Calvert-Lewin vows to keep working

I hope to be proved wrong, but I doubt it.

However his work rate, aggressive play, positive attitude, good link up, flashes of flair and commitment of getting the ball into the box from all over the field would make him a very good Number 10.

I can tell that he loves the club, his head never goes down, he puts in a shift and never goes missing. He has the right attitude. Redeploying his attributes would create space and chances for a Lineker type Number 9.

I still think we need to buy an out and out goalscorer but I'm coming around to having Calvert-Lewin as a permanent fixture in the first team.

Comparing players is a waste of time. Calvert-Lewin is who he is.

No, he doesn't have an abundance of natural flair or technical skill. But he has a great deal of many other fine attributes.

His performance at The Etihad a couple of years ago told me a lot about Calvert-Lewin. He was phenomenal leading the line alone that night as we came away with a 1-1 draw.

I'm delighted he's started to find a goal scoring touch, this has been greatly assisted by tweaks made by Ferguson and Ancelotti. Well done to them. That's what good managers do: get the best out of players and I think this is what we are seeing.

Yes, he could do a job anywhere across the front line because you are guaranteed 100% commitment and physicality with Calvert-Lewin. But the key is not to get him doing a job. It's getting him to do a job that will bring about the best in the player in a way which will benefit the team. He is sensing half chances and dispatching them. A very rare skill in itself.

One area that I think he could improve is his shooting. His physicality often gets him into decent positions. His shooting however in these positions often seems rushed, not very powerful and less clinical.

In many ways, there are direct parallels with Sharpe's progress back in the '80s. When Kendall first became manager, he bought a load of rubbish and, when Sharpe got into the side, the support was not there for him to shine. Plus he was still a young lad, learning his trade. When he finally found himself alongside the all conquering mid-eighties team, he proved what a talent he was.

It is almost identical to Calvert-Lewin's Everton career so far. Once Ancelotti gets a settled team, especially if our long-term injured players return intact, then we will, I'm certain, see the best of Calvert-Lewin. The signs were there against Newcastle of better things to come. Richarlison was much improved, his work ethic was first class, assisting all over the pitch. Another whose talent was never in doubt, but simply needed to apply himself.

I'm hoping the new manager can bring out the best from Moise Kean. The lad hasn't looked the part yet, but I have to remember that he is only a kid. Fingers crossed, the best is yet to come from him. As Calvert-Lewin has pointed out here, his goals have come from an all-round team effort. Hopefully the same will be said of Moise Kean soon. I would imagine that if Ancelotti feels that the boy is not up to the task, then his Everton career will be short-lived.

Link

But then, who is Carlo Ancelotti to judge what constitutes a good footballer, eh?

I know we have been starved of strikers over the years/decades but there has also been other great old fashioned England strikers seen playing at Goodison (mainly for the opposition). Les Ferdinand and Ian Wright were awesome up front, but I wouldn't want to try and compare DCL to either. It was always good seeing Ian Wright as he was one of the best. He has said positive things about DCL.

Surely he didn't mean the 'no10' who would float between midfield and attack, and of which previous Everton managers have been obsessed with despite it's redundance in the modern game.

I've been a big fan of DCL since his first games, his physicality, work-rate, and pace at a young age made me think he had the tools. I think he's steadily improved every season, without being exceptional, and played in many positions, coming off the bench, and playing for a team with little creative spark.

I have said for a while now that it is not personnel changes that we necessarily need. Many calling for the club to spend 45+ million on a striker (joelinton, Wesley, Haller). I always thought that with a run of games, and with the right support, DCL would hit the 15+ goals this season, and he is well on track for that.

There is still much room for improvement, but he looks like the type of lad who will work his socks off to do just that. And getting him tied down to a long term contract this summer will likely be one of the top priorities on Brands' to do list. Especially if he makes the Euro squad.

All these people that designate he should play as a Number (insert the appropriate number) isn't that a bit like Football Manager? You are employing a system where you have almost informed the opposition of what you are going to do.

I believe Carlo, loves the type of player like Richarlison, who can virtually change to any number in the front line and therefore making him difficult to keep tabs on. Maybe I'm misreading something here but I believe, he has similar future plans for Dominic who has shown a glimpse of his versatility.

