Everton match thread

[spt_claret]

I'd be inclined to sub Jay for Amdouni. We've not mustered a shot, he's anonymous. Mistake starting him,Dyche knows what he's all about. He won't beat Tarks in the air or in a foot race. Amdouni will at least outpace their centre backs.

[Swizzlestick]

Looked better on the ball at least but not really had a shot in anger.

[CoolClaret]

We can actually pass out of our half again. Almost like magic

Very soft goal but that’s on our centre halves. Definitely something to build on.

[TommyPicks]

We do look a bit more settled in possession, especially when we’re passing it around in our half. The two centre mids also seem more comfortable dropping deep, to allow for those Muric passes into them.

[burnleymik]

Definitely one of our best performances this season so far. Delacroix has done well at LB. Berge doing well and so is Vitinho.

Cullen seems to be struggling though, been slow on the ball all game. Corky could be the answer.

[jedi_master]

Amdouini second half anyone ??

Only if it’s to play behind Jay, he offers nothing through the middle.

Even then, I wouldn’t want to sacrifice Tresor, Redmond or JBL as they’re all doing well IMO.

[TPClaret]

Far better than Saturday. Defence far more comfortable with Muric passing the ball out.

[ksrclaret]

Definitely better going forwards and slightly better on the ball but...

...our defence gives me kittens. Hard to imagine we'll ever keep a clean sheet.

Redmond and JBL surely have to start on Saturday.

[Burnley Ace]

Can I ask what has McNeil done deserve this abuse from our fans?

No doubt a load of coked up clowns

Some would say he put in very little effort and was particularly poor in our relegation season and then left at the first opportunity.

[Swizzlestick]

Without labouring the point as it's dominating the thread a bit, but if Kompany doesn't see the difference in our play with the keeper change, then I don't really know what to say.

[Darthlaw]

HT analysis

JBL, Berge and Delcroix looking good.
Not happening for Tresor but I like that he keeps trying
Muric with usual heartstopping passes but created our only opportunity through one. Hopefully had his shakey moment for the game in a dicey punch.
Vitinho, AAD - where was this performance against Bournemouth? Totally different players
Cullen - Looks bollocksed

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Looked miles better and more confident than the league team. Shame the defence left Tarks unmarked for their goal. Get Tresor off play someone that can hold the back up in midfield like Cork.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Weird game

Everton still in first gear and they have only had to deal with two shots (none on target).

We look more assured on the ball. But the defence is still a major issue, we really should be two nil down from that flap.

Lots to be positive about but that half showed we have a hell of a lot of issues

[Guller Bull]

Decent first half despite the early goal. Like the look of elcroix and Tresor beginning to look a more settled. Vitihno did well as did Berge.

[ClaretOfMancunia]

Surprise, we look far better playing out from the back with Muric than we do with Peacock-Trafford

[agreenwood]

Some would say he put in very little effort and was particularly poor in our relegation season and then left at the first opportunity.

The whole squad was poor and several players chose to leave that summer who won’t get the same pelters when we come up against them.

[Superjohnnyfrancis]

Without labouring the point as it's dominating the thread a bit, but if Kompany doesn't see the difference in our play with the keeper change, then I don't really know what to say.

I agree very worrying if so.

[RVclaret]

Half time thoughts

- best we’ve played out from the back all season, reasons for this include Muric, Delcroix at lb and playing a double pivot rather than single
- lacking a bit of creativity up front albeit Everton have defended well on that final action, Amdouni and Foster instead of Jay and Redmond
- Berge has looked good playing in a 2 for the first time since City at home, why it’s taken this long for this shape I don’t know
- Tresor and JBL haven’t really had much joy yet

[Rick_Muller]

Different team altogether with Muric in. Has to start on Saturday. I haven’t felt nervous once watching this game, even when he flapped at the high ball. At least he was there and challenged for it. Trafford (unfairly I think) is perceived as a weak point and teams have exploited that to good effect.

