Bolasie keen to rectify winless run

Monday, 24 October, 2016 42comments  |  Jump to most recent
Yannick Bolasie says that the importance of beating teams like Burnley isn't lost on Everton and infers that Sunday's game against West Ham is now vital.

It's six weeks since the Blues last won and though they're still in touch with the Premier League leaders, the players know that a continuation of their current form will not see them qualify for Europe this season.

Saturday's 2-1 defeat at Turf Moor may have been harsh but it was the result of Everton not pressing home their superiority after Bolasie had equalised with his first goal since joining from Crystal Palace.

The French-born winger took the ball off Romelu Lukaku's toe and fired home from the angle to set Ronald Koeman's side up for potential victory but they were cruelly beaten at the death by Scott Arfield's winner.

"I've not been thinking about it [scoring my first goal]," Bolasie told evertontv after the game. "Since I have been here, I have been creating chances and I am happy doing that, but as the manager says, he wants a little bit more from the attackers around Romelu Lukaku. At Burnley I have scored, so that is a start.

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"The dampener is we lost the game. You always want to come away from a game with something, it is part of football. At Man City we dug in deep and people probably thought we should have lost that game but against Burnley, we should have won but we have left with nothing.

“We have to dust ourselves down and move on to the next game.

“It is only when I came in after the game that I realised it was five games without a win so we go into Sunday's game with West Ham trying to rectify that,” he continued in the Liverpool Echo.

"Against the top teams we'll do well against them and if we can nick points off them and then beat teams like Burnley, near the bottom, then you'll look at the end of the season and you'll be in sixth position.

“Like what Southampton did last season (under Koeman) and you also build your own confidence doing that.”

 

Reader Comments (42)

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Paul Conway
1 Posted 24/10/2016 at 09:45:31
Another Black Monday – another spout of moral support!

Not surprised they picked the goalscorer to offer it!

Ciarán McGlone
2 Posted 24/10/2016 at 09:53:32
"If we can beat teams like Burnley"

Has this guy got a time machine?

One of our problems at the moment is failing to work for the team. Bolasie epitomises that. Too busy trying to do step overs and drag backs to realise the smart option is on... Invariably slowing the play to a standstill.

Infuriating player who needs to show his undoubted talent consistently.

Anthony Dwyer
3 Posted 24/10/2016 at 10:25:37
I agree, Ciaran...
Yannick clearly has ability, but needs to stop this walking with the ball stuff as it just brings our attack to a grinding halt.

Three Fs are needed: 'fast fluent football'.

One thing that is needed is another transfer window; lots of players need shipping out: Gibson, Cleverley, Kone, and Niasse all need to go asap as Koeman has no use for them. Then next season, Deulofeu, Mirallas, McCarthy, Oviedo and possibly Besic (depending on if he's fit long enough to prove or disprove his worth to Koeman's team). Also, send Valencia back.

None of the above convince Koeman that they should hold down a first-team place, he clearly doesn't trust any of them so a mass clear-out needs putting into place.

Mirallas, McCarthy, and Deulofeu are the only players capable of convincing Koeman to trust them, reasons being, Koeman wants Deulofeu or Mirallas to prove they can hold a starting place down, proven by the chances they've been given. And IMO, McCarthy is a talented lad with lots to offer and should be given his chance before being moved on.

Bobby Thomas
4 Posted 24/10/2016 at 11:50:19
£28 million for a winger as inconsistent & sporadically effective as Mirallas & Deulofeu.
Peter Laing
6 Posted 24/10/2016 at 12:24:11
In my opinion, Bolasie has been one of the stand-out performers this season along with Gueye, Williams and Lukaku. At times, his tendency to overplay can be a little infuriating although there are much bigger question marks against Barkley, Mirallas and Deulofeu who continue to flatter to deceive.

Koeman's patience is evidently wearing thin: Barkley, Mirallas and Deulofeu have all spent time on the bench this season but have equally been given the opportunity to perform and prove their worth. By and large, they have not met expectations and I would hazard a guess that there will be a limit to Koeman's tolerance with a timescale in place in terms of how long that they have to deliver.

Steve Walsh will hopefully have his targets in mind and personally we need to look to be replacing Jagielka, Barry, Barkley, Mirallas and Deulofeu.

