I think Costa is very much a confidence player, and i think his confidence has been shattered by being dropped. I actually read this assessment of him from a wolves fan when we signed him. I think it is instrumental that his performances improved hugely during the extension to last season after his transfer had become permanent. Bottom line: I think Helder just wants to be loved. If all that is true, i don't see any way back for him from here. Even if Raphinha were to suffer a serious injury (please no!) you have to think that Poveda would get a runout before Costa at the moment.
On Thu, Feb 4, 2021 at 5:42 PM John Lee via Leedslist <[email protected]> wrote: > 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! _______________________________________________ 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!