[RHansburyEsq]

Our defence is an accident waiting to happen and will continue to be with current available personnel. Music will also make mistakes as we know. However there is no doubt in my mind that Muric’s decisive passing has been far more effective in that first half at releasing the pressure when needed than has been the case recenty

[brexit]

Definitely one of our best performances this season so far. Delacroix has done well at LB. Berge doing well and so is Vitinho.

Cullen seems to be struggling though, been slow on the ball all game. Corky could be the answer.

Agree cullen needs to come off i would swap him for passango

[ClaretPete001]

Decent half... Pity fans booed Mc Neil but a distinct improvement on the last two games.

[Shaggy]

We are much better tonight. Defence and midfield have so much more time on the ball due to Muric’s passing and we are actually starting to grow in confidence a little.

Muric needs to be put back in for the league and drop the league 1 kid.

[fidelcastro]

Some would say he put in very little effort and was particularly poor in our relegation season and then left at the first opportunity.

He was poor, but I never saw a lack of effort.

Dyche would never have tolerated that anyway.

[CoolClaret]

Some would say he put in very little effort and was particularly poor in our relegation season and then left at the first opportunity.

Some more would say his sale allowed us to purchase:

Zaroury, Benson, Muric, Cullen, Ekdal and more

[Swizzlestick]

Thing about AM is he probably will have a few wild moments, but if VK wants to play in this style, he simply has to start to make it work, it's pretty much close to a non-negotiable now. If VK adapts, then that's a different conversation, but to carry on last season's style, he must start. Right, won't mention again!

[SalisburyClaret]

We look far better playing out with Muric but his attempt for the goal and the cross show why Trafford starts

[agreenwood]

I think if we can Beyer, Ekdal & Foster back in, we’ll look more solid at the back and carry more of a threat up too.

…and yes I’d revert to Muric.

[Newcastleclaret93]

Not sure I agree regarding Muric

Think it’s more to do with how Everton are set up.

They are doing what Burnley did under Dyche. They are letting us have the ball in areas where we can’t hurt them. Then playing in transitions to counter us.

The defence are struggling like hell with directness.

[ClaretMat]

I'm not sure our playing out better from the back is wholly down to Muric. Everton don't press as high as a lot of the other teams have done this season and are quite happy to let us have the ball.
In saying that we've worked a couple of good openings, just the final moment hasn't quite been there.

[Murger]

Muric quick passing really does make a difference. We look so much better.

[JarrowClaret]

That's agenda driven

Of course it is same as saying Trafford would have caught that was

[Darthlaw]

We look far better playing out with Muric but his attempt for the goal and the cross show why Trafford starts

In fairness, its great movement from Tarks and Cullen losing him, which results in the goal. Muric may be superman to some, but he aint getting near a cross to the penalty spot, the way McNeil whipped that in.

[FCBurnley]

Trafford would have caught that.

Not stood on his line he wouldn’t !

[ksrclaret]

Thing about AM is he probably will have a few wild moments, but if VK wants to play in this style, he simply has to start to make it work, it's pretty much close to a non-negotiable now. If VK adapts, then that's a different conversation, but to carry on last season's style, he must start. Right, won't mention again!

I say mention whatever you want to mention.

[Carwin261]

Trafford passes the ball from his 6 yd box square to the fullbacks so they’re already penned in ,Muric passes it quickly forward to one of our midfield players who the with the opposition closes them down passes to one of our fullbacks who have already started another 20 yds up the pitch,this was the way we played all last season,either Trafford won’t play like that or VK’s told him to play different ,whatever’s going on VK needs to set the team up to play this way .

[RicardoMontalban]

Not a bad half. Looking much better in possession but that defence is still a breath away from a clanger at any given moment.

[fidelcastro]

Not stood on his line he wouldn’t !

I'll bet you were moaning he was off his line for Bournemouth's second!

