🇪🇸 Juan Mata

[Jase 43,479]

Not by any means our worst player today. Why is he being singled out?

Guess everyone has gotten paranoid and/or think too much of his situation with Mourinho..

[The Skipper 20,609]

He wasn't bad but really struggled to impose himself.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

He wasn't bad but really struggled to impose himself.

Can be said about anyone of the front four today. I think we should give Everton more credit. They defended extremely well and are the main reason why our attackers could not play their game.

[The Skipper 20,609]

Can be said about anyone of the front four today. I think we should give Everton more credit. They defended extremely well and are the main reason why our attackers could not play their game.

I agree. Everton defended superbly and kept Hazard, Schurrle and Mata at bay for most of the game but all three under performed in my opinion. I think we played way too conservative in the first half - we weren't playing the high press and let Everton settle into the game way too early in the first half.

We still churned out chances though but how many of those were actually created by those three? Ironically, Eto'o and Ramires were our most creative players which isn't good enough.

Just one of those games though where things didn't go our way. I'm not too disheartened by the loss because the performance wasn't that bad and it's still very early but Mata and Hazard really both need to step up and start taking games by the scruff of the neck on a more regular basis this season.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I agree. Everton defended superbly and kept Hazard, Schurrle and Mata at bay for most of the game but all three under performed in my opinion. I think we played way too conservative in the first half - we weren't playing the high press and let Everton settle into the game way too early in the first half.

We still churned out chances though but how many of those were actually created by those three? Ironically, Eto'o and Ramires were our most creative players which isn't good enough.

Just one of those games though where things didn't go our way. I'm not too disheartened by the loss because the performance wasn't that bad and it's still very early but Mata and Hazard really both need to step up and start taking games by the scruff of the neck on a more regular basis this season.

Honestly, Martinez just out-smarted Jose in the tactics. Everton always had a man more near the ball, especially while defending and we did not manage to take advantage of this by moving the ball quickly enough to the far side and they did very well to recover quickly.

[OneMoSalah 8,886]

When he is not sharp he becomes useless as soon as the player defending him is faster and stronger than him. Unfortunately almost every player in the epl are. So his rustiness cost us dearly today. I feel Mata had his early peak and is just not getting any better now but the season is still young and he has only played once so lets wait and see.

Wtf is this? He's not Michael Owen with his 593953 injuries and early successful career, hes just not match fit, thats all. Think some people are overreacting, in fact no doubt about it, people are.

[didierforever 7,349]

wow. simply wow. now mata is getting singled out. hazard lost the ball about 15 times to naismith/coleman, but he gets 15 motm votes. mata puts in a decent performance, is taken out at about the 55th minute but its his fault.

by the way did any1 notice how well we were controlling the game when mata was on the pitch to how we were playing when he was not. when he was on the pitch we created chances while after his sub, it was the end. we had no play, we had no tempo.

[Henrique 9,133]

Guess everyone has gotten paranoid and/or think too much of his situation with Mourinho..

The guy was the first to get the axe today.

[FabHazard 655]

i think mata was the only player who looked good and create something on the pitch.Hazard was much worse than mata.

[Barbara 15,149]

Not by any means our worst player today. Why is he being singled out?

I didn't see anyone singling him out in the match's thread... but in his thread he has to be the player we talk about - unless you decide that blaming Mikel for Mata's invisible match makes any sense and brings him to the convo here (it wasn't you, I know, but I'm still shocked I read it). And if most people think the obvious - that he had a bad match - then that's what you'll read here. If we go to André thread people will talk about him, the same on Oscar's etc and how they perceived the players' display will permeate their posting. This is not singling out a player.

Oscar is more and more the owner of the position and that creates a problem for us because Hazard can't figure out how to get rid of the double-triple men-marking on him, Oscar isn't much creative and then we're relying mostly at the right wing. We have a problem and I hope the answer to it comes soon. We have 6 players for the 3 positions, and they're all very good players, so God helps us with them becoming more confident and efficient soon.

[Jase 43,479]

The guy was the first to get the axe today.

So, does that mean he was necessarily was the worst player on the pitch like people seem to make it out to be? No.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

I didn't see anyone singling him out in the match's thread... but in his thread he has to be the player we talk about - unless you decide that blaming Mikel for Mata's invisible match makes any sense and brings him to the convo here (it wasn't you, I know, but I'm still shocked I read it). And if most people think the obvious - that he had a bad match - then that's what you'll read here. If we go to André thread people will talk about him, the same on Oscar's etc and how they perceived the players' display will permeate their posting. This is not singling out a player.

Oscar is more and more the owner of the position and that creates a problem for us because Hazard can't figure out how to get rid of the double-triple men-marking on him, Oscar isn't much creative and then we're relying mostly at the right wing. We have a problem and I hope the answer to it comes soon. We have 6 players for the 3 positions, and they're all very good players, so God helps us with them becoming more confident and efficient soon.

A lot of people here and in the match thread saying and implying that he was the worst player today. That's what I meant by singling him out.

[TrippingStep 336]

Can be said about anyone of the front four today. I think we should give Everton more credit. They defended extremely well and are the main reason why our attackers could not play their game.

One question, do you think that with Benitez we would have created more problems to their defense.

For me the answer is yes.

The things you said about moving the ball quickly from side to side would have been used more with Benitez.

The back 4 was much more pro-active, Azpi was very good to add width and a threat and still keeping the ball moving with simple but effective passes.

We were very good to fixing defense to a side and creating space for runs to the other side and stretching defenses.

