Moyes’ New Look Everton | A Fluid System, Summer Recruits Shine & What is Needed

Moyes’ Fluid Formation

When the team’s starting lineup broke an hour or so prior to kickoff, the news of Jake O’Brien and Jesper Lindstrøm’s inclusion was greeted positively by Everton fans. Ashley Young has played solidly so far this term, but sightings of the club’s highest-costing summer acquisition on the field of play have been so rare it’s easy to forget he’s even here, so there was an air of anticipation as to how he’d fare.

The decision to start Lindstrøm over Jack Harrison, whom the Dane had replaced for the final half hour against Aston Villa last week, was more expected, given he’d looked far more effective than the man on loan from Leeds United, who had struggled badly.

With O’Brien coming in for what would, incredibly, be his league debut as a starter, the major question posed was in what shape Everton would be lining up against Tottenham Hotspur? My guess, and that of many others was, that with three centre halves selected, David Moyes would be going with either a 3-4-2-1, or perhaps a 3-5-2 formation. It was a surprise then, to see the Toffees line up in a 4-2-3-1, with the giant Irishman at right back. Afterwards, Moyes said he wanted to get O’Brien on the pitch, due to his ability on the ball, whilst stating that younger centre halves often play full back in the early stages of their career.

At 23, it’s debatable whether O’Brien should be considered a youngster, though the number of games he’s played in top level football is limited. What was more surprising than the base formation was how fluid it was — the Blues shifting into a back three out of possession, with Lindstrøm moving to right wingback and Vitaliy Mykolenko pushing up accordingly on the left. Crucially, Iliman Ndiaye, on the opposite flank to Lindstrøm stayed high and moved a little inside, to give the hosts another outlet and to keep bodies close to lone striker, Dominic Calvert-Lewin. This, and the energy Lindstrøm showed in breaking forward from deep proved crucial in transition.

Moyes is often pigeonholed as a defence-oriented, cautious boss, much like his predecessor at Everton, Sean Dyche, but this tactical nuance showed the gulf in mentality which exists between the two. It’s probably unfair to say how this game would have played out under the now-departed ex-Burnley man, but the chances of him playing this kind of fluid, aggressive, proactive — yet still sensibly structured football, are remote. It has to be accepted that Spurs were a badly-depleted side with a ramshackle defence, but it should also be acknowledged that the Blues had looked inept in attack against some poor sides this season, which was not the case here. Roll on Brighton at the weekend.

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Reassessing Last Summer’s Additions

One the evidence of the win over Spurs, it looks like much-criticised Everton director of football Kevin Thelwell and his recruitment team may have had some idea what they were doing in the summer after all.

Of the new additions to the squad, only Ndiaye and Orel Mangala had featured prominently so far — the latter probably aided by injuries to James Garner and Tim Iroegbunam, though he’s taken his opportunity well. Ndiaye caught the eye and become something of a fan favourite, even if he’d been overly tasked with defensive duties under Dyche. Lindstrøm, however, had been in and out of the lineup, with less starts than the disappointing Harrison, whereas O’Brien had been given just 43 minutes of league action.

On Sunday, both impressed. O’Brien was trusted with a hybrid right back/centre half role and handled the responsibility adroitly. He completed 80% of his passes and three of five long balls. The big Irishman made nine clearances and looked calm in possession and in his defensive duties. Mangala, though overshadowed by the imperious Gana alongside, was his usual composed self and complemented the veteran once again.

Lindstrøm was a revelation and looked exactly the player who I’d been excited about the club signing from Napoli on loan, with an option to buy in the summer. He was dynamic, harrying back in defence and breaking forward with pace seamlessly. Where has this player been? I think we may know the answer to that: in a tactical straitjacket. Moyes, who’s been aware of the Dane for some years, knew exactly how to use him. The winger created four chances, but also contributed seven combined tackles and interceptions.

