Consistently Inconsistent

I now feel nausea when I see these players names on the back of our shirts. They are blaggers. I have been saying it for ages... No top six teams will come in for these players. The are well below Premier League standard. They would probably struggle to get into a Newcastle or Brighton team.

They, and they alone are the cause of our negative comments. There is no point in blaming the boss, he probably has nightmares before match day I do sometimes feel I want to take a pill and wake up when Koeman has his act together, as I feel there is more misery on the way.

It wasn't so bad when we were in the Moyes purple patch. At least then we thought the players were good and had potential to realise. Now, they have been all found out.

I am proud to support Everton, but this dross doesn't make me proud!

Whilst I agree that the wingers are inconsistent, he needs to press more from the front so the wingers can push up. As it is, he leaves a gaping hole that's exploited by good teams passing from the back and no effort from the wingers will address that.

Best finisher we've had since Lineker but time to move on in the summer.

Likewise Bolasie and Geri, with skills that often excite but who dash our hopes with that lack of awareness / decision-making. And Jags all too often appears like a rabbit in the headlights when it comes to deciding what to do with the ball.

Contrast that with Gana – one of his great attributes is his awareness of what's on – an example being against Man Utd with that quick, deft, long pass from right to left in our half without needing to control the ball that came to him – he knew what was on even before the ball came to him.

How exactly do you post a comment only about Lukaku in response to a well written article about the needed improvement from our wingers. It's like a person running up to a house on fire and instead choosing to criticize the exterior landscaping.

He doesn't leave a gaping hole. If he's up top it's incumbent on other players to get up front with him. But OK, the completely ineffectual play of Lennon is Lukaku's fault, totally makes sense .

If that fails, we're out of our 'comfort' zone, and struggle to score. Without a creative type in the midfield, to quarterback the offence, I don't see that changing.

The annoying thing is that's it's the simple things like that that make a huge difference in the game. When forwards press and harry defenders, even when they're not going to win the ball, the defenders hurry, and make mistakes. It puts them under pressure, they don't like it, and it shows when they make mistakes or hit a wayward pass. We then get possession and can build.

I think this is the game Koeman wants to play and he must be so frustrated because we DON'T play it. It's not rocket science either. You press AS A TEAM high up the pitch (defending from the front if you will) and give defenders much less time on the ball so they make more mistakes. We benefit from that!

That sums up our attacking play this season.

As the article mentions, he is working hard in training, he just needs a break to make things happen for him and Everton.

I agree entirely with you about Mirallas on Sunday, he had a great second half, he was very good. First half, apart from two very good free kicks, he was poor. That said he was the busiest player on the park, directing players here and there like a traffic policeman, without getting involved himself.

Mirallas has got it all on his day, but never looks like he is going to be a consistent player for the blues, same with Deulofeu. Lennon hasn't got many fans on here; I'm of the opinion he still hasn't had enough games this season to be totally written off – he is involved all the time he is on the field and helps the team because he is a team player unlike the other two.

I would however like Deleufeu to be given a chance in the position he plays for the Spannish U21s as a No 10.

Also, I agree with Dave that it would be worth trying him as a No 10; however, now that one of our wing options (Bolasie) is out for the foreseeable future, I think there's even less chance of seeing that happening.

You hit the nail on the head with your description of Everton as a team"without a discernible identity". Against Man Utd there was hardly any of of the pressing but still a lot of the hoofing. Sustained passing moves were infrequent

The players seem unsure of their roles,playing without confidence. Why is this? Is Koeman too rigid?Have certain players decided not to play? Are there tensions in the coaching set-up? Or what?

Whatever the reason(s), morale seems rock bottom.

Chase lost causes for long enough and you'll run out of steam and confidence.

Again, just to be clear, I'm not saying it's all Lukaku's fault, but he doesn't press the ball.

That clear enough for Ya?

I mentioned this on another post but just look at Borussia Dortmund. That's what I call team play at its best. They remind me of our mid-eighties teams – everyone playing for each other, everyone on the same wavelength. The team we have at the moment couldn't be further away from that approach.

I am sure Koeman wants to mould the team as a unit that attacks and defends in unison so a clear – out is definitely required.

There isn't any room for inconsistent players if we want to play that way.

The big issue is "wingers" supposedly There to serve King Rom who sits on his throne on the penalty spot being fed grapes and swigging wine till one of his servants puts the ball on a plate for him to devour... if its a little shy of perfect then the King will throw his arms up in the air and condemn them to the dungeon.

