2018/19 Marco Silva - New Poll Added

[Lanolin]

Four of those have come in the last five games though. When people were raging about the defending, it was horrendous, they weren't overreacting.

Credit to Marco though, he used that 17 day break to really tackle the problem. So criticism was due but now so is credit.

I agree to an extent but a lot of the 'horrendous' defending came in individual instances, not necessarily our overall defending as a team. Since being humiliated by Spurs we've played 14 league games and conceded 14 goals. That's really not bad at all. We weren't that bad defensively, but we kept being undone by stupid errors. What we've managed to do in recent weeks is cut out those errors, hopefully that continues.

 

[Tin-Tin]

Four of those have come in the last five games though. When people were raging about the defending, it was horrendous, they weren't overreacting.

Credit to Marco though, he used that 17 day break to really tackle the problem. So criticism was due but now so is credit.

This is what I was saying about progress, yes we cant just forget some of the horrendous football and defeats, or the daibolical defending however these stats prove that he has worked on it and we have improved.

 

[catcherintherye]

I agree to an extent but a lot of the 'horrendous' defending came in individual instances, not necessarily our overall defending as a team. Since being humiliated by Spurs we've played 14 league games and conceded 14 goals. That's really not bad at all. We weren't that bad defensively, but we kept being undone by stupid errors. What we've managed to do in recent weeks is cut out those errors, hopefully that continues.

And in truth defensively off open play we have made massive progress. We were the worst in the league for open play goals conceded last season, and the last time I checked this season we were 7th (with no discernible gap to the sides above us either). That's a big turnaround.

We have been let down by set plays this season and at different moments an erratic goalkeeper. The penny needs to drop for Pickford, (who has been better in general in 2019) and we already look much better off set plays.

If we match our set play stats to our open play stats we would comfortably be in 7th now. So it's by no means a bad starting place.

 

[Paulie]

We would have had a point at Anfield as well.

How that point would have changed the course of the season for both sides.

 

[Brisan123]

Aye yet we all laugh at "crystanbul" and the "slip"

Its all points as you say but certain events / games (neville's tackle on Ronaldo a good example) heck Pickfords clanger at anfield can all be pointed at as turning points or significant games.

We slipped up similarly at Bournemouth at the start of the season however that Newcastle game for me may turn out significant if we just fall short.

I still suspect we'll finish around 9th/10th but who knows need to keep the good form up and GP needs to make it uncomfortable for Arsenal and Utd.

Not all on the forum laugh
There’s a fair few lurkers about
But I’m sure you know that

 

[Brisan123]

In 10 years time, we'll all look back and think what could have been.

It’ll be up there with the scum getting us banned from the CL

 

[Carlito]

He's obviously going to keep his job beyond the summer now, which is fair enough. Expectations were low going into this season, and he's done well to turn things around in the last few weeks, Newcastle aside.

Judging by the way Koeman was dealt with, Moshiri isn't one to be fooled by a manager crawling up the table once there's nothing left to play for, which gives me confidence that we won't fall back into the old cycle of pretending that Champions League form means anything if Champions League is off the table. It's fine when a manager is still finding his feet at the club, but I doubt Silva would survive another season like this one.

 

[Westend Blue]

I predicted 55-60 points at the start of the season so if we finish around then it’s a pass mark for me

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Before we say “things have turned around” let’s just wait till after the next few games, or till the end of the season even.

 

[Yarrgh]

I agree to an extent but a lot of the 'horrendous' defending came in individual instances, not necessarily our overall defending as a team. Since being humiliated by Spurs we've played 14 league games and conceded 14 goals. That's really not bad at all. We weren't that bad defensively, but we kept being undone by stupid errors. What we've managed to do in recent weeks is cut out those errors, hopefully that continues.

I agree with this totally. Especially after the first 8 games or so, when we tightened up a lot collectively. We have had a lot of pressure on our defence for extended periods of time. The mental pressure of having to concentrate for a defender in that situation where one mistake equals a goal against us must be huge. Not having a viable striking option to cause concerns up the other end of the pitch has hurt us. Having DCL and showing some prowess and threat going forward recently must have acted as a relief valve for our defence. It's maybe not a coincidence that the attacking side of the game improving has led to the defensive side improving.

And in truth defensively off open play we have made massive progress. We were the worst in the league for open play goals conceded last season, and the last time I checked this season we were 7th (with no discernible gap to the sides above us either). That's a big turnaround.

We have been let down by set plays this season and at different moments an erratic goalkeeper. The penny needs to drop for Pickford, (who has been better in general in 2019) and we already look much better off set plays.

If we match our set play stats to our open play stats we would comfortably be in 7th now. So it's by no means a bad starting place.

Again, after 8-10 games or so, it was almost like a switch how we improved; I think that is certainly down to coaching, and the players getting to know their roles in set pieces. I am hoping that the current defensive performances (with the Newcastle debacle aside) are signs that the same coaching and defenders getting to know each other and the requirements to play in Silva's preferred set up are coming through when the game is in open play.

Lots and lots to improve on for SIlva and his Everton team, but I think over the last few games, we are seeing what we need to see to get us, the fans, onside. By no means is it a done deal that he is the man to deliver us back to the top of the game, but optimism abounds again in my world.

I do hope you're the manager we need Marco. I could get used to performances like Saturday's.

 

[BernieH]

I've just seen that Spurs have lost 10 league games this season so far but only 1 draw all season and they're 3rd, such fine margins and Poch is seen as a top manager these days. Maybe been too hard on Silva, no the performances dropped to a unacceptable level. We can turn it around though.

 

[BernieH]

7th without Europe is perfect, it's vital we miss out in the Europa

No, it's vital that we get given a squad capable of both competitions by Brands and Silva, no way should we be turning our noses up at Europe, it makes me sad some people think like that, only the CL seems to matter to teams in England these days.

 

[4737carlin]

No, it's vital that we get given a squad capable of both competitions by Brands and Silva, no way should we be turning our noses up at Europe, it makes me sad some people think like that, only the CL seems to matter to teams in England these days.

Brands cant sort the squad out if we have European football as well. We have to shift deadwood, we have to get wages off the bill, if we have the extra games we have to keep that rubbish, just like when we had to give Hibbert another year...etc.

Dont get stuck in Europe, let Brands have another shifting summer like the last one, get some decent players in, and have a real shot at top 6, this is what we should do. If we get stuck in Europe we wont be able to cope, we dont have enough good players, and cant go out and get more without trimming the squad size down first

 

[Lanolin]

Brands cant sort the squad out if we have European football as well. We have to shift deadwood, we have to get wages off the bill, if we have the extra games we have to keep that rubbish, just like when we had to give Hibbert another year...etc.

Dont get stuck in Europe, let Brands have another shifting summer like the last one, get some decent players in, and have a real shot at top 6, this is what we should do. If we get stuck in Europe we wont be able to cope, we dont have enough good players, and cant go out and get more without trimming the squad size down first

So you want us to not qualify for Europe to give us a better shot at getting into Europe? Solid logic that.

 

[MikeH72]

Before we say “things have turned around” let’s just wait till after the next few games, or till the end of the season even.

Hang on, we couldn’t apply that rule when people were kicking and screaming about sacking him in January.