World Cup — Day Seven

Another really good game, Portugal and Morroco. The Morrocans are giving it a really good go, but floundering on the rock of Portugal's defence.

Because of CR7, Portugal is associated with flair and attacking football, but in fact, their Euro win 2 years ago was primarily based on their defensive resilience and organization, something they haven't lost.

The game feels at the moment like Morroco will huff and puff, but be unable to blow the house down...and Portugal will break away and nick a second.

William Carvalho continuing to do exactly what William Carvalho does.

I for one continue to really enjoy this World Cup.

Yes, John, I thought I had addressed your concern on the previous thread. Not satisfactorily perhaps, I understand that, but I will repeat, I have no control over posting limits. I am sure that, when Lyndon sees your post, he will do something to rectify it. Something which, I repeat again, I cannot do anything about. Sorry.

In future, if you have such concerns, please do as James Flynn advised, and use the Contact and Feedback link rather than clogging up threads. This sends an email directly to both Lyndon and myself. There is a better chance of this receiving the attention you demand.

Thank you.

Carvalho looked very average to me again. Tidy enough in possession and did make a tackle or two but never looked like taking hold of a game that Portugal were very fortunate to win. I remain unconvinced that he is a significant upgrade on Schneiderlin.

Gelson Martins also came on and looked thoroughly headless. He lost the ball quite a few times and generally looked like Mirallas Mk 2.

But then strange things can happen in International football. Watford's very own Amrabat looked the best player on the pitch!

Portugal just doing enough to win the game. Hard on Morroco who gave it a reet good go.

Anyone catch a glimpse of (rumoured transfer target, but denied in yesterday's Echo) Gelson Martins when he came on?

The Brazilian commentators did: "And once again, Martins tries a dribble in a crowded midfield and loses the ball".

Agreed on Amrabat Sam. He had a great game.

And agree with your opinion on Carvalho! And on Martins!

As I posted earlier, Carvalho doing exactly what Carvalho does. As you legitimately ask, is it really enough or a serious upgrade on what we already have at the club?

I watched Carvalho a good bit. He's definitely slow as shit, but you can see that his technical skill is excellent.

All in all I thought Everton shouldn't be in for him. I think he'd infuriate Goodison as he looks very lazy - but as has been pointed out his positional sense is so good he seemingly can jog around for 90 minutes. When he needed to, he went full sprint to close down an attacker on the left side. That's slightly encouraging.

I'd pass on him. My third son, 17 years of age and pretty knowledgable about this sort of thing, thinks Carvalho is absolutely fantastic and "a beast."

I dunno, it's a tough one. I'd pass though. Rather see Gana covering every inch of the pitch to be honest.

Carvalho would, you feel, just mimic Schneiderlin, their heat maps would almost be on top of each other.

I guess it comes down to the crowd, we often lament players who coast around Goodison, preferring the player who gives more obvious effort. Jamie your post hinted at that.

If the team plays poorly the ire is often directed at guy who looks like his effort can be questioned.

I think that's the kind of club we are, I'm just not sure we'd tolerate a player who ambled around, even if we ignore his other qualities?

One both his appearances to date in the World Cup, he's looked unimpressive, especially in a forward bent. Against a decent Morocco side he was over-ran not helped by Portuguese tactics and mentality.

I'll pass.

In truth I wasn't personally impressed with anybody on the Portugal side, including Ronaldo! (I would still like him in my side though!!)

I mirror the thoughts on Carvalho in that he is Schneiderlin in disguise for me. Unless he comes here for free I just can't for the life of me see what he brings that Beni for example doesn't bring, except a massive difference in experience.

As for the flying winger, if we are looking at him then we haven't learned the lessons of last season. He would drive me nuts if he came to us running into blind alleys.

As far as wingers go, we should break the bank to get Lozano. Carillo runs him close but we should aim for the best.

I don't think many players we have been linked with have stood out but, there again, neither have Messi or Ronaldo.

I haven't and likely won't do a Carvalho study. So, I ask, does he look more Gareth Barry or Morgan Schneiderlin?

