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The Long-Awaited 'No.10'?

Gylfi Sigurdsson's arrival doesn't necessarily mean an end to Evertonian longing for the No.10 slot to be filled but he potentially has the talent to operate as the all-important central position behind the striker(s).

Lyndon Lloyd 17/08/2017 43comments  |  Jump to last

It took over a year from the first reported bid to the moment when he signed a five-year contract to seal a £40m-plus transfer from Swansea City but Gylfi Sigurdsson is finally an Everton player.

It says a lot about the midfielder and the role that he is expected to play at Goodison Park that Steve Walsh and Ronald Koeman were so patient and so persistent in pursuing him, to the point that they allowed the saga to drag past the start of the both the Europa and Premier League campaigns in order to get a key transfer target through the door.

Not only that, Farhad Moshiri and the Everton Board were content to sanction a club-record fee to sign Sigurdsson, smashing the previous record that the deals for Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane of just a couple of months earlier would likely have ended up setting had they not been surpassed so soon.

It is a head-turning transfer fee, even in this hugely inflated market. After all, Sigurdsson turns 28 next month and his last attempt at making a name for himself at a big club didn't really go according to plan. He left Tottenham Hotspur three years ago never really having fulfilled his expected potential and Christian Eriksen has filled the brief impressively since his departure.

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Plenty of water has passed under the bridge in the interim, however, and current Spurs boss Mauricio Piochettino has admitted that he would have been very happy to have inherited Sigurdsson when he took over at White Hart Lane. Since his return to South Wales where he had spent a successful loan spell in 2012, Sigurdsson has ascended to Talisman status for club and country, guiding Iceland on their rousing run to the Euro2016 quarter-finals, helping to preserve Swansea's top-flight status last season and being named the Swans' player of the season for the past two years.

Fernando Llorente may have scored a clutch of vital goals towards the end of a campaign that had looked under Bob Bradley as though it was destined for disaster, but Sigurdsson was his key provider. Including the nine he scored himself, the Icelandic star was involved in 52% of the Swans' goals last season which explains why they were so reluctant to let him go and stalled for weeks over accepting Everton's offer, even after the player himself had signalled his desire to leave once the Blues' firm interest was revealed.

That reliable offensive production would be evidence enough of why Koeman clearly wanted him so badly but there is more to Gylfi Sigurdsson than set-piece wizardry and an eye for goal — according to whoscored.com, he had as many shots on target last term as Romelu Lukaku — even if Sky Sports columnist Adam Bate asserts that his chance creation has been heavily reliant on dead-ball situations.

“[T]here are doubts about the robustness and repeatability of what Sigurdsson achieved at Swansea … [T]he quality of chance being created by Sigurdsson was not particularly high,” Bate writes, citing corners and free kicks being inherently difficult chances to convert. “This is largely because an extraordinarily high number of them came from set-pieces rather than open play [which] owes much to the abilities of his targets in the penalty box.”

While it may be true that Llorente, Alfie Mawson and Federico Fernandez were those prime targets, Bate's analysis doesn't account for the higher quality of player with which Sigurdsson will be surrounded at Goodison. With the kind of movement and space creation that the likes of Wayne Rooney, Davy Klaassen — see the goal against Stoke last weekend for an example — Kevin Mirallas and Sandro Ramirez can potentially offer, the Icelander should have more to work with than was the case in a struggling Swans team last season.

And it would seem that Sigurdsson does have the talent to thrive in that kind of setup. As Stuart James explains in The Guardian, “There is a misconception about Sigurdsson that he is no more than a set-piece expert … [H]e is comfortably top of the pile for chances created from set-plays (106, more than twice as many as any Everton player), yet the 27-year-old has much more to his game.

“An intelligent player who likes to roam and link play, Sigurdsson is at his best when he finds pockets of space to open teams up with a first-time pass or clever backheel. That bright football brain makes up for the fact that he lacks pace … For that reason Sigurdsson needs to play through the middle as a No.10, where he can have the biggest impact on the game.”

That will come as music to the ears of Evertonians for whom the acquisition of a player to fill that role behind the striker(s) at Goodison Park has been a high but unfulfilled priority for a number of years now. Ross Barkley was the “great white hope” in that role but has flattered to deceive since bursting onto the scene in Roberto Martinez's first season in 2013-14.

Koeman has been unconvinced by Barkley's ability to consistently produce in an advanced role and while Martinez very occasionally deployed him in a deeper-lying role, the short-comings in the defensive side of his game have thus far undermined his chances of making it as a more conventional central midfielder. It's hardly surprising — he is more apt to play as a striker than a defensive holding player.

