The NSNO Everton Forums

No excuses this time.

We know they’re going to cynically play the man in every 50/50, we need to be prepared to cope and not lose all of those because they have nothing about them except winning the ball, pinging a handful of quick passes, and being in.

Gotta have some pace in the backline too.

Through balls for Beto please..

Paddockoldie wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2026 8:06 am Through balls for Beto please..

Easier said than done. Incredibly difficult to play through balls successfully in the modern game.

Been a significant decline in the number of successful through balls in 5 major European leagues and the Champions League in the last 5-10 years.

As I understand it, this is due to a combination of sweeper keepers who get out very quickly and often stand outside their box, when the ball is up the pitch. And just as importantly, maybe more, teams are better than ever at compacting space defensively and vertically out of possession. It's why you see so many possession orientated attacking teams having to go side to side, and having to look for overlaps and overloads out wide.

What are overlaps outside? Been a while.

Bluebridge wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2026 8:26 am What are overlaps outside? Been a while.

Just getting a player overlapping into space on the wing, where you outnumber the opposition full-back. Usually your own full-back bombing on past your winger. Basically what we don't have.

Bluedylan1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2026 8:18 am Easier said than done. Incredibly difficult to play through balls successfully in the modern game.

Been a significant decline in the number of successful through balls in 5 major European leagues and the Champions League in the last 5-10 years.

As I understand it, this is due to a combination of sweeper keepers who get out very quickly and often stand outside their box, when the ball is up the pitch. And just as importantly, maybe more, teams are better than ever at compacting space defensively and vertically out of possession. It's why you see so many possession orientated attacking teams having to go side to side, and having to look for overlaps and overloads out wide.

The thing is dislike the most in modern football is watching a game, seeing a striker through on goal, only for the keeper to come and smack the ball away.

TheRam wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2026 8:33 am The thing is dislike the most in modern football is watching a game, seeing a striker through on goal, only for the keeper to come and smack the ball away.

Yeah I think we all love a through ball goal. Hardly ever see someone rounding a keeper now, which is a personal favourite of mine.

Top level footie is at a higher standard than ever before, but also less entertaining.

Bluedylan1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2026 8:39 am Yeah I think we all love a through ball goal. Hardly ever see someone rounding a keeper now, which is a personal favourite of mine.

Top level footie is at a higher standard than ever before, but also less entertaining.

One of OG Ronaldo’s special moves.

What a fucking player he was.

Bluedylan1 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 06, 2026 8:28 am Just getting a player overlapping into space on the wing, where you outnumber the opposition full-back. Usually your own full-back bombing on past your winger. Basically what we don't have.

Ha ha, I know, I was being silly, it’s something we don’t see very often at Everton.