[CoolClaret]

Not sure I agree regarding Muric

Think it’s more to do with how Everton are set up.

They are doing what Burnley did under Dyche. They are letting us have the ball in areas where we can’t hurt them. Then playing in transitions to counter us.

The defence are struggling like hell with directness.

We frequently pressed very high up the pitch with Dyche

Especially against teams that played out from the back

[dougcollins]

Tresor needs to up his game, he seems taken aback at times by the speed of the PL. Tracking is somewhat lacking - a bit half-arsed.

[Shaggy]

Muric quick passing really does make a difference. We look so much better.

This 100% it’s not even close.

[warksclaret]

Can we change the subject-I have no access to the game or streams so can someone tell me the two CH's tonight and who is partnering Cullen in a more defensive midfield role

[AGENT_CLARET]

Ironic song being played at ht "bad habits"

[expoultryboy]

I thought we were the better team . Al Dakhil does play some crazy inside passes that puts us under pressure . Fullbacks , Berge , Larson and Redmond have all played really well .

[SalisburyClaret]

In fairness, its great movement from Tarks and Cullen losing him, which results in the goal. Muric may be superman to some, but he aint getting near a cross to the penalty spot, the way McNeil whipped that in.

Yeah it was a terrific cross, it’s just the way Muric doesn’t respond that’s the worry. Just a slight move to his right rather than throwing himself at it

[jedi_master]

Half time thoughts

- best we’ve played out from the back all season, reasons for this include Muric, Delcroix at lb and playing a double pivot rather than single
- lacking a bit of creativity up front albeit Everton have defended well on that final action, Amdouni and Foster instead of Jay and Redmond
- Berge has looked good playing in a 2 for the first time since City at home, why it’s taken this long for this shape I don’t know
- Tresor and JBL haven’t really had much joy yet

Strongly agree with….half of this!

Tresor and JBL have been decent for me - easily Tresor’s best game so far. Not everything or even the majority of things have come off for him but he’s been constantly involved at least. JBL has got round the back a few times and been very busy.

Can’t agree on Amdouni instead of Redmond either, personally. Amdouni has been awful for weeks whether in the ten or through the middle, Redmond has been very bright tonight. I think if Beyer, Ekdal and Foster were in this side you’d be looking at our best eleven.

Hugely impressed with Delcroix, and Vitinho has been surprisingly good too.

[Carwin261]

We look far better playing out with Muric but his attempt for the goal and the cross show why Trafford starts

And do you think Trafford would have come 10 yds off his line for that cross ? and you’ve got to admit whichever camp your in regarding the keeper,we’ve passed the ball out of defence better than all season.

[THEWELLERNUT70]

Muric has proved so far to my eyes at least that his distribution is crisper,quicker and more accurate and it's something that not only allows us to get on the front foot more effectively and relieves pressure on the defence with his more accurate long balls out

But I did try to say that after Saturdays game only to be sniped at by a couple on here

By the way my posts are never agenda driven, just based on fact and using the eyes in my head, I simply want what's best for us as a club and it's supporters!

[dougcollins]

And Redmond has been in the ref's ear, I don't mind that.

[CrosspoolClarets]

Strongly agree with….half of this!

Tresor and JBL have been decent for me - easily Tresor’s best game so far. Not everything or even the majority of things have come off for him but he’s been constantly involved at least. JBL has got round the back a few times and been very busy.

Can’t agree on Amdouni instead of Redmond either, personally. Amdouni has been awful for weeks whether in the ten or through the middle, Redmond has been very bright tonight. I think if Beyer, Ekdal and Foster were in this side you’d be looking at our best eleven.

Hugely impressed with Delcroix, and Vitinho has been surprisingly good too.

Good comment.

Tresor, Redmond, Berge, Vitinho, Muric and Delroix all big positives.

The central defence the polar opposite. It will be a long wait until the window opens on that score.

We deserve to be level but for that defence. Still, bodes well given this is a reserve central defence.