Sigurdsson won't provide all of the natural flair, skill and pace that many feel the side still lacks but his consistency, eye for a pass and the threat he provides from dead-ball situations should significantly improve the Blues in the final third. It's just a shame that the member of last season's squad who stood to benefit the most, namely Lukaku, is no longer at the club and it increases the urgency in signing his replacement.

The biggest questions in the wake of his long-awaited signing is where Sigurdsson fits into the current side or what changes to the formation Koeman will make to accommodate him. Under the Dutchman, Everton have, more often than not, operated with a three-man forward line and if that is to continue with the current personnel and the new man as a central “10”, it could demand more of Rooney in a striker's role than expected.

Yet Koeman told the media before the start of the season that he was looking to sign a centre-forward, a left-sided centre-half and a player to play wide on the left. It was assumed that last position would be in addition to Sigurdsson but recent suggestions from the likes of Sky's Jim White have it that the Reykjavà­k-born player was the one ear-marked for left side of an attacking three.

James's piece contains a warning for Koeman in the unlikely event he is planning on using Sigurdsson as a left-winger, however:

“At Tottenham Hotspur, where Sigurdsson spent two seasons after joining from Hoffenheim in 2012, he was frustrated with how much time he spent on either the left wing or the bench. He made 58 Premier League appearances across two seasons with Spurs, yet was on the pitch from start to finish in only nine of those matches.”

Rooney, Sigurdsson and Barkley — if he stays and has a regular role in the side once he recovers from injury — would all be vying for a similar position which might prompt Koeman to experiment but there is a difference between left wing and something more akin to the old-fashioned inside-left in terms of positioning relative to the centre-forward. There is every possibility that if Gylfi is deployed in a withdrawn role off the forward line with a left-side bias, he could bring the best out of Leighton Baines for the first time since Steven Pienaar was helping to run the show in Everton blue.

And if it's an assignment to which he isn't suited, it will become apparent in fairly short order. You would hope Koeman wouldn't undermine his marquee signing by persisting with a flawed system for long.

Once you get past the enormous fee — rationalise that in this market, Sandro, a 16-goal striker from La Liga, could easily have gone for £15m to £20m rather than a mere £5m and you'll start to feel a lot better about it! — it's hard not feel excited about what Sigurdsson can bring to this Everton team.

There is always a nagging fear that a new signing, particularly one so expensive, won't fulfil expectations but Koeman will argue that you pay a high premium for a player with a proven track record in the Premier League. Gylfi Sigurdsson has shown himself to be one of the most valuable players outside of the top six and has deservedly secured a move to a team intent on breaking into that group of clubs.

Add a new No.9 of the ilk that Koeman has said he is after to take advantage of those talents from set-pieces and crosses and he could be the ideal addition.

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Reader Comments (43)

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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 17/08/2017 at 06:59:52
The other aspect of Sigurdsson that was repeatedly emphasized in the Guardian piece was the monumental respect he built up at Swansea. Players and management alike were awed by his work ethic, both in practice and on the pitch, and his quiet but influential leadership.

There's an undeniable pattern that's been established here... Klaassen, Keane, Rooney and now Sigurdsson, all recognized and respected leaders at their previous clubs, all high-character people of the type that you want to build around. One of our most obvious -- and least-discussed -- issues last season was the absence of inspiration leadership on the pitch. The players who most often wear the armband, Jags and Baines, are quiet lead-by-example types. Our best players last season, Rom and Barks, are not leadership material. Koeman clearly isn't just building a side here, he's building a culture.

Dermot Byrne
2 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:13:51
Just watch this and free your imagination

Link

Dermot Byrne
3 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:15:23
A really good point Mike G...and great for the young stars of tomorrow.
Tom Dodds
4 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:20:47
Excellent analagy Mike (1). I think you've identified Koeman's broader, wider grand plan in one go.

A plan I would say that may well stretch way beyond most people's expectations of his tenure.
James Watts
5 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:32:36
Well said Mike G. Agree completely.

Great link Dermot. Thought the wall and keepers look a bit dodgy on a couple of them though! And the best news of all? We should never have to sit through Mirallas trying to take a free kick again!

