Everton Banter Archive December 13 2015

13 Dec 2015 21:48:26
Well would you Adam an eve it. Made a point up on the Mancs and spuds, and the fools could only get a point. Have watched a lot of matches this weekend and have to say we are playing better football than the majority I've seen. Yes I know we should be higher and should have won more games. But I think that will come. Just need to hold on to these lads, add one or two and a trophy is there. Just keep believing and support the team. P. s. Loved the blue Santa hats yesterday, great touch.

{Ed025's Note - love that post woburn...thats what we need guys positivity..get on board the feel good bus..well until we lose anyway.. :)

13 Dec 2015 22:22:56
You made me laugh there Ed with your last line. The positivity must be rubbing off. God knows I rather it than not being optimistic.

{Ed025's Note - welcome aboard the bus mate..

13 Dec 2015 23:45:49
Tickets please!

14 Dec 2015 10:47:08
If we're on a bus, then there's quite a few posters who think that it's being driven by Stan Butler and the posters are acting like Blakey the inspector. Apologies to the youngsters who don't remember the "On the Buses" sitcom and Blakey's catchphrase "I hate you, Butler". I'm not sure which player is "Olive" - the big useless lump - but I can imagine which of our players it could be ;-)

14 Dec 2015 13:19:00
Cowpat, I also remember Torchy the Battery Boy, who thought he could climb to the Moon on nothing more substantial than a Torch beam.

14 Dec 2015 14:52:19
duncansmum: all the way to the moon on a torch beam? Well, compared to the "elite" clubs, we want to go all the way to the Champions League on a shoestring ;-)

14 Dec 2015 20:18:04
2 and a bit seasons now Cowpat Sid 2. Perhaps Bill should have treated Roberto and his promises the same as the rest of us treat our politicians at GE time.

14 Dec 2015 20:20:15
I also do not remember much of Bill and Ben the Flowerpot men for obvious reasons, well! it was that era.

13 Dec 2015 14:33:42
Now the dust has settled on another disappointing result, there are a few things that we can take from yesterdays game. Forget about pointing the finger at certain players, we win, lose or draw as a team.
My concern for this team at this time is our weak mentality in games, resulting in leads being thrown away and wins turning to draws. We have played some decent football in the last few games, battered teams for the most part in the first half yet come out after the interval and stop doing what was obviously working for us in the previous 45 minutes. As fans, we can see from the stands that as soon as the opposition have a go back, we tend to crumble under the pressure. 3 points from 9 should really be 9 from 9 the way we started them games.
I'm hoping that this is because we have a young core of players who are classed as first team regulars. With experience maybe they will improve this aspect of their game. If so, then next season will be a better time to judge them. It is frustrating to watch the rest of the top half of the league throwing away points yet we can't seem to capitalise on that. In my opinion, we are one or two short from having a very good team, turning those draws in to wins is the next battle.
I think RM has to bite the bullet and get the players practising corners, both defending and attacking. They can be worth a good few points over a season yet he deems them not worthy. I read somewhere the other week that we had conceded the most goals in the league from set pieces and scored the least, not sure how true that is but I'm sure one of you could shed light on this. If true, that is just not good enough at this level. Defending them especially is an art that should be drilled in to players. I'm thinking of the Arsenal defence under Graham, they practised these things over and over until it became second nature to them. Didn't do them any harm! Football has changed drastically since them days I admit but the principles remain the same. It is almost criminal to leave these things to chance in the top flight, in the end it could be the difference between finishing the season with European football or finishing 10th. With the young talent we have at the club we need to finish in the top 6 or many of them may want to leave to play in the continental competitions.

13 Dec 2015 15:24:50
Good post spudv. I have two small points. Not talking against anything you said just something that came to mind.

Moyes team always were organised and hard to score against. This is worth points. The same logic as your point about working on set pieces.

One thing about Martinez is at Wigan and Everton goals are conceded. As you say he doesn't believe in the defense or even the attack of set pieces. That's fine, that's his decision.

I just hope Everton F. C. does not suffer as a consequence. We benefited from Moyes organization and attention to detail.

