MSC26

Even now, I still hate the bloke. What an awful, arrogant chancer.

Shows signs of being a good player, gets injured. Rinse and repeat. A shame.

GERRARD :frantic: :frantic: No chance.

Koemen is simply speaking the truth here. Lukaku was touted as the next big thing when he was at Anderlecht. If he has never progressed from a top 8 team in his career, as Everton are, then he would be one of those who is remembered for not reaching their potential. If he turns around and scores 25 goals this season and goes to Arsenal for example, then he can look back on his career knowing he played for a top club. Everton aren't going to reach that sort of level realistically, and Lukaku needs to leave if he is going to be what he was touted as. Personally, I don't rate Lukaku that highly and think he is a perfect fit for Everton. He'll score the goals they need, but I don't think he'll be the main striker at a big club and I think he needs to be that.

After 8 months, I still think it is absolutely mental that he is our manager. I can't quite believe it still. Rafa Benitez. What a man.

He's my mates brother. Not spoke to him for a while (last time I did, he was at Blyth), but he absolutely hates Beardsley. Wasn't he really highly thought of at one point? I remember being hungover and was sat watching Accrington Stanley (I think v. Portsmouth) a few year ago. James Beattie was managing Accrington and he was in the Sky studio afterwards, saying what a player Richardson is going to be. I saw him driving a brand new Merc near the training ground not long before he was released. It's a cliché but they get too much too young. Something obviously went wrong somewhere.

The system works fine I think. The only thing I'd change, if it is still actually in place, is that they wipe the loyalty points after 4/5 years. I have a family, I'd love to go to every away game but it comes down to spending time with my family, cost etc. It's not practical. I can probably get to 25% of away games, meaning over time I'd accrue enough points to one day get to a Sunderland away game if they didn't wipe the loyalty points. What gets on my tits is the people who buy away tickets to flog them, so they get the loyalty point, then they get to go to Sunderland, Boro, Hull, Leeds etc because they have 100 loyalty points, when they've been to probably 3 away games a season, selling the rest. There is a canny bit of snobbery with some of those who have big loyalty points too. You see them on twitter saying "go to more away games" as if its that easy for a lot of people.

Annoying that it's taken 6 weeks for him to be charged. What exactly was the delay? Wolves apparently reported it immediately to the referee, who's report would have went to the FA shortly after... This lad who Shelvey allegedly said something about doesn't even speak English, so not sure what he could have done to upset Shelvey. Shelvey plays with and against multiple ethnicities week in, week out. Strange if he has suddenly decided to racially abuse a random player who doesn't speak the language.

Would go as far as to say 9/10. We've signed some real quality players in Diame, Ritchie and Gayle. Players who are capable of playing in the Premier League. We've also got real strength in depth now. We have at least two players for every position. In regards to the outgoings, we've cleared all our deadwood, Tiote aside, who may yet leave with some transfer windows remaining open. Delighted the likes of Coloccini, Sissoko and Sammy Ameobi have gone. We've made £30m profit so far. Overall, for a team wanting promotion, we've had an excellent window and some of our signings should be able to step up to the Premier League.

Anyone who rates Dummett is clearly an idiot.

I would take £4.50 for Paul Dummett in fairness. Absolute clogger. Offers nowt going forward. Maybe makes one good sliding challenge every other game.

The news that he is currently sat in the airport, just waiting, is simply brilliant.

He's given a number of interviews stating he wants to leave, criticising the club for their asking price and then kicking off that we havent reduced the asking price.

Does that not go against what Rafa had written into his contract about full control with football and transfers?

I'm convinced he won't go now. There doesn't appear to be a club willing to pay £35m, and why would we reduce our price at the end of the window?

Always heard he was a good player but he couldnt get into Evertons team that much and then didnt get into Bournemouths at all. Played a bit for Malaga at the end of last season. Speed demon though, much like this Lazaar and Yedlin.

In the first 10 games I don't think we lost, and he was alright for that small time. Then he just went madly off the boil, never seemed to use his pace. I don't remember it taking 10 games to suss out that he was an absolute waste of space. 10 mins maybe. Blackburn at home, Stoke away stand out where he set up goals. His pace was handy those first 10 or 11 games where he could get us from our box to their box within seconds. Then he stopped crossing the ball in as much and started running without the ball etc. Funny how he can tear Wolfsburg to bits in the Champions League and is then completely ineffective v WBA.

Perez up front with Diame off him

Would take anyone if it meant Dummett didn't play anymore.

He had 4 years left on his deal. We don't need to sell as Rafa said. Clear that Rafa didn't rate him and/or did not like his attitude given the relatively low sum. For all the Juventus links he ended up at Watford. That says it all.

I watched them a few times last season. Very well organised and effective at what they do. Hughton will have them sitting tight for most of the first half I bet, they'll come purely to frustrate us and capitalise off set pieces / counters like most teams will this season up here. Get an early goal and we'll win 3-0. Otherwise 1-0 or 1-1. Wish Hughton all the best for the rest of the season, but hope we hammer them home and away.

Good draw like. Imagine if we can actually get into the 4th round?

Nicky Butt only one I can think of.

Mid to end of September I think - after the international break and the first set of league games after that.

Either away to Blackburn, Leeds or Forest.