Everton (A) 19/5/21 (6pm, Sky) - Build-Up & Match Thread

[Jinky]

I'm getting quite frustrated with Nuno's team selections. We've all been asking for him to give some of the younger lads a go, but then he shunts them in out of position.

Vitinha surely looks like a player who can sit in next to Neves? He can collect the ball from the defenders and then play it forward in to areas that are going to hurt the opposition. He seems like one of the better players at helping us move up the pitch - as, other than Adama, we don't have anyone that can pick the ball up in the middle and beat a few men (so we have to pass it through teams instead).

Then you have MGW, who's best position is clearly number 10 but he keeps getting shunted out wide because our small squad is decimated.

I'd go with DW's team. But we will see a variation of Moutinho/Donk and MGW out side, without doubt.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Every time you say this the simple answer is Harry Kane.

They work if they’re done right.

I agree with Lycan he should go out for a season and get time in a league more befitting his level for now.

Kane did absolutely nothing at Leicester and Norwich so they obviously didn't get it right.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Besides which, look at Ronaldo. The immediate drop off from peak(ish) Beckham to him at 18 was massive. Hurt United for a while.

Fergie didn't send him back to Sporting because it'd be easier for the poor lamb.

 

[Kenny]

I'm getting quite frustrated with Nuno's team selections. We've all been asking for him to give some of the younger lads a go, but then he shunts them in out of position..........Then you have MGW, who's best position is clearly number 10 but he keeps getting shunted out wide because our small squad is decimated.

So your frustrations is born out of using a player in a secondary position because Podence & Neto are out injured. Maybe he shares those frustrations but his choices are limited. Part theough his desire to have a smaller squad and part through losing all but Traore from the first choice attacking line up thanks to injury

 

[Johnny75]

Kane did absolutely nothing at Leicester and Norwich so they obviously didn't get it right.

5 in 18 at Orient when he was 17 and 7 in 22 at Millwall when he was 18 isn’t too shabby.

He only had 3 appearances at Norwich and played wide at Leicester which was an obvious mistake. The first two are what happens when you play a player in their correct position the latter are when you don’t.

Find the right loan and Fabio thrives.

 

[Johnny75]

Besides which, look at Ronaldo. The immediate drop off from peak(ish) Beckham to him at 18 was massive. Hurt United for a while.

Fergie didn't send him back to Sporting because it'd be easier for the poor lamb.

Fabio isn’t fit to lace Ronaldo’s boots, nowhere near the same impact even at 18.

He’s going to be a decent player but never worth what we paid, he’s just not quick enough (he’s much slower than Kane is now).

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

The thing is Kane was never ever seen as a generational talent. Redknapp never picked him, not even once.

He was closer to being released than anything else.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

Ronaldo's first season at United: 29 appearances (15 starts), 4 goals

Second season: 33 appearances (25 starts), 5 goals

He really didn't look all that.

 

[Lycan]

The loan wouldn't be about how many goals he can get for some other team. I wouldn't care if he went on loan to Famalicão/Grasshoppers and only scored 2 or 3 all season. It'd be about his personal development not his immediate returns.

Using the Kane example all of his loans could be considered a 'success', regardless of how he played while out on loan, as all of those loans contributed towards moulding him into the player he is today.

 

[Jinky]

So your frustrations is born out of using a player in a secondary position because Podence & Neto are out injured. Maybe he shares those frustrations but his choices are limited. Part theough his desire to have a smaller squad and part through losing all but Traore from the first choice attacking line up thanks to injury

A lot of people said the small squad thing was going to come back and bite us in the arse. That's well and truly been the case this season.

Nuno can be as frustrated as he likes - it was ultimately his decision. And yes, we had a good record last season but it's foolish to think every season will be the same. So I don't buy the "unlucky with injuries" line that I've read a few times.

For what it's worth, he can't really do anything else than play MGW out of position. Unless he goes with DW's side and gives young Theo Messi a start, but I just don't see him doing that from the off.

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

But we get back into the problem of creating an issue where one doesn't exist (IMO), when we already have plenty that needs fixing.

