I’ve pretty much accepted that our defensive frailties are a part of our DNA - our style of play means unless we have top quality, speedy, quick-thinking defenders we’re always going to concede way too many. Hopefully Bielsa won’t start pratting about with Struijk anymore - he ‘could’ become a very good defender, but needs to cut out the ball-watching and preening his hair - do we not have a defensive coach who can drill a centre-backs attributes into him?
I don’t share Rich’s enthusiasm for Roberts - he’s just very lightweight re how we play, and I don’t think he’s at all suited to this style. I can’t remember the last time he made us improve? His miss near the end yesterday, whilst not easy, was pathetic. That said, Roberts looks like Pele compared to Costa. I don’t know whether he feels offended to be on the bench and keeps up the sulky act once he gets on the pitch, but he’s a complete dud! All that said, we were close to getting the point we deserved with that second half performance, and Everton have a pretty good squad and are an established Prem team. We need a win though to keep an improving pack below us at bay. Sent from my iPad > On 4 Feb 2021, at 16:06, [email protected] wrote: > > Pretty much exactly how I saw it Rich. For me, the following are all on my > "Should be sold or made into > a squad player in the Summer" list (And no, I'm not being unnecessarily > negative just because we lost, just realistic!): > > Alioski. We're crying out for a left back, Squad. > Cooper. We're now playing beyond his limits, Sell. > Struyk. Young lad, I like him, just needs some experience. Keep, good back up. > Costa. Waste of space. Sell. > Pablo. Allow him his swansong at his home club in the Summer, with our > eternal gratitude! > > Isn't it weird how pre Leicester and Everton I'd have settled for 3 points > but, having beaten Leicester, I'm disappointed!!! We owe Palace, would like > to beat them (Zaha a doubt for them too). Raphinia is my new favourite > player, think he's precisely the level of player we need to attract. > > I still hate losing but rapidly get it in to context of where we are and > where we've been, was definitely the best Everton have played for a while too. > > StigOfTheOnTheUpDump > > >> On 2021-02-04 14:59, Richard Walker via Leedslist wrote: >> It's not often I come away from a home defeat feeling pretty positive. >> For me, the 2nd half was one of the best so far and there's been some >> good ones thsi season. We ran a really impressive Everton team ragged >> and at times they just couldn't get out of their half. Their keeper >> did well and we fluffed a few half chances. The pitch for me was a >> worry in the first half but overall you have to say it was an >> improvement on the field that was dug up because it did allow us to >> play at tempo. The flip side of that was Everton were also allowed to >> play at tempo in the first half and they more than matched us. I >> didn't really rate them at Goodison but last night I thought they >> looked impressive in the first half and although I think 2-0 at >> half-time flattered them a bit, they showed that they had real pace >> and skill on the ball. >> The only real disapointement for me were the goals and the defending. >> We can say that we're happy with the squad but are we ? We've got a >> central defender effectively out for the season and another who is >> injury prone so we're reliant on League One Liam and the Ripper (God, >> he does look like Sutcliffe in his prime), who has played around 10 >> first team games in his life. I heard Luke Ayling manfully owning up >> for allowing the cross for the first goal. Yes Luke, but there were 4 >> white shirts stood stroking their cocks whilst Sigurrson strolled >> through unmarked to poke home. Philips lost him in midfield, Ripper >> stood ball watching and I've no idea what LO Liam was doing but >> Philips almost pushed him into position. A complete shambles. >> The 2nd was a corner - what a surprise. Bielsa said it's common when >> you get a near post flick on that someone has the opportunity to get >> onto it at the back post. Really !? Why not fucking do some thing >> about it then ? It's basic defending of set pieces and we've been >> failing most of the season. We get praised for our attacking play but >> we're defending like a League One team. I just don't see the logic >> behind trying to get someone in the door in Jan. Even someone like >> Kyle Bartlett or Pontus would be a vast improvement to what we have >> now. They're not for the future but we might just be able to defend >> games better. >> Anyway, on to the positives, and there were many. I think Raphinha is >> a revelation and I actually don't think he's in top gear yet. I think >> he's much more than a winger, maybe a no 10 or even a striker cos he's >> got a really eye for goal and his passing is generally v.good. The >> link up and hold play in and around the box was spectacular and >> Everton were chasing shadows in one 10 minute period. It was fantastic >> to watch. When our attack did break down everyone was chasing and >> winning it back. Ayling's contribution down the right wing was immense >> and it was good to see Bamford actually hold the ball up well and >> contribute at times. Unfortunately, the half chances he got he didn't >> look convincing. We deserved a draw overall but if we continue with >> this defence (we have no choice now) we will get beat in games where >> we have the play and the chances. It's that simple. >> Scores: >> Miesler - 7. Not much chance with the goals. Kept us in it 2nd half >> with a great save from one of their counters. >> Ayling - 7. Yes first half he did slip up for the goal but overall I'd >> say he's a dependable right back >> Allioski - 5. Good shot that hit the post, nice left foot and some >> good link up play 2nd half but he's not left back and when it comes to >> defending set pieces he doesn't contribute at all. >> LO Liam - 6. Some good defending as always but he nearly gave the ball >> away right in front of our box. I think a slip on the pitch saved us. >> I worry about his set piece defending also. He has a habit of pulling >> shirts and grabbing attackers. A few pens coming I feel. >> Ripper - 6. Ball watching for the goal but there were plenty of good >> things. I think he actually has the ball skills to take the ball >> further forward than he does. Is he the answer at centre back ? Not >> sure ? >> Dallas - 7. Lively performance as always. Loads of work, loads of good >> play. Is central midfield his position ? I don't think so. >> Philips - 5. Poor first half. The game was too quick for him and just >> passed him by. In games like this he stands out for me as being slow >> and pedestrian. Second half, when we were on top and in control, I >> thought he did well and he put some good challenges in to break up >> their play and get us going. >> Raphinha - 8. Good goal, good skill and always keen to chase back. >> Bamford - 6. Some decent play but not even close to a goal. Ok he >> plopped one on the top of the bar but he never looked close. >> Harrison - 6. Poor first half but he came strong 2nd half. Surprised >> he got taken off and replaced by the hapless Costa when we were >> searching for an equaliser. I can only assume he was fucked. >> Klich - 7. Lively, all over the place. I see some on Twitter think >> he's close to his shelf life but I think he made a real difference at >> times last night without getting to the heights we've seen in the last >> 2 seasons. >> Subs: >> Pablo - 4. Didn't happen for him but he needs match practice and I'm >> afraid it doesn't look like he's gonna get it. >> Roberts - 6. Surprised at a lot of fans including Noel Whelan slagging >> Roberts and saying he's nowhere near a PL player. I'd say we don't >> know that yet but what I see is a fit, young, hungry player who wants >> the ball and looks sharp. I think he's got a lot to offer and it's not >> a popular view but I'd give him a start up front. >> Costa - 0. Pants >> Palace on Monday. On, on on > _______________________________________________ > Leedslist mailing list > Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist > To unsubscribe, email [email protected] > > Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedslist/ > > Rest in Peace Guy, and wear your hat! _______________________________________________ Leedslist mailing list Info and options: https://mailman.gn.apc.org/mailman/listinfo/leedslist To unsubscribe, email [email protected] Find us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/groups/leedslist/ Rest in Peace Guy, and wear your hat!
