Funes Mori enjoying his Premier League adventure

, 5 October, 76comments  |  Jump to most recent
Ramiro Funes Mori appears to be revelling in his new surroundings of the Premier League after being thrust straight into first-team duty for Everton following his arrival on transfer deadline day last month.

The 24-year-old was signed in a £9.5m deal from River Plate in his native Argentina and came to the Premier League as an unknown quantity for the vast majority of English observers.

Some better versed in the South American game like BBC Sport contributor Tim Vickery expressed grave doubts that he would make the grade in England but Funes Mori is off to a good start in proving such nay-sayers wrong.

He was handed his full debut for the Blues by Roberto Martinez against Reading in the Capital One Cup and although he had a somewhat shaky start and was partly culpable for the Royals' goal, he has gone from strength to strength since, culminating in an impressive display in yesterday's Merseyside derby.

John Stones's continuing injury problems – the England international is said to have broken down in training over the weekend with concern over his knee – have meant that Funes Mori also played the full 90 minutes against West Brom and Liverpool, allowing him to bed into the team and the league straight away.

“Premier League football is very physical and the intensity of the game is high,” Mori said in the Liverpool Echo.

“I have to keep adapting to the Premier League but I really like it and I’m enjoying my moment and I want to keep playing.”

The former FC Dallas defender was solid and capable in the relative heat of the all-Mersey clash that finished all square thanks in no small part to his last-minute sliding tackle that prevented Daniel Sturridge from racing through to possibly grab a dramatic and undeserved winner for the reds.

"It was a good game and the derby is something historic here and I enjoyed the fans’ passion," he continued.

"It has the same intensity as the Superclasico back home and the fans make it very intense and when they scream you know you are in a derby.

"I don’t know how I got that ball!" he chuckled in reference to his Stones-esque reaching challenge. “If that ball had got through then he was going to be through by himself.”

 

Reader Comments (76)

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Nick Entwistle
1 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:00:27
I don't know how Tim Vickery can be proved wrong when he called out the guy as a mistake just waiting to happen. And it did. But Bobby's rock solid defensive reputation will iron those creases out.
Brian Williams
2 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:05:02
Can't quite make out what you mean there Nick?
James Marshall
3 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:18:27
I watched the game heavily hungover on a screen that wasn't the best picture, and I had no idea who made that tackle, until now.

I too don't understand Nick's post by the way. Nor will I ever listen to Tim Vickery.

Mark Riding
4 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:22:38
He brings the ball out and looks a player. Made up with him. A few mistakes are bound to happen, but I'm glad Roberto signed him, as if we still had El Moyes in charge we would have signed Jonny Evans this summer.
Dean Adams
5 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:27:41
I think Tim Vickery knows absolutely the square root of 0 about football players and how good/bad they are. Funes Mori looks very composed for a player making his first few steps in the Premier League, in a defence that is not exactly full of experience.

I would imagine that when our players are all back from injury, Roberto will have a headache over who to choose and who to leave out.

Phil Gardner
6 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:30:28
I was very happy with the contribution from Funes Mori.

There was a moment (I can’t remember the RS player was) where Funes Mori had to completely abandon Sturridge, who was through on goal, to race toward a 50-50 down on the right wing (where St Galloway would’ve been if he hadn’t pressed on...) that probably would’ve cost us a goal if he didn’t ’Row Z’ it before the RS winger was able to play in Sturridge. Crowd absolutely loved it and quite rightly.

Si Cooper
7 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:34:47
Come off it, Nick. We all know that Vickery was predicting he would be prone to absolute howlers, not just capable of the odd mistake during his settling in period. Thus far, Vickery looks miles off target if you are judging the lad by the standards of the average Premier League defender.
Derek Turner
8 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:37:02
Oh, Nick. Cheer up mate, it might never happen.
Dave Pritchard
9 Posted 05/10/2015 at 17:38:27
Dean @ 5, nice to see a bit of maths being used. (I’ll probably be in a minority on this.)
John Graham
10 Posted 05/10/2015 at 18:20:53
Too early to tell yet I think. Has been caught out a few times when being slow to clear but hopefully he will learn and get better. He was known for scoring some good goals in Argentina so, if he can get on the end of some set-pieces, it will be good. Jags will help him out lots.
Dan Hollingworth
11 Posted 05/10/2015 at 18:36:41
He was MotM for me yesterday. I thought we had signed a duckegg to be honest, some of the reports I had seen. He is fantastic in the air. Reads the game well as well.

