Everton v Stoke Sat 27th August 15:00

[SALTIRE]

Match chat.

 

[MJA]

Hughes starting Crouch? Is that the best change of tactic he could come up with - to become Tony Pulis?

 

[Smudge]

http://onefootballforum.co.uk/index.php?xfa-blogs/smudge.361/

Maybe you should tell your players to stop grabbing in the box instead of blaming the authorities Mark...wasnt quite so critical of referees when he gave them dodgy winning penalties in the last 2 seasons at Goodison was he?

 

[MJA]

Nor was he when Stoke were on the right end of a truly awful decision from Mike Dean last week

How you feeling about Everton under the new regime Smudge? Two wins in the last week in games that maybe wouldn't have resulted in wins under Martinez

 

[Leewilson]

Will Hughes last the season?

Caught a glimpse of Everton's formation earlier and it looked like 3-4-3 with Baines and Bolasie as wingers? Is that how they're setting up now?

 

[MJA]

Will Hughes last the season?

Fans are slowly turning against him if the Oatcake is anything to go by. Talk of 'how long do we give him?' and fans turning against each other over whether he should remain

 

[Smudge]

Nor was he when Stoke were on the right end of a truly awful decision from Mike Dean last week

How you feeling about Everton under the new regime Smudge? Two wins in the last week in games that maybe wouldn't have resulted in wins under Martinez

I was actually expecting a slow start this season, with it taking a lot of time to iron out the remnants of what Martinez left behind. The lack of fitness, the sloppy marking, the weak mentality in defence etc. Obviously it hasnt all completely gone overnight of course (we were quite wobbly and tired against Spurs after they equalised for example) Its looking very good already though, Koeman has been pretty ruthless in making changes and making it clear what he wants, and the fact we're winning games while still working through our old problems can only be a good thing.

Will Hughes last the season?

Caught a glimpse of Everton's formation earlier and it looked like 3-4-3 with Baines and Bolasie as wingers? Is that how they're setting up now?

It was a definite 4-3-3 today. We started the first 2 games 3-4-3, with McCarthy and Baines as the wing back type players, mainly down to necessity I think, but he made changes as soon as it stopped working half an hour into the West Brom game. Its been 4-3-3 since, just with late subs bringing on Williams at West Brom, and Funes Mori today, going to a back 5 to see out the wins. Holgate and Baines played as traditional full backs today, Barry and Gueye in front of the defence, with Barkley pushing forward in the middle, Bolasie out right, Mirallas out left with Lukaku up front.

 

[MJA]

I was actually expecting a slow start this season, with it taking a lot of time to iron out the remnants of what Martinez left behind. The lack of fitness, the sloppy marking, the weak mentality in defence etc. Obviously it hasnt all completely gone overnight of course (we were quite wobbly and tired against Spurs after they equalised for example) Its looking very good already though, Koeman has been pretty ruthless in making changes and making it clear what he wants, and the fact we're winning games while still working through our old problems can only be a good thing.

I was amazed when I heard that you had tempted Koeman away from Southampton. You have such a great manager and to be fair it is what a club like Everton should have.

I suspect that Koeman is not finished in the transfer window just yet and would expect you to be finishing comfortably in the top 10 and pushing for a European spot with him at the helm. Says a lot about the guy that it appears the Lukaku saga has ended with him pledging his future to the club, because him leaving was a certainty with Martinez in charge

 

[Smudge]

Im unsure about the Lukaku thing. I never thought he'd leave this summer, only because we were in a strong position to ask a ridiculous transfer fee, and I dont think he's quite good enough yet to play for a really top European team...and thankfully his ego is that big, I dont think he'd leave us right now for anyone but those kinds of clubs!

Signings have been interesting this summer. We've got money for once, so I think some of our fans were expecting a Man City-esque binge. That was always unlikely, we're rich, but not that rich. Add to the fact we've finished mid table last 2 seasons and arent in Europe, we'renot a hugely attractive club at the moment, we need to be a bit more realistic in the kind of players we can attract right now and need to build up gradually. We're not going to attract any European megastar if there are other clubs in for them. Tha striker who just signed for Arsenal, we had a deal in place, but he wasnt interested because we're not in Europe. And we cant compete with Arsenal right now. We just have to build within our means for now, and do it right, in a few years, we'll hopefully be the kind of club these players do want to join.

Koeman so far also seems like he wont be pressured into making signings for the sake of it. The four signings we've made are all good players who have improved our first 11 and are in positions we needed. We do need a few more, but Id sooner we dont sign anybody, rather than sign someone for the hell of it who isnt good enough.

 

[HarvSFC]

Will Hughes last the season?

Caught a glimpse of Everton's formation earlier and it looked like 3-4-3 with Baines and Bolasie as wingers? Is that how they're setting up now?

What's that about the Derby midfielder?

 

[MJA]

I see what you mean. A bit like Man City when they were first rich and decided that splashing the cash on average European players was the way forward when it wasn't?

 

[Smudge]

I see what you mean. A bit like Man City when they were first rich and decided that splashing the cash on average European players was the way forward when it wasn't?

Yeah. We were linked earlier on the in the summer with the likes of Axel Witsel, who dont get me wrong, is a damn good player and I would have liked. But he sat around waiting for us and Napoli to make him a mind blowing offer, and in the end decided to stay at Zenit on his megabucks contract. As good a player he is, do we really want someone who doesnt want to be here?

 

[Leewilson]

Yeah. We were linked earlier on the in the summer with the likes of Axel Witsel, who dont get me wrong, is a damn good player and I would have liked. But he sat around waiting for us and Napoli to make him a mind blowing offer, and in the end decided to stay at Zenit on his megabucks contract. As good a player he is, do we really want someone who doesnt want to be here?

How's Mirallas playing this season Smudge?

 

[Smudge]

How's Mirallas playing this season Smudge?

Very well so far. He'll always be a frustratingly inconsistent player, but he looks a different player now Martinez is gone, work rate way up and getting involved in games so much more.

 

[MJA]

Very well so far. He'll always be a frustratingly inconsistent player, but he looks a different player now Martinez is gone, work rate way up and getting involved in games so much more.

Bet he loved seeing that Martinez has been given the Belgium job

 

[Smudge]

HA! He's in his first squad, which is a surprise! I think maybe he called him up just so he can big him up in the press all week then leave him on the bench! Thats pretty much what happened last season!