Irish contingent sunk by Lukaku double in Bordeaux

As for that knob Lukaku, his goals will have added to his price, so good stuff.

For example, when did Lukaku ever say he didn't like Everton? What players have claimed he is a bad influence or negative? Stop making things up. He said he wanted to play in CL. Wow, what a bastard! Have some ambition as a fan and quit whining about players who have ambitions Everton apparently doesn't (Moshiri may change this). Hibbo and Osman loved the club so should we be keeping them instead?

As for the waving, Belgium is a club of factions and several of the players will not play for the team (Lukaku is not one of those as he is laying the ball off and showing for passes to everyone coming forward) or each other. There are certain groups of players will not pass the ball to others and will not make runs for others. For example, Whitsel and Carrasco will not pass the ball to Lukaku. Hazard and deBruyne will and they score.

Have watched Lukaku making himself available and making good runs for no reward. He has held the ball up and on his two goals, his first touch on each put the ball perfectly to a spot to step into the ball to score. FFS, Whitsel blasted a shot well over from about 25 yards out, when Lukaku was in front of him to the side and on the last defender, pointing for a simple ball to be played through for him to run onto.

Try being happy for a striker who can score goals. Hopefully, Koeman is watching and learning how to use Rom properly.

This is a quote from a TW contributor after Belgium's previous game.

Lukaku has always blown hot and cold, but there's no question he's very talented. Taking an absolute view either way that he's shite or brilliant is way to simplistic.

It must be quite cathartic though for some fans who feel so upset by Lukaku saying he wants to leave, to lash out at him in a narrative sense.

He wants to play Champions League... let's make this come true in the royal blue!

You mention being happy for him. Why? I'm not from Belguim. I barely care about the England side, why would I care about Belguim?

He did well for Everton last year, apart from costing us a place in the cup final znd giving up during his last 10 games, I wasn't 'happy ' then.

PS Please don't blaspheme ir you will be 'beyond help'.

I imagine those who enjoy such things, would be moaning if he had not have been purchased and had have been banging in the goals elsewhere for the past 2 years. A good manager can accommodate his short-comings if he is scoring on a regular basis, hopefully, we now have that manager in place at Goodison.

Stones gets stick for not doing his primary job but is lauded for his footballing skills, Lukaku gets stick for not having the ability but he doesn't always get the praise for doing his primary job - strange game football isn't it?

If we want to see Everton as a top club, we have to keep our top talent and those two players, albeit with issues to overcome are certainly top talent.

I listened to RK yesterday at his press conference and I liked what I heard. As regards players at the club, I am confident that he will sort all matters out to Everton's satisfaction in the coming days. And of course I'm looking forward to the new RK signings as well.

What exactly is the point of that comment? Was it driven by you being so upset by Lukaku wanting to leave us that you just threw your toys out of the pram, but it made you feel better. Or dare I say, is it hatred for the man? I suspect not but have to ask, or is it a bit of teenage style banter?

If you're expecting lots of creative passing from James then forget it - he's not that kind of player. What he is, is a very good water carrier; it's specialist role in a team and McCarthy is very good at it, in the same way the likes of Mascharano, David Batty, Nicky Butt were/are good at playing the same role.

I don't think it helps McCarthy when he is partnered with Barry in midfield because both players are defence minded which results in lack of penetration. I think if Koeman gives McCarthy a set job to do, like Moyes did with Lee Carsley, partnered with a more creative midfielder, then we will reap the rewards.

I think Lukaku's badly advised to keep spouting off in the press, but then he's advised by family and I suspect this is the main problem.

Maybe Koeman can talk some sense into him, but I suspect he'll be in his way, sadly.

Every goal he scores just adds to his value. Let's see who wants him badly enough to pay the £60 or 70 million... Lots of takers???

Most of the time, we go about our lives being polite, ethical, and professional in work and social circles. But we're all human and sometimes you just fancy calling someone a 'knob' and I did. And I have no issue with or think there's anything wrong with that. If it upset you or others, if I'm honest, don't care.

I want good personalities as well as good players at the club.

Good finishing from Rom. McCarthy at fault for two goals, poor.

