Cruel end to a brave comeback

Fellaini scored, De Gea saved Lukaku's penalty before Deulofeu forced a Smalling own goal. Everton fought well but couldn't stop Martial scoring in added time.

Michael Kenrick 23/04/2016 326comments  |  Jump to last

After another poor first half and then a missed penalty, the players seemed to throw out the Roberto Martinez gameplan and came close with a spirited comeback.
Everton 1 - 2 Manchester United

It looked like a reprise of Woeful Wednesday as Fellaini scored with Man Utd dominant in the first half. But Everton won a questionable penalty that De Gea saved despite a very strong shot from Lukaku, and the Blues finally woke up, giving it a good game but still not really doing damage until a Deulofeu cross was turned in by Smalling. A strong comeback by the Blues almost came off until a sharp move cut through the Blues defence and Martial scored in the second minute of added time.

After the most traumatic of weeks for Evertonians, in a season of increasingly desperate trauma, some respite to the abysmal Premier League form was hopefully on offer at Wembley Stadium this afternoon. Despite a massive groundswell of derision toward the manager, many calling for him to be sacked before this pivotal game, Roberto Martinez remained in charge of his clearly unhappy retinue.

But today should have been more about the players and the fans, with Martinez having to cobble together a line-up that lacked Gareth Barry, possibly out for the rest of the season, Seamus Coleman also suffering with hamstring issues, and Ramiro Funes Mori, red-carded on that horrific night at Anfield.

Defender Matthew Pennington came into the squad as cover after being recalled from his loan spell at Walsall, with Tony Hibbert also on the bench. Captain Phil Jagielka was declared fit despite his current hamstring damage, with some uncertainty over who would play right back from four defensive midfielders in Gibson Cleverley, Besic, and McCarthy. Could the Blues line-up 4-3-3? Or 3-4-3?

Article continues below video content


Manchester United, with Rooney and Fellaini on the field, Martial and Rashford in attack, kicked off to get the game going, with Barkley running hard at Blind but not winning he ball as Man Utd played around a bit before hoofing it forward to Fellaini, to no avail, but the Reds controlling early play and slowing things down to a walking pace.

The Blues got a little possession but did nothing with it and a throw-in led to Martial galloping forward and winning a corner off superb defending by Stones. Robles collected, launched high to Lukaku who got past Blind but a horrendous first touch pushed him wide and allowed Wayne Rooney to get back on the line and head the ball away... hopeless really from Lukaku.

That at least livened up a rather sluggish start. Martial almost got past Lennon at right back but was body-checked. The free-kick from Rooney was glanced wide by Rojo. The Reds were clearly the better side despite that missed effort by Lukaku but the Blues did advance, Barkley with a low shot in on De Gea.

Rashord and Lingard got behind the Blue line and Robles was sharply out to block a certain goal, and Lingard then got on the end of a great diagonal ball but Robles was again out fast to snuff out the danger. But the Blues were poor trying to move the ball out of their half, giving possession up cheaply and Utd were soon on the attack, Besic halting the move with a good tackle.

Martial again got past Besic down the Everton right, Besic blocking out for another Utd corner taken by Blind deep, but a free-kick was ordered for Rojo pushing Jagielka. Another long ball to Lukaku and he did well to get ahead but his horrible horrible first touch, chest off knee, again pushed him far too wide and all he could do was pass the ball back to De Gea. A second golden chance squandered.

Lingard had the beating of Gibson but Baines was across sharply for another corner, taken short. Pressure on the Blues continued, Besic finally clearing, but only brief respite before Martial got on the end of another defense-splitting ball that was lashed over Robles and the Everton goal.

It was all one-way traffic, Fellaini heading back for Rashford but Robles saved the Blues again. Barkley tried to break out and was fouled. Baines got forward and crossed but straight to De Gea. The Blues continued to struggle for meaningful possession, exemplified by Stones playing forward to Lukaku's feet, the Big Man unable to make a telling pass.

Barkley finally probed forward but was immediately swarmed by three red defenders and it came to nought, while Utd surged forward again. But the Blues were getting a little more of the play... yet still not really threatening when they did have it at their feet. At the other end, Robles saved a weak shot from Rooney before Martial skipped past Besic and along the byeline, cutting it back to Fellaini who had an easy task even mis-hitting the ball as he converted high into the net past Robles. It had been coming...

The Blues tried to respond but were repelled on the edge of the area, Barkley's shot blocked, and the Reds were soon up the other end, winning a corner, as Everton were being increasingly outclassed by the sharper play of the Red Devils.

More slow, ponderous build-up play saw the ball again launched toward Lukaku's head and the lay-off just not sticking. Everton were a little more competitive in midfield and won a free-kick that was only taken short, but possession play was easily countered by a solid Reds defence that kept them well away from De Gea's goal.

Everton were simply not clicking, and in grave danger of collapsing as they had on Wednesday night, such was the paucity of their play, with all the bad habits created by Martinez's hopeless coaching coming to the fore as they went in after one added minute.

The Blues kicked off after the break, and showed a little more forward intent, Lennon looking for a free-kick as he was blocked off the ball at the byeline. More slow build-up play eneded with a forward ball played to Lukaku the tree-trunk that bounced back high and to an opposition player.

But the Blues did put something together, winning a free-kick wide left off Martial but headed away by Fellaini. Besic, now playing left-back(?) almost got caught and was saved by a handball call. Cleverley had a chance to release Barkley but his pass was impossible to control. Man Utd worked the ball forward and created a great chance for Lingard that he thankfully screwed wide.

Martial was fouled by Besic but the free-kick was defended away but a swift attack by Everton, Lukaku doing well, Barkley and Lennon combing, and Barkley getting a rather fortunate penalty, the defender just getting a touckh on the ball. Lukaku lashed the peknalty hard but De Gea had it down perfectly with a tremendous one-handed save to deny Everton an equalizer, no matter how unjust it might have been.

Everton got a good looking free-kick that Barkley did well to get over the wall... too well as De Gea had time to save again. But at least Everton were attacking, Lennon crossing to Cleverley coming in at the far post but his control was poor as he felt a touch off Lingard, but this not called as a penalty. .

Everton attacked again and again, as if they had finally found a new script, Barkley trying to curl a shot in but winning a corner that came to nothing. A high cross was too high for Lukaku, who should have left it to Besic coming in behind him, and another chance went begging.

At the other end, it looks like Fellaini would score from close range but Jagileka threw himself down in front of Robles and stopped it with his arm, unseen. Blues attacked with gusto, Lukaku heading over, then swinging in a fierce ball that Cleverley could not convert, then a corner swung in too deep.

Barkley picked the ball up and looked o run at the Reds but an interception dispossessed him and Deulofeu came on for Lennon with 20 minutes left. Deulofeu got a run but played the ball away not once but twice. He picked the ball up again on the left side later and passes it straight to a red shirt, creating another strong Man Utd attack down the Everton left.

The Blues tempo had flagged a little but the next attack finally saw a remarkable end product, Deulofeu pausing before firing in a cross that Lukaku had no chance of reaching because Smalling did his job for him, slicing the ball very nicely into the United net, Blues fans erupt!

A great attack don the left saw Barkley release Deulofeu but his cross didn't reach Lukakau as De Gea made a great interception. Baines then whipped in a fantastic ball that was just too high again for Lukaku. A counter by United won a couple of corners after a css went through everyone.

A fantastic counter attack, Deulofeu, Barkley and Lukaku but somehow they contrived not score when i seemed the easiest option, Fellaini getting the crucial interceptions the pace of the match reached fantastic new heights with seven minutes left of the 90. At the other end, another wicked low cross looked lie an open opportunity. Man Utd had a strong spell of attacks, Rooney playing in Rashford, Stones messing up but Jagielka rescuing him.

Hopefully the Blues had not shot their bolt but the final 10 mins were dominated by Man Utd, who switched Fellaini for Herrera. It was desperate defending at times but the Blues broke, Barkley unable to get away from Herrera, who rugby-tackled him, Barkley tumbling and kicking out a little in annoyance: yellow card. Nothing came of the free-kick and Utd attacked again, winning a corner as Gibson went down qwith cramp, 3 mins of added time shown as Robles catches the corner with confidence. Lukaku went on De Gea as he tried to clear, but only gave them a goal kick.

But seemingly from nothing, quick interpassing, the bounce beating Jagielka and Martial somehow wriggled through the Blue line and lashed the ball easily past Robles to win the game in added time. One final attack by the Blues before the whistle blew and that was it. The Everton players had put a great effort for 35 minutes after a pretty poor start that lasted all of 55 minutes. Not the capitulation many expected in the end, but crucial chances missed mean our name was not on the cup after all.

Share article:

Reader Comments (326)

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


Phil Sammon
1 Posted 23/04/2016 at 16:19:04
Jags and Stones start. As does Gibson. Looks like Lennon at RB.

Not a bad line-up but I can't imagine Jags is fully fit.

Gary Reeves
2 Posted 23/04/2016 at 16:27:13
I'd like to have seen Barkley benched today with either Mirallas or Geri supporting Lukaku!
Steve Bingham
3 Posted 23/04/2016 at 16:29:28
COME ON YOU BLUE BOYS !!!
Mike Hughes
4 Posted 23/04/2016 at 16:35:27
I've prepared in my usual way for our rare Wembley trips:

Light stretching
Breathing exercises
Pasta
Isotonic drink

When it kicks off I'll have a beer and half time pasty.

Come on you Blues!!!
3-2 to us.

Jay Harris
6 Posted 23/04/2016 at 16:47:08
Would have preferred to see some of the kids on the bench instead of Hibbo and Ossie but que sera sera.
Coyb.
Kevin Rowlands
7 Posted 23/04/2016 at 16:51:10
Very happy to see Gibson and Cleverley start, these two were treated like lepers by them Manc mugwamps, they should both be well up for this one, COYB!
Michala Pinnington
8 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:06:10
Hate watching any Everton game on BBC with this gang of twats!! COYBs
Jay Wood
9 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:06:32
A gamble playing Jags..?

Jags partnered with Gibson at centre back and Stones right back...?

Dodgy...

A day for a hero to be born.

Make it happen, Blue Boys.

PLEASE make it happen.

Tom Magill
10 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:11:17
Is anybody else getting pissed off with pricks like Sheerer and Strachan telling us how shit we are and we shouldn't expect Everton to do well? It does my head in. Come on toffees!
Jay Wood
11 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:11:38
Or Besic at CB?
Graham Coldron
12 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:11:57
I am desperately trying to stay positive (just like last Wednesday) but fear this has got the makings of a horrible result – however this is Everton and anything could happen. C'mon lads just for once in a big game, let's give it a real go and shut the likes of Sky, the FA Tec up for once.
John Grills
13 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:32:17
Very open game so far. Couple of chances for Lukaku, but his touch has let him down.

On a more negative note, Man Utd have carved open our defence on a number of occasions already.

At least the blues seem up for it today. Could go either way!

Gary Reeves
14 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:38:08
Barkley... WTF!!!!!
Steve Bingham
15 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:48:52
Here we go!!
Colin Hughes
16 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:59:15
No urgency about our players and nobody getting up to support Lukaku on our rare ventures forward. Clueless manager and clueless players from what I can see.
Eivind Nyhus
17 Posted 23/04/2016 at 17:59:37
This is getting worse.
Rob Hooton
18 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:01:16
Ross needs a new manager to get a grip of him, he's shot to bits and I'd hook him at half time. So sad to see him strolling around when he loses the ball and not fighting.
Anto Byrne
19 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:06:17
Six defenders marking space acres of room for Fellaini to slot home a very easy goal. What an awful first half. Drag Barkley and anyone you like for Mirallas and Deulofeu. Utter shite. 45 minutes of Martinez... clueless twat.
Ray Jacques
20 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:08:20
The BBC coverage is a disgrace, so biased. However, we don't do ourselves any favours as we are so slow, boring and predictable.

Barkley is embarrassingly poor. Need a miracle.

Tim Constable
21 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:08:25
No organisation, no leaders no passion. The players must take some responsibility but this is the culmination of 3 years of amature management from a man out of his depth.
Mark Lewis
22 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:08:46
We've got nothing, and this isn't a brilliant United team.
James Byrne
23 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:09:50
Some of the worst football you'll ever see; players shot to bits of any confidence.

Against a very average United team!

Ray Smith
24 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:10:23
Ross as usual hasn't made a single tackle?

Hi is shot to pieces and needs to come off and give Geri a chance to support Rom.

Anto Byrne
25 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:11:22
Awful awful awful defensively. Awful awful manager. Grow some and change it up at half time.
Ian McDowell
26 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:18:20
An absolute shambles of the first half. Defence all over the place. Barkley can't run, Lukaku has the first touch of a hungover Sunday league player and McCarthy has done nothing for 45 mins. Spineless cowards the lot of you.
John Grills
27 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:21:57
Bright point is actually our keeper! Without his saves it would be worse. What the hell is Martinez doing?

We are playing with one striker, you would think the extra man in midfield would help control possession, but the exact opposite is happening! We are all over the place.

Man it really hurts supporting Everton. Manager who can't manage anything and players stumbling around aimlessly!

Steve Bingham
28 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:29:50
How much heart break do we have to suffer?
Ian Tunstead
29 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:30:07
Why has Martinez allowed this situation to continue where Baines is not taking the penalties? Unbelievable.
Colin Hughes
30 Posted 23/04/2016 at 18:32:14
Fucking Lukaku and his penalties, Baines used to put them high making it difficult or impossible for keepers.
Mads Kamp
31 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:08:10
NOOOOOO!!!!
Colin Hughes
32 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:08:25
Heartbreak again, ah well... at least we can support whoever is playing the redshite in another European final as that's what being an Evertonian has become in the 21st century.
Jamie Crowley
33 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:09:53
I'm numb.
Don Alexander
34 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:10:01
Final whistle has just blown. The second half reminded me of the second half in Kiev last year, tragically with the same result. When they do their own thing these players are pretty good. Add that to more fitness and a manager with aptitude and the future looks good.

Martinez has earned the sack. The first half was Martinez all over and we, the players and the media know it.

Mike Hughes
35 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:11:33
LVG has been trained by RM - talking complete shite post match.
John Grills
36 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:12:01
Great second half performance, but Man Utd were always very dangerous on the break.

Knowing Everton and Martinez as I do, he will wax lyrical about the performance and will still be in place next season to lead our descent down the league table.

Unless Moshiri has had enough.

Ernie Baywood
37 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:12:18
We press, we look good. We just hardly ever play that game.

Seeing John, Ross, Rom and Del flying in that second half was something.

Gutted.

Bill Gall
38 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:13:51
I think the players decided to go for it in the second half, but there is no way that Martinez should be given more time for 45 mins of effort.
Jim Lloyd
39 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:14:13
Great second half effort from the Blues...great support from our travelling fans At last, we looked like a team with a bit of fight. Unlucky Blues. Now, hopefully, we can start rebuilding this club
Anthony Jones
40 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:14:26
Good effort second half. Gibson really tried. Shame Lukaku played. Too negative a setup in the first half. Geri should gave started. The Martinez project has run its course.
Steve Bingham
41 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:15:21
Time to start the re build now!!!! Well done to the team for giving their all in that second half. However, we have to make this the last ever "plucky little Everton"-style display and the board has the responsibility to start the new era immediately.
Kp Li
42 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:16:42
Time to sack Martinez and get in new manager asap so he can prepare for next season.
Anto Byrne
43 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:17:17
Can't defend... that's been the problem for 2 seasons. Better second half, poor penalty about sums it up.

