Like many fans of other clubs I quite like the way Everton play. They have some great players and the attacking style assures goals, but there has been a problem in defending their own goal and with the possibility of them finishing outside the top 10 it will be considered a poor season for Everton even if they have made two Cup semi-finals.
I think a lot of their problems started over the summer with the constant attention that John Stones was getting from Chelsea. He's just not come close to the form he had last season and with Jagielka and Baines missing a lot of the season, Everton did not find a solid platform from which to build some strong home form. Who thought we'd be in April and Everton would still only have four home wins? And look at those sides who they have beaten at Goodison - Chelsea in September, Sunderland and Aston Villa in November, and Newcastle in February. It's pretty poor return of wins for such a side that is full of international players.
The form is even more staggering when you consider that Lukaku as scored 18 Premier League goals this season. It must be worrying for Evertonians hearing rumours that he could be on his way this summer. Ross Barkley (8 goals), Arouna Kone (5 goals) and Aaron Lennon (5 goals) are the next leading scorers and perhaps teams have worked out that if you starve Lukaku of service then Everton start to look a more average side.
Against Liverpool at Anfield there was only one team in the game. Funes Mori was red carded in that game so has a suspension to serve, while Gareth Barry was feeling an injury and Stones had a stomach problem. Eddie Howe will be clear in telling his players that this is a game they can win and even Roberto Martinez will know that another home defeat could spell trouble for him.
Everton Home Form
WLLLD
AFCB Away Form
WDWLW
The Cherry Chimes Newsletter will be out tomorrow.I think a lot of their problems started over the summer with the constant attention that John Stones was getting from Chelsea. He's just not come close to the form he had last season and with Jagielka and Baines missing a lot of the season, Everton did not find a solid platform from which to build some strong home form. Who thought we'd be in April and Everton would still only have four home wins? And look at those sides who they have beaten at Goodison - Chelsea in September, Sunderland and Aston Villa in November, and Newcastle in February. It's pretty poor return of wins for such a side that is full of international players.
One of Everton's headaches came at Dean Court earlier in the season when they were 2-3 up in time added on, only to then find they would leave the south coast with only a point. |
Against Liverpool at Anfield there was only one team in the game. Funes Mori was red carded in that game so has a suspension to serve, while Gareth Barry was feeling an injury and Stones had a stomach problem. Eddie Howe will be clear in telling his players that this is a game they can win and even Roberto Martinez will know that another home defeat could spell trouble for him.
Everton Home Form
WLLLD
AFCB Away Form
WDWLW
Cherry Chimes' May Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Will we see Juan Iturbe play for AFCB again?
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