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Barry Rathbone
1 Posted 20/05/2021 at 20:28:49
I thought there was more urgency and bite in the tackle against Wolves than in the rest of the season put together. We're not a very good team but the players responded to the crowd.

It's a bit of phoney war without spectators shouting things like "suck my root you old boot"

Jerome Shields
2 Posted 21/05/2021 at 00:31:03
The spectators certainly help encouraging players. But the team performances was not much better than against Sheffield United. The difference being that actually Richarlison scored. The lack of pace and movement stuck out like sore thumb for most of the game.

The defence was deep more than it should have been, probably because Mina and Keane where afraid of getting caught for pace. Allan and Doucoure did not have the luxury of the defence pushing up in support. When Colman and Digne did push up like, Allan and Doucoure, they had to track back, since there where no runs or movement by players ahead of them to make themselves available for a pass. Pass completion was woeful first half, but gradually improved in the second half. Richarlison was more lively, but Calvert Lewin was often out of position and has a poor first touch as usual.

Reports from those that attended the match confirmed Ancelotti wanting the defence to push up in the first half. The wing play inevitably going backwards, because noone was available for a pass was also confirmed.

I still think that in preparation and player application things are not as they should be.

Glad of the win, but Everton need to be up to putting in the performance of the Season in the next game.


Jim Bennings
3 Posted 21/05/2021 at 09:33:30
So that should finally dispel this myth of a "toxic atmosphere at Goodison" dictating the spineless ones going hiding shouldn't it?

They have proved well and truly this season that they can't play at Goodison when it's empty so let's hope when it is full again they can handle some vocal criticism when they start slacking off.

It was a good way to end with a win at Goodison but let's be honest we badly need to start finding more goals.

A second season in succession where we have failed to hit the modest total of 50 goals.

The team's around us all have better goal difference despite our defence being quite sturdy it's the attack which constantly lets us down.

Martin Reppion
4 Posted 21/05/2021 at 09:45:41
Couldn't agree more about the need for fans at Goodison Park.

The first full house will surely bring an electric response from the players. If what we've seen with a few thousand in attendance is replicated then the lesser talents who have shown us up this season can be buried under an avalanche of noise.

However, it does beg the question, can we go to other grounds and perform as we have done this season when their fans are baying for blood and jeering every referee call that doesn't go their way?

I would hope that the management can instil that belief in the players and they have to start on Sunday. A bad result and all the work of this season could be undone.

Rick Tarleton
5 Posted 21/05/2021 at 11:59:14
It's a strange thing with Richarlison, but even in his Watford days his scoring record usually declined as the season progressed. He puts so much into his game, chasing back, making runs and space for other players. Some times I feel as if he needs to slow down, so he can be more controlled and clinical in his finishing.
I feel by the end of the season, the lad is totally knackered. I presume there's a South American cup this summer and that he'll be in the Brazil squad if not the first eleven.


Calvert-Lewin is a player who needs the other players around him to create his chances and when Rodriguez is not playing and to a lesser extent Sigurdsson, there is rarely anyone in the midfield to give him the service he requires. Digne's runs down the wing become his only source. But he is, and if given the right service, an excellent box player and a reasonably clinical finisher.I don't want to labour the point which I and several other people have pointed out about how defensively we are set up and how uncreative our midfield is, but I feel Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin desperately need a more productive and effective midfield in order to allow Richarlison to spend less time chasing back and then he could concentrate on his main job up front and to give Calvert-Lewin more opportunities in the opposition box.

Pete Williams
6 Posted 21/05/2021 at 13:01:06
The key to our improvement will be a better attitude and we need a quick right back who can cross the ball. Our defenders need to be confident to play higher up the pitch. Then the midfielders won't have acres of space to cover and can get nearer the attackers. Then opposition defences won't be able to cover all the movement.

As long as that comes with better movement off the ball and passing with some snap, we might be able to get on the front foot. However, I bet they'll all turn chicken again against Man City!

Jerome Shields
7 Posted 21/05/2021 at 15:35:29
Rick #5

If Calvert Lewin doesn't get to grips with his first touch, it won't matter how many players are around him.

Rick Tarleton
8 Posted 21/05/2021 at 16:29:25
Jerome, I think you're a bit hard on the lad. Alex Young he ain't, but he's as good a young (no pun intended) striker as any around.

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