Dave Abrahams
7 Posted 24/10/2016 at 12:39:28
Anthony (#3),

I agree with you that a few players should be moved on but most of them are on such good and long contracts that they will be reluctant to go. How some of them were awarded new contracts is hard to understand... who gave them the contracts and why is a mystery to lots of us.

Geoff Williams
8 Posted 24/10/2016 at 13:15:09
Any argument in favour of playing Deulofeu just lacks credibility. Other than in his first season, he has shown little evidence that he has what it takes to make it in the Premier League.

Bolasie has pace and power but he still has a lot to prove. Sadly Mirallas hasn't lived up to our expectations – flashes of brilliance but loads of mediocrity.

Andrew Lightfoot
9 Posted 24/10/2016 at 13:26:03
[Insert players name] says "We're disappointed / frustrated / angry [delete as applicable] with the result in the last game against [insert any team] and can't wait for the opportunity to make amends / rectify things / turn things around."

If there were trophies for pedalling the same tropes, week-in & week-out, we'd be the kings of Europe.

Nick Page
10 Posted 24/10/2016 at 13:39:52
I think the general malaise, the Martinez hangover, will persist until all or most of those players are cleared out.

As it stands, I'd probably keep Barry, Coleman, and Baines for now. Lukaku will probably go anyway (Bayern Munich are sniffing), but the rest are lazy shithouses who don't deserve to wear the shirt. How some of the defence are getting a game ahead of Holgate is actually quite worrying.

Phil Walling
11 Posted 24/10/2016 at 13:43:56
Only Gueye of our present squad would merit a place in a Premier League top four squad. I was tempted to say 'top six' but we've already been there whilst playing the teams who 'make up the numbers'!
Colin Malone
12 Posted 24/10/2016 at 14:23:22
Phil (#11).

I bet Man City and Man Utd wish they had Jags in their team.

As for Bolasie, I'm not impressed.

Jon Cox
13 Posted 24/10/2016 at 15:01:54
The back four should consist of Holgate, Funes Mori, Williams and Garbutt, Baines or Galloway.

Clear-outs should include Deulofeu and Mirallas with Barkley given one more season to see how he interacts with any new signings. No improvement after that then get rid.

Sad to say it looks like Jagielka's mental ability has abandoned him. His thinking is far too slow and means he'll drop us in the shite with increasing regularity.

We also have to play our part though and patience has to be the order of the day... For now.

James Stewart
14 Posted 24/10/2016 at 15:25:14
Mirallas's, Deulofeu's and Barkley's days are numbered. None are doing enough to keep the shirt and replacements will be on the way.

Bolasie is a good player but needs to cut out the pointless showboating. Just whip the damn crosses in – which he is very good at when he actually bothers to do it.

Chelsea's 3-4-3 system yesterday was ruthless on the counter. It would be interesting to see Koeman try it. In my opinion, we don't have the players for a 4-2-3-1 offensively. 3-4-3 would also solve the problem of Oviedo being targeted at left-back. Food for though anyway.

Adopting Chelsea's system would look something like this:

Stekelenburg;
Jagielka, Williams, Funes Mori;
Coleman, Gana, Barry, Baines;
Lennon, Lukaku, Bolasie.

Christy Ring
15 Posted 24/10/2016 at 15:30:05
Mirallas, Deulofeu and Cleverley have offered very little, and their work rate is very poor, but Koeman has persisted with them. I know Lennon is limited, but he can't be faulted for effort on the right-wing.

Also, I can't believe Koeman not putting McCarthy on the bench, is he not a better option than Cleverley to replace Barry or Gueye? At least he'll put himself about.

Jim Burns
16 Posted 24/10/2016 at 15:35:39
Interesting how, for some, the collection of players many cited as the best we'd had since the eighties when under Martinez – now need a serious clear out.
Dave Abrahams
17 Posted 24/10/2016 at 15:37:37
Christy (#15),

I can't understand McCarthy not being on the bench at least... Was he injured? Hard to believe he was dropped after his good performance as a substitute last week. He is a very good player in my opinion who should never be out of the squad.

