Other PL Round 25 Matches - 12-13th February, 2022

[MUFC]

Happy bonks for RondonEFC tonight.

[Dr. Gonzo]

15 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

If Lampard takes us on even a half-decent run the Rafa-bumming Reds crying into their corn flakes about it are going to make it all the sweeter so keep it up lads.

Tbh Lampard’s a perfect fit for Everton

[MUFC]

17 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

If Lampard takes us on even a half-decent run the Rafa-bumming Reds crying into their corn flakes about it are going to make it all the sweeter so keep it up lads.

 

[RandoEFC+]

1 minute ago, LFCMike said:

We'll be 40-50 points ahead of Everton come the end of the season, I doubt any of us will be crying over Everton.

Yet here you are, like flies on manure, trying to play down a 3-0 Everton win within seconds of the final whistle and predicting more doom and gloom in the next four games.

Lampard has had three games in charge and we've won two of them by three-goal margins, something which Benitez didn’t manage once. Brentford and Leeds aren't world beaters but Benitez was leading this team to defeat after defeat against similar opposition. And that's what this is about at the end of the day, you lot will absolutely hate it if a perceived "failed" manager like Lampard proves to be a better manager than your mate Rafa. I'm not going to overplay it and claim you're obsessed about it or that it'll even cross your mind when you aren't on the forum, but it's there, and it's all the more amusing against the backdrop of you lot lecturing us in July about how we only didn't want him because he's managed Liverpool and it turning out that it was you lot who were analysing the situation through your red-tinted spectacles all along, because he was absolutely fucking shite mate. And if Lampard does turn out to be as bad as you lot are praying for too, it won't make Benitez any less finished as a manager.

 

Here's how it works:

Everton 4-1 Brentford

"It's only one game"

Newcastle 3-1 Everton

"Ooh let's read loads into this one, Everton could be in real trouble here"

Everton 3-0 Leeds

"It's only one game"

 

I'm not fool enough to make sweeping predictions about the next four games or the rest of the season right now but if we do play like we did today for the rest of the season, we'll be absolutely fine. At least it was actually an enjoyable experience to watch my team play again today.

[OrangeKhrush]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Seeing Vieira, Gerrard and Lampard (imo the 3 best midfielders in the league of that era) all be managers in the league makes me feel older than Gandalf.

especially Vieira he is an old school player

[Lucas]

Fucking dreadful Leeds. Absolute zero to take from that game. I don't mind losing but I'm proper disgusted by that. How can you be happy getting smashed by a fellow struggler and Iwobi completely mugging our team off?

9pts in 51 for Everton and yet we've made them look stunning. They will be chuffed for such an important game, they had it so easy. Fuming.

Marcelo got it 100% wrong. I said first reply in this thread we really could have done with Phillips for this one knowing the intensity Everton would bring but to not start Forshaw was a terrible call. We had no midfield. Everton just waltzed through?! Defence were on a hiding to nothing.

It was one of those days. Two players forced off with injury, Rodrigo hits two peaches that smack the bar, just a day nothing would have gone for us. I can't remember the last time I heard Goodison like that but it was a horrible time for us to go there really.

Look, credit to Everton, they thoroughly deserved to win, I won't take that away from them. They were into us early and wouldn't let us get into a rhythm. Iwobi had a blinder, Van de Beek was particularly good in midfield and they looked far more dangerous than us in the final third. Young Gordan was also a livewire and even Seamus fucking Coleman was solid. Fuck me, he's usually garbage.

But we've put in an absolute shitter of a performance. And to take off Raphinha at HT for Tyrone fucking Roberts was a shocking call by Marcelo. Not only that, he's ran out of subs and had to leave Joe Gelhardt on the bench. 

People keep saying "Leeds will be fine, they'll be ok" but if we can't get wins we're getting dragged back in this. It's been a horrible season with rare moments of enjoyment. Would gladly take 17th now and see the back of it.

