OTF

Some people will try to tell you that football is all about controlling possession, field position and the pace of the game. Not so. We've plainly got a plan to counter attack with efficiency and precision and it's all going according to that plan. We only need to improve on our shooting accuracy and our general shooting (you know, actually having a shot) as well as our transition from defense into attack and our winning of the ball. All of the rest of it we're putting on a masterclass, except the defending aspects.

And it'll still be the best thing he'll have done here, up there with the time that Shane 'Jingle bells' Ferguson nutmegged some one.

Just like the last time we played them we look well and truly second best.

Terrible news, very sorry to hear it. Thinking of you and your family.

I don't know how you did it, but you've salvaged the thread Kithman.

Nobody except you cares enough, and I include Everton fans in that.

Anyone have some petrol and a match? This thread needs to be torched.

Manquillo is a better footballer no doubt, but that said there is no susbstitute for pace. If I was picking between the two of them fully fit in the current team (if Yedlin was still here) it'd be Manquillo every time. It's not that I think he's particularly good, but he's easily the superior defender of the two even considering Yedlin's pace and the benefit that gives to defending counter attacks. Seriously though, the level of players we're forced to have conversations about is a disgrace. We'd be better off having a thinner squad of better players (and actually giving some kids a chance) than the middling lot we have.

Murphy is better than current Ritchie for sure. Keeps his head down too much, and runs himself into bad channels on occassion but isn't prone to stupid challenges or crap set pieces and is more likely to create. Still think he's most effective coming off the bench and Ritchie staying on the bench. If it's a choice of one of these two and Joelinton starting in a wide position it'd be Murphy for sure even though he's defensively suspect and lightweight.

Murphy is a good player to have on the bench. I don't mean that in jest, as a sub coming on his direct play and propensity to run at tiring defenders creates chances. He's also shown on multiple occassions that he's not bad with a dead ball.

Would he actually have been sacked anyway? Highly doubt it. Commentatory actually referred to it accidentally as a "fight against survival" and he couldn't have been more accurate.

TOT!

Geez, so glad I'm watching this.

I look forward to watching the Premier League Classics Match for this. Blink and you'll miss it.

Oh Murphy.

Had to shoot there, had the time and space to dink it over the keeper instead of passing it back into a congested centre. It was a good run and nicely weighted pass.

Hold out for 80% or you're a giant mug.

He's creative with the way he turns it over, I can barely contain my excitement in wondering whether it will be dribbling it lazily towards two defenders who pick his pocket easily, trying to beat one man and inadvertently giving the ball up, being knocked off the ball by a smaller defender or just passing it straight to them. Joga bonito!

Tim Sherwood is an absolute dickhead, but he's rightly calling this game and our 'tactics' out as being shit. The best they could come up with is that hopefully the second half is better. Sad but true.

They tear shit up in training against Krafth and Ritchie.

Didn't want to mess with a systen that is... err... umm.... nevermind. Joelinton is so completely useless out there.

Shelvey throwing himself about like a blind Paul Dummett.

Gayle throwing himself about like Paul Dummett.

Joelinton needs to carry a bucket of sand with him when he plays.

Krafth's attempt at a volley, embarrassing. Honestly we should get Murphy out there.