Rudderless Everton are drifting towards disaster
Southampton 4 - 1 Everton
If there are saving graces as shell-shocked Evertonians review the carnage of another heavy defeat they are surely that with 25 games still to play and a transfer window to come there is still time, and that somehow Everton are not already bottom of the Premier League.
Because on the evidence of what unfolded at St Mary’s Stadium, coming as it did on the heels of a 5-1 humiliation at Atalanta’s hands on Thursday, it’s hard to imagine there is a worse team than the Toffees in the top flight at the moment. There certainly isn’t a worse defence, a fact that was confirmed as the 27th and 28th goals of the league season went in in the second half.
And, yet, had they picked up only their fourth victory of the campaign today, Everton would be sitting 10th, which — baseless optimism aside — underscores the paucity of the bottom half of the world’s richest league. Perhaps that will allow this great club to mount a successful bid to avoid relegation; either that or the unforgiving nature of the Premier League will claim another big club its proud membership of the elite because you can’t rely on other clubs remaining as bad as they currently are.
As things stand, that latter scenario is a very real possibility and as unpalatable as the “R word” is, its danger is alarmingly present even though we’re still in November. Because this Everton team cannot defend, it doesn’t create and score enough goals and its mentality, particularly among the more senior players on whom you would normally rely to get you out of the mire, is hugely suspect.
The club’s free-fall from the giddy optimism of the summer still takes some believing. As supporters, we celebrated the fact that with the summer acquisitions Everton had bought a new spine for the team, only to discover now that it’s almost entirely lacking a backbone.
Staggering sums of money were wasted on Davy Klaassen (the Dutch midfielder was left out of the squad entirely today), Michael Keane and Gylfi Sigurdsson to take a team being talked about as dark horses for the top four to one that could very well go down if its current course isn’t reversed.
The utterly unforgivable neglect that saw this Everton squad end the transfer window without cover at left-back, centre-back or centre-forward has been well documented but it doesn’t get any more acceptable with the passage of time, nor will it ever be forgotten.
Because with Leighton Baines limping off the field at St Mary’s today and Michael Keane also being forced to withdraw with an apparent concussion, the Blues are down to the bare bones at the back, an area already a problem given that the only left-sided centre-half on the books has been recovering from knee surgery for the past few months.
At the other end of the field, the problems are almost as bad. From an attacking perspective, there is almost nothing to discuss about Everton from this defeat to Southampton. Sigurdsson, a player who could yet lead this team up the league if utilised properly and given the signing of a proper striker in January, scored an absolute belter of a goal that could have provided the platform for a vastly improved second half.
Instead, Sunday League defending from Keane and Ashley Williams saw the Blues concede almost identical goals within six minutes of each other and with them went any hope of David Unsworth’s men getting anything from the game.
A breakaway goal in the first half that saw Dusan Tadic race through the Blues’ short-handed defence had seen Southampton take the lead and Everton concede the first goal yet again and the home side had the last word, too, when Steven Davis curled home after referee Kevin Friend had allowed him to continue despite a suspected handball.
Two shots on target out of five total for Everton, meanwhile, tells its own story — a team utterly bereft of confidence, seemingly without much faith in the caretaker boss and, for some of them, no stomach or desire for the fight.
That’s an accusation that can’t be levelled at all of the players. Jordan Pickford was vocal from his goal mouth but helpless to prevent another glut of goals. Jonjoe Kenny, still a “kid” in football terms, was bellowing his frustrations in the second half and was the only Everton player to go all the way over to those away fans remaining to apologise and thank them for their support. Ademola Lookman came on and did all he could to spur Everton forward when he had the ball; likewise Nikola Vlasic who also came off the bench with a desire to make something happen in attacking areas.
It was like swimming upstream, though, something Dominic Calvert-Lewin had already found out. The young striker had almost nothing to work with for 90 minutes; the target of Pickford’s long balls, there was no one around him to pick up any second balls he managed to fashion against the likes of Virgil van Dijk. Kevin Mirallas had some bright early moments as he so often does but had, by the time he was substituted in the second half, disappeared from the game almost entirely. Sigurdsson spent too much time over the on the left and if he interchanged at all with Calvert-Lewin or Mirallas in the final third, it can’t have been much. The Iceland international’s problems settling into a seriously struggling team continue.
