Blues extend winless run but eke out positives from 10-man stand

Only one point off the mighty Bournemouth.

Incredible, incredible achievement.

Dream, Dream, Dream.

The two most under pressure managers in the Premier League now face each other in a Cup Semi-Final, for the winner survival, for the loser the end of the road!

Passing distribution was often awful, Lukaku and Barkley were going through the motions for some of it (for which I blame Martinez because they've both lost their way recently) and we actually created very little.

Martinez said afterwards that you want to shine in the final games of the season and that the team were "hitting their stride" but that sounds like face-saving (and job-saving) rhetoric – we were nowhere near our "stride" as it appeared to be in the wins over Stoke, Saints, Chelsea, etc.

Moyes was at least a glass ceiling manager..

Martinez is looking more and more a basement manager with each passing game.

Much has been said about our manager in recent days and even names that might replace him as well as reference being made to lost opportunities of already having someone else on board.

One such name that was put across my path was Mr S. Bilic. I was never keen. I believe that after last night I have been vindicated in my belief. WHU were at home in a cup replay in the LAST ever cup tie at The Boleyn Ground. Wembley and us awaited the victor. WHU were supposed to be 'on-song' while Man Utd had problems (un-popular manager/team's style of play etc) BUT who turned up?

Man Utd certainly did and well drilled they were to. WHU on the other hand did not turn up. On a night of all historic nights when a 14-year-old kid should have been able to motivate the team, Mr Slaven Bilic fell short, hugely short. As a consequence one or two of his 'big' players might also start to change their line of thought?

Who knows but I think this was a defining game for both managers as will our cup semi-final with Man Utd.

Strangely enough prior to last nights game I would have preferred to face United and fully expected to be doing so but after their performance last evening, who knows what Man Utd will turn up come Saturday week.

Can we beat them? YES we can – and we could even beat them by a clear two-goal margin – BUT that's if we turn up and want it... and that, for the moment, is our big quandary????

McCarthy was struggling from the start & it was obvious from the first yellow card that another was likely. He should have been taken off at half-time. When Besic came on for Kone it was hard to notice that we were down to 10 men, as apart from one shot early on Kone did nothing.

We were totally shown up by Palace with their quick passing & speed. We were a team with no ideas except with slow possession. Barcelona were shown up last night using the same tactics. How many times did Barkley give away the ball trying to be too clever. Looking one way & passing the other is a menu for disaster, as it was shown. Yet Barkley did not have a bad game but he did look tired.

This was an opportunity for some of our Under-21s to be blooded on the bench. Surely Kieron Dowell to be brought on down the left would have been a good idea. You either have to play Kone or Lukaku not both. We have to except that the Manager is trying to justify his purchases & nothing else. He has no Plan B, let alone a Plan A.

We have relied on Lukaku's goals too much, we must have another option. I would rather see the kids play & lose than this slow predictable rubbish.

I still cannot believe he's playing Kone on the left. Surely even Pienaar would have been a better fit than him last night.

Any sign of Hibbert or Darron "I want to go to the Euros more than McGeady" Gibson?

Back five played well given we only had ten men and Besic looks to be over his Arsenal nightmare without being the Besic we know he can be.

As far as chemistry and cohesion is concerned further up the pitch – it simply wasn't there. These players are doing enough to get by, they are most definitely not doing anything like enough to keep this manager in his post.

But what is it with coaches? Firstly our Booby only plays 4-2-3-1, which us fine(ish) personally I prefer a coach who's a bit more flexible, more reactive to the game. But he picks a centre-forward to play left mid when he's got 4 players in the squad who are comfortable in that position, knowing that Kone has constantly failed in that position.

Yet another season where I can't wait for it to end, semi-final or not.

Manager/Coach should be able to sense vibes between referees and players as well as between his own players and those of the opposition. My own belief that this is close to rule number one.

I watched the Crystal Palace game together with my 40-year-old son. When McCarthy received his first yellow card in this game, I said to son, John, that Martinez must sub McCarthy because Jones would find a reason to give him a second yellow. reason – I sensed that Jones had targeted McCarthy from the kick-off (for some reason?? Maybe some previous encounter)

Roberto did his usual bad body language thing of standing on the sideline with his arms crossed (in defensive style). He should have subbed McCarthy.
To me, this is simple and Bill& Co should realise that Roberto does not have it in him to make this club succeed on the pitch the way it should do. I have now become a "Roberto OUT" activist.

if we win the cup it will still not be reason for him to stay. Everton fans deserve more than the drivel that has been served up this season!

As we were on the defensive, I don't know why Martinez did not replace the useless Lukaku (if only to to preserve his price tag!) with Niasse. Surely he has 30 or 40 minutes in him! After all, he was on the bench!

Jones was the same guy responsible for the travesty at Stamford Bridge with the over time offside equaliser so he has past form when officiating Everton games.

As for McCarthy, he was on a yellow and made a foul but how many times have you watched a game and the ref gives a final warning to the guy who has been booked? Last night, he couldn't get that red card out quick enough.

We have too many non-scorers in the starting side and too many with stamina problems.

The main point I am trying to make is that it was inept of Martinez to keep McCarthy on the pitch. Is the major problem with the team due to poor man management?

Oh I see, Burnley's plan, 'as you see it' is to spend lots of money to get where? the Premier League!! then not spend, thus getting relegated to?? the Championship!!!

As far as you saying we are not a big club, didn't Benitez say that once,I hope you were not agreeing with him then?

Simeone Athletic Madrid manager, hard as nails, excellent defensive coach, everyone works hard for him. We have the cash now, let's not get some clueless yard dog in like Sean 'we will spend when relegated' Dyche.

I hope the players are putting double shots of whiskey on their porridge this week, as if they can't be bothered to try this week, then they should all be put up for sale.

Sick of the whole toxic sponge that has sapped this season into the worst in my lifetime. Time to show up, no more excuses, focus and at get some shots off, put some hard work and effort in. Have fucking go at Soton, RS, and Manure.