Paul Kossoff
18 Posted 24/10/2016 at 15:54:23
How to rectify a winless run? Mmm, let's see... oh, I know: stop bloody showboating, stop doing little party tricks instead of doing your job of beating your marker and getting the bloody crosses in.

Try real hard to remember, when you have a marker standing right in front of you, to not hit the ball against him. Try to keep moving and not standing still when you take a pass.

One more thing: definitely do not try to be clever on the edge of your own box, now that would go a long way to putting a stop to a winless streak. Hang on – your 27, not 7, you should already know these things.

Paul Conway
19 Posted 24/10/2016 at 16:08:27
What really pisses me off is the fact that, although these players are gutted like us about losing, they have the money to deal with it!!
Paul Smith
20 Posted 24/10/2016 at 16:53:56
Jim (#16), I think that myth has been smashed over the last 9 games. The players Koeman has brought in are head & shoulders above the rest. Thought Bolasie was excellent on Saturday, unlike at Bournemouth when he was a lazy dog. Funny old game this football!

I think we will beat West Ham on Saturday and I will be at Stamford Bridge on the 5th, believing once more.

Paul Kossoff
21 Posted 24/10/2016 at 17:00:28
Paul (#19), I really think the majority of players these days don't give a flying fuck if they win or lose, they are paid so much money that I'm sure during a game that they are thinking of what to buy next, and that's why a lot of them don't seem capable of doing the basic things on the pitch.

Oh for the day when some pissed off owner of a club has contracts with performance related pay, and the coaches and management decide who's paid what depending on performance, it will never happen of course.

Brent Stephens
22 Posted 24/10/2016 at 17:22:42
Paul #20 if you're going to the WHU game, you'll be on your own on "Saturday"!

Paul #21 (responding to Paul #19 – too many bloody Pauls!) – some players might not give a flying fuck because of their high rewards (and so not put the effort in) but I can't see that would apply to many. What about those who've grown up supporting the team (not many, but a start).

Then there are those just starting out on their first team careers, wanting to make an impression to stay in the first team and progress.

Then there are those who just love playing the game (and if you love playing the game, surely money isn't going to take that love away?) and want to do as well as they can?

And then there are those who want to impress international mangers.

And then there are those who know they won't make it with their current team because they're not up to it, so want at least to attract another buyer.

And then there are those who have formed a bond with their fellow players and for their sake want to perform well.

And then...

Ben Dyke
23 Posted 24/10/2016 at 17:32:51
I'm still hoping all Bolasie's inner McGeady disappears and we are left with 100% a £30m player. He's impressed me with his attitude and tracking back/tackling but I've been hoping for a bit more end product and fluency in the final third.

To give him his due, he's been consistently better than Mira-couldn't-care-llas and Deulo-woeful-eu.

Geoff Evans
24 Posted 24/10/2016 at 17:49:58
I think that, when it comes to talking a great game, we have assembled one of the best squads of players I've ever seen, absolutely brilliant.

Let's just send opposing teams emails outlining what we're capable of, I'm sure they'd see how hopeless it would be for them to even turn up.

Andy Meighan
25 Posted 24/10/2016 at 19:05:23
Another one who talks the talk. And as Geoff (#24) said, when it comes to talking, we've a great squad. Bolasie – apart from the odd bit of magic here and there – hasn't showed he's going to justify the fee paid for him.

The worrying thing for me at the moment is the chronic lack of goals from midfield. I think it's Barry 2, Barkley 1, Mirallas 1, Bolasie 1 – the rest, Gueye Deulofeu, Cleverley (okay, not a regular)... zilch! That's a worrying stat when you consider 3 or 4 of them are classed as attacking midfielders.

And it rather begs the question: Where does it leave us if the lump up front gets injured? I doubt Kone and Valencia will get the goals. The West ham game is huge for us now. Win and it sends us to Chelsea in a good frame of mind. Lose or draw and the storm clouds really will be gathering.

Brian Wilkinson
26 Posted 24/10/2016 at 19:22:34
Part of Deulofeu's and other wingers' problems are, if they go past a defender, there is no-one busting a gut to get into the penalty area for the cross.

If you had Dave Thomas down the bye-line, he knew if he put a cross in, Bob Latchford would be there, didn't have to look, he would play the ball in and Latchford would know where to be.

