Royal Blue Mersey - Everton v Burnley - Premier League Matchday 7It's a grand old team to supporthttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/52544/royal_fav.png2017-10-03T07:00:02+01:00http://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/rss/stream/161539772017-10-03T07:00:02+01:002017-10-03T07:00:02+01:00Three Thoughts from Everton’s disappointing home loss
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<img alt="Everton v Burnley - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/LYZieopWeiqVcRCY8fRmZki3lS8=/0x201:2306x1738/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56957205/856247424.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Three thoughts for yet another shoddy performance Sunday</p> <h1 id="tqkhQg">Line-up changes fail to make a difference</h1>
<p id="n7IgFy"><span>Ronald Koeman</span> opted for a very different set-up compared to what we’ve seen so far this season. Deploying a 4-4-2, an in-form Oumar Niasse started up top with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nikola Vlasic was sent out on the right wing. </p>
<p id="kJmVLB">These changed appeared to have a positive effect early in the match as <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> started off strong but saw a few scoring chances fall by the wayside. A 21st minute Jeff Hendrick goal saw the wheels come off the bus and Everton reverted to their worst habits. </p>
<aside id="g5rGaL"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Farhad Moshiri backs Ronald Koeman - but should we be worried by his latest comments?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/2/16395722/everton-manager-latest-ronald-koeman-farhad-moshiri-bill-kenwright-carlo-ancelotti"}]}'></div></aside><p id="OYgKIC">There were positives to be drawn from this line-up shuffle. Namely, Niasse and Calvert-Lewin injecting some much needed pace and strength into the striker position. This was also one of the quicker sides that Everton have sent out this season and this allowed them to diversify their attacking options. </p>
<p id="cK4g56">Unfortunately they still failed to crack a very solid and well-organized <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> defense. While speed was injected into the side, it was done at the expense of width. Burnley time and time again took advantage of space on the flanks and created big problems for Everton throughout the match. </p>
<h1 id="ooCBbY">Poor defensive organization dooms Everton</h1>
<p id="gYLSbq">What was considered Everton’s strongest quality, their defense, early in the season has quickly turned into an Achilles heel for the side. Look no further than Burnley’s lone goal to see how lost Everton’s defense has become. Everton’s defense seemed content on ball-watching as Hendrick neatly slotted the ball into the far corner of the net. </p>
<p id="nSmj8p"><span>Ashley Williams</span> may be an easy scapegoat for Everton’s defensive woes, and yes he has been terrible, but these issues are not limited to him. <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> has been a shell of himself since getting sent off against <a href="https://bitterandblue.sbnation.com/">Manchester City</a>. He is meant to be a shield for the back line, but has been doing a poor job of that over the last few matches. Idrissa Gueye has been forced to run all over the pitch putting out fires, but these efforts also leave holes elsewhere on the pitch. </p>
<aside id="Ju9teE"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"RECAP: Everton 0-1 Burnley","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/1/16392848/recap-everton-0-1-burnley-premier-league-october-2017-hendrick-koeman"}]}'></div></aside><p id="KevRkF">Everton’s fullbacks have not been without errors either. Several times in this match, the back four was playing so narrow that Burnley’s fullbacks were open to bomb cross after cross into the box. Let us not forget it was Burnley’s left back, <span>Stephen Ward</span>, who played a clever cut back pass that lead to the opening goal. </p>
<p id="0qOs9p">Unfortunately for Everton, their options in defense and midfield are limited. <span>Phil Jagielka</span> and Mason Holgate are unlikely to turn Everton’s defense around and the same goes for the defensive midfield position. <span>James McCarthy</span> is unable to stay healthy and Muhamed Besic has his own set of issues, namely discipline. </p>
<h1 id="d69Uzb">Gylfi Sigurdsson wasted on the wing</h1>
<p id="20MDmy">Watching Gylfi Sigurdsson play on the wing this season has been an exercise in futility. Due to a self-created logjam in midfield, Koeman has been forced to play a number of his best players out of position. But the insistence on playing Sigurdsson out wide is the worst offender. </p>
<p id="ML17OE">Sigurdsson has shown flashes of brilliance at times this season. He’s been one of the best attacking midfielders in the Premier League over the past few seasons, but his skills are wasted out wide. He is undoubtedly a slow player and while good with the ball, he lacks the skillful moves to break past defenders. </p>
<aside id="IftV25"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Ronald Koeman’s new Everton setup didn’t solve the club’s major problems","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/2/16402508/ronald-koeman-everton-manager-tactical-analysis-burnley-sigurdsson-rooney-niasse-wingers"}]}'></div></aside><p id="UtMROH">I’ll admit I was pleased to see Rooney and Klaassen on the bench in this match, hoping this would mean a start at attacking midfield for Sigurdsson, but it wasn’t until late in the match that he was finally slotted into his best position. </p>
<p id="ydHHVc">It is worth mentioning that Sigurdsson had one of his best games with Everton today and was unlucky not to have a goal or two in this match. He did do a better job of cutting inside and finding teammates in scoring positions. Unfortunately, until he gets more games in the middle of the park his massive price tag will be difficult to justify. </p>
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https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/3/16392482/everton-0-burnley-1-three-thoughts-scoring-woes-continue-disappointing-home-loss-koeman-managermralbaugh2017-10-02T20:08:38+01:002017-10-02T20:08:38+01:00Everton v. Burnley: Tactical Analysis