Contrast that with Lukaku's contribution - in spite of his limitations, he scores goals - look at his Premier League scoring record. Given decent service (unlike a lot of what he got last season and in his first game & a half in the Euros for Belgium) he'll score goals - unlike Macca, he'll be very hard to replace.

As for being happy for Rom, why not? He is an Everton player and did well. Guess I don't understand the point since I also was rooting for Coleman and McCarthy to do well too. I am not a huge McCarthy fan but he is ill-treated on here too. He is what he is which is a C+ to a B- player. Yes, he committed to a tackle wide and missed but where were the other Irish players to fill the middle on Lukaku's first goal? Belgium has multiple talented midfielders so I thought McCarthy did okay. Never expected him to go charging forward so I am not slating him for lack of offensive production.

At away games, players who give a token clap and get off quickly, annoy me, it's lazy.

Who was that who missed all those chances then ? Didnt half look like him.

Lukaku is flawed, pure and simple, he shows worrying Adebayor type characteristics. he spends too much time doing fuck all and he usually does it when he is up against the better defenders.

Top strikers do it in the big matches against top defenders.

Not sure why we have so many will he / wont he threads. We didn't have any opposition for his signature and we have not received any offers for him. Yes the lesser teams will queue up to sign him or take him, but 65m ? you really have to be having a laugh.

The top teams want a top player for that kind of money

The Belgium team is probably worth over 0.5m so we have to put that into context too.

I also felt the referee was very one sided toward Belgium and should have awarded Ireland a penalty for dangerous kicking in the build up to the first goal.

As for Lukaku he took both his goals very well and linked up well today but was utter shite against Italy.

He is obviously not committed to Everton as he is giving the likes of Juventus and PSG major praise to the detriment of EFC so no matter how much you rate or don't rate his ability he has already gone in the minds of many supporters so we should be thinking who we can get to replace him not arguing over whether he is a good or bad player..

Seamus had another solid if unspectacular game and shows the kind of committment RK will be looking for.

Shocking decision

I've never loved McCarthy. He was very solid in his first season rather than excellent. Irrelevant of his attacking prowess he very rarely if ever dominates matches in the way we saw the likes of Kante or Dier do last season. He's certainly not in the same league as Deschamps who was a supremely intelligent reader of the game. McCarthy was a mid-table player we hoped would develop and improve. He hasn't and whilst we have many bigger issues I would not be sad to see him go.

Darren 'the lesser clubs will queue up to sign him'. Frankly that is nonsense. If he leaves it will probbaly be to that minnow PSG. Either way, Rom scoring goals at the Euros is good news for us.

I keep saying and will say it again - when he comes up against good defenders he goes missing time and time again.

The Irish defenders O'Shea and Clark today were just pure shite.
James McCarthy in my opinion will never fulfill the potential that many believed he has and I would bet our new manager will make his mind up about McCarthy very quickly.

Is your suggestion that one of the top clubs will come for Lukaku, They havent, They are'nt, They wont.

If he insist on going, it will be too a lesser team and for considerably less than the 65m laughingly quoted on here.

I believe he will stay. . . due to lack of interest

Lukaku has improved but needs another season to be a near perfect finisher. Rom should see reasons why he needs to stay.

With him and Barry no wonder our midfield lacked creativity.

He must be moved on by Koeman hes far too limited to start in such a crucial midfield position for us.

No creative flair and even for what hes supposed to do in midfield other players can do it much better.

Not sure if bridges burned yet, but not many strikers can score the goals he can. And not many can have the first touch of a wardrobe.

Just like Brexit, I'm undecided on him and his future.

Chelsea won't have him as Conte, like his italian back 4 will have seen how shit his touch is. So that's out.

Jose sold him as probably saw he wasn't ever going to be top drawer. So Utd is out.

Only team that may move for him would be PSG. He would probably get a hateful in France as barring 2 or 3 teams it's Shite. They could stump up the 50 odd mil we would command as well.

If not he will have to stay with us. Personally if we have as much ambition as is being made out I'd buy 2 new strikers and use him as an impact sub next season.

"Koeman won't put up with my crap." I don't think you're crap, Jackie! I guess that was meant to be"any"!

