Sunderland v Everton. 12th Sept at 2000.

[Bluerover]

How long is the journey back? Anyone? Great result tonight, wonder what's going thru Barkleys head at the mo.

Koeman is just the boss he needs. We all need a kick in the ass now and again whether it is at work or at home.

I must say I winced a bit for Ross though watching RK speaking about it. He will have a stern talking to this morning but hopefully he learns from it and improves his game further. Ability is certainly there

 

[Caolam]

I am surprised that a manager can change things so quickly but is a reflection of how badly Martinez handled things at the club. Instead of players being phenomenal in defeat they must be being told the truth.
Koeman will make players out of some of our lot, unfortunately he will probably break a couple as well.

 

[bignev23]

I think I've fell in love with Gana.

 

[ToffeeDan]

I also found it amusing browsing through the Sunderland match day thread on their forum. Once Lukaku scored the 2nd, their servers had a meltdown, I presume from the absolute fume and no one could post for over 30 minutes ha ha ha.

A mini RAWK lockdown.

 

[Albertini78]

Cheers mate. I was in tears - literally - last night with the emotion of seeing Bradley as mascot and then so happy to hear of the 200K plus all the team jersies being auctioned plus Bradley being invited to the return game.

I really hope the little guy gets through the treatment and is OK.

Two classy clubs... and don't worry, you lot will be OK once Moyes sorts out that defence.

Earlier in the day it sounded like he wasn't too well and his Dad would carry him out. So to see him walking out the tunnel with his hero Defoe shows the little fellas determination. Normally I'd be fuming after a performance like that but news of your clubs amazing donation quickly changed my mood unreal mate. It'll take time but hopefully Moyes does get it right. Smash the smoggys on Saturday

 

[The Cowboy]

Koeman is just the boss he needs. We all need a kick in the ass now and again whether it is at work or at home.

I must say I winced a bit for Ross though watching RK speaking about it. He will have a stern talking to this morning but hopefully he learns from it and improves his game further. Ability is certainly there

Not that I'd dare to compare myself with Barkley on a technical level (that would be pain stupid), but psychologically I'm much the same in that if the first 10 mins are poor, my head goes to pieces, my confidence is totally shot, and more often than not I get in a big sulk. Sulking aside, I could see that in Ross tonight. After that clown-show near our area early on, he was on a downward spiral.

Question is whether a kick up the ass will make things better or worse. He doesn't look like someone who takes criticism very well.

 

[zaitken]

In his post-match interview, the way RK delivers this line "I think we will be one of the teams to FIGHT for European football." gave me goosebumps. Take me, Ronald...I'm all yours.

 

[Real_madras]

So far I am really liking what, I'm seeing from Koeman. We now have a manager that changes things he doesn't like. He could of given it a 15 minutes in the 2nd half and then changed it. But did it straight away. His interview last night was great. He kept talking about how bad it was in the first half. A 0-3 away win and he's not happy. The players are getting a big message of what he wants.

Barkley will have to work hard and change to what Koeman wants. Under Roberto he was allowed to make mistakes, giving the ball away cheaply. There again Stones was encouraged to dribble in his own six yard box. I bet he won't be at City.

Jags and Williams look very solid at the back. With decent protection in front of them. Looking good for the season. If we keep this form January will be interesting might see a few players a bit desperate to join us.

 

[Nil Satis Niasse Optimum]

I'd play on Saturday same XI that started last night but obviously with Deulofeu for Barkley. Then against Norwich, providing we win and play well against Boro, look to rest 3 or 4 players (specifically Bolasie, Gueye, Williams) as we've a testing trip to Bournement 4 days later. Four wins on the spin and games against Boro, Norwich, Bournemouth and Palace coming up. What a world it is to live in as a Blue.

 

[flibbyflob]

jesus, just seen the top 7. pretty much how it will finish you'd presume, not in that order.

Texted that to my dad last night and he asked if Liverpool were in 8th.

 

[Nil Satis Niasse Optimum]

Ross is suffering from thinking he is the best player in the world, and there's only one person responsible for that:

Was allowed to play poorly for two seasons yet was, almost on a weekly basis, described as one of the best young players in the world, a diamond, England's future captain, bla bla bla.

His standards fell so badly yet all he would hear was how good he was. Great management, not. He's rightly been booted from the England squad and the next natural step, going off his form in recent times, is to be booted from our squad for a while too until he bucks his ideas up.

For whatever he's earning per week - 60, 70, 80k or whatever it is - and as an Evertonian - it's quite frankly sickening watching him drag his fat arse around the pitch sulking. Get him out of the team asap and make him work hard to earn his place back.

 

[Adam J]

I could only really watch the game with one eye on something else - tactically what did RK do with Ross coming off?

Did Del come in to number 10 or did Kev move inside? Or 4-4-2?

Personally I wouldn't mind seeing Mirallas play behind the striker...

 

[Khalekan]

yep he changed the game. He'll start on Saturday, as will Bolasie if fit. The toss up is between Kev and Barkley (not down to Kev playing badly like - just because of how that game may well pan out)

I think he will keep Ross in the team as dropping him now after being subbed early in the game might be a big knock to his confidence.

Probably at the expense of Kev, as Bolasie on the left and Del on the right worked a treat last night.

That said, I wouldn't be surprised if Barry was rested to preserve his aged limbs in a game where two defensive midfielders may not be necessary.

Ross playing alongside Gana in a deeper role with licence to carry the ball forward would be interesting.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Just got back home from Sunderland, up for work in 4 hours but totally worth it

Bringing on Del for Barkley was the difference. You'd think we have to start with Del over Ross against The Boro now?

Stekky was a safe pair of hands again, Williams looked solid and Bolasie put in some lovely crosses. Koeman just needs Valencia to come off the bench and net at the weekend to be 4 for 4 with his signings

4 games in and 10 points? I never would have expected that based on how poor we were at the tail end of last season

I should have mentioned Gana as well, but it was 2AM in the morning

I love him

In fact, I would like to start a movement for @MoutsGoat to change his name to GanaGoat

 

[MikeH72]

He's coming on anyway. Good chance now for him to put Mirallas's arse down on that bench permanently where it belongs.

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA