Part 2: Everton
This evening is part 2 of my 'How to beat' series, where each week, I watch and analyse a football team and give my opinion on that teams strengths and weaknesses.
Everton team file-
Most used formation- 4-2-3-1
Most vulnerable formation- 4-5-1
Influential players- Ross Barklay and Steven Naismith
Previous line up v QPR (H) 15/12/14
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Barklay Besic
McGeady Naismith Mirallas
Lukaku
How they play in attack
Everton usually play a free flowing 4-2-3-1 with their attacking four interchanging. Roberto Martinez has built a philosophy in which his side rarely go for a long pass and instead build from the back, the fullbacks particularly having a great influence on the game because of the composure Baines and Coleman posses.
Everton's 6 '3 striker Lukaku may be enormously built, however, he can sometimes get bullied by defenders that mark him tightly, so most of the time he comes short looking for the ball. Everton frequently give it to Lukaku first at counter attacks and the attacking midfield three all make runs off him in hope he can link up with them. However, the young Beligian needs to improve his link up play and decision making if he is to become a top striker.
Scotland international Stevie Naismith usually plays in the centre of the attacking three, driving into positions with the ball as well as playing clever passed into other attacking players. Although Naismith isn't exceptionally quick or skillful, he is a very intelligent player and is vital for Everton in attacking positions.
Everton look to get it to Ross Barklay in as much space as possible, the midfielder is incredibly dangerous with space in front of him and is equally as clinical with both feet.
How they defend
Martinez's men play with a pretty high defensive line and defenders in advanced positions, therefor, Everton are particularly vulnerable against teams who break quickly.
How do you beat Everton?
Because of the amount of occasions Everton push their fullbacks forward, if teams manage to exploit the space between in between centre backs and the fullbacks, they can cause the Everton defence a lot of problems.
Everton struggle to play in games that are scrappy and a physical battle in the midfield. Teams that play with a 4-1-3-2 formation and press highly up the park force Everton into misplaced passes and scrappy 50/50's, something the likes of Naismith, McGeady or Barklay don't handle particularly well.
Article by Joseph James
This evening is part 2 of my 'How to beat' series, where each week, I watch and analyse a football team and give my opinion on that teams strengths and weaknesses.
Everton team file-
Most used formation- 4-2-3-1
Most vulnerable formation- 4-5-1
Influential players- Ross Barklay and Steven Naismith
Previous line up v QPR (H) 15/12/14
Howard
Coleman Jagielka Distin Baines
Barklay Besic
McGeady Naismith Mirallas
Lukaku
How they play in attack
Everton usually play a free flowing 4-2-3-1 with their attacking four interchanging. Roberto Martinez has built a philosophy in which his side rarely go for a long pass and instead build from the back, the fullbacks particularly having a great influence on the game because of the composure Baines and Coleman posses.
Everton's 6 '3 striker Lukaku may be enormously built, however, he can sometimes get bullied by defenders that mark him tightly, so most of the time he comes short looking for the ball. Everton frequently give it to Lukaku first at counter attacks and the attacking midfield three all make runs off him in hope he can link up with them. However, the young Beligian needs to improve his link up play and decision making if he is to become a top striker.
Scotland international Stevie Naismith usually plays in the centre of the attacking three, driving into positions with the ball as well as playing clever passed into other attacking players. Although Naismith isn't exceptionally quick or skillful, he is a very intelligent player and is vital for Everton in attacking positions.
Everton look to get it to Ross Barklay in as much space as possible, the midfielder is incredibly dangerous with space in front of him and is equally as clinical with both feet.
How they defend
Martinez's men play with a pretty high defensive line and defenders in advanced positions, therefor, Everton are particularly vulnerable against teams who break quickly.
How do you beat Everton?
Because of the amount of occasions Everton push their fullbacks forward, if teams manage to exploit the space between in between centre backs and the fullbacks, they can cause the Everton defence a lot of problems.
Everton struggle to play in games that are scrappy and a physical battle in the midfield. Teams that play with a 4-1-3-2 formation and press highly up the park force Everton into misplaced passes and scrappy 50/50's, something the likes of Naismith, McGeady or Barklay don't handle particularly well.
Article by Joseph James