Squad Analysis and My Predictions for the Season

When analysing the current state of the Everton squad, it would be wrong to simply compare the number of departing players with the number of new signings as I believe the squad is actually much stronger than these figures would suggest.

Since the end of the 2012-13 season we have seen three players depart – Jan Mucha, Phil Neville and Thomas Hitzlsperger, to be replaced by Joel Robles, Antolin Alcaraz and Arouna Kone, as well as the loan signing of promising Barcelona youth player Gerard Deulofeu. In terms of squad numbers, this would show the addition of just one player to what was one of the smallest squads in the Premier League last season. However, based on the quality of the new additions and the likelihood that Martinez will look to utilise the young players in the squad significantly more than his predecessor, it would seem that the squad is significantly stronger than those figures suggest.

GOALKEEPERS

Since his arrival from Manchester United in 2006, Tim Howard has been the undisputed number one in the team with very little challenge from a reserve keeper. Jan Mucha made just 10 appearances for Everton in the three years prior to his recent departure, many of which came in low-key cup games. It is therefore apparent that he failed to pose any threat to Howard’s position in the team.

I would hope that new signing Joel Robles could provide much stronger competition, particularly if we look back at how easily he managed to displace Ali El-Habsi during his short spell at Wigan Athletic. It is also likely that Roberto Martinez will place a greater emphasis on a possession-based approach to games, which may give Joel an early advantage over Howard due to his superior quality of distribution.

DEFENDERS

The defence is the area of the team where I believe we have the most strength in depth. The only departure has been Phil Neville who, whilst possessing admirable professionalism, was significantly diminishing in terms of footballing ability. This leaves us with two players competing for the right back spot, although I would suggest that Tony Hibbert will simply provide cover to Seamus Coleman who offers greater attacking threat and is defensively much improved. Once again, with a potential switch to a back three, Coleman would also seem better suited than Hibbert to the wing-back role.

The centre of defence is now arguably the strongest area of the team – particularly with the addition of Antolin Alcaraz from Wigan – which means there are now four senior centre backs at the club with additional competition from Shane Duffy and John Stones. Despite a disappointing last season for John Heitinga, I believe he could have a significant role to play at the club, particularly if, as suspected, Martinez opts for a back three.

In this system there is greater emphasis on distributing the ball from the back, an area of the game in which neither Phil Jagielka nor Sylvain Distin excel. This would leave a place in the team for a centre half with greater ability on the ball, a role I believe John Heitinga would be ideally suited to. However, he would have to compete with Antolin Alcaraz for this position who has the benefit of having previously worked under Roberto Martinez during his time at Wigan.

Regardless of who Roberto Martinez may or may not prefer in this position, what is clear is that it is an area of the pitch in which we possess significant competition for places, compounded by the continued development of Shane Duffy and John Stones. Although I would suggest that Duffy may not be capable of playing at the highest level in the future, he has shown in the past that he is more than capable of deputising for the senior players when needed.

John Stones, however, is a player that would seem to be the ideal long-term replacement for Phil Jagielka. On the few occasions I have seen him, he has illustrated all the qualities necessary to be a top-level centre half, combining both physical and technical ability. Based on the fact that Roberto Martinez attempted to sign him during his time at Wigan, it would seem that he is a player the manager also rates highly.

When discussing the left back spot, only two words are needed: LEIGHTON BAINES.

In my mind, he is with little doubt the best left back in the world. Cover is rarely needed in this position due to his near faultless injury record however in the event that he does suffer injury, Bryan Oviedo is a player that would provide more than sufficient cover, particularly in terms of attacking quality. Luke Garbutt is also a promising young player whose all-round game may make him the long term replacement for Leighton Baines should he leave.

MIDFIELDERS

This is one area of the pitch where I believe reinforcements are necessary particularly as it seems Darron Gibson is incapable of playing every game in a season. Last season, Thomas Hitzlsperger offered some cover in this position; however, this was another player that Moyes appeared to have little faith in and so he made just 8 appearances, 4 of which came from the bench. This was despite the fact that Darron Gibson missed 15 Premier League games through injury.

Due to the financial restraints Everton currently operate under, I would suggest Mohamed Diame to be the ideal player due to his rumoured low release clause. Whilst he may not be able to challenge the starting positions when all players are fit, he would certainly provide more than adequate cover in the absence of either Gibson or Fellaini.