It seems the majority of the team gave up the ghost for the last couple of months and I could well understand Lukaku saying "F this for a game of soldiers, I'm off, A.S.A.P." His whole body language just shouted that he wanted to leave a ship that he saw as rudderless.

THe fact that the club did not discipline him (well if they did, it didn't work!) for mouthing off was a sign that the club had lost the plot.

So yes, he's a big headed young man who wants to go places and win medals, and he should have been told to wind his neck in.
But; in a team that had lost it's way, he still ended up with 18 league goals.

I think Ronald Koeman will weigh up whether it's worth keeping him or not (and he seems to want to initially) after that discussion. If Rom wants to go then my guess Ronald would say "fine" go out and play your best for this club and if someone comes in for an amount we think is right, then you can go...but while you're here, I will expect you, as with every other player, to pull your tripes out for this club. Anyone who doesn't will find himself in the reserves."

In my view, though, his scoring record is excellent, his flaws can be corrected with a proper coach, he has huge scope and, most importantly, we now have a manager who I expect will curtail his cretinous ramblings and his inflated ego. He must stay, as must John Stones.

Wigan made him look good, along with certain other players. That said, I personally don't think he would get into a top 4 team and if that's what we are aiming at, he has to go.

Oh and by the way. He did cost us a place in the cup final: a missed penalty and four good chances is testament to that...

He is well worth hanging on to even if it means doing what Liverpool did with Suarez.If he plays well for us he can still be coveted by a so called bigger club and if we make Europe he may well see his full contract out with us.

I would not miss Barkley or Stones if they wanted away half as much as Lukaku who kept us out of a relegation fight last season.

I expect to see our lad starting the season on fire after meeting RK, with a voice sounding as high as Bally's to boot.

Will we even play that style of football?

Normally top players have ego's and that is why they are top players.Bally roared at his own players publicly and expected a lot from them.I reckon if Lukaku gets proper service he will score bags of goals anywhere. Every striker misses chances but his goal scoring record is pretty fabulous so far. It is a pity no one else seems to know where the goal is.He made a lot of good runs today and many times he was not passed to.Even Linekar would not score without the correct service but luckily he played with us when we could pass forwards accurately.Linekar was a goal poacher in the same way that Owen, Cottee and others were.All their work was in the 18 yard box and no where else.

Just running around with no tangible threat to the opposition* is not going to help win us anything.

If we are going to challenge at the top again, we need to part-ex him for a decidedly more sporty model.

Would anyone be unhappy if we replaced him with Witsel for example?

However, I would make every effort to keep Lukaku, on the proviso he keeps his - and his father/agent's mouth shut. We need players with drive and ambition and although, as a regular in the side he is part of the problem he appears to be unhappy about, he's worth 25 goals in a poor team.

How many could he score in a good side, namely a decent Everton XI?

All this TW criticism about him not being good at hold-up play and lacking in ball control, although bitter, is is not unfair.

But that can be improved upon and we should be playing to his strengths: looking for his runs and putting the ball in front of him. Not beyond our wit and ability, surely?

Blame Martinez for him stagnating, along with every other player in an Everton shirt for the last two seasons.

I'd love to see Koeman get one season with him and am sure we'd see a much more complete, consistently dangerous, motivated player.

(*see also Cleverley, Lennon, McGeady, Besic)

For the record I saw all three of those gems play cos I'm 61. Vernon and Kay are distant memories admittedly, but I'd sell me own chunks to see a player with the attitude and ability of Bally again. Attitude-wise I see Seamus as being closest in the current squad.

He's one of my favourite players but he's another who must raise his game significantly.

I always had the feeling that Roberto was in awe of him as he was - or seemed to be - with most of his tribe.

But not one of those players would have ever said they wanted to leave EFC for better things.

If Koeman is what his credentials say he is, and I'm confident he is, there's no place for anything less than 100% commitment in ALL facets of the match from everyone at the club, including us fans.

Steve Watson up front (with the American fella on the bench) almost makes me angry in reminiscence, add to that James Beattie, James McFadden, Steven Naismith, Stuart Barlow, Brett Angell etc... etc... These are our "average" footballers. Good players but not a massive amount of goals.