Peter Warren
6 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:34:18
Now for Costa
Peter Mills
7 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:45:04
I agree, Mike G, and you can add Pickford to your list.
Craig Fletcher
8 Posted 17/08/2017 at 07:46:49
Well said Mike. I read somewhere that Sigurdsson ran more miles in the PL last season than any other player, is that correct? If so, certainly speaks volumes for his work ethic.
Charlie Lloyd
9 Posted 17/08/2017 at 08:15:15
Mike @ 1

excellent point I totally agree. Half the team seem to be captain material now. Lack of leaders was something that needed addressing.

Craig @ 8

He did run further though that's tempered slightly by the fact he played nearly every game and wasn't substituted. Impressive and surprising fact though.

Santosh Benjamin
10 Posted 17/08/2017 at 08:46:01
Watched the link you sent, Dermot while walking home from work. Couldn't help but smile at the thought of those goals for us. Amazing. Worth the money I feel. Made my day, thanks.
Phil Walling
11 Posted 17/08/2017 at 10:00:27
What's the betting, he gets stuck out on the left-wing by the tactical genius that is Koeman ?
Stan Schofield
12 Posted 17/08/2017 at 10:04:50
Mike@1: Well said. We've been mentally too fragile, for too long, and hopefully these signings will correct this and give us a winning mentality.
David Ellis
13 Posted 17/08/2017 at 10:11:36
I think he will play on the left side of attack - but not exactly a left winger. More a Pienaar replacement than the No.10 - Rooney is the No.10. Expect him to come in the side instead of one of Sandro or Calvert-Lewin (with one of those two being the starting centre forward until we find another one such as Slimani).
John Wells
14 Posted 17/08/2017 at 10:26:42
How long have we waited for action like this in the Transfer market, 3 record signings in weeks.

People on other threads saying no to Costa, I'd love him for a year, a player like him on form could really give us a chance at top 4, angry man that can score, give me that all day!! No defender likes him and that suits me fine.

Mike Davies
15 Posted 17/08/2017 at 13:01:41
Worried by the signing as don't understand how he fits. No doubt hes a good player, maybe very good but with him, and the current crop of players, the total lack of pace is concerning.

The only way I can see us playing is by signing a target man (Pelle type) who holds the ball up and brings others into play through movement and vision - not pace. I know we are looking for a centre forward but why have we waited so long to sign a No.9?

Jakub Kollar
16 Posted 17/08/2017 at 13:23:05
As much as I'm excited about this acquisition I can't imagine how RK wants to use all of those midfielders. I feel sorry for Lookman and Besic as they are not going to kick the ball anytime soon.
Brent Stephens
17 Posted 17/08/2017 at 13:28:26
Mike #1 "Koeman clearly isn't just building a side here, he's building a culture". Astute observation about "recognised and respected leaders" that Koeman has been signing.

I'm optimistic about the way things are going.

Nicholas Ryan
18 Posted 17/08/2017 at 13:41:17
Might get Starbucks into Goodison Park but you won't get Costa!


. OK, I'm going!

Steve Ferns
19 Posted 17/08/2017 at 13:49:27
The signing of Sigurdsson creates many problems when trying to play your best XI. First of all we hear that Sigurdsson is at his best being allowed to Roam and find space. This goes against the very essence of Koeman's tactics.

Koeman wants players to defend as a team. It's very rigid. There's no room for passengers. Now we know Sigurdsson would not be a passenger as he runs more than any player, or so topping last season's running states tells us.

But this point of being allowed to roam goes to the very heart of my reservations. Let's consider the side that started the second half against Stoke because that seems to be Koeman's preferred side, despite 532/352/343 experiments :

Pickforrd
Martina Keane Jags Baines
Gueye Klaassen Schneiderlin
Rooney Calvert-Lewin Sandro

Where does Sigurdsson come in? Does he take Rooney's place on the right? Does Rooney move into the middle for Calvert -Lewin? What about when we sign the no9 we so desperately need?

Klaassen, Sigurdsson, Rooney, and to an extent Sandro, all want to drop into that space behind the front target man. Klaassen is a bit different in that he wants to link up with the target man. He will lay it into him and run beyond playing a one-two. His desire to go beyond the front men creates space behind him for others to exploit. When Rooney was dropping deep, it NEEDED Klaassen to be taking Rooney's position higher up the pitch to stretch the defence and to stop them nullifying Rooney by simply pushing up and eliminating the space.

Sigurdsson also wants to play in this space. So we still need a target man to play off, and a Klaassen to push forward with his quick one-twos and stretch the defence. Sigurdsson is not this player. He would be far less effective in a midfield three. It's not his game to be that deep, not does he have Klaassen's skill set.

