Sigurdsson plays as Iceland frustrate Argentina

But... it's 1-1!

And on the stroke of half-time, if Siggy had put more power into his first chance, having wriggled past the defenders, or if he had been half a step back rather than on top of the ball for his volley from the edge of the box and able to strike the ball with more accuracy and power, it could even have been 2-1 to the Icemen.

Nice to hear the name 'Everton' used so much in the Brazilian commentary! They like Siggy!

Argentina's centre-backs are terrible. Horrific cowardly defending. Joke of a defense to be honest.

A country with the total population of Coventry in the UK - Coventry! - or Anchorage in the States, has just held a giant of world football to a draw.

Double win for me. I'm pleased for Siggy and for the missus. Any bad result at ANYTHING for Argentina works for her!

So, what has everyone learnt about Gylfi playing in an ultra defensive formation and trying to get forward quickly?

I think he can do it, especially as the number 10. He can leave it to others to get the ball forwards and he can look for the ball inside from wide and to get in and around the striker. His stamina, as we knew already, is exceptional. Even at the end he was still full of energy and running. His fitness is clearly not in question, which will be a relief to Iceland fans.

I also think he showed that he can play as a CM in a 3 man midfield, with no number 10, and a defensive midfielder sat behind trying to hit long passes to the wingers and striker.

What's your thoughts guys?

His key assets, passing range, quick feet, great stamina and work ethic. So of course he could played midfield for Silva.

Somewhat mischievously not too dissimilar assets to our friend Carvalho??

I also thought William Carvalho had quite a steady game against the Spanish last night.

Yes, he can play there but he can play as a 2 in the engine room as per his performances for Swansea. Hence there's versatility there and we ‘could' have accommodated Davy Klaassen in there if he'd shown anything.

Anyway, I deviate: Siggy is a superb technician but also has a football brain and an engine to boot.

Fine player.

"Their motto should be None Shall Pass. Which is actually FS's Motto!"

FS? Did you mean GS? Feisty Scandinavians? Or is this some bizarre reference to Aesop Rock?

Considering he has been out for a few weeks, he showed no signs of being rusty.

Slightly off topic, but still with a World Cup at focus, I watched the Spain v Portugal match, the best match so far, Ronaldo was outstanding throughout.

One of the players I was looking out for, and one we are constantly being linked to, Carvalho, was pretty pathetic. I have seen more movement in Madame Tusaud's, he made Schneiderlin look like the Six-Million Dollar Man in comparison.

I know you shouldn't judge a player on one performance, but if he can't be motivated for his National side in the World Cup, there's little hope he would change in a League game, hopefully we'll swerve him, and get someone better, that won't be difficult, on that performance.

:D

Liverpool sign quick incisive attacking exciting flair players while we continue to be attracted to one paced defensive minded plodders (of which we possess too many already)

The signing of Walcott in January was a breath of fresh air, a running man with pace and a dynamic direct approach to football, a very “un-Everton” signing in the modern era if you like.

We need to break the mound of signing defensive one paced stoppers and get at least one or two more like Walcott this summer.

Walcott on the right and we need to get Lookman in on the left side! Calvert-Lewin was also lively whenever he was placed there, but that's not his position. He did give his best, though!

I still think Lookman would be better as the left flank of a two-person midfield behind Tosun (Sigurdson on the right?), if Silva can find a CDM good enough to hold the fort defensively. They should be able to switch position now and then, just to confuse the opposition.

And that if Sigurdsson is better in a forward central midfield position, while having both a right and a left foot that works adequately, he can be the 'right fork' of a two-man 'attacking' midfield behind Tosun. He was usually used at the left side, if not in the middle, after all. And he could switch with Lookman (since Lookman is a right-footer (as I understand it).

That does leave a spot for a left winger, though, I see that. Or Lookman at the wing, but I'd prefer him more centrally!

Lookman is not known for his ability to track back and defend, but Sigurdsson did well at that last season. So Lookman to stay offensive, Gylfi to drop more back as needed. And a good left wing + Walcott to back them up!

I'll keep dreaming my dreams, I guess! ;)

They would firstly press and try to win the ball back, then secondly press to delay the opposition's attack and allow teammates to recover shape. The other 7 outfield players are responsible for winning the ball back and these 3 forwards are meant to be ready and waiting for the ball to go on the quick counter and cause problems.

I am in complete agreement. I paid particular attention to the performance of Carvalho. What a fraud. A couple of neat touches and absolutely nothing else. He didn't tackle. He could only pass 2 yards sideways or back. He never broke sweat and jogged around trying to look pretty. Pretty shite I would say.

If that is the standard of performance to be expected from him then he would be an utter waste of money.

Look elsewhere, Marco. He's not fit to wipe Beni's boots.

Time for the coins to drop at Finch Farm and build a proper team, hopefully a team that picks itself. Well done, Gylfi and Iceland.

Question for Steve:

What do you think of Gana as a single defensive midfielder - primarily protecting the Back 4 (the ‘Carsley' role), and Siggy and Maddison - if we sign him - as Box-to-Box midfielders, with Lookman, Tosun and Walcott as our Front 3, playing interchangeably like Liverpool's Sane-Firmino-Salah? Width would primarily be provided by the full backs - Coleman and our new, young LB replacement. Gana could be covered by McCarthy and Baningime. Davies and Dowell could be back-ups for Siggy and Maddison. Which means exits for Schneiderlin, Klaassen, Besic.

Unfortunately Gana doesn't have the passing ability to play the #4 role in this system.

