There’s a saying ‘a week is a long time in politics’, well that goes for football too, and certainly for Everton over the past seven days or so.
Following the unexpected Everton victory at Old Trafford last Monday night, there was a sense of anticipation and excitement on Saturday as Newcastle arrived at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. Sadly though it was a case of ‘after the Lord Mayor’s show’ as Eddie Howe’s team rolled Everton over.
If there’s one thing that’s consistent in Everton’s season so far, it’s inconsistency. Just when it feels like there is progression, there seems to be a bump in the road.
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Inconsistency is hindering Everton’s European aspirations
You have to put some context behind where the club is currently at, it’s easy to forget after a number of years of real and present danger it’s maybe folly to expect a complete turnaround and this process will take time.
However, that can’t be an excuse for individual errors, poor defending and a continuing lack of goal threat, which were all evident in the loss on Saturday.
David Moyes said after the game that Everton were not at the level of Newcastle, he may be right. It’s not what Everton fans want to hear right now, but as the manager it’s him who has to deal with what comes after a defeat like that.
What, specifically, he was referring to, I’m not sure. Was it numbers in the squad? Was it quality in the squad? Was it the club as a whole? I suspect it was a bit of all of those. Whether after a 4-1 loss to a team that hadn’t won away all season was the right time to bring it up, who knows.
Manchester United v Everton - Premier League
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It’s true to say Everton as a club still has work to do to get to a place where they are challenging for European spots each season but the bigger, more pertinent question is what is needed to bridge that gap.
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Signings are definitely a starting point. Everton need a full-back, possibly two, they need a holding midfielder, Idrissa Gana Gueye’s absence was highlighted in stark contrast by the ease the Newcastle midfield and strikers negotiated the Everton defence.
And, of course the seemingly old age problem of the lack of goal threat remains. This for me is the priority, the club cannot afford to go into the second half of the season without more firepower, it just simply isn’t an option, if they do they risk another season of struggle in my opinion.
STAT: Thierno Barry had the lowest amount of touches (26) of any player who started in Everton’s 4-1 loss to Newcastle. Even Jordan Pickford (36) and Aaron Ramsdale (37) had more.
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Yes, goals from other areas are needed and I do believe Dewsbury-Hall will have a big say in this as the season goes on but strikers are there to score the goals and right now that isn’t happening.
One thing I do know is that David Moyes will question his role in Saturday’s defeat, he’s as honest as they come but he will also remind everyone that he has needs and he will want to make sure they hear that message.
There are a few tricky fixtures coming up starting at Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday night and games come thick and fast in December, the inconsistency will keep fans nervous so a longer run of results is a must.
I must mention the wonderful tribute the club gave to former player Gary Speed, the ‘Talking Bench’ situated at the stadium as a lasting memorial is truly special and I’m sure it will serve as a poignant legacy to Gary’s memory and hopefully help many people that find themselves in difficult times.
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