The Half Term Report

[Carlito]

What's really stood out for me recently is how most of Everton's players struggle to shift the ball quickly enough to pass their way up the pitch and carve open organised defences. The intent is there, but it's only really when Digne and Gomes combine down the left with either Bernard or Sigurdsson, who are both hit and miss themselves in this regard, that the team is able to play out from Pickford or the centre-backs with any real success.

In the short-term, this is easily mitigated by adding a striker with a reliable hold-up game, allowing the midfield and defence to move up the pitch as a unit by providing an outlet when they're on the back foot. However, in terms of looking beyond the next transfer window, it's clear that replacements will need to be found for the likes of Gana, Walcott and Coleman before we start to see a team playing fast, fluid football all over the park.

In terms of fan reaction to the new regime, I think that the removal of so many polarising figures has gone a long way towards easing the tension that was palpable throughout last season. As others have said, the crowd isn't nearly as unreasonable as some would have you believe, which is why most are satisfied to give Silva and Brands the benefit of the doubt as long as they appear to be heading in the right direction, even if the process ends up being somewhat slower than we would prefer.

 

[irishgoose]

Definitely an odd one this year. I very much see an improvement in style, but the elephant in the room would be some shocking results, particularly at home, against very average/poor sides.

Ultimately, we still lack a consistent playmaker although Gylfi has been excellent for most of the campaign; we don’t have the proverbial cutting edge at key moments to make chances for our forwards. We also struggle to use our attackers’ pace to our advantage in the same way that them lot across the park do. I think this broadly boils down to too many errant passes under pressure from our midfielders and a real poor quality of first touch from our wide forwards, in particular.

Hopefully these issues can be addressed in training but there is a niggling feeling, for me, that some of these players just aren’t good enough for what we’re trying to achieve. Walcott is a shining example of this - People will always point to his pace, but I struggle to come up with even one other discernible quality of note that he brings. Coleman’s race looks, very sadly, to be run and I would - like MANY others - like Richarlison to be out wide, terrorising FBs and CBs alike while a top, instinctive slotter bangs them in like nobody’s business.

Anyway, drifted off into a ramble, there; so far, so-so: 7/10.

No end product @CRIMHEAD

Now that was an attempt at humor

 

[Darth Toffeeman]

Average 5/6 out of 10.

Better football, better players is a plus.

Out of the LC at home to Saints, lots of points dropped against dross at home, and still no wins against our peers. The Pickford error at the pit was an absolute poleaxer.

Hopefully we find what is missing in January.

 

[bullybeef]

Must do better.

 

[Brisan123]

Gonna have to put you on ignore because every time I see your picture I burst out laughing sometimes in public.

I’ll be putting him on ignore but not for the reasons you stated
Let’s just say I’ve my suspicions

 

[BernieH]

Still optimistic, knew it wasn't going to be plain sailing but we have made positive gains in most areas, on the pitch we are more competitive sand easier on the eye, it's all good for me

 

[Strikinglyhandsome1]

6/10 for me. It all needs time. I’m disappointed we didn’t win some of those winnable home games. That’s a frustrating missed opportunity. We still haven’t had a statement win or unexpected result. They can be a real boost.
Performance has improved in patches but this is not reflected in the points total.
The first half at the pit was a glimpse of where we need to be and Chelsea was a tactical masterclass rarely seen by blues managers of late.
It’s baby steps to me but some think it’s way more. I find that odd but each to their own.
To state the obvious, every single blue knew we needed a goal scorer. Not signing one has cost us 6-8 goals and that is a major factor in not getting the extra points or pulling out some unexpected results.
Think we need to kick on now against the second and third tier and this will give us a free pass to go all out against the protected Sky 6. I wanna beat them so bad I can taste it.

In short, needs time, two more windows and a goal scorer now. Slow improvement has to be backed up with points. Over to you Marco.

 

[Berenger]

With United copying every last move of Everton's 2017/18 season, sixth is absolutely there for the taking for as long as they leave Solskjaer in post. We are right in the mixer for that. And although we could, probably should, have another 7-10 points on the board, this has been a very solid start for Brands and Silva. Must kick on in the second half of the season, which I fully expect to happen.

 

[davids]

Must do better.

Much better.

 

[b-rad]

Green shoots of recovery have been spotted from time to time. Some of this summer's signings look good.

Every now and again we get slapped squarely round the face - just a reminder that we shouldn't expect too much from this season. We're in the first of our 'transitional' seasons. Let's hope there aren't too many of those before we start to nibble around the edges of the top 4 again.

 

[bicycleheader]

Its been grand up until now. Not great. Not terrible. Just fine.

So the new boss has given himself a good platform for the 2nd half of the season to ensure nobody is even mentioning the possibility of a new manager in the summer.

Looking forward to the rest of the season with a wee bit of optimism and eagerly awaiting the next game each week.

 

[technojoe]

Need a good striker and decent RB competition an we will be well better!