There have been quite a few surprises this season in the English Premier League. Some teams are not playing quite up to the expectations heralded on them by the experts in August. One team whose struggles have been highlighted across the media is Liverpool. Many are questioning a manager mere months after almost leading his team to a title charge, but there is another club struggling much worse, just a short walk away from Anfield, that is more astonishing than any problems teams like Liverpool or Arsenal are enduring.
Prince Rupert's Tower
One just has to go across Stanley Park to the blue side of Liverpool to see a true mystery. Everton, a team that was fighting for a Champions League spot just in April of last season, currently finds themselves in the bottom half of the table (a shocking 13th place). The Toffees already have 9 losses this season; they only had 8 all of last season. They have conceded 33 goals in 20 matches after only giving up 39 goals in 38 EPL matches a year ago. How is this possible for a team that EPL heavyweights were weary of entering the season? Everton seemed to have the formula to put together a successful season, surely not one that would see them with only 5 wins for a 25% win rate halfway through the current campaign. Everton’s credentials entering the season were as such:
Young, enigmatic coach who can lead his players? Roberto Martinez: Check.
Budding stars that would mature and improve from great 2013-14 seasons? Lukaku and Barkley: Check.
Leadership and experience to help guide the young stars? Baines, Barry, Distin: Check.
This is a club that did splash the cash to make Romelu Lukaku’s move permanent along with fellow loanee Gareth Barry. Christan Atsu was brought in on loan from Chelsea to bring some pace on the wings. Bosnia and Herzegovina destroyer, Muhamed Besic, was bought after an impressive showing in the 2014 World Cup. Everton were able to hold on to all crucial players, minus the loan of Barcelona firecracker Gerard Deulofeu ending, and make some additions.
So what is the problem?
One would first look to injuries when observing this underachieving roster. Everton has dealt with the long absences of the riveting Ross Barkley, stable James McCarthy, and the dangerous Kevin Mirallas but it’s no different from the clubs above them. A look across the park would see that Liverpool hasn’t played with a legitimate striker this season, dealing with Daniel Sturridge’s injury. Manchester City has been without Sergio Aguero for upwards of a month and a half and will see Yaya Toure play in the African Cup of Nations until early February. Manchester United and Arsenal have dealt with a plethora of injuries in their midfields as well. Clearly, injuries are there but the Toffees are the type of club that have cover for such and shouldn’t use it as an excuse.
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One can look at the goal scoring, or lack thereof, from Belgian forward Romelu Lukaku. After making his move from Chelsea permanent over the summer, many expected him to explode and improve even more from the great form displayed last season. Lukaku banged in 15 Premier League goals and only has 6 just past the halfway point of this season. He can re-gain form, but he seemed to be hampered with foot problems to start the season. Everyone plays a bit banged up, though, and there have been many chances that ended in him fluffing his lines.
The greatest problem, or answer to the mystery, comes from the issues in the back. Older players like Gareth Barry and Sylvain Distin have lost a step as they reach the latter stages of their careers. The protection Barry provided last season for the back four is just not there this season. New signee Muhamed Besic has found it difficult to adapt to English football as a few of his blunders have ended up in the back of the Everton net. This stability from the central defensive midfield is absolutely needed with the marauding runs Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman make on the wings. Surely, the central defenders have been hung out to dry.
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That doesn’t excuse the fact that Phil Jagielka has almost been on an island of his own a few times trying to cover for his central defensive mate. Sylvain Distin has put in great shifts in his Everton career, but it may be time for the Toffees to insert up and coming English international John Stones in Distin’s place. In addition, Tim Howard cannot be excused from some lapses in concentration this season. The American goalkeeper had a stellar World Cup, but that form from the summer and last season hasn’t translated in to this season. Joel Robles is now thrown in the fire as Howard will be out for an extended amount of time following a recent injury.
Despite winning only one of their past ten fixtures, Everton can take a positive from the late equalizer from Lukaku in their FA Cup match against West Ham a few days ago at Goodison Park. The team needs something to rally around and that moment along with a positive result against the Citizens might be enough to put Everton’s season back on the right track. The talent is surely there; they just need to shore up that defense and finish their chances.
Can Everton find their way back to the top half of the table before the season ends? Will they make a move in January to turn their fortunes around? Let us know what you think in the comments.