Opinion

5 A Side – Everton 2 AFC Bournemouth 1

After an edgy 2 1 victory over Bournemouth, what have we learned about Everton this weekend? Here are 5 points we gleaned after Saturdays win.

A 10 out of 3: Koeman Still Figuring Out His Options

Everton started the match with Klaassen in the 10 role, with Rooney and Sigurdsson to the right and left of him. Both players were tucked inside to allow the full back to support and make the extra man. This meant that Bournemouth could play quite compactly in the middle and compress the space. For the first 15 minutes the interplay was good although chances were at a premium. Rooney, Siggy and Klaassen each tried to support Lewin in the box but Bournemouth dealt with the crosses effectively.

With Koeman’s wide options being the inexperienced Vlasic and Lookman and the inconsistent Lennon and Mirallas not making the squad, Koeman is trying to find a way to make his 3 big summer signings fit into the attacking midfield roles. Each of them prefers to play 10 but 3 into one won’t go. It’s easy for sides to congest the middle knowing we don’t have a physical presence to get on the end of crosses. The second half substitution changed that and made more space for DCL and Niasse to move the opposition back 4 around.

With the Limassol game coming up, it remains to be seen as to whether Koeman can figure out the width problem up front.

Niasse Could Be the Answer. For now.

Oumar Niasse’s return to the side is a marriage of convenience that is paying off for Everton and Niasse. With the failure to bring in Giroud in a drought of quality number 9’s, Niasse finds himself being given the chance he didn’t get 2 years ago. Ridiculed and humiliated by his manager and the fans alike, Niasse’s work rate and endeavour have made him an unlikely hero. His eye for goal is also valuable with 3 goals in 2 games showing a strikers touch.

It remains to be seen if he is a super sub but surely he must be due a start soon.

Davies Deserves More

Whilst Oumar Niasse rightly took most of the column inches at the weekend, Tom Davies impact was just as telling. Davies looked off the boil in his first few games but his last 3 have shown signs he is returning to form. West Derbys own created both goals and provided much more attacking impetus from the midfield. In an interview with the clubs website, the youngster said, “I was disappointed not to start, so when I came on I wanted to make an impact and I feel like I have done that”

Davies attitude is exemplary but it’s also his intelligence that stands out.” I knew it was important to get the support to the forwards and in the end it paid off. I am proud of my performance.” continued Davies after the match.

Davies provides something different from Gana and Schneiderlin. He is far more comfortable going forward and is always looking for the killer pass. At Goodison, with teams defending deep, it may be worth sacrificing one of the two and allowing Davies to get forward.

The youngster will only improve with experience and now is the time for him to get a run in the side.

Everton’s Last Line of Defence?

Whilst a lot of attention has been paid to our lack of a centre forward, the other target we missed out on is arguably more of a priority. Jagielka and Keane’s injuries left Everton with 5 available defenders on Saturday. Only 2 of them can play centre half. An injury to either Holgate or Williams would have left Everton in serious trouble although Kenny has played centre half on a couple of occasions for the under 23s 2 seasons ago. Still, it’s a big ask to ask a youngster to play out of position in the premier league. Just ask Calvert Lewin.

Everton found themselves in a tough position this summer. With Baines, Williams and Jagielka all being over 32, defensive cover was needed, especially after Mori’s injury. Whilst there are promising young defenders in Pennington, Browning, Connolly and Galloway, all 4 of them need regular football to fulfil their potential. Gone are the days when Spurs would have a spare centre half to loan out and there weren’t many left sided defenders available. In the end, Everton decided to stay put and it is a big gamble. Just as the decision was not to take on a 4^th or 5^th choice striker, a defender could have been brought in. He could be hard to shift when the loanees and Mori return.

Steve Walsh and Ronald Koeman will be hoping the decision doesn’t come back to haunt them.

Lessons from Niasse and Naismith

The aforementioned resurrection of Niasse’s fortunes is a real heart-warming story for Evertonians but one which can also shed light on a current situation. Both Davey Klaassen and Gylfi Sigurdsson have yet to fully impress in a blue shirt. This has led to criticism from some Evertonians who seem eager to find a scapegoat. Klaassen has had the most stick and it is a coincidence that he bears a resemblance to another former scapegoat, Steven Naismith.

Naismith arrived at Goodison on a free transfer from Rangers and was playing his first games after a horrific injury. He failed to impress in his first season and admitted to the Daily Post “I have not played anywhere near my best. Hopefully I can keep in good shape over the summer, come back and have a good pre-season and push on.”

Naismith started to win over the crowd wen Martinez arrived and played him centrally. Gifted with a knack of scoring against the big sides, Naismith memorably scored a hat trick against Chelsea. This and his fantastic charity work won over Evertonians to the point where a goal he scored against Everton last season was applauded at Goodison.

Klaassen arrived for a lot more money but needs time to settle into a new country with a new style of football. On the pitch, the Premier League is a fast paced physical game with better competition than you would find in Holland. Off the pitch, Klaassen is getting to know new teammates, settling into a new city with a different culture and trying to find a home. It may take a little time for the Dutchman to find his home on the pitch. The reception he got from Ajax supporters at the weekend shows Evertonians the character of the man.