Check Shogs out with his early match thread. Top drawer stuff as ever.
We're on BT and we don't appear to have a winger available. It doesn't sound like it's going to be pretty.
I was starting to think we were on MNF tonight when I saw this posted. ;)
it really has come to something when we worry about southampton these days...
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/day-everton-fc-thrashed-southampton-3360659
Tony Grant's best game for us, remember him making his debut against PSV in pre-season, don't know why he wasn't a massive star for us as he had all the technique in the world
Ale......mines a pint :cheers:
Ale
4-4-2 away against Southampton would end in defeat. The gaps are massive when we play 5 in midfield, nevermind 4.
4-1-4-1. Soak it up, hit them on the break.
With our forwards we should be doing this every game nearly!
I agree.
Rom, Barkley, Kev and Deulofeu are all adept at carrying the ball large distances, attacking spaces at pace; but none of them can really weight a through ball (at least not consistently).
Our possession heavy approach is therefore quite confusing.
I know it won't happen but I'd go with
Howard
Stones Jagielka Barry
Coleman McCarthy Oviedo
Barkley Cleverley
Kone Lukaku
We can then switch to 4-4-2 if it doesn't work
aren't you really arguing against yourself there?
or do i need another lie down ???
I know we all liked the 80's but 4-4-2 isn't the answer.
442 often switches to 451 in defence, or Barry drops in to make it 541.4312 Worked a treat on CM
Still think that Championship Manager 99 might have been onto something, when an attacking 145 and long ball seemed the best option.
The thing is, we'll fucking go and win this game and all of a sudden Martinez wont seem like such a dodgy manager.
In a perverse way im kinda hoping we lose this so Martinez exit is accelerated. Its such a sad thing to say but I firmly believe that Martinez doesn't have it in him to adapt his mantra to play in a way that makes us competitive week in week out near the top of the premier league with the players we have. Or can afford to buy.
Come on man. Stop this nonsense.
I'm glad we're away, the hostility of the home crowd if we go another week looking inactive in the market is going to be toxic............you may be right but the crowd , of which most of us are a part , reacts to what happens on the field. We didn't need new signings to beat Watford ,we needed the team to play to it's strengths for the full 90 minutes - not to piss about for the entire first half.
Do you think he can turn it around? Everyone but Martinez seems to know what we need to do. I suspect he does too so why doesn't he just do it?
I've no problem with people making mistakes, as long as they learn from it in order to not make the same mistakes again.
its because he's obsessed with his philosophy of trying to be barca and unlike the back end of last season where he was forced into trying different things he will now while he has time go back to this stupid philosophy
i just don't think it can work unless you have players like barca have upfront, I'm certain it worked for him in his first season purely due to the defensive attitude the team had from moyes that blend worked perfectly
but that has slowly faded and like his wigan team we are shocking at the back
lets pray he can prove us / me wrong
you know this thing where people say that martinez's first season worked because we had 'moyes defensive groundwork' or 'moyes defensive attitude' etc. etc.
what does that actually mean? like, what do you think they were doing? does it mean anything really or is it just a nice criticism to be levelled at roberto?
you know this thing where people say that martinez's first season worked because we had 'moyes defensive groundwork' or 'moyes defensive attitude' etc. etc.
what does that actually mean? like, what do you think they were doing? does it mean anything really or is it just a nice criticism to be levelled at roberto?
Do you think he can turn it around? Everyone but Martinez seems to know what we need to do. I suspect he does too so why doesn't he just do it?
I've no problem with people making mistakes, as long as they learn from it in order to not make the same mistakes again.
We are going to get our first win on BT Sport here. Sending positive thoughts out
The thing is, we'll fucking go and win this game and all of a sudden Martinez wont seem like such a dodgy manager.
In a perverse way im kinda hoping we lose this so Martinez exit is accelerated. Its such a sad thing to say but I firmly believe that Martinez doesn't have it in him to adapt his mantra to play in a way that makes us competitive week in week out near the top of the premier league with the players we have. Or can afford to buy.