Time to get someone on the throne who will put a suit of armour on and lead the troops to battle.

This has been a long time coming with Rom. Demands have been made of him to press – he couldn't press a shirt laziest player I have ever seen. The rest of the team starting with Barkley appear exasperated with him and the sooner he leaves the better.

For me, it's not about the wingers – it's about a static, arrogant, surly manchild with an ego that far exceeds his ability. His lack of movement gives the others absolutely nothing to work with and that's what we see – nothing.

But this is Everton isn't it . That lot across the park suffer fools for a tenth of the time that we will They bought Balotelli and Benteke who along with Lukaku, Adebuyor and Berbatov are 5 of the most laziest, over indulged strikers I've seen in the Premier League. What they do is let them know that scoring the odd goal isn't good enough – work with the team or you are out... low and behold – out they go.

What do we do? We indulge this brat through thick and thin... how many sides would tolerate goal droughts and completely inept performances the way we have with him?

2016 YTD in the Premier League:-
31 games
10 goals scored over 8 games

He has had continuous goalless patches of 11, 5, and is currently on 4...

When he scores – aside from the game that precedes one of his barren runs, he tends to go only one goalless game... this usually creates some ridiculous fan fare and hype and his response is to put his slippers on and light a cigar.

Sick and tired of this player. Imagine if Alex Nyarko was a player who scored the odd goal? Our wonderfully indulgent fans would have had him here long enough for a testimonial. Forget the fact that he didn't care for the shirt and wouldn't run, tackle or do any of that stuff – the odd goal would have wiped the minds of any fans who had the potential to run on the pitch and offer to swap shirts. They would have tolerated his no shows that negatively impact the team just so they could see him hit the net again.

In 2015-16 no outfield player averaged less distance over 90 minutes than Lukaku, in 2016-17 only 3 have covered less.

Oh yes... we only think we know what we're talking about. I can never get my head around players not giving a 100%; even if you don't like the manager, do it for the fans or at least yourself.

The reality is they simply don't care. Koeman will be judged by his boss this time next year. The fans will give him less time.

A top team can't afford one player to be inconsistent never mind three. Martinez failed to see this let's hope Koeman does.

The irony is it is Barkley who seems to be the manager's scapegoat, and he is the one I would persevere with, but without Lukaku messing up his game.

My mindset has changed. Mirallas has had enough chances and is now time for a new challenge for him. Lukaku does score goals, but I'm worried of the effect he has on the whole culture at the club. I can imagine a few players at the club thinking "Who does he think he is? Strutting around like he's won something" – he's won nothing by the way.

Of the players mentioned in the article I think Deulofeu is the one who deserves the most leeway, as he has not had a run in the position he plays for Spain U21s. I say play Deulofeu with Valencia and see if we become more mobile and fluid – what have we to lose at this moment in time?

Each of them had either a good touch or worked industriously for the team. You can't possibly wish that for the team again?

He was clearly not good enough for a central role. He's 29 now and has had chance after chance in all the front roles. Time for him to be moved on.

When you look at our recruitment over the past 25 years, it's been an absolute shambles for a club of our size. Who was the last truly world class player we signed as an unknown, or for a relative pittance? Have we ever unearthed a gem as all the other top teams have done over this period? I can't think of one, you couldn't go that long if you tried without signing at least three or four real class players. Arsenal signed about 5 in one season!

Hopefully we have finally arrived in the modern football world by putting a proper scouting network in place, but until then, the ٢-8m pound players you mention above will perform at a barely average level, and will continue to be mid-table players.

Maybe half of these players don't believe they will be sold in the near future, they have become that comfortable at a club without ambition? "Lovely old Bill will never sell me." We may witness a huge change in attitude once a few of their pals are actually shipped out, and they start to believe their career may be going down the pan after all. Osman & Hibbo said the club wasn't the same, let's hope so.

Most of the time he has been a liability. Unless he can rediscover the sort of form that gives us an end product in goals and assists to continue playing him is a waste of a place in the team.

As for Mirallas, he looked more effective in the free role he had in the second half. Like Hazard, he never looks comfortable when restricted to a wide position. Roving around behind Lukaku he has proven he can score ten goals a season which our team is crying out for.

Aaron Lennon has always struggled to deliver a sustained end product. At 29 that is unlikely to change.

