Draw at Upton Park a fair result

And Martinez is set on two DMFs, so I am resigned to this team selection. TBH it is not too bad. We also have a reasonable bench....although is young Browning the latest to fall out of favour?

We can win this today. Although I say that every week. I only hope that we can score first. I hope we can be solid in defence and against the odds, that we can keep a clean sheet. I predict that Lukaku will score, and that we win 2-1 or 3-1. But TBH I would take a scrappy 1-0 win. Move on as there are easier games to come. COYBs.

Deulofeu excellent again, as was Barry, Funes Mori, and Stones much-improved on his Sunderland performance.

McCarthy and Barkley were poor I thought (esp. Barkley's set pieces!!) and it wasn't one of Galloway's best games. He struggled all game against Victor Moses.

It would have been nice to get the 3 points but West Ham are a very strong side these days so I can't see that there's much to grumble about. We looked pretty solid defensively which has been the main criticism of late. We look pretty potent with the front 3 attacking players, Deulofeu always looks dangerous and Kone links up well with Rom.

If there was any criticism it would be that we're still missing that elusive No.10. That's not a criticism of Ross, because he played okay and threaded the through ball for Rom. I just think we need another option, ideally a more tricky player and archetypal European type midfielder who can compete with Ross for the position.

Lukaku's first touch is still a shot, Barkley is contracting the same disease and Galloway, although playing well, has to learn to go down the left when he plays the ball to the corner of the 18 yards box and not cut inside.

I eagerly await the return of Cleverley to add a bit of variety.

Ross got a lot of stick on the live forum, which was a bit overdone, but he really shouldn’t be taking all the free kicks (or corners). Most of our danger, predictably was down the right.

Galloway was tentative going forward, though to be fair to him, there was seldom an Everton player in front. He’s done well, but I’m looking forward to seeing Baines back.

Translation please.

A fair result but the surprise was there wasn’t a lot more goals given how open it was and the chances created.

Everton still have defensive problems to resolve and we hope Martinez can deal with that soon.

Don't wonder why you can't change the game when you sign up plodders like Lennon gaffer. Barkley needed hooking with 25 to go for that number 10 like Yarmokenko or Nolito that you opted not to sign despite the league overflowing with money.

Mid table dross!

Wonderful through ball by Gerry and great finish by Rom.

Galloway not at his best. but a really professional performance from Barry down the left side. What has happened to Browning? Has Holgate jumped up the pecking order I wonder...

Not a bad game from Tim but his inability to come for crosses, and / or catch them, seems to be more noticeable than ever. We are going to get caught out soon by this and a few points will be lost for sure.

We need to beat both Villa and Bournemouth though, we need a winning run to build momentum, points at the likes of West Ham are only good points if you beat sides that you are meant to beat, and the woeful Aston Villa fall into that category especially at Goodison.

Just a shame we have another flamin' two week break thanks to yet ANOTHER international break!

That said, it's good to go into the break with a solid result.

That was Everton’s youngest team since 9th May 2009 at home to Spurs, that is 26½ years.

Only Tim Howard was in both teams, although 2 other players are still on our books and out injured.

The defence played well limiting the crosses in to Carroll who was well controlled by the central defenders but we still seem to be wasting the opportunities from dead-ball situations. I understand that you cannot score from all dead-ball situations but most of the time there seems no creativity in taking them.

More average play for the foreseeable future.

A draw may well have been a fair result but I’m afraid I look at this game as 2 points dropped. We are far too predictable

That feeling lies behind my disappointment today; solid draw but somehow it feels as though we've again, and predictably, come up short.

And Chelsea go one down!

In the long term I'd like to see Cleverley replace Barry in the deeper role alongside McCarthy, but for the foreseeable, until Jan at the least, he might be the short term answer on his imminent return.

Martinez is obsessed with possession and although there might be less tippy tappy football there is still far too much Of this boring sleep inducing rubbish, but if you are happy with it you must be a lot more easily pleased than me.

