It is now time to switch to a new Money AM football blog as the world cup is now over and we all look to the future.....World cup 2010 is over, Bravo Espana, and Forlan, once again and bring on the new season !.....I never expected the last thread to be such a success...thanks all.... so this new one might go on for years without the need to edit the title...we shall see...

oops wrong thread.

From My Seat: Liverpool (A)
By Ken Buckley :: 29/01/2014
Comments (10) jump to end
The morning after the night before leaves Blues in a state of disbelief as they try to make sense of the mauling we took from our neighbours whilst putting up with jibes that would try the patience of a saint.

We arrived with such hopes and, on hearing the team, were pleased that a few key players were back; on paper a good line up but on grass the outcome was anything but good.

The first 15 minutes was all the helter skelter and hell-for-leather of a typical derby. Barkley had one just fizz over and Howard saved from Suarez.

On 20 minutes the game took a dramatic turn when Liverpool gained a corner which Suarez took after getting dog's abuse from those near enough to converse with him. The ball came in, a pile up of bodies and the ball in the net passed a startled Barkley on the line.

The aftermath was a disaster for us as Lukaku lay prone and after treatment both on and off the pitch was stretchered away and Naismith took his place. From that moment on we looked a match in effort but our form went AWOL, giving the ball away or losing it through slowness of thought as Liverpool players nipped in and away like robbers' dogs.

We did have attacks and chances like on the half hour a good run and dribble from Mirallas saw Jags shoot and the keeper parry to Barry who hit wide. A minute later Mirallas cut in again and hit one that beat the keeper but shaved the wrong side of the post. Reading that back it doesn’t look too bad yet within seconds of the Mirallas shot once again we just give the ball away, Barry of all people dawdling on the ball while the lively Sterling spirited it away and two passes later Sturridge was wheeling away after netting.

Galling for those assembled I mean 2-0 down to that lot! But hey it got worse within two minutes as our back line had not learned a thing about the pace of the Reds front three and were caught almost on the half way line as Toure hit a long one over the top and the chase that took place was embarrassing for Blues watching as Sturridge left Jags and Alcaraz in his wake and, as you saw Howard racing out into no-man’s land, the outcome was obvious. A delightful chip over the stranded keeper and, hell, we are 3-0 down. Still 10 minutes to the break plus a further 3 for injuries left us wondering what else might happen, but although in disarray we saw it out.

H/T and we were shell-shocked, 3-0 down, Lukaku injured and a defence like a colander. Not the best use of 48 minutes. Is this the Everton we have been watching since August or was it, as some Reds thought, Tranmere in disguise?

Second half and Osman replaced the out-of-sorts Pienaar and for about five minutes it was all Everton with Osman prominent as a playmaker. But then we did it again, gave a goal away. Jags from just inside our half passed to Suarez instead of Alcaraz and he was through on goal. Now whatever your opinion of Suarez is, you have to concede he is quite a goal taker and he didn’t disappoint here as he held off a labouring Jags, left behind Alcaraz and slotted expertly past Howard leaving me with that feeling of ‘I am going to be sick’.

We were giving goals away as readily as the Toffee lady gives toffee’s. The Kop rubbing it in now suggesting in full voice that Roberto was Moyes in disguise.

Liverpool now were virtually inviting us on in the hope we may get a consolation just so they could break at pace and with Suarez, Sterling and Sturridge they did to good effect. This was highlighted as we approached the hour mark when another ball give-away saw Sterling race into the box, Howard race out and a collision take place. Penalty! Sturridge tookit to claim a hat trick. He shot over the bar. My eyes went to the heavens as I thanked the good Lord for answering my prayer for mercy.

The half continued in this manner, we put some decent moves together without a hint of end product and they wait to break and out-sprint us. This was well illustrated when for us McCarthy burst into the box and hit one across goal which Naismith missed by inches and then... another mistake and Sturridge powered away again and, but for him being greedy and allowing Stones to get back and usher him wide, it could have got much worse.

The not-yet-fit McGeady replaced the shattered Barkley which seemed to sum up our injury woes and the quality depth of squad. Still, let’s try to get to full time at four down as it could easily have been six by now. Three minutes of time added went up and I conceded it would be difficult to draw level in that time, but I didn’t leave and stuck it out to the bitter disappointing end.

M.o.t.M – Mirallas, He seemed the only one fully fit and on form.

