Baines: Blues need more composure

The season is still there to achieve something so, if they get their act together and win football matches instead of throwing them away, 4th is still up for grabs.

[I don't believe a word of that either!]

I don't rate Baines any great shakes when it comes to defending corners either, and speaking of which, okay he might be a bit rusty, but the corners he took yesterday never reached far enough, they were poor, it's no wonder we don't score any!

So, if 16 games can produce a gap of 14 points between Chelsea and the last Champions League place I am sure we can make up 6 points within final 22 games, but only so long as we start doing it now.

Just watch Steve McClaren after his side's super result at Spurs. No bullshit, just plain talking! What a refreshing change from our overlord.

Make Baines Captain... his experience will count.

Baines on his day will work his magic and open up the opposition to create chance after chance. Baines is quality and he is loyal to Everton Football Club, who cares what you really think.

I thought Baines, despite his spot-on analysis, was part of the problem yesterday. He looked a step (or two) off the pace. The way Galloway has played, I'd not have dropped him and I personally saw Baines as a bit of a liability.

This is said with the full recognition that it was his first start after one hell of a long layoff. I know he'll get up to speed. At least I hope so.

I possibly (?) also feel bad for Galloway who's not really done a thing to get dropped.

McManaman is still a blue. He said in a Times interview that the result he looks for first is Everton's. Liverpool were his employers, nothing more.

He is the epitome in media circles of the "Once A Blue" mindset.

Ross was having one of his AWOL games, so should've been replaced earlier and Kev's head is elsewhere isn't it? Given the way some of their defenders were resorting to niggly stuff, I'd have tried Lennon to get in behind them and perhaps win some decisions. We needed a tried option when things were not going our way.

Everton released him/decided not to follow it up and Liverpool offered him a YTS, which as those of us over X age will remember was the 2 year Youth Training Scheme. Apparently he went back to Everton asking for a just a year, so he could sign for us instead.

Naturally, we declined.

RM is the same, doesn't seem to be able to think on his feet, looks brain-dead during games when we need a change of tactics or a change from the bench. A little tweaking and the draws could be turned into wins. That's what good managers do!!!

Our problem yesterday was (especially in the second half) Barry not having the legs to cover for Cleverley as Tom bombed forward or to cover the full backs and that's what Macca does perfectly. The ideal pairing would be Cleverley and Macca (maybe Besic); this would give the perfect combination legs all round.

I know Barry has been one of the best players and Roberto loves him but he should be benched and let the younger pairing have their chance.

The problem is, Martinez isn't making important decisions quickly enough, we called Moyes for dithering, Martinez is worse.

Fans can clearly see how a game is going, Martinez can't. That's an issue.

Macca when he was on ESPN in the States - the dude loved us. You could totally tell. He absolutely is a Blue, whom frankly we completely fucked the pooch on, who went red for his playing days.

But from my experience here on "telly"... dude is definitely a Blue.

When he and "Sir" Ian Darke did games here in the States it was laughable - it was like two homers just pulling for Everton.

Polar opposite from your media in Blighty.

Feels like we're on the cusp of something. As we've said many times – it's the hope that kills you.

So yes, I do have complaints. Ross Barkley is not a perpetual motion, water-carrying half-back. Get him back in his normal position behind the big fella and don't fill his head with complicated instructions.

Bainsey was one of the main culprits in the Norwich match. It was he who conceded the fatal corner when it was easier to clear the ball upfield with his right foot. He didn't even try to kick it into touch. It was he who fell asleep and allowed Jerome the free shot which he blazed over. I don't know about needing more composure. A bit of concentration and less ball-watching would work wonders.

It's obvious right now (ie: at this specific point of this season) that the capabilities of most of the teams in the PL aren't all that different.

I say that simply based on the evidence - Liverpool beat Chelsea, Newcastle beat Liverpool, Bournemouth beat Chelsea, we beat Southampton, Southampton beat...well you get the idea.

It's always annoying when we throw a lead away (as we have far too many times over the last few seasons) but this season, with only Leicester and Arsenal showing any real consistency, if is particularly galling.

With a bit of mental strength, we could have taken advantage of this, but have shown ourselves to be one of the worst offenders.

It's incredibly frustrating and you see it (abandonment of concentration) kind of take a strange hold in just about all our games.

Sometimes it lasts 10 mins, sometimes an entire half, but you know there will be that period where the invisible fog descends and suddenly we appear to be an alehouse team playing the Brazil 70 side.

A few times in the past I have suggested we need a 'concentration coach', someone who is dedicated to keeping concentration at 100%. Most of them are decent players but so are most players in the league, so the difference in how a team does (where it finishes) comes down to more than who can do most keepy-uppies.

We're not mentally strong imo and that needs dedicated 'coaching' if we are to achieve anything.

The only alternative is to find a mouthpiece player who drags all those around him to greater things and doesn't allow those around him to switch off (Reid, Keane, Souness, Collins etc).

Unfortunately, these days, such players are as rare as..um..there being less than 5 mins added time at Anfield, if Liverpool are losing,

I totally agree with the idea of an enforcer and hope McCarthy, Cleverley or Besic grow into the role. We've no real leaders out there and it shows.

"completely fucked the pooch on"

Two countries separated by a common language. ;-)