Everton have too much for plucky Burnley

Clattenberg seemed a bit one-sided in the match, but that may be my own biased perspective. Booking Barkley was poor touch in the circumstances.

I see the sports pages have stopped showing the top six and the BBC (mistakenly?) reported we have "moved up to SIXTH" albeit temporarily!

Thought Valencia made a real difference when he came on, don't know what anyone else thinks, but if we could strike a deal with West Ham I would like to see him as a permanent addition.

Fifth in the Table but most teams have two games in hand around us, makes you wonder where we'd be, if we hadn't squandered so many winnable games earlier on!

Koeman doing the business. My guess is we'll get even better under him.

Failure to win at any of Watford, Hull, Burnley, Middlesbrough and Bournemouth was unforgiveable. Let's take the game to woeful West Ham next week, who clearly have problems when they are conceding 2 to Sunderland today, rather than setting up to try and stop them with a deep midfield.

Koeman needs to play two up top and sacrifice either Gueye or Schneiderlin.

I said to the young lad next to me after the goal "He's bound to sign that contract after that celebration." (which went on even as he was booked) but the lad pissed on me chips when he said "Yeh, Rooney did that though remember."

Superb skills again today. And continues to cover more ground and put in more challenges than he used to do. Koeman is working his magic.

Another black mark for Robles will condemn him next season. Holgate had a decent game, but he doesn't quite have the quality of a Coleman at right back.

The change for Valencia to occupy that right hand side was a spot on call. Big game for Ross in a horrible week. Hope he puts his name to a new contract soon. Today will have meant a lot to him.

Goes through all of the "top 7" yet conveniently doesn't mention Everton's 60 goals yet mentions Arsenal (below us) scoring 61 and Man Utd only scoring 46 and that's why they are not in the title race.

I'd like to agree but I've seen plenty of badge kissers who've left clubs. If he is going to stay, I'd expect a quick announcement. If it drags on past the next few weeks, I'll assume he is headed elsewhere.

I hold my hand up, I wanted Koeman out earlier in the season and now humble pie never tasted so good. Hats off to Ronny. Great sub and a great manager in the making.

The antithesis of Matinept. Ice cold with a slice of venom..

Man Utd have an easier run in but if they get distracted by the Europa League and keep drawing games then we could catch them as well.

We show very long memories. Clattenberg's refereeing in the derby game was in 2007! Since then, in my opinion, he has become the best Premier League referee, albeit in a generally poor crowd.

I believe we have a very special player emerging in Tom Davies.

Jaysus... Last beer.

I think you may be getting a bit carried away just as you were when you wanted the sack for Koeman.

We are on course to finish exactly where we should as a minimum, 7th.

It's a big improvement on the last two seasons but of course they were really dire. Our home form is great, we keep rolling over sides we should beat, we are free scoring and mostly enjoyable to watch. But our away form is distinctly average and the two decent sides we have played away in 2017 we came up distinctly short.

We could still get 6th and at a push 5th but we will have to probably go and win our 3 remaining away games including Arsenal.

Our progress is encouraging and the summer is key in terms of player recruitment but we need to be genuinely challenging Top 4 next season rather than just best of the rest.

I'd be giving Koeman a B+ currently.

As for Ross it wasn't the badge kiss that did it for me. It was the fact that he had the temerity to jump on the Gwladys Street wall and tap his badge when booked.

The signing is all about dosh and it's relevance with other players imho.

The jump now from Academy to first team squad is a big one and we have to allow these lads space to make that jump.

But what Koeman has done, is to give us hope and pride. Other fans (of other clubs) are talking about us once more, they like what they see, and surely prospective players will find us attractive too.

We have money to spend and Koeman can hopefully build on this season. Without continued improvement, then this season is not that great. We can see a progression, and a platform and the building being done. That is what makes us all so optimistic and hopeful.

Isn't that what football supporters do?

I don't want to get all Phil Walling on you but a little perspective helps, I find.

"Perspective" is a luxury for those sitting on the sidelines..

Anyways, talking of Phil Walling, where's Darren and his joystick?

"Perspective" is a luxury for those sitting on the sidelines..

So I'm not allowed to have a considered view and must be either suicidal or swept along on a wave of optimism?

Actually, I did sit on the sidelines today... sat in the Paddock because, in an effort to improve my lad's love-life, I let him have both my Park End tickets.

