Blues In the Grip of a Crisis of Confidence

At Newcastle, Roberto at least showed the balls to drop the talented but lazy Barkley and Lukaku. Kone showed enough to be optimistic that he is a far better target man. (Could Lukaku be given a different role?) Garbutt and Baines showed enough to believe that over time they could develop a partnership to make-up for the demise of Pienaar.

That said, McGeady was woeful and the need to take-off McCarthy was a massive blow with Barkley once again strolling around like a lost kid. The bald truth is that he is a luxury who is so far away from becoming a complete midfield footballer and he would not be in my first team as a starter. Once Stones and Jags come back and Distin is shipped out, we should be better and I would give Besic a run in place of Barry.

Roberto needs to continue to reshape our style of play into a more direct and high tempo game and us fans, despite our total frustration at how he has mismanaged a stronger squad this year, need to get behind the team because the players do lack confidence and we need plenty of that in the struggles ahead. COYB

I donÂ’t buy into a "Martinez Out" campaign yet. There should be some acknowledgment of his achievements last season, and also an understanding that "his" relegation of Wigan was after an already weak side were forced to slash budgets significantly.

But obviously there is huge cause for concern. What, last season, was an effective "slow, slow, quick, quick, slow" passing game that opened up defences seems to now simply be "slow, slow, slow, slow, slow". That, more than the actual nature of a passing based game, seems to be the culprit; weÂ’re ponderous, and teams have all the time in the world to pull back into a good defensive shape.

The analyst on NBC against Stoke was railing against Everton fans booing a slow build-up by claiming that we canÂ’t just switch to a long-ball game. But thatÂ’s clearly not what weÂ’re calling for, merely a more urgent and pacey approach. Our first goal today was an example of how we can play, fast passing on the ground, with a desire to split the defence and reach an end product. The infuriating thing is how rarely we seem to attempt that this season.

We have become worse as the season has progressed. While results were not brilliant, the games against Arsenal and Chelsea early in the season at least demonstrated the potential of our attack; we looked dangerous going forward, for all our vulnerabilities at the back. Now, we donÂ’t even look dangerous.

I donÂ’t worry too much about what Martinez says in public, and thereÂ’s too much comment about that. You praise in public and criticise in private. I hope that the criticism is happening.

Perhaps what concerns me most is the inflexible approach to formation. Even when the personnel changes, nothing else does. Today, trailing, Lukaku and Kone was a straight swap. I understand Kone coming off after a long lay off and a good shift... but was a like-for-like substitution with no change in formation really likely to trigger the massive change in fortunes that we needed?

Players are not playing well, and theyÂ’re playing scared. Last season was all about the new idea of taking risks, and a manager prepared to accept mistakes if they were intended to reach positive outcomes. Now... we just make mistakes. Lukaku has not played great, but when was the last time he had a good ball to run on to, a real opportunity to attack a defence?

Good managers are forged from difficult times. This is a difficult time. I have no idea whether Martinez will be one of those managers who comes out of it stronger, or not. I feel we should give him the opportunity. But something; the formation, the pace of our play, even our luck, needs to change soon.

Like you say, he deserves the chance to prove he can make the necessary changes but after the highs of last season and the restoration of the joy of watching Everton again, itÂ’s sad that weÂ’re back in this situation so quickly.

Correct re the first goal showing how a passing game can turn into meaningful attack. A major, regular problem we have is, when we do advance, the ball goes inevitably goes through Barry who canÂ’t pass water, or McCarthy who is too often inclined to play it backwards so the whole thing stutters.

Barkley and McCarthy have the legs and lungs to carry the game forward 40 or 50 yards. We have runners for them to find: Lukaku, Mirallas, Baines and now Garbutt... so why not play to their collective strengths?

Baffling. As is the continued selection of Barry!!!!!!

(1) Can I ask what you mean when you inquire Â’could Lukaku be given a different role?Â’ We paid 㿈 million for a Number 9. An out-and-out striker to score 20 goals a season.

One of the big problems this season is RobertoÂ’s insistence on playing players out of position. It is beyond me how a professional manager could even contemplate this, although many do. What do you suggest for Lukaku? Centre-half? Not after his own goal against the Saints...

The only different role suited to him is on the bench until the system changes to accommodate his style or he begins to use all his natural attributes – his height, strength and speed to put the fear of God into opposing defenders.

