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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 05/04/2017 at 07:31:34
My feeling is that almost all your ratings are about a point too high, Paul... I can't give 9s and 8s in a drawn game where we were so dominated at times... but agree with most of your comments, especially about Jags and Williams, who were immense.

It wasn't just Williams who was giving Rom stick... the usually quiet Baines was all over him as well, and when you piss off your teammates that much, you're having a stinker. Rom just wasn't involved enough or sufficiently connected with his teammates, especially at the end when he was needed.

I think you're overly generous with the subs... the oddly-chosen Pennington still looked panicky to me, and Calvert-Lewin was a disaster. At a time when we needed someone to not only keep the ball but drive at goal, Calvert-Lewin lost every challenge and fell over on most of them. Koeman gets the blame for not choosing Lookman or Valencia instead. I give him an 8 for his lineup and game plan and a 3 for his subs.

Jim Burns
2 Posted 05/04/2017 at 07:43:44
Thanks, Paul – I agree with most of your assessment particularly Swarbrick's handling of the game . An obvious and nasty challenge by Young more or less in front of the dugout going unpunished sticks in my mind.

I would take a slightly different view of Barkley's performance, however – good in spells, but he had two clear chances to turn the screw on the break and just seemed to hesitate bringing each move to a messy end – one of them taking play backwards into our own half from close to the edge of their box.

I'm now having serious doubts this lad has enough to make it with us – a shame, but I have a feeling Koeman could be coming to the end of his tether with him. I hope he proves me wrong.

Depressing to hear the Neanderthals are still around – there were a couple near me who couldn't complete a sentence without the word 'cunt' in it – not kids either. Two feet away from my daughter and a young boy next to her. It really does turn your stomach.

Thanks again, Paul, for the time and effort – onwards and upwards.

Xavier Spencer
3 Posted 05/04/2017 at 08:29:17
Good report, Paul, a maddening night indeed.

On the subject of the racist away support, I'm afraid it is still a problem. These toe rags think being away from home somehow gives them licence to freely vent their spleen. I witnessed it at Wembley against Chelsea and afterwards wished I'd made a note of the seat numbers of those involved and reported it to the club. Maybe this is a course of action worth considering taking in the future?

Geoff Williams
4 Posted 05/04/2017 at 08:29:41
Once again, Koeman's use of substitutes showed poor judgement. I couldn't understand the Mirallas substitution and the second substitution beggars belief. Surely Valencia was the best option.

I really don't rate Ashley Williams but he did have a good game until the penalty.

I hope all the critics of Jagielka and Barry have had a reality check, the two were outstanding last night.

Ian McPherson
5 Posted 05/04/2017 at 09:47:59
I have to disagree, Williams had to handle that to stop a certain goal. Robles was still on his feet when that was en route to the bottom corner of the goal.

And lets be honest, Man Utd's form of attack compared to Liverpool's is massive. They are happy to throw the cross into the box or the long punt/pass in repeatedly where the like of Jags and Williams will mop that up all day.

Liverpool get the ball down and run and press defenders in numbers. We panicked every time on Saturday they did that. Pennington probably is still having nightmares and Holgate too.

At the other end of the pitch, would I swap Rom and Barks for Sigurdsson and another workmanlike striker? Yes, in a heartbeat.

Mark Andersson
6 Posted 05/04/2017 at 11:42:04
I hope Koeman drops Rom for the next few games... the only time the experts on TV talked about Everton last night was all about the striker and Williams having a go at each other.

We have nothing to play for now and if Rom can't be bothered to show for the big games then bench him...

James Byrne
7 Posted 05/04/2017 at 12:04:00
Good report.

I think the changing moment was bringing off Mirallas for Pennington. For all his frustrations he held the ball up very effectively for us and took a lot of pressure from the midfield and defence.

The last two games have given me enough proof that we need to offload two players in the closed season, Lukaku and Barkley. It's time to cash in while we can and start to rebuild this team with fresh investment.

Barry Pearce
8 Posted 05/04/2017 at 12:13:06
I know we need new faces that's for sure.

I agree Sigurdsson would be a fantastic signing, since I knew we tried to sign him in the summer.

I have watched him whenever I can (only on TV)... his delivery hits the money nine times out of ten. Just his all round game is top drawer.

