Lukaku an early doubt for Stoke trip

And then we'll all be disappointed when Kone starts.

(Hope he is eligible.)

I'm not sure if Mirallas is going to be back in time for the weekend, he could even start upfront. Just not Kone, he's finished.

On a brighter note, Barkley was top class last night, Lennon looked really good too. And our defence looks so much more comfortable with Robles in goal, who also had a really good game.

Keith #3, Robles had a "really good game"?? He had one routine save to make and was no more commanding in the air than Howard. And his distribution, perhaps the best part of his game, was unusually inaccurate.

I'd be pretty certain of Kone starting with Niasse coming off the bench at some point.

He did ok at times last night but the lad also looks like he hopelessly lacks self belief and confidence despite scoring a few goals this season.

I don't have much faith in Saturday, Stoke away will be a different ball game to that inept showing Newcastle put up.

Its a loss with Lukaku but in truth he hasn't been the same player since he took that knock against City in the first leg s month ago, I wondered if he really has been fit?.

Also if you want a better chance of keeping a clean sheet on Saturday then you go with that same team, that includes Lennon, who works his socks off and probably offers more all round contribution to the team that Gerry in terms of work-rate.

Lennon deserves to stay in for Saturday. He works very hard and is showing good skills. He is another who needs to do some shooting practice though. When will Seamus start putting some good crosses in? Apart from his pull back for Lennon his delivery was bad.

I hope we can build on this result, now our expectations are a little lower and put in a decent finish to this strange season. No Stones and no Howard, and no Baines....and we look much more balanced. I love Baines but he played within himself with his ankle problem for over a year, and obviously will take time to get back to his best, but Oviedo looks good in his correct role, and we really can't keep picking players on reputation or sentiment.

Anyone who thinks Kone had a decent game needs to watch it again. He can't hold the ball up like he used to. And panics in front of goal.

Kone does seem to lack confidence, if Mirallas is fit, he should be up top.

Anyway I'm not getting excited about last night's win; only a win at the Potters might ease the pressure off Bobby... lose and that thin ice will slowly start to crack.

If Niasse's work permit is through he might make the bench, but I'd start with Kone or Mirallas (if fit) at Stoke.

Nice to see those knob jockeys at the Daily Mail are still trying to unsettle our players in time for their summer moves.
- Stones - sat in the stands for no obvious reason
- Barkley - given "dogs abuse" by the home fans throughout

At least they did report that Niasse kept his home shirt on when sat watching us.

I don't see Rom making it for Saturday and Niasse has just been on Sky stating he's not fit yet... so I can only see him on the bench and maybe come on for 20 minutes or so.

As for Newcastle, they are going down. They, like Sunderland and Villa, have been hanging on for the last 3 or 4 seasons – good riddance to them.

Barkley I don't think would want to join City either just to play second fiddle to whoever else they pay £900 million for in summer.

If I was Barkley or Stones the only big English club I'd be looking at joining knowing I could get regular games and be a key player would be Arsenal.

I wouldn't entertain Manchester City, I wouldn't bother with the fallen sideshow empire that is Manchester United now and Chelsea, well just read Manchester United.!

Failing Arsenal I'd be looking at Barcelona who would probably be even better suited to Stones style of play, ok maybe not Barkley but Johns Stones for sure.

There's too many slideshows at the rich English clubs.

I'd rather have a half fit Niasse and see what he can do. He couldn't be any slower, more ponderous or shot shy and lacking in creative ideas as Kone.

I'd even give Rodriguez,a debut if Niasse isn't up to it, but listening to him last night, he intimated he could be ready by the weekend. The guy seemed to be champing at the bit to get out there.

He's obviously not the answer so comparisons to Lukaku are silly. Lukaku who by the way hasn't done a tap for weeks but gets an easy ride because he is obviously carrying an injury.

The cynic in me is saying he's looking at his next move and what Champions League (yawn) club might come in for him. I go on what I see at the game and Kone done okay for me last night.

I wanted to see Rodriguez on the bench last night instead of Kone, and hopefully if Lukaku is fit for Stoke then we'll play him and have Niasse on the bench or starting on the left.

Hope Lukaku is okay... we need him.

And I can't agree that Kone was shit; yes he could and probably should have scored one but his overall play was pretty good.

But why do some start clamouring for Rodriguez? Has anyone actually seen him play?

As we sat deeper Kone found himself a bit isolated. He certainly didn't have a great game but he will get another chance on the weekend, maybe in better weather. My dad commented on the golden vision last night (he was talking Alex Young, not Kone).

Other than that he did okay... but he is not Lukaku (who once again decided to be a lazy ass and not throw himself to the ball after Barkley danced himself to the by-line in the first half, to pull it back to a stationary Lukaku – no excuse!

I guess he'd only get a few minutes subs appearance at best. Unless we're 4-0 up with 30 minutes to go. Well, come on, ya never know!

