Everton vs Aston Villa Post-Match Thread

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Really poor going forwards. Narrow in midfield, Watkins really isolated and the full backs much too deep.

Everton are incredibly workman like and mid table- absolutely there for the taking if we had an ounce of fluency. We had absolutely none.

No threat. Too slow in moving the ball into the channel, when we did break beyond their midfield Rogers' passing and through ball was awful. Its really not happening at all going forwards. It looks a mental thing as much as anything; reverting to safety and a pedestrian option.

Midfield being on the slant doesn't help either, but there's a bag of quality in that side, it just appears a fearfulness, lack of confidence has coalesced simultaneously. A goal off somebodies back side Tuesday will help.

[Nii Lamptey]

Patchwork midfield did the best they could do. Our problems lie further forward..

Thought Morgan showed more energy yesterday, definitely better than he has been, but some of those attempted through balls were shocking. Young lad is low on confidence and all we're doing is slating him - Probably needs encouragement from us more than anything.

Ollie is the bigger concern for me. Looked amazing preseason, but looks miles off it since the season started. Not switched on at times, failing to see runs onto promising through balls, not showing for the ball, not bothering to close down defenders who are only a stones throw from him. Something is definitely off there.

[ez]

Maybe it's just me but it looked like on occasions the players only half heartedly attempted to keep the ball in play allowing it to go out for a throw or goal kick to Everton.

[darren woolley]

We were not very good this is worrying.

[john e]

came away with a point thanks to Martinez
not a lot more positives to say really

[eye digress]

We weren’t very fluent in possession, but still had enough to mostly hold Everton at bay.

The interface between midfield and the forwards was more or less non-existent, however, with the final ball consistently wayward, if it came at all. We were also set up way too narrow, especially given what we had on the bench.

Buendia was his usual busy self, but his end product was measly so, unlike others, I didn’t feel he played particularly well. We looked most dangerous when McGinn got on the ball centrally, I felt.

Everton aren’t great but they are more robust under Moyes than they had been over recent years. That plus all the vibe around the new stadium makes me think that a point there is a decent result.

That said, we desperately need a shot of confidence to lift the gloom a bit right now.

[SamTheMouse]

Midfield being on the slant doesn't help either, but there's a bag of quality in that side, it just appears a fearfulness, lack of confidence has coalesced simultaneously. A goal off somebodies back side Tuesday will help.

Agreed. I think once we get going, we'll quickly see improvement.