My scoreline prediction of 1-1 annoyingly came true. Very entertaining game but feel we could have made more of our dominance in the first half. Everton in fairness much stronger second half. Well earned point but perhaps an opportunity wasted when you consider our possession.
Carroll is not up to this level. He's just not. Technically fine, his physique lets him down everytime The sooner the club realise it, the better.
We ran out of breathe in the final 15-20 mins so happy with a point But after the 1st half it also feels like 2 points dropped...but better than a loss! 10 points from 4 matches in 2 weeks after losing to Newcastle so that's a very good response
"Carroll is not up to this level. He's just not. Technically fine, his physique lets him down everytime" I don't want too much of this "big kids" stuff (an English disease) , as the world would not have the likes of Messi and Modric. But if he cannot toughen up to be Modric-esque, his future is bleak.
Yeah that sounds good. As someone elsewhere said - Carroll and Eriksen in the middle gives Dier a lot of work
I'll take the draw, seeing as Everton grew into the game as it progressed. Kane very quiet, Eriksen hasn't really bossed a game since Arsenal away which is more worrying. And as much as it hurts me to say it, I agree with Moorph about Tommy - he just isn't strong enough to compete at this level. That header at the end straight to Besic was appalling. Next up FA cup dress rehearsel followed by the main event at home to Leicester. That's a crucial game now as not even a win will see us leapfrog them.
Similar to the Newcastle game in a way. Everton just seemed to want to defend their box first half and then second half they showed more energy and really looked to attack. Draw's about right but I'm disappointed as I feel we've had the slightly better of it in both games against Everton and not won either. Carroll had 2 hairy moments near the end fluffing a header and giving Lloris a hospital pass but overall he looked composed and gave it a good go. Lamela's looking really lively but still not producing often enough, I wouldn't mind seeing Chadli starting against Leicester. All in all we've had 2 tough away matches and come away with 4 points so that's pretty good.
I never feel confident when Carroll is on the pitch. Great eye for a pass, but under any kind of pressure or in a scrap in the middle of park or when the other team is breaking he just seems to come up second best every time.
Just another thing to mention, I thought our passing and movement was near telepathic at times today. The speed at which we can bring the ball forward under pressure is a great asset.
"The speed at which we can bring the ball forward under pressure is a great asset." However, the speed at which the team can revert to AVB 2013-14 passing is a concern. If Pochettino believes in his "philosophy" , then it has to be for 90 mins and not 65-70. Which means the Bentalebs, Masons etc in the squad need to be getting match time so they can at the minimum have the impact as subs that those of our opponents have had in our last few games.
Honestly do not understand the criticism of Carroll...he made some mistakes towards the end (caused by inexperience and possibly running out of steam) but thought he had a good match but did not receive the guidance and support from Eriksen (who has been out of form for the past month or so). In my honest opinion he is worth persevering with.
Does anyone else think that Kane was starting to show signs of tiring in this match? Surely the alarm bells must be ringing that the kid needs rest and we need another striker.
Great game and probably a fair result to reflect Evertons 2nd half improvement. We play some really lovely stuff and are a seriously good team from back to front. Its not just the pressing, its a confident, fast moving style, but with everyone confident to wait to make the right pass. Have to agree with comments re: Carroll - we needed a bit more of a presence especially for last 15-20 mins and Son's control wasn't great either. And both he and Lamela gave away silly free-kicks when pressing their defenders. But that's nit-picking! And also good to see the mutual admiration of the 2 teams at the end: a real head to head battle played in a great spirit.
Forgot Kane was on the pitch in the second half! We need the striker NOW. Not at the end of January. He's played so many minutes and needs a break.
"Does anyone else think that Kane was starting to show signs of tiring in this match? Surely the alarm bells must be ringing that the kid needs rest and we need another striker" Will be interesting to see who Pochettino starts in the FA Cup game up front (as well as other CM positions) .
Those bells have been ringing since Sept 1st as far as I'm concerned. Of greater concern is Eriksen's drop of form. He's probably our most technically gifted player but hasn't really delivered this season at all save for the odd game here and there. Oh and @remembercolinlee ,I agree that Carroll is worth perservering with, but only as a back-up/useful squad player. If one of Dembele, Bentaleb or Mason is fully fit I really dont see why he should start ahead of them. The worry with Carroll is that 'perservering' with him isn't going to make him grow 10 inches and gain 7 stone. He'll always be a pushover on the ball and despite comparisons with Modric and Messi bizarrely flying around here, is never, ever going to be in the same league technically as either of those two.
