From My Seat: Bournemouth (H)

Had to laugh when Bournmouth had a free kick just out side our penalty area, RM retreated to back of tech area and Jones was shouting and jestering to the defenders how to set up, pity they did not know and they had not sorted this out last season.

Still will be big changes next home game, RM to wear Black shoes.

Both TV commentators mentioned that problem only minutes prior to Bournemouth's goal. That kind of lethargy has far too often but not always contributed to losing possession in dangerous areas. Had Martinez done his job properly that should have been sorted two years ago.

Leading up to Bournemouth's goal Pennington was gently pushed in the back. Had he not stopped to appeal to the Ref he could have recovered the situation.

A half decent manager would long ago have settled on the best takers of free kicks, corners and takers of penalties. Our players have no organisation when defending the same thing s and there does not appear to be anyone among them able to take charge. Yet another dereliction of managerial duty.

Thinking about it, who, apart from Stones and Barkley, who were ready to breakthrough no matter who got the job three years ago, has played a significant role under Martinez? Maybe Galloway I suppose, but even he disappeared as soon as Baines was fit.

"...and Jones was shouting and jestering..."

Congratulations for coming up with a new and very appropriate word for the actions of our 'management'.

''jestering' sums it up perfectly.

His all round game.

He needs to be eased into the team rather than be ready to slot right in. Might take a bit of time.

This win isn't going to stop him getting sacked. 🙏

I pray we get a top manager in that can keep Stones and instill some defensive aggression into him – not indulge him like Bobby Brown Shoes does.

It's been the same every game this season, I'm baffled by the lack of movement.

I said that we do not expect to be told about any "sensitive" decisions but would in view of frenzied media speculation like to at least be told "Yes, there was a meeting but we can't divulge details" or "No, there has been no meeting". I've had no reply! For those wishing to do similar, try bill.kenwright@Evertonfc.com.

Your assessment of Niasse's qualities is kinder, but probably more measured and fairer than mine!

Christopher (#1) – I also noticed the change of positions between Martinez and Jones. Looked like some bizarre game of musical chairs in which the winner was the one closest to the tunnel when the final whistle went! Certainly, like Kenwright, neither one of them has the courage to speak directly (even over tannoy) to protesting fans.

Howard - a loyal servant, but long past his best.

Besic - lacks pace and is no right back.

Baines - clearly has never been the same player since that ankle problem. Hopefully a new manager will reinvigorate him, and a summer break will settle it.

Stones - a better game. Not great in the air again, he needs to play next to a giant, dominant centre half. Looked like he picked up a knock, but played through it.

Pennington - grew into the game. Has a future in football, just not sure it will be EPL.

Gibson - good range of passing. His fitness is always a problem, but underneath is a decent player.

McCarthy - I want to like him. He has more to offer I think/hope. Would like to see him close down more, pass with more purpose - but that goes for the whole team. Thought post Fellaini we would be onto a winner, but Mo's goals and aerial ability have been badly missed.

Barkley - the guy is a bulldozer, but disappears for large spells. Someone needs to get hold of him. His decision making and execution are holding him back.

Lennon - great work rate, but with his final ball being dreadful it needs to be. You can see why Spurs got rid.

Cleverly - scored, but not at home on the left, and in truth not sure that he's anything other than a decent bench backup.

Niasse - oh dear. I was expecting pace and skill. It looks like he is an expensive dud, that won't be the person to keep us in the Premier League post Lukaku.

Hibbert - might be 78 years old, but lifted the crowd. No one does a better slide challenge than Tony.
Other subs - no real impression.

Big changes at GP. We need a hybrid of Moyes and Martinez. A team that attacks and defends. A team that isn't afraid to play at the big away grounds, and someone to make Goodison Park a fortress. We need to use the crowd, it is a 12th man. We need leadership on the pitch and off it. We need a professional approach of fighters, and lose this softly softly approach. Big Nev is bang on.

I am pretty sure that Lukaku and Stones will be gone, and to be honest I can't blame them. Neither of them are the finished article, so they might have a problem with a big price tag at first, but their class will be a big asset in the years ahead. Other outs Howard, Hibbert, Gibson, Pienaar, Osman? That is 7 players in addition to anyone else that a new manger won't fancy. The squad clearly needs a lot of incoming players to deal with the above, plus dealing with long term problems of right back, centre back and left wing have been under nourished for too long.

