Here we go again you on about your obsession with Benteke.

Such a sad person u r.

At the very least it's more interesting to watch us lose if he brings a sub or two on.

Bangell - If Camus wrote The Myth of Sisyphus today, it would be about Jason Puncheon eternally trying and failing to pass with his right foot.

Have always liked the board the 4th official holds up. Great quality lighting. Good to see what our lads have rehursed as a pitch entrance too. Completely taking the joy out of games like today not bringing anyone on.

In all seriousness though, Roy got it wrong today. And it’s ok to say that.

Edited by Mstrobez (10 Feb 2018 5.09pm)

We're the Arthur over ere!

Poor goals to concede. Partly down to TFM playing a position he's only played twice all season. Jach must still be rusty.

Agree with others, Roy's refusal to sub is very concerning. Once we were three down it was time to give rakip and a couple of others minutes.

Defensively we were shaky, but TFM is no Sakho or Dann in the middle. If you look at Everton's attacking players and our defensive injuries, they really should be expected to get three or four. And they did.

On the other hand, we had as many chances as Everton the ball just didn't find the net. Sørloth was a big positive for me today. His first touch was neat, he hurried defenders and it was his cushioned header to Bentenke that led to us winning the penalty. On the downside he was a striker being asked to try and support PvA defensively, which is clearly not something he is used to despite his effort. If Zaha had been able to play he would have had a field day against Everton's defence and may have been able to help more in stopping the pace of Walcott.

I don't think anyone was terrible today, I just think we lacked the leadership of Sakho at the back and the trickery of Zaha in midfield. Some of our play was neat and tidy and we created quite a lot of chances. However, unless we get Zaha and Sakho back for Spuds then I imagine a similar result is on the cards, but I don't think you can question the effort of the team today, as even Tekkers was running around hurrying their defence.

As to the subs, Lee has never looked like a game changing player and would have been too weak for the midfield battle taking place today and Rakip is an unknown to us - is he actually capable? We have two weeks off now, so fatigue won't be such a worry, plus none of the players looked knackered at the end.

Onwards!

Other teams are still in a worse position

WBA are 7 points behind and Pardew has won like 2 in 20+ games
Huddersfield have lost 5 on trot
Stoke can only beat poor teams at home and have some u teams at their ground coming up. They're goal difference is poor too
Brighton still have avery tough run in

We should be OK if we get enough players back(especially Zaha) for the easier fixtures and don't lose nerve

Hodgson refusing to sub and playing McArthur out of position does worry me though.

BTW how did Ward do? Should he keep his place when Sakho comes back?