Overall one to forget but you just don’t, do you? Fans and players are affected by maulings from neighbours in the derby even if we think we are not and how long it takes to get back at it will be crucial.

Tonight I thought we blew 4th place and when you consider our injuries and how long it might take those who are almost ready to come back to fire on all cylinders and then look at the depths of squad of Liverpool, Spurs and Man U then, sad to say, 7th looks likely. But, hey, this is footy after all and who knows what can happen?

Come Saturday against Villa a win would be a good start to our recovery but we must be mindful that they have some speed merchants up front too and they will be well aware of our performance last night.

The manager tried to get his best players available through a game last night but when you saw them it was plain they were not top hole so he will have some thinking to do before Saturday as its obvious fully-fit players are a must in the EPL. Many of us wondered whether we will see any activity on the transfer front now. It may not be about money but recent events shows without doubt that to challenge for anything you need enough money to sustain at least 22 quality players.

After the game we did wonder about going to our usual watering hole as it’s a shared Blue/Red house but hell we are Everton so of course we did, took the stick and vowed it would be different next season and we would whup Villa on Saturdat. See you there to see what really happens. The line- up will be worth seeing.

UP THE BLUES

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Dick Brady
608 Posted 29/01/2014 at 16:56:32 Can we all just pretend this game never happened? It hurts so much. I think this is the worst derby result I can remember. I certainly don't remember feeling this bad about a result for a long long time.
Adam Baig
613 Posted 29/01/2014 at 16:57:57 Good point about Villa, Ken. If Jags and Distin aren't 100% fit we need to have a tactical re-think for Saturday
Paul Holden
616 Posted 29/01/2014 at 17:02:15 sorry to say this but game over as far as Euro slot is concerned. Never seen Peanuts have such a bad game, and he wasn't alone. Barry let Gerrard get away from him for the first and took out Lukaku at the same time. Right hand side of defence a shambles. Stones a young lad so forgiven but he needs to learn quick. Who's going to play up front for next few weeks? We've got nobody with class. If I was Roberto, I'd be trying to sign Bony from Swansea!
Ben Dyke
623 Posted 29/01/2014 at 17:03:47 Looking at this more soberly (and after avoiding friends and family today) it doesnt really tell us what we didnt already know. It hurts that its them that reminded us but hey thats life - "wounds from a friend can be trusted but an enemy multiplies kisses" and all that.
We knew Liverpool have a great, pacy, forward line, with a world class player (Suarez), a kid on form and who is not exactly a mug either (Sturridge) and a very good central midfield of Gerrard and Coutinho.

We also know we have a small squad, with key injuries, a core of lads working back from injury and a back four that can be troubled by pace when not at its best.

To me, it hurts badly to lose to them even when its 1-0, but its life. A more important thing will be whether we react, not how bad was the actual suffering of a beating by your neighbours but whether we can put it to bed quickly. It will be mostly forgotten until we go there next year if we manage to put together a good run and push for 4th/5th for the rest of the season.

Right I'm drained of optimism now and I'm off to have a lie down as it took a lot of effort!

John Boon
633 Posted 29/01/2014 at 17:16:10 I agree with Ben. We were awful, so it is not too difficult to find all sorts of people to blame. However most fans overact. It is just because it was THEM. Best response is to play well against villa, We needed an early goal. With a bit of luck it could have happened. EVERY prem team has had a really bad result at some time this season. We have always been a roller coaster team and I have watched my beloved and frustrating Blues since 1946.
John Boon

Christopher Timmins
647 Posted 29/01/2014 at 17:27:34 Ken, my heart went out to you last night. I arrived home late from work and it was still 0 - 0. Had a cup a tea and went back to see what was going on and Paul Merson was telling all and sundry that we were being cleaned out.
Not easy being a blue and it is a remarkable achievement to be where we are in the league given the budget, or should I say lack of a budget. The budget is down to the board and they have failed us again and again over the past 5 years,

Hopefully, some of the wounded will be strip fitter on Saturday, we have just ran out of players at this point in time. When was the last time we completed 90 minutes without sustaining an injury:

West Brom - Coleman
Stevenage - Oviedo
Liverpool - Lukaku
Norwich - Peanuts
QPR - Barkley

We need a boost ahead of the weekend and we need a reaction in line with the FA Cup defeat to Wigan last year!