Stones was immense in midfield. Gibson was excellent. Barkley was very poor, didn't even pick up Rooney to stop his influence. I was asking why not Ossie? RM can get that taxi now.

Albert Jones
44 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:17:50
Adios Roberto - thank fuck!!
Paul Conway
45 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:19:19
I am beginning to think we are actually cursed. I was not expecting a show like that and in the end it was cruel.

This has to be the rock bottom that people talk about, when they say you have to be the lowest, before you can rise again.

Martinez out in order for us to soar once again!

COYB..... without that baggage!

Scott Robinson
46 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:20:16
Lukaku is a disgrace. The Champions League won't stand for his useless first touch and pathetic penalty taking abilities.
Dave Lynch
47 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:20:38
Dead easy to take the hurt away, just sack the useless bastard now!
Gary Reeves
48 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:20:42
How much more evidence do people need that Barkley isn't the real deal? This is three seasons we've indulged him now. And that was one of the most inept performances I've ever seen in the first-half.
Jamie Barlow
49 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:21:03
Ernie, I agree. Why do we play so slow and look so lethargic when we know we play better when we speed things up?

The players took charge in the second half? Absolute bollocks just to suit your own agenda.

Mike Price
50 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:21:21
Lukaku cost us big time today. Touch of a donkey, hesitating instead of shooting first time, missed a penalty and shaved about £10 million off his sale price.
James Kirrane
51 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:22:36
Hopefully that is Martinez's last game in charge.
Frank Kearns
52 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:22:57
Adios Roberto – Please just go, you know it's the honourable thing.
Jim Bennings
53 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:23:01
Why did we start the game in awe of that pile of Manc shite??

Maybe if we had started the game like we played second half we would have won that match..

Typically the defining week was just how I predicted last week..

A beating at Anfield followed by the predictable hard luck story tonight..

I am absolutely sick of being an Evertonian, it just never gets any better does it?.

Terrible game from Lukaku, why did he take the pen???

Terrible shape from the defence which lead to Martial's winner, why was Jagielka bursting out of the backline??

I really hate this team, what an absolutely horrible season this has developed into and no doubt will be topped off by Klopp working a miracle and winning the Europa League with that lot...

Totally utterly hate football.

Only we could lose three times to this United team..

I've washed my hands of all things Everton now.

Hope Leicester win the league and I sincerely hope Norwich win here on the last day to keep Naismith up..

Kieran Kinsella
54 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:23:08
Warren Barton says it's time for RM to go
Peter McCann
55 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:23:58
Lukaku cost us again... selfish, no control, lazy and when he does not score, he looks a lump of lard. Good riddance – let's see which Champions League teams want you.
Ian McDowell
56 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:25:21
After a dreadful first half ,we showed great character to come back into it and grab an equaliser. Unfortunately, it's not enough to play 45 minutes and it's happened too often this season, the same with conceding last-minute goals.
Mark Lewis
57 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:26:00
If Lukaku cares so much about winning silverware then the man really needs to rewatch this match and he will see the reason why he has not won something this season.
Andrew James
58 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:27:52
LVG is deluded. I saw at least three debatable decisions go their way in the last 5 minutes and there was that ridiculous shirt pulling on Ross.

As for the free kick for the winner. Why did they get a free kick? I saw nothing.

We were a fraction unlucky today and some of that was that it just wasn't Lukaku's day. He should look at that the next time he sounds off about Champions League. Just glad we didn't collapse.

But as stated above, 45 minutes and not scoring a goal ourselves against an average Utd team should not get Martinez breathing space. We went into it out of form hence why Lukaku was so rusty. That is down to the way we've been set up.

Craig Fletcher
59 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:28:54
Jim, it's been a tough week but wishing Norwich to beat us at Goodison?

Great fight by us in the second half, and our travelling fans did us proud. Sadly it's all too little, too late for Roberto.

Brian Williams
60 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:29:34
"Yeh I think I'm ready for the Champions League"........
Newsflash for Lukaku: You're fucking not mate. That was the performance of a fucking donkey!

Why the fuck that ball wasn't handed to Baines to take the penalty I'll never know, and always regret.

PS: Adios Roberto.


Jim Bailey
61 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:29:55
Okay, so some on here are pleased and glad that Everton raised their game in the second half. So did Newcastle at the RS, so what? I am done with Martinez (a long time ago) and I am also done with the prancing ponies that others on here are lauding.

45 minutes in a whole season and you are praising them. I say fuck them because they are only interested in themselves, not us.

Get shut of Martinez now and I don't care if I never see Lukaku, Stones or Barkley in an Everton shirt again. They try when it suits them, when they have an agenda, ie Stones at Chelsea or Lukaku for Champions League football.

Good riddance to bad rubbish – your call, Mr Moshiri.

Peter Jansson
62 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:30:10
I really hope this was the last game under Martinez!
Ian Pilkington
63 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:30:47
The only good idea Blue Bill has had in 16½ years as Chairman has been to sell out to Mr Moshiri. Martinez must surely go on Monday; we now have a head start to sign a top manager from one of several available candidates and show intent to keep our best players, release the dead wood and start making new signings.
Bun McGale
64 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:30:50
Bye-bye, Lukaku. There is no "I" in team, Baines should be our penalty taker.

Bye-bye, John Stones – you gave it everything today.

Bye-bye, Roberto – you were a disgrace from the start of last season and I am kinda not too heavy hearted as it is always not the worst thing to lose a battle in order to win the war and we certainly would lose Premier League status with you in charge...

And, if he stays, then for me it's bye-bye football. 30 years of rubbish following a motto that means fuck all.

Tom Flower
65 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:31:02
That cheeky cheeky bastard Lukaku. He has the temerity to unsettle the team with his repeated comments about playing Champions League and then proceeds to play like a sap. He should have had five today.

Someone should remind him that he was playing for a Champions League team in Chelsea and they ruthlessly discarded him as not being good enough. He still isn't.

Patrick Carty
66 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:31:40
Just gutted, bad in the first half, really gave it a go in the second half.

I am proud of the lads today.

Colin Leary
67 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:33:18
Let's hope that was the final nail in his coffin!
Mark Lewis
68 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:33:47
Jim, I'm glad we played well and showed more fight in one half of football than we've witnessed all season but, like 90% of ToffeeWeb users, I still want the charlatan gone.
Jay Woods
69 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:34:48
There goes the last chance for some of those players to end their careers with a medal. Well done, softies.
Patrick Murphy
70 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:34:51
Roberto has been responsible for many bad things this season but it is the club that needs a shake-up as too often we have found ourselves coming up short on the big occasions.

We started off nervy and tentative and the game could have been over by HT although strangely enough Lukaku had two golden chances to open the scoring but was let down by his famed control.

The second-half United had gone when we equalised and that was the time for Martinez to gamble by taking off McCarthy and putting Mirallas on, but he didn't and the only ball that Jagielka didn't win all day found its way behind our defence and game over.

We seem to lose games that we deserve better from whilst others not too far away seem to win them when they least deserve it. I feel really terrible for all those Blues at Wembley today, once again they have seen an Everton side on the cusp of glory only to see it snatched away in the cruellest manner you could think of.

Moshiri has to somehow change the mentality at the club and take it by the horns and really focus on how to achieve footballing success. Brave as the second-half performance was, Kenwright should not be allowed to continue in his role and Moshiri should bring 100% football men to the board-room not a supporter who happened to be in the right place at the right time to lead the club.

Andy Riley
71 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:36:08
If they'd have sacked him after Wednesday we just might have played the whole game like we did the second half! Can't see they having the bottle to sack him before the season ends.
Chris Jones [Burton]
72 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:36:17
I feel sorry for some of the players after an immense effort second half (Jags, Gibson, Stones). It's true we looked a shambles at times in the first half but Manyoo WERE playing some good stuff.

I don't recall seeing a player get so many chances to score, including a penalty, and spurn them all. But I recall it was his goals that got us to Wembley, so I won't say any more.

Looking forward to seeing what another manager can do with the squad Moyes and Martinez (principally) have assembled.

Charlie Lloyd
73 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:36:34
First half – woeful. Second half – they get my respect as they gave it a go.

Too many on here saying players were just total rubbish. I don't agree. Players were okay, not brilliant, just okay, but there's no need for this.

Hurting like the rest of you and that spells the end for Martinez, I hope.

Tom Magill
74 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:36:44
Goodbye, Roberto and Lukaku... and good riddance.
Ernie Baywood
75 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:37:25
For 35 minutes we looked like Everton again. Noise from the stands, young blues pouring forward. All it took was a bit of drive, determination and effort... ie the only things you can actually control about your performance.

Who knew it was that simple? Well... everyone on this site, for a long time.

If Bill is still calling the shots (and I suspect he is), and if I know him (which I think I do), there's no way he sacks Martinez before the next game. He won't miss the opportunity to rave about his brave blues and his romanticism will keep Roberto in the seat a bit longer.

Tom R Owen
76 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:39:01
Patrick 70
Spot on
Dennis Ng
77 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:40:12
Hopefully better news tomorrow, like a new manager in place for the rebuilding.
Andy Ellis
78 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:40:53
Was screaming for Baines to take the pen but hey what do I know!

Lukaku can do one, Champions League? – you're having a laugh, lad.

Better team 2nd half when they forgot what RM told them and had a go. Really thought we were going to do it, I don't believe in God but, if there is one, he must hate Evertonians, gutted.

Eric Owen
79 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:43:09
A tale of two halves:

1st half: RM told them tippy tap/sideways and backwards pays off. Possession; possession.
2nd half: The players decide, "Fuck RM, let's play it our way."
Tough luck lads. I was real proud of you!

Michael Polley
80 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:43:30
Showed some character in the 2nd half. Gutted we conceded so late. Stones I thought played well, but for Lukaku... my god, his misses cost us today. Has he decided to sign for the Man Utd already??? Hold your head in shame.

I fully expect the Spanish clown to be gone by Monday.

Bun McGale
81 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:44:01
DANNY MURPHY!!!!! What a total bollocks of a commentator. Totally against Everton, talks as if we were a League 2 team throughout even said it wasn't a penalty but he took digs throughout the game.

I was glad just to turn over as he has not got a clue about football. Why is someone like him commentating in the first place, he was a third rate player.

Oliver Molloy
82 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:44:12
Don't know why I'm gutted but I am. I predicted we would get beaten today but to lose in the LAST MINUTE AGAIN in a semi final!

We had chances to score and never took them, it's all about finishing and sticking the ball in the net.

I don't think we can claim bad luck – our captain escaped a red card and got away with giving up a penalty and Man Utd did miss chances but they got that bit of luck at the end when the ball ran for them and they took it.

Barkley and Lukaku both continue to really frustrate me – it's got nothing to do with any manager if you can't shield a ball or pass it to a team mate at the right time, at the right pace or even the player you intended! John Stones was fantastic in the second half.

I will be rooting for whoever plays Man Utd in the final because that Van Gael is a total dickhead.

We could have won this, but it ends as usual like it always does.

Absolutely gutted.

Jim Knightley
83 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:44:57
Great second half, and we should have done more with our chances. But why are we playing for only one half? (or 35 minutes of a half).

That summed up all we could be,but are not because of a Martinez style which jumps from impotence to gung-ho suicidal attacking football. There is no balance and the decision to play Besic at right back was an awful one. Martial had the beating of him all day and the game could have been done with before we decided to start playing.

A missed opportunity and the end of Martinez. It could have gone our way today, but the last two years have condemned the charlatan in charge.

Gutted

Jim Lloyd
84 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:45:36
Patrick. Absolutely right. The question of the manager has to be resolved by Mr Moshiri. Kenwright should have no power within this club from this day forward. I think the idea was Mr Moshiri could ease into the club while in the "safe hands" of super blue Bill Boy.

Well, we haven't got the perfect changeover of power. Mr Moshiri probably wanted to get to the end of the season and then look; but the situation is dire. This team and this club need major surgery now, not a sniff of the smelling salts.

Jim Bennings (53) Jim, have a look at the coming few months and see if the changes we hope for come about. It might be the catalyst now to see us begin the change into a proper club again

Jim Bennings
85 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:45:41
Craig

Yes I want Norwich to beat us to keep Naismith up, one of the few decent pro's in football.

What are we going to get if we win a few games that don't matter one jot now??

Does any supporter care if we win or lose 4-0 next week??

I personally don't, these wasters have a defining week yet only play one half of football, that first half tonight was as bad as Anfield..

It's pathetic, utterly pathetic..

Rick Tarleton
86 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:46:59
If you allow an ego to take penalties, when Leighton Baines, who's not quite as good as Roy Vernon in the role, quietly stands aside, you get what you deserve.

Two misses out of the last three, still I'm told he's worth 㿨 million. God knows what Roy Vernon would have been worth.

Colin Hughes
87 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:47:43
Always the fucking same with us, 2012 we lose to a piss poor Liverpool team three times in one season including a last-minute semi-final winner by carthorse Carroll and now we let history repeat itself losing three times to the most average United team since the eighties.

Can't we EVER get over the line in a semi-final or final for once?

Gerard Carey
88 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:50:16
As usual, hardlook story again. Patrick 70, spot on. Top to bottom revamp is needed. We need that killer instinct from boardroom to manager to the players.
Carl Taylor
89 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:50:23
Agree with an earlier post, potentially the worst outcome. Brave in defeat might buy the Spanish clown time.

A player needs to come out and say they rollocked everyone, including the manager, at half time and that's what changed the performance in the 2nd half... otherwise it goes down as a phenomenal performance that saved his job!!

Anto Byrne
90 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:50:25
Taking Lennon off was a huge mistake, Besic should have been withdrawn for obvious reasons. 20 seconds on the clock and defense all at sea surely we play safe and go into extra time. Really is sad. Roberto please go.
Terry White
91 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:51:18
Jim (#85), yes, I am a true fan and I want us to win next week. I want us to win every game. I am a true fan regardless of circumstances.
Barry Lambert
92 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:51:28
I would just like to say to Lukaku, "Put up or shut up". His woeful first touch cost us the game.

Do you think Bainsey would have missed that penalty? I don't. For the rest of the season he needs to draw in his inflated ego and keep his mouth firmly shut.

Yet another poor performance from Ross. I don't know another player who does my head in as much as Ross. This could have been his stage but yet again he blew it, and in front of Woy.

Kunal Desai
93 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:51:56
I truly expect Martinez gone by the time I'm in work on Monday morning. There is no point keeping him for the last few games. Get the preparations started for next season NOW.
Put Unsworth in charge and get a bit of fight and passion back in signing the season off in a positive spirit.
Patrick Carty
94 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:54:35
Well done also to the fans who were at Wembley today, I thought they were immense.

This is the worst feeling in the world right now, changes will happen and we can all look forward to a bright future.

I hope we can keep Stones after today's showing, and build a team around him with the proper management team around him.