McGeady is a complete liability. Passing him the ball in our half of the pitch is like an assist waiting to happen. Whilst the current centre-back partnership are not top 7 quality. Get rid.

All this looks like Ross is going to be sacrificed to create some funds but, with his transfer record, would you trust Martinez?

I take your point about Lukaku being bought as a Number 9 but I think there are different types of striker and Lukaku seems unable to play the front man/target man effectively.

Roberto has tried him out wide a couple of times and Lukaku is at his best running at goal at pace rather than with his back to goal. Perhaps he could play off Kone coming from a slightly deeper role. At the moment, given our style of play, he is far from being a 㿈M player.

Generally, Evertonians seem to have a good understanding of whatÂ’s wrong and which players arenÂ’t in form or putting in a shift. However, Roberto is new to a big club. He has a football philosophy that we all bought into last season and he needs time just as a new player needs time. HeÂ’s not the finished article.

Everton needed rebuilding after years of DM and it wonÂ’t be quick. Christ, weÂ’ve won nothing in 20 years, where have all these high expectations come from? Why the rush to hang a manager whoÂ’s been in post for less than 2 years?

Champions League... footballing philosophies...

I would like to see what comes out of MartinezÂ’s mouth actually materialise on to the pitch.

The Christmas schedule can turn things round for a club or in our case swallow you up, so once the New YearÂ’s and FA Cup games are done with, then there will be time to breath... even if the next game will be Man City!

The Europa League could well save the season and takes on an even greater importance.

His points to games played was no better at his previous club. Yes, he seems a nice bloke and his ideas are honourable, just not in our league.

Comparisons to other managers/clubs are irrelevant and IÂ’m not interested in how long they gave Ferguson etc (he had already won shit loads at Aberdeen including Europe so they knew they were getting a proven winner); my concern is Everton.

Whatever is decided, do it now, let the fans know, and set their expectations. Failure to do this will just mean more shit weeks like this season and fans who become more angry, upset, and ultimately stop going.

Who knows what the right decision long term is? Nobody knows... but donÂ’t insult fans intelligence by doing NOTHING! I wish good luck to all and everything Everton for the New Year, but please be proactive now!

IÂ’m not saying sack Martinez but we should be turning the screw and asking tough questions like:

Do you know what the fuck you are doing?
Why are we 6 points off relegation?
Why do we have the 2nd worst goals against in the league?
Why did we start the season half cooked?
Why are the players unfit?

What the fuck are you going to do about it?

Over to you, Mr Martinez.

Two of Newcastle goals were caused by mistakes from McGeady & Barkley losing possession just outside our penalty area. The players look scared having possession in this area of the pitch.

There needs to be a major change in our game plan. IÂ’m afraid weÂ’re fighting for survival. ItÂ’s so bad that even the refs have it in for us. Cisse shouldÂ’ve been sent off

4th has got to be our aim and we havenÂ’t been far away from it in recent seasons, we just need a push to get us there.

I would like to see us going 4-4-2 with only one defensive midfielder in the team, with a direct approach, to cross, shoot and to have two strikers playing up front.

I was impressed with Wolfsburg with their attacking football. Yes, we won twice, but still you could see why are they 2nd in Bundesliga. They had more than 60 shots in two games against us.

We also have quality players and instead of endless passing we must be dangerous from various positions, set pieces, long shots, crosses... Above all, this endless passing has led to 10 goals against us.
Unfortunately, as most of you, I canÂ’t see RM changes anything. Question is, whether he recognizes the problem?

I honestly believe RM can learn from whatÂ’s currently happening, but can we afford to be his school for making mistakes? One too many and itÂ’s "see you later, Premier League". On the other hand, do we sack him? If so, when? At what point does BK pull the trigger? Or as fans when do we turn up the heat so we canÂ’t be ignored.

Like I said at the outset of this post, itÂ’s a shocking state of affairs. We can all remember worse times; however, I struggle to remember having such high expectations after a great season trashed the next, with a palpable and real fear of relegation.

My mate (Tottenham fan) said we were going down.... tongue-in-cheek? Usually, not now though! He and I both believe it may happen.

There is a complete lack of passion and will amongst this current squad.

That Premier League table is giving me the sweats, yet the players donÂ’t seem to appreciate that, match by match, they are falling into the shit.

My view:- the EPL is such big bucks that BK will ship RM out sooner rather than later... Hull could be that game.

