Koeman picked Barry over Barkley to counter Swans' formation

Okay...

On a serious note, it does seem an odd tactic. I appreciate our away form has been poor but we were equally as poor at home against Swansea and only just managed a late equaliser. Perhaps Ronald was expecting more from the team he put out.

It would be great to get to the stage when teams worry more about how we are playing, home and away.

Surely there are other formations to try than that same old failure, it never ever produces a team that looks even remotely threatening.

As I say I'm ready and willing to go and give Koeman next season with this summer's big transfer behind him but he's got to get the balance right in the away games because there's no guarantee the home form will be as strong again.

It's been an okay season but at times it's felt much like David Moyes being here in his last season again really in away matches, looking simply turgid and merely looking to nick a goal.

Just put out the best available players in their preferred positions and let them worry about Everton.

Closing the gap relies on increases in commercial income – we are 㾻 million better off this year plus ٣ million allowed on TV money so halfway there. Can we add in new shirt income?

Koeman has the job of managing our results running up to the large boost our new stadium will provide. After that he may feel he can take us further... or not.

Getting us into top 5 or 6 is a big ask and will require a large input from our youngsters. Other than Leicester, how many times has that been achieved? For more than a single season = 0.

You are right!

When is the last time we went away from home and let the opponents worry about Everton for a change?

You look at other teams even below us in the league and they are committing loads of men in the opposition penalty area, Palace recently won at Anfield, they had seven men in the Liverpool area at 1-1.

Watch us and on Saturday in the second half Lukaku pulled back a great ball across the six-yard box and the only man that even looked like reacting was Phil Jagielka, no other Everton player near it.

You will always struggle to break down opponents if you don't commit men.

Barkley was not playing well over the last couple of matches and needed a jolt, plus we have missed Schneiderlin and needed someone with that footballing brain who can read the opposition a little better from midfield and spot a pass.

Good decision – didn't pay off because too many of our first team are already on holiday and Swansea needed the win!

Give Holgate a start at his natural position at centre-half with Jags or Williams and Kenny at right back. Up top I'd play Calvert-Lewin and Lookman.

Drop Lukaku he's just not interested. Midfield with Gueye sitting deep, Davies and any other two.

The so-called first 11 are not performing so let's see if these kids can cut it.

What I do blame him for is not buying anyone in the January window to sort this out. He has to do it in the summer.

It is plain to see that the whole mindset of the team has just relaxed slightly. Although there are some seasoned pros in the side who perhaps should be able to maintain standards, there is always going to be a few per cent missing compared to opponents whose continuation in the top flight is under threat.

In contrast, our lot will have already been well aware that the likelihood of catching any of the teams above was pie in the sky. The little margins are what wins you these games. We are also an unbalanced crew at present, with poor Holgate at right back and Calvert-Lewin on a wing. Davies has probably been overplayed, which demonstrates our lack of depth.

Koeman's options are limited, hence the tinkering between Mirallas, Valencia and the odd cameo for Lookman. There has been too little competition for places since the January clearout.

Hopefully the start of next season will see us with a bigger squad, with more competition for places. This should reduce the complacency witnessed over the last few years, when some players have kept their places despite poor form.

It is looking like a rather flat end to the season, a run similar to the one we were on prior to Christmas.

I see a pattern emerging, our great start, our terrible pre-xmas run, and our excellent spring...and now a fairly tame run-in. The side seem to be blowing hot and cold, but in fairness to Koeman, this is the first time the side has lost two league games on the trot this season.

We are more resilient, and hopefully we can build on this and our good home form for a more successful campaign next time.

It's Swansea, Boro, etc, etc, ffs. We're 7th for a reason, they're 17th for a reason too. Go at them as best as we can given injuries and such... It's not as if we have anything to lose points gained-wise – or too many times in our case, lost.

It didn't work this time but, after 14 years of watching the last two blokes throwing the same 11 doing the same thing, week-in & week-out, despite the opposition, it makes a change to have a coach actually thinking tactically.

Fortunately for Koeman he has improved our home form to the tune of 17 points. It was our home form last season which cost Martinez his job. Our home form this season has probably saved Koeman.

Why is there such a difference between our home and away form? There are many contributory factors. For me away from home too many of our players go into their shells, playing too many safe passes sideways and backwards and thereby failing to move the ball forward quickly. This is especially so in the first half of away matches. Only once this season, at Manchester United, have we reached the interval in the lead.

We start so slowly, giving the opposition time to weigh up what we are about and allowing them to settle into the game. To an extent the same has applied in some home games but our results have improved at Goodison since the turn of the year because players have moved the ball and themselves forward with far more pace than they have away from home.

Despite his age, Barry is one of the few who can pick a forward pass and execute it without over- or under-hitting the ball. On Saturday I thought it was a waste requiring him to man mark Sigurdsson. Gueye is better suited to that role.

Gueye and Davies are full of energy trying to press the opposition but their industry rarely creates chances or goals away from home. The only time we look like scoring is from a set piece. Indeed our last three goals away have come from a free kick at Spurs and the two corners at Anfield and Old Trafford.

I agree completely with your first paragraph, but I don't agree that Koeman is to blame for not bringing in more attacking quality in January.

I think Koeman made it clear that he wanted a number of players in. He sent a public message to the board. However, it would seem that these players weren't available, or our board were unable to make these deals happen. In fairness to Walsh and the board, January is a notoriously difficult window.

Koeman has tried various starting 11s and formations and nothing has worked. I don't believe the squad is good enough. We just don't have the attacking options to trouble teams away from home.

