It's not just their form though is it? Baines hasn't really got forward this season because Martinez has removed Pienaar from the team, which for me has pretty much destroyed Baines's ability to get up beyond the wide player. Either because there isn't anyone there at all, or because it's someone like Lukaku or Mirallas who isn't comfortable in that position and struggles to link up with Baines. Coleman has still done okay this season and today.

Everton are just static at the moment. They are too slow moving the ball, probably because the players aren't that good technically, particularly at the back and Barry in midfield, and just can't shift it quick enough to expose teams. All teams have to do to stop Everton getting any sort of hold of the game is press high up the pitch. It stops the fullbacks getting forward and means the defenders are playing risky balls into midfielders facing towards their own goal who receive the ball under real pressure. Playing without any creative midfielders doesn't help either. Today they were basically playing a 4-3-3 with Lukaku and Mirallas isolated on the wing and Naismith playing as a defender chasing lost causes and balls being passed around him in triangles. In midfield we had a trio of defensive choppers in Besic, Barry and McCarthy. Fine tactically if you are playing for a 0-0, but they aren't going to beat many teams playing that way.

Pienaar only played in just over half our games last season, so you can't put Baines's ineffectiveness simply down to his absence.

I agree about the midfield problems though - Barry is absolutely finished as a Premier League player, though if McCarthy stays fit and able to do his 30 miles a game running about, then Everton will get away with him in the side until season end.

I'm happy to see some pace being introduced to the side with Lennon, but you are right that we need some creation in the side just behind Lukaku - Unfortunately, Barkley looks devoid of interest and/or confidence at the moment.

Personally, come summer, I'd hold an auction involving Barkley and Coleman and start afresh with the £50 million or so that we would quite laughably get... Throw in Mirallas's inevitable exit and we would have enough cash to give Martinez one final chance to see if he really is the real deal, or merely a chancer who is able to charm the media with his Spanish lilt.

Dave Bassett must be laughing his cock off at Van Gaal being labelled a tactical genius on Sky, for simply throwing on Fellaini and then lumping endless long balls upto him .....

Chelsea fans in "classless w@nkers" shocker....

Oppo fans w@nking themselves off over it, now that's classy.

I'd love to know your thoughts on van Gaal then if you think that's the case with Rodgers.

He's spent £150M+ this summer and you are 2 points ahead of a Liverpool team who had lose their best player (and one of the world's best players I'd like to add). They also lost there main goal scorer for 6 months of the season. They've played the most games out of anyone in the PL so far yet Louis van Genius is 2 points ahead of them.

I questioned Rodgers in Novemeber but the man has turned it around. He's shown what a good young manager he is. He's changed the system, brought players in and he's getting results and god performances. He's transformed our defence. 5 consecutive away clean sheets in the league the first time since the 1980s and Mignolet is second only to Fraser Forster on clean sheets.

After the start we've had, too be 3 points off third, in the EL last 32, 80 minutes off an FA Cup semi final at Wembley is incredible IMO.

van Gaal has been pathetic IMO.

You are blind if you go by the myth that Sakho is uncomfortable on the ball. He's one of the best ball playing CB's in the league along with Stones.

He's our only defender who can pass it out from the back. His passing is superb. He averages 95% pass completion most games and 65% of them are forward passes.

You blindly stick by the notion that he 'looks awkward on the ball though' and can't pass

There are excuses for both van Gaal and Rodgers, but both of them have sucked this season.

I'd have to disagree... Van Gaal is dog turd, all hype, and doesn't have the foggiest what he is doing, bar playing Football Manager, only with real money and a real club - The 'carrying a clipboard' look only makes him look more of a t!t than he actually is.

Rodgers however, is doing a decent job - This season was always going to be an anti climax after last season's massive over-achievement, especially after losing Suarez to Barca and then missing Sturridge for most of the season - To look a pretty good bet to nail third is a fantastic follow up for Rodgers to last season.... What Liverpool want right now is a few successive seasons of top 4 finishes so as to build up their finances and experience for future years.... Like it or not, Liverpool are simply not in the Chelsea/Man city/Man Utd position of attracting big names by throwing stupid money at them - Steady progress, which is what Liverpool are achieving, is the way to go for them. I'd confidently say, that if they don't lose their nerve doing it slowly, then they will finally have a PL title within 5 or 6 years.