Elston Gunnn

Gana Gueye is playing ACM for Senegal today v. Netherlands. Also taking their free kicks; not so good. I don’t know ......

OS seems to indicate 352. If Mina is injured, presumably Lampard would switch mid-match to a back 4.

I’m guessing 352. But if it’s 433, Holgate’s the DCM-sitter.

Ha, no, not a wind up. A foolish idea, perhaps, but no wind up. I assume Onana is injured. (It appears to me, too, that he’s inclined to get forward, despite lacking obvious attacking skills. But that’s a discussion for another day....) As for Garner, I haven’t seen him as a sitter, but if he is, by all means play him there. Davies, too, but he’s not played there much, if at all. So, as for 6 midfielders, yes, we got ‘em, but only Gana Gueye seems to play sitter, and he’s injured. I do think Holgate deserves a start in this match, and expect Lampard to start him. Undoubtedly in the back 4 rather than as wind-up sitter.

I’m for this. Also, like to see Holgate as the sitter, protecting back 4.

This seems a reasonable starting point to consider what this team is. Was the Palace match the real Everton, a team capable of a top 6-8 finish? Or was the Leicester match, with mediocre-to-poor play, the real Everton, a team that will be bottom third of the table, maybe even in another relegation scrap? I lean toward the latter — we’re not very good — but I’m not confident in my judgment. Am I seeing what I think I’m seeing? I think I see a team (1) whose defense is much improved, (2) that is utterly woeful at (a) basic passing and (b) competent finishing, (3) with several promising midfielders, yet only one of whom is actually delivering, match after match, on that promise, (4) that lacks some combination of pace, energy, aggressiveness, determination, and unity on the counter, and just in possession generally, and (5) whose players, especially in key moments going forward, simply make the wrong decision, failing to notice the right pass, for example. Consistently I think the opposing team passes more crisply and more purposefully. Consistently I think the opposing team shows more energy, pressing more effectively and winning contested balls. We seem under pressure more often than pressing the opponent. We are outfought way too often. Thus, I am rather more surprised, if gleefully so, when we play well, than just routinely dismayed at our standard uninspired play. I don’t often enjoy watching our matches. Yet ....... I am not sure that what I think I see is what’s actually happening on the pitch. Maybe I’m just pre-disgruntled, soured by our last several seasons, expecting to be disappointed and so, disappointed, angry even. What are you seeing?

The “Gana problem” is really delicate. He’s expressed great love for the club and is widely thought an amazing energy player. But he can only play sitter and is quite undependable to play through. Unless he’s injured, Lampard will probably stick with him. Because, complicating the problem, we don’t seem to have an obviously better choice as sitter. I’ve always thought Doucouré should play there, but he won’t, doesn’t, or isn’t asked to do so. Onana, perhaps, but it’s just a wild, probably hopeless hope. I’m inclined to try Davies there, and desperate enough to try Holgate. All this says nothing about our inability to finish, our lack of driving-forward wings — Gray and Gordon sometimes, yes — and our godawful passing. i can’t explain the Palace win, because that's not the Everton on display most matches. Alas.

Doucouré giveaway with a “clever” flick. Our guys look pathetic yet again. Back to our embarrassing play.

Jeez.... Garner’s corner...... Jeez.... Patterson’s cross.....

These 2 should have been on 15 minutes ago.

Where’s Patterson?

Ah, forgot about Doucouré. Glad he’s on for Onana, who’s not played well.

Subs now. Maupay, Gordon, Patterson. Now. Is Lampard hoping to nick a point at the death?

Not even a yellow for that?

Jeez, DCL..... Talk about clinical finishing......

It will be very disappointing if Lampard waits until the 70th minute to make changes. Gordon should be ready to go full tilt, as he was relegated to the bench. Gana must come off, Garner on. Move Onana to sitter. Patterson on. Back 4 Onana Gordon Iwobi Garner DCL Maupay

It’s a real problem. Gana has to be the sitter, but if we’re playing from the back, it’s through him, which is, to put it kindly, not his strength. This is a big issue. Don’t know how Lampard deals with it, but I hope he recognizes it, as it’s obvious.

Cracker goal. Leicester consistently on front foot, we’re a step late.

Good from Tarkowski and Coleman, wasted by Onana, who should be, but so far isn’t, good at headers.

Gana again. Not good.

Yet another giveaway.

Opponents just wait for our passing mistakes.

Leicester just waiting for us to give away a pass.

McNeil with nice protection, but then passes backwards. Bleecchhh.

Like to see us attack right off. We need to start scoring goals, and they haven't been good defensively. Like (but don’t expect) to see 4-4-2 diamond, additional width from FBs, Onana as DCM/sitter/protector. Attack, press, attack, press, attack. Use several subs second half, attackers, defenders, depending on score. Pickford Patterson Coady Tarkowski Mykolenko Onana Garner Gray Iwobi DCL Maupay