Everton v Leeds

[CJ_Claret]

Just an Observation, Leeds played with a real intensity on and off the ball, they were snappy into challenges, looked hungry to win the ball, brave in the press and really caused Everton some issues, for long spells Everton were unable to get out of their own half and looked shell shocked at times.
(I will caveat this with Everton looked poor anyway tonight and for all of Leeds' tenacity they didn't offer much in front of goal)

But I feel its something we don't do enough or consistently throughout a match. There were snippets of it against Spurs and we cause them a few problems in behind when we did, but as a whole we can look quite pedestrian

Now, is this the players we have available or the system, tactics they are asked to play to?

[ollieclarets8]

Now, is this the players we have available or the system, tactics they are asked to play to?

Probably what Parker prefers, but although both us and Leeds play differently, we still both got 100 points last season and beat them. Overall, we were the better side (the league just prefers GD over head-to-head)

When I checked the stats after 85 minutes, Leeds had had 1 shot on target.

[Spijed]

Everton fans turning on Moyes?

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/thre ... 56/page-47

[Commy]

GOT can keep you entertained for ages. One minute the player or manager is the best in the world and the next the worst. They really do have fickle fans.

[CJ_Claret]

When I checked the stats after 85 minutes, Leeds had had 1 shot on target.
[/quote]

Yep agree with your point, for all their work on and off the ball they offered very little but against the likes of Everton who you look poor they certainly took the game to them and at times Everton just couldn't cope with the intensity of Leeds, Similar to Sunderland at times against WHam on Saturday.

My concern is against the lesser teams in the league we may continue to look pedestrian and invite pressure, soak it up and try hit on the break. I would like to see us looking a little more brave in these games and take the game to the opposition a little more.

Saturday will be a great indicator of where we are and with Leeds playing Arsenal will get another view of where they are.

People on here keep saying we shouldn't be comparing ourselves with Leeds and Sunderland but these teams along with Everton, Wolves, Brentford, West Ham are exactly who we should be comparing ourselves to as they are our main competition and who we are going to be fighting for survival against.

[Quicknick]

I stand to be corrected but I think we have beaten Everton more times than any other Premier League team.

Is that the case? Sounds unlikely, but what do I know?

[Spijed]

When I checked the stats after 85 minutes, Leeds had had 1 shot on target.

Yep agree with your point, for all their work on and off the ball they offered very little but against the likes of Everton who you look poor they certainly took the game to them and at times Everton just couldn't cope with the intensity of Leeds, Similar to Sunderland at times against WHam on Saturday.

My concern is against the lesser teams in the league we may continue to look pedestrian and invite pressure, soak it up and try hit on the break. I would like to see us looking a little more brave in these games and take the game to the opposition a little more.

Saturday will be a great indicator of where we are and with Leeds playing Arsenal will get another view of where they are.

People on here keep saying we shouldn't be comparing ourselves with Leeds and Sunderland but these teams along with Everton, Wolves, Brentford, West Ham are exactly who we should be comparing ourselves to as they are our main competition and who we are going to be fighting for survival against.
[/quote]

Didn't we take the game to Spurs at times by creating a few good chances?

[claretonthecoast1882]

Everton fans turning on Moyes?

https://www.grandoldteam.com/forum/thre ... 56/page-47

Surely not ? One of the most deluded fan bases in football were constantly telling people they have got their Everton back now with Moyes

[Tall Paul]

People on here keep saying we shouldn't be comparing ourselves with Leeds and Sunderland but these teams along with Everton, Wolves, Brentford, West Ham are exactly who we should be comparing ourselves to as they are our main competition and who we are going to be fighting for survival against.

We probably shouldn't be comparing after one game where Burnley were away against one of the top 6/8 clubs (yes, I know they finished 17th last season but they're still huge favourites to finish in the top half) and Sunderland and Leeds were at home against teams expected to be in the bottom 8 of the league.

[CJ_Claret]

Didn't we take the game to Spurs at times by creating a few good chances?

We did - My 1st post also said this, I just don't think we do it consistently enough across a full 90mins (last season included).

and to another posters comments, I also agree that out of the 3 promoted teams, we clearly had the most difficult fixture of the opening weekend and I'm certainly not panicking or picking fault, we will have a more balanced view of where all 3 teams are at after 5-10 games but was just an observation of how Leeds caused no end of problems for a team that may or may not be another relegation candidate, and its a part of our game that is missing at times, as we opt for a more patient style.

Neither one is right or wrong just differing styles, but Leeds showed last night it was effective and was able to dominate large parts of the game, I understand it came to nothing, without any meaningful threat up top but it was a decent watch.

I think there were plenty of positives to take from our game against a team that will be around the top 6 come the end of the season, which gives plenty of confidence going into the weekend.

[Spijed]

Btw is Dwight McNeil coming back from injury or just not considered good enough to start games anymore as he stayed on the bench all game?