We do like to be beside the seaside
Positive, negatives on Everton's first pre-season win, 4-2 against Blackpool
The positives start this off:
Everton won.
Dele Alli scored twice.
Operating as wing-backs Nathan Patterson and Vitalyi Mykolenko were outstanding. (More to come on on this duo.)
Goals as in the number Everton scored.
James Tarkowski showed a good eye for a pass and defended well for the most part.
Tom Davies made a great run to score the first goal.
Around 5,000 Evertonians made the trip, there probably were promises of rock, ice cream, and time in the fun fair for the kids.
Time for Mr. Negative
Jordan Pickford was at fault for Blackpool’s first goal
Blackpool scored from a corner, sounds like a broken record, doesn’t it!
Everton let Blackpool back in the game twice.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin didn’t even suit up, which is concerning considering how often the media are trying to sell him to Newcastle. Neither did Andre Gomes, which could mean anything.
A few thoughts
Patterson and Mylenko were outstanding. Mykolenko had Everton’s first goal as cleverly side-footed a good cross from Patterson. Mykolenko turned provider for Alli’s first goal with Patterson providing the cross for Alli’s second. So between them the two wing-backs had a goal and three assists. If they continue this way, no doubt some TV twerp, oops, pundit will try and give them a “name” Patterlynko or Mykoson or something like that. Maybe I should see if I can copyright either name.
Could Alli be returning to the kind of player he used to be? His two goals were very much a creation of his ability to see the field and the goal. They were both poacher’s goals.
If Lampard sticks with this 3-4-3 formation, Tarkowski has to be one of the centre-backs, 98 percent of the time was excellent in defense. And does he have an eye for a pass, especially out to the wings. Unless Ben Godfrey becomes a defensive midfielder, which he has the skill set and it would make more use of his power and pace. Godfrey, Tarkowski, and Yerri Mina as long as they are all fit must be the central defenders.
Note: Blackpool had five former-Everton players in their team. Read that as you will. Is it poor talent acquisition or poor coaching?