The future's Bright, the future's Blue!

Someone on here suggested he needs to be more selfish and be more Kane like hanging around the 18-yard box ready to strike and pounce.

His main criticism on here has been his lack of goals; well, they are starting to come now. He's our top scorer and with half the season left he may get even more.

He has everything in his locker to be world class; let's hope it continues.

What is there not to like now about Calvert-Lewin?

If Ancelotti is doing shopping now in January, I more hope he goes for a boss in the team, a driving force. Hopefully a creative midfielder to replace Sigurdsson, Walcott, Schneiderlin, or others.

And a new centre-back. Sell Mina as he is injury prone, a liability for cards, and not scoring the goals he was being bought for in the first place.

To some of the others. I enjoy nostalgia too.

But success for our club now must be manufactured from new. Trying to ‘recreate' the team from the mid 80s is what it seems some fans want. Yes, that level of success can be recreated, but the component parts are completely unique.

It's a strange mentality that seems to exist amongst some fans.

Let's embrace our current squad and the opportunity to improve it. We have a world class manager. Not another Howard Kendall. Ancelotti, a completely different character with a completely different background. But still, Word Class.

We have young players with lots of potential. DCL included. Not only potential, terrific character also. Between the ever willing attitude of DCL, utter confidence bordering on arrogance from Holgate and the positivity of Davies to keep trying to make things happen we have a spirited core to our team. Who've cost us next to nothing.

It's qualities like this that can be the recipe for future success.

Not trying to replicate Kevin Sheedy out of Kieron Dowell or Sharpy out of DCL because they have comparable attributes.

As an aside, manager of the month Dunco Fergelotti? Between them things have gone brilliantly so I thought they both deserved it 😀

What a brilliant attitude this lad has, he is formidable with the mental strength of a lion. A couple of months ago I wrote a fan article about the club giving him a new improved long term contract. I am sure that is a work in progress now. Whatever system we play in the future , throughout a season DC-L will always be an asset and we need to make sure he is here for the long term because of that.

As he matures he is gaining on his already impressive physicality. Defenders are bouncing off him this season, he was brilliant against Chelsea. This upward curve will continue. Also his scoring is improving along with his overall technical skills and passing. He also has the intelligence to continually learn, improve and the single minded desire to achieve his goals.

We are lucky to have Dominic Calvert -Lewin and a bit of praise should be also given to Duncan for helping him to be the best he can be.

Joe #23 "Improving Tosun may be a stretch too far". You never know but that would be a long stretch!

I don't get it though? I am really lost with it?

What has the development of a Scottish striker signed in the early 1980s for a club in a league that no longer exists in an era of the game with a completely different set of rules and strategies got to do with Dominic Calvert Lewin in 2019?

Might as well compare Fraser Hornby with Dixie Dean.

2 months ago for his 2nd, he would have been on the shoulder of the defender or running to the near post, instead he peeled off to the rear setting up the tap in.

Still isn't the answer but a better part solution than before.

It also helps that he has a forward next to him now, so when he wins the headers, they will possibly go to someone, not just straight to the oppos goalie

Doesn't follow that it is demeaning to the modern day player or that (in this example) DCL is being labelled Graham Sharp Mk II.

It does strike me as absurd, though, to try to counter otherwise by saying you might as well compare Fraser Hornby with Dixie Dean. That's just plain daft.

Who did I compare DCL to?

Do you even read other peoples post before adding your own?

For me, at present the true number 9 and best striker we have is Richarlison. Same age as DCL, same passion and work rate but better in the box, better finisher, better control, better composure and a true cult hero in the making.

A team with ambition requires a target man to possess goals and the qualities worthy of wearing the hallowed No. 9.

For some fans that shirt comes with a high degree of talent and responsibility when leading the line in every game. For others sadly, it's just a shirt.

As I said before I'm happy for DCL but unlike most DCL apologists I'm not going to get carried away with what he did 2 years ago at Man City or a slight up turn in goal scoring form. For now i'm remaining cautiously optimistic.