Our problem is, we do not have that type of player waiting for the cross to come in, or anticipating a cross.

Darryl Ritchie
27 Posted 24/10/2016 at 20:03:45
There have been times, recently, when I truly believed that Everton could stand toe to toe, with any club, and have a good shot at a win. Moyes's final season and Martinez's first were a joy.

Under Koeman, we're a lot better than we were the last two seasons, but we've got a long ways to go. I'd say we're on par, performance wise, with a lot of that mid-table Moyes stuff we had to suffer through for years.

Player for player, we've arguably a better squad now, than anything that Moyes could field, but I'm not seeing it on the pitch. Putting it down to a Martinez hangover only works for so long. It's time for players and manager to up their game.

We need to stop looking ahead to the next window, and get busy.

Mark Morrissey
28 Posted 24/10/2016 at 20:05:19
Too much pressure being brought to bear. As with Bravo and Stones over at the Etihad, mistakes are being made because they are not being given enough time to grow into their roles and adapt to the new managers ways. It's clear that ridding City of shampoo boy, intolerable levels of nervousness have landed on their head and shoulders.

Our team are the same. Nervous fucking wrecks. Playing for a man who was a legend as a player. They need time to settle. With Martinez, they could do what the hell they wanted, it mattered not. Now, they are finally under scrutiny and some of them don't know whether to stick or twist. They will settle and we are going to be okay but we the fans mustn't give up on Koeman.

Paul Kossoff
29 Posted 24/10/2016 at 20:20:22
Brent 22, too many "and then there are those!!!" 😁
Peter Warren
30 Posted 24/10/2016 at 20:58:27
Am I missing something? Genuinely thought Yannick has made an assist every game we've taken points (not to mention other games he's put chances on a plate which not converted). I actually think his end product has been better than his general all-round play.
Peter Cummings
31 Posted 24/10/2016 at 21:03:21
Why do EFC players continue to state the bleeding obvious after every crap display?? ''We were unlucky, we should have won, we are all disappointed and last, but far from least, we must do better next game''!!!

The reality is that little has changed since Koeman took over and IMO none of our 'window' signings have solved the basic problem, that we are just not good enough to compete in the EPL – let alone Europe – under the present setup at Goodison Park. As has been proved at the Etihad and Old Trafford, spending hundreds of millions on so-called superstar players who prove to be anything but, hasn't been the answer and never will be.

Patrick Murphy
33 Posted 24/10/2016 at 21:46:27
Peter (#40),

Everton must have been an extremely fortunate club then, because for all of my life and a little more they have played every league game in the top-flight. I realise we are having issues, but not to the extent that we cannot compete in the EPL. Mind you, considering some of the recent results, you might well have a point.

As for spending big money on superstar players, I think you'll find that those clubs that have continued to invest in their squads throughout the Premier League era have either competed at the top end of the table for most of that time or have now got themselves into a position where they can be considered bona fide contenders.

It could be argued that our relative lack of investment has allowed other clubs outside of the big spenders to be more competitive and that is making it more difficult for Everton to compete both for available players and for points. That's not an excuse for losing matches against teams we should be beating at least 70% of the time, but it does have a bearing.

Max Murphy
34 Posted 24/10/2016 at 22:16:21
I'm happy with the situation. Currently sixth in the table after 9 games. That's pretty good for a mediocre team, but I'd feel much better when we realise our full potential and drop to mid-table and beyond. Should happen in about 3 or 4 games time.
Peter Laing
35 Posted 25/10/2016 at 00:37:36
Peter @31, I would counter that it's not the new 'window' signings that are the problem but the re-emergence of frailties that have existed for 2 years or more. The old saying is that you cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear; 3 months into the job, Koeman and his staff will be acutely aware of the task in hand.

We will continue to tread water with sub-par performances until Koeman can get the right players in, 2 or 3 transfer windows probably needed with a major clear out of the deadwood.

My only reservation is a) Kenwright still being involved in any transfer dealings and b) whether we will actually see Moshiri flexing his financial clout.

Roman Sidey
36 Posted 25/10/2016 at 01:27:41
Andy, spot on and exactly what I was thinking watching the match on the weekend. We don't have enough goal scorers in our squad, and probably haven't in the 15 years I have followed the club – I dread to think what it was like in the 90s.