For me it's a straight choice, Rooney or Sigurdsson, and that's baffling. Rooney cannot be a bit part player, Sigurdsson is too expensive to sit on the bench. Maybe it's Sandro to drop out of the side and for Sigurdsson to play left of the front three with Rooney still on the right or vice versa. This makes the most sense.

We cannot play a 4231. This formation suits Sigurdsson best, no doubt about it. But here we would sacrifice Klaassen, and we would need Bolasie and Lookman on the wings and so would lose Sandro and Rooney (presuming we have a no9). The 4231 requires wingers, or wide midfielders, it puts the anchors on the full backs and so the width comes from midfield. Rooney cannot provide width. Sandro will run the channel well in a 433, but he can't play as an out and out winger.

Perhaps we can go for a narrow 4231, here we could have Rooney, Klaassen, and Sigurdsson off a target man. They would all have to work hard tracking back. There's then no width at all, which is why I don't like the formation. Any width comes from the fullbacks, which means the two defensive midfielders are very much anchored to the centre halves, with both the centre halves and the defensive midfielders having to cover for the fullbacks when the moves breaks down. This leaves the side very disjointed as effectively we have no midfield with 4 attackers, 2 wing backs and a central defensive four. Of course, the formation can be extremely solid as there is so much congestion in the middle, and if the attacking midfield trio play with an eye on defence, then it's just so hard to get through. But then we have gone away from what we want to do in accommodating three attacking midfielders, and instead ended up with a defensive formation with no width and an isolated front man.

I just can't see how this pans out. Not unless it's either Rooney or Sigurdsson and the no10 plays from an inside forward position.

Ajay Gopal
20 Posted 17/08/2017 at 14:45:18
Steve, wow, that is pretty technical stuff, and way past me.. :-)

I am of the opinion that 2 defensive midfielders that Koeman plays, makes us far too defensive. We need 1 ball winner, and 1 deep-lying MF who can start the attack. Last week's Man U team against West Ham was a perfect example – Matic and Pogba were playing deep, but as soon as Matic won the ball, he fed the ball forward freeing Pogba to maraud forward. Assuming Schneiderlin is our Matic (when he comes out of his honeymoon!), Gana is now-where creative/lethal going forward (or vice versa, if you reverse Schneid and Gana).

My favourite Everton Front 6 and what I imagine its equivalent today:

The Water carrier = Carsley = Gana
The Deep-lying Creator = Arteta = Sigurdsson
The Left & Right Sided 'harriers' = Pienaar & Osman = Davies & Rooney
The 'jack-in-the-box' = Cahill = Klaassen
The point man = Yakubu = Calvert-Lewin

Back-Ups: Schneiderlin, McCarthy, Sandro, Lookman, Bolasie (sell Besic or McCarthy, Lennon, and Mirallas). I would keep Barkley, if there is any chance of him staying. Davies, Rooney, Barkley and Sigurdsson can be rotated.

My 'best' XI – present Everton players, when everyone is fit:

Pickford;
Coleman, Keane, Funes Mori, Baines;
Gana;
Davies, Klaassen, Rooney, Sigurdsson;
Calvert-Lewin.

Ajay Gopal
21 Posted 17/08/2017 at 14:48:09
Am I right in stating that Everton have beaten our beloved neighbours in the most expensive purchase in our respective histories?
David Ellis
22 Posted 17/08/2017 at 15:03:21
Steve 19 - its really quite simple. Sigurdsson replaces Sandro. New no.9 replaces Calvert Lewin (if we get one).
That would be the default stating XI - its one of the options you mentioned and the one that needs the least messing about with the second half line up against Stoke.

It does make our lack of pace even worse because I would say that both Rooney and Siggy are undroppable to start with - so who would make way for a Lookman or Mirallas in the front 3?

But looking forward to seeing it all click together and as others have mentioned there could be several ways we will set up depending on the opposition and in particular the extent to which Klaassen and Sandro adapt to PL life and the speed with which the youngsters develop (particularly Lookman and Calvert Lewin)

Jay Wood
23 Posted 17/08/2017 at 15:52:42
Agree with Mike @ 1.

I've been saying the same with every signing this summer.

There is leadership qualities in pretty much every one of them, in addition to most of them having a bit of 'nark' in 'em as well.

The Championship sides of the 60s, 70s and 80s had plenty of those qualities. In the PL era, the usual trophy winning suspects have it in spades.

You can have all the ability (or potential) in the world. To make it to the very top of the mountain, you need to have a touch of the mean nark in you also.

And on another note, all the examples of Siggy's free kicks that Dermont @ 2 posted are very, VERY similar.

