01 Oct 2020 16:56:38
Everton fielded what was MUCH closer to their first team last night than we did, and despite some clear weaknesses in our team, we were not too far off them IMO. We had just 2 first team players in Cress and Dec, and both played out of position with Dec at CB and Cress at LB (arguably his best position now is the left side of a 3 and behind a LWB) . If last night showed us anything it is that:
1. If we want to win games that are tight then the management HAVE to find the balls to make changes at the right time. No point reacting to a goal when its too late, take the initiative. Everton were done with subs on 69 mins and only 2-1 up, we had the chance to take the initiative, the changes needed were obvious and we had the right players on the bench, but they didnt. I understand not risking players, but don't bring them then if you do not intend to use them.
2. We must get decent cover in CM. Snodgrass was "OK" as the box to box Soucek replacement, but Nobes simply CANNOT play there. His effort is not under question, his pace is the issue. He cannot close down or pressure players well enough any more and it leaves our defence exposed. It is a game of fine margins and if Nobes is 3% off the pace then its a BIG issue at this level. CM needs more athleticism. Cullen is ok cover but his one injury/ C.V. case shows AGAIN how thin we are here. In contrast, Everton have Allan, Doucoure, Gomez, Delph, Davies and Gbamin.
3. We need a CB fast. Why did we not play 3 at the back like we did vs Wolves? Because we do not have the players, and one C.V./ injury to Diop has left us short here also. Alese COULD have played CB last night with Balbuena and Cresswell, and Johnson could have played LWB with Ashby on the right. This is what i would have done, however it would have menat 3 out of a back 5 were academy players vs a good Everton side.
4. Anderson seems to be trying more and making better runs, credit to him. But GOD was he poor last night. Nothing he did worked and i fear he needs to move to get any mojo back. Sell him or loan him ASAP.
5. Lanzini can still be good, but his finishing was not there last night, neither was Yarmolenko's.

Cast offs like Barkley and Rudiger no doubt would be decent, but their huge wages in excess of 100k a week are the issue. We have sold players this summer but NONE who were on big salaries, so we don't have much room. People say WHU's issue is paying big and then not being able to sell cast offs, why oh why then would you be ok in us taking someone elses high paid cast off? Forget Chelsea players while they are interested in Rice. We need to shift Wilshere and Anderson quick.
I would seriously consider Phil Jones at the moment on a loan or at a decent price and 65k a week with appearance bonus, look how well Evans did after leaving UTD.


1.) 01 Oct 2020
01 Oct 2020 17:53:07
Gd Call nicko and we are being linked with varna anther ATM unless one or 2 are going from midfield moves like you said Nobes is a last 20 min player now legs are gone I just don’t get what’s happened to our CB pursuit.


2.) 01 Oct 2020
01 Oct 2020 18:57:38
Maybe they’re thinking it’s easier to get a midfielder in and move Rice to CB?


3.) 01 Oct 2020
01 Oct 2020 21:01:00
problem being NLCKINHO is NOBLE is 93% off the pace not 3%. COYI.


4.) 02 Oct 2020
02 Oct 2020 09:49:00
Completely agree Whorya48, I was being polite LOL but i'm also making sure the point that fine margins are SO important in this level of football. Nobes should only be used as a no.10 or as a last 15 min EXTRA body in midfield. NEVER as a 2 man midfield, same with Wilshere.
Love Noble, he is one of us fans and I love his commitment and leadership, he is a WHU legend, but Everton have SIX players that i would play ahead of Nobes in this position.


5.) 02 Oct 2020
02 Oct 2020 23:33:45
Totally agree nlckinho with that Everton have got 6 players above NOBLE we need to replace him i see we had a bid rejected for the lad from club bruge he looks very good so fingers crossed 🤞. COYI.


6.) 03 Oct 2020
03 Oct 2020 12:46:11
Sanchez, zabaleta both on high wages. Even Roberto, ajeti and hugill were around the 40k mark.

We certainly don't need any cast offs on ridiculously high wages. Rice earns a 3rd of what they do and he's accomplished in his position but will still get better. RLC I like but injury prone and Barkley has accomplished being inconsistent so we haven't missed much there. The only players I would consider from chelsea in a deal for rice are their talented young players but that's not going to happen.