In this system, the #4 also acts as a pivot. Think along the lines of a player like Arteta (Barcelona, PSG days), Alonso or Guardiola.

He's always available, has a good range of simple passing, he's a get-the-ball-and-move-it type of player in the Kante mould and he's a giant of a bloke. He's also an excellent passer of the ball and he had more touches than any Portugal player with 90% accuracy the other night.

I know people judge on the amount of running about players do these days, but a lot of your comments seem, to me anyway, to be missing the point of what Carvalho brings to the Portugal team.

I watched him a lot the other night, and you have to remember he was up against one of the best midfields on the planet in Isco, Iniesta, & Busquets. Special mention for Isco here, as he's fast becoming the new Iniesta and is an absolute joy to watch, pure quality footballer.

You really can't judge Carvalho on the Spain game and should leave it out until later in the tournament. Personally I'd be delighted if we bought him, and he definitely fits in with the way Silva wants us to play.

I think it is now well known that Brands and Silva will decide who they think will do a job for Everton then pass the slip of paper over to the Finance Department naming the player. Do you think they will have a sneaky peek at what ToffeeWebbers think before going ahead and contacting his club?

Top of my list would be Sergio Ramos – a hero on one half on Merseyside.

“He's always available”

I would strongly debate this. My biggest disappointment in Carvalho was him not showing for the ball. Quite a few times when his teammates were being pressed he could have burst into space to make himself an option but he did not. In no way did he strike me as a player who craved the ball, who wanted to take hold of the game. That's what I want from a player in this position, someone who's always helping his teammates out by showing for a pass. Not convinced that's Carvalho at all but perhaps he felt obliged to stay rigid in position against such quality opposition.

He does the job he's there for very well from what I can tell. I guess like you say though, it depends what you want from a player in that position.

Again though, let's see how he fares in the rest of their games as one game against Spain isn't a true reflection of his ability/worth.

My take on it was he was told to hold deep and keep the ball moving, which I thought he did very well and never saw him concede possession. He will not face a tougher more skilful midfield than the Spanish.

Let's see how he looks in the next two games before we judge him.

Jon (#36) you must know you don't run when carrying water you will spill it everywhere.

Ramos is an awful player, basically Ryan Shawcross with long hair. He wouldn't cut it in the Premier League as he'd be sent off every other week.

;-)

Yes, I'm surprised that that bang average Spanish side hasn't replaced Ramos with Shawcross.

Jesus wept... in one of his last derby matches, didn't John Stones, our cultured centre-half, go off cos he'd shit himself? I'm sure Ramos has followed through on many an occasion but never in that sense.

I'd love a side that had Ramos's attitude

I've been going to the match now for 60 years and I love being an Evertonian. But I can also appreciate players of other teams. Proper players. In the last year, I've had the great fortune to see Real Madrid live twice. Most recently this April in Malaga.

To see Ramos live is an absolute joy. The man is a colossus. A leader of the highest calibre and a marvellous player. He controls the whole defensive half. Senior internationals look to him for inspiration. Of course he's a master of the dark arts and all the better for that.Imagine what he could teach the likes of Keane about defending. About how to play like a man!

I pride myself on Evertonians being a knowledgeable gang but to compare Ramos to Shawcross is, I believe, the single most stupid thing I have ever heard in my life! Get a grip!!

Don, I can see your point. Labone was labelled by someone the "last of the Corinthians" and that is a wonderful description. However, throughout the 1960s he played alongside Bobby Collins, Jimmy Gabriel, Roy Vernon and Johnny Morrisey – all wonderfully gifted players... and absolute bastards to play against.

I want more gifted bastards.

Sergio Shawcross, or Ryan Ramos? I suppose it is a very valid point!

I think a motivated Schneiderlin with a fit McCarthy might be it.

More European cups than any English team bar the RS, a World Cup, 2 European championships and so on and so on. They say the sign of a truly great player is to count his medals at the end of his career, I think he scores quite highly! It's not as if you can say the guys been carried for over 15 years.

Macca reminds me of Brian Robson. Not as good of course, but he does have a tendency to go for balls which are not his. Young James Vaughan was the same. Unless Macca can change his style, his next injury is always just the next 20-80 tackle away

Silva is going to have to be something of a horse whisperer to get a tune out of Schneiderlin.

I love McCarthy. His latest injury was heart-breaking and it is one which will force him to tone it down. We cannot start the season pinning our hopes on these two.

A decent return from either would be a massive bonus for me.

The one thing I'd say about Macca's last injury is that a bone break is far more favorable to tendon injuries. He should be able to come back just fine. The question is whether his chronic hamstring injuries can be resolved, which maybe can be a nice surprise from rehabbing this injury and focusing on his flexibility and lean muscle. I just don't think we can bank on him but wish we could.

He hasn't had a good run of games for a few years now, but if he can stay fit, then he's as good as most players in the holding role, and could be a vital cog in the team.

Along with Sigurdsson, and possibly Gana Gueye, then these three would give us great energy in the middle of the park, but I would probably swap Gueye for somebody with a bit more craft if I was playing Football Manager!

Whilst I don't necessarily like the idea of having someone like Ramos at Everton, we do need to toughen up defensively.

Keown was a tough nut, with us all too briefly, but his recent comments that he would have no doubt targeted Salah's shoulder had he been playing against him made me laugh. His follow up comment was no surprise...

"Of course I would have done. I once played against Ruud Gullit with a bandaged knee – it was like a dartboard for me!"

Footballers eh...