Just hope we can make this happen.

David Pearl
9 Posted 05/04/2017 at 12:25:01
Pennington was on to mop up after Man Utd put 2 up top. Mirallas had a good enough game for him as maybe that change was five minutes too early.

Also good to see Williams shout at Lukaku and start to show the leadership we bought him for. Is that a 3 game ban for a straight red?

Maybe we can do a Barcelona and play with just one at the back in Jags. I'd like to bring Browning back from loan if we can.

Charlie Lloyd
10 Posted 05/04/2017 at 12:40:31
Dave @ 9

I watched the Everton show last Friday. Browning is back from loan at Preston. Injured.

Don't know how long for but surely Kenny at RB with Holgate inside is the other option to Pennington for Saturday.

Russ Quinlan
11 Posted 05/04/2017 at 13:18:21
One of the main differences I noticed last night was between Lukaku and Zlatan.

Every time Rom got a run on goal he tried to just bulldoze his way through and failed on every occasion even when there were really good options (Barkley and Mirallas come to mind) for a pass to a better placed player.

Whenever Zlatan got the ball he always looks for other options and only then if there aren't any he will take it on himself unless it's a clear chance for himself.

It's all very well being greedy as a striker but Rom seems more interested in making himself look good rather than the team.

Maybe that's what Ashley was saying to him!

Terry Underwood
12 Posted 05/04/2017 at 13:18:30
Good reaction after Saturday.
Kieran Kinsella
13 Posted 05/04/2017 at 13:56:50
Couldn't we bring Galloway back?

On the pen, I blame Robles. Either call it or tell Williams to move if he's in your way. Schmeichel senior for example controlled the box. He yelled a lot but conceded very few. We know Robles has a mouth on him as he bitches to the media when he's dropped. He needs to boss the penalty area.

In lieu of instructions from behind I think Williams took the view "do no nothing and concede, or get sent off and they get a penalty. Certain goal or 50/50 chance of a goal."

It's ironic too that his detractors are lamenting his absence. Based on the comments on here about him all season, you'd think people would be happy he's suspended.

Barry McNally
14 Posted 05/04/2017 at 14:03:56
Are the ratings out of 20 or higher!
Mike Gaynes
15 Posted 05/04/2017 at 14:10:06
Kieran (#13), sorry but that's total nonsense. Fraction of a second between the shot and its arrival. Robles would have had to be both clairvoyant and telepathic to communicate with Williams in time. Williams made an instantaneous decision, and a correct one in my view, because it appears the shot is headed in.
Jim Bennings
16 Posted 05/04/2017 at 15:00:52
The penalty giveaway wouldn't even be a topic if we did what other sides do when 1-0 up in injury time...

Take the ball to the corner flag and maintain possession or win a few throw-ins, anything as long as the opposition aren't bobbing the bloody thing about in our penalty area.

Yet again, just like the Chelsea away game last season, we don't have cool heads when we needed them most. For some unknown reason when Everton are leading these away games with basically seconds left they just can't see it out.

Rank amateur, it's gone on for years and I'll say it again – this summer, we need to look at employing a sports psychologist.

Tony Heron
17 Posted 05/04/2017 at 15:14:24
Kieron, you've obviously never played in goal. A keeper will call for a cross or a corner or an overhit through ball but a shot fired in? He would need to be superhuman to anticipate something like that. Not even me, when in my heyday on Jubilee Park, would have managed that!
Franny Porter
18 Posted 05/04/2017 at 15:21:32
Did anyone see Lukaku slating Williams at the new 59 Pogba?

The guy is an arsehole, he's over rated, doesn't turn up when he's really needed and has a disrespecting shit attitude. Get rid.

Jay Harris
19 Posted 05/04/2017 at 17:21:40
Someone needs to show Lukaku an Andy Gray video.

He was a typical workmanlike centre-forward who would control and pass or give and go.

So much like Costa, protecting the ball and holding defenders off.

This is why so many do not rate Lukaku. He still has so much to learn about the game.

Kieran Kinsella
20 Posted 05/04/2017 at 17:25:52
Do we know he was slating Williams? He could've been saying anything...
Kieran Kinsella
21 Posted 05/04/2017 at 17:28:28
Mike/Tony

Ok I'm no goalie so maybe I was wrong about Joel's but mainly I'm defending Williams. It looked to me like it was going in. If Zlat missed that pen we'd have been hailing Williams a la Suarez v Ghana.