Look at the Barcodes game: we have far too many oldies milking the tit and, for the life of me, how the fuck did Barry get a 3-year deal (seriously how did he do this deal)? EtoÂ’o on a 2-year deal!!!! How can the club support these kind of deals???

Then we have Distin, Hibbo, Osman, Kone, Jags, Alcaraz, Howard & Pienaar – all in their 30s and all getting big bucks. The club is so fucked if they continue doing deals like this.

As for McGeady – I know some of you think "he has something" but seriously, is there not a pub team we can loan him too so that those who like him can go and watch him playing elsewhere? Pure and simple, McGeady is a liability.

As for Barkley, he seriously has to switch off from all the shite that RM tells the media because that shite is not happening. I mean, what the fuck was Barkley doing as our last man for their third goal? Why was he even in the box defending??

My only question to RM – what the fuck is going on??

But, loyal though he was to Moyes after we finished 17th in 2003-04, he may not be so understanding now that Â’finishing positionÂ’ money is in the millions and all budgets at Everton are based on a top-half spot.

Neither does the termination of a managerÂ’s contracts any longer involve a simple pay-out of the Â’time not servedÂ’ but more a calculation of what has/has not been achieved since inception. As one chairman was quoted recently, Â’the sooner we sacked him, the less it was going to cost!Â’

Being convinced from the start that Martinez was a car crash waiting to happen, I have not the slightest doubt our situation will go from bad to worse. So when will Bill act?

Almost certainly before the end of January and most likely if our shocking league form is followed by elimination from the FA Cup.

Tony Pulis could well find himself in charge of Europa Cup contenders without ever having to qualify!

Something in me tells me that Roberto will ring the changes now in terms of who gets to play (out of form, out of the side), in terms of tactics (Row Z if necessary, more direct balls from defence upfield), in terms of formation (eg, experimenting with Baines in midfield). I actually quite liked the way he was making big changes in some of this for the Newcastle game; just a pity it didnÂ’t come off. But I think he made decisions going into that game which were big dollops of humble pie for him.

I think he will swallow his pride and start to make some big decisions that go against the grain for him.

As a fan, I have loyalty to the club – not a manger or player.

Martinez is taking us down the rocky path to ruin. This group of fixtures was supposed to be our springboard up the league – not a spiral to the depths. Tougher fixtures await.

I want him out; itÂ’s my opinion as a fan and IÂ’m entitled to it.

HeÂ’s a deluded Captain Ahab whoÂ’s tippy tappy style of football has no place in the hurly burly of the Premier League.

HeÂ’s out of his depth and I think our players know it.

I have no confidence that he is able or willing to change tactics that turned us into the leagueÂ’s easy beats.

I generally agree with your posts, but: "I think he will swallow his pride and start to make some big decisions that go against the grain for him." — Why would you think this or is it more hope than anything?

I didnÂ’t see the changes you seem to yesterday and he absolutely did not do this at Wigan right up to the bitter end even when there were opportunities.

The defence is a disaster though: 2 goals away from home should be enough to win! The concern is we are playing teams who arenÂ’t in form and making them look like world beaters.

Besic needs to replace Barry as he needs a rest. 4-4-2 may just help us keep a bit of shape. At the moment, there is none!

Having said that, I do think there were signs yesterday of him doing things he wouldnÂ’t normally do: Lukaku and Barks benched; Garbutt started; Baines into mid; initially the ball moved a lot faster upfield.

IÂ’ll update you after the Hull debacle!

"He will make big decisions. Change our playing style."

ItÂ’s all bullshit, he doesnÂ’t have the tactical nouse or acumen to do either. IÂ’m sorry but he doesnÂ’t, otherwise we would not be in the position we are in at present.

A blind man on a galloping horse could of seen how bad we are 10 games ago. But not Bobby! Oh no, he has a vision, a plan for football domination, a plan so cunning you could pin a tail on it and call it a fox.

This plan involves mindless passing across the back, playing players out of position, and talking bollocks after another defeat.

And, as you rightly say, dependent on him having the know-how. I donÂ’t know if he has the know-how. WeÂ’ll see. I just frigging hope so, for all our sakes.

If youÂ’ve ever played football, you will know that getting beat at any level hurts. You donÂ’t carry on playing like a muppet if you cannot do it on the pitch, no matter what the managerÂ’s instructions.

If this is ALL the fault of Martinez, his training methods, and team selection (which is hard to believe) then senior players need to step up and tell the man heÂ’s wrong, and they will show that when they step over the white line.

