Blues Draw a Frustrating Blank

Ross was poor,as he was at Burnley, however he stayed on the pitch. What happened to 'rotation' and using best players for each game?

Pienaar should have started with Ossie coming on for Ross.

In my opinion, RM chose some of the wrong players to take the Swans on. By half time, it was obvious that they were feeling very comfortable with our ineffective midfield. Sadly it took RM 60 minutes to see the light and make some changes.

Eto'o needed an equally talented fellow hitman with him and when he finally got one after 68 minutes, it was already looking a bit late. So I blame RM for this result. McCarthy was once again outstanding; Jags, Baines & Coleman all put in a good shift against tough opposition.

RM seems to be dithering with his choice of players – does he know who is real talent is? With Alan Irvine no longer at his side, has he lost a prudent voice in his ear? We can't afford to see our best players languishing on the bench.

For most of the first half, we completely dominated and were increasingly pouring wave upon wave of attack on their defence who were getting increasingly frustrated and fouling. The reason we didn't get the breakthrough is that: (i) we spent too much time passing around the box looking for the perfect pass, rather than playing quick first-time balls or having a crack on goal; and (ii) our set-piece delivery was woeful (both corners and free-kicks).

In terms of blame for the above, the insistence on holding the ball maybe down to Martinez to a point, but the attacking players need to be sharper and spot opportunities. Is it Martinez's fault Baines can't beat the first man with a corner? Probably not.

In the second half, Swansea came at us and created more space on the counter initially, but the major turning points for me were:

(i) the Alcaraz injury which lead to a break-up of our first choice midfield (Martinez was at fault for not having a central defender on the bench);

(ii) the late withdrawal of Naismith – who was having a poor game by his recent standards;

(iii) the unnecessary withdrawal of McGeady – who had been, along with some moments from Barkley – the one player who looked likely of unsettling their defence and getting some shots off (again, Martinez to blame here);

(iv) The sending off of Shelvey, after which Swansea just retreated back into 100% defence mode.

I do agree with you that Naismith should've come off earlier either for Pienaar or Lukaku, but the double sub didn't help us at all and robbed us of pace.

I think it's also fair to point out that Lukaku's contribution to the game and the result of having 2 up was negative if anything. 22 minutes is more than enough to have some impact from the bench, but he had none. The only thing he did in fact was to block Baines's howitzer which could well have been dangerous.

I think it's too early to get on his case, especially with this niggling toe injury, but if he's really as good as he says he is, then he needs to be making an impact in these games.

Come on mate, you make it sound like that's a difficult thing. Any decent under 10s should be able to handle getting the ball over the first man. The fact that Baines doesn't, while he did before under Moyes, is squarely down to Martinez. It's obviously a Martinez tactic, and a totally inept one because it's got us bugger all so far.

If you're right, however, and Baines really can't put a ball over the first man on a corner, he shouldn't be anywhere near the first team or EFC for that matter.

Eh? The manager tells his set piece 'specialist' to deliberately aim for the opposition fucker on the front post? What a crock of shit. Baines has always struck more poor corners than sweet, as has Mirallas, as did Arteta. Nothing to do with instructions from the manager.

It’s squarely down to Martinez. A Martinez tactic not to get the ball over the first man?

All due respect, mate, you may want to have another look at that.

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/football/408367/Kick-off-video-Premier-League

Watching Arsenal, Citteh & Chelski this week illustrates our deficiencies in the final third. Even allowing for the teams having better midfield players, whoever was on the ball in the final third he had 4-5 players busting a gut to get into the box, which is absent from our game.

It really should be drilled into players that, because we have the two holders, the middle three and the best pair of full backs in the league should be more aggressive/alive in the business end of the field.

Whenever we have an overprepondrance of attacking players be it Nais, Eto, Lukaku,Barkley Ossie or McGeady the MF is left weaker and The attackers all want to occupy the space where they feel most comfortable thereby getting in each others way hence the multi two touch passing that went on on Saturday.

If Barkley plays then IMO we have a choice of one of Eto, Lukaku or Naismith and beef the MF up.

We also suffered with Barry having to drop into the back 4 another poor selection not having Distin on the bench.

I saw on a copy of the Echo last week I am sure that both Osman and Disitin were going to be discussing new contracts in January.I know I have snow on the roof but I did not dream it!

I then read in today's Guardian that Roberto stated that "Disiitn has not been himself" What does this mean

Martinez needs to eat a big piece of humble pie as we now need Distin even more.

We have to accept that Kone is gone and so is probably Gibson and Alcatraz. Get the insurance and finish them off they will not come back anyway near what we need.
Apparently Roberto was irritated after the game think this is due to the fact he selected a team based on how he assumed Swansea would play and they did not play ball. I understand the need to rotate due to Europe but look at Southampton they have the same team and are doing well. Lesson learnt.

On a positive note note LFC lost and MU should have had Big Hair sent off for spitting!

I know people go on about Europe but I think we play better when we play mid week. Win on Thursday and Sunday you see

That is in the past we need him now as I think the bird man is cooked!

Who have we got if Jags gets a knock apart from the Toffee Lady?

I totally agree with Patrick: the manager's decision is final and if anyone needs to eat humble pie it should be Sylvain Distin.

Jay. Hmm 16 letter word. Will take a bit of beating. Have you been chatting with Roberto?

Also, I think Coleman being on top form and doing what he does so well in creating and taking chances is a key to winning games; heÂ’s been a bit off his peak the last couple of games. I feel that these two factors are key to getting the most out of the upcoming fixtures.

I think we are just fine on the beef front, but are lacking a creative midfielder with a bit of craft. The closest thing to a creative player we have is probably Osman and his legs have gone, plus he's never been a consistent performer. Hopefully RM will address the 'playmaker issue' in January.

David, 24, a solid player for sure but would prefer someone younger. Quite like Winston Reid at west ham and he cous be out of contract this summer. Hopefully though Stones and Jags will be our CB pairing for the next couple of years by which time one of Browning/Galloway/Kenny etc will be able to take over from Jags.

We'd then be sorted for the foreseeable until one of the kids stepped up. If we also managed to offload Distin and Alcaraz, I think the defence would be sorted for many years to come.