Lukaku says he'll be worth more than £28m

No wonder Mourinho had issues with him. HeÂ’s starting to sound like Ibrahimovic.

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LetÂ’s hope so then, because that means he will be scoring goals for fun in the final third of the season. IÂ’m still waiting for him to regain his form and goalscoring since the turn of the year, which Bobby M promised us earlier in the season.

Getting sick of reading about him to be honest.

And, from an EvertonianÂ’s point of view, itÂ’s better that his dip in form is from personal reasons rather than dissatisfaction with the cub or manager.

Say what you will, but from his overall stats he has shown himself to be a Â’goal every two gamesÂ’ sort of striker, and there are not many of those around.

He looked good and fast and dangerous with those dreads blowing like a cat oÂ’nine tails behind his speeding head.. Since losing his hair all strength and power has left him. Most notable among lots of poor efforts was that amateur dab at the ball within a couple of yards of a big goal at the Bridge on Wednesday evening.

You can see how the Belgian had problems of an egoist nature with the special one. And how Mourinho must have been delighted, and somewhat astounded, when the Blues stepped in with a much larger than expected transfer fee.

HeÂ’s turning into Andy Carroll.

If your dad had been so ill for so long...

IÂ’m suddenly reminded of the last time I saw someone with such misplaced faith in their own ability. Lukaku will be releasing his cover version next week:

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I think he was a much better player when he had the old hair style. I even tweeted him asking him to grow back that hair and get back that hair style.

Potential. Lukaku has a lot of it. It remains me to be seen if he can realize his. 28 mil plus, though? A long ways to go.

Self confidence. Rom has a lot of that also. I believe, in his own mind, he believes heÂ’s a world class striker. Not yet.

Illness in the family, in particular, parents. We all have to face it, sooner or later. ItÂ’s never easy. 21 is very young to be facing this. I wish him well.

Firstly, "football is my only way to get out all frustrations."

Not doing very well then, is he? Given his ald man has been ill since before the World Cup, heÂ’s done very little to "get out all frustrations".

Secondly, given his personal circumstances and his woeful form, why has the manager not taken him out of the firing line? The one time he did, Kone came in and proved at least as adequate up front - more effective even in some areas, such as holding the ball up, putting defenders under pressure.

Lukaku may well come good in a few years but right now he is nowhere near good enough to be playing every week, let alone 90 minutes every week.

Other than that, shut up and let your football do the talking.

ItÂ’s not Carroll heÂ’s turning into itÂ’s Yakubu. One or two decent seasons then he turns to shite and wants a move to a club with more "ambition".

If he doesnÂ’t watch it that will be LukakuÂ’s career. A series of moves from one club to another and never hit the heights with any of them.

Maybe itÂ’s the perils of signing for a rich club like Chelsea at 16. Being told you are the next big thing at such a young age probably goes to your head. Since it turned out he wasnÂ’t the next big thing after all heÂ’s probably convinced himself that itÂ’s everybodyÂ’s fault except his.

I hope he proves me wrong and starts rampaging round the pitch, scoring goals and winning us trophies. I have a feeling it will end in a sale for far less than we paid him, with Â’thanks and best wishesÂ’ all round.

As you say he would be a good alternative to Lukaku, either starting or coming on as a sub.

Now Mirallas and others will be anxious to show they are not being left behind in the bragging stakes.

Which one of our super-stars will be the first to go for 㿞 Million, I wonder?

Â’Er, yeah. IÂ’m shit, I donÂ’t know the offside rule, my manager is a 1 season fraud and yeah, IÂ’m off, see ya laterÂ’.

Guessing I could answer that for many.

Nothing!

He could, if he wants, become another Didier Droghba or he could become another Carlton Cole or Emile Heskey if heÂ’s not careful.

Based on that above fact and his age, other things equal,I think whenever to do sell him, we will get more that 㿈 mil.

But, come on, give him a break, we know what he is capable of (a goal every 2 games), and we should be shouting for Martinez to deploy tactics that bring his talents into play.

IÂ’m not talking about your price tag IÂ’m talking about your woeful return and your lack of movement and awareness, not to mention your shocking hold-up play.

Good strikers in the Premier League drag themselves into games when the team is not playing well, they lead by example with constant movement and busyness that keeps defenders on their toes.

