Foxes edge Bangkok friendly

, 27 July, 138comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton 0 - 1 Leicester City

Supachalasai Stadium, Bangkok
Everton's pre-season continued on Sunday in Thailand with a friendly against Leicester City which the newly-promoted side won by a single goal. Gary Taylor-Fletcher scored the winner in the second half after Kasper Schmeichel had kept out efforts by Luke Garbutt and Aiden McGeady in the first half.

Roberto Martinez again gave playing time to as many players as possible with only Tony Hibbert and Joel Robles playing the full 90 minutes.

The two clubs meet again in less three weeks' time to kick off their Premier League campaign, which makes this meeting good preparation for Roberto Martinez's men.

Few of Everton's World Cup stars have travelled to the Far East — Baines, Jagielka, Howard and Mirallas are all still on leave, but Ross Barkley and John Stones are in the party. Seamus Coleman remains at home nursing a tender hamstring while Arouna Koné and Bryan Oviedo are both out as they continue their protracted recoveries from serious injuries.

Pending new signing, Muhamed Besic, also made the trip as he continues his familiarisation with his new teammates and was part of a signing session staged for local supporters on Friday.

Everton: Robles; Hibbert, Distin, Duffy, Garbutt; McCarthy, Barry; McGeady, Osman, Pienaar; Naismith.
Subs: Stones, Alcaraz, Gibson, McAleny, Long, Browning, Kennedy, Hope, Lundstram, Stanek.

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Reader Comments (138)

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Kev Johnson
2 Posted 26/07/2014 at 18:25:02
I see Besic in the Hibbo role – just "along for the ride and the camaraderie". Talking of which, one of the things we might learn from the friendlies is whether Browning can be a halfway decent understudy for Seamus, as this is a bit of a gap in our squad. We also might find out whether McAleny or Hope can be a useful squad player for us, in the event of injuries to Kone (likely), Traore (likely, if signed on loan) and Lukaku (possible, if signed). Henin (if signed) has a squad status no one yet knows. So an Alan Whittle-type youngster would be handy to have waiting in the wings.
Jon Withey
3 Posted 26/07/2014 at 18:42:11
Would have thought Stones would play right-back? Isn’t Tyias Browning a centre-back?
Jay Harris
4 Posted 26/07/2014 at 19:19:06
Jon,

Tyias started as a centre half but got into England Under-21s at RB where he looked exceptionally good............ in the mould of John Stones when he first came to us so either could deputise at RB.

Harold Matthews
5 Posted 26/07/2014 at 19:36:05
Jay. When I first watched Tyias as an academy youngster, he was right back. Impressed me greatly. Thought he moved like Pele. Forgot his name but when describing him to TW a year or so later, Sam Hoare put me right.
Paul Andrews
6 Posted 26/07/2014 at 19:49:47
Dyson is another getting good reviews.
Common denominator in that age group? All born and bred Evertonians apparently, which must count.
Jon Withey
8 Posted 26/07/2014 at 19:47:03
Lack of new signings has put me off the preseason games a bit. Interested in seeing a new back line with Duffy, Browning, Stones, & Garbutt though. It sounds like Stones and Duffy in the centre is worth a try then.
Phil Walling
9 Posted 26/07/2014 at 20:02:27
36 days to go before we need to despair, Jon!

Barry is already in the bag – as is Henin and Bosic. Add Gibson and Kone and all these young kids and we already have a ’new’ squad.

Don’t get bloody greedy!!!

Harold Matthews
10 Posted 26/07/2014 at 20:26:46
Switched on the Offical Site and was immediately hit by a rumour that FC Brugge have offered us Maxime Lestienne, the new 22-year-old wing sensation. Value: €10M... it must be a loan. Anyone heard anything?
Brent Stephens
11 Posted 26/07/2014 at 21:04:41
Harold, I just love what appears to be the genuine knowledge of players that you have – not only our own players from academy level up, but such a wide range of others in various leagues around the world! How do you do it?!

Peter Thistle
12 Posted 26/07/2014 at 21:58:31
Don’t fancy our chances with 0 forwards in the team...... sigh......
Paul Andrews
13 Posted 26/07/2014 at 22:10:01
Keep the faith Peter
Harold Matthews
14 Posted 26/07/2014 at 21:36:30
Brent. I actually know very little. Can’t get out much these days and when I’m not painting I watch Espn, BT and Sky for the football and Racing UK for the horses. I’ve also discovered Pinterest which has opened up a whole new world.

On the football front, I know very little about tactics. 442 and all that business. I’m not really interested in technical skills because a high level of skill is now quite commonplace. My enjoyment comes from unlikely places. Watching Barry closing down, appreciating the intelligence of Oscar and watching how he so cleverly pinches the ball. I even enjoy how Suarez goes through the eye of a needle.

We are now linked with Itsu. Now there’s a boy to watch. OK, he can run, dribble, centre and shoot. So can many others. What I like about this little skinny fella is his attitude. Getting the ball off him is a bit like taking a bone off a pitbull terrier. In one particular game I was completely mesmerized by the way he retained the ball after he appeared to have lost it. It was amazing. It must have happened half a dozen times. The defender thought he had won the ball but at the very last second a quick little foot would come out and Itsu would have the ball again. A bit like a magic trick.

So don’t be kidded,. My football knowledge is very limited but, hopefully, my posts contain snippets of interest.

The greatest joy, of course, comes from watching Roberto Martinez transform our wonderful club.

Si Cooper
15 Posted 26/07/2014 at 22:57:34
Harold, according to his Wiki (dubious I know) we were interested in Lestienne when he signed for Brugge in 2010.

Perhaps he has not signed any extension to his original contract with Brugge and now wants to try ’the road not taken’?

Eric Myles
16 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:51:20
’due to national broadcast’ I suppose that means it interferes with thw timing of one of the popular soaps?
Harold Matthews
17 Posted 26/07/2014 at 23:45:50
Yes Si, you’re right. We were weighing him up but he went to Club Brugge. Think his old club folded up and he went on a free, hence our interest.

