Everton Banter Archive April 04 2014

 

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04 Apr 2014 23:06:00
Just read a fascinating article (well to me it was) in which RM speaks about Leighton Baines developing into a holding midfielder in the same way as Bayern Munich's Philipp Lamm has. My only doubt is that LB might not have the physical size to play there, but I obviously defer to RM in his judgement.
Anyone else intrigued by this possible future direction for LB?

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I think that although this is possible I think baines is defiantly more suited 2 a left back roll! Philip lahm has done well when playing the holding midfielder role but I still think there not using his best attributes when they play him there!his crossing, pace dribbling and tactical awareness r not needed as badly in the holding midfield roll!plus his stamina and constant running is also a bit wasted in that respect! Baines has got some of the right attributes for a lying midfielder but it's like putting Ricky lambert at bc because of his aerial prowess!that being said maybe when he is geting 2 the 32 plus mark it coul be an option when he can't keep up with the speedy wingers as much!but it certainly is an interesting idea if it ever is needed!

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Might be a little small but lahm is 5.7 too

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05 Apr 2014 00:18:53
Just can't see him playing there. He has pace to attack down the wing, but hasn't got the know how of centre mid that the like of gaz barry. Besides that I think although a full back, his tackling quality is not his best forte, luckily his positional sense and pace get him out of having to make a challenge. I'd be happy for him to stay a left back for his career.

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Just read it, fascinating insight. It could be something he looks at with either Baines or Oviedo (when fit) to allow them both to play in the same team. But if I had to pick the one who appears more naturally suited to the role I'd say Oviedo. But I'd love to see Baines tested there to see how he does. Trouble is there doesn't seem to be any time for experimentation! Every game is more important than the last!

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I agree Oli. Now is not the time to question Leighton's position. What we do know is that we possess two of the best (if not the best) full backs in Europe. Bryan Oviedo on the other hand could well play that role. Prior to his shocking injury he had already moved into midfield brought about through injury necessity and could well do so again next season.

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When I read about this my first thought was, that you could never imagine Moyes doing something like this. It just shows how RM studies the game & is willing to think "outside the box", (no pun intended. , I think!). We are very lucky to have him.

IR(&K)IT

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{Ed025's Note - i think so too tezza..

It's good to see he's thinking ahead and the fact Bainsey hardly ever gets caught in possession which is a must for that role it makes sense.

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04 Apr 2014 22:12:46
Posted a few weeks ago about the strange length of time over Jags injury.
Hearing tonight he is nowhere near ready for a return, is he out for the season and possibly World Cup?
Hope it is just an injury and nothing else.

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04 Apr 2014 11:39:34
Hi Ed025, could you put up polls about the best goal, best player, and best young player so far this season please mate?

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{Ed025's Note - sorry for the delay BT...but we need some options mate to do a poll....if you give me 4 or 5 names for each category, i will sort it

Hello Ed 025, heres my selection for the polls mate.

Player of the season:
Coleman/Barry/McCarthy/Lukaku/Distin/Howard

Young player of the season:
McCarthy/Lukaku/Stones/Deulofeu/Barkley

Goal of the season:
Barkley(Norwich Away)
Baines(West ham Away first goal)
Pienaar(Hull Away)
Mirallas(Aston Villa Home)
Barkley(Newcastle Away)
Coleman (Swansea Away)
Barry(Norwich Home)

Picking the goals difficult, I had to leave out goals like Coleman's v the saints and Baines second goal v West ham. You might want to make some changes to the goal of the season selections.

Cheers Ed.

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04 Apr 2014 18:14:27
Everton v Manchester City will be shown live at 5:30pm on Saturday, 3rd May.
The matches involving the other four teams currently in the top four will also been shown live over that Saturday, Sunday, and Monday evening.
Saturday 12:45 West Ham United v Tottenham Hotspur
Sunday 1:30 Arsenal v West Bromwich Albion
Sunday 4:00 Chelsea v Norwich City
Monday 8:00 Crystal Palace v Liverpool

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{Ed025's Note - good info mate...cheers..

04 Apr 2014 17:12:36
Nice to see Gibson on recovery be great if he can get some mins under his belt before end of season missed him and I think we were lucky that Barry and Macarthy have played all season injury free as that's when we would of struggled great player and will be nice to have all 3 fit. On to players we should sign and how much money we have is very open at the moment if we are in Europa league we need a lot of players but with no real extra revenue so will be difficult to add so many quality players but if we do nick that chip ions league place that's a 15 million guaranteed if we make group stage which will be massive for us I think we currently generate 80million + currently the only team in top 7 that don't get 100million + when I look at stats like that was on footballers league show it's good to see we are up fighting where we are in league and how much we are overachieving any way players I would like in based on positions need strengthen

Gk needs to be looked at as Howard is getting to the end and Robles not sure on so I would like to see Fraizer Forster

