Everton v QPR. 15th Dec at 20.00.

[Goat]

He seems permanently off balance. Like he's not used to his own body. That's why he's so crap at hold up play.

Growth spurt?

 

[zirc]

Finally.

Some sanity.

Some faith restored.

He's 21.

Scored 15 in 31 last season.
6 in 15 this season.

He's also been playing injured the majority of the games, plus he was leading the line for his country at the World Cup.

Bony is better though.

 

[bluemangroup]

Growth spurt?

No I'm just pleased to see you.

 

[bluemangroup]

I read a good article somewhere else which was calling for patience towards Bobby's style of play and I totally agreed with it. When watching tonight and hearing the booing of decisions to play the ball back - what's wrong with starting again if there are no options at that time? OK, Howard might then bang it up field but the booing comes before that.

To be successful in this league, you need to keep the ball. All of the top clubs base their success around keeping the ball ans building up opportunities. We are still relatively new to it and lots of players who some have had long careers playing a totally different way are getting used to it too.

I hate to make the crude comparison, but could you imagine groans and boos ringing around Camp Nou when Barcelona play it backwards?

Keeping the ball whilst playing with absolutely no risk on them and asking your defenders playing the killer pass won't work though.

 

[GrandOldTeam]

This is what I've said about Rom previously.



And it's true - he's best at spearheading the line, but for £28m he's got to be able to do more than that if the manager asks him to.

I'm not wanting him to complete adapt to being Heskey; all I'm asking for is that he develops a first touch that is better than a Conference standard striker and learns how to drop into space and hold the ball up if the manager is asking him to do that, and has been for a year.

With his supposed potential, 12 months to learn how to trap a ball isn't a big ask.

He's 21.

He scores. Lots.

Players can't be everything.

He can finish though, can't he? So lets give him the ball to finish, rather than expect him to be a hold up player

 

[Moomin]

I read a good article somewhere else which was calling for patience towards Bobby's style of play and I totally agreed with it. When watching tonight and hearing the booing of decisions to play the ball back - what's wrong with starting again if there are no options at that time? OK, Howard might then bang it up field but the booing comes before that.

To be successful in this league, you need to keep the ball. All of the top clubs base their success around keeping the ball ans building up opportunities. We are still relatively new to it and lots of players who some have had long careers playing a totally different way are getting used to it too.

I hate to make the crude comparison, but could you imagine groans and boos ringing around Camp Nou when Barcelona play it backwards?

The booing was in frustration of not having Osman on the pitch to moan about.

 

[Seanjd]

Keeping the ball whilst playing with absolutely no risk on them and asking your defenders playing the killer pass won't work though.

Asking your defenders to play the killer pass? What do you mean?

 

[GrandOldTeam]

He's also been playing injured the majority of the games, plus he was leading the line for his country at the World Cup.

Bony is better though.

He has scored 2 more goals this season, 5 years older...

Still think Lukaku will outscore him again.

 

[ilikecheese]

It's ridiculous that a 21 year old isn't the finished product.

 

[Philw]

Nobody is asking him to be a brutally effective target man, or even be Heskey in holding it up - all I'm asking for is that he does the basics of the role, which anyone with his physical assets should be able to do.

We all know he's the better 'off the shoulder' striker and is exceptional at that, but the manager isn't operating with him in that role and hasn't for a year now.

So after a full 12 months of being asked to do the basics of a very set role, he's made no progress whatsoever and arguably has got worse. That's why he deserves the criticism - or, at the very least, Martinez does for sticking with a player who is sub-par in the system he uses.

As Del says (although he's constantly trolling so sort of just ignore him!), why buy him if you aren't going to use him to his strengths for that amount of money?

He isn't?

They won't pal. They'll go quiet and wait until they can pipe up.

Pathetic.

I said the attitude is pathetic - I can, and will express my opinion on the forum. Thanks.

The prosecution rests m'lud.

No, I'm saying he's being asked to play that role to an extent. And he's doing it badly.

Whether he is or isn't one is irrelevant, as Martinez is asking him to do it and he's doing it badly.

See?

Stay on topic please. If your not happy with rep (Shock, horror. A member minus reps a member...)... report it, rather than spamming the thread

Report you to who exactly? You'll just take another 10 rep off me...

Just give him a one-way ticket to Bansville GOT. That's what I would do with that sort of power.

*dreams of unplugging @Boss_Blue from the matrix

Better the devil you know, huh?

 

[Tubey]

He's 21.

He scores. Lots.

Players can't be everything.

He can finish though, can't he? So lets give him the ball to finish, rather than expect him to be a hold up player

Agreed completely. Honestly, I'd love for you to let Martinez know of this plan too, as he's seemingly not got the memo!

 

[GrandOldTeam]

The prosecution rests m'lud.

Yes, that attitude of slating a player after a poor game but giving no credit when they do well is pathetic.

I'm entitled to my opinion, and I'll express it. Site Owner or not. Are you ok with that?...

Report you to who exactly? You'll just take another 10 rep off me...

You're learning.

Oh, and you use rep too...

 

[Philw]

Yes, that attitude of slating a player after a poor game but giving no credit when they do well is pathetic.

I'm entitled to my opinion, and I'll express it. Site Owner or not. Are you ok with that?...

As long as you express it in the same manner you would expect the rest of us to.

You're learning.

Oh, and you have rep too.

Yeah, apparently I don't need 12 months

And not sure my whole 1 rep per time is gonna make a big difference tbh!

 

[Dithering Dougie]

Only downside tonight was obviously the injury to Mirallas.

But on the plus side Barkely and Besic looked good individually although may need some work as a pairing, but on the plus side we looked so great going forward and the when it clicks with Baines and Coleman I think we'll see better service for Lukaku as well.

Overall with Stones and Eto'o on the bench, Kone and Oviedo getting back to full strength and the added experience for Garbutt and Ledson things are looking up

 

[LAToffee]

Modest improvement in that performance. Lots of players still look low on confidence and ideas. Ross had a towering performance. Really hope Kev is OK. And how much we have missed Naismith. Is he our best pound-for-pound player?