Rondon goals carry Blues past stolid non-leaguers

Is Gomes injured? This seems like the perfect game for him. I just worry about overworking Allan... given our torrid run of injuries, it's kind of miraculous that he's remained relatively unscathed this season.

Sorry, but that's just fucken ridiculous. When you want to see ultimate professionalism from this club, they bugger it up with luvvie shite like this that has Kenwright's ugly fat fingers all over it. Makes me sick.

This is Boreham Wood's Champions League Cup Final. The biggest game in their history.

They have a mean defence. Just 17 goals conceded in 27 league games. Not ONE single goal conceded in five FA Cup ties this season.

Nice to see a good mix of young academy players on the bench.

Just get the job done with no injuries, Everton.

"Not ONE single goal conceded in five FA Cup ties this season."

That would be an impressive stat for a Premier League, much less non-leaguers. I am going to predict a tough sort of frustrating 2-0 win with one goal early on from Branthwaite heading in a corner and a screamer from Townsend in the last 20 minutes.

Personally I think making Mykolenko Captain diminishes the prestige that goes with that role. And it seems patronising to Mykolenko too.

What next? If someone has a bereavement should we make them Captain? Or if they've had a fall out with the missus?

How about choosing a captain based on their standing and leadership skills?

Maybe we should start giving game time to the underprivileged in our community.

Fof fuck's sack, it's a football match. Screw nice gestures – they can happen off the pitch.

We've already had plenty of charity selections. Tom Davies alone has a 100 plus. Lighten up. It's not like he is Captaining a military force. It's what should amount to a novelty game against modest opponents at a time of great angst.

Looking forward to see how the full-backs get on, Patterson and Mykolenko will make a difference attacking tonight, I backing them for an assist or two.

It feels patronising enough to describe it as Boreham Wood's cup final, never mind a 'novelty game'.

"Should" is a very loaded word there, Keiran, with this club in the cup! Brave statement, Man.

Not that brave, that was the edited version as originally I was writing "What does amount to a novelty game" then I thought better of it.

Heard them all, but it so often seems that way doesn't it? At least they're away from us for the next round.

I expect Frank, working daily with the lad, sees it as a win-win for everyone.

3 Centre halves against Boreham who? Although Kenny is playing in such a way we look like we've two right backs on.

Only plus is Patterson looking very capable.

It is all so slow. No risk. Has to change at half time and not 60 minutes. Richarlison and Gray for Kenny and Townsend and change the shape.

People who thought it would be 4-0 at half-time were dreaming. This is Everton!

But Boreham Wood to their credit look very disciplined. Holding their defensive shape very well. Not allowing our forward players to hold up the ball for others to play around them. Choking our passing lines.

We grew more one-paced as the half went on. Other than astute passes from Allan and 1-2 nice plays from Patterson down the right flank, we haven't really breached their backline.

Needs more energy. Sharper movement, with and without the ball, trying to pull them out of position for runners to take advantage of.

As long as it's 0-0, it just takes one moment for Boreham Wood to make things very nervous and difficult for us.

We're in a game here.

I said it's about being professional and that's exactly what we have not been in a really poor first half. I retract my luvvie accusation as apparently it's not even an original thought of our own crew but a copy-cat gesture.

Hopefully it is positive.

Gwladys Street need to suck the ball in – let's hope Richarlison makes a difference!

Gordon MotM. At last, a youngster who actually keeps improving.

Fair play to Rondon for the goals. Still wouldn't put him anywhere near a pitch in a serious game though.

Next.

Weymouth put the RS out in 1959

Anthony Gordon, I notice has a lot of plaudits tonight, but I think he has to be more aware of his team-mates at certain moments and not try and create everything for himself. He's a good player, but would be better served to occasionally look for the pass rather than the difficult finishes, Richarlison is of the same mind and he too could be more of a team player at times. At least Gordon has the time to address those small issues and mix it up a little now and again.

I must admit this knowing who you are playing in the next round stuff, is annoying, it isn't necessary, else they may as well draw the whole competition from the third round onwards, so a club knows it's possible route to Wembley.