I know Everton have better players but Wigan last year was unable to move the ball to the other side and we were trapping them and countering them where we wanted to.

We play at a slower pace this year and I don't like that as we don't have Drogba or other big man in midfield that could outmuscle players like in the first Mourinho period.

[kellzfresh 7,229]

I agree. Everton defended superbly and kept Hazard, Schurrle and Mata at bay for most of the game but all three under performed in my opinion. I think we played way too conservative in the first half - we weren't playing the high press and let Everton settle into the game way too early in the first half.

We still churned out chances though but how many of those were actually created by those three? Ironically, Eto'o and Ramires were our most creative players which isn't good enough.

Just one of those games though where things didn't go our way. I'm not too disheartened by the loss because the performance wasn't that bad and it's still very early but Mata and Hazard really both need to step up and start taking games by the scruff of the neck on a more regular basis this season.

Exactly. Very good observation on the match.

i noticed it too, thats why i went on a rant about hazard on his thread. How eto and ramires created more chances than our "creative" midfielders was baffling.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

One question, do you think that with Benitez we would have created more problems to their defense.

For me the answer is yes.

The things you said about moving the ball quickly from side to side would have been used more with Benitez.

The back 4 was much more pro-active, Azpi was very good to add width and a threat and still keeping the ball moving with simple but effective passes.

We were very good to fixing defense to a side and creating space for runs to the other side and stretching defenses.

I know Everton have better players but Wigan last year was unable to move the ball to the other side and we were trapping them and countering them where we wanted to.

We play at a slower pace this year and I don't like that as we don't have Drogba or other big man in midfield that could outmuscle players like in the first Mourinho period.

Yeah I agree. The system under Beniyez had a different 'dynamic' and it would probably have worked better yesterday because it utilized better runners on the far side of the pitch and had more width especially on the right side with Azpi who was crucial in Rafa's system.

Tbf, it took Benitez 20+ games before his system started working as he wanted while this is still Jose's 5th game.

[TrippingStep 336]

Yeah I agree. The system under Beniyez had a different 'dynamic' and it would probably have worked better yesterday because it utilized better runners on the far side of the pitch and had more width especially on the right side with Azpi who was crucial in Rafa's system.

Tbf, it took Benitez 20+ games before his system started working as he wanted while this is still Jose's 5th game.

Of course, but he had no pre-season and we were playing every three days. Changing the physical preparation and tactics without many trainings was a huge task. When Di Matteo was sacked, the players were already on their knees, just making them more fit took time.

What is a bit bothering is that Azpi, Mata, Hazard, Ramires, Luiz knew their role and were the key man in the Benitez system but the on the first three, two are not playing much and Hazard looks more like he was under Di Matteo.

[CHOULO19 24,332]

Of course, but he had no pre-season and we were playing every three days. Changing the physical preparation and tactics without many trainings was a huge task. When Di Matteo was sacked, the players were already on their knees, just making them more fit took time.

What is a bit bothering is that Azpi, Mata, Hazard, Ramires, Luiz knew their role and were the key man in the Benitez system but the on the first three, two are not playing much and Hazard looks more like he was under Di Matteo.

Problem is Benitez already knew his system a couple of weeks into the job while Jose seems still unsure what his system or best team is. We've played four different styles in five games already this season. No wonder the players are unsure of their roles. I also think Jose is just making some wrong calls at the moment. Iva over Azpi is particularly puzzling for me because the latter proved last season that he can be a key man for us.

[Jase 43,479]

Problem is Benitez already knew his system a couple of weeks into the job while Jose seems still unsure what his system or best team is. We've played four different styles in five games already this season. No wonder the players are unsure of their roles. I also think Jose is just making some wrong calls at the moment. Iva over Azpi is particularly puzzling for me because the latter proved last season that he can be a key man for us.

Don't think having so many options especially in the attacking areas is helping Mourinho right now. Like you said, he doesn't seem to know his best system and team that will suit them. At least with Benitez back then, it was straightforward with the selection since the lack of quality in squad depth was apparent. Was easy for him to just pick the best ones and go with it.

[Barbara 15,149]

I agree. Everton defended superbly and kept Hazard, Schurrle and Mata at bay for most of the game but all three under performed in my opinion. I think we played way too conservative in the first half - we weren't playing the high press and let Everton settle into the game way too early in the first half.

We still churned out chances though but how many of those were actually created by those three? Ironically, Eto'o and Ramires were our most creative players which isn't good enough.

Just one of those games though where things didn't go our way. I'm not too disheartened by the loss because the performance wasn't that bad and it's still very early but Mata and Hazard really both need to step up and start taking games by the scruff of the neck on a more regular basis this season.

somehow I missed this post, Thomas, and as usual I agree 100% with it. Perfect assessment.

wow. simply wow. now mata is getting singled out. hazard lost the ball about 15 times to naismith/coleman, but he gets 15 motm votes. mata puts in a decent performance, is taken out at about the 55th minute but its his fault.

by the way did any1 notice how well we were controlling the game when mata was on the pitch to how we were playing when he was not. when he was on the pitch we created chances while after his sub, it was the end. we had no play, we had no tempo.

except that it wasn't him who produced that... the best players we had upfront in my opinion were Eto'o, André and Ramires. Mata had missed passes 3 meters away from the guy he was passing to, he didn't create anything - except for one nice play I remember, he held the ball and most time did nothing with it. So yeah, we created chances while he was on the pitch... simply because André left at the same time he did...

[Sidzeret 2,257]

If we ain't in he first team picture by he Spids game 4 games from now, expect a lot of rumors and transfer shit this January window.