I agree that passing the ball is alien to some of the best paid sportsmen in the world (shakes head) but really, they need a good fucking over on here as well. Not one post on any thread seems to question their effort.

I honestly donÂ’t think heÂ’s up to the job, he reminds me of a manager in the Warnock, Megson style management.

Very limited in his approach and no amount of money thrown at him will make an ounce of difference.

I, like you, also hope for all our sakes.

Without knowing the dynamics on the training field or in the dressing room we never will know how the players feel or are reacting to the current situation.

I know one thing though, if it was the players fault in not following instructions or they had poor attitudes and I was the manager, I would let the whole fucking world know and so would you!

This Oviedo and Besic thing is not sitting right with me and coupled with the Distin rumours it feels to me at least, all is not right between players and manager.

But I do think some have switched off with their heads buzzing about Â’philosophiesÂ’ and Â’total footballÂ’ when they want more structured training - particularly in defence- as per previous disciplines.

If, as we do, they think the managerÂ’s full of bull-shit theories, then no wonder they donÂ’t perform to their maximum even though their personal will to succeed should have kicked in by now.

On the other hand, do we excuse the whole midfield and attack as well? Does this entire Everton side need replacing with players who pass a ball? Obviously not, but listening to some, you would think they are being asked to play blindfold by the manager.

There may be a player power situation brewing similar to Man Utd last season. If thatÂ’s the case - we may as well cut our losses right now.

The problem is that theyÂ’re out of step with the manager. Nothing will change here until Martinez gets the players onside, Kenwright sacks Martinez, the players change MartinezÂ’s mind like the England players did in 1990, or the players go to Kenwright and say us or him.

You can talk about tiki taka and systems till youÂ’re blue in the face, the first thing you need is manager and players working for each other.

That said, some posts and posters in recent days seemingly deflect attention from his performance to that of the players, referees and our PL history.

We were NOT mugged by the ref in our last 2 games as some claim. Yes, we had pivotal decisions go against us. Single incidents over 90 minutes (105 minutes against Stoke!) should not determine the entire game.

Some say players’ fitness is NOT the issue. Well, yes, it’s not the SINGLE issue, but it is AN issue. The stats confirm what we can all see. If the league was based on 1st half time score lines, we would be third in the league. In most games the players are blowing out of their arses around the 60-70 minute mark. We don’t last the 90 minutes well, which is in contrast to last season when we were scoring for fun in the last 10 minutes of many games.

ItÂ’s also on record, from BobÂ’s own mouth after pre-season last year, that he did more ball work with the players than bare physical exercise. Such was the nature of the ball work exercises, the players were surprised and delighted that they attained the same physical levels that they achieved under the more rigorous physical exercise regime they were familiar with under Moyes. It served us well last season.

So, did he apply the same pre-season training this year? Did intensity drop off? Was it all "bitty" because of his own absence and that of players returning late from the World Cup? Whatever it is, fitness wise we’ve looked undercooked all season.

Nor do I accept a now oft repeated claim that the players are not skilled enough to adapt to BobÂ’s style of football. That is nonsensical! To quote RM (again!) himself, a month or two into last season he spoke about how at Swansea it took the players more than half a season to adjust to his "football philosophy" at Wigan they took even longer, but at Everton they players adjusted within the first month!

So claims that the players arenÂ’t good enough simply doesnÂ’t stand up for me. We have essentially the same squad as last year which thoroughly excited and entertained us, playing MartinezÂ’s preferred system. We achieved our record PL points haul, scored goals for fun and maintained our mean defence. It is fair to conclude from that that the current crop of players are MORE than capable of adapting to MartinezÂ’s system and that he was effective in transmitting his methods and implementing them.

Let’s take that a step further. If some still wish to argue that the current squad are not capable of playing the Martinez Way then – why is the manager persisting in imposing on his players a style and method of play (some claim) they are not capable of producing? It’s a recipe for the disaster that is unfolding.

From all we know of Martinez he is clearly a serious student of the game. He must have studied different systems, strategies and training methods. If, as seems the case, last yearÂ’s impressive and successful system has been "found out" then it is his duty, his responsibility, to find alternative ways for the players under his charge to win games. And he is patently failing to do so.