This is evidently (as reported) a man who has put in 100s of hours of practice on the training ground to perfect this art. The shape he displays on striking the ball demonstrates 'muscle memory.'

Look carefully and time and again as he strikes the ball he is NEVER leaning back, which would lead to the ball balloning over the bar. Striking the ball with his right foot, his left arm extends forward whilst from the waist up he leans forward, often also dipping his head forward also.

This does a number of things: it helps him be balanced, keeping his standing foot firm when striking the ball; it ensures there will be no air shoot, that his strike will be on target; it allows him to adjust the angle and striking position of his right foot to place his shot either side of the goal, as desired.

A very, very solid - and effective - technique.

John G Davies
24 Posted 17/08/2017 at 16:03:47
6, 8, 10

6 = Sit in front of back 3/4

8 = Box to box

10 = Behind forward with license to roam.

Rooney, Sigurdsson, Sandro and Klaassen will not all be in same starting eleven when he has bought his centre forward.

We as Blues have been programmed. "What the fuck is Koeman doing, all these signings can't start"

He is building a squad, folks!

Jay Wood
25 Posted 17/08/2017 at 16:21:57
Steve Ferns @ 19 I really enjoy your deep thinking posts on tactics and the like, but I believe you are overthinking this one.

The template and model Koeman has used to date was largely dictated by first the personnel he inherited, then tweaked a tad with the arrival of Schneiderlin in January who even then was similar to, but also different from, Gareth Barry.

I have seen clear evidence in pre-season of Koeman being more experimental as new arrivals are bedded in than simply following a single template.

Hopefully we will progress to the group stages of the EL, as well as have a good run in both domestic cups. Added to the 38 games of the PL, we are facing an extremely congested fixture list.

The club's recruitment to date (with the glaring exception of replacing the most prolific and consistent goalscorer we have had in 3 decades) has brought better quality and more competition to the squad in the majority of positions (and I am aware there are still other 'cover gaps' at full back and central defence).

We will not play the same XI every game. We will not play the same tactics every game. Different personnel and tactics will be employed over the season, determined by the opposition.

I'm prepared to 'wait and see' how this improved squad all comes together under Koeman.

Dermot Byrne
26 Posted 17/08/2017 at 16:26:08
Steve "19 "The signing of Sigurdsson creates many problems when trying to play your best XI".

Doesn't the best 11 depend on who we are playing ?

Dave Speed
27 Posted 17/08/2017 at 17:21:07
Jesus! If Koeman and his team went through all the connotations possible his head would explode! A few good points here, but mainly it's a squad thing. According to RK two strikers isn't enough for a season. He is looking with the same eyes at the midfield, and the "attack support players". There has to be rotation and each will have to play the formation and tactics to suit different opposition. There will always be one or two of the main players not playing, and I am sure that they know this. Even Rooney won't expect to play every game, and usually he wants to. I am just sitting back and enjoying the drama, on and off the pitch. Please keep doing the calculations as it actually does make for some interesting reading.
Stan Schofield
28 Posted 17/08/2017 at 23:17:12
John@24: Spot on. Even if we had no European competition, rotation is needed, otherwise players would surely burn out given the higher tempo (pressing) game required of them now. European competition just underlines it further.
Declan Martin
29 Posted 17/08/2017 at 23:28:21
So Sigurdsson is basically a reincarnation of Kevin Sheedy?
John Owens
30 Posted 17/08/2017 at 23:35:19
Koeman will change his tactics/formation on a regular basis that's why he needs so many players capable of playing the different styles! We still need a no.9 of course!

The important thing is th new players adapt quickly. Pickford and Keane have been outstanding so let's hope the others will develop quickly. Sigi is a brilliant signing by the way!!

John Pierce
31 Posted 18/08/2017 at 21:02:28
Mike Gaynes, the one word that absent from your summation was brains, the players you mention as leaders all have excellent football savvy.

I'm expecting this to be the key difference when it comes to breaking down stubborn teams and playing the bigger sides.

Decision making has be a quality Goodison has been without for years, only punctuated with a dose of Pienaar and Arteta.

The cerebral is so important, and ironically I actually think we have enough in the team that would engineer a place for Barkley, namely the decisions are made for him, and his natural instincts would flourish.

I'll give Koeman and Walsh a lot of credit for the incomings so far. Clever players, I like clever.

Bobby Thomas
32 Posted 19/08/2017 at 10:07:01
Steve #19

The simple answer to all that is Sigurdsson can play all across - left, central & right - effectively and probably will do as the season progresses.

