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Steve Round

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Can anyone spot the pattern? 

Tottenham 0 ?1 Everton
Everton 0 ? 0 Chelsea
Everton 2 - 3 Aston Villa*
Man City 0 ? 1 Everton
Everton 2 ? 0 Sunderland
Middlesbrough 0 ? 1 Everton
Macclesfield 0 ? 1 Everton
Everton 2 ? 0 Hull
There are of course no prizes here for the very obvious correct answer. I purposefully went back as far as the Tottenham game, thus including the three goals conceded against Villa, as it worth noting that a clean sheet at the Lane is something only a handful of teams will achieve this year, or any year. It is also worth noting that the three goals leaked against Villa included a strong candidate for goal of the month and two very uncharacteristic errors, the likes of which have not been seen again during any of the aforementioned games.

Now earlier in the season there was a lot of talk about how bad a coach Steve Round is? this after he?d been at the club for a grand total of three months.

Steve Round came to the club having worked with Middlesbrough, Newcastle and England, widely considered as a top-class coach and a defensive expert (see top). Beyond the fact that we have not conceded a goal since the beginning of December, anyone who actually watches Everton closely enough will have noticed the style of play in recent weeks and the way in which we break teams down has improved greatly as well.

How many times last season did you see either full back reach the byline? Leighton Baines, Joleon Lescott and Tony Hibbert (he?s a trier) have in the past six or seven games been our most advanced players on several occasions. Granted, the possession and territory in these areas has not been converted into as many chances or goals as they should have but the blueprint for future success is most certainly in place.

Between Moyes and Round there seems to have been a system developed that allows us to commit eight men deep into opposition territory, yet remains solid enough to reel off seven clean sheets in eight games.

I for one am delighted with the progress that the manager, the coach and the players have made in the relatively short time that they have worked together. I?m hoping now that in the second half of the season that Dan Gosling is given a chance in the right back berth. If Leighton Baines can continue his recovery from the obvious confidence knock that the last 18 months have dealt him, and if Gosling can develop his game to the point where he can compete for 90 minutes week-in, week-out against top opposition, I firmly believe a top 6 finish is the least we can hope for.

Keep up the good work blues.
Peter Laverty, London     Posted 14/01/2009 at 06:54:23

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Ben Howard
1   Posted 14/01/2009 at 14:42:08

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Nice article. I agree, it?s very promising. I hate it when I hear critics say we ?stumbled? across a system that works for us due to our injuries etc... it is instantly negative and is often used to belittle our team. I?d rather look at it as further proof of how adaptable we are as a squad. Something that is even more commendable when you think how small the squad is. COYB!
Duncan McDine
2   Posted 14/01/2009 at 14:45:17

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Yep, the lads and management have turned our defensive shambles (Aug - Nov) of a team into a rock solid unit. This is the reason we?ve been getting away with our striker shortage... the odd goal from a set-piece has been enough to pick up 3 points.

Praise has to go to ?Roundy? (as Arteta refers to him) for pointing out the rather basic observation that he should take free-kicks by thumping it with the laces, rather than trying the curling, dipping free-kick every time. I?ve played with one of the real Prem balls and it swerves all over the place ? thank God I wasn?t in goal!!!
Tony Williams
3   Posted 14/01/2009 at 14:56:25

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I am somewhere in the middle of the "stumble" believers and Ben.

We are fortunate that Pip has stepped up as a midfielder at last but a big difference is Baines, who let?s face it would still be on the bench if Yobo hadn?t of been injured, so that was fortunate.
Philip Jones
4   Posted 14/01/2009 at 15:12:43

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I reckon our defence has improved since Alan Stubbs got invloved with the coaching. My theory...
Andy Flanagan
5   Posted 14/01/2009 at 15:15:57

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I agree with Ben. You just know that we will never get credit for our defensive displays as other teams would. If the red shite had a defense like ours they would be described as ?Formidable? or ?Impenetrable?. Instead we get described as ?brave? or ?resilient? as if we are these clubs' poor relations. Look at the way everyone is up Villa?s arse all of a sudden! I really shouldn't care about how others see us but I just can?t help it. COYB.
Ste Lewis
6   Posted 14/01/2009 at 15:32:52

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Good positive article. I too have enjoyed the full-backs getting forward ? more so on the left, the need for a right back with a modicum of attacking ability is plain to see. I think Pienaar deserves a lot of credit for the football weve been playing ? when he plays we play ? more so than Arteta?s influence I feel. I also can't believe how little weve missed our Nigerians of late! Yobo who?
Dean Johnson
7   Posted 14/01/2009 at 15:39:41

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Maybe it was Round who said to put Arteta into central mid?

I actually put most of our new found solidity on the fact that Joseph Yobo isn?t fit. I really like the guy but he doesn?t look anywhere near as comfortable when making tackles as Jol and Jags do. For me now, Jags is irreplaceable and how can you drop Baines or Jol on their current form?

I also put our resilience down to people like Ossie and Mikky who, despite their creative flair, have been working their socks off whenever we don?t have the ball.