Andy Amey
648 Posted 29/01/2014 at 17:41:34 I hate football now ......and beer......official
Ray Roche
660 Posted 29/01/2014 at 18:07:40 Ken, I usually enjoy your reports, however, I just can't bring myself to read this one....Maybe you could just have written "From My Seat, we were shite"
Danny Broderick
747 Posted 29/01/2014 at 20:02:59 I may be alone here, but I actually felt worse after the derby at Goodison. In this

Ole got just over 6 hours to get a centre half in otherwise we're going to struggle. Rumours of someone from Lazio coming but not confirmed.

Delia's lot are heading your way this w/e. Sportingbet offering 6/5 v 11/5 for the win.
Could go either way imo, but have a feeling Houghton would be satisfied with a draw, which is frustrating the Norwich fans.

Yeah that's how Malky used to play too Harry and was bloody awful to watch. If we do get relegated at least we will see some football under Ole.

Good luck for tomorrow but I hope you lose .... heavily :-)

LOL!
There was talk of Malky coming back to Norwich if CH didn't get some better tactics and results. Fans point out that why get someone else in who has the same strategy? Looks like CH has managed to dig out a few semi decent results lately so has had a stay of execution.
Don't think I will have a bet.......... neither team is great at the moment......though yours is more cr*p than ours at present! ;o)

We're crapper than everyone that's why we're bottom :-)

Six points separate the bottom 10 teams. Anything could happen.
And Fulham's goal difference is worse than yours.

We are now just 4 points off 11th place.

LOL! Unbelievable we were winning 1-0 'til half time. Half time team talk must have been more inspiring from Ole than CH.
Poor old Fulham....looking dire.

I watched it. We were bloody awful for 30 minutes and then Ole brought on Zaha for Whittingham in the 38th minute and Zaha was on fire.

No one besides Ole knows why he keeps playing Whittingham as he's been off form for months.

Bellamy criticised the Cardiff fans in interviews after the match for cheering the substitution ... not like Bellamy to moan after the match , usually saves that for when he should be playing football. Would be glad to see him dropped too.

Norwich missed a couple of sitters , hit the bar , had two disallowed and Marshall made two or three incredible saves so you were a bit unlucky Harry.

From My Seat: Aston Villa (H)
By Ken Buckley :: 01/02/2014
Comments (1) jump to end
Back to our room of nonsense in what seemed no time at all after our mauling at Anfield. You almost crept in clandestine fashion in case a mick-taking Red was lurking to make capital of our efforts against them. So far so good, and a brown/bitter was ordered as we took our places and went over the embarrassment as the ale house filled with match day regulars.

The chat from all sides provided a multitude of reasons for our derby defeat and the prevalent reason was that Martinez got it wrong, followed closely by having insufficient quality squad to sustain a season-long stab at a top-four finish.

The accounts were discussed but only fleetingly as no one really could make much sense of them, but it seems we are still trading and the game was going ahead. To that end it was agreed that a win today was vital and that, with players allegedly coming back next week fit and raring to go, then we need to keep winning whilst those above us need a couple of slip ups and then who knows. At the final whistle, at least, two results would go our way.

Our new on-loan striker was introduced pre-kick off and it was a shame he was not available as the team announced seemed lacking in that department. Having been blown and saturated on the walk up it was good that on the ref’s whistle we had something to take our minds off the weather.

Villa lined up with three at the back, five in mid-field and two up top. As they had only lost three away from home this season, they made no bones about how they would go about keeping it at three. The Blues' formation was harder to pinpoint as, from the team announced, Mirallas looked to be up-front but on commencement of play it was anything but.

The best I can come up with was that we were trying the Barca "false No 9" where intricate inter-passing in the final third would find a man free in the box. If only we had a Messi, eh? However three or four minutes in, Baines took a free kick that went across the box and was picked up by McGeady who cut in and hit a curler that had ‘Goal’ written all over it. It curled and hit the inside of the post and came out to be cleared. A goal then would have forced Villa to change tack and we would have had a cushion but it was not to be.

The game settled then and became most frustrating for those in attendance as the Blues passed well out from the back but the five in midfield for villa thwarted a lot of our attacking intent as we could not get passes forward off quick enough and Mirallas must have broken the Goodison record for being offside in one half of football.

It took us around 20 minutes to get our first corner which was wasted but the clearance did set up a joined up passing movement that took us just into their area but with holes being filled we ended the movement back in our own half much to the mutterings of the faithful.

