 or 14 points to be safe. Thought when he came in, he just wanted to get us to this Window and see what can be done in the market. End of January we will be in a better place to assess.

01 Jan 2018 19:29:26
Well what a contrast in halves. Stupid mistake by Rooney 🤬 leading to the first goal and the defenders standing off and admiring Lingards run for the second 🙄 Colour me disappointed 🙁🙁.

01 Jan 2018 20:08:36
The goals were coming our threat was virtually nil, 2 half chances for Niasse who again showed he’s not good enough.

01 Jan 2018 19:19:43
Sorry but another pathetic performance - Man U were there for the taking today but again how many shots did we have on target today?

Bring back martinez - he may not know how to defend but at least he knew how to attack!

Complete shambles - blame Sam, Blame the players, blame who ever you wish but enough is enough.

Just looked and at 90mins not one shot on target playing at home against a weakened Man U side.

01 Jan 2018 18:41:14
we are starting to sit back, dangerous.

01 Jan 2018 18:24:00
Much better first half than Saturday and one or two possibilities around their box. Keep the defending up and who knows we could score second half. COYB 😀👊👊.

01 Jan 2018 19:18:27
From where I sit mate it didn't look like a much better first half more like bluster with no end product. 2 - 0 down, I would suggest Sam's priorities have changed to needing defence, defensive midfield and attack. In short a whole new Team. 2 points from 12 not exactly progress.

01 Jan 2018 18:19:17
Personally think that's the best 45 minutes of our season so far. We will be a different proposition with a striker that's not just a nuisance but can actually play a bit as well.

01 Jan 2018 18:29:39
Agreed. Love Oumars enthusiasm but he isn't going to get us the goals we need.

01 Jan 2018 16:56:07
Wow Big Sam has called the changes for tonights game bold move.

01 Jan 2018 17:07:33
As long as we try to take it to them and not sit back we have a chance. Sit back and we’re dead men walking. COYB.

01 Jan 2018 17:18:08
Really bold from Allardyce. I was super critical of his unambitious approach against WBA but today is very ambitious. I am surprised he has gone this way against Man Utd although maybe he senses that they are in a difficult run of form in the last few games and of course we are at home where we have been much better.

A big gamble from him and I really hope it works out today. No matter what happens with the result he should be applauded for having the courage and ambition to give it real a go, good on him.

Really excited to see what the players can deliver for him. I have a very good feeling about today for some reason but that is worrying as I am quite often wrong.

01 Jan 2018 18:19:34
I thought that was the best 45mins we have seen since West Ham. An ambitious lineup and the players have been ambitious on the pitch. Some good performances all round so far. Great to see Bolasie showing some flashes of his old self and the best 45mins we have seen from Davies in a while. I thought the crowd have been involved all game aswell.

We have also got some good options on the bench as some players tire and the game gets more open. Fingers crossed for a good second half too. COYB.

01 Jan 2018 15:16:57
Happy New Year to all 😎 Here's hoping we get 2018 off to a good start with a decent result against Manutd 🤞👊.

01 Jan 2018 12:45:08
Good article on Aaron Lennon on NSNO on his mental health problems would like to wish the guy and his family all the best for 2018.

01 Jan 2018 10:41:29
Hey Bluey mate reading your post on Tosun, thanks for the update all news welcomed mate, shame some posters jump on you that's the nature of the beast these days mate shame.

01 Jan 2018 13:14:53
Seems to be a well informed person this Ed002 and tells it how it is, quite refreshing to be honest. Long may it continue into this coming year.

01 Jan 2018 14:55:22
Some people just can't contain themselves GB mate.

Thanks for the info Bluey some of us appreciate it mate.

01 Jan 2018 15:42:43
Agree there too ducksflysouth, Ed 002 is excellent on here for the info he gives us, hi Grumpy mate.

01 Jan 2018 09:08:57
Good morning blues happy new year an all that balls the rags say we are after 20 Mil defander from lille don't know much about him and one of are loan players Henry onyeku is not out for as long as been said and he can't wait to be in a Everton shirt I no I can't wait to see him in one. I hope we have 3 new players by Saturday here hoping.

01 Jan 2018 13:31:51
What is actually happening with Onyekuru? I’ve seen some say he’s not out for long but journos saying he’s out for months.

01 Jan 2018 01:18:23
Happy new year to all the posters and editors on this site, hope you and your families have a great year.

Up the toffees.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks Swan.}