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<img alt="Everton FC v Apollon Limassol - UEFA Europa League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/eeFZVoJMvVJMaiUQvRJIFVsaoro=/0x0:2994x1996/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56956717/855226728.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>The Dutchman injected more pace into his starting XI, but it wasn’t enough.</p> <p id="8AilqL">To start, I have to begrudgingly admit I owe <span>Ronald Koeman</span> an apology. </p>
<p id="8emE1K">Ahead of this match, he suggested his team ought to play more direct, and he might employ players a little more capable of moving the attack forward quickly, rather than the slow, plodding nonsense we’ve grown accustomed to this season. <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/29/16384722/ronald-koeman-comments-quotes-everton-tactical-shift-burnley-play-direct-slow-buildup-lineup-change">I, in essence, called bull— on that</a> — simply thinking he was too stubborn to make such a change.</p>
<p id="ttTCav">Well, the Dutchman is still intolerably stubborn, and made plenty of mistakes on Sunday against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a>, but he was true to his word that he’d change his team shape and look to play more direct.</p>
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<p id="bJ6dX5">Koeman elected to go with genuine pace up top with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Oumar Niasse, giving his side something it has sorely lacked most of the season. </p>
<p id="XBbuUs">In the midfield, Nikola Vlasic and Gylfi Sigurdsson brought plenty of technical ability, but relatively little speed out wide. From the wingers back, there were no real surprises, with Michael Keane returning to the lineup alongside <span>Ashley Williams</span>, as <span>Phil Jagielka</span> once again missed out.</p>
<p id="BHVlYT">Burnley, to Sean Dyche’s credit, came out playing relatively aggressively, at least by Burnley standards. The result was a pretty open first 20 minutes, in which both teams created decent chances.</p>
<aside id="t2rv56"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"RECAP: Everton 0-1 Burnley","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/1/16392848/recap-everton-0-1-burnley-premier-league-october-2017-hendrick-koeman"},{"title":"Koeman denies his job is on the line","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/1/16393650/koeman-comments-everton-burnley-loss-job-risk-sacked-fired-whats-next"}]}'></div></aside><p id="FJzGXF">I’d like to focus on what <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> did right in attack during those opening 20 minutes, largely because we’ve had so little positive to discuss in terms of attack this season. The majority of the positive play came from the relationship between Oumar Niasse and Gylfi Sigurdsson.</p>
<p id="MidkK7">Sigurdsson has gotten off to a pretty rough start to his Everton career, but that’s largely because he’s been forced to operate out wide on the left wing — which is not where he can most positively impact the match. He needs to be in the center of the pitch, facilitating play, creating chances, and getting shots.</p>
<p id="BFBSUV">Though his starting position was on the left Sunday, his relationship with Niasse allowed for him to work the center of the pitch. Niasse tended to drift left, drawing Burnley defenders and pushing them to sit deep out of respect for his pace — in turn, Sigurdsson could come into the vacated, deeper, more central space. </p>
<p id="1HURXg">Check out the Icelander’s heatmap from the opening 20 minutes of the match, courtesy of <a href="http://EvertonFC.com">EvertonFC.com</a>.</p>
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<p id="d8qqfh">Gylfi didn’t get on the ball a ton, but when he did, it was in a central area — either deep enough where he could look up and try to pick a pass into the final third, or close enough to goal to play the key pass or get a good shot.</p>
<p id="SBp9ny">In just the 20 minutes before Burnley opened the scoring, Sigurdsson recorded three chances created and a shot on target (on which he probably should have scored). You can tell he’s still suffering the effects of having no real preseason, and hasn’t gotten a true chance to acclimate because of where Koeman has forced him to play — but you can also tell that he’s got real quality, and properly utilized he can make a big difference.</p>
<p id="PX62Tn"><span>Leighton Baines</span> and Nikola Vlasic got in on a few chances as well, as the team’s overall passmap from the opening 20 minutes shows.</p>
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<p id="bBkari">There were a fair number of failed long balls in this period, but a decent chunk of successful ones too. Calvert-Lewin and Niasse did well to chase passes down and hold possession in the middle third to move the team forward, and the result was Everton’s creative players getting the ball in the attacking third.</p>
<p id="NkQkm7">But, everything changed after Everton conceded.</p>
<p id="l817iV">Two predictable things happened after Jeff Hendrick put Burnley ahead in the 21st minute — Everton lost its confidence and Burnley sat deeper. There isn’t much left to say about the Toffees’ crisis of confidence at this point. To me, it must largely be related to Koeman’s inability to put together a coherent tactical plan — but of course, I’m not in the locker room, so that’s only a best guess.</p>
<p id="7EL2zn">However, I don’t need to be in the locker room to speak to the issues Everton had with Burnley’s adoption of a deep line. </p>
<p id="be5kQa">Burnley’s defensive shape meant Niasse could not as easily drag defenders away from the middle — the Clarets were already playing so deep that dragging them even closer to their own goal wasn’t feasible, and their bunkering central midfielders had the central channel covered completely.</p>
<p id="Zh15O9">The result? A passmap that looks like this.</p>
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<p id="YyeguZ">This map covers the period between the 21st and 63rd minutes, that is, the period between Burnley’s goal and Everton’s first substitution and subsequent change of shape.</p>
<p id="Fg6Xeo">Note the number of passes that go across the backline, either between center-backs or from the center-back to full-back / full-back to center-back. The Toffees were able to easily possess given the lack of high pressure from Burnley, but their two blocks of four prevented any real attacking momentum from building in the center of the pitch.</p>
