Lotus

Regardless of our style or ethos we have to develop the tactical discipline of when to be compact and when to go for it. As others have said, the onus was on Milan, we didn’t have to force anything. The way we lost our shape was quite surprising. Not sure what happened yesterday, can’t really blame inexperience as it was Schar’s run that put us in trouble. Still, it’s over now. Hard to say how well we’ll respond. I would normally think we will bounce back but the disappointment, the sheer adrenaline dump of it all coupled with the exhaustion and mental fatigue and the ridiculous fixture list might mean December will be a month of mixed results and performances. I must say, as gutted as I am I’m still not as despondent as I’ve been with bad results in the past. I have absolutely no doubt we’re moving in the right direction. It won’t be a linear progression but the overall trend is definitely upwards. It’s nice to think that no matter how sad I am now, the club will be better placed next year and even better equipped the year after. It certainly takes the edge off.

JL was great. Very happy to see him trying to make a difference in the box too (from CM). It adds so much more to our game when he can try to make direct influence in either box rather than just between the 2.

Thought Antony was also good when he came on. Has he turned a corner? Sounds like players might be acting out and ETH is having to discipline them regardless of their importance. Maybe they’re going over his head to complain about stuff, etc. Obvs I’m not gutted about this, personally ? Can understand your frustrations though.

I just think he’s suffering from being at a big club that’s failing. So much expectation on everyone but there’s nothing a few talented individuals can do on their own to right the ship.

I know Bruno Fernandes is not well liked here but he has a very good engine and a fantastic range of passing.

Watching him last night, it reminded me of a Simeone tactic. Where the forwards (was a front 2 then, I think) save their legs for any attacking play and the midfield has to work its bollox off ? Understand we’re looking after Isak due to our circumstances but I did wonder a good few weeks ago if this might come up. Still, probably just a case of him being knackered, fragile and our only hope…

Had a bad feeling he picked up a knock or a strain last night….

JL must’ve given their keeper the eyes. He’s dives to his left quite early . Nice bit of composure if so.

I was teasing and tbh it was a cheap shot? Enzo is a very good player. He looks out of sorts atm because that club is all over the place. I wish we had them both!

Apologies! I think @Kid Icarusis right. Was probably LFEE. Also, tbf Fernandez is an excellent player but that whole team is a long ways from the sum of its parts.

Got a bit of Toni Kroos about him.

If you're gonna f**k up. Do something great to make up of it. Job done.

Yeah, didn't even think the James' sending was a foul let alone another card. Still, James did play himself into that position.

Almiron is a better player on the left. More composed, better vision and passing.

Don't think he's that good in midfield when the game is tight, fast and technical. Once it stretches out a bit and slows down he looks like Brazilian international.

was it @leffe186 who said Enzo Fernandez was comfortably the better player?

Our best defensive fullback.

It's true, I haven't.

We’re all football fans tbh. They’ll be plenty of good Evertonians. There is plenty of utter knobheads who support NUFC. We’re all much of a muchness when it comes down to it. Never judge an entire fan base from afar.

Everton fans must be sick. Imagine blowing that much money for nothing. It’s one thing to have spent it, copped the penalty but at least look back on some glory years, cup runs, etc. But to have spent that much, now get nailed for it and the absolute shite they’ve had to watch for god knows how long. That must be really galling.

We need playmakers.

Clearly a crisis actor.

Pope Tino Jam Schar Hall Trips Longs Bruno Willock Joelinton Wilson

His run up the middle and then little through ball to Gordon was f**king lush like. Whole thing was inch perfect. Starting to think he's wasted on the right.

First of all, let’s not talk down about Konsa. He’s a good CB. His mishap against us is probably still too fresh in the mind but that kind of thing can happen to anyone. Villa are very much on the up. They wouldn’t sell a key player to a direct rival unless the fee was utterly exorbitant.