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...

Oh do grow up George.
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Back to Saturdays game and I link a view from from the home perspective here http://www.theargus.co.uk/sport/albion/14400733.Albion_Analysis__Late_lapse_expensive_but_Chris_Hughton_s_side_are_still_in_the_race/#comments-anchor

The "alleged" stamp by some was actually Barton jumping high to avoid being brought down by the player. However, the player twisted his body at the same time, to try and stay in the move. Outcome, as the players body and leg sprawled, Barton landed, with two legs naturally landing. No 'extra' pressure on either leg. Verdict: Innocent of wrongdoing.

Elbow - non starter. Jumped for the ball normally, eyes on ball all the way. defender slightly behind the jump and gets caught. happens all the time.
Verdict: Not even needed.

From my seat: Man Utd (A)
By Ken Buckley 03/04/2016 30 Comments [Jump to last]
More recent articles

From my seat: Man Utd (A)
Sin Dirección. Sin ánimo.
Uninspired and sloppy Blues fall to defeat again
Bracing For the Inevitable?
Martinez and Walker: A Match Made in Hell?
It's time for Everton to sensibly reintegrate John Stones back into the starting XI
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 - 0 EVERTON

A trip down the East Lancs to Old Trafford always has us wondering if this is the game where we show we can match them and come away with a win. We hope we have left our knives behind and gone with the correct armoury to contest a gun fight. The pre- game chat centred on the Lukaku interviews in Belgium and rather than berate the lad for disrespecting our club most thought he was probably ill advised to do it when he did but quite understandable considering the progress of the club since he joined on loan.

It was a good debate and before I knew it we had lost not only Lukaku but Stones, Barkley and Deulofeu as well as the fans assembled were in no doubt our present manager would only continue the backward trend. Although this view is gaining momentum today the Blue Army was not letting it show as it sung and chanted and had a good rehearsal of Wembley songs as support for the players was on show.

We had a big fanfare to laud Sir Bobby Charlton who had a stand named in his honour. His achievements in 60 years of being involved with the club were read out and warmly received.

We won the toss and changed ends and Man Utd kicked off. After just 10 mins I asked my mate if he had any idea who was playing where? We had eleven on the field and only the keeper and our two centre-backs looked have a position. Players were popping up all over the place in what was either a masterful tactical ploy or no one knew exactly what to do except run about a lot and at pace. Man Utd were looking no better and the game settled into a series of attacks from both teams that bothered defences very little.

Early on Barkley got on the ball and moved forward but instead of shooting he spread the ball wide to Deulofeu who came inside at pace beating two men but then ran into a further four and that chance was gone. Then Barkley disappeared from the game for a while. Stones was faring better than most as he seems to have had a few lessons in defending that carries minimum risk. In one piece of play he beat his man with a neat turn and strode out of defence with the ball, looked up, and delivered a peach of a pass but alas to a Red shirt. United then came close when the speedy Martial cut in from the right and his shot just missed the far post. 20 minutes gone and although the game was dull you could at least say it was even.

We gained a free kick in a good position for a Baines who swung it in but hit a defender and we got a corner. Baines took to the back post where Lukaku was lurking, he headed it back across goal, beat everyone so goal kick to Utd who went down the other end and gained a corner. The ball came into the box and from the melee Stones strode out and fed a fine ball to Lennon now popping up on the left and he fed Lukaku, his first touch was not of the required standard and he lost the ball and Utd had another spell at attacking our goal but with Jags and Stones solid we sort of scrambled the ball clear but with no one up it kept coming back into our box until thankfully one of their players headed hopelessly wide. For the last ten minutes of the half Utd were well on top but we kept them out with some great blocks from Jags and one superb sliding tackle from Stones and consequent clearance kept us level until the whistle.

Half-time: 0-0. It was quite an even half but our team looked as though it had been put together for a testimonial game. Some decent individual stuff but where oh where was the teamwork.