You don't play for Argentina however if you are a duckegg. Well done Funes Mori, lad! Settling in well.

Nigel Munford
12 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:04:44
I think Nick’s glass must be half-empty. The lad looks class.
Brian Williams
13 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:06:26
Just realised why I couldn't understand Nick: he was talking crap.

The lad literally saved us from defeat with that last gasp tackle, and that wasn’t the only thing he did during the game. His all round performance was excellent.

Jay Harris
14 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:07:08
I have to say, the Reading mistake apart, the lad has looked very settled amongst a makeshift back 4.

He has looked after Galloway a fair bit and got important challenges and headers in where they count.

He is also not afraid to hit Row Z when it is called for. Certainly a class above Alcaraz.

Lee Gorre
15 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:10:10
Why give any credence to Vickery? He’s a journalist, not a coach, scout, etc. Who gives a fuck what he thinks anyway?
Rob Brown
16 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:14:19
He is starting to look like a very good acquisition.
Anthony Lamb
17 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:30:55
These derogatory comments or cliches such as "a mistake waiting to happen" are becoming quite silly by the minute. They seem to overlook the fact that this game is actually played by human beings and is a game with high degrees of variability, chance, luck, unpredictability etc, however, you want to describe it.

After watching Everton and the wider game for over 60 years, I am really hard-pressed to know of any player who has not made mistakes of one form or another. Does anyone out there know if such a player has ever actually existed?

Obviously one would expect professional players with all the benefits they enjoy being able to iron out some of the more basic mistakes. (How long will it take for Howard to iron out the mistake of staying rooted to his line when balls are played into the six yard box?)

But anyone expecting to watch players at any level perform without being prone to the very human frailty of making a mistake is in for a very long wait. Messi does miss penalties you know.

Terry Downes
18 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:32:13
Fantastic in the air ? He seems okay but he isn’t the dominant, good-in-the-air centre-half I thought we were getting...

In fact, from what I’ve seen, he seems quite lightweight and average when corners are flying in. I might in the minority but that's my opinion anyway.

Lee Gorre
19 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:41:29
Reminds me a bit of Materazzi in his build and the way he brings it out from the back. Just hope he stays on the pitch and at the club longer.
Colin Glassar
20 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:43:31
Ask Nick, Anthony. He seems to be a bit of a defensive expert.
Ged Simpson
21 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:47:40
God it can all backfire Nick.

Stand your ground though... like Funes Mori.

Thomas Surgenor
22 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:52:45
I like the lad. Strong, athletic, he can bring the ball out and knows when to hit Row Z.

He is no John Stones (who is?! – he is more in the Jags full-blooded mould) and I think he will need to add an extra half-yard of pace for the Premier League.

If I’m honest, he just looks a smidge off the pace to be at his best. He will gain that from playing time and it must be very difficult to play at Premier League pace coming from other leagues.

But, all-in-all, a very promising start to his Goodison career; I have very high hopes for him.

Poor Roberto is gonna have one heck of a headache when everyone is fit.

Eugene Kearney
23 Posted 05/10/2015 at 19:53:53
I watched the match on line from the 20th minute on....

I think he played very well for someone new to the PL and only his second match therein. The young lads Browning and Galloway did very well too - and Jags was just brilliant and popped up everywhere.

Pity we didn't manage all three points - it would've been a nice way of welcoming RFM to the derby!!

....pity his initials sound like the name of a radio station !!!!

Max Fine
25 Posted 05/10/2015 at 20:13:11
I was at the game yesterday and thought Mori did... OK. Reminded me a little of a younger Jags, about worth his price tag but nothing to suggest he's the next Beckenbauer. Galloway impressed me more tbh.
James Stewart
26 Posted 05/10/2015 at 20:42:00
@21 I’d second that. I thought Galloway was outstanding; if he moves to left-sided centre-back, Funes Mori might struggle to get a look in.
Paul Tran
27 Posted 05/10/2015 at 20:55:03
Martinez signed him, he’s a centre half, so he must be rubbish. And some were grateful to find a journalist to hang their view on. What I’m seeing on the pitch looks like a good signing to me. Every player makes mistakes; Vickery was suggesting that he’s a disaster waiting to happen.

