Low-key affair in The Algarve ends in loss on penalties

Saturday, 21 July, 2018 85comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton 0 - 0 Lille OSC [3-5 on penalties]

Everton took on international competition in the Algarve tonight as pre-season preparations for Marco Silva's squad move up a gear , but this one ended goalless, notwithstanding a valid effort by Davy Klaassen that was ruled out, and penalties ensued.

The Blues play in the Algarve Football Cup on consecutive days, with live streams of both games available for free to We Are Everton Members, Everton Shareholders, Season Ticket holders and Lounge Members.

In the first game, Everton took on French side Lille, kick-off 8pm BST, with a fixture against Portuguese champions FC Porto to follow on Sunday. Both games will be played at Estádio Algarve in Faro.

Lille, with new signing Jose Fonte in the line-up for the first time, opened the competition with a 2-1 win over Porto last night. Everton will likely split the squad that travelled over the two games.

Article continues below video content


The Blues had Gylfi Sigurdsson and Idrissa Gueye back after their World Cup adventures and Dominic Calvert-Lewin has now recovered from a back injury that kept him out of the final games of last season.

Theo Walcott, Yannick Bolasie, Ademola Lookman, Cuco Martina, and Beni Baningime are all carrying knocks or are suffering from a stomach bug and have remained on Merseyside.

Marco Silva picked his second-string to start the game, close to the lineup that played the second half at Bury.

Dorehnle for Lille got a yellow card inside 5 mins for a very poor sliding tackle on Sandro. Niasses cleverly won a corner off a defender. Sandro took a dangerous free-kick, both efforts defended away.

Robinson was especially bright down the left, winning a fine corner that was totally wasted by Sandro Ramirez. Robinson was then forced to give away a corner himself, which he headed clear.

A better attack down the right almost found Klaassen with Besic sliding in aggressively to try to win it back. A fair enough shot from Kone curled past Stekekenburg's post.

A good shot by Besic from way out forced an acrobatic parry from the Lille keeper that Klaassen fired home but he was harshly called offside. Kenney won a good corner that caused a little consternation for Lille but they broke fast and it needed a strong challenge from Williams to put off the Lille man.

A fantastic strike by Mendes Ribiero beat Stekelenburg but smashed into the bar, and from that, Niasse looked to be on the break but Gabriel was carded for a blatant handball that should have been red for denying a clear goalscoring opportunity.

A brilliant ball over the top from Besic picked out Sandro who controlled it well and cut in to curl his shot only for it to hit the post. Niasse took a little to long to strike a shot too close to the Lille keeper. Sandro's corner was much better but was not attacked. A free-kick from Besic was poor to end the half.

Just one change at half-time: Mirallas on for Sandro. Skekelenburg gout pressured on a backpass and fell on the ball, giving up an indirect free-kick on the 6-yard line that the massed defence on the goalline repelled well enough.

Robinson made another great run down the left but the cross was poor. Klaassen put in a deep looping cross from the right that Mirallas could not really direct goalwards. Vlasic overhit what should have been a good pass to release Kenny.

A good ball in should have come through to Connolly running around the back but Niasse intervened acrobatically. A good move saw Kenny cross right on to Klaassesn's head but he got underneath it and did not threaten the goal. Everton were making good penetration but for the final ball.

Mirallas made a great breakaway run down the left and looked to have beaten the last man but it was more of a dive... and no penalty, according to the referee. Davies and Dowell replaced Klaassen and Connolly with 10 mins left.

Although Lille pressed more, with some long-range shots, the game became pretty low key. Everton had edged possession and scored a valid goal wrongly disallowed but had been unable to create much in the second half.

The ball fell to Niasse in the 89th minute but his strike was deflected out for a corner. The game finished 0 - 0, requiring penalties to decide the points.

Penalty Shoot-Out:

  • 0-0 Niasse skies it
  • 0-1 Pepe, Stek gets a hand to it
  • 1-1 Besic, low; wrong way
  • 1-2 MFibe, High; wrong way
  • 2-2 Mirallas, striaght
  • 2-3 Benzia, low, wrong way
  • 2-3 Vlasic, hits the crossbar
  • 2-4 Al-Ghazi wins it... but they carry on!
  • 3-4 Dowell, needlessly scores
  • 3-5 Underlines the win

Everton: Stekelenburg, Kenny, Williams (84' Holgate), Pennington, Robinson, Connolly (80' Dowell), Besic [Y:33'], Klaassen (80' Davies), Vlasic, Sandro (46' Mirallas), Niasse.
Subs: Hewelt, Hilton, Evans, Tosun, Calvert-Lewin, Sigurdsson, Gueye, Baines, Keane, Jagielka, Schneiderlin, Coleman.

