Many Everton fans were left understandably disgruntled after Saturday’s 1-0 defeat against Marcelo Bielsa’s Leeds United and Carlo Ancelotti’s continuation of the team’s recent 3-4-3 shape proved to be a controversial talking point in the aftermath of the defeat.
Ancelotti decided to stick with the formation which worked against Fulham last week but came unstuck after a late strike from Whites forward Raphinha clinched all three points for the Yorkshire side.
An all-English back three was joined by two wing-backs who could operate in a freer role than they would be typically afforded in a back four. Alex Iwobi kept his place having performed excellently in a more fluid defensive role against the Cottagers, whilst Tom Davies deputised for the injured Lucas Digne in a surprise move by Ancelotti.
The France international, who requires surgery on a serious injury, is already being missed, and the decision to play with wing-backs may well have proved to be Ancelotti’s undoing at the weekend.
The defensive setup proved to be rather open at times, with Davies even being replaced by Fabian Delph after a less than cerebral performance from the 22-year-old.
These Evertonians took to Twitter to have their say on what went wrong and which areas of Ancelotti’s team need improvement, with one describing his setup on Saturdays as “really annoying”…
Twitter: Still annoyed at football well playing 5-2-3 with no natural wing backs is really annoying me thanks @Everton (@martypl76)
Twitter: @Everton Cracks are showing ,tom davies is a championship player at best was not up to speed with the game got lost many times (@Mraldavies)
Twitter: @PhilipHobbsMOT @90min_Football @Everton You try Tom davies at RWB and iwobi on the other side. Pain (@samkelly1878)
Twitter: @Everton @MrAncelotti Seriously Iwobi and Tom Davies
You sure have given them all opportunities even in various po… https://t.co/5B6CUGf5HP (@Xposure987)
Twitter: @bluekippercom @EvertonArentWe Only way Nkoukou will improve is to play him, instead of shoehorning Davies in an un… https://t.co/znZBb1zqE0 (@Junkyarddogz1)