Apart from Keane and Williams — one is a relatively young defender critically low on confidence, the other a hitherto respected pro who is now apparently unconcerned with his reputation or future as a top-level footballer — the most glaring problem was Schneiderlin whose ambulatory performance again raised questions as to why Unsworth keeps picking him.
Slow to track back into his box and largely oblivious to his need to pick up runners from midfield, the Frenchman’s fall from the grace he enjoyed earlier this year remains a vexing and perplexing aspect of Everton’s parallel decline. Called out as the best player on the pitch against Atalanta despite his tender years, it is surely time to give Beni Baningime the opportunity to show Schneiderlin up in the holding role rather than persist with an unproductive ego in front of the back four.
Unsworth deserves plenty of sympathy for what is an incredibly challenging situation. Installed on a temporary basis in the hope that he could provide some stability while the board hunted for a permanent managerial appointment, he was on a hiding to nothing in many respects but the task has looked increasingly beyond him despite two positive results in the last couple of Premier League outings.
Once again, his team selection and substitutions didn’t help him today, particularly when the Blues’ obvious absence from the game in an attacking capacity was crying out for something different. Whether he was left there on the assumption that at 3-1 this fixture was already lost and that he would be of more use with fresh legs on Wednesday, Wayne Rooney watched the disaster unfold from the bench.
So, too, did Sandro Ramirez who scored his first goal on Thursday and was one of the few players to emerge with any credit but Unsworth didn’t see fit to introduce him either, perhaps because he felt he would be wasted chasing long punts down the field.
Most damning was just how poor Everton were in terms of shape and how little evidence there was that they had set any stall out to remain tight and to defend. As they showed at Manchester City back in August, they are capable of it as a team but at the moment they look a ragged and ill-disciplined bunch, cannon fodder for even the most limited top-flight opposition.
It’s that, combined with a settled line-up, that must be addressed by whomever is charged with leading the side going forward. Despite Jim White’s assertions on Friday, the Everton hierarchy didn’t seem close to filling the vacancy left by Ronald Koeman; with the urgency now pressing, perhaps that will change in the coming days. One thing is for sure, Evertonian pride over who is the most suitable man for the job has probably gone out the window.
Reader Comments (65)
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2 Posted 26/11/2017 at 20:48:05
Now for a second rate version, Pulis? He may just be desperate enough.
I won't be there on Wednesday to watch Moyes bring a gun to a chimps tea party.
3 Posted 26/11/2017 at 20:56:45
Lukaku went and we signed Ramirez. Like for Like ! Keane was signed. He formerly played in the well-organised and hard-working Burnley team alongside Ben Mee and now he plays alongside the pensioners and looks lost and totally lacking in confidence.
Gueye and Schneiderlin are lacking in virtually everything you need in a modern midfielder. Gueye cannot pass at all, not even five yards to another midfielder, never mind a defence-splitting forward pass. as for Schneiderlin, he is simply the worst value for money player Everton have ever signed and I've been watching them since 1953-54 season. He tries to avoid the ball, so he cannot be blamed for being useless.
We sacked an appalling self-serving manager five weeks ago and the Board had no idea whom they wanted to replace him. They gave the job on an acting basis to a nice lad, one of our own, he cared for the club I was told when I questioned his qualifications for the role on ToffeeWeb. he has proved to be as tactically astute as Koeman and the disaster continues.
This Board is walking us to the edge of the cliff and they don't seem to know what they need to do to stop us falling over the precipice. Appoint a manager, if anyone is still interested in the position, back him and get rid of Walsh, Ferguson, Royle, and let Ebbrell and Unsworth go back to the youngsters. Please.
4 Posted 26/11/2017 at 20:58:44
5 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:00:02
If Mr Walsh has a couple of strikers lined up for January 1st, Dyche could turn it around.
He wants the job, he is doing well on half the resources as us. He has untapped potential to improve a bigger club.
Our options are limited, but he could still be a sound choice at this point in time.
