Arouna Kone

[Darkhorse]

We are assembling a team to win football matches, and Kone is playing a role in that, but it is about the 11, not the individual, and an Everton 11 with Kone is better than without him.

Based on recent results that statement is incorrect. As mentioned, apart from two home games against sub-par teams Kone has had minimal impact.

Can't we have both? Goals do help you win matches after all.

Put it this way...

If you are playing a person for 90 minutes on the left side of midfield but that person offers little more than being a decoy for your primary striker, then what that does is: (a) offer your primary striker (Lukaku) with plentiful opportunities, but (b) leaves the team short changed when going the other way, or in such things as hold up play, passing options, tackling pressure etc. Thus the team not benefiting and hence why I strongly believe a midfielder should take his spot in the midfield

 

[Eric Parsnip]

I feel quite smug in that I've been a fan of Kone from the start. He's a very intelligent footballer, imo. His understanding of the game is superb. He's not the world's best finisher. But his ability to link midfield and attack (something GD is great at too) is the difference this season.

Mirallas is abysmal at it. And so was McGeady. And, to be honest, so is Barkley. He's taken all the pressure of Lukaku. And he seems to love it here too.

Shame about this [Poor language removed] hair is all.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Do you reckon he does it himself or goes to Toni & Guy?

Kone & Guy?

 

[Big Fat Sam]

Hoping Mirallas or Lennon is in for the Konester tomorrow, he hasn't been too good last few games.

 

[D410]

The Kone love in I,m not having it.
Over-hyped link player for Rom when his job is a striker...NO 9 on his shirt. He,s not good enough.
Get a decent wing player in for him and found a replacement for Kone.

 

[bluemangroup]

The Kone love in I,m not having it.
Over-hyped link player for Rom when his job is a striker...NO 9 on his shirt. He,s not good enough.
Get a decent wing player in for him and found a replacement for Kone.

Good to have a player getting the best out of Rom.
His job is to do what Rom can't and get attacks going.
Seems to be doing ok, just having a bad run.

 

[Blue Cheese]

He's not that bad like.

 

[oldblue]

If Kone's job is to provide for other players then he is still clearly doing his job even when not bang on form. Don't think anyone can argue a lack of chances has been responsible for three draws.
Rom, Del and Ross have been generally great in recent weeks but can become passengers when out of touch, Kone carries on showing touch and intelligent use of space even when things aren't going for him. Still makes him well worth his place.

 

[granter79]

Hoping Mirallas or Lennon is in for the Konester tomorrow, he hasn't been too good last few games.

I second this but wont happen. Kone is too important at defending corners in bobbys set up to be dropped...oh hang on, someone send bobby the tapes

 

[ijjysmith]

Hoping Mirallas or Lennon is in for the Konester tomorrow, he hasn't been too good last few games.

I'd stick with Kone for Saturday but that's only because I've given up on Mirallas ever starting for us ever again.

 

[AaronTheBlue]

He is no where near as good as people make out and should never play away from home on the wing.

But he has become a half decent squad player just massively over used

 

[Zatara]

I think those that rated him when he signed all appeared when he had a few good games.

Saying how class he was etc. Ive never rated him and when he was playing well said lets see how he does till January.

Well...were almost there...

 

[Arteta2391]

he can receive, pass and shoot.


Boss.

 

[Huyton Layne]

Needs to be subbed this season. Been average at best for the last 3 games but it's Martinez's fault he's playing the 90.

 

[Tree13]

If Kone's job is to provide for other players then he is still clearly doing his job even when not bang on form. Don't think anyone can argue a lack of chances has been responsible for three draws.
Rom, Del and Ross have been generally great in recent weeks but can become passengers when out of touch, Kone carries on showing touch and intelligent use of space even when things aren't going for him. Still makes him well worth his place.

No assists in his last five games (over 420 minutes, in case you weren't counting). No goals since his hat trick in the 6-2 thrashing of Sunderland at the start of November. He's not on form.

We had at LEAST four chances against Norwich alone that we should have taken advantage of. Two fell to Kone. We have been creating chances - what we are missing is goalscorers not named Lukaku. We have one sat on our bench who naturally plays on the left side of midfield but Martinez won't let him play.

Kev on the left please, Kone to the bench. Will be better for both of them and the team. Also allows Lukaku to sub off once in a while, which might be a good idea.