No thrills but it will do nicely.

I hope (Ha) for a decent away result and performance at Spurs, who are similarly erratic.

Second half was better and we got there in the end. For me, Allan was the pick of the bunch and Kenny had a decent game.

A full house didn't believe it was a meaningless match... how can any 5th Round tie in the FA Cup be meaningless to a club that's won nothing for 27 years?

We've tried playing really under-strength teams in the past, admitedly against better sides than Boreham Wood, and come unstuck.

Sorry, 1988 – knocked out as holders.

We were shit tonight; perform like that at Palace and it will be our Wembley dreams over.

Midfield is awful and, with players cup-tied, it will be largely a similar line-up at Palace. I can't see us getting past them, especially with no option of a replay these days.

Branthwaite is coming along nicely.

COYBB.

Regarding Lampard's upcoming interview, "Hopefully it's positive" – I am sure he will be positive and I am sure you are, Des.

I just cannot believe how many totally negative posters come on this site. Agreed it certainly wasn't a great display. We won, and that is all we wanted. Young players were given a chance to show what they could or couldn't produce.

But, if you have ever played against a team who are nowhere near the same skill level, you are often surprised. The whole emphasis is on the defending.

We only needed to win; we left it late but we did win. We outshot them 26 to 1 and their one shot was not on the net. It was "anxiety" time for far too long, but anyone who follows Everton should be ready for "almost anything".

We have to get behing the team and not focus on something as unimportant as having our one Ukrainian as captain for one game. Michael, do you actually know there is a vicious, catastrophic invalid war in Ukraine? The young lad needs all the support he can get and we were not playing Man City. It was just a "gesture" and a worthwhile one. It is quite unlikely he will ever be captain again.

I thought we could have performed better in the first half but the second half was one-way traffic.

I suppose we have yet another case of it didn't really matter what decision the ref made because VAR got it wrong again.

On the last replay shown in Oz it clearly hit his face then dropped on to either his chest or stomach. That's three games in a row.

Who knows what the outcome might have been at Southampton had we got a penalty and goal at that point in the game?

The hand-wringing at halftime – while understandable – was also a bit dramatic. Boreham Wood have no attacking threat whatsoever. They only ever had one path to victory, and that was to keep it scoreless, hope the pressure started to get to us, and then nick one on the counter (that, or get it to penalties). Once we broke the deadlock, it was basically over.

Was curious to see Patterson in action, and while his final delivery was erratic, he looked lively – nice pace, got into some good positions. Both of Rondon's goals were pretty soft, but hey - they count! Put the ball on target and stuff happens.

Far too slow in the first half but things improved with Richarlison on. I thought Jonjoe Kenny made some excellent passes tonight, had next to nothing to do defensively. Still in it which is what counts.

Why did Everton bunch up so much when the ball got to the penalty area, getting in each other's way? I know Boreham Wood defended very well but none of the players found space – just stood around instead of moving around.

The new chant getting sung down the stairs of The Upper Bullens stand was “Super Ron, Super Ron, Super Ronnie Rondon “ wasn't sang in a sarcastic way either... erm, I think!!

Job done and onto the next round.

I thought Rondon was superb; in the first half, he was making runs behind the defence but we didn't have the quality to find him. Hopefully he'll score more as those 2 goals were a monkey off his back.

I think it was handball by Richarlison when he 'scored' and he tried to hide the fact by holding his face; however, was it a clear and obvious error by the referee? I think not. Thankfully it didn't matter in the end.

“He's my mate and he's overweight
Da Do Rondon, Da Do Ron Ron”

However, getting scrappy wins is good, Rondon scored a couple, lots of players got game time, and we are through to the FA Cup quarter-final.

A satisfactory evening.

Patterson looked good on the ball and showed glimpses of potential to be a good player.

Mykoloenko done okay but, considering he is a fully established international, he looks nowhere near good enough for the Premier League; he looks unsure when defending and looks uncomfortable heading the ball!

