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Steve Carse
1 Posted 22/05/2017 at 23:41:54
Davies was having a poor start to the game. But why use the phrase that he was 'out of his depth' implying he's not good enough yet to be playing against the top sides?

The decision by Koeman to hook him so early was ridiculous. I hope it doesn't lead to him losing the confidence and swagger that made him such a joy to watch this season.

Brian Dagnall
2 Posted 23/05/2017 at 05:00:08
You are so often spot on Ken "A jewel in a sea of mediocrity" I enjoyed, and then "there is a gulf between the top six and us"

This last one depresses me because even a great summer of signings could maybe only advance us a little. I suppose it boils down to how well the manager gets these new players to work together.

Did you read about Usmanov trying a takeover at Arsenal, and Ian Wright saying "there's no doubt we really need a billionaire". So even a club with a 66,000-seat stadium (mostly full of spectators paying double what we pay) in fashionable London, still needs mega millions just to get into the Champions League? I really hope he is dead wrong, and my fervent wish is that Spurs and the next Leicester PROVE he is wrong. We just can't allow our game to be taken over by these undesirable billionaires who use our clubs as expensive playthings. And not a single Brit among them.

Oh dear, I didn't mean to get that deep. I was just trying to demonstrate that our lads getting top 4 might be viewed as a heck of a tall order. Sure, we must keep optimistic. But did you know that since the Premier League started (25 years) there have been only 6 winners including Blackburn and Leicester, i.e. only 4 regular winners. This is really unhealthy in my view. C'mon Everton and Spurs... probably the only two chances to put matters right.

Jim Harrison
3 Posted 23/05/2017 at 05:35:39
Steve (#1), because that's exactly how it looked! Up against their midfield, Davies looked like an 18-year-old lacking the required level. That's not to say he will never be at that level, just that he wasn't good enough on the day.

It's a testament to the lad that he has done so well so far. But he needed hauling on Sunday. Just another lesson. He will get more chances in the future.

Christopher Timmins
4 Posted 23/05/2017 at 06:37:42
Ken, thanks for all your reports during the 2016/17 season. We have a gap to bridge to reach the top 6 and a further lesser gap to reach the top 4.

We finished the season on 61 points and I am hoping for a points return of 70+ next season. With a good summer in the transfer market and with a manager who now knows the score with the squad it is an achievable target.

Enjoy the hols Ken but don't forget to report back for duty in mid August.

Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 23/05/2017 at 09:36:19
Thanks for another good summing up of this game, to go with the rest of your season write ups. Hope to read your postings next season, have a good summer.
Brent Stephens
6 Posted 23/05/2017 at 13:22:02
Thanks again for that one, Ken. "A jewel in a sea of mediocrity" a bit of a mixed metaphor but I liked it.

Have a good summer. Sharpen the pencil for Europe and next season's Prem.

Dave Brierley
7 Posted 23/05/2017 at 13:35:36
Thanks for all your reports during the year Ken. I'm only able to get to 5 or 6 games a season so reading your reports always fills in the dots for me.

Look forward to next season.... I think.

Dick Fearon
8 Posted 23/05/2017 at 13:53:20
Thanks, Ken, also to Paul, Michael and Lyndon – what would we ex pats do without your excellent reports.
Phil Walling
9 Posted 23/05/2017 at 14:21:39
'Mediocre' just about sums up how good we had to be to finish the season as runaways for seventh spot!

That's probably as good as it's going to get under a manager whose pragmatism makes Moyes' 'away' strategy look adventurous!

I see 'our man' is already citing the Europa League as an excuse for any non-preparedness of his side come August and, no doubt, the twin saga surrounding Barkley and Lukaku will be trotted out ere long as further reason for failure.

David Pearl
10 Posted 23/05/2017 at 14:53:08
Koeman wants... if he gets then he will have no excuses. He has to be given another transfer window so we can see his team in action. Davies has had a great year so can be forgiven a couple of bad days. Nice to read appreciation of Barry. He still has a lot to offer. Especially in that midfield.

I think Davies and Gana play too similar roles. It's going to be difficult to finish top 6 next season against teams that have such a head start on us. Interesting summer ahead to say the least.

Jay Harris
11 Posted 23/05/2017 at 15:21:52
Ken,

Words fail me regarding the game so I'll just say stay well and thanks for your most enjoyable reports this season. More of the same next season please.

Mike Doyle
12 Posted 23/05/2017 at 15:37:23
Thanks from me too Ken. Always enjoy your reports.

Can we assume that you signed that contract extension to stay at ToffeeWeb for another 5 years? Or did the GOT site seduce you away with offers of tickets for Europa League (away) matches?

Christopher Timmins
13 Posted 23/05/2017 at 16:37:42
I would like to add my thanks to Michael, Lyndon and Paul for their contributions throughout the season.
John Raftery
14 Posted 23/05/2017 at 23:16:31
Ken, I agree with your observations about Barry and Davies. I can't think of a game this season when we didn't look better with Barry than without him especially away from home. When Koeman has tried to start without him, for example at Anfield, we were all over the place in midfield.

As at Arsenal the manager ended up throwing Barry on at half-time in an attempt to rescue a lost cause. Up to now when he has tried the trio of Schneiderlin, Gueye and Davies it has not worked. Possibly they don't communicate with each other but all three generally look better players when Barry is alongside them.

Tom Davies most certainly looked out of his depth on Sunday. He has had a lengthy run in the team since the turn of the year. It is almost inevitable an 18-year-old will lose form at some stage. After the excitement of winning so many awards in the last couple of weeks, Tom will benefit from a rest and be ready to return in July.

Peter Mills
15 Posted 24/05/2017 at 08:06:02
Thanks for you reports, Ken.

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