Sean Roberts
95 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:54:50
This season now resembles my sex life. Two semi's but that's as close as it gets !!!
Eugene Kearney
96 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:55:33
Nuevo managero por favor
Barry Pearce
97 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:56:11
Great response second half. Cruel way to lose.

We must pick the right manager, when surely the axe now falls on Roberto's head. The club needs sorting from top to bottom.

Grant Rorrison
98 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:58:07
Besic should have been switched to central midfield (in place of Gibson) and Lennon could have went right back. He might not be a natural defender, but neither is Mo, and his pace would have been more useful against Martial.

Keith Meakin
99 Posted 23/04/2016 at 19:59:56
Great second half effort, unfortunately Lukaku decided to have a stinker. Barkley also had a very poor game, Douglas Bader would have played better. I thought Stones showed more attacking intent than any one else. Why the F.ck has Baines stopped taking penalties? We have lost 3 times this season to a poor Man U team when really we should have won. Martinez Out.
Jim Lloyd
100 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:00:41
Terry (91) I think we're all true fans on here, just some have got so frustrated and pissed off, they have had enough for now.
They're no less true fans than your good self.

We need someone (Mr Moshiri) to set, for the supporters of this club, a course for Everton Football Club, that will begin getting us back to type of club we've been for most of our history.

Ian Riley
101 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:01:32
A kick in the bollocks. Had the chances to win. Only one outcome now. Martinez must go.

Our defending today was Sunday league. Only started playing when we missed the penalty.

Dan Davies
103 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:02:10
That's it then season over. Interesting week coming up. If Martinez just continues in the job with no word at all from board then something is seriously wrong.

#BACK HIM OR SACK HIM

Michael Kidd
104 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:02:53
Was I watching the same game as those raving about how well Stones played? His main job is to defend and once again he was outjumped too often in our box and he lost his man for both goals. Just like Ferdinand - fancy dans on the ball but when it comes to doing the business flatter to deceive.


Oh and losing in the 93rd minute? What a surprise.

Neal Coyle
105 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:04:41
The defining week has ended as we'd expected 2 games 2 defeats, I'll accept this Only if we make the move now and dismiss Martinez. He said it himself this week would define the season and he was right
In terms of Barkley, he's overweight, as a boxing coach I can see he's clearly carrying weight as is Jagielka?!

As for Rom, by all means join a Champions League club now and get us a fools ransom, 25 goals but how many should you have had over the season, at Everton you can afford to play well once a month and continue to get a start. At Man Utd, you'd be benched, so I hope it works out well and you find the consistency you think you possess, at a top 4 club, you would warm the bench a lot more than you think.

Lastly, my new manager I'd ring tonight, Martin O'Neill, he knows how to play in the Premier League, knows how to motivate, doesn't tolerate prima madonnas, wouldn't reward poor performance with continual playtime, knows how to defend as he was a defender, knows European football albeit with Celtic but Still counts, knows how to sign players unlike dithering Davey, and also knows how to deal with the media.

I'm not even surprised nor depressed tonight, just hoping for that fresh start to begin.... Oh and tell Martin to let Roy Keane stay on with Ireland! He's not needed.

Bun McGale
106 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:04:56
Martinez gone now but people please wake up and smell the coffee and stop being so short-sighted. NO Unsworth, NO Royle NO Ferguson NO Moyes or NO backroom staff or former player in any shape form or capacity to take caretaker until end of season or full time. IF these former players were good enough or ambitious enough they would be looking at getting a job and challenging themselves apart from Moyes who was SACKED twice since he left.

Get shot of Martinez and GO for a real top end manager, 1 who has won trophies. I couldn't care less if it's Benetiz or Mourinho. They are professionals and they will do the job and maximise the squads potential. PLEASE PLEASE stop talking nonsense about Eddie Howe and David Unsworth and people who have done FA. What is wrong with some people really?
Paul Kossoff
107 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:06:09
We were unlucky, 'as per bluddy usual' should have beaten United if Lukaku had a first touch and knew how to look at the keeper when taking a pen.

Possibly a different story if we had gone at them from the off, but with too many players of similar type in the squad I suppose the outcome was inevitable.

Colin Leary
108 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:07:13
We need a proper big name in charge now.. Just look at our history. We give jobs to small time managers from Norwich, Preston and Wigan.. No wonder we have win nothing for years. Them across the park as much as I hate to admit hire big names.

They dabbled with Brenda with the supposed new young breed of manager and binned him. We need to be as ruthless.. We are EFC... Nothing but the best will do and Roberto clearly hasn't got a clue.

David Edwards
109 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:07:35
It's the hope that kills you....yet again. Lousy, passive first half. Fortunate penalty, but don't we deserve the rub if the green sometimes. Of course, Lukaku fluffs his Champions League audition, following on from his woeful first touches in the first half, and yet that miss sparks us to the best 25 minutes of play for sometime and we sneak one in. Sadly, to lose it at the very end was very cruel - but what do we expect - we are Everton after all.

Not having Coleman or Barry was crucial. Besic wasn't up to it, and Lennon having to cover for him, meant we lacked attack down that side, as we struggled with Martial. Can't really blame Besic or Martinez for that - just our Achilles heel. McCarthy and Gibson didn't cut it today, and while no one else had a mare, our lack of momentum from the kick off, and Lukaku's loss of touch, meant we have been beaten by an average Man Utd team who we should be beating, even with their young guns up-front.

It's a no brainer that Martinez now goes. Even "Blue Bill" can't keep him in the job given nothing but desperate hope and dashed dreams this year and a lost dressing room to boot. The question is, do we put him out of his (and our) misery now - or have him face several meaningless games with us raising banners and chanting for change. "They shoot horses don't they?" Let him sneak out the back to catch his taxi - and let's start again!

Ray Smith
110 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:09:40
Jim 53#

Evertonians are born not recruited. If you want to wash your hands of the team, so be it. The rest of us although disillusioned remain loyal.

Yes Martinez has to go now. But that's not a reason to wash your hands.

Barkley reminds me of the player in the middle of winter on dirty muddy pitches walks off at the end with his kit spotless. Needs a kick up the backside. Only positive, who would want him?

Bill K looked very unwell, time to go Bill, enjoy the remainder of your years and allow Moshiri to rekindle this great, yes great club.

Jim 85#

Yes I care.

Naismith should never have been sold. He was 100% committed, the Catalan was his downfall, couldn't see the talent and commitment Naisey had to the cause.

Don't see any sudden parting of the waves. However the sooner Martinez goes, the more chance we have of keeping this squad together.

Enough said, after 50 yrs + support I'm at the lowest ebb ever.

Charlie Lloyd
111 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:11:16
After the spirited second half showing hope the board don't waver and still get rid of Martinez.

For me appoint Unsworth till the end of the season as caretaker as we pinpoint the right man to take us forward and let Unsworth introduce some of the Under 21's he's been working with.

David Edwards
112 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:12:33
Sorry....forgot to mention our fantastic supporters there today. You could not have faulted their vocal support in the second half, and it must be devastating to suffer that late goal in the stands. Respect due.....as ever! Let's get a manager worthy of them!
Charles Brewer
113 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:14:18
I suppose the thing that summed up the match was the penalty.

Lukaku was having a stinker as a striker, he'd already screwed up at least two excellent chances in the first half and his close control was that of the proverbial concrete bollard. That said, he was not having too bad a game in holding up, causing problems and doing the other things that centre forwards are meant to do.

So an opportunity comes for a penalty. At this point, the manager should have made sure the captain said "Anybody but Rom. His control is bad, he's anxious and in anything involving accuracy he's useless." So it should have been step up Baines (best penalty taker since Roy Vernon, as someone noted), Barkley (good nerves and excellent shot), or even Stones (playing very sensibly and intelligently) or perhaps Gibson (again calm and with a good shot).

If it was all too frantic on the pitch, Martinez should have taken control and made sure that anyone (maybe even Robles) but Lukaku took that penalty. This is worse than the Mirallas pen, since at least he was playing with passion.

The penalty (and it certainly was!) was the key moment in the Martinez fiasco.

Colin Hughes
114 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:14:34
Charlie Lloyd (#111) the end of the season was 7:15pm on Saturday evening. The players will not give one hoot about the remaining 4 games no matter who is in charge.
John Parker
115 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:14:50
I thought Jags and Stones outstanding, Robles done well, Ross had is usual walk around in between falling over and Rom basically cost us with his poor finishing. Biggest mistake was not bringing on Mirallas for Barkley at half time, he's frustrating to watch but at least he drives forward.
Ste Traverse
116 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:15:04
On a coach stuck in the Wembley coach park totally gutted. The Martinez era had to end at the final whistle,surely.

And Wembley continues to be nothing but a graveyard for this club.

Joe O'Brien
117 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:15:21
Don't want to harp on about RM. I'm just absolutely gutted. Well done to our unreal supporters at the match. Best fans in the country by far. I'm gutted.
Mike Green
118 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:15:34
We were abject in the first half. Zero movement, creativity or drive. We get into it second half, miss a penalty, equalise through an own goal and have them on the rack but DO NOT TAKE OUR CHANCES. They're cute and know when to take a yellow, get a clear chance and take it. Game Over. And that is the difference.

We showed buckets of character in the last half hour but don't have the nouse or quality to be winners at the highest level, and haven't for a generation.

Martinez will stay until the end of the season; if he's here next season, we're doomed. The next man needs to be a serial winner, not a nice guy with a broken philosophy.

Tommy Coleman
119 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:16:37
Story of the season.

The end.

Gary Preston
120 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:17:05
If he doesn't resign tonight, it's an insult to the fans.
Patrick Carty
121 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:17:10
Michael (104) I thought stones was strong defensively today and made a couple of very important blocks. He was out jumped a few times maybe by Fellaini who does have a few inches on him.

This was a big game and I thought Jagielka and Stones gave their all. A bit more luck today and better finishing and we would be in the final. It wasn't to be.

Neil Lawson
122 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:17:52
So difficult to put into words so many differing emotions.

Usual dross first half. Then suddenly the fight of the blues of old... but the real suspicion that it was their call not the managers.

I thought that John Stones was immense and showed true leadership. Great character too.

RM won't be sacked Monday... He will be gone soon.

Brian Hennessy
123 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:18:01
Am I missing something or is Stones not born to be a defensive midfield player? Much better going forward than McCarthy for instance and at least he would have defenders behind him for the odd lapse in concentration that he is prone to.

Also, if one thing was proven today it is that Besic should never play in defense again. I still cannot get my head around the fact that we have one of the best penalty takers in world football (Baines) and yet Mirallas, Lukaku, Barkley etc seem to have decided he is not up to it and our manager has left them to sort it between them.

Jay Harris
124 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:18:02
The difference today was Martial v Lukaku, Winners VS losers, Clinical finishers and unclinical finishers.

Lukaku might have scored quite a few goals in his career but he contributes nothing else at all.

He has the touch of an elephant and will not close down or open up space. He just wants the ball played in front of him so he can barge defenders off the ball and get a shot in. He has nothing else in his armoury.

As for the first half, typical Martinez shite passing the ball around with no purpose whatsoever.

If he is not gone by next Saturday some form of protest needs to be put in place.

Ernie Baywood
125 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:18:39
To be honest, as long as Roberto eventually goes I don't care whether it's today or the end of the season. The opportunity to have any kind of an influence has passed.

You saw in that second half what that team with some belief could do. And I'll still maintain that a change on the final whistle at Anfield could have had us ready to go from the first minute.

The season is well and truly over. It's a bit earlier than we'd like, but my life will be about different things for a few months from now.

Ray Smith
126 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:18:54
I don't expect this squad to break up.

Who would buy Lukaku at a price we are prepared to sell?

Who would buy Barkley ditto?

Who would buy Stones ditto?

This is a talented squad. If we can keep them with the right manager/coach we can achieve the hype we have swallowed for the last 3 years under Martinez.

New manager, same squad, new era!!!

Charlie Lloyd
127 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:19:17
Patrick @ 70.

Totally agree with your comments.

Stewart Lowe
128 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:22:00
Can the media just stop congratulating Martinez on a great second half and that Everton didn't deserve to lose.

Yes, we did deserve to lose as we were plain old shite in the first half. This is a very poor Man Utd team that were not that great at all, so it wasn't a classic like the media are making out.

One fairly decent 45 minutes doesn't paper over two years worth of crap football and endless bullshit from Martinez.

Eugene Kearney
129 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:22:38
Gutted - like all Everton supporters this evening. A Black Week .......two dark seasons. We need a solid footballing LEADER at the helm. I'm flicking about all over the place here looking for the news flash that RM has been sacked.......
Dennis Ng
130 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:24:57
Ray 126, same thoughts here. New manager is key now to whip some discipline into the lads, especially the big egos. The sooner the better.
Grant Rorrison
131 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:25:43
Lukaku's kidding himself on if he thinks he a PSG or Barcelona player. He'd be better off staying here next season and trying to win the golden boot, or at least learning how to bring a ball under control with less than half a dozen touches.

Spent half the match fucking things up and the other half standing motionless with his hands over his mouth and that look of disbelief thing he does when something goes wrong.

When he's sitting on someone's bench next season he'll rue leaving this club.

Brent Stephens
132 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:26:04
All we need to do now is to get a few more points to be certain Sunderland don't overtake us to see us relegated. Great isn't it.
Oliver Molloy
133 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:26:27
Ste @ 116

I feel for you and all Evertonians that were up there today. If it's any consolation you did the club proud.
Some day some day....

Peter Mills
134 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:26:49
Just getting underway from Wembley on the coach. After a typical first half it appeared to me that the players threw away the instruction manual and played in a manner they were comfortable with.

Lukaku caused United a lot of problems, but to have 6 clear cut chances and not score is not top class centre forward play. The support was great, I was pleased with our second half fight, but the day, and being an Evertonian, was summed up by the sight of my pal's 8-year-old son in tears at the end, with his dad doing his best to comfort him.

Christopher Marston
135 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:27:20
Another injury time goal!! FFS!!!!! He's got to go hasn't he?!
Phil Walling
136 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:28:05
Lukaku's run of bad form should have seen him left out of the team by now if the man signed at great expense to replace him had not turned out to be another Brett Angel.

Roberto Martinez is, I suspect, set to continue - at least until the end of this season. I've always thought that Kenwright takes more notice of the bollox his manager speaks than the evidence of his own eyes.

Our pain is set to continue, I fear.

Gerard Carey
137 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:28:40
Super Blue fans today, what support.
Jim Lloyd
138 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:28:53
Ray (110) – As I said, straight after a week like that, we'll all be disillusioned and my guess some will just be so pissed off that they'll say something they would never do normally. So let's see what happens in the next few weeks... (Well, it should happen, starting tomorrow!)

The team really had a go and gave themselves a little bit of pride back but that doesn't alter the really poor performances of late.

Though I think Barkley is vastly overrated as a footballer. He has a lot to learn about other aspects of the game than just doing a nice run or decent shot. I thought Rooney gave a good example of what Ross should add to his game.

Still, there are aspects that John Stones needs to learn, and Romelu Lukaku. Whether any of them stay is another matter though. If they do, I'd like to see a manager come in who coaches them into the better players they can be.

