Beren

Good sense, here. I wonder what Pardew's plan was, what he communicated to the players... I really don't know. Anyone who had the ball in a forward position was generally desperately isolated. Very tough second half coming up. Hope Pardew shows some balls, admits he was wrong and takes off Lovenkrands as soon as possible.

Despite our crap play we've created some panic in their box - obviously with only one striker on the pitch we haven't been able to capitalise. Missing Gutierrez - no one is running it out of our half - just hoofing it forward. What a miserable match.

Yawn. We're just waiting to get beat with this set up.

I do like how vocal Campbell seems to be in organising the defence.

If prices quoted are true, great thread

U. Rennie

Bloody hell man, couldn't Ireland/Best at least invite Peter to go out to the club with them FFS?

Prepared to eat my words if I'm wrong, but Mr No-Physical-Presence over Nile 'Can leap tall buildings in a single bound and run at hulking immobile defenders' Ranger?

:lol: That's outrageously bad.

Okay, so if I understand this correctly - in a season where Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea and Tottenham were all vying for three domestic trophies... ...on our first season back to the Premier League, not knowing the luck of the draw, having our right back as cover for our left back, and James Perch as cover for him, and Smith and Nolan as our central midfield starters and Peter Lovenkrands as our third choice striker... ...you would have been okay with, nay!, encouraged us to try and go for a cup run and avoid the above five teams for as long as possible... risking replays, injuries, suspensions, media despair and possible relegation? If your answer to that is yes, then fine - I have nothing further to say. I would contend that we have had an almighty successful season thus far. Looking at what Birmingham achieved is stupid - given that: a) well, they just comfortably lost 3-1 at home to West Brom and us (with the formidable Lovenkrands leading the line) and are heading towards a dark place b) they have eleven injuries c) there was no guaranteed trade-off between them committing to the cups in exchange for the league, and they just as easily could have been knocked out in the semis, quarters or whenever The fact that they did win it is actually irrelevant to the gamble they took.

It was bad. And so it probably couldn't have been any worse if we'd given it a go in the cups - what's your point? My point is it could very easily have been worse. Not sure why you seem to think it "probably" couldn't have been or what "probably" is based on. Bumped for JH. You were worried about our home form meaning relegation for the first half of the season - but now you think we should have attacked one or both of the cups?

Bit potty, but an unlikely huge upsurge in form could be the worst thing for Everton. You finish the season strongly again and it papers over the season's cracks for a summer and limited investment occurs. The Everton season cycle begins again - slow start, strong finish. Then again, brushing shoulders with relegation would make you less attractive to potential signings.

It was bad. And so it probably couldn't have been any worse if we'd given it a go in the cups - what's your point? My point is it could very easily have been worse. Not sure why you seem to think it "probably" couldn't have been or what "probably" is based on.

To those suggesting we "had a go" at the cups this season - you did see the fit players remaining on the pitch at the end of the Everton game, right?? The only mistake we did make in the cups was trying to salvage something against Stevenage by throwing Tiote on as a sub and losing Tiote for the next three games.

Well, ignoring his recent form/quality of crosses/lazy stereotyping... ...Stoke might do worse at defending crosses that don't leave the ground!

Do the counters get reset in three games time then? Does it then become a one match ban?

Silver-tongued words towards from Lawro by his usual standard, but he'll surely have a brown tongue from:

No punishment necessary - Stoke still don't know that Pardew intends to play him at RB and Simpson at LM to solve our LB's injury.

On reflection, it's an internet forum - you can care about what you like - not my place to judge, if you're still hurt by his move you're still hurt by it. When Bent was sold to Aston Villa, RTG began piously following his every move, praying for every misfortune they could fathom to befall Aston Villa etc - I just thought it was a bit sad and typical of a club like Man City/Spurs/Sunderland (who were used to living in the shadows of more illustrious neighbours) and were used to it. I would like to think we won't still be dedicating as much of our forum bandwidth to him once he's had a few games with them - maybe it's as much as it is currently because he's only just had his first start.

The continuing obsession with him is a bit baffling to me. At points last night, the Other Games Thread looked like the front page of threads on RTG after our 6-0 Villa win (and their 1-0 loss to West Brom). I know it was one of the few games being played at the time, but it's more the type of posts. I thought it would have abated by now is all, I suppose.

Barcelona aren't unbeatable by any stretch of the imagination IMO - especially given how profligate in front of goal they can be -especially Villa.

Holy crap. (That was going to be my response no matter what though). Inter v Schalke was inevitable, somehow.

Lifted from Skysports, a grim reminder of what awaits:

But he did say Andy Carroll is not for sale, when he was not in the position to do so. Howay man, what else could he say? Keep his big trap shut for a change Honestly, the only reason the crap rumours going around about Barton not playing because he is on strike/jockeying for a better contract have 0% credibility instead of 1% is because Pardew hasn't told the world and his wife every last detail about it.