Everton must attack

Wednesday, 16/11/2011

by Michael Smith, Shoot's Everton blogger

Tough to break down, dogged, resolute, and masters of hard work and industry, that has been the ethos of Everton sides built by David Moyes over the last ten years.

Whilst it has proved unfashionable at times, few would argue against its effectiveness.

However, just six months ago there was genuine feeling that the solid, defensive base had been established and that the Blues were finally beginning to show a bit more of the attacking mentality and adventure that Evertonians have urged Moyesy to show more often.

The last time we took on this Saturday’s opponents, Wolves, we were in the middle of a superb run of results and afraid of no one. The 3-0 away win at Molineux in April showed a team on the crest of a wave of supreme confidence.

How different the atmosphere around Goodison Park is these days. Ten games, just ten points, six of which we were lucky to get, (remember Blackburn’s two missed penalties and Zamora’s 90th minute flop in front of an open goal?), 17th in the table, and six losses in the last seven games. It makes depressing reading.

Alas, moaning and groaning isn’t going to get us very far. It’s time Moyes and company started working out how to stop this dreadful run. I’m sure they don’t need my advice but I’m going to offer it anyway.

Firstly, at the risk of sounding clichéd, Everton must get back to basics. The defending this season has not been good enough. We were six points and two clean sheets better off at this time last season.

It has been the manner of the goals conceded that has been most concerning though. It’s time for the centre halves to push up, take charge, and win the ball early. We’ve been playing too deep – a tell-tale sign of low confidence.

Forgive me for using another clichéd football phrase but, in Everton’s case, attack is the best form of defence has never been more appropriate. Rodwell and Fellaini have been playing too deep at times this season which leaves Everton short of options when they do win the ball.

At least one, probably Rodwell, should be playing further forward – getting between the lines, spreading the play to the wide men and arriving late in the box. Just look at how well he did in that role for England against Sweden.

Against Manchester United at Goodison, and away at Newcastle, Everton had long spells of good possession. However, since we move the ball too slowly, teams are allowed too much time to get bodies behind the ball and know we find it difficult to break teams down.

I’d like to see Everton win the ball, release it quickly and get Coleman, Baines and Drenthe running at defenders.

The ‘keep it tight’ philosophy isn’t popular at Goodison, and moreover, it isn’t bringing the results. We’re all urging David Moyes to take the game to Wolves this weekend and really go for it!

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