Del Boy gets me out of my seat. What a ball to Lukaku that was - second week his pinpointed a beautiful pass!

Galloway is such a fine young player, but he has to have belief in his abilities to take on a man in the final third.

Funes Mori will score from a set piece very soon.
Stones is just class.

McCarthy very, very lucky not to be sent off. Red card for me on that scissor tackle.

Onwards. Good point.

Very good performances today from a much improved Stones, Gareth Barry and Deulofeu who was man of the match. Conditions were not easy with the pitch cutting up a fair bit and both teams defending in numbers. It was important for us to stay solid which we did.

This was a well earned point with which most if not all teams in the league would be content.

Not happy with it and didn’t say or imply I was.

Yes, I agree we lack the No 10 but Martinez doesn’t try anything different, just plods along, maybe the Number Ten is at the club.

I think Deulofeu can play there, doesn’t get tried there even as a sub. I’m not a big fan of Mirallas but he could possibly play there...

We’ll never know because Martinez is nothing if he’s not stubborn, does he listen to any of his coaches? That’s if they’ve got anything to say.

But you are unhappy with it? Not sure what you want from a team playing away.

Stones may look good on the ball when teams let him have it without pressing him but he can’t head a ball and us no "heart on sleeve" type when we come under the cosh. If Chelsea come back with the same bid, I would snap their hand off.

Possession just for the sake of possession and getting nowhere is boring the pants off loads of fans, although people do not mind it.

If we had attacked West Ham today more than we did, we could have won the game, it would have been more entertaining that’s for sure, which is the main reason I go to watch football.

By the way, most of West Ham's success this season has been away from home; they have only won twice at home: then again so have we!!!

To be fair to Galloway the absence of a real outlet on the left wing must be a nightmare, Ross holds on to ball far too long and becomes very predictable.

On the plus side it was a decent result, Deulofeu and Lukaku worked hard and were outstanding at times, defensively we did ok Stones was back to his best form.

Barkley needs some major reconstructive coaching surgery done on him in regard to his decision-making (which is ultimately the fault of the manager (or arguably the board... or if we’re going to be utterly pedantic, John Houlding)) and by now it has to be clear that McCarthy is turning into our second greatest liability in the team, behind Tim Howard.

Deulofeu seems to get better with every game while Howard took a leaf out of Robles book punching out crosses he could have caught,Stones was immaculate snuffing out the Carroll threat completely I agree that McCarthy should have walked for a very bad legbreaker but, unlike Dier, his ’victim’ was unharmed.

It looks like, once again, we are going to play catch up with them across the park as we always seem to do. A win for them tomorrow will see us trail by three points, when will we ever learn??

Payet was limping after the McCarthy challenge, and as a direct result of it he had to be substituted 5 minutes into the second half. Who knows how long he might be out for. If I was a West Ham fan, I’d feel aggrieved.

I agree though with your comment re Dier – he only saw yellow for the exact same challenge on Cleverley, so, for consistency’s sake, McCarthy should get yellow too. In my view though, both challenges, to the letter of the law, should have seen red cards.

Also agree with you re Barkley – it was infuriating how often he gave the ball away, but unfortunately with him we have to take the rough with the smooth. There’ll be those moments but there’ll also be moments of real quality. Hope we see more of the latter.

I think we probably agree that we play less tikki takki in our own third, and that we need to turn good possession into goal-scoring chances more often, to attack as you say. But I'm not sure how we can do that any better with the players we've got. I don't want to see the long, high ball from our own third to a lone Lukaku (except as an occasional ploy to keep the opposition on their toes).

I like to see players running at their man - cue Delboy etc, but we don't have anybody who can do this and run past their man enough in a game.

I like to see defence-splitting passes (but as previous posts, we also lack anybody who can do this often enough in a game).