Keep watching that yellow bar on SSN.

Just one point; did anyone notice Baines' body language when he scored?

A pal of mine who occasionally posts on here, Terry White, emailed me from the USA prior to the match asking me my preferred method of protest - tennis balls, banners, white hankies? I could only reply honestly that whilst those things had seemed very important early in the week, after the Hillsborough inquest verdicts the only important thing seemed to pay appropriate respects. This was done by club and fans, loud and long. I think it set the tone for the afternoon, and suspect many people felt uncomfortable about protests. It also seemed to me that fans did not want to pillory the players, having seen in the semi-final that, left to their own devices and ignoring the inept manager, they can play a bit.

Having demonstrated such support for people who refused to be kow-towed by authority, it was outrageous of Everton FC to take down banners of protest, and then to blast the fans who stayed behind with loud music, to drown them out and try to force them to leave. Who the hell gave those instructions? I was listening on Radio Merseyside on the way home and could barely hear what was being said because of the racket in the background, and felt ashamed.

The silence from the club since the derby, one of the most humiliating performances and results in our history, together with yesterday's totalitarian behaviour, is disgraceful. Protest really is required at the last game against Norwich, my favoured method would be the good old "What a load of rubbish" and prolonged bouts of the slow hand-clap - they can't stop that.

I don't think that the lad is the sharpest knife on the drawer, and I strongly suspect his head is completely scrambled by the Catalan's mystical guidance. Ross is the sort of player who needs firm, simple and clear instructions, which he won't get from Martinez. he's not that bright Roberto. Stop confusing the kid! I genuinely feel sorry for the lad. I hope he doesn't get selected for the Euros. He would benefit enormously from a summer off to rest his mind and his body.

Lukaku, lazy deluded bastard, McCarthy headless Stuart McCall chicken, Stones over rated arrogant and weak, Barkley another allegedly stalling on a contract, well fuck off then and shut the door on your way out you lazy fucker.

Honestly not arsed if any of them fuck off in the Summer.

They look fit and look like they could run all day, which is just as well as the game is being played at 100mph.

So call me a neanderthal, a luddite, but give me defenders that defend, and bank of 4 midfield in front of them and 2 up top; no square pegs. in round holes, attackers playing left mid etc etc or 2 holders, or 3 at the back or any of the other shite that ends up with not scoring enough at one end and not stopping enough at the other.

Martinez certainly has proven he cannot and the change is necessary but nobody is a miracle worker except maybe Ranieri at Leicester who I suspect is relishing winning the title on home soil against hapless Everton.

Everton have had a bad record regarding youngsters coming through but it has to be said that in today's modern game very few top clubs give them much of a run, preferring instead to capitalize on the big money available to buy them almost as soon as they appear on the scene.

In hindsight some may say Barkley and Stones should have been sold when Everton had the chance but who would have thought that they would struggle this season.

Lukaku will always score goals as he has proved so calling him lazy is a no-brainer. (Would some have preferred Benteke?)

Still, I am sure he will move on soon for a big fee.

Rom scores goals when he puts the effort in, this is fact, Chelsea in the cup for example. He would have at least ten more goals if he put this effort in every week, fact of the matter is, he is a sulking lazy c**t.

Everyone's entitled to their own opinions despite being wrong and deluded. I was going to say on another thread, if we can keep Lukaku, Ross and JS and bring in the likes of Courtois, Bonucci, Gundogan and Inaki Williams (a new spine) then we can challenge next season with a manager who knows his arse from his elbow.

What I do know is that when we play to his strengths and give him service, Lukaku scores lots of goals. Had a poor game at Wembley, but I've seen better strikers than Lukaku have stinkers.

He is our only striker of note, yet we rarely give him any service. That's where the problem lies. He'll get goals for us next season if he's here, even more for a manager who plays to his strengths.