Townsend is finished and Gordon has to improve on his final decision-making and end product – too many times wasting a shot or cross or running into traffic.

Anyway we're in the next round... onwards and upwards! Up the Toffees!

Quarter-final, that's okay.

I thought the problem was it was too slow to get the ball wide and then too slow to get a cross in. The only way they would have scored would be from a mistake and early doors that looked a possibility. I thought Gordon injected some pace and directness but his shooting really needs to improve before he can take his game to the next level.

Rondon neat, tidy and strong... as he has been for a while now that he's fit. Dont know why we started with that formation. Shame for Patterson having to come off but it was the right decision.

Come on you Blues, we're going to Wembley twice.

For all the comments that we were a bit lifeless in the first half, I'm surprised more aren't drawing the conclusion some of us drew before the game. We didn't take the game seriously.

We got away with it. We were good enough. But is there ever an excuse for not taking a game seriously? I'll guarantee if we'd lost there would be people drawing the same link. That link exists whether we win or lose.

I'm so sick of being the 'nice', 'classy' club. Not off the pitch, but on it. Culture is important – ours is 'nice'. How do we transition to 'winners'?

Then I get to my personal feelings on a club propped up by Russian oligarch money going to great lengths to put on public virtue displays. Personally I find it sickening. I'm not too high and mighty about where we get our money from but to go through this 'sportwashing' exercise feels like bad taste.

He would not have scored Rondon's goals tonight and if he had, it would have added millions to his sale price because he's English. Get rid for a profit and we're on the right side of a transfer for once.

Kenny was very good again, showing his versatility and putting in some decent crosses. He hasn't let Lampard down; I can see him getting offered an extension come summer.

Lots of average performances but the main thing is we are through.

Get well soon mate!

You can already see some things taking shape under Lampard. Ugly, messy at times but that's how it goes when you're building.

He shouldn't have been so under utilised as he has been under a string of managers.

Yes, he can hit stray passes and be caught on the wrong side of an attacker but he is demonstrating he is a Premier League player, contrary to some opinions about him.

I thought Frank made a tactical error when Mykolenko had to go off and Coleman came on. Time and again in the second half, Kenny was getting in great position down the right flank and delivering some killer balls. The header Rondon should have scored from and his first goal came from Kenny crosses.

With Gordon doing likewise on the left flank, it would have been better to slot Seamus in as left-back and keep Kenny on the right to continue the double threat down both flanks.

As it was, following the switch with Gordon in front of him, Kenny's threat was negated and Coleman wasn't as menancing as Kenny had been.

To cite Anthony Gordon as MotM is more of a 'best of a bad bunch' call. Yes, he did a lot of running in the second half. But in the first he was static and his final ball was all too often wasteful.

Sitting front row in the Upper Gwladys, I had a great view of the disallowed goal. I hadn't even left my seat to celebrate as I'd seen the handball as it happened and assumed it would be chalked off. The irony after Saturday, though, is pretty clear.

On the whole, it was a cup game. All that matters is being in the next round.

Sweaters as goal-posts, half a lemon at half-time, mud bath pitches, arf-arf.

https://youtu.be/fOoXsZBwSUg

The Worcester game was before my time but it made me smile even if it was Div 2 days. Hereford was also before my time. I just recall Sutton Utd I think it was third round live on TV as Steve Ogrizovic and Co played Sutton. It was quite the upset though topped by that seasons final when Wimbledon beat the RS. Ahhh, made myself smile twice without thinking of Everton

So pleased that Keane showed his stuff tonight … against non league opponents. You know he's a highly paid England international right? Hardly the time to make a case for him.

While the game didn't rise to any great heights, I thought there were plenty of positives to be taken from it. Patterson looked good, Branthwaite could be a monster with a bit more experience, Allan showed there's life in the old dog yet, and all three youngsters that came on didn't look out of place.

Onward and upward – and let's get this away form sorted before Palace.

I thought Gordon worked hard tonight but made many wrong decisions with his final ball or a wayward shot. Frank needs to work hard with him on the training ground in that respect.

