View From A Royal BlueGraham Stuart looks ahead to Hajduk Split, and is full of praise for new signing.Each week, Everton’s three Club Ambassadors - Graeme Sharp, Graham Stuart and Ian Snodin - take it in turn to offer their expert views in a regular column here on evertonfc.com.
This week, Diamond looks ahead to Hajduk Split, is full of praise for Rooney and Pickford, and discusses the battle for the right-back spot.
Make home advantage count Everton are only one step from the Europa League group stages now, so this play-off game with Hajduk Split is huge for the Club. We want the biggest crowd possible inside Goodison Park, and for the fans to make it intimidating for Hajduk Split.
Goodison can be the best place in the world to play football as a home player, which is why the feelgood factor we have around the place right now is vitally important.
The players have to go out and play with an intensity and tempo that gets the crowd up. If we get the supporters on our side, especially on a European night, that is worth a goal in itself, so it is essential that the intensity is there from minute one.
We all know how difficult away games in Europe can be – and Hajduk Split are no mugs by any stretch of the imagination.
If we can get a lead to take to Croatia for the second leg, we will be in a really strong position – and we know our away fans are as good as it gets, in terms of travelling in Europe.
Rooney’s header was great – but his determination to get in the box impressed me most
It was a magical moment for Wayne to come back to Goodison Park and score on his Premier League return.
He took the goal really well. Everybody talked about the header, but if you scroll back a bit and look at the run he made to ensure he was in position to head the ball, he showed a real hunger and desire to get in the box.
I thought his overall performance was outstanding.
It was crucial to get those three points against Stoke and maintain the buzz created around Everton during the summer. That result sets us up nicely for the four extremely difficult Premier League games we have in the next month.
Jordan is the complete package – and I have never seen a keeper pass the ball better
Jordan Pickford was absolutely outstanding in everything he did against Stoke.
The way he passes the ball out from the back is exceptional, the best I have seen from a goalkeeper.
His decision-making was excellent as well. If you are going to come out to punch or catch crosses, you have to be 100 per cent committed – and Jordan always is.
And his concentration levels were magnificent. When his big moment came, on a relatively quiet afternoon for him, he produced a great stop right at the end, which saved us a couple of points. That was vital.
To make a save like that, when he had not been called up on a great deal during the 90 minutes, proved his concentration was excellent.
Jordan comes across as being quite a confident character, which is what you need to be Everton’s number one goalkeeper. You need to have the confidence to recognise that you are a top keeper.
As time goes on and he produces more performances like Saturday’s, he will become more and more confident.
Right-back spot is a poser for the bossIt is up to Ronald Koeman to decide who he picks in each position and I would never question his judgement. He sees the players every day and decides on a system that is best to get three points in each game.
We are all hoping Seamus Coleman makes a good recovery and I have no doubts he will. It is difficult replacing a player as good as him while he is unavailable.
We have three players vying for the right-back position: Mason Holgate, Cuco Martina and Jonjoe Kenny.
I think Jonjoe has every chance of breaking into the team at some stage. I saw a lot of him last year and I like him. Given a run of games, he could prove to be a good option.
City will be as tough as it getsYou couldn’t pick a harder start away from home in the Premier League. Manchester City have brought in some excellent players, so are stronger than they were last season.
They have had another pre-season under Pep Guardiola, so I am sure there is a very positive mood around the Etihad.
We will have to defend exceptionally well as a team, and when we get opportunities – because we will, Manchester City will commit players forward and be confident they can score goals – we must capitalise on them.
When we get the ball, we have to make sure we use it well. You cannot keep giving up possession and have wave after wave of attacks on your goal because, eventually, whether it is from a mistake or a lucky bounce, the ball will end up in the back of your net.
There was always that extra buzz about playing in front of the television cameras. It gives you an opportunity to showcase yourself as an individual.
But there is no doubt about it, it is all about being a team on Monday. There is no way on this planet you can go to the Etihad Stadium, play as individuals and come out with three points.
If we play as a team, we can get something out of it.
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