Southampton v Everton - Match Report and MotM Poll...

[Yorkie89]

..yep, it’s almost impossible to take any positives from the game. Sigurdsson is a fish out of water being asked to do a conventional wide role but he at least stuck to his task and then produced the only moment of quality when he was in an area of the pitch he should be operating in. I went for him.

Those wide areas continue to be defensively a big problem for me. For two of the goals we had two players drawn to the ball whilst runners went unmarked. It’s very basic. Teams are getting behind us and we very rarely get behind them at the other end. That’s where threat comes from.

I’ve never seen anything like it not even on a park on a Sunday morning. I never thought I would find myself saying I’m ashamed to be a blue right now we are disgrace from top to bottom.
Sure you would find more fight in a morgue

 

[Khalekan]

Siggy got my vote for his brilliant goal.but it's hard to take any other positives out of this game. That was like boys v men and it looks like team morale has gone completely

And it is not like they are a good team that scores many goals

Lord knows what is going to happen at The Pit a couple weeks from now.

 

[JammyP]

Time to add cheese to the vote.
A third of possession, against Southampton.

 

[d34noj]

And it is not like they are a good team that s ores many goals

Lord knows what is going to happen at The Pit a couple weeks from now.

BRICKING IT.

 

[Eggs]

...Sigurdsson played as a conventional wide player with Mirallas no10 was odd.

Jagielka looks shot. I always thought he’s a top pro but he looks totally lost. Keane is a huge disappointment, Williams was actually best of the three. No athleticism, no pace, no agility in a key area of the pitch where opposition players have those attributes in spades. Until we bring in replacements we have to protect the CBs. Sit deep and throw their heads and bodies at the ball.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

31% possession against Palace, 33% possession today.

 

[overkill]

I voted sigurdssen because of the goal, he didn't do a whole lot else but was no worse than the rest of the team.
We should have an option for none of them in the polls

 

[Rook]

Voted no one because I just wanted to see some heart today.

here is a video of The Straq

 

[Bluecranks]

I gave it to Williams as a protest vote.

 

[Badge1878]

I tell you what, that has been a long day and delays on the M6 don't help. It's been that bad recently I thougt before kick off some reaction from that on Thursday, a battling tigerish and backs against the wall draw would represent some kind of progress. I know. This current team don't provide much in the way of optimism, so by keeping expectations low I could see some progress and optimism.

But, it's Everton 2017/8. They find new ways of creating lows. If that was a reaction, it's a disgrace. We know our problems so pointless repeating them on here again. The thing is these self employed third party image right multi millionaires have accepted that they won't win, so they don't even try to look like they are bothered. It's toxic, a disease in that squad. They look at each other for someone to blame, don't even do that well.

If I had my way I'd ask Umbro to produce a kit without our badge or motto against West Ham. Drastic and one hell of a statement I know, but I don't think they deserve to wear our badge at the moment. The privilege of representing Everton Football Club has been devalued by many of this current squad, when we were in trouble previously at the very least effort and hard work compensated for a lack of ability.

I'm disgusted by what is happening at the moment. The lack of leadership off the pitch is a disgrace, the performances on the pitch are a disgrace, it's a combination of arrogance and greed that sees relegation an increasing certainty. They won't care; already planning moves away, sound bites will be leaked about confidence and uncertainty off the pitch as reason.

Shut up, just do your jobs and pretend you care because one thing is for sure Everton do not deserve the support they get. The players don't deserve to wear that badge and the current custodians of our club don't deserve that privilege.

Off to bed because I have work tomorrow; it's hard to support them at the moment because they don't deserve it. Hopefully find a reason tomorrow because I'm empty at the moment.

 

[samcrest]

I think an approach to Martin Keown as defensive coach may not be a bad idea - he talks a good after match analysis

 

[NCLBlue]

Some players coming across as believing none of this is their fault and letting managers take the full fall

Completely downed tools and judging by the training ground incident, the Vlasic twitter/media saga and utter batterings we’ve had the players don’t respect him and don’t mind showing it

As said above - they’ll be talking up their moves away the more trouble we get in and it’s them who have contributed to where we are

No way any top manager will come to us in this state

 

[BigBlueConk]

Siggy scores a wonder goal, but on the whole I thought his delivery was average.
Kev, Lennon and DCL were where most moves broke down.
I didnt know Scnides was playing until I saw him shaking hands at the end.
Back 4 can not defend in the air or on the deck.

