Marco Silva is feeling the pressure
Exasperation has been slowly building up since the turn of the year and after this particular limp defeat some supporters simply can’t contain their displeasure anymore. The manager hasn’t convinced most of Everton’s fanbase that he’s the right man to deliver the success in the future that we all crave. Though we’re only 6 months into his reign many Evertonians have seemingly already made up their minds, that Marco Silva is out of his depth here and will never get it to all come good.
Amusing memes are popping up on social media that bring sly chuckles. Photographs of Silva looking handsome, happy and full of vigour during his unveiling, contrasted with more recent images of him looking soaked, unshaven and worn down. Though his job doesn’t appear to be in any imminent danger Silva will no doubt be well aware that when the side is underperforming like they are he will be first man in the firing line. He heard the words directly from the mouth of Farhad Moshiri only a few weeks ago at the latest club AGM;
“I look at the table and it is just not good enough.”
Marco needs to turn it around and quickly, his entire managerial career depends on it.
The end may be nigh for Baines
It was an unfortunate way to end what had already been a poor day for Everton’s long-serving left back. Having given away a clumsy penalty early on Leighton Baines could do little more than limp his way through the next 30 or so minutes before being brought off for Jonjoe Kenny.
His walk off the field and down the tunnel had a sad feel to it, something similar to Gary Neville’s moment of clarity in his final game for United against West Brom several years ago. He looked resigned and disheartened, perhaps wondering when his next opportunity to start again in a league game for his beloved blues will come, or if it ever will.
It must be noted that he was carrying a knock picked up mid-week against Huddersfield and no doubt his level of performance was severely affected as a result. Maybe that’s all it was, perhaps Bainesy actually still has a lot more left in the tank? Even if that’s indeed the case, will Evertonians ever a quality performance from him ever again? I wouldn’t bet any money on it personally but hopefully I’m wrong.
Gomes can be a goal threat
It’s harder to think of many better goals with which a player has opened his Everton account than Andre Gomes’ rocket into the Park End net. Had we not gone on to lose the game then Evertonians would no doubt be posting replays of the strike all over social media for the rest of the season. Alas, the final result is always what matters most to football supporters and when you lose the game it taints your enjoyment of anything else that occurred during the 90 minutes.
Gomes hasn’t been a prolific goalscorer for any team he’s played for so far in his career but the ones he does put in always tend to be impressive strikes. We haven’t seen much attacking impetus from him so far but hopefully that goal will raise his confidence and mean he’ll fancy having a crack himself more often in the future. Everton simply need to be having more shots in games and troubling goalkeepers far more often. The more players who want to get on the scoresheet the better.
Gueye is still a key player
Many Evertonians, myself included, wouldn’t have been too upset had the club accepted PSG’s late attempt on deadline day to take Idrissa Gana Gueye to France. The player is 29 years of age, has obvious limitations in terms of ability on the ball and made it clear to everyone that he wanted out. Why not just take the money and get his wage off the books? Everton steadfastly refused to entertain the idea and maintained that Gueye is still very much part of Marco Silva’s first team plans.
If you include the cup competitions then Everton have now played 7 games this season where the Senegalese midfielder didn’t feature at all. We’ve lost 4 of those, won 2 and drew the one. The stats don’t lie, Everton are a better side when Gueye plays. There is no other player in our squad who can play the defensive midfielder position as well as him and his absence was keenly felt on Saturday as Wolves dominated Everton in the midfield battle.
Who knows if PSG will come around again in the summer or if Marcel Brands is already scouting a possible upgrade to bring in to take his place? Right now though the fact of the matter is Idrissa Gana Gueye walks in Everton’s best XI.
The desire just isn’t there…. right now
Everton’s squad is made up many different players from diverse backgrounds. Some have from bigger clubs having failed to establish themselves, others have been bought from smaller fry teams whilst a few are graduates of the club academy. There’s many a different personalities and nationalities but there is one thing they all have in common, they’re simply not hungry.
It doesn’t seem like anyone in the team gets particularly angry at anyone else whenever we concede. No one is getting pulled up for their mistakes, nobody is listening to the manager, none of them appear to be learning and improving. Having a nonchalant attitude when you play for Everton is not acceptable.
Marco Silva is saying all the right things, how the players need to realise that being motivated is an obligation and how this dreadful run of form will mean home truths will be handed out. Hopefully his words will have an affect and things will get better. God knows they must otherwise many members of the squad will surely find themselves being shown the exit door. If they won’t show any passion then Marcel Brands will simply go out and buy new players who will.
– Paul
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