 

Reader Comments (85)

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Matthew Williams
1 Posted 21/07/2018 at 17:12:58
Just two games needed to win a Trophy at long last... will we fuck it up?
John Graham
2 Posted 21/07/2018 at 17:27:32
Lookman injured or is it for transfer discussions?

Step up in class to the teams we have already played so will be interesting to see how we perform.

Brian Wilkinson
3 Posted 21/07/2018 at 19:02:14
Rest assured, Martin, if we beat Lille 3-1, someone will complain about the goal we conceded.

Be nice to lift some silverware, but for me it's important to get these games under our belt and get used to Silva's tactics before the season starts.

Derek Knox
4 Posted 21/07/2018 at 19:05:21
Bearing in mind this is still a preseason game, it would of course, be gratifying to witness both a decent performance, and a win.

Not sure how they will line up, obviously a few absentees, I find the Walcott one the hardest to comprehend. How do you get injured without having played a game?

He hasn't appeared in any games to date; the others, I can only assume they are on the verge of transfer. Good to have Gana and Siggy back.

Steve Ferns
5 Posted 21/07/2018 at 19:08:51
The downside to a pressing game Brian. Walcott is used to pedestrian play under wenger and Allardyce. Now he’s expected to run a lot more. Injuries are to be expected.
Colin Malone
6 Posted 21/07/2018 at 19:17:53
Everton Football Club should have a settled side by now but the turnover of managers has denied us. So we're back to square one and we have to give Marco Silva time instead of being hasty like Koeman in the transfer market. So let's give Silva time.
Philip Bunting
7 Posted 21/07/2018 at 19:50:35
Looks like a second string side to start. Maybe Silva looking to see who can shine and stand out amongst those he is unsure of keeping or letting go. This should be interesting....
John Hammond
8 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:07:49
Derek (#4): Walcott injured his ankle during a training session in Austria. Not anything serious by the sounds of it. Lookman too has a slight knock.
Ron Sear
9 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:47:24
Tried to get the Everton stream as it says that season ticket holders can watch for free but the Everton website is so cluttered an plastered with pop ups it is near damn unnavigable. Tried signing in but it just comes up with a request for a passcode which I have absolutely no idea how to get it even though I am already signed in to the site. Any suggestions?
Mike Benjamin
10 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:51:13
Hi Ron

Did you get sorted?

For me it automatically sent the passcode to my email when I tried to log in.

Barry Williams
11 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:52:07
http://wisiwig.eu/soccer/looks-4284d4-everton-lille?l=3120396817
Sean Herbert
12 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:52:45
Ron, you just have to make up a password, don't worry about getting one. Once you enter a password, the site will let you in. The password you come up with will then be your password for every time you use the site.
Jay Wood
[BRZ]

13 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:54:22
Tidy enough half. We are the better team.

No one is having a 'mare. Passing is crisp and accurate in the main. Players are holding their positions well and offering themselves for the ball.

Klaassen was onside for his disallowed goal. How Sandro needed his shot to go in.

Lacking that 'fairy dust' player who can see and make critical passes at key moments.

Wholesale changes at half-time, I'm guessing.

Ed Prytherch
14 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:54:55
I'm watching it on a free feed with foreign commentary http:stream-play.me. Half-time now.

Robinson and Kenny played well and Besic was our best midfielder. Klaassen, Sandro and Vlasic pretty ineffective. Klaassen had the ball in the net but ruled offside. Sandro hit the post when he should have scored. Niasse was lively and had a good attempt saved.

John Raftery
15 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:56:59
It is a good job these fixtures are just about fitness. Against what looks like mediocre opposition, we have looked sloppy in possession with poor touches all over the park.

Assuming the World Cup players are all available, I will be surprised if any of the eleven in the first half tonight will start at Wolves. They look like reserve team players at best.

Barry Williams
16 Posted 21/07/2018 at 20:57:07
http://wisiwig.eu/soccer/looks-4284d4-everton-lille?l=3120396817
Ron Sear
17 Posted 21/07/2018 at 21:01:17
No, the site doesn't recognise my email although they routinely send me Everton and ticket info news to the address. Just one more event that makes me shiver with fear at the idea that our lives will depend on computers in this algorithmic world.
Steve Stobie
18 Posted 21/07/2018 at 21:03:57
Reading the forum about how well Besic has played and I have to say I'm not surprised. Took my lad to the Chelsea away game last season and it was an embarrassment to say the least; outplayed, outmuscled and outdone everywhere on the pitch, that was until Besic came on.