DF distin another year older by no means finished has another season in him at least but with stones coming through and full backs covered I don't think we are in to much need of buying to much, I really like Micah Richards and feel he should be playing week on week and for england but somehow not progressed but still with age on his side I think we could land a bargain and can play centre back or right back very quick

Mf only think we need is a box to box player but again not overly concerned with mf we made do with Macarthy and Barry all season so with gibbo back osman can fill in I would like someone like Fabian delph this boy is getting better and better

Attacking mf and striker

This is where are problems lie we simply don't score enough goals that's why Liverpool are fighting for title and were not don't get me wrong we have some wonderful attacking players but conversion rate not good enough

I would like to see Lukaku for one he is going to get you 15 - 20 and still progressing and I would also like remy probably going to cost 35 for both but that's what we're going to have to pay we need 2 strikers as when lukaku got injuried we were struggling Naismith is great to come on but won't get anymore than 10 goals a season

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Interesting original post. I do wonder if Barry and McCarthy have actually played all season injury free. I get your point - that they haven't missed matches - but I reckon they must have played while carrying knocks. There have been times when McCarthy hasn't looked at his expected 100% best.
It would be good to have the depth in the squad to allow for resting and rotation of players and to allow players to fully recover from injuries. Case in point is giving Jagielka time to recover at present because we have Stones in the team (and Alcaraz as further backup). Without Gibson, I agree that we don't have the best cover for Barry or McCarthy. Likewise, we don't have real cover for Lukaku as an out-and-out centre forward. Naismith has done great recently, but he's not a big, powerful number 9.
I reckon RM has done brilliantly to keep us going considering the lack of depth in our squad. He's said we need 21 players to compete domestically - 27 if in Europe also - plus the keepers; he's also said that we have 16 or 17 players currently suitable for the first team, so, even allowing for the currently missing injured ones, we're borderline on his required numbers.
In Martinez We Trust.

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04 Apr 2014 11:05:47
How much funds can we expect in the Summer? Imagine what Bobby could do with 25 million.

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I feel, that if we got champions league football, that we would need more than that. We do not have to spend that every year but if we spent 20-25m on Lukaku we get a 15-20 goal a season striker with still bags of potential, and he would be a long term investment. We still would need more players to bulk up the squad. Although free transfers and loans would be available, we would have to buy a couple aswell. We could go for a cheaper alternative (Bony + Remy) or may not be able to get Lukaku.

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I agree with you that we should buy a top quality striker!but if we can't afford lukaku for whatever reason that would mean we couldn't afford bony either!i doubt Swansea realli need 2 sell their best player!unless he puts in a transfer request!remy aswell has a bad attitude and I think he will want champions league football for sure!which could be possible all being well!we may well have 2 settle for 2 young promising talents from the World Cup!

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Not necessarily, as Lukaku would cost around 25m, whilst Bony would cost around 15m. That is a possible 10m difference, which is a lot to Everton

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Having a laugh if you think we could get bony for 15 million they paid 10 for him I think we will need to spend 40-45 million to improve on this season remember we loose lukaku Del Boy and Barry although I feel he will sign on a free so just his wages but although Del Boy is good I have feeling he won't be with us again but do we replace or buy 2 strikers me I would buy 2 strikers lukaku and either bony or remy I think we could get remy for 10 million especially if qpr stay in championship which I think they will

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Truebluemetz79 I believe remy has a buy out of 10 mil and 500k iif qpr don't come up would be an ideal striker for us would like us to go for adrian ramos as well but looks like he's off to Dortmund but what about gomis from lyon on free would be good deal

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They paid 15m for bony but like you say they will both be around same price so if we can't afford 1 we won't be able to get the other, at the end of the day the budget will depend on we're we finish

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04 Apr 2014 10:12:24
I thought I would try and put a real positive post before the weekends game. Am I alone in thinking that John Stones has really got it and will develop into the number 1 England center half? When I first saw him, I thought he had a bit of potential. The last few games he seems to have got better and better. It is in reflection of his performances that Jags is being nurtured back into the team. We have won 5 on the trot with him playing. Overall he has everything to be a new Bobby Moore.
Note for the Ossie haters.in this wonderful season of only losing 5 league games, one player alone has featured in every game. Leon Osman. take a bow my son!

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Agree degsy.stones like the rest of the 1st team were scrappy against fulham in 1st half.but in 2nd half stones was more alert and composed on the ball, willing to bring it out of defence and occasionally take it past the fulham attack until he saw a pass to play.definately in the great bobby moore mold.also McGeady seems to be sharper and near to full fitness.

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I think Stones is going to be the best English CB. Already, he is at the stage where I am happy to see him in the team, despite his age, lack of experience as a CB and the fact that our aim is top 4. Moyes left us a gift there.