The Ernie Hunt type of goal from the Willie Carr free kick was later banned because, as far as I am aware, the free kick taker played the ball with two feet. It was also said that the ball had to rotate a full circumference before another player could touch it but I'm not sure about that reason. How could it be 'handball' as it never went near a hand?

Bobby out, by the way!!

It seems that Leighton was brought down to earth by RM for speaking the truth but Lukaku was given an arm around the shoulder. How on earth he was not benched and fined for showing the ultimate disrespect to the fans who pay his over inflated salary is beyond recognition.

His performances since he came back from international duty have shown that he has well and truly left us. Ambling around waving his arms is about the best we have seen these past 4 - 5 games and should have been left on the bench yesterday, in fact he should be left there for the last few games and let the kids have a go.

Leighton will have his days numbered if the drivel uttering idiot RM remains in charge as he did the same to Distan and the gift from the footballing gods; remember him !!

Both let it be known to him that he was a shite manager and paid the ultimate price. Just read a report where Distin claimed that Everton defended as a team when Martinez first arrived but did not elaborate on what went wrong afterwards. He shows great dignity in saying in the report that what happened between him and RM shall stay between them. I am sure that we all can guess what happened as we have now seen what was once one of the best defensive units in the premier league capitulate to one of the worst.

Autocratic management is obviously his style with a "don't challenge me approach". I once adopted that style of management but was quickly forced to change my approach as I quickly lost the respect and commitment of the team that I had inherited. It seems as if the same scenario has now developed at EFC with a blinkered approach and a failure to listen.

Seemingly talented players have lost their way and show little motivation or commitment which will not be restored until the system changes and teamwork based on sound ethics returns.

Leighton is a true Evertonian and showed what the club means to him when he stayed with us after Moyes tried to unsettle him and take him up the East Lancs Road.

Lukaku is a self centered egotistical money grabbing showboat who cares nothing for this club. Jose was spot on when he let him go as he is a thousand times the manager that RM will ever be.

We live in hope that the new investor and majority shareholder will not fall for the spin and utter disrespect shown to a very patient fan base. The regular crap uttered by RM has since left most Everton fans completely dumbfounded and personally I feel it is an attack on our intelligence as supporters.

Dick Advocat walked away from Sunderland earlier this season and showed his respect for the supporters and the club by refusing to take a pay off. Be a man Roberto and show some balls for once. Take a walk !!!!

We live in hope. NSNO.

Thanks for your side note.
My heart goes out to all the families yet so glad they have got justice -- At last.

Thank you for putting us in the picture.

As for Dowell, he will kept firmly under wraps for fear of exposing Niassie's limitations by comparison.

It's a hard struggle if you are one of our own but they love you in Coventry........and Brentford !

These are the ramblings of a man that believes he has brought a level of success to Everton. "Judge me on the last 3 years," he asks. We should be close to being the finished article, however, we can see the players don't want to play for him and look unhappy. Now we will see an exodus of players this summer and I believe those players would be better off elsewhere.

This has been a season of missed opportunity, poor defending has been the Achilles heel and losing Fortress Goodison. Can the board really accept this as success?

I saw some good touches(and a bad one) from the new boy yesterday, as he was a willing runner, and quicker than Kone, and I would like to give him the benefit of the doubt, and hope for more next season.

Dowel scores a superb hat-trick in midweek and he gets 3 minutes on Saturday. What do you have to do to get a proper run-out?
Besic again at right back! Where was Connolly? Or why didn't Hibbo start?
This manager is totally deluded.

I knew a John Traynor at school, Liverpool Institute, '65. The same or not?

Our fullbacks play too wide, which leaves great big gaps down the sides.. A well drilled defence just wouldn't have left that much space, for Martial, to exploit

So where does the leadership come from on the pitch to get players back to provide cover for a right back who is a central defensive midfielder, to get the likes of Barkley to go with his man? This defensive naivety has been present all season.

We let Man City back in when we had a two-goal advantage when what was required was a down and dirty approach to win the game... Fellaini got away from six defenders to score... I can go on and on but we have to sacrifice this gung ho approach for a bit of pragmatism.

Didn't Leicester win 8 games or more by a single goal? Last time I looked, you only got 3 points for a win? We're forever Everton – the team that plays beautiful football but can't win an argument.