Best player on the pitch for us by far, wanted the ball off the defenders, always looked for the forward pass and strong in the tackle, his coming on, along with Chelsea taking their foot off the gas kept the scoreline respectable that day, and all this even though his dad had just been shot!

I believe Besic could be the answer to one of our central midfield problems, especially with the help of Silva's coaching. Come on, Besic!

Philip Bunting
19 Posted 21/07/2018 at 21:07:18
Ed... Robinsons touch is terrible tonight. Are you watching a different game? Besic and Pennington looking good.
Mark McParlan
20 Posted 21/07/2018 at 21:52:58
Awful game of football to watch.

Possibly the worst way I could have spent my evening — at least the Irdning game had 22 goals...

Karl Jones
21 Posted 21/07/2018 at 21:56:50
What sort of professional footballers are these? If they don't have the option of passing back to the goalkeeper they start panicking. Can anyone see this Everton squad scoring more than 30 goals next season?
Tony Everan
22 Posted 21/07/2018 at 21:56:56
I am surprised there has not been more interest from some lower Premier League teams in Besic. He is way better than some midfielders in those bottom-half teams.
Max Murphy
23 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:05:06
Antonee Robinson looks a good prospect, and Klaassen played well as did Kenny. But Niasse was awful – why was he not subbed?

Sure enough, he comes up to take the first penalty, and doesn't even hit the target.

Williams is still like a cart-horse – why did he play him?

Steve Ferns
24 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:06:02
As I put on the forum: Positives:

Solid shape - even with Williams
Lille didn’t get many chances
We look for forward passes often
Pressing and tackling
Higher tempo
Re-emergence of Mo Besic and Kevin Mirallas
Youth given a chance
No money spent means we can address the actual flaws

Paul Birmingham
25 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:07:39
Last chance saloon perhaps tonight for some who started and for those playing tomorrow.

How Silva will decide who's going, perhaps will be after the Rennes, or Valencia game, but he's got his work cut out to make a solid team.

A mad few weeks ahead, let's see who arrives as well. Not good viewing for Saturday night... Solace in sinking the rest of my cans.

Ed Prytherch
26 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:08:28
Besic was the complete midfielder today. I hope that he can keep it up.
Jeff Armstrong
27 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:09:03
Not a big fan of Besic, he's not been great for us in the 3 years at our club, but he is head and shoulders better than Schneiderlin,and for me that says a lot about us.

Is Besic the answer? No, but in the short term, he is our better option.

Steve Ferns
28 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:11:18
Stekelenburg - did little - but was beaten when they hit the bar and had a lucky escape when he handled a backpass
Kenny - not bad - few decent crosses when he got forward
Pennington - rarely troubled but was caught out once
Williams - played well but one massive error
Robinson - Gaynes's love child got forward well but couldn't find a blue shirt all game
Besic - man of the match by a mile but faded badly at the end
Connolly - solid performance - got forwards well
Vlasic - very disappointing, didn't do much right and was unable to provide any creativity
Klaassen - scored a goal that should have stood, some decent passes, was too easily bullied out of it and this was not a physical opponent
Sandro - dreadful first half
Niasse - poor game, wasted a few chances and the worst penalty anyone Blue has taken
Mirallas - one moment of brilliance ruined when he fell over looking for a pen, a few jinking runs into the box, but little movement for him
Davies - didn't get in the game
Dowell - as above

Holgate didn't play long enough

Phil Walling
29 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:12:24
I take it that was very much our 'second string' playing tonight. We can only hope so because, Besic apart, they were hopeless!

Perhaps tomorrow we shall see the true Everton.

Philip Bunting
30 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:15:53
Ratings:

Stekelenburg — 5 Backup nothing else.
Kenny — 7 Didn't do much wrong. Got up the line well.
Robinson — 5 Poor touch. Played back, lacks belief.
Williams — 6 Average
Pennington — 7 looked promising. Good prospect.
Besic — 8 standout but tired last 10 mins. Worth keeping
Connolly — 7 solid. Nothing spectacular.
Vlasic — 5 needs a loan. Don't see a player in him.
Klaassen — 6 bright touches but needs to get more involved
Sandro — 6 tried hard should have scored
Niasse — 7 Causes problems. Should have scored tonight. Least said about the penalty the better.

All-in-all, the only players worth persevering with are Besic, Pennington, Kenny and Niasse. Klaassen and Sandro, I just don't see them fitting in, Vlasic and Robinson also need loan moves to see if there is a player there or not.

Good exercise if nothing else to see who is up to wearing our shirt and who isn't.