The half went on with the Blues on top but without a cutting edge. Barkley seemed to be getting frustrated with the attention he was getting from the Villa midfield and started to shoot from anywhere which was always counterproductive. Baines was bombing forward, Mirallas was running across their back line but we could not produce an opening. The Villa fans were in good voice with little opposition from the Goodison choir and suggested our support resembled excreta and they wanted to sing a song for us. It tells a story about the game being witnessed when that takes place.

We seemed in little danger on the half hour until Barkley was weak in a challenge and had the ball taken from him by Benteke who fed their man raiding down the right unattended as Baines was AWOL anticipating a pass from Barkley that would never come.

The Villa man strode on goal and slotted home. Silence from the faithful but plenty of noise from the away end. This was their only shot on goal of the half and I think the whole game.

We kept to our game plan but as move after move broke down it was plain it wasn’t working and on the half time whistle most were convinced a change was needed.

H/T and 0-1. The chat strangely was people’s views on the derby, obviously a sore that will need time to heal. The brief bit about today’s game was that Naismith should be sent on up front to at least give some focus yet when we got back to our seats it was Pienaar for Barkley. Perhaps he got a kick.

We started this half much better and Pienaar was making a difference right away as he linked with Baines and Osman giving us a good outlet wide left. Villa were content to defend and break when they could in a determined fashion to hold what they had. They were doing very well too as we turned the screw with runs and crosses that flew across the box but alas no takers or good joined up inter passing that was afforded only a scuffed or shanked shot.

We gained corners by the dozen that the big Villa man Vlaar proved to be king of the box. We concentrated now on attacking mostly down the left presumably because McGeady and Stones were not on top form shall we say. McCarthy was everywhere trying to knit us together and extinguish the odd Villa break. We were getting forward well now and you could say we were now knocking on the door but it was steadfastly refusing to be opened.

From another corner a headed attempt shaved the wrong side of the post and it turned out to be a Villa man who got the header so yet another corner and, yes, this was cleared.

The 70-minute mark arrived and the sight of Naismith standing in the technical area had me saying, ‘And about time too’, as I thought for a while that we needed the nous of a genuine frontman and he replaced Stones with the versatile McCarthy going to right wing back.

I was proved right within minutes when a long pass was taken in by the Scot and laid off to Mirallas in his favoured role behind the front man and he set off across the box pulling Villa players out. He did a quick turn and fed Pienaar who immediately fed it forward where Naismith went passed his man with ease and his rolled finish passed the keeper should be played back to our other strikers on Monday morning. Celebrations were swift as the players sensed a win.

The Villa now had a decision to make, stick or twist and their manager took only minutes to attempt a win as he took off central defender Vlaar and sent on a quick winger. The game ebbed and flowed a bit more now as the Blues looked to come to terms with this change.
Mirallas was looking lively and causing problems with his pace and guile, Naismith making runs to open space and Baines, Pienaar and Osman trying hard to create that vital opening but Villa were no mugs at defending.

85 minutes and no one in attendance wanted a draw; we needed a win but that clock seemed to race when Mirallas was stopped mid-flight, illegally, some 25 yards out. Free kick and Baines raced to take control of the ball, as did Mirallas. The ref paced the yardage, a right footer and a left footer stood at the ready. The keeper needed to decide who might take. Both are dead ball experts.

Baines moves but Mirallas runs and delivers yet another superbly hit free kick into the top right hand corner leaving the keeper helpless and players and fans delirious, fists clenched, arms in the air delirium, the sort that says I am glad I came.

This at last woke the choir who gave the Villa travelling band a riposte to their taunts with danger decibels roaring out ‘We only sing when we’re winning’.

The manager puts Hibbert on for the now invisible McGeady and McCarthy back into centre mid and we saw out 5 minutes plus 4 added. Grand Old Team rang out as we applauded the players off.

M.o.t.M – Mirallas/McCarthy

The walk back to the ale house was mercifully dry as the wind rattled up from the Mersey and floated conversations that said Utd lost and Spurs drew. Now, if we can just get those above us to lose a few as we win with all our key players back, fit and on form who knows. Crazy game this footy. It should keep us keenly interested for a while yet.

We discussed the Spurs game and what a corker it might be with both teams desperately wanting to win. Who will be back and fit, what tactics will be used, will there be searches at the turnstiles and will we come back in far better mood than from our last away game?.

