Match Thread Everton v Aston Villa - Preview, Match Report and MotM Poll

[wainy]

I'm not sure it's intensity as such. We tried to be intense today - we just can't match it (and that is on the players we have been so one-paces and sluggish (Brands)).

But yeah, I probably do fancy us away from home, but it's still crap. We can only win games based on knicking a 1-0, let's face it.

There's nothing to build on in terms of a playing style moving forward, which is why I'm not convinced 'better players' is going to fix things.

I do agree the style of football at the moment is dire. Wouldn’t even say it’s a style, we just turn up and seem to have no idea what we are doing and just hope for a bit of luck. The first 7 games of free flowing, attacking football seem so long ago now.

 

[BlueToff]

The same team that played Arsenal was garbage in all honesty though Carlo.

This.

Another mad thing.

And also, we had actually looked half-decent v Spurs set up in that 3-5-2. Granted, James a big blow, but slot Gylfi in that spot then.
Have Davies and Allan as that platform in midfield.

That's the pragmatic approach. Because when he sets us out to actually 'attack', we can't do it.

 

[Matthew mcdonnell]

Who is buying these players?

Combo of Walsh Brand and Carlo

 

[Woolverhampton_Blue]

Although I was clumsy with my comment - the side today was more than 2 good players from being a top side. If Doucoure and Rodriguez were playing it would be 2 players short I should have said.

The squad - around 6 players short I'd say.

It’s disappointing that we can lose two players and look that bad. Some of those players tonight were signed for decent money or are on a big wage and they seldom deliver.

 

[mrb85]

Gordon can’t even get starts for Preston

Probably neither would half the team out there tonight.

 

[Vortexgaz]

Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford
We need to iron out little things and just keep going. We’ve got five games to go now and just need to win every game. It’s very frustrating.

On Everton's home form
We work hard all week. We’ve won a lot of games away from home. The [lack of] fans play a big part in it, but it’s down to us to give our all. We do, but sometimes it doesn’t pay off.

On his own form and fitness
I’m there to keep the ball out of the net. I’m in a good place. I’m working hard on the training pitch every day and try to give a performance for the lads come matchday.

The England manager was there tonight but it’s about focusing on the job at hand. I like to give 100% in every game I play in. If that produces results for the lads it’s great, but it wasn’t to be tonight.

I’ve had a little injury this season, but mentally I’m in a very good place. I’m working very hard on and off the pitch to be the best player and person I can be. Hopefully that’ll pay off come the Euros in the summer.

-------------------


Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti asked what disappointed him the most about the defeat...

The defeat.


The way we made a lot of mistakes at the beginning - no balance, no concentration... It was not a good evening. I don't know why. They showed more desire. It was an important game that we tried to win to stay in the fight. We are still in the fight but it is more and more difficult.

It is difficult to say why [they struggle at home]. It is the same team who beat Arsenal seven days ago. We of course could do better at home for sure. It is unbelievable - the run we had away and the run we had at home.

We were not good. We didn't have good balance with the ball and difficulties. The season is not finish yet. There are five games and we have to keep fighting. They are important games to fight and to try and reach our target."

We lost a big opportunity to stay in the fight, Carlo Ancelotti tells BBC.
He reiterates the home form (or lack of) is "unbelievable

Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti, speaking to BBC Match of the Day
The attitude was wrong from the beginning. We didn’t start the game as well as this kind of game demands. It was an important game and would have been an important result. We lost a big opportunity to stay in the fight. We’re still in the fight but with less possibility and more difficulties.

[Mason] Holgate made a mistake for the goal but played well against Arsenal. He made a mistake and needs to be more focused to avoid this."

On James Rodriguez's absence:
I don't think [it made a difference]. His absence was important, but from the beginning our attitude was wrong.

On Everton’s home form:
It’s unbelievable. It’s difficult to explain why, but it’s true. The away run we have is also unbelievable. The home run has affected us in the table. I hope it doesn't affect us in the end.

On Dominic Calvert-Lewin:
He’s improved a lot and I hope he’s going to improve again.

On Jordan Pickford:
He came back after injury looking secure and comfortable. I think he can have a good Euros.