Look at other strikers in the league and learn that how you can not only help yourself but your team is by keeping working, moving, and starting to use that physique better than you are.

A lot of talk about Everton as a team not playing to your strengths...Well maybe YOU are not playing to your own strengths mate.

He also needs to lose some weight. HeÂ’s one of those players that needs to be physically perfect to be effective. HeÂ’s dripping with sweat and blowing after 5 minutes, heÂ’s heavy legged and lacks sharpness because heÂ’s overweight.

Lukaku, if you think you are that good, then show it at our club.

HeÂ’s an Everton player on a long-term contract. ItÂ’s up to the club to match his ambitions!! £££...

He needs to keep his trap shut until he really starts performing week-in & week-out. It might do him a bit of good to get a couple of tapes of Kane down Spurs way!

Reminds me of the Rooney effect, it was his fault when we lost and his genius when we won, a convenient excuse for the rest of the team.

He might have spoken in the press but lay off the lad a bit.

He reminds of someone you havenÂ’t seen for years and when you bump into them, one of his mates will say, "He was a boss player, wasnÂ’t he?" And you automatically think he was shite but politely answer, "Oh, er... yeah, he was alright."

Sorry, Rom, but that’s what I think about you... "He couldn’t trap a mouse with a ton of cheese" – is what readily springs to mind. The arrogance of this kid is mindblowing!

In his defence, I would say that, when he was at West Brom, and during last season at Everton, he was rampant and sometimes unplayable when he received the right service and support from his team. This season, Everton have been awful both in defence and attack. We have passed the ball backwards and sideways ad nauseum and donÂ’t appear to have anyone who can pick a killer forward pass. This is hardly surprising as most of our midfield are defensive minded. We donÂ’t have any players who can link defence to attack in a fluid and consistent manner.

It is clear that Lukaku thrives on the quick ball over the top, or through the defence, where he can use his pace to gain an advantage. Why does this manager set out his team and employ tactics which result in Lukaku playing with his back to goal which clearly not his forte?

We can criticise his general poor play and poor goal return, but this season, the guy has not had any decent service. Football is a team game and Everton this season (with the exception of Europa League) have been mostly poor. Loss of form of, and injuries to, key players, have contributed to poor performance but IMO poor tactics, and poor team selection on the part of the manager have been mostly to blame.

As a player he needs work harder from the front. Defenders are not scared of him. Constantly offside leads to conclusions of lazy and lack of motivation. I feel the style of play, pass, pass and pass must bore him to death. Last season we had energy but the manager is putting his ideas into the way we play.

The way the team have played this season, its difficult to be critical of one individual. Unless the manager changes his approach and style, we will be lucky to get our money back.

But why do you think Roberto will be calling the shots for much longer, anyway ?

It doesnÂ’t happen at any other club to this extent, it would be acceptable if we were flying high near the top of the league, but the position were in it damages us and makes us easy prey.

We could have got a few more seasons out of him definitely. His top form with us was a world away from anything Lukaku has ever produced. Yakubu had the lot, touch, pace, real power, finishing off both feet and with his head, hold up play and creativity. HeÂ’d have got far more than 15 in last seasons team.

His weaknesses were fitness and aerial ability but Lukaku seems to struggle with these as well as with ever other aspect of the game that isnÂ’t making a run for a tap in, or belting it really hard with your good foot if the ball is in front of you.

Because he didnÂ’t. Tempest in a teapot, this is.

Player gets asked the usual boring, mundane question. And he replies with the usual, boring, mundane response. So, Lukaku did.

Not sure where the "Under Moyes, this never..." is coming from. Heitinga, Is anyone still wondering why the editorial policy of local rags is "More breasts! Bigger ones!!!

Perhaps young Johnny loves big breasts, God bless him, but that wasnÂ’t what I was getting at.

From Heitinga, thru FellainiÂ’s dad, to this thread; players just mumble out answers to boring questions theyÂ’re forced to sit and respond to.

Lukaku is doing his best. HeÂ’s at the point is his young career where muscling past defenders still applies, yet developing some finesse is required. HeÂ’s no longer simply destroying kids his age. ItÂ’s the big boys heÂ’s dealing with. HeÂ’ll work on it or he wonÂ’t and weÂ’ll see.