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Agree. Unfortunately if I posted the names John Stones & Bobby Moore in the same sentence I know i'd be being mocked by a certain regular poster on here. But this lad has the potential to be world class. Defensively he still has a bit to learn. Noticed he is excellent at staying on his feet and only diving in when needed. But in the air he sometimes misjudges his jump and you see the ball flick off in behind. And positionally he can sometimes get caught a bit square. But with the ball he is the best I've seen at his age. Such confidence stepping out and starting attacks. He can be as good as his desire wants to be.

As for Ozzy, I posted a stat the other day. As captain, 14 games played, won 12 lost 2. All down to him? No. But it suggests a calming presence and an experience every squad needs. Like you say he is the only one to play every game and we have only lost 5 games. Not bad considering most think it would be better to play with 10 men.

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Thanks Oli Jennings. It appears we have finally agreed on two things then. I agree with the total summary as you have stated.

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Although if Ozzie wasn't playing the Sunderland game we probably would have won and kept 11 men on the pitch.

Just a thought.

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Good point about Osman's influence on the team and the good results.
RM has spoken, in general, about what players can bring to the the team, the squad, the club, by their attitude and commitment and maturity. For example, someone like Tony Hibbert who isn't a regular these days must be a great example as an experienced pro to all the young players who asspire to the first team. As for Osman, he may not be a stand-out world beater, but his experience is invaluable in a team that contains several younger, far less experienced players. RM likes the "fearlessness" of younger players, but I'm sure he also likes the maturity and reliability that older, more experienced players bring to the team. RM has spoken about the nice balance of youth and experience in the team and squad.
I like what RM says and how he says it, but I like even more the way he gets our team to play and the results he gets from that.

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Toffee Ace, if Howard had not rolled the ball to Ossie in that game when he clearly should not have, then Ossie would not have tried the under hit back pass. Ossie had no other route with the ball and the pass to him was square to the goal with Ossie having a marker right on his shoulder. This happened because RM is trying to introduce the passing across the back 4. But Howard should only roll out forwards when a player is unmarked. Ossie does not have eyes in the back of his head and it was right on the edge of the area. He was at fault for his poor touch but Howard played him into it. The stats are that he has played in every game and we have only lost 5 of those. To have a player who is 100% Everton, has played in a variety of positions, has played in every game, never moans, is an inspiration to youngsters, stays fit enough for his age, gives 100% every game, makes many assists and scores the odd goal just makes me proud for him and Everton. It does irk me when supporters come on here knocking him as if he had never done a thing for our club. Yes he makes the odd mistake. Yes he is getting on and you can see he is laboured in some of his runs.but he is what I call a linking player. He just links the team together. Many times this season he has come on as sub and looked our best player.

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Thanks for the detailed recant of what I already witnessed last December Degs. I remember it well enough to know that no matter how you wish to dress it up, his mistake put us a goal behind and a man down which was enough to cost us the result and a record of going a calendar year unbeaten at home.

Then again I also remember what his winning goal looked like against villa.

So he has cost us 3 points and also gained us points. Opinions vary, as do ours. But facts remain.

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Toffee Ace, the point I was trying to make was that Tim Howard's mistake led to Ossie being under pressure. Yet everyone starts blaming Ossie. In an ideal world Howard would have chosen NOT to pass to Ossie and thus the pressure would not have been on him. It seems our usually wonderful Goodison crowd can actually turn on one of our own at times. I am 57 and remember other players buckling under the pressure of having the crowd on their back. Sometimes it is justified, but in Ossie's case I think it is very unjustified. Yes he is getting to the end, but let us all remember the brick walls he has run through for us.

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Ok Degsy. 57 years a blue would tell me that your opinion should be respected and given more than the usual consideration. Let's both hope he has a worldly tomorrow so that we can both get what we want. 3 points.

Enjoy the match mate.

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There's no doubt stones has potential but he does need to develop a lot, when's the defence is under pressure he gets a bit flustered but I suppose that comes with experience, he shines when were controlling games he feels more comfortable and plays more freely

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Likewise Toffee ace. Enjoy it mate. We need to get behind the team. not on top of them. I usually go for the ref. He is the one I blame most. even if he has a good game!

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04 Apr 2014 10:03:22
I haven't seen every match this season, but apart from the away defeat to that lot across the park - when I believe that RM had to bring back players from injury before they we're properly fit AND we were slaughtered by the attacking speed of the opposition - I think that RM has got pretty much everything right. When we have had poor results, I think we can point to errors by individuals rather than ineffective tactics or uncorrected (via substitutions during the match) selection mistakes. For instance, Howard getting sent off at home to Sunderland - he should just risk conceding the goal from open play, but stay on the pitch and go on to help, the team win the game. Likewise, Barry conceding the penalty in the FA Cup match at Arsenal was an uncharacteristic error by him.
Added to his general positive attitude, I think RM's transfer dealings and his use of substitutes has been nigh on masterful this season.
Like I posted before, "He's the right one, He's the bright one, He's Martinez"!