Mike, I remember the Altrincham game at Goodison when John Connolly broke his leg from a bad tackle.

A professional performance. Respecting the opposition and going about our business against a team playing on the stage of their footballing life. We were patient and bided our time. Job done.

Kenny again continues to impress. Genuinely made up for him. I liked the energy of Mykolenko. Patterson showed enough to demonstrate his potential. We suddenly have youth and potential in the full back / wing back positions.

Allan looked like the complete Number 6. Dictated play and once again, was the captain albeit without the armband. Pointing, shouting, instructing and playing some good football. Likewise, although not obvious, I thought Townsend was a big influence on the team.

I thought by his own recent standards, Anthony Gordon was a bit off sorts. Trying one trick too many or trying too hard? Harsh and it is inevitable with young players, but it seemed like he was trying too hard at times.

Doucouré is still finding his feet. A few times Allan played him in between the lines but he checked and came back. He'll get there in time for Wembley.

Close call with Allan and I'm happy to be ridiculed, but forget the goals. I called it before ITV; Man of the Match was the player I have called a lamppost this season. Rondon gave a traditional centre-forward performance. Credit where due.

I said to my brother after the first goal, he took that chance first time and so quickly (instinctively) that no keeper was saving it – even though the critics will argue keepers shouldn't be beaten at the near post. They need to understand the realty of how quickly it happens in real time. Well done, Rondon.

One game from Wembley. I don't care if I have a ticket or not. See you at Selhurst Park.

Against a team like Burnley for example you might only get in behind once or twice and that cross or final ball needs to be better. Can't say any individual especially impressed me though Allan was mostly very tidy.

What odds on us winning the FA Cup but getting relegated?

Kenny was okay and Allan, but Richarlison coming on made the difference. I just don't understand, as they are encouraged to pass forward in training.

However, we cramped their team up chasing our shadows by 60 minutes. We did to them what City do to most…..made them chase the ball until they no longer could. We had 80% possession, 23 shots to 1 (10 on target) and other than 2-3 sitters missed could have won by 5.

Wanted “gung-ho” up and at ‘em football is admiral, but was the wrong plan for last night. Other than the 3 full backs starting 11, Frank got the rest spot on.

Impressively honest and plain-speaking, but I particularly like the confidence he has in his own role and his coaching team's role – he has a clear vision of what he wants to achieve and has that great mix of compassion and hard-headedness.

He's showing all the attributes of a top-class manager and I just hope he stays here long enough to take us where he wants us to be.

Normally I would have got the train from Chester, but with the late kick-off, and fearing the possibility of extra time, that would have been a disaster in terms of getting home by train. As it turned out, we didn't need extra time, but made very hard work of seeing them off.

We got soaked going to the ground, and coming back, which didn't help after witnessing a very poor performance all round. Apart from the initial pre-start vocal support for Ukraine, and the ubiquitous Anti-Racism observation, I have never known Goodison Park to be so quiet for 90 minutes, apart from the many groans, which I added to myself throughout.

Boreham Wood fans were in full vocal support for the duration, although their football did little to merit it at times. Still like many have said, this was their Cup Final, and fair play to them, to travel all the way from Hertfordshire and back for a midweek fixture is admirable in terms of support. I believe several actually stayed over in Hotels.

While there is scant noteworthy comments to add to our performance, at least the result was positive, and we have escaped any of the stronger sides and a couple of banana skins with the draw. Play like that against Palace and we won't be going a lot further, but surely we couldn't be so poor again, or could we?

There has to be an option. A runner. Otherwise it is an aimless punt forward for the sake of it straight out of the Graham Taylor school of percentage football. Most modern footballers are taught to retain possession of the ball, so if it's not on in front, they will turn sideways and backwards to keep the ball and look after it.

Second, but linked, regardless of standard or standing in the pyramid, when a team sets up as a brick wall or "park the bus" it is difficult to break down.

Fortunately the team stuck to their job last night and didn't let the frustration that was starting to come down from the terraces get to them. Job done. Palace away and Wembley next month.