How to get the best out of Barkley? What are the options now that Koeman must have reached the same conclusion as we have, that he is not suited to the No 10 role? Lyndon, I look forward to reading your thoughts on that one!

Not Koeman's players but it's all his fault somehow.

When Deulofeu arrived, I thought at last a player to get me off my seat, he had pace, trickery and goals and assists in him. I don't know what has happened to him but he looks a shadow of the player who first joined us. I still believe there is a player there and of the 3 wide players mentioned for me he is still worth persevering with.

I would hope against Watford we start with the team that finished the game. When we had Valencia alongside Lukaku and Mirallas and Deulofeu breaking from midfield we carried a threat. I think if we start with these 3 they can all inter change positions to give the opposition something to think about.

I'd love to see him get a run of games up front with the instruction of staying central. He's got a good touch, he can beat a man and he has a shot on him. He's also a completely different player to Lukaku and could compliment him quite well in my opinion if he was allowed to stay in and around the 18-yard box.

Deulofeu has got ability in abundance, he hasn't become shite overnight. He needs a run of games in one position and he needs to have more than one player to aim at in the box. At the moment, he picks the ball up on the wing, looks up and sees one lazy bugger standing in the area. If that was me, I'd look to pass inside too.

Opposing defences have it far too easy with us and it unbalances the whole team. We've got to give them more to think about in the oppositions final third and that would give the wing men more time and space to operate.

As it is, it's a cakewalk for teams playing us and it's about time we got on the front foot because the present set-up is a proven failure.

It has been widely reported that Lukaku has said the following in recent days:

"First, I need a coach to work with who believes in me as there is no point in signing for someone and then realise on the spot that the system is not designed for me."

That tells me at least that Rom believes that his team-mates are there to fulfil his needs alone. Good luck in finding a Champions League club who will tolerate such an attitude, Rom – Everton FC may be as good as it gets for you.

I think it is obvious now that players such as Gerry, Mirallas, Barkley, Lukaku, Jags, Baines, Lennon, McCarthy etc are not good enough or finished under Koeman. I'd even add Bolasie to that list although he might adjust in an improved squad over time.

There needs to be a clear out over the next few transfer windows so it will be interesting to see this development taking place.

I'm right behind the manager; I think we need to be patient and see how next season starts off after a squad upgrade!

Pace, skill, directness and he seemed to be a player that made things happen. With him on the pitch, goals were inevitable.

Then he got dropped and he seems to have Lost 'it'.

God knows what it is, but If he could play to his best then we have a real high quality player on our hands.

Lennon is just bang average.

Mirallas is on the wane, and should be shipped out. Dowell deserves a chance.

Excellent perception and puts things well into perspective. Barring Rooney, whom we sold, imho, if we had of produced 25 Rooney's , we would have sold the lot.

Our training ground is not called Finch Farm for nothing. It's just that not having grown or nurtured serious talent over decades, we don't have much to sell at the Farmer's Market these days.

With regard to Lukaku and his latest little spouting to the medjah about his terrible confinement at HMP Goodison and the god awful service he is provided with, well the kid is so full of the brown stuff, his parents should have christened him Portaloo Lukaku.

I'll get me cloak.

Mirallas frustrates the life out of me too, there's a quality player inside Mirallas but he doesn't turn up very often. Why, who knows!

Lennon is worth retaining in my opinion, he usually puts a shift in and was scoring a few goals last season if my memory serves me right.

As for Deulofeu, again I would persevere as there's a quality player in him somewhere, but as you say, Lyndon, we don't see that player enough! I do think that he's always closely marked now as the opposition probably regard him as a danger man.

Personally, I think a top quality midfield creator would make a world of difference to our performances; that's our number one priority at the moment. Fans on here have been saying this for a very long time now and we are still waiting!

Lukaku's not a back to the goal player, he needs passes he can go forward onto, with his size he should be a monster in the air. Again he doesn't often get crosses where he can use his head which is a mistake in my eyes.

He's built more like an heavyweight boxer, he's never going to be near the top of the running most table, but needs to try harder to make himself available to pass to. Again he's also very closely marked now by the opponents which does make a difference to his performances.

Having said that Aquero and Sanchez are always marked men but they have the class to score even so.

2015-16 Lukaku scored 3 goals from January to May and two were pens... ONE outfield goal in 5 months.