Lukaku is a talented player. He's not Gary Lineker or a pure hybrid breed of Sharp and Gray, but he's not average. If we manage him right he'll be the next Yakubu, without the age barrier. He could be great.

Lukaku is as good as striker as we can attract to Everton. I'd happily buy Milik or Janssen as backup with the potential to replace Lukaku at the end of the season. But for now, keep him another year and bed in a new striker so we don't have to wait while the player acclimatises.

That right there is the sort of nonsense which causes these arguments . . "world class" ? any self respecting Sunday morning footballer would have controlled the first . . and the their mothers would have controlled the second.

Some people on this thread are letting their desperation to win this argument (whatever their argument is) cloud what left of their judgement, to even mention Lukaku in the same breath as players like Ball , Kay and Vernon ? . .simply because he has a big gob ?

Adebayor and Anelka have big gobs, they also had similar,if not more ability that Lukaku. They are the sort of players Lukaku should be compared with.

All three were fantastic in their youth, all three were free scoring youngsters. The older two never did reach the heights they should have , many would argue that was mainly down to their over inflated opinion of themselves.

Like Anelka and Adbayor, Lukaku is more than capable of going through long periods (months, not minutes) of offering his team absolutely nothing. Like the other two he makes no attempt to disguise his cant be arsedness

Those complaining that he is being described as average, clearly didnt spend their time and money travelling around watching Everton since Lukaku decided he had "made it" after scoring the goal against Chelsea. His constant bleating at team mates, his gestures to the sky when missing a steady stream of sitters, his sulks, His deeply insulting lack of effort.
I don't care how good he can be. He has been shite, utterly utterly shite. calling him average is an insult to every average player in the league.

I can live with players being shite after pulling their tripe out, but I can accept a player being shite simply because he cant be arsed.

Lukaku has been around for about five years now and Roberto Martinez is the only manager to have made a really high bid for him. I wonder why that is ? Is that about to change ? I don't thinks so.

I'm expecting more from Lukaku next season, when the big boys don't come calling I expect him to save face by claiming he was persuaded to stay, but he will be humbler, he will realise that not everyone thinks he is as wonderful as he does. He may even get his head down and start producing the performances he has always been capable of. . .consistently

Then we'll all be happy

This season is the time to judge, and I reckon we will be pleasantly suprised. I think under a manager like Koeman he will really come on, and with the right midfielders in there to compliment him I think he will flourish.

For me. These were classic Romelu Lukaku goals. Very little effort required. Ball played in to him how he likes it. In front of him. For him to run on to.

Paul McGrath didn't train at all during the '94 World Cup. Jack Charlton had him protected as he had bad knees (check it out).

he went on to play out of his skin, putting in one of the best performances of any Irish international and received Man of the Match as Ireland beat Italy 1-0. His sliding tackles were precision, and were the reason the opposition couldn't score (check it on YouTube).

McCarthy is not progressing with us – that's just my opinion.

Our options are to sell him, but I doubt we will get close to the crazy fees being bandied about, and also I do not think we could replace him. All the people saying sell him, I can understand why, but tell me who you would replace him with who has the same or better proven goal scoring record?

I love a hard working grafter of a striker but I prefer one that actually scores goals consistently. As the new boss said, you don't sell your best players!

The second option is to keep him for another season. I get the whole 'he doesn't work hard enough', 'he's lazy', 'not interested' etc. However, he has been these things because he has been allowed to be by a manager who was a lovely man by all accounts, but never gave him a rocket up his arse.

Koeman will stand for no shit and has openly said Lukaku needs to improve. Let's see how Lukaku does with a bit of disciplined man-management because if the starting position is 20 goals a season just now, he could be frightening if managed correctly!!

What's the worst that can happen? – He doesn't listen, sulks for a year so we sell him while he still has two years left on his contract instead of three. Somehow, under the new regime, I don't think that will happen!!

Paul, it's nothing to do with him 'wanting go play CL football' - it's the constant spouting off in the press. Can people please get their facts straight.