Tony Hill
139 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:30:23
Sad end but the experience today was fantastic and being among so many Blues in that atmosphere fills me with pride in the club.

The second half was encouraging but we must make the managerial change now. There is a lot for us to be optimistic about if we are decisive.

Gavin Johnson
140 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:31:02
We were magnificent in the 2nd half. Stones led by example and put in a performance that was worthy of his reputation. Joel is a better keeper Tim Howard. Another good performance from him.

But that's enough blowing smoke up the players arses. I can't be too angry, we gave it our all in the 2nd half and played a direct game bereft of Martinez's philosophy. It's a shame these games have been too and far between.

It's too late for Martinez and and we will get a new 'name' manager who will get more out of these players. On the basis of that I'm remarkably positive under the circumstances knowing he'll be gone and a new era with substantial backing begins.

We did all we could today and we would have won on another day. So I'm going to lay off the players. Yes, there's the argument that we gave them too much respect in the 1st half but we could have let in an early goal and it could have been a landslide. We were more aware defensively and Rom should have scored from one of those chances on the break so I won't knock Martinez today. He said himself that he had to win a trophy. He hasn't, so he has to go and I wish him the best of luck.

Liam Reilly
141 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:31:41
Second half doesn't do it for me. They shoud've started like that and the first 45 minutes was fucking awful.

Cross after cross second half; and us standing off.

Fucking sick... sick of this shite. Time for a new chief.

Neil Lawson
142 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:32:39
Ernie 125 is spot on

I spent all day Thursday tuned in to Talksport waiting to hear he had gone. I truly believe that without Martinez the players would have fought like warriors for 95 mins without fear or constraint and would have seen off an average Utd. And we would all be uncontrollable with joy.
Julian Exshaw
143 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:33:23
It is clear now that Martinez's time is up. There were some good times but many more bad, summed up miserably today.

For Martinez himself, I feel a degree of pity but no rancour. During his tenure I believe he has represented Everton with some class and is a true gentleman. This obviously wins you neither points nor trophies though. He did his best, of that I am sure and I have no doubt he will become a talented coach elsewhere.

What has really disappointed me however, are some of the personal comments made against him; 'the Spanish this and the Spanish that', really ugly stuff. I understand the passion and anger after days like today but these comments are out of line.

I prefer the excellent Ken Buckley's approach. We Evertonians like to think we are a step above the rest so let's finish our time with Roberto with some class and respect.

Jason Barker
144 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:33:48
Has he been sacked yet or what? This is weird but I'm actually feeling like a kid on Christmas eve. So looking forward to the BBC headlines in the morning. Adios you absolute weapon.
Brent Stephens
145 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:35:04
Again we showed how we can morph from a half of turgid, slow mechanical "painting by numbers" to a second half of fast, intuitive football. Give them their head, Roberto; let them play at pace which is when the creativity emerges..
Bill Gall
146 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:35:59
Has there been any comments from the manager yet?

Congratulations to those magnificent supporters who proved that there is plenty of passion off the pitch.

Shane Corcoran
147 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:36:25
Only just got to finish watching the game.

I thought Stones was excellent. Strangely enough before Liverpool's first goal the other night I thought he was playing well with Paul McGrath-esque blocks in that game and today again. As someone mentioned above, he begun most of our best attacks.

I thought Jags did well considering he was supposed to be injured and Gibson did ok considering how little football he has.

Lukaku was poor and there's enough said about him above.

However, I felt that the Blues were playing with ten men having Barkley in the team. It's incredible to watch him when the opposition have the ball. Either he doesn't have the common sense or he's being told not to waste energy but he just seems to jog on the spot and "monitor" the player with the ball. Truly amazing. It wasn't until Herrera pulled him back that I knew he was awake.

A moral victory, but the run we're on it's probably as much as I expected.

Gutted for the fans that travelled down.

James Marshall
148 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:36:48
Martinez will no doubt at some point, talk about luck – and some have on here. We had bad luck today, with Lukaku missing a lot of chances, including the penalty, but we also had good luck – their own goal was the main example of our good fortune.

The thing is, if we have a team relying on luck, then in turn the manager who actually talks about luck ALL the time, then I'm sorry but that's just bad business practice, and a ridiculously amateurish way to run a professional sports team.

I honestly don't believe he's fit for purpose, and Moshiri will at some point be looking at his position, no question. He's a businessman, not a football man and he will have given Martinez time to prove himself. Perhaps that is the end of the season, perhaps it's Monday, but I simply cannot see Moshiri taking this as acceptable given the money he's pumping into the club.

You can also pretty much guarantee that he (Moshiri) will be having a very large say in who the manager is, regardless of Kenwright's role.

As an aside about Bill – I thought he looked very unwell today and wish him the very best of luck with his health. Whatever we think of him, he is a blue and for that alone we should wish him well. I also think he should retire from the club, for both health and the good of Everton reasons.

Ray Smith
149 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:37:40
Jim 138#

I agree with all your comments.

I remain the eternal optimist.

Martinez has to go, before we see any improvement on this under performing group of talented footballers.

Jay Wood
150 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:39:37
Yes, we improved and had a semi-decent 30 minutes in the second half.

Yes (some) players dredged up a performance and showed some fight and pride which has been largely absent for too long.

Yes, we probably merited the minimum of 30 minutes extra time rather than suffer another (soft) last-minute loss.

The harsh reality is, as Patrick @ 70 writes, the club needs a shake up, from top to bottom, to turn us into a thoroughly professional, win-at-all-cost outfit, rather than the soft touch we have been for too long.

With the new riches from the bumper TV deal, together with Moshiri assuming control of the club, the stars are perfectly aligned to undertake and implement a complete root and branch review and change of Everton FC.

The clearest statement Moshiri can make to cement his credentials with the faithful and convince us he is serious in his ambitions to see us WINNING, not merely competing for titles and trophies, is to appoint a marquee manager who gives us a serious chance to achieve just that.

The longer Roberto Martinez remains as manager of EFC, the less credible Mr Moshiri is likely to appear and the greater will be the growing disillusion amongst fans.

There is no longer any rational reason to retain Robert Martinez's services beyond today's loss.

Paul Thompson
151 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:40:45
We've hardly put two decent halves together the whole season and it was the same today. The missed pen was a blow (knew he would miss), but it seemed to wake us up and we made a real fist of it. We missed chances and so did they.

Let's face it, they tortured us down the left the whole game and ultimately that's where their goal came from.

Back to what-ifs – if Lukaku (who had a good game) put away his chances, if we had Barry and Coleman fit etc. That's the end of our season and I strongly suspect the end of Martinez. Onwards and upwards, fellow Blues.

Amit Vithlani
152 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:41:44
I am donning a tin hat as I am about to post a defence of Barkley, Lukaku and Stones.

I thought Lukaku showed great strength and yes his touch is poor but I think Dimitar Berbatov would have struggled with Smalling constantly grabbing a hold of his shirt, no one around him and Carrick right in front of him to nick the ball.

Once Barkley and Del Boy pushed up and got close to him Lukaku bullied Smalling and Blind.

His penalty was not great but as someone pointed out, its the managers job to sort this out and having missed against West Ham I thought Bainsy would be back on pens.

I thought Stones was did well too. Reminded me of Frank Rijkaard in his pomp, coasting through midfield. He lost his man for both goals but its harsh to single him out, as on both occassions the defence was asleep.

Barkley looks injured. He hurt his ankle against Watford and I noticed at the start of the second half he was doing exercises. He is simply not fit enough and playing him was a bad decision. When he has been fully fit he has produced some top performances. 8 goals and similar number of assists tells its own story.

I will be very sorry to see any of these lads leave. Under a good coach, with the right mentality and sensible selection policy they will thrive. Hope its with us, and coincides with the departure of Martinez.

Mick Jones
153 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:41:51
Time for Moshiri to show his teeth, I've had enough of this shoestring chairman and his budget appointment. Get rid of bith of them, a new broom sweeps clean, according to my Nan.
Patrick Carty
154 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:42:24
My rating's for today

Robles 7 solid display, handling was good

Baines 6½ did okay defending, would have liked to see him coming forward more

Jagielka 7 stood up to the challenge even with an injury

stones 7½ made a few vital blocks, and brought the ball well out of defence

Besic 5 poor game by Besic, he is not a defender

Cleverly 6 keep going but should've had a goal to his name

Barkley 6 has plenty of ability but only show's it in bit's disappointing

McCarthy 6 a lot of running around but not much else

Lennon 6½ always works hard for the team but lacked end product

Gibson 7 one of our better performers who has missed much of the season

Lukaku 5 we would be in the final if he brought his shooting boots

Barry Pearce
155 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:42:25
Great support today, got right behind the team.

Let's hope in the last four games the likes of Dowell, Davies, Connolly, Pennington, perhaps Holgate, get some game time. I think they will if Unsy is given the job of caretaker manager. Here's hoping.

Dean Barton
156 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:42:58
Got to give credit where its due. Well done to Utd. The game could have gone either way. A few points I'd like to make.

Rooney is still class

Van Gaal proved himself to be the classless buffoon I suspected he was.

Lukaku....you truly are awful, could have scored 3 or 4 today... Champions League you must be having a laugh.

Barkley... Lazy passenger who needs a good look in the mirror. Nowhere near the level he should be.

Stones is a midfielder!!

Martinez... Just fuck off will you.

Ian Burns
157 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:43:42
Like everybody on here I am so disappointed and I need some time to get this week out of my system. However it would remiss of me not to mention our magnificent supporters.

An audience of millions from all over witnessed what EFC means to special people and out of the disappointment of today I feel immense pride in those who roared us on today. Thanks and sorry we didn't deliver for you.

Craig Walker
158 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:45:32
Life as an Everton fan encapsulated in 90 mins. Brave effort but ultimately ending in disappointment. At least we restored some pride as a football club after Wednesday.

Let's act like a big club now. Lukaku "I want champions league football" should have fired us to a final and a trophy. That's the closest we have come in 21 long years. NSNO.

Dave Older
159 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:45:59
That first half was woeful. We livened up in the second half and deserved extra time.

However, Lukaku and Barkley have to be the too most over-rated players we have ever had. Both of them are so lazy, and Lukaku spouts so much crap about where he wants to play in the future when he should be concentrating on his god-awful first touch. He reckons he is worth £50 mill??? Well not on today's performance!!!

I have mixed feelings; I was encouraged by the last 30 mins. We showed a bit of fight at long last but it was a semi final, we should have been up for it from the first minute. I think Martinez might have trouble sleeping tonight, I think he should do the decent thing and walk away. It's a shame because his dancing is phenomenal.

Matt Traynor
160 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:46:59
Didn't watch the game as was on a flight. Having a beer in my 3rd airport of the day waiting for the last flight. Reading this report and the comments really gives a feel for it.

Is Lukaku playing to stay? No CL team will pay what we'll be looking for.

Anyway hats off to all who attended. No doubt tomorrow in work all the part-time Man Utd fans will saunter past my office to offer condolences

Can't wait.

At least we don't have any RS in the company.

Tom R Owen
161 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:50:22
Jay (#150),
Once again – spot on... as Patrick was.
Richard Reeves
162 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:53:30
It was a great second half and I too want to mention the fans. They were exceptional, particularly in that second half and far more passionate/louder than Man Utd's.

I would like to think there must be a world class foreign manager out there who witnessed that and thought "I want to awaken that giant!"

Kevin Rowlands
163 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:54:08
Romelu Lukaku.... The most over-rated player to wear an Everton shirt EVER!!!!
Grant Rorrison
164 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:57:33
I think he's earned another season with the last half hour today.... Anyone else agree? :P
Steavey Buckley
165 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:57:46
Lukaku the worst player in the team today who insists he takes penalties when Barkley does not miss. No blame should be leveled at Martinez for today's team and tactics. But when the top goalscorer can't put it away, there is nothing anyone can do. So instead of winning, Everton lost instead.
Jim Lloyd
166 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:57:57
Well said Ray Smith (149). So many good posts on here, Julian (143) I'm with you on that,. He has done his best and just hasn't met the job spec. I wish him well but I think it's in the interests of all, himself included, that he goes sooner rather than later.

Jay Harris
167 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:59:04
Can't believe Martinez comments that "He is the right man to take Everton forward and "We haven't invested anything in the squad in the last 3 seasons, he has had to develop players" WTF!!!

He makes Billy liar seem like a saint.

Ray Roche
168 Posted 23/04/2016 at 20:59:24
Matt, when supercilious , patronising little shits...or to put it another way, Man Utd fans, attempt to offer insincere condolences, the placing of my forehead at great speed onto the bridge of their nose usually does the trick. Followed by "Oh, sorry, didn't see you there".
Try it. You know you'll want to...
Jackie Barry
169 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:02:52
Barkley was the worst player on the pitch today.
Alex Hornall
170 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:03:00
A red in peace here. Firstly like to say that ToffeeWeb is actually a superb website and the people who contribute are intelligent and fair/honest in their thinking of Everton.

I thought Everton were desperately unlucky not to win today, especially on your second-half performance. If Lukaku was on form today, you would have won today, no question.

Take some solace from your second-half display. You deserved to win. And you showed character to come back.

Clive Rogers
171 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:04:02
Personally I won't be satisfied if Martinez does get sacked. Kenwright should go also as he is the man responsible for the terrible state the club is in. He hasn't got a clue how to run a football club.

While other clubs are bringing in top European managers, he gets one from just relegated Wigan. Spurs, Leicester and now the RS are showing what a good manager can achieve in a short time.

John Roberts
172 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:04:41
I was at the game today and the Bluenoses were terrific today, first and foremost. Overall, we edged it I would say but we did look vulnerable for 30 mins in the first half and this isn't a good Man Utd team.

We probably played the best we could today taking into account the suspensions, injuries, unfit players and playing out of position etc. Yet we still didn't win. I've wanted RM out for 18 months and I stand by that, not going to be fooled after a spirited 2nd half.

Need a manager who can instill fight, win the important games, and talk sense. That's Everton's problem!

Neil Lawson
173 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:05:38
Grant (#164),

In the words of Simon Cowell, "It's a million times NO from me."

Just how many pints have you had since the game ended?

Grant Rorrison
174 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:06:13
Doubt Greece think that Ranieri is a good manager. Didn't Klopp get relegated once?
John Roberts
175 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:07:52
Oh Yeah, Barkley looks awful and was. For some reason, when I watch him, he is the worst player on the field. Put a tackle in son.

Stones has some great qualities which were on show today.

Jon Miners
176 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:09:03
Well in the end we did at least show what we are capable of. But why nothing in the first half.
Stones was fantastic. Jags immense. But ultimate tee predictaby fell short.
Time for a new era.
Andrew Laird
177 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:11:27
When is the press conference for his p45 presentation?
Ron Marr
178 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:11:51
BK and RM both have to go. If BK still has influence RM will be staying or Moyes will be returning... puke. It's time Mr. Moshiri made some kind of statement otherwise I'm guessing the status quo will remain.
Grant Rorrison
179 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:14:43
Two semi's in one season. But for the woodwork we'd be 20 odd points closer to Spurs and Leicester. Think some people are being a bit harsh.
Steve Hopkins
180 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:15:18
I'm sorry but missing a penalty isn't bad luck it's poor finishing/lack of composure/lack of technique, it's a missed chance just as hitting the post is, there's no bonus points at the end of the season for hitting the wood work or missed penalties, all you get is what-ifs and missed opportunities
Jay Wood
181 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:18:28
And I think you are on a wind up, Grant Rorrison.
Colin Glassar
182 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:19:00
I have just literally watched the (recorded) game and I must admit I'm absolutely gutted.