The only teams that have outplayed us are Spurs, who look the best team in the country currently, and Liverpool, who obviously have signed some satanic deal that sees our players go to putty in the derby. I reckon we may well beat Chelsea at Goodison and have a decent shot of finishing 5th or 6th.

Good on yer pal.

Improving his love life in the Park End?! It must have been rocking!

League Table. Change custom dates to see 2017.

Couldn't understand the Gana substitution, but we won and Valencia was an absolute nuisance when he came on.

Kudos to Ross, he was very good today... MotM.

Good to see Ronko mixing it up and bringing Valencia on changed the dynamic of the game as we looked much more offensive. I would like to see Valencia offered a permanent deal.

I suspect we won't keep him but we should all be grateful for his presence over the last 8 months or whatever it is.

For several games, he's been less than average.. does one great thing then it's back to running about aimlessly. He needs a break.

Today: scruffy first half but once again our class shone through. Onward Evertonians!

I think it was more tactical than that. Burnley did a decent job in the first 30 minutes but defended very deep and went long to Vokes at every opportunity.

Going to a two in central midfield was a smart move as we were not going to get overrun in central midfield like the derby and Valencia occupied their back four much more.

I quite like Valencia as a player and was surprised he didn't get any time against Liverpool or Man Utd. I'm not convinced he's top 4 material though. I think our sights should be set higher.

What's the point discussing it then?

How toxic the atmosphere at Goodison was and how it seemed that every misplaced pass by an Everton player was greeted with sheer vitriol?

Koeman has brought back the feel good factor to Goodison Park and it's actually enjoyable going to Everton games again.

Last season was beyond a joke, it was piss easy to come here and score a bag load of goals for visiting teams.

Just need to sort the away form out now.

I agree we could get a result versus Chelsea but I was making the point that we could finish about Arsenal even if we drop points along the way. The Chelsea game looks the most difficult.

Swansea have been a bit of a thorn in our side the last few years but they look pretty poor and shorn of confidence. I don't seem them beating us unless we simply don't perform which is possible but hopefully won't happen.

We always do well against the Hammers.

Watford could be tricky. They're a weird team. They seem to go into every game home or away with as much chance of a 3-0 win or 0-3 defeat. That said we should be able to deal with them.

As for Arsenal, I remember under Royle they nicked was it 5th or 6th from us on the last day of the season. Under Martinez they crept past us too despite us hammering them at Goodison Park. I believe they have a better record against us than any other team. So I'd love to do a number on them at their place at the end of the season.

Some of his passing was very slick & his vision is really excellent at times. He releases the ball early & keeps the game flowing at a good tempo which we profit from as a team.

I hope that Ross can do the same as he just dallies a little too long at times on the ball for me.

Darren (#11), Keane was fine and competent most of the way, but he's the one Rom destroyed on that turn. Sure, you could accurately say that Rom can do that to anybody, but I was surprised he wasted Keane so easily.

Glad you've enjoyed your trip over, and have a safe journey back home mate. A real pleasure to meet you.

Russell and Bromley were the shoe shop on the corner of Neville Street and Lord Street. It's where we always met our girlfriends of an evening.

Surprised you didn't suss this coming from Southport and knowing about Lord Street.

By the way Do you know of the pub called the Rabbit? It's on Manchester Road.

Check the in-form league table. Total lies. That's it! No more BBC Tax scam for me.

I an't wait to see what players arrive next season. In Koeman I trust he knows how to get the best out of the players and isn't afraid to say it as it is so everyone knows where they stand with him.

He goes, but, with the money, we will get the playmaker, another striker and a quality centre-back. That's all we need, for now.

However, we have a good manager too, and at half time he certainly put a spark under the players arses after a lack-lustre second-best first half display.

I thought the introduction of Valencia opened things up, and Barry later to keep us solid is light years away from what Martinez would have done.

Another home win; we dug in and won.

I will be doing a meandering one similar to the Harold Matthews tribute I did last year, after Mike has published his version. He was mentioned in the programme yesterday, had a message on the Jumbotron, and had one read out on the Tannoy system at half-time.

As I write, Mike is making the journey back to Heathrow for his return flight to the US, and is immediately booked in for treatment on his return.

