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Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish in action for Everton
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Aiden McGeady shares what he really didn’t like about Everton fans
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Aiden McGeady says Everton fans had ‘unrealistic expectations’
Asked whether he enjoyed his time on Merseyside, McGeady said: “Parts of it, it’s a good club, good people, but unrealistic expectations from the fans I felt. You’re competing with Liverpool a mile away.
“We had a good team, the season I joined we finished fifth, we should’ve finished fourth, I think we lost the last three games of the season, if we won one of those games we would’ve got fourth.”
That doesn’t quite add up, though, to be pedantic. Everton did finish fifth in 2013/14, on 72 points, but Arsenal were fourth on 79. Everton lost three of their last five games that season, but beat Hull City on the final day. Even if they’d won the two games they lost, they’d still have finished a point short, although it would’ve put more pressure on Arsenal.
Everton’s band of brothers have rallied after a difficult summer - but who has been their best player this season so far?!
Other (name in the comments)
@gramorris if I was Graham I would be saying yo moyes I've been on the bench for the last 5 games I'm not going on lone and I will be going to my agent to get me a transfer to a club that believe in young talent
We are great at telling ourselves how good our team is .a couple of defeats and we could be in the bottom 3 we are a average side lucky win over Coventry. We need more fire power.so let's look at Moylan of Cardiff City knows where the net is and he is young
Harrison Armstrong, for his age and workrate, got to refuse all offers that will surely come.
As for claims of unrealistic expectations, that feels unfair. Yes, Liverpool were in a title race that campaign, but Everton were well set for finishing in the Champions League places after beating Arsenal 3-0 towards the run-in. But those defeats cost them dearly and Toffees fans were right to be frustrated, despite a great season overall.
Aiden McGeady never lived up to expectations at Everton
McGeady joined in January 2014 in his peak years and was handed the No.7 shirt, so there was plenty of expectation on him.
But it never really happened on Merseyside. There was a lot of huff and puff without much output, and he often looked slightly off the pace. Physically, he never seemed quite up to it, and once things weren’t going his way, his head would go.
He scored just one goal in 43 appearances. To be fair, it was a stunner against Leicester, which showed the quality was there. He just couldn’t show it often enough. It’s a shame, because plenty of fans wanted him to come good.
Glenn Hoddle claims Everton have a player who reminds him of Didier Drogba
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Everton head into the international break in sixth place after a superb run of results, and one player in particular has caught Glenn Hoddle’s eye.
David Moyes’ side came from behind to beat Coventry City 3-1 on Friday night, making it three wins in eight days, after the double over Newcastle.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall got the third goal to cap off another fine display, but it was the man up front who stole the show. And according to Hoddle, he’s starting to look like a Chelsea legend.
Everton’s band of brothers have rallied after a difficult summer - but who has been their best player this season so far?!
Jordan Pickford
@gramorris if I was Graham I would be saying yo moyes I've been on the bench for the last 5 games I'm not going on lone and I will be going to my agent to get me a transfer to a club that believe in young talent
We are great at telling ourselves how good our team is .a couple of defeats and we could be in the bottom 3 we are a average side lucky win over Coventry. We need more fire power.so let's look at Moylan of Cardiff City knows where the net is and he is young
Harrison Armstrong, for his age and workrate, got to refuse all offers that will surely come.
Glenn Hoddle sees shades of Didier Drogba in Thierno Barry
Thierno Barry scored twice and provided an assist against Coventry, taking him to 10 goals and three assists in 13 games in all competitions this season.
Speaking on Premier League Productions’ Generation xG, Hoddle compared the Frenchman’s rise to Drogba’s early days in England.
“When Drogba came to this country, his touch wasn’t good. It was raw. You could see some potential,” he said. “Not saying he’s going to end up like Didier. But I just see some, you know, it was similar the way Drogba was raw… Couldn’t score, then started to score goals. You see a different player, and that’s what you’re seeing now. It’s confidence again.”
It’s quite the comparison, but perhaps it’s not as outlandish as it initially sounds. Drogba joined Chelsea for £24million in 2004, aged 26, and scored 10 Premier League goals in his first season, 16 in all competitions.
Drogba went on to score over 100 Premier League goals for the Blues. Barry, at 24, already has 10 goals this season.
Thierno Barry has simplified his game for Everton
What stood out most against Coventry wasn’t just the goals, though. It was everything else. Barry held the ball up brilliantly, protected it under pressure and brought others into play. He’s simplified his game, and we’re finally seeing a top striker.
Last season, even after scoring, he’d try four step-overs and something outrageous. Now, he keeps it simple, and it works. If he wins his first header or gets his first lay-off right, he’s a completely different player for the rest of the night.
There’s a mental side to it too. Last season, one missed chance and he’d often be hooked. Now, without Beto there, it’s all on Barry, and he seems to love that responsibility. He knows if he misses one, another chance will come.
You can see the extra work on the training ground is paying off, too. He’s stronger, he’s sharper on the ball, and Everton have got better at getting it to him, whether that’s into feet or in the air, with players like Dewsbury-Hall, Tyrique George and Harrison Armstrong arriving in support.
Is he the next Drogba? That’s a big ask. But if Barry keeps improving at this rate, Everton have a proper No.9 on their hands.