To those who said he did ok apart from his shooting ability, can we please remember it's supposed to be a striker's job to score goals, not just now and then, but on a regular basis. Funes Mori probably has a better goals per minute ratio than Kone at present. Leandro Rodriguez is another potential option. If Niasse isn't quite ready, give Rodriguez the first half and Niasse the second.

Anything but Kone please. Stoke's defence will have him for breakfast and make us look a real laughing stock, playing such an inept and ponderous 'striker' in an important Premier League game. I said weeks ago that selling Naismith could come back and bite us on the arse if Rom got injured. I'm not particularly happy to be proved right.

Given Stoke's last game, it might not be too far outside the bounds of reality. Butland and the defense are looking shaky. Without Shawcross and Cameron in midfield or at center back, the defense is vulnerable. Plus, Sparky keeps playing the giraffe up front and he has no pace to worry any defenders. Just don't concede corners or free kicks near the box and his height advantage will be neutralized also.

So, if we score, I want our players to immediately retrieve the ball, sprint to midfield and place it down to hurry the restart. No extra time for celebrations and no fans on the pitch please.

Given Stoke's last game, it might not be too far outside the bounds of reality. Butland and the defense are looking shaky. Without Shawcross and Cameron in midfield or at center back, the defense is vulnerable. Plus, Sparky keeps playing the giraffe up front and he has no pace to worry any defenders. Just don't concede corners or free kicks near the box and his height advantage will be neutralized also.

So, if we score, I want our players to immediately retrieve the ball, sprint to midfield and place it down to hurry the restart. No extra time for celebrations and no fans on the pitch please.

I don't have to watch the game again to know that he held the ball up well, gave it simply to other players and got in decent positions to score and with a little bit more composure, he scores 2 (which he should have). He's the best we've got at the moment so if Rom is injured, he'll start against Stoke.

He can't pass, shoot straight, head the ball, never opens his legs when trying to run, shocking control he couldn't trap a bag of cement. We'd be better off with Mirallas up front.

Jim, I agree with your comments re Stones being best suited to Barcelona but, somehow, I don't see Barkley wanting to move anywhere just yet. In fact, the only thing that I see prompting Barkley to move are the Everton fans who can't wait to slag him off and get on his back every home game.

It's coming to something when journalists are at pains to point out the stick some of our young players are getting even if it's only in an attempt to unsettle them and make a move to the Sky 4,5,6 look more attractive.

We must be the worst fans in the League for giving our own, especially home grown, players stick. Historically I remember Young, Ball, Reid as well as our own Harvey, Whittle, Temple etc. getting loads from the terraces if they failed to produce. Why do we, collectively, do it?

I agree with that. Kone may well work well with Niasse on Saturday in that respect. We maybe pleasantly suprised.

However, Niasse won't last that long due to him not playing for a while unfortunately.

As for Kone, he is a likable fellow but despite some good touches he lacks that killer instinct and although our leader may see worth in his general approach play, he is not a striker that scares PL defenders.

We are the best fans and we can be the worse fans. Ross clearly relaxes more away from home, although he has started to express himself at home.

At Chelsea a few weeks ago the fans sang his song non-stop for around 10 minutes, during a stoppage for injury you could see him looking at the fans with amazement.

Mark my words. This boy will develop into a world class player. I hope he doesn't have to leave the club to achieve that.

Get behind him, let him develop and let him be dispossessed now and again when he is running at two and three players. He is a future skipper of this club who loves all we stand for. A boyhood Blue who used to get two busses to training when he was a child on a journey that would take him an hour and a half there and the same back.

Give the kid a chance, you will be richly rewarded.

Since he got injured against Man City, Lukaku has struggled to have a decent game. He' s carrying an injury according to some on here, why is he being picked then? If there is no-one else, why was Naismith allowed to go?

Right now Koné is a squad member on merit, for those still believing we are a massive club that should not accept mediocre performances, let me tell you that we ain't. We are decent, borderline good and could be great once again.

Help them rather than handicapping them and watch what happens...

Injuries Injury Type Expected Return

Kevin Mirallas Tendon Unknown
Tony Hibbert Knee Unknown
Romelu Lukaku Back Unknown
Muhamed Besic Hamstring Unknown
Tyias Browning Knee Unknown
Tim Howard Knee Unknown
John Stones Hamstring Unknown

How is it possible that we do not have an expected return on a single player? What happens to our players when they are injured? More importantly, where are they being sent? Does Everton use tea leaves, bones, or a psychic to evaluate the players for fitness? I have a "Magic 8 Ball" from childhood that could provide the same information.

I can just see RM sitting in his office, brown shoes up on his desk peering at the injury report. "Should I consult the physios?" he asks himself. Instead he reaches into his desk drawer and pulls out the Magic 8 Ball.

"Magic 8 Ball, should Lukaku play against Stoke?" Shake, shake, shake . . . "ask again later." "Phenomenal, then I will just list him as return date unknown at this point," he says to himself. "Now what about Hibbo?"

I guess this gives him the wiggle room between injuries and "injuries" without having to explain anything.