Maybe journalists get it wrong too? I just wish people will judge what they see on the pitch.

Alan Bodell
28 Posted 05/10/2015 at 20:58:54
It’s good now lads and going to get better when we have got through these first 10 games. We’ve had really tough fixtures and of course no games are easy but with our squad, our bench is full of quality. I am more hopeful now than I can remember... oh, and I am a pensioner.

This lad Funes Mori will do fine with our dressing room helping him for sure.

Jon Withey
29 Posted 05/10/2015 at 21:08:33
Like him, no doubt he’ll improve. He also strikes me as a big personality which is worth a lot.

Roberto deserves a bit of credit for turning a defensive crisis into an area we now seem quite strong in.

Jagielka, Funes Mori, Stones, Galloway, Browning, Coleman, Baines, Oviedo

No doubt McCarthy and Barry could help along the back-line, Besic too.

Philip Bunting
30 Posted 05/10/2015 at 21:16:19
And Garbutt....what must he be thinking?
Michael Mulholland
31 Posted 05/10/2015 at 21:51:08
Yes he seems good buy and plays well, but imo young Galloway looks top man.
Keith Harrison
32 Posted 05/10/2015 at 23:15:59
Jon, 27 - you forgot Holgate and Garbutt. Very strong defence, and it will improve even more when Tim’s eventual replacement comes in. He still worries me at times.
Dave Abrahams
33 Posted 05/10/2015 at 00:01:14
Tim Vickery is a journalist, he makes a good living out of talking about football, good luck to him, but he knows as much about football as you and me. Take no notice of him.

Here in England, Brian Reade of the Daily Mirror makes a living doing the same thing as Tim Vickery... I’d say he knows less than Vickery, I take no notice of either of them.

By the way, when Brian Reade talks about politics, I take notice.

Victor Jones
34 Posted 06/10/2015 at 00:24:06
So far, so good. Funes Mori has done well in my humble opinion. The fact that he has been capped by Argentina cannot be under estimated. They are no mugs.

Footballers will always make mistakes and defenders making mistakes can cost matches. The players making the least mistakes go to the top. They are gold dust. Funes Mori has not made any real howlers... so far. Remember people that Coleman, Stones, Jagielka and Baines have all had "off" days. I like Funes Mori; far better than the Heitinga and Alcaraz days. And the youngsters are also refreshing and looking good, so far.

ps: Jonny Evans is not that bad. Believe me, in the right set up, this lad can play. People should not be so blinkered.

Paul Kelly
35 Posted 06/10/2015 at 01:30:26
What mistake, Nick? The one we’re he was tackled and Barry give the ball away passing without looking up?

I’m intrigued to know.

Ernie Baywood
36 Posted 06/10/2015 at 02:47:49
Come on, Paul, he brought the ball out and got caught in possession. Why do we have to be so black-and-white in our assessments? Perfect or shite.

He’ll make mistakes, particularly as he seems to be a defender who likes to play a bit. No complaints from me so far though, he’s started well and hopefully we’ve got ourselves a player.

Paul Kelly
37 Posted 06/10/2015 at 03:25:09
Never said he was perfect nor shite, but 100% it was Barry who gave the ball away after Funes Mori was tackled, nothing black or white to it, just facts.

I think Funes Mori has started his Everton career well. I'm impressed, from what I’ve seen.

Harold Matthews
38 Posted 06/10/2015 at 07:04:02
Thrust into the limelight earlier than expected but, all things considered, he has performed very well.

Unfortunately, unlike Lukaku, Deulofeu, Lennon, Mirallas, Naismith, Gibson, Besic, Barkley, Osman, McGeady, Kone, McCarthy, Barry etc, centre backs are heavily criticised for the slightest mistake because it can often give the opposition a chance to score. Funes Mori knows this of course. It’s all part of the wonderful game of football. I wish him well.