So we end up playing a game with a fair degree of possession, few chances created. Hence the boredom sometimes. Of course, there are the odd exceptional games.

He’s been inconsistent, which one would expect from a youngster perhaps but in that case we need to have other options or else our game suffers when everything is breaking down with the supposed creative fulcrum.

If you compare Barkley to Payet and his influence this season it makes you realise how much we could benefit from a consistent creative presence in that position.

I would hazard a guess that the teams with higher possession stats are those above us in the table, Chelsea excluded.

Possession is a priority with most teams, yes? One can build from there. Without the ball a team can do little.

As for the subs... can’t win when you argue for and against them.

Deulofeu really is maturing as a player and has so many strings to his bow. His pass to set Lukaku up was simply sublime. It was fantastic watching him beat players and put in very dangerous crosses. As proved in other games this season he doesn’t even after beat his man to put in a wicked cross – very Beckham-esque in that regard. I’m just hoping Barcelona don’t activate his release clause any time soon.

As others has stated, Barkley and McCarthy were woeful today and as a result, should be dropped for the next game. It’s not as if we’re short of options in the middle of the park. I would replace both players with Cleverley and Gibson for the Villa game. These two players will at least add a bit of creativity in central midfield. Poor performances should not go unpunished.

We really need to push on now and start putting points on the board against the so-called weaker opposition before The New Year.

When you are passing the ball about with no real aim of going forward but keeping possession, I.e versus Sunderland last week it was boring (for me), Sunderland we’re pretty hopeless defending and we could have scored a few more, but at the end of these passing sequences someone always gave the ball away and put Sunderland on the attack and they were as good as Everton on the attack and could quite easily have scored a few themselves.

As for the substitutions, he made the wrong ones today IMO, Barklay should have replaced and possibly McCarthy, Lennon comes on with seven minutes to go which told me Martinez was happy with a draw. That was only the second substitution so one sub wasn’t used, this happens quite frequently when it is patently obvious some players are having a poor game but stay on.

Most of Everton played well today; while Coleman, Stones and Mori were outstanding defensively. Why someone did not tell Galloway to stand no less than 5 yards away from Victor Moses is a mystery, because in the first half, Moses had all the time and space in the world to run at the Everton defence and cause havoc.

Dave (57); I think the other sub that could have been warranted today would have been Gibson for McCarthy at around the 80-minute mark.

I do despair sometimes. You think Stones is overrated.

"Proper defenders know how to defend their goal" Today he was outstanding defensively, he made numerous interceptions and tackles.

He "may look good on the ball when teams let him have it without pressing him" Utter nonsense, he is the most composed centre half in the country at the age of 21. His distribution is outstanding.

He "can’t head a ball and ’no heart on his sleeve when under the cosh’" Tell that to Andy Carroll or Diego Costa or Daniel Sturridge or Harry Kane or Gomis or Pelle all of whom he has dominated with ease this season.

This lad is the best prospect I have seen in 40 years of watching Everton (and that includes Rooney). It takes all sorts I suppose.

Just wish we could keep a clean sheet, getting a bit worrying as to the amount we are letting in, Roberto seems to have the Kevin Keegan idea of how to play. Doesn’t matter how many goals we let in as long as we get more.

On another note, I hope we go for the Kid Marshall from Cardiff in January (but I doubt it) just watched him in the game against Reading, Outstanding display, what a keeper.

I can’t read Bobby’s mind re the subs, but players can a good run of poor performances and stay in the tea, or come right back in after an injury, it seems (like a lot of managers) he does have his favourites. All we can do is watch who he selects and go along with it, or have a good moan.

Martinez out for me.

Our set pieces are pretty disgraceful. The delivery is woeful and Funes Mori is the only one determined to get his head on the ball. To put his head in where it hurts. Some people are just not hungry enough.

After a fine game last week, McCarthy struggled to get involved against a couple of hard working skilful midfielders on his side of the pitch but our very slow build up didn't do him any favours. I'd like to know his instructions.