I thought Allan was clearly head and shoulders above anyone else on the pitch, probably had more touches than any other player. While Anthony Gordon is improving week by week, he really does need to work on his finishing – no use getting into the positions he does if you don't finish.

I thought Branthwaite looked comfortable last night but we have to take into account the opposition. Kenny again had another good game and is just as comfortable at left-back as he is at right-back.

While Townsend is a hard-working player and will always give 100% when he plays on the right, he invariably always wants to turn back on to his stronger left foot before delivering a ball into the box.

I thought Rondon had his best game since joining the club, and as I said earlier, you have to take into account the level of the opposition, but his first touch was as good as I have seen in a very long time from an Everton centre-forward.

I wonder should we draw any conclusions from Gomes and more importantly Gray not even being in the squad? In Gray's case, I hope he hasn't had a setback from his hip injury.

Finally, I sit in the Upper Bullens so I couldn't see what happened with their fans in the Lower Bullens. Someone said they were fighting amongst themselves; if that's correct, then they let themselves down and, more importantly, their team who fought tenaciously throughout the whole game.

Do you not think Rondon is now useful as back-up to our regular strikers? Did you not see the hat-trick he got for Venezuela the other week?

He is not what he was, he will never be first choice, but I see signs of a decent “journeyman” centre-forward who now looks sharp enough to pick up a few goals and occupy defenders.

He was truly awful in his early days with us but, at last, he looks fit and a lot sharper. Credit where it's due.

That said, Dobbin is going to have to be given games next season – he looks electric!

I took the Patterson sub as far more of “I need to change formation and tactics” than any kind of reflection on the player.

Rondon looked much better, all the “not match fit” stuff appears to have been right. He's still not all the way there and, indeed, may not be capable of any more than tonight, but he was also in position to have scored 5 tonight, and the first duty of a striker is to get into positions where he can score, which has been severely lacking in Calvert-Lewin's play since his return.

Allan keeps showing us why the main bent ref tactic (after denying bare-faced penalties, of course) is to book him early. His energy, competitiveness and example are outstanding at the moment. I expect he'll get a red against Spurs for a foul throw or being caught offside in his own half after 2 minutes in the forthcoming match.

Begovic was perfectly comfortable and positioned himself well when there were defensive slips.

Keane I regard as being one of those players going through a patch of bad luck where everything slightly off normal goes horribly wrong, where otherwise no-one would even notice. Holgate's small deflection of what would otherwise have been an easy well-judged clearance for Keane on Saturday was absolutely typical.

I also think that Keane and Gomes are suffering from poor play by their colleagues. Keane last night was faced by a completely static midfield so that there literally was nowhere to make a good pass to, and Gomes is regularly fed underhit balls while surrounded by several opposition players. Last night, there was far too much passing in grossly overcrowded areas of the field where an intelligent (Rodriguez-style, anyone?) longer pass would have left half the opposition team out of the game.

I think last night goes down as “adequate”. But actually I rather like a 2-0 win over much lower division opposition. It's a clear win but not a humiliation, and the opposition can live the rest of their lives saying they came away from the best stadium in Britain with a respectable result.

A comment from him in the first half: "Michael Keane is being very Michael Keane. He's going to do something".

He makes me nervous. Sorry.

Pleased that Rondon scored and hopefully that will put him on a good run of form now. Thought Branthwaite looked our best defender too - especially coming to head balls and generally being proactive. would leave him in there now with Keane - no Holgate and a clean sheet might be telling. Also thought we looked a lot calmer with Begovic between the sticks.

I agree Gordon was lively but thought he was a bit greedy at times. always wanted to go past 2 or 3 and get a shot in when he could have sometimes passed or crossed. Doucouré also looked good but has a habit of dwelling on the ball and then getting tackled. needs to move it when a pass is on or he is getting shut down.

VAR decisions for the disallowed goal was a shambles in my opinion. Classic ball to hand situation where Richarlison had no chance of getting his hand out of the way. Goal should have stood. Stockley Park obviously trying to give Boreham Wood a way back into it!