<p id="k125GB">Everton out-possessed Burnley 70/30 in the second half, but with nowhere dangerous to move the ball, the Clarets were ultimately pretty happy with that.</p>
<p id="UDxCyr">The result is the other major characteristic of this passmap — lots of hopeful long balls forward. Six-foot-three Burnley center-back James Tarkowski was only too happy with that development though, easily managing the danger of Everton aerial balls alongside defense partner <span>Ben Mee</span>. </p>
<p id="JSxzat">And so it went, pretty blandly, until the 63rd minute. Koeman brought on <span>Wayne Rooney</span> for <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span>, and shortly thereafter Tom Davies for Nikola Vlasic, changing his team’s shape.</p>
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<p id="wI99QM">Koeman elected to completely forgo any semblance of width, instead opting to put three of his most creative players in the center of the pitch ahead of Idrissa Gueye and hope for the best.</p>
<p id="JyiF2n">The team passmap from this portion of the match (from after the first sub until the end of the game) actually reflects pretty kindly on the switch — perhaps more kindly than it deserves.</p>
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<p id="HvV3eo">Once again, it was Gylfi Sigurdsson getting involved in everything the Toffees did right. He created four chances in the final half hour, to go along with three in the opening 20 minutes. </p>
<p id="6Hc9Cv">In the 40 minutes between, when he was forced to play more as a true winger, he completely only 10 of 16 passes, 0 of 4 crosses, created zero chances, and had zero shots on goal.</p>
<p id="0qhNVI"><strong>Gylfi Sigurdsson has to play in the middle of the pitch. Period. End of discussion. </strong></p>
<p id="4ZOqBK">Continued misuse of the Icelandic superstar is only going to drive the team’s attack further into the ground. Everton will not consistently score goals while he is isolated on the left wing.</p>
<p id="2H71aM">Of course, Everton didn’t score during this period either, and that is largely because Koeman’s tactics played right into Burnley’s hands. </p>
<p id="F9xwpw"><strong>Bunkering teams </strong><em><strong>love</strong></em><strong> when their opponents play narrow.</strong> Putting the five most advanced players all within 20 yards of each other makes life exceedingly easy for teams looking to defend this way. </p>
<p id="El1cBD">Let’s take a quick look at the tactics board to talk about this problem.</p>
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<p id="QiTA3b">Let’s start with the basics — if we assume Everton’s front five, plus the full-backs, get into the attack, there are seven players going forward. We know Burnley is defending deep in two blocks of four, so there are more defensive players than attacking ones.</p>
<p id="81nO6O">The attackers have to do something special to make a play, because they will always be outnumbered. So let’s see what the problem is for Everton in its current setup.</p>
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<p id="ToWZW6">Let’s assume Sigurdsson has the ball in this situation. Because Everton has only one wide player on each side, Burnley’s wide midfielders are free to come to the inside to help out with covering central attackers. </p>
<p id="aCTHKw">From the Everton perspective, there just isn’t enough room to operate for a few of the central players. Both 3 and 5 are stuck between several Burnley defenders, but don’t really have anywhere to go — and Gylfi doesn’t have an obvious passing option. Now, let’s reimagine this situation, but with Sigurdsson at the 10, and Rooney and Davies replaced by true wingers.</p>
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<p id="lvDrLx">Just a slight re-positioning of the Everton attackers opens up way more space for Everton and creates tough decisions for the Burnley defenders. </p>
<p id="863ZIW">With true wingers out wide, the two strikers both have a lot more room to run into — both because their teammates aren’t blocking the way and the wide defenders and opposing midfielders have to stay wide to respect the Everton width. </p>
<p id="o28M9b">If the wide Burnley midfielders over-commit to the outside, the full-backs or wingers can cut into the space at the corners of the box and look to whip a shot or cross in, but can also continue to stay out wide if the strikers have space in the middle.</p>
<p id="khWpvc">Unfortunately for Everton, Koeman never opted to throw true width on the pitch. Ademola Lookman sat on the bench for the full 90, while <span>Kevin Mirallas</span> and <span>Aaron Lennon</span> waited who-knows-where for the match to be over. </p>
<aside id="hTZZ6x"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Farhad Moshiri backs Ronald Koeman - but should we be worried by his latest comments?","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/2/16395722/everton-manager-latest-ronald-koeman-farhad-moshiri-bill-kenwright-carlo-ancelotti"},{"title":"Everton reportedly hold talks with candidate to replace Ronald Koeman","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/2/16401370/ronald-koeman-sack-out-everton-managerial-odds-tuchel-ancelotti-walter-mazzarri"}]}'></div></aside><hr class="p-entry-hr" id="wRNIzZ">
<p id="uPky7e">There are, then, two important lessons to be learned from this match.</p>
<ol>
<li id="1M4ZFg">Gylfi Sigurdsson needs to play in the middle — no qualms, no hesitation, no questions. The Toffees lack creativity, and the Icelander has plenty to offer. Koeman needs only to let his best playmaker make plays.</li>
<li id="8fmoU3">Everton needs to use its wide players. I can’t believe I’m stating this like it’s not excessively obvious, but here we are. Teams with world-class creative and striking talent can get away with playing five or six central attacking players, pass the ball between them, and rely solely for width. Everton does not have that level of talent.</li>
</ol>
<p id="AgTeRj">So yes, Koeman made a change against Burnley, and brought something that the team needed into the match — a little extra pace and direct play. But until he brings these two things into the picture as well, things are only going to get worse.</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/2/16402508/ronald-koeman-everton-manager-tactical-analysis-burnley-sigurdsson-rooney-niasse-wingersAdam.Braun2017-10-02T12:40:13+01:002017-10-02T12:40:13+01:00Farhad Moshiri backs Ronald Koeman - but should we be worried by his latest comments?