Barry was no gazelle. He just always seemed to be around the ball. And always, ALWAYS showed for it.

If Carvalho is close to that, I'd take him over Schneiderlin.

James, definitely more Schneiderlin than Barry to my eyes. Barry, though slow, always wanted to get on the ball and demanded it to try and get things moving. Carvalho seems to get the ball by accident. Yes, he uses it well for the most part but he seems to lack the essential hunger and desire that I would like all Everton footballers to have in an ideal world.

I may be no top scout, but I have watched William Carvalho often enough (all right, some four or five times), to be definitely unexcited by his potential signing. No, he's no Gareth Barry, he just strolls around in the general area of play. He has good ball skills, admittedly, but doesn't look like a player who can run a game.

In other words, forget it!

Sam and Dave, thanks. You guys ever thought about forming a singing group?

I asked because of watching the dramatic drop-off going from Barry to Schneiderlin in front of our backline last season. Barry bossed the area while Morgan just sort of hung around there.

Likely not another Barry laying around waiting to be signed, like when we got him. But we need better than this stiff Schneiderlin. He'll never be good enough and, as far as I'm concerned, strictly paycheck-collecting. Good luck to Silva attempting to change that.

Wouldn't expect Carvalho to be as good as Barry. Just closer to him than what we're currently stuck with.

WOW! What a game, Iran-Spain. Just how heroic were Iran?

Remember, 4 years ago in Brazil, they did something similar in the group phase against eventual finalists Argentina. Fought tooth and nail, had chances themselves, until a certain Lionel Messi did this in the 90th minute to win the game by a single goal.

Link

It certainly makes the final games of the group interesting. You would expect Spain to see off Morroco, but on this performance, Iran v Portugal now becomes a 'winner take all' game. With Spain and Portugal on 4 points, Iran on 3, an Iran win sees them through at the expense of Portugal.

And who is their manager...? Portuguese Carlos Queiroz – Fergie's ex-assistant at United – who led Portugal at the World Cup in South Africa. He will, therefore, know Portugal and their players inside out.

Their discipline and defensive lines were hugely impressive, and bold on the counter. The winger megging Pique and almost setting up a headed equaliser at the death was a golden moment of this World Cup. And, cruel as it was, the in-pitch linesman and VAR got the decision right about Iran's offside 'equaliser'.

Pulsating game.

Some of the underdogs doing well and of course Iran may still get through.

I hear that Southgate has a dislocated shoulder. Can't blame Ramos for that one!!!

Actually, Southgate said it isn't half as painful as watching Sterling trying to become a world-class player. At least the shoulder can be fixed but Sterling can't.

Carvalho: unimpressed, again. This time against an average team. A big fella who doesn't impose his size. A defensive midfielder who doesn't really defend. I lost count of the amount of times the Moroccans passed or ran around him.

Excellent touch, composed on the ball, good short passer. Offers zero offensive threat. Rarely breaks out of a slow jog and when he does, oh my is he slow.

At 26 he is one of the slowest "high class" players I've seen. No better than Schneiderlin. Pass on him. The other Sporting player we've been linked with, who came on as a sub, was anonymous. I noticed one big mistake; pass on him too.

I couldn't watch the Iran - Spain game as I'm at work, but I did listen to it on satellite radio. My goodness it sounded fantastic.

Felt terrible for Iran that their goal was called back, but the announcers here said in the end it was indeed the right call – and used it as a prime example of why VAR should exist.

I was really pulling for Iran – I believe their centre-back is an American with Iranian parents? Plus both times I've seen them, they really give 100% and that's always something you like to see in a World Cup as a neutral.

Everton don't need any more players who can tackle and run around all day, but can't pick a pass.

Nice post match quotes from the Iran manager Carlos Queiroz:

"We will learn a lot from this game. If you think of it like tennis, we had one match point today and we will have another against Portugal. Everything is still open. We are still alive and still dreaming."

I have Portuguese family and Iranian friends. I'm siding with Iran in the decider! It would be a great achievement.