Lukaku and Deulofeu combined for a great goal but the big fella's first touch is still costing us in the final third. Another lad not suited to the slow build up.

In truth, there's really not much to add, the lack of tempo being my main complaint. A draw was a fair result but West Ham didn't impress me and better tactics and a fighting attitude would have secured all three points.

My other worry is that our opponents are targeting Galloway, and game as the lad is, he is not a natural left back. He is not getting enough protection from whoever is operating ahead of him either, so this needs addressing asap.

We seemed happy to take the draw today – so much tippy-tappy at the back near the end.

After we had kicked two of their most dangerous players out of the game, perhaps we could have really gone for the 3 points.

That said, I am pleased to come away from there with something.

We have now had 4 sloppy draws: Watford, Swansea, Liverpool and now West Ham. All points dropped IMO. But I suppose that today's result is the most acceptable. West Ham are not a bad side.

We now have three very winnable games coming up. I will be disappointed with anything less than 9 points. Why not? And I also want to see the same players as today play. No chopping and changing. They should be up to beating Villa, Bournemouth and Norwich. Although under Martinez... who knows?

This is a middle of the road Everton team. And IMO they need to up their game for the rest of the season, or it will be just the same old run of the mill nonsense of the last 20 years. I want more. But I fear that this Everton team will not deliver. Barkley and Co just don’t have that little something extra in their lockers. But I live in hope. Even Leicester City are showing that something extra. Rant over.

I know it is only game 12 but we should really be beating teams that are not as good as us – it is that simple to me. West Ham were beatable today if we had gone for it from the off, but we start so slow in all our matches.

Martinez enthusiastic approach to go and find a way to win a game like this in his first season is now non-existent. I can see more of the same throughout the season, with a run in the cup if we get lucky.

West Ham have won at Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal. We won't do that.

You never know... chastened by his ’failures’ at Old Trafford and in Spain, Moyes may be more intent to prove himself and give the Goodison faithful a cavalier team that wins most games home or away. Personally I wouldn’t set foot in Goodison if he did return but he’s the only manager I can think of that would work under our current owners, if RM was to be removed from his position.

I can't understand how it is thought that West Ham are an inferior team to us. They're a good side with fine players and are showing it by the position they hold in the league, just as Leicester are.

I thought it was a good away point today and I'll be happy if our team continues to progress, develops their consistency and hopefully keeps away from injuries.

Gerry is coming on a bundle. The main culprit to me, is Ross. Not that he isn't capable of wonderful passes and rocket shots, I think he's still yet to learn to pass the ball earlier on occasions. If he can, the nthe calls for a faster momentum, I think will be answered.

That was a good point today though.

The corners were so tragic you just had to laugh. No top side would neglect dead ball situations the same way we do, it's simply embarrassing and a massive black mark on the Martinez reign.

Still mystified with some of his buys though, and some of his tactics. It’s reasonable to question the manager’s thinking when most weeks we are so painfully average.

No thanks!! Moyes coming back would most definitely be a move backwards.

Imagine Moyes walking back into Goodison... his head wouldn’t fit through the door! What ambition would that show? The football under him wasn’t great and in all eleven years did we realistically look like winning anything.

Does anyone think the relationship between Moyes and kenwright is good? Moyes showed a complete lack of class when fergie came calling! The loyalty the club showed him with the style of football we played at times with little ambition. I would be amazed if Mr Kenwright made that call...

I like Barkley and I don’t wish to bash a promising youngster, but right now he offers the team close to nothing. Much like he did with Lukaku, Barry and Howard, Martinez seems intent to play Ross for 90 minutes regardless of form.

In Barkley’s case, in particular, I see this as poor player management. Ross lacks no skill, but he needs a thoroughly good kick up the arse. A game or two on the sidelines could be exactly what he needs, especially as for the first time in ages we have 2 or 3 players who could come in and perform in his position.

