Match Thread Everton v Chelsea, 23/12/17

[Fansince1988]

i think you may find that as we are now defending better all through the midfield and defence, Baines will start to show again. When you watched him at the early part of the season he was getting caught out because we were giving the ball away or defending badly in the midfield and he was getting caught out of (a defensive) position and ahead of the play.

Well we do miss his attacking run etc, so it would be nice to see him back.But just saying Martina has done well in a difficult time.

 

[streeky]

one of the finest defencive diplays i have winessed. All you bedwetters expecting total football against a squad costing over 1 billion need a reality check

 

[blue to the bone]

Fans will show discontent and he will be sacked

What do you do with the season ticket mate?

 

[Fansince1988]

It's because we play two holding midfielders when Gueye often does the job of both, meaning the other player is unnecessary. It's down to Schneiderlin to adapt his game and play on the front foot in that situation but instead he all too often disappears and crab passes all game.

I actually think Schneiderlin wants the responsibility, but never had it because Gueye wants it, I suppose Schneiderlin should just relax more it should be easy enough for him,as he knows he's got one of the best defensive midfields in Gueye covering behind him.

 

[arch stanton]

Well we do miss his attacking run etc, so it would be nice to see him back.But just saying Martina has done well in a difficult time.

not disagreeing with you mukka, I've never thought Martina is as bad as some on here make out. I'd like better but he wasnt the problem when we were in a bad way. He played well today.

 

[CRIMHEAD]

It's because we play two holding midfielders when Gueye often does the job of both, meaning the other player is unnecessary. It's down to Schneiderlin to adapt his game and play on the front foot in that situation but instead he all too often disappears and crab passes all game.

Spot on. The smart teams won't even both with wherever Gana is so often we have him switch sides to stifle attacks. Morgan was good today, but that's about as good as he can be. It's not a good fit. The other DCM needs to step up, win balls, and initiate the offense. He did it occasionally, but was not athletic or aggressive enough to do it more often. Solid game, just not a top 6 player IMO. N'Zonzi would be a big upgrade. I'm not sure again that Benigame doesn't give you a lot of that already.

 

[heatmeiser]

Hilarious how many times Redknapp and Wise have mentioned how it wasn't pretty.

If it was an Italian team they'd have been creaming their pants over the incredible defending.

 

[Fansince1988]

one of the finest defencive diplays i have winessed. All you bedwetters expecting total football against a squad costing over 1 billion need a reality check

100% correct, if we get a point at home against Chelsea, Utd, Arsenal,City and Liverpool in happy, we can try to pick up 3 points against everyone else.

 

[Hickson9]

Lets see how long you're impressed with no shots on target and parking the bus at home for... previous managers would have been slated for that by a lot of posters.

Football matches don't exist in isolation.

 

[CRIMHEAD]

Not half as bad as some would have claimed. He's not starting quality in this league, but as a backup left back, he's done a fine job. Outstanding today as well.

He was good today as he did have occasionally to defend in isolation because of Chelsea playing wingbacks, but he usually only has to make sure he doesn't get beat on the outside for the most part. He's getting a ton of support, but had to play more in space today and did well.

 

[Abraders]

Sound. Take that.

Crap like but even so we probably created the best chance and should've won it in pure daylight robbery at the end.

Loads of young lads on the pitch too.

 

[Fansince1988]

Spot on. The smart teams won't even both with wherever Gana is so often we have him switch sides to stifle attacks. Morgan was good today, but that's about as good as he can be. It's not a good fit. The other DCM needs to step up, win balls, and initiate the offense. He did it occasionally, but was not athletic or aggressive enough to do it more often. Solid game, just not a top 6 player IMO. N'Zonzi would be a big upgrade. I'm not sure again that Benigame doesn't give you a lot of that already.

Baningame will be a great player, still needs time but he's got the making of being one of the best in his position.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Conte been pretty complimentary of us after the game I believe.

 

[Mikeonlythebestwilldo]

I'd rather us park the bus some games now it will make us unpredictable as anything

 

[streeky]

helped that they had no threat in the air upfront, could have been a different game if moratta had played, but ok.