We have badly missed an attacking mid who can do that.

Have a cup of tea.

Drew O'Neall
33 Posted 19/08/2017 at 12:53:55
Sandro is the 9 when we need a quick and TBC is the 9 when we need a post player.

Rooney has played as the post player in lieu of a more conventional No.9.

Koeman wants options for every situation.

Don Alexander
34 Posted 19/08/2017 at 17:34:36
I'm not worried about who plays regularly because that's up to the players themselves to a very large extent. Seems to me you're going to have to have considerable skill, work-rate, AND balls to get in the team this season, and about time too.

I'm not sold on the minutiae of stat analysis but for Gylfi to have been directly involved in over 50% of Swansea's goals is mega-impressive and surely unique in the whole league.

Additionally, in one less season than the fabled free-kick maestro David Beckham (who was an ever-present playing in a team awarded way more free kicks than almost everyone else, unlike Gylfi who in two seasons at Spurs only had 9 full games) Gylfi has already out-scored him in that regard. Indeed nobody has out-scored him from free kicks in PL history according to the BBC.

In the words of the philosopher Hannibal, "I love it when a plan comes together!"

Ian McAvoy
35 Posted 19/08/2017 at 20:17:36
I wonder if the boss has given any consideration to using Barkley as a #9? Not sure if he would make the grade at the top but he has the height, weight, quick bursts of speed and eye for goal and his peak is yet to come?

If he stays and competes for the #10 role, he is currently 4th choice and potentially 5th if one of the youngsters progresses this season.

Mike Fearon
36 Posted 19/08/2017 at 21:42:15
At the risk of someone calling me a "gillipollas", I sugest that the solution to the Number 9 problem is to tell Barkley to get his shit together and play centre-forward. He's tall, strong, can head the ball and shoot.

He wants a new challenge? Well, there it is – and no cost, except maybe an adjustment to his wages. If we are paying Rooney shitloads of money as a one-half player, then we can extend a handshake to a player who has the youth and stamina on his side.

Stu Gore
37 Posted 19/08/2017 at 22:00:42
Barkley for striker is a reasonable shout.
Christine Foster
39 Posted 22/08/2017 at 13:23:54
Mike Fearon, whilst of would love to see Barkley stay and flourish in this team, ( because I just think its the first time he has had quality players around him) I cannot see him as centre forward, he is big, he has a great touch, can head and shoot but he lack pace to getaway from defenders and speed off the mark to give him opportunity.
Dennis Ng
40 Posted 23/08/2017 at 02:02:28
I see Sigurdsson more of sharing the spot currently occupied by Rooney, smart movements and linking moves from the top of our defense to the offense. There might be some time sharing issues which I hope will not be at the expense of our youths.

As for formation, I still like my 1-2-3-4 formation from my years playing Championship Manager, just for kicks. (LOL)
Pickford
Holgate (speedy defender for offside trap and last ditch tackling)
Keane Baines
Gana Schneiderlin Davies
Sandro Rooney Sigurdsson DCL

#9? Do we really need a #9?

John 24, expertly said.

Kim Vivian
41 Posted 23/08/2017 at 18:48:31
I concur with those Barkley for No 9 shouts. He could learn much with Wazza mentoring him in that role as well.

About as much chance of Ron trying that out as trying Niasse.

Rob Dolby
42 Posted 28/08/2017 at 08:55:27
Is Sigurdsson a number 10? If so can someone tell RK. We have paid €45m and played him left mid.

The fixtures at the start of the season are tough but Koeman is making them appear even tougher with his team selections and subs.

Stoke at home was a joke with 4 at the back but no right back. We had a massive slice of luck at city but he then brings on 2 attackers and takes off 2 defenders when defending a lead at Man City.

Yesterday's game was dreadful: no guile pace or direction. I am getting the feeling that Rooney is turning himself into a player manager, he is the only one who seems remotely arsed. Williams and Jags should be taking more responsibility but I am just not seeing it at all.

There will be calls for Koeman's head if we continue with this lack of direction.

Steavey Buckley
43 Posted 05/09/2017 at 17:26:07
The last 'No 10' had to be Fellaini. Scored 1 in 3 and dominated wherever he went on the pitch. Moyes was right in pointing if he had Lukaku alongside him, Everton would have secured a top 4 place while manager at Everton.
Trevor Peers
44 Posted 05/09/2017 at 22:45:32
Sigurdsson scored twice tonight for Iceland. He's looking sharp; that's got to be good news after an awful couple of weeks.

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