After a dire first half 'performance' I was just waiting for the game to finish so I could eat my tea. But at the end I was almost in tears as they put their heart and soul into those 45 minutes.

I knew there was no added time as I kept on looking to see how much time was left so every time we attacked I thought, this is it. It wasn't to be sadly.

Now where do we go from here? Will Martinez be sacked tonight? I thought that was to be the breaking news when I logged on but maybe he's bought time till the end of the season and he can go quietly in May.

Another wasted season, another major disappointment. This can't go on, can it?

Ron Marr
183 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:19:39
If 'ifs' were fifths (of scotch) we'd all be drunk - E 40
Kevin Rowlands
184 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:21:20
Grant, did you think we were unlucky last Weds night? Think I've heard it all now, it's all the woodwork fault! Our worst home record in our 137 year history is all down to the fucking crossbar and goal posts, Erm ok mate, I suppose we should have all figured that out earlier.
Andy Crooks
185 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:23:32
Barkley was truly dreadful today an utter embarassment. I still think, though that he will be a great player and when we get a new coach we will see it.Lukaku was also an embarassment, truly fucking shocking. However, I think he too, will be a great player,but not with us.

John Stones, I thought, was magnificent and I believe keeping him at our club is, second only to the dismissal of Martinez, the best thing are new owner can do.

Grant Rorrison
186 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:23:42
No, I though we were terrible on Wednesday night. We have been very unlucky earlier in the season though.
Christopher Marston
187 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:24:37
I've truly never been so disillusioned. Not because we lost but because we have a board that let this kind of thing happen time and time again. Had enough.
Ian Jones
190 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:26:03
I think about 5 mins into second half John Stones decided he was going to get us kick started by moving into midfield for a while. At one point Baines turned up in right midfield
At that point I gave up trying to work out where some players were playing.

John Stones celebrated like mad when we had scored.

Better display today....

Antony Matthews
191 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:26:21
The only reason we probably put in a 35 min performance was because the players stuck two fingers up to the manager and changed the way they played themselves.
James Marshall
192 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:26:35
Barkley needs to get in the gym and train down, not train up. He looks massive, way too bulky and muscular. It's slowing him down from what I can see - he's lost his pace and movement massively.

He also looks to have a jippy ankle, but the above still.......holds......some.......weight.

Peter Cummings
193 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:29:15
Felt desperately sorry for our fans who roared the team on especially after a first half display which harked back to Wednesdays horror show, yet again it was another of our games of 'two halves' we woke up big time after the break and should have won it, Jags and Stone were the standouts for me followed. once again by Robles but United make a habit of scoring late and, thats all she wrote.

Along with RM, Lukaku and Barkley should seek pastures new Stones should definitely stay and BK should go back to 'Corrie', Well done to the lads on the day but it wasn't to be.

Ron Marr
194 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:29:17
Barkley looks like he's bulking up to be an NFL short yardage blocking RB
Colin Leckey
195 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:29:20
Was in the Club Wembley bit - three things:

- our fans fucking magnificent. There were a lot of us in CW with the prawn sandwich munchers too but looking over at that constantly moving sea of blue, what support.

- saw Bill Kenwright on way out. My mate and I shouted that it's time to get a new manager. He just gave us a wave and looked rueful.

- Barkley, lukaku, stones... This was your chance to show you are truly the world class players you think you are. At least two of you fucked it up.

Terry White
196 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:32:19
Penalty taking is largely a matter of confidence. Once the goalkeeper gets into your head you are toast. Lukaku's penalty was at least better than the one he took against West Ham, he did not stutter as he did then, but the angle of his run up telegraphed which way he was going to put it. Anywhere to De Gea's left and it was in.

As for whether he should have been taking it at all, didn't De Gea save a Baines penalty a couple of years ago? So perhaps LB was not all that keen. And at that time his penalties were by no means a certainty, if I recall. Barkely did score 2 against Newcastle but I don't know if he had the confidence to take this one.

As for our Prince of Penalty Takers, Roy Vernon missed one in the Charity Shield game against Manchester United bt it was retaken and he scored then. I did see him miss one in a reserve game at Goodison against Burnley.

Ray Smith
198 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:34:59
Anthony 91#

Spot on, how else can you have such differing halves.

First had as per Martinez 'philosophy'

Second half 'up yours Roberto' we have had enough of tippy tippy football.

Ron Marr
199 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:35:53
The Blue fans at Wembley represented again. Stewart Robson commented about Everton's fans being the most passionate.
Steavey Buckley
200 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:35:57
It was Lukaku who was dreadful today. He maybe dreaming of playing champions league football. But on that show today, he will be still dreaming. Barkley created the penalty and should have been allowed to take it. That's 2 misses from Lukaku from the penalty spot that have cost Everton 2 matches.
Ian Jones
201 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:36:43
Colin Glassar @ 182. I smiled at your comments about watching the time left of the recording and assume realising there was no extra time!

Thats how I used to work out the outcome of highlights in the past!

Have to say the difference in many respects today was the 50million rated strikers-I know which one I would rather have

Frank Thomas
202 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:42:07
As somebody has already said at the moment of disaster winners change tactics time for us to do that. First club to produce match day programmes, first to ask for maximum 㿊 price for away fans so now we must be first again.

With the next manager we should ask can you finish next season in the top half of the premiership next season with the current squad? with the current squad they will say yes so we say prove it agree to a base salary for our next manager ٟ.5 -٠M for staying in the premiership, (this is the same base every season you are with us) yearly payments increases by ٟM for a top 10 finish and by another ٟM - ٠M for a top 5 finish etc with more rewards for cups etc. You can bet the next manager will not mess around with stupid tactics and subs they will focus on success for the club and more money for themselves.
The same for every new player base salary + bonus for a top 10 finish, cup wins, appearance money. Then you can bet every player will run his heart out for himself and the club.

Plus we need to ask the manager serious questions on team performance at the end of every season based on every match i.e. you were winning against WHU why did you lose? why bring on Niasse? In fact why did you buy and not get him on loan? Also the manager should write a report at the end of every game. I know I have to write a report on every meeting I got to - it focuses the mind on what you need to do next.

If the manager and players say no think about Colman when he started and our youngsters they would break your arm off for any deal to get into the premiership.

Jon Cox
203 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:47:19
Peter McCann,

well said,

The sooner that lazy big time charley big billy bollox ego tripin twat is away from my/our club the better for all Evertonians.

I loathe Lukaku with a vengence. When I think of guys like Yakubu and even Saha I just want to cry.

Martinept just fuck off and take that wanker centre forward with you.

And Mr Barkley, you've one more season as well and if you don't pull your socks up you can piss off.

Tom Harding
204 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:49:38
I've been one of those who have defended RM. There have been points in the last 3 seasons when we've looked like a really good footballing team (let's be honest we were dire for most of the 90s and most of Moyes) and there was a point at the turn of the year when I was still an optimist and thought we would kick on and progress. We didn't and we haven't and you can see that certain players are going backwards and a negative trend has being set of losing (normally late on in a match). The players don't believe we can hold our for 95 minutes, the fans don't, and I've come to accept that those who said that RM could never change and get the balance between attack and defense right were right and optimists like me: wrong.
You can feel that the moment has come, the dressing room has been lost and that it is the end of the line for the RM experiment. Even if we'd taken our chances or been luckier today, the dice has been cast. We won't win anything with RM and he has to go.
It's not been all bad and he has done some good things for the club and done his bit in building a good team (All be it a flawed team). I believe we should let him see out the season and then get someone in who will let them play but at the same time not allow us to be cut through like butter time and again. Who do we want?
Eddy Bernard
205 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:51:25
Absolutely gutted especially for the fans who travelled down today. Lukaku is seriously overated and I can see now why Mourinho wasn't interested in him.

Martinez's time is up but anyone who think's this current squad will be much better under another manager is kidding themselves.

A new manager will need funds to bring in new players and selling Lukaku, Stones & Barkley would be a start

Tom Harding
206 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:55:21
I cannot understand how anyone thinks that selling Barkley, Lukaku or Stones could ever be a good thing for EFC. All of them just needed better guidance
David Hallwood
207 Posted 23/04/2016 at 21:56:01
Everyone on here thinks that Martinez being sacked is a gimme. I'm not so sure and I wouldn't put a penny on it either way.
Jack Convery
208 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:10:09
A bit of pride back with the effort shown in the second half but football is over 90plus minutes, something EFC can't do under RM.

We lost to the poorest MU team of the EPL era.

We missed a pen which on another day we may well have not got and still cocked it up.

We had a clear pen by Jags ignored.

The players imo decided to do it their way in the second half and looked a team again.

The goal we got was an og despite the numerous chances we created - clear cut chances that I reckon Martial would have put away - at least one of them.

Rom learn your trade and complete your apprenticeship before screaming for CL football your not up to it - yet.

and finally we lost to a goal in injury time - again !

RM resign please - we want a winning team - we demand it.

James Marshall
209 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:11:39
I don't know if we all think it's a gimme, but personally I do think that Moshiri as the new investor will want to look at all personnel himself and is very likely to want to have a major input, if not final say in who the manager of what is now essentially his football club.

On that basis alone, I would suggest RM's position is very much up for review at the end of the season.

I would also wager that RM will get until the end of the season, as it would be very much the Everton way to part with him close-season, rather than off the back of our bad results.

Kenwright in an attempt to save some face, would probably prefer it that way rather than kick him out with games to play. Not that any of them really mean that much in the grand scheme.

Jay Wood
210 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:12:17
David @ 207.

Martinez being sacked SHOULD be a 'gimme.'

As I said earlier, the longer Moshri takes in making that decision, the more disillusioned the faithful (than they already are) will become.

He HAS to be replaced, for the good of the club and for the good of the (still) talented players on our books.

Les Netherwood
211 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:13:39
Well there you go...

Big fat and useless Lukaku... poor ball control and no idea how to kick a ball properly...

Half-asleep Barkley who has no influence on the game at all..... in fact we had no midfield at all for most of the match.

John Stones always wants to go backwards towards his own goal... even from the half way line he is passing back to the keeper.

If big money is available for these three we should snatch it quick... maybe they could join Roberto wherever he ends up... and let's hope that is very soon.

Let's hope our new owner now puts in an appearance and makes a difference.... he was at the game today and must have been as gutted as the fans. Kenwright will of course make excuses for Martinez but let's hope we get some real action from the board very soon.

Colin Glassar
212 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:14:17
Tom Harding, I was just going to write the same thing. With better guidance, and tactics, Lukaku, Ross and JS will become world beaters. The talent is there, the tactics aren't.

I thought the coverage by the BBC was awful and I'm going to complain. They didn't keep up with the game, always switching to see the fans reaction and constantly focusing on certain players and, Danny Murphy, even for a rs wanker, was a fucking disgrace with his anal rs bias. Cunt.

Now as this nightmare is soon to end I'm quite looking forward to next season as I think we will be a different animal entirely. Out with the old, in with the new.

John Davies
213 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:15:23
Romelu Lukaku. The man who can trap a ball further than most people can kick it. And a man whose recent arrogant boasts have exposed him.

I hope one day that he might just find some humility and that his big head might shrink a tad. Cost us the game today but I'm sure he will never admit it. Arrogant boy.

Kristian Boyce
214 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:15:32
If I was Moshiri, I would be looking for my receipt. Does he have a 90-day return policy because of the defective product he bought?
Keith Glazzard
215 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:16:41
Too many failures Roberto, given all the room you could ever have wished for.

Unfortunately I doubt that our board have a Plan B in place. So to the end of the season it is. Prove us wrong. Put on some wonderful attacking stuff with clean sheets from domination in midfield.

Or keep tip tapping around the back til we give the ball away as usual.

Thank the lord you listened to reason and put Robles in goal – we would be in a relegation battle otherwise.

Terry Underwood
216 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:20:39
Looks like John Stones has learned something.... when the situation demands it, just hoof the bloody thing. MotM by a goodly distance. A decent 45 mins following 45 mins of utter crap.

Can we please fast forward to the end of this god awful season? get shot of anyone who wants to go (except Stones) also anyone who thinks he is bigger than the club. And get players who WANT to play for us. Roll on August

Mike Oates
217 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:23:32
I'm afraid there is just too much baggage for us to suddenly come back next season. As well as a new manager, we really do need a good clean out. There are far too many players in the squad who are not Top 6 quality, Hibbert, Baines, Gibson, Cleverley, Osman, Kone, Howard, Pienaar, Rodriquez, McAleny, possibly Niasse (if we ever see him) and Jagielka and Barry can't do a 38 game season.

If we get them to stay we need to build the next team around the likes of Robles, Coleman, Stones, Barkley, and Lukaku. We desperately need (and this is Martinez's greatest failing in not recruiting them) decent full back cover, new centre halves, creative and defensive midfielders, and at least 2 more quality attackers.

The transition time will take another couple of years and I suspect Lukaku and Stones wont wait. We have on a number of occasions over the last 10 years or so, got close to the coveted CL place, but fell at the last hurdle and we have to start again. This time hopefully we'll have the cash, but what quality player will want to come to a club languishing in mid-table mediocrity.

Tony Twist
218 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:29:55
Plain and simple, we are not good enough. The first half, what a shambles, the second half better but we are a poor team with a very poor manager and coach. The players, well, they are simply flawed, not one of them without some sort of weakness to their game.

It can be turned around but not with this manager and in my opinion this chairman. We are first class fans though and I hope the new majority shareholder realises this and reacts to the fans footballing wise opinions.

Failure to do this and things won't change but if he does take note then we will again be a force to be reckoned with.

Paul Conway
219 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:30:53
Worst Prem signings XI: Who joins Depay, Benteke and Rahman in our team of flops?

STARSPORT bring you a team of the worst signings made by Premier League clubs this season.
check this out! Oumar Niasse makes the 11, at least he got in the first 11! after only 4 months...phenominal!

Colin Glassar
220 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:34:49
I don't know Mike. Stonesy taking charge in the 2nd half, in MF, and his constant shouting and cajoling, plus his goal celebration, leads me to think that giving him the captaincy might make him stay.

I'd put him in MF next season and tell him to take games by the neck and do his stuff. Ross needs to play next to Lukaku, not in this MF role where he just aimlessly wanders around not really knowing what to do, or which position to take.

With a good manager, we would have three great players who are currently being ruined.

Patrick Carty
222 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:44:57
Just after watching most of the game again – a glutton for punishment? Maybe....

I think Coleman was the biggest loss we had, defending and going forward.

Clive Lewis
223 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:46:35
Eddie Howe? I originally thought this is a good move, however it appears that we need someone with balls and a reputation. I feel some of these players are believing they are superstars without any evidence.
Mike Oates
224 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:48:03
Colin (#220),

I've been harping on since Xmas that Stones should take over from Barry as a defensive midfielder with his huge potential to also add creativity to this position. His performance today will have reawakened the likes of Chelsea, City, Man Utd desire to have him on board next season.

