Palace are feeling good after a strong win against Wolves which featured some of the best interplay we have seen this season, particularly between Zaha, Olise, Eze and Edouard.
Next up comes a tough trip to Everton who had seemed rejuvenated and a lot meaner under boss Frank Lampard this season. To get the inside track as to how Everton fans are feeling TEB spoke to Trent Nelson from Royal Blue Mersey.
TEB – How are you feeling about the start to the season? You’ve looked a different team compared to last year – maybe the recent games reflect the fixtures as much as the form?
TN – There is real optimism around the side this season to be sure. Supporters have seen the club evolve ever since Lampard took over for the second half of last season and that has continued across and through the summer and current period.
There are issues of course and sorting out our creative processes in the build-up, as well as our scoring, are works in progress that must quickly be addressed. With that all noted, there is youth, real talent and grit on this team now, and Blues supporters are firmly behind the process and the development of the side under Kevin Thelwell and Frank Lampard.
TEB – That is good to hear, a lot of people had you as relegation candidates for the season based on last year, but what’s the target? Avoid relegation or something about style, or?
TN – Last year was a poor year, but it was, I believe, an outlier more than a trend. The year before the side – with many of the same players – nearly made it into European competition; the let down after Carlo Ancelotti left and the injuries and poor management that ensued hurt the team badly, but if Lampard and his staff can get the best use out of the talent on this squad, there is no reason why Everton cannot be competing for a domestic cup while ending up mid-table in the Premier League. There is so much room to grow for this side, and so patience and expectations must be properly balanced at the end of the day.
TEB – To the manager, it sounds like you’re pretty positive about Lampard, it felt like at the end of last season he really worked hard at getting the fans onside?
TN – Lampard is surely more loved for Everton than Rafa Benitez ever managed – and I don’t think it has really much to do with his Liverpool ties either to be frank.
Rafa did not ever seem to understand Everton as he apparently understood Liverpool. His tactics were often unwise or ineffective, and he was not getting the most out of the individuals or the team. Players were frustrated and checking out of matches in many ways.
Lampard came in and immediately worked hard, reconnected this team to the fans and from there, rebuilt the psychology of the squad into a side that plays much tougher football in a much more resilient manner.
Supporters know that things aren’t perfect and that the boss is working on those issues. If this team can find some creative sparks, things will look much better for Frank in the present, but I don’t believe there is anyone clamouring to urgently sack him.
TEB – Everton have had quite an overhaul, Conor Coady in particular looks a great addition, but who’s been most impressive?
TN – Coady and James Tarkowski have both really solidified the back line for this Everton side as we haven’t had that in some time. While those two are obvious choices, another that most supporters would mention is Amadou Onana.
The Belgian is going to be some player in the years to come; he’s absolutely massive, like a spider-gazelle, and as he takes the ball and goes, it often seems that he’s the largest and fastest player on the pitch for a time. The side is fortunate to have such a positive person on and off the pitch, and his youth and talent is so vital to what the team wants to develop going forward.
TEB – If I gave you a magic lamp, who would you like to sign in January?
TN – Oh man; can’t say no to a good magic lamp. Well, for me, I look at the side with what has been added and I see a lack of creativity. It is not that the team does not have weapons – in the form of Alex Iwobi and the aforementioned Onana, but we need more invention to create opportunities for the wide men and strikers.
We tried to pry Mohammad Kudos from Ajax over the summer. I would love to add him to the side, and if I had a lamp, he’d certainly be someone to ask for. Renato Sanches – now of PSG – is another who I remain fond of.
Some supporters would like more wingers, but the side has talented, relatively young wingers ranging from Dwight McNeil to Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray. Unless someone who can play in the midfield and out wide was targeted, I think adding more depth there might be neglecting our midfield depth and invention.
TEB – What’s your views on Palace this season?
TN – I’ve watched some matches and they look like a side that is understanding better how to play the style Patrick Vieira wants with the players that the team possesses.
They’re a resilient lot, but right now, they’re not always getting the breaks; this seems to happen to teams that are looking to develop a culture and cohesive mentality, so I think that in time that will be less of an issue for the side.
It will be a tough test for Everton, but not one that will be necessarily be too much for the side either.
TEB – Prediction for the game? Where’s it going to be won and lost?
TN – Everton can play tough defence this season, so it will be a difficult match for both sides. Ultimately, as we’ve witnessed in recent matches, it will come down to who can make and take chances successfully. Everton have not shown that recently but have the tools. Palace also have the tools and have been finding better results, so it’ll be difficult.
With that said, the Toffees will have to break out of their slump at some point, and they do have positive memories of playing and scoring against Palace at Goodison Park.
I’ll say 2-1 Everton at home.
TEB – Cheers Trent, here’s to a cracker (and another Eze-Wilf masterclass!)
