The honeymoon period is definitely over for Sam Allardyce, as thoughts turn to how Everton can improve the squad during the January transfer window.
Saturday saw another dreadful defeat for Everton and the cautious optimism that was slowly coming back following a solid start to the Sam Allardyce era is now well and truly over. Harry Kane scored twice to become Tottenham’s all-time leading Premier League goalscorer and the Blues’ pitiful performance was almost lost in the adulation for the England man.
Defeat to a very fine Spurs side away might not seem that bad on the face of it, but of course, it was the manner of the loss which made it so dispiriting for Evertonians. To concede four and to seem so lacklustre in defence while doing it is worrying and very disappointing.
The whole point of bringing in Allardyce was to shore up a chronically under par defence and stop the conceding of sloppy and simple goals. The fact that’s exactly what happened against Spurs, raises questions perhaps for the first time about what sort of impact the new manager has had.
There has been evidence that some of those basic errors were creeping back into the Blues’ play recently. After the initial lift of a new manager coming in, Everton are now on a very poor run of form at the moment.
With the transfer window reopening this month, all the focus has been on forward options, with new striker Cenk Tosun making his Everton debut against Spurs. He didn’t exactly set the world on fire, but you doubt anyone really expected him to.
Tosun did play a part in the disallowed Wayne Rooney goal, but otherwise looked like he struggled with adapting to the pace of a Premier League game. Hopefully, he will improve as he gets used to the nature of the league.
There is also a deal Everton are trying to do for Theo Walcott, who would add more pace and movement up front. Although, despite his talent, he’s had a chequered career of fits and starts without ever quite fulfilling his potential and has had lots of injury issues, so it is a gamble bringing him in.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
It still seems Everton need more help at the back, with the addition of a top quality left back. Cuco Martina is certainly not the answer, while Leighton Baines is aging and injury-prone.
The Blues also need another centre-back to give adequate cover for Michael Keane and Mason Holgate. It doesn’t help that Keane has been injured so much this season.
Further, the lack of a consistent central defensive partnership is a significant problem. However, there seems a lack of depth here, as both Phil Jagielka and Ashley Williams are on the wrong side of 30.
Seamus Coleman is still probably several weeks away from being able to return. His coming back into the side can’t come soon enough, as he will add pace, width and defensive nous at right back.
There is also an ongoing problem with a lack of protection in midfield. Morgan Schnederlien continues to disappoint and Idrissa Gueye seems to have no consistent partner there either.
To be fair, Allardyce is well aware of these issues and has been trying hard to add quality to the squad. However, it’s going to be difficult, with everyone else essentially looking to do the same in the January transfer window.
Next: Blues’ new stadium cost has escalated
However, with the club out of the FA Cup and with nothing to compete for trophy-wise, it’s all about whether Everton can finish high enough to qualify for the mixed blessing that is the Europa League. At the moment this looking extremely unlikely, unless there is a radical improvement in form between now and May.