2014-15 Jan to May, 4 goals and again 2 pens... TWO outfield goals in 5 months.

He should live in Yellowstone as he goes to sleep in January and doesn't wake up until September.

I agree, Lukaku is the problem; his signing was also the catalyst to many of the issues which we have now. Martinez spunked his whole budget on him at a time when very senior players needed replacing rather than being given contract extensions. Chelsea had already said we could have had him for a further season on loan.

Would we have payed 㿈m the following summer? I very much doubt it.

I don't have any real answers but the pairing of Jagielka and Williams isn't working. Barry or Cleverley and Barkley or whomever isn't working. That's a massive gap right down the middle.

What it does is put the emphasis on the other players to make weight and cover areas they shouldn't need to. Yes, it's a team game but when players are distracted from the role they need to fulfill to cover for other, weaker areas, the team loses shape.

Barry, Gibson and Cleverley are not the solution although Barry brings a much missing quality to the team.

The other issue is that none of them want to run through a brick wall for the team. Tim Cahill had it, Phil Neville (like him or loathe him) had it, Dave Watson had it. Players with a passion and determination to do what was necessary. Ownership on the pitch.

Get these right and the wide players have more freedom and would provide more opportunities for the forwards.

The calls against Lukaku require a bit of balance. Yes, he can be perceived as lazy but it's tough to be overly critical when he's the second highest goalscorer in the league.

Yes, he could he have more goals if he put in the effort and no, he's not a player like Suarez (who is??).

It's an odd time as an Everton fan as we know we can out perform teams on our day. It's just the team doesn't appear to click when it matters.

Lukaku will go when Koeman believes the team can score the goals; Lukaku now does. Lukaku is not and never was part of Koeman's long term plans. The way Koeman wants EFC to play needs an energetic forward line who press the oppositions defence and pinch the ball back high up the field. Lukaku cannot do that and never will.

In fact, the players who cannot or will not play the pressing game will go sooner rather than later. EFC's next centre-forward will be a player in the Costa mold. Someone who doesn't give the defenders a minute. I reckon whoever it is will be the last piece in the puzzle as it's goals that keep you in the Premier League. This is why Koeman will hold onto Lukaku and cash in when his target(s) become available.

I was hoping we would switch formation a few weeks back, because it's clear that Lukaku cannot play up front on his own. I don't mind having a lazy striker though if he is a goalscorer. There have been countless strikers over the years who didn't do much outside the box.

Lukaku can be as lazy as he wants if he is going to score 25 goals, for me. However, this must be in a 4-4-2, with someone doing the donkey work alongside him. If he is up front on his own, he gives us no options by being so static.

The transfer activity in January is going to be interesting. We have a few square pegs in round holes at the minute. We need a couple of new players to come in to complement what we have already got.

Back in the summer, when Lukaku was given his extended break, he was our forward man for a number of games. From the couple I saw him play, I thought he was great in a more advanced role.

Enner Valencia's Premier League record at WHU is eight goals in 54 games (playing wide?) but he has 19 goals in 34 games (playing centrally?) for Ecuador. These players have goals in them, but can we find a way of utilising them in such a tough league as the Premier League?

Yeah, I also remember it wasn't so long ago that we had no money to work with in the transfer market and that is why we had those players. Have you conveniently forgotten that this lad cost us 㿈m? He cost more than the previous 3 or 4 record signing strikers COMBINED1 We blew our whole budget on him cos he didn't want to fight for a spot at Chelsea. He cost us twice the amount of our previous transfer record.

So you are saying if we get rid of Lukaku for whatever overinflated fee it will be – we will have to buy strikers like Anichebe, Stracq and Jelavic? Why is that? is the money that we spend on Lukaku gonna disappear down the back of the Goodison sofa? Of course it isn't chances are we will get 㿔m+ to spend on someone who may actually do a decent impression of someone who cares for the shirt and scores the odd goal whilst they are at it.

I tell ya – I do feel sorry for the likes of Barkley... I can only hope that we still have him when we buy a striker who will move for him and give him options to pass to.

I mean correct me if I'm wrong but...

While Mirallas, Lennon and Deulofeu are all inconsistent, I think the root of our problems lies in the fact that we have no player in the squad who can play the No 10 /playmaker role.

My biggest disappointment of the last transfer window was the failure to sign Mata from Man Utd. That type of player just has to be the No 1 target in January, otherwise we will continue to have no link between our wingers/midfield and Lukaku up front.

