Everton Banter Archive May 13 2019

13 May 2019 22:23:30
{Ed's Note - AJH has posted a new article entitled, Are Manchester United Fans' Emotions Clouding Their Views?

13 May 2019 20:23:54
When does the transfer window open Eds.

{Ed002's Note - May 16 to August 8.}

13 May 2019 12:50:54
Let me start off by saying that for me we have done pretty much what I thought we would do. I expected a push for a top ten finish and anywhere between 10th and 7th. I also wanted better football but more importantly the promise of improvement and real development.

We took a long time to get used to the zonal marking system but for me personally and as I said earlier on it's what most top teams use and works well if you are aggressive when attacking the ball in your zone. We eventually twigged and ended up with the third highest amount of clean sheets in the league.

Where we lost ground and confidence was the derby at Anfield. It took all the wind out of us and we were in trouble mentally. Then we got the draw in the Goodison derby and it transformed us. Not just the manager a d players but the crowd more significantly too. That crowd of ours was unbelievable and its carried on since then just like our performances on the pitch. I honestly believe if we got the draw at Anfield we might have kicked at that point.

Playing wise Ricky's move to the right and Bernard playing week in week out transformed our attack. Them and Sig plus Gana being more adventurous and Gomes meant we always look capable in scoring goals. However, DCL is still a year away from being an EPL front man and should be on loan for next season. We need an established goal scorer. He offers loads more than Tosun but his finishing is naive and lacks composure mainly due to age.

Do we need Gomes and Zooma? I'm not so sure. I would love both but mainly Zooma. However this is more to do with Mina being injured. I really like the look of Mina and think he has more to offer but Zooma is a very traditional CD and I like that. Keane is our best CD though and he has been outstanding for most of this year. Digne is going nowhere and was my played of the year. Coleman, recaptured his best form over the past 10 games and is still good enough to keep that place next year. However, we need someone to push then takeover him this summer.

Pickford is a big problem for me. He needs to learn to be composed and commanding instead of rash and erratic. He was to blame for a lot of poor defensive displays due to confidence being shaken with his display in the back 5. He learns or we move on.

Overall a good season and with a few additions 4 at most we should kick on next year. For Silva I think he has shown what he can do with a team lacking direction and confidence. Now we have both it'll be interesting what can do next year and if he can now get development and consistency.

I can't wait for it all to begin again.

13 May 2019 13:39:39
U can't praise the defense for the amount of clean sheets we got then slag Pickford it makes no sense, he's made mistakes this year yes but he's kept us in many a game also and finished with only 2 or 3 keepers having more clean sheets than him.

13 May 2019 13:57:03
I agree with most of that BJU, just the Pickford thing was a bit harsh for me. Johny’s Point is correct. There were definitely a few costly errors from Pickford but he deserves credit for the clean sheets in equal measure. What is funny though is that when we were poor his distribution was good, then when we improved his distribution dipped. Not sure why.

If DCL was sent out, it would have to be a team that creates lots of chances so that he can get the opportunity to improve his finishing. I remember when Barkley went on loan to Leeds when Warnock was coach. Talk about the wrong fit!

Digne my player of the season too. And I also think that Mina can be excellent if he stays injury free. A good summer pre season will help him no end.

Like you BJU I’m very upbeat with the current situation and am looking forward to a good summer of gossip and eventual moves.

COYB.

13 May 2019 16:31:22
Keane zouma partnership has been good they built good understanding over last few months, that’s often the problem with teams defences look at all the great partnerships down the years might not of been the best Cd’s in the world but when you have that understanding you can have a strong defence.

13 May 2019 20:00:52
We may have equalled last seasons league placing but for me it was always going to be a transition year. And what a transition, we are unrecognizable from the everton of 12 months ago.
Our aim should be to get closer to the top6/ 4 and points wise we are closer. Let's hope for a top 6 challenge next year.

14 May 2019 03:34:57
I think Pickford comments are harsh also, far more good than bad and let’s not forget he’s not long turned 25 which is young for GK. We all made mistakes at his age the thing is learning from them which I’m sure he has. His best years are ahead of him and I personally don’t think we will get a better GK than him.

14 May 2019 22:20:01
Like others I agree with most of what you said BJU aside from the Pickford point and partially about Mina.

I like the look of Mina - big, strong and really attacks the ball - but my worry is the lack of pace between him and Keane. Zouma offers that pace and his partnership with Keane looked bang on the last dozen games. My first choice would be to keep Zouma to partner Keane because Mina and Keane together carries a massive risk of getting exposed by pace at the back.

Gomes looked very assured for most of the season but Schneiderlin started to look the quality player we signed when he came in towards the end. With that in mind it wouldn’t be the end of the world for me if we didn’t manage to keep him, providing we keep Gueye.

Zouma, a decent youngish right back (I don’t think Kenny’s the answer) and a striker plus four or five of the high earning non-starting plays off the wage bill would be a good summer for me.

13 May 2019 11:32:24
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Formula 1: Spain Talking Points

12 May 2019 23:28:48
If I was marcel/ Marco I would be putting a cheeky bid in for Lukaku or Martial. Lukaku will obviously be an unpopular suggestion but he well Consistently get 20+ league goals a season.

Whilst it's massively unlikely we could even persuade him to come back ( afford him ) . I don't care about what happened in the past I'd have him back tomorrow!

13 May 2019 12:31:58
Yeah I would have him back too. I think he would work really well with Richarlison and Bernard. But even if Everton could afford him I just can't see him coming back, Everton is a step backwards for him now.

I suppose it could be possible for him to come on loan to showcase himself to the other big European teams, which he obvioulsy isn't able to do at MU, but I really don't think this would happen either.

13 May 2019 14:43:07
lukaku never come back to us, in his head he's burned his bridges and feels he's a lot better than this football club, fine with me if you don't want to be here don't be, same goes to anyone with us now.

13 May 2019 16:26:22
No way I know he scored goals for us but Lukaku would not fit into our system, DCL is a big reason why we look good going forward, his ability to run channels, hold ball up that allows players like Sigs, Bernard and Richarlison to come into the game, I know the goals have not come yet but he has been a massive part of why we have been so much better last few months.