I also include Big Felli in there to, they probably can?t see round his barnet to make a good pass... Still, I think he dominates games, is so entertaining to watch and amazingly enough, brings the ball down to feet if he has time.

Many many factors, but one day, hopefully, we can get it all right at the beginning of the season and actually challenge for honours.

Oh yeah, the other factor was that Moyes signed his contract?
Keith Glazzard
8   Posted 14/01/2009 at 15:45:22

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When Joe Yobo is fit, we will see if DM likes Leighton Baines?s play as much as most of us seem to. The clean sheet argument applies to either back 4 line-up, and Cap?n Pip at RB or midfield.
Phil Roberts
9   Posted 14/01/2009 at 15:55:56

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Moyes is loyal to a winning team.

When JY was in the form of his life (well maybe not quite!) and went off to the African Cup of Nations, he spent weeks on the bench when he came back until we needed a change. Not sure if DM kept playing Davy Weir and Stubbsy but it was that type of thing. They were old and slow and we were not letting in any goals, so don?t change.

Baines will stay when JY is back.
Dominic Fitzpatrick
10   Posted 14/01/2009 at 16:06:16

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It would be interesting to know how much of an influence Alan Stubbs has on the defence drills at Finch Farm.
Trevor Lynes
11   Posted 14/01/2009 at 16:06:15

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I was calling for Baines's recall ever since the Pompey debacle when he was the only one who looked comfortable on the ball and made good crosses. If Lescott went back to left back then Baines should play in front of him as he is the best crosser from the left that we have. It's a shame that Hibbo can't do the same from the right, he tries hard but is not as comfortable on the ball. Lescott is much better just defending and coming up for corners because he lacks the pace to get up and down the pitch quickly.
Martin Cutler
12   Posted 14/01/2009 at 16:24:35

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Just listened to an interview with Arteta. He stated he?d been working with Steve Round with his free-kicks. So presumably Round is having a positive effect in that area too!
Max Meindl
13   Posted 14/01/2009 at 16:18:38

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Don’t forget guys that Alan Stubbs is only involved in the youth team.
Ben McGrae
14   Posted 14/01/2009 at 16:22:45

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I agree, Round has turned our team into a solid unit and definitely deserves the praise having been criticised heavily at the start of the season (even from myself). It was interesting to read Arteta?s interview stating that Round was responsible for improving his freekick technique. So good on Round, he looks like a good coach after all.

I know for a fact having been to Finch Farm that Alan Stubbs has no input in coaching the first team and is more or less working with the youth and is learning the ropes working with Holden.

Dennis Stevens
15   Posted 14/01/2009 at 16:48:52

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The thing that struck me against Spurs & subsequently, is that we now look like a team. Previously our performances were quite disjointed. I?m hoping that, for once, we have a strong second half to the season.
James Marshall
16   Posted 14/01/2009 at 17:13:40

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We’ve had similar runs in the past before Round and Stubbs were on the staff - David Moyes was a defender and he wrote the book on tight defending; its been a feature of our play for longer than this season.
Charlie Peredur
17   Posted 14/01/2009 at 17:25:36

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Correct me if im wrong... was Round assistant when we went through one of the worst starts in our Premier League history?? No... didn't think so.
Jeremy Benson
18   Posted 14/01/2009 at 17:23:42

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Sometime ago, people were suggesting Stubbs had turned the first team around defensive record around ? despite the fact he had been reserve/youth coach for about 7 days.

Steve Round? Yes, Newcastle have always been known for their defensive record...

This is just pure speculation and conjecture. There is no basis on any facts or evidence. Nobody knows why we have improved recently (although to be fair, with the players we have, we couldn't get much worse).

It's just as likely to be with Lescott?s improvement in form, Arteta?s shift inside, Cahill?s return to fitness, Fellaini?s signing.....

Any and all. Let's not wildly guess!
Brett Bradshaw
19   Posted 14/01/2009 at 17:41:48

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I think it?s more to do with us having a crap defense for a few months. We have been solid for a few years under Moyes. Remember all those one-nils! We just had a poor start, confidence was shattered and we had to rebuild.

Credit to the lads, it didn't last too long! Every team goes through a poor patch, I think the trick is how quick you can turn the corner.
Bryn Apperley
20   Posted 14/01/2009 at 17:30:06

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Can I add a touch of cynicism to the mix? How about the fact that Lescott is now at his beloved centre back, and has stopped sulking around the pitch like a spoilt child? Linked with the fact that our acting forwards do actually run around the pitch instead of lumbering round like Peter Kay looking for his Sierra could also be the answer.
Joeynkoo Ludden
21   Posted 14/01/2009 at 20:03:17

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We can't criticise Round after 3 months in the job, but we can praise him after 4?