Another bad day for Everton. 19 players used in 2 starting line ups and all equally awful. COYB.

 

[BigBlueConk]

Some players coming across as believing none of this is their fault and letting managers take the full fall

Completely downed tools and judging by the training ground incident, the Vlasic twitter/media saga and utter batterings we’ve had the players don’t respect him and don’t mind showing it

As said above - they’ll be talking up their moves away the more trouble we get in and it’s them who have contributed to where we are

No way any top manager will come to us in this state

Not even an average manager mate.
This squad can not defend at Prem level and so why would anybody with a brain join until he can buy 4 new defenders?

 

[Jr. Yanik]

Things have gotten worse after Koeman left, although that's not any defense of Koeman.

We went from a goal drought to finding the net on a much more consistent basis, although our defensive woes have been chronic this season.

Main criticisms on the team sheet:

1. Calvert Lewin cannot play alone up top. His game against City was a miracle, but he's a kid. He needs a strike partner. Lukaku needed a partner too... Valencia is a sore miss for the team this year his work rate and creativity helped.

2. Where. Is. Holgate? He's an athlete, he's strong, and he's fairly quick. Our experienced players at the back are acting like children... Keane began his career well, but he's also young and struggling without leadership around him. If the old guard CAN'T do the trick, WHERE IS HOLGATE?

3. Schneiderlin. What does he offer? Gana's numbers have actually increased recently, especially when he plays with Schneiderlin. He doesn't press well, his passing range is stale, he isn't putting in strong challenges and he is a literal waste of a player tactically right now. Davis is free at the edge of the box... while we have 2 CDMs on the pitch. HOW? Gana hasn't been stellar, but his running stats speak for themselves. Even Sigs is getting up and down the pitch, and that's not his proper role.

4. The wing-wide back combinations. Against Zaha, Kenny had an amazing game, but Lennon backed him up. Most of our problems came from Baines being caught out, and both goals against Palace came from down the right. In this game there were two crosses to Austin from the left, but only after Kenny moved across field. The fourth goal came from Lookman not tracking a man's run while Kenny closed the ball down. Ball centered to edge of box and Davis is free to score. Lennon-Kenny I think is an alright partnership, but we need SOMETHING for that left hand side of the field.

5. We can't play 3 number 10s, but we need at least ONE. Sigurdsson looked like a box-to-box midfielder today... if that's his new position, fine, but DCL can't perform without assistance. Runs up the field to support him in the pocket are near non existent, Rooney would be a nice impact sub, but we're missing... well, Barkley. Yes, Barkley can be an insufferable whiny bitch at times, but he's a big strong footballer, and he has a great eye for the game. We miss him.


We look like a physically weak side with no decent touch. Our dismal 30% possession stats for a few games confirm that. We need players who can pressure and win the ball back, but also who can play confidently in possession.

Hopefully in a few weeks we can get the following line up out there:

Bolasie-Niasse-Lennon
Davies-Sigurdsson
Gueye
Kenny-Keane-Holgate-Coleman
Pickford

Bolasie and Lennon are both hard workers out wide and will help our wide backs, each of whom both like to give us width. Niasse is in the goals, and the midfield is hardworking but the best I can see being put out right now. Keane and Holgate together are a risk, and is subject to change... but god we need a CB partnership that works.

Rooney, Lookman, Vlasic, DCL, Jagielka, Klaassen, Joel on the bench.

Fairly attacking bench too, but it's a much more adaptable bench as well. Late on in games we're usually struggling, which means offensive tweaks more than defensive tweaks. Lookman for fresh legs and pace, DCL for aerial threat, Klaassen for pressure, Vlasic for a creative outlet, Rooney for a distribution outlet. Joel for penalty double saves (I still love Joel, but he's not m number one)