[RandoEFC+]

@Lucas genuinely feel for you lot with the injuries you've had to deal with. I don’t know what the timeline is for Bamford, Phillips, Dallas, etc but if you get enough of them back for the run in I'd still back you to get enough wins to steer clear. Rodrigo clearly has immense quality but there wasn't much around him to help him out. I was surprised and relieved to see Raphinha come off at half-time. Thought Dan James' body language was poor though along with a few others, quite a lot of shoulders slumped after going 2-0 down and a few of them seemed to break down pretty easily under the pressure from a combination of the crowd and our pressing. Misplaced passes and lumping it into the stands.

I'd still give our lot the credit though. We've lost far too many games just by not having the backbone to provide an answer to a more intense opponent. I felt that we got on the right side of that today for once, smelt blood, got the early goals and had the match 90% in our hands with just 25 minutes gone.

[Stan]

1 hour ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Seeing Vieira, Gerrard and Lampard (imo the 3 best midfielders in the league of that era) all be managers in the league makes me feel older than Gandalf.

Nostalgic if anything! 

[LFCMike]

3 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

Yet here you are, like flies on manure, trying to play down a 3-0 Everton win within seconds of the final whistle and predicting more doom and gloom in the next four games.

Lampard has had three games in charge and we've won two of them by three-goal margins, something which Benitez didn’t manage once. Brentford and Leeds aren't world beaters but Benitez was leading this team to defeat after defeat against similar opposition. And that's what this is about at the end of the day, you lot will absolutely hate it if a perceived "failed" manager like Lampard proves to be a better manager than your mate Rafa. I'm not going to overplay it and claim you're obsessed about it or that it'll even cross your mind when you aren't on the forum, but it's there, and it's all the more amusing against the backdrop of you lot lecturing us in July about how we only didn't want him because he's managed Liverpool and it turning out that it was you lot who were analysing the situation through your red-tinted spectacles all along, because he was absolutely fucking shite mate. And if Lampard does turn out to be as bad as you lot are praying for too, it won't make Benitez any less finished as a manager.

 

Here's how it works:

Everton 4-1 Brentford

"It's only one game"

Newcastle 3-1 Everton

"Ooh let's read loads into this one, Everton could be in real trouble here"

Everton 3-0 Leeds

"It's only one game"

 

I'm not fool enough to make sweeping predictions about the next four games or the rest of the season right now but if we do play like we did today for the rest of the season, we'll be absolutely fine. At least it was actually an enjoyable experience to watch my team play again today.

I merely made a point as to why Everton aren't out of trouble yet, despite today's win. And Josh's post was clearly aimed at certain people. It's a big win no doubt but there's more difficult games ahead for you lot.

As for all that rubbish about Benitez, I've no idea what you're going on about to honest.

[Dr. Gonzo]

45 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

Tbh Lampard’s a perfect fit for Everton

 

32 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

Yet here you are, like flies on manure,

 

[JoshBRFC+]

Look at the state of Citeh’s bench. It’s bloody annoying picking their players in your FF. 

[JoshBRFC+]

1 hour ago, Rick said:

Errr, the Newcastle game was his second in charge and Everton were dogshit. As they have been for like 3 months or more. They were 3 points above the relegation zone after that loss at St. James, so I don’t get where this “drama queens” comment comes from. 

Err, Newcastle were just very good and that performance had been coming. I think they deserve credit rather than it simply being a case of Everton were crap.

My comment was In jest, as always…  as the vast majority of people on here are adamant that Everton are in a relegation battle and I don’t think they are and don’t think they will be, that’s all.

[RandoEFC+]

7 minutes ago, LFCMike said:

I merely made a point as to why Everton aren't out of trouble yet, despite today's win. And Josh's post was clearly aimed at certain people. It's a big win no doubt but there's more difficult games ahead for you lot.

As for all that rubbish about Benitez, I've no idea what you're going on about to honest.

No worries, you just seemed a bit upset leaping into the thread like that.

