The opening day always brings fervour and excitement to football fans, no matter what their club has done, or not done, in the summer.
The curtain-raiser for Everton was on paper, a favourable one. Newly-promoted Watford have brought in a new manager and a dozen of new recruits, so you would forgive them for being a little disjointed, a little off-the-pace.
But if anything, it was Everton who performed like a bunch of strangers, especially in the first half. Watford looked settled, well-balanced and threatening, the polar opposite of their hosts, even though the match was their first in the Premier League for almost ten years.
Everton’s tempo? Non-existent. Incisive movement? In black and yellow, yeah. Attempts on goal? One or two. Football you’d pay to watch? Not if you’re an Evertonian.
Jagielka would pick the ball up. He’d give it to Stones, who’d scuttle it along to Coleman. Coleman would return the favour and give it back to Stones. The Chelsea/Everton star would shift it to Barry, or Jagielka. The ball would eventually be played up to the final third and intercepted, for one reason or another.
The first-half was abysmal, boos rang out from the terraces. Whether you think it’s right to boo or not, the display didn’t deserve to go unpunished.
Watford deserved to lead, and had one or two chances to double their advantage. Gareth Barry is probably checking under the seats and examining the concourse, trying to find Miguel Layun.
Everton came out in the second-half and improved, but they couldn’t get much worse.
Mirallas was getting on the ball more, there was more vigour, a more direct attitude, more balls into the box. Lukaku should have scored with a header, but that was the only chance of not until the hour-mark, when Arouna Kone arrived.
Again, boos and jeers emanated from the stands as the Ivorian’s image was projected on the big screen. The boo-boys soon shut up as Kone delivered a man of the match performance, changing the game, assisting one and scoring another.
Personally, I can see some reasoning as to why they were booed off at half-time, but to boo a player before he’s even done anything is idiotic, and they were all made to look as such at full-time.
The Blues got back into the game through a terrific Ross Barkley strike, which will undoubtedly boost the Wavertree boy’s fragile confidence. He messed up simple passes and his decision-making still needs work, but some of the stick the 21-year-old received on Saturday was ridiculous. There were a lot worse out there in blue.
Watford’s second was a poor goal to concede. Coleman should’ve done better, Stones shouldn’t have sold himself and the less said about Tim Howard, the better.
The equaliser was good work from Lukaku, who partook in some old-fashioned number nine play to tee up Kone, who finished expertly.
The whistle went, and questions must be asked.
How are you going to put this one on the Europa League, Roberto? Why do Everton persist with one up front against these types of teams at Goodison, when playing two is so much more effective? Why wait until the last few days of the transfer window to bring in players? Where has the tempo and desire gone? And why on earth are Everton still so reliant on Leighton Baines, a left-back, for their attacking threat?
The style was exactly the same as last season, and it didn’t take long for the angst to kick in. If you press Everton high and remain solid at the back, more often than not, you’ll get rewards. It’s that simple. Second half was an improvement, the ball was been played in the right areas, the tempo was there, but it needs to happen for 90 minutes, not 45.
The team is unequipped for a very tough start and will be playing catch-up on their rivals. It could have so easily have been avoided.
Payet, Shaqiri, Dann, Ogbonna. Four names that caught the eye of Roberto Martinez, four players that would improve the squad, four players Everton missed out on, one way or another.
In the richest age of football, there’s no excuse for Everton not truly strengthening by now. There was a lot of chatter about how the T.V money was supposed to arrive in August, but if you know you’ve got money coming in, take a loan out of the bank and spend it at the right time, instead of waiting for potential bargains to show up and falling behind the likes of Stoke and Swansea in the process.
It doesn’t matter how you miss out on targets, the bottom line is they aren’t coming in. Dress it up how you like but the squad needs five or six players to regain their place ahead of the likes of Southampton. Good players, too.
Speaking of Southampton, the Blues travel down to face them on Saturday. Koeman has had to put up with another bunch of star players leaving for pastures new, Nathaniel Clyne, Toby Alderweireld and Morgan Schneiderlin have been pinched after impressive seasons.
The Saints have strengthened, though. Wonder what that feels like?
The exciting Cedric Soares replaces Clyne, the classy Jordy Clasie is a different proposition to Schneiderlin and the recently relegated Stephen Caulker (and potentially Virgil Van Dijk) will be filling the boots of Alderweireld. Add to that Cuco Martina, Juanmi and Martin Stekelenburg, the Saints are improving and could show Everton how to cope with Europa League excursions.
In the last two meetings between the two sides at the St. Mary’s Everton have produced 3 own goals and 2 dreadful performances. On the basis of the Watford performance, it looks like the pattern will remain.
Gerard Deulofeu may return for the occasion and could be vital, the pace and direct attitude of the Catalonian has been sorely missed ever since he left, infuriating as he is, he’s a match-winner.
Bryan Oviedo could be a better bet at left-back over Brendan Galloway, the Costa Rican is a better fit all-round for the position than the youngster, who is primarily a centre-back.
Oviedo harbours unfair criticism from some Evertonians, but then again, which player in the squad doesn’t? He would add more balance on the left wing and would offset the absence of Leighton Baines slightly better than Galloway, who understandably had no impact going forward.
Big performances are needed from James McCarthy, Seamus Coleman and Romelu Lukaku, who failed to deliver on Saturday. Playing for the whole game rather than half of it would be beneficial as well.
PREDICTION – 2-0. Pelle and Mané.