Like it or not, the formation was stumbled upon, and was borne out by injuries. That doesn't belittle our side whatsoever, it just shows remarkable adaptability. What it does show is that, after 7 years in the job, Moyes?s preferred formation has been bettered by one he was forced into. I?m not being critical, I'm happy hoofball has gone, for now, but I also believe we?d still be playing it if the Yak wasn't out. IMO.
Paul Formby
22   Posted 14/01/2009 at 23:20:06

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When are people going to wake up and smell the coffee? Everton's defensive improvement can be attributed to the injury of the worst centre half we have had in decades. Yobo has been responsible for so many goals conceded through his ball-watching and lack of concentration, I cannot believe he has been offered a new contract. Check the records, guys: Weir, Stubbs, Lescott, Jagielka or whoever always concede more goals when partnered with Yobo.
Jimmy Rimmer
23   Posted 14/01/2009 at 23:18:05

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Nice to read a good positive article, Peter, thanks! If we can?t be positive during the current run we?re on then when can we be?

I for one don?t give a damn whether this system was stumbled on or not. The fact is that, during an injury crisis, we have showed bags of character and resilience and have a real buzz around the team. How many other clubs out there could improve their fortunes by losing their entire strike-force?

I strongly believe that we have rallied through this period due to the man-management of both Moyes and Round and the strong team spirit they have built.

Those who still can?t stand to print a positive word about Moyes, preferring to constantly refer back to the start of the season / contract fiasco etc are just starting to sound bitter. The man is doing a great job for our football club again and deserves some praise, as do the whole squad. Bring on the RS!!!
Seamus Murphy
24   Posted 15/01/2009 at 00:59:22

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I gree with Jeremy Benson on this, we had 15 clean sheets last season without Round. To say he is now responsible for this upturn in performance is pure speculation ? it could be down to any number of reasons: new formation, increased confidence etc.

We?ve always been based on a solid defence. Remember the season with all the one-nils?
Patty Beesley
25   Posted 15/01/2009 at 08:54:33

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Lets give Alan Stubbs a bit of credit as well!!
Peter Laverty
26   Posted 15/01/2009 at 09:03:49

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Charlie Peredur..... you have quite clearly missed the whole point of the thread. In the short time that Moyes, Round and the squad have worked together, we have made very encouraging progress both defensively and in the opposition?s half. Go and stick a tenner on a Liverpool doubler next week.
Colin Mapp
27   Posted 15/01/2009 at 09:44:55

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I can assure you Alan Stubbs has nothing to do with coaching the first-team. All the credit must go to Moyes and Round who spent three days away together in late November working on a review of the season ?so far? and developing a blueprint for the rest of the season. So far, it looks like they got it smack on!
Peter Laverty
28   Posted 15/01/2009 at 10:17:38

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Well said Colin. That would fit perfectly with the turn around in fortunes of our season. Moyes the "inept one" working some magic again.
Bill Twigg
29   Posted 15/01/2009 at 10:09:42

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Good point, Paul Formby. I do not think it is any coincidence that we have had a run of clean sheets since Yobo has been out injured. I have said for a number of years that, whilst Yobo is a great athlete and has pace, he is, in my opinion, not a good enough centre half.

He is regularly guilty of ball-watching and very rarely does he attack the ball from set pieces or corners. Jags has been fantastic this year and I believe that, once him and Lescott settle in, they will be one of the best centre-back pairings in the league.

Tom Bowers
30   Posted 15/01/2009 at 11:24:53

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Certainly there has been improvement but let?s see how the next few games pan out. These will be sterner tests to our weaknesses, which are still there. If the Blues get results from these games then we can say we have turned the corner... but if not, then all the same criticism will come flooding back for DM and Co.
Gozzer Hughes
31   Posted 15/01/2009 at 12:26:22

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Ste Lewis - "the need for a right back with a modicum of attacking ability is plain to see." I think Gosling is the ideal man for the attacking RB role.
Franny Porter
32   Posted 15/01/2009 at 14:46:26

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My worry is that with Afroman being suspended, Moyes may feel the team lacks in height. Thus, Yobo in, Baines out.

I think this would be a real shame as I really like what Baines brings to the team at the moment.
Martin Handley
33   Posted 16/01/2009 at 18:39:19

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Just a footnote: is it a coincidence that, since a certain Mr Stubbs arrived back at the club, our results/performances have picked up?
David London
34   Posted 15/01/2009 at 13:16:14

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I know all supporters can be hard on their team but I feel us ?Evertonians? may be the worst. I, like the rest of you absorb information about football through various channels. TY, radio, newspapers, magazines and chatting to fans from opposing teams. David Moyes is the most praised of any manager in the Premier League.

When I read newspaper reports, the journos say how ?tactically aware? he is. I read in the Guardian in December that he is a ?tactical genius? (a bit strong). Sky pundits, BBC and ITV and channel 5 praise him. So why do so many of us seem to hate him?

He works on a tight budget and has made some good buys and (yes bad) but has built a team that punches above its weight. I see other managers praise him and although only modest and in lower divisions my football contacts who are pros tell me he is model they try to emulate.

I read many suggestions about managers who should replace him but they burn bright for a season and then get sacked. So ?Why Don't We Love Our Own??


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