Never easy at the Lane but we sure as hell got something to go for and we must not choke as four days later it’s the Palace at home. Games thick and fast, injuries – I hope not. We are back in it. It will be great to see how we go about staying in it.

UP THE BLUES

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Peter Anthony
243 Posted 01/02/2014 at 23:36:18 Brilliant report Ken. Thanks for bringing it to life for those that were unable to attend or follow remotely due to work. I think this win will be key, it sets us up for the next two fixtures. Win those and the CL berth is coming to us I feel. Lots of ifs and buts of course, but MARTINEZ MAGIC MOMEMTUM is just what the team needs... COYB.
Add Your Comments

A perfect example of why Jose is the manager that Rafa will never be

Gypo's have sacked Laudrup ..... bet he's gutted :-)

Lol it gets better , they have appointed Gary Monk as player manager.

He has not even completed his coaching badges.

Chico Flores was waiting in the car park with a brick in his hand for Gary Monk last month after a bust up in training and the police were called. No love lost between Monk and Flores/rest of the Spanish contingent.

Roll on Saturday.

So who nowadays, has turned into someone who is very good at public speaking, raising aspirations and enthusiasm and can obviously get people behind him?



"We are planning on bringing a team, that's gonna be global."

When he signed as a player for Los Angeles Galaxy in 2007, a clause in his contract gave him the option of buying a team for the bargain price of $25m (£15.3m).

Miami's last Major Soccer League team folded more than a decade ago, having reportedly lost some $250m (£153.1m). But that was partly because the team played in nearby Fort Lauderdale, and never had a purpose-built stadium.

The new franchise plans to construct one at a waterfront location, where Caribbean cruise ships dock. It's a new departure for one of the game's biggest stars, not as a player but as an owner.

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SEASON 2013-14 » OPINION » COLUMNS » KEN BUCKLEY
From My Seat: Spurs (A)
By Ken Buckley :: 09/02/2014
Comments (15) jump to end
A trip to the ground where the fans insist they will sing what they want and, by the look of it, wear what they like, as some of the gear was choice – if not a touch racist in their choice of slogans. We came with a belief we could get the points to help toward Champions League and the team played with a belief that they thought so too. Unfortunately, the stats will say we dominated while the all-important scoreline will say we failed.

With the faithful in good voice, we kicked off with Naismith leading the line and Coleman restored to right back, fully mended. Barkley, Deulofeu, McGeady and Traore not considered ready to start.

The game started as it would go on, end to end and open. In the first 10 minutes, Osman was fed by Mirallas and fired just over. Then, at the other end, Distin, playing his 150th game for the club, got in trouble on the by-line and his pass to the keeper put him in trouble but fortunately the Spurs man hit the keeper with his attempted cross and out for a corner. Back up the other end and Mirallas, after a good run across the box, turned and fed Osman who shot well and brought an excellent save out of the keeper.

Then, after good work by Naismith, Osman again was unlucky with his shot. After that 10-minute spell, we were thinking about dominating when Spurs broke forward and Pienaar gave away a free-kick some 25 yards out and Eriksen hit it well and just skimmed the bar. Phew! Naismith, full of running and always showing quickly, closed down the keeper who was forced to kick hurriedly, the ball was picked up by Mirallas who from a tightish angle forced the keeper to save.

20 mins had gone by in hectic, open, even, end-to-end fashion without goals even looking on the agenda which disappointed many in attendance as some of our build up play deserved at least a burst to upset their rearguard, let alone a goal. We only had Osman having a pop and he was having to be creator as well. He set up Mirallas a couple of times but he seemed intent on trying to get the angle he wanted and managed only to get crowded out. The game went on in this fashion but in truth not the greatest game as both teams seemed to realise the importance of the points and both were reluctant to really go for it with fervour. Respecting each other a bit too much perhaps.

Before the break, Coleman raided, cut inside and had a left-footer go straight to the keeper, who cleared, and, from the counter attack, the ball was crossed low across our box and Adebayor would have scored if he hadn’t cut his toenails this morning. Spurs came again but the speedy Lennon was well held up by Jags and the ball eventually cleared.

The final ten minutes of the half belonged to Everton as we put some good stuff together. Mirallas went on a great run and cross shot that was just over. Pienaar and Baines were their old selves down the flank and Osman was the playmaking orchestrator. If we were to get a goal, it should have come in those ten minutes or so. In fact, I think if we had netted then, the points would have been ours.