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Fantastic post mate.

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04 Apr 2014 09:46:27
Lots of posters are writing about how Tottenham are interested in Lukaku and some saying how much more money they have than us.
I've a few observations:
(1) Many clubs share an interest in many players - in my opinion it's the lazy journos wanting to make a big issue of (almost sensationalising) any story. I'd be amazed if other clubs weren't interested in Lukaku if (when?) Chelsea let him move on.
(2) Tottenham have spent loads of money, but I understand that they've brought in more than they've spent during recent seasons because they're had big outgoing transfer fees (e.g Bale, Modric, etc.).
(3) They want a new ground and - having not got the Olympic stadium - they need to finance somewhere else (or a major revamp, of their current ground). I don't know the ins and outs of any financing, but I imagine that they need to do so within the boundaries of Financial Fair Play.
Anyway, enough about them ;-) If (when) we get into the Champions League group stages, then our club's own financial situation and prestige will greatly improve and we should compete better with the European elite and realistically challenge for top honours.
Once a blue, always a blue!

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They will also recoup a fair bit again from sales, they struggle to score goals so its easy to put them in the frame but there will be host of teams interested in him

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04 Apr 2014 07:10:47
Seriously!

Am not a regular poster but used to enjoy reading the Football banter on this site, but recently it has become more like a dating website with certain posters telling each other of their respect for each other and how great they are and then when a poster who hasn't been on for a while returns its time to get out the hankies! Football banter page football banter please.

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{Ed025's Note - nothing wrong with a bit of bromance now and again jo, but i get your drift mate..

04 Apr 2014 08:52:30
You not feeling the love Jo

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Someone's tired.

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So many feels for you and this post joey xx

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Macho Macho Man.

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I do know what you mean mate, the term Banter can be lost a bit at times, but it can also be a bit tiring when everything that gets said gets apposed.

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04 Apr 2014 03:36:08
It worked for Cowpat Sid so maybe a heart felt plea will bring back Sydney blue who is another legend of these pages!
Although maybe his two week lay off through injury could be a sticking point (get well soon Tim) haha

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05 Apr 2014 00:23:50
Is sydneymac the other alias of sydney blue?

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04 Apr 2014 03:36:05
Interesting article by Richard Jolly on today's ESPN website which compares the managerial styles of Wenger and Martinez. The writer refers to Everton as "a rising force" and states the same could be said about our manager. Nice to read that sort of thing and see the positive progress Everton has made this season is recognised not just by the supporters by others outside the club.

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04 Apr 2014 02:08:54
Some ramblings from an Aussie.
There has been a lot of talk on here lately of 'the establishment' in the press reporting on storied to try and destabilise our run to the CL places. My thoughts on this, is RELAX and Remember your history.

Journalists always go with the flavour of the month, right now it is the Reds, and they are sticking the boot in whenever possible into United. They see us as an outsider who doesn't have the glamorous offerings of big ad revenues for TV matches and not being from London also play a part. If we start to consistently push for CL places in the coming seasons this will all go away and we will start to get the plaudits we deserve.

Secondly, let's cast our minds back some 23 odd years and remember Everton was one of the 'Big 5' that helped start the premiere league and get it to where it is today. No Chelsea, No Man City. We were a powerhouse during the 80's who played attractive football and many thought one of the best teams in Europe, only we couldn't compete due to reasons outside our control.

We have come through some tough times as fans and have had the wool lifted from our eyes by this Spanish maestro. Let's not give any more reference to the Journos or sore losers from other clubs let's focus on us and supporting the team for these last 7 games, who knows we might just become part of the new so called 'big 4' soon enough.

well. that's it I have wasted enough time and can now go to lunch. Happy Friday fellow Evertonians.

Bring on The Arse!

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{Ed025's Note - good stuff syd..

Enjoyed reading that sydneymac. Not sure about the Bring on the Arse bit though lol.keep that to yourself m8 :)

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04 Apr 2014 00:50:56
Hi fellow toffees, I have followed all the discussions on this website for the last 2 years but I've only decided now that I should actually stop lazy and start contributing! I don't know about any1 else but I think that we need 2 mix up our tactics for Saturday! My team would be. Howard Coleman distan jags baines macarthy Barry mcgeady Barkley Naismith lukaku. I think Naismith and Barkley could swap and change positions regularly to realli keep the arsenal back line guessing! Feeling realli positive for Saturday!think if we don't concede by half time well win quite comfortably!any thoughts?

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I think it's interesting that both teams have recently played poorly in the first half of matches, have needed a gee-up at halftime, and have played better in the second half of matches. Arsenal can afford to take a draw, but we surely need to win. If we don't play with intensity from the start, then we won't get the victory.

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