Hope the opposite doesn't happen with Martinez. I'm not arguing or having a pop at Martinez. It's just an observation more than anything and how I see it.

13 Dec 2015 15:44:24
Pretty much comes down to the same thing NBTB, organisation as you say. I won't complain about some of our attacking play under RM, we can be a right handful for any team, on our day, with our counter attacking at pace. But I'd rather that not be to the detriment of our defending. Between DM and RM, one was very defensive whereas the latter is very attacking and expansive. We need to have a balance of both imo.
Corners should be practised though, they are worth a few points a season as I have said. If we get our game together between now and the end of the season and finish a point or two outside the top four, long shot I know, we can look at yesterdays game and even the Palace game and rue the fact we leave these things to chance.

13 Dec 2015 16:17:56
I'm more worried about the fact that we are not taking our chances than about our defense. Just watched Arsenal verses Villa and when Arsenal break they have at least three and more often four players up with the player with the ball. When they scored the second goal the player with the ball was one on one with the goalkeeper and instead of trying to blast it past the goalkeeper he side-passed it to another Arsenal player who just past it into the net.
Now you take us yesterday, we had a few chances when we had one on one with the goalkeeper and our player just blasted it at the goalkeeper who saved it.
Barkley is playing too deep and non of the midfield players we have are fast enough to get forward and consequently Lukaku is often isolated up front. We need attacking midfielders who are fast enough to get forward and assist the forwards. Barkley can do it as shown against Sunderland and I can't understand why he doesn't play that role more often. Another option is to play Deulofeu in the number 10 position and Mirallas on the wing, now that would be exciting.

13 Dec 2015 17:06:07
I agree spudv, I won't complain about the attacking football either. It's fantastic to look at and fair play to Martinez in that respect. First thing imo is have the defense organized. Your right a balance between the two is needed.

I hope to god your right about where we finish. I stuck my head out a couple of weeks ago and predicted 5th. That was thinking we would get a good run up to Christmas. I'm still waiting for that.

As you say it may come. I could be just impatient. If it does come soon it would be sweet.

13 Dec 2015 19:04:10
Mike, that's what I mean. We batter teams in the first half but maybe only the odd goal ahead, come second half and we fall to pieces. I'm possibly making excuses for them when I say it is a young team and they will learn from the experience of this season but we create an awful lot of chances that we seem to squander. All well and good playing attacking football, the old 'we'll score more than you' but sometimes them chances aren't converted. That leaves us vulnerable at the back and likely to concede. Totally agree with your Barkley assessment, he needs to be playing further up the pitch for me, he offers very little in that deeper role. Think I'd rather have Gerri on the wing though, some of his early balls are a joy to watch and he certainly has a great understanding with Rom.
NBTB, I think we have a good enough squad to get in the Euro places, not necessarily champions league, but we are doing our best to blow it so far. It's just getting the concentration levels up and turning draws into wins and we will be ok I think! The places are there for the taking as no team is putting their stamp on it thus far, I mean united have been quite poor this year yet they are in 4th position. Strange league this year.

{Ed025's Note - i agree with all that spud..

13 Dec 2015 20:32:42
It really is a simple concept the strength of any structure is its foundation. Moyes knew it was not enough to pass out from the back but build from the back, Roberto does not believe in defence or set pieces. It is something we all knew from his Wigan days even dear old Bill. Nice man, good coach but not so good Manager. We are stuck with him based on an FA Cup win and how his Wigan did against us in that Cup and as such we are destined to be a middle of the table Team.

{Ed025's Note - im not buying that DM, i believe we have a very good squad that is really on the verge of going places, im not saying some things dont need to improve because they do, and that includes the manager, but we are as good as anyone this year and for me still have a high finish within us mate..

13 Dec 2015 20:57:06
We'll score more than them. Could anyone tell me when that worked for anyone? I know you don't agree with it spudv, I know I certainly don't.

You are making excuses spudv. They are a young team learning. That's what was said all last season. So far this season is a repeat of last year.

I predicted a few weeks ago what your saying now spudv. Just outside the top 4. Can't see it happening now. Your right teams at the top are dropping points and finishing high up the table is there for the taking.