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<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
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<p>Everton’s majority shareholder has no plans to sack the Dutchman - despite Everton’s dreadful start</p> <p id="ydRnwI">Farhad Moshiri has publicly backed <span>Ronald Koeman</span> and has no plans to sack him despite <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>’s poor start to the season.</p>
<p id="Sdh3wM">Sunday’s dreadful performance against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> was merely the latest in a succession of below-par displays by the team this season, despite extensive investment in the playing squad over the summer.</p>
<p id="fwQqF1">That has put the spotlight firmly on Koeman, with several supporters questioning whether he is good enough to guide Everton out of this slump.</p>
<p id="tEIoqc">Former Bayern Munich boss Carlo Ancelotti has quickly been installed as the bookies’ early favourite to take over should Koeman depart.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Carlo Ancelotti is the early favourite to replace Ronald Koeman should he depart <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EFC?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EFC</a> <a href="https://t.co/BQdIDImoLC">https://t.co/BQdIDImoLC</a></p>— Oddschecker (@Oddschecker) <a href="https://twitter.com/Oddschecker/status/914795306105090048?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2017</a>
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<p id="ZB1Zv5">The two week international break is a popular time for chairman and owners to sack managers as it gives them time to bring in a replacement.</p>
<p id="jaGBVd">That led to speculation Everton could do the same, with 13 days until their next league game against Brighton.</p>
<div id="QSfBuN">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Majority shareholder Farhad Moshiri on <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Everton</a>: <a href="https://t.co/9VuwBKcdMR">pic.twitter.com/9VuwBKcdMR</a></p>— Jim White (@JimWhite) <a href="https://twitter.com/JimWhite/status/914781876585418752?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 2, 2017</a>
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<p id="NKuV5O">However, Moshiri has moved quickly to dispel such rumours and publicly backed his manager.</p>
<p id="2Z7hwP">Speaking, yet again, through his media mouthpiece Jim White, Moshiri said:</p>
<blockquote>
<p id="DdHcsn">“We are in a bad moment but we have played the four title contenders, three away.</p>
<p id="0ElfPe">Today was the only unexpected loss. The four pre-qualifying UEFA games and two group games on Thursdays haven’t helped. There is mental and physical fatigue and seven injuries haven’t helped.</p>
<p id="yFC9go">These are early days and Koeman has my total support. We have great fans and they deserve better. We know the honest and objective expectations of our supporters and we will not let them down.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="7tQL4Y">On one hand, this is strong and decisive leadership from Moshiri. It puts to bed any speculation about Koeman’s future for now, allowing the Dutchman some breathing space in order to try and turn things around.</p>
<p id="w2BMll">On the other, some of the excuses sound pretty thin. Europa League games can’t excuse the muddled tactics and formations employed by Koeman in recent weeks. </p>
<p id="HHd9iK">And while the injuries haven’t helped, there is still enough ability and depth in the squad to get results. </p>
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<img alt="Everton v Burnley - Premier League" data-mask-text="false" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/JqfLtqyy53ZyW6uP4Op6_m1JYb8=/400x0/filters:no_upscale()/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/9370651/856261276.jpg">
<cite>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</cite>
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<p id="wkh03M">Everton have high ambitions and want to compete with the best teams in the division and in Europe. To do so they have to cope with playing three games in a week and the associated knocks and niggles that comes with it.</p>
<p id="rQphX6">Then there’s the “only unexpected loss” line. That is not what you want to hear from an owner. </p>
<p id="khokPx">It screams of a lack of ambition and the kind of “plucky little Everton” image the fans have been desperate to get away from for years.</p>
<p id="7D14QW">We should never go into a game expecting to lose. It’s just the sort of attitude that has held us back for far too long and explains why the supporters, who have seen the club lift one major trophy in 29 years, are sick of it.</p>
<p id="oTY9gv">Moshiri’s tenure at the club has been a breath of fresh air after years of stagnation and we have plenty to be thankful to him for.</p>
<p id="EijeiZ">He has generally let his actions speak louder than words and has achieved so much in a relatively short space of time. </p>
<p id="thluzl">So while these comments are worrying, he deserves the benefit of the doubt for now, especially as words can so often be twisted when they are churned through the media.</p>
<p id="Gj98D0">Lets hope this is just a minor blip on the long and treacherous road back to the top.</p>
<p id="0SbmdK"></p>
<p id="QUwk7T"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/2/16395722/everton-manager-latest-ronald-koeman-farhad-moshiri-bill-kenwright-carlo-ancelottiTom Mallows2017-10-01T22:08:08+01:002017-10-01T22:08:08+01:00Koeman denies his job is on the line
<figure>
<img alt="Swansea City v Everton - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/f01PR8o5kunWBZctxUmcaBwJi2c=/136x0:3459x2215/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56936829/679706788.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Manager’s comments after frustrating home loss</p> <p id="QNPfxe">After <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> slipped to a loss at home against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a>, manger <span>Ronald Koeman</span> would not be drawn into a conversation on whether he was the right man to continue this Toffees rebuild. </p>
