Bit surprised at the amount of rather questionable yer da jokes on here about an opposition player because he has quite a lot of hair... In terms of the match it looks like Norwich might be a contender for a historically low points tally, because they could barely even threaten when we were down to ten. In terms of our performance, I didn't think we looked like we'd even improved, particularly; we were incredibly sloppy often with both our passing and our positioning, and despite the goal (which was aided heavily by a large deflection) there's no more that can really be said about Gray. I'm not sure that gave me any more confidence in our ability to survive under Quique, or that we have now seen a new dawn rise, but I'm obviously pleased for the 3 points, praying for possibly the first time in my life for an Everton win and hoping my assessment turns out to be wrong. (If Richarlison bangs in the third of his perfect hat trick later on today and wheels away screaming 'this is for you 'Orns' I'll forgive him the relentless twattery he's displayed since he left us.)
Crikey that feels ao much better! Hopefully a weight has been lifted after that win. Nice to see Alex Dolgopolov come on for Norwich, I wondered where he'd disappeared to! Best wishes to Burnsy and Mrs Burnsy.
The argument about Gray just goes round and round: “He shouldn't be starting, he’s better coming off the bench.” “He scores goals, he should be in the team.” “He can’t play up front on his own.” “He’s better in a pair with Deeney.” “He shouldn't be starting, he’s better coming off the bench.” It’s a pity, but the truth is he’s not really a good enough footballer for a PL team.
Huge relief to get the win . It was a disjointed performance and we looked vulnerable down the right In the first half ( but sorted it out second half.. apparently because Janmaat was pressing a bit more ) . Two moments of quality from Gerry were the real difference . Hopefully that will give us the confidence to kick on now , especially with Deeney back in the side . It’s still hard to imagine how performances like That are going to get us enough points but it’s a start . Norwich look doomed they were very poor and couldn’t take advantage of our weakness first half . An attacking team would have had a field day last night with that Norwich defence . On the Gray debate ... He has always looked better playing in a 2 alongside Troy as There is some Understanding there and Troy is our best link between midfield and forwards. He shouldn’t be played up front on his own and he doesn’t really work with anyone else . He is limited i. ability , we know this . But he does get in good positions and he does put the ball in the net ( ok he also misses a few ! ) which is something we desperately need , so for that reason I would have Gray coming off the bench rather than starting if we need a goal , especially if Deeney is on the pitch . He did it a lot last season as well. If he hadn’t have scored we may have panicked more as I think the 2 goal cushion gave us a bit more confidence when a man down so think his goal was very important . He will score other important goals for us this season do not sure what people are expecting from him .
What is this underlying reason for our current injury list and fitness issues of which you speak? You can't appeal yellow cards. Only a straight red. Therefore you can't appeal a red for two yellows.
I sort of felt sorry for the bloke. He is obviously trying 100% but absolutely nothing was coming off for him. He was crestfallen.
I wouldn't worry about Gray. I'm happy he plays for us given our striking options. He just has too much hatred from some observers on this forum who would rather look for the bad and pick on it even if he does score. Everyone knows he's not technically gifted but neither is half our team but he will get called out for it by these observers. His goal yesterday was excellent. Just look at his movement. Hunger to get to the ball first and a finish that if Aguero had scored it Carragher and Neville would be wetting themselves over it. But as it was Gray the haters just say it was luck. Keep yer chin up Andre!
It also seems that we generally have a bright start due to our pressing and often an early chance in matches . We scored early vs Spurs and Newcastle as well . If that early chance comes we need to take it though . Doucoure had that chance vs Bournemouth and didn’t take it and we only drew . Happily we did take it last night !
Don't think we want this - best thing for us is for both Everton and Southampton to stay in the "relegation mix" so I reckon a draw would be better than an Everton win.
You originally said that “Our next four is about as winnable a string of games as you could hope to receive in the Premier League”. You seem to have modified that position in this post. Perhaps you had overlooked just how well Leicester have been doing? I agree with the modification. Three are winnable. Winning the other would be a significant surprise, at the very least.
Usually in that situation I'd agree, but I just can't see Everton seriously being in danger of relegation. Silva is a dead man walking and they have so much money; worst case scenario they'll chuck money at a striker in January and go on a purple patch that will lift them to midtable.
Happy to say I called it on shoutbox that Gray would score - had a strong premonition. And it was an improvised brilliantly taken goal. Wish I had the same premonition feeling about the lottery.
Agree with this. I don’t think there are any fans that are particularly loving the football, or that it was the best appointment. His results so far though are not that bad, or at the very least give us a chance. If we look at the results so far under QSF and assumed they continued in a similar vein (7 points from 8 games), we would end up with 33 points, almost certainly not enough. However if we then consider the difficulty of the opponents over that period (taking into account home and way) he has actually marginally overachieved what would be required to hit 40 points (7 points vs 6.5). Projected over a season that would be 42 points, or 39 points if you deduct the handicapped start from Gracia. In other words at the moment he has got us to the point where at least we are competitive and could get enough points to survive. It really now is down to if he can get the squad to build on this win and gain some confidence. Key will be to stop players getting injured.
No he isn't. Imagine Foster with the same great positioning but same routine inability to do what he's basically employed to do.
One or two new recruits for the back line wouldn't go amiss. I reckon we were stronger at the back in the first year under QSF. If we could get that sorted then the goals will come from a much stronger attacking unit than a lot of teams have
We are in the mix to stay up and that's a relief. The Premiership is full of mediocre teams this year and our new found ability to keep clean sheets is a big advantage. On the contrary to what was said on TV, the international break has come at a good time for us. Deeney doesn't need to be rushed back and a few others can be coaxed back to fitness.
Game day boys and girls. Confident this will be our happiest Saturday in months, had the strangest dream last night where we actually won, it was really realistic too! Odd I know but I awoke this morning with a rather pleasing feeling of relief and happiness. Hopefully the same at 5pm this afternoon. COYH.
I certainly don’t think things are looking hopeless, Flores has only been appointed because the team and previous coach had lost it, therefore he had to:- 1 halt the slide 2 boost morale 3 stop leaking poor goals 4 manufacture clean sheets 5 turn defeats into draws 6 turn draws into wins The above he has achieved with no recognised centre forward (although so far just one win) he has Troy Deeney to come back which if he plays to his strength can only improve things, plus the possible emergence of Sarr and our new January arrival, then if we are still in contention for staying up in January the possibility of a little tweaking! All is not lost, looking forward to beating Burnley with Troy getting the winner!
What is this feeling I have today? A sort of carefree whimsy about life, football and the weekend. Very peculiar sensation but I'm not too sure about how long it'll last? Might even watch MOTD...or have a look at the championship table to see how bad the luton scum are.
I didn't even realise there was a football highlights programme on Saturday evenings anymore. As far as I knew it stopped in April?
I thought exactly the same. Hopefully Pereyra will not be too badly injured and can rest. Capoue only just back. Deeney either fit to or come for a good portion of the second half. Prodl back for half an hour before another injury...
There was a highlights programme even before football started in 1992. Dunno what they showed though.