But in all seriousness, it does keep teams guessing as to whom to prepare for in any given match. But I also think the "unknown" covers Roberto with regards to recovery time. Whenever he gives a set time for a player's return; add at least a week , probably two. If Besic is out for two weeks then we won't see him again for a month. They really do need to iron out their fitness and recovery program. I mean how many hamstring injuries have we had since he took over?

It's a big "if" though. Prove me wrong please Aroune.

And I think it worked.

There used to be a wag who wrote to the Football Pink Echo who's name was "Cushion Thrower." Bring back the cushions, I say.

Paul#39.

Paul, I'd be gutted if Barkley was allowed to leave and become the World Class player he's capable of becoming. If he ever looks at Rooney's bank balance and thinks about the crap he takes from the knuckle dragger's at Goodison he'll most likely have a quiet word with his agent. And how bad would that be, watching him in sky blue instead of Royal blue.

Because Baz on Everton Tv says so?

Stoke beat us with clever football last time. Bojan gave Stones the complete runaround and the two wingers did the rest. Not a pretty sight.

Luckily, £18mil new signing, Giannelli Imbula, will probably not be ready yet. A strong, classy central midfielder, this lad is absolute mustard. Wish we had him.

If Rom is absent we'll go with Kone who, for all his shortcomings, has a much better first touch than the big fella and his movement is more intelligent. Seldom on the scoresheet, he has linked well in moves which led to goals from, Mirallis, Lennon and McCarthy in consecutive games against Burnley, Swansea and United last season and has scored at least three league goals this season. Against Burnley and Swansea he led the line.

Okay, we know he is only a fill-in secondary striker but Martinez is big on experience and a kid like Leandro would not get a sniff. I don't know about Niasse. He hasn't played for a while but looks a naturally fit athlete.

The answer was a qualified " yes ". Players the caliber of Messi and Reynaldo play for quality clubs, and may not be available, but players of a slightly lesser caliber, like Lewandoski and Lukaku, could probably be had for €80,000,000.

He threw out the number...casually. Holy shit!

Harold, Kone MAY be all the things you say but he's never where he should be; in the penalty area. It's no good having talented players doing wonderful things with the ball if there's no one in place to provide the end product. A goal. If Kone plays he'll end up where he usually does, on the wing, looking at a deserted penalty area..

Just a shame our big man up top won't be fit; I'd happily have Barkley in that form running at Muniesa all day long. Kone to start with Niasse and Super Kev (might be fit, I read) to come on and run at some tired legs that haven't played a lot in the last few months (Bardsley and Muniesa finished the game at Man Utd).

COYB

Brian, I'd never dream of stopping people having their say but give it a rest with the Baz bollocks. Just because he sits in front of a camera doesn't make him right. He's just as wrong as you, in my opinion.

Hopefully Herman Munster Shawcross is still injured and Niasse gets a run out. COYB

One thing that has always intrigued me when reading books written by ex pros is that they tend to laud themselves for declaring themselves fit to play when they are obviously not. Latest of these is the Tim Cahill book I have just finished, where he was getting injections over a long period for a plantar fasciitis problem. He says he was playing in a lot of pain. Ossie was the same. They don't seem to care that their 75% fit presence on the pitch is putting the team at a disadvantage. A slightly less skilled but fit player should always be played, giving time for the injury to heal. It makes basic financial sense, but Everton and possibly other clubs, have a history as the Michael Ball knee injury will attest.

As a post said above, Lukaku has done little since his Man City first leg injury. I would prefer a 100% fit Kone than than the half fit strolling Lukaku, if we can't have the November/December Lukaku. I am in the camp supporting Kone, appreciating his build up and general play, but lamenting his finishing. His cameo late in the first leg v City was excellent in holding the ball.

He's more like Van Hire than Van Basten.

Jamie, he's never looked like a natural striker to me, even so, he's got more chance IN the box than out of it, surely. As Harold has said, his first touch is better than Lukaku's and so is his hold up play, but he's not good enough for a starting place in a Premier League team.

I think that he will score tomorrow. Infact I think that he will have a good game. Should he play, that's were my few pounds is going on. Kone to score, anytime. Tempted to back the draw......but the toffee nose in me has to go for an Everton win. Tight game. 1-0 or 2-1 to the Blues.

There is a website called EvertonTV and Baz and his mate are the presenters.

Bit like a poor mans SoccerAM although they are two proper Evertonians with heavy scouse accents (put on for the show?).

I think he either slept or was injured in the previous couple of games but looked fir enough on Wednesday.

Hopefully he will be back to goalscoring form against Stoke and Niasse permit will be through as I do not like Kone being the lone striker.

I've got my crash helmet on for the incoming.

Apparently he's a central defender - and seemingly there's a video going about with our manager showing Jason Everton's defensive philosophy / drill?

80,000 Euros, are you sure? Now I have to return all the hockey sticks I was collecting over here to get Lewandoski to Everton! Well at least the kids at the ice rink will be happy since some of them may have made less than knowing donations!