Football News: Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers Players Review

Been away for a holiday period so didn't see the Everton v Wolverhampton Wanderers game on TV until late last night. Fantastic 1-2 win for Wolves and probably a win that was very slightly "ahead of schedule".

I looked at the fixtures and, assuming we need about 27 points, thought we have 7 winnable games at home and 5, (of which this was one), away where a point would be our aim - leaving us to just pick up one point from somewhere else! Hence a win away has bought us a little bit of wriggle room perhaps. Free hit v united to get that spare point?

Not sure it was a great performance, but definitely something to build on and certainly Everton were very poor as well - if we had Coady for the rest of the season and not them, I would be very confident we will finish above them but it is going to be tight - thanks Jeff!

Sa 6 - Good performance but little worried by his distribution. Sometimes you just have to go long and not try to over play. Bueno in particular looked really miffed at being dumped with ball and man so often!

Semedo 7 - best performance for a long while. Helped by us effectively playing Neves at Sweeper most of the game then Toti actually playing there for the last few minutes. But strong all round performance, although Everton offered very little down his side with Gordon being their main threat and he played down Bueno's side.

Kilman 6 - I was more impressed than many it seems, but I thought he was solid enough and better on the ball than his partner.

Collins 6 - Had a few scary moments, but also made 2 or 3 really good tackles, so net net gets a 6 as well despite a few issues. Clearly the whole defence needs to improve but with Julen Lopetegui's (JL) coaching and tactics I'm confident it will!

Bueno 4 - I have really liked him so far in his nascent career at Wolves but today was a bad day. Struggled with Gordon both ways. Caught in possession far too often and not strong enough under pressure. PS should have done far better for the goal but even the Prime commentator, Michael Brown, the ex- Manchester City midfielder, who with his co commentator made little effort to hide their pro Everton prejudice - acknowledged "it was a clear shove in the chest and they (Everton) got away with one there!" Very poor from the referee and particularly VAR, but isn't it always!

Hodge 5 - Again, I am far less vexed by him than many others. Neat and tidy - a poor man's Moutinho - but without any real impact. Shouldn't be playing at this level, but nowhere near as bad as many on social media made out.

Neves 7 - Calm and composed, playing so deep he was virtually a 3rd CB. Great clearance off the line. Very worried he got another silly booking. Can't afford for him to have another suspension!

Moutinho 6 - Fantastic pass for the first goal. Still a great, but perhaps needs to play fewer minutes and fewer games. Loved his passion on the side lines!

Hwang 5 - Struggled to get into the game. After good performances at the "World Cup", I was hopeful, but again he looks out of his depth in the Premier League.

Costa 4 - Before the break, I felt he needed a few weeks training as he was 2 - 3 yards off the pace. He still is, sadly and was really a passenger. Just can't get to the ball. Very sad watching a shell of the great player he was lumbering around!

Podence 8 - Took his goal really well and always looking to make stuff happen - which I know isn't what a lot of the fans want, but it is what the team needs! Only complaint was that he needed to offer more help to Bueno as an outlet ball when he was getting closed down so effectively by Gordon.

Subs:
RAN 7 - Very lively and aggressive. Worked v hard and offered a real threat going forwards. Could he play in front of Bueno?

Adama 6 - Unlike Costa, Hwang and particularly Guedes he was a safe outlet as he always holds the ball up and beats his man before looking to create. Again, like Podence, he is a flair player and not to everyone's taste but a class act who with better players and manager should flourish again this season.

Nunes 5 - Obviously a very good player in there, but not sure he knows his role. Beats players easily but often loses the ball too deep. Needs to work harder defensively or be played further forward. As above under JL, I think he will blossom this spring!

Guedes 4 - Like Hwang, he struggled to get into game and loses the ball far too easily.

Toti 6 - Doesn't look that comfortable on the ball, but a good athlete who tries hard and gets something in there when required. A pure defender but not really good enough for the Premier League yet.

All in all some clear progress and some clear evidence of what is needed:
A new CB - unless you sacrifice Neves every week.
A new CF.
Possibly a new WF - only Podence and Traore are good enough.
Particularly if Neves is going to be playing in the back 3, a new CM as Moutinho can't play every week and slow Traore and Nunes are not balanced enough - Traore only has physicality, energy and effort whilst Nunes has skill and class, but as yet doesn't seem up to speed with his role.
Plus unless we are going to play 3 at the back a new RB.

Huge amount to do, but that is the consequence of 5 appalling windows in a row - thanks Jeff!

Written by Thefutureisoldgold December 27 2022 15:51:05