Brian Porter
39 Posted 06/10/2015 at 07:07:20
After almost 60 years of watching this game we all love, I think I’ve seen enough to recognise a good footballer when I see one. Vickery obviously knows nothing about the real world, or just wants to be controversial in order to sell his words to the press. Funes Mori is a very good player in the making.

People talk about the ’mistake’ that led to a goal. Excuse me, but he came out with ball, was tackled, (it happens in this game you know), but I saw no danger, as the ball broke to one of our own, Gareth Barry, and that is where the MISTAKE happened. BARRY didn’t look up and literally played the ball without any idea where it would end up, straight to the opposition. How can you blame Funes Mori for Barry’s total lack of vision and weak passing?

Against the RS, his last ditch tackle on Sturridge probably prevented us from losing the game... and watch it again, doubters – that was a top-of-the-line tackle! I think Martinez (who I have never fully supported), has got it right with this lad, who is going to be a first class signing. I hope will be with us for a long time. I can see him eventually replacing Jags as our skipper slows a little as age catches up with him.

In the meantime, it will be nice to see Martinez having a selection headache when all our defenders are fit, instead of us having a defence without suitable back-up. Luke Garbutt is also probably wishing he’d stayed and, taken his chances at Goodison Park instead of going on a season long loan in a lower league. Galloway is filling in well so far, but is not a Leighton Baines yet, and Browning is okay but not quite the business in my opinion.

Back to Funes Mori, and I just wish the knockers would do one, or just get behind the guy; he’s one of us now, a full Argentine international, remember, and a Copa de Libertadores winner. How many of our current squad can claim such a pedigree? Support him, don’t knock him. As far as I’m concerned, he was one of our best players in the derby, by a long, way.

Mike Price
41 Posted 06/10/2015 at 07:49:39
I like what I’ve seen so far, but he’s not very big or commanding. I was stood next to him before he signed and he looked 6ft at the most.

I noticed the RS trying to get their bigger centre-backs up against him, he did well, but he’s not got that dominant size that Van Dijk seems to have, which we could definitely do with when paired with Jags.

Howard is by far and away the biggest liability in this team though... one of the worst keepers I’ve ever seen at Everton, and easily the worst in the Premier League.

Craig Fletcher
42 Posted 06/10/2015 at 08:33:44
Mike, I’m not Howard’s biggest fan either, but calling him the worst keeper in the Premier League is frankly ridiculous.

I’d never call him world class, but overall he’s one of the better keepers around. Keepers are (unfortunately for them) remembered for their mistakes, and I know memories are short, but he single-handedly got us a point at White Hart Lane last month.

Martin Mason
43 Posted 06/10/2015 at 08:56:06
The difficulty now is that, when Stones is fit, Funes Mori will be dropped. How to keep his enthusiasm high other than rotation or bringing him off the bench most games...
Sam Hoare
44 Posted 06/10/2015 at 09:04:36
Too early to say yet but he has certainly looked fairly comfortable and confident so far. While not the biggest (6ft-1in according to Wiki), I thought he did seem to win most of his aerial duels and has a Cahill-esque leap. Having said that, Van Dijk has looked very strong so far for Saints and he would have been my first pick.

Very early still for both players and it will be another two years or so before we can say which signing worked out better. Both are youngish CBs bought for the long term.

Paul Cherrington
45 Posted 06/10/2015 at 09:35:41
Now we’ve seen him a few times, it seems clear he is a pretty good player and will do well for us. As others have noted, he seems to read the game well and have the nous to know when to put it in Row Z.
David Killip
46 Posted 06/10/2015 at 09:57:57
The lad looks tidy and is improving match by match. He was very comfortable against the RS. As others have observed, he’s in a different league to the abject Alcaraz.

As for Vickery, just a little research will illustrate that he’s got plenty of form when it comes to spouting bollocks. Best ignored.

Frank Wade
47 Posted 06/10/2015 at 11:52:29
As other posters have said, a defender’s mistake (or goalkeeper’s) is remembered, but responsibility can be shared with others. For the West Brom goal, Ramiro had the ball in the left back position. At this stage, other players such as Barkley, Lukaku, Galloway, Jags, Barry and McCarthy should have been giving him options. It didn’t happen and ball was lost and the position could have been retrieved by Barry, Jags, Browning and Howard thereafter. It’s a team game.