What a load of absolute shit
Making a substitution if we need to get back into the game will be an improvement on last season!
Making a substitution if we need to get back into the game will be an improvement on last season!
its because he's obsessed with his philosophy of trying to be barca and unlike the back end of last season where he was forced into trying different things he will now while he has time go back to this stupid philosophy
i just don't think it can work unless you have players like barca have upfront, I'm certain it worked for him in his first season purely due to the defensive attitude the team had from moyes that blend worked perfectly
but that has slowly faded and like his wigan team we are shocking at the back
lets pray he can prove us / me wrong
What a load of absolute shit
Not really. Bigger picture.
Might aswell not watch us if you're wanting us to lose so we get rid of the manager.
Making a substitution if we need to get back into the game will be an improvement on last season!
Baines and naismith cm with lukaku wide left, kone wide right and Barkley centre forward will live with me........ Forever
It's the Barry at CB element that tips it over the edge.It was like watching Everton bingo. Pick a number lad.... Number 4? Your centre half today Gareth
That was the peak (or nadir) or Roberto's Tactics Tombola moments!
A win could work wonders for our confidence
Southampton only drew with Newcastle at the weekend who are a bit shit, and we ourselves beat them last time we played, which was only a few months ago
Worst highlight of last season that. Lost all my hopes with Martinez that day.
Anyways we seem like a bunch of Moyes playing against Man Utd saying "we would be lucky to get out of there alive" or Sunderland fans from few years back arranging the chairs on the deck. It's fucking Southampton not Barcelona.
I was trying to decide which was most frustrating;
1 - Not making a sub at Soton when you look hopeless and keep shipping goals
2 - Lining up at Hull with a centre midfield of Naismith and Baines with Barry at centre back
3 - Away at Stoke every sub he made was a remotely wide player off for someone who was more central despite the main problem in that game was having no width
But after consideration I thought as crazy as not making a sub at all is when you are losing 3-0, nothing could get past the shock of seeing Baines and Naismith as our centre midfield with Barry and Alcaraz behind them!
I was trying to decide which was most frustrating;
1 - Not making a sub at Soton when you look hopeless and keep shipping goals
2 - Lining up at Hull with a centre midfield of Naismith and Baines with Barry at centre back
3 - Away at Stoke every sub he made was a remotely wide player off for someone who was more central despite the main problem in that game was having no width
But after consideration I thought as crazy as not making a sub at all is when you are losing 3-0, nothing could get past the shock of seeing Baines and Naismith as our centre midfield with Barry and Alcaraz behind them!
That's a damning list - seen like that it's so stark. And to be honest I could easily add points 4 to 7. Roberto's star really did plummet didn't it! Inexplicable to what he was trying to achieve to be honest.
A couple of pro-Martinez friends went to the Stoke game and came out saying he had to go. It was the straw that broke the camels back.
On a positive note, they've got a few injury problems.
Have we lent them our medical team for the week?
We've got a medical team?............apparently. We also have a new ' sports therapist ' called Oscar Brau who has just joined . Guess what - he used to work at Wigan. ::)
............apparently. We also have a new ' sports therapist ' called Oscar Brau who has just joined . Guess what - he used to work at Wigan. ::)
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-appoint-oscar-brau-new-9857731
............apparently. We also have a new ' sports therapist ' called Oscar Brau who has just joined . Guess what - he used to work at Wigan. ::)
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-appoint-oscar-brau-new-9857731
Oviedo not even on the bench? WTF!
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CMcaAD9WcAA6wKB.jpg)
Oviedo not even on the bench? WTF!
That looks horrific on paper, where the fuck is the width??
He seems to have an issue with wingers.
What's the time in the UK at the moment?
Just coming up to midday.
We're going to get battered here.
If anyone's onto some quality streamage, feel free to share....
If anyone's onto some quality streamage, feel free to share....
