The Toffees Managed To Get Stuck

So, the goal difference has been restored to zero!  And really it should be showing plus, but I can accept that with matches coming thick and fast, and with a few injuries to worry about, there's no point in the players blowing a gasket I suppose. At least one more Villa player has gone down today with a serious injury it would seem.

What were the Toffees doing? It is difficult to believe they were so poor, but perhaps they got mesmerised by some really skillful play in the first half in particular.  Using two old Villans in their ranks (Gueye and Young) did not help them one bit, allowing their old boy (Digne) to strut his stuff and provide Diaby with a chance to show his volleying skills again, and other close calls. 

With Burnley next up, we have another chance to sharpen up before we get to Anfield, and perhaps the Hibernian games will provide good practise as well. By the time we get to Anfield we will have a far better idea of how we are shaping.

I continue to admire our manager/coach in his approach, but sad also that young players are being shipped out in favour of big-money signings, and foreign players at that. But complaining is a luxury as the owners probably think that enough time has passed without silverware and if it means a big spend up to get that then so be it. I suppose. I have never been happy with that approach in the game and have long complained about the Manchester clubs, Chelseas and others for the big-spend attitude. Because my own club is now doing it rather than promoting more young players cannot change my view on this big-money philosophy. 

So long as the football is good to watch and matches are entertaining then I will try more to hold my counsel. Nevertheless, the amount of money in this sport is frightening, and with the ladies wanting their slice of the cake as well now, together with the hype building in their game, an independent observer might think that football has become something that matters above all else. This in a world that is increasingly suffering.

Don't the big-money people read the media for the news?  Do they help? Do they want to?

UTV!