Don’t know why Brugge are trying to offload him and have no idea how his value soared. I think he’d go for a lot less. Being Belgium and playing on the wing, they’ll try to tout him as another Hazard but he ain’t. Not yet anyway.

Left footed, quick and tricky, he’s a decent player but have I seen anything about him that set him apart? Without a doubt, yes. Apart from being an intelligent footballer, he has the ability to hold his head high and look all around whilst in possession and moving fast or slow. Try it sometime. It’s not easy. Most of our lads look at the ground.

Don’t know where this is going but I like a good rumour and this one came from the EFC site.

Peter Gorman
18 Posted 27/07/2014 at 00:34:02
Tyias Browning looks a million miles from being a right-back. Perhaps in the Hibbert mould (though I have yet to see anything to suggest that) but definitely not adept enough to play the current system.

He should stick to being a centre-half. He did absolutely nothing for England U21s or against Tranmere as a RB. Move forward, pass backwards, occasionally cross to nobody. Nowhere near the level of Garbutt let alone Coleman.

Si Cooper
19 Posted 27/07/2014 at 01:19:59
Yes Harold, I’m a ’head down and concentrate’ merchant myself and greatly admire those who seem to just instinctively know exactly where the ball is.

As you say I am hardly in the minority in that regard which is why I am always encouraging my five-a-side team-mates to help each other (me!) by keeping up the (constructive) verbal communication. It is amazing how many of them seem to have taken a vow of silence and then look disgusted when the ball doesn’t miraculously end up at their feet.

Talking of 5-a-side, I presume a ToffeeWeb team has been assembled and are well prepared for the imminent competition! Good luck lads (and ladies???)!

Jon Withey
20 Posted 27/07/2014 at 01:30:43
Heh, greed is good right? Give me Rom and another wildcard attacking player and I’ll be happy enough. Overall, I’d rather we relied on our youth in the future, but that seems to be where Martinez is going – I get the feeling he wants us to go a bit Barcelona with footballing style consistent from youth to the first team.

I know nothing about Besic – wish we’d sign him so he could actually play.

Harold Matthews
21 Posted 27/07/2014 at 08:03:59
#14. Calling him Itsu instead of Atsu. Sorry mate.
Harold Matthews
22 Posted 27/07/2014 at 08:28:12
Holy mackerel. 2 minutes ago. Sky Sports News. Fan shouts Lukaku question to Martinez, who looks up and replies,..."Of course we’ll get him."

Switch to Wolfsburg guy who declares an interest.

Eric Myles
23 Posted 27/07/2014 at 08:42:34
Just, been down to the stadium and the party has started, at least if you’re a Leicester fan. There’s merchandise, games and sexy cheerleaders but no Evertin presence at all.

Spoke to a few Thai Evertonians and a farang Leicester supporter who it turns out will be sitting right behind me!

Game is a sell out, no tickets available on the door. Storm clouds are looming and there’s a bit of rain at the moment so with any luck it’ll blow over before kick off.

Duncan McDine
24 Posted 27/07/2014 at 08:57:32
Do you live over there Eric?... if so (in the voice of Alan Partridge) Tell me about the Ladyboys! I’m not attracted to them, but fascinating creatures.
Eric Myles
25 Posted 27/07/2014 at 09:12:29
Lived here for 20 years Duncan, but nevee had any interest in ladyboys, the phrase ’lipstick on a pig’ springs to mind.
Danny Kewley
26 Posted 27/07/2014 at 09:13:47
Duncan;
Do like ladyboys or all football in general? (in the voice of Dennis Pennis)
Harold Matthews
27 Posted 27/07/2014 at 10:34:58
Amazing. I think I have announced a sensational scoop and people start chatting about ladyboys. Sounds like the live forum from the Tranmere game.
Conn Prosser
28 Posted 27/07/2014 at 10:55:23
"so ’e flipped her over and.. it started first time.."

Didn’t see it harold but that’s a horses mouth right there. Unusual for Robbie to be so publicly revealing about such a hot topic. Was it a rushed answer, from the hip? Did he think it was off air? Would be very happy if it were true.

Kris Boner
29 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:22:08
That'll happen to you Harold. ToffeeWeb's digression factor is usually three comments or less.
Harold Matthews
30 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:33:08
Kris. Guess you're right mate. Great to see Besic training with the squad.
Terry Davies
31 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:34:50
Anybody know the starting line up?
Christopher Wallace
32 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:38:33
Is it 12.00 kick off or 12.49? Strange time to start a game...
Brent Stephens
33 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:46:24
Harold #14 - you should ask for a permanent Harold Matthews column on TW! Would be the first place I'd go to. If not, best of luck with painting that kitchen (I know, I know, you're a bit more artistic than that!

"Calling him Itsu instead of Atsu. Sorry mate." Bless you. Harold.

Harold Matthews
34 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:43:20
Conn. Jim White reckoned it was tongue in cheek. Yes, it was very public. Lots of people about. Fans on balcony demanding info on Lukaku. Roberto looks up, big smile on his face and shouts, "Of course we'll get him."
David Hallwood
35 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:49:49
Do you have any interest in Ladyboys?.........No I think he's past his sell by date and he'll play second fiddle to Costa, but the lipstick on a pig is still relevant.
Kev Johnson
36 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:56:48
I second Brent's motion! Give Harold a regular TW column. He's a proper gent and he knows his Evertonian onions!
Harold Matthews
37 Posted 27/07/2014 at 11:55:19
Brent. Cheers mate. You were closer than you think. I now use the kitchen as a studio. Living alone, I'm free to wreck the place.
Harold Matthews
38 Posted 27/07/2014 at 12:05:08
Cheers Kev. Maybe I'm posting too much. Will have to spend more time on Pinterest.
Kev Johnson
40 Posted 27/07/2014 at 12:18:24
Team's in ....

Joel, Hibbert, Distin, Duffy, Garbutt, McCarthy, Barry, McGeady, Naismith, Osman, Pienaar.