His strength has never been as a target man (which Martinez seemed to want to turn him into). Now are we asking him to run around all game as part of some vague “pressing” philosophy?

Is the plan to get him so that he's too knackered to run onto balls when we're on the break, or too tired to finish when the ball is in the penalty box (his position when he scores most of his goals)?

If we were to sign Messi, we'd probably call back the PE teacher. No more strolling around the centre for our Lionel. Get him to change his game. Maybe get the goalie to punt balls to him so he could try and head the ball in the centre circle with his back to goal? We could also hire Rodney Marsh to teach him how to tackle.

Geri has ability in spades but he is too lightweight and rarely makes the right decisions, often giving the ball away cheaply; perhaps he too just needs a longer extended run in the side.

Lennon is not good enough to be starting games, when we signed him I thought he'd do as a squad player but I now think that he is at best workmanlike and at worst a liability and doesn't look good enough to even warm the bench; he should be moved on ASAP.

For far too long his masquerade of goals has papered over the cracks of a very flawed player who concedes possession at an alarming rate in a transitional phase of play which is pretty destructive to the shape and flow of our team.

I'm not trying to make out that I know more than the next man about football – in fact my knowledge around defensive organisation is pretty abysmal – what I do know pretty well is the key element of a striker being able to do some KEY work for the team and he fails abysmally. His goals don't even make up for his ping pong shins and complete lack of intelligent movement that restricts the likes of Ross Barkley into making side ways passes. His inability to even pressure a defender into making a hurried pass is a disgrace.

Sign Mata? What was he going to do? strap a motor to Lukakus back and get a remote control to make him move where he needs him to? The issue isn't the No 10 – the issue is the complete lack of intelligent movement from Rom and his inability to play one touch football quickly and precisely.

Tony (#51)...

Help and support up front? You mean someone else to do what he is supposed to do himself? Yeah that used to be the old 4-4-2 before Managers cottoned on to the fact that you can just get your players fitter pack 5 in the midfield and get your striker to do a bit and have the 5th player a hybrid attacker/midfielder.

It's 2016 now... Micky Quinn retired 20 years ago. Even old school poachers like Jermaine Defoe have had to adapt their game – but our 23-year-old "beast" can't do that he has actually said his next move will depend on the system. Well he can say goodbye to his so called ambitions of Champions League etc cos he ain't gonna get a servant bought in for him.

You are right about one thing though – tiredness. He will get tired for a through ball or a finish if he is doing the running that he should be doing – the reason? He's unfit. Probably 4-5 kg overweight... he's never had a work ethic and it isn't gonna start now.

For the time being we may as well give Valencia a shout next to him as he showed on Sunday what a bit of movement and work up front can do for the team. Get to January and if we have a suitable candidate lined up then pull the trigger and get shut of the lad. Good riddance.

Lennon – Looks past it. Hard working player and admirable character but simply not good or quick enough anymore to cause any danger.

Mirallas – Make or break. Seems like the only one who might be able to make a push for a regular spot but how many times have we said that? I would show all 3 of them the door come January.

Surely Dowell or a more compact 4-3-3 with Davies and Valencia is the only option now. I would prefer to see any of these given a go over Deulofeu.

I thought he worked hard against Man Utd but he was second to every ball. Van Dyck had him in his pocket the whole game.

Given his size and bulk he is also the poorest header of a ball I have ever seen at centre-forward.

It is interesting that the majority of posters are talking about the inconsistencies up front not at the back or defensive midfield. Doesn't that tell you something.

Lukaku does not do that, he wants a pin-point pass to his feet, preferably in a counter-attacking position where through his strength he can get through on to the keeper and finish, as he did in the Man City game. Barkley, and Gueye as well, get into a threatening position and they then have to check back,and hope that Coleman or Baines can provide someone with whom they can work. It is slow and ponderous and it all stems from how static the Everton formation is.

Perfect summation. Bang on the money. As a result of this, Barkley has to take too many touches, is closed down and loses possession.

The crowd gets on his back and his game deteriorates.

Everton not playing to Romelu Lukaku's strengths under Ronald Koeman

Regardless who plays around him, he needs to move more!

Get over Barkley, and let's buy a player who can actually run the midfield, with the class and quality we require, is the only answer, if we are ever to move forward. He's had long enough to prove himself.

