Column 41comments | Jump to last This article may have been recategorised and is therefore no longer available at this URL. You can try to find the updated link in the article archive. Share article: Reader Comments (41) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer Stephen Scofield 1 Posted 27/10/2013 at 00:32:43 I thought Howard played the best he has ever played in an Everton shirt, a performance that Southall would have been proud of.I'm surprised that new sites game Osman the man of the match, he was inspired as a sub, but the game would have been beyond Everton if it were not for Howard.Watching the last 20 minutes of the game I realised how confident I felt, I did not believe Everton were going to lose or draw. I know it's flogging a dead horse but if Moyes was in charge of this game I can't help but feel after the game as 1-0 he'd have put all the players behind the ball and hold out for the 1-0, which would have inevitably ended in a draw or worse.I have to admit I didn't think Martinez (Mar-tee-nez) was the correct choice, boy is my face red. He's so far been a fantastic appointment.And that was never a penalty! The hand ball in the second half was though! Brian Denton 2 Posted 27/10/2013 at 01:21:57 'Franco-English victory chant"? What have the French got to do with anything? Surely Hispano-English? James Flynn 3 Posted 27/10/2013 at 01:28:55 Great win. Think Ossie found his niche and a good one it is; super-sub.Great seeing Baines and Coleman up the flanks more today. With Barry and McCarthy doing the yeoman work, our threat up front, would love to see more and more Baines/Coleman involvement in the attack. Let's really give opponents something to worry about.And that thru-ball Howard came out to smother at the top of the box, how was that fellow on-side? He looked to be a couple yards past the last man when the ball was played to him. Craig Fletcher 4 Posted 27/10/2013 at 02:32:10 Great report, Lyndon. Spurs next week will be interesting - a home win there and we'll be well in the mix for top four, let alone Europa League! Only frustration for Saturday was seeing Liverpool, Arsenal, Southampton and Man U (another come-from-behind victory for them at that) all win. Bollocks. Scott Robinson 5 Posted 27/10/2013 at 02:44:55 @Brian Denton - that's a good point however I think it is a reference to General Franco and his time as a ruling dictator of Spain from the 1930's to his death in the 1970's. If so, I think ToffeeWeb should be very careful with these references as this was a dark period in Spanish history, not something to be celebrated.... Mike Gaynes 6 Posted 27/10/2013 at 03:24:36 Yes, Lyndon, that Franco reference made me curious too. Can you elucidate?Also, well noted that "the Blues were looking a little ragged in the first quarter of an hour after the restart." That seems to be happening in just about every game. Andy Crooks 7 Posted 27/10/2013 at 05:25:45 It seems clear to me that Roberto reads this site on a daily basis and, more importantly, acts on the advice he gets. Look at the recent "Talking Points" for example: "Do we need a new goalie"? I suspect RM has told Tim to check out that particular thread. He has, and by God it worked for us today. No doubt he has had Leon Osman perusing the site lately. "The lads don't think you can cut it for 90 minutes any more, Leon. From now on, you're an impact sub." Seems to me it worked today! Also, Roberto seems to have taken the hint that young Ross might be getting a little complacent. Well, he dealt with that today. Now that it is obvious we have Roberto's ear, I think we should take advantage, So, RM, get Duffy back after Christmas and start slowly building the partnership with Stones that is our future defence. If any one else has any ideas for RM let's hear them while we are on a roll! Lyndon Lloyd 8 Posted 27/10/2013 at 05:25:01 At the risk of belying my modern history university education, I'm not sure how General Franco enters into the equation. Whether it's "allez allez allez au" or "allez allez allez oh", it's clearly a chant that starts in French and finishes in English, hence "Franco-English"... or Anglo-French, if you prefer.As far as I know, the song started with Eintracht Frankfurt, was co-opted by Hibernian fans and has now been embraced by us with our version so no Spanish connection there. Scott Robinson 9 Posted 27/10/2013 at 06:02:13 Thanks Lyndon for clarifying! I haven't even heard the chant but given my Spanish love affair, it was the first thing that popped into my mind. Best, Scott Mike Gaynes 10 Posted 27/10/2013 at 05:56:17 At the risk of exposing my utter lack of classical education, I will share that Franco-American is a particularly odious brand of canned spaghetti products, including the infamous Spaghetti-O's, and I could not have imagined what appalling canned product might be denoted by Franco-English, so I appreciate your explanation, Lyndon. I think