Limited chances forced Long to leave

I also see he alludes to the training regime at Everton and how he is benefiting from what he is getting at Burnley. More pointers to a possible reason we cannot seem to keep a steady pace throughout 90 minutes

Don't know what to make of the U21s. I certainly don't like it but those who make the International U21s get really good exposure. Unfortunately, with lads out on loan, we have to make up the numbers with 16 and 17yr olds. Little wonder Long felt dejected when returning there from first team training and the Europa Cup.

As for our first team training. It's not something I've witnessed but judging by our performances, there are plenty of things we don't practice. eg.Set- piece attacking and defending and my biggest complaint, closing down.

Remember reading Andy Cole's book, and he was saying how Brian Kidd, used to regularly run the bollocks off them in training. That's another one in the bank, was his favourite saying, and it can't be a coincidence United scored so many late goals.

When Kendall's Everton, got to three FA Cup finals on the bounce, I remember reading Howard say, that we might lose a cup tie, but whoever beat them would definitely know they had been in a game.

Football might have moved on but I just don't get this impression under Martinez at the minute. It takes a lot of bottle to walk away from a top club, at such a young age, so good look to Chris Long, because his actions have shown how hungry he his to succeed.

Professionals should be naturally fit and no matter how much running they do or don’t do if they can’t play the game they won’t be much use to anyone. But of course everybody sees the game differently.

He said because of the banter, and training with the ball, the players never used to realise how hard they had worked, and were always ready because of these methods.

I always get the impression that Martinez is all about conserving energy, rather than expanding it, and although I never said that Kendall’s methods were all about running, nobody could ever deny how hard his team of the eighties worked.

I just don't feel like he his evolving, and I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting Everton, to play with a greater tempo. Look at the pace we now have in our squad, I just want us to use it more, because I feel it would make us a much better team.

A stat before last years champions league final, said Juventus had six players in their team, who ran further than Barcelona's, Neymar. Who was Barca's hardest worker.

I always want to see Everton play good football, but we haven't got the players to play like Barca, but I'm sure we could play like a Dortmund or a Juve. All except maybe Gareth Barry, save him for the games when the pace will be a bit slower.

Actually, Dortmund were much more than perpetual motion. Klopp was always the crazy muletrain driver with the big whip but they unearthed players of huge talent at bargain prices and played fantastic football.

Have to agree with Tony on the Martinez way of doing things. He's all about conserving energy. Has said so on many occasions. Bringing players along slowly so they'll be ready for the last three months. Getting an extra year or two out of the veterans. Already he is talking about Barry playing till he is forty.

According to Gibbo, "On our day we can beat anyone". He also said he was the best penalty taker in the squad but is never on the pitch to take one.

Right now my only problems are Coleman and Stones. Seamus hadn't quite recovered from his illness the other day but reckons he'll soon be back to his best. Fingers crossed on this one.

Stones is the main worry. The lad was just going through the motions against Sunderland and may still be carrying the knock he received during the Reading game on the 22nd September. A couple of weeks later he called off his England stint, eventually returned for a few games but has never looked himself. Unfortunately, with Jags out and Browning a bit lost at CB, we're in a desperate position. Hopefully he will soon be back up to speed.

Saving energy for the relegation dogfight with Wigan is one thing, but he should realise he's dealing with a much better squad of players and lost points early in the season can't be recovered.