2025/26 Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

[TheBigIguana]

This...not sure he has the physicality to play anywhere else than at 10...he is one of those that is good enough, but not really excelling in any position...for where we are, it is not a bad signing. But if he is still starting games for us next season, it would mean that we will still be at best a middle of the table team.

But that makes it a bad signing?

 

[Neiler]

I dont think you can call anyone a bad signing after 8 odd games at a new club (if even).

 

[Nymzee]

Good player, good signing, be better when he’s dropped back a bit.

 

[Bedfordblue]

Needs to drop back into a deeper midfield position so he can then get the full Osman treatment.

 

[caliblue]

I’d like to see a midfield three. Garner sitting with KDH the left hand 8 and Alcaraz the right hand 8. Rohl could come in for any of those positions.

Moyes has played the same formation for the last 20 years though since we came fourth playing 4141 so I doubt he’s going to move away from it. It’s 4231 every game.

I am old enough to have learned that your formation is read from how players are positioned out of possession.

Meaning that Everton since Moyes came back in January has played pure 442. Out of possession, which happen to be the majority of the time, both Doucoure and KDH has been positioned next to our striker. Pressing from front.

When Moyes has got his selection wrong (happens a lot more often than it should) he has changed formation to a 4141/433 variant. To avoid being overrun and outnumbered in the midfield (also happens a lot more often than it should).

Claiming we play 4231 is just because it sounds more fancy than 442.

The problem with how we play, is that we need so much out of possession work from the "number 10". If they have to run their socks off the 70% of the time we don't have the ball, the quality on the ball will suffer. People seem to think we should play Ndiaye centrally, but the entire team suffer because he can and will not do the work out of possession. The half Ndiaye played as "number 10" against Palace was arguably the worst half we've seen from Everton this season. KDH has never looked as important for Everton as when he was suspended.

That said, I prefer Everton when they try to gain a little more control of matches with KDH dropping down as an 8. We've looked better when we've set up in 4141/433, but we don't have a striker that can press from the front. Beto needed Doucoure to hold his hand and seems lost without KDH next to him. Barry seems just as lost.

 

[Neiler]

I am old enough to have learned that your formation is read from how players are positioned out of possession.

Meaning that Everton since Moyes came back in January has played pure 442. Out of possession, which happen to be the majority of the time, both Doucoure and KDH has been positioned next to our striker. Pressing from front.

When Moyes has got his selection wrong (happens a lot more often than it should) he has changed formation to a 4141/433 variant. To avoid being overrun and outnumbered in the midfield (also happens a lot more often than it should).

Claiming we play 4231 is just because it sounds more fancy than 442.

The problem with how we play, is that we need so much out of possession work from the "number 10". If they have to run their socks off the 70% of the time we don't have the ball, the quality on the ball will suffer. People seem to think we should play Ndiaye centrally, but the entire team suffer because he can and will not do the work out of possession. The half Ndiaye played as "number 10" against Palace was arguably the worst half we've seen from Everton this season. KDH has never looked as important for Everton as when he was suspended.

That said, I prefer Everton when they try to gain a little more control of matches with KDH dropping down as an 8. We've looked better when we've set up in 4141/433, but we don't have a striker that can press from the front. Beto needed Doucoure to hold his hand and seems lost without KDH next to him. Barry seems just as lost.

A question ive asked for myself for a while now are our midfielders good enough to control games without someone dropping back to be another 8 from 10, i dont think they are and i like both Idrissa and Garner. but i think they've been a bit exposed this year as we transition away from a safety first model.

I hope Rohl can be a useful player and adjust quickly.

the critique id have around the midfield system would be far from KDH if im honest.

 

[caliblue]

A question ive asked for myself for a while now are our midfielders good enough to control games without someone dropping back to be another 8 from 10, i dont think they are and i like both Idrissa and Garner. but i think they've been a bit exposed this year as we transition away from a safety first model.

I hope Rohl can be a useful player and adjust quickly.

the critique id have around the midfield system would be far from KDH if im honest.

I think it's a question about having will and need to control the midfield.

We went to Wolves in the cup and met a struggling second string Wolves team but were happy to sit back let them have 70% possession and build confidence. We start OK at home against a very poor West Ham team, but when we take the lead we sit back and let them dominate the match (72% possession first 10 minutes after we scored IIRC). We went to Leeds first match of the season seemingly happy for them to dominate.