Half-time and the chat was in the main regarding Liverpool’s mauling of both Everton and Arsenal and how two such respected managers as Martinez and Wenger had failed to have any sort of counter to the Liverpool front three and their familiar fast breaks.

Second half and Spurs looked as though they realised they had been let off at the end of the first half and were at us in quick time and forced two corners in quick succession; both came to nought. Osman and Pienaar combined brilliantly and the quick feet of Osman sent Mirallas in but alas his shot curled just wide.

The game trundled on in the fashion of the first half with a goal nowhere in sight. Both teams pressed in turn, Spurs forced a couple of corners; we played pretty till that final third... but then, on or near the hour mark, a great break down the right between Coleman and Mirallas saw them get to the by-line and three Everton players split and showed themselves in the area but the pass found a Spurs man and a diving header saw the ball cleared. What a chance spurned. Next minute, Baines played a superb ball that the raiding Mirallas was inches off converting. That was close.

Just after the hour mark, Martinez made a sub: Barkley on and Pienaar off. I can only assume that Pienaar had some sort of injury as he was as likely as anyone to open something up. Just after the sub, Spurs got a free kick and our players were totally switched off to Walker's quick kick which found Adebayor goalside of the bewildered Jags and Distin. Although Coleman did make a valiant effort to get around to him, the big man held him off and netted. The faithful gutted. Their first shot on goal in anger and we are one-down and not looking like scoring through our own fault. Going to sleep like that does sometimes happen after a change is made as we adjust but that’s where you need a switched-on captain to bark out the order ‘Stand on that ball!’

We went a little flat after the goal... so, on 70-odd minutes, Martinez sent on Deulofeu and McGeady for Naismith and Osman. I have to say taking Ossie off was a big surprise as he was our creator.

The rearrangements were taking time to settle and those last ten minutes went by with us unable to get the ball down and play and the three lads who came on didn’t look anywhere near the level as the three who went off. Were they back a bit too soon? Or to late coming on? Or the three off injured?

Before the final whistle, we had a big shout for a pen. Coleman got into the box and went past his man and tripped over the defender's leg in the box... From my seat, a nailed-on penalty! Ref said No and I thought surprisingly not much of an appeal from our players. Final whistle and disappointment. We had sung every song in our repertoire, cheered and yelled them on, but the loss of those three points toward Champions League was uppermost in most minds as the players saluted the faithful and left muttering.

MotM – Osman/Coleman

Where does this leave us? Well, mathematically, everything is still possible... so a determination to win as many of the 13 games left as we can. Try and win the FA Cup, so you see we can look forward for some weeks yet and, if our manager can get that bit of luck to get his short term injured back fully fit and up for a challenge, then who knows?

Anyone fancy a guess at why, when we desperately need an out-and-out striker, we have none on the pitch but one on the bench – and don’t use him? The manager will probably have a simple answer for that but chances are he ain’t going to tell us...

Wherever we finish, in my book, it will have been a good season but my main hope is that the club can find the funds to help the manager to build on this framework and make a substantial dent in that ‘Glass Ceiling’. Just think of the kudos for Bill and his board: Real Madrid home and away in the Group Stages.... and Barca in the Final!!

It's not bad ale ‘Darn Sarf’...

See you on Wednesday night – All we are saying, is "Give us a goal!"
UP THE BLUES

Reader Comments
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Jim Harrison
138 Posted 10/02/2014 at 02:29:19 Good report Ken, have to agree with all your points regarding Osman, Pienaar and Traore. I feel all three should have been on the pitch around the 60 minute mark. Barkley looked out of sorts, perhaps needs a little more time.
Bobby's post-match interview with BBC pretty much sums it up, didn't do much wrong, but they converted their only real chance on goal.

In the cold light of day, I have to say, if you stood outside of Everton supporters and looked at the results from the Liverpool and Spurs game, they wouldn't come as a surprise. Millions lavished on their squads against one of the lowest spending teams in the league. Liverpool have a front 3 that pulled the league leaders apart in 20 minutes. Spurs had a striker on the pitch who has Man City, Madrid and Arsenal on his CV and he proved the difference. Whilst soundbites about finding other ways to compete are lovely to hear, they don't ring true. Teams that spend lots on quality players finish higher on average. Everton spend a bit on good value players. Naismith was great yesterday, but hardly of the calibre of Suarez, Rooney, Aguero, Giroud or even Adebayor to name a few.