Given that Deulofeu was never going to start because he's been injured and Mirallas went off injured against Watford so probably still has a knock then who is Martinez supposed to play?
Can't wait for the plane.
Any good streams on that android box? Got on here but no idea
So are you all happy with the way things are? Just a question.
assume the bt1 link on sportsdevil will be sound:
sportsdevil > sportstv > crichd > btsport1
if not, jimmy will know a few more wrinkles :thumbsup:
So are you all happy with the way things are? Just a question.
What was embarrassing, lads? (I'm not watching by the way)Everton that.
So are you all happy with the way things are? Just a question.
Everton that.Spoiler: show
You do understand how people can not be happy, but also think that there are better ways of going about expressing it?
ah damn, after being so vocal as to my dislike of this kit... I think I like it :/
fucked if i do.
why wear army fatigues when the usual strip doesn't clash?
vain attempt to justify having three kits?
why have BT Sports got three commentators?
One for each kit.
No shape at all.I'm trying to figure out where Kone is meant to be playing. He's all over the place.
Nice football here but it needs to amount to something.
Ace!
Kone again with the assist.
Since he came on against Watford he looks like he has more confidence.We should boo him more often.
Great setup play from the worst striker we've ever had there.You don't remember John Spencer? :)
Since he came on against Watford he looks like he has more confidence.
You don't remember John Spencer? :)
You don't remember John Spencer? :)
why have BT Sports got three commentators?
A goal and two assists for Kone in about 40 minutes of football.
Hopefully it will be enough to keep the boo boys off his back and make them give him a proper chance.
Hopefully it will be enough to keep the boo boys off his back and make them give him a proper chance.
Kone is genuinely like a new signingRoss too so far.
Any decent streams lads/ladies.https://www.reddit.com/r/soccerstreams/comments/3h33yi/request_southampton_vs_everton/
Think we kept Eto'o and that's him wearing a Kone suit
Cleverly should at least be on target with the follow up.
Funny looking "helicopter" pulling that Kenwright Out banner, fucking BT Sport.
It was done on the cheap, couldn't afford a plane, no investment!WHERE'S THE CESSNA MONEY, BILL?!
someone said it earlier in the thread, the pitch pattern is horrendous
Robbie savage...."why are they so forward thinking on their own corner?" lolol
Lukaku on his day is unplayable, he just needs to have more days more often.
someone said it earlier in the thread, the pitch pattern is horrendous
Loving Galloway today. A player of genuine quality. A proper footballer.
Jags looking very solid so far
Awesome. Who needs whingers!
Excellent goal. Am I watching the right game?Just checking if I gave you the right link, mate.
Excellent goal. Am I watching the right game?
We don't normally create loads for Rom. His chance conversion rate must be very high.
Lukaku really is some player isn't heFu*k off! Ł28M wasted, can't trap a bag of cement etc etc!
And we've created better chances today, note how Kone drew one defender away completely, and split the attention of another.
We don't normally create loads for Rom. His chance conversion rate must be very high.
David Pleat on Five Live..." Everton 2-0 up and looking comfortable and are guaranteed at least a point here..."
What?
Was that a thru ball from Ross, perfectly weighted?
Jesus.
Barkley, Kone and Lukaku tearing shit up. Also the kit has had a great game so far, looks lovely
Gotta love Goldenhead, he's making a huge difference
Get the ball into Lukaku in the box and he will do the rest
Also I'm vowing to always cheer on Ross Barkley and never grumble or moan at him. When the lads got confidence he's a world beater
If you all back me here were gonna be sound Yano
So don't disobey me
He actually had a lot of shots last season and had one of the worst conversion rates in the league. Not sure about the quality of those chances though.Missed most chances in the premier last season... But doesn't, as you mention, rate the quality of the chances.
fucked if i do.
why wear army fatigues when the usual strip doesn't clash?
So you're the Barkley boo boy eh muthafucka?!
I picked him in the draft motherfucka!
Missed most chances in the premier last season... But doesn't, as you mention, rate the quality of the chances.
set up nicely for a 2-2 this though isn't it?