Then he will pick the same team next week use the same tactics and then come out with the same [Poor language removed]

 

[Daytripper]

Didn’t watch it, reading the reactions here i am glad I didn’t. Said it before , too many times mediocrity is put on a pedestal and when all is said and done, seasons will end with nothing and it repeats itself over and over.

The club is alright at trying to be the humble, the good guy, releasing posturing statements (are that lot going to be punished or was it one big farce ) but when it comes down to it, they let you down .

Personally it doesn’t hurt as much now, we have directors of football put on pedestals before even forming a successful side, average players made out to be better than what they are, terrible squad depth, a successful manager now “doing an Everton” as some say. Add on that ,a very suspect Super League drama that now predictably enters the silence stage. It’s crap.

 

[Dario Terracotta]

So what's happened here is, everyone's got their hopes up a little bit after the win at Arsenal, had a few looks at the league table and thought about the possibilities on offer if we win our game in hand, then our best player's got injured in the warmup, one of our defenders has given away a goal for no reason, an ex-player has run the game for the opposition, and an unfortunate break of the ball has given them the victory. Great stuff.

OK. So if the players he's acquired are so good, how come we've not improved fro m8th place????

Because the depth of the squad is awful,without trying to sound like a RS we have truly been hammered injury wise this season, hopefully we can bring in at least 4/5 new signings for the team and the squad in the summer and hope to have a better season in terms of injuries.

 

[BrendanGOT]

This squad are no where near ready for a European cup run we be out early doors. This squad needs a lot of replacing and about 200 million spent on it just to compete for top4 next season. At least 6 or more need to be showed the door out of finch farm.

I'd argue 200m just to be top 6. 300/400m for top 4.

 

[BlueToff]

I do agree the style of football at the moment is dire. Wouldn’t even say it’s a style, we just turn up and seem to have no idea what we are doing and just hope for a bit of luck. The first 7 games of free flowing, attacking football seem so long ago now.

We definitely don't have a style, but as i've banged on about (I know, sorry everyone) - Carlo Ancelotti does not have a style of play.

This is where the issue stems from for me. When it's been certain matches, mostly away, he's got the tactics spot on. Ironically, it's also been the home games where we've been able to play like an away side that we got results (Chelsea, Arsenal) since our good form from the start of the year dropped off.

We have no default setting though. Nothing to fall back on. No patterns of play. And I'm sorry, but they absolutely, 100 per cent, are things that should be getting worked on day in, day out. And if they are getting worked on, then whatever they're doing isn't good enough, as it doesn't work.

 

[Frenk]

Combo of Walsh Brand and Carlo

More so Walsh and Brands for me, Carlo hasn’t been here long enough if you look at when some of these useless players were purchased. But Brands always seems to get a pass, which baffles me.

 

[tim cahill]

I’m experienced enough to be able to analyse a football match without these stats , I learned the game on the touchline and the terraces , not on Sky and computer games

So am I, and the stats back my view of the game up.

 

[Duncansback]

ok Dunc...feel your pain, but at the moment he aint the answer. We just have to hope and believe for a better next season

Its not pain in fairness we are [Poor language removed] all season at home so it was no surprise that we lost. Newcastle did the double over us this season after all plus leeds west ham Burnley villa Fulham says it all.

 

[mrb85]

And anyone saying no manager around wouldn't have done better wants putting in a straitjacket and carted off.

 

[Frenk]

We definitely don't have a style, but as i've banged on about (I know, sorry everyone) - Carlo Ancelotti does not have a style of play.

This is where the issue stems from for me. When it's been certain matches, mostly away, he's got the tactics spot on. Ironically, it's also been the home games where we've been able to play like an away side that we got results (Chelsea, Arsenal) since our good form from the start of the year dropped off.

We have no default setting though. Nothing to fall back on. No patterns of play. And I'm sorry, but they absolutely, 100 per cent, are things that should be getting worked on day in, day out. And if they are getting worked on, then whatever they're doing isn't good enough, as it doesn't work.

Just makes no sense when you consider what this guy has won. Sorry.