The season is far from over, but realistically it is going to take an incredible run-in to break into the top 4. I would predict that the teams already in occupancy will stay there, maybe in a different order though. Spurs and Everton to fight it out for 5th?

The Cup still looks attractive. I hope the boss gets a decent kitty in the summer. It cannot be expected that a team with minimal investment will suddenly buck the trends of modern football and consistently out perform the big money clubs to reach the promised land of the Champions League. Even if we were to scrape in this season there is no guarantee of a return the following year.

Man Utd won't make it this year and they will most likely splash the cash this summer. Spurs will invest, they always do. Man City? They have a second team strong enough compete on its own and the wealth of a sheikh to blow. Arsenal have money ready to add to an already impressive squad.

Chelsea? probably the best modern-day coach backed by a billionaire who loves vanity buys. Then our charming neighbors. They seem to have finally got the message that spending on quality reaps rewards. 9 goals in 2 games against close competitors, they look on the up.

What will Bobby get? £10, 20 million?

Matt Traynor
141 Posted 10/02/2014 at 03:09:50 Jim "What will Bobby get? £10, 20 million?"
The only way Bobby will get £20 million is if BK gives him half the Barkley money to spend.

Jim Harrison
145 Posted 10/02/2014 at 03:40:24 Matt, Ha, yeah, what I failed to add was "if he is lucky"!
Phil Walling
161 Posted 10/02/2014 at 08:31:45 Pretty. Predictable. Pointless. Just about sums up our performance and the likely outcome of the season.
But the P we most worry about is Potless – and not just the sort you win at Wembley !

Adam Luszniak
162 Posted 10/02/2014 at 08:47:19 Phil how about 'pessimistic'? Is that a P you are familiar with?
Phil Walling
168 Posted 10/02/2014 at 09:03:09 I think you can add that one too, Adam!
For all the talk of a brave new world, we shall likely finish a place lower than last season – so how is that Progress?

The focus on loan signings and the replacement of a striker with an unknown crock in the January window says it all about where our club is at present and is likely to remain.

But the forthcoming battle with Moyes to better 7th place may provide a modicum of interest.

Jim Bennings
173 Posted 10/02/2014 at 09:19:54 Yesterday was a familiar predictable game that in many ways has been the trademark of Everton over the last few years. We outplay our opponent and create a bag of takeable chances but simply have nobody there to put the ball away or get a decent final ball into the box.
I am disappointed that we have left the January transfer window looking weaker up front than we were in November. I know people will say we are missing Lukaku, but that depends which Lukaku you are talking about – the one from early on or the one of the last two months?

Lukaku himself must be frustrated at how he gets 17 goals coming off the bench at West Brom but at Everton his goals have dried up. Is the service really better here? Or did WBA get the ball into the box quicker than we do? Maybe that's the type of service that suited Lukaku.

It's depressingly familiar that we still struggle scoring goals away from home despite a new manager with the new way of positive thinking. Since the start of November, our away games have read:

Palace 0-0
United 1-0 win
Swansea 2-1 win
Stoke 1-1
West Brom 1-1
Liverpool 0-4 lost
Spurs 0-1 lost

Five goals in our last seven away games is mediocre reading.

The end of last season our last 8 away games read.

Southampton 0-0
Man Utd 0-2 lost
Norwich 1-2 lost
Spurs 2-2
Arsenal 0-0
Sunderland 0-1 lost
Liverpool 0-0
Chelsea 1-2 lost

Four goals in our last 8 away games last season.

I think it's getting pretty obvious where Martinez has to find a way of improving us. It's one thing being hard to beat away from home but I would rather throw in a few more defeats if we could grab a couple more wins. We don't win enough away games.

David Hallwood
195 Posted 10/02/2014 at 11:21:11 Great report as ever, Ken. Because I had a do to go to and I've cancelled Sky, I had to rely on MotD highlights (contradiction in terms really). Reading the posts from various sites, we did enough to get all 3 points, most of them highlighting the fact that the home side had a single shot on target – but that's all you need if it goes in.
Although there is understandably lots of gloom and doom, I'll point out that there plenty of twists and turns (points) left in season. The old cliché "It's not over till the fat lady sings"... well, she hasn't even arrived at the gig yet, and injuries and suspensions can affect other teams regardless of squad. In addition the situation can change quickly.

