Swansea v Everton. 11th April at 12.45.

[BigBlueConk]

Turgid?
We played some very good stuff in periods.

Talking about the season, not just glimpses of todays game mate, which have been the exception.

 

[ilikecheese]

So our win over Southampton generated 58 total pages...already up to 62 here.

SMH

 

[EvertonRhys]

Just got back from the match. Makes a nice change getting to a game fairly local (live in Newport!)

Anyway, a few thoughts. I've been as frustrated as the next Everton fan this season with the football we've played. BUT, this was a performance ten times better than that of our last game at the Liberty. Was clearly a midtable game though and I'm sure we're starting to see the players beginning to wind down for the season.

Fair result I thought. Being in the front row I didn't see Coleman's blatant handball, and to be honest I thought he was just going down in an effort to get one of those 'defender's freekicks'. Well worked goal but we really could have had more. The amount of times we try to turn on the ball when it needs someone to just leather it is incredible. Main culprit- Kone. I've really wanted it to work but he just hasn't got it has he? £5m for him was a little crazy in retrospect.

Thought we were well in control at 1-0 up, but suddenly we just decided to sit deep and invite pressure. That's when we needed Naismith and (as much as he's disappointed me this season) Mirallas on as outlets instead of Kone and Barkley who looked shattered. Pienaar/ Lennon MOTM for me. Pienaar on the grounds of him putting in a shift we haven't seen for at least a year. I actually thought Barry did quite well though which I'm sure I'll be blasted for!

I said I'd take a score draw before, and although we could have had more I'm content. It didn't mean anything anyway I guess. Still Roberto's subs and their timing are as baffling as Moyes'. Also questionable the fact that we've started to play okay when there's been no expectation. Something not right.

On a side point, felt like a celebrity stalker noticing @Mikey_Fitzgerald after the match. Sorry to freak you out when I called you mate!

 

[sbbefc]

An away draw against decent opposition, cant complain. Keep this unbeaten run going now till the end of the season, have some renewed optimism over the summer and give European qualification another go.

 

[ijjysmith]

So our win over Southampton generated 58 total pages...already up to 62 here.

SMH

This was on TV. More people able to see the game.

SMH

 

[Yankfootball1]

Just got back from the match. Makes a nice change getting to a game fairly local (live in Newport!)

Anyway, a few thoughts. I've been as frustrated as the next Everton fan this season with the football we've played. BUT, this was a performance ten times better than that of our last game at the Liberty. Was clearly a midtable game though and I'm sure we're starting to see the players beginning to wind down for the season.

Fair result I thought. Being in the front row I didn't see Coleman's blatant handball, and to be honest I thought he was just going down in an effort to get one of those 'defender's freekicks'. Well worked goal but we really could have had more. The amount of times we try to turn on the ball when it needs someone to just leather it is incredible. Main culprit- Kone. I've really wanted it to work but he just hasn't got it has he? £5m for him was a little crazy in retrospect.

Thought we were well in control at 1-0 up, but suddenly we just decided to sit deep and invite pressure. That's when we needed Naismith and (as much as he's disappointed me this season) Mirallas on as outlets instead of Kone and Barkley who looked shattered. Pienaar/ Lennon MOTM for me. Pienaar on the grounds of him putting in a shift we haven't seen for at least a year. I actually thought Barry did quite well though which I'm sure I'll be blasted for!

I said I'd take a score draw before, and although we could have had more I'm content. It didn't mean anything anyway I guess. Still Roberto's subs and their timing are as baffling as Moyes'. Also questionable the fact that we've started to play okay when there's been no expectation. Something not right.

On a side point, felt like a celebrity stalker noticing @Mikey_Fitzgerald after the match. Sorry to freak you out when I called you mate!

I agree about Barry. I thought one of his best games this year.

 

[ilikecheese]

This was on TV. More people able to see the game.

SMH

Fair enough...we get all the games over here

 

[Lionel Naismith]

All I seen on Twitter was that kone is diabolical.

 

[Toffeelover]

One point better than none pity we could not hold out. Decent performance. just do not seem to able to put it away upfront ah well on to the next game.

 

[Furey1878]

I am pleased for those who are pleased. I am not pleased.
The view a couple of weeks ago that even IF we could go the rest of the season unbeaten, it has still been a bad season.

So all this 'a good point' is meaningless for me. It is a bad season. (Based on last season with a very similar squad, some of whom apparently forgot how to play in the summer)

More than anything I would like to see:
An improvement in the standard of our play, that wins games as well.
Players playing for new contracts, instead of treading water.
One or two of the fringe kids given games. There is nothing to play for this season, let us see what they can do.
Use these last few games as preparation for August and start to relax and play without fear.

Win, lose or draw, what we are watching is turgid.

The manager needs to make a public statement to the fans acknowledging the failings this season and pledge that he will fix it ready for next season. Something positive to hang on to. Just an opinion.

Behave, mate. We actually looked like ourselves for once in this match.

We weren't great by any means, but in many ways unlucky not to have won today.

 

[Aberblue]

No way. Off the top of my head Vellios was way worse

One difference - Vellios actually scored a few times. Kone has scored once in almost two years.

 

[Joey66]

All I seen on Twitter was that kone is diabolical.

He was worse than that!lol

 

[davek]

I believe now it doesn't matter what RM does in the future a core of people will hate him and decry anything he achieves, very small minded in my opinion. I hear more and more the Everton crowd is a hard crowd to please, I find this a bitter pill to swallow as we were a honest and balanced crowd, who could be critical but always fair....we need to be careful as it is not a tag we want to be saddled with.
Time for some people to put the sensible and balanced views back into play, and also remember we are not a nailed on top 4 team...

In reality mate that core has been there from the off. Moyes' apostles who could never get used to the idea the hoofball they've been weaned on has been dispensed with.

That core made their feelings known even before Kenwright secured Martinez's signature.

@daz4matty
@nsno-chris
@hktoffee

 

[ijjysmith]

All I seen on Twitter was that kone is diabolical.

An accurate description of the whole match to be honest.

 

[Minimeister]

Why does it take so long for us to make a sub? I've seen lads like Gibson stand on the touchline for a good 5 minutes this season while we mess about doing whatever Martinez needs to do before making a change. Leaving Kone on today for so long after him walking a tightrope was ridiculous. It's not like he was having a stormer. Martinez has gone from one of the most pro-active managers in making a change to making Moyes look like a gambler.

Happy with the point today. Stupid of Coleman like but when someones grabbing your arm and then pushes you in the back, you probably expect a free kick. Especially when 5 minutes later the exact same thing happens to Baines and Oliver gives a free kick.