http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2511116/Everton-v-Liverpool-Sportsmail-compares-rivals-ahead-Merseyside-derby.html
Looks like an article written by a 12 year old. What is this bizarre rating they're using? If Phil Jagielka is a 9/10 does this mean he is one of the world's best centre backs? Howard better than Mignolet? Ross Barkley as good as Coutinho? Gerrard the (joint) best player on the pitch? (I love the guy, but Suarez, Sturridge, Coutinho are all higher level performers at the moment). Bizarre.
The stage is set for the 221st Merseyside derby, with Liverpool and Everton both having enjoyed encouraging starts to the season. There is no question the sides are closely matched but which one comes out with the higher rating? Sportsmail casts an eye over the potential line-ups that will be going head-to-head for the bragging rights. EVERTON Tim Howard – Been a model of consistency since he arrived at Goodison Park in 2006, commands respect in the dressing room. Continues to make crucial interventions, like his penalty save at Aston Villa last month – 8/10 Seamus Coleman – If Everton were to sell him now, they could expect a one hundred fold return on their initial £60,000 outlay. Still some rough edges to his game but has the ability to excite and is fearless – 8/10 Phil Jagielka – Thriving with the responsibility of being club captain and is a teak-tough defender, arguably the best Englishman in his position now. Adapting to the new system Roberto Martinez wants to play – 9/10 Sylvain Distin – The professional’s professional. Exemplary trainer, hardly misses a game; built like a tank and has given Everton great service since he arrived from Portsmouth in 2009. Not always foot perfect but commitment beyond doubt – 7.5/10 Leighton Baines – The best left-back in the Premier League and one of the finest operators in his position anywhere in Europe. It is unique that someone in his role can have such an influence on his team but if he plays well, Everton do too – 9/10 James McCarthy – Steady start to life on Merseyside. Nothing flash or elaborate from him but he has a good engine and performs an important role for Roberto Martinez. Uses possession well – 7/10 Gareth Barry – Manchester City’s loss has most certainly been Everton’s gain. Has the total respect of his team-mates; never wastes a pass, is deceptively energetic and will be expected to give Everton a platform in the contest on Saturday – 8.5/10 Steven Pienaar – Enjoyed an almost telepathic relationship on the left with Baines during David Moyes’ tenure. Not been quite the force of old recently (injuries have played a part) but has the ability to change a game with a pass – 8/10 Ross Barkley – The way he plays when on song evokes memories of Wayne Rooney’s emergence. No questioning his talent and has a big future ahead of him but is still learning the game. Can Martinez resist the temptation to play him against the old enemy? – 8.5/10 Romelu Lukaku – Might only be at the club on loan but no disputing he is Everton’s main striker. Learning all the time but is a game-changer and his pace, presence and power will unsettle the very best defences – 8/10 Kevin Mirallas – The type of player who will either have fans on the edge of their seat or tearing their hair out. No goals in the Premier League this season, the special moments from him have been frustratingly lacking – 7/10 TOTAL – 88.5 LIVERPOOL Simon Mignolet – No easy task taking over from a club legend but the Belgium goalkeeper is trying to show he can do what Pepe Reina has done before him. A fantastic shot-stopper, prone to some occasional testing moments – 7.5/10 Glen Johnson – When Johnson is fit, healthy and in the zone, there is not a better right-back in the Premier League. Adds so much to Liverpool’s play when he charges down the wing, always threatens to create something special – 8.5/10 Martin Skrtel – Deserves great credit for fighting his way from a position that seemed to suggest he was heading out the door. No-nonsense defender, a threat at set plays and a senior figure in the squad. Needs to start imposing his presence more – 8/10 Daniel Agger – Been forced to endure a spell on the sidelines recently but is a defender well suited to the style Brendan Rodgers wants to play. Quick, reads the game well and can tackle with purpose. At his best when carrying the ball out from the back – 8/10 Aly Sissokho - Loan signing from Valencia has not really captured the imagination since arriving at Anfield and being pitched into the frenzy at Goodison will be the ultimate test. Jose Enrique is hot and cold but at least he has experience of this contest - 6/10 Lucas – Performs a crucial role in this team, breaking up play and shielding the defence. A committed professional, he has been outstanding in some matches but less so in others. If Liverpool are to win at Goodison, he has to play well – 8/10 Jordan Henderson – Forced his way into the England squad on the back of his impressive form since the beginning of the campaign. Needs to start contributing goals but his energy and determination will not go to waste here – 8/10 Steven Gerrard – Nobody in the Liverpool starting line-up will want to win more than the captain and, even though he is 33, there is no disputing he still has the capability to take a game away from someone with a moment of brilliance – 9.5/10 Philippe Coutinho – Rodgers enthuses about the little Brazilian’s 'football arrogance'; passes the ball with nonchalance but one criticism is that he has not yet stamped his authority on a big game – 8.5/10 Luis Suarez – If he is in the mood to cause havoc and is not suffering the effects of a long trip back from Uruguay, Liverpool will win. Has his flaws but is a world class talent and has scored on both of his visits to Goodison Park – 9.5/10 Daniel Sturridge – Remarkable goals to games ratio since he joined Liverpool. His confidence is up and has the support of his manager, which is key to him playing well, but he is not the finished article by any means – 8/10 TOTAL – 89.5 VERDICT So it’s Liverpool by a fraction, the influence of Gerrard, Suarez and Coutinho being crucial. If that is the case in the game, an away win will be likely but nothing is ever so straightforward when these sides meet. Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...als-ahead-Merseyside-derby.html#ixzz2lJGhQMnQ Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
so if we equated this to FIFA14 everton would be real madrid and LFC would be barcelona. I have to say i laughed at ratings for both sides. 9.5/10 for gerrard for a derby. 6/10 for cissohko, 7.5/10 for mingloet... barkely 8.5/10 that was a giggle. lukaku only 8/10??? meireles give us a hard time last year but his rating is only 7/10. what a load.
Thoroughly pointless exercise, imo. List of player's names, a one sentence summary of their abilities and a random out-of-ten figure.
When I posted it I never put a comment with it as I thought people would like to make up their own mind on a such a load of garbage. It's basically the Daily Fail's version of Top Trumps dreamed up by some bored, untalented journo's who had a big space to fill in their paper and wanted to shoot off to the pub for the afternoon. As you can see I loved it !
