-
Turn On Christmas Radio
Bah humbug - to turn off the snow, visit your preferences and select a style that isn't Christmas.
- Status
Bluebonic
Player Valuation: £40m
Well done for that mate, genuinely had me laughing out loud!
mites
Player Valuation: £5m
I just don't see how this is a good use of money unless wayne takes a huge cut for sentimental reasons
he's going to be on the Barry plan sooner than later due to the minutes on his legs and he also has trouble picking passes that aren't glory switches that he can pose for
how's he going to hit the through balls lukaku can kill on
johnnydawg68
Chairperson, People's Front of Saint Domingo
Look, man. Be patient.
Formations are meaningless unless you have the players to make them work. We are gathering up such players. Hopefully we don't loose sight of our need to bring in 2 more players. We still need another centre half and a forward.
Gana will give us a further option when he returns.
Top six is not necessarily out of the question if we continue to improve. We could win our next four games.
Gana will give us a further option when he returns.
Top six is not necessarily out of the question if we continue to improve. We could win our next four games.
The Blue Watch
Player Valuation: £15m
Olden but golden
BornBlue76
Player Valuation: £35m
Excerpt from Russian linesman. 10 reasons for 3 4 2 1. He nailed it.
1) Holgate back in the side. Mason Holgate has looked really capable when he’s appeared this season and has demonstrated his suitability for this role by impressing at both centre-back and right-back. With Coleman further ahead assisting defensively and/ or slotting in alongside him off the ball, Everton would be stronger in this consistently weak area.
2) Williams into the centre. As Paul Riley pointed out it in this blog from October, Ashley Williams makes just 14% of his ball recoveries out of the centre (or made, as the case may now be). “No centre-back gets dragged less” – which contrasts sharply with Everton’s other centre-halves. Shifting Williams to the centre should add balance to the side whilst making the most of the side’s best blocker. He can also organise more effectively from this position.
3) Funes Mori in a more suitable role. Phil Jagielka’s increasingly bad form has thrust unimpressive Ramiro Funes Mori into the side. He may not stay there beyond January but for now, playing him as one of three centre-backs may be the best approach given his propensity to pull wide off the ball. Playing him on the left of a three would share his defensive workload while also allowing Leighton Baines to push further forward.
4) Less defensive responsibility for Baines and Coleman. Everton’s first-choice full-backs were never the best defensively even before Roberto Martinez filled their heads with nonsense, but as their match-salvaging equalisers at home to Swansea and Man Utd would suggest, they still have something to offer going forward. Playing them in a 3-4-2-1 would allow them to provide width which they’ve always been good at, and make more of their natural attacking ability while continuing to provide defensive assistance.
5) The ability to switch to a 5-man defence. As a space-squeezing exercise out of possession, Koeman would have the option of dropping Baines and Coleman back to make five at the back. Also, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas (or any other attacking midfielder of course) could drop into wide positions to form a four-man midfield. This may come in particularly useful when Everton experience the sort of attacking dominance Man City and Chelsea subjected them to.
6) Lessening Barry’s burden Quite understandably, Barry is looking increasingly tired. He’s 35, he’s had an 18-year career, and during his three-and-a-bit years at Goodison, his work ethic has put his younger teammates to shame. Koeman needs to look at a long-term replacement but for now, an additional defensive player would reduce Barry’s protective duties and allow him to concentrate on starting attacks and dictating the play.
7) Allowing Barry and Gueye to remain in the centre Once again referring to Paul Riley’s excellent analysis, the same blog piece highlighted how Barry and Gueye are dragged out of the centre more than any central midfield duo. As the side loses its shape and the first line of defence is weakened, Everton are exposed. With two defensive players on each flank, Everton’s central midfield duo will have to cover less ground and so should be able to increase their ball retrievals in front of the back four.
8) Baines crossing again Since Steven Pienaar got injured and then left, Baines has struggled with the lack of a consistent ally down the left. To compound matters this year, he often finds himself behind prolific crosser Bolasie who barely ever notices Baines let alone passes to him. With Bolasie injured, clearing the left-flank completely would allow Baines to get back to covering the full length of the pitch and providing more crosses.
9) Creative assistance for Barkley. Mirallas’ presence as an additional creative midfielder will help out Barkley who is so often smothered and overawed in the number 10 role he makes look like such a lonely task. Two attacking midfielders will present more problems for opposition defences and hopefully encourage Barkley and Mirallas to take more shots.
