"Try to keep it objective"?
Caulker was definitely to blame for the defeat. He is very good and very young, but he was to blame yesterday.
You and Glenroyyid have been very critical of Gallas - before the game, during the game, after the game.
Yet I and others thought Gallas had a decent game - Everton were kept at bay for most of the match and Fellaini is one of the hardest guys in the league to defend against so both centre backs did well.
But I don't see how Caulker's contribution for the rest of the game outweighed the calamitous decision to ignore the keeper and only clear the ball a few yards.
Again.
Ridiculous markings. AVB 9 - are you watching the same game as the rest of us. His tactics were barking. His substitutions were madness. He ceded the initiative and once again invited Everton to take the points with his negativity. He doesnt seem to learn this tactic just doesnt work with our mentality.
i just heard the stat that we would be TOP if the games ended at 80 minutes. That is all down to the management, tactics, training, menality, substitutions, free kick and corner incompetence. Who would you say is responsible for that lot?
Well, simply put... we weren't very good, we took a undeserved lead, 3 of our best players this season (Lennon, Defoe, Dembele) go off, we got even worse and then they scored 2 goals in injury time. Quite a few things which normally point to the manager there, but it doesnt have to be his fault... only problem is that seems to be a very regular set of events this season.
The times when you sort of say "ok we lost but the manager couldnt have done a lot more" are the occasions where you play really well, have 20 shots on goal but just one of those days when nothing goes in. Even easier to say it if the team has been playing really well during most games.
Who would you say is redpinsible for the initial 80 minutes?
Lloris - 8 - I thought he was good. Superb save in the second half and in all honesty couldn't do nothing with either goals.
Walker - 6.5 - He seems to be getting back to his best but today he was poor. In fact our whole right side was, constantly getting beat and letting crosses into the box. Wasn't one of his better games from recent weeks.
Gallas - 7 - In my opinion he wasn't bad at all today, probably our best defender. Crucial blocks, organizing the defence and didn't really give away much like he usually does, for a 35 year old that isn't bad.
Caulker - 6.5 - I am one of his biggest fans but to not listen to Lloris call again is flimflam at this level. No idea why he hasn't learnt from the mistake. I hope Lloris gave him a right gonading at the time and after the game, school boy errors costing us 3 points.
Vertonghen - 6.5 - Can't really say much other than he isn't a full back. Dempsey and Defoe both did there best to help Verts out defensively, yes DEFOE! Great on the ball, yes. But when it comes to bossing the whole left there is only one man for that job.
Lennon - 5 - Very poor game from him just couldn't get in it at all. Got Baines booked but only really due to the fact he is quicker than him. Didn't ONCE attack the defence and gave the ball away in stupid positions at times.
Dembele - 7.5 - He is so good for us in midfield. So strong, great technique, great work rate, his positional sense for defending is very good and his tackling is awesome. He went off and we didn't have anyone on the pitch capable of keeping on to the ball. I hope he isn't injured, luckily we get a full weeks rest until our next game against Swansea. A game where he would be vital.
Sandro - 7.5 - Man of the match competition between him and Dembele. Sandro has been our best player this season bar none. You can stick your Bales and your Defoes. This man is the fudging real deal seriously. We kept Fellaini quiet all game, well Sandro did. Some great tackles and nearly scored. I just get the genuine belief that he loves the club. Which is good because we all love him
Dempsey - 7.5 - Superb work rate once again today. Wins free kicks but we were never going to make them count with Walker taking them (wtf?). Scored another goal in successive games for us, just a shame it wasn't another one of his winners. Play him on the left and he seems to score. Finally winning people over, including me.
Adebayor - 5 - One of those Adebayor games. I mean he was superb against City (imo), superb against Arsenal too, gets sent off, was okay against Panathinaikos even though it didn't look like he wanted to be out there and then he goes and pulls that performance out when we needed it most. In all honesty he doesn't deserve a start against Swansea but I remember him ripping them last year.
Defoe - 5.5 - Mixed bag again from Defoe. I usually like the two playing together but it really wasn't working today. Two far apart as a partnership (dont really think it was 2 up top though), no link up play between the two. Work rate though as usual was excellent and he isn't afraid to put a foot in. Just wasn't in the game enough.
Seeing the light??
What because he was poor for one game? I love Lennon he wasnt good yesterday but doesnt make him a brick player all of a sudden. The guy defended a great deal and he has been defending a hell of a lot this season I am presuming to make up for the right back we have.
I am not saying (and have never said) he is a brick player. Quite the reverse. I believe he has all the attributes to be a great player. However, I have been saying that he needs to contribute more going forward - particularly without Bale. We looked toothless yesterday.
Bale can go forward because he has a better defender behind him than Lennon has. I am certain that AVB has told him to stay back defending a bit more.
I think we will see a Willan style player coming in to give Lennon a run for his money. At the present there is just no-one else that can play RM in the entire club. Shocking state of affairs really. No?
I have been banging on about our last 10 minutes in games for ages. The fact is that we cant close games out. We would be top if we could.
By going all negative, ceding possession, inviting teams to come onto us and produce relentless streams of attacks results in us losing points. It cost us yestereday, against Norwich, West Brom, Saudi Sportswashing Machine, and I am sure other games as well. We were also extremely fortunate at Man U and Southampton too where we hung on for grim death and just survived.
Yesterday luck was not on our side. But is it luck or is it our tactic? It is happening too often to be just luck. And also - when did we last turn one point into three in the last ten minutes? Certainly not under AVB. He needs to re-evaluate his strategy in this regard and fast.
Still gutted - but will try and keep it objective
Lloris - 7 - solid hands
Walker - 7 - little wrong
Gallas - 5 - shockorama
Caulker - 6 - ok
Verts - 7 - unlucky not to score
Lennon - 6 - completely neutralised by the excellent Baines
Sandro - 7 - beast
Dembele - 7 - MotM
Demspey - 7 - vital goal, great graft
Defoe - 6 - worked hard
Ade - 5 - poor
Hudd - 6 - some neat passes
Sigurdsson - 6 - almost scored
Gallas gets a lower rating than Caulker:ross::ross::ross:
This 100%
I actually thought that we were playing a type of 3-5-1-1 formation at times and that allowed Colman and Pienaar to get into the game. I agree with those posters who have applauded AVB's substitutions.
I admire AVB for the respect that he has shown for the Europa League, but we looked tired towards the end of the game.