Colin Williams
22 Posted 05/04/2017 at 17:55:06
Davies was everywhere! He did most of the dirty work in midfield, he was the first press in Man Utd first third,slowing down their forward play, he stopped many counter-attacks during the game. Davies was top draw doing the donkey work of others! 5... Fecking joke!!!

Please look at other important facets of the game before giving out player ratings.

Steve Hogan
23 Posted 05/04/2017 at 20:33:05
Dear me... 2017, and we've still got a number of racists in our fan base.

The only way is to 'out' them, just take a note of their seat number, and the club are duty bound to investigate. Might be difficult to prove of course, but if the same people are acting the same way for every game, a patter will emerge.

What a shame we still have these morons amongst us.

Andy Crooks
24 Posted 05/04/2017 at 22:50:46
It has been a while since I have been to an away game. I am disappointed that the racism still lingers. We really have no moral high ground. Things are getting better but there are the brain dead at every club. Well done, Paul, for highlighting it. It is just fucking saddening.
Brent Stephens
25 Posted 05/04/2017 at 23:04:50
Racists are the lowest of the low. To discriminate against, and stereotype, people just because of the colour of their skin. Serious lack of intelligence.
Brian Porter
26 Posted 06/04/2017 at 06:51:22
It's now Thursday but I still can't shake the feeling that Koeman made a serious error in judgement on Tuesday. Removing Mirallas too early and sending Calvert-Lewin on instead of the more experienced Valencia basically handed the initiative to United and invited them to score an almost inevitable equaliser. Just when I was beginning to warm to Koeman, the last two games have highlighted his poor in-game decision making, much like his predecessor.

As a former goalkeeper at a reasonable level, I do think Robles would possibly have been able to react and save the shot that Williams handled. It was a poor decision by Williams who at worst could have simply thrown his body in the way.

As for Lukaku, once again his ball-greedy "me me me" attitude showed his lack of team ethics and highlighted the reason why I am not convinced the 'big teams' he craves will be queueing up to sign him.

He recently quoted Suarez as as being one of his idols. I've watched many of Barca's games this season and seen Suarez work as hard at creating chances for others as he has at scoring himself. I'd advise Rom to watch a few videos of his hero in action. He's a long way from being the player he thinks he is.

With both Williams and Baines berating him for his lack of effort off and on the ball, Koeman needs to do something to prevent a situation developing that sees his teammates turning against him.

After 58 years of watching Everton, I can't remember a leading scorer who hasn't been universally loved by the fans. After 4 seasons, Rom continues to divide opinion among the fan base, which kind of tells its own story. Unlike those who came before him, Rom is a long way from being viewed as a 'legend: except perhaps in his own mind.

Time to get real, Rom, and stop believing the publicity machine. Knuckle down and learn to become a team player, a leader on the pitch. Then maybe... Just maybe...!

As for last night, even Bournemouth showed how to go to Anfield and take something from the game. Were you watching, Ronald Koeman?

Jim Bennings
27 Posted 06/04/2017 at 07:46:57
Brian

I agree; Suarez though is a better player than Lukaku. He's got far better technique and he's more clever, a team player with a nasty streak.

James Byrne
28 Posted 06/04/2017 at 08:33:30
Like many Evertonians, I'm still gutted in the way we lost against the shite at the weekend, but it was even more frustrating seeing an average Bournemouth team go to Anfield and almost take 3 points, finishing 2-2. Why the fuck can't we do that?

I've said for many years now that when we can take 4 or 6 points every year from Liverpool FC, that will be the time we will be competing for the Premier League, Champions League slots and some of the main silverware on offer.

Regardless of who manages our club or who runs the club as a business, our minimum requirement as a football team is to beat the Red Shite home and away every season. Part of the problem with this fixture is not only a football / tactical issue but also a mental / psychological problem that we need to overcome. Only when we overcome this fucking voodoo of Liverpool FC will be the time we move forward as a club.

What did we go to Anfield to do last weekend; our tactical plan was pathetic. We're just never smart enough against this very average Liverpool team. I'd be happier if we just went there and parked the bus and played for a 0-0 draw.

