Bournemouth vs Everton- 5 Points to Consider After League Loss
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17 (Photo by Lynne Cameron/Getty Images)
Here are five points to consider after Everton FC’s loss away to Bournemouth in the Premier League
1- Promising front four combination.
The Everton front four that started against Bournemouth compromised of Bolasie, Barkley, Mirallas and Lukaku- these four players are an exciting group and if they can form partnerships then they can do serious damage. It’s not the league’s best of course but when in form they’re up there with any one of the other top teams front four.
Once again the final third play at times was beautiful and the one touch, fast pace passing caused Bournemouth plenty of problems. The finishing, just like against Norwich, was the issue, not the creation of chances. Bournemouth were praised for their football but Everton created just as many chances as they did and had a shot extra too.
Right now the front four hasn’t really clicked and the finishing is quite there yet but when it all comes together you can expect Everton to score goals and plenty of them too. There’s also the added fact that most teams they’ve faced so far are the kind that defend for their lives and so don’t particularly leave themselves exposed.
All in due time, two loses in a row and not a single goal scored may feel like things aren’t going Everton’s way but eventually the penny will drop. Everything will fall into place and Everton’s top four will start getting into form meaning the goals will start to flow once again for the Toffees.
WEST BROMWICH, ENGLAND – AUGUST 20 (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)
2- The defence and midfield is what needs investment next.
This season Everton have looked more defensively solid than in recent times but it showed during the game that the next area for Koeman to invest in has to be away from his front four. Oviedo failed to take advantage of Baines absence and Barry looked a shadow of himself. Gueye needs a solid partner next to him to get the best out of all the surrounding players in the team.
Koeman must have recognised the lack of top class quality in Everton’s defence and addressed it by bringing in a player that many rate highly- Ashley Williams. He’s experienced, has been in the league for a while and has often carried Swansea on his shoulders alone. His leadership skills are welcome but what Everton need is serious quality to perform well in the league.
Also, Everton weren’t really ever short of experience at the back. Jagielka and Baines both provide plenty of that and Coleman has been one of the most consistent performers in the Everton team for seasons now, hardly ever being challenged in his right back spot. Jagielka is 34 years old and Williams is 32, hardly the players to build the future of Everton’s defence on.
Koeman would be wise to seek a solid, quality centre back during the January transfer window if there’s any money left in the bank but after this summers spending it would be a surprise if anyone came in. Koeman would be hoping he could get by this year on the back of some experienced shoulders in the team but it won’t last long.
HALEWOOD, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 22 (Photo by Tony McArdle/Everton FC via Getty Images)
3- More difficult games ahead.
The worrying fact for Everton is that their defence and midfield is yet to face a difficult top team other than Tottenham so far. The Spurs team have a tricky top four capable of causing many difficulties to any defence but the same cannot really be said of the other teams Everton have faced.
Does this mean Everton’s high league position is a temporary blimp? Only time will tell but there are certainly plenty more testing times ahead. Their defence and midfield in particular are most likely to be exposed against top sides and so they must prove their worth when the time comes.
The signs aren’t too encouraging however. The Bournemouth and Norwich games both showed that Everton are still a vulnerable team at times and can be there for the taking. Koeman should be a worried man but hopefully as his tactics become second nature to his Everton team then they’ll become more of a solid team.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 17 (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
4- Barry should be used sparingly.
Gareth Barry is another on of the ‘Everton Oldies’. At the age of 35, it would seem in footballing terms that Barry is old and can’t have that too many years left at the top but many would argue he’s a useful player which he undoubtedly is.
However, just as with Jagielka, he’s not a player to build a team around. Barry has got a solid engine in him and does work endlessly but there is no way he should be easily walking into this Everton team that is trying to play exciting football.
There were rumours he played the Everton game on the back of a couple of knocks but is he that important to the team to be risked when Everton needed to bounce back from a midweek defeat? He clearly didn’t look himself and for once appeared tired, surely Koeman was better off playing someone else?
The older a player gets the more they become inconsistent just as young players are normally inconsistent and so Barry should be reserved for certain games and certain situations. Totti is a great example as he still has a remarkable impact at Roma yet approaches his 40th birthday. This is due to his manager knowing exactly when to release him and make an impact.
LONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 23 (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)
5- Everton haven’t adapted yet.
It’s all still very much early days and it’s clear to see that Everton aren’t playing just quite as Koeman wants them to. There are glimpses here and there of what the manager expects from the team but it’s yet to all come together yet.
This is normal and to be expected so there needn’t be any knee jerk reaction yet. There’s plenty of time left in the season to make up for lost ground and Everton should be happy with the start they’ve made so far.
Bournemouth are known for keeping the ball but were only at 54% possession to Everton’s 46%. They were better at keeping the ball and passing it around even though there were times of desperation with 33 clearances made to Everton’s 21.
This is due to Everton’s pressure and soon it will all pay off. They’re only five points off the top from Manchester City who still maintain a 100% record and so Everton can not be disappointed just yet. There’s no room for doom and gloom to set in.
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