Subs: Stones, Alcaraz, Gibson, McAleny, Long, Browning, Kennedy, Hope, Lundstram, Stanek.

Denis Richardson
41 Posted 27/07/2014 at 12:20:31
Thanks for the line up Kev - I hope to god there is a proper striker (or two) in that starting 11 in 3 weeks time!

4 defenders, 2 defensive midfielders and 4 attacking midfielders is what is effectively a 4-6-0 formation - almost enough to bring me out in a cold sweat thinking Martinez has all been a dream and we're still stuck with Moyes!

Many players to come back from holiday and also to be signed, I know......but still sends a shudder down my spine.

David Hallwood
42 Posted 27/07/2014 at 12:34:50
Good to see Gibson involved but like the rest of us and with 3 weeks and counting before the season starts, where’s the goals coming from?
Harold Matthews
43 Posted 27/07/2014 at 12:26:36
Kev. Thanks. I now know why Stanek was not with the U21s. Martinez signed this 6'- 4" keeper in January. Came as a 17-year-old from Sparta Prague and is now on the first team bench. The lad was blown away with Finch Farm and is amazed with his rapid progress under Inaki Bergara, our Magnum lookalike goalie coach. Astonishing stuff.
Tom Bowers
44 Posted 27/07/2014 at 12:36:22
An experienced team for the most part and I suspect will be changed a lot at half-time.

These games are of little consequence as we know what most of these players can do except it will give opportunities to some of the younger players to show what they have.

I'm not really worried about missing target men at this stage as the result doesn't matter as long as things fall into place when it matters in 3 weeks.

Joseph Terrence
45 Posted 27/07/2014 at 13:35:47
Garbutt is quality.
Eugene Kearney
46 Posted 27/07/2014 at 13:46:07
Garbutt is showing a lot of promise. Distin is still a rock. I expect we’ll get a complete change of team in the second half - all the young lads.
Danny Kewley
47 Posted 27/07/2014 at 13:48:38
Luke Garbutt looking good Pienaar looks ok at times but is slow. As much as Naismith is putting an effort in we look painfully short up front.(pun unintended)
Danny Halsall
48 Posted 27/07/2014 at 14:48:57
I know it was only a pre-season friendly but after the first 15 minutes we were very poor, especially defensively. Alcaraz looks 5 yards off the pace, and Leicester looked much quicker than us all over the park. I know that we are still blowing off the cobwebs but I was disappointed. Hopefully we will start to put it together a bit more in our remaining 3 games
Kev Johnson
49 Posted 27/07/2014 at 14:47:14
In the first 15-20 mins it looked like we could score at will, But the second half was truly dire. Abysmal.

Garbutt looked good and should have played the whole match. What's the point of seeing Hibbo play left wing back? Chris Long didn't do much but looked a decent player all the same; he's got something. Browning defended pretty well but looked uncomfortable getting the ball beyond the halfway line. McAleny did precisely nowt and Hope and Lundstram even less. Robles showed us that the young Czech keeper has a chance of becoming our number two keeper this season. Naismith was OK and looked like he wanted to make things happen, unlike the majority of his team mates.

Harold Matthews
51 Posted 27/07/2014 at 14:54:10
Kev. Spot on .You've said it all for me.
Sam Hoare
52 Posted 27/07/2014 at 14:55:16
Quality in depth is really lacking. Hopefully our first XI will be strong by the start of the season but our reserves are mostly decent journeymen and unspectacular youngsters. That is why we will not make top 4 unless we get very lucky with injury and suspension.
Geoff Harrison
53 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:02:01
Ok. All sorts of reasons/excuses can be trotted out. But these players represented Everton FC, and, as such, are not immune to criticism.
I know Schmeichel came off at half time, but I didn't even realise their goalie had a big mad beard until the 75th minute. The youngsters were depressingly poor. Stones made good recovery tackles (recovering his own mistakes) Tony Hibbert was our best player and he is Tony Hibbert.
I'm not worried, because obviously most of this bunch won't be playing on the opening day. And we'll have different opposition...erm
Wayne Smyth
54 Posted 27/07/2014 at 14:56:39
Its a preseason game, Kev. Winning's nice and playing well is great, but getting match fitness and working on tactics is better. All that matters is how well we are prepared for the first game in a few weeks.

Perhaps we were watching hibbert at LB because Garbutt was knackered or had some minor injury? Preseason is not the time for taking unnecessary risks. I'm sure Martinez isn't actually planning to use Hibbert there.

Either way, we've still got Kone, Mirallas, Baines, Jags, Howard, Coleman, Barkley, Oviedo, Besic and hopefully Lukaku + 2 other attacking players to come in. Thats virtually an entire team containing our best, most creative players, who will be required to break down teams like Leicester who defend deep and get all their players behind the ball.

What I think we learned was that a few of the younger players do have first team potential(Garbutt specifically, but Browning also looked good defensively)....and some are probably not of the required standard yet. Martinez also tried some different formations which will have impacted our performance.

Brian Waring
55 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:12:37
Agree Sam, unless Martinez adds a few more quality players squad depth is looking poor.
Geoff Harrison
56 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:12:05
On second thoughts, I'm ecstatic.
I had seriously considered flying out for this match. I'd have to have found something else to do in Bangkok.
Ken Dixon
57 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:00:25
I am 82. What I watched today in Bankok, was utter crap and I cannot take any more from the team I love. So many years wasted... patting everyone on the frecking head to say how wonderful they are.

I saw today 8 players who need to be kicked out of my beloved Goodison Palace. Sorry guys, the kids are just not good enough.

Alex Jones
58 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:12:44
Poor on most fronts today. We looked good when Pienarr and Osman were linking up but awful second half.

I genuinely despise the Barry and McCarthy partnership and off the two thought Barry was twice the player. We massively overpaid for James! He's no better than Carsley was and he cost £1.9 mill not £13 mil.

