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Post by Avinalaff on Oct 1, 2021 13:59:10 GMT
We may have been on the receiving end of The Man City (3-2 Brighton) backlash in last May's 5-0 season closer, but these guys are there for the taking. When you read quotes about managers disappointed with opposing players' conduct - under the spotlight of being fired - you know the team either come out fighting, or they simply quit. United had a point to prove in August's 4-0 preseason mauling. With (hopefully) a fit again Calvert-Lewin AND Rondon as a substitute wildcard, not to forget Doucoure's 2nd-half runs into the opposing penalty area last February, we now have the ammunition required to force the issue. United are still equal to just about anyone in possession. The game will be won and lost by how well WE can use the ball - when WE have it. This will require a lot of courage and confidence. Plus maturity in decision-making. We've done this before, when they were in top form - except that terrible United off-side trap. It's a delicious fixture to call, if nothing else... A 4-0 defeat will be a good result lol.
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Post by Everton News. on Oct 1, 2021 14:07:09 GMT
NO COMPROMISE FROM DEMANDING BENITEZ
Rafa Benitez is vowing there will be no compromise on the demanding management style that is coaxing notable improvement from a number of Everton players.
The Club’s top-scoring forward, Andros Townsend, this week revealed manager Benitez was challenging him to do better even in the immediate wake of a match-defining performance against Burnley last month.
And it was to the example of Townsend that Benitez turned when underlining the imperative of consistently seeking to adjust and improve.
For Benitez, the task is to try to oversee growth in every corner of the Club. Analysing football matters, specifically, the Spaniard’s influence on Townsend and Abdoulaye Doucoure and Demarai Gray, among others, is evident after only three months in the job
“Good professionals improve,” began Benitez.
“You try to analyse little details that can make them a little bit better and they will improve.
“I remember some players in the past complaining [about continual demands] but after [retiring] they saw it was their best years.
“They were scoring more goals and playing much better football.
“Andros is an intelligent and hard-working player and trying to improve his game every day.
“He is a great example for players like Anthony Gordon, Demarai Gray and Alex Iwobi. They play in the same position and we work together in terms of movement and the understanding of the game, both from offensive and defensive points of view.
“I always say to players that you remember the good teachers in your school who pushed you, not the nice ones who allowed you to do whatever you wanted.
“As a manager, you need to try to improve your staff, yourself, your team, your players, the press department, as much as you can.
“Everything has to get better and better, if you want to compete and have a chance to win.
“You have to push a little bit and the players will improve."
The indefatigable Townsend's excellent start with Everton has inevitably garnered plenty of attention.
Midfielder Doucoure, however, is also generating his share of headlines.
Released from an anchoring role, the Frenchman needed only six Premier League games to match the two goals and three assists he contributed in the entirety of last season.
“When you sign for a new club, you try to analyse your players,” said Benitez.
“You look at their strengths and weaknesses and then see if you can improve something, or reinforce something they are doing well.
“It is very clear with Doucoure that he has the energy and potential to get into the box. I have told him so many times to just go, 'Don’t drop off too much because you can be a threat in attack'.
“We were joking about scoring five goals [this season], he has already scored two.
“He wants to play well for the team and is trying to score more goals. I am pleased because that is an extra motivation for any player.”
The goals of Doucoure and Townsend have been especially valuable of late, as Everton try to plug the scoring void created by the absence of both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.
That premium attacking pair will be missing again at Manchester United on Saturday, when Benitez’s side will encounter a player renowned for leaving no stone unturned to capitalise on a God-given talent.
Cristiano Ronaldo scored his sixth goal since returning to United to break Villarreal hearts on Wednesday.
But Benitez, who managed the Portuguese at Real Madrid, insists to focus only on stopping Ronaldo would invite a star-studded forward line to wreak havoc.
“I think Cristiano is a great professional, with his age he’s doing really well,” said Benitez, whose most recent success at Old Trafford came with Chelsea in May 2013.
“But you can’t just focus on one player, even if he is as good as Cristiano.
“We need a gameplan to try to stop them and then be positive in our approach to try to score goals. It’s not just Cristiano, the others can score goals.
“It [plan] is to concentrate from the first minute until the last, to present a team that can compete and get the three points.
“We will try to be strong in defence and try to score goals.”
Paul McNamara / Everton FC
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Post by evertonfan1968 on Oct 1, 2021 20:35:44 GMT
We may have been on the receiving end of The Man City (3-2 Brighton) backlash in last May's 5-0 season closer, but these guys are there for the taking. When you read quotes about managers disappointed with opposing players' conduct - under the spotlight of being fired - you know the team either come out fighting, or they simply quit. United had a point to prove in August's 4-0 preseason mauling. With (hopefully) a fit again Calvert-Lewin AND Rondon as a substitute wildcard, not to forget Doucoure's 2nd-half runs into the opposing penalty area last February, we now have the ammunition required to force the issue. United are still equal to just about anyone in possession. The game will be won and lost by how well WE can use the ball - when WE have it. This will require a lot of courage and confidence. Plus maturity in decision-making. We've done this before, when they were in top form - except that terrible United off-side trap. It's a delicious fixture to call, if nothing else... 5-0 is my prediction lmao
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Post by evertonfan1968 on Oct 1, 2021 20:36:31 GMT
We may have been on the receiving end of The Man City (3-2 Brighton) backlash in last May's 5-0 season closer, but these guys are there for the taking. When you read quotes about managers disappointed with opposing players' conduct - under the spotlight of being fired - you know the team either come out fighting, or they simply quit. United had a point to prove in August's 4-0 preseason mauling. With (hopefully) a fit again Calvert-Lewin AND Rondon as a substitute wildcard, not to forget Doucoure's 2nd-half runs into the opposing penalty area last February, we now have the ammunition required to force the issue. United are still equal to just about anyone in possession. The game will be won and lost by how well WE can use the ball - when WE have it. This will require a lot of courage and confidence. Plus maturity in decision-making. We've done this before, when they were in top form - except that terrible United off-side trap. It's a delicious fixture to call, if nothing else... A 4-0 defeat will be a good result lol. Worse than that.
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Post by rugbytoffee on Oct 2, 2021 8:18:03 GMT
Team news
The fitness of two defenders may necessitate two alterations for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. Maguire has been ruled out for several weeks after suffering a calf injury, while Luke Shaw missed their midweek action after going off against Aston Villa.
Shaw may be fit to retake his place at left-back, with Victor Lindelof likely to again partner Raphael Varane in the heart of the defence. Marcus Rashford is expected to return from his injury lay-off after the international break.
Everton are likely to continue to be without both Seamus Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, though the pair returned to individual training this week. Richarlison remains absent, while Andre Gomes also did not train after missing last weekend’s win over Norwich.
Midfielder Jean-Philippe Gbamin has had a torrid time with injury since his arrival on Merseyside in 2019 but is moving closer to a return.
Predicted line-ups
Manchester United: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Pogba; Greenwood, Fernandes, Sancho; Ronaldo
Everton: Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Keane, Digne; Allan, Doucoure; Townsend, Gray, Iwobi; Rondon
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