6 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:00:34
7 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:02:53
They are a disgrace and I see nothing but more anguish in the next few games.
8 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:08:16
9 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:09:29
10 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:13:46
I witnessed the debacle today and coming on TW has restored some faith. It's been a bit strange lately with film references and cryptic posts, but tonight I have read some of the finest and sensible offerings for ages and dare I say it, some unity. Maybe, just maybe, its the start of real acknowledgement of what's going on and can that common ground lead to some unity within the club.
11 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:16:55
How ironic that it might fall to Ross Barkley to save our bacon after written off by that clown Koeman.
12 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:32:07
Calvert-Lewin, starved of service, has little to offer individually. He has no dribbles or tricks and is merely a willing runner. In the recent SURE challenge it was shocking just how poor his touch was.
Wednesday is incredibly important. The Hammers are hot on our heels and if we can somehow get a result it will put some daylight between us.
That FA ban really has hurt us.
13 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:38:43
We've had comments about top class managers coming here with long term plans. People thinking we can wait until 10 games to go before panicking. The Allardyces of this world not good enough for us. One player short of a good team. Two wins from mid table.
The whole lot is and was just complete nonsense. These people need a kick up the arse. Once everyone accepts we are in deep deep shit the reaction can start.
The teams below us are far better placed to get out of the mire. Management changes at Palace and West Ham will for sure improve their teams. West Brom acted quickly to Pullis going. More importantly all the teams around us have been there before and know what's needed.
I believe we lost our best bet of a short term fix by delaying with Allardyce. We pissed about talking about how HE wasn't good enough for US and now we're in deeper shit.
Never mind West Ham as we've no chance against them what the hell are we going to do after the RS result.
God help whoever comes in but please no foreign up and coming ten year plan man.
14 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:45:40
I on the other hand can express my thoughts without such consideration.
From my TV view of the game it was noticeable that in defensive and attacking set pieces we had no one providing direction or taking control.
Pickford and other defenders with arms waving were full of advice but only after the ball had been delivered. They must have been aware that Saints players were allowed far too much room around our six yard box. The same could be said of Unsworth and the rest of his misbegotten backroom crew. Unfortunately no one has the nous or strength of character to take responsibility.
Other small but no less important failures were our abysmal throw ins and set pieces. Opponents were positive with them but we were hesitant and without rhyme nor reason. I hope we have begun practicing them.
My biggest gripe is with our midfield where we have long had a surplus of lightweights that are easily brushed aside.
A lot is expected up front from Calvert-Lewin and the lad tries hard but is just not good enough. A trite description of his contribution would be, he floats like a bee and stings like a butterfly.
I do not mind if Lyndon does not use my post but it does me good to get those few grizzles of my chest.
NSNO and all that
15 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:51:17
Just how players NOT in the forward line/shirt are supposed to play when those/he (regardless of who the "he" might be) in the forward line/shirt are so lamentably unable to do the basics of what such a demanding role requires is beyond me. As a bog-standard Atalanta and Southampton have just proved, the disdain they had for our so-called "threat" means their whole defence could confidently afford to stay way further up the pitch than they normally would, their midfield could also do so, and their forwards therefore benefited from the wealth of possession their team had and the many chances they got to feed off, and that's goes for the past month or two at least.
Every club long since knows that the chances of us ever putting them under pressure are about as likely as Kenwright ever getting "professional" in developing the club to the standard the current owner demands.
Everton have been sabotaged from within. It matters not whether it was deliberately or accidentally done. It is unforgivable and it's the chairman's job to have prevented it or, minimum, sort it out NOW or resign in shame, or be fired.
Looking around the rest of the boardroom though, it looks bleak in terms of a successor, and Moshiri is increasingly showing he has as much grasp of the business of football ownership as I have of accountancy in multi-billion pound industries.
16 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:52:49
After that, whenever we played a side above us he either cried off or went missing. I've been going regulary since 1970 and while we might have worst sides they had at least had a bit of fight. This current squad couldn't fight a cold.