Some pick out Lukaku and Barkley and say they have been found wanting. Hmmm... now I donÂ’t have my coaching badges, but I donÂ’t need them to see we are not playing to LukakuÂ’s strengths and Barkley is not being played in his most effective position. Indeed, one of the charges frequently levelled at Moyes was his tendency to play square pegs in round holes. RM has taken that to another level this season.

Tell me, can any one say in all confidence in the last 3 defeats who was meant to be playing where of the starting attack and midfield? Cos I certainly canÂ’t...

Our most recent win in 7 games was against QPR. Again, it wasnÂ’t a great performance, but the most effective players on the park were Barkley and Besic. RM himself acknowledged that in his press conference before the Southampton game:

"We saw against QPR he (Ross) is getting ready to play different positions in the side. The most impressive aspect of the way he took his goal was the way he got into that position. Not many players have the power, pace and ball control and the ability to get into those positions. I think that suits Ross really well.

"There are certain players the shorter the distance they have to cover to have an influence on the game the better, Ross is different. The more distance he has to cover the more effective he is."

Read that last paragraph again, then ask .... sooooooo Roberto .... by your own words, why neuter RossÂ’s effectiveness by starting him further upfield out on the flank, rather than deeper and central where "he is more effective"...?

Since the QPR game RM hasnÂ’t paired Ross and Mo together in the same position that they were so effective in that win. Is that good management? Is that making the most of the resources available to you? What we had instead was the return of a clearly still unfit McCarthy who has failed to complete the 2 games he started since his return. IÂ’m betting he has aggravated his injury and wonÂ’t be available for the Hull game.

Not only is RM badly getting the starting line-up and tactics wrong, he now seems incapable of making the inspired substitutions and tweaking the tactics which resulted in goals and victories last season.

Look at the league table folks! IÂ’m an optimist. I look up, rather than down. But looking up we are now 4 points adrift of Stoke above us. We are equal on points with Sunderland and Villa, just 3 points clear of QPR, 4 points above WBA and 5 points above Hull, Palace and Burnley. What have all these teams in common? They have all been touted as possible relegation candidates.

To close, me and a couple of mates each season have a wee competition between us. We predict the finishing positions of the 20 PL clubs. In making my predictions for the lower end I concentrate on teams with the worst defences as they are invariably the ones to get relegated.

Right now, only QPR has conceded more goals than Everton! We have a fragile and porous defence, the ball is ponderously and ineffectively recycled, Baines and Coleman have been neutered, there is no pace in the team or the methods applied and we donÂ’t last the pace of games well. It is the remit of the manager to shore this up and to start getting points on the board.

We need to wake up - and fast! - before we get even deeper in the doh-dah!

IÂ’m not turning my back on Roberto, even though he is making it harder and harder to understand the refusal to alter his methods, I just want him to try something different and understand that we are in serious trouble.

I have always loved the FA Cup but I would honestly sacrifice that this season if it means safety in the league, thatÂ’s how bad our situation is now, at least to me it is.

Read the other threads again... Barry, Barkley, McGeady and others getting a pasting, justifiably too.

Two names that should not be considered at the moment: Barry and Distin.(injuries permitting in DistinÂ’s case). Their legs have gone.

I have been saying for a few months now we should play 4-3-3. Barkley, Besic and McCarthy in a narrow midfield 3 would make us more solid in an area we have been vulnerable in, plenty of pace and mobility. An added bonus,it would allow the full backs to play to their strengths by attacking without leaving big gaps.

3 Forwards: Lukaku, Kone and Mirallas interchanging positions.

And please,a simple tactic of nullifying 3-4 of the opposition players. Vary our options,we have 3 or 4 players pushing up on our back 4 every game as they know the way we will set up.

For the first 15-20 minutes knock the long diagonals,and balls to make the opposition back four turn.The 3 forwards above have the pace to get on the end of them. Upsets the opposition game plan and makes them reassess straight away.

Not rocket science.

Rumours are he will not play for us again.

I think he has concentrated to much on Europe, and has refused to play a settled side, so the team hasnÂ’t gained any momentum up to date. Always thinking ahead, "because heÂ’s planned for a long season", has caught up with him way to soon. ItÂ’s alright seeing games out in March, if you are fighting on all fronts, but to do it so early in the season has backfired massively.

Nothing wrong with buying Lukaku, if he believed in him. But by trying to change the ladÂ’s game, it looks like heÂ’s destroying him to me. I donÂ’t think we have been found out because we havenÂ’t really played the same system as we did last year. The constant chopping and changing, and playing central players out wide has been the biggest problem to me, on top of not replacing the central defenders and goalkeeper as well.