10) Support for Lukaku This is the main benefit. The whole point of this formation is to use the talent at Koeman’s disposal to improve the attack without compromising the defence. Lukaku is struggling to impose himself at the moment and Bolasie is his main supplier. He’s always worked well with Mirallas, less so with Barkley, but with the two of them just off him, he’ll be a lot less isolated. Plus, with three men in the box, there’ll be more margin for error with crosses, which will be particularly useful in Coleman’s case.
———————————–
Click here to read my Everton Man Utd report
———————————–
By Chris Smith
Follow me on Twitter @cdsmith789
1) Holgate back in the side. Mason Holgate has looked really capable when he’s appeared this season and has demonstrated his suitability for this role by impressing at both centre-back and right-back. With Coleman further ahead assisting defensively and/ or slotting in alongside him off the ball, Everton would be stronger in this consistently weak area.
2) Williams into the centre. As Paul Riley pointed out it in this blog from October, Ashley Williams makes just 14% of his ball recoveries out of the centre (or made, as the case may now be). “No centre-back gets dragged less” – which contrasts sharply with Everton’s other centre-halves. Shifting Williams to the centre should add balance to the side whilst making the most of the side’s best blocker. He can also organise more effectively from this position.
3) Funes Mori in a more suitable role. Phil Jagielka’s increasingly bad form has thrust unimpressive Ramiro Funes Mori into the side. He may not stay there beyond January but for now, playing him as one of three centre-backs may be the best approach given his propensity to pull wide off the ball. Playing him on the left of a three would share his defensive workload while also allowing Leighton Baines to push further forward.
4) Less defensive responsibility for Baines and Coleman. Everton’s first-choice full-backs were never the best defensively even before Roberto Martinez filled their heads with nonsense, but as their match-salvaging equalisers at home to Swansea and Man Utd would suggest, they still have something to offer going forward. Playing them in a 3-4-2-1 would allow them to provide width which they’ve always been good at, and make more of their natural attacking ability while continuing to provide defensive assistance.
5) The ability to switch to a 5-man defence. As a space-squeezing exercise out of possession, Koeman would have the option of dropping Baines and Coleman back to make five at the back. Also, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas (or any other attacking midfielder of course) could drop into wide positions to form a four-man midfield. This may come in particularly useful when Everton experience the sort of attacking dominance Man City and Chelsea subjected them to.
6) Lessening Barry’s burden Quite understandably, Barry is looking increasingly tired. He’s 35, he’s had an 18-year career, and during his three-and-a-bit years at Goodison, his work ethic has put his younger teammates to shame. Koeman needs to look at a long-term replacement but for now, an additional defensive player would reduce Barry’s protective duties and allow him to concentrate on starting attacks and dictating the play.
7) Allowing Barry and Gueye to remain in the centre Once again referring to Paul Riley’s excellent analysis, the same blog piece highlighted how Barry and Gueye are dragged out of the centre more than any central midfield duo. As the side loses its shape and the first line of defence is weakened, Everton are exposed. With two defensive players on each flank, Everton’s central midfield duo will have to cover less ground and so should be able to increase their ball retrievals in front of the back four.
8) Baines crossing again Since Steven Pienaar got injured and then left, Baines has struggled with the lack of a consistent ally down the left. To compound matters this year, he often finds himself behind prolific crosser Bolasie who barely ever notices Baines let alone passes to him. With Bolasie injured, clearing the left-flank completely would allow Baines to get back to covering the full length of the pitch and providing more crosses.
9) Creative assistance for Barkley. Mirallas’ presence as an additional creative midfielder will help out Barkley who is so often smothered and overawed in the number 10 role he makes look like such a lonely task. Two attacking midfielders will present more problems for opposition defences and hopefully encourage Barkley and Mirallas to take more shots.
10) Support for Lukaku This is the main benefit. The whole point of this formation is to use the talent at Koeman’s disposal to improve the attack without compromising the defence. Lukaku is struggling to impose himself at the moment and Bolasie is his main supplier. He’s always worked well with Mirallas, less so with Barkley, but with the two of them just off him, he’ll be a lot less isolated. Plus, with three men in the box, there’ll be more margin for error with crosses, which will be particularly useful in Coleman’s case.
———————————–
Click here to read my Everton Man Utd report
———————————–
By Chris Smith
Follow me on Twitter @cdsmith789
Osamabindiesel
Player Valuation: £70m
I think in games like this we need a target man to play with Lukaku. Mirallas is great off the ball and can create chances for himself, but it would be nice to have someone that can win the ball in the air and scrap with the defenders when they play more defensively. It never hurts to have more options in the box for our wingers to hit either; Lukaku isn't necessarily the best in the air.
thirdmantackle
Player Valuation: £35m
I think a very mobile forward who's prepared to run the channels and press would create a lot of opportunities for Lukaku
They are thin on the ground though
They are thin on the ground though
Rugby Toffee
Player Valuation: £60m
It seems to suit the players and with Davies providing energy and positivity it is working well at the moment
RFUS
Anustart
Appropriate avatar then.
