Match Thread Chelsea vs Everton - Saturday 26th April 12:30

[Leylo]

If Moyes cannot see that the selection of Doucoure is the problem here, then there is no hope for him. Yes, there are other issues - Beto's back to goal play, and the fact that we don't have any options on the wings, but this whole malaise comes from Doucoure.

I have never seen a CAM play so many backwards passes as Doucoure always does for us. And he never plays them and then spins in behind - he just plays them. He can't even see a through pass, never mind execute one - there was one point where Harrison drove forward and the return pass was the one and Doucoure lazily half-lifted one into the box. He can't dribble and he stuggles to control the ball. His movement is totally static unless chasing down the ball.

Having him in the team makes everyone else static. Meaning fewer vertical passes from our CDMs - not that they're renowned for doing so, but they have stopped altogether. Doucoure's positioning pulls Beto further down the pitch, meaning we are expecting him to perform back-to-goal play, which is the weakest aspect of his game. When he was scoring, we were playing to his strengths, with balls in behind for him to run on to. Now we don't, just to accommodate Doucoure.

It Is one of the most blindingly obvious selection issues I have ever seen, and is so frustrating. Managers like Doucoure because of his workrate, but everything breaks down around him in an attacking sense. Maybe if we had lighting wingers and a world class striker we MIGHT get away with it, but more often than not we won't.

We need someone like Alcaraz on to get a hold of the ball. I am seriously going to be livid if we give Doucoure a new contract.

It's not always his fault ffs too easy to just blame him the whole midfield have been off it

 

[Lee Smith]

The hell is that sub FFS

 

[preposterousvelios]

Missed first half, thoughts?

Poor performance, negative selection by Moyes or both?

 

[Zatara]

I thought this game was tomorrow. Currently sampling cocktails in a terribly overpriced hotel.

Enjoy yourself

 

[Vaughan]

if that’s tactical that’s an absolute joke

 

[davek]

When he's been further forward which is standard.

You've got Cucurella floating into midfield which Harrison is tracking and Patto is one v one with Madueke...which he's done okay with.

He's had O'Brien getting across there all that half. He hasn't been isolated.

Just clueless about when to go forward and stay back in shape.

Not good enough. The jury came in on that years ago.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

There is nothing down for Alcaraz here when Moyes keeps picking a sadly out of form Doucoure ahead of him. Looks a player Alcaraz, but, there's obviously something wrong behind the scenes, because Moyes just doesn't seem to rate him.

I think you’re being kind by saying “an out of form Doucoure” mate, the truth is he’s just cack.

 

[johnjoeefc]

I'm struggling to see how some are seeing the myko one as a pen. Keeper gets the ball first and then the two players collide? Myko never had control of the ball.

Beto one looked a pen to me as he was pushed from behind and it impacted the play as myko cut it back to him but he was on the floor following a foul

 

[Zatara]

The hell is that sub FFS

The same this melt does every game.

Absolutely sickening

 

[Rita_Poon]

Ili off for Alcaraz.

 

[TheBigIguana]

McNeil would naturally sit on the left too, whereas Alcaraz has looked uncomfortable out there.

McNeil cannot athletically handle this game

 

[roy vernon]

Oh wonderful, he's brought on Alcaraz and taken off Ndiaye again, ffs

 

[Vintage]

Sake Ndiaye off

 

[ForeverEverton]

How the F does Harrison and Doucoure stay on and NDaiye is hooked yet again... he was poor but so was all of them, Doucoure and Harrison can`t keep the ball and stops pretty much all our attacks.

 

[girders]

Ndiaye off Alcaraz on ....still Doucoure jogging around..unreal