BotleySaint

BBC site has gone seriously downhill in the last few years in terms of speed of update.

Agreed. We look pretty smart going forwards. That's a positive.

Might as well take JRod off and given Punch a chance?

Everton beginning to take complete control again.

Ah well. 2 years ago we were in league one It'll be an adventure, albeit a painful one.

I'd have expected Chaplow to be given a chance. I refuse to believe that this time last year we'd have capitulated in the same way we have today. So how come we are weaker now? Players like Chaplow and Hammond are unglamorous but at least they work hard to win the ball back.

I don't get it- we just keep passing the ball forwards straight back to their defenders. Over and over.

Probably the midfield. But the buck ultimately stops with the manager when it comes to formation I guess?

hehe indeed. We all hope at the start for something special and end up being easily defeated as the goals fly in against

We did well to keep the score down before half time. No-one marking anyone on any of those corners.

Midfield has a lot to answer for so far. Not getting any tackles in and passing the ball straight to their defenders when coming forwards.

It seems once we let one goal in we just totally crumble. Happened against Arsenal, Man Utd (their 2 late goals) and now Everton. We have no strength at the back. No leadership. Just lambs to the slaughter.. doesn't matter how good we are coming forwards.

This is utterly depressing. 3-1

They are rampant.

It looks like only a matter of time now. Arsenal all over again.

Just let them right through us. Really awful defending. Fonte looks slow and nervous.

To be fair we've matched them so far. But it's a critical stage of the game where we must avoid conceding before half time.

Basically sat the ball up nicely for them with some embarrassing defending in the middle. Completely avoidable..

Awful defending.

1-0 JRod with a moment of class.

Worth it if you need radio commentary and don't live locally. Also good for keeping up with the youth teams. And for watching the goals at a later date. So overall, yes I think its worth it.

Indeed which suggests to me the problem is merely in his head. Once the first couple go in I think he'll be fine. The ability is clearly still there its just a mental thing, perhaps a bit of unbelief. "Am I really good enough for the Premiership?" Well yes Adam, you bloody well are. Follow your instincts!

I'm guessing Craig Gordon's wage demands may be too high. Or his quality has seriously dropped. Otherwise I can't see why he wouldn't have signed for someone else by now...

All the hard work of the Manchester games is undone over a crazy first 40 minutes. Goal difference is now back to expected levels and points total is also as expected. Season starts against Villa.

Just gotta start again next week with Ramirez and Yoshida from the start. Season starts against Villa!