it must have been your mention of the Spanish flag that steered Scott Robinson off-course towards the late Generalissimo. What steered me off-course was two glasses of excellent rum... my only excuse for this nonsensical post. Lyndon Lloyd 11 Posted 27/10/2013 at 06:21:18 Hah, I was clearly trying to be too clever by half so apologies for the confusion! Christine Foster 12 Posted 27/10/2013 at 07:04:16 Actually Lyndon, it may have more to do with the children's rhyme, "The big ship sails on the alle alle oh, the alle,alle on on the last day of September".Traditionally a Liverpool rhyme sung by school kids in Liverpool since the turn of the century, that's 1900s btw. Although its original reference is unclear, there is debate as to whether it's a reference to the Manchester Ship Canal, or as my mum, god bless her cotton socks, used to sing it to me referring the song to the Atlantic Ocean during the war. Either way, it's a stronger case for plagiarism than George Harrison ripping off My Sweet Lord.. John Crawley 13 Posted 27/10/2013 at 06:57:46 Just in case anyone didn't quite get that chant here it is:Allez, Allez, Allez OhAllez, Allez, Allez OhWe're Everton F.CRoberto's Blue Army!Great report L:yndon. The thing that is really impressing me is how we are shutting out games at the end, keeping the ball well and generally not giving the opposition any chances. Great use of the substitutes by Martinez again and oh to have Lukaku here permanently, he's only going to get better. Ian Bennett 14 Posted 27/10/2013 at 07:34:58 Good report Lyndon.I think two things are interesting. Villa failed to register an effort on goal after 75 minutes when at 1-0. This a recurring theme.And Villa complained their side “All too often our passes seem lazy, uncoordinated and nervousâ€. Again other non moneyed clubs are going to look at our place with a bit of envy.This possession thing seems to be working. We are not merely hanging on at the moment like previously, whilst we seem to have the legs to hunt down if the ball is lost. Both are key to where we are. The one thing that hasn't happened yet, is that we haven't put a team to the sword in the last 10 minutes, which I can see happening as the weaker sides clock up suspension, injury and fatigue.COYB Barry Rathbone 15 Posted 27/10/2013 at 07:30:52 Lyndon so glad you thought it a french connection I did wince at the "Franco ...." ref because Martinez was born in Catalonia!!!!!!Any association with the fascist oppressor General Franco who starved, murdered and terrorised in the region banning the catalan language to boot is akin to describing the Irish via Oliver Cromwell and the butchery of Drogheda!Nonetheless great report, great win. Steve Cotton 17 Posted 27/10/2013 at 12:30:06 Ian 124... was their penalty effort going over when Howard got a strong left hand to it?? Brian Denton 18 Posted 27/10/2013 at 13:13:42 Lyndon, I bet you didn't expect The Spanish Inquisition.... Colin Glassar 19 Posted 27/10/2013 at 13:31:21 Nobody expects the Spanish inquisition Brian Brent Stephens 20 Posted 27/10/2013 at 14:05:47 Colin,Wasn't the Spanish Inquisition where they actually gave people notice that they would be "calling"? I thought I read that somewhere. Brian Denton 21 Posted 27/10/2013 at 14:25:35 Brent, I suspect you're a youngster! The reference was to a Monty Python sketch from many years ago... Colin Glassar 22 Posted 27/10/2013 at 14:32:38 I don't know which Brent I should answer. Mike Gaynes 23 Posted 27/10/2013 at 14:35:51 Lots of old Monty Python fans here. Colin Glassar 24 Posted 27/10/2013 at 14:38:08 I'm still pining for the fjords Mike. Ross Edwards 25 Posted 27/10/2013 at 14:42:21 Yep, David Moyes's tactical processes are now history, he's off the twig, he's kicked the bucket, he's shuffled off to Man Utd, run down the M62 and joined the bleedin Red Devils! He is an EX-MANAGER!!!!!!!! Brent Stephens 26 Posted 27/10/2013 at 15:33:04 Brian (#196) – I'm not so much a youngster; I really did watch from the Boy's Pen. (Bill K will vouch for that but I can't vouch for him.)Yes, loved Monty P and the Spanish Inquisition But my post was serious - i.e. that I did read (I think) that a "suspect" would be given a period of notice (now that is pythonesque!).ps: I work all day and I sleep all night but I don't wear high heels (well on a weekday). Kevin Jones 27 Posted 27/10/2013 at 18:15:49 I'd love another verse of the Allez oh song. How aboutAllez allez allez ohAllez allez allez eeCan't wait to seeRoberto's Blue Army Brian Denton 28 Posted 27/10/2013 at 18:50:11 Brent 232 - much respect! John Ford 29 Posted 27/10/2013 at 18:34:08 I was pleased with the look of the starting eleven yesterday, but we were second best for much of the first hour. Villa with Beneke are a handful. Unlike last week our two centre halves were outstanding and Tim saved our bacon in the first half. Keep that beard mate!Villa ran out of ideas despite lots of