After Bolasie's duck-breaker on Saturday, we have six goal scorers this season. With only Lukaku (6) and Barry (2) on more than one. If you look at the stats of great, or even very good players of the past, you see certain trends. Centre-halves scoring once every 8-10 matches – we had Lescott pumping in a goal every 5-6 but other than that... Barry is putting 2-3 away a season and McCarthy has scored maybe twice in his Everton career.

It's just not good enough and I think it is a part of the club culture that desperately needs to change. The fact that last season we had a fullback on our books with zero goals in a 16-year career says it all.

Jack Cross
37 Posted 25/10/2016 at 02:01:14
It's hard to believe when you hear some of the reaction on here. I mean we're 5 points away from top spot. And that's not by playing fantastic football, just by playing average stuff.

A lot on here during Martinez's rein said we peaked too early in the first season. But now you say we should be in the mingle. But we are, aren't we? I mean 5 points tells us that.

I can't see anyone coming in, in the January window. What's the point if, as some seem to think, quite a lot will be leaving? And then they would have to bed in.

I think leave this season alone for panic buys and make a real challenge next season. Who knows, even with this drab squad, we may make Europe and with buys in the summer we might even win something. At least then we will be in the driving seat, because we will have something to offer them.

Teddy Bertin
38 Posted 25/10/2016 at 03:29:34
Not sure about Bolasie. Not really sure about any of our attaching players really. Rom's obviously a serious talent but wants to leave. The rest haven't fulfilled their potential. I'd like to see a big clear out, Koeman might get them fitter and fighting a bit more but they're still the same players that stepped out and played woefully for Martinez.

Should have gone in for Adama Traoré in the summer. Looks like he could become a class act now. He was a risk in the summer but Barca obviously rated him at one point and he's stronger, faster and more direct that Del Boy.

Hopefully Walshly can find the fits for what Koeman wants to do

Richard Lyons
39 Posted 25/10/2016 at 06:32:55
"Sunday's game against West Ham is now vital."

Dead right, I'm making one of my bi-annual trips up to Goodison, so please don't spoil my day, and my whole week after when I would have to endure my boss (WHU fan) gloating. (Not that any game I'm not travelling to isn't also vital, of course...)

Tony Abrahams
40 Posted 25/10/2016 at 08:42:54
Back to Sunday, and have to agree with Brian (#26), when he says we have nobody busting a gut to get in the box when we get the ball out wide. So for me, one of two things are wrong.

It's either the players, or the formation, which is wrong, but it's quite possible it could be both, because as Mark (#28) says, the players have got a lot to answer for at the minute, because they don't seem to know how to react, now they are no longer playing on easy street.

Brian Furey
41 Posted 25/10/2016 at 14:36:11
It's so easy to say we need a clear out and this and that player isn't up to it but as we saw in the summer it's not easy to bring in good quality players. We had to pay over the odds for Bolasie, who despite having his faults seems to be the only one to consistently provide balls into the box for Rom.

There does seem to be a lack of goals in the whole team now where Geri, Mirallas and Barkley have gone right off form and don't seem up for the task that Koeman has set them. You would have to worry that if Rom was to finally leave next season how we would manage then.

Currently I'm happy we're sitting 6th which isn't bad when you look at the teams above us and Man Utd below us. Yes I do believe we will start spending BIG but it will take time and patience and we can't just turf out all the deadwood without getting in good replacements.

Ernie Baywood
42 Posted 25/10/2016 at 22:57:57
Peter Cummings (#51), "Why do EFC players continue to state the bleeding obvious after every crap display??"

Because it's nothing more than a club-led media release. Have you seen the Anichebe tweet?

Dick Fearon
44 Posted 27/10/2016 at 18:48:41
We play 5 including keeper as defenders plus one striker. What is the contribution of the other 5? They score precious few goals and create even less chances.

As a member of that mysterious 5, it behoves Yannick to keep his gob shut or we might expect him to actually do what he says he will do.

Jack O'Meara
45 Posted 27/10/2016 at 22:14:43
Only seven million, we had to pay.
He can press trousers with his style of play.
He's better than Kante,
IDRISSA GANA GUEYE!

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