Match Day Everton v Liverpool, Monday 19th December 20:00

[shane]

Not bad for a shit player eh, imagine if he had decent team mates.
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To be fair, those are pretty impressive stats. Whats the issue with him then? Is it attitude? Desire?

Hes widely considered a huge talent yet he hasn't really pushed on since first "bursting" on to the scene years ago.

 

[johnnytodd]

To be fair, those are pretty impressive stats. Whats the issue with him then? Is it attitude? Desire?

Hes widely considered a huge talent yet he hasn't really pushed on since first "bursting" on to the scene years ago.

He's simply too bottom heavy, trying to carry that arse around for 90 minutes would tire anyone out. Plus he has been asked to play so many roles in them 3 -4 years his heads gone, confidence gone etc........he should be played behind the front 2 without the need to tackle or chase back.

Not sure if he is in Koemans plans we'll see next summer...........this current team is being asked to play a totally different way to what they have been doing for the last 2 or 3 years.........its no coincidence are best 2 players are Koemans 2 signings.

 

[johnnytodd]

Countinho Firminio Barkley would turn him into player i would say that too

i think i'm growing up?

 

[SALTIRE]

Barkley needs proper coaching to bring him on and Martinez was too brain dead to do it properly and Koeman isn't interested.

 

[G-Dragon]

 

[G-Dragon]

If anyone missed carra's reaction to the Mane goal.
https://twitter.com/SoccerAM/status/810972063183896576

 

[johnnytodd]

If anyone missed Carragher growing up.......lolz the shitehouse

 

[Bilo]

Lovren is far too inconsistent for a team with our ambitions, I'd keep him for backup but that's it. The jury is still out on Matip, has done well but let's see how he does for the rest of the season assuming he plays regularly. The same applies to Klavan, although as backup he's unlikely to get a regular spot to prove himself. Milner has done very well, but he's not a natural left back and is clearly not there long term, nor should he be. In short, out of our outfield defensive players, the only one I'm happy with is Clyne.

As for keepers, Mignolet doesn't cut it, and he's the better of the two options which tells you everything you need to know about Karius. Klopp needs to accept his mistake with the latter and buy, but this won't happen before the summer and knowing Klopp, not even then.

As for our league position, it's despite rather than because of our defensive abilities.

Well I don't watch Liverpool enough to justify a call over you who I assume watches them regularly. Seems to me that there is still that potential for goals to be leaked. Some of the defending this season, and as recent as the Bournemouth game, has been schoolboy stuff and could ultimately be costly enough for any serious title challenge. If you are seeing enough in the back line to suggest progress is being made then I will take your word for it but it might just mean accepting a top 4 spot this season with title challenges beginning next season when the defensive partnerships have settled

I actually broadly agree with both of you. But january, for me, is a transfer window for urgent needs or exceptional opportunities. The former I don't think we have and the latter I obviously know very little about. But the bottom line for me is that right now, we're at a good enough place to not have to A) pay the overprice that comes with the january window and B) risk unsettling a squad which has had too many arrivals and departures for so many years now.

Essentially, for me, there's a value in having quiet windows and for us, that value is stronger than it has been for a long time. And for once, we don't really have any urgent needs. Our expectations for the season were to challenge for the top four, and we're well ahead of that. Even though it is indeed despite our defense. But then again, transfers hasn't really looked like a good solution to our defensive woes in hindsight.

 

[G-Dragon]

I hear James Rodriguez is available..

 

[SALTIRE]

Don't want him.

 

[Stevencc]

Don't want him.

Why not? Because he plays for Real or because you can't afford him?

 

[Benji]

Has Ross Barkley improved at all in 5 years?

 

[Red]

Not bad for a shit player eh, imagine if he had decent team mates.
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Hmm, doesn't step up in big games.

 

[johnnytodd]

Hmm, doesn't step up in big games.

Or v Liverpool

 

[johnnytodd]

Has Ross Barkley improved at all in 5 years?

His tackling has just ask ForestGump

 

[SALTIRE]

Why not? Because he plays for Real or because you can't afford him?

And I don't think he is that amazing tbh. I've seen him produce wonders for Colombia but he doesn't do it often enough and for the outlay to get him and pay him, I don't think its worth it.

 

[Red]

Or v Liverpool

At home to Liverpool IS your biggest game of the season and Barkley was a shambles in it.

 

[johnnytodd]

At home to Liverpool IS your biggest game of the season and Barkley was a shambles in it.

Well we are your parent club so you do have a point

 

[merseyboyred]

That was enjoyable. Very enjoyable.

 

[Pagnell]

That was enjoyable. Very enjoyable.

Yeah. There was something about winning in stoppage time with a single goal that is, in some ways, more enjoyable than drubbing them 0-4.

 

[Bilo]

The kick is obviously much bigger. During our free flowing scoring runs I find myself celebrating the goals a bit less; they're expected in a way. But when you score a stoppage time winner, especially at 0-0, there's not a better feeling.

 

[danbylfc]

No matter what team that feeling of a 94th minute winner is epic but when it's Everton it is ofcourse ever so sweeter and also that the added time was for baines injuring their own goalkeeper. Mane Christmas Everton.