Without players trying to lose defenders, the player in possession has no good options to pass to... as I say, it's kids' stuff.

Still proud of the way our club and fans stepped in to help support the little guy.

I mean... Deli Ali in the Euros . absolute joke and Ross didn't get a chance?

It's hilarious – the lad gets slated and no-one has a clue whatsoever about what he has to deal with in having a statue in front of him who just runs in a straight line. He probably had more intelligent team mates when he was 14 years old.

Paul Merson called it absolutely spot on when sat with Kevin Sheedy on "Fantasy Football" – the lad is exceptionally talented and is playing the hardest position.

It's okay, though sensitive Ross fits the bill of the scapegoat... a nice quiet kid with more talent in his little toe than most players have full stop. Whether it be dinosaur Roy Hodgson shouting at him or downplaying a man-of-the-match performance against Ecuador. Or whether it be one of the lids on the terrace – frothing at the mouth because Ross made a sideways pass instead of going on a run past 5 players.

I hope that Lukaku goes asap and we get in a striker who is a willing runner and link-up player. Only then will we see the best of the lad.

I would point out that Lennon's "purple patch" was only nine months ago, and extended to a great goal in May. I believe his lesser form this year is due to lack of playing time, not being "past it", and he's worth staying with a bit longer. He certainly puts in as much effort as anyone we have except perhaps Gueye.

I would argue that the problem with Geri isn't lack of consistency. It's TOO MUCH consistency. As a right winger, he has one real move... the stepover dribble and quick move toward the byline, either for an early cross or a pullback from the line. Now that he's been thoroughly scouted, defenders just sit back and wait for the move – and shut it down. No amount of hard work and good attitude will help until he expands his game, or unless he plays a different position. I heartily agree with Dave (#13) that he's worth a try in the #10 slot, where his great first touches will benefit him.

Tim (#61), that's a great article, thanks for sharing that. It's a little less damning of Rom than the raw statistic... it essentially says he doesn't run much because he's not given through balls to run onto, which is absolutely correct. But yes, he does need to move a whole lot more.

Jim (#22), sorry, but the idea that Rom is the reason that Barkley's game is a mess... I got a great big laugh out of that one. Barkley's problem is Barkley. Period.

I'd like to see a return to width provided by the left and right back with the 3 behind Rom playing more as versatile but generally centralised attacking midfielders with 2 like Gana and Schneiderlin behind them.

As close to what Arsenal are doing as we can get, basically.

At least Rom does take enough chances to keep our heads above water, but going forward we are the lamest bunch in the division and, given some of the teams in the league, that is a terrible indictment of all connected with the club.

Additionally, his defensive disinterest is surpassed only by Rom's. The one midfielder we have who will NEVER provide ball pressure or track an attacking player's run back to the end line is Ross.

I suggested long ago that if we went to a 4-4-2, the logical second striker would be Barkley. IMO, there is no hope, none at all, that he will ever become a competent #10.

However, one of the reasons their final ball is so bad so often is that they haven't a clue where their big centre-forward will be. I've never seen such a big striker who is so poor in the air. He's never moving onto a cross looking to power a header towards goal.

f you've gone past a full back at speed you haven't time to look up and check if Lukaku's made the run, you hit it and trust the big man will be there. He isn't and they look even worse.

It's the off-the-ball movement that's the key to success in football and it is that which we have not got.

Lukaku is a conundrum and I think that Ron bigging him up in the press recently is the prelude to getting as much as poss, as soon as poss, off any team who feel a need for a 6'-3" target man who's often unable to control or accurately pass a ball, is afraid to compete for a header (regardless of who's playing wide), who'd seemingly prefer to play in a tu-tu rather than challenge to win the ball back, and who all the while displays an ego that makes Liberace seem shy.

Thank God I ain't the manager!

The thread is about consistency, none of our attacking midfielders are consistently good enough, including Barkley, whose position in the team is vitally important.

As well as the crosses that were finished off, there were many more just begging to be buried if more bodies had piled into the box or if our sole striker was slightly less statuesque.

His threat was not just coming from out wide either. On a few occasions he received the ball deep and played perfectly weighted first time balls down the middle to put Lukaku in on goal. Then, all of a sudden, he was removed from the starting line-up by Martinez and only started 3 games from mid January until the end of the season.