So, like others, I have seen some things in Dominic over the past couple of years that have reminded me not only of Graeme Sharp, but the young Joe Royle. It has looked that there is a very good player in the making, so long as he is provided with support and, most importantly, adds aggression to his game.

Now aggression does not mean what it did 35 or 50 years ago, as you say, the game has changed. It does not mean putting elbows into defenders, but it does mean attacking space in the penalty area, just as it did for Sharp and Royle. So, having seen former players develop that aspect of their games and become great players, it does mean you have a bit more patience, knowing that things can suddenly click for the young lads playing now.

I believe Mason Holgate and Jonjo Kenny fall into the same category. Mason has a self-assuredness about him, he is a natural footballer, but he needs to concentrate at all times. He could be as good as Kevin Ratcliffe, but I am not comparing the two directly. I am hoping and expecting Jonjo will return from Germany to play for us for many years.

It's also worth remembering we have had players like Peter Eastoe and Barry Horne, older players who were written off as awful (in truth, they were for a while) but who became decent performers for us. So, Sigurdsson for example, a very good footballer who has been struggling for the past 12 months, could yet become a key player for us.

So, I agree, we are not trying to recreate the past. But remembering lessons from it may help to build the future.

If they can get the other two injured midfielders back soon then this team may indeed be something to reckon with.

On another note is everyone getting sick and tired of VAR ruling out marginal offside goals ? By marginal I mean the width of a toenail.

Isn't it time to change the rule so that it is only called back when there is clear daylight between the players?

I've watched DCL and his 2 peers, Tammi Abraham and Domonic Solanke play thru the national 'Under' teams over the last 3 years. All developing different skillsets at different rates. Personally I never saw what Tammi, and deffo Solanke had to offer. They probably had it in training, but none could do it on match day, DCL inc.
I think T.A's finishing this year has obviously improved quicker than DCL's, and but when DCL catches up he will be some player. A beast. (That said, if TA lays muscle on like DCL has, he will become as unstoppable as Drogba!!) As for Solanke-don't know, don't care.

Regarding the former, we're never going back to the "clear daylight" days, but to me the obvious rule change is one suggested by Robbie Mustoe and others -- foot position. Never mind where your shoulder or head or ass is in comparison to the defender... if your foot is beyond his, that's offside. Simple rule change that would resolve a lot of this chaos.

Peter #38 and Robert #41, we have three fine right backs and only need two. It could resolve itself -- JJK might decide he loves Germany and request a transfer, or Sidibe might want to return to France -- but ultimately the new manager will decide who best fits the style he wants to play.

Ancelotti has already played Coleman and Sidibe in tandem as Ray alludes to. He needs to be back at Finch Farm next season. Future captain material for me is JJK.

And I agree with Mike Gaynes on VAR. The different ways national federations are interpreting the existing rules is the greater problem.

I suppose one argument in favour that ANY body part being offside is because a player could score with said body part. To counter that, the offside calls are being made against said offending body part WAY from goal and it is an extremely remote likelihood that a player could go on to score with his dipped shoulder or tip of his nose.

Weighing it all up, I agree with Mike that in VAR calls it should be calibrated to only the foot of the body should be looked at in the tight calls and called offside.

We are unquestionably more direct, in the air looking to win 2nd balls. By that very nature Dom takes a player with him and Richarlison and Kean have also looked far more dangerous too. It's reciprocated too.

Why have we gone long? Well we don't have a midfield. The options we have are limited and are not suited for ball retention and the figures since Silva's departure seem to point that way. Less possession etc.
Our best passers are actually our full backs, Digne, Baines and Sidibé appear to be the creative fulcrum.
The more direct nature would suggest Dom remains within the width of the penalty box and stays centre forward. We are also just getting more shots at goal. That mix certainly generates more efforts at goal and service for Dom. One thing we know is generally he was converting his chances but under Silva was starved. So was the finisher already there and we've just given him more chances or has he stepped up?
The test for me will be once we begin to control games and have better passing midfielders. We will be less direct and perhaps create less but more presentable chances. Will his conversion rate be the same?