I'd love him to stay but not as a centre half – like it or lump it you need the likes of Dann, Skirtel, or Kompany back there.

Nigel Munford
225 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:52:35
Colin @182, your right, no it can't go on, for the sanity of the fans and most of all the future of the club we all hold dear.

He has to go!!

Patrick Carty
226 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:54:51
Mike (#224),

Good shout, Stones looked class today, and maybe a new manager would see that.

Spend big on a good centre-half in the summer to partner Funes Mori, who should be the future. Jags would be a good sub to bring on if an injury occurred.

Chris Corn
227 Posted 23/04/2016 at 22:58:11
Colin, Stonesy taking charge? At fault for both goals for me. Never made a challenge in the box for the first and the second one he had pushed up ten yards in front of Jagielka and left a big gap for Martial to run into to score.

If he had been disciplined and held his line in the last seconds, as a top level defender would have done, he would have been able to get a challenge in or even been able to intercept it. Positionally and defensively he is consistently found wanting, but he looks good on the ball sometimes so I guess all is okay.

Dennis Ng
228 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:00:10
Colin, Stones will stay, and I feel the same for most of the team except Lukaku. His head is clearly somewhere else already.
John Atkins
230 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:08:35
RM please please do one !!! Your time is up and you are. It wanted

I was on the tube back to Central London around 9pm from the ground with loads of blues and we had the tube rocking with Everton songs - have lost my voice

Can honestly say if the payers had an ounce of the passion we had on that tube in the first half we wouldn't have lost the game today

Made me proud to be a blue - something we seem to been deprived of lately - The Man U fans applauded us off the tube when pulling into Euston

Do you know what lads ? We are a very special club with very special fans and that will never ever be taken away from us

Ooooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh Everton oh we love Everton and we love our Neville Southall, Shaggy Stevens, Physco Pat, Kev the Rat, Degsy Mountfield, Peter Reid, Tricky Trevor, Andy Gray, Graeme Sharp, Paul Bracewell, Kevin Sheedy, Adrian Heath, Howard Kendall ......... Ooooooooooooooooooooooooo Everton oh we love Everton, Everton oh we love Everton

Paul Tran
231 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:16:57
Tony, I've been saying for a while we're a team full of 70% decent players who would look good with better players around them. Except they haven't. Not good enough.
Stephen Sullivan
232 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:20:39
Bun (81)
I agree re Danny Murphy
To me, his voice creates the impression he is stretched out on a settee and can't be arsed..
Shane Corcoran
235 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:34:26
Colin and Ian, I'm the same with the recorded time. I always record the programme afterwards so that the sky box is red regardless of whether it's gone to extra time.
Steve Brown
237 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:36:46
Glorious failure, valiant failure, heart-breaking failure. No it is just predictable failure from a club (not the fans who are world-beaters) whose hierarchy have been satisfied with average for 25 years.

Is it coincidence that Man U and the top clubs win countless big occasions like that? Not at all, it's all about expectations. Mediocrity pervades the entire club and I hope Mr Moshiri secures his investment by turning over this club from top to bottom.

Brian Denton
238 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:38:05
I'm fucking sick of driving home from losing semi-finals. This one reminded me most of Elland Road 1980*

*Other semis are available

Andy Crooks
239 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:39:49
Martinez is inept, but he could demonstrate class, dignity and integrity if he resigned. If he does not, then he will leave a legacy of being an inept, arrogant, greedy bastard.


Clive Lewis
240 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:42:46
Interesting how Man Utd will have nveil Mourinho next month as the new manager. Would we have stood a better chance if we would have had another manager lined up?.

Are we going to drag this out or are we going to take any positive steps ahead of next season. I feel if we wait too long we will forfeit next season.
Martinez out now!

Ian Smitham
241 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:49:57
Just got back, good job it was no extra time, I would have had to find plan B. Well done Network Rail. Us and Man U in the semi and no trains after 9pm.

Anyway, lovely to go back there again, others will comment about it, just sad at the outcome.

Lost my phone service while on Train back to Manchester Picadilly, hope the guy who had the illness is ok.

However, as at writing, am surprised that he has not gone.

As someone else says on here, "it's the hope that kills you" how right and at about £200 lighter, how sad too.

Mark Kelly
242 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:51:34
James 192 & Tom 206

Nail on head. Ross is built like a cage fighter not a footballer. Jags is too heavy, so is Rom, even the ever fit Baines has come back heavy & Deulofeu is just plain unfit.

Another manager would get these lads fit & hungry and give proper direction & drive.

It's no wonder we give every team we play all the time & space they need to pick their heads up and play a pass. Our boys aren't fit enough to close down, press, tackle & make it difficult for teams to play. We allow them to 'express themselves'.

Watch the Derby & the first half today. Nobody puts a tackle in, they don't even get near the man in possession let alone mark up an opponent. This must be the 'philosophy' that Martinez extols. Unfortunately (with the exception of the hapless, relegated Villa) no one else allows us to 'express ourselves'. Naive, idealistic, buffoon. 2 full years of doing the same thing & expecting a different result. Delusional, charlatan.

It's clear that the players have seen through him. Contrast the first half with the second. They played on adrenalin & went about it the way I want to see an Everton team play. High tempo aggressive football with purpose & drive. It's Martinez who insists they slow it down & keep possession in his trade mark slow predictable fashion around the dangerous area of the pitch.

It's got nothing to do with not being able to "defend as a team" or "not being able to afford the kind of players to carry out his instructions". It's the inevitable result of what he wants. Every player misplaces a pass every game. We just do it in areas that invariably give guilt edge chances on our goal. We are one of the few teams that give goals away. It's just a car crash waiting to happen each & every game. Yet he doesn't change.

I wanted him gone before the end of his first season. I was bemused by this brand of football. I felt there was an element of the Emperor's new clothes. I couldn't see this so call free flowing attacking football. I cannot abide this tepid, turgid, surrender-football. Passionless, insipid drivel. Not good enough for any paying fan, certainly not good enough for me & my club. Most definitely not good enough for the hoardes of magnificent fans who graced Wembley today.

Had we have spent the last 2 seasons playing the way we did in the second half we would be in a far better position than we are.

The players know it & the vast majority of fans know it. The board must act and usher this waster on his way...

Tony Twist
243 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:52:14
Martinez resign, no chance! BK sacking him, well knowing him it will be a long drawn out affair as always, if it happens at all. BK needs to feel the heat as does Martinez, unfortunately it's going to take, as always, an act that is totally unnatural to the loyal season ticket holders and that is a mass walkout whilst a home match is being played. It's painful to do but should get media coverage and will be ultimately embarrassing for BK.
Dennis Ng
244 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:54:50
LOL Andy, £4mill a year, who would resign? He's waiting for the golden parachute. Only Moshiri can change things and if he doesn't, well, he wasted his millions.
Stephen Sullivan
245 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:55:13
Charles (113)

Regarding Baines and his not taking penalties.

I reckon he lacks the self confidence to accept that responsibility. especially at times such as this when Everton are in turmoil. I know he has a fantastic record regarding penalties and used to have with free kicks.

I recall an article in the Guardian from 2007 ( soon after he joined Everton) which highlighted him as being a worrier.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2007/sep/29/newsstory.Everton

Kenn Crawford
246 Posted 23/04/2016 at 23:59:12
I got out of bed at 2am here in Sydney to watch my beloved blues. The Evertonians who made the trip and spent their hard earned to watch their team where absolutely MAGNIFICENTyou did our club proud !!!! Not like that bunch of over paid Maddonas that do not care about the shirt or the club. 30 minutes of football in a 90 min game does not cut it for me. Not good enough!! Bill & Martinez out now.
Derek Thomas
247 Posted 23/04/2016 at 00:07:06
We didn't deserve to win it or lose it; Everton that.

They scored 2 decent goals from 2 decent moves.

I've said it before, has there ever been a more unconvincing penalty taker than Lukakuu, well yeah Mirallas but you get the point. The thing is Martinez lets them get away with all this shite and Kenwright lets him.

So on balance, we blow our 'Get out of Jail' card our only goal is an OG.
Lukaku's touch has improved a little but not enough. I don't know whether to be glad or sad that he's not playing like a CL striker.

Bill, Moshiri, Elstone, Tea Lady, whoever, make the announcement now please.

Roger Helm
248 Posted 23/04/2016 at 00:12:29
Who decided Lukaku was to take penalties anyway, given Baines had such a good record? Leighton is a quiet personality and it seems Mirallas and Lukaku (what is it with these Belgians?) just took the ball off him - but surely it is the manager who should be making these decisions?

Lessons from today - Martinez has had three seasons and it hasn't worked so he has to go; Lukaku is not Champions League quality; Barkley is overrated and we should cash in while we can; Robles is a EPL quality keeper; we still need a proper centre half; Everton fans are better than Manure fans.

I'm too tired to think of any others.

Patrick Murphy
249 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:16:01
Roberto says about the game "I wouldn't say we played badly. We had a poor start and allowed Manchester United, a team built to win trophies and to win leagues, to have a bit of a spell in the first half,"

That may have been true a couple of years ago Roberto, but not today, not this season, the current United team is pretty ordinary in reality and it wouldn't surprise me if Palace or Watford beat them in the Final.

What this does reveal is Roberto's lack of belief to be in charge of an ambitious football club as Roberto is living the dream 'win' or 'lose' the fact that he mostly fails to win is the major reason he should be looking for a new gig at another club. What's Spanish for 'knife to a gunfight'?

Roger Helm
250 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:20:20
Oh yes – (a bit off thread) it occurred to me that why would any businessman invest 𧶀 million in a business? Surely only if he thinks he can add value to his investment?

Perhaps Mr Moshiri thinks that Everton is a club so badly run from a commercial, merchandising and football point of view that his experience and expertise from Arsenal can significantly improve it?

Light at the end of the tunnel?

Davie Turner
251 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:22:32
I don't think Martinez and Baines get on very well it can be the only reason that one penalty miss ended his status as taker.

Baines has always been honest in his appraisal of games, and as we saw recently, he is the only one RM jumps on.

Craig Mills
252 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:22:34
Just got back from the game, great day for the fantastic supporters, gutted about the result. The 2nd half performance made me proud to be a Blue, but in typical Martinez fashion, it just wasn't to be.
Peter McCann
253 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:23:18
Brian Denton, I remember driving home with my mates after that semi-final, and thinking I would never see Everton win anything. I had watched them for 10 years as the nearly men... nearly winning the League, Clive Thomas and his ridiculous corrupt decisions etc. And then, 4 years later, the glory tears started

Martinez has to go. Loads of players need shipping out, including Lakaku if he doesn't want to stay.

No matter how down we all feel tonight, Everton is in our blood. It's not in the players – they come and go... but not for us. Everton will win trophies again, we will will beat our RedShite neighbours, and we will win the FA Cup, have great European nights... it's not the weekend but it will happen. We will parade cups and I believe the Championship. If we don't believe this we might as well pack up tonight. COYB

Jon Cox
254 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:25:51
"On that basis alone, I would suggest RM's position is very much up for review at the end of the season."

The best laugh I've had all day.

Davie Turner
255 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:26:48
Huge respect for the Blues at the game, could only watch on the BBC but the support given by the fans was second to none. Despite the obvious issues at the club, our fans there were of the highest order in their support.
David Edwards
256 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:28:28
Mike (224) and Patrick (226) - after today's performance, I agree fully. Stones - competant defender, but prone to errors as the last in line, but much better going forward if he is in front of a real stonewall centre-back.

Just as Rooney looks like he'll have to move back from the strikers role at the Mancs – maybe we have found our long-term replacement for Barry. On saying that, God we missed Barry (and Coleman) today!

Jon Cox
257 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:38:54
I'm sorry but anyone who thinks Coleman has been up to scratch this season is well deluded.

It could be down to Martinez or it could be down to the fact that this season he's been complete shite. You decide.

In any decent club with proper back up Coleman should have been dropped months ago.

Along with another footballing fraud at centre forward.

Bob Cumiskey
258 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:44:55
Not long in due to the inept transport system repairs on the M6. The fans were great today and they made me proud to be blue.

I said yesterday that there was no win-win situation today and I feel absolutely gutted with the result.

Some strong performances in the second-half but not enough unfortunately to get us over the line. I'm looking forward to the season's end now so I can hopefully wind down my emotions. What started off very promising has delivered nothing. Time to go Roberto, thanks for your effort and turn off the lights on your way out.

Davie Turner
259 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:46:09
Jon other than Barry, and Robles, you can make that statement about any other first team player.
Jon Cox
260 Posted 24/04/2016 at 00:47:36
Davie,

Agreed my man..

Gavin Johnson
261 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:02:55
Just watched the recording off SKY+ and I have to say LVG must be up there with Roberto for self-delusion. I nearly choked on my pot noodle when he started ranting about the refereeing saying Everton had a 12th man. The guy is a complete embarrassment.

To be fair to the interviewer he tried to rebalance things bringing up our numerous chances but Sponge Bob head wasn't having any if it. The guy looked like a madman ranting. He makes Nigel Pearson seem like Kofi Annan.

Laurie Hartley
262 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:09:57
Watching it here in Melbourne coming up to half time I thought – well we haven't folded after their goal so it's still all to play for.

When Lukaku was about to take the penalty I got that sinking feeling so wasn't surprised when De Gea guessed the right way and saved it.

But it felt like we were somehow still in it. I was please when Deulofeu came on and thought – he's got that right.

When we got the equaliser I thought – yes, we need to finish this because we don't want extra time. We started winning the second ball and I thought we can.

Then when the four minutes came up I thought we might get the last minute winner. I should have known it wasn't to be.

I thought the plays did try – in both halves. No complaints from me on that point.

To all the blues at Wembley – you did the club proud.

David Edwards
263 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:14:00
Jon - I agree that Seamus hasn't hit the heights of the previous seasons, but compared to Besic today... I think we'd have been a little more solid on the left, which might have strengthened our attacking options along that wing. it's all percentages though, and when you think of what a team we could be if all our players play to their true potential we know they are capable of... It has to come down to Roberto's tactics or motivational skills. Get the clown out now before he does more damage!

By the way, didn't Blue Bill look ill today on the TV. Don't agree with his approach or style for quite a while now – but hope he perks up and hands over all decisions to Moshiri ASAP – so we can have a fresh start without the Spanish clown! Time to take a back seat, Bill.

Anthony Dwyer
264 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:21:36
Can't believe poor Mo Besic was left hung out to dry there, the lad had a torrid time at right back, Roberto had to make a switch at half time and didn't.

McCarthy and Besic could have tried switching, anything was worth a go.

To many poor performances: Ross, Rom, Cleverley, Gibson and Lennon all needed to do more.

Frustrating trip, frustrating game.

Colin Gee
265 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:26:56
Anthony #264 Agree, Mo did his best but he's no right back. Coleman was the big miss today, but the blame again lies with Martinez.

Hibbert, Pennington, Holgate, Chambers, there's four right full backs who could have played there today.