Second half and Man Utd made a sub we were as we started and we started as we had finished the first half so I wasn’t filled with too much hope yet the start of this half was when I thought we played our best stuff of the match. A little bit of joined up stuff crept in after we had realised that booting the ball directly at the lonesome unsupported Lukaku was only ever going to surrender possession. Baines linked with Jags and sent a grass cutter into the feet of Lukaku in the box, in one movement he turned and shot but alas the ball was diverted for a corner by the desperate lunge of his marker. Close that was.

Then after the corner was cleared Coleman at last found a decent pass and fed Deulofeu and he was off like a rat up a drainpipe only to be wrestled down By Blind who got no more than a telling off. It was a good squeal from Geri though. From the free kick Baines got a corner which he took and got another one that he swung in well that was poorly dealt with but Coleman following up hit a hard shot but it never had a chance of getting through all the bodies in the box. We did have a loud handball shout though as the ball seemed to hit a defenders arm, the Ref who was Mr Marriner, contemptuously waved the protestations away.

The game meandered on and became quite open as both teams had good reason to get a result albeit for differing reasons. The Utd manager made tweaks to his teams approach by the introduction of subs yet our man was unmoving on that front. This paid off for them after the 50min mark when the move of the day saw a long diagonal ball of some 60 yards found a Utd man who controlled it first time with aplomb fed it inside to a player who back heeled it into the path of his team mate who crossed across goal and at the far post Coleman seemed to completely miss the ball leaving Martial the simple task of hitting off the sprawling Robles and into the net. Somehow we just knew that it was going to be yet another loss for us. This thought was compounded just minutes later when Deulofeu put in a great corner that our captain showed grit and fight in losing his man and firing in a superb header that beat the keeper all ends up but not the crossbar. Wouldn’t you just know it?

I wondered about a sub for us as we reached the hour mark as we may as well go two up top or even three and go for it as we looked toothless as it was. At that moment Mirallas was sent on but alas it was like for like as Deulofeu went off.

Barkley was just flitting in and out of the game and each time I noticed him he always seemed to be about 5yds either side of the halfway line and rarely running at their back line. Surely he should be up behind Rom as the Belgian was on starvation rations and we are 1-0 down plus the fact Utd were looking no better than us.

Mirallas was bringing a bit of help with some sharp play but it was always breaking down in their box through a myriad of reasons that most could be traced back to poor first control of the ball. One of these Mirallas inspired moves at last saw Barkley surge to the left of the penalty area but his well hit cross merely cleared everyone and went for a throw in on the opposite flank.

The game petered out with both sides having spells of attacking and both sides were guilty of failing to even look like capitalising on some reasonable approach work. To be fair you could highlight nearly moments like if Lukaku had been more aware of a Coleman cross, If Jags could have got more power and height from a corner kick, if Lukaku and Cleverly could have got shots off after bursting through but it was all IF. We were though trying to stage a grandstand finish with play fashioned by the players on the park.

I would have liked to see the manager show some understanding of our position and try something, anything that just might have aided the player’s mind-set and confidence but he just seemed to stand there and let them get on with it without his help. We sometimes laugh at the antics of certain managers but at least the players know they care as much as them. Do you know I think he made it worse when he sent on Niasse for Barkley at the death only for our £13.5 million pound man merely impersonate a footballer. That may be a bit harsh but it was how I was feeling when I jotted it down.

The whistle went and yet again we come off the ground feeling low after yet another loss.
MotM: Jagielka or Stones for me

Overall it was an unspectacular game that I am sure I was not alone in thinking that with a bit more of a joined up team effort we could have got the points with a bit to spare. We have the players to do it as we have witnessed it on a few occasions but never with a consistency that should get the rewards. Game after game we wonder which Everton will turn up. Game after game we seem semi prepared for a loss. And we all end up where we started Game after game we ask what the manager is doing about it.

The manager has stated we can shop at Harrods now but the real question for the board is. -. Whichever players he gets can he make a joined up team out of them as so far you have to say this is not happening with what he has now.