He has had a superb time here, and special mentions to Kev Johnson, Rob Halligan and Peter Mills who really have gone above and beyond, plus all ToffeeWebbers, and the Everton family in general who made this special for an absolute gentleman.

Safe return and good luck Mike, wherever your next journeys take you.

You need to add a keeper, mate.

I left Goodison yesterday thinking that we had scored a couple of scruffy goals until I saw Lukaku's on MotD this morning. Only top players score goals like that?

With European football almost guaranteed for next season, (I can't see Leicester winning the Champions League), then maybe Rom will give us another year. It could be Champions League, highly unlikely, but you never know, but at least he will be able to perform on the European stage.

Keith (#73). Looking forward to reading Mike's story of his trip. Just hope he doesn't have to pay any excess baggage allowance when he checks in at Heathrow!

I thought Tom Davies might have been taken off as it was probably his worst 45 minutes since joining the first team. But this kid is a rare talent to be playing in the hardest position at 18 and looking so composed is brilliant. I am sure if he keeps progressing this boy will become a very special player.

I thought Valencia brightened things up when he came on, because he comes inside; he also creates space for Lukaku. I would definitely sign him at the end of the season.

I think Koeman has us about 18 months behind were Spurs are now; we look very solid and, with the right additions in the summer, I think we can get very close to a top 4 spot.

But the elephant in the room is what happens to Lukaku and Barkley? Let's hope they both must see that next season we will be challenging for a Champions League spot and decide to give us at least one more season. But if not, I have faith in Walsh and Koeman to bring in the right players.

Finally, if one or both decide to leave, I hope we get the absolute maximum in transfer fees. Surely if Pogba and Bale went for huge amounts, and we all know that strikers always cost more, then Lukaku should not be sold for a penny less than £100 million. Should Barkley leave, then, if Stones as a centre half was worth £47½ million, then Ross must be worth £65 million at least.

I suspect we may be further another year behind Spurs than you think.

Man for man I think you could only make an argument for Coleman and Lukaku getting into their best XI.

I still think we are three players short of having a first XI that is truly competitive. A keeper, a centre half, a creative midfield player. If Barkley and Lukaku leaves in the summer that becomes five high quality recruits this summer.

In addition we will need better back up players and looming on the horizon we will need to replace Barry, Jags and Baines who at best probably have one more season left each.

The good news is the squad is in a stronger place than 12 months ago; however ,there is still a lot to do.

As others have said, I 'd like us to sign Valencia – he's not top drawer, but is pacy, puts a shift in & will be very useful if as looks highly likely we're in Europa League – I still think we need another goalscorer as well. Plus of course at least one centre-back, a keeper, a creative midfield player & a left back. Big Plus – we have a very good manager.

I still think we'll end up 7th, but 6th is possible – tomorrow's Arsenal result could be key (impact on their morale etc).

I am sorry to harp on about it but I have already written off our chances to get into the top four next season for the simple reason we are in The Europa League; it will be a big handicap to our season in the Premier League, but good luck to all the fans who will travel to wherever we go in Europe.

I agree, Spurs are playing marvellous football now based around a really intensive pressing game. Jamie Redknap said that their midfield were like a pack of jackals not giving Bournemouth a chance to develop any game. Kane is superb and I'd give anything to see Erikson at Everton. Good fast full backs too.

Only thing I don't get, is why Ross got booked for his celebration. I know it's in the rules, but shouldn't it be encouraged to interact more with the fans in a positive way? Just seems silly to me.

The fans pay good money to watch there team, the player's produce the goods, yet both are not allowed to come together to celebrate? Madness!

The most ridiculous one ever was when Tim Cahill scored the winner at Man City, pulled his shirt over his head, and promptly got sent off due to a second yellow.

Like that other silly rule, whereby an injured player has to leave the pitch, while the player who injured him, stays on.

These rules need changing.

Because we have two slow centre-backs we can't push up. Burnley's forwards were by no means quick but two on two they gave us problems when our attacks broke down and we had pushed up.

The problem is that our attack, that is Lukaku, is on his own and we are too stretched front to back. In that case we needed to pull him deeper and move players wide so that we have space to pass through them. We have better players after all.

Second half, he addressed that to some extent by bringing Valencia on. He played wide, had good control and can beat a man in tight corners. I called that at half-time but suggested (prepare for howls of protest) that the man to come off should have been Barkley. We were much more compact and effective in the second half.