I hope to wake up in the morning to the Breaking News on Sky Sports that Martinez has been sacked.

John Grills
266 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:34:53
Gavin (261) Absolutely. LVG showed a real lack of class. He had won a close game, but instead of acknowledging that and accepting that Everton created chances as well he chose to complain about injustices that exist only in his head.
Anthony Dwyer
267 Posted 24/04/2016 at 01:37:30
Me too Colin, fingers crossed hey.
Mike Price
268 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:11:29
Apart from the manager's glaringly obvious failings that have been pointed out over and over, his shocking decisions to award contracts to Hibbert, Osman and others have cost us big time. We have a limited number of places in the squad, Coleman's out and our other well paid right back is not fit for purpose leading to the shambles we saw today.

He then spends a fortune on Niasse who again cannot contribute or help the team in any way. By the time August comes round, he'll have been paid £2 million in wages by the way...just think about that!

These judgement calls have screwed us big time and are a sackable offence in isolation, along with the multitude of other reasons, he just has to go. We've made so many inept clowns multi millionaires, both players and managers, it's sickening and it leads us to our constant cycle of failure.

Peter Larkin
269 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:15:10
I really find the Stones comments funny, "He is back to his best", "Man of the Match" "Chelsea and Man City will come calling now" ... seriously, what are youse people watching?

I see a naive, ball-watching prima donna. He lost Fellaini, go watch the replay: he takes a look sees him points at him then turns away. He gave the ball away where martial then had a free run at goal, then of all fucking things he steps up in the last minute of a semi-final to try and start an attack, losing Martial and Boom! Game Over!

Like others have said, he could make a decent center midfielder but is fucking shocking as a center back. And by the way all the "great tackles or blocks" are always last ditch. That tells you he was in the wrong position in the first place, great defenders slide tackle as a last resort our kid is always on his ass. Not to mention my dead cat could jump higher. Sell for me.

Ernie Baywood
270 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:32:56
Watched the game again and the first half wasn't as bad as I remembered. In fact we were alright.

The problem is that on the rare occasions that we actually have a go at teams we show just how good we could be. The second half showed up our first half performance. Everyone benefited, especially the young quartet who had us so excited earlier in the season.

Which obviously leads to the question, why don't we pressure teams up the pitch more often?

For all the criticism of Ross, it's the manager playing him in a pedestrian style of football that simply doesn't suit him. It doesn't suit Rom, Del, or John either. Baines and Coleman have been negated by it. McCarthy is forced to play a game he's not comfortable with. Mirallas can't have an impact, nor Lennon.

In fact, the style seems only to suit Barry.

The answer really doesn't seem that difficult. That it will take a new manager to find it is "incredible" but I still think we've got good players who can thrive under a new regime. We've just got to keep as many of them as possible.

Peter Bell
271 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:34:19
Just got home, the best thing about the day, was the fans as usual.

Got to give credit were its due, because I have been critical of him recently, but John Stones was immense, as was Jags who reportedly wasn't even fit.

Paul Ferry
272 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:38:49
Utterly unbelievable: Jim Bennings (85) - 'Does any supporter care if we win or lose 4-0 next week??'

Yes! Supporters absolutely do care if we lose 4-0 next week.

Can we have a poll of Evertonians who don't care if we lose 4-0 next week please?

Prediction: the vote will be 3159-1 or 764-1 or 23-1 or 11675-1.

Peter Bell
274 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:53:26
Just catching up with the previous comments, and hear Mr Moshiri was with us today.

Good, because he will have witnessed the best and most deserving football supporters on this planet.

Now it's time to give us a team worthy of our support.

Graham Hammond
275 Posted 24/04/2016 at 02:55:04
A predictable end to a brave fight back would have made a more accurate headline. If you miss as many chances as we did (Lukaku) you will not win many football matches. Simple. Martinez got it wrong again today and is not fit to manage EFC.

Why does James McCarthy not come in for more flak on this website? He offers nothing and always goes missing in the big games.

Despite playing only one game all season in what was essentially a dead rubber (Southampton), Gibson today showed McCarthy up with his range of passing, football intellect and incredibly, his work rate too.

The sooner we get rid of our inept manager the better, hopefully we will then also lose James McCarthy.

David Barks
276 Posted 24/04/2016 at 03:14:04
Graham I've been asking that about McCarthy for the past couple years. I just don't see what he offers us. His defensive positioning isn't good, with Barry always having to do that job. His passing is poor. He's not a goal threat. And he's a poor tackler.
Paul Ferry
277 Posted 24/04/2016 at 03:21:17
Peter 271 and 274 thanks for your support mate.You were the stars today. Maybe we ought to have that Crows bevy, I'm back home in Crosby May 12 before a couple of months in Islington.
Douglas McClenaghan
278 Posted 24/04/2016 at 03:36:31
Well done all Blues fans. As for our phenomenal manager, I actually wouldn't be surprised to see him given the chance again next season.

Our beloved club will be in free fall and a relegation fight before BK will make a stand. I can only hope Moshiri has big plans that do not include RM or BK.

Peter Barry
279 Posted 24/04/2016 at 03:41:27
If Moshiri does not do something NOW, then I am afraid he never will and all the vain hopes and dreams many have PROJECTED on to him will have come to naught.
Paul Ward
280 Posted 24/04/2016 at 03:48:25
Faith, Hope and Charity.

Our great fan base with it's blind FAITH in this club, after years of poor returns on and off the field. The BK dictatorship who lied and promised so much.

HOPE, That one day any of these so called potential stars make the big time. Especially Barkley, who starts every game irrespective of how bad his last performance was. He now looks like a muscle bound punch drunk boxer walking around the pitch.

CHARITY, The one thing that has been achieved by this club is our charitable, wasteful, and useless defence that has squandered most of the winning chances we have had.

Mike Price
281 Posted 24/04/2016 at 03:58:39
Graham #275 Bang on about McCarthy. He's supposed to be our Kante... not even close, a waste of space and I really hope the next manager can find somebody to buy him off us.

You're right that he seems to dodge criticism but that's because you don't really notice him as he does nothing but run around and get on the wrong side of opponents a lot.

Ernie Baywood
282 Posted 24/04/2016 at 04:12:19
Outstanding as he has been, I'd expect Kante would get shown up in our team. If you asked him to spend the game receiving straight balls from centre backs with the opposition midfielder right up his arse then it wouldn't suit him at all.

McCarthy has his limitations but, like pretty much everyone else, he's being played to his weaknesses. Ask him to cover every blade in a pressing game and he'll do it well. Ask him to fill in right across the defence and midfield as they break away at pace and he'll do it - and should be needed to for our attacking fullbacks who nowadays can't get out of their own halves. He needs to improve going forward but no-one is developing (at best, they're just getting older) in this side right now so harsh to land that on him alone.

Basically, I don't think you can fairly judge anyone in this side at the moment. The tactics are soul destroying. Yet in short periods you see what they are capable of.

Glenn Williams
283 Posted 24/04/2016 at 04:13:46
Actually, sorry to point this out, and I do know its unlikely but we could still be relegated this season.

Sunderland still has 15 pts to play for which could take them to 45. Norwich can still get to 43 pts. Unlikely I know, I know. And everyone from Palace up to Watford can easily exceed our current 41 pts.

I don't have much confidence in RM leading us to at least 3 pts from from our final 4 games. Thankfully we can be reasonably certain that Sunderland and Norwich will each drop at least 4 pts........ right???

Alan J Thompson
285 Posted 24/04/2016 at 05:02:39
As the full time whistle went I turned to my mate and said that when the penalty was missed the entire team seemed to forget the manager's system and just started to play as they wanted. I wondered if anybody else might think the same and reading here this morning it seems everyone sees it that way.

If we have money to use how much would it take to sort out Gibson's injury worries. I'm not fully aware of his problem but he seems to me, even at half fitness, just what we need in midfield, someone who can spread passes. He seems to know instinctively where every other player is and the accuracy and weighting of his passes is a lesson to the rest.

As for who would buy Lukaku, Barkley and Stones? Any manager who would know how to sort out there obvious problems. Lukaku's control, first touch and his desire to throw everything at half chances, a sniffer's ability. Barkley seems to need some purpose put in his game. Too much turning little circles and he seems to have a problem hitting the ball when shooting, or more accurately slicing it.

Stones, brilliant on the ball but really needs to up the ante on some of his defending.

New manager? Not until the end of the season with Kenwright as he worries about how much compensation he'll have to pay.

Patrick Carty
286 Posted 24/04/2016 at 05:14:12
I wonder would Koeman be tempted with a massive war chest? We may act fast in getting a new manager before all of our talent is off.

As much as I would like to keep Lukaku, his heart is not in our club and he will be sold. Keeping stones is a must and maybe after today he could play a different role for is.

Ross is gone stale, he really need's to up his game if he want's to achieve thing's in his career.

Build our team around Stones, Funes Mori, Coleman and Deulofeu.

Jagielka, Barry and Baines were very good players for us but their time is up if we have to move forward.

Osman, Hibbert and Pienaar should get free transfers.

I would keep McCarthy, Besic and Cleverley but only as squad players.

It's time for Moshiri to put a stamp on things, aim high – starting with a new manager.

Laurie Hartley
287 Posted 24/04/2016 at 07:21:50
Peter (#285) – you are so right about Gibson! He should start before McCarthy every game.

As well as the qualities you mention he is tough and intimidated by no one. He can compete in the air and he can shoot. Like Barry he has a footballers brain.

If Gibson hadn't been on the pitch yesterday Fellaini would have finished us off before half time.

In my view Gibson and Barry would be a potent left and right footed combination especially if you put Besic in between them. We might get one more season out of Barry – I hope so. Then again, after weighing up Stones' performance yesterday I have flipped again and think he can play the Barry role. Instinctively he wants to get forward.

As far as Barkley and Lukaku are concerned, I would grant Lukaku his wish, sell him, and give Barkley the strikers role.

A mention for Jagielka – proper footballer and club man. I bet you he is in all sorts of mental and physical pain this morning.

As for me – the pain has subsided. Let's see what next week brings.

Thomas Lennon
289 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:13:06
'Brave fightback/comeback' 'Cruel injustice' 'unlucky last minute defeat'

Losers talk.

Terence Tyler
290 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:31:03
Most were of the opinion last week that the manager should be sacked. One or two fans, and the some in media said the next two games would define his future. Well in the cold light of day, the records will show 2 defeats, with only one own goal to show from them two games. What are we waiting for, get rid of him now.
Tom Plant
291 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:32:16
No debate – RM will be shown the door. Moshiri will have the final say and wouldn't have invested big money to see an incompetent man at the helm. Martinez has to go now and use the next 4 games to showcase three or four of the outstanding young talent at the club – in particular Davies and Dowell.

The most ambitious target would be Simeone and I think he would fancy a crack at the Premier League, if not, we can't look beyond De Boer, Tuchel, Koeman, Pellegrini or an outside bet of Howe. A very small part of me would like to see how Moyes would do with the riches the club is likely to have, but I don't really think this is the way forward.

A new defence needs to be constructed although I would retain Coleman at right-back and promote Galloway to being the regular left back. Jagielka can still do a job but from the bench and Funes Mori should be sold and two proper centre-backs should be signed.

Stones should be played in a centre-midfield role alongside the hugely talented Tom Davies with Barkley at the point of the triangle.

A top class winger with goals in his game along with Dowell playing behind Callum Wilson (can do the same job or better than Vardy) with a quality target-man style striker on the bench. The Swiss boy who was signed in January looks a player and with the addition of a top goalkeeper, another attack-minded midfield player, and a wide player on the bench, this new-look team will have everything needed to compete. Over to you, Moshiri....

Tom Plant
292 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:35:34
Forgot to add in my last post that Lukaku should never be allowed to wear the shirt again. Absolute disgrace over the past few months. Will still get big money because of his loud mouthed agent. The likely 㿞m is daylight robbery so get rid quick....
Dave Abrahams
293 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:06:18
We saw the two Everton's yesterday, first half the slow no energy, no movement, mostly side and back passes with absolutely no passion. I have to believe rightly or wrongly that the team ignored the managers talks and tactics and started playing their own game.

They got their pride back and played as we know they can for most of the second half.we could have won but to be honest we got beat for the third time this season by a very average team.

I stayed behind at the end with the majority of our fans to applaud the team off the pitch, most of them deserved that they had given their all for long periods of that half.

Sad to see young fans upset and unable to stop the flow of tears, even some older fans looked ready to join them.

Came away proud, not so much of the team but most certainly of our brilliant fans,I wish some of the players had their spirit, energy and pure love of EVERTON.

We all know what needs to be done now, the quicker it is done the better.

Aidan Trimble
294 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:09:41
Ignoring the apparent certainty that Roberto Martinez will be gone in the Summer, some of the comments on here regarding Lukaku, Barkley and to a lesser extent Stones are ridiculous.

'Fat, lazy Lukaku' has almost single-handedly kept us safe from any fear of relegation this season.

I can only hope that a lot of the comments above have been said in the heat of yesterday's huge frustration, which makes me feel better about choosing to ignore the vast majority of them. The second-half performance went a long way to restoring my faith in certain players, and conformed that certain others need another year with us at least before they get the move they crave, and that we can profit from.

Any mileage in keeping hold of Roberto in another capacity within the club, ie, scouting or attacking coach?? It's crossed my mind a few times that he has many admirable qualities that could do with being retained somehow.

Peter Roberts
295 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:11:51
Just how are we going to replace lukaku???

Over rated, over weight, touch of an elephant, lazy arrogant boy.

I'll drive him to whoever bids the stupid money he's supposed to be worth.

Kim Vivian
296 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:16:29
Thomas Lennon. Bang on mate. I came on here to post something similar but you beat me to it.
I was going to post something along the lines of 'brave comebacks' are not what we should be reading. etc etc.
Small team talk, that.
Kim Vivian
297 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:21:06
Dave Abrahams - did I read that right"...for the third time this season by a very average team..."
Only the third time? Don't think so mate.
Les Netherwood
298 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:21:37
Why is Baines not taking the penalties now? He always used to take them and never missed... he even scored two in one game a few seasons ago. Is this another Bobbie Birdbrain idea?

Let's have a clear out ready for next season... start with Lukaku and Barkley and Birdbrain himself... why wait until the end of the season?

Joe Clitherow
299 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:28:27
Got home about 1am, just catching up on comments here. I thought Lukaku didn't have a bad game, but his finishing was woeful, he was too desperate to score. I doubt we would have been in the SF in any case since he effectively won the the QF. But big players win big games and he didn't step up. Don't know why people are going on about Stones, he was poor first half, very good and glimpses of his potential second. Jagielka was the the stand out for me and he can't have been fit either.

First half we were totally exposed down our right and Martinez did fuck all about it, just stood with arms folded as usual. Besic is not a right back and no support from Lennon who was way too far forward. Ross did what comes naturally to him second half and looked ten times the player driving forward. Whatever the reason, and I'm not speculating here, the second half was much nearer to how Evertonians aspire us to play, and much more natural to how the players play. The first half was how Martinez has trained these players to play - fucking abysmal and the most telling assessment I have is that no-one in our team looked like they knew where they should be playing or what exactly they were supposed to be doing. They all looked really confused.

