mkrudden
Player Valuation: £40m
Whilst it is apparent that Ronald Koeman’s major triumph this season so far 10 points from 12, looking a little deeper it is difficult to fully ascertain what he has done more with- Everton’s attack or defence.
Strikers, wingers, ‘Number 10s’…the mavericks of any team will always get the plaudits first and foremost. Even under the most pragmatic of managers like Jose Mourinho; Costa, Ronaldo et al. will continue to get the focus of the back pages. See the media focus on Lukaku last night as an example a little closer to home.
The addition of Bolasie has given Everton more much needed pace. With Kevin Mirallas ostracised last season, Ross Barkley carrying far too much muscle, much of the side’s speed last season was seen in fleeting appearances from Deulofeu and in the industrious running of Aaron Lennon. Other than that though, with the exception of the yet-to-be-seen Enner Valencia, Everton’s attacking personnel resemble nearly identical to that of last season.
Further back though is different story and probably it is within the defensive ranks that the real improvement has been made.
The major concern for all Evertonians when the club was under management of the previous ‘regime’, and one that ‘Bobby’ could never appease, was Everton’s inability to…well…defend. Especially against crosses or any dead-ball situation.
The defensive summer incomings included a new GK, Ashley Williams and Idrissa Gueye.
After 4 +1 (league cup) games, the back five, including the goalkeeper, have showcased an element that has been sorely missed since RM season 1: authority. Ashley Williams has been a revelation. His constant barraging with ‘feedback’, both constructive and positive, has him firmly cemented as Phil Jagielka’s partner in crime, together leading Everton through spells of opposition pressure. His distribution and organisation is an upgrade on Funes Mori who admittedly didn’t do too much wrong in the opening game against Spurs. Quality addition.
Stekelenburg behind the defence, again, presents an ‘air’ of calmness of authority. It seems like years since an Everton number 1 has commanded his six-yard box. Small details make big differences.
Idrissa Gueye…well. Where to begin? Before last night’s game, there could be justification in a view that whilst he is the flavour of the month, the blue faithful has seen this all before from a certain ginger Irishman/Scotsman. James McCarthy in RM season 1 was as good as any in the league at hunting the ball with purpose and, crucially, winning it back. The difference, albeit one swallow doesn’t make a summer admittedly, are the abilities Gana treated us to at the Stadium of Light. The cross, the two pinpoint passes to Lukaku in the penalty area and the travelling with the ball demonstrated the differences between him and McCarthy and, crucially, they are all qualities demonstrated with the ball. Seems an upgrade.
Koeman has also had a subtler but no less invigorating effect on Leighton Baines.
Gone are the days when ‘ar Leighton’ is the talisman from an attacking perspective. Whilst watching him and Pienaar taking the proverbial will always be missed, football teams have to be much more than just a left back and left winger.
Baines, and Coleman although evidence is more limited due to his injury, is now tasked with more responsibility than he ever before has had to deal with. Knowing when and when not overlap/underlap is not something LB has ever had to consider before, especially under David Moyes who built his entire 11 around him.
He has to defend now, first and foremost, and do it well. As mentioned in a previous post, he with Gareth Barry is executing the press better than anyone else in the Everton team at the moment. It’s keeping opponents away from our goal and has been the basis of counter-attacks, last night in the dying embers of the game being a good example.
Baines, the rest of the back 4, the midfielders and wingers are now being forged together to create a strong unit. No longer do they have to be ‘thinkers’ as they were under Martinez, instead they are under instruction. Once those instructions are effected, they have licence to do get forward but not at the expense of their core responsibilities.
The result in the PL is 4 games, 10 points. 2 goals conceded.
Defensive pragmatism, graft and running are the best basis for success. Ask Jose.
And Koeman. And the Everton squad.
Strikers, wingers, ‘Number 10s’…the mavericks of any team will always get the plaudits first and foremost. Even under the most pragmatic of managers like Jose Mourinho; Costa, Ronaldo et al. will continue to get the focus of the back pages. See the media focus on Lukaku last night as an example a little closer to home.
The addition of Bolasie has given Everton more much needed pace. With Kevin Mirallas ostracised last season, Ross Barkley carrying far too much muscle, much of the side’s speed last season was seen in fleeting appearances from Deulofeu and in the industrious running of Aaron Lennon. Other than that though, with the exception of the yet-to-be-seen Enner Valencia, Everton’s attacking personnel resemble nearly identical to that of last season.
Further back though is different story and probably it is within the defensive ranks that the real improvement has been made.
The major concern for all Evertonians when the club was under management of the previous ‘regime’, and one that ‘Bobby’ could never appease, was Everton’s inability to…well…defend. Especially against crosses or any dead-ball situation.
The defensive summer incomings included a new GK, Ashley Williams and Idrissa Gueye.
After 4 +1 (league cup) games, the back five, including the goalkeeper, have showcased an element that has been sorely missed since RM season 1: authority. Ashley Williams has been a revelation. His constant barraging with ‘feedback’, both constructive and positive, has him firmly cemented as Phil Jagielka’s partner in crime, together leading Everton through spells of opposition pressure. His distribution and organisation is an upgrade on Funes Mori who admittedly didn’t do too much wrong in the opening game against Spurs. Quality addition.
Stekelenburg behind the defence, again, presents an ‘air’ of calmness of authority. It seems like years since an Everton number 1 has commanded his six-yard box. Small details make big differences.
Idrissa Gueye…well. Where to begin? Before last night’s game, there could be justification in a view that whilst he is the flavour of the month, the blue faithful has seen this all before from a certain ginger Irishman/Scotsman. James McCarthy in RM season 1 was as good as any in the league at hunting the ball with purpose and, crucially, winning it back. The difference, albeit one swallow doesn’t make a summer admittedly, are the abilities Gana treated us to at the Stadium of Light. The cross, the two pinpoint passes to Lukaku in the penalty area and the travelling with the ball demonstrated the differences between him and McCarthy and, crucially, they are all qualities demonstrated with the ball. Seems an upgrade.
Koeman has also had a subtler but no less invigorating effect on Leighton Baines.
Gone are the days when ‘ar Leighton’ is the talisman from an attacking perspective. Whilst watching him and Pienaar taking the proverbial will always be missed, football teams have to be much more than just a left back and left winger.
Baines, and Coleman although evidence is more limited due to his injury, is now tasked with more responsibility than he ever before has had to deal with. Knowing when and when not overlap/underlap is not something LB has ever had to consider before, especially under David Moyes who built his entire 11 around him.
He has to defend now, first and foremost, and do it well. As mentioned in a previous post, he with Gareth Barry is executing the press better than anyone else in the Everton team at the moment. It’s keeping opponents away from our goal and has been the basis of counter-attacks, last night in the dying embers of the game being a good example.
Baines, the rest of the back 4, the midfielders and wingers are now being forged together to create a strong unit. No longer do they have to be ‘thinkers’ as they were under Martinez, instead they are under instruction. Once those instructions are effected, they have licence to do get forward but not at the expense of their core responsibilities.
The result in the PL is 4 games, 10 points. 2 goals conceded.
Defensive pragmatism, graft and running are the best basis for success. Ask Jose.
And Koeman. And the Everton squad.