It's so depressing trotting around the globe with no new players and no strikers bringing the Everton brand to new audiences. We certainly gained no extra fans today.

Drew Shortis
59 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:18:48
Garbutt looked like he’s ready to step into the first team if called upon. His dead ball delivery was impressive. I was pleased when we signed Roubles as he had done well for Martinez at Wigan but today was typical of what I have seen from him in an Everton jersey. Ok, he made the wrong decision to come out for the goal but with defenders closing down the Leicester player he really should have got back to his goal line. Very poor decision making and positional awareness. He had several other dodgy moments too. I can understand nerves getting to him in competitive matches but in pre season he should be doing a lot better!
Phil Sammon
60 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:23:10
Alex Jones

That is the stupidest comment I think I’ve ever seen on ToffeeWeb. Did you watch any games last season?

I don’t think any Everton fan would argue that McCarthy was in our top 5 best players last season. Talking tripe pal.

Brian Waring
61 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:35:52
Rumours are Remy has failed his medical with the shite and the transfer is now off.
Paul Andrews
62 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:40:32
Some of the comments above, regarding our 2nd pre season friendly, make me think some posters know nothing about football.
Trevor Lynes
63 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:36:12
All that has been shown so far is that, apart from Garbutt, none of the kids are good enough to put pressure on the first team.

If we do not get Lukaku, then we have no striker to start the season. Kone has not played a competitive game for ages and cannot be expected to play 90 minutes of Premier League football at the moment. Traore is another ’maybe’ player who has not shown enough IMO to really excite the fans. We are edging towards the start of the season and so far we have made no ’proper’ signings. I do not consider Barry in that category.

Other teams have substantially strengthened and we are in danger of having a poor start to the season judging by present form.

Mark Tanton
64 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:43:49
If that Bony transfer has "gone all Everton" they’ll be in for Lukaku. Let’s hope To my deal goes through.
Sue Brown
65 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:42:06
Alex Jones you can’t be serious surely...."you despise the Barry /McCarthy partnership"??

McCarthy was one of our rocks last season

Mark Tanton
66 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:46:18
Remy not Bony, sorry.
Kieran Kinsella
67 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:51:15
The last preseason we had in Thailand was bad and then we had a terrible regular season. Hope that doesn’t happen again.
John Raftery
68 Posted 27/07/2014 at 15:45:34
Paul (62) Correct.
Dominic Tonge
69 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:21:17
Alex, I nearly choked to death on a prawn cocktail crisp because of your comment. Hang thy head in shame.

A) McCarthey and Barry were really very good last season.

B) You ruined a very good bag of crisps.

You Sir, are a scoundrel of the highest order.

Patrick Murphy
70 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:15:14
Everton FC are not the Harlem Globetrotters and therefore they have no reason or probably even with the full first-team out on the park the ability to put on an exhibition to attract new supporters from elsewhere in the world.

Never mind the dress rehearsals let’s see what happens from August 16th onwards.

But I would agree that the ponderous nature of our build-up play has to be addressed and the sooner the better, being patient to create chances is one thing but being over-cautious is another. Hopefully we get the striker in that we are so sadly lacking and for all of Naismith’s qualities he is not a lone centre-forward by any stretch of the imagination.

We have to have the full first-team squad available from the get-go and we need to have a more cutting edge to our play – but today is not really the day to judge the team and I will wait to see how we perform in the remaining friendlies but I fear we still haven’t yet gained that killer instinct or desire to take the game by the scruff of the neck – Rome wasn’t built in a day but we do need to be showing a great deal more than we did today.

Phil Walling
71 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:18:45
After all the hype , I have been disappointed at the quality of our young hopefuls in both the friendlies televised.

Robles continues to scare the shit out of me and I think Bobby’s confidence in him is misplaced.

Our World Cup boys seem to be having a much longer holiday than those at the Top Four clubs, so here’s hoping they can hit the ground running on just a couple of week’s match practice.

But as everyone tells me, our manager is a genius beyond all others, so I guess he knows better than his peers.

Rob Halligan
72 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:24:18
It’s a pre season friendly for God’s sake!!!

There was nothing at stake, there was no points or cups to be won yet a lot of people are talking as if we are in a relegation battle. Chill out!!!

Tony Twist
73 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:15:17
I wouldn’t be surprised if RS become interested in Lukaku, it will be interesting to see what happens now that the Remy deal has fallen through. Will Lukaku turn down an easy life and champions league football to play for us instead. Martinez will regret opening his mouth even if it was a tongue in cheek comment that we will get Lukaku.

I think we will give them more of a game when the season starts but Leicester will be at home and will be full of confidence and determined to get off to a good start. If we don’t buy a couple of strikers soon be prepared for the same sort of start that we suffered last season.

Paul Andrews
74 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:29:32
Phil,

What World Cup players at what top 4 clubs are you talking about?

James Marshall
75 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:33:57
Meaningless result in a meaningless game. Some people are going to give themselves a coronary worrying about this shit.

It was a PR exercise, nothing more. It can’t even be considered good for fitness, given that the players that went have had to do so much travelling in such a short space of time.

Forget about it.

David Greenwood
76 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:33:41
Phil,
There are many posts on here from people who have a different opinion of Martinez than you, and from some who think the same as you, but I don’t think I have read one, never mind ’everyone on here’ telling you that our manager is a genius beyond all others.
Who has said our manager is a genius beyond all others?
Norman McIain
77 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:04:50
So, Everton took a long and very tiring flight to Bangkok for a friendly that achieved zilch. I’m sure many of the players will be wishing they hadn’t gone.

A similar fixture arranged closer to home would have provided much better preparation. The only reason for playing so far, far away can only be obligatory to satisfy commercial interests and respect for distant fans.

Hopefully, we will now start preparing in earnest!

Kev Johnson
78 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:28:54
Patrick - whatever do youj mean by your first paragraph? We were in Thailand precisely to show ourselves in the land of our sponsors. There was no other reason for going.