Excellent analysis. Agree word for word. With the players we have in the squad, this is clearly the best way to set up - no point playing a 4231 when we can't put an effective 10 and two decent wingers on the field.Excerpt from Russian linesman. 10 reasons for 3 4 2 1. He nailed it.
1) Holgate back in the side. Mason Holgate has looked really capable when he’s appeared this season and has demonstrated his suitability for this role by impressing at both centre-back and right-back. With Coleman further ahead assisting defensively and/ or slotting in alongside him off the ball, Everton would be stronger in this consistently weak area.
2) Williams into the centre. As Paul Riley pointed out it in this blog from October, Ashley Williams makes just 14% of his ball recoveries out of the centre (or made, as the case may now be). “No centre-back gets dragged less” – which contrasts sharply with Everton’s other centre-halves. Shifting Williams to the centre should add balance to the side whilst making the most of the side’s best blocker. He can also organise more effectively from this position.
3) Funes Mori in a more suitable role. Phil Jagielka’s increasingly bad form has thrust unimpressive Ramiro Funes Mori into the side. He may not stay there beyond January but for now, playing him as one of three centre-backs may be the best approach given his propensity to pull wide off the ball. Playing him on the left of a three would share his defensive workload while also allowing Leighton Baines to push further forward.
4) Less defensive responsibility for Baines and Coleman. Everton’s first-choice full-backs were never the best defensively even before Roberto Martinez filled their heads with nonsense, but as their match-salvaging equalisers at home to Swansea and Man Utd would suggest, they still have something to offer going forward. Playing them in a 3-4-2-1 would allow them to provide width which they’ve always been good at, and make more of their natural attacking ability while continuing to provide defensive assistance.
5) The ability to switch to a 5-man defence. As a space-squeezing exercise out of possession, Koeman would have the option of dropping Baines and Coleman back to make five at the back. Also, Ross Barkley and Kevin Mirallas (or any other attacking midfielder of course) could drop into wide positions to form a four-man midfield. This may come in particularly useful when Everton experience the sort of attacking dominance Man City and Chelsea subjected them to.
6) Lessening Barry’s burden Quite understandably, Barry is looking increasingly tired. He’s 35, he’s had an 18-year career, and during his three-and-a-bit years at Goodison, his work ethic has put his younger teammates to shame. Koeman needs to look at a long-term replacement but for now, an additional defensive player would reduce Barry’s protective duties and allow him to concentrate on starting attacks and dictating the play.
7) Allowing Barry and Gueye to remain in the centre Once again referring to Paul Riley’s excellent analysis, the same blog piece highlighted how Barry and Gueye are dragged out of the centre more than any central midfield duo. As the side loses its shape and the first line of defence is weakened, Everton are exposed. With two defensive players on each flank, Everton’s central midfield duo will have to cover less ground and so should be able to increase their ball retrievals in front of the back four.
8) Baines crossing again Since Steven Pienaar got injured and then left, Baines has struggled with the lack of a consistent ally down the left. To compound matters this year, he often finds himself behind prolific crosser Bolasie who barely ever notices Baines let alone passes to him. With Bolasie injured, clearing the left-flank completely would allow Baines to get back to covering the full length of the pitch and providing more crosses.
9) Creative assistance for Barkley. Mirallas’ presence as an additional creative midfielder will help out Barkley who is so often smothered and overawed in the number 10 role he makes look like such a lonely task. Two attacking midfielders will present more problems for opposition defences and hopefully encourage Barkley and Mirallas to take more shots.
10) Support for Lukaku This is the main benefit. The whole point of this formation is to use the talent at Koeman’s disposal to improve the attack without compromising the defence. Lukaku is struggling to impose himself at the moment and Bolasie is his main supplier. He’s always worked well with Mirallas, less so with Barkley, but with the two of them just off him, he’ll be a lot less isolated. Plus, with three men in the box, there’ll be more margin for error with crosses, which will be particularly useful in Coleman’s case.
———————————–
Click here to read my Everton Man Utd report
———————————–
By Chris Smith
Follow me on Twitter @cdsmith789
- Status
Welcome
Join Grand Old Team to get involved in the Everton discussion. Signing up is quick, easy, and completely free.
Shop