<blockquote><p id="uXwOo8">“Yeah but I don't answer about this type of question because it is not the business at this moment.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="N49K1b">He went on to comment that the money the Blues spent should not have a direct bearing on the team’s performances. </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="C0z3Xs">“It's always about the money. And it is so easy in this situation to speak about money but it is always about the difference in spending and getting from transfers. </p>
<p id="YyFnM5">“We have a lot of young players in the squad performing for Everton and that is the way we like to continue and, of course, we have to improve and win games, I know that it is no question, what I do is try to get the best out of the players and if there is no commitment, no aggression that's maybe a reason to think about my future but I saw today I thank the players for the commitment they played with today.</p>
<p id="cIqhtr">“We will continue, I will do my job, and try to do the best for my job and all the stuff and the questions are not in my hands.”</p>
</blockquote>
<div id="oZrIX3">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">LIVE reaction from Ronald Koeman <a href="https://t.co/ltv9yTUd7l">https://t.co/ltv9yTUd7l</a></p>— Everton (@Everton) <a href="https://twitter.com/Everton/status/914510997959798785?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">October 1, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script async="" src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="iUXYLV">Despite the loss today, Koeman refused to blame his players today - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="AxL9Ui">“If you look to the final result, then it is an easy question to answer. We tried to be the dominant team, be aggressive, be more direct than we normally play.</p>
<p id="yYRaGU">“We had three big chances in the beginning but their first shot on target and we are 1-0 down. That's football.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="QYJi47">Koeman added about the team performance - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="Lra6AB">“I can't complain about the players today, they did everything.</p>
<p id="7lSkeq">“There are situations in our ball position where, maybe, we can create more but it is not so easy against Burnley.</p>
<p id="gFrtSZ">“If you go behind, they are a defensive-minded team, but well organised, really physical and you need to be lucky for second-balls and maybe the handballs.</p>
<p id="dq1Sud">“We tried everything and the commitment and spirit of the players was really positive but the final result was not and if you look only to the final result then, ok, but I don't.</p>
<p id="kB05xx">“I think we started well, we started full of confidence and played well in the beginning but some circumstances are against the players at the moment and that is sometimes really difficult to deal with that but that is also football.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="5dqcyD">With the international break coming up, Koeman was asked if the break was welcome with the tumult going on at Goodison - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="fJBNfD">“Of course you like to work with the players every day to improve the team, but maybe in this situation it’s good to have the break. </p>
<p id="Gjwfr2">“It’s all about the game in two weeks now and that’s what we need to prepare for.”</p>
</blockquote>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/1/16393650/koeman-comments-everton-burnley-loss-job-risk-sacked-fired-whats-nextCalvin2017-10-01T21:52:41+01:002017-10-01T21:52:41+01:00RECAP: Everton 0-1 Burnley
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Burnley - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/on6eQO52c1PCNqGSyj6Iu4p2D4c=/0x60:3618x2472/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56936659/856261276.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Blues beaten by bright Burnley</p> <p id="GJZ5xj"><a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> continued their fine away form and heaped the pressure on <span>Ronald Koeman</span> with a deserved 1-0 win at Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="8MEyLE">After a string of impressive cameos, Nikola Vlasic was handed his first Premier League start, playing on the right flank with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the other wing and Oumar Niasse being handed a first league start of the season. <span>Wayne Rooney</span> watched from the bench for the first time since his return to the Blues. <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> started well and should have been a goal ahead as Gylfi Sigurdsson had space to shoot in the box, but his shot was straight at Nick Pope. Oumar Niasse also forced a save from the impressive stand-in Burnley goalkeeper, before the Clarets took the lead with an uncharacteristic 24-pass move involving nine players.</p>
<p id="efQDdY">Sean Dyche has got Burnley brimming with confidence and playing some really nice stuff as they shake off their traditional “long ball team” tag. They knocked the ball about with crispness and confidence and eventually <span>Stephen Ward</span> got into a position to cut the ball back to Jeff Hendrick in the box who nonchalantly feigned past <span>Morgan Schneiderlin</span> before placing his shot past the helpless <span>Jordan Pickford</span>. A deserved opener for the visitors who were capitalising on a low-on-confidence Blues side.</p>
<p id="IsicmE">There was a distinct lack of intensity in the Everton side and they were certainly playing like a team facing their fourth loss in seven Premier League matches so far. Burnley were well on top and certainly the more comfortable of the two sides. <span>Ashley Williams</span> had a couple of his trademark brainless moments and nearly gave away crucial chances, with <span>Scott Arfield</span> going down under a clumsy challenge from the Welshman in the box, but Jon Moss deemed it a dive and booked the Canadian winger.</p>