In the derby. Ramiro made a great saving tackle on Ings, to prevent a pass to the open Sturridge, to concede ’the corner’ and also made the interception on Sturridge at the death. Well done Ramiro. These goal saving interceptions will be remembered on ToffeeWeb, when you next make a mistake that leads to a goal. It’s a balancing act.

I had to laugh watching his interview on the official site, when asked if the Superclasico experience prepared him for the derby. I came across some pieces on YouTube. If you could hold your head in this atmosphere, the relative peace and quiet of the derby is, to quote Flann O’Brien ’like a bunch of orphans out for a Sunday Walk’.

Superclasico version of Z-Cars:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GmR2n7MUc0E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDW5JW1JE5w

Peter Gorman
48 Posted 06/10/2015 at 12:08:14
In defence of the detractors, Funes Mori made plenty of mistakes in the first 15 mins of so, mostly being caught out of position when they were playing their way into the box. They could have been punished but they weren’t, so it is not all about the Barry pass or whatever. Not sure why that has become the fixation.

Then he really grew into the game it seemed, and the tackle after the quick free-kick was just brilliant. Overall, I'm still happy with the lad and though I am prepared to give him, Browning and Galloway a hell of a lot of lee-way, so far they don’t seem to need it. Galloway is constantly surprising me with the levels he reaches with each game and Jags has also been immense of late.

Jamie Barlow
49 Posted 06/10/2015 at 14:06:05
I agree, Peter.

I’m as excited about Galloway just as much as I was (and still am) with Stones. The lad doesn’t seem fazed by anything. He’s going to be some player and would be fantastic to have a pairing of Stones and Galloway for quite a few more years. Whether that will be the case is out of our hands unfortunately.

Ramiro Funes Mori has also been a great surprise. A lot of shit has been talked about him but he looks a good signing so far.

Mike Price; you’re talking bollocks.

Andrew Ellams
50 Posted 06/10/2015 at 14:40:18
He's a good player and we are in a better position for dfensive cover than we have been for many a year.
Peter Weaver
51 Posted 06/10/2015 at 15:08:27
It seems rather early to glorify RFM as appears to be the case above. However, the lad has made a good start but for £9.5M you would expect him to do so.

Personally, I am much more enthused by the way Galloway has grown into his job — just as Stones did. £1M from MK Dons was it? Now there's a real bargain!

Jay Harris
53 Posted 06/10/2015 at 15:13:28
I'd just like to mention Mason Holgate too who initially looks like a real find.
Victor Jones
54 Posted 06/10/2015 at 16:05:11
This season we have an abundance of defenders and they are all playing well (well enough so that none are seen as a liability). The trick now is to build on that. And also can we hold on to everyone for a few more seasons? Make this generation of players count (win a trophy). We are stuck with Howard. But our defenders would all benefit if we could get a top class keeper in. A keeper who commands his area. We also need a top class midfield playmaker as everyone knows) and a solid alternative striker as an option to Lukaku for when the big man needs a rest. Our defenders are progressing in the right direction. And with a few more quality players, I believe we can be real contenders. I hope our board can see that.And after the rubbish served up last season, I have to applaud Mr Martinez and (bear with me) also Moyes. The majority of the defence are Moyes buys but on the evidence of Funes Mori, Martinez is learning. In fact, he has surprised even me. Long may it last.
Peter Roberts
55 Posted 06/10/2015 at 16:59:57
Why does a centre-half need to be big? Per Krøldrup was 6ft-4in and couldn’t win a header; Cannevaro was 5ft-9in and one of the best centre-halves in the world.

Tim Cahill is 5ft-10in and could leap like a stag. Funes Mori has a great leap on him.

Looks a good player. Some people seem to be scrambling in their justification for making a hasty judgement.

Good luck to the lad, looks to be a good solid buy.

Mike Price
56 Posted 06/10/2015 at 17:14:47
Jamie Barlow... very eloquent.

You can only be referencing my feelings about Howard. Who is worse in the Premier League than him?

