Everton Banter Archive December 14 2017

 

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14 Dec 2017 21:16:08
Made it to st James last night, first live game for a while. Obviously happy with the 3 points but that was definitely some tough viewing. If one or both of their efforts that hit the post had of gone in it would have been hard to argue that they weren't worthy of a share of the spoils.

Anyway, in terms of our team, my main observations were:

- Holgate and Kenny are wonderful defenders. Any block, tackle, saving header etc they were outstanding. Even better, they seemed to relish the battle, particularly Holgate. Defensively brilliant. Offensively however, somewhere between below average and average. Rarely did they find a target with a forward pass. Kenny must have aimed for the corner a dozen times but put the majority straight in to touch. He needs to put a lot more effort in to that side of the game in training. Coleman is such a miss going forward.

- Lennon was underwhelming, personally Vlasic is a better option and looks hungrier

- DCL is quality. Nothing but balls hoofed to him all night but never stopped working and when he did get a pass to feet made the right decision. He's got a big future imo

- For glimpses Gylfi looked like the class player on the park, worked hard from a position that he is wasted in really, but overall strong game and in the right direction

- gana was typically outstanding, mopped everything up

Left the game with mixed emotions. Defensively brilliant and we won't be relegation fodder any time soon. BUT, even buying a top striker will be no use if the team doesn't change approach and upgrade the players that cannot find a team mate with a forward pass. We're so far behind the top 6 and i don't see that changing without a crop of talent coming in. I can't get excited about Sam's 'antifootball' but completely understand why it's necessary at the moment to generate a solid foundation to build from. Hopefully with confidence comes a relaxation and some room to show that they are more capable as an attacking team. Onwards and upwards #coyb.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

15 Dec 2017 08:52:23
Sam is not anti football. He had Jay Jay Okocha and Ivan Campo at Bolton. Wonderful footballers. He will sign some creativity. But you are right that he will build a foundation first.

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15 Dec 2017 13:19:32
Tbf I don’t think just having flair players at a club means you’re not anti football.

Mark Hughes is anti football just he disguised it by hoofing the ball to Arnautovic instead of Crouch because Arnautovic would do some skilful bringdown of the ball making you forget that Shawcross just launched it 90 yards up the pitch.

Funny how Hughes has since struggled when he left.

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14 Dec 2017 20:36:50
In all honesty doesn't mourinho use the same tactics as allardyce?
Also good to see Rom back to his normal routine.
Not celebrating his winner. Soon he will be making noises on internatuonal duty but this time won't have us and our mentality to blame.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

14 Dec 2017 21:19:42
Not really Pauly I don't see Allardyce whingeing about the opposition players falling over in the wind or crying because the opposition celebrated winning a game.

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15 Dec 2017 16:18:11
I agree with you Pauly. Remember Porto when he war their manager. have to laugh at his comments about Man City falling over easily. Remember Porto? they used to fall over and roll around like they had been shot when no one was near them. It was blatant cheating.

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15 Dec 2017 21:06:44
Was thinking the same last week, when Utd went to Anfield last season and parked the bus, it was classed as a tactical masterstroke by Mourinho, Allardyce does it and its not trying.

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14 Dec 2017 20:35:15
Great to see the 3 new contracts for Holgate, Davies and Kenny. Hopefully they're be here for a good 10 years.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

{Ed025's Note - lets hope so mate..

14 Dec 2017 19:08:32
I know the Derby at Goodison is a few months off but I have just noticed we may have a bit of an advantage going into it.
If Liverpool win their Round of 16 the Derby will be played on the weekend in between the first and second leg of the Champs League Quarter final and surely klipperty will want to save his best players for the Champs league tie.
Maybe he won't but I'd say its a strong possiblity.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

14 Dec 2017 20:54:48
I don't think klipperty would dare rest his best players, the fallout from the last derby will still be ringing in his ears. Also they will have just been knocked out of the FA cup by the mighty EFC.

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15 Dec 2017 06:15:36
yes but I don't think he really gets what a big game it really is and will look for the glory of a Champs league before the glory of a Derby win.

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14 Dec 2017 15:25:25
Seeing as holgate is playing well and Williams has improved. Would anyone like to see 3 at the back with them and Keane. Kenny/ Coleman right and baines/ a. n. other left?

Maybe like

Pickford
Holgate Keane williams
Kenny baines
Gueye
Kev/ lennon Rooney gylfi
Niasse/ dcl.

Believable1 Unbelievable5

14 Dec 2017 16:42:04
Depends who we are playing.

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14 Dec 2017 20:56:38
Mirallas should never be on the pitch again for us. Bolasie or Lookman for the wings.

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15 Dec 2017 16:18:48
Why do you say that Smit666?

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15 Dec 2017 17:07:39
We are building something here Degsy and his attitude and work rate is not very EFC like. If we are to break into the top 6 we need a more consistent player with the right attitude.

