2025/26 Vitalii Mykolenko

[caliblue]

On your first point: I think they are fairly typical, overlapping full backs. Sometimes they might underlap, but in general they are getting on the outside of their winger. They may not be crossing it from deep for a big no. 9 to compete, but that's because modern football means they are getting possession further up the pitch so are looking more for little dinks to the back post or cut backs to the penalty spot, generally from the byline. But that's to do with contemporary tactics, rather than contemporary full backs. I think that's sort of what you're getting at though, not many teams play to get it wide and swing it in from deep anymore, at least not the successful ones (Dyche was all about overloads on the wing and then whip it in

Of the attacking left backs you've mentioned only Mendes has numbers that are close to Mykolenko's when looking at crosses per 90.

My point all the way has been that crossing into the box is not seen as an effective way of trying to win football matches. Full backs cross less than what they did previously. Teams cross less than what they used to.

It is off the mark to think that upgrading Mykolenko to an overlapping full back that is great at crossing will improve Everton a lot. Everton should cross less, not more. Everyone knows that Mykolenko's ball striking isn't the best. That's why he should not cross three times as much as Alphonso Davies or Cucurella.

Aimless crossing is for bad teams running out of ideas that desperately hope for a lucky bounce. It is taking skill out of the game and leaving the outcome to chance.

 

[Rita_Poon]

No reflection on James Garner, who has excelled when called into the fray, glad to have Myko back, a lot less nervous about the back line now.

These are only* Mansfield town fc, this should be a fairly tame affair.

 

[Walken]

Joke defending

 

[BigDunc'sFod]

Dozy

 

[chopper6]

That’s why I don’t rate him!

 

[BigDuncTributeBand]

That’s pathetic!

 

[Goat]

 

[Delargeinho]

Good delivery for the first goal, but far too easy outplayed with these 2 goals

 

[BigBeto1]

Horrendous player

 

[Charles Plastusz]

Pillow headed donkey

 

[Osamabindiesel]

You have to clear that with your right foot.

 

[RalphDring]

I know he’s only just returning from injury but he’s been dreadful this afternoon.

 

[Walken]

Hopefully Aznou can develop and eventually move myko out, just too awkward of a player

 

[Bebeto]

He was very good in the first half...was knackered by the 60th minutes...clearly not yet at full fitness which possibly could explain his mistake for their goal...but people forget that one of our goals came from one of his interceptions...

 

[Chrismac]

You have to clear that with your right foot.

Has previous with that from last season, you can wait on a ball coming across you in the 6 yard box