I get the impression that motivation was the key on whether he did the business, judging on how he seemed to get 2nd season syndrome at most of the clubs heÂ’s played for.

By the looks of it, heÂ’s motivated now at Reading, and seems like he could have been the shot in the arm we need for the remainder of the season, on a short term deal that would have been no risk to the club.

Sorry to say this, honestly, but Mirallas and LukakuÂ’s outseaking the CL teams in the media would not have happened like this with Moyes in charge. Sort of tells me our Manager is probably more of a friend to the players than the Boss he should be.

Â’Nuff said Lukaku, thank you and goodbye.

Funny for what we paid for him we could have bought 7 Cahills and 7 Artetas. At least we got commitment out of them.

Listing excuses for poor form in the media just strikes me as someone who isnÂ’t prepared to put their head down and work. He says he wanted to play and the club let him when they shouldnÂ’t have done. Blah blah blah.

I wasn’t too arsed about the wantaway stuff but this is a lad who needs to take some responsibility and is publicly showing everyone that he can’t. Suddenly his performances make sense – he’s weighed down with excuses and hasn’t got the balls to make things happen despite them.

We don’t need players who see us as a richer club’s waiting room. We need reasonably priced experienced players with realistic ambitions – not inconsistent young dreamers who fancy themselves as God’s gift to football,

So, if they do... letÂ’s accept 㿈M OBO/ONO.
Personally, I reckon that Rom can become a terrific striker, just donÂ’t think we have the right environment at EFC these days.... principle factor being our wimpish moaners who reckon theyÂ’re Everton Fans.

CanÂ’t expect on the pitch what you donÂ’t deliver from the terraces/stands.

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Sick of "wet knickered", whiners at the match.
Never applaud, sing, chant or encourage.... but OK to moan, whine, berate, jeer, boo.... but only Everton players.

If you really want better, then.... ACT better.

Mirallas should go as a package. I think we got him for ٤ mill so plus a quid will do!

I think you can expect something mate. The fans pay hard earned money to watch ENTERTAINMENT!!!

Have we seen an ounce of it from these millionaires who constantly complain which club they are at or get drifted away to Middle East warm weather settings when they are not doing their job properly? Does your boss offer to take you away on holiday for a week to up your game at work?

Yes the fans are quiet but then again wouldnÂ’t most people if they were sat there watching football played at the same tempo as a chess match?

Maybe if we got forward more with quicker football and looked like scoring or even testing the oppositionÂ’s defence more the fans might get more "up for it"

Lukaku has insulted Everton Football Club and the managers faith in spending, smashing our club record by opening his big trap.

Would your average 21-year-old be allowed to open their mouth against their employers at a food chain where they worked?... No, because they would be sacked on the spot.

But because footballers are a protected species, they can say or do what they want safe in the knowledge they are set up financially for life.

But hey, to perform they all need encouragement from the fans otherwise they spit their little dummies out boo hoo poor little lambs.

And whatÂ’s with the Yak love? Been there, done that, great for a season or so and sold when it wasnÂ’t working for him or us anymore. Do people seriously think he would still be able to cut it at a Premier League team even short term?

You think weÂ’ve gone backwards this season.....yeh letÂ’s sign him!! Wow, letÂ’s get Marcus Bent or Andy Johnson back while we are at it!

Plus if heÂ’s that concerned, what the fuck is he going off to Doha for????

Memo to Rom; when in hole stop digging... or talking... except with the feet.

ItÂ’s Bill Kenwright and the board who need kicking out. The fans need to give him and his cronies more hassle at games.

Why is it that we only ever sell players in January and get rubbish on loan? The only player thatÂ’s ever helped us was Kevin Campbell. Last season was a great time to spend big and wisely in January and the board and manager failed us once a-bloody-gain.

I want a rich billionaire who will spend 㿔-50 mill on a player just so I can watch us challenge properly for cups and titles; IÂ’m bloody sick of mediocre performances.

My eldest has said this morning he does not want to watch us anymore because his friends take the Micky. HeÂ’s seven and getting stick because we donÂ’t win. Ahh...

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Anyone know anything about that Leverusen lad?
Hat-trick in 11 mins doesnÂ’t sound too slouchy.

1. The stars, they have it all and command everything they want. They have to perform at the highest level of ability and expect to be amply rewarded when they do. Ego goes with the territory.