Credit Koeman for changing it but one of my reasons for still having reservations is that he set the team up wrongly at the outset and didn't change it after the five minutes it should have took him to realise he'd dropped one.

We've done well since January but in too many games we start off at sixes and sevens and hand the opposition the initiative. Early goals have covered this to some extent. What saves our bacon is that he does change it – eventually – and we now have a team which can outlast most others. (See goals in last 20 minutes.) Credit it him for that.

Big game for us is Chelsea when he has to get it right from the off. Problem is defensive midfield. Schneiderlin and Gueye are good players but both like to get five yards too further forward than I would like to give us some defensive stability. I've mentioned Gueye getting the wrong side of players costing us goals recently and Schneiderlin attempted a tackle nearer the half-way line than our box that he was never going to make in the build up to the penalty. Yes, Robles had a rush of blood, but the through ball wouldn't have happened if Schneiderlin had been in the D.

Against Chelsea, we need both Schneiderlin and Gueye to play a more controlled game in front of a back four. Valencia and Mirallas to start wide-ish and, tin-hat on for this, Davies central with Lukaku playing deeper and much close to our midfield.

Koeman has done a lot of good things since he came to us but I can't help but feel his handling of Delboy and loaning him out to Milan is something that we will look back on with regret for many years to come.

From the BBC website –

Barca sporting director Robert Fernandez confirmed to Catalan station TV3 on Sunday: "The club are firmly considering the option to bring him back to play for the first team next season."

I think you will find Jags is one of the fastest centre-backs in the league.

I don't think you can have a go at Koeman for his handling of Deulofeu. I like the lad. He's incredibly gifted... but he has had many opportunities and not stepped up.

If Barca want him, fine. They take him... and then what? He isn't getting into their side. So they sell him in a year or so, Everton get a cut and, ultimately, they make a loss. It doesn't make much sense on their part.

I love Jags and that may have been true at a certain point in time. It certainly isn't any longer...

These rules are almost as stupid as the players who break them.

"We were a mess first half, a mess of his own tactical making".

According to Koeman, the players didn't follow the game plan - you are being very unfair blaming the manager. Just saying...

Anyways, his speed is clearly gone as judging by the foot race he had in the derby, but he's got enough nous that he looks like he's adapting. I'm not writing jags off yet. I hope he'll have one more good season for us.

That's more on him than the players. Fair cop, I think.

WBA (a)
Bournemouth (a)
Burnley (a)
Bournemouth (h)
Liverpool (a)
Southampton (a)
Burnley (h)

I can't remember his ever saying "I picked the wrong team and/or I asked them to play in the wrong way. I should have changed things earlier" Cos' he has done those things, as every manager has, and never held his hand up for it that I can remember.

I'd like to think we have moved on from signing this quality of player; I'm pretty sure we have a striker currently on loan at Hull that could do the same (if not better) job than Valencia could do.

There was a chance yesterday where Valencia only had to pass the ball in front of Lukaku for him to make it 4-1 but he passed it behind Rom – that sums Valencia up: piss poor!

I guess we've all been waiting for the right moment to apply that to anyone else! Is there a way for us to trick the Sky-guys into using that for any team not being Everton these days?

Until you said the part about "Hull", thus meaning Niasse, I was just mildly disagreeing! Valencia is a lot better than Niasse, but I also hope we can either buy a lot better than both, or find someone from the U23s that would be equally good, or even better with some games under his belt.

I still hope we can buy some quality before looking to the U23s before next season starts!

This is taken straight from the Sky Sports App talking about Chelsea's title battle with Spurs:

"However, Chelsea who have been top since November 5th appear to have an easier run in than Spurs as they don't have to face any of the top 6 whilst the North Londoners have home matches against Arsenal and Man Utd"

I think you will find Everton currently occupy 6th. Sorry to spoil the party!

However that's only because Arsenal are 7th. If they win Monday and go back 6th, then we can all relax because it will be all about the top 6 again, and Everton can disappear back into the unknown rest of the league. Phewwww!!!!!

The gap from us to the rest is far bigger than the gap from us to top group. There is a top 7, perhaps not all yet capable of winning but definitely a big gap to the bottom 13.

Biased Beyond Comprehension

Agreed.