For me, that classless twat Fellaini should be seen for what he is after his utterly disgraceful taunting of supporters after he scored. Disgusting behaviour.

lastly Jim Bennings - I'm really a bit taken aback by your post here but you go and have a long hard look at yourself about your comments about not caring if we lose, and about wanting Naismith to stay up, when you have stopped foaming at the mouth. Naismith is a professional footballer and will find employment at the level appropriate to ability. Since when did we start supporting individuals over the team anyway? I don't give a fuck about Naismith, or Lukaku, or Martinez. They will be alright come what may, but Evertonians deserve better. Tens of thousands of us spent a great deal of time and money yesterday and throughout this and every other season only to see us win - and that's it. That's it all of it right there. You think that's less important than whether a millionaire cosseted player plies his trade in the top level? You try and explain those "tactics" to kids I saw crying at the end. Try consoling the honesty of those kids with the fact that Martinez is nearer the exit door and you will be met with puzzled looks. That's the conscience and emotional bellwether for our football club right there.

I thought you were better than that and I will put it down to frustration in the heat of the moment. Hang your head in shame if it wasn't.

Alan J Thompson
300 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:31:52
Laurie(#288); Seems to have changed my name as well.
Bobby Thomas
301 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:39:10
Anthony #264

Harsh on Gibson who I thought had a good game considering all the injuries and lack of football. However he is obviously not a long term solution & needs to be released.

That central midfield area needs addressing. McCarthy is limited. Barry ageing. Ross is......well, Ross. Theres a lack of goals, legs, craft & quality depth. Its a big problem & one a new manager needs to address. We need something in there. In fact the spine of the side needs looking at.

Joe Clitherow
302 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:43:26
PS Darron Gibson is a fine footballer. He looks slow and lethargic but that is because he is in control and creates his own time and space. Like Gareth Barry his game is all round, not a defensive or attacking specialist like Martinez plays - a fundamentally flawed system. Have many of you even thought that Ross does not tackle because he is instructed NOT TO? That he is told to leave this to the two DMs? Gibbo nearly always finds the forward pass because of the time and space he creates for himself. Like Barry he doesn't have to be the quickest player to close down danger, his speed is in his head. It is a pity he is apparently injury prone and not six or seven years younger. I was shouted down by one or two on here with the usual constructive "He's shite" etc. last week when I suggested he was a fine footballer.

I would respectfully submit that those individuals who told me Gibson was shite and should be got rid know absolutely fuck all about football. Gibson is still only 28 and definitely has something to offer us for another season or two if based on Barry and Osman still on the playing staff at their age.

Roy Noon
303 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:04:05
Why did Lukaku take that penalty? Lukaku was playing poorly, when he is playing poorly he tends to scuff the ball rather than hit it cleanly.

By some distance, Baines is the best striker of a dead ball at the club. This responsibility and recognition of his ability prevailed under Moyes, and, I assume was decided prior to the game, simply because Baines was presumably the best.

As soon as Lukaku stepped up to take that penalty, I was filled with doubt. Irrespective of a pretty poor performance by him yesterday, this is no general criticism if Lukaku. You can't argue with his goal tally. Though his workrate and inability to hold the ball must be mentioned.

So where do we go from here? Martinez thinks he is the man to take us forward. Sorry, Bobby, you've had a good shot at the job and picked up a few bob in the process. I would like to see a tried and trusted man in charge. Martinez was always a gamble, I'm sure even uncle Bill realised that.

The question is..... who is available, who will take the job on? Interesting times ahead. Let's hope the custodians get it right. Over to you, Moshiri and Uncle Bill.

Terry McLavey
304 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:28:09
The tragedy is we didn't even really score did we?
Nick Page
305 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:33:55
How is it WATFORD (!) are looking to replace their manager because his performance hasn't been good enough yet the gobshite that is Martinez, who incidentally thinks we're all missing something according to his latest drivel, is far from gone. Not a word from the board. Just silence. Even Bullshit Bob said this was a defining week. Now, the next two games are defining.

I've totally lost it with this incompetent board of no-marks and egotists. True Evertonians they most certainly are not. Like I said at he start of this season, we have slipped behind West Ham and Leicester, now add Watford to that list. We simply have no vision, no ambition, no clue and are being run into the ground by some lying duplicitous luvvie who can't admit he's been wrong EVER.

Sick to death of it.

Brent Stephens
306 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:39:17
Joe #304 - agree totally about what Gibson brings to the game. And what Ross does not and why.
Christopher Timmins
307 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:43:05
A heart breaking defeat, containing all the nightmare scenarios, a missed penalty and losing to an injury time goal.

We were terrible in the first half but showed some pride and respect for great traditions of the club in the second.

Martinez will have to be judged on his record over the past three years and the only conclusion one can now come to is that it is time for him to move on. This I assume will happen sometime between now and June.

I found it hard to put up with shots of BK during the course of the game, 21 since Paul Rideout put the ball in the United net, it's shocking and he has to go!

Gary Reeves
308 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:45:30
Ross Barkley is "told not to tackle"???!!! That's the biggest load of shite I've ever heard.

Can I ask the question then – why is it he can't even get his body between the opposition player and our goal? That's something you're taught in school, for fuck's sake.

He can't tackle, he won't tackle, he doesn't close down and he doesn't ever give an opponent grief in possession, and he shouldn't be in the side!

Brian Denton
309 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:41:05
Dave Abraham's 293 There was a little lad by me crying his eyes and I choked myself at seeing him. That was me, back in the day. Returning from losing semis since 1969....

My mate told me that we've seen Liverpool win more times at Wembley than we've seen Everton win there. I did the maths, and he's right. Fucking incredible.

Brian Denton
310 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:45:25
Also we've lost more FA Cup semis than Man City have actually been in.
Dave Abrahams
311 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:56:32
Kim (297) Everton 0 Man.united 3 Man.united 1Everton 0 Man.united 2 Everton 1 Okay.
Mike Wearing
312 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:05:18
I knew Lukaku would miss that penalty, that good old gut feeling...
I get the same feeling about Martinez getting sacked, it's not going to happen.
Hope I'm wrong.
Neil Gribbin
313 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:05:45
The board need to be under no illusions that his time is up. Demonstrate outside the ground. Heckle them as they go into the ground. Do something!

I won't be at Goodison until the Norwich game and I will be doing all of the above, to let them know that the manager needs to go.

Jon Cox
314 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:06:57
Joe Clitherow,

spot on about Darren Gibson. I think when he gets the ball he plays like a fine tuned Les Paul..

Brian Denton
315 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:25:24
Jon/Joe, agree about Gibson but we just can't afford to carry a player who is constantly injured.
Davie Turner
316 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:25:41
Gibson hasn't reached 70 club appearances in over 6 years, he struggled to play aged 24 let alone when he 34, he a decent player but no defensive midfielder, he needs to be further forward so he can express himself with his excellent passing range, however he also needs to be fit, and unfortunately he has struggled for this his entire career, yes we need a midfielder who can pass, in the middle Stones is the best passer of the ball, but I don't think we can reliably expect Gibson to be an answer for us. It a shame, he always had potential but held back by injury, maybe this will change and he can finally push for a regular place, but I don't see it, Besic has also shown the ability to pass and have an ability going forward, I would pick him ahead of Gibson.

Also Gibson yesterday was pretty much playing centre half, he was totally wasted.

Kim Vivian
317 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:39:27
Ok Dave. Fair enough. I didn't realise your were only talking about Man U. I was thinking of all the damn average teams that have turned us over this season. Just read it wrong.
Jon Cox
318 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:27:02
Alas, sound words Davie and oh so true.

If only....

Dan Davies
319 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:52:52
I always liked Gibson when fit and on form but the fact man u got shot of him years ago says it all for me.
Dave Abrahams
320 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:28:54
Kim (317) no problem.
Iain Latchford
321 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:32:05
Brian Denton, you weren't in Club Wembley block 208 where you? I was there with my 8 year old lad and he cried his eyes out at the end. All the blokes were great, coming over and telling him it would be alright. One bloke gave him a pound.

We have amazing fans who deserved more. It was heartbreaking.

Jimmi James
322 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:45:02
Ah well Im home now , another disaster but have to say everyone talking about man of the match and all that but for me given the injury Jags was immense, just my opinion but the guy put his body on the line for us today not even giving his England chances a thought, thats what we want. Still no news on sky about resignation or sacking mmmm could it be he is gonna get another season?, friggin hell.

Saw that poor kid crying and he wasnt the only one, I saw a few kids crying and some adults close to it, such a bloody shame.

Charles Barrow
323 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:25:36
I was at the game yesterday. Could have gone either way – but yet again not our way.

Only thing I want to say is I think some people are too harsh on Ross – yes he was very average in the first half but like the team as a whole he really upped his game in the second half.

I think he is too heavy and maybe not 100% fit as there were a few occasions were a couple of years back he'd have left his opponent for dead with his skill and strength but wasn't quite able to get free yesterday.

Antony Matthews
324 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:29:31
Has anyone asked the question as to if a referee can run round a football pitch up and down for 90 mins why can't Ross Barkley? Totally unfit and overhyped and needs a stint working with Rhino in the stiffs.
Joe Clitherow
325 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:31:42
Gary Reeves 308

Before you come on spouting your own brand of shite (to use your own charming vernacular) it would be useful to stay on topic. In this case, have you actually watched us over the last three years? Because if you wanted to start listing out the things that are basic and are taught at schoolboy level and giving them as reasons why certain players don't do certain things we'd be here all fucking day. I've posted lots of times on here that you can't judge any player's merits by how they perform under Martinez. Some of these players we ha have will be transformed under a different manager who actually trains and drills them properly and Ross is one. In my opinion. Everyone has either gone backwards or not developed as they should.

I've been in the same room as Martinez on two separate occasions when he has clearly stated that he does not and never will "put shackles" on his "flair players" as he wants them to be able to "express themselves". You can interpret that how you want but I take that as not having to have any disciplines for any duties that are not to do with "expressing yourself". Defending is a dirty word to Roberto Martinez for certain players, whether that is tackling, chasing back or just getting in the way. Ross looks far more effective playing for England than he does for Everton, and I don't think that is just down to having better players round him.

Gary Reeves
326 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:51:35
And another thing, Joe, there are two other Managers down on record as not trusting Barkley's defensive duties – Messrs Moyes and Warnock.
Andy Walker
327 Posted 24/04/2016 at 17:44:18
Even in the extremely unlikely event our manager tells Barkley not to tackle, every now and then Barkley would still put in a tackle as part of his instinct, if he had the instinct to tackle. But he never does, does he. He simply hasn't got this in his game, he loves being on the ball but that's it. He's a luxury that a team like ours can't afford.

McCarthy and Barry are supposed to compensate for the lack of Barkley's bite. Problem is Barry is too slow, (if not injured or suspended) and McCarthy is a headless chicken. So this only amplifies Ross's inherent weakness to the overall detriment to our team.

Moshiri will make changes but it's going to take time. He's still not the majority shareholder so I think he will be prioritising the restucturing of equity in the club before he starts to tackle our inadequate manager. I expect to see changes but not before the summer, in reality there's no need to do anything until the season is over. Some of the knee jerk comments that Moshiri has to act now or he's useless is well, er, knee jerk rubbish. Look at the long term, we need to plan and get things right. BK jumped into appointing Martinez based on no decent EPL past performance evidence and the majority of fans were at the time, wrongly impressed with his appointment. Well he didn't have ginger hair, a dour demeanor and he talked up his ability like the Wolf of Wall Street didn't he? Let's not make the same mistake again please.

Tommy Webber
328 Posted 24/04/2016 at 18:29:49
Sorry but if Martinez is still with us by the next game then Kenright cares more about his friendship with Martinez than he does for his beloved Everton. If it's not working Bill, it's not working!
Brian Denton
329 Posted 24/04/2016 at 18:50:20
Iain (321) no, I was in Block 121, near the front. Sadly there will have been many kids in tears after that. My first bucketful as a kid was back in 1967, after we blew a 2 goal lead against Forest in the QF. Similar tears followed in 1968 (Final) and 1969 (Semi Final).

But as they say, we are chosen. Was never going to support any other club since every male in my family and extended family was a match going Blue.

Jesus, I sound like Kenwright. Sorry!

Les Netherwood
330 Posted 24/04/2016 at 19:49:51
On the subject of Barkley and Lukaku...both are too big, too slow and not fit at all. Barkley looks half asleep all the time and Lukaku has no ball control at all.

If and when the idiotic Martinez disappears, we may see a change in them... he ruins players and the biggest example is John Stones who has gone backwards very badly.

Why is Baines not taking the penalties these days? He never missed any... is this more of the idiotic Martinez?

Iain Latchford
331 Posted 24/04/2016 at 20:13:26
Yes Brian, I was close enough myself. Everyone was telling him it would get better. I didn't have the heart to tell him I'd had nearly 40 years of similar experiences.
Tony Dove
332 Posted 24/04/2016 at 20:58:28
It is not widely known but when Roberto left Wigan a local shop gave him a farewell present of five years of free pies. He does not eat these himself but gives them to Ross Barkley.
Oliver Molloy
333 Posted 24/04/2016 at 21:04:21
I have just watched the footage from the tunnel at half time on Saturday. Anyone else seen it?

Jags says to Barkley, "They weren't booing you" and pats him on the ass.

Barkley is obviously one of those players who needs a hand round his shoulder.

Baines can also be heard saying "It's a big pitch and we are making it bigger" or something like that.

Colin Gee
334 Posted 24/04/2016 at 21:17:07
Glenn #283 That is scary, as our last two games are Sunderland (a) and Norwich (h)

Brian #310 That's made me laugh for the first time today, don't know why though. "But City are a massive club"

Read another stat today which sums everything that is wrong with Everton at the moment. Leicester have won more games in the League this season than Everton have in the last two seasons.

So why has Martinez STILL NOT BEEN SACKED? And yes, I have heard all the rumours flying around on Twitter and Facebook.

Tony Hill
335 Posted 24/04/2016 at 21:22:14
Barkley has world class talent which is being coached out of him by a fuckwit. He is a young man who has worked very hard from a start which had few advantages and indeed he does need our support. I am delighted that he is at our club and I hope and pray that he remains with us.
Callum McNab
336 Posted 24/04/2016 at 23:11:39
Agreed Tony, I hope him and Stones both stay.
Paul Smith
337 Posted 24/04/2016 at 23:15:05
Well said Tony Twist – simple and cogent.
Mike McLoughlin
338 Posted 24/04/2016 at 23:45:04
Really good points, Andy (#327), but I think a new manager should be appointed ASAP. This will give him a view of his squad and time for him to formulate some semblance of a plan to build on in the transfer market.

Hopefully Moshiri will recognize the need and move quickly. I don't think Bill will admit to himself that he has made the wrong choice of manager.

Martin Nicholls
339 Posted 25/04/2016 at 23:15:40
Jim Bennings - wishing defeat on our team against Norwich is unforgivable. Glad to see you've "washed your hands of all things Everton" as that presumably means real Evertonians will not have to suffer any more of your treacherous views on here. Shame on you.

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


© ToffeeWeb