2. The wannabe, often young, good, with great potential, hyped to the eyeballs; they have inflated ego and value. They believe their own hype and use clubs as a stepping stone whenever and wherever they can. They seek the limelight and with the arrogance of youth strut their mouth often more than their feet..

3. Been there, done that, and bought the tee-shirt. The players who are over their peak or have peaked at a good enough level to play in the Premier League. Will never set the world alight but work hard to stay in the team.

Everton Football Club do not have any of the first, a few of the second and many of the third. We are a stepping stone for those with potential, a platform to build their worth on and, at the same time, keep the team playing at a level that puts it in the reckoning every now and again.

Ambition, potential and ego are a dangerous mix in a young player. We have seen many of our own turned by them; we should not be surprised when the potential stars we have talk of ambition. What is lacking is professionalism that is not taught to these young potential stars; there is a way to handle press and promote yourself and the club with dignity. Perhaps the club need to educate them in the art of professionalism as part of being in the team.

IÂ’m self employed, so I fully appreciate the full cost of my season ticket, as I have every single year since I was 18 (that means that my next one will be 40 in succession) and for every game that I attended prior to that, both home and away.

My point, Jim, is that "wet knickered" fans do the devil's work. Although, sadly, I must admit that at some point we do have a collective responsibility to say "Enough is enough!", but that does not start with one misplaced pass on a sunny Saturday when we are well ahead with minutes to go. Neither should it be withheld until the fate is sealed.

However, there is a tendency for far too many (both in the ground and here on TW) to display gutless criticism and panic. These bloody moaners do not lead the battle cries urging on our lads even when things are finely balanced... but they soon bottle out if we have an off day, or few off days.

There is a world of difference between paying for a ticket and supporting your team and if you donÂ’t believe that then take a peek at our neighbours or their best pals the other end of the M62. I donÂ’t want gutless half-hearted players or gutless half-hearted "fans".

Give me Denis Stracqualursi every single week before David Ginola, one genuinely tried to earn his money and the other was a fucking embarrassment.

Your seat in the ground has a price, but your support for the team while you are there costs you nothing.

Yeah he looked like he had great potential in patches but, and I know he was only young, he was very inconsistent and like Lukaku, was also deluded about how good he was. Supposedly couldnÂ’t wait to get back to Barca to walk straight into their first team, was promptly sent straight out on loan where he once again hasnÂ’t exactly set the world alight and now nobody else seems to want him so weÂ’ll have him back!

And even if he does the business for us, which is open to question, weÂ’ll then have the same old shit about him wanting to play again for a Â’big clubÂ’!

Barcelona have a bunch of kids like Affelay, Rafinho, Delboy etc... who will just have to move on if they want to play. He didnÂ’t want to go to Seville and heÂ’s made it (on social media) clear that heÂ’s not happy there and doesnÂ’t want to be loaned out again. I think 㾶m would do it.

Stop these idiots talking already! Step up Everton – media ban – whatever you want to call it. Just stop them already.

And again @ 75: "Sick of "wet knickered", whiners at the match.
Never applaud, sing, chant or encourage.... but OK to moan,whine, berate, jeer, boo.... but only Everton players. If you really want better, then.... ACT better."

And this is what 40 years as a match-going season ticket holder has taught you..? Seriously?

I mean ... SERIOUSLY ...?

Fans who have no grit and determination to do their level best to raise spirits and performance have no place in GP.

By comparison, our away support regularly set and indeed exceed the standards that all Blues need to aspire to.

Lukaku is a huge guy yet very rarely heads the ball, gets brushed off too easily by defenders, turns like the Titanic, and donÂ’t even get me going about his lack of control! People keep going on here about his age and he will get better but I am not so sure... he really does lack basic skills.

Mourinho was quite happy to ship him out every season because he simply wasnÂ’t good enough for his team and Everton hand over 㿈M for this kid who had two okay seasons in the Premier League! I say get rid and use what we get for him a bit more wisely!

The difference is that whatever Ibrahimovich says, he keeps on producing goals on a regular basis: 184 in the last 8 seasons (thatÂ’s an average of 23 a season). Not to mention dozens of assists to his name too. The Swede has a huge ego and scores lots of goals. Lukaku only has a huge ego.