Jeff Armstrong
31 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:17:35
Stekelenburg — Not much to do, did nowt in penalties.
Kenny — Average
Pennington — one-footed, not good enough
Williams — finished at our club
Robinson — Need a left back quick
Besic — Man of the Match; Give him a chance, yes.
Connolly – solid performance; got forwards well
Vlasic — very disappointing, didn't do much.
Klaassen — rubbish as usual
Sandro — dreadful
Niasse — poor game, impact sub is his role.
Mirallas — sell please
Davies — didn't get in the game
Dowell — better than Klaassen in the 10 minutes he was on.
Phil Austin
32 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:20:23
Just watched the game and I thought we were really poor. Obviously very much our second team, but the same for Lille. I think a number of players have made Silva's decision very easy –I see no future for Sandro, Vlasic, Klaassen, Mirallas & Williams, whilst I think Robinson and Connolly will go out on loan.

Lots of opportunities to impress the new Manager, but only Besic really took advantage. Personally, I would not keep Niasse, but Silva seems to like him. On tonight's showing, we need a big clear-out.

Gavin Johnson
33 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:28:47
I agree with Steve Ferns on Klaassen, some nice touches, the footballing brain is there but the game passes him by. Scored a goal. Very unlucky for him for it to be ruled offside. I'd like to see him feature in the rest of the pre season games.

Sandro, was very unlucky not to score when he the post. I'd like to him playing centrally tomorrow night.

I really want Klaassen and Sandro to be vying for places next season and both of them were unlucky tonight. It's not looking very promising but I think they should be looked at in the remaining pre season games. Especially over someone like Mirallas who has no future at the club.

Tony Twist
34 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:33:30
It will be interesting to see how the next game goes as haven't the reserves been playing better than the so-called first teamers? It is a poor state of affairs really and I hope Silva knows what he is doing.

Richarlison will be a risk, a costly risk. There is something broken with the coaching techniques at Everton, we just don't seem to have a team anymore, just individuals. Richarlison won't improve this failing.

John Keating
35 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:34:48
Groundhog Day.

What has really changed since last pre-season, football-wise?

It's all very well pressing high if you have the right fit players; we don't.

Alex Kociuba
36 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:36:06
I think people are analysing Klaassen with a microscope, so when he literally makes a pass, or doesn't give the ball away, it's noted as a 'nice touch' or similar. The fact of the matter is he is absent in every game he plays. Lightweight, slow and weak.

Klaassen: 1
Sandro: 2
Niasse: 5
Everyone else: a generous 6
Besic: 8

Mike Allison
37 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:37:30
Don't judge the players in pre-season friendlies, at least, not in July. The last couple maybe, but even then, there's nothing actually at stake so you're not seeing what the player is really like when it matters.
Jeff Armstrong
38 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:43:57
Alex 36, spot on, if he does something decent it's like “there I told you there's a player there” but it's just bits and pieces now and again, overall he's absolute shite at £25 million.

Sorry, Johann, you got this one wrong.

Tony Abrahams
39 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:48:08
Klassen would have to have a miraculous change of fortune to come good at Everton, Gavin. He tries but it's just not working and I'm not sure it ever will.

The fact Koeman said that he might find it hard to come to terms with the physical side of the English game, just before the start of last season, shows how poor our recruitment was last summer, and I just hope we can shift him out, which won't be easy considering how much money he's meant to be earning.

Wasn't a good game, which looked like it was played on a poor pitch, but at least our fitness looks like it's going to be a lot better this season. We lacked quality, but not competitiveness, which usually takes a bit longer at the start of pre-season, but maybe that shouldn't be a surprise, because it all looks a lot more serious, judging by the look on most of our players tonight.

Jeff Armstrong
40 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:54:54
Klaassen lacks everything, even when playing a European team, ie, Lille tonight, he is rubbish, doesn't matter who or what league they're from, he cannot compete.

I cannot fathom out how he ever became a £25 million player this time last season, the same close season Mo Salah was bought for £38 million. It beggars belief... Koeman should never manage a club side again.

Philip Bunting
41 Posted 21/07/2018 at 22:58:19
Silva is no fool. The look on his face a few times when the camera was on him spoke volumes. I'd say he has made up his mind on quite a few already.

Without sounding all negative, we were the better side I feel over the 90 mins, especially the first half. Looking forward to what should be closer to the first 11 tomorrow.