From the very first game at Leicester we have struggled with any kind of high ball, which is not good enough defensively at any level. Corners have also been ridiculous, and even if you donÂ’t really work on them, how we donÂ’t put even our littlest player on the front post is totally bemusing. I think getting booed when winning has destroyed all confidence, but patience had been wearing thin for quite a while, with the way the team had been playing so negatively. Only a change in style will result in getting the fans back onside now, and itÂ’s got to be done quickly before itÂ’s too late.

What I think is more the problem is that our team looks unbalanced. We have no quality on the wings and so weÂ’re playing most of this season with square pegs in round holes.

The same happened under Moyes at times. It would occasionally click when Donovan came over, or Mirallas and Pienaar played well.

It is the lack of quality in wide areas that has affected results and now itÂ’s clear the team has no confidence. Many of them are in their early 20Â’s and there is a lack of leadership(Besic and EtoÂ’o seem to be the only real leaders/winners in our entire squad). Getting booed continually at home wonÂ’t be helping, either.

All teams go through shit patches of form. This season the RS, Man Utd, Newcastle and other teams IÂ’m sure. All have been through really shitty streaks when their form has dipped through one reason or other. We are no different.

So either the manager changes the approach to one the players can more easily deliver, or we need to change the manager.

Did someone float it on twitter or something? Sounds like someone pissed at how the play has been going and just made up some shit aimed at Roberto (As if thereÂ’s not enough real thing to worry about).

The guyÂ’s had a double leg break and another surgery on the same part of the leg. I have no problem accepting heÂ’s not fully recovered and fit. But a "bust-up" with the manager? CanÂ’t think of why. The kidÂ’s played well when out there and Roberto praises him every chance he gets and always has.

And not only a bust-up, but also he wonÂ’t play for us again? Huh?

Your 2nd paragraph backs up the fact that he has no "tactical acumen".

If he did he would find a way round this problem instead of playing "square pegs in round holes".

The man has 1 plan and 1 plan only, itÂ’s been sussed out and heÂ’s at a loss what to do next. There are more ways to play effective football than relying on wide men.

He heard it from his man inside james.

Fair enough. I can see a player, whoÂ’s played well when called upon, being upset when told heÂ’s 3rd choice. Hope he stays, too.

I suspect both Garbutt and Kone will be benched in the cause of rotation and that Hibbert will return as a starter.

IÂ’m not really interested in faster balls through midfield or any of that shite, IÂ’d sooner keep everything tight.

We are so open at times itÂ’s unbelievable. Mind you we can come up with all sorts of permutations but I doubt Martinez will change his shite tactics. We are becoming a laughing stock and an easy pushover.

He can cut inside when needed but I felt he roamed too much against Newcastle which affected our shape. With Pienaar seemingly unable to complete 90 effective minutes these days, IÂ’d like to see Baines played in his (PienaarÂ’s) old role with Garbutt behind him and Mirallas on the right.

How many posthave you ever read giving the players the credit for the recordpoints hall last season
To read some of the postson here, you'd think Martinez had done it single handed.

Martinez was very fortunate last season. He inherited a very well drilled defence who had clearly learned their collective and individual duties to the point of almost being able to do it blindfold.

Martinez has simply missed the blindingly obvious. He hasnt yet realised that with the possible exceptions of Barry ( legs shot ) Pienaar ( legs gone) and Ossie ( never had any legs ) he does not have a footballing brain in his entire squad.

David Moyes left him with a group of soldiers, they were / are fantastic proffessionals, but they need to be told what is required of them and drilled in order to get the best out of them.

They are what they are. Without the three " natural footballers " we are left with a few skillful, but naive, players, a few old fashioned defenders who are better without the ball than they are with it, and a couple of workhorses. . . . but have you ever seen a team so bereft of purpose?

They are soldiers, very good ones, but in the absence of a captain on the pitch we need a general off it.

We need to get back to basics, when we start doing the simple things correctly our results will improve

Robles
Coleman
Alcaraz
Barry
Garbutt
Mirallas
Besic
Barkley
Baines
Naismith
Kone

Dear me, you couldn't make this shit up... On second thoughts you obviously could.

What sort of fuckwit would piss a player off with such a statement?

I really hope I've been told a whopper because I really like Bryan.

When he told the national press Baines was the second best English left back ?