I asked a question "is that fella extremely fast or is Jags being very slow" during the derby, at the TW live forum.

Robbie Earle is one of the lead studio analysts (aka 'pundits') for NBC's coverage of Premier League games in the USA. He's actually not that bad, apart from the requisite top 4/top 6 bias.

His Wikipedia page contains a lot more on him.

I later asked the lad who'd organised the day if the head was really the arsehole everybody said. He showed me the staff squash ladder. The head was on the top but it was pointed out that he insisted that the players were listed from least points down to most.

Slightly harsh comments although not completely without merit.

Davies is a defensive midfielder, That's were he has come through the ranks.

Take a look at the earlier games when he played in his natural position. Him and Schneiderlin protected their back four magnificently against Stoke. Don't forget, against Man City, Schneiderlin had only just signed and wasn't given a start and Gana didn't play. Young Tom gave a masterclass alongside Barry.

I'm not sure whether Koeman decided of his own accord or he was concerned about the criticism for playing three defensive midfield players, but Gana was back from Africa and he had paid £25m for Schneiderlin. He had to play them.

It was always going to be young Tom who would give way and when we went to WHL, Koeman pushed him forward 10 yards. Ironically the other two were given a severe chasing, but Tom suffered too. He was a fish out of water and spent the match running about, as you say "aimlessly".

Telling it the way it is often upsets the rose coloured specs crew, but you are right, there has deffo been times when he has looked a little Tommy Gravo. but there is more to come from this lad, You sometimes have to pinch yourself to remember how old he is.

Davies is most definitely a better player when he is deep, with the game in from of him, anyone who saw his progress to the first team and his earlier games will know that. The problem he has now, is that he is trying to learn a slightly different role, a more advanced one which requires 360 vision and he is having to learn to do it in one of the hardest leagues in the world.

Unless injury forces Koemans hand and Tom is put back in his natural position, he will continue to work box to box, sometimes his efforts will appear "aimless", he will still be trying to adjust to needing eyes in the back of his head, but such is his heart, his skill and his determination, he will have enough moments to continue getting into most people MotM reckoning.

I don't agree that he needs a rest though, he's only been playing central for a couple of months, he's still full of energy; he'll learn more playing than he will from the bench.

This kid will get better and better

Tom is up there in the assist charts for young players. A couple of great finishes to score. One in the manner that any attacking midfielder would be proud of. He is a box-to-box midfielder all day long.

Defensive player, my arse.

"Anyone who seen his progress and the way he played in first few games... then witnessed the dip when he was pushed forward... That lets you out on all three counts.

When people were screaming for him to be included, you had never seen him, you simply told us "honest Ron knew best."

Now you're an expert.

Totally agree with you, no way has Tom played as a defensive midfield player. When Mirallas was fouled on the edge of the box against Leicester it was Tom who was alongside and carried the ball a couple of paces before slotting it home. The goal against City apart from Lukaku nobody was in front of him when he made that run and then scored. The goal were he carried the ball to the edge of the opponents box before being knocked down he got up and got a return pass from Ross, received it well inside the box and scored.

For me when he plays with Gana and Schniederlin he is always the furthest forward, so don't know how some think he is a defensive midfield player. But wherever he plays this boy is going to be something very special. At 18 he is outstanding in 3/4 years if he keeps improving he will be the best midfield player we have had since Peter Reid.

Just on a different topic I saw a statement from Tony Pulis and he said he thinks that Everton will spend massively in the summer. How he knows that I don't know but it seemed strange that he would mention it if he hadn't heard what they are planning this summer.

His flexibility means that the midfield can all get forward, knowing they can cover each other.

Absolute gem this kid.

You are right of course. But I saw him lots of times and he played defensive midfield for Rhino.

Is it even contestable that he came in as a defensive midfield player?

If he didn't play alongside Barry as against City, who did?

if he didn't play alongside schneiderlin against Stoke who did?

Has he not struggled at times in a more advanced role?

Has he not only been pushed further up since Schniederlin came in and Gana came back?

You have to laugh at the the way some people respond to the individual as opposed to the point. It's not as if I was slagging of Davies... I was praising him to the heavens.

I don't really care whether Tom's defensive or anything else. Not my argument.

What's interesting now is that instead of thinking about defensive midfielders who sit deep and slow the team down, we've got midfielders who can cover each other while they take turns to go forward. A similar-looking flexibility to Spurs' midfield.