Is it time to start talking about a name for Lukaku-Kone?
Although saying it like that sounds a bit Japanese Samurai..
"You miss 100% of the chances you don't take." (Gretsky)
Lukone or Konaku?
Been plane sailing reallyThat wee quip went over a lot of heads.
Romeu should have gone for thatJust like the Mirallas foul last week, two feet off the ground.
Any decent streams lads?https://www.reddit.com/r/soccerstreams/comments/3h33yi/request_southampton_vs_everton/
Romeu should have gone for that
Any decent streams lads?
10 minutes into the second half and Lukaku hasn't touched the ballhes headed it
That's the 3rd challenge Ross has pulled out of today.
10 minutes into the second half and Lukaku hasn't touched the ball
So who's our fifth choice at left back? Barry?
He's booked isn't he?
Barry's deffo dyed his hair #ponce (http://www.nsno.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=hashtags;sa=list;hash=ponce;ec3455b862e=95c169244c73f5bd81f0405ec90a6c91)
sound has gone on the stream @bertcocaine (http://www.nsno.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=4466)
got a back up mate?
I remember worse than John Spencer. It was a dig at @TheRam (http://www.nsno.co.uk/forums/index.php?action=profile;u=1602)
Any decent streams lads?
What the hell is Ross doing?
how dodgy is Steklenberg?!Lots. He blew at Roma.
how dodgy is Steklenberg?!
Im shitting myself every time they put a cross in.For your couch's sake, I hope they don't come forward again then.
good save. not happy to see kone coming off. no need to change the mindset. 2-0 up and coasting.true - I'm alright with it though - keep him fit for next game
Holy shit. This is dreamland
I had a Chang fist half and we scored twice. Time I had another Chang. One for the team like.You're welcome folks 👍🍻
Is this the first BT Sport Premier League win for us??
Piece of piss this. What's all the fuckin fuss about?
thats lukaku and barkley sold in the papers tommorow
thats lukaku and barkley sold in the papers tommorow
Nerves well and truly settled, can enjoy the last 5 minutes nowDoes not happen very often! :cheers: :woohoo:
yep
I had a Chang fist half and we scored twice. Time I had another Chang. One for the team like.
Fucked up my comfortable 2 nil prediction. Even my famed positivity wasnt a match for mighty Everton todayI had three nil!
Is this the first BT Sport Premier League win for us??
For the rest of this season Barry is dyeing his hair badly, we are playing in army jerseys and you are getting pissed on Chang.Think I can do that
Everyone has been outstanding today.
love this weird game:
1-1 watford at home
0-3 thrash southampton away
was 2-2
love this weird game:
1-1 watford at home
0-3 thrash southampton away
Koeman has no plan B
We had a Plan E at the start of the game.
Away to Southampton.
Only won there twice in 22 years.
Drew 3 and lost 3 on last 6 visits.
We got off to a poor start last week they done well in Europa and away to Newcastle.
Martinez under pressure, Koeman flying high.
When you look at it like that this has an Everton win written all over it!
We defo need to play away every week.
Barkley, Kone and Lukaku tearing shit up. Also the kit has had a great game so far, looks lovely
Gotta love Goldenhead, he's making a huge difference
Get the ball into Lukaku in the box and he will do the rest
Also I'm vowing to always cheer on Ross Barkley and never grumble or moan at him. When the lads got confidence he's a world beater
If you all back me here were gonna be sound Yano
So don't disobey me
They are going to get all the credit but for me MoM is between Jagielka and McCarthy.
(http://i.imgur.com/8AQWQGz.jpg)
Careful. There may be some who can't handle the truth..
If Lukaku can press on with his development and start showing consistent performances like that, i can see us challenging for the league.you're a weird guy fella
Not even joking x
just testing...
(http://i.imgur.com/8AQWQGz.jpg)
The win is just going to gloss over the doughnuts and the real issues.
Nomad out-giffing Gash.
