Everton analysis - Alex Iwobi dilemma for Frank Lampard as Dominic Calvert-Lewin closes in on real return
Everton match analysis from Adam Jones after a frustrating draw with Watford at Vicarage Road
Alex Iwobi looks dejected following the Premier League match between Watford and Everton at Vicarage Road
Alex Iwobi looks dejected following the Premier League match between Watford and Everton at Vicarage Road
Same system
The overriding question which surrounded team news before Wednesday evening's game seemed to centre around the system that Everton would potentially line up with. Would they stick with what had been working in recent matches, or switch it up for a different opponent?
Supporters seemed rather split on the matter. After all, Frank Lampard had struck on something which clearly worked against Leicester City last time out - would you want to potentially disrupt their flow by switching things around?
Of course the opposite side of the argument was that, especially with the selection problems faced by the hosts, Everton should have attacked the match a little more. You could maybe keep the same personnel as the previous game, barring the necessary change of Michael Keane coming in for the injured Yerry Mina of course.
JOE THOMAS MATCH VERDICT: Everton progress clear despite extended anxiety after Watford frustration
Lampard eventually opted for the latter, and throughout the first knocking of the opening 45 minutes the narrative that would take over the rest of the match were set in place. Everton were handed more possession than they had been granted in their previous two matches, and they struggled to knit things together in the final third with the system they had.
Whenever Fabian Delph and Abdoulaye Doucoure were picking up the ball in midfield, options were often pretty limited in terms of movement in front of them. When the Blues' dangerous players did pick up possession and drove at the Watford defence, they didn't have the quality to cause them much problems.
Half time brought with it a conundrum. Everton weren't likely to concede in the formation they had set up in, but they had a diminished chance to score as well. Of course, you can never rule out individual errors at the back either, so there's that to factor into the mix.
But, if you're the manager, do you roll the dice and go for a three points that could have a huge impact on the fight against relegation? Or do you stick to your guns, hope you can knit things together to score a goal, but bolster your chances of keeping a clean sheet and gaining at least a point?
Again, the boss opted for the latter. And, looking at it candidly, you can understand a certain semblance of pragmatism.
Everton are not blessed with having picked up a lot of points away from home this season, and if they changed their system midway through this match it could easily have knocked them off their stride somewhat. And to be fair they were often getting into good attacking areas going forward, it's just that some players were not at the top of their game to try and convert those chances.
In essence, while Evertonians might think that this was something of a missed opportunity - and there's a certain amount of disappointment for this and rightly so - a point away from home at this stage is a crucial one.
Iwobi shines
One of the key aspects of Everton's formation over the last few weeks has been Alex Iwobi. Having hit the best form of his career on Merseyside in an attacking midfield, he was promptly switched to a wing-back role for the visit of Chelsea to Goodison Park earlier this month.
He performed so well and gave so much for his side that he kept that place against Leicester City. Throughout that 90 minutes, he again showed all of the desire and quality that the Blues needed to help them to a crucial three points.
As we've previously discussed, there would have been a fair few Everton supporters that maybe would have expected him to move back into that attacking midfield role at Vicarage Road. However, Lampard admitted that he preferred to keep the structure that he had created in recent weeks rather than switch up the system.
And still, he was Everton's most dangerous player. He was Everton's most creative player. Essentially, he was Everton's best player on the night.
All of the strong attacking play that the Blues were able to muster seemed to flow through the Nigeria international in some way. Throughout the 90 minutes he gave Adam Masina a torrid time in constantly looking over his shoulder to see if he was marauding down the flank again.
He had 87 touches throughout his time on the pitch, 20 more than anyone else who took to the field in royal blue. His influence on the team clearly is not affected by him moving out to the flank rather than in his preferred position.
That led to him completing 60 passes, the joint-most on the Everton side alongside Delph. Five of those were key passes, which was the best figure anyone on the pitch managed by a clear three.
But his defensive numbers are just as impressive. He made five tackles, with only Doucoure from the visitors managing to match that. Add in one each in clearances and interceptions and his display really takes on a new light.
It might have been easy for Iwobi to feel a little aggrieved at being moved from his preferred position when he was performing so well, but he certainly hasn't. There's a reason Lampard has been so keen to highlight his strong work in recent weeks, and performances such as this certainly prove it.
Return of the striker
With the clock running down deep into the second half, Lampard finally looked down the touchline and gestured to one of his players who had been warming up for some time. Jonjoe Kenny and Salomon Rondon looked over with some semblance of hope, but it wasn't their time.
Instead, Dominic Calvert-Lewin was the man called upon to try and potentially nick a goal for his side in the closing stages. It had been quite clear Everton needed a target man with the manner in which they were attacking, and so the change made sense.
Rondon had been the man chosen in previous matches and perhaps that was a reflection of his teammate's real fitness more than anything else. He's had such a torrid time throughout this campaign, picking up niggling problems after his long-term issue which have no doubt affected any sort of momentum he would want to build.
The Venezuela international had actually earned some plaudits through his recent cameos. He was effective in the physical battle, was bringing his teammates into the game, and late on against Leicester particularly he won some important fouls.
So, the decision to go with Calvert-Lewin rather than the man who was earning something of a reputation as a late substitute was telling. Now, the England international could well be ready to make his real return.
He's had to wait a long time to be able to impact the side in this manner and it will no doubt have been a hugely frustrating period for him to have been sat on the bench or in the recovery room. But, he'll be absolutely desperate to get back on the pitch as soon as possible and get on the scoresheet.
His hunger could be what Everton need. The qualities that he brings to the side, if he can get anywhere near his form of last season, are absolutely unquestionable.
How he would love to be the man to score that all-important goal, the one that potentially secures survival in the near future. That won't make up for this frustrating season, but it will certainly be high on his list of desires.
Home comforts
And so, after picking up four points on the road in the last few days, it's back to home comforts for Everton. It already feels like a lifetime since those pre-match scenes at Goodison Park before the Chelsea clash.
In fact, that's probably worked in favour of the Blues. If there had been another coach welcome just a few days later it might have lost its sheen, failed to create the right amount of intensity.
This time around, you're expecting it to be just as raucous outside the stadium for the visit of Brentford. That match, and the following game against Crystal Palace, are the real key before the end of the season.
You don't want to have to go to Arsenal, where Everton have a dismal record, needing a result to keep yourself in the Premier League. You want to have this done and dusted on your own turf if possible.
Getting back to Goodison will no doubt be a huge comfort. And that positive attitude must keep on rolling.
blogpay
Total Comments: 0