<p id="JLEpPt">The second half began and if it wasn’t for the scoreboard you’d have thought Everton were 3-0 up, with no real energy or production going forward. The players looked a bit lost and confidence is certainly now at rock bottom. Burnley’s defence has won them points away at <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a>, Tottenham and <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, so our toothless attacking really wasn’t much of a threat for the claret and blue wall. Niasse headed the best chance of the second half but couldn’t score. </p>
<p id="vE37iR">Burnley could and probably should have wrapped the game up when <span>Robbie Brady</span> was allowed far too much space on the left wing to square for the unmarked Chris Wood who would have been left with a tap in; however Pickford expertly got a hand to it to keep the Blues in it. Rooney and Davies both tried their luck from distance late on to no avail and Everton’s desperate lumps into the box were child’s play for the impressive <span>Ben Mee</span> and man of the match James Tarkowski. There were a couple of penalty appeals from the Blues, calling for hand ball on two occasions however Jon Moss wasn’t interested and rightly so as neither were penalties.</p>
<p id="SoUYKa">The final whistle sounded and a chorus of boos greeted it, with Koeman swiftly sloping off down the tunnel as he prepares himself for the tough questions and major scrutiny he will now face after guiding Everton to 4 league losses from 7 games. Couple that with fact he has spent £150 million and it isn’t hard to see why Koeman’s job security is going to be the focus of the intense media spotlight.</p>
<p id="YbLZvg">I’m beginning to feel like a broken record. These performances, devoid of endeavour, intensity, ingenuity and quality, are becoming a common theme and that should not be the case when you consider the talent we possess at this club. No one other than the coaching staff and the playing staff know what is going on behind closed doors but recent performances stink of a team who are no longer playing for their manager. The fans all know the talent our players have which is why it is so bemusing they are performing so poorly. Teams we should be comfortably dispatching are running us ragged and snuffing out attacks with consummate ease. It is the manager’s responsibility to get the best out of his players and at the moment Koeman is falling well short of the mark. We now sit in 16th place in the table. </p>
<p id="UUA4hB">The manager has an international break now to gather his thoughts, regroup and try and arrest what is becoming a farcical run of form, starting with a tricky trip to the south coast to face Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Failure to win there coupled with anything other than 3 points at home to Lyon four days later and the tricky Carabao Cup game at Chelsea the following week becomes a must win game. A loss at Stamford Bridge could just be the final nail in the coffin for the Dutchman.</p>
<p id="T8lnjP"> </p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/1/16392848/recap-everton-0-1-burnley-premier-league-october-2017-hendrick-koemanCalDumbell2017-10-01T03:00:02+01:002017-10-01T03:00:02+01:00Everton vs Burnley: How To Watch & Gamethread
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Burnley - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/DzVCwGNmT3emoDkEm-QTNR-m3kA=/0x42:4196x2839/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56929245/668805552.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Koeman better get his team in order or his job could be in jeopardy</p> <p id="LGezT6">How often are October matches against <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> important to <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a>? Sunday’s game may be the biggest ever. <span>Ronald Koeman</span> and his squad continue to be under the microscope follow Thurday’s disappointing draw against Apollon Limassol at Goodison Park. Would a loss result in Koeman’s sacking? The fact that it is even a question means things are not going well for Ronnie and company.</p>
<p id="nSdtEW">The issues, as well as their solutions, seem obvious to anyone that is paying attention. Talented players are being played out of position over and over again. Koeman seems obvious to this fact and therein lies the problem. Will he change and stop trying to find square pegs in round holes? I’ll believe it when I see it.</p>
<h1 id="tj4rzW">Match Details</h1>
<p id="Tn0k5V"><strong>Date and start time:</strong> Sunday, October 1st at 6:15 a.m. PT / 9:15 a.m ET / 2:15 p.m. BST</p>
<p id="jLb1aE"><strong>Stadium:</strong> Goodison Park, <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a>, England</p>
<p id="zsVmIG"><strong>Capacity: </strong>40,157</p>
<p id="jWmOa0"><strong>Weather: </strong>64°F/18°C, rainy, 90% chance of rain, 19 mph winds</p>
<h1 id="NylbZy">How to Watch/Listen</h1>
<p id="ZqDVb5"><strong>TV:</strong> NBCSN - <em>United States</em><em>; </em>Sky Sports Premier League<em> - </em> <em>United Kingdom</em></p>
<p id="mGBAfE"><strong>Radio: </strong>Everton Match Centre, TalkSport, BBC Radio 5</p>
<p id="RIzcMT"><strong>Live stream:</strong><strong> </strong>NBC Sports Live Extra, EvertonTV, Sky GO, NOW TV</p>
<p id="mNCGv2"><strong>Gamethread:</strong> Comments section below starting one hour before game time</p>
<p id="eB2O1I"><a href="http://www.livesoccertv.com/match/2502788/everton-vs-burnley/">Information from LiveSoccerTV.com</a></p>
<h1 id="k6zWnV">Lineups</h1>
<h3 id="Zz6RPN">Everton</h3>
<p id="HBo89P"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- TBA</p>
<p id="sCVCti"><strong>Bench</strong> - TBA</p>
<h3 id="xY65uV">Burnley</h3>
<p id="n1FsMV"><strong>Starting XI </strong>- TBA</p>