Ndiaye has been a standout mostly for his exciting dribbling, but against Spurs he took his performance up to a new level, scoring a stunning (almost) individual effort. His running with the ball was still a major feature, which saw him succeed in five of eight dribble attempts and six progressive carries. He still put in a tireless defensive shift, leading the team with eight ball recoveries and blocked no fewer than four opposition passes, but wasn’t stranded deep in his own half. He’s going to be a major threat under Moyes.

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What Do We Need Now?

The paucity of options Moyes had on the bench on Sunday, and the impact those players had who were introduced into the action, says plenty. Firstly, that the new Blues chief doesn’t exactly trust the likes of Beto, who continues to be surrounded by rumours of an imminent departure back to Italy and who remained unused, leaving Calvert-Lewin to finish the match.

The striker didn’t look as shattered as some of his teammates, but it was still telling that the Portuguese, who turns 27 at the end of the month, didn’t get a look in with Everton leading by three goals with less than 15 minutes to go. It can be deduced that Moyes has already concurred with his predecessor that the big man is not for him and it’d be a surprise if the forward is still at the club by the time the transfer window closes.

Another player who might have been expected to be used at some stage, to help close out the game, Jack Harrison, also remained rooted firmly to the bench for the duration. Whilst the player was pretty awful in the more than an hour he spent toiling without obvious effect against Villa, it was surprising to see Young replace the tiring Lindstrøm for the last 20 minutes, instead of the winger. Granted, Moyes may have preferred the more defensive swap, but Nathan Patterson also came on eleven minutes later, followed by late substitute Michael Keane, as the hosts became overly cautious. Regardless of the tactical thinking, it looks as though Harrison may not be considered a strong option under the new man.

Speaking of those late substitutes, neither exactly distinguished themselves. Keane, who had performed reasonably well in the early part of the season, was asleep for the visitors’ second goal, highlighting once again that he’s not a reliable option and will serve only as the club’s fourth-choice centre half until his contract ends in the summer. Should the club succeed in bringing in another left-sided fullback, I’d prefer to see Mykolenko play as a third centre half over the 32-year-old.

As for Young, he’s served with distinction as a utility man, but is struggling to adapt to the change of manager. He was immediately run past shortly after he came on and doesn’t have the legs or energy to fit Moyes’ requirements.

The Toffees midfield needed refreshing in the final quarter of the match, with all tiring — especially Abdoulaye Doucouré, who had pressed relentlessly for an hour. The only option on the bench was Harrison Armstrong, who turned 18 on the day and who has yet to be given any minutes by the new boss. It’s not an ideal situation for Everton’s midfielders to have to play the entire match, given that Doucouré is a lessening force physically, whereas Idrissa Gueye is now 35 – albeit well-preserved – and Mangala is a composed footballer, who reads the game well, but is not an athletic presence. James Garner will help and is nearing a return, but has endured an injury-ravaged campaign.

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Another option – Tim Iroegbunam – made a positive early impression this season, but has been out for more than 15 weeks and has still not returned to full training. The summer signing was misused by Dyche in his last few appearances, as he’s a pressing midfielder who does his best work higher up the pitch, and not a holding player. The club may roll the dice and try to get by in the engine room for the remainder of the campaign, though if a target becomes available, particularly one who can replicate what Gana brings to the side, whilst being a decade or more younger, this should be pursued.

However, it’s clear that Everton needs to add at least a couple of players during what remains of the transfer window, with left back an obvious weak spot — Mykolenko being the only natural for the position. Right back, an ongoing issue, is less urgent, with O’Brien and Lindstrøm occupying that area between them against Spurs. Patterson adds cover and could be a viable option, the Scot catching the eye in the short time he was on the pitch, winning all five ground duels, succeeding in each of his three dribbles and completing every pass he attempted. He has the energy and drive which I feel could be an asset under Moyes, particularly as a wingback.

The club has been linked continuously with attacking players, which for certain are needed. When Lindstrøm and Ndiaye left the pitch, Everton’s counterattacking threat disappeared, so someone possessing pace and ball-carrying ability, preferably capable of playing across the front line, is vital to bring in this month. A centre forward has been much discussed and one will have to come in if either Calvert-Lewin or – more likely – Beto, leaves in the coming days.

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