But if anyone wants to pretend that the appraisal of Benitez as Everton manager by Liverpool fans, specifically the defending of him and excuses made for him, hasn't been a world apart from any other manager in recent memory, already including Lampard, then they can jog on because it's there in black and white all over the forum. I wouldn't mind if I hadn't spent the last six months simultaneously being told we were the ones being irrational and that we only wanted him sacked because of his Liverpool links while he took us on record-breakingly bad runs of form.

It's relevant now because you're coming into this discussion, probably not having watched the game, providing us with your valuable insight on all things Everton again. I'm merely pointing out that most Everton-related opinions coming from your fanbase this year have been skewed by a nostalgia of Benitez' successful spell as Liverpool manager so need to be taken with a pinch of salt for a while.

Admittedly, this stuff applies less to you individually than the others.

16 minutes ago, Dr. Gonzo said:

 

 

I genuinely don't know what you're getting at here. The perfect fit comment could be genuine, could be sarcasm, could be just you suggesting Lampard is a cunt and Everton are cunts. As I've mentioned once or twice, you touted Benitez to be the best Everton manager in our lifetime with a straight face earlier this season so your angle is anyone's guess. And I promise I love you and I'm not trying to be a cunt, I just genuinely don't know .

[LFCMike]

6 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

No worries, you just seemed a bit upset leaping into the thread like that.

But if anyone wants to pretend that the appraisal of Benitez as Everton manager by Liverpool fans, specifically the defending of him and excuses made for him, hasn't been a world apart from any other manager in recent memory, already including Lampard, then they can jog on because it's there in black and white all over the forum. I wouldn't mind if I hadn't spent the last six months simultaneously being told we were the ones being irrational and that we only wanted him sacked because of his Liverpool links while he took us on record-breakingly bad runs of form.

It's relevant now because you're coming into this discussion, probably not having watched the game, providing us with your valuable insight on all things Everton again. I'm merely pointing out that most Everton-related opinions coming from your fanbase this year have been skewed by a nostalgia of Benitez' successful spell as Liverpool manager so need to be taken with a pinch of salt for a while.

Admittedly, this stuff applies less to you individually than the others.

I genuinely don't know what you're getting at here. The perfect fit comment could be genuine, could be sarcasm, could be just you suggesting Lampard is a cunt and Everton are cunts. As I've mentioned once or twice, you touted Benitez to be the best Everton manager in our lifetime with a straight face earlier this season so your angle is anyone's guess. And I promise I love you and I'm not trying to be a cunt, I just genuinely don't know .

I watched most of it but probably wouldn't have even commented in this thread until tomorrow if I wasn't given something to respond to.

Truthfully, I can't remember the last time I gave Benitez at Everton a serious thought. I just quite like the thought of Everton going down. Fuck all to do with Benitez or Lampard.

[Rick]

@RondónEFC My reply was to Josh’s “drama queens” comment. Thought it was a bit unfair on a few people who were stating simple facts the other night. 

[Dr. Gonzo]

40 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

No worries, you just seemed a bit upset leaping into the thread like that.

But if anyone wants to pretend that the appraisal of Benitez as Everton manager by Liverpool fans, specifically the defending of him and excuses made for him, hasn't been a world apart from any other manager in recent memory, already including Lampard, then they can jog on because it's there in black and white all over the forum. I wouldn't mind if I hadn't spent the last six months simultaneously being told we were the ones being irrational and that we only wanted him sacked because of his Liverpool links while he took us on record-breakingly bad runs of form.

It's relevant now because you're coming into this discussion, probably not having watched the game, providing us with your valuable insight on all things Everton again. I'm merely pointing out that most Everton-related opinions coming from your fanbase this year have been skewed by a nostalgia of Benitez' successful spell as Liverpool manager so need to be taken with a pinch of salt for a while.

Admittedly, this stuff applies less to you individually than the others.