the ball, then Bobby waved his magic wand. Perfection. Bish bosh bash and the game turned on its head.Turning games like this around is surely a sign of a maturing manager? The team look like they're pulling for each other. I'm loving our ability to play football when we go ahead. I admired our former manager, but I'm starting to love waht Bobby is trying to do. Mick Davies 30 Posted 27/10/2013 at 23:04:14 I think it's worth mentioning that we were AWAY at Villa, a ground where we usually come unstuck, but we played an attacking game for 90 mins and it's was the opposition who were worn down first and not us. This mentality is hard to comprehend after years of KITAP1 but long may it continue.We are obviously going to lose games with this philosophy but it's more exciting and hopefully more successful than just waiting for something to happen. That's what Roberto's all about, his three main weapons are surprise and lack of fear. Mark Pakulak 31 Posted 27/10/2013 at 21:38:31 Wonderful match recap Lyndon! Peter Bourke 32 Posted 27/10/2013 at 23:46:00 Mick @409.What's the third Weapon?? 1. Surprise; 2. Lack of Fear; 3. ??I'll add it for you: Structure. Harold Matthews 33 Posted 28/10/2013 at 00:13:14 Villa and Spurs are both best away from home.Martinez keeps going on about getting to know players and partnerships and his canny substitutions appear to back this up. Whatever weaknesses we spot, he will be well ahead of us in seeking to put things right.Thanks Christine.The good ship sails on the alle alle ho.The alle alle oh, the alle alle oh,The good ship sails on the alle alle oh,With Roberto's royal blue army.Takes me back a bit. Ron Sear 34 Posted 28/10/2013 at 17:10:12 Guess what, even the Norwegian Parrot was a blue. David Chait 35 Posted 28/10/2013 at 17:16:42 Great report.. Reading the 3 together plus executioners bong gives a great insight to someone who hasn't had the privilege to see any of it. Keith Glazzard 36 Posted 28/10/2013 at 17:43:25 Watching the game here in Catalunya I was obviously pleased that Tim did his job so well, but also noted that we could have been level, if not in the lead, by half time. And the second half just got better.So is our favourite Catalan as good at using his forces as we hope? The Pienaar example was just too good to be true, but the Ossie injection looked astute - I was happy to see him come on, in a forward position, couldn't do any harm at least. The rest we all know.Spain - Catalunya? Yes, a definite difference, think England - Scotland. La Senyera, the Catalan flag, has four red stripes (fingers of blood) running down a gold background. But look out for la Estralada, same flag with a blue, yes blue, triangle containing a white star. Its the independence movement's banner.And Mick@409 - thanks, got it. Brent Stephens 37 Posted 28/10/2013 at 18:52:48 Mick #409. Clever! Conn Prosser 38 Posted 28/10/2013 at 19:01:11 Keep It And Score 2.KAIS2 Mick Davies 39 Posted 28/10/2013 at 19:25:10 Thanks lads, obviously Peter is not a Python afficianado. As for the Norwegian Blue, surely it's a Norwegian Red? Conn Prosser 40 Posted 28/10/2013 at 19:26:32 Doh.KIAS2 Max Wilson 41 Posted 31/10/2013 at 14:28:09 Er, do you have to very very lucky to manage a masterstroke? Cos we were very very lucky to get through the first half. Sorry, but it's true, isn't it?Mind you, you can make your own luck. Bringing on Ossie was great but if you were influenced by us lot, you might not have 'cos the guy had been getting a lot of stick from many of us. (But not me, I'm perfect...) Mick Davies 42 Posted 01/11/2013 at 23:45:18 This talk of "luck" is something that both baffles and irritates when used to describe events during football matches. Managers usually hide behind this strange phenomenon when they don't do well i.e. "we didn't get the luck today", but this could be a double edged-sword. Take the first half, when we were unluckily penalised for an innocuous challenge, but were lucky the resulting penalty was saved. Then Villa were lucky when Weimann was yards offside but Howard was again lucky to save with his legs.In my opinion, he only made two "legitimate" saves in the game, but isn't this his job? When we were successful in the 80s we had the worlds best keeper; as was the case with Man Utd in the 90s. Great keepers don't get noticed if they have nothing to do so the proof is, successful teams need a good keeper, not a lucky one. Howard is a good shot stopper but other parts of his game leave room for improvement; with his new coach, I hope he can work on his weaknesses and overcome his aversion to crosses. I have faith in the manager and the team and hope that – with or without luck – we can achieve something this season, and build on it. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. About these ads , placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' }); Find out how to browse ad-free and support ToffeeWeb © ToffeeWeb