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15 Dec 2017 18:22:59
I can't comment on his attitude because I am down in Cornwall now and only see the odd live game. To be fair to him he has only started a handful of games in the last 2 seasons and been sub a few times. but I accept what you say and if he does not knuckle down should be moved on. Makes you wonder why we gave him a new 3 year deal at 29 years old. a lot for a winger. he was one of my favourites but just not performed recently.

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14 Dec 2017 11:00:49
It's great to see Rooney enjoying his football again under big Sam, I think he will get better and better as the season progresses, love Sammy Lee's enthusiasm on the touch line and Big Sams showing his authority, I've never this type of passion coming from the managerial team before at Goodison.

Believable13 Unbelievable0

Dominic Solanke - An Initial Assessment

14 Dec 2017 08:37:27
{Ed's Note - we have posted a new article entitled, Dominic Solanke - An Initial Assessment

Believable0 Unbelievable0

14 Dec 2017 12:01:37
Dom Solanke wears Dominic Calvert-Lewin pyjamas anyway.

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14 Dec 2017 02:32:26
Old Sam's apparently wondering why there's been a sudden upturn in our defensive fortunes. Well big man, it's a one word, two syllable answer - Holgate! ;-)

He gives us that necessary bit of gas in the backline, which then frees up Ashley to play to his strengths. (Us supporters have given AW some justified criticisms for his performances this season, but I'm starting to wonder if these have come from him trying to do too much in those games)

It's also worth considering that our improvement where conceding goals is concerned has also coincided with an improvement in the selection/ balance of our attacking players. Rooney has matured into playing a disciplined midfield role compared to earlier in the season. Sigurdsson is belatedly showing us why we paid £45m for him now that he's our defacto "10". Aaron, whilst not quite the impish winger of his youth, has been the assured veteran on our right, shielding Jonjoe one minute, then bringing him into the game on the overlap the next. And let's not forget Oumar, who I'd argue sparked the improvement in our frontline, with the examples he has set with his sheer determination, and enthusiasm for making the opposition defence work and sweat far more than they would like!

In fact, the only half of football that we've conceded in since Sam took over was the first half of the derby when we didn't really try to attack at all.

Believable7 Unbelievable2

14 Dec 2017 07:12:23
That is a good call Tooting. Doesn't explain why an otherwise class act like Schneiderlin is still playing as if it were his first season out of the academy though. Gueye for me plays a heck of a lot better when Scheiderlin is out of the way because his personality (Schneiderlin) seems to take Gueyes authority away.

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14 Dec 2017 12:04:30
It is also down to players playing in a settled team regularly. Koeman and Unsworth both changed the team every game. Kenny needed a bit of time and Holgate has been magnificent. But the basic team got one result and has had only minor changes since. Now we have a basis for future improvement.

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14 Dec 2017 13:23:24
Correct about Holgate Tooting. I posted the same a few days ago. He has been great and I hope we see him with Keane shortly. Williams is getting better but is still too slow for the good teams and don't get me started about Martina.

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14 Dec 2017 00:05:25
Is it me or do we just have too many grey clouds infesting this forum?
In October we were rudderless with Koeman, then Rhino takes temporary charge and that's frowned upon, now Big Sam is appointed and the wingers are out about playing boring football. Next we'll have whiners saying Rooney's not really a blue he's just here for the money when he has a drought in front of goal!
Come on people. The signs of recovery were evident in Unsworth's last game against West Ham and arguably his same side against Huddersfield. Big Sam has been tasked with making sure we're not a relegation threat and then to kick on. I'm sure once we have stabilised in the table we will see some more expansive football, he did it at Bolton on a shoe string budget. Right now winning, and winning ugly if necessary, is our primary objective surely.
Let's all try to get behind the new manager and leave any constructive criticism to the end of the season eh?

Believable5 Unbelievable2

14 Dec 2017 06:32:57
I agree 100% mate. The question is, if/ when we move up the table, do we sacrifice results for performance? It's a difficult one.

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14 Dec 2017 07:17:56
Not difficult for me Blue Tommy. If entertaining football comes along with winning then I am all for it but being old School (yes I know it is a cliche') I would take 1 - 0's every week. A winning Team - or one that does not concede like a leaking Welly (and leave supporters feeling exactly like it) - will do for me.

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14 Dec 2017 08:29:06
Steadily moving up the table a couple of new players coming in to improve the squad in January and who knows?

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14 Dec 2017 11:29:15
I agree with you ducksflysouth, but there are a vocal section of the support who think we should be playing like Barcelona. I remember 2005, when we qualified for the Champions League with a minus goal difference because all of our wins were 1-0.

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14 Dec 2017 14:12:08
Spot on Ricky, I was just going to post some of my past comments, but will fill them here instead, I was one who thought Rooney still had a footballing brain and would be a welcome addition for players around him, others said coming for last big pay Day, also at the time thought Sam was needed to sort this mess out and to give the guy a chance, others chose not to step into Goodison again until he was gone, hindsight is a wonderful thing, if any lesson is to be learned, it is to give someone a chance before writing them off before they even step into Goodison Park.

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14 Dec 2017 23:59:26
Yep, got it in one Baz.
Let’s hope we put in another solid display against the swans at home this weekend.

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