" Robertos change of tactic"

[daz4matty]

He's ALWAYS played with two defensive CMs - he's more defensive minded than most give him credit for. Going to three in the centre holy [Poor language removed] only occurred in the last game or two because of the quality of opposition we played.

Even at palace the focus was on defending.
He has always played with two defensive midfielders but lately the full backs have not been going forward bar the west brom game.
We have been more solid with stones in but the focus of the team has been to defend

 

[blueblue]

I think Jozzy has hit the nail firmly on the head. This is a learning curve for RM and this season the curve has been steep.
What is most pleasing is that he has been able to arrest a slide and get the team playing again.

I don't think relegation is in any way a factor , the question is in what position we will finish and how we finish the season. I think we may be heading towards some kind of altered formation allowing us to be solid at the back but with some more creativity and pace going forward.

I think the arrival of Lennon shows the manager realised that our game was too slow.
Our centre midfield trio of Barry, Besic and McCarthy for all their qualities are not creative and I have said for a long time that during the summer we will see the arrival of a playmaker playing a similar role that Moloney played at Wigan.

The summer will be really interesting , moreso than last year. Last year the questions were largely about resigning Barry and Lukaku.
This summer , there will be questions about Lennon signing but we will see which way RM wants to bring the team when we see the additions he makes.

 

[ijjysmith]

My main worry or concern with Everton is just how sodding boring we are.

 

[daz4matty]

I think Jozzy has hit the nail firmly on the head. This is a learning curve for RM and this season the curve has been steep.
What is most pleasing is that he has been able to arrest a slide and get the team playing again.

I don't think relegation is in any way a factor , the question is in what position we will finish and how we finish the season. I think we may be heading towards some kind of altered formation allowing us to be solid at the back but with some more creativity and pace going forward.

I think the arrival of Lennon shows the manager realised that our game was too slow.
Our centre midfield trio of Barry, Besic and McCarthy for all their qualities are not creative and I have said for a long time that during the summer we will see the arrival of a playmaker playing a similar role that Moloney played at Wigan.

The summer will be really interesting , moreso than last year. Last year the questions were largely about resigning Barry and Lukaku.
This summer , there will be questions about Lennon signing but we will see which way RM wants to bring the team when we see the additions he makes.

Relegation is a threat.
We have won 2 games in 16 and confidence is very low.
If we lose the Leicester game we are in a fight.
We know the quality we have we should be nowhere near the bottom 6 but in reality we are there.

 

[hktoffee]

Let's get this straight, I think we have improved. We have stopped shipping goals for fun but would this be down to Stones？As you are aware, Distin is out and we don't destroy ourselves at the back recently. Getting draws are better than losing to Hull etc.

We have tightened up in midfield too so McCarthy and Besic will be our DM with Barry suspended.

I do not buy this second season symptom bull. If one is good enough he is good enough. What if he had third season symptom？

 

[Khalekan]

I wonder if he changed things, against his principles, after a quiet, confidential word from Uncle Bill.

I would say so.

There is little talk of the "philosophy" these days as well.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

we had ridiculous injuries to key members of the squad until the beginning of January. Of course it's going to make a difference to how we do.

The last few week we've been able to put out something close to our first choice team (with the majority being fit) and or performances have improved no end.

Very little to do with tactics, it's about getting our best players fit and playing. When that happens we can beat pretty much anyone in this league

Anyone seriously thinks we're up for relegation is obviously at it

 

[Khalekan]

Relegation is a threat.
We have won 2 games in 16 and confidence is very low.
If we lose the Leicester game we are in a fight.
We know the quality we have we should be nowhere near the bottom 6 but in reality we are there.

It is very worrying the level of complacency round these parts re the R word.

Now, I don't think we will go down but anyone thinks we are not in the dogfight needs to smell the coffee.

By the time we play Leicester the current five point cushion may have been reduced further.....and if we struggle in that game like we have in most home games this season we might just end up with one point.

Or worse.

And then we go to Arsenal.

Relegation is a clear and oresent danger, I hate to say.

 

[Toffeelover]

Wouldn't it be ironic if in this seriously depressing season we somehow managed to win the Europa and end up in the CL.

That would be phenomenal.

 

[Toffeelover]

Becoming defensively sound isn't a "change if tactic". We were airtight at the back for much of last season.

What's happened is that defenders have started defending again.

There has been a change of tactics we have cut out most of the sideways tika taka passing in front of our box.

 

[SpurtingLesbian]

It is very worrying the level of complacency round these parts re the R word.
Now, I don't think we will go down but anyone thinks we are not in the dogfight needs to smell the coffee.
By the time we play Leicester the current five point cushion may have been reduced further.....and if we struggle in that game like we have in most home games this season we might just end up with one point.
Or worse.
And then we go to Arsenal.
Relegation is a clear and oresent danger, I hate to say.

Rubbish, we have our players back now and our performances have improved no end.
there are at least 5-6 teams below us that are struggling, we are now miles ahead of them in terms of performances, quality, ability to score and ability to keep a clean sheet

 

[l4toffee]

I wonder if he changed things, against his principles, after a quiet, confidential word from Uncle Bill.

Kenwright probably threatened to take him to a Barrymore pool party if results didn't improve

 

[daz4matty]

Rubbish, we have our players back now and our performances have improved no end.
there are at least 5-6 teams below us that are struggling, we are now miles ahead of them in terms of performances, quality, ability to score and ability to keep a clean sheet

Performances have not improved that much we are just focused on defending at the moment.
The last 3 games have been more about keeping a clean sheet.
The worry is when we have to go and attack teams,we still seem clueless in the final 3rd.
1 goal in 4 games is poor and Martinez is stuck between parking the bus and tikka takka at the moment.

 

[larrygobfiend]

He's getting there. All he needs to do now is find the balance between attack and defence. If anything, this season has taught Martinez a harsh lesson and should stand him in good stead for the future.

I hope the stars align and we win the Europa.

 

[Mashtray]

He's getting there. All he needs to do now is find the balance between attack and defence. If anything, this season has taught Martinez a harsh lesson and should stand him in good stead for the future.

I hope the stars align and we win the Europa.

first games, we score lots, but concede lots too. now we take 1 goal in 5, great defending, but we cant seem to find the net.

strange place, this everton fc.