If we turn up and look impressive, the bond with our sponsors is strengthened, Chang’s own profile is raised and unaffiliated Thai fans – of whom I imagine there are quite a few – decide to follow us, increasing the presence of our "brand" in that part of the world, which will bring us extra prestige and casheroonie. It was effectively an exhibition game.

It was never likely that Hibbo would run the length of the pitch balancing the ball on the end of his nose, to the delight of the crowd, but a slightly less dismal performance would have seen our stock rise.

Duncan McDine
79 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:36:14
Excuse the fact that I havent read through any other comments, and yes I know its just a pre season workout. BUT. This was a real let down. The only positives I could take from paying 4 quid and taking two hours out of my day were that I got to finally see Luke Garbutt (and was largely impressed), Gibbo was back, McCarthy looks as good as ever, and Stonesy still looks the part.

I wont go into the negetives as there were too many to mention, but I’m certain they’ve all been covered by now!!!

Si Cooper
80 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:35:02
Am I reading it wrong, or did Ross Barkley travel and then not play? Is he injured?
Brent Stephens
81 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:44:42
Duncan, what do you expect for four quid?! You got to see the young lads. You got to see our first EPL opposition, so can start to pick the starting XI for us. You got to confirm the continuing class of a few of the strong lads from last season. And on some of the discussion you got to see people talking about ladyboys - whatever they are.

Nothing but a PR exercise, as has been said, and a way for the lad to get some match practice, before shaking hands with those ladyboys - whatever they are.

Tony Page
82 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:49:58
This shows that we have about 14 players at Everton that can be classed as first team standard, no more.

If our Billy dosnt get his wallet out and give Roberto the transfer funds he needs, start worrying. Its a disgrace that at the moment Everton don’t have a recognised striker.

James Marshall
83 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:00:30
The Remy deal is definitely off by the way - bollocks to whether they try to buy Lukaku, I think its hilarious :-)
Mark Tanton
84 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:03:28
James it would be hilarious if they couldn’t just start again on Monday morning with another £60m of strikers on their list. Lukaku must be in their thinking.
Patrick Murphy
85 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:00:28
Kev - Roberto probably didn’t want to take his team on the long journey to Thailand and I’m pretty sure that most of the top sides that have gone on that trip have not enjoyed the experience of playing in those conditions or on those pitches.

However, Everton FC fulfilled their duties to the sponsors and will I am sure have impressed the locals with their friendliness and approachability but it was never going to be a match that would attract a whole new group of fans to Everton FC. It seemed like a hastily arranged game for non footballing reasons.

I don’t think Everton FC have ever gone in for impressing the locals in any of their overseas sojourns even when Everton FC were at their pomp, maybe it is a fault rather than a virtue but it is as far as I know the way we have always been during the build-up to a new season.

Tony Page
86 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:09:44
Names, why would it be funny if the RS came in for Lukaku, the player who our manager has waited all close season to buy? I won’t be laughing if he goes to that lot but apparently you will, very strange.
Si Cooper
87 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:28:44
Patrick - the players have got to be prepared to follow their manager wherever they have a game to be played, and once there should be professional enough to do their best whatever the conditions may be.

That is their job, the reason they are paid huge amounts of money.

Don’t think the rest of us would have a job for long if we weren’t willing and able to put ourselves through the mill every now and then.

Eric Myles
88 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:30:49
Patrick, given the logistics in organising this fixture, I doubt it was hastily arranged, and wasn’t it the first friendly announced?

After the game there were around 200 local fans waiting to applaud our lads getting on the coach and gets pics and autographs, only about 20 at the Leicester coach.

So all in all a good pr exercise that the locals appreciated.

Kev Johnson
89 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:38:18
I think you’ve got an odd grasp of this one, Patrick. It’s incredibly naive to call it a "hastily arranged game for non-footballing reasons". I bet it’s been in the diary for a year or two, such is it’s importance to the sponsors (and therefore us, in one way or another). I’m quite sure RM didn’t want to do it and the players didn’t particularly enjoy all the flying then playing in high humidity - but that it completely beside the point. A classy performance would have raised our profile, I don’t see how you can deny that.

As for saying that we’ve never gone in for impressing the locals, I’ve simply no idea what you mean. If it were true (which I rather doubt) then it would be a self defeating attitude to take. In fact, from what I can tell from the OS, we did a fair amount of pressing the flesh, etc. It’s just that we didn’t really turn up for the game of football at the centre of our visit!

James Stewart
90 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:47:47
I would take Remy in a heartbeat just what we need, PACE!

It was a good PR exercise Eric no doubt. Shame there wasn’t any decent football for the locals to watch. Really dire match

Matt Traynor
91 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:36:48
Patrick, you better hope that "norks-on-that" Scudamore never gets his wish for the 39th game then.
Christopher Wallace
92 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:40:04
Lmao at Alex Jones !!

Despises Barry/McCarthy partnership.

Rates McCarthy the same as Carsley.

Next he’ll be telling is that Baines can’t hit a free kick, and Coleman is simply not fit enough for professional football!!!

Mark Tanton
93 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:56:24
I would hope McCarthy would be flattered by the comparison to the hugely influential and underrated Lee Carsley. One of my favourite goals ever was his long effort through a crowd against the slags. Who else could have sat on his arse and fired a Derby winner straight through Westerveld?!
Raymond Fox
94 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:35:06
I don’t know the Leicester players, so I’m unsure of what was the strength of the team they fielded. It was only a friendly in which we made a multitude of changes, but I was expecting us to show more quality with the ball.

First half was ok and I thought Barry and Garbutt stood out. Second half was very disappointing in which almost every one was poor, the main problem being that players weren’t finding space and making themselves available, with the result that we were passing backwards and sideways but going nowhere.

So what to make of it, ok lots of our 1st team didn’t play but I have to say my confidence is slightly dented!

