Everton 2 Arsenal 5 – Still No Kloe

Everton capitulated once more yesterday as the gunners won their first away game of the season at Goodison. With so much being said on the future of Ronald Koeman, here are our thoughts after the latest kick in the plums.

Koeman’s Formation Roulette

Koeman changed formation once again yesterday with the return of the dreaded 3 at the back, Phil Jagielka returning with Williams and Keane. Jonjoe Kenny came in at right wing back with Wayne Rooney playing in a slightly deeper role than Vlasic and Sigurdsson. Calvert Lewin was this game’s loan striker with no sign of Sandro Ramirez in the squad.

At half time with Williams and Gueye on a booking, Tom Davies was brought in for Ashley Williams. We reverted to a back 4. 8 minutes later Arsenal were 2 1 up and Gueye was sent off 18 minutes into the 2^nd half. Davies substitution was the 9^th time this season that Koeman has made a change at half time. Whilst we have played 18 games in all competitions, how are the players supposed to gain any fluency?

Koeman’s 4 Factors of Fear

There are a number of factors that feed into this malaise:

• There has been such a large amount of games that there hasn’t been enough time to bed players in on the training pitch.

• Aside from Pickford and Vlasic, the new players have yet to settle in. They are unlikely to get the chance either. The combination of games against the ‘big 6’ and poor form has forced Koeman to go with the tried and tested.

 

• Jagielka and to a lesser extent, Rooney, are at this stage of their careers, one game a week players. Unfortunately they are also the best players we have in their positions. We get no consistency from their positions game to game which means partnerships cannot form.

• The lack of a real physical presence up front bla bla bla. Less penetration than a 80s version of Game of Thrones. Rooney’s goal today was a great shot from outside of the area. Niasse’s consolation was a defensive mistake. Rooney’s goal against Brighton was a penalty. Not since John Spencer have I seen a weaker Everton forward line. Even the Stracq would press and cause problems with his physicality. Only Swansea, Bournemouth and Palace have scored less.

Backtrack

There are more watertight sponges than Everton’s defence at the moment. In fact, only Stoke and Palace have conceded more goals than Everton in the league this season. This is despite us playing Schneiderlin and Gana in most of the games which makes 6 or 7 defensive players per game. Despite this, 15 of the goals Everton have conceded have been from open play. Gueye and Schneiderlin have often been left with the blank look on their place when an opponent scored unmarked this season.

Whilst the two of them certainly have been guilty of switching off, the players further forward need looking at also. Davies and Lookman both failed to track Arsenal players for the 3^rd and 4^th goals. Could it be that with all the changes, the players are confused about their responsibilities? The aforementioned restrictions on Phil Jagielka and the loss of form of both Keane and Williams have left the back 4 looking very shaky. With Funes Mori out for the season, Koeman is stuck with an out of confidence and ageing defence.

Siggy Stardust?

Gylfi Sigurdsson has had a very tough start to his Everton career. Aside from the wonder goal in his first game, the Icelandic schemer has struggled since joining the Toffees. He hasn’t smiled since that wonder goal in a blue shirt and it’s easy to see why.

No-one can fault the former Swansea player’s effort since joining the side. Much like Tom Davies, Siggy is always looking to receive the ball from his teammates. He looks to play positively and worked as hard as anyone in pressing in the first half yesterday. The early 80s Bowie haired Reykjavikan has suffered though from an unfamiliarity with his teammates, a product of his late signing and Koeman’s tinkering.

One of the main reasons that we signed Siggy was his set piece expertise. He has been largely disappointing in this aspect though with Williams’ goal against Lyon is the only return so far this season. Indeed, one free kick at the park end almost led to him scoring at Anfield before our December derby date. He desperately needs a goal to boost his confidence so that he can release the pressure of his price tag before it becomes an anchor.

The Kids Are Alright for Koeman?

One accusation that can’t be levelled at Koeman is giving the youth a go. Yesterday’s match saw Jonjoe Kenny make his full league debut and at one point, 5 players under the age of 21 were on the pitch. Is Koeman really putting them in position to succeed though? Lookman has barely featured this season and bringing him on against Arsenal at 3 1 down to try to turn the game may have harmed his development. You could argue that it’s good experience for the lad but Lookman has not had a lot of football and was unlikely to turn the game.

Davies too has suffered this season. Clearly Koeman prefers Schneiderlin and Gueye to the youngster who has only started 3 games in the league this season. Davies might be guilty of trying too hard and lost the ball on a few occasions yesterday. Koeman’s tough love approach with the youngster may pay dividends or may stunt his development. Neither Gana nor Schneiderlin have played well consistently this season.  Davies would benefit from a run of games to boost his confidence.

Poor Pawson

Craig Pawson wasn’t the reason we lost yesterday. Arsenal were the better side. Pawson though, was incredibly weak and one sided throughout the game. It was laughable how many times he was influenced by Arsenal’s theatrics and moaning. Xhaka kicked the ball away and wasn’t booked.

He also threw in a couple of tackles similar to Gueye’s that weren’t punished.  He’s another identikit referee out of the Poll/Barber mould, who is just happy to be there.  Poor, myopic, weak refereeing at Goodison yesterday.

Has Koeman done all he can at Everton or would you give him more time? Let us know in the comments section below.