Look at us; within a month we'd lost the back 4/5 Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku. Take any team above us and they may cope with these losses. For instance and without wishing injury on any player, but can you imagine how the RS would cope if Rat boy & Sturridge were injured/suspended at the same time or Hazard & Oscar for Chelsea.

Therefore there's still lots to play for, and to use the other old cliché, take each game as it comes.

BTW Jim Bennings (#173).

Adam Luszniak
208 Posted 10/02/2014 at 11:51:58 Phil, I suppose it depends on how you define progress really? Personally, if you had offered me seventh after Moyes had gone to Utd, and before we had a new manager I would have bitten your hand off. I expected instability in Moyes wake, and I was unsure when we got the new fella in.
So lets say Martinez only gets us 6th, and matches our position from last season. Would that be regarded as progress? I can see from your posts that you don't think so. Personally I would disagree. I have much preferred watching Everton this season. Admittedly our recent performances have lacked the style and finesse of games like the Goodison derby, the Newcastle game, or Arsenal away. But under our former manager, I don't think we ever played like we did at the Emirates this season.

You mention the focus on loan players as a negative. Well, that's a contentious issue, which the media seem to like getting on our back for. Now, of course I would like to have signed our loanees permanently. But, as we all know, that scenario is simply impossible. So if we don't have the money to sign new players like Lukaku permanently, does it make more sense to loan good players, or buy mediocre players? Are mediocre players going to help us push for Champions League? As I see it, Martinez is pushing the envelope of what this club can do with it's finances.

To focus on the loans solely is also only a small part of the picture. What about his permanent signings? Yes, we have seen next to nothing of Kone, and i'm sure none of us leapt for joy when he was signed. But we didn't all scream hurray when Barry was singed, and look at what an affect he has had on our play. Alcaraz too looks like a decent signing to me, despite injury. I think it is harsh to judge Martinez' permanent signings when we really have seen very little of them. Even the best players can get injured, as OFM knows only too well.

Tony J Williams
215 Posted 10/02/2014 at 12:23:12 To be fair Adam, we have a better team this year so we should at least stand still in terms of league placing.
Yes, the teams above have spent for fun so don't expect any joy in trying to overtake them, but we shouldn't be losing ground on the ones below us.

Phil, the drama queen, pretty much nailed the game (not the season) pretty, predictable and pointless.

If we have a 6 foot 8 fella on the bench, who is described as a striker, get him on. If he's not fit enough, why is he on the bench?

Patrick Murphy
269 Posted 10/02/2014 at 16:36:56 Roberto in his pre-match press conference explained that the big guy wasn't ready to play a part at WHL and that he put him on the bench to allow him to experience being part of the squad. I can only assume that only players who are named in the match-day squad are allowed to sit on the bench. Remember when Everton's bench at Villa Park in the Semi-Final was overflowing with injured players who were all in suit and ties celebrating a goal, times have changed.
Brent Stephens
273 Posted 10/02/2014 at 16:51:54 Tony "If we have a 6 foot 8 fella on the bench, who is described as a striker, get him on. If he's not fit enough, why is he on the bench?"
That was probably the most unfathomable part of the game for me.

Patrick, I don't know about only being allowed on the bench if you're in the squad. And does that mean full squad who travel or just the first XI plus subs? (Not that the first XI sit on the bench, but at times it feels as if that's where some are!). And there are all sorts of other club staff "on the bench" (ie in in the area reserved for us). So I'm really not sure why a non-sub squad member couldn't sit there.

Anyway, very curious he didn't get on. And exasperating for me. I'd have loved to have seen him as we would still have had supply coming from Delboy and others.

Linda Morrison
279 Posted 10/02/2014 at 17:21:14 In all honesty apart from a few over the last few weeks most of the players on the bench have not been 100% fit.

Stuffed them first half then shared the second half. Hit the post and bar and had a goal disallowed first half (rightly so) then they get three clear cut chances to win the game second half and blow it.

Best save all season (Gary McCallister) to stop one , second best stop all season to stop another and third I could have scored with my eyes shut but they couldn't afford me and Villa cocked it up

4 points from 3 games in Feb with one to go against Hull. Beat them and we got a chance of staying up , lose and we can kiss the PL goodbye.

Truth .... I don't fancy our chances.