'94 and '97 were shocking but in their defence the managers had very limited resources. Yes in some ways this is all down to Koeman and Walsh. Unsworth has hardly covered himself in glory and has just carried on the Dutchman's poor work. Especially coming out with statements like the club is not in crisis. Unsy lad, it is. Big time.
17 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:54:31
I don't like it but I think Sam's the man we need,he is not the dinosaur he is sometimes portrayed as and as well as being tactically astute,he is also up to speed with all the latest sport science developments,fitness programmes and psychology techniques.
Give him what he wants,there seemed to be a sticking point that he wanted to bring in too many of his own staff,well I would welcome the current incompetents at Finch Funny Farm being given their P45s.
Kenwright Out!
18 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:55:38
We have all said it on countless occasions that Schneiderlin has been rubbish all season and his pairing with Gueye just doesn't work plain and simple! Basic and Beni should of been in there with Rooney,Sandro and Viasic, sorry but Unsworth got it all wrong today and that was the worst display I have in years from an Everton side and yet they were there for the taking .
Another thing I noticed today was Pickford hitting it long all the time when we don't even have a target man, Calvert-Lewin can't hold the ball up he hasn't got the physicality and so every time the ball was whacked up to their half we turned over possession and also we are playing so deep inviting teams on its criminal, you keep the ball on the deck and work the channels with players busting a gut to support .
As for the defense well it goes without saying we have the worst back four in the league and shipping goals in at an alarming rate, I said after Thursdays diabolical display I didn't want to see Williams in a blue shirt again and yet he was the go to defender after Baines went off, surely Unsy could of switched things around without having to bring that useless lump on !! Poor poor game management.
With returning players back from injury I still we can get out of this in fact the guy I really want to see back is Mori and I never thought I would say that and hopefully we will have a manager in place this week. I maybe in the minority here but I am glad we are taking our time and not making a poor decision, I personally don't care for any of the dinosaurs that a lot of posters are calling for, Dyche (so glad he lost today Burnley are shite to watch) Big Sam, O'Neill or Pulis, let's hope its Silva or Rangnick.
I expect a big reaction Wednesday but Unworthy has to get the team and tactics spot on , goodnight fellow blues I am going to crack open that 15-year-old Malt and drown my sorrows!
20 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:57:11
God bless him, but he's out of his depth.
Not sure who's going to be hired. But we need an experienced, professional manager to keep us up.
Next season will bring what it brings. But it must be with Everton still in the top-flight.
Rick (3) - "You'll remember, Lyndon, when we signed Rooney, there was a consensus on this site that this man would lead us to a renaissance in the club's fortune. He would return to super form, he would be an example and a role-model for all our talented young players. "
Lyndon can't remember that Rick, because no one said it.
21 Posted 26/11/2017 at 21:57:52
It naturally had to reflect on the field and so the antidote is to desperately appoint a manager have a vocal board of directors who will lead from the top and then start training the players how to kick a soccer ball and to be prepared to die for the badge. Otherwise the championship is where Wel be and wel win the odd game here and there because they play a million games each season. But It'll then be goodbye to Premier League football for Everton for a decade or longer. So either we ready to die for this club or .,.. too horrible to contemplate
22 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:19:36
We may get a manager who will miraculously stabilise things, but the root problem is at owner/board level and until that changes Everton will remain rudderless.
23 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:21:48
What a disgraceful mess.
24 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:22:24
We really did look like a bunch of chucks running around with our heads cut off. Shameful, totally disorganised!
25 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:24:25
26 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:28:28
27 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:34:13
Hodgson has quickly settled Palace.
There's someone around can do the same for us.
28 Posted 26/11/2017 at 22:54:38
Make no mistake, this squad would really struggle in the Championship and the liabilities we've got on long contracts are going to drag us down for years.
They get Salah, Mane and Coutinho for £80 million, we get Sigurdsson, Klaassen and Schneiderlin for £90 million! They've farmed out Origi; have Ings and Sturridge plus have the next teen Welsh superstar fighting for a place on the bench! I'd take a 4-0 defeat right now because it could easily be 7 or 8 if they're up for it.
This is as bad as it's ever been for an Evertonian. I never thought I'd say it, but I think we'd be in a much better place if we still had Martinez!