Thankfully, when we play at home many teams have allowed us to play to our strengths, and Ross and Rom come to life (most of the time). Neither of these players seem capable of producing their home form in away games, and without Seamus, we have very little threat elsewhere.

Big summer clear-out required.

That is the point mate. Obvious what we need but pointless bringing players in in January who are not your first choice.

Koeman achieved what we hoped for in his first season with a return to European football.

Let teams worry about us, rather than us worrying about them. The mentality needs to change.

I can see where Koeman is coming from in wanting him out (if he does) without the backlash from the fans but opinions are split on Barkley and I for one think he should've gone last summer.

Regards the game , this was a nothing game for Everton. Our players were never going to risk injury (especially those may be looking away or suspect they may not be in the managers plans). Swansea were always going to be "up for it" even more so when Hull got beaten.

Barkley for me isn't consistent enough and the only part of his game that has improved slightly is his work rate; he still runs round like a dog chasing his tail and I suspect Koeman may have had enough.

That said, the choice between Barry and Barkley doesn't really make much difference in my eyes. Neither should be in the starting 11 next season if we have serious top 4 aspirations.

Koeman can be judged more accurately at the end of the next transfer window when it should be a team he is happy with.

And changing the system to try and combat a team that at the start of play were in the bottom 3 was a joke. Then again, it's nothing we haven't seen before... As Jim 4 said, it's Moyes Mk ll.

For me, the recent string of results show how much we miss Seamus as he was the only threat we had on the right-hand side. He provides some semblance of balance through his work effort and abilities but young Mason Holgate isn't a like-for-like replacement.

After seeing Kenny play the end of last game, I'd rather see him start at right back next game. That isn't meant to be a knock on Mason Holgate either. I feel he has been excellent given he isn't playing in his natural position, coupled with his young age. Kenny simply looked more the part for me.

The lack of Morgan's presence and passing range has also been a pain point the past couple of games as well.

It does seem like the players are playing as if the season is already over which makes me even more anxious for what happens over the summer. I would love to see Rooney back in a blue shirt and do like the looks of the Malaga striker we're being linked with.

If Rom goes I'd like to think we could put the proceeds to good use. (I know, this is Everton...) If Ross stays I feel he could learn immensely from Rooney should our prodigal son return. I just want to see more from Ross and on a more consistent basis and I fear, like many of you, he'll never get there.

The pressure was all on Swansea, just as it was on Chelsea and, for the second week running,Koeman has cowered away from a free swing. If we can't attack with conviction when the pressure is all on the opposition, when can we?

The defence of Koeman grows weaker by the game, There are no signs of ambition, not even against a team riddled with nerves. You don't even need to leave these pages to be aware of the growing feeling of dissatisfaction amongst the ranks.

Those who told us the season was only just starting after we'd been dumped out of both cups are now willing it to end. They realise now that we are still just one place above a Tony Pulis side which depends almost entirely on dead-ball situations.

Koeman's honeymoon was over the day he rolled over at Anfield. He's been rumbled. Evertonians will accept their players being beaten by better players; they will accept the occasional tactical boo-boo from the manager... but they will not accept hoofball without purpose. They won't tolerate young players being destroyed before they start by being repeatedly played out of position. They wont accept the fact that we can hardly muster a shot on target on the road... and they will not accept cowardice.

The tide isn't turning; it's turned. A season of nothingness will do that every time.

"We altered our team to counter what Swansea would do"... 'kin'ell... Get rid straight after the Arsenal game. There is no logical point in prolonging this misery.

The team lacks pace and drive to attack. Lukaku lacks service and defensively​ at times we are frightening. I would have taken seventh place. Koeman has brought discipline back to the players.

Five to seven players are required but I feel three at most may come in. Koeman is not a miracle worker but his team selection and tactics are being scrutinized by football pundits. Give him the players and judge him next summer.

Okay, so Schneiderlin wasn't available, so Koeman had to adapt his lineup both in terms of personnel and (to a degree) tactics. But, he didn't have Seamus either, did he? So Holgate gets a game at right back, because he adapts. Not perfect, but he got playing time.

So Barkley reads the teamsheet and thinks... Well, what does he think? Anything???

If that was me, I'd have torn down the bloody teamsheet (figuratively speaking) and marched up to Koeman and demanded an explanation!

Ross has absolutely everything that any footballer or potential footballer could possibly wish for... Everything! (I'm not talking about wages here. Not an issue.)

Ross Barkley, wake the fuck up, lad! Wake the fuck up! Because, Ross, in 10 years time, you will be a card-carrying member of the: "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda Club"?

But I, for one, will have long since cashed in my sympathy card.

If I was Ross I would be apoplectic with rage.

I think that is the reaction Koeman is looking for. He doesn't see him as part of his team for next season.

I agree with that myself; I don't either.

Yes, we need more players and, undoubtedly, we need a lot more quality. Which Rooney simply cannot bring to the table any longer. So why waste a good chunk of wages on a player Man Utd can get rid of quickly enough?

It's not a role model for the young players we need, it's top quality players they can learn from.

Swansea don't have a formation, they're shit. We were worse. Again. New 5 year contracts all round.

Just shows how little attacking options we have. Unless Steve Walsh can unearth some gems I don't see us trying anywhere close to signing the type of players we need.

Everyone is after a striker and only Chelsea have genuinely class playmakers to spare, with Willian and Fabregas often on the bench. Everyone else needs another top class playmaker, even Spurs need back up for Eriksen.

I don't know who would come to us over another top 6 team, especially with Lukaku on his way out. Hopefully Walsh can find us another Mahrez...