Graffito

Simplistic reasoning.

Agreed. Needs addressing.

So he could have taken off Schneiderlin or Cork. He chose to take off Cork. Point stands.

Yes. I rate him but he doesn't score and doesn't open up games. Taking him off risked conceding further but we needed to score. It was a rational decision by Pochettino.

Be surprised if he doesn't play some part at least against his home town club.

Maybe the reason wasn't just the yellow card.

He comes on against Scotland and scores with his first touch, since when he's got slower and slower. I can't understand it.

That wasn't quite what I said but anyway....

He now uses rather than abuses, granted. But there's nothing exceptional in any of the above.

Oh go on, tell us what you mean.

Agree with this approach.

He hasn't fallen out with them lately if that's what you mean.

Oh yeah, Cortese's fabled mastery of the press. Forgot about that.

Cortese isn't a fool. If you and I can see that we are a good side but were beaten by a better squad then I'm quite sure Cortese sees it. Which begs the question why you made this post.

With the move to Stratford it would be disaster for them if they go down. He'd score the goals that would keep them up. Bargain at £8m. How would we replace him. Tell 'em to stick it where the sun don't shine.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/west-ham/10543161/West-Ham-manager-Sam-Allardyce-continues-search-for-striker-as-Southampton-put-8m-price-on-Rickie-Lambert.html £8m.

Except that somebody used his loaf, did some research and told the forum what would happen.

I liked the one where he suggested a demo march from the pub to the ground, but not actually going into the stadium but turning round and marching back to the pub. Bit like the Grand Old Duke of York.

On that basis you might think he has more reason to give decisions against Chelsea following the Mikel allegations but Chelsea have been willing to have him officiate. Picking and choosing refs and even applying rules about a referee's place of birth, place of residence or allegiances is a can of worms, as is making them answerable in public. If anything, he may have been swayed yesterday by that being his first appearance at Goodison for 6 years, having been prevented from refereeing there due to poor performance in a derby match. It's possible he's simply someone whose judgement is poor and who should be demoted to the lower leagues. Harsh on the lower leagues but at least we wouldn't have to put up with him.

"Gaston has to play more". I imagine that's what the manager has been telling him.

Is he wasting money on the academy that could be used to buy these players?

FWIW, as I think it's not particularly relevant, he's a declared Newcastle fan who therefore is not permitted to referee Newcastle or SunderLand matches. Refs are given the option to declare allegiances when they become FL or PL refs.

Everton are strong down the flanks. By and large the team did a good job of limiting their opportunities to cross from the flanks. On two of the few occasions they did get down the wings they scored, one from the right and the second from the left. Baines is class and Coleman had a good game. How many times did Baines whip crosses in? Both our fullbacks did ok against them.

I doubt that was much consolation to Everton though I'd imagine today's aberration may have been. With the master penalty taker in our side that's two points he's paid back.

He's been prevented from reffing at Goodison for 6 years due to an abysmal performance there. Today was his first game back.