Full credit to the guys coming off the bench

I'm so pleased that Sammy, Guthrie and Gosling and HBA seem to be getting a lot of game time at last. As onlookers we often underestimate the difference between players getting back to fully fit and the performances we see on the pitch. The EPL is so unforgiving and we might think someone like Gosling looks like a donkey but he's probably three or four games away from showing us his true potential . Touch, movement and flair at this level only comes with game time and confidence.

Guthrie in particular has come in and runs his socks off and gets stuck in. Sammy seems to be developing the Jonas faint pull back with aplomb...and HBA may even be learning to pass!............still think HBA is a winger.

Remember as the season progesses with African Cup/ injuries and bookings we will rely more and more on our squad players. It's better we can get them up to full speed as soon as possible.

HTL

 

Well said, if Gosling gets a run then he should easily be good enough!

 

Agree about most of your thread, but I think Ben Arfa is best in the hole because he likes to move from the right, to left, to centre. Doesn't stay on the wing

 

I wasn't impressed at all with Gosling yesterday, but having watched him pre-season and at Everton a couple of years ago, I know he's got the capability. I think if he keeps coming on as a sub he'll get used to the game again and get used to the sort of football we play. I think we'll be relying on either him or Guthrie when Tiote is away with the Ivory Coast squad, but I think Guthrie is definitely the man for the job at the minute.

 

Agreed. Gosling can only get better

 

HBA seem to be getting a lot of game time at last? 20 minutes isn't alot of game time he needs to be playing full 90 minutes to get back to his best, should be starting games now we are wasting him.

 

Spoke to a few Everton fans before the game and the general theme seemed to be that they hoped Gosling would play because it would be like playing against 10 men.

None of them seem to rate him but that could just be a touch of bitterness.

 

The fact that he got substituted against Blackburn shows he still isn't up to a full 90 minutes, and of course him not playing has wrecked our season so far hasn't it

 

I thought Gosling did Okay.. He had a lot of bite in him and it was crucial for us against Everton as we needed to keep closing them down in the centre

 

All these people saying Gosling was **** yesterday and I just don't get it, he did pretty well and his handball was awesome.

If Guthrie had put in 3 performances like that for someone like Man United he'd have got an England call-up, he's been absolutely immense since coming in and I'm pleased for him, any other position than CM and he'd have made himself undroppable already.

Sammy did well against Everton as did HBA who did a lot of running and closing down. You can tell Benny's less than 100% fit and still not at full confidence but once he is he'll be devastating. Thought Marveaux until his injury did well in a position you could tell he wasn't the most comfortable in.