That's not a gif. ;)
Nomad out-giffing Gash.
What's a GIF then....?
Fuckin jesus
Gif's move, I believe that one's called a meme?
Encouraging from Martinez "in the modern game you need to be flexible" and "when you become predictable you need to change". Hopefully an admission that he needed to change things from constant possession football.
I need evidence.
Gif's move, I believe that one's called a meme?
I take full credit for our win and clean sheet...I had long and pelle in my fantasy team.
I'm really happy with our defensive shape today; Southampton had no space in the middle of the field, unlike Watford last week. If we can restrict opponents to crosses, corners, and set pieces (and continue to deal with these situations), we should make a major improvement on last season's defensive record.
A meme is some kind of content that wildly spreads around the internet. Like NayCat. Or Star Trek facepalm pics.Gifs are animated.Corrected above!
Mine was just a self made jpg!
No, I'm afraid you can't do that.
I sold Howard from my team, and put Seamus on the bench. ;D
I ripped out C from Lukaku... And gave it to Kane :(
No, I'm afraid you can't do that.
I sold Howard from my team, and put Seamus on the bench. ;D
Playing on the counter attack suits us so much better
We may not have that number 10 who can play an intricate throughball
But we do have in Barkley, Lukaku, Kone, Mirallas and Deulofeu players who can be fast strong and dangerous
Counter attack suits these players much more than Tiki Taka
Of course it is much more likely that we can play counter attack away from home but it was such a positive sign to see Roberto use these tactics
He is in a great moment right now, after a phenomenal performance today. We showed fantastic character, everyone in the group
Philistine
Imagine our defence with Terry alongside Stones :wanker: :wanker: lolol
It was a very encouraging display today, which I predicted completely wrongly, and which I think goes to show the stupidity behind drawing concrete conclusions after one game.
We changed it up and were very solid defensively and threatening on the counter. We had a good balance. This sort of set up suits us better I think. Players like Barkley and Lukaku (and others that didn't play) look completely different when they're carrying the ball in to big open spaces. I hope we play like this more but it's harder at home.
Our young spine - Ross, Stones and Rom - all put it outstanding performances; we kept our first away clean sheet in months; and scored three and could have had more against one of last season's best defences.
The only negative is that it makes the Watford game look like even more of a missed opportunity.
He may not get on though, but he'd be a good back up.lol
It was a very encouraging display today, which I predicted completely wrongly, and which I think goes to show the stupidity behind drawing concrete conclusions after one game.
We changed it up and were very solid defensively and threatening on the counter. We had a good balance. This sort of set up suits us better I think. Players like Barkley and Lukaku (and others that didn't play) look completely different when they're carrying the ball in to big open spaces. I hope we play like this more but it's harder at home.
Our young spine - Ross, Stones and Rom - all put it outstanding performances; we kept our first away clean sheet in months; and scored three and could have had more against one of last season's best defences.
The only negative is that it makes the Watford game look like even more of a missed opportunity.
Top of the table :)
Wonderful heart warming performance and result, and plenty of humble pie eaten I am sure by lots of us. A couple of good signings and we should be a force in the league again.
Kone looked convincing - its only 2 games but we might actually have something in him
Looking at the BBC football coverage for today, they are getting submissions for "Your teams worst shirt" - is this related to our shirt today? Not keen on it, but it's far from being our worst shirt (yellow and black vertical stripe for me).
Best performance in a long time
How much to fly another banner next week showing our support??
Well done boys, glad my mate Ty got on as well
Roll on City
Can't wait for the plane.
Looking at the BBC football coverage for today, they are getting submissions for "Your teams worst shirt" - is this related to our shirt today? Not keen on it, but it's far from being our worst shirt (yellow and black vertical stripe for me).
Great pictures of a great game...
New computer background - thanks!
Shock as Everton play with a high tempo while playing the ball in front of Lukaku end up winning...
Who'd have thought that would happen.