Trevor McKinlay
95 Posted 27/07/2014 at 17:56:46
All those angsting about whether the RS will come in for Lukaku - if you think Mourinho won’t sell to us before we’ve played Chelsea, what chance is there that he’d sell to a potential title rival? Flogging them Sturridge didn’t work out that well for Chelsea now did it?
Harold Matthews
96 Posted 27/07/2014 at 16:23:37
I suppose the main aim was to get a run-out without picking up injuries. Hope the Bangkok blues appreciate this but it would be a surprise if they were not bitterly disappointed, especially after the assistant manager classed it as a dress rehearsal for the real thing.

On the plus side, Garbutt and Long showed plenty of promise, the squad is getting fitter, the World Cup lads will soon be back, Besic is now with us, Henen and Galloway will join the U21s and 2 or 3 useful loan signings are packing their bags. As for Lukaku. We certainly need the big fella but till he arrives, I’m saying nothing.

I’m also saying nothing about the painfully slow buildup with too many passes. Roberto knows exactly what he wants and will eventually sort things out.

Dan Brierley
97 Posted 27/07/2014 at 18:16:58
It is a pre-season friendly so ultimately only a match to gain some fitness. But it certainly doesn’t do our profile much good for potential fans in a part of the world that is mental about football. It must have been a really disappointing experience for Thai blues seeing the team for the first time.
Matt Traynor
98 Posted 27/07/2014 at 18:21:07
Harold #96, the Bangkok Blues will have enjoyed it, assuming it was the same as 2005. Two camps, expats and locals, one camp there for the craic, the other for a potentially once-in-a-lifetime to see the Blues.

I’m surprised Leicester had such a following – and suspect that most of their "fans" were there cos the tickets were free on condition of attendance. Their lack of football knowledge epitomised by the screamers near the commentary mic every time the Foxes crossed the half way line – that’s not how Thais watch football.

The cynic in me suspects with such screaming prowess those ladies normally hang out in the entertainment district, where tickets were being handed out like confetti.

Also bear in mind although we have a Thai sponsor, this was a King Power-promoted event. I didn’t see Chang branding anywhere, although no doubt we had to provide the opposition to make it an all Thai affair, corporately.

Patrick Murphy
99 Posted 27/07/2014 at 18:20:49
I can’t see how anyone could have expected a classy performance from the players that were on duty for today’s game. If it has been arranged for some considerable time then it is likely that they knew that we would have many players missing due to the World Cup and would therefore not be able to send out our usual starting eleven.

I meant from a purely footballing point of view that Everton teams of the past weren’t particularly interested in impressing the locals in pre-season friendlies and I acknowledged that the club and the players would have been accommodating as regards PR etc.

I’m not a great follower of pre-season in general but I can’t remember any time when the Blues have gone on tour and have blown away the locals with their footballing abilities – if I’m wrong, I apologize but that doesn’t mean it was an excuse for a poor showing.

Last year’s trip to the USA was memorable but only because of the quality of the teams involved and I don’t think we would have gained that many supporters from those games based on purely footballing merit.

I wonder what the Leicester City sponsors thought of their team’s performance today – not a lot I bet.

Patrick Murphy
100 Posted 27/07/2014 at 18:49:38
The announcement by Everton FC that they were travelling to Bangkok to play Leicester City was first announced on Monday June 16th not too long ago was it?
Sam Hoare
101 Posted 27/07/2014 at 18:45:48
I know it’s pre-season and fitness is the aim blah, blah but I don’t see why we looked considerably less sharp in movement and fitness than the opposition who presumably started pre-season training at the same time. In the second half! we barely registered a shot of note.

Either something about our pre-season regime has us lagging behind (perhaps aiming to peak for start of the season?) or alot of our reserve players are just very average.

Anyway, it doesn’t really matter though we could all do with a confidence boost or two given the relatively inactive transfer incomings. Certainly we are crying out for returning/new blood in the goal creating/scoring departments as we look very pedestrian there at the moment.

Harold Matthews
102 Posted 27/07/2014 at 18:52:16
Cheers Matt.#98. I know you get round a bit so I’ll take your word on the Bangkok Blues. As you guessed, their happiness did concern me.
Kev Johnson
103 Posted 27/07/2014 at 19:23:12
Wayne (54) - effing eck, you’re right. The OS is reporting Garbutt was taken off owing to a ’minor’ groin strain. Good guess. I mean, astute observation.

Pity, as the lad was doing well. I’d like to see some more of him. Likewise Chris Long, who looked dangerous. He didn’t achieve anything, but looking dangerous is a good start.

Phil Walling
104 Posted 27/07/2014 at 19:41:02
Kev, the only one who is ready is Garbutt. Just can’t see any of the others making it. But they say one in 25 is par so about right.

Meanwhile back to the overseas transfer targets.

Wayne Smyth
105 Posted 27/07/2014 at 19:40:03
First time for everything Kev :)

In all seriousness, we played the second half with youth team players like Long, McAleny, Lundstram and Hope in the top half of the pitch. People shouldn’t be surprised that we struggled to break down an experienced Leicester side and generally looked a bit crap. I don’t think it was lack of effort, simply lack of ability and experience.

If we manage to get Lukaku, with Barkley in behind and Mirallas and Pienaar on the wings, I think we’ll see a different performance and outcome.

Duncan McDine
106 Posted 27/07/2014 at 20:04:13
Are you sure you wouldn’t stick with Hibbo at left wing Wayne?
Phil Walling
107 Posted 27/07/2014 at 19:55:05
You are right, Wayne. The only thing we learned today was that Roberto was right when he said we needed 7-8 signings to see us through a Europa season.

Putting those kids in the front line will destroy them as well as reduce our European experience to a bad dream.

Phil Walling
108 Posted 27/07/2014 at 20:10:48
Paul @74. Virtually all the world Cup players with Top Four clubs will have played in high profile pre-season games by the time our lads get back in action.

It’s not as though too many of our lot featured in the final stages,is it? Jags, Bainsy and Mirallas hardly enhanced their reputations and although Tim and Barks got rave reviews, I can’t believe they are knackered by their efforts.

