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Everton have plenty to prove under new boss Marco Silva

Marco Silva has been tasked with producing a more pleasing style of football than was the case under his predecessor, Sam Allardyce. Assessing the club's chances of success under the former Hull City and Watford boss next term.

Gary McCarty 08/08/2018 7comments  |  Jump to last

Everton head into the 2018/19 Premier League season with plenty to prove under new manager Marco Silva.

The former Hull City and Watford boss has been tasked with producing a more pleasing style of football than was the case under his predecessor, Sam Allardyce.

However, with just one victory during their pre-season fixtures, the 41-year-old has a lot to ponder ahead of Everton's season opener at Wolverhampton Wanderers this Saturday. Read on as we assess the club's chances of success under Silva next term.

Goals look in short supply

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Everton scored just 44 goals in the Premier League last season, with Wayne Rooney (11) the only player to break double figures.

Much is expected from Cenk Tosun this time around, but the Toffees still look short of other quality striking options.

Richarlison's arrival from Everton is a positive move, but goals may well be difficult to come by once again next season.

Luck be a lady tonight?

Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett admitted in a recent interview with Betway that referees are prone to make mistakes, and Everton certainly benefited from that towards the end of last season.

Tom Davies' controversial late equaliser at home to Southampton caused an angry response from visiting boss Mark Hughes towards referee Jonathan Moss, and Everton might not be able to count on a similar level of fortune next term.

If Silva has hopes of finishing higher than eighth place, he will need to ensure his side aren't relying on errors from match officials to snatch a point at home.

Time for Keane to get his act together

It's fair to say that Michael Keane has been unimpressive since joining the club from Burnley and he needs to rediscover his best form soon.

Keane looked uncomfortable on the ball during last weekend's defeat against Valencia, leaving Silva with a defensive headache ahead of the new season.

The 25-year-old was touted as one of England's brightest defensive hopes not that long ago and Silva needs to find a way to spark a revival in the centre-back's performances.

Richarlison needs to shine

The forward has looked Everton's best player in pre-season and Silva will hope he can continue his form when the real action gets underway.

A £40 million fee is hefty for a 21-year-old, especially given how little Richarlison showed for Watford in the second half of last season.

The likes of Gylfi Sigurdsson and Davy Klaassen failed to shine for Everton in 2017/18 — it is hugely important that Richarlison doesn't follow their lead.

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Reader Comments (7)

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James Flynn
1 Posted 09/08/2018 at 14:12:54
Well, the bell's about to ring, so we'll see.

Me, I'm feeling a lot better now than I was in May. So, excited to see how it plays.

I'd add that I think our biggest "in-bound" will turn out to be Brands.

Jerome Shields
2 Posted 10/08/2018 at 09:01:41
Gary, you started at the forward end of the team but the real problem has been in defence and it has been for some time. Even with the packed and deep defence of Big Sam, Everton looked as if they could give away goals at an alarming rate.

The whole confidence of a team is determined by defence; trying to shore it up with a deeper midfield that couldn't keep possession just compounded the problems. Once that is sorted by Silva, which he is making a good go at, the wingers and forwards will have more managable ball as the midfield and backline will be higher up the pitch.

For the forwards to get any chance last season, where the tactics were to try to draw or nick a point, was going to be luck. Big Sam thought Everton where superb against Southampton last season and went public at every opportunity to say so, trying to get an extended contract. I'm glad that mentality is gone, what a nightmare.

The old pros got on well with Big Sam and his stifling tactics suited them down to the ground because they were fit for nothing else. If the fans hadn't kicked up, he might have been still there. Anything is a improvement on that.

Mark Tanton
3 Posted 10/08/2018 at 09:10:06
I know that not everyone is won over, but I think SIlva and Everton are going to be an excellent match together.

I agree with Jerome that the team had no confidence in its defence or ability to defend last season and we always look terrifyingly vulnerable.

I think Silva's high press aggressive style is going to be fun to watch, as it develops.

Ste Lewis
4 Posted 10/08/2018 at 09:37:56
Talking of plenty to prove... interesting reading the back story of Andre Gomes, superstar magician at Valencia and complete flop at Barcelona. Couldn't fit their system, no confidence, team mates openly turning against him, fans making life hell for him living in the city. After an emotional interview he drew some support from fans but the poor performances continued. A classic Everton signing (albeit at a much higher level than we've become accustomed), an arm round the shoulder and some love from the stands could pay rich dividends with this one.
David Johson
5 Posted 10/08/2018 at 10:08:07
Plenty to prove, but the way Silva and Brands are working together has really highlighted how flawed Koeman and Walsh were as a combination.
Koeman probably had a bit of a plan - to play a couple of no10's behind a target man. And Walsh was probably asked to find players for the future (Lookman, Vlasic) along with established players who were willing to move (Pickford, Keane).
Trouble was, Koeman's plan went to pieces when Giroud didn't turn up, and the players 'found' by Walsh either weren't ready or played in the similar positions.
What we have now is a co-ordinated focus on balancing the squad. Rather than buying names, they have bought types of players that needed. The lack of pace has been addressed by Richarlison, the lack of Baines cover addressed by Digne, the lack of creativity addressed by Bernard and so on. Hopefully this means we can play in different ways, which may take time, but can only be good for the future.
James Newcombe
6 Posted 10/08/2018 at 10:48:40
I don't care how slowly we start, we all need to get behind this manager. Having a revolving door for the top job doesn't get you anywhere.
He's clearly building something looking at these signings, and we won't know quite what form that will take until a few windows in. COYB!
Don Alexander
7 Posted 10/08/2018 at 22:52:13
Given the last day of the Transfer Window, we can hardly expect immediate results in terms of performance or score but by the end of September, in my opinion, we will be better placed to start, repeat, start judging M&M.

That said, if they haven't managed by then to show distinct improvement I won't necessarily blame those two. Instead, it'll convince me even more that Finch Farm is still full of Kenwright ass-kissers who serve him and his so-called philosophy rather than the football philosophy we fans, we loyal fans, have never ever forgotten.

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