Lush Vlad

The bloke who stood next to the corner flag for about 15 minutes in our game not warming up. Who then seemingly refused 3-4 times to return to the bench so he could be subbed on. Is acting like a petulant twat because of a joke on a podcast? Shock.

Other - another one for Isak's first against Spurs. The best goal is Almiron's. But I have wrongly voted for favourite goal.

I know Howe might change tack if he were to get more elite players for more defined, specialist roles to work with. But it seems he has been favouring athletes, runners and height a lot of the time and that we’ve not been too rigid with positions in the traditional sense. We don’t really play with a playmaker or number 10 type or out and out wingers, for that matter. So that might help him. But I agree he hasn’t yet looked suited to playing out wide in our current set up. The fact he can press effectively and he’s fast is a good starting point for Howe to work with, I guess. He’s shown some flashes on the ball like you mention. But it does feel like he is going to play a more hybrid role. The same way Willock and Joelinton have done at times this season. Usually very effectively and all. EDIT: I like that he tries to play off both feet, when he needs to. Always annoys me that more pro footballers don’t do it and take a punt (literally at times) on their weaker foot.

Watched the second half on my phone in a bar. Everywhere has Sevilla v Juve on over here. Landed in Ibiza just before half time. Pray for Vlad, I may die. Fucking love this group of players.

This is the main area we need to strengthen, for me. Bar Bruno, who isn’t as physical or mobile as the other midfield options. We have 3 other senior centre mids who are all workhorses and contribute in different ways. But none of them are particularly decent on the ball when it comes to passing, or showing for it wherever they are on the pitch (like Bruno does). Feels like the way we build attacks is totally unbalanced and clueless, at times.

I DON’T AGREE WITH THAT IN THE WORKPLACE!

It might only have been Brentford when Toney was offside. So recency bias is clouding my view. But I said at the time, I feel like we’ve conceded this goal a lot this season. Static and slow to react to the second ball off a cross or set piece. Bournemouth away and West Ham at home from corners? Spurs? It’s like we are statues watching the first contact. Then still don’t move for the second.

I’m not as convinced as others. But obviously hope it works out for him. His end product was crap at Everton and it’s not been much better here. Granted, he’s had limited chances to prove himself. Early days at Everton. I remember being really impressed with how direct, fast and skilful he was. Plus the fact he played off both feet. Maybe it was because he was an unknown quantity when he first burst on the scene, or perhaps he played with more freedom. But he hasn’t played like that in a long while now. I think he’ll end up being a squad player, which might be fine in the long run. Just a big fee for someone at this stage.

He is a very handsome chap.

His refusal to even try and square it 5 yards on his right foot is rage inducing. He makes so many great runs that end up being pointless. As he always wants 3 touches to chop back. Then gets crowded out.

I did much prefer HBA and I understand the frustrations with ASM’s constant injuries. But it feels like we are all doing what Pardew did with HBA, when it comes to ASM. Not getting something from him, despite only getting a 20-30 minute cameo and he’s always the scapegoat. Not the fucker that was on before him and also achieved fuck all from out wide in twice the amount of time. He’s an unpredictable, low percentage flair player. His game really hasn’t changed that much over the years. I don’t fully understand the shift in opinion with ASM.

I thought he worked hard. But was mainly dreadful when it came to making a decision. He always wanted 3-4 touches, as per usual. His lack of quality and also the ability to even touch it with his right foot, when he gets in behind kills us.

He looks a bit off the pace. Guessing that is from his ankle or a bit of burn out. I feel he is a victim of his own success, mind. By his own high standards, he has certainly been below par of late. But when comparing to some of the others today and some of his positive contributions. If he was shite. Then fuck knows what words we’d need to describe some of the others. I thought collectively, we were just not at it. Schar and Pope had quality games, I thought. Burn was solid enough. Other than that, it was frustrating or brain dead performances all round.

Schar or Pope probably MOTM. Attacking wise I thought we were woeful and the midfield was a total mess. Shit result that. They are dreadful and we needed two pens to score. Still think we’ll get top 4. But fuck me. Stuttering over the line with performances like that. Too many below par today.

The northern chap that sounds like he has a mouthful of food all the while? He was somehow more irritating than Humphrey on the Howe one. I’d like to listen to this. As Trippier is great to listen to. But not sure I can handle the cringefest, again.

How Keane has kept Mina out the 11 for this long is one of the season’s biggest mysteries! He’s been their best player after McNeil and Iwobi.

Yeah. Lazy as fuck from Mac Allister, I think it was? Runs off him and he proper half arses it once he realises he’s got away. Like a token gesture of trying to look like he’s putting some effort in. You’d be fuming as a Brighton fan. Pretty inexcusable half hour into a game. This WOOOOOOO song is absolutely dreadful

Be interesting to see what we do with our press when we play Brighton. They’re unreal with their build up and can easily cut you apart from back to front. They always have options and can pass round any players pressing high. But then watching this. Everton are getting joy winning it back high when they actually commit bodies forward. They have had a couple of openings from doing so. Risk/reward.

Viagogo wasn’t it?

Rat terrier.

*for us

Perhaps bad timing from me, seeing as they just scored 6 against Wolves. But for years now, for all their sexy football. They have been toothless in attack a lot of the time. Mad that with all of their scouting and bargain pick ups. They have never managed to find a prolific striker, that also fits their system.

It sounds steep. But when you think what the likes of Antony, Sancho and Mudryk went for and how daft prices are becoming. It doesn’t sound so bad.

What an odd post Do you not watch it and just think it sounds like a woman? Which is exactly what they sound like?! Why are 13 year old boys on your mind all the while? FWIW, I found it quite jarring at first. As it was just different and a higher pitch. There is one on MOTD/BBC who has a really annoying voice and shit way of describing the game. But others who I don’t even notice as bad or good or are totally fine. Then the pundits can be very hit and miss. But what’s new there? Most of the male pundits and ‘experts’ get panned all the while on here and in general.