Sheaf Saint

Sounds exactly like what happened to J-Rod. Very sad because he showed some potential and put in a few decent performances from what I remember.

Provided the new signings integrate well (KWP already has), and we can sustain the confidence and fitness levels we showed during the restart, I really don't see why we can't be challenging for the Euro places by the end of the season.

I browse the Grand Old Team Everton forum regularly, and there's been a lot of chatter about Walcott's potential departure to us today. Feelings seem to be mixed among their fans. Some think he still has pace and ability and is a useful option from the bench, but has lost his confidence due to not getting regular game time. Oothers reckon his legs have gone and he's a bottler and a waste of space. Given the signings they have made this summer, it's obvious he isn't going to be a regular starter for Ancellotti, so most are happy to see him moved on and get his wages off the books. I'll admit I haven't seen enough of him in recent years to make my own judgement, but if Ralph reckons he can make a contribution then I'll put my trust in him.

I agree his overall performance wasn't great, but it was certainly an improvement on last week at Burnley. However, look at the goal he scored and ask yourself - would Redmond have scored from that chance? I very much doubt it. He would never have had the presence of mind to turn back onto his left foot and hit a low shot past the keeper. Most likely he would have panicked and smashed it high into the stands with his right, or dithered and given the defenders the chance to re-position themselves and get a block or tackle in. Having said that, was probably the right call to take him off after he had been booked.

Considering Ali Dia never actually signed, and Osvaldo actually managed to get on the scoresheet before losing his head, I think we can safely say that's true.

I guess because his greatest strength is that he's decent on the ball and has a good ability to pick a forward pass out of a defensive position. It's his last-ditch defending, heading etc... that lets him down. Therefore, he *might* be quite effective as a DM rather than a CB.

One of the worst games of football I've ever watched (as happens a lot when Burnley are playing), but I'll take those 3 points. This is the kind of game we usually never win, so it's great to get a result. Plenty of players well below their best out there tonight though.

Beautiful finish from Ings, but clearly offside.

Nice little flick through to Adams from Djenepo there.

That's a big let-off.

Actually the possession ratio has tilted in our favour over the last 10-15 mins, and it's that that worries me more. We never, ever win when we have more possession than the opposition.

No, me neither. Vest has made a couple of good blocks, but he was so slow to react when the ball broke back to the player who was on on his arse after attempting a scissor kick. Should never have been allowed to get to that from being on the deck and get a shot away. Very poor defending.

https://www.eplsite.uk/stream17.html Click the second one down. The top one is a false link.

Already looking much more threatening with Armstrong back in the side.

Can't argue with the starting 11 - Vestergaard is probably the right choice against Burnley, but that bench is soooo weak.

That was fucking dreadful from Stephens to let Zaha in there. Shocking defending. Great save to deny Ings. Not happening today is it.

6 mins added on.

They did that as soon as they scored.

That's a waste from JWP. So unlikely to score from there. A cross would have been a much better option.

20 minutes left. How long is Ralph going to leave it before making a change? I would make a double change in attack right now - Long and Djenepo for Redmond and Smallbone.

Better so far this half, but still need to buck our ideas up a bit if we're going to get anything out of this game.

That is never a red card.

Apart from that lovely little touch through to Ings during the first ten minutes, he's not had any service so far. I know we're missing Armstrong, but Smallbone looks like a weak link there to me. Very disappointing goal to concede. I'll take nothing away from Zaha for the finish, but we got caught napping when the ball broke to Townsend, and we left him completely unmarked at the back post. Unforgivable really. We've had 72% possession. We never, ever win games with that much possession. Palace are rigid in their defensive formation, and we don't have any ideas or anybody with any real dribbling skill to break through and get in behind. Same as it has been for the last few years now.

That could be interpreted differently though, as adding an extra player will give us sufficient cover in that position, with them all competing for a starting place.