I still find it hard to believe Galloway has risen so quickly.

Patrick, you've opened a can of worms there, mate. I've followed la Real's results for about 10 years now, and what Moyes has done to that team is tragic. I would put decent money on him being sacked this week, and create a multi by saying he will probably take over at Sunderland in January.

On USA TV the announcer, after a Stones misplay dawdling on the ball from which he luckily recovered, said he was a great player playing the ball and passing it, one of the best in Europe (in the announcer’s opinion) but then immediately said, he needs to tighten up his defense though. How can you be a very good defender if the primary thing you are supposed to do is an obvious weakness?

Also, he loses his man and doesn’t seem to understand what "goalside" means on set pieces. He is great in the open and has the best foot skills of a center back since David Luiz (who also had defensive issues and thought he was a midfielder at times).

What Stones does not do well is contesting crosses where he is stationary and the attacking player has the momentum (like corner kicks). He does okay to better than average when he is moving towards the ball. As a Shawcross type defender he is below average. As a Luiz type defender he is good to very good. Problem is though that Everton need one or both backs to be Shawcross types, and Jags and Stones are not. Think carefully and tell me anyone who you remember who didn’t like the physical challenge and hard contact as a youth who later developed that ability.

I’m thinking you need a reality check, I don’t want to beat anyone over the head with it, but we have not won anything for over 20 years, there’s a good reason why we have that record, its lack of spending power.

If we had £40m+ to spend on a top notch midfielder to fit into this team, then we might seriously challenge the top 4.
We do have a run of playing the poorer teams in the league though so I would expect our league position to improve in the run up to Christmas.

At the moment were lacking class in 1 or 2 positions and we can hope for better but I don’t really think we can expect it.

To use an old cliche it was a captain’s performance and I for one would like him to be wearing the armband before the season is out.

Just simply pure class. And given the choice of Stones or that dog Shawcross I know who I’d be choosing!!!

Enough of this nonsense, I hear you say. And I agree. How about our board showing some balls and going for a top manager for a change. Forget about Moyes. His brand of football was mainly dire. And I doubt that even if Martinez shot Kenwright, that he would get sacked. We really are a club lacking ambition and direction.

Just think what I would be like, had we lost today.

I watched a lot of Cardiff’s relegation games and I was so impressed by him I thought he must stay in the PL. Unfortunately he picked up an injury and his age is not on his side now.

As well as having Andy Carroll in his pocket (the one concern we all had before the game), he broke forward quite a bit and his distribution was first class.

Seamus was also back to his best and Funes Mori looked very settled and even went foraging up front. In fact, I thought we should have had a penalty when Funes Mori’s legs were kicked from under him.

The only weak link for me was Galloway who seems to be getting more nervous by the game recently.

One big concern so far is lack of goals in midfield. Lukaku can’t score more than one in a game, so someone in the midfield will have to step up. Mirallas looks quite capable to do that.

Hopefully the hard-earned and perhaps fortunate draw will put a stop to the daft notion that we had been handed the hardest start in the history of football and are now playing a group of teams who will simply hand us the points.

I really don't care who our opponents are, I don't see any world beaters in the league this season. It's all about how we play, but such is our inconsistency we are capable beating or losing to anybody on any given day. I guess that has a lot to do with having to play so many youngsters.

I'll take this point given Winston Reid could and should have made sure we got nothing; I would give us a 6 out of 10 for the overall performance.

Seen worse

I think that’s what I said in a roundabout way... we know where we are. Martinez is now saying he is disappointed not to win. Why? Because he knows we are better than West Ham.

Madness not to keep him on for 90mins barring injury. For me, he is the one player who gets me excited every time he gets on the ball.

In my view, Stones and Funes Mori had good games and a lot of the credit for that must go to Barry. He just seems to be able to organise them from the DM position.

