The case for the defence...

[Rita_Poon]

Mykolenko who joined (alongside Patterson) in January has the most appearances for us today out of the back 5. Get this, he has cumulatively more league starts for us than the other 4 put together.
Obviously this is tempered by the fact that theres 3 veterans of the league involved, but still its been a hell of a turn around to fit this set together and have them performing.

Whoever is overseeing the defensive side of things (A.Cole?) is earning their corn.

Begovic
Patterson Coady Tarkowski Mykolenko

 

[davek]

Yes, but we need more in attack out of the two FBs.

 

[Rita_Poon]

Yes, but we need more in attack out of the two FBs.

That'll grow, take on the gravity of a completely new defence thats performing this well this early. As the confidence comes in the anxiety going forwards will recede. Some switch up this...

 

[slipstream86]

Impressed by the Coady and Tarkowski partenership today. If they keep turning in performances like that then they could turn out to be the most dependable CB pairing Everton have had for many years...Since Weir and Stubbs perhaps...

As a team, I thought the defensive performance was solid and reassuring today. They made the 1 - 0 lead feel very comfortable. Compare that to last season....The few times we actually took the lead in games, everyone was just on edge waiting until the inevitable equalizing goal.

 

[kstoffee11]

Yes, but we need more in attack out of the two FBs.

Patterson is fine for me for where he is in his progression. Myko not so much, but more than solid in defense

 

[4737carlin]

A combination of Kenwright, Rafael, Frank and Thelwell have built a back four that hopefully sticks together for the next few seasons.

 

[efcfanwirral]

Joint second best defence in the league in terms of goals conceded. That's crazy really considering last season

 

[davek]

Patterson is fine for me for where he is in his progression. Myko not so much, but more than solid in defense

The attack could be a lot more threatening if we're getting overloads on FBs with those two bombing on. They dont offer enough in that respect, but I'll take what's on offer so far, yeah.

 

[Matelot]

Alan Shearer was very complementary about Coady and Tarkowski on MOTD2 this evening.

 

[james2805]

The attack could be a lot more threatening if we're getting overloads on FBs with those two bombing on. They dont offer enough in that respect, but I'll take what's on offer so far, yeah.

Gordon and Gray have to utilise them if they do overload and bomb on more though. Both notoriously greedy wingers thus far

 

[davek]

Gordon and Gray have to utilise them if they do overload and bomb on more though. Both notoriously greedy wingers thus far

They're just not making the runs though. Maybe that's their instructions, but it's going to have to change if we're to become a more threatening team.

 

[JasonT22]

Chelsea’s defense was a mess when Lampard was fired. Glad to see he understood the need to get Everton’s defense (and midfield) straightened out immediately after surviving relegation. Credit to the players and the staff for improving that aspect.

 

[Goat]

Chelsea’s defense was a mess when Lampard was fired. Glad to see he understood the need to get Everton’s defense (and midfield) straightened out immediately after surviving relegation. Credit to the players and the staff for improving that aspect.

It was a mess, then Tuchel came in and it wasnt.

I get that Managers have impacts, but I dont believe teams forget how to defend overnight, then remember.

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

The attack could be a lot more threatening if we're getting overloads on FBs with those two bombing on. They dont offer enough in that respect, but I'll take what's on offer so far, yeah.

A few times we could have been braver particularly Mykolenko but it’s developing trust with your team mates. If we can get a few more points on the board hopefully this will improve with confidence.

 

[Milk]

Patterson is quoted as saying (Paul Joyce article in Times) that he is improving in every aspect of his game directly because he sits down with Ashley Cole after each game and analysises his performance in detail then goes away to work on it.