Tony Abrahams
42 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:01:05
First thing Brands said when he came to Everton was that money can make people lazy; I don't think a truer word has ever been spoken when you look at how shoddy Everton's recruitment was last season.
Mark Brennnan
43 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:13:12
How many of that starting 11 will be with us after 9th August?
Steven Jones
44 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:14:43
Klaassen was Ajax captain and scored 23 goals or somewhere near the season before. Cruyff the great man said some complimentary things about Klaassen.

Thing is he sees and plays a different game to others. He is a high tempo: pass, move, react. When people say banal things like the game passes him by, what is actually happening is he sees things that his team mates cannot see or think as quickly as him.

He is a fish out of water and maybe had to go. Maybe Silva is a top coach and can give him the platform to excel, but I don't think so. He unfortunately will have to move on.

Gavin Johnson
45 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:17:20
Tony (#39),

I think you're right about Klaassen. I think all of us put him under the microscope because of the fee involved and his reputation before signing for Everton. He also wants to succeed, which in turn makes many of us give him the benefit of the doubt in the hope he can turn a corner.

It's a shame we can't do a deal with Ajax for their centre-back, Ligt. You'd think wages might be a stumbling block in Klaassen returning there but they've just paid a crazy £18M for Daley Blind, so you never know.

Steven (#44),

Yes, I agree, the footballing brain is there in Klaassen but he needs to play in a side that can accommodate those clever passes. Man City are the only side I could see him looking decent in the premier league. His problem is that he's not strong, fast and doesn't really dribble and beat a man, so his strengths are going to go unnoticed.

Darren Murphy
46 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:20:21
The ball that Niasse skyed for his penalty still hasn't come down... shocking.
Stewart Lowe
47 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:33:05
Looking at the squad for the Lille game, barring 3-4 players, I would say it was a squad largely made up of the players with the most to prove. Most of the players have big question marks against them. So I am guessing the majority of the players he knows he wants to keep will play against Porto on Sunday. It's safe to say Klassen, Ramirez, Williams, and Steklenberg did little to save their Everton careers.
Tom McEwan
48 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:34:27
Steve @24, I am surprised that you repeated your 'positives' post on here, especially the 're-emergence of Mo Besic and Kevin Mirallas' and the fact that we have spent no money, 'which means we can address the actual flaws'.

First of all, Besic has never really 'emerged', he has been here for 4 years ffs! Granted, injuries blah blah have curtailed his involvement but Mirallas? Plays one or two decent games against shite opposition under a new manager and you describe it as a 're-emergence'?

As for 'addressing the actual flaws'. Should it not be expected that your superhero, Silva, would have already done that? Given that you and your growing army of sycophants have constantly espoused that he knew he was getting the job since he was sacked by Watford?

Even if that was untrue, wouldn't an out of work 'super-coach' be expected to do his homework on any squad he may potentially take over, in order to gain an advantage on his future opponents?

My 11-year-old Grandson could have told him that Besic was average and Mirallas was a shithouse, if only Siva had asked him, during his long period of unemployment.

So, thus far, we have spent no money but we are rumoured to be splashing out circa £40M on Richarlison. After stating, on the live forum, that we are short of a goal scorer, you 'hoped' Richarlison would fill that gap. Well, a record of 5 in 38 would suggest, maybe not.

In short Steve, I really do not get where you are coming from, fella.

Tony Abrahams
49 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:39:04
I was thinking the same thing about Klaassen, Gavin, that he needs to go back to where he his loved.

Nothing's working for him, and you could see it was never going to be easy for him to adapt to English football after just a few games in an Everton shirt.

He's got a great footballing brain, imo, but lacks in every other department; so, unless Guardiola comes in for him, I also hope the kid can go back to Amsterdam!

David Israel
50 Posted 21/07/2018 at 23:43:50
I presume Silva decided to field the best team against Porto, which seems sensible.

I agree with those stressing how good Besic was. On this showing, he should be kept. Overall, it was a poor game, but what does anyone expect at this stage?


Dermot Byrne
51 Posted 21/07/2018 at 00:04:50
I couldn't see it but all these individual marks are all well and good; I would like to see a mark for team spirit or passion.

Anyone?

Martin Berry
52 Posted 22/07/2018 at 00:08:57
From the comments made on this thread I hope Marco has a buy-back clause on his Watford contract?
Dan Davies
53 Posted 21/07/2018 at 00:14:40
Not bad for £3 million, that Besic bloke. Should be given a chance if he keeps his fitness. You never know — given a decent run, he could build some form and save us a fortune.

Plus we could offload Schneiderlin... maybe get £20 mil, good business. Happy days.

Paul Smith
54 Posted 22/07/2018 at 00:26:49
Besic has one good game in years and suddenly he's a bargain.

I won't be so easily convinced — he's been rubbish for too long.

