FAN ARTICLES

Risk Management

By Tony Wilson :  17/12/2010 :  Comments (17) :

On fan sites, the radio, and in the papers, I have come across some insightful comments about why EFC are not hitting the heights expected of them. I would like to argue against some of the conventional wisdom being bandied around and stress the importance of our manager and coaches.

Scapegoating is just sad. It is easy to blame Saha, Yakubu, Beckford, Arteta et al for the lack of goals. Fans see Arteta not bossing games and turn on him. He cannot be expected to shine brightest every week. Teams are acutely aware of his ability now and they try to man-mark him if he pushes forward. They can afford to man-mark him because we don't have enough game-changing players.

The forwards have missed a few sitters, but how many clear-cut chances have we created? Bar one or two games, most of our shots have been outside chances. But, then again, it doesn't take much thought to label one or two players as the reason for Everton's current plight. Equally, the classic solution of "let's just buy a striker, a right winger, a new kit man..." is an easy one that leads to fun conversations about possible signings.

The confidence factor is well over-stated. We are talking about professional sportsmen here, not your mates in the local pub team or your kids in a school match. Commentators and fans talk about confidence dropping as though footballers were emotional wrecks. I can't help but suspect this is a vain attempt to boost their own egos or a way of simplifying the game into something even an ant could understand.

Now to a point of view that doesn't get as much attention, partly because it often incites a reaction that would make the most religous zealot appear to be a reasonable person. Let me be clear. David Moyes has done wonders at Everton to create a stable club that has overperformed on balance over the last 9-odd years. In terms of discipline, fitness, and defending he is a top coach. He has also signed some top players without breaking the bank.

However, as other fans have inferred to their peril, Everton too often (not always) play not to lose. More sepcifically, the players are clearly coached to maintain a rigid team structure that limits the opposition but also our own players. Playing two holding midfielders might work for Man City because they are blessed with many technically gifted players that counteract the defensive structure of the team. We are not.

We now rely too much on Baines. The midfield is often so rigid that it takes our left back hitting the wing for us to create any decent chances at all. This actually makes us more vulnerable to counter-attacks and is unfair on the full backs. With Cahill behind the striker, Arteta drops deeper to a position that prevents him really pushing up and hurting teams. Pienaar has great skills but he cuts inside so often, and when he does his passing options are limited.

We don't actually seem to play defensive midfielders. We play "advanced centre backs". With a frequently lone striker (the hardest job in football) and not enough options elsewhere, our attacks are careful and often look nice, but are also predictable and stale, which I have to admit is not helped by limited pace up front.

The root issues are down to the coaching team. We do not take enough risks. Sometimes a player should try to skin his opposition number even if it is unlikely to come off. Good players and teams take risks. Risks lead to good chances and then goals. Look at Tottenham to see a side that examples this well. We don't take enough risks.

If we were trying to stay in the league, I would accept this style of play. Thanks to Moyes and Co, we now aspire to finishing in the top 8. We aren't amidst a crisis. A crisis is being in the relegation zone come the end of the season.

Nevertheless, I have watched West Brom and Blackpool this season and I would guess that their managers' mandates are to stay in the top flight. They have both been hammered a couple of times, but they are also capable of fast, direct attacks that are very diifficult to cope with. If our coaches could take a leaf from their books, perhaps the squad we have might reach its full potential. If things carry on as they are, I might have to start going to watch Blackpool instead!

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