29 Posted 26/11/2017 at 23:12:24
How can a team go from 7th to this after spending so much money
I have never seen a downturn such as this it's one step forward and two back every week from the most gutless and cowardly collection of players in living memory.
30 Posted 26/11/2017 at 23:34:00
31 Posted 26/11/2017 at 23:57:06
Are we sure a 200 year lease for the new stadium plan is long enough to sort out a sand and cement mix? I feel so sorry for all our current millionaire players but Steve Walsh will sort it. Thankyou and goodnight,
32 Posted 26/11/2017 at 00:11:44
Most certainly we can no longer afford to be choosy about who should take charge. Quite simply we need someone to grind out some clean sheets and points with the current squad plus the players returning from injury. We cannot wait until January to start doing that. The recovery must start this week but I am far from sure it will.
In 2003-04, Rooney's second and final season before he left for Man Utd, we finished 17th with 39 points. I would happily take that now for 2017-18. At present it is hard to see how or where we might pick up 27 points from our remaining 25 games.
33 Posted 27/11/2017 at 00:44:40
We almost certainly would have been better off keeping Martinez. Instead of wasting all of that money on Koeman, Walsh and a bunch of mediocre players, we could have given Martinez some cash to spend and appointed a top defensive coach to work with him.
Of course, Roberto's position had become untenable, so I suppose that he had to go, but I doubt that we'd be in such a mess had he stayed.
34 Posted 27/11/2017 at 02:08:57
Hey but that's not enough, and Unsy must now step aside to force the board's hand. He will continue to do alright with the U23s or elsewhere if he so wishes, and good luck to him. He deserves (and deserved) better.
Do we have time to recover? Thankfully yes, but can we and under who's stewardship is anyone's guess.
These thoughts are consistent with just about every opinion I've read on the subject. Its now out in the public domain. It can't go on much longer. Can it?
36 Posted 27/11/2017 at 02:31:29
Personally I think there is a division between the new order and the old school.
Moshiri wants the best and thinks money can buy it while Kenwright wants to surround himself with old has-beens who grovel at his every word.
Even Unsy speaks to him 4 or 5 times a day. FFS why? What pearls of wisdom does Bill impart about how to run and pick a team.
I would get the whole squad in and make them work on defensive drills until their feet were hurting and then they would feel some of the pain the supporters are going through.
£50k to £100 a week each for the players that wear the shirt should induce some pride but it doesn't so make it hurt.
37 Posted 27/11/2017 at 03:46:52
38 Posted 27/11/2017 at 04:44:32
Unsworth is totally out of his depth. Koeman was a rotten apple who had no idea how to spend money on players. We need a magician not a manager.
I have watched since 1947 and this is the worst ever... even than the year we were relegated. Strangely enough I actually do think that the players are trying. Players don't deliberately play badly.
Trouble is that they cannot play as individuals or as a team unless they are properly coached. If you look around at successful managers they are in good physical themselves.
Both Koeman and Unsworth have obviously spent too much time at the dinner table. I will always be a dyed in the wool "Blue".
For the sake of your loyal fans go and get a manager who, as previously mentioned,.. will also need some magical qualities. AND DO IT ASAP.
39 Posted 27/11/2017 at 04:48:20
1. Sell our top scorer and not replace him.
2. Sign 4 no 10s.
3. Loan Galloway, Browning and Onyekuru with no ability to recall.
4. Fail to register Luke Garbutt. Baines is now injured and we have no fucking left back, as Galloway can't be recalled and Garbutt is in eligible, whilst Funes Mori was injured before deadline day.
5. Sack Koeman, 5 weeks later no replacement.
6. Give Unsy a game to game mandate - ie zero authority. It is precisely this lack of authority that is eating away at performances. Read Andy Hincliffe's comments for those who think Unsy is the reason the players are under performing - he says not even Guardiola could turn around this group of players.
7. Kept Kevin Mirallas - a cancerous influence if there ever was one. How many times has he been disciplined for poor behaviour? Why was he not allowed to leave at the end of the Window?
8. Let go Gareth Barry over Besic, who has been rank, whilst McCarthy has been injured, leaving Gueye and Schneiderlin as the only 2 DMs.