I genuinely don't know what you're getting at here. The perfect fit comment could be genuine, could be sarcasm, could be just you suggesting Lampard is a cunt and Everton are cunts. As I've mentioned once or twice, you touted Benitez to be the best Everton manager in our lifetime with a straight face earlier this season so your angle is anyone's guess. And I promise I love you and I'm not trying to be a cunt, I just genuinely don't know .

I’m allowed to change my opinion on Lampard right?

3 matches in and from the little I’ve seen, and yeah it’s a little, it looks like he’s given Everton a new lease of life.

He understands the ethos of Everton probably better than any manager you’ve had since Moyes, even the hating Liverpool bit he’s got. So that’s a plus for Evertonians too.

That’s at least got to be better than having a manager fans would always hate, and who probably doesn’t have much respect for your fans at all in all honesty.

And unlike Moyes fitting the ethos of an Everton that told its fans a small club, he’s actually got some ambition and won things. So he fits the ambition of the fans that suddenly remembered Everton is a big club and demanded more once they appointed a Liverpool legend. And yeah he did take Everton on unreasonably bad runs and tbh I thought so little of your squad with those big players missing I thought pretty much anyone would be that bad. I think maybe I’ve been proven wrong.

Tbh it makes the Agent Rafa stuff look plausibly true 

And he plays attacking football, which is what the fans want.

It’s early days but it looks like he’s proven me wrong. Granted early days Rafa looked decent with you so who knows.

Maybe I’ve just given him the kiss of death.

Also Lampard’s a cunt and Everton are cunts  remains a true statement 

[RandoEFC+]

It's definitely too early to draw sweeping conclusions after three games. But the way the team is performing does look a world apart on the limited evidence. Not just the results but the commitment, energy, pressing, creating more shots and shots on target, more possession, winning the ball more in the opposition half, all the things that the actually good teams do. I didn't see the Newcastle game but even if none of those key indicators were evident, I'll take it in 2 games out of 3 for a manager who hasn't had much time with the squad. Especially when his predecessor wasn't prioritising those things on the pitch.

I don't really blame Benitez for his spell in charge of the club either. I don't believe he's an idiot or hold anything against him. I believe he was trying to do what he thought was best, but I think he is just wrong about how to succeed in modern football. I don't think any more or less of him after his spell other than being even more convinced he isn't a great Premier League manager in 2022. It's Moshiri I blame for trying to make the big footballing decisions when he knows fuck all about football.

[Dr. Gonzo]

37 minutes ago, RondónEFC said:

It's definitely too early to draw sweeping conclusions after three games. But the way the team is performing does look a world apart on the limited evidence. Not just the results but the commitment, energy, pressing, creating more shots and shots on target, more possession, winning the ball more in the opposition half, all the things that the actually good teams do. I didn't see the Newcastle game but even if none of those key indicators were evident, I'll take it in 2 games out of 3 for a manager who hasn't had much time with the squad. Especially when his predecessor wasn't prioritising those things on the pitch.

I don't really blame Benitez for his spell in charge of the club either. I don't believe he's an idiot or hold anything against him. I believe he was trying to do what he thought was best, but I think he is just wrong about how to succeed in modern football. I don't think any more or less of him after his spell other than being even more convinced he isn't a great Premier League manager in 2022. It's Moshiri I blame for trying to make the big footballing decisions when he knows fuck all about football.

Yeah it’s early days, could go any way in the world right now. But it looks encouraging so far 

[Dave]

3 hours ago, Danny said:

Happy to get a point but in a e like that you need the ref and VAR to get the big decisions correct

Didn't we get a free kick for a foul in the build up? It was down the other end and genuinely can't remember. Thought Zaha and Ayew had penalty claims in real time but haven't seen any replays.

Overall I don't think either team can complain about a point. It felt like we had a lot of the ball but didn't cause David Raya any problems. Brentford were happy to settle for a point in the second half and didn't really ever look like scoring past Guaita. 

I was surprised with how many fouls Brentford got away with on Wilfried Zaha again but it's got to a point now where teams are stupid if they're not picking up on how incompetent referees are when it comes to watching out for blatant persistent fouls on him.