James Marshall
109 Posted 27/07/2014 at 20:22:45
Many of the other teams may be playing in high profile pre-season games, but Van Gaal and Wenger have both complained about them – maybe, just maybe our low-key pre-season will turn out to be a good thing.

Put it this way, when have you ever cared or even thought about pre-season once the season starts? I never have. It doesn’t mean a damn thing, a game like today’s – and it was Leicesters game anyway – all arranged by them, for them – it was even promoted by their sponsor, not ours. We were the away team, hence the black kit.

Forget about it – it was a run-out for some of our bit-part players. Ross was only there for PR for example, he didn’t ever play. Meaningless. The Porto game will be much better and we’ll have our first team back soon. Relax.

Rob Halligan
110 Posted 27/07/2014 at 20:34:21
Arsenal lost to New York Red Bulls and a lot of their fans sound like some of ours on here. Thankfully they also have a few sensible ones saying it’s only a friendly and there to build up fitness etc. It appears they had no strikers in their game either. The only difference being however, they have some who were all at the World Cup.
Kev Johnson
111 Posted 27/07/2014 at 20:26:09
Phil Walling, you are a proper gloom-monger, you really are. You remind me of Senna The Soothsayer from Frankie Howards 70s tv show ’Up Pompeii’... "Woe, woe and thrice times woe!"
Rob Halligan
112 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:05:47
Blimey, Kev, that’s an old one!!!
Kev Johnson
113 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:07:16
In fact, come to think of it, Rob - PW reminds me of nothing so much as Mona Lott, the depressed laundrywoman from the wartime radio comedy ’ITMA’, with her catchphrase: "It’s being so cheerful that keeps me going". [insert wink icon here]
Rob Halligan
114 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:12:41
You've lost me now. Man City already 2 up in their friendly against AC Milan. 2 good goals as well.
Kev Johnson
115 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:16:34
Bah, City are peaking too soon, I tell you. Not like us. We're pacing ourselves. .
Rob Halligan
116 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:24:30
This is a rout! 4-0 in first 25 minutes!!
Harold Matthews
117 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:19:41
Yeah. 4 goals in 14 minutes.
Rob Halligan
118 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:30:21
I guess Man City are taking a pre-season friendly quite serious then.
Harold Matthews
119 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:32:04
Half of this City team will probably go out on loan, especially with their 21 man squad limit. They've asked for their homegrown list to be reduced to 5 but I hope their wish is not granted.
Rob Halligan
120 Posted 27/07/2014 at 21:41:04
Doubt very much it will be granted Harold, otherwise it will make a mockery of their punishment for breaking FFP rules.
Kevin Tully
123 Posted 27/07/2014 at 22:04:17
I don't give a flying shite if we get mullered 43-0 in the next 2 or 3 friendlies, as long as we win 1-0 in the opening game on the 16th August.

OK?

Al Reddish
124 Posted 27/07/2014 at 22:30:55
The only thing that disappointed me today was that players like McGeady and Robles should have been busting a gut to prove they should be in the first 11 for our opening game.
Harold Matthews
125 Posted 27/07/2014 at 22:37:31
Spanish press reporting Lukaku as back-up for Real Madrid if the deal for Falcao falls through. (Tony Barrett in The Times, 26 July, on twitter.)
Andrew Ellams
126 Posted 27/07/2014 at 22:33:14
The season is 20 days away, we have two friendlies left to prepare and we are still padding our squad out with U21 players. The squad is painfully short and we have 3 tough games between now and deadline day; if there is not significant transfer movement this week, I think we are looking at a very dodgy start to this campaign.
Geoffrey Caveney
127 Posted 27/07/2014 at 23:17:40
I was not disappointed in the result, nor in the overall play, but the Robles blunder was simply atrocious. If you stay on your line and get beat, ok, tip your cap to the opponent. But when you run away from the goal sideways chasing the ball, and you gift the opponent a goal into an empty net.... I can accept a great shot, I can grit my teeth through a defensive mistake and accept that we got what we deserved, but to gift a goal by a goalkeeping error is the most deflating of all. I was disappointed that the post-game match reports I read did not even mention that Robles made a goalkeeping error.
Matt Woods
128 Posted 27/07/2014 at 23:27:18
Can't believe so much comment and negativity around a pre-season friendly in Thailand. These games are conditioning games nothing more. Players are easing themselves through the gears towards Premier League fitness.

The second consideration when watching a game in Thailand, is to appreciate the climate. Having played last month in Sa Keow on the Cambodian border it feels like your head is going to explode after you make a sprint. You are downing endless amounts of re-hydration fluids and water and wearing ice vests when you come off. Bangkok's humidity for players with no acclimatisation will have been horrendous.

It's business off the pitch that is important pre-season, and that's a different story.

Kevin Tully
129 Posted 27/07/2014 at 23:36:07
I'm slightly contradicting my earlier post, but watching that crease-headed prick from across the park going nuts over a simple free-kick makes me think we still don't have enough 'winners' playing for us.

McCarthy, Barry, Baines and Coleman fit the bill - the rest don't have the will, or arrogance that's required just yet.

Bobby needs to change the mindset as much as the footballing style - easier said than done.

Stu Green
130 Posted 27/07/2014 at 23:56:31
I liked the earlier post!
Kev Johnson
131 Posted 27/07/2014 at 23:58:31
Imagine Tully on here if we lost 43-0 to Porto in our next game!
Alex Jones
132 Posted 28/07/2014 at 00:04:03
I'm genuinely shocked by the love for McCarthy on here. He's a £13M central midfielder who can't pass a ball forward. Yes, he 'gets stuck in' and runs around a lot making a nuisance of himself. But are they really the only attributes a midfielder of his supposed class should have?

Too many of you still view Everton as a dogged team who need to grind out results by first prioritising defense and then sneaking goals. We have 4 players now in the defensive mid role and we should only be playing one against most teams in the prem. Against Man City away play two fair enough, but our football is so pedestrian with Barry and McCarthy in there. They slow the ball down and so our only fast way of moving the ball from defence to attack is with our fullbacks. We have fantastic fullbacks who are very adept at doing this but when teams set up purely to nullify this threat we have no Plan B as we cannot attack through the middle with those two in there.

