2025/26 Idrissa Gana Gueye

I don’t think you ever played midfield did you.

You can’t just press and play front foot the entire time. It’s exactly why Ekitike and Gakpo were finding space between the lines.

Gareth Barry for example closes off half of those passing lanes they were finding. It’s about balance.
And the balance was wrong at the start of the match because we sat off and allowed them to play far too much. We didn’t need to sit more. We didn’t need someone to play like Gareth Barry.

Liverpool have scored in 40 straight matches. The only way to beat them is to accept that you actually aren’t keeping them out and try to figure out how to put equal pressure on them.
 

And the balance was wrong at the start of the match because we sat off and allowed them to play far too much. We didn’t need to sit more. We didn’t need someone to play like Gareth Barry.

Liverpool have scored in 40 straight matches. The only way to beat them is to accept that you actually aren’t keeping them out and try to figure out how to put equal pressure on them.
Watch both goals back and see how they come about.

There’s too many gaps between defence and midfield. Yes we improved when we condensed the pitch and squeezed higher up but this team is crying out for someone to sit in and recycle the ball/cut off passing lanes the other way.

Gareth Barry would instantly be our best centre midfielder by a mile.
 
Watch both goals back and see how they come about.

There’s too many gaps between defence and midfield. Yes we improved when we condensed the pitch and squeezed higher up but this team is crying out for someone to sit in and recycle the ball/cut off passing lanes the other way.

Gareth Barry would instantly be our best centre midfielder by a mile.
No it’s crying out for CBs and a manager who step up the pitch as a rule and not just when they’re comfortable or chasing a game. Then the gaps start to disappear.

We categorically do not need to play deeper and more conservatively.
 
No it’s crying out for CBs and a manager who step up the pitch as a rule and not just when they’re comfortable or chasing a game. Then the gaps start to disappear.

We categorically do not need to play deeper and more conservatively.
Not saying we do at all. The midfield just needs better balance.

Do you think City play conservatively? No clearly not, Rodri sits though.
 

Everton should not be trying to play like City. We should be trying to transition quickly and score goals. Not build from the back and control games through long spells of possession. It’s a fundamentally different thing requiring a fundamentally different set of players. The biggest gap in Everton’s setup currently is James Tarkowski being a slow and horribly negative defender (and Keane not being good, despite attempting to play the right way). Get better CBs and then reevaluate the midfield which it has to be said again did put Liverpool under serious pressure once the entire team committed to stepping up the pitch.
 
Everton should not be trying to play like City. We should be trying to transition quickly and score goals. Not build from the back and control games through long spells of possession. It’s a fundamentally different thing requiring a fundamentally different set of players. The biggest gap in Everton’s setup currently is James Tarkowski being a slow and horribly negative defender (and Keane not being good, despite attempting to play the right way). Get better CBs and then reevaluate the midfield which it has to be said again did put Liverpool under serious pressure once the entire team committed to stepping up the pitch.
Sorry mate I meant off the ball, I agree we should never be playing with the ball like them.

I meant if you’re advocating we press high we need balance in midfield (off the ball) issues we had yesterday were because Gana and Garner both pressed leaving huge holes.

This is where the ‘sitter’ stuff came about.

With the ball we can’t be playing out all the time but it would be nice for the defence to have someone showing from central midfield for it.
 
With Branthwaite back at fitness, I don’t think those goals happen. I think you’d also see Myko taking more chances in link up with Grealish. But without Jarrad, Myko is playing a little cautious, which I understand. And he might’ve been coming back from injury too soon and he knew the importance of the derby.
 
Sorry mate I meant off the ball, I agree we should never be playing with the ball like them.

I meant if you’re advocating we press high we need balance in midfield (off the ball) issues we had yesterday were because Gana and Garner both pressed leaving huge holes.

This is where the ‘sitter’ stuff came about.

With the ball we can’t be playing out all the time but it would be nice for the defence to have someone showing from central midfield for it.
City’s brand of pressing is still different than what ours should be. They counter press quickly when they lose the ball because they can manipulate teams into compact shapes through those long spells of possession. We need to be a side that holds shape and triggers. When we trigger we need players in midfield who can go and win it.

You swap Rodri for Gana and our team is worse, I truly believe that. You swap a Gareth Barry and it’s a further step down. They aren’t useful for what we want to do (or I guess should want to do).

I just think there’s a lot of built in bias with Gana and people can’t get over it. It’s very frustrating. He went to PSG and played in a team far better than we’ve been in 40 years and did not look out of place including in possession. He’s played at a higher level than every single person in our squad and done well.
 

With Branthwaite back at fitness, I don’t think those goals happen. I think you’d also see Myko taking more chances in link up with Grealish. But without Jarrad, Myko is playing a little cautious, which I understand. And he might’ve been coming back from injury too soon and he knew the importance of the derby.
Well are we dropping Keane or Tarkowski?
 
Well are we dropping Keane or Tarkowski?
A year ago, I’d have typed Keane before you even asked the question. Not so sure now. I’ve seen Keane playing better lately. He’s been less likely to draw that questionably aggressive tackle for a yellow at the worst time. And I think Keane is on the verge of being a threat with a header for goal more than Tarks. So, if I had to pick one, it might be Tarkowski.
 
A year ago, I’d have typed Keane before you even asked the question. Not so sure now. I’ve seen Keane playing better lately. He’s been less likely to draw that questionably aggressive tackle for a yellow at the worst time. And I think Keane is on the verge of being a threat with a header for goal more than Tarks. So, if I had to pick one, it might be Tarkowski.
My point is right now a lot of bad is happening because Tarkowski is making bad choices and is a step slow to everything. If he’s playing Branthwaite can only do but so much.
 
Seems to be the only player capable of rushing the opponents in giving the ball away which at times takes him into positions far too advanced leaving big gaps for garner to fill...shame he is not better at shooting/assisting because he could then play more in the 10...
Hes in great positions all over the pitch but his best work is just in front of each box winning the ball back.
 

Welcome

Join Grand Old Team to get involved in the Everton discussion. Signing up is quick, easy, and completely free.

Shop

Back
Top