Chelsea v Everton. 22nd Feb at 12.45.

[Toffe3m4n]

On another note, the coverage from BT today was a disgrace. The bias towards Chelsea was shocking, they didn't even try and hide it.

They appear to have an anti-Everton agenda, genuinely believe that. Absolutely shocking analysis & punditry whenever we're involved. Thank christ I decided not to pay for a subscription at the start of the season.

 

[toffeejack]

Managed to beat them in their worse season for 20 years when they were in midtable, a few weeks after WBA managed it also.

you said big teams, not good teams

 

[Toffeelover]

Playing great is not much good if you don't get any points.

 

[paulbefc]

Every part of our team is sound now, bar arguably the most important one for a side looking to break the top 4.

The summer will be about trying to make the changes to the front 4 players that'll allow us to actually score goals in these games.

 

[lungissimo]

Lack of a striker is really hurting us against the "bigger" teams, Spurs, RS and Chelsea, at least 2 of those games could have been won with an actual Striker.

Im not having a pop at Nais, he did what he could, but hes honestly not good enough against the elite teams in the League, he was 1 of the brightest players on the pitch today, but sadly he lacks that certain something needed against the very best.

No complaints as such from me tho, we played reasonably well, we pushed all game and the Manager made the correct subs at the correct times, just a crying shame we havent had a Striker for the last 6 weeks.

Maybe the FAPL should consider maybe having a Transfer Window in Janaury, this would allow teams to buy players during the halfway stage of a Season, something that needs to be looked at I feel.

It was all Naismith today . He was great in the first half . Did the target man better then Lukaku. Brought Osman McCarhty and Mirralas in great shooting position . We dont have a midfield dangerous enough. We need somebody like Cahill . Good timed runs from midfield in the box thats what we need from our midfielders

 

[D410]

Feb has destroyed us. We had 3 key games and lost the lot I think it,s clear where the weakest link is and it,s off the pitch.

 

[scouse007]

Howard and Distin need replacing, Mirallas needs benching, rest of the starting XI can feel proud, played very well today

Distan and Howard played well, agree on Miralles..

 

[TyphooToffee]

Todays performance, not good enough! Subs should have been made all at once an earlier for proper impact an to allow players to get a grip of the game. Couldn't string more than one pass together in that second half. disgraceful.

Right, all at once, I see. Then get an injury and play the last 30 mins with 10 men. Brilliant.

 

[harry]

We could have the greatest striker in the history of the game playing but if we dont pass him the ball in goal scoring positions he will not score. its the final pass/decision that is the problem.

 

[KevMirallas]

The season is going the way I expected, but perhaps not the way I hoped. Still plenty to play for, but I have one eye on the summer window knowing it will be a vital one. We're still on the up, no doubt.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Our appalling transfer window is coming back to haunt us time and time again. Our back 7 Howard thru McCarthy and Barry is a match for any one in the league. However it is painful to watch our lack of ability in the final third. Miralles at least offers something going forward with his pace, but I'll be amazed if Piennar and Osman are anywhere near the starting 11 next year as they offer so little going forward. Martinez badly mis judged the talent and depth in our squad with the window just gone. Unfortunately we are now paying the price for it.

 

[dannyboy]

Playing great is not much good if you don't get any points.

I think it's a bit of a fallacy to say we played 'great'. We were competitive, like you'd expect us to be, but how many times did we really worry Chelsea? Struggling to think of many.

 

[Goat]

It was all Naismith today . He was great in the first half . Did the target man better then Lukaku. Brought Osman McCarhty and Mirralas in great shooting position . We dont have a midfield dangerous enough. We need somebody like Cahill . Good timed runs from midfield in the box thats what we need from our midfielders

Naismith was 1 of the best players on the pitch, but at no point did we even look like scoring.

 

[flo]

Playing great is not much good if you don't get any points.

At least we tried to win it. The match could've gone the other way round. A great first half display, very unlucky not to get a point at least.

 

[Fat Stan]

It's as simple as this. Owned the game first half when Chelsea stood off us. Lost our style in the second when Chelsea pressed us. Osman came off, Barkley came on in what was possibly the worst substitute performance I've ever seen. As technically gifted as he can be I fear he's severely lacking in the intelligence department. I first noticed it in his interviews where appeared very slow altogether. Now I'm noticing it more on the pitch where he's not looking too bright either. But today was a particularly horrendous performance. Just mind blowingly bad.... Deulofeu never got a chance on the ball as he was marked out of it and our passing went out the window at that stage. Mcgeady did very well I thought. Never put a foot wrong and I expect him to start the next game.

Overall a decent performance though, especially in the first half, but lost it in the second.

 

[NilSatis1878]

P.s what's up with Barkley?
It's his first season and his inexperience showed today, he doesn't seem to be a player who likes coming off the bench as he looks like he finds it hard to settle into the game..

Wait until he's fully fit and starting games again..
His problem is that he settled too quickly so now has really high expectations from our fans.. He isn't the finished article yet, he's got years of experience to gain