Thought the ITV coverage after the game was shocking too. No interview with Lampard and none with our players. Only interested in Boreham Wood?! we did win after all, so why focus on the losing team so much instead?!

I would just say on the Michael Keane debate, well if you look at all the managers we have had since he came to the club they have all made him the first choice CB. Koeman, Silva, Ferguson, Ancelotti and Lampard, are they all wrong.

That's why I agree with your statement that several managers aren't wrong.

But good enough for where we arr as opposed to where we want to be? That's why I've been boring everyone about the need for a commanding centre back for ages. Not a priority by a lot of people's views.

Keane is decent. Nothing else. At 28 going on 29 he is hardly commanding or captain material. He is what he is and as good as what we have. With him in the team, we sit deep. I don't like that.

But I'm always nervous watching him.

Not sure what can be taken from the game, beyond progress to the next round, a couple of debuts, a brace for Rondon, and no new fitness worries. Banana skin avoided, even if it was uninspiring.

Always fully respect your views which are always fair and well thought out.

I was just thinking about other centre-backs in the Premier League, and there aren't many who I would hang my hat on to come here and do a good job.

Keane has his limitations, no doubt about that, but he does (more often than not) find a Blue shirt when passing out from the back, and is also comfortable in carrying the ball out of defence. Doesn't turn very quickly, but can't think of too many centre-backs of his height that do turn quickly.

I don't think he is vocal enough from what I see and communication in his position is vital. I think that's why he likes to play alongside Mina, who is very vocal, and this helps Keane enormously. Also, sometimes his positional play isn't the greatest and that for me is the reason he gets into areas which create problems for him.

But of the alternatives, Holgate has even worse positional sense than Keane and is nowhere near as good aerially. Godfrey, I have very real doubts about Godfrey. His main asset is his pace but aerially he is by far the worst and for me his positional sense is the worst of all our defenders.

I am sure with Ashley Cole he can massively improve Godfrey's positional sense, but doubt he can make much improvement in his lack of aerial ability. I think possibly Branthwaite may be a better alternative when he is a bit more experienced.

I really think Branthwaite needs a run, in my opinion – he's our best defender. Can't include Mina. All ifs and buts I know plus once again we need a team to do us a favour (Chelsea) to stop us going in the Bottom 3. Not just to stop them Nordic twats' obsession with us and their snide remarks but this team's mentality.

I too thought that Rondon had a very good game even allowing for him scoring the winning goals, especially as you say his first touch and control of the ball was very good.

Boreham Wood are a low placed team but well versed in the art of defending but Rondon kept them occupied throughout the game and was up to the physical side of the game and retained the ball in those battles and kept the line moving with his passing ability, sometimes ahead of his teammates with his subtle little flicks and they surprised us supporters as well.

Hopefully, as Lampard said in so many words, he can be an important squad member in the remaining league games and possibly be a vital player in the cup games. He was voted MotM on another Everton website by the way.

It's true that Everton made heavy weather of the game last night, but this is where I differ from some who described the performance as rubbish. My definition of rubbish in relation to football, is what we used to call 'kick and rush'.

I was disappointed with the first half performance but we were far faster after the break, and I would like to pose the question, what is preferable – stylish defeat or slipshod victory?

Technically he is okay but I felt last night exposed his speed of play, drive and determination.
Brian – I think that there is list of centre halves that I would take from other Premier League clubs and expect them to be an upgrade!

At this stage of the season a few slipshod victories would do me!

Last night wasn't the most impressive of victories but we have to take into account how the visitors set up.

Without the more creative players like Gray, Van de Beek and (hopefully) Alli, we will struggle to break down teams – but thankfully we won't play against many other teams like last night's opposition.

Great atmosphere from their travelling support who berated us all night. Loved the stick they were giving us. Some people in the crowd actually rising to the bait. This banter and rivalry is essential to the game, loved it.

Thought Patterson looked a prospect. Gordon tried and failed but we won and right now, that's all that matter.