Although Osman is capable of playing there, I believe he is better suited to a more advanced role. If more funds were made available, it would be better if we could bring in a higher calibre player capable of challenging for a starting position. Etienne Capoue or James McCarthy would be ideal players to create greater competition in this position; however, it would seem that, without player sales, we will be priced out of a move for either player.

The aforementioned Leon Osman faces much greater competition for the advanced midfield role, particularly with Ross Barkley, who many expect will have a much greater role in the team this season as Martinez appears much less reluctant to incorporate young players into his starting XI. In addition to Barkley, there are then four other players who I believe are capable of playing the advanced midfield role: Mirallas, Pienaar, Deulofeu and Naismith.

These players also operate on the wings and so it is difficult to fully assess the depth of the squad in this area until the manager’s preferable formation becomes clear. However, it would seem that any combination of these players should provide a fluid attacking approach to games with each being interchangeable, allowing for a change in emphasis during games.

I also believe that Naismith could be the surprise player for us this season after many fans quickly lost patience with him last year due to a string of poor performances. Whilst I also often criticised him, particularly when games were going against us, on reflection this was probably unfair and we should remember that it was it was his first season back after a long term injury. He also showed that he was capable of scoring important goals, not least the equaliser in the derby; I believe that, if he was played in a more central position, he could begin to win back the support of the fans.

However, what is clear is that there now appears to be much greater flexibility in the team which should allow us to employ different tactics throughout the season, dependent on the opposition and injuries within the squad. Personally, I would like to see a 4-2-3-1 formation with Pienaar, Barkley and Deulofeu operating as the three players behind Kevin Mirallas. I believe those four players could challenge any defence in the Premier League due to the pace and skill they possess and would certainly provide plenty of excitement for the fans.

FORWARDS

The addition of Arouna Kone means we now have more options up front than we have had in a long time, particularly if Nikica Jelavic can rediscover the form he showed in his first six months at the club. Victor Anichebe was also much improved last season and has shown that, with the right attitude, he is more than capable of fulfilling the lone striker role. In addition,

Apostollos Velios may be given greater opportunity in the first team due to the departure of David Moyes who was rumoured to have questioned the attitude of the Greek striker. That means we now have four recognised strikers, all of whom have differing styles of play which again means we have greater flexibility and allows us to try different approaches. Whilst Nikica Jelavic provides natural goalscoring instinct, Kone has a more dynamic approach to the game and Anichebe provides the greatest physical threat.

I believe Martinez may favour Kone and he has certainly shown great faith in him by using up a large part of the transfer budget in order to bring him to the club; however, I think, as previously mentioned, Mirallas may be the 20-goal striker we all crave. He illustrated last season that he is capable of scoring different types of goals whilst also being able to take on his man due to the skill and pace he possesses. If he manages to stay fit for a majority of the season then I think he could well be the most influential player in the team this season as he is capable of game-changing moments.

Regardless of the setup, it is clear that with the exception of central midfield, we now have significant depth in all areas of the pitch. This is illustrated by the fact that we can now field two strong starting XIs as shown below:

Everton A:
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Fellaini Gibson
Mirallas Barkley Pienaar
Jelavic

Everton B:
Joel
Hibbert Stones Alcaraz Oviedo
Heitinga Osman
Deulofeu Naismith Gueye
Kone

It would also be important to add that both of the above teams omit players such as Anichebe, Vellios and Duffy as well as promising young players; Kennedy, Garbutt and Springthorpe which only goes to highlight the strength we currently possess in the squad.

A marquee signing may increase excitement for the new season further, however I believe there is already much reason for excitement. The performances last season illustrated that we are capable of beating any team in the league and if we manage to hold on to both Baines and Fellaini I think we may be able to progress again this season. The squad has improved and hopefully we now have a manager who will utilise fringe players more than Moyes did previously.

Without wanting to be too critical, it often seemed that Moyes was reluctant to drop players who were struggling for form due to his lack of trust in the squad players. However, with greater squad rotation this season I think we will be able to maintain a challenge for the top four places for a much longer period as players will suffer less with fatigue and loss of form. 22/1 for a top four place looks like a good bet to me!

MY FIVE PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2013-14 SEASON

1. Ross Barkley will make more than 20 starts.
2. Everton will win a trophy.
3. Kevin Mirallas will score more than 15 goals.
4. Joel Robles will win the number 1 spot from Tim Howard.
5. Seamus Coleman will be named in team of the season.

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