Everton: we look an unhappy camp

[Carlito]

I disagree. Deulofeu, Barry, Besic, Cleverley, Lennon - all technically proficient players. And there was a commitment to bring up the overall level of technique for the whole squad under the last manager in order that they could play ball to feet.

Under Moyes we had the odd signing over 11 years like Arteta and Pienaar who were the exceptions to that manager's general rule to get solid players into the first team squad.

Moyes understood the importance of having partnerships all over the field, and brought in players that were intelligent enough to sync into a cohesive unit.

Of those you mentioned, Barry is the only one who plays with any sort of nous, and even he doesn't really impact the game outside of his own ten yard radius.

Martinez and Koeman seem to covet individuals that provide occasional x-factor moments, rather than looking to build a side which doesn't depend solely on one or two being able to pull a rabbit out of the hat every week.

I don't see much difference between the current manager and his predecessor. Both too lazy to do much more than pack one end of the field with bodies - like swapping Ian Holloway for Tony Pulis.

 

[Zatara]

The southampton game is tailor made for VVD...all he needs to do is stop lukaku and they will get a point or 3.

 

[AndyC]

The southampton game is tailor made for VVD...all he needs to do is stop lukaku and they will get a point or 3.

If VvD shackles Lukaku well on Sunday, then that would suggest to me that he should be considered as a potential signing target.
Always like him personally as a more than decent defender who also has goals in him.

I'm sure @Mikey_Fitzgerald will have an opinion on this

 

[JLW]

One up front isn't working for us Dave.

We need to go for this game right from the off, hence me suggesting two up front - hit Saints hard right from the off with pace.

Now, whether that's Mirallas (a waster in your opinion) or Bolasie (too erratic in other opinions) or a.n.other is up to RK, but starting with a lone striker in a game we really need to win - given our immediate next six fixtures - would be wrong... in my opinion.

Totally agree! Wouldn't be that bad if we had runners from midfield but the formation/set up doesn't allow it. Lukaku is better facing the goal and all too often he has is back to it because he's isolated

 

[Zatara]

If VvD shackles Lukaku well on Sunday, then that would suggest to me that he should be considered as a potential signing target.
Always like him personally as a more than decent defender who also has goals in him.

I'm sure @Mikey_Fitzgerald will have an opinion on this

The press are touting him to be stones partner at man city....could have been us...

We will be lucky to get a point next game and totally reliant on lukaku.

 

[brieverton]

Also think Mirallas is headed for the exit but I'd still consider playing him with Lukaku at Soton.

Surely think we have the right to expect a decent shift once in a while whilst they're still being paid.

 

[degsy]

we had it already at the start of the season.

yeah but it'll be like buses eh, there'll be another along soon won't there?

 

[Tricky Trevor 7]

A solitary win since September 17th. Manager looking less than a great fit, personality wise, and making a lot of off the cuff comments. A team now looking like it's lost the plot.

I look across the first team and bench and see cause for concern: a GK who knows he's under scrutiny; a captain who looks like he's lost discipline on and off the pitch; the ongoing festering boil that is the McCarthy situation; Lukaku making it known he's relieved on international duty to be playing with players up and around him; Mirallas and Deulofeu looking like they are bit part players and heading for the door; Barkley finding himself the unwanted centre of attention and target for the media.

The team have been questioned again this week about their intensity by Koeman - who also let slip midweek he hoped for four replacements for them in January. Next up is a tough grudge match away to S'ton whose players will be fired up and then 5 tough games on the spin after that culminating on Boxing Day away to Leicester. I cant see the type of fight here with this team that we could envisage picking up more than 5 points. The lack of reaction after the Chelsea mauling was shocking, and that's the best chance we'll have of nailed on three points out the window for some time to come. I hope in private they're sorting this out and that the manager is accepting that he too needs to up his game, because that dressing room can be pretty volatile. Once its lost it's lost for good. They dont do it in public, they make the anodyne comments - all the right noises about doing their 'level best' and 'dont know where it's going wrong' etc, but they know how to 'work to rule' and slip into a crisis mode very quickly.

This upcoming Southampton game will be enormous IMO.

Can't we talk about more interesting things like , who would you like to give a pearl necklace to this Christmas, I'll make my case with Susanna Reid . Top milf

 

[degsy]

But they are, they are without question the 2 best fullbacks in the squad, without question.

They're the least of our worries at the moment

 

[Timhowardsswearbox]

Agree with Zat there, I am failing to see how the younger lads wouldn't be an improvement over the likes of Cleverley and the rest of Roberto's top signings just now.

They would probably bring a bit of renewed vigour to this tired looking squad. However, I guess the run of games we have coming could be like lambs to the slaughter.

The reality is that neither you or anyone else is this thread has a proper understanding of how good the youngsters are or if they are actually ready for PL football. This is why we have hundreds of scouts and backroom staff assessing their performances and feeding information through.

When youngsters are not getting first team football they are everyone's answer to the problems. When they do play and come up short, the manager gets the blame for not playing experienced players.

In all honesty, if RK had played some of the youngsters this last weekend he would have been criticized as Swansea should be cannon-fodder, to be picked off by our experienced pros.

 

[davek]

One up front isn't working for us Dave.

We need to go for this game right from the off, hence me suggesting two up front - hit Saints hard right from the off with pace.

Now, whether that's Mirallas (a waster in your opinion) or Bolasie (too erratic in other opinions) or a.n.other is up to RK, but starting with a lone striker in a game we really need to win - given our immediate next six fixtures - would be wrong... in my opinion.

They'll come out and try and play. Just do what we did to them in this fixture last season, Andy. We had a strong, pretty flat back four on that occasion as I remember and a very mobile approach to the game. As nsno chris says: it's a big pitch and we can make the most of it if Barkley as well as the two wide men + Lukaku are allowed to get on their bikes. I look at their defence and it all looks last ditch to me.

I fully expect that game to be won in the final 20 minutes when they should have the Thursday game in their legs coming back to haunt them. I thought WHU who we faced after they'd been in a cup game midweek before we played them faded badly too. Two games in a week is still tough for any squad outside of the moneybags elite to handle at this level of intensity.

 

[BlueToff]

The press are touting him to be stones partner at man city....could have been us...

We will be lucky to get a point next game and totally reliant on lukaku.

I really was surprised Martinez never moved for him...

 

[BlueToff]

They'll come out and try and play. Just do what we did to them in this fixture last season, Andy. We had a strong, pretty flat back four on that occasion as I remember and a very mobile approach to the game. As nsno chris says: it's a big pitch and we can make the most of it if Barkley as well as the two wide men + Lukaku are allowed to get on their bikes. I look at their defence and it all looks last ditch to me.

I fully expect that game to be won in the final 20 minutes when they should have the Thursday game in their legs coming back to haunt them. I thought WHU who we faced after they'd been in a cup game midweek before we played them faded badly too. Two games in a week is still tough for any squad outside of the moneybags elite to handle at this level of intensity.

4-2-3-1 would probably work in this game.

Barkley and Rom to hit them on the counter as you say with space to exploit down the wings should they retain this diamond formation.

It just doesn't work when we need to get on top of teams at home.

 

[davek]

4-2-3-1 would probably work in this game.

Barkley and Rom to hit them on the counter as you say with space to exploit down the wings should they retain this diamond formation.

It just doesn't work when we need to get on top of teams at home.

...twas ever thus. And that conundrum wont ever be solved until we get a real playmaker in...FFS, how long have we all been craving for a playmaker and it never gets sorted?

 

[D410]

1 win in 7 games is on everybody not just the manager.
The millionaires at Finch Farm need to remember they are cheered and supported by the average working man and woman.