Your opinion that the principle factor of team or individual failings are Â’our wimpish moaners who reckon theyÂ’re Everton FansÂ’ is, to put it as kindly as I can, absurd.

Having said that, I am relieved Everton paid the money for him instead of Benteke.

... one thing he has in common with Moyes is that he says Â’IÂ’ at the beginning of important sentences, not Â’EvertonÂ’. I note that Moyes did the same at Sociedad when he joined.

Moyes was and is a selfer; Rom is a much more intelligent and talented man than the dreadfully mediocre Moyes, but he has a similar trait. It doesnÂ’t make him an Â’Everton playerÂ’ in the great traditions of our club, I fear.

It does not matter what how much you cost us, if you are not a blue like Duncan, well go and massage your ego somewhere different because we do not want you or need you! COYB!!!!

I have to admit feeling somewhat undecided about Rom. He must have something about him for EFC to pay 㿈m. Yet he looks unfit at times and maybe he needs a couple of goals to get him back on track.

What he says to the media – particularly where translation is an issue – is a case of a 21-year-old not having the nous of what to say and what not to say but I agree with those who think he should do his talking on the pitch. Get a growing reputation by knocking in a few before saying things that will come back and bite you in the ass.

There is something wrong with our coaching as I have noticed one or two of our players "blowing" early; Barry doesnÂ’t appear to the as fit as he should be despite his age and maybe if Rom had better service over a longer period of time, he will come good at EFC.

That is my hope anyway as I only want to see players succeed here, not move and succeed elsewhere.

As regards your statement: "a belief of mine that the judgement of a match-going blue cannot and should not carry greater gravitas over those less fortunate and unable to attend, simply by dint of their presence at the live match."

Clearly this chip of yours sits uncomfortably upon your own shoulder, but has absolutely zero relevance.

Regarding Lukaku, I think the lad has suffered the same frustration and because we donÂ’t have a quality playmaker putting him into good positions, he now lacks confidence and thatÂ’s vital for any striker. He was unlucky at Chelsea, that Cech save was world class.

We all thought Ross would provide him with the service he needs but for whatever reason it just hasnÂ’t happened. For me that has been the biggest disappointment this season.

Whoever plays up front will need quality service and we must invest in a playmaker in the summer as a top priority IMO.

But ... your now thrice repeated claim that it is principally the failing of the fans to support the team that results in poor collective and individual performances is still absurd. But you obviously seriously believe it. Hey-ho ...

DonÂ’t pathetically attempt to saddle me with your sad, self confessed obsession (again highlighted below).
"a belief of mine that the judgement of a match-going blue cannot and should not carry greater gravitas over those less fortunate and unable to attend, simply by dint of their presence at the live match."

I stand by my assertion that wimpish and moaning fans do not rouse the team to a higher level pf performance.

And, let me say further, that such mindless, gutless reaction does not improve the development of younger players. Of course, if you have information and examples to the contrary then please expound this amazing theory. That way, when the team is announced at GP against Leicester, we can all boo our adverse encouragement and really beef them up before the kick-off!

Could this be based upon LFC fans continually sitting in the boozer? Does this lend them more right to express an opinion upon Everton than Blues who actually see live football in the same stadium that itÂ’s being played in?

I think I’ll send it to Tony Draper – he obviously suits it more than me.

The only things he may get better at are his movement and timing of runs, which coincidentally is comparable with an 8-year-old. Even if he was saying he loved Everton, I would still look to sell him. The lad simply doesn't have the mentality to be a top player.

To me, supporting the team means getting behind them. Booing and jeering is not supporting them.

I sit in the stands with my lad, I've paid over 𧴜 for the day all told and watch as we serve up more ineffective footballing shite.

I am now supposed to stand, clap, cheer and be grateful?

That violin you mentioned, it's not Nero's by any chance, is it?

I do believe he gets told how to play his game; for example, don't chase down defenders, when, while we're watching, we're thinking "What a lazy twat" but he is probably getting told save the energy for the little bursts when needed.

All the Delboy talk – I would love to have him at Everton... but seriously, he didn't enjoy us – that's why we couldn't get him back on loan this year. Luis Enrique said we ruined his game... we took the flair out of him.

I don't want to read between the lines but I have no idea what point you are trying to make here as you again crowbar in a reference to seeing live football in a stadium. Do you have a point?