It is easy for us fans to say he must go but with the words coming out of Goodison it seems he is here for a while yet but surely the decline over three seasons cannot be just brushed under the carpet especially when some of his players now seem to have itchy feet. Three seasons seems a reasonable length of time to see progress or not and at least convene a board meeting to look into our prospects by leaving things as they are or indeed looking for a clear out and head hunt someone who can meet the ambition of our new board and take advantage of player investment.

With the chance of a cup final in the offing it is sad to be talking like this but cup win or not if we stay as we are then any players we get that show real progression will be cherry picked so that they can fulfil their ambitions and we will forever be playing catch up from a middle of the table position being billed as the best nursery in the Premier League.

Still maybe a miracle is on the horizon and we will be FA Cup holders and back in Europe with a joined up consistent team. Here’s hoping.

UP THE BLUES

COMMENTS :-

We played like a team without a manager.
Niasse played like a man without a brain.



I sat just behind Elstone and Woods in the Directors box at Old Trafford today. No sign of Moshiri or Kenwright I'm afraid.
We looked hapless and hopeless at the same time. Can't recall ANY shots on goal in the first half, were just sailing into obscurity with this guy in charge. Once again his team selection was simply bizarre, Lennon playing the No 10 role, just behind Lukaku. Result, Lennon looked like a player who arrived on a 'free' from Tottenham, wait hang on.

Equally bizarre was the substitution of Delafaou shortly after halftime, not one of Gerry's greatest games, but the only player actually getting at the United back four and putting in some decent crosses.

The player's must truly despair at what is happening at the club, and further proof, that the longer Martinez stays, the more damage he is doing.

In essence, we were absolutely 'lifeless' today, four losses from the last five games tells it's own story, thank God we have enough points on the board to probably keep us out the relegation dogfight at the bottom.

Is there anybody out there who still believes he is the man to take us forward?



In a word......no!

Mr Martinez is going nowhere. Mr Kenwright is the Chairman and he will decide who goes and who stays. If he believes in Roberto, then we all must trust his judgement.
Next season will be very different. Mr Martinez will have a Plan B. Championship, here we come!!!

Burnley v The Carduffers tonight and with coverage on R5 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35914247

.. Where is he? -):

Shock of the night in the Carduffers cup final as they take a point at the fortress 0-0 http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35914247

.. I bet we see him now -):

0-0 But lots of chances missed by both sides last night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQ_TAKKW7d0

Well the Spanish are letting in goals....four so far in the quarter-finals....blimey....

Five now.....

He's disappeared again -):

Remarkable result from Man-City....they have a chance now...but it will not be easy as PSG are an excellent team !....so JH and team-mates will have to be at their very,...very best in the return leg !.....

Good result for them - must say I was rather surprised and yet to see/read the detail

well done City

How is it many Evertonians are asking, that a columnist in the Crystal Palace fanzine can see what the Everton Board can't?

Roberto Martinez likes to talk.

Whether he's suggesting Ross Barkley is going to become an England great, Gareth Barry is an England great or Tony Hibbert should be the next Bond, Martinez loves a bit of hyperbole.

Unfortunately for him, the stagnation of a side containing what is surely one of the brightest sets of youngsters in European football that he has overseen is not something to shout about. Toffees have had enough of talk and want performances and results; Martinez might just have between now and the end of the season to save his job such is the frustration fans have with the Spaniard.

A draw at out of form Watford on Saturday won't have done anything to appease angry Blues, especially having heard Martinez hang Leighton Baines out for comments he made about team chemistry. Perhaps worthy of a behind closed doors clip round the ear at most, Everton fans have gone mental at hearing a manager they have little time for at the moment go for a player with the fan adoration, even if he's not had the best season himself, that Baines has. It was not a smart move by a manager clearly starting to feel the pressure.

The match typified Everton's season. Go one up on the stroke of half time and yet find a way of going into the break level. They're flimsy. Game management, a feature that has ever growing importance in the top flight, appears to be skill that Martinez and his side are without. There's no doubting the individual abilities of some of Everton's players but they clearly lack common sense at important times. The corner leading to Watford's equaliser was completely avoidable but John Stones, instead of putting the ball out for a throw 30 yards from his goal plays a very 'interesting' back pass to the less than mobile Joel and the keeper's miscontrol leads to a set piece unnecessarily.