What exactly does McCarthy offer for £13M that Carsley didn't for less than 2?

Steavey Buckley
133 Posted 28/07/2014 at 00:30:55
What Everton lacked today was the ability to pass the ball to players with the same coloured shirts, too many passes went to players with different coloured shirts. Solution, pass the ball to players with the same coloured shirts.
Harold Matthews
134 Posted 28/07/2014 at 00:49:31
Kevin. You're right of course. Officials are never worried about upsetting us. The side that beat Man Utd in the Cup Final were a pretty scary bunch but Jags and his merry men are not particularly fearsome.
Eric Myles
135 Posted 28/07/2014 at 01:07:36
Matt #98, those 'screamers' were a load of schoolkids sitting to the left of Sharpe.
Jim Knightley
136 Posted 28/07/2014 at 02:13:28
Phil: different manager prefer different tactics re. reintroducing world cup players, but stating that ' Virtually all the world Cup players with Top Four clubs will have played in high profile pre-season games by the time our lads get back in action' is just plain wrong. Surely the whole Lukaku situation, and his training with Anderlecht, illustrates that alot of World Cup players are not even back in training yet? Did you know that Arsenal's Germany contingent are not due to start training till after the Community shield final, and will miss their opening Premier match as a consequence? Wenger historically gives a more than reasonable rest time to those participating in summer tournaments, but to represent Everton has somehow different is completely false. Check out City's team of today for another example, in which no World Cup players started.

I don't understand the schadenfreude derived from the collapse of the Remy deal, especially when, as other posters have pointed out, Liverpool will merely go in for someone else who may well be more effective (Rodriguez? Bony?). But, as Trevor as pointed out and as I've argued in other threads, Lukaku will not go to Liverpool. Mourinho will not sell to a title rival, and Chelski will not risk another Sturridge-esq calamity.

We also should not worry too much about this result. We are not as sharp as Leicester, because we had more World Cup players. Anyone looking at this team and expecting a top four finish next season is completely out of sync with reality in my opinion, but that said, I expect a good season because we have very good players.

Mark Andersson
137 Posted 28/07/2014 at 04:10:37
I have to agree with Alex and Phil Walling well not really, I was hoping to read that 48 hours was up and we signed someone. Oh well there is another 48 hours to go.
Adrian Byrne
138 Posted 28/07/2014 at 06:25:22
It was good to see some of the kids out there. Not sure playing football in Bangkok in hot humid conditions is the best preparation. Stones impressed. Browning looks ok as does Garbutt. Both Long and McAleny have pace so we should give them some time to make the transition to the top flight. We have a few players to come off the bench and make a contribution. Doubt if Hibbert or Pienaar can be considered first choice any longer.
Derek Knox
139 Posted 28/07/2014 at 09:21:49
I am beginning to think that, the poster who said on the "Black Kit Unveiled" thread that we never seem to win a game in that strip may be right! Although it is a tad early to totally jump to that conclusion!

Having watched the game, I think the first half was by far the better of the two, while I know that it is about competitive game fitness, I could also not comprehend just how casual some of the participants appeared to be (I know conditions, etc) but these are supposed to be giving the Manager and coaching staff a chance to elevate them to the Senior Squad, on such performances, or have I got that wrong?

Up to now, I could only say that Luke Garbutt, seems to be the only candidate, to be able to make that transition.

As for the goalkeeper, I have said this also on previous threads, Tim Howard (quite rightly No 1) cannot be expected to play every game on all four fronts; Robles frightens the life out of me with his lack of positional sense. I can't help but think that we really slipped up by not getting Pantilimon on a free from Man City. This lad Stanek has gone all the way to Bangkok, as understudy to Robles... why, when changes were made for the second half, did he not have a chance?

Phil Walling
140 Posted 28/07/2014 at 10:00:04
Jim, England were out at the first hurdle. Thus Arsenal, Manu and Liverpool's English contingent were all in action yesterday. But perhaps a couple of soft warm-up games will be enough for our lads.

Let's hope so !

Kev Johnson
141 Posted 28/07/2014 at 10:59:41
As (a) we're all agreed that Garbutt looked good, but he's only third choice left back behind Baines and Oviedo, and (b) we're all agreed we're short up front.... why don't we play Garbutt at centre forward?

Just sayin'.

Harold Matthews
142 Posted 28/07/2014 at 10:47:16
Jim / Phil. Very interesting debate. Good points on both sides. I'll just have to trust that our coaching staff know what they're doing. With very little strength in depth, injuries are a major concern. Coleman and Garbutt already down with 3 more games before the big kick-off.

Apart from Garbutt, the youngsters have talent but lack experience and mental maturity. Fear of getting things wrong dominated their actions and led to mistakes. Not quite so much for Long who has a bit of cockiness about him and it was easy to see why Stubbsy rated him so highly. Of course, Roberto was hoping one or two of these lads would strengthen us in the weaker areas. How he sees things after 2 pre-season games, I haven't a clue but he will now have a better idea of the kind of players we need to bring in.

Derek Knox
143 Posted 28/07/2014 at 11:33:27
Hi Kev @ 141, I think the suggestion of the aforementioned player being used up front is totally understandable (due largely to desperation, and transfer famine syndrome) but the same player being third choice (left back) could, if misfiring up front, be subjected to a name change also.

Cue, Luke Garbage or would that be Look Garbage or Look Garbutt!!! It is a dilemma! :-)

Harold Matthews
145 Posted 28/07/2014 at 12:55:26
Derek. I note that, like Kev, you are a creative thinker. This is what I missed when he disappeared for a while. Probably rummaging old book stores for war time comedy scripts. Planning quips to stir things up on TW. Gentleman Paul Andrews is another. He can stir things up by just asking "how?" or "why?". Best of luck with the No 9 slot. Hope Garbage is not an omen.

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