Ed Prytherch
55 Posted 22/07/2018 at 00:51:10
Tony Abrams - I agree with you on just about everything that you post but don't dream that you have a career in sports journalism as you are too level headed.
Vin Genova
56 Posted 22/07/2018 at 00:59:34
I'm not sure Besic was ever bad, he was just a walking yellow card and could not be relied on for that reason. Also may have had a scratching back pass in him every now and then.

If he calms down a little, seems like a good squad player to have. Provided nobody in the Championship wants to give Everton a profit on him, of course.

Karl Meighan
57 Posted 22/07/2018 at 01:24:12
I won't be judging players on pre-season games – nothing more than fitness workouts to get up to speed imo.

Besic getting lots of positives, I've seen enough of him in the Prem-likely to give the ball away in dangerous areas or receive his marching orders, a limited footballer imo.

I would have a look at Walcott upfront when he recovers, supplying the strikers is an area that needs improving.

Ed Prytherch
58 Posted 22/07/2018 at 03:01:15
Karl, your memory must be better than mine. When was Besic sent off while playing in England?

Last season, he got 5 yellows in 26 appearances – about right for a tackling midfielder.

Gary Russell
59 Posted 22/07/2018 at 03:26:02
Mo's Premier League stats don't look too good...

https://www.premierleague.com/players/10451/Muhamed-Besic/stats

Justin Doone
60 Posted 22/07/2018 at 03:38:33
The younger players have potential but – looking at who would make a mark for a team in the top half of the Premier League next season – then keep Kenny, Davies, Dowell and Vlassic. The rest should be sold or loaned out.

Robinson I have hope for; I've not seen much of him but, to bring him on, he needs to play and a loan is probably the best option for his development.

Sandro has got ability and works fairly hard but he needs more games to develop and he may not be suited to the Premier League.

Pennington reminds me of Shane Duffy, good defender with a good career ahead but not in the top 10 of the Premier League.

Connolly has potential but I'm not sure if he's a defender or a midfielder. Like Pennington, I wish him well but can't see him breaking through.

Jerome Shields
61 Posted 22/07/2018 at 05:08:54
I can't believe Vladic has become so bad. He looked a useful player when he played for Everton at the start. I think both him and Klaassen have developed confidence issues at Everton.
David Ellis
62 Posted 22/07/2018 at 07:28:58
I have a good footballing brain. Just not the feet, speed or strength.
David Ellis
63 Posted 22/07/2018 at 07:30:44
Cruyff died two years ago.
Steven Jones
64 Posted 22/07/2018 at 08:00:39
Well spotted, David, go Google "Cruyff, Klaassen" and you will see his analysis of Klaassen controlling at speed, comparing him to Kronos and Xavi.
Derek Knox
65 Posted 22/07/2018 at 08:33:41
Very disappointed in the general attitudes of the players in last night's game.

I know it's pre-season and the result is not that important but, considering the majority of those playing were presumably doing so to impress the manager, as being part of the future. There was little or no evidence of that throughout.

I was also unimpressed again with a lot of poor passing, and the propensity to pass back to the goalkeeper, sometimes from the halfway line.

No wonder Silva looked pissed-off when the camera was on him a couple of times during the match.

Joe McMahon
66 Posted 22/07/2018 at 09:18:16
We can't shift the endless below-standard deadwood in the squad as no one else wants them, and who would pay the wages we pay them? I'm beginning to think our one and only trophy in over 30 years is a complete one-off, such as Middlesbrough and Swansea winning the League Cup, but sadly not as impressive as Leicester's Premier League winning.

My son is involved in the community trust at Accrington Stanley, and I watch them reasonably often. John Coleman has them playing the right way, with pace and some one-touch football. I'm thinking Silva wants this approach, but sadly not many in the current squad are capable.

Tony Abrahams
67 Posted 22/07/2018 at 09:22:37
Without wanting to sound like a sports journalist, Derek, I honestly think that it had a lot more to do with a lack of ability, rather than a poor attitude.

Thanks for calling me level-headed, Ed, I can't wait to show everyone that, mate!

Steve Hogan
68 Posted 22/07/2018 at 09:31:50
Derek (#65),

I'm not sure it's the attitude of the players that's at fault? I simply believe there is a real lack of ability in most of that team last night.

Sadly, along with a few others, Klaassen has turned out to be an awful mistake, and the true damage done by Koeman and Walsh in the transfer market last season will haunt us for years to come.

On a wider note, Moshiri is being unfairly criticised in some quarters for not personally sanctioning another massive spending spree, when other senior figures at the club watched Koeman and Co waste hundreds of millions on clearly substandard players.