That's not necessarily wrong. There are many ways to win football matches. Palace have been great with their two man midfield and little possession.

I think we should be competitive most matches with a three man midfield. Garner as a 6 and two of KDH/Gana/Rohl/Alcarez as 8s. When Moyes have made these changes, such as at half time vs both Leeds and Palace, the difference has been big.

No direct comparison, but look at Liverpool this season. Trying to replace the hardest working midfielder in a fantastic midfield with a more creative Wirtz. When the balance is off, players that used to dominate the league all in a sudden look ordinary.

 

[TheBigIguana]

I dont think you can call anyone a bad signing after 8 odd games at a new club (if even).

Nah. His profile was for instant impact. The money meant he had to be instant impact. It’s disappointing and problematic already imo.

 

[Neiler]

Nah. His profile was for instant impact. The money meant he had to be instant impact. It’s disappointing and problematic already imo.

Has he not made an instant impact, I guess it depends on your expectations mate?

If I’m honest what’s in my mind is Arteta, I remember his first loan spell here and I think people forget how long it took him to adjust here and his journey of backward steps to get here.

I think the majority of a new players are in transition and adjustment, I think now and the next few games is the worse we and they are going to be.

Not that anyone has stank, the place out IMO mate. 8 odd games in is far to early to make concrete judgements on anyone.

Arteta, Baines, Jags, Pienaar etc all took their time to settle, I’d liken us now to that time.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Has he not made an instant impact, I guess it depends on your expectations mate?

If I’m honest what’s in my mind is Arteta, I remember his first loan spell here and I think people forget how long it took him to adjust here and his journey of backward steps to get here.

I think the majority of a new players are in transition and adjustment, I think now and the next few games is the worse we and they are going to be.

Not that anyone has stank, the place out IMO mate. 8 odd games in is far to early to make concrete judgements on anyone.

Arteta, Baines, Jags, Pienaar etc all took their time to settle, I’d liken us now to that time.

Arteta was 23 when we signed him on loan. Baines also 23. Jags and Pienaar 25. This is the entire problem. You’ve spent real money on a guy that has played in the league already and is at an age where he is who he’s going to be. This is as plug and play as it gets.

 

[Neiler]

Arteta was 23 when we signed him on loan. Baines also 23. Jags and Pienaar 25. This is the entire problem. You’ve spent real money on a guy that has played in the league already and is at an age where he is who he’s going to be. This is as plug and play as it gets.

Carsleys career started later then that here and as we know pushed to a higher ceiling.

He had very club world cups before he came either.

I think you are confusing teams or players in transition as finished articles mate.

I’m not sure KDH has had the platform or opportunity on the PL that he has with us now at Leicester in the PL Maddison was the main man.

 

[Charlie Sweet]

KDH is top class with basic footy skills. He's a top 6 squad player or a starter in most other teams. A massive upgrade for us.

 

[TheBigIguana]

Carsleys career started later then that here and as we know pushed to a higher ceiling.

He had very club world cups before he came either.

I think you are confusing teams or players in transition as finished articles mate.

I’m not sure KDH has had the platform or opportunity on the PL that he has with us now at Leicester in the PL Maddison was the main man.

Carsley cost next to nothing. It’s not the age or the price it’s the age AND the price.

 

[EDINHO1]

A lovely footballer. Peoples expectations are just ridiculous and they will never be happy.

 

[davids]

I think it's a question about having will and need to control the midfield.

We went to Wolves in the cup and met a struggling second string Wolves team but were happy to sit back let them have 70% possession and build confidence. We start OK at home against a very poor West Ham team, but when we take the lead we sit back and let them dominate the match (72% possession first 10 minutes after we scored IIRC). We went to Leeds first match of the season seemingly happy for them to dominate.

That's not necessarily wrong. There are many ways to win football matches. Palace have been great with their two man midfield and little possession.

I think we should be competitive most matches with a three man midfield. Garner as a 6 and two of KDH/Gana/Rohl/Alcarez as 8s. When Moyes have made these changes, such as at half time vs both Leeds and Palace, the difference has been big.

No direct comparison, but look at Liverpool this season. Trying to replace the hardest working midfielder in a fantastic midfield with a more creative Wirtz. When the balance is off, players that used to dominate the league all in a sudden look ordinary.

Leeds? Think we watched different games.