9. Allow Ross Barkley to run down his contract and to be shamefully treated by Ronald Koeman.
10. Allow the shameful treatment of Omar Niasse.
11. Fail to register Niasse for the Europa League when we had no senior striker.
12. Use Jim White as a mouth piece, whilst spouting how it was expected we would lose to the Big 5.
13. Disastrous and public chase of Marco Silva.
14. Undermine Unsy completely by not bothering to tell him the development on the coaching front further sapping his authority.
15. The complete waste of money that are Davy Klaassen, Michael Keane, Ashley Williams, Morgan Schneiderlin, Gylfi Sigurdsson.
16. Carry a totally bloated squad of 31 senior players.
These collective bunch of fuckwits, clowns and Charlatans have overseen the most unbelievable disintegration of a football club in a record time.
Unsy has no authority and the sooner a new manager is appointed the sooner the players will start to take responsibility. Even then, until the January Window, we are fucked.
No left back, centre back or striker.
Dark dark times.
40 Posted 27/11/2017 at 06:30:45
Do think that at some point the entire culture of a club that since the late 80s has relied on this old boys network needs to be looked at. From Bill down to Duncan and the likes of Jeffers having roles at Goodison, do we need to break with the past and start again? At this point, someone to save the ever sinking ship would be good!
41 Posted 27/11/2017 at 07:56:00
Root and branch surgery is required at all levels of the Club. But getting a manager and getting 40 points are the only two criteria of any importance this season now. Just effing sort it, Mr Moshiri!
42 Posted 27/11/2017 at 08:10:26
I feel for the local lads, at least they try, this is so embarrassing and disappointing. Keane runs around like a frozen puppet, the other defenders aren't much better.
43 Posted 27/11/2017 at 09:03:18
The easy going apathy maybe good fun for the players, on the training ground, but it's proved a disaster for the club, and now we will pay the awful price.
The Chairman has indulged himself in the deadly fantasy of having ex Everton player's run the club, thinking, because they have some knowledge of 'getting' Everton, that this alone will make a successful football team. Wrong !!!
44 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:04:55
45 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:12:37
46 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:12:55
All the naturally left-footed players have gone, so we have no centre half, one left back and no left sided midfielder or winger. No replacements have been signed or elevated to the squad. Garbutt, Galloway, Dowell, Barry – all gone. Incompetent to have let this happen – way before Unsworth so not his fault.
I know that it is hard to find positives, but I think Kenny looks the part. He has still got things to learn yet has a maturity beyond his few games and an excellent attitude. Should have been in the team all season. Reminds me of Gary Stevens at same age.
47 Posted 27/11/2017 at 10:33:34
48 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:12:10
He looks like he cares and more to the point looks like he wants to do something about it.
The way he was shouting and passionately rousting the senior players was astonishing.
Not one of the senior players had half the passion.
49 Posted 27/11/2017 at 11:20:17
50 Posted 27/11/2017 at 12:43:30
Kenny had a go at Lookman. And good on him, plus he's done well but that is it. He is trying his best without anything looking special.
51 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:17:45
Kenny is 2 years away from being a regular Premier League player at present, he is miles off the pace. Just because he bollocked Lookman doesn't mean he was good. Where was he for the 1st goal. Sounds harsh but we haven't got anyone who is showing any kind of form.
Rooney on the bench whilst the guys on the pitch are performing this badly stinks.
52 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:25:20
Not one person can say they have seen a great level from Kenny and before you know, it becomes trendy until the damage is realised.
53 Posted 27/11/2017 at 13:31:14
Kenny was at Southampton's corner flag bent double after being whacked in the eye.
I agree he is a season away from having a chance of being a regular starter in the Premier League. You can't doubt his fighting qualities though.
I would hope they would all show as much spirit.
54 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:06:47
I agree with all of your post but not about the players taking responsibility if we get a new Manager.
These players have no affection or interest if Everton go down or not. The Villa comparison is apposite. Perhaps a few of the local lads, Coleman, perhaps Gueye. I can't see any responsibility or passion in any of them. Soulless mercenaries.