2nd ;)
All results in Everton have slipped down to 3rd place ??? Martinez out ! :snigger:
Highlights http://www.lastminutegoals.org/2015/08/15/southampton-vs-everton-highlights/
A moment that stood out to me early on - Stonesy tried a long pass to Lukaku, that was easily intercepted. After a brief foot stomp of disappointment, Rom turned to Stones and applauded his effort and ambition. The team concept was right from the very start. They play well with and for one another.
Finally, well done to the Boss for getting the team, tactics and attitude spot-on !
Great pictures of a great game...Mods - how about a pictures from the season thread
(http://i1.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article9863620.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/JS70099317.jpg)
(http://i1.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article9863619.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/JS70099290.jpg)
(http://i2.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article9863239.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/JS70096139.jpg)
(http://i3.liverpoolecho.co.uk/incoming/article9863610.ece/ALTERNATES/s1227b/JS70098960.jpg)
Y, good point ENC re: Roms attitude. Superb today, was a gentleman to a Soton fan who he drilled in the face prematch as well.
He's a very like able footballer, no doubt. Kone seems to really have formed a bromance there... Maybe a factor in Kone's excellent start to the season?
Nice to have Hoddle as a commentator as well. He loved that Barkley performance!..........I thought that too , Hoddle is a class apart from the other pundits.
How is the green kit up close?
Nice to have Hoddle as a commentator as well. He loved that Barkley performance!
..........I thought that too , Hoddle is a class apart from the other pundits.
Martinez in his long after match statement said everything I wanted to hear. Too often there is a doubt that the people in charge really know what the fans feel. As a "Martinez Out" man I retract that, not on the basis of a good win which it was, but on convincing me that he knows what we are about at Everton. He may not achieve it but he understands it. Good luck to him.
Martinez in his long after match statement said everything I wanted to hear. Too often there is a doubt that the people in charge really know what the fans feel. As a "Martinez Out" man I retract that, not on the basis of a good win which it was, but on convincing me that he knows what we are about at Everton. He may not achieve it but he understands it. Good luck to him.
Personally, I don't think we've had many questions answered today. It was a great win but even last season against Manchester United, we showed our counter attacking prowess. The upcoming matches where teams will try to dominate possession will probably do usa world of good.
Bloody typical I miss today's game to go to a family BBQ.
you know what that means, brownie. self-imposed exile until we lose again :)
I'm not not a fan of Martinez as most of you probably know but well done to him getting the tactics right today. I hope this is the start of something good because the squad is certainly good enough.Well said pal
Kone looked convincing - its only 2 games but we might actually have something in him
I dont think anyone was really that 'anti-Martinez'... we were just so frustrated that he was being stubborn and the team had lost their way through imposing his passing philosophy to the exclusion of so much else.
He has so many great attributes and I have been proud to have him as our manager, so its great that he's now adapting and the it looks like the team are thriving again.
Early days but a HUGE step in the right direction.
And we didn't have to have to listen to Owen, today was a good day.
I think our defence deserves some plaudits. Some big headers out, some good blocks. People putting their bodies on the line.
Much better.
Bloody typical I miss today's game to go to a family BBQ.
Jags was excellent. Always talking, keeping everyone organised. We never really lost our shape at any point and it really went a long to way to limiting their chances.
It helped that whenever they broke we were able to slow them down enough to regain our shape, credit to the midfielders for that.
Nice to score 3 but it's good to see us keep a clean sheet and should give everyone some confidence that we can keep that going in the future.
And look at all the positivity that has blossomed in your absence. ;D
Jags was excellent. Always talking, keeping everyone organised. We never really lost our shape at any point and it really went a long to way to limiting their chances.
It helped that whenever they broke we were able to slow them down enough to regain our shape, credit to the midfielders for that.
Nice to score 3 but it's good to see us keep a clean sheet and should give everyone some confidence that we can keep that going in the future.
