Chez

I hate fullbacks with no pace, but Butterfield never let us down when called upon and did a great job last season. Having said that I was amazed we offered him anew deal last February and still don't understand why considering how few games he had played by that point. Wish him all the best if he goes out on loan. I suspect he'll play tomorrow. Brum need a fullback badly due to two injuries, so he might go there.

one win against one the biggest favourites for relegation still leaves us 30 odd points from survival. We feel like world beaters and my group were talking of top ten finishes, but had Benteke's header gone the other side of the post I just wonder what this forum would have been like. Some of the Villa fans' comments about us being amongst the worst sides in the league have been laughed out of town, but I wonder how far from the truth they are? I've enjoyed the winning feeling tremendously, but now time for me to be a little more pragmatic about our task ahead. We must keep that second half intensity and quality up as other sides won't be as accommodating as Villa, a very poor side indeed. Roll on Goodison.

am I allowed to say that the above youtube clips don't impress me all that much? Hope he is Niemi-esq

Don't think Red**** could have been more complimentary to both club and manager. He backed us in the summer to stay up saying very similar things to last night http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19270749

do either still have the legs at 35?

I didn't realise he was injured. Might explain the poor showing. I'm loathe to berate him. He's just short of pace and having been in that position I know how hard it can be to play at fullback without it. Seems strange that Dixon AND Harding discarded if Shaw is not yet ready. Still don't know why Butterfield got a new deal. Could have spent those wages elsewhere. We must have a good plan for the fullback area, but I struggle to see it. With Fox and Guly out of the side, Fonte proving the mugs on here that he can do it and now Davis replaced, I fear for Puncheon. This board demands a whipping boy!

before the season I did wonder if there were three sides worse than us and then my Bluenose friend reeled off their squad list and made me feel a whole lot better. The right back looked OK, Ireland is tidy if given a luxury position and Bent, when on form (which he looks far from) is a threat. The rest, meh.

He's a right back, not a left back, a wingback or a winger. When you move up the pitch you play with your back to goal a lot more and that's a totally different requirement. Why, when we unearth an absolute gem of a fullback do you always get people calling for them to play further up the field? Does anyone seriously think Ashley Cole would have been as successful as he has been if pushed forward to left wing? The only flaw in my argument is Bale, but I take him to be the exception to the rule. He's a good defender too, no matter what anyone says on here. Needs longer studs though.

not huge amounts of marketing money swilling around at the moment either. Tickets are very expensive too, but club would argue they got prices spot on so far.

not IMO. He was terrible. He gave the ball away almost every time and topped that off by not busting a gut to get back to recoup his error. All done right in front of Adkins. Distribution is normally his best asset. When that is not working he offers nothing to the side and rightly subbed. I don't agree with this point either. He won everything in the air and caused their back four lots of problems right from the off. Agree with you regarding Ramirez not being a winger. He played centre forward in the first half and a tad deeper in the second. Mayuka is not a right midfield or right winger. He's a central striker doing a job for the team. I don't want to see him starting on the right side of a 4-4-2 (or 4-2-4 as it was at times yesterday).

You appear to be filling your time by coming back on here. Why the return? The nutjobs on here are no less forgiving than when you departed. Have you been mistakenly banned from POL? I hear this `jaded by time in the Prem' a lot. Is it the prices or the uncompetitiveness and repetitiveness of it all?

there's people on this thread moaning about lazy journalism, yet you seem to have totally ignored the fact that WBA were a top side last season, taking several teams apart home and often away. Don't underestimate them or Reading, both will give us problems. Reading have had a tough start. I wonder how many points we'll take off Chelsea, Spurs and Stoke?

if Chanrai takes charge you are more than welcome to come and watch our very own Prosinecki at SMS.

I've said that a few times. He has all the attributes, can't wait to see more of him. He's a bit of a secret weapon right now, but I can see him taking a few teams apart once he gets into the side. Going to be tough though with Sir Ricky and Ramirez taking the "striker" berths.

The prices of tickets has become ridiculous IMO, so I'm not surprised we are not selling out. That said, most of missing bums on seats are from the empty boxes and corporate seats.

Lawrenson said Villa were in complete and total control in the first half. Lambert said they fully deserved to be in front at half time. I've got to take my rose tinted specs off because that's not what I saw.

aha, and the ages of these guys (Lallana, Mayuka and Ramirez) just brings further joy. It's a young man's game and we have these guys in their prime.

I didn't read any of those posts, but no idea why. When he came on he did enough to show he would offer a threat and today he showed he has composure to go with it. Very exciting times. Lambert, Lallana, Ramirez and Mayuka represent real variety in attack. Wonder if those crying about us letting Sharp go to Forest still think it was a mistake?

Mayuka looks a real talent. How long since we had that kind of pace and skill up front. Camera mark II. All the new signings looked good today.

partly, perhaps, but Puncheon and both CB's were at fault too. Much more to do with terrible passing and lack o effort when losing it. what problems? Funny, the new guy gets your praise, despite diving in and not getting tight enough to their striker at corners, but Fonte gets the dig. Preconceived opinion of his showing or what? Fonte was top notch so much so I'd have to drop Yoshi rather than him if Jos was to come straight back in. didn't notice him leaving us exposed. aye? It'shis short passing that means we keep possession reducing the pressure on our back four. damn the lad with faint praise. He dominated the middle giving us the platform to win the game. didn't see that at all. The one thing he didn't do was track back, tackle or out his head where it hurts. Completely attacking. He played up front most of the game. No idea where you get the idea that he could play as a defensive midfielder. he helped turn the game. Sluggish in the first half, he got hold of it in the second half. You might be right about there being better out there, but until then he is the best option at right midfield. Mediocre. Really? He won almost every header, kept the ball and linked up well with Ramirez all game. What are you expecting if him?

he was outstanding today. Ran the middle of the park.

I'm not sure about other clubs, but at times it feels like we have some of the least knowledgeable, patient and appreciative fans around. A couple of mistakes highlighted on the box and the player is on the scrap heap. As you say Hey-ho

agree with this, but Adkins must use what he has for now and this seems like the best choice for Everton.

I guess you weren't at QPR to see Ian Andrews letting goals through his legs all those years ago? Worst Saints keeper I've seen by far. Kelvin on the other hand has been a great servant to the club and deserves better. Have all the other Saints keepers combined saved saved as many pens as him? Why Saints fans need to jump all over players after a few average displays is beyond me. They are not machines.

poor first half. Very stuttering display and his terrible pass led to their goal. Clyne didn't help him, often eating his space, and he didn't see much ball, but when he did he didn't push down the line enough. Excellent second half though. Perhaps Richardson helped him with different movement and positions. Very pleased he got his goal. He has been barracked on here for a long time and having recommended we sign him several years ago I thought my eye for a player had left me. He has the touch to do it at this level. Not sure 4-4-2 quite suits him, but at home he certainly offers us something. All is rosey. Perhaps he'll even buy himself another pair of black trousers with the goal bonus.