I said it years ago: get the best trainers in from around the world and produce a team of 11 Everton scousers. Why , in a football mad city , we cant produce any footballers anymore? The last great player to come out of the city was Barkley.
55 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:33:37
Where was he for Everton's first goal? Doing what successful Everton full backs have been doing for years. Supporting the attack, battling hard to get a cross in. That is a big part of his game and should be a big part of how the team is set up.
He was felled by an arm across his face, deep in Southampton's left corner.
Yet in 3 passes, the ball was in the Everton net. Where was the alertness, the positioning, the tracking, the shouting and cajoling, from all the senior players behind him, to organize the team to ensure we weren't hit with a sucker counter punch?
If you were both so attentive to yesterday's debacle you would have noticed two distinct differences in Southampton's play in each half.
In the first half, they almost exclusively attacked down our left flank, targeting and overruning Baines and Sigurdsson every time. Kenny, on the right, dealt with everything that came his way.
With Baines' injury and withdrawal, the reshuffle saw the rawest kid in defence switched from right to left. In the second half, Southampton almost exclusively switched their attack from our left flank to our right flank where the next 2 goals after half time emanated from. Again, they got little or no joy when attacking Kenny, now on our left.
I for one am not easily impressed or taken in by 'typical Everton Kenny affection'.
I am impressed that in an excruciatingly poor run by the team, our young 20-year-old full back is not hiding, is obviously hurting and not being as forlorn, hapless and useless as many more of his much senior colleagues appear to be.
56 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:45:10
Unsworth should have gone for the point away from home but he is pressing the self destruct button each week in trying to win matches. 1 point from Leicester, Southampton and Palace due to Unsworth's naive tactics.
I know it sounds negative and cliched but we need to start making life difficult for teams when we are playing away. I know I am leaving myself open for a pasting here but we have to know our limits.
57 Posted 27/11/2017 at 14:54:15
However, I was coming to Kenny's defence for your attack on him @ 51 and Paul Smith's endorsement of your comments @ 52.
As my previous post points out, he did his job yesterday.
The form and performances of pretty much every senior player at the club needs challenging way before targeting Kenny as you and Paul did, IMO.
58 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:02:25
59 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:12:23
No your not leaving yourself open for a pasting. Your view is correct. Unsworth has treated the games he has been in charge of as a personal audition for the job instead of steadying the ship.
He started it before his first game with the speech about playing the Everton way, got ripped apart and tried to tighten it up at 0-2.
Your opinion that he should have concentrated on making us hard to beat is 100% correct imo.
His tactical naivety has resulted in a deluge of goals conceded and what little confidence the players had has evaporated.
60 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:15:22
Also where were our two (none) defensive mids.
61 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:19:29
I absolutely 100 per cent agree with everything you have said in the post. You should be the voice of Everton mate.
63 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:27:18
64 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:28:01
Why go with runners when it is much easier to stand and stare, or gently jog giving the presence that you 'made an effort?'
Kenny was left trying to close down 2 men whilst nobody else get close.
65 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:29:29
66 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:29:43
67 Posted 27/11/2017 at 15:55:23
Kevin Davies get those boots dusted off.
68 Posted 28/11/2017 at 09:36:01
Sam will not be everyone's cup of tea but if he saves us from the drop he will do me, I'd have anyone except the devil if they keep us up, if we stay up we can start sorting out the ones who put us in this position.
I would put my twopence worth in on Jonjoe Kenny, this is a lad who has come into a piss poor side/ defence and he is rallying them, he is the one who is running and tackling for ninety minutes, unlike Gary Stevens who came into a team who all spoke English and had plenty of back bone about them.
Kenny has come into a team of foreigners who have no affinity to Everton and all speak different languages and play for themselves, that is when they decide to have a go, Kenny if he stays at Everton is a future captain of the club.
Get behind him and kids like Tom Davies, Calvert Lewin, who will be avert good player, they are playing in a very poor team and getting no guidance on or off the field. Let's all get behind the team on Wednesday. Fuck the arguing for now we can do that when/if we get sorted out.
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1 Posted 26/11/2017 at 20:45:12