If Funes Mori keeps progressing, he is going to make it hard for Jagielka to get his place back. He is two-footed, can head the ball, and looks very comfortable in possession. His lack of height didn’t seem to disadvantage him in his heading duels with Carroll.

Another killer pass from Deulofeu for Lukaku to run on to... another goal – he has to start every game.

I think Cleverley will make a big difference when he comes back – who gets dropped to accommodate him? For me, it would be McCarthy – to me, he is the one who slows things down.

I would prefer to let my own eyes tell me about a player, much as I’m sure your US commentator is insightful about how to achieve a shutout against the offence.

As for Shawcross, well there’s not a lot you can say there. I think Luis Enrique may be having a few sleepless nights wondering who he should bid for next summer.

I agree with you that Kone or Deulofeu can't be dropped on current form.

Barkley or McCarthy? One tackles and harries the other one doesn't. One is a danger going forward and the other isn't.

The question is - if Cleverley does start which of the two would bring balance to the team?

I’d also like Deulofeu tried inside, as the #10 that he was considered to become at Barcelona. That was where his eventual position was thought to be, according to an article I read last week in the Times. That would also allow Mirallas a place on the pitch. In the last two games, he’s played two through balls to Lukaku that you would struggle to see bettered anywhere.

Dropping Barkley is the other option, McCarthy is guaranteed a place with Roberto as manager.

I don’t want to get on Barkley’s and McCarthy’s cases, but it is so frustrating watching them. They both flatter to deceive. I am still to work out if they are inconsistent class or average with the old sprinkling of brilliance. Age is on their side, no doubt, but man they need to step it up another three or four levels for me.

I agree with you, Graham: Stones is world class. It’s a funny time to be calling him out after yesterday’s performance. Definitely MotM for me. Closely followed by Barry (Player of the Season so far.)

Better not mention Ross...

Galloway looks like he needs a rest and Barkley was frustrating. Why does he need so long to decide what to do when he has the ball? Kone was also disappointing and hope he’s not going to do a Naismith and become anonymous after a great hat-trick.

I think its time to give Ross a break, he has had very little impact of late. I think Deulofeu is wasted on the wing he needs to be involved more in the game, I think we are beginning to see why Barca always rated this boy and we they insisted on a buy back clause.

I think Lukaku is benefiting from Deulofeu, when he sees Deulofeu with the ball in central midfield he can make the run knowing that Deulofeu will find him.

Lukaku now has 7 goals in 12 games AND he has 4 assists. His poor 1st touch is OK by me if he keeps up the pace he’s on. He’s more than a handful for opposing center backs. FYI, I think Lukaku’s first touch is slowly getting better with increased confidence.

I’m not going to be harsh on any of the Blues. I see Barkley and Del Boy working hard to track back when the ball is lost. Deulofeu is growing up before our eyes. Mirallas is getting less time on the pitch cause of Del Boy is ahead of him right now.

Wish there wasn’t an international break. I’ll miss seeing the Blues play next weekend.

Cheers.

I like Galloway but the coaching staff have to get him to use his right foot to get him out of jail when he has to use it.

He needs space to use his pace and work his magic.

MF is far too congested and it is a credit to Barkley that when he is on the ball he rarely loses it (except for loose passes occasionally).

Also disagree with those questioning McCarthy who since his injury has been doing all the dirty work well allowing the flair players to do their thing.

We would be a worse team without him.

Sorry Laurie, not having a go at you but I think Jags will walk back into the team no matter who plays well, just as Baines did over Oviedo, Howard did over Robles.

El Bob has his favourites (he’ll stick with them) and those who don’t learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. That’s why I think we’re on a hiding to nothing with him in charge. Sooner he’s gone the better!

For me, there’s often a lack of conviction throughout the team that holds us back. I don’t think it’ll come from within, so here’s hoping for an inspirational signing soon.

Loved Patrick’s piece re Moyes. Super sarcasm with the added benefit of flushing a few people out!

