Everton v Leicester City. 22nd Feb at 14.05.

[Toffeelover]

Teams sit back, so you have to work the ball about to find a gap to move into and then the passer to find you. I have no problem with that whatsoever. That's what football is all about. The speed this takes place at is sometimes the problem, but the biggest problem of all is that when we eventually get to make that pass I described above into space in the opposition's final third the player receiving it deals with the pass like a hot potato. We dont have any player with great control of the ball, ability to screen it, and vision to use it properly. THAT is our problem.

I thought a good part of our problem in this game was our goalkeeper.

 

[Stanley Parker]

This may well be true. i was just pointing out that winning the fA Cup is not necessarily the mark of a good manager.

Don't forget either that the only PL side Wigan met on route to the final was us. So basically as cup winners they'd won 2 PL matches.

But they did beat us, and at home too! And in the final they beat probably the richest club in Europe with a patched up team missing almost half its first choice players - Al Habsi, Caldwell, Ramis, Figueroa and Beausejour.

What, then, is the mark of a good manager? Is it clinging on to Premier League status while steadily cutting the wage-bill? In the long term, it just can't be done.

 

[Toffeelover]

When RM was at Wigan the play revolved around Sean Moloney who played in the no. 10 position. He was the creative playmaker and the style of football favoured by RM needs a player in that mould.
At present we don't have such a player and consequently our build up play looks slow laboured and predictable. We just didn't have any creativity , we had loads of possession but were just shuffling the ball around in front of the defence.

The arrival of Gibson and Atsu changed that and we looked far better when they came on. Unfortunately our defensive confidence was completely lost after the goals we conceded.

In the summer, I think our priority will be to fill creative midfielder role.

RM has already had two summers and two January windows to sort this.

 

[Goat]

But they did beat us, and at home too! And in the final they beat probably the richest club in Europe with a patched up team missing almost half its first choice players - Al Habsi, Caldwell, Ramis, Figueroa and Beausejour.

What, then, is the mark of a good manager? Is it clinging on to Premier League status while steadily cutting the wage-bill? In the long term, it just can't be done.

It seems as tho hes a great manager when things are going right, his positivity shines through and the players feed off it.

But sadly, when the chips are down and his back is against the wall, hes found lacking.

Hes perfectly fine with Plan A, but lacks a Plan B.

 

[davek]

I thought a good part of our problem in this game was our goalkeeper.

It was. And we did create easily enough chances to have buried them. But even leaving that aside, generally our problem has been a breakdown of the transition from midfield to attack by the 'creative' players not being creative enough.

 

[Toffeelover]

It was. And we did create easily enough chances to have buried them. But even leaving that aside, generally our problem has been a breakdown of the transition from midfield to attack by the 'creative' players not being creative enough.

Which creative players Dave, Gibson according to folk was pretty good in that department but we need more than him.

 

[davek]

Which creative players Dave, Gibson according to folk was pretty good in that department but we need more than him.

Exactly. We dont have a specialist for the job and need one brought in. Even Osman would have done better than the hopeless Naismith clown this season.

 

[Goat]

Exactly. We dont have a specialist for the job and need one brought in. Even Osman would have done better than the hopeless Naismith clown this season.

I did call for the need for a number 8 or 10 in the Summer.

 

[davek]

I did call for the need for a number 8 or 10 in the Summer.

Then you'll see that until we get one we'll struggle.

 

[Deleted member 24970]

When RM was at Wigan the play revolved around Sean Moloney who played in the no. 10 position. He was the creative playmaker and the style of football favoured by RM needs a player in that mould.
At present we don't have such a player and consequently our build up play looks slow laboured and predictable. We just didn't have any creativity , we had loads of possession but were just shuffling the ball around in front of the defence.

The arrival of Gibson and Atsu changed that and we looked far better when they came on. Unfortunately our defensive confidence was completely lost after the goals we conceded.

In the summer, I think our priority will be to fill creative midfielder role.

They also had Jordi Gomez sitting deep and dictating play, we have gareth barry who isnt exactly getting any younger. Maybe a defensive playmaker is in order ?

 

[orly]

Teams sit back, so you have to work the ball about to find a gap to move into and then the passer to find you. I have no problem with that whatsoever. That's what football is all about. The speed this takes place at is sometimes the problem, but the biggest problem of all is that when we eventually get to make that pass I described above into space in the opposition's final third the player receiving it deals with the pass like a hot potato. We dont have any player with great control of the ball, ability to screen it, and vision to use it properly. THAT is our problem.

Essentially, a motivated and in-form Pienaar

 

[deipnosophist]

It's been a bit bleak for us in the PL this season. I appreciate some do not rate his contributions highly, but for me, one bright spot has been the play of Steven Naismith. I shudder to think where this season might end up without him. Bobby has noticed his importance to the team as well

 

[davek]

Essentially, a motivated and in-form Pienaar

He'd have done a better job than either Naigood or Barkley, that's for sure.

 

[orly]

He'd have done a better job than either Naigood or Barkley, that's for sure.

in total agreement. for me, he was the Great Leap forward far more than Arteta

 

[Khalekan]

Teams sit back, so you have to work the ball about to find a gap to move into and then the passer to find you. I have no problem with that whatsoever. That's what football is all about. The speed this takes place at is sometimes the problem, but the biggest problem of all is that when we eventually get to make that pass I described above into space in the opposition's final third the player receiving it deals with the pass like a hot potato. We dont have any player with great control of the ball, ability to screen it, and vision to use it properly. THAT is our problem.

To be fair Dave, Leicester didn't sit back yesterday...they were on the front foot from the getgo and in the closing stages they were doing the most pressing, forcing two corners in injury time.