I'm hoping that my natural positivity has been rubbing off on people. I'm going away for a week now to a place with limited WiFi. So I'm expecting to come back to 3 major signings, a new multi-billionaire owner and plans for the bestest stadium in British football
Sat in qatar airport. Feel like death. But this has cheered me right up!!
What the fuck do we know eh?!! Haha
No chance of getting MOTD in a Qatari airport?
No chance of getting MOTD in a Qatari airport?
1-3God I am such a pessimistic bastard...
Lukaku with 2 and Barkley with the other one.
There were numerous occasions when the midfield were nicking in and breaking up the play when Southampton tried to play forward, forcing them to put less accurate balls through which the defence had covered off. Made it cluttered in front of our centre backs and prevented Southampton being able to create any killer balls.
The speed of counter attack also kept their fullbacks from doubling up on ours as Kone, Lukaku and Barkley kept running into the space they left.
One common theme between the second half last game and the whole of this game - with two strikers on the pitch, the speed of forward play particularly on the counter causes other teams defenders to get panicky. This could be the key to breaking down more defensive teams. For attacking teams counter-attack is clearly the way to go.
Unfortunately, I had my birthday yesterday, and I drunkenly slept through my alarm and missed the match (live in the USA).... What formation did we end up playing? Was it a 4-3-3? I can't really see us having played a 4-4-2, since we had no wide players at all.
Who gives a fuck? It's your birthday and we won :)
Unfortunately, I had my birthday yesterday, and I drunkenly slept through my alarm and missed the match (live in the USA).... What formation did we end up playing? Was it a 4-3-3? I can't really see us having played a 4-4-2, since we had no wide players at all.
They played his usual 4-2-3-1. I don't know why everybody is talking about us playing with two upfront when we actually played the normal tactis. Lukaku on top and Kone on the right wing with Cleverly at left and Barkley central.
Kone was immense today as he actually looked like beeing a striker but still was following Southamptons left back all the time. People may not have seen it too much but McCarthy was way more offensive doing runs all the time which created a lot of space for Barkley who was simply brilliant. In fact this was a genius tactic for this game.
I'd say it was more fluid than the standard 4-2-3-1.
We seemed to start off with a pure diamond and with two up front but then asked Kone to cover their full back going forward.
I think it turned into the sort of "melted" (Rodgers would love this) 4-3-3 that we saw away at Newcastle in 13/14 where basically Cleverley was asked to cover a lot of ground to allow Lukaku, Kone and Barkley to sort out between them who could stay higher up the pitch for counter attacks/cover their full backs.
Cleverley ended up on the right for much of the 2nd half for example.
The trio of Barry McCarthy and cleverly worked their arses off to help give kone, Barkley and lukaku freedom. I can cope with that
The style of play seems to suit us so much
When you throw in mirallas and deulofeu on the bench we look very very (potentially) strong on the break
Back at goodison is gonna be the major issue, we have to find a way to play there too
That's why we have to stretch the pitch.
There's always space somewhere.
And if it means crossing the ball more so be it.
Barkley and Cleverley are capable of putting it good balls from wide-ish positions as well as Coleman and Kone(!) from more conventional positions. Not to mention obviously the other players not in the team atm.
Utd have always been able to hit people on the break and they must have had teams sit back against them more than anyone else over the past 20 years.
It doesn't have to all be length of the field charges either.
It can just be direct play on the edge of the box like a fast one/two.
Interesting you should say that. Just been speaking to a United mate, who said watching our first two goals on MOTD was like watching United under Fergie.
Stands to reason we should do what they did so well - learn to terrify teams coming to Goodison. A game plane is all well and good, but if the defenders are panicking.. ;D
Problem is when we're at home v a west brom or Sunderland who are going to park 10 men behind the ball at every opportunity. Counter attacking is great when it's on but the majority of the time we're going to have to rely on creativity in tight areas to create chances...which we don't seem to be able to do. Having Kone to support rom would help in this respect so I hope RM sticks with starting him but I can see us reverting back to a 'Watford' type setup as soon as we're playing someone shite at home.