Lotus

it’s odd because Everton have been in the doldrums before and tbf, they’ve hardly been mainstays competing for European places but, whatever is going on there now has really hit a nerve and lots of them seem properly pissed off. I think as we’re on the outside we can’t appreciate what it is that’s got them so riled so I think having a pop at them is a bit harsh tbh. People are pretty much the same all over when it comes to it. Maybe one of our resident scousers could give us an insight into what’s sparked it off @Neil?

Have thought highly of Billing since he played for Huddersfield. Would add some decent depth to our squad. Left footed too which would be a plus at CM.

Skriniar.

I don’t think that’s the least of our problems. I think it’s a very present problem. Leicester demonstrated how to get at us. Our back 4 are quite slow. Excellent positioning and organisation but nothing makes up for pace. If teams pull our CBs out of position we’re really relying on midfielders to get back to help out. A defensive record is excellent but I’m sure the club are looking to the future and realise that a pacy CB will be a must.

I also think Isak doesn’t love receiving the ball with a defender right on his tail. I think that’s why he drifts wide so he can get the ball and turn easily. Very different skill set to Wilson. Both incredibly useful.

I can’t imagine Tielemans grafting like SL. I know he’d bring all sorts,of,other qualities but the legwork SL is putting in is really impressive.

His enthusiasm is palpable. I imagine he’s good for morale.

Really wish we could rest this guy now and again. Need to preserve him.

He is more effective as the game goes on. Other players tire but he seems to just maintain his intensity. He’s probably the kind of player that sucks the life out of the opposition as well. Constantly harrying.

Think he jokingly made sure BDB didn’t give away too much in the post match….patch 5 was it?

Lot of hyperbolic reaction here. We were a tad unlucky on the night. One of their goals was offside, we had at least 2 point blank shots that were too close to the keeper. It happens. We had some very good passages of play and some that were below the standard we’ve set for ourselves. Losses like these can be meaningful if used as a motivator in the right way. Well done Sheffield Wednesday and good luck with the rest of their season.

Never got behind his signing. However, I do believe his poor shot yesterday was probably down to a bobble. The pitch was not great. Happened to a couple of our players looking to shoot. The rest of his play, that’s on him.

Yeah, he plays like he has no belief in himself whatsoever.

I’m guessing Eddie knows the physical condition of the players, what kind of loads they can put under and how many games they can effectively play. Teams doing well in the league but with small squads tend to start falling away in January and February. We might yet do that tbh. However, i trust Eddie’s understanding of the squad fitness over yours so I’m very happy to back his judgement. FWIW, I think we should have won the game on chances created. Shit happens.

Don’t think he looked particularly good playing central and quite deep. Often had his back to goal when receiving the he ball even from that deep. Needed to be on the half turn at least so he can the field and lay the ball off quick. Ideally seeing the full field as he gets it a lá Bruno. Some nice moves though. Wouldn’t get away with it against stringer opposition.

True legend. Always came across as humble and gentle too. Made it all sweeter somehow.

It’s nice to see Miggy coming across to the left side and putting a cross in occasionally. I’d like to see ASM do that on the right now and again. I think our next evolution will be players changing positions temporarily to confuse the defenders.

His touch is a little and that even shows up in the BL. Hi knit would it would more of a problem here as there’s less time and space. If he could sort that though, or at least improve it (not sure he can at his age) then he would offer something different for sure. If we’re gonna sign another player that can play CF, they really ought to offer something different from what we have.

Maximo Perrone and Ângelo Gabriel i reckon.

Hakimi played both left and right FB for Dortmund. when Sancho played with Guerreiro on the left he had to do all the defending Guerreiro didn’t want to do.

At Dortmund his best form was always when he had an overlapping FB. Especially Hakimi. It gave Sancho that extra bit of time and space to be more incisive.

Yes, think Tuchel decided he could be a LB. Subsequent managers have thought the same for Dortmund. I think it’s lack of serious competition for the place though. If you have winger in front of him who loves defending and also has the legs to continually give an option wide left then Guerreiro has the space to be good on the ball and no responsibility to bother his arse when out of possession. He can very effective in that set up. He’s got. Wry good vision, good close control and his left foot is a weapon.

He’s got a wand of a left foot but he’s a bad defender. Very lazy when out of position too. He’s like those old Brazilian fullbacks from way back when. Only contributed when crossing the half way line.

João Pedro seems like a junior version of him to me.

Casemiro was fantastic, again. Don't get the Neymar/Rodrygo comparisons. I’ve never seen Rodrygo display that sprinkle of magic dust the way Neymar has. Neymar used to have it in bucketloads but even now, there’s plenty of latent, almost magical balance, awareness and velvet ball control that is so rare.