Everton - Post match thread.

[ChicagoBlue]

Pep says conversion rate last season was 16%.

I would imagine no-one is happy with that and he has lit a fire under the players about it. However, while it is a little early to start slating players and undermining any confidence they might have, it cannot continue!

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Not throwing in the towel - but it's the same deficiencies that are showing. The finishing issue is bizarre but we're also a disaster defensively

Ok, glass 3/4 empty.

 

[blue banks]

For the first 30 minutes Silva and KDB seemed to be playing just inside the wing backs so we actually had no one in the middle unless Jesus dropped back.

Excellent point. We didn't seem to have anybody in there.

 

[Dave Ewing's Back 'eader]

Not throwing in the towel - but it's the same deficiencies that are showing. The finishing issue is bizarre but we're also a disaster defensively

Very similar to too many games last season where we batter someone and they nick a goal with nigh on the only effort they have all match and then we chase a game which should have been a comfortable win. That was pretty much the worse side EFC have brought to The Etihad since RagHead last wore an EFC shirt.

 

[spike549]

Poor sending off of Walker and we seemed galvanised by it and performed better second half

Problem I have with the team at the moment is the need to always make the perfect pass and always having to look a second time to make sure player is available for pass.

Sometimes a quick flick or turn is needed to open up defences which Bernardo did when he came on.

Danilo should have started as Sane is excellent going forward but no awareness when defending.

Sergio seems not to be up to speed at the moment but this will come

Overall happy with the point not happy with the referee again

Totally agree think the fa should look at Walkers' second yellow as having just watched the replay twice he doesn't even touch him

 

[shemnel]

was a bit annoyed to see dominance and wasted chances, and the inevitable goal from a mistake, but you cant fault the workrate.

didnt think it was so bad, though we still have work to do !

Just a nod to Calvert-Lewin who played exceptionally well (aside from his play acting against Walker, he really was excellent).

And i noticed just how much Kompany and Otamendi played balls directly to Aguero and other players on the edge of the box; either a tactical shift or a result of our dominance. I though it made us too high up the pitch and sort of took our midfield out of the equation a bit at times.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

Used to think this near on every game with Pellegrini. How much time had he spent analysing the strengths of the opposition? Had he worked out what might be their game plan, and how was he gonna overcome them. I've followed EFC's matches this season having my own ERO, but I was very surprised at the set up they employed. But then I don't have millions tipping into my account, some of which would be well-earned paying more attention to the opposition plan.

Hmmm, maybe we siphon off a few quid to sharpen his focus?!

The switch was made because it was felt Kompany would blunt the lone striker better and he was favoring one side of the field. What it did do was allow Ota to bring the ball forward on the open side. No big deal.

 

[bluemc]

Who was it that said Pickford had world class distribution? Shocking last night, had that Joe Hart problem of constantly kicking it into touch.

Get Sane back on the left side of a front three. Let him do what he does best with less pressure on defending.

If we're desperate for a HG defender then Bertrand will do nicely. Will cost more than Evans but ticks more than one box.

Otamendi gets a lot of stick, certainly around me in SS3, but I thought he did a good job last night. Notice he has picked up Kolarov's mantle of having a pot-shot when he gets to the edge of the box, except row Z isn't in as much danger now.

 

[ChicagoBlue]

And i noticed just how much Kompany and Otamendi played balls directly to Aguero and other players on the edge of the box; either a tactical shift or a result of our dominance. I though it made us too high up the pitch and sort of took our midfield out of the equation a bit at times.

This is something that started last season and has been used to good effect when the opposition move wider to shut down the lanes for the wingers/full backs. Both Sergio and Jesus come looking for the ball and peel off if it doesn't come. All part of the constant rotation of personnel Pep looks for from his "Total Football" mindset for the players.

 

[jaiguruKun]

Sané was poor.
KDB was great.
Sterling was great when he came on.
B. Silva is clearly not on the same wavelength yet as the other players - he dithered quite a bit instead of being decisive.
Overall I was fairly disappointed as I didn't see much of a progression from last season.

Hoping for more.

KDB was shocking and constantly losing the ball.

Bernardo Silva looked very good when he came on.

Apart from that you're spot on.