nyblue23

Rom. Finally did well to hold up play and won a lot of 50/50 balls. The goal was the icing.

Agree with the overhead kick assessment, but he had a few other questionable challenges as well. Barkley was a bit unlucky to get that yellow in the first place, as Can doing what most professionals do and giving up the ball when Barkley tried to grab it from would have ended the confrontation then and there. Barkley didn't do much wrong there in my mind; you see players grabbing for the ball to speed up play multiple times a game.

Poor refereeing for me is what gave the shite the edge in the first half. Should have been a free kick on the edge of the box with Lukaku looking phenomenal in hold-up play I think about ten minutes in. That, plus a few more bad calls the shite's way looked to take the energy out of us until Lukaku's goal. After that, still poor refereeing. Lucas definitely should have been off, Can maybe; Barkley and Lukaku should not have received their yellows. A few more free kicks in dangerous areas should have been given; namely the one where Lukaku flew over Sakho was it? on the right side of the box. I got three hours of sleep so I could watch this game. Bummed to no end that the result went this way, because we looked to deserve all three points.

Where were you a little while ago when I was trying to make this argument? Galloway seems very composed in attack.

Fair enough. Agree to disagree I guess. Not expecting anything initially, I've been very impressed with his willingness and ability to get forward. I know CB is his preferred position, but he's starting to make Garbutt look expendable at LB.

We didn't score against City, and you said he "doesn't do much (if anything)" and implied that he's not of much use i.e. useless. Am I missing something?

It's definitely more than nothing, and I'd say he's been of quite good use. He and Lennon worked well together on the left side. He picks out the right pass and he's not afraid to bring the ball out of the back. He hasn't created any goals yet, but that doesn't mean he's useless in attack.

Also, Martin Atkinson refereeing ?

Everton 2 - 1 Liverpool Barkley

On that note, Barry looked tired today. Saw a stat that put him in the top 10 in the prem for ground covered so far this campaign. He needs a break with his age.

So start the same front line that looked miserable in the first half today? I say get Lennon on and then bring Kone as the first sub for Barry if we don't have a lead after the first 60-70 minutes. Play one holding mid and go with two up front. Naisy was his usual self today... work rate off the charts and a general nuisance but totally uninspiring.

Not true at all. Doesn't have the crossing class or set piece ability of Bainsey, at least from what we've seen, but he's spent major portions of matches, even against Swansea from what I remember, linking up play while camped out in the opposing half. I think he's got quite a bit to offer on the attack.

Voted Galloway. Pretty much flawless on the ball, no glaring mistakes, good positioning and saved us the match with that tackle on Berahino. I'm not sure Mori was as bad as the game thread would indicate (his decision making was shaky once or twice but not altogether poor), but Galloway was playing with a first time PL starter next to him in the back line and you'd have never known it. Offense will always get the plaudits but Galloway MOTM for me indisputably. Rom did look a bit slow and lethargic at times, especially when Geri was on the ball (just get in the fucking box big guy), but fair to him his hold-up and link-up play were better than the have been most of the season. Deulofeu's crosses were dangerous but he started trying to force it at 2-0 and if not the cross for the first Rom goal I might have subbed him out. Seemed to lose composure a bit when Ross missed the chance, though I lost mine as well. For me, Geri and Rom were brilliant for the three goals but Galloway was perfect for 90 minutes.

Doubt we'll see Coleman or Stones risk reinjury before the stretch coming. This one has a Browning, Jags, Mori, Galloway back line written all over it, so we definitely need the pace on both wings (Lennon and Deulofeu) to add some creativity (no discredit to the work that Galloway has been doing getting forward, but he's still no Bainsey).

Especially with the run of matches that follows. We need all 3 points on Monday to continue building that confidence for the likes of the shite, Man U and Arsenal.

I could die immediately if I ever saw a keeper soil his pants on the pitch.

I don't think the keeper saw it over the wall, or else he was anticipating a deflection from the wall that never came. Either way, it was hit on target and with pace, so the late reaction from the keeper is a moot point. It took a bit of fortune to not be saved, but I agree it's not a lucky goal. No one who's ever posted in this forum could've hit that in any circumstance.

West Brom 0 - 1 Everton Deulofeu

That's fair. No worries... and I don't mean to massage his ego. I just get so goddamn frustrated with Lukaku because I know how good he can be.

And that's why two West Brom players, a QPR player, a Hull player, etc. are all ahead of Lukaku? Because their service was that much better? No. Also, the name after Kane is none other than our own Naisy. Naisy's service was that much better than Lukaku's? Again, no. Also, I hate Harry Kane but the man is a smart player and creates many of his chances for himself with proper positioning and good reading of the opponents' backline. The chances Lukaku creates for himself are all out of his sheer talent and strength... rarely by being a smart player. Imagine if Kane had Lukaku's skill or Lukaku Kane's footballing mind.

I agree it's not a perfect comparison; maybe a Benteke is more equitable and Benteke has a higher work rate as well. I just want him to score more goals, and I think he's capable of doing that. I don't think Rom is doing a poor job, but I wish that he'd utilize his talent more. Competition for his place certainly isn't helping, but 10 in 36 league games just isn't enough for a £28 million man.

Ha fair enough.

Disagree wholeheartedly with this. Distin was a bigger man with twice the work rate until last year.

What I do and where I live are pretty irrelevant aren't they?

Ayew scares me. The something out of nothing type.