The problem is when the the older favourites go, just when you think they have a season so left, Roberto states they Howard and Barry can play into their 40s.

So that’s how many more years then?

We looked balanced, and apart from looking a bit iffy defensively in the full-back positions, I thought we coped well at the back. Stones was immense, the kid is pure class and I love watching him play. The two Hammers even piped up with a few ’young Bobby Moore’ moments too.

Funes Mori looks decent, quick enough to play in the PL and can tackle. He also doesn’t might sticking his foot through it and playing a pass – I like him.

Barkley still does nothing defensively so does look like a bit of a luxury at times, and his inability to tackle, or lack of bottle (whichever it is) is infuriating to watch. He really does offer nothing when the oppo has the ball. He has so much talent he has to play though – I don’t remember Gazza doing much defensively either.

No complaints about the game from me really – it was good to watch, two good teams having a go at each other and either could have won.

You might be right concerning Deulofeu not being able to do the No 10 job. I think his football brain will enable him to find plenty of space and he is seeing things quicker than most, anyway I doubt Martinez will play him there but I would love to see him given the chance.

Upsetting experienced players comes with the job. You are the manager not their friend!

Today, Spurs dominate the Arsenal for 80 mins but don’t go for the killer goal, happy to play pretty football. Until this mentality changes we will always be second best.

I expect he will walk back in though, as one of the things that prevents Everton moving to the next level, apart from the obvious lack of funds, is a sentimental over reliance on players whose reputation is stronger than their performance.

If I can play 80 minutes of rugby in the front row with fucked knees and shoulders, a 21-year-old pro athlete can last another 10 minutes on the football pitch.

Agreed Ian, overall I am fan Roberto in that he's been a breath of fresh air with his positivity, albeit, at times, it becomes frustrating and cringeworthy when you just wish he'd give it straight instead of his unwavering praise.

I think he's transforming over squad, but its going to take time, as we don't have a big budget and youngsters have to be developed and bled.

That said, when youngsters come in and step up and prove to be either better players or better form, they should stay in the side.

It makes no sense to keep picking Howard and Barry, for "experience" when at times and far too often they've been the biggest liabilities on the pitch.

Experience is supposed to be a benefit not a detriment, their experience is supposed to make them better players and make better decisions.

If lost for words if somebody can tell me how experience is benefitting us when it comes to Tim Howard,all his experience and he still doesn't know when to come for a cross that has his name written all over it.

Baines will walk back in the side when fit, I don't think its a friend thing or worried about upsetting them, I just think he has this mindset about experience being vital in key areas and at times.

Seems experience is needed,of course, but not at any cost, and not when its detrimental and a liability to the team.

I think he would be a great asset to us and might be able to calm the defence down a bit when crosses come in.

There was one poor punch and one badly misjudged throw but overall I thought his command of the area was much better.

I also think people are extremely harsh on goalkeepers, and Howard has to my mind been one of our better keepers over the years.

We were also spoilt having Big Nev in the team so our view on keepers is always going to be judged against the big man which, given that he's the greatest goalkeeper that ever lived (I know I'm biased) means no other keeper will ever come close!

I know Barkley can be infuriating but a player like him will always try things that don’t come off hence missed passes and lost possession. He does need to work on at least trying to do some work off the ball but let's remember the job he's in there to do: he's there to win the game when we attack, not stop the goals going in.

And on Tim Howard, I do think it’s time for him to take a back seat, but...

I don’t see how you can fault him for anything on Saturday. The only issue I can remember is he double-fist-punched a cross he should have caught. But he was way more aggressive coming off his line and commanding his six. There’s plenty to be critical of, but Saturday was not one of those days. He played very well in my opinion.

Lastly Funes Mori – I can’t get enough of this guy. He’ll venture forward, he distributes very well, he seemingly has stolen Tim Cahill’s legs for jumping, and best of all?... He’ll put that damn ball in Row Z when he needs to.