Despite that he was still Everton's most prolific creator with 19 assists, according to this piece in the Echo that included (along with the 'official' stats) the number of assists that should rightfully have been his, i.e:- times his crosses forced defenders into fatal errors, own goals etc.

Link

Barkley was the only other player in the squad to get over double figures with 15.

Despite their struggles to get going thus far this season (not helped by constantly being in and out of the side), these two players still represent this sides best chance of conjuring a breakthrough, even if it's just by virtue of their occasionally being capable of taking defenders out of their comfort zone by giving them something more to deal with than a lazy punt down the middle or a lofted, 'can't be arsed looking where I'm aiming', lump into the box.

Bolasie, for all his 'unpredictability' and willingness to run, is far too loose in possession, with the ball spinning off and sliding away from him so often he seems semi-permanently dazed and confused like he's just crawled to safety out of a dinosaurs arse covered head to toe in 'slick glide' lube. I find the stat (in the article linked to in Lyndon's OP) that a player who receives the ball as much as he does only manages to pull off 16 accurate passes per game, pretty unbelievable.

Add that to Lukaku's continuing struggles to make the ball stick and it's no wonder we struggle to get any attacking moves worth the name underway when those two are our main out balls.

Look on the bright side: Barca are now coming in to exercise the buy-back clause on Deulofeu. 㿞 mill I heard, such has been the level of skill, dedication and commitment he has shown.

As for our wingers... well, at the minute, I wouldn't care if they all went. But maybe, just maybe, if we actually played 4-4-2, then we might get some joy from them. This is all very hypothetical though.

That is one of the tasks Koeman is faced with, and is being paid a fortune to implement; good luck to him, we are are just interested observers.

Why, because it's a team game. I sense that Deulofeu wants to be but doesn't know how. Kevin doesn't want to be because it's all about him, just as it is with Rom. It's the clubs big issue. There is no Leicester or Spurs mentality with this team.

Very few teams have it in the Premier League. Sometimes pure quality gets you through but team spirit is required if you want to win games and you can't buy that. Your manager gives you that.

He is an excellent player on his day, but not up to the lone striker role. No criticism there. Who is in today's Premier League?

Also I think the likes of Mirallas and Deulofeu need to be told how wonderful they are or can be, and that may not be happening.

Lennon is a grafter but, this season, his body language is not good. An unhappy player at an unhappy club?

Over far too many years I have had the temerity of mentioning the shortcomings of various Everton players. For some unknown reason, these frauds gather a legion of supporters who leap to the defence of their favourites. Barely a handful could be classed as being genuine international standard and LL's description of their inconsistency perfectly sums them up.

As stated by an earlier poster, Evertonians seem to have unlimited patience with these second raters, and I am buggered to see why.

Seeing Ross with his head in hands during the Man Utd game, it seems to me that he realises his boyhood dream is coming to an untimely end.

I hope you are wrong, but fear that you are correct.

Ross may need a change of manager, as will some of the others coming through, to realise his true potential.

And that will come sooner rather than later, I think...

Lukaku has great strength and is a good finisher when allowed to run onto a ball. But he makes life difficult for the midfielders and the wingers because of his lack of mobility and his unwillingness to make runs unless he thinks he is almost certain to get the ball. He will not run the channels or attack the ball in the box, thus making the wingers, Barkley, Gueye etc, look stupid when they keep checking back.

Get your people out there in football land who can spot players who are NOT centre-forwards, but can score goals.

With the amount of amateur leagues around surely you can find these lads. If not, collect your P45 cos you're no use to us.

By the way guys, get rid of "The Bad Apple" in January and we'll be twice the team we are now... and you know who I mean..

Deulofeusimply will bever be brave enough to get hurt, Bolaise would and does, City away sticks out.

Mirallas is a selfish shit who's given us some amazing moments in games but rarely can you say he was good for 90 mins.

He also has a temperamental side, rare to see a winger gave so many red cards on his slate.

Due to the Bolaise injury, I'd keep Mirallas but happy to see Lennon and Deulofeu shipped out in January

I'd keep Mirallas, he looked in the mood on sunday, I'm hoping it'll continue. Could Deulofeu be used as a No 10? We'd have to get rid of Rom tho because he wouldn't move for his through balls. Lennon needs to be left go for sure.

I hope Barkley still had a future though, I've got a feeling Koeman feels the same.