Unfortunately, Silva and Brands are now having to clear up the mess.

Moving on the 'journeymen' on substantial salaries will prove difficult.

Ian Burns
69 Posted 22/07/2018 at 09:56:59
Steve - 68 - an extremely sensible post and sums up the situation perfectly.

What is Silva supposed to do? He knows as well as everybody he is working with deadwood but he has little choice but to give everybody an opportunity or just put them out on gardening leave until somebody calls to collect them.

He needs such as Besic and Mirallas to show some form even if it only brings in a potential buyer. Who knows, it may even give him food for thought. However, for Silva to come in for criticism after the abuse of the club by previous managers is a bit of a stretch even if some think their mother-in-law; grandfather; next door neighbour's cat could have given Silva advice before he landed here.

Karl Meighan
70 Posted 22/07/2018 at 10:12:47
Ed@58 I said likely to recieve his marching orders, never looked anything more than a liability imo, if he hasn't earned a starting place by now its unlikely he ever will, if my memory serves one league cup semi apart he has never inspired the confidence you seem to have in him, there is a huge gulf from Championship to Premier league football.
Harry Bond
71 Posted 22/07/2018 at 10:32:00
For all the years Besic has been at our club he is has never shied away from a challenge, he has always looked for the forward pass and he also drop deep to get the ball off the defence. People think what Besic did last night was an out of the blue performance but in actual fact he has just been given the chance to get match fitness and bond with the team. I hope the manager can see how well he performed and have Besic and Schneiderlin fighting for the number 6 role next season COYB
Denis Richardson
72 Posted 22/07/2018 at 11:03:02
Didn’t see the game but have to admit I’m scratching my head at comments suggesting Besic has returned a potential decent premiership player.

The guys been with us 4 years and has failed to make it under at least 3 managers. Can’t say I see it. Unless Silva is the chosen one and can turn shit to gold.

Was hoping we could do a deal with Boro and swap him for Gibson to at least give us some depth at CB, especially a left footed one.

Gio Mero
73 Posted 22/07/2018 at 11:03:34
I am surprised how some of us are only now (based on a pre-season game) realising how little use Vlasic is to our team. I've always looked at him as the very skillful guy that you try avoid Getty in your team when you go play with your mates. I am sure that a few of our experienced footballers would rather play against him than with him.
I would add that although Silva has probably had 6 months to observe our players and would have an idea of who's to keep and who's not already it's fair for him to use these friendlies to see if done of thise can better adapt to his methods given his name is neither Koeman nor Big Fat Sam
Clive Rogers
74 Posted 22/07/2018 at 11:06:57
An awful performance by Niasse. He lost the ball virtually every time he had it. Kept falling over, running into defenders, none of his passes found a team mate. Should put an end to people claiming he should be retained. Worst penalty I have ever seen.
John Kavanagh
75 Posted 22/07/2018 at 11:08:12
I read that the government is committing billions to the development of space ports to put mini satellites into space. Why not just get Niasse to launch them?
Brian Harrison
76 Posted 22/07/2018 at 11:54:09
I didnt see the game yesterday, and by all reports Besic played well as did Mirallas in the game against the Austrian waiters. But neither of these players are good enough to be part of a top 6 side. Mirallas doing his normal running round like a headless chicken in pre season to impress a new boss. And as we know after a few weeks he will be back to the same sulky player we have seen for the last 4 seasons. Besic another who just isn't good enough and making reckless challenges might impress some as showing he cares but he just lacks any composure and always runs the risk of collecting a red card.

I am sure after today's game the hard conversations as Brands called it will take place. The most important hurdle that Silva has to overcome is the lack of goals in this squad. He has said he wants to play a 4-3-3 system and whichever front 6 he picks they don't have a good goals per game ratio. Yes he will want to play a more offensive game than either Koeman or Allardyce played, just not sure these players are capable of scoring enough goals.

Just thinking the legacy our last 2 managers have left us, Koeman has saddled us with Klassen who is way out of his depth in this league. Allardyce his actions towards Lookman preferring an unfit Bolasie and DCL instead forced the kid out of Goodison, no wonder he wants to go back to Leipzig. He proved he can play in a Champions league team and unlike a lot of our other forwards seems to have an eye for a goal.

Chris James
77 Posted 22/07/2018 at 13:36:44
Clearly this was the second string given a chance, of which only Besic really seized it. Be interested to see how the first XI fare.
Steavey Buckley
78 Posted 22/07/2018 at 14:40:55
Everton are very average, too many players who could easily play in the championship or in league 1, some on silly contracts, difficult to move on.
Rian Magee
79 Posted 22/07/2018 at 14:42:52
I watched the game and to say most were below par would be an understatement. I know it's pre-season and more about fitness than anything else, so I'm not reading too much into it.


