Fans Comment
Tom Maher

More Analysis
24 March 2005

I’ve watched a majority of Everton’s games this season, although it’s been no joke getting up in the middle of the night in Australia to watch the last two displays (vs Blackburn and Liverpool).  There have been a few articles analyzing the players (notably Paul Coleman's), but it’s not just individuals that caused the recent losses.

Patience

Blackburn and Liverpool played like Everton did in the first half of the season – pressuring in midfield and at Everton's defence so that Evertons backline and midfield rushed their distribution.  When Everton did make a bit of space they still got rid of the ball quickly looking hopefully for the forwards to work miracles.  This was a marked change from the Aston Villa game where there was patience in moving the ball around and work to control the middle of the park allowing the team to move up and attack in the opposition half.

Against Blackburn and Liverpool, Everton were trying to get the ball to the attack too quickly, from difficult angles and without enough support.  They turned over possession too easily.

Set Pieces

Carsley has been taking the free kicks.  As everyone knows, in a tight game free kicks and set plays can win the game. Everton are wasting these by poor, unsubtle and apparently poorly practiced set plays.  Too many have gone straight out for goal kicks, removing any chance of pressure.  Carsley's not relaxed enough with them.

Mistakes

Yobo's gaff against Aston Villa let in a goal; his poor distribution led to Blackburn's goal; Martyn's misjudgement assisted Liverpool's second goal.  And there have been more – including Stubbs standing on the ball for Baros to take off.  There has been a mixture of overconfidence and nervousness that is possibly underlying pressure at trying to hold onto 4th instead of enjoying the game.

Balance

The team balance went with Gravesen and only returned when Arteta played at Villa.  Yobo playing midfield may be OK if he fills in for Carsley or even Cahill (Yobo’s a good player) but he hasn’t fitted well playing with them.  If Arteta isn’t available then Osman should be tried there – in the middle of the park.  He’s got the vision and quickness of thought to switch play.  The middle of the park is where the main issue was with Blackburn and Liverpool.

Striking

Bent has done wonders – he does what Baros did effectively in the derby – he pulls the opposition defence out of shape.  But he needs either quick midfield support or another striker stretching the opposition defence to the opposite side (which I presume is what Beattie is intended for).  Having Ferguson on for the whole game is not a viable option.  But the forwards are not where the recent problems have been – it’s been moving from defence to midfield and distribution from the centre.

Tom  Maher

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