Once again, January was a month of rather mixed fortunes for our beloved boys in Royal Blue as in the five games played, we saw three losses, one rather miserable draw and a much-needed and heart-warming victory.
There could be few complaints about the New Years Day loss to Man United as their quality in midfield and lethal finishing of Martial and Lingard emphasised the gap in class Everton need to close before we can seriously challenge for trophies again.
The FA Cup exit was all the more galling for being across the park and with VvD scoring late on with a header he should never have been allowed to get, and this after the now loaned out Ademola Lookman had breathed life and hope into the second half with an appearance of pace and sheer attacking endeavour.
The less said about the capitulation at Wembley against Spurs the better as they too exposed the gulf in class between the current Everton and the higher echelons of the Premier League.
After three losses, gloom and doom was fast re-descending upon Goodison and the first half against West Brom was arguably the lowest point of recent years, to say it was dire is to be incredibly kind. At least there was an improvement in the second half and the nice header from debutant Theo Walcott on the cross from Wayne Rooney presented Oumar Niasse with the chance to save a point.
And so to the game against Leicester that saw the return of Seamus Coleman and he showed just how much we’ve missed him. No disrespect to Jonjoe Jenny who has performed admirably, but Seamus with his more natural instincts to get forward and the apparent immediate understanding with the outstanding on the night Theo Walcott was reminiscent of Baines and Pienaar of a few years ago.
All tolled, twenty-two players were used through January with Jordan Pickford, Wayne Rooney and Cuco Martina starting all five games, and Morgan Schneiderlin featuring in all five, albeit with appearances from the bench.
For the first time since September, you the GOT electorate voted for a different Man of the Match in each of the games played, the five individual winners being Jordan Pickford, Phil Jagielka, Mason Holgate, Theo Walcott and Seamus Coleman.
And so to the overall result and as is customary… in reverse order and third place, congratulations go to goalie Jordan Pickford.
In second place with a superb vote on his return to first team action is our 60-Grand man, Seamus Coleman.
And the GOT Player of the Month for January with over 21% of the votes cast, a tremendous return given he’s only played two games since joining the club, but in so doing bagged two goals and an assist, the congratulations go to…
Theo Walcott.
