Everton Football Club: polarising in the most beautifully, ironically, consistent way.
October saw the Toffees only contest three fixtures, thanks to the ever disillusioning return of the international break. With the disappointing end to September, Ronald Koeman and his team were aiming to break back into the rhythmic form that saw such optimism surface in the opening few weeks of the season.
What we saw was something that typifies Everton, something that simplifies the root cause of all Everton’s issues of the last decade; a dreadful inconsistency.
Manchester City welcomed the Royal Blues to the Etihad in October’s opening Everton fixture; it was always going to be a mountainous task. Up against the sheer force and dominance of a City onslaught, orchestrated by Pep Guardiola, Everton negotiated a draw, with Everton surprisingly taking the lead, through a superb Romelu Lukaku solo goal that shocked spectators. Maarten Stekelenburg also wrote his name in the history books with an astounding performance, saving two penalties from the Citizens either side of the interval, the first from Kevin De Bruyne and the second from Sergio Aguero.
Maarten couldn’t maintain this level of excellence against Burnley at Turf Moor the following week however, with the big Dutchman being at fault for the opening goal scored by the Clarets. Although Yannick Bolasie was able to get his first goal for the club, the day was spoiled by a frustrating late winner from Scott Arfield, a player who should possibly have been sent off much earlier on in the game. It was a huge blow to an Everton side who have now lost only two league games, both to opposition that really should have been blown out of the water.
West Ham United came to Goodison Park for the final game and were put in their place by an excellent second half showing, with Lukaku and Ross Barkley sinking the Londoner’s plans to continue their surge up the league table. A trio of mixed games for Everton suggests that Koeman has still yet to find his rhythm, that he has yet to fully command his team and dictate them to play exactly as he envisages.
There is no problem with this however, in fact far from it. It’s unquestionable that Koeman has tightened the defensive unit much more than his predecessor was able to do, favouring clean sheets over footballing flair. Koeman has also been much stricter with man management on the field, restricting them to complete the sole job he desires and nothing more.
Seamus Coleman and Bryan Oviedo have been put on a restrictive leash, especially the latter, limiting the amount of time and opportunities they get to move forward and join and support the attack. Jagielka was dropped after two games of unsavoury performances, suggesting Koeman will also hold no prisoners in terms of selecting his best team that will achieve his desired result, regardless of the position they may hold amongst the rest of the team.
Yannick Bolasie is beginning to show that, despite being one of the most frustratingly inconsistent players I’ve ever seen, that he has serious potential to be an excellent signing. Simply the sheer determination and desire he showed when assisting Lukaku against West Ham, it was sublime and extremely admirable.
Several fringe players have begun to show that they understand their standing in the squad, and have thus upped their game to prevent themselves from being shipped out in the winter. Oviedo and Tom Cleverley have upped their performance levels, whilst Ramiro Funes Mori and Joel Robles have shown they have what it takes to remain in and around the squad when they are required. Aaron Lennon has yet to shine, although that has something to do with the very little game time he has accumulated so far through injury.
On the youth front, several of the players are determined to showcase what they can do. Tom Davies, Kieran Dowell and Dominic Calvert-Lewin remain the closest to earning a first-team place, and Liam Walsh is also causing tidal waves in his age group that suggest he will make it at some point.
As the month’s progress, Koeman’s vision is becoming increasingly visible for the outsiders, and the areas in which he will most likely look to strengthen in January are being realised.
So, Everton now travel to Stamford Bridge next week in their last game before the international break (*sigh*), and then host Swansea soon afterwards. With Antonio Conte also still trying to find his footing at Chelsea, it’s not unrealistic for Everton to steal all three points in London. With the best support in the world travelling down there, it’s definitely possible.
Now, if only we can fix that pesky consistency problem…
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