[Danny]

18 minutes ago, The Palace Fan said:

Didn't we get a free kick for a foul in the build up? It was down the other end and genuinely can't remember. Thought Zaha and Ayew had penalty claims in real time but haven't seen any replays.

Overall I don't think either team can complain about a point. It felt like we had a lot of the ball but didn't cause David Raya any problems. Brentford were happy to settle for a point in the second half and didn't really ever look like scoring past Guaita. 

I was surprised with how many fouls Brentford got away with on Wilfried Zaha again but it's got to a point now where teams are stupid if they're not picking up on how incompetent referees are when it comes to watching out for blatant persistent fouls on him.

Yeah it was pulled back for a push but put simply it was just not a foul.

I missed the second half in fairness as I had to travel home from work. Tbh we’re happy to give up possession, especially with Raya going long we like to try and win the ball back in the second tackle

[Dave]

3 minutes ago, Danny said:

Yeah it was pulled back for a push but put simply it was just not a foul.

I missed the second half in fairness as I had to travel home from work. Tbh we’re happy to give up possession, especially with Raya going long we like to try and win the ball back in the second tackle

I was really impressed with Raya's distribution. Every long pass was at the perfect height and pace to catch the player Brentford had and potentially catch ours out. Mitchell and Ward earned there money out wide today.

[Lucas]

1 hour ago, RondónEFC said:

@Lucas genuinely feel for you lot with the injuries you've had to deal with. I don’t know what the timeline is for Bamford, Phillips, Dallas, etc but if you get enough of them back for the run in I'd still back you to get enough wins to steer clear. Rodrigo clearly has immense quality but there wasn't much around him to help him out. I was surprised and relieved to see Raphinha come off at half-time. Thought Dan James' body language was poor though along with a few others, quite a lot of shoulders slumped after going 2-0 down and a few of them seemed to break down pretty easily under the pressure from a combination of the crowd and our pressing. Misplaced passes and lumping it into the stands.

I'd still give our lot the credit though. We've lost far too many games just by not having the backbone to provide an answer to a more intense opponent. I felt that we got on the right side of that today for once, smelt blood, got the early goals and had the match 90% in our hands with just 25 minutes gone.

Fair assessment.

Bielsa has admitted post match he got it wrong in midfield and with the subs. Small consolation now.

I always find it funny how it takes a sacking for players to roll their sleeves up and get pumped. It kinda feels a bit dishonest they haven't found that motivation till now but I guess on the flip side, you've not had an atmosphere like that all year.

That was bound to give anyone a lift. Truly was brilliant.

[Danny]

30 minutes ago, The Palace Fan said:

I was really impressed with Raya's distribution. Every long pass was at the perfect height and pace to catch the player Brentford had and potentially catch ours out. Mitchell and Ward earned there money out wide today.

That is bog standard for Raya mate, there’s a reason why Arsenal wanted him when he was still a Championship goalkeeper. Kicking is much better than Ramsdale. It’s also why we’ve struggled without him because his passing is central to how we play out from the back and Fernandez never really replicated it.

I think Ward got done once or twice by Henry today but Mitchell played like a man possessed, I imagine it’s a big game for him to prove he’s better than we are which is fair enough. Happy to see he made it pro and to a good level with you.

[RandoEFC+]

Our lineup today featured two academy players and nine players signed by six different managers. Moyes (Coleman), Martinez (Holgate), Koeman (Pickford, Keane, Calvert-Lewin), Silva (Iwobi, Richarlison), Ancelotti (Allan) and Lampard (van de Beek).

Allardyce (Tosun) and Benitez (Townsend, El-Ghazi, Rondon, etc) also represented on the bench.

Now more than ever, what an absolute mishmash of players. 

[LFCMike]

Squad is looking so strong now. That bench and you still have Gomez, Jones and Minamino who haven't made the squad today.

EDIT: and Origi. How did I forget him