Unsworth hails 'fantastic' Everton players

A fun and shrewd team selection energised the team and galvanised the home support and was richly rewarded.

Getting everyone onside and producing that performance and result in just 48 hours, coming into the situation as you did, was no small feat.

One to keep an eye on, is David Unsworth.

His team selection was courageous and his comment about Davies "everything we want in an Everton central midfielder" was significant. As Jay # 7 says - David Unsworth is one to watch.

The future is bright..........can't wait for next season now.

Loved how he said Davies should be in the team to stay! Doubt any of us disagree. Great positive interview without the ridiculous bla bla or over sensitised to be meaningless.

Exactly how he has been in the u21 interviews.. on point and relevant! He does have a future. Really wish he had been given the reigns in March. But I don't think he can be given the job the start of next season, but would be perfect assistant manager!

Question to those who were watching; how did we play with possession? Did we fanny about with it at the back as usual or were we more positive in getting it forward early? I think I know the answer but would like to be sure.

Eg: Just about every time Howard had possession (eg: goal-kicks or having the ball in hands having made a save etc), he quickly punted it long and there was virtually no defensive 'fannying about.'

On top of that, it seemed our midfield was slightly more..um..'forward'.

The result was that although Lukaku (with two central defenders on him) achieved next to nothing, the headers he was losing to their centre-halves meant we actually got more second-ball in one game than we've had in the previous 10 games.

There was also (without doubt) more 'energy' which wasn't just down to the young lads (who were all excellent).

We got tighter all over the park and they were, for the most part, denied the time and space to play that we've afforded most/many other sides.

It should be kept in mind however that this was a relegated side and it would have been interesting to see the result if the game had mattered.

Imo..

We are still physically not up to out-muscling sides.

We are still lacking real (scary damaging) speed.

We are still switching off because there's no (natural) leader/s to make sure we don't.

We are still far too quiet.

Hopefully, the new feller will find a way to get the best out of what we have and add the bits we're currently missing.

If we can't immediately get the top man we want (whoever that might be), should we not play the long game, install Unsy as interim for as long as it takes to get who we want? I can only see us "heading north" in the Prem under Unsy, which in itself would make us more attractive to a top manager.

How many games have Everton lost under Martinez due to failing physically in the last 30 minutes? I've lost count ! Fatigue results in untidy possession and a loss of focus, constantly giving the ball back to the opposition, and without it, all the tippy-tappy stuff is irrelevant. The sight of James McCarthy and Ross Barkley puffing and blowing in midfield before half time must give a massive lift to opposing teams. Get some lard off your arse Ross!

The first thing any new coach should do when the boys report back from summer break is to lock all footballs away for 10 days, and get the players doing fitness training up and down the sand dunes at Formby. Only get the footballs out when the squad are in tip top physical condition.

Discussing this after the game in pub yesterday and I still believe that the players have to share some of the blame here too.

If you are a professional athlete, you should know in yourself if you are in tip top shape or not and should do something about it yourself if the fitness level drops.

The sight of Barkley warming up with a Kevin Campbell arse said it all to me.

The display and result was exactly what we wanted and should have had all season but it's so difficult to tell exactly what could happen going forward with Unsworth. He's definitely one to watch.

I hope we'll bring in an experienced, known quantity manager that has a proven record of delivering a winning team, with Unsworth working along side.

This team has an exciting future and I hope as many stay as are willing!

I thought Eugene, summed it up best, with him saying how well we suddenly started competing and also winning second balls.

It took me back to the first half at Wembley and how embarrassing we were against United. You don't win many football matches, if you don't get in and around the opposition.

Klopps getting praised to the hilt, for basically getting his team fit, which has given them a much better chance, and also done wonders for their confidence.

All the best teams and players keep it simple, which is why I enjoyed watching Tom Davies yesterday. After this kid made his debut the other week, my oldest son was on the phone saying that we needed players like him in our team, right now. I think my lad was right.

I also thought it was telling that after a strong home performance, clean sheet and 3 goals scored, the stats make interesting reading that very much contrast with RM's philosophy.

Less possession - 46%-54%
Less passes - 382 - 439

Yet shots on target were 8-2 in our favour.

It's great to see us play entertaining football but it's all about end product. Let's hope the new guy finds the right balance.

Lets hope the new manager brings them along and they become our future stars and encourage the likes of Barkley to show a lot more urgency.....he has become a bit of a lazy lump...like Lukaku.