Everton v West Brom. Sat 24th Aug. @ 15.00.

[Timak]

That probably is frighteningly close to what many are thinking. Unbelievable. You'd think Martinez was picking up the reins of a Champions League squad rather than following in the footsteps of a manager who put together a core of about 14 utility players who could make themselves tough to beat.

I always knew Martinez had his work cut out trying to move forward whilst pacifying melts like these.

The only unbelievable thing about this post is your shifting from years of:
"Moyes in underachieving with the players"
to
"14 utility players who could make themselves tough to beat"

I'd also mention the hypocrisy of your leading the "get behind the manager" calls but I really can't be bothered.

 

[Petit]

Liverpool had ONE shot on target yesterday. (1:1)
Villa had 3. (3:0)
Stoke had 5. (5:2)
Palace had 5. (5:1)
Southampton had 6. (6:1)
Sunderland had 3. (3:1)
Newcastle had 0. (0:0)
West Ham had 1. (1:0)
Hull had 2. (2:1)
Norwich had 4. (4:0)
Fulham had 7. (7:1)
Arsenal had 7. (7:3)

So we had the most shots on target of any team but we also had the worst shot to goals ratio. Jelavic had no shots on target and Kone had no shots of any description.

Problem yesterday was Jelavic was unable to stay onside and hold the ball up. Meant we couldn´t get men forward.

 

[catcherintherye]

The only unbelievable thing about this post is your shifting from years of:
"Moyes in underachieving with the players"
to
"14 utility players who could make themselves tough to beat"

I'd also mention the hypocrisy of your leading the "get behind the manager" calls but I really can't be bothered.

This is spot on, he's turning into a right little apologist for the board/manager as well.

 

[catcherintherye]

As if we're going to finish top 5 in a season when we have a new manager, new system and are losing it looks like are two best players.

Kin ell.

In Moyes' first season we moved from 16th to 7th. I am asking for us to improve 1 place in the league and it's all "as if that can happen". Moyes did 9 times better than that in his first season, yet you are carrying on like he's some sort of mug.
We have a top 6 squad, we should be aiming to continue to improve. We are not Swansea, or Wigan, or Bolton happy to be in the PL, hoping to fluke the odd cup run in the worthless cup. This is Everton, Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.

 

[davek]

I suppose the stats to note are that the RS had 1 shot, 1 goal and Arsenal scored 3 from 7 shots on target. It seems like Foster was inspired and we also had at least one cleared off the line, but we could really do with being more clinical.

It could be an encouraging sign that we were flat and turgid, yet still created more chances than anyone else. Perhaps our expectations for free-flowing football are too high so early in a new era?

In that respect, it'd have helped if Martinez hadn't been left a shower of biffs in attacking positions. Cheers Moyesie.

 

[davek]

I was as hopefull as anyone about Jelavic revival during pre-season, but after the first two matches imo it´s as clear as the light of day he´s not up for it. He´s a good footballer, but this is the wrong league for him. He´d probably thrive in Italy but the premiership is simply too rough and too fast for him.

That's a bold claim mate. We know he can cut it in the Scottish and Austrian leagues. In this league he's been found out - and **** knows what an Italian defence would make of him...they'd probably piss themselves.

 

[davek]

Opinions pal, I try not to climb into the backside of a manager for the sake it.

You,l be fooking sobbing when the king with no clothes yanks the switch again.

It sounds like you're covering your irrational dislike for a manager who's been here 5 minutes by pointing the finger at someone who's prepared to give that same manager time and calling it hero-worship. In fact, that's what it is.

 

[billycopper]

Problem yesterday was Jelavic was unable to stay onside and hold the ball up. Meant we couldn´t get men forward.

I think it's partly that he's got no pace and partly that the midfield player isn't quick enough to spot and play the pass. Probably the best current player for arcing their run is Darren Bent and he's not exactly lightening.

 

[davek]

The only unbelievable thing about this post is your shifting from years of:
"Moyes in underachieving with the players"
to
"14 utility players who could make themselves tough to beat"

I'd also mention the hypocrisy of your leading the "get behind the manager" calls but I really can't be bothered.

How do you figure 'years of underachieving' and 'tough to beat' are contradictory statements?

As for get behind the manager: yes mate, you really should have a go at it. Instead, you bring forward your useless battery of Opta stas to prove how great the former manager is compared to the present one (that's the one who's won more trophies than your hero, btw). Really, the hypocrisy is all yours isn't it?

 

[davek]

In Moyes' first season we moved from 16th to 7th. I am asking for us to improve 1 place in the league and it's all "as if that can happen". Moyes did 9 times better than that in his first season, yet you are carrying on like he's some sort of mug.
We have a top 6 squad, we should be aiming to continue to improve. We are not Swansea, or Wigan, or Bolton happy to be in the PL, hoping to fluke the odd cup run in the worthless cup. This is Everton, Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.

We have a mid-table squad...soon to be made solid mid-table by that ****ing Judas swooping in to take the best two for his mega bucks team...and you want CL football next season.

*sigh*

 

[orchard]

We have a mid-table squad...soon to be made solid mid-table by that ****ing Judas swooping in to take the best two for his mega bucks team...and you want CL football next season.

*sigh*

You've put a good shift in today mate, nice one

 

[davek]

You've put a good shift in today mate, nice one

There's a lot of people throwing themselves out of windows...I'm just trying to talk them down. :huh:

 

[billycopper]

We have a mid-table squad...soon to be made solid mid-table by that ****ing Judas swooping in to take the best two for his mega bucks team...and you want CL football next season.

*sigh*

We haven't lost anyone of note (yet). The new additions, including the emergence of Barkley and Stones should improve us. Having the ability to keep the ball on the deck rather than launching percentage balls forward will be a big bonus. And having a plan b, c and d can be no bad thing either.

We conceded unfortunate goals against Norwich and we just couldn't put it away against West Brom. Our stats were worse in both games in the corresponding fixtures last year and we're only a point behind what we achieved back then.

CL is probably ambitious given that I don't think we'll score enough decisive goals, but I don't see why we couldn't repeat the feats of the last few seasons.

 

[orchard]

There's a lot of people throwing themselves out of windows...I'm just trying to talk them down. :huh:

Hahaha, jumpers are gonna jump

 

[catcherintherye]

We have a mid-table squad...soon to be made solid mid-table by that ****ing Judas swooping in to take the best two for his mega bucks team...and you want CL football next season.

*sigh*

We have a squad that finished in the top 6, having added 4 players, for the most amount of net spend we've had in years.

Lets take 10th as mid table. You think we should be finishing below the likes of Stoke? Liverpool? West Brom? Swansea? Do me a favour, we are miles better than those sides, stop talking us down.