The calls for either more support or better service are bogus. As you correctly pointed out, the likes of Mick Quinn and Clive Allen have not graced our fields for some time now (thank god). Rom will be fatter than fat Ronaldo far younger I feel (and never in his class either).

Where I agree about consistency (still with me?) is that, at this moment in time, I really don't know who to blame for our shambolic performances. Is Ronny a really shit manager? Have the players downed tools twice in a row (sort of like those train drivers in London – twats) because they can?

What is apparent is this: Ron needs to work with the tools he's got and make them work until he gets some shinier ones, and those not-so-shiny tools need to realise they have to bust a gut for the badge because I fucking demand effort (as every other fan does) from each and last every tool who pulls on that hallowed jersey, which I feel I'm not seeing at the moment.

Unacceptable. Wish I was a tool who could make a difference to the machine that is Everton, but I can't; only the tools there can get us running like a well oiled machine.

Don't fuck up the Derby!

First off, it's true: I absolutely can not stand him. I don't think I've ever disliked a player so much in my 30+ years as an Everton fan. Why is that?

Okay... lets have a look at similar candidates. Barmby, Neville, Nyarko, Pistone, Cottee. Strange mix there, isn't there?

What have they all got in common? Laziness? Lack of ability? Nope. it was that not one of them "got Everton". In fact, I would go as far to say that they all took the proverbial in a sense of a fashion and some got away with it till a point.

Neville?! - some may ask... getting all excited about his tackle on Ronaldo and his passionate finger pointing and model-pro façade. Nah, not for me. I found him one of the most patronising players to ever wear an Everton shirt – and the worst thing was that he thought he had fans kidded. He revealed his true colours in some ridiculous interviews "top half is a fantastic achievement for a club like Everton", "I couldn't take a penalty against United"... yeah all that.

I am a prime candidate to understand what a player who "gets Everton" is. My first season was 1984-1985... I was fortunate to watch one of the best teams that mixed ability with a desire to play for the shirt who could play or fight – take your pick.

Back to the Belgian: maybe if he didn't have such a huge gob I wouldn't dislike him as much – that gob has made it abundantly clear where he sees his abilities vs the stature of our club. Something I completely disagree with – as a footballer he is a poor player.

However that is the problem – he puts his head above the parapet. If you are gonna do that you best be bulletproof. The odd smattering of goals and concerted efforts doesn't kid me. Dividing the total number of games and total number of goals to give a number of 2 point something doesn't wash with me.

What washes with me is watching a 5'-10", twice busted-knee, heart of a lion Steven Naismith offer more of a physical threat and menace than the supposed 6'-4" "beast" who only seems to put in a shift when his abilities have been questioned.

I'm not for one second saying that we should stock the team up with Stephen Naismiths but the very fact that a career threatened, lesser athletically gifted, much maligned player had the ability to change games more than this lad really does get my goat.

Sadly – players of the ilk of a Naismith, Cahill who would spill blood for the shirt and then go and spend time with the fans or people less fortunate are a rare breed. Complete opposites, like Lukaku, seem to be the norm.

How did Naismith change more games than Lukaku? Rom is not on my Christmas card list either... but I think you are in desperate need of a good, long lie down.

You would often see games where Lukaku was toiling away looking laboured and then Naismith would enter the fray. Similar to the game on Sunday when Valencia came on, he would inject some urgency and disruption... engaging in niggles with centre-halves. Give him a one-on-one and it was in the back of the net... the bigger the game, the better.

If that's your mindset, Peter, simply lower your expectations of Lukaku and enjoy a wonderful goalscoring showcase.

Same type of player – all about waiting for his team mates to put it on a plate for him. How many goals has he scored where he has done a great piece of skill to set up the chance for himself? Or picked up a ball, held it up, laid it off, and got on the end of the cross – like an Alan Shearer? Very very rare indeed...

I'm probably doing Cottee a disservice as he had a reasonable touch and could hold up the ball quite well for a little fella.

You see, I watch Everton and look for Everton to put points on the board. I don't look at our striker and how many he's got so I can boast to the kids in the playground that our striker is better than theirs – I grew out of that a long time ago.

It took me a while to realise why we never won the league with Lineker – putting all your eggs in one basket means that, when that player has an off day (Oxford), you lose points. When you have strikers who can bring the likes of Steven and Sheedy into the mix, like Sharp or Gray, then having an off-day meant that the team could still score goals.

I can only imagine that our points total for the calendar year would have us in the bottom 6.