<p id="cQhrSG"><strong>Bench </strong>- TBA</p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/10/1/16378640/everton-burnley-start-time-lineups-tv-schedule-live-stream-how-to-watch-online-2017-koeman_TyYoung2017-09-30T17:45:12+01:002017-09-30T17:45:12+01:00Koeman under pressure as Burnley visit Goodison
<figure>
<img alt="Everton v Burnley - Premier League" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/dqqIL9ELZxxJOU2MH5e0xcUYQ9A=/0x0:3990x2660/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56925731/668819488.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Focus is squarely on the Toffees boss in the aftermath of another poor result</p> <p id="6VsYzR"><a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> were dealt another harsh lesson as to the fine margins of football in Thursday’s game against Apollon Limassol.</p>
<p id="0YKy0I">The Toffees were two minutes away from another morale-boosting victory after a much improved second half performance.</p>
<p id="b03JrM">That would have made it three wins in a row in all competitions and restored some much needed confidence after a rocky few weeks.</p>
<p id="NHvNAe">Unfortunately a sloppy foul given away and poor marking from a free-kick allowed Apollon to equalise and heap further pressure on manager <span>Ronald Koeman</span>.</p>
<aside id="2pZwfw"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Koeman says tactical and lineup changes could come against Burnley","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/29/16384722/ronald-koeman-comments-quotes-everton-tactical-shift-burnley-play-direct-slow-buildup-lineup-change"},{"title":"Everton Faces Several Challenges Against Burnley","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/29/16383892/everton-burnley-preview-premier-league-three-keys-ronald-koeman-wingers-sigurdsson-holgate"},{"title":"Koeman is not worried about getting sacked from Everton","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/30/16389260/koeman-not-worried-getting-sacked-from-everton-board-moshiri-kenwright-results-money-spent"}]}'></div></aside><p id="MHieM9">His future has been questioned by some of the more radical parts of the fanbase, particularly on social media (hardly the bastion of calm, measured thinking admittedly).</p>
<p id="kjdN2f">It’s very unlikely the Dutchman will be going anywhere anytime soon, but some of his tactical decisions do deserve some scrutiny. As does a summer transfer policy that is looking more and more botched as the weeks go by.</p>
<p id="I3KWhq">Once again the same old issues reared their head against Apollon, namely a lack of width and pace.</p>
<p id="zmlMYW">Things improved with the introduction of Nikola Vlasic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. And with Oumar Niasse also available to return, Everton’s frontline may finally have some of the dynamism it’s frustratingly lacked all season.</p>
<p id="iN3mCp">Koeman is desperately scratching around for the right formation to suit his new-look squad. Once he finds it then the team may be ready to embark on some sort of positive run.</p>
<p id="NkHFCI">But the longer this wretched run of form goes on the howls on discontent are only going to get louder.</p>
<h3 id="9QbiiC">The opposition</h3>
<p id="Hs22qo">Founder members of the Football League in 1888 (along with Everton) and two times champions of England, <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/soccer/epl/teams/burnley-fc">Burnley</a> are one of the grand old teams of English football.</p>
<p id="LLnkOc">The fact they are also only one of five clubs to have played in all four English divisions shows the Clarets have seen plenty of tough times as well as good.</p>
<p id="UHFbJH">It’s certainly a buoyant club at present after their credible 16th place finish in the Premier League last season, the first time they have avoided relegation from the top flight since 1976.</p>
<p id="RleEQB">Despite having a fraction of the budget some of their rivals enjoy, Burnley have learnt to punch above their weight, diligently lead by their talented up-and-coming manager - the magnificently gruff-voiced Sean Dyche.</p>
<p id="sLRKbm">The basis of Burnley’s success last season was their home form, with 33 of their 40 points earned at Turf Moor.</p>
<p id="E9Nj17">Ironically, this season Burnley have turned their tables and go into this game unbeaten away from home so far. Given those games have been against Tottenham, <a href="https://weaintgotnohistory.sbnation.com/">Chelsea</a> and <a href="https://liverpooloffside.sbnation.com/">Liverpool</a> that is no mean feat.</p>
<p id="bmyHit">Despite losing Andre Gray and Michael Keane over the summer the team does not look to have been significantly weakened.</p>
<p id="qcMgWH">Chris Wood was brought in from Leeds to replace Gray and already has three goals to his name. Meanwhile James Tarkowski has slotted alongside <span>Ben Mee</span> in a well organised Clarets backline.</p>
<p id="1zGNu0">The only downside to the club’s season so far has been an injury to goalkeeper <span>Tom Heaton</span>, who is likely to be out for several months with a dislocated shoulder.</p>
<h3 id="OApyxH">Team news</h3>
<p id="zc9Cm5"><span>Phil Jagielka</span> and Michael Keane will be assessed after they missed Thursday’s game against Apollon Limassol with hamstring and foot injuries respectively.</p>
<p id="mAhA0s"><span>Wayne Rooney</span> is fit to play despite suffering an arm injury during the Apollon game.</p>
<p id="mctrYT">Nikola Vlasic and Dominic Calvert-Lewin are pushing for starts, while Oumar Niasse must also be in contention after his heroics last weekend.</p>
<h3 id="WFjiAb">Predicted starting XI</h3>
<aside id="QLc5JS"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Burnley at Everton: Projected XI","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/30/16363526/everton-burnley-lineups-goodison-park-premier-league-projected-starting-xi"}]}'></div></aside><p id="my95vM">Pickford, Baines, Williams, Keane, Kenny, Gueye, Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson, Rooney, Vlasic, Niasse.</p>
