"was definitely the best Everton have played for a while too." True, and this is a worrying thing.............you could say the same of the opposition after the recent games v Brighton, Newcastle, Scum and Burnley.
On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 4:00 PM Richard Walker via Leedslist < [email protected]> 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!
