Don't think, defend.

[BUBSY77]

Bolasie plays for us now.

Does he?
If only there were a really catchy little tune to remind us all that he does now play for us and just what position he plays . . .

 

[mkrudden]

Williams is tried and tested and it something we needed..

Absolutely.
But any player coming into a new side, especially at 32 years old, together with Ronald Koeman's infamous intense training regime could have seen lesser players off.
As I say though, I quite possible could have used better terminology. Always appreciate the feedback.

 

[TheFinnFan]

Talking about big changes and effects to our game. Imho with Stones you could hardly talk about defencing pragmatism. Williams Jagielka pairing look whole lot more Everton than Stones Jagielka if you know what i mean. I dont mean that Stones is bad, he's brilliant, but he's different kind of player.

 

[Lowste]

Absolutely.
But any player coming into a new side, especially at 32 years old, together with Ronald Koeman's infamous intense training regime could have seen lesser players off.
As I say though, I quite possible could have used better terminology. Always appreciate the feedback.

No think you are right

The influence and the experience he brings is a revalation, I guess in some ways he is like a Paul Power signing
We needed this and we needed it badly

 

[The Esk]

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.

Nice piece - I agree totally on your point re both full backs. Given the fact that they're now retaining a defensive position more so than in the past gives us a much better shape (assuming we have two wingers on the pitch). It also makes it so much easier for both Jags and Williams to operate together as a pair, rather than in recent years Jags and partner/Stones and partner being miles apart - how many times did we concede in the last two seasons because one or both centre backs got isolated or an attacker spun off into space?

More testing oposition to come, of course, and our midfield are going to have few games with as much space to operate in as last night but extremely encouraging.

 

[Khalekan]

I think I could have picked a better term here.

The point I was making was more 'the speed in which he has made a difference has been unexpected'.

But take the point absolutely, we have hardly unearthed a gem from nowhere.

I thought there would be an instant imorovement, if I am honest wth you.

 

[Saint Domingo]

A lot of the threads on here can just be summed up by: Koeman > Martinez.

 

[Lowste]

A lot of the threads on here can just be summed up by: Koeman > Martinez.

That old chestnut

 

[davek]

*

Nice piece - I agree totally on your point re both full backs. Given the fact that they're now retaining a defensive position more so than in the past gives us a much better shape (assuming we have two wingers on the pitch). It also makes it so much easier for both Jags and Williams to operate together as a pair, rather than in recent years Jags and partner/Stones and partner being miles apart - how many times did we concede in the last two seasons because one or both centre backs got isolated or an attacker spun off into space?

More testing oposition to come, of course, and our midfield are going to have few games with as much space to operate in as last night but extremely encouraging.

*cough* 12 months ago *cough*

We look more solid with FBs who dont bomb on.

I'd prefer Galloway and Browning rather than Baines and Coleman.

There, I've said it.

I'd prefer we left our forward play to be a mobile attacking unit chosen from Barkley, Lukaku, Deulofeu, Kone, Lennon, Mirallas (if he can pull his head out of his arse). The security of a flatter back four suits what we have going forward.

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/roberto-martinez-discussion.57212/page-1002#post-3924807

 

[The Esk]

*

*cough* 12 months ago *cough*





https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/threads/roberto-martinez-discussion.57212/page-1002#post-3924807

Good call Dave - for me it's the fact that the two centre halves can play more easily as a unit as they have less lateral space to cover.

Thank goodness the days of teams driving through the middle of the pitch with Stones, Jags or FM running backwards with no idea which way to turn seem behind us.

 

[Kev The Rat]

Ok we've been more solid but the most obvious point is Koemans subs and Half time team talks. We've been losing or drawing the last 3 games at Ht. Presumably Koeman has given the players a rollicking each time. Well if he has to make threats against players/pin them up against the wall/threaten their wives and kids then if it gets results I'm all for it. Interesting that Baines seems to appreciate a more hard line approach from the manager. I guess that's what he was used to from moyes.

Not a bad idea to go back to basics tbf. The reality is that footballers in general are unlikely to be the worlds greatest thinkers/analysts most appreciate clear and direct instructions.

 

[captainvindaloo]

If you just go on results/statistics we have accumulated so far, then there is not much difference to the equivalent games of last season, as we have not beaten anyone yet that we did not beat last season, with the exception of that daft home game against Stoke last year. Therein may lie the difference, last season we conceded two late goals in that game, after fighting back to lead it 3-2, we ended up losing 3-4!!!!!!! Looking at the shape of the defence now, it is hard to see that sort of stupidity happening again. Yes, there will be errors, and yes, we may have the odd game where nothing goes right, every team does. I just feel like we will have fewer self inflicted goals than in recent seasons and we might just have the nous to play out a game we are winning. Also @Kev The Rat Spot on, mate. There is a feeling of more discipline in the side now, which is vital when defending leads, or seeing out a game. Two things we were useless at the last couple of seasons!

 

[Groucho]

There's another and more prosaic explanation: this shower have picked up their tools after downing them when them went on strike from about February of last season.

It makes a hell of a difference when a defence especially looks arsed about getting a challenge in.

Williams is good. Looks very assured.

 

[MikeH72]

I'm not also certain how a highly rated centre half who reached the Euro semi finals as captain is a 'revelation' either.

We've also been up against forward lines including
an off-form and out of confidence Harry Kane (at that point after a terrible Euros),
Peter Crouch,
Berahino Lambert and Rondon
A 52 year old Jermaine Defoe essentially upfront on his own

Baines isn't injured anymore and not personally at war with the current boss

We've played against 4 teams, three of whom are likely to be in the bottom half and only as we've all lost confidence from the last two years are we getting giddy about beating them.

It's all just a bit over the top at this stage.

Guess what mate, out of the same fixtures last season we picked up 2 points as opposed to 10. That suggest pretty clearly that we've improved.

 

[orly]

Guess what mate, out of the same fixtures last season we picked up 2 points as opposed to 10. That suggest pretty clearly that we've improved.

"improved" from an extremely low baseline.

Historically, I'd expect us to win those fixtures and so would you.