DCL
Davies
Holgate
Kenny

Not to forget, Beni Baningime. I saw him play (on TV) a couple of seasons ago, and thought that he is an absolute Rolls Royce of a player, effortless on the ball, and very very composed. I don't know what happened last season, but it has not gone well for him since. I heard that he is out injured presently, which is unfortunate, otherwise I am sure he would have a role to play in the midst of our midfield injury problems this season. Hope he comes back to the level that he can play - David Unsworth always waxes lyrical about young Beni, and I can't wait to see what Carlo can turn him into.

Then, we have Richarlison, Kean and Mina (who is not that old), and we have the nucleus of a very young, exciting team.

I think he has one of the best goals/ pitch minutes in the league now and MOTD recently highlighted how he is beginning to bully CBs. I think he now needs to work on his shooting from range - this is the one thing that Harry Kane is better at.

With two strikers really good in the air it surely makes sense to play more direct and get more crosses into the box.

DCL and Davies have bright futures ahead of them at this club.

Kenny and B.B. don't.

I base it on my own opinion. To which I am entitled.

You disagree. Your opinion. Which of course is fine.

It was indeed I who quoted an amount of games for Kenny at F.C. Schalke. I'm not sure if it was 6. However, clearly I got the amount of games wrong.

Kenny for me, has been up and down this season from my own observations. He scored a great goal but his limitations when defending are abundantly clear. The coverage on his performances is often sweeping and general. I've watched half a dozen entire games and my assessment is based on this and everything I have witnessed from him in an Everton shirt.

If he does become our RB for years to come then we will not have reached the level to which I aspire. Which is Champions League / elite football.

But I get accused of Kenny bashing for expressing a view on him. He's a sensitive subject for many on here, for some reason.

When I expressed similar views on a 22 year old Magaye Gueye there was nowhere near as much derision.

Many on here seemingly do and see him as a future right back in a presumably successful Everton team for years to come.

I'll be more than happy to be proved wrong

The first thing we have to do is get our players realising "WHO" they are playing for.

The rest should follow automatically.

Ancellotti is still bedding in and finding his feet with the current squad, I'm sure he will work out who to keep and who to bin in the next few months.

Exciting times ahead if this time, Brands gets his act together.

If we look at every team that's won things, including Everton, I doubt any team is full of top top players. It's always been about how players fit into the team rather than individuals.

If we look at our own right backs that I've watched who have been league winners, Alex Parker, Tommy Wright and Gary Stevens. I doubt any of them would ever be classed as world beaters, but, fitted into those particular teams they were brilliant.

JJK like DCL, Holgate and Davies is a young lad learning his trade and will hopefully come back far better prepared to slot in if required.
Remember it was not that long ago that those 4 young lads helped get us out the shit when the "established" professionals were crap.

But I do think it's time for you to eat a bit of crow on JJK. You did say six games, and if memory serves I offered you a wager on an over/under of 15, which I believe you declined. Wisely, as it turned out.

Don't know what you saw in the games you watched, but in the ones I've seen he's been quite impressive for a Schalke club that's right in the mix for a CL spot. The club has surrendered only 21 goals, fewer than Bayern or Dortmund, and that's with opponents usually attacking down Kenny's side because he's the rookie. To my eyes, he has held up defensively very well. Also, he's popular with the fans, the media and even the fantasy leaguers: https://bulinews.com/news/4155/fantasy-bundesliga-tips-matchday-17

Whether he has a future at Everton will be determined by Marcel, Carlo and the more talented Sidibe. But I think you're dead wrong in believing he can't measure up in a top side.

In DCL's case I see a player who somewhat resembles Sharpy and, from more recent times, Teddy Sheringham, a consummate footballing forward from whom the likes of Andy Cole, Van Nistelrooy and Solskjaer all flourished.

It's dreamworld to suppose we now have that sort of firepower up front or in midfield but I'm very confident that DCL, with the addition/development of a traditional goalscorer/s, will become a much vaunted "player's player" well before he reaches 30 years-old, as was the case with Sheringham.

How the hell the perennial player-slacker Ferguson has found the means to continue to get the lad to work so hard is to me one of the mysteries of our age.

Why would DCL, back a losing horse?

He's Everton and he plays with his heart, needs to get better descision making, but is a latter day, Sharpie and more, in the making.

Good times for EFC.

I was just saying to the Mrs. the other day.

