1.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 08:36:37
I watched the Liverpool City game on Sunday, what I noticed is that when the Liverpool players are closing down they are for me nearly committing a foul every time, they get so close to their opponents, their legs, arms and feet are touching them with out getting to the ball first! They all seem to have mastered this technique, for me they are fouling the player, this is more evident against City’s more dangerous players, Sterling for me was fouled in this way before City’s goal but not seen by the ref
I hope the Referees start to look at this, they are closing down so close that it in fringes the opposing players, for me it’s a foul, if this was to happen in the box then the player would go down and a penalty awarded, only requires the slightest of touch, contact and it’s a penalty
They are very good at this something they have trained for because they all do it the same way.

{Ed001's Note - you really have no idea about the game if you think touching is a foul. That is the most ludicrous thing I have ever read, and I read someone who claimed Keane was the best defender at Everton!}

2.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 09:11:32
Ed001 Touching is a foul if the referee deems it so. Law 12 is very specific in giving the referee the power to determine what is careless reckless or excessive. Players play to what they can get away with, it always has and always will be part of the game. On the Keane front I think I can remember when he did play some decent football and was actually the best Everton defender at the time in some opinions.

{Ed001's Note - no touching is not a foul, reckless, careless or excessive contact is. It is a contact sport, touching is allowed.

As for Keane it was a joke because Uran had said that and it was being debated in another thread. Though he is an entirely average defender and was carried at Burnley by Mee and is just being found out now imo.}

3.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 09:55:31
How can anyone argue that Mina isn't the best defender at the club at the moment? Arguably been our best player this season.

4.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 10:43:13
If he was an average defender at Burnley then it just shows the problem we have in the recruitment department at Everton 30 million for an average defender, unless that’s the going rate.

{Ed001's Note - it was poor recruitment, but that's because scouts seem to be blinded by Mee carrying his centre back partner, which is why they are all looking at Tarkowski now.}

5.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 10:51:58
Ok thanks Ed001 you know this situation better for than me,? i didn’t really follow Keane so much when he was at Burnley.

{Ed001's Note - I did, I remember him being linked with everyone and so wrote a player profile pointing out how average he was back then. Put him alongside a good partner and he is fine, but he is not good enough on his own, it is about the man alongside him.}

6.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 10:57:02
Ok Ed point taken.

7.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 14:47:19
Got to agree, ed001. For someone of his age and experience, it's criminal that he needs to be talked and carried through a game. One mistake and his confidence is shot which inevitably leads to more mistakes. To be fair, he looks half decent when paired with someone like Zouma but I'd think about off loading him this summer if we can get a decent replacement in.

{Ed001's Note - some people are just like that, which is fine if you have someone to look after them. It is when you don't that it becomes a problem and they go to pieces.}

8.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 15:16:13
It's been a disaster waiting to happen, ed001, we aren't exactly blessed with many options in his position.

{Ed001's Note - true, you really needed to hang on to or replace Zouma.}

9.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 19:40:01
But we didn’t Ed. So as the saying goes, “you can only make broth with the bones you have got”. The coaches need to find a combination that’s works the best until we can recruit.

{Ed001's Note - good point.}

10.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 19:45:07
Would have had Zouma in a heart beat but we shouldn't have waited as long as we did. Think we need to strengthen in the next window if that's possible.

11.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 20:56:56
I would be interested to get everyones thoughts on the recent performances of Holgate? I for one was a doubter but am delighted to say that he has shown some improvements since his return to the team and looks like he has taken Keane's place. Even just simple things like passing first time, Keane always dallys on the ball and allows the opposition the chance to close down, which, with a defence as shaky as ours, simply cannot be allowed to happen. Holgate seems to be a CB more suited to our system, I think he can certainly hold down a place until January, when we can assess the market and hopefully bring another in. Any one else been impresssed with Holgate?

12.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 21:26:26
I have always liked him Dgold. I like his tenacity and edginess.
The derby game sold it for me, we don't have enough like him and that is part of our problem.

13.) 12 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 21:31:32
I am so glad you have written that Ed I always found him average and agree regards Mee making him look good, thought playing alongside Zouma last season allowed him to flatter to deceive
And how he gets picked for England is beyond me!
Hopefully We get lucky and Arsenal buy him
I’d like to see Mina when fit paired with Holgate or Gibson of the current squad.

{Ed001's Note - thing is he would actually improve Arsenal's defence!}

14.) 13 Nov 2019
12 Nov 2019 22:19:58
To be fair Ed my nan would improve Arsenal and shes got cataracs and a false knee. She is available on Sundays though.

{Ed001's Note - might be worth letting them know she is available on Sundays, as they are looking for a leader at the back.}

15.) 13 Nov 2019
13 Nov 2019 08:53:51
whats your opinion on holgate ed? think he can go far as being our top partnership with yerry?

{Ed001's Note - I actually like Holgate, he has pace and strong in the air, but I am not sure he is suited to the way Silva plays. His reading of the game is not there yet. Imo he needs to work with a more defence-minded coach to learn about those aspects of the game, someone who teaches him the positional side. Mina lacks mobility, so someone like Holgate alongside him is a must to cover for that. They should work as a duo, but they need to be given a run of games together to get to know each other.}

16.) 13 Nov 2019
13 Nov 2019 19:33:35
Morgan and Huff, who would have had them down as a title winning defence?
They did have Kante in front of them but it goes to show that sometimes you can't just throw 2 world class defenders together and be guaranteed they'll be successful. CB is more about being a team, working well with your keeper and complimenting each other.