|
|
Post by dorf on Aug 3, 2017 22:26:50 GMT
 Ronald Koeman declared it “job done” as Everton progressed to the play-off qualifying stage of the Europa League with a 2-0 aggregate win over MFK Ružomberok.After Leighton Baines’ long-range strike earned the Blues the advantage seven days earlier, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s confidently-taken goal with nine minutes remaining at the scenic Štadión pod Čebraťom ensured Everton’s place in Friday’s draw at UEFA HQ in Nyon, Switzerland. Koeman says he was pleased with two victories, two clean sheets and the physical work-outs the two legs against the Slovakian outfit - but called on his side to make improvements when in possession. “I think we were better defensively tonight than we were last week,” he said. “But we know that we can and need to improve in our ball possession. We had a lot of space for one of the two centre-backs in the first half and we need to dribble in and create more than we did. "It was a really physical game and 90 minutes that the players need in pre-season. We are through to the next round, the job is done and I'm really happy. "The Europa League has always been important for me. I like to be in Europe - it's important for our experience. It's good for the club, the players and the fans. It's not easy to reach the group stages but we will do everything to get there.” The Dutchman also reserved praise for match-winner Calvert-Lewin, who continued a magnificent summer after netting the winner for England in the Under-20s World Cup final in June. Entering the fray as a 70th-minute substitute, the 20-year-old looked a constant threat alongside Wayne Rooney in attack and capped a lively cameo with his first goal of the 2017/18 campaign after being played through by Davy Klaassen. "Maybe Dominic [Calvert-Lewin] feels a bit more comfortable out of the system we played tonight, where he is one of two strikers,” added Koeman. “He got more space. He's strong, he's fast and he scored a great goal. “He is one of our young players. It is all about productivity that we need and of course I will count on him this season. It’s all about training and performances. We need competition and it’s good that he is providing that.” Everton FC |
|
|
|
Post by evertonfan1968 on Aug 3, 2017 23:12:51 GMT
We didn't really create a lot. I almost fell asleep in the first half. Rooney needs to score in the league and he'll be on fire, just watch.
|
|
65years
Dodgy Goalkeeper
Posts: 941
|
Post by 65years on Aug 4, 2017 7:37:43 GMT
We didn't really create a lot. I almost fell asleep in the first half. Rooney needs to score in the league and he'll be on fire, just watch.
I thought Davy Klaassen played well.
I think Sandro Ramirez needs to improve a bit or change his boots as he seems to 'sky' the ball a lot. |
|
|
|
Post by mcrbluenose on Aug 4, 2017 8:55:35 GMT
|
|
|
|
Post by mcrbluenose on Aug 4, 2017 8:56:10 GMT
Another game played, another game won, another 90 minutes under the players belts.
Probably the only plus points from the two European games so far.
While disappointed with the two performances, unlike some blues taking to twitter and radio call-ins I am not prepared to start on the players just yet.
Last week it was Martina and Williams, now it seems to be Jags, Bainsey and even Davey K getting the flak, but in all honesty, did any player in either game really deliver?
Come to think of it, with the exception of the 450 who made the journey yesterday, did the crowd deliver? Where was the bear pit atmosphere that Goodison is famous for on European nights?
What is it with Everton fans, yes everyone has an opinion, but to openly get on players backs while they are playing doesn’t help anyone. It is the easy option to criticize and lay blame when things are going wrong.
Just because a player cost xxx million pounds does not mean he will deliver immediate success. Success is not instant, it has to be worked at and earned.
This team is work in progress. New players in a new team, some in a new league and a different country. Players are not match fit. They are still working out how colleagues play and what runs they will make. There were too many misplaced balls, under-hit/over-hit passes. All things that will improve as the players get more competitive games time.
Early last season, I had my doubts about RK. Some of the early performances were, in my opinion unacceptable but by the end of the season there were more plus points than negatives.
He used last season to assess what he had to work with and with the boards backing, seriously invested in what he sees as improvement in all areas (maybe not a CF yet). On paper, few could argue that the players brought in are not an improvement, but games are not won on paper. They are won on the pitch and to a certain degree, on the training ground. Will RK get it right? Given time I believe so.
So, given the both games were poor to watch, we have won at home and away in a European competition, in July, scoring home and away, conceding none. We move on to the next challenge, we will be better equipped, we will be better prepared, we will be better! 
|
|
