The big man, the boss; Big Sam

[KoemansNumberTens]

the "on target" bit was a well-chosen statistic....

they had 23 shots

that's more wasteful than restricted

They had 3 good chances. The goal, the mane chance and the Salah header. They didn't cut us apart or get behind us. We were great defensively

[Major Clanger]

Tactically spot on off the ball.

On the ball there seemed no real plan.

Given where we were 3 weeks ago, I'd say this is fair enough. If we'll be in the same position 3 months later, that will be worrying.

[Major Clanger]

the "on target" bit was a well-chosen statistic....

they had 23 shots

that's more wasteful than restricted

On the other hand, most of their shots were either wild, hopeful punts or blocked.

[Simon Paul]

They had 3 good chances. The goal, the mane chance and the Salah header. They didn't cut us apart or get behind us. We were great defensively

23 attempts on goal and 3 on target is wasteful, you can argue that - because it's you and you will - but you're wrong.

Cuco Martina wants your number though, he's finally found someone who thinks he's great defensively!

[Simon Paul]

On the other hand, most of their shots were either wild, hopeful punts or blocked.

yes, wasteful

[blargins]

as @TheRam suggests above you, actually having a tactic when we got the ball would have been a good idea

"smash it as far as you can" is not the Everton way, I'm afraid.

This result reminds me of the Bayern manager's "this is not how you play football" quote.

[Major Clanger]

yes, wasteful

Or well marshalled. It depends on your viewpoint really.

But no matter how well you keep your opponent at bay in general, having a Martina-shaped hole in your back 4 is always going to cause trouble. That's the immediate challenge.

[The Analog Kid]

We just don't have the players offensively. Need a targetman. Need a quality winger (rather than the promising kids) and we need a playmaker. Will look so much better when the injuries clear up and we get a transfer window

Bolasie will be a welcome return on the left, as will Baines, even though the latter is a tad leggy these days, but it’s a much better, assured option than Martina.

Striker is priority.

[Mayor Farnum]

as @TheRam suggests above you, actually having a tactic when we got the ball would have been a good idea

"smash it as far as you can" is not the Everton way, I'm afraid.

Our tactic was to hit the front man early. When we tried to pass the ball about in our own half and midfield we were pressed so quickly and gave the ball away too near our own goal. The system will be better when we have a decent target man. Like those target men Howard Kendall loved so much; the Everton way,

[KoemansNumberTens]

23 attempts on goal and 3 on target is wasteful, you can argue that - because it's you and you will - but you're wrong.

Cuco Martina wants your number though, he's finally found someone who thinks he's great defensively!

They were wasteful with possession not chances. Their problem was they were having shots when they really didn't have a chance to score

At some stage you might have to admit he's doing a good job.

[Simon Paul]

This result reminds me of the Bayern manager's "this is not how you play football" quote.

*that* way of playing was perfect.  silky on the ball, smashing players everywhere in the tackle.  Cuco Martina has got those things the wrong way round.  Silk in the tackle, smashing the ball everywhere.

[The Analog Kid]

Or well marshalled. It depends on your viewpoint really.

But no matter how well you keep your opponent at bay in general, having a Martina-shaped hole in your back 4 is always going to cause trouble. That's the immediate challenge.

He didn’t help Williams’ cause much, just when Williams is having a good run he gets left exposed and has to do twice the job.

[Cuttyblue]

Tactically spot on off the ball.

On the ball there seemed no real plan.

Having Lennon on and Rooney in the middle helped that in the second half.

Can't argue that there's a massive improvement in how line up these days.

Can't remember Pickford making many saves in the last couple of games and even Ashley Williams looks decent.

Fair play. He's probably the manager we've needed for the moment. Long term though it's yet to be seen but I'm happy with how he's conducted himself so far.

Right.  This was the right choice to bring Sam on to lead us here.  It's obvious we're going to be safely mid-table, so now we can push everything we've got to the FA Cup.

Big opportunity for Allardyce this summer and especially next season.  Long way to go to convince us he's the long-term manager we need.

[The Analog Kid]

Will you ever warm to Allardyce/Lee @Simon Paul ?

Genuine question like, not a sarky one.

[Simon Paul]

They were wasteful with possession not chances. Their problem was they were having shots when they really didn't have a chance to score

At some stage you might have to admit he's doing a good job.

yes

when he has proven he is

he's managed 3 games.  well, 2 he was actually involved in.

we were pretty shit against Huddersfield in the first half, and we were shit against Liverpool for 70 minutes today.

but 4 points in the league is sound from two games, you can't argue with that.

I'll give him 10 games eh?  Like we do when managers are proper shit but you people don't want him sacked so they say to give him ten more games?

as Ram said as well, he's probably what we need at the moment and in the short term, but fuck me how bad are things when you NEED Sam Allardyce in charge?  and how bad will it be when we get to the stage where we need someone better but he's given a big contract because he's not Ronald Koeman.