If I was a DOF or an owner, interviewing a new prospective head coach, I'd ask this Almighty question:

"Do you have a system, and what system do you think works best? Or, would you implement a system after you've assessed the squad?"

If the answer is, "I have a system" or, "I prefer this system".??

I wouldn't hire the guy.

Surely you need to assess what you have at your disposal and then implement a system around your players strengths?

That's Carlo. And that's what has me so excited about him and the trend upwards of the Club.

No blind ideology. No square pegs in round holes.

Only, here's what I got, so here's what will work, let's do this.

He is now scoring inside the penalty box which means he is now attacking the ball. A top striker also needs to be able to score real blinders outside the box. He also needs to turn half chances into goals. With top coaching and a willingness to learn he has every chance to continue to improve.

I would also like to see Kean given more opportunities to prove his worth. There have been glimpses of some real talent and I think he could still prove to be a winner. While goal scoring has been a problem for the Blues it will not improve merely by getting a striker. Whoever the front two or three might be they will need to link up well together. In order to complete and solve the problem we need an efficient mid field to supply the ammunition.

Perhaps I am expecting too much but we also need at least one tough uncompromising defender. We give away far too many ridiculous goals and often need to get stuck in far more aggressively than we do at the present time.

Time to say to these sheisters "NOT FOR SALE. GGF"

The good thing about Sid, and he has proved it, that he has a versatility where he can play both in defence or in midfield/wing.

Although I would say when under pressure in the defensive role, he is a bit prone to giving away free kicks, or not getting back quick enough when challenged by a speedy opponent.

The future's Bright, the future's Blue!

We've all seen players from different sides, playing an absolute blinder or scoring goals for fun, his price rockets, someone buys him, and he reverts back to being 'run of the mill' the Selling Club are made up. The Buying Club are left confused and a lot worse off financially.

Then again it's down to the player himself, if he doesn't want to move, don't force it for Financial Gain.

The measuring point has to be at the hip girdle, which cannot be ‘dipped' (like the chest) and measurement for breach could be automated to inform the officials with the use of body-worn sensors in the future, like the sensors the players all wear currently for individual analytic reporting.

If you measure offside at the foot/feet, simply by the cadence of running next to one another, at any given time a forward's feet will be on or offside of the defenders' despite every attempt to remain level.

The kid is 19. He clearly has an abundance of talent and it's liker some people have him on last chance saloon.
He is 19 ! Cut him some slack play him and it will come... He is adapting in a new league, New language, new friends, a new country with differing pace of play.

''There have been glimpses of some real talent and I think he could still prove to be a winner''.

He could still prove to be a winner ??? How long do we afford people? He has literally had a few games during which he was inexcusably removed after 18 minutes.
We have all clambered for a world class striker since Lukaku left... This lad has the skill set to be just that but give him a reasonable amount of time !

There's been one or two games where he has had a hard time of it - the 0-3 defeat at home to FC Bayern early on comes to mind - but that's part of the learning curve and let's hope he comes through it stronger. Generally though, he has impressed and David Wagner is a fan.

The Schalke fans I know, work with etc have been pleasantly surprised how well he's settled in. He's playing in front of a good young keeper (club captain and about to join FC Bayern on a Bosman as Neuer's long-term successor, incidentally) and his team mates all speak a decent level of English, which helps a lot.

There are areas for improvement such as I think he tucks in too tight and leaves space out wide, plus he seems reluctant to overlap at times but perhaps that's him playing to instruction.

I'm still not convinced yet that he's good enough to slot into an Everton side with ambitions of top six etc but he still has half a season to go. Here's hoping.

@Mike Gaynes - your comment “ that's with opponents usually attacking down Kenny's side because he's the rookie“ seems a bit strange to me and no offence Mike but maybe that's putting 2 plus 2 together and getting 5.

@Ray Roche - which Hotel in Düsseldorf does your mate own? Understand if you can't or don't want to say but just curious if I've been in it!

Good point regarding Calvert Lewin attacking the ball in the penalty area. This is obviously part of Ancelottis coaching. Moise Kean in the second half against Newcastle had three shots on target. Again Ancelotti had spoken to him at half time regarding attacking the ball in the penalty area.