My guess is that Ron's stuck Tom further forward because he's the best of the three at bursting into the box and scoring. Interesting that Tom got the call to mark Carrick. Shows me that Ron trusts him and rates him defending and attacking.

No, I don't think you were arguing with me. My points were not directed at you.

Although I think you may be right about Davies being better than Gana and Schneiderlin going forward, I don't think they can do the job he is being asked to do.

He can do their job though.

Koeman couldn't drop Davies, but Gana had been Player of the Season up to the Spurs game and he had just paid £25m for Schneiderlin. Davies had forced his hand and is deserving his run in the team.

My memory of the Man City and Stoke City games is that we played three centre halves in a 3-4-3 formation. (3-4-2-1 probably closer to the mark.)

Davies did play centrally in both games but I don't think he was playing as a part of a defensive two with Barry and Schneiderlin respectively. He was the more advanced of the two.

I think it was also the same in the Palace game which was between City and Stoke.

As for Davies, there's little doubt he was initially considered a defensive (rather than 'attacking' or 'box-to-box') midfielder by Koeman, because he came out and said as much when people were clamouring for him to be included:

"It's a more holding midfield position and he is aggressive and he is strong. He can improve in his football but that's all about him bring a young player who needs to make steps

I think you may be right. Perhaps the amount of running he does while playing a box to box or the advanced role makes his movement look a bit aimless. Either way, he has been underwhelming recently and I think his automatic inclusion isn't warranted.

He's only 18, and I'd hate to see the fervour that is currently surrounding him, backfire.

I've no doubt we have that kind of money to spend. The big question is whether we attract the players that cost that much in total.

I think you too are right, Davies is a terrific player. This wasn't intended to become a row. I thought my praise of Davies was rich.

The only reason I posted is that I thought Ciaran was taking a little bit of unwarranted, for stating what is in my opinion a reasonable observation.

The Koeman quote posted by John, proves beyond doubt that Koeman knew he was a natural defensive midfielder.

I simply pointed out that, for all his obvious skills, Davies was still relatively green in a slightly more advanced role and was having to learn in the most difficult of circumstances.

I don't think anyone is or has doubted the quality of Tom. Certainly not me. I have described him recently as a major part of Everton future.

Players for as long as the game has been played develop other aspects to their game and change the way they play. It is a fact that Koeman originally saw Davies as a player with defensive midfield capabilities.

It us a fact that he now sees him as a player with more forward-thinking capabilities. A box-to-box player.

It's only natural when the lad makes a great start in the first team that we should get excited about his potential, but he's a good few bridges to cross before we get carried away too much. Fame and fortune to name but two.

The reason I feel this way, is because I just love this kids honesty, and I was only thinking on Saturday, how much work that he does for the team. Work, I'm sure that not everyone would notice, but maybe I'm wrong, and because this kid inspires me so much, then maybe I already have rose tinted spectacles when I watch him very closely?

You'd have to be Stevie Wonder (although there was a suggestion that Mr Wonder had once caught a mic, and was overplaying his visual deficiencies).. not to see the amount of work Davies puts in.

He will need a rest before too long. Very unusual for a kid of his age to have the run of games he has had.

Opinion, nothing else, but it makes me smile whoever is going to play in there, simply because our engine room is going to be full of players with loads of energy, and in the modern game of football, only real skill comes a close second to this vital commodity... (Never!)

Tom has got more vision than Gana, sees the pass earlier. That's my point in saying he is more of a defensive player.

Don't get me wrong I would like to see a player with Tom's ability on the team sheet every week and I'm only suggesting a one week rest. Whichever way we go we have got one hell of a player on our hands in Tom.

The fact is he is not as experienced as the two who are fulfilling the role now and because we don't have anybody else with the energy to get in as many tackles and also support the attack. There was a vacancy for him and he had deserved his chance.

People have to accept him for what he is, He will always be more about tackles than raking passes, he will always be more about interceptions than goals or assist, he is more Peter Reid than Hazzard.

This idea of resting him makes no sense. Walsh spoke to the powers that be, so he wont be going with the young England side. He's learning every week, He's enjoying his football. He's full of energy, He is an asset to the team and He is due to start a long holiday in a few weeks . . what on earth would we be resting him for ?