Frustrating but entirely predictable result today, as Everton fought like hell and we tried in the most part to play some enjoyable, fancy football with nothing depending on it. It was always going to be a question of whether Everton could handle the pressure today. They did.
Here are my ratings:
Schmeichel: 5 - It's probably reached the point now where there are serious question marks over his future. Several positions look tired and his is one of them.
Castagne: 7 - One of the few players to offer any genuine width today. Toward the end the only source of creativity was his crosses. Had a decent game.
Amartey: 7 - Looked clumsy in possession at times, but marshalled Richarlison well.
Fofana: 8 - Rediscovered his old habit of jumping under the ball for Everton's second, but was a very good reason why they didn't score more than that. Class. My choice for our MOTM.
Evans: 7 - Good defensively; forced to make the play too much by the system, and very often slows the game down when he has to do so.
Dewsbury-Hall: 7 - Given a left wing back role in the first half - what that says about Thomas I'll leave for you to decide - and had an entertaining battle with Iwobi. Kept going all game.
Mendy: 6 - Almost actually scored. Yes, you read that right. Would have been a beauty as well. Other than that, he went about his business in an unspectacular way.
Tielemans: 6 - Very good in the first half, dropped off a lot in the second.
Perez: 7 - I thought he was having a good game; I was surprised when he got subbed.
Iheanacho: 5 - Endeavoured all match to make the play, but was having a day where his touch generally forced him back five yards every time. Stifled.
Daka: 7 - Finished his gift, so credit there. Had another cleared off the line after beating Pickford. Needs feeding.
Barnes: 4 - Given a go at left wing back in the second half and was badly exposed defensively. Some attacking bright points, but really needs to go down the line occasionally, to put doubt in the defender's mind if nothing else. Couldn't get past Iwobi as a result.
Lookman: 4 - Anonymous. Didn't look like he understood the system.
Vardy: 4 - Might as well still be injured for all the impact he's having.
It wasn't actually that bad a performance, particularly first half, although a Lampard-managed team is always going to leave holes to play through. Defensively we were good, except corners again. But going forward we just weren't creative enough. The mindset remains that we must keep possession, and too many forward players being afraid to try anything creative around the box. They need the training sessions that they just haven't had this season. But that's part and parcel of being in Europe, so if the club want those days back then it's something they'll have to figure out.
A word also for the Everton fans, who were tremendous at the match. Felt like it might kick off a bit outside with some opposing fans being aggressively hyper after the result, but supporting their team on the pitch and pushing them to an invaluable three points, this was the best we've seen for some time.
Player ratings vs. Everton
posted on 9/5/22
At last Dunge, some stuff I can disagree with! (Not - having now written my comments I'm actually not far off you as usual).
Kasper - he managed to look disinterested at times so I wonder if the rumours of him wanting to leave have some substance?
Castagne - he was OK but the reason why we're not in any danger of a 'big' club coming in for him is his lack of pace which severely affects his ability to play wing back.
Little Wes - completely agree with this one, he swatted down numerous dangerous attacks. Still has the odd error in him though but he's young, learning fast and a class act. Pipes must have been watching a different game when he gave MoM to KDH.
Tilly - was awful, so bad in the second half he doesn't rate more than a 5.
Perez 6, I agree he had some good moments but zero end product was part of the problem.
Rodgers - seems to have found the handbook Claude left for Puelball. What was he thinking playing defensively at home against a team whose confidence must be at least brittle? That worked just fine in any event didn't it with us conceding yet again from a corner? No more than 4.
It was a frustrating watch because Everton were not very good, we could easily have won that match. The reason we didn't was they wanted it more - much more - particularly in the second half where they were first to any loose ball time after time.
Their supporters were magnificent, they obviously are helping to drag the team away from danger after a difficult season. The 'woo' song got a bit grating after hearing it for the 452nd time though!
posted on 9/5/22
I’m struggling to respond to this today. I just feel apathetic to it all in response to how our team is playing.
For me, you hit the nail on the head with our lack of creativity. We just don’t trouble teams and we can’t keep clean sheets so it’s all very depressing. As Nuneaton says, we’re back to Puel ball at its worst.
My other concern is the number of our best players being out of position, out of form or out of the team. If Rodgers can’t trust Thomas at left back and get a good game out of him I’m not sure I can trust him.
The atmosphere was great from the Everton fans but our fans were flat. Apathetic to the situation. My fear is that will become toxic.
I agree with the balance of your rating Dunge but I would deduct 2 marks of everyone. Collectively we’re just not good enough right now. Big big summer, I’m very nervous.
posted on 9/5/22
I was also surprised when Perez was subbed, especially when his replacement was the increasingly ineffective Barnes.
Defensively, we didn’t look troubled with the obvious glaring, ever present exception of our inability to defend corners. I know Schmeichel pulls off some unbelievable saves, but his complete inability to deal with corners and crosses into his 6 yard box must cost us 15 to 20 goals a season. We got away with it with the likes of Morgan, Huth and Wasyl, but not any more.
Our lack of creativity is worrying. The plan appears to be to retain possession of the ball at every opportunity, which stifles the inclination to play a more incisive pass at critical moments.
I would also have brought Vardy on for Iheanacho instead of Daka.
posted on 9/5/22
I just can’t resist
but his complete inability to deal with corners and crosses into his 6 yard box must cost us 15 to 20 goals a season.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
posted on 9/5/22
comment by True Blue ( RODGERS OUT ) (U9486)
posted 12 minutes ago
I just can’t resist
but his complete inability to deal with corners and crosses into his 6 yard box must cost us 15 to 20 goals a season.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Whatever makes you smile True Blue. If it takes your mind off Tilly for a minute or two!
😂😂
posted on 9/5/22
comment by old warwick fox (U11640)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by True Blue ( RODGERS OUT ) (U9486)
posted 12 minutes ago
I just can’t resist
but his complete inability to deal with corners and crosses into his 6 yard box must cost us 15 to 20 goals a season.
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
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Whatever makes you smile True Blue. If it takes your mind off Tilly for a minute or two!
😂😂
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It was that good made me forget about Russia in Ukraine 😉
posted on 9/5/22
good replies to what happened yesterday. i have watched the highlights on you tube and Schmeichel could have punched the ball if he had come off his line for the only corner Everton had in the game..19 let in so far this season. not good enough.He is making sounds about a new challenge.just go.when his taxi turns up take tilly with him.bottled a tackle on the hour and Everton broke and nearly scored.He has made his mind up about not playing for us next season.I wouldnt play him for the last 4 games and put youngsters in.