In my opinion, as with John Stones, we will be negotiating with one club only. Lukaku will play his football for Everton or PSG next season.

It's the worst way he has put himself forward for a club to buy him for an enhanced fee.

Now if we can just give Stones a game ahead of the average Cahill....

Ball used to remonstrate with players on the pitch in front of the fans...poor sandy Brown used to get regular rollickings.Not much was said by players in the press as they were gagged.In those days the players how no clout compared to todays game.But being mouthy has been the norm for some players throughout the history of the game !!

Just a one-off I know, but in the last game against Norwich where he was given license from Rhino, he played like a man possessed. That's the player we need to see.

Two things to consider here; Stones has fuck all to do with this debate so the usual snide criticism that is introduced in every Lukaku debate by the guy who has spent three years proving the stopped clock theory wrong, is just an attempt to divert the debate.

NOBODY has put a bid in for Lukaku so suggestions that he will be joining PSG is just a wild guess . . The sort of shite the Sun would print

I and every other poster is entitled to an opinion, TW is not a court of law, it's not a question of whether somebody is right or wrong, it's a point of view. If I feel that a point can be made to support my view I will make it regardless of how upsetting it may be to other posters. Stones and Lukaku are very good players, but both need guidance to fulfil their promise, there is more chance of that happening at Goodison, particularly under the new boss, than elsewhere and I would prefer to watch them both rather than some of the other cart-horses we have watched in the past.

BTW could you tell me what time it is? As my watch, like me is always wrong.

Yesterday, he made two crucial errors, which lead to the first two Belgian goals and he has been crucified for this. For the first, covering a break from an Irish attacking free kick, he chased De Bruyne in possession up the Belgian right wing. Instead of shadowing the player and holding him up 45 yards out, he lunged in, missed and de Bruyne was away into a 2 on 1 situation with Lukaku against O'Shea. De Bruyne rolled a ball to Lukaku on the edge of the box. A simple control, with touch described here both as 'world class' and 'granny class' and Lukaku tucked it away. In fairness to Lukaku, he has shown he is a great finisher when set up like this, as he also did for the third goal.

For the 2nd Belgian goal, McCarthy was picking up Witzel about 25 yards central after he played the ball wide. Witzel made a well timed run in behind McCarthy to connect with the ensuing cross with a well placed header, while our man was watching the ball. I would apportion some blame to O'Shea who was grappling with Lukaku instead of attacking the ball and clearing the danger.

It could be that McCarthy is not fully fit, as he had an injury prior to departure, which could partially excuse the first but not the second.

My tuppence worth on the Lukaku debate. If we can find a replacement player who will convert the chances he does and also contribute more to the team in working the defence, running off the ball, winning 50% of ball, has a decent first touch, knows the offside, a team player etc, then I would grant Lukaku his wish. Not sure, the expected flood of bids will arrive from the CL clubs. We must have a replacement first as Niasse and Kone don't fit the bill either.

I agree re McCarthy, although this is a Lukaku debate only. He does not want possession of the ball, he hides from it. I would sell if we can get decent money.

Lukaku will not fit in with Koeman's philosophy or style of play. He likes to press high up the pitch; Lukaku hasn't got the stamina to do that.

I also agree – there will not be a flood of buyers from the Premier League. My opinion, not garnered from a newspaper that should not be mentioned by anyone from the city, is that PSG will be the only bidder. But, as I say, that's just my opinion.

It is also my opinion that Man City will be the only club that bids for Stones. Some on here are guided by the tabloids, and have posted that every manager of the top clubs in Europe will bid for Stones. Not a chance of that happening.

You do not come on to every Lukaku related thread and make snide comments about Stones..

I was no talking to you

Stones was miles away from the match yesterday, the players who were are those being discussed.

There is no comparison to be made between Lukaku and stones One plays at the back and the other plays up top. One has had three enormous concrete bids made for his service the other has drawn no interest at all.

Its coming up to half seven

It would appear the Sun and the Mail have both run with the story that PSG are the only club who can afford him.

Must be true then

It is also reported in the right-wing papers that very few in my neck of the woods read.

Here it is straight from the horses mouth.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/romelu-lukaku-hails-psg-continues-11486706