I have no issue with Fabio playing a limited role off the bench, starting sometimes in a front two and playing League Cup games (until we lose to someone shit). Otherwise he isn't going to play, nor is anyone else. We'd just have to spend money on AN Other, and the likelihood is they'd be as shit as José.

 

[Parkins left foot]

If Boly is fully fit then play him - if not then really don't risk him. The last games aren't that important now.

Would rather see Ait Nouri on the left as think that he does have something & any experience will help him.

Would continue with Fabio - there's only 2 games to go & he can have a rest then - Jose is not worth persevering with.

Neves instead of Moutinho & would give Vitanha another try though he was somewhat anonymous against Spurs.

 

[Elephant Pyjamas]

Oh, there seems to be some flip flopping on here about Fabio, after the Albion and Brighton games I thought people were a lot more positive about him, now after the Spurs game it's gone negative again.

I think we keep him here, 2nd choice striker to Raul and have him coming off the bench, starting the cup games.

Neville and particularly Redknapp were a disgrace in how they talked about Silva yesterday, the latter comparing him with Kane!? WTF.

 

[Lycan]

But we get back into the problem of creating an issue where one doesn't exist (IMO), when we already have plenty that needs fixing.

I have no issue with Fabio playing a limited role off the bench, starting sometimes in a front two and playing League Cup games (until we lose to someone shit). Otherwise he isn't going to play, nor is anyone else. We'd just have to spend money on AN Other, and the likelihood is they'd be as shit as José.

AN Other might be just as shit as José, might be even better than Raúl. We won't know until we get them in the door.

Even if we don't send Fábio out I'd be signing another striker btw (or giving Mir a chance, he's clearly got something about him).

 

[AndyWolves]

Silva needs exactly what the plan was when he came here which is time behind Raul coming off the bench for cameo's.

 

[Kenny]

A lot of people said the small squad thing was going to come back and bite us in the arse. That's well and truly been the case this season.

Nuno can be as frustrated as he likes - it was ultimately his decision. And yes, we had a good record last season but it's foolish to think every season will be the same. So I don't buy the "unlucky with injuries" line that I've read a few times.

3 Seasons rather than "lucky" for 1 isn't it. If biting us on the arse = a bang average season in the Top Flight, I think the bite to the arse is minimal.

With regards to injuries, look around the 19 other clubs. All hit by higher than normal muscle injuries, this season is not the norm. Small squad or not, the majority have been hit hard at times and using the term unlucky to describe a fractured skull, 2 x ACL on 1 player and a bust knee cap is a fair description.

We could have added 3 or 4 players to our squad this season and it probably wouldn't have made much difference (probably would have got injured)

 

[Tredman]

Silva needs exactly what the plan was when he came here which is time behind Raul coming off the bench for cameo's.

That only works if there is a Raul. If he is injured again next season and we are relying on Silva for more than the odd cameo or very occasional start we are in trouble.

 

[AndyWolves]

That only works if there is a Raul. If he is injured again next season and we are relying on Silva for more than the odd cameo or very occasional start we are in trouble.

If it comes down to opportunity cost I'd take CBs and CMs over a third striker.

A wide player who can play central would be my third priority

 

[Deutsch Wolf]

That only works if there is a Raul. If he is injured again next season and we are relying on Silva for more than the odd cameo or very occasional start we are in trouble.

Well we haven't been in trouble this season, even if it hasn't been much fun.

 

[Johnny75]

Oh, there seems to be some flip flopping on here about Fabio, after the Albion and Brighton games I thought people were a lot more positive about him, now after the Spurs game it's gone negative again.

I think we keep him here, 2nd choice striker to Raul and have him coming off the bench, starting the cup games.

Neville and particularly Redknapp were a disgrace in how they talked about Silva yesterday, the latter comparing him with Kane!? WTF.

He cost £35m so it's not unfair for those outside of our club and supporters to question why this guy has been touted as a potential superstar. He is after all the 7th most expensive teenage signing ever.

Yesterday they were scratching their heads as to why that was.