I think he’s gold. What a purchase at £9.5 million! Especially if Stones is off over the summer. I think Funes Mori was purchased implicitly to replace John Stones. I hope I’m wrong, but time will tell. If Stones does go, Funes Mori was an absolutely "phenomenal" purchase by Martinez. In fact, he’s a phenomenal purchase if Stones stays.

Either way, I think it’s time to give Barkley a little rest and let Mirallas have a little run. These are the type of players that should be rotated in order for the manager to find his best players and attacking formation.

Funny how you would assume it was a US commentator. I am not sure what you "shutout against an offense" means but the commentators were both... wait for it.. English. Your snobbery aside, the point of the ENGLISH commentator remains valid.

I have followed Everton since 1968-69 as a second team and for 99% of that time with the highest of respect for both the club and its fans...

But there was an unacceptable level of thuggery this weekend away at West Ham which made me question a club that I once held in high esteem.

Are you Everton or Stoke?

The tackle on Payet was a sickener; a weak ref never punished it and for Payet it could have proved a career-ending tackle.

Not hard play as a team... Just dirty. It was also galling to see Martinez defend it.

I feel like the team is not exploiting the open spaces in the middle of the field. Off ball movement seems to be lacking in the attacking half. I think that this will open up space on the outside for wingers to cross in the ball.

Also, I just think that RM is not the answer for sustained success. If ownership does not change in the next two years this will be an opportunity lost. I believe that if new ownership that are willing to spend money and a creative manager, new life will be injected into the club. We have all the tools to win, but they just need to be set up for success as a unit, which now seems to be lacking.

I'm think the word "thuggery" is something of an exaggeration. I’ll not try to pretend that I would like to see a West Ham player tackling, say, Barkley, in that manner but it was certainly no worse than the tackle Spurs Dier made on Cleverley which put him out for a couple of months. Dier didn’t even get a yellow.

West Ham under Allardyce were certainly no angels, Allardyce sides rarely are, and I’m not trying to exonerate McCarthy here, it was a bad tackle and deserved a yellow at the least but Everton are not a dirty side. Bad and mistimed tackles are part and parcel of the game and we’ve suffered enough over the season ourselves but we’re not thugs.

Incidentally, how did you view defender James Tomkins blatant cheating last season when he fell down clutching his face in an attempt to get Mirallas sent off? It certainly led to one of the funniest photos of the year when Naismith stood and laughed at him...

Your first team wouldn’t happen to be West Ham would it? On first look, I didn’t think too much of the tackle, but on reflection it could have received a red – as should Dier have when he put Cleverley out of the team.

The injury to Cleverley was apparent and he was immediately stretchered off, which makes me wonder how much damage was done by McCarthy because the lad Payet not only stayed on the pitch but came back on the park in the second-half.

I don’t see why Everton have to behave any differently to any other club, every team plays under the same set of rules and if we transgress we will be punished. Calling this current Everton side dirty or a bunch of thugs couldn’t be further from the truth because a good many of them couldn’t tackle a paper-bag.

I think you should give McCarthy and Everton the benefit of the doubt here; he and the club usually play to the rules and you have seen only recently players like Nolan giving it out for your club, I can understand you being upset but It was a one-off tackle.

The tackle by McCarthy was a straight red. I agree. Those scissor challenges are filthy.

I said it (in fact screamed it from the rooftops) when Dier did Cleverly AND when Danny Rose also did it earlier in the same game (against whom I can’t recall). Then there was the leg breaker the very next day in the Champions League in the Man Utd game with a scissor tackle.

Consistency dictates that when one of our own put in these violent and dirty challenges that we recognize it for what it is.

I would argue that you’ll find Everton to be a very "clean" club and a club who’s supporters tell it like it is when someone in Blue is "naughty".

Stoke we most definitely are not. And thuggery is not a word you can associate Everton with on any level.

Now go back to your bubbles and root for the Hammers.