Everton: Two steps forward, one step back

In his second article for Prince Rupert’s Tower, guest columnist Matt Townsend performs the post-mortem after Everton draws 2-2 with Apollon Limassol.

So there we have it. Just when it looked as though Everton might be finding some — albeit patchy — form and a way to win, Europe sees them slip up again.

The performance against Apollon Limassol seemed to sum up everything about the team at the moment. Again, Ronald Koeman fails to pick his form forwards, with Dominic Calvert-Lewin on the bench. (We’ll give him a pass on Niasse Oumar of course, due to the player not being part of the Blues’ Europa League group stage squad.)

Unsurprisingly, Everton lacked pace and any real goal threat for most of the first half. They conceded another sloppy goal from an individual defensive error.

Sandro Ramirez had another frustrating game, showing great willingness to run, work and shoot, but lacking composure in front of goal. Luck saw Everton equalise and then Koeman finally made some positive changes, bringing on Calvert-Lewin and giving Nikola Vlasic a chance, which he emphatically took.

Vlasic looks like he might be a real player. How though, can Everton lose a goal against 10 men, just two minutes after they’ve had that player sent for an early bath?!

To be fair it’s not all doom and gloom, as Gylfi Sigurdsson looked like he might be finding his form at last, which is certainly something needed. And although Calvert-Lewin missed a sitter right at the death, at least he was there in the right place to have a go!

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Afterwards, Koeman talked about Everton lacking the character to play football and get on the front foot, when they were in the ascendancy and controlling possession. (Something that I think is more important in Europe than the Premier League.)

However, once more the Blues manager frankly doesn’t help, when he won’t pick his brightest young forward talent to start! Although it’s a bit of a cliche, these young lads do tend to play with more freedom and lack of inhibition, which is surely critical when your team is struggling and lacking confidence overall.

The game against Burnley on Sunday now takes on even more significance. If Everton had produced a decent performance and got a win on Thursday night, it might have taken some of the pressure off the manager and his players, while extending their winning streak to three games.

Now though, it seems to me that three points is essential against what is a well-drilled and confident Burnley side. We will see.

Next: Rooney predicted to help Blues win a trophy

Do you agree with Matt’s opinion, that Koeman needs to have more faith in the youngsters? What did you make of the performance against Apollon Limassol in general? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.