<h3 id="bRvzzQ">Final word</h3>
<p id="5LlZzK">While it is far too early to panic (even if plenty of blues are) the team - and Koeman - desperately need a win on Sunday.</p>
<p id="J11LUm">Another defeat, complete with the now predicable Goodison boos, will only foster the sense of crisis that is brewing around Goodison Park.</p>
<p id="Sbp8ec">Not that a win is by any means an easy task. Burnley have shown themselves to be doughty, stubborn opponents and will not roll over. </p>
<p id="nT4C5t">If anything such a tough, well organised team is exactly the sort of side a timid, one-paced Everton do not want to play right now. </p>
<p id="tLu0Rd">If we ever need an early goal (or two) to settle the nerves it’s Sunday. Because the longer it stays goalless the more toxic the atmosphere will become.</p>
<p id="HsNqvL">I doubt this will be one for the purists but frankly given our form I don’t care. </p>
<p id="JKBLnK">Just win please Everton! </p>
<p id="6X3jgs"></p>
<p id="GKJJi5"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/30/16389794/everton-burnley-premier-league-preview-2017-ronald-koeman-wayne-rooney-michael-keaneTom Mallows2017-09-30T15:00:08+01:002017-09-30T15:00:08+01:00Koeman sends veiled threat to Everton Board
<figure>
<img alt="Everton FC v Hajduk Split - UEFA Europa League Qualifying Play-Offs Round: First Leg" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/Lzyor22h9ZV64vtJQlWPrbvzTyg=/0x0:2964x1976/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/56923835/833979348.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Stresses urgency for a top striker in January transfer window</p> <p id="Wes1rr">After <a href="https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/">Everton</a> sold star striker <span>Romelu Lukaku</span>, manager <span>Ronald Koeman</span> insisted that the Blues would have a hard time replacing his goals. It turns out, Everton are also having quite the challenge replacing him as an outlet for the ball to relieve pressure on the defence and midfield as well. </p>
<p id="5LKEKx">With the Toffees lack of pace and inability to go vertical, more and more teams are pushing up higher on the pitch against Everton, forcing mistakes and causing turnovers. After the lame draw against Apollon Limassol, Koeman was livid, accusing his side of playing “afraid”. </p>
<p id="1rvzgv">Speaking later to the <a href="http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-must-sign-targetman-january-13695635">Liverpool Echo</a>, Koeman added - </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="MStK0U">“I think it is coming out of making mistakes at the beginning of the game. They don’t have enough options.</p>
<p id="XILhYh">“They try to keep the ball, they run with the ball….you need to make it simple. Play the long ball and run and press.</p>
<p id="SqTXy9">“Sometimes we make it so difficult for ourselves. With confidence we don’t make mistakes in our ball possession.</p>
<p id="HVviho">“The first goal? It is a ball from Schneiderlin to Holgate. Control the ball, he is dribbling, dribbling; the striker of Apollon is pressing the ball and the ball goes out for a throw in.</p>
<p id="79uZzV">“That….that’s the way we start the game! That makes the opponent even more confident! That is what happened to a young player. It is weak. Weak in that type of confidence. That is football but it is normal. Normal.”</p>
</blockquote>
<aside id="Fc0qvy"><div data-anthem-component="readmore" data-anthem-component-data='{"stories":[{"title":"Koeman says Everton are afraid of playing forward","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/29/16383094/koeman-everton-apollon-afraid-of-playing-confidence-vlasic-difficult-disappointed"},{"title":"Everton Faces Several Challenges Against Burnley","url":"https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/29/16383892/everton-burnley-preview-premier-league-three-keys-ronald-koeman-wingers-sigurdsson-holgate"}]}'></div></aside><p id="PGZevP">Which then brought the conversation back to having a striker upfront who can help as an outlet to play the long ball Koeman mentioned. Did he feel Everton were missing that target?</p>
<blockquote><p id="pLGVy4">“Yeah. That is possible if you don’t have a target man in front, maybe you play more short. That was the message to the players. Sometimes we make it so difficult for ourselves. If you lose the ball in that way it is no problem. But we lost it around our box and then that led to the first goal for Apollon.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="02whNa"><span>Olivier Giroud</span> appeared to have been identified as that player, but the move fell through, and it appears numerous approaches for other players to fill that void didn’t come to fruition either. </p>
<blockquote>
<p id="E7jjqJ">“We were unlucky in that. And you need to believe that you don’t get everyone as a striker in.</p>
<p id="QoomSz">“No, you make that the main issue. When we sold Lukaku I didn’t think at that time we would get a striker in who would score at least 25 goals because maybe it is impossible to find that striker.</p>
<p id="eR3Izh">“If I can sign Messi I will sign Messi. Or I will sign Alexis Sanchez or I will sign Ronaldo. Yeah.</p>
<p id="WzwrJz">“You cannot always sign somebody to replace Lukaku.</p>
<p id="pUo4QM">“What I expected was to get more goals from other players around the striker and we have now three strikers. Niasse is the third and we have Dominic and Ramirez. Totally different types.</p>
<p id="z4SdcZ">“That was the reason we needed a target man because that gives options for the team and finally we did not find a good target.”</p>
</blockquote>
<p id="3BAi17">Asked if that made signing a centerforward in the January transfer window a priority, his answer was simple - </p>
<blockquote><p id="wT3rYt">“For me, yes.”</p></blockquote>
<p id="FunUPj"></p>
<p id="6KJrLx"></p>
https://royalbluemersey.sbnation.com/2017/9/30/16389268/koeman-wants-top-striker-in-january-everton-board-transfer-rumours-news-latestCalvin