I think, as some have already pointed out, Silvamore or less put out a second-tier side to gauge some of the fringe players or understudies. I have to say very few on show last night did themselves any favours in showing the gaffer they deserve consideration for a starting 11 in the Premier League.

Besic was the stand-out by absolute miles. I don't really see the reason for the negativity towards him by some. Of course, injury has played a role... but, when he's fit, he would be on the team sheet every week for me. Him and Coleman are the only two I ever see really giving their all for the jersey, or who would be worthy of the monicker 'dog of war'.

Aye, Mo is liable to pick up a yellow card but that's the kind of teeth we've lacked for too long. Gareth Barry was always getting booked but, like Mo, he broke up the opposition play. If it's a choice between a player making a crunching tackle and getting booked over a possible goal scoring opportunity, I'll take the prior all day long.

Mo is tehnically a top player, reads the game well, and has a range of passing nobody else in our deeper midfield role does. I'd have him over Morgan and Tom every day of the week.

As for this 'He ain't good enough for our club' or 'He isn't good enough for a top six club'... when it comes to players (linked transfers included... granted there are some who definitely need a loan spell or shipped out as they're just past it) — reality check, we're not a top 6 club. Far from it at present.

All this carry on about 'We're a big club' — the fact of the matter is, at present, we're not. Some people need to realise this and come off their high horses. We're a very prestigious club with a rich history, no question at all about that, but in the present day, that means very, very little. For players today, a so called 'big' club is one challenging at the top of domestic and european competion, history means jack.

If history gave us the clout to pull in the top players or the players that are 'good enough for our club', that rationale would suggest the top players should be looking at Aston Villa, Newcastle and Nottingham Forest too... not very likely, is it?

I'm proud of our history but it needs to stop being bandied about like a carrot of entitlement that we deserve the top players. Until we take that next step up and start competing at a higher level of competition, can we dial back the entitlement a bit? :)

Sorry, rant over... but that obviously grinds my gears, haha!

It'll be interesting to see who is fielded tonight against Porto. As some have rightly pointed out Silva has a bit of a cull to go through as last night's team most definitely wasnt a Premeir League lineup: Mo, Kevin and Oumar the only considerations for me.

Last nights ratings:

Besic, 8
Mirallas, 6.5
Niasse, 6.5
The rest, a very generous 5

I'm sure Silva has learned quite a bit lately and we'll probably see a number of changes through the doors before the season proper starts. I can imagine a good few loan exits happening.

Peter McEvoy
80 Posted 22/07/2018 at 15:14:09
I watched a bit of the Lille game online and I was surprised to see Ashley Williams and Davvy Klaassen playing. I hope they won't be featuring much this season.
Mike Powell
81 Posted 22/07/2018 at 15:50:56
That was our second team who played last night. I can't see any of them starting in the Premier League. I thought Robinson was half decent and Mirallas, when he came on, was decent; the rest were poor.

Besic is an accident waiting to happen; he tries but not good enough. I think most of them will be shipped out.

Derek Knox
82 Posted 22/07/2018 at 16:07:09
Peter, I think you should rephrase that, "playing": well, they were there, have an alibi, but that's about it. Admittedly not alone, in the "I was present, but produced nothing of note" brigade.

I still think we have a nucleus of good players with hopefully a few still to come, what is frightening though, is that any injuries or suspensions, who, if any from last night's numbers, could be relied upon to deputise?

Mike Gaynes
83 Posted 22/07/2018 at 16:11:41
Off-topic... Henry Onyekuru has scored his first goal for Galatasaray in a 2-1 friendly loss to Valencia:

https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2018/7/22/17599688/everton-on-loan-henry-onyekuru-scores-first-galatasaray-goal-watch-video-nigeria-international

Will Mabon
84 Posted 22/07/2018 at 18:47:43
John @ 75 – I like Niasse, but that was a good one.
John Hammond
85 Posted 22/07/2018 at 19:55:13
I didn't see the game but, as always, friendly performances mean nothing and I think giving players marks out of ten is a bit pointless.

Mirallas could score 20 times in every one of them but the fact of the matter is he should have been shipped out long ago along with his poor attitude. He's not all of a sudden going to become the brilliant player a lot of us hoped he'd be.

Same goes for Besic – he should be a regular in a Championship team. Just watch, we keep him and he goes and gets injured and is out for 9 months.


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