He’s one of the worst keepers I’ve ever seen. He seems to forget he can actually use his hands. Nearly all his saves are with his feet, he can’t dominate the 6-yard box never mind the penalty area. He’s shocking at stopping shots from distance and acts like he’s seen it the split second before it flies past him.

He stays on his line because he flaps when he ever attempts to get a cross, he’s got the worst save percentage in the league and directly cost us around 15 points last season.

Apart from that...

Peter Gorman
57 Posted 06/10/2015 at 17:23:50
Jamie, Galloway really isn't fazed it appears. When Emre Can started his shenanigans with Barkley, who was the first blue to get involved? Young Galloway. And the glare on him. It was ace.
Dave Abrahams
58 Posted 06/10/2015 at 18:02:40
Keith (#31) people over in Barnsley think that Holgate will be better than Stones.
Steve Carse
59 Posted 06/10/2015 at 18:17:17
Dave (55), Holgate is even better than Stones on the ball but he is on the small side. In any event having watched him on 4 occasions I’m not too sure CB is his best position.

His ball control, his vision, and his dribbling ability suggest to me he could be a wide midfield player. Indeed the way he just glides past players reminds me a lot of one Trevor Steven.

Andrew Keatley
60 Posted 06/10/2015 at 18:41:54
Dave (55) and Steve (56). Crikey. I like the look of Holgate for sure, but Stones has kicked on from being a young player with potential into one of the most sought-after players in world football. I hope Holgate can become a regular feature of the first team for Everton in the next 18 months - whatever his position turns out to be.

One thing's for sure, the scouting set-up that has convinced the club to take significant financial risks on Stones, Galloway and Holgate must be due some sort of bonus.

Jamie Barlow
61 Posted 06/10/2015 at 20:15:12
Apologies Mike. I just think people tend to go a little overboard where Tim Howard is concerned.

He may well be the worst goalkeeper in the league. I haven't seen enough of the others to make that call. I doubt he would have played so many games (and is still playing) for Everton and the US of A if he was though.

Mike Connolly
62 Posted 06/10/2015 at 20:30:40
Howard has been a liability for years. I bet his bad mistakes well outnumber his good saves. If we just sign a keeper I’d be happy. What someone said about him being the worse keeper in the EPL, I would have to agree.
Andy Crooks
63 Posted 06/10/2015 at 21:35:23
Mike, I judge goalkeepers by the amount of anxiety they cause and by my expectation. Neville Southall caused me no anxiety and I expected him to stop everything, Pat Jennings likewise.

With Tim Howard, I see every save as a bonus. Every cross brings a crisis. He is a reaction goalkeeper: time, even a second, to think brings out the worst in him. Close up, with flailing feet, he can give the impression of a man inspired. Thirty yards out, seeing the ball all the way, somehow allows him that split second to realise he might let it in.

In my view, he can look great under siege but that is not the goalkeeper we need for top four. We need consistent and dominant.

John Audsley
64 Posted 06/10/2015 at 21:53:43
Howard came out with his feet first on a couple of occasions on Sunday and nearly killed me on the first occasion. He seems to be beyond criticism from RM and the press alike.

I’m thinking that this season has to be his last as our first choice. He was woeful last season and sadly hasn’t the consistency to be reliable anymore. If anyone has created a career as a super-hero based on one performance, it's him.

Sam Hoare
65 Posted 06/10/2015 at 21:56:31
No idea why we didn't get Butland for the bargain price of £3m in 2013. At worst he would have been a much better back up than Robles and at best he'd have taken over from Howard and maybe earned us a few more points this season and last.
Jamie Barlow
66 Posted 06/10/2015 at 22:53:06
What was that one performance, John?
Andy Finigan
67 Posted 06/10/2015 at 23:09:59
In my opinion, Tim has been a very professional goal keeper over the years and has made what is a very hard position his own.

But his week, part to his game is his ability to command his box, and if he couldn’t do it in the past, he ain’t going to start now. Trouble is the rest know it.

Oliver Molloy
68 Posted 06/10/2015 at 23:37:05
Steve @ 56,

Don’t agree he’s better than Stones on the ball at this time anyway. He’s 18 years old and is 5ft-11½in so he has 3 years growth in him, that will see him taller than Jags I would think.

Trevor Steven comparison — don’t see that neither. Brilliant prospect, who could turn out to be just as good as Stones or better even.