While home advantage is deemed an inherent advantage for football teams, nobody has told Martinez and his team this season. Just four league wins at home have left the Goodison faithful short changed. Three of those wins have come against the clubs who currently occupy the bottom three places in the league table; a testament to the dreadful form displayed by The Toffees in the comfort of their own place.

Like us, Everton have Wembley on the horizon although they remain in the odd position of not knowing their opponents as Manchester United and West Ham only play their Emirates FA Cup sponsored by Greggs and Aldi Sixth Round Replay on the same evening that we welcome Everton to Selhurst.

Also like us, the Premier League has rearranged Everton a fixture for just few days before the pivotal trips to Wembley. While we head to Old Trafford, Everton make the short trip across Stanley Park to Anfield and face Liverpool. Martinez finds himself in the precarious position of having to prepare for a derby, one of the biggest games in the minds of fans, with the semi final three days later. He'll need to use his squad smartly otherwise he’ll no doubt face further grief from the Everton faithful.

Another issue between now and the end of the season that the Everton boss has to deal with the fact there's a new influence in the board room and he'll be wanting more than Everton's current league position for his investment. The rest of this season may well be an audition for the Everton boss. Is Martinez the right man to handle greater expectations and what is likely to be a bigger budget?

Farhad Moshiri, a former investor in Arsenal has bought a 49.9% share in The Toffees and ended the wait for the foreign investment that much of the Premier League has already received. There was talk of American investment but it seems that was a smokescreen for Moshiri's bid.

A new stadium, improved facilities and greater investment in playing staff are all issues on the agenda come pre season although the stadium question is one that's difficult to answer. While Goodison Park is one of the greatest and most iconic grounds remaining in English football, there are limitations with what can be done with it regarding capacity and the very 21st century problem of limited 'corporate' facilities. With Liverpool embarking upon impressive improvements of Anfield, it seems unlikely they'll be a ground share any time soon and the various sites that have been discussed in the past, Kings Dock the most famed, always provide issues, be it financially or politically. Evertonians will be hoping that Moshiri's money will provide answers to the stadium question but whether that involves relocating remains to be seen.

A lot has been said about the possible departures of Everton’s young stars, in particular Romelu Lukaku. The Belgian striker has scored 18 league goals this season and has been at the forefront of a lot of the good Everton have done this season. His form has bought attention from across Europe and there are almost certainly going to be bids for the striker. In light of the new investment and huge wealth that the overseas television deal will bring with it, Everton won’t have to sell unless the money suits them and they believe they can get an adequate replacement in.

Having spent most of last summer handling the John Stones/Chelsea issue, Everton will be hoping that they don’t spend this summer doing the same and if Lukaku is to move on, they will want it done on their terms and in good time.

If Palace make it two wins out of two, we will hit the 40 point mark and go above Everton. If you think our second half of the season has been dodgy, imagine being an Evertonian and being a defeat away from being 15th with just six games to go.

This season offered so much but is in great fear of frittering away, much like this very promising squad.

Mıssıng out on a trıp to Leıcester due to beıng out the country. Especıally as whats at stake for them. Would lıke them to wın league after slıppıng up tomorrow.

Arsenal all over Crystal palace, in excess of 70% of possession . 1-0 at half time.

Arsenal gave it away with a 1-1 draw.

Whether or not Vardy swore is up in the air, but it is alleged Vardy called referee Jon Moss a “F****** C***” after being red carded.Leicester gave the lead away as well. Perhaps they have done enough to win the title or will spurs.

Did Vardy deserve to be sent off against West Ham?

No idea D/C as I didn't see it.. but can see the Arsenal challenge fizzing out again.

Do you think that Wenger will survive again?

Andre Gray named Championship Player of the Year http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/36069123

Great battle for the top two places ın Champıonshıp.

Certainly is CD with more twists to come.