At this stage I honestly can't see us finishing any higher than 8th. Almost half way through the season and half the games are draws. Martinez doesn't pay enough attention to defense.

Any of the teams who finish near the top have conceded very little. Utd have been poor and as I said its an opportunity to finish high up the table.

Only thing is we are not near the top so we must be doing bad. Utd are 4th and are poor. We are 10th so we must be desperate. We're half way through December and the fixture list for January doesn't look great for us.

Very tough month. I know I sound like a downer. Thing is its hard to be optimistic when we had a hard start which we coped well. Then the last 6 or 7 games was our chance to capitalise. Snuffed it.

My renewed prediction is 9th. I hope to god I'm wrong and my original prediction and your prediction today comes true. There would be no one happier than me.

13 Dec 2015 21:02:13
I used to think that Ed. Remember the dream? We do have a very good young team and if they stay at Everton I can see something being developed.

That's the thing I don't think its going happen quick enough. I think some of the top younger players will lose patience and leave. When one decides to go they'll all want to go.

Again I hope to god I'm wrong. As I said before I think mid table is us. Can't see Stones, Barkley, Lukaku, Del boy sticking around if that happens. Be very surprised if they stayed. As I said I hope I'm wrong.

{Ed025's Note - you have become a miserable sod lately NBTB, get that chin off the floor mate..we will finish top 6...and you can take that to the bank!. :)

13 Dec 2015 21:12:24
Ok maybe I've put too much emphasis on the Bournemouth and Norwich games. Was banking on them. Hopefully I'll see the light soon Ed.

{Ed025's Note - glad to hear it mate.. :)

13 Dec 2015 21:40:37
ED25 Everyone agrees we have a very very good Squad. We said last season (that is you me and most others) that Martinez first season was mainly down to his methods not embedded within Moyes legacy squad and last season then became down to Europe, the excuse this season is now we have a young Squad on the verge of going places. We are now 10th and that is with Utd in 4th but struggling. This is a truly great club and have no doubt that Roberto is a nice man, but he is a nice coach that needs a solid Manager.

{Ed025's Note - the jury is still out for me DM, lets see where he takes us at the end of the season mate and then we can judge if progress is being made, but imo the pressure on winning by supporters means that managers are being sacked left right and centre and i dont want us to be swapping managers as often as our undies, look at gary monk..best thing since sliced bread a couple of months ago and now out on his ear..football is a funny game...but it can also be a cruel mistress..

13 Dec 2015 22:22:51
You make a lot of good points Spud and I also like to see Deulofeu on the wing, but I think we are getting too predictable. Deulofeu goes off and Mirallas comes on. How about taking Kone off, bring Mirallas on and move Gerry into the middle? Never know it may work, however it's probably why I ended up a Chemist and not a Football Manager.

{Ed025's Note - yeah mike, stick to fungal nail drops and pile creams mate, its a lot less painful than being an everton manager.. :)

13 Dec 2015 22:32:06
Sorry boys but I've got limited time so I've just skirted through your posts for now. I agree with Ed25, this squad feels like it is on the verge of clicking properly with some quality youngsters gaining valuable experience. Obviously, a few additions are needed either next month or the summer window and RM needs to build a solid defence with a few tweaks to his attacking style. Barring the keeper (let's not get into that again! ) we have a very good spine in the team. 3 good cb's when they are all fit, plus a couple of kids who can step up. Barry and Jimmy Mc in central midfield with the likes of Besic and Cleverley as deputies. Rom up top completes it. Every good team has a strong core within these positions, we just lack in the keeper department at the moment but I'm sure it will be looked at and dealt with in the coming months. The players around them positions aren't too shabby either so it's not all doom and gloom lads!

{Ed025's Note - get your ticket to the feel good bus as soon as you can spud, its filling up fast mate..

12 Dec 2015 19:48:23
Eds are we interested in any strikers I know we have lukaku but we need a different type of striker when things aren't going the way Bobby thought it was going. We sometimes need a striker like Hernandez who was at Utd.

{Ed025's Note - we have been looking eddy, kone does not look up to the task for me mate and he may be shipped out come the end of the season, rom needs more help and naisy seems frozen out at the moment..