Re Rondon, I hope you're right and I'm wrong regarding Rondon because then Everton benefit... but I don't think so. I don't think he is anywhere near what we need, even as back-up.

Some nice touches, he worked hard and got his reward, and I'm pleased for him, but his ship has sailed, as happens to all pros at some point.

Keane has coughed up numerous goals this season. He's awful, too nice and extremely slow.

Mina is always injured.

Holgate thinks he's a superstar, but isn't.

Branthwaite is still learning.

Godfrey is quick but I'm not so sure he's actually a centre-back. Be interested to see him have a run of games in the old Gana position.

Jagielka and Distin; Gough and Weir; Watson and Ratcliffe; this is the standard we need. Currently woefully short.

Great defending last night from Boreham Wood. They gave everything.

We got there in the end, after a tactical tweak and bringing on a bit of next-level genuine quality in Richarlison

I just think he can come on in the league games if needed and add his weight to the attack, possibly score a vital goal here and there and help us up the table.

In the cup games hopefully he will be possibly needed more.

His ship may well have sailed, Terry, but at least you are wanting him to do well so that will do for me.

But don't give up on Godfrey's heading just yet. Despite his lack of height, he has natural physical talent, and things like body positioning, timing and aggression to the ball can be taught. Phil Jagielka was the same 6'-0" and less physically imposing, but he almost never lost an aerial duel because he was fully committed to attacking the ball, always got good body positioning against bigger opponents (including some clever hip or shoulder contact to keep 'em off balance), and developed the timing to head the ball at the very top of his jump.

Lucas Digne and Tim Cahill, both 5'-10", likewise beat bigger guys in the air almost every time. Godfrey can learn how to do it if he spends the time in training.

I thought we were shocking in the first half – bad, Frank! So much possession down the right and none of Kenny, Patterson or Townsend (really putting the 'free' in free transfer) managed even a half-decent cross.

Keane created Borham Wood's best chances when receiving short goal kicks deep in his penalty area. And what a range of sideways passing – never missed his man. Anything forward, however – straight out of play. Against a non-league team.

But we changed it up at half-time (super, Frank) and battered them with a 4-4-2 and Richarlison finally providing some football with impetus.

So I can tell my kids I was there when Rondon scored two. And should have had a least a hat-trick. How did he miss that header early in the second half? Because he's unfit, slow, heavy and unathletic, that's why.

And IMHO, this team is going nowhere while Michael Keane holds down a regular starting spot for us.

UTFT

I can but hope we've got a better performance in us when we travel down to Selhurst Park for the quarter final, as a repeat of last night's performance will not see us progress any further in the FA Cup this season.

When it comes to competing in the air, Godfrey shows a very noticeable lack of self-belief, as opposed to (the much-maligned on these pages) Michael Keane who is genuinely a decent header of the ball.

To me, Godfrey often looks like he is going through the motions when going up against an opponent for a header, so hopefully at the very least he might develop the dark art of making it difficult for the opponent to get a clean header.

Jon (142) - Townsend put in a couple of half-decent crosses that if anyone ever attacked the far post (which we fail to do so often at corners as well) then they would have had free headers.

Also, your assessment of Michael Keane is, for me at least, way off the mark – he passed well (mishitting one long pass badly in the first half), while Branthwaite was the player whose pass was picked off, giving Boreham Wood their best chance to attack.

A very short cameo but I am enthused.

That's the future if we lose the bad money: build the good ones from the age of 7.

I like Brent's mate, Isaac Price. Although he's only slight, I think speed is strength on a football pitch, and Price has also got a very good engine.

I haven't watched him enough to really know, but he keeps it simple, gets about the pitch, and moves the ball on quicker than most, and probably has a style that will be suited to playing at a higher level and with better players.

Price is an interesting one that I know Brent will be able to comment on with more authority than I, but he does seem to have the engine and ability even though we shouldn't judge too early. I keep saying, but I'd like to see Warrington close to the first team squad next season.

Interesting and again, not want to get ahead of his development, but internationally, Issac can choose between England, Northern Ireland and Germany.

