Kevin Mirallas. Credit: Rob C/Flickr
With 10 Premier League appearances to his name already this season, Kevin Mirallas has once again established himself as a key cornerstone in Roberto Martinez’s set-up.
And at 27 years of age, you could argue he’s nearing the top end of his shelf life in Britain’s best league. But before anyone entertains talk of a departure from the big leagues, he still has at least three or four good seasons to offer The Toffees.
Because if the Belgium international intends to keep his place as one of Goodison Park’s golden boys, he needs to build on his recent good form. After all, his job is to create chances as well as stick them away, and looking at his recent form on that front, while it’s been quite good, it’s clear there’s still a lot more he can do to improve.
Against Manchester City at the weekend, he had a couple of chances to cause problems for their back-four, but he was wasteful with them. On two occasions in particular, he failed to hit the target, or force Joe Hart into a save. And against big sides like The Citizens, it’s vitally important they take whatever opportunities that come their way – they didn’t, and in the end they paid a heavy price with a narrow defeat.
Mirallas becomes a player reborn with the arrival of January – scoring six times between the start of the year and the conclusion of the league back in May
Let’s not forget, he’s not the only one culpable of squandering good openings, but nonetheless, he has been guilty of it and it’s something that needs to be worked on.
With three league goals to his name so far this season, his return hasn’t been prolific by any means, and because he’s such a talented individual, it’s all the more frustrating for fans to see him fail to put away chances.
Of course, some of this boils down to the fact he was out injured for five league games, so on that front it’s understandable.
No doubt, he was a little rusty having only recently returned from injury, but he’s more than good enough to put away the kind of chances he currently is not and he’ll be more aware of that than anybody, you can be sure.
Looking back at last season, Mirallas netted just two goals before the New Year, so he’s not far off the same type of form he was in last year, but with four games still to come this month, he has time to improve on that immensely.
In particular, their upcoming clashes with Queens Park Rangers and Stoke City will be looked upon as encounters they should be winning and Mirallas needs to view them as games he can dominate in front of goal.
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On an even more positive note, based on his 2013/14 performances, Mirallas becomes a player reborn with the arrival of January – scoring six times between the start of the year and the conclusion of the league back in May. So, it looks as if he’s saving his best for the final sprint down the home front.
And with his partnership with Romelu Lukaku clearly a key factor in how well the team is doing, it means we should see The Toffees spring into life in a few weeks as six of his last nine assists have been for his countryman. Because, as outlined by Squawka, their understanding is key to Everton finding the back of the net; when they’re in tandem with each other it’s almost as if The Blues become a different team. And in truth, they have been getting better in recent times as the last 25 minutes against City underlined.
Unlucky in some regards and a frustrating conundrum at other times, it’s been hard to gauge what sort of Everton team will turn up on any given matchday.
But there’s a growing sense of hopeful optimism that once they can overcome the hump that is December, things will begin to click as they did in Martinez’s first season in charge, and a flow will return to their play once more. And with Mirallas warming back up and ready to re-jig himself once more, they should storm up the table in the next few weeks.
By the time the Merseyside derby rolls around on February 7, Everton will be ready to do some damage and take advantage of a Liverpool side that looks even more disorganised than they’ve done themselves. And Mirallas will be out to make them pay.
Do you think Mirallas will improve in the next few weeks? Can he reach double figures in the league?