Bitters v Liverpool match thread

[Dirkus_Circus]

Martinez was playing down Everton's chances pre game yesterday because of the money spent.
They really love playing on the poor boy mentality.
I'm fucking sick of it.
Can someone organize a concert or something to raise funds for them.
Maybe get Paul Simon to sing 'Diamonds on the souls of her shoes' and dedicate it to all the teams that finish above Everton.
Small time wankers.

I'm not sure who you had across the pond for commentators but the ironic thing about what you just said is that Kevin Kilbane in commentary said that only 3 or 4 Liverpool players would get in the Everton starting 11. I don't necessarily agree with him but I do agree with his general point that the talent levels between the squads isn't that vastly different.

Kilbane was being completely obnoxious in his commentary btw, ever Liverpool tackle was a foul and every Everton challenge was a "derby challenge"

 

[Halmeister]

MOTD completely ignored that Barkley could, and probably should, have been sent off too.

I do think Everton have better players, though. A combined XI would probably look something like:

Howard

Coleman
Stones
Jagielka (though I would personally have Sakho)
Baines

Henderson
McCarthy
Coutinho
Barkley

Lukaku
Sturridge

That's just off the top of my head. But for the money we've spent that's absolutely criminal.

 

[ILD]

Perhaps Benteke over Lakaku?

I would play Skrtel or Sakho over Jagielka.

Milner??

 

[ILD]

I'm not sure who you had across the pond for commentators but the ironic thing about what you just said is that Kevin Kilbane in commentary said that only 3 or 4 Liverpool players would get in the Everton starting 11. I don't necessarily agree with him but I do agree with his general point that the talent levels between the squads isn't that vastly different.

Kilbane was being completely obnoxious in his commentary btw, ever Liverpool tackle was a foul and every Everton challenge was a "derby challenge"

Well, he used to play for them so perhaps that bias crept into proceedings.

 

[Halmeister]

Perhaps Benteke over Lakaku?

I would play Skrtel or Sakho over Jagielka.

Milner??

I think they're pretty much on a par. Depends. Lukaku will probably score more this season. Jagielka is one that could probably be ousted, but he's still a good player, and it is debatable given our defenders. I doubt many neutrals would pick Sakho over him. Skrtel would probably be the best chance there.

I don't think Milner would get in.

 

[Judge Jules]

I'm not sure who you had across the pond for commentators but the ironic thing about what you just said is that Kevin Kilbane in commentary said that only 3 or 4 Liverpool players would get in the Everton starting 11. I don't necessarily agree with him but I do agree with his general point that the talent levels between the squads isn't that vastly different.

Kilbane was being completely obnoxious in his commentary btw, ever Liverpool tackle was a foul and every Everton challenge was a "derby challenge"

While it's admittedly hard to know for sure about the talent levels, I suspect Kilbane's talking through his @rse (and Heaven knows it wouldn't be the first time). Everton are a better functioning unit at the moment, but they didn't exactly prove even that yesterday, and I suspect a man-for-man comparison might well turn out other than the way he suggests. Ultimately, though, we won't know for sure until our current squad is taken over by a manager who's up to the job.

 

[Aidan O' Neill]

MOTD completely ignored that Barkley could, and probably should, have been sent off too.

I do think Everton have better players, though. A combined XI would probably look something like:

Howard

Coleman
Stones
Jagielka (though I would personally have Sakho)
Baines

Henderson
McCarthy
Coutinho
Barkley

Lukaku
Sturridge

That's just off the top of my head. But for the money we've spent that's absolutely criminal.

Howard is finished, much as I don't like Ming he's better. Skrtel ahead of Jagielka all day long. James McCarthy is not great either. I'd have Milner over him.

 

[Judge Jules]

MOTD completely ignored that Barkley could, and probably should, have been sent off too.

I do think Everton have better players, though. A combined XI would probably look something like:

Howard

Coleman
Stones
Jagielka (though I would personally have Sakho)
Baines

Henderson
McCarthy
Coutinho
Barkley

Lukaku
Sturridge

That's just off the top of my head. But for the money we've spent that's absolutely criminal.

Howard and Baines haven't been at their best this season, Howard especially. Mignolet has his problems but he's also pulled out numerous saves which Howard could only dream about, and the rest of Howard's game this season hasn't compensated for that IMO. I'd argue for a back five of:

Mignolet

Clyne
Stones
Sakho
Gomez

with the midfield and attack the same as yours.

EDIT: agree with Aidan about Milner ahead of McCarthy if you want a more all-round player, though McCarthy would get the nod as DM.

 

[Dirkus_Circus]

Howard and Baines haven't been at their best this season, Howard especially. Mignolet has his problems but he's also pulled out numerous saves which Howard could only dream about, and the rest of Howard's game this season hasn't compensated for that IMO. I'd argue for a back five of:

Mignolet

Clyne
Stones
Sakho
Gomez

with the midfield and attack the same as yours.

EDIT: agree with Aidan about Milner ahead of McCarthy if you want a more all-round player, though McCarthy would get the nod as DM.

I can see Clyne over Baines or even Coleman but would take either over Gomez at this point.

 

[keniget]

That's just off the top of my head. But for the money we've spent that's absolutely criminal.

Yup. *sadface*

 

[Mamma Mia]

Has this match finished yet? Did we score a winner?

 

[Halmeister]

Howard and Baines haven't been at their best this season, Howard especially. Mignolet has his problems but he's also pulled out numerous saves which Howard could only dream about, and the rest of Howard's game this season hasn't compensated for that IMO. I'd argue for a back five of:

Mignolet

Clyne
Stones
Sakho
Gomez

with the midfield and attack the same as yours.

EDIT: agree with Aidan about Milner ahead of McCarthy if you want a more all-round player, though McCarthy would get the nod as DM.

Howard is bad, but Mignolet isn't great either. It's a coin toss that one really.

With all due respect, but nobody would agree with that defence. Baines has been injured all season, so that's why he hasn't been at his best. As much as I like Clyne, I think I'd give the nod to Coleman for his attacking prowess as it stands. Gomez's inclusion is wildly premature at best.

Milner is probably a better 'player' than McCarthy, but McCarthy is a specialist in there at DM.

 

[cloggypop]

It was you lot with those half and half scarves then?

 

[Judge Jules]

If we're selecting based on past performance as opposed to the current season I can agree with Baines ahead of Gomez, but in that case there's no way on this planet Coleman gets in ahead of Clyne.