I wonder if a loan out to Germany would be on the cards given that German clubs have recently shown interest in taking young English players under that framework?

I certainly haven't seen enough of these lads and people like Brent will know much better. Good to be talking about it though.

Isaac Price seems to have reasonable pace and skill on the ball, but qualities like that in the U23s might not be good enough when stepping up to the first team (and he has a slight frame). Other qualities that Isaac has don't require you to physically outperform opponents – awareness, perception, the ability to execute an incisive pass.

Having said that, he also seems to have a great deal of stamina. I have to laugh at Unsie – the name "Isaac" is often loudly shouted from the sidelines ("Isaac, come on, get forward", "Isaac, come on, get back"). Poor lad.

"Isaac! come on! Save us a few bob!"

Awareness and decision-making. That can often trump physicality because the player has seen the pass and shifted the ball before the brute of a defender comes in with his size 10s.

I'm obviously not going to make comparisons, but George Best and Johann Cruyff had to live with it. Being talented and blessed with footballing ability whilst luddites tried to kick lumps out of them.

True footballers trump that with their ability. The clue is in the name. Football, not tackle-ball. I hope young Issac and Lewis Warrington can do that.

That's a pity. Frank said post-match the intention was to give them 20 minutes, rather than 2-3 minutes at the end of the game. Given we only scored our second in the 84th minute, I understand that. The manager's duty was to secure a win before giving the youngsters playing time.

From watching the academy teams as much as possible, Reece Welch looks a modern-day centre-back, comfortable with the ball at his feet. As to be expected for an 18-year-old, he can be positionally suspect at times, but at others shows good anticipation and defensive movement. He should have a career in football. At what level is hard to call.

Isaac Price – looking less slight this season than last – is all that Brent describes him. Another 18-year-old, great engine, decent pace and skill on the ball. Reads the game well with the ability to execute an incisive pass. He will have a career in football, but still to early to call at what level.

Lewis Dobbin, just turned 19 in January, has thankfully been tied down to a new contract. He can be scintalatingly good. He can also be a tad anonymous, even at U-23 level.

Hopefully Lewis will develop in the same way as Anthony Gordon (just turned 21 a week ago) and prove to be Premier League quality.

Anthony was the same age as these boys when Carlo first gave him a chance in the first team. He flickered brightly on occasion, but was also anonymous on others and looked unprepared for the physical side of the Premier League.

I don't know who the manager was at Preston NE during his loan spell, but the way he has performed for Everton this season he would have ripped it up in the Championship.

Anthony most definitely handles the physical aspect better now and he is showing a great ability to burst past players close to goal and wonderful incisive interchanges around the opposition penalty area.

If just one of the three lads that came on versus Boreham Wood make it at Everton, that represents a good return, IMO.

There's talent there, but no passing triangles, no structured movement of the ball up the pitch, and no real movement off the ball.

This is, I think, why we don't see dominant performances from Price and why Dobbin is sometimes anonymous.

So pleased that Gordon has come on so much. Such a likeable player.

I have seen plenty of evidence of what you believe is lacking in many a game. Is it Machester Cityesque in retaining possession for 30-40 passes before creating a chance on goal? No, it isn't. But then, very few teams – junior or senior – are.

What the U-23s do do well IMO is their use of modern day wing backs supporting the midfield and the forwards. The ball is moved purposely forward, albeit more directly, than you seem to be calling for. Stanley Mills's performances this season are crucial in this game play and also merit him being around the periphery of the first team. Another 18-year-old.

It's a good bunch of young players that previously were held back for the U-18s, rather than play regularly for the U-23s. A parting legacy from Brands, I fancy.

I thought Gordon and Townsend were disappointing. Gordon always looked dangerous but failed to put better placed teammates into scoring positions. Townsend simply can't cross a ball with his right foot and tried cutting in onto his left foot and was easily dealt with.

I know that this will be hard for some to accept but, for me, Kenny is looking the most accomplished of the fullbacks, whether he is playing on the left or right. He is certainly benefiting from a run of games.