Match Thread Everton v Chelsea - Preview, Match Report and MotM Poll

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

I think they are, they're just doing it ineffectively. Allan and Doucoure as a partnership is a mess without someone else in midfield.

Teams have dropped pressing and pressure a lot this season according to the stats. Less pressure on the opposing defence with the ball, allowing players to have more touches.

We're on level with Spurs in our type of pressing statistically. They just have more effective players at doing it and make winning possession back into goals.

Someone like that Højbjerg would be boss in a midfield three with Allan and Doucoure, he would sit allowing them to get forward.

 

[Bluebirdie]

What are the chances that we pull off a sneaky 1-0 smash and grab?

About the same as Anthony Gordon starting....and being captain.

 

[Tommy Chong]

A comfortable 3-1 win for us mate.

I like your optimism mate!

I'm going to pop off to the pub and have a few pints with my cousins before the game. Hopefully that'll put me in a festive mood.

Carlo has to have some crazy, amazing tactics and formation that'll stun fat Frank!

 

[ForeverBlue92]

I think they are, they're just doing it ineffectively. Allan and Doucoure as a partnership is a mess without someone else in midfield.

Teams have dropped pressing and pressure a lot this season according to the stats. Less pressure on the opposing defence with the ball, allowing players to have more touches.

We're on level with Spurs in our type of pressing statistically. They just have more effective players at doing it and make winning possession back into goals.

All about having balance in team sports and we just dont have it.

We have a bloke in goal who terrifies our defence

CB's who have no leadership/nasty streak in them

As you said decent midfielders but no genuine defensive/holding one to help marshall Allan/Doucoure

You sort those 3 areas out you have the makings of a good side but problem is time you fix it Richarlison will be off and James/Allan get on the wrong side of 30.

The time to fix things was this summer or potentially January coming up but will those players be available?

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

I like your optimism mate!

I'm going to pop off to the pub and have a few pints with my cousins before the game. Hopefully that'll put me in a festive mood.

Carlo has to have some crazy, amazing tactics and formation that'll stun fat Frank!

I've already had a fair few mate, that's where I think the optimism comes from.

 

[kenada_blue]

Being able to defend is a big plus.

True. But I do think the issue is the midfield allowing things to happen in front of them.

They amount of jockying space, not following runners, pressing in wrong areas opens us up so much. United did it, Leeds did it, Fulham too.

 

[Tommy Chong]

About the same as Anthony Gordon starting....and being captain.

I would absolutely love him and Niels to start and play out of their skins. But that's just a request that'll go onto the Xmas wish list I'm afraid.

 

[Bluebirdie]

I would absolutely love him and Niels to start and play out of their skins. But that's just a request that'll go onto the Xmas wish list I'm afraid.

I hope Santalotti is listening and makes our Christmas

 

[Toffeelover]

I would absolutely love him and Niels to start and play out of their skins. But that's just a request that'll go onto the Xmas wish list I'm afraid.

I would absolutely love him and Niels to start and play out of their skins. But that's just a request that'll go onto the Xmas wish list I'm afraid.

Yep, your xmas stocking will be empty. Applies to us all.

 

[Tommy Chong]

I've already had a fair few mate, that's where I think the optimism comes from.

Might need a few shots of the harder stuff to see me through this one mate!

Someone like that Højbjerg would be boss in a midfield three with Allan and Doucoure, he would sit allowing them to get forward.

Could Gbamin be the answer? Is he fit enough to be on the bench tonight?

 

[kenada_blue]

All about having balance in team sports and we just dont have it.

We have a bloke in goal who terrifies our defence

CB's who have no leadership/nasty streak in them

As you said decent midfielders but no genuine defensive/holding one to help marshall Allan/Doucoure

You sort those 3 areas out you have the makings of a good side but problem is time you fix it Richarlison will be off and James/Allan get on the wrong side of 30.

The time to fix things was this summer or potentially January coming up but will those players be available?

It just needs that one player to slot in that midfield makes us more solid, harder to beat.

The first 7 games we looked like a really good team. We lost Digne, Coleman, Richarlison, James, and chopped and changed the defence each game. Carlo is trying to find a way that works. With that, he's found ways that doesn't work.

As for the team, the next step will be depth.

The keeper situation is just odd though.

 

[kenada_blue]

Someone like that Højbjerg would be boss in a midfield three with Allan and Doucoure, he would sit allowing them to get forward.

If you see his heatmap in most games he barely wonders over the half way line. It's what we need.

 

[royston1878]

They are pretty strong defensively this season, something they have improved since last season, helps they improved on the weak leak in the team that was the keeper Kepa.

I'd take a point if offered, they are unbeaten in 17, scoring goals for fun and not conceding much.

 

[Tommy Chong]

I hope Santalotti is listening and makes our Christmas

Papa Carlo, a stern but fair patriarch in the typical stereotypical Italian mold.

Per favore papa! We've been good bambini's this year... Give us a reward.

 

[ForeverBlue92]

It just needs that one player to slot in that midfield makes us more solid, harder to beat.

The first 7 games we looked like a really good team. We lost Digne, Coleman, Richarlison, James, and chopped and changed the defence each game. Carlo is trying to find a way that works. With that, he's found ways that doesn't work.

As for the team, the next step will be depth.

The keeper situation is just odd though.

I honestly dont think we'll ever get it right mate - every time we have the opportunity to address the weak spots we dont act and we go lose a top player the following summer.

Alright bringing in that midfielder next summer but then you lose Richarlison and suddenly that area is a weak spot.

For years we needed that quality no 10 behind Lukaku then only when he left we actually tried addressing it (in which we signed about 5x attacking midfielders).

This summer gone was the one to have backed Carlo to the hilt but we didnt and now the chickens are coming home to roost and the weaknesses of the squad are laid bare.