Calvert Lewin is also making more intelligent runs, particularly attacking the near post and centre. So is Moise Kean.

Neil Wood 81- yes perhaps we should just give up on Kean like some of the scum wanted with Fabinho or Keita and Utds with Fred. These were experienced players who struggled initially also. I'm sure Chelsea are glad they got rid of that balloon De Bruyne as I'm sure hes done nothing since. When I hear our fans and Arsenals ripping into Kean and Pepe I think how foolish they are going to look in a years time. If you watch both you can see they are struggling with the pace of the game at times both look lost but in other moments you can see their qualities shine through. Once seettled I have no doubts on how good they will be.

Someone with a considered and informed opinion on JJK. Thank you.

The Bayern game was important as it is that level where we want to compete. And for me he was clearly a massive weakness, he showed much of the naivety in his defending that I have seen with my own eyes at Goodison.

The best defending often goes completely unnoticed. When defenders are steaming into challenges and cheaply selling themselves on a massive block attempt, which Kenny often does, then this shows their level for me. And it is not one of a top defender.

I think of it in quite simple terms. Will he be any better than Tony Hibbert?

I do not think he will.

And when we competed against the level just above us, circa 2007-2009, Hibbo was repeatedly shown up in these games as our weak link.

In repeated derby games, particularly at Anfield it was obvious that the LFC tactic was to expose hibbert. And it worked. In an FA cup semi final he was exposed as the weak link and Chelsea got all of their joy down our right hand side.

Hibbo was a great professional and a huge asset to any mid table premier league squad. As I'm sure Jonjoe Kenny would be. But if you want to compete at that next level, these players are found wanting.

Unique in the sense that he didnt just understand his own role. He understood everyone elses too. Not the most prolific goal scorer we've ever had, but when they give out the awards for the best team player we've ever had, his name will be right in the mix. He scored and created goals that won us cups, goals that won us leagues. He gained legendary status by sinking the shite in the most spectacular fashion - On their own midden. He terrified the opposition.
Virtually every forward who played next to Sharp had the best spells of their careers. Comparing Calvert- Lewin to him is a little cringe worthy. It's not long since people (many good judges among them) were saying he simply wasn't premiership standard.. Now he is being compared to an all time great. After scoring eight goals ? Steady on.

Nothing (and I do mean nothing) gives me greater pleasure than to see a young lad come through our ranks and become a regular starter - Which probably explains why I get so tetchy if they are not afforded extra patience. C-L may not be a local boy, but we got him at an early age and we can claim to be the club which has nurtured his talent and developed him. We got him for a song too.

He has proved the doubters wrong. He IS good enough for the premier league, but that is all he has done so far. I expect improvement, the degree of that improvement will determine whether he becomes a top class forward or not.

I wonder what his value would be in todays market ? If Ancelotti isn't just blowing smoke up his arse to build his confidence, then he is already attracting interest. If he can really push on and get between 15-20 goals this season his value can soar. . but let please lets not do the extremes, He is no Graham Sharp, but he is no Championship player either.

He's a very decent player with every chance of become a very good one. With good tuition good attitude and good health. he may even become top draw

It seems that anyone of us supporters could have got this team more motivated than Silva!

To see Moyes' Hammers' press conference convinces me the BKs sentimentality was totally misplaced. Winning is 'what I do' will line up against his 'Knives to a gunfight' blabber!

I think your last paragraph sums up how I feel about Dominic-Calvert-Lewin, " He is a very decent player with every chance to become a very good player".

My main criticism is not so much of the player but of the club expecting a young man learning his trade playing game after game as the lone striker, probably one of the hardest positions for a young lad to play. We should have signed a quality striker for Dominic to play off and learn from. Equally I am even more annoyed that we signed a player even younger than Dominic in Moysie Kean who had to overcome far more than Dominic in learning a new language in a new country and a new team set up. Both of these players may well become our main strike force alongside Richarlison, but I thought the club asked to much of these boys given their age and experience.

Good point. Although I wouldn't mind if he started knocking them in too.

Tommy #86, Hibbo was injured for that FA Cup semi and should not have been on the pitch.

He wasn't.

He went off at half time with sun burn