Whatever we need to do, player hypnosis, change in diet, move out of the city, change in the way we analyze the game, bring in other resources to provide this much needed step change.

Unless we start to change our complete strategy for this particular fixture, we will just carry on "existing" in this City.


Brian Williams
29 Posted 06/04/2017 at 15:44:54
James (#28).

We won't just carry on "existing" in this city if we move out of the city as you suggested two lines earlier in your post.

Move out of this city?

Rethink that one mate.

Dermot Byrne
30 Posted 06/04/2017 at 16:39:22
Paul: well done for highlighting the racist few. I am not one to usually make comment on those who make the effort or indeed pay the price to go to any Premier League game. But, whether it is colour, size, background or anything else, that is irrelevant on the pitch; it saddens me that such folk still feel so insecure.

Having said that, if a body of fans yelled "You lazy rich twat (regardless of your background, colour or size)," to some 'stars', and fit it to a catchy tune, I reckon every fan of every club may join in!

There's a difference!

Brian Porter
31 Posted 07/04/2017 at 07:04:28
Jim Bennington #27, yes, that was the point I was trying to make. Suarez is a more complete player than Lukaku but Rom seems to see himself in a similar light to Suarez, Neymar, etc. His entire ethos is however, built purely on the number of goals he scores and he never makes any reference to wanting to be part of a 'team'. Instead, he continues to tell the world how marvellous he is and yet, not one of the teams he aspires to play for have ever publicly made a single reference to wanting him in their squad. I say squad rather than team because even top world class players like Morata, Rodriguez, and others have to fight for a starting place at Madrid etc. One wonders what Roy's attitude would be like if he found himself as a bit part player at one of those top clubs.

At present he is a big fish in a fairly small pond, but place him on the world stage and I think he could drown under the weight of his own belief and expectations. Be very careful what you wish for, Romelu Lukaku, legend in your own back yard.

David Barks
32 Posted 07/04/2017 at 07:19:55
Brian,

Actually all Lukaku talks about is wanting to win trophies, that a player is judged by trophies, and he wants to compete in the biggest competitions for clubs that challenge for trophies. Try reading his actual quotes.

“Everton as a football club has a great history. But the future has to be written. You get me? Because we always talk about the teams of the 80s and 70s, and if you look it was great. But we as players, we want the fans talking about us instead of us talking about them.

“You want to be remembered as well. No matter where you play you want to be remembered. You cannot only be remembered by scoring goals, you want to be remembered by winning trophies.

“That is what the fans want. So instead of living in the past, you have to think ahead. How this club has to grow, how this club has to improve, which player does it want to bring in so you can challenge for the big trophies?”

“You want to show who is best. But as a team you want to be the best. I want my team to be the best. I want my team to be the most attractive to play in the league. The big aim in football is to win as many titles as you can.”

Yeah Brian, definitely not a single mention about being part of a team in his actual words. Except of course where he literally says "I want my team to be the best." But yeah, he's all about goals and nothing else, except he only says everything to the contrary, that it's about the team and competing for trophies that matters.

Roger Helm
33 Posted 07/04/2017 at 11:59:50
MSN today carry a photo of Lukaku shushing Williams as he trudged off. Presumably a response to Williams asking Lukaku to do more in the way of holding the ball up. Not so good in what is supposed to be a team sport. Another poster said Lukaku was the only player to not go and thank the away fans.

It also reported Chelsea are tabling a bid of £100m for Lukaku and Barkley. I am beginning to think that would be good business.

Brian Porter
34 Posted 08/04/2017 at 06:15:06
David. #32, I think in fairness, you miss my point. It's not so much about what he says as about what he does. You could attribute any of his quotes to, say, Tom Davies, Ademola Lookman, or any other player and not have an argument with the sentiment behind the words.

Rom's problem, highlighted in many published statistics this season, show him to be among the laziest forwards in the league. How often do we see him chasing down a player to retrieve the ball when he loses out in a tackle? Where is his intent to run his guts out to win 50/50 balls? How often do we see him not look up for options to pass, to create, instead of attempting shots that simply cannon off the defender in front of him?

It's all very well him saying he wants to be part of a winning team, I just want him to demonstrate more willingness to work for the team instead of for his own self-aggrandisement. That's the difference between Rom and the truly great strikers in the Champions League.


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