John Audsley
69 Posted 07/10/2015 at 07:52:44
World Cup against Belgium, Jamie.
Harold Matthews
70 Posted 07/10/2015 at 09:00:49
Oliver, probably one year of growth left if he’s lucky. 19 is the average but some stop at 18 and a few at 21 and above.
Steve Carter
71 Posted 07/10/2015 at 09:10:58
Had to laugh about the "one of the worst Everton keepers ever" Howard comments. Erm, Lawson, Davies, Wright...
Jamie Barlow
72 Posted 07/10/2015 at 12:29:23
Ah, the record breaker. Cheers John.
Tony J Williams
73 Posted 07/10/2015 at 12:52:43
"If anyone has created a career as a super-hero based on one performance, it’s him."

Fecking eh? He had been in the Premier League for 11 fucking years before that performance!!!

We all know his weakness is he stays on the line too much, but he is far from the worst keeper in the league.

Victor Jones
74 Posted 07/10/2015 at 14:05:43
Just a wee comment on Tim Howard. Yes, he has played a lot of games for Everton, and nobody has ever thought of trying to replace him. Nobody thought about looking at other GKs. FFS Moyes even got rid of (IMO a good keeper), John Ruddy. I can only speak for myself but I have seen Howard make numerous mistakes (howlers). Some close up and live at Goodison and some (heavily scrutinized) on TV and he is never dropped. He would never have lasted at any other club. Only Everton.

We need proper competition for Howard's place. It's time we had another world beater keeping goal. And Robles is not the answer.

ps: David Lawson was not that bad a goalkeeper. He was no Big Nev. But he IMO not as bad as people are saying. Although I was only about 18 when I saw him play. Clouded memory and all that.

Paul Tran
75 Posted 07/10/2015 at 19:20:18
It's not about whether Howard is the 'worst' goalkeeper. I can take any player making mistakes. What I can't take is the same, experienced player making the same mistakes; staying rooted to his line for crosses, going in with his feet when he has two hands he can use.

I can only assume/hope that Martinez thinks he has to prioritise limited resources elsewhere.

We desperately need a decent goalkeeper. One who stops shots, like Howard can. One who commands his area, comes for the ball and uses hands rather than feet. One who calms and inspires colleagues and fans.

By the way, Victor, I was 12 when Lawson was in goal and I thought he was poor then. Still can't forgive him for that Chris Nicholl goal at Old Trafford that took five minutes to go past him. We had that cup in the bag and he let them back in it.

Dave Abrahams
76 Posted 07/10/2015 at 19:31:47
Victor (71), yes John Ruddy turned out to be and is a very good goalkeeper.

Incidentally it was Chris Wood, the goalkeeping coach who let Ruddy go; dithering Dave couldn’t make his mind up who to keep, Ruddy or Ian Turner, so told Wood to choose who to keep.

John Audsley
77 Posted 07/10/2015 at 20:17:54
One record-breaking performance, Jamie, but a guy who can make that amount of saves in one game should be able to stop a midget scoring in front of him from 4 yards... when the ball is coming towards him from above.
Victor Jones
79 Posted 08/10/2015 at 04:22:10
Paul, We should have won that League Cup at the first attempt. And we were the better team in the second match. Maybe Lawson was to blame for the 3-2 defeat. But that was one hell of a freaky shot from Nicholl. Heart breaking. But I don’t recall Lawson getting blamed.

And Brian Little was a poacher. Again, no blame (from me) on Lawson. My opinion on Lawson is based on seeing him keep a number of clean sheets and also make a few brilliant saves. I seem to be on my own here, but I thought he was OK.

I did not know that it was Chris Wood who (under Moyes) let Ruddy go. Why? That was a bloody awful decision. Turner was rubbish. Was there maybe a personality clash?

And yes, Paul, I totally agree with your comments about Tim Howard. I think that the main consensus is that he is now past his sell-buy date. Thanks very much for everything. But we now need a top class stopper. Good bye.

Too late now, but I was crying out for Fraser Forster. But Everton seem to have other priorities

Jamie Barlow
80 Posted 08/10/2015 at 14:30:08
Absolutely agree, John.

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