Final Impressions on Everton's Season
Considering the low expectation I had from the start, I would say it has been magnificent. Obviously there have been few hiccups here and there, but overall, we showed a great progress, which never existed under Moyes. Considering that this was the transition season for us, players such as Jagielka and Baines learning new ways of playing and emphasising on a very new style, the response have been fantastic. We coped with the new plan better than I ever anticipated including big wins over bigger teams such as Chelsea, Arsenal
We also, broke the curse against Villa as they were the nightmare team to play against historically.
Obviously, our biggest achievement was doing the right thing in the window transfer market. Bringing McCarthy have been one of the best buys in a long time. He was absolutely rock solid through the year and absolutely dominated that midfield with his great awareness, knack for closing up, his high pressings and overall great enthusiasm. My player of the year! Not to mention the loan players such as Lukaku and Barry have done bang up job in getting the result for us. Felt like they were part of the team rather than players who were there to only get on bigger teams. McGeady, have shown glimpses of greatness here and there considering his fitness level.
Also, Players such as Coleman, Oviedo and Naismith have improved even further than I thought under the new system. Once being shut down by Moyes, have give them the extra motivation to prove their worth and congrats to them for winning the heart of the fans with great skills and great passion in order to succeed in every match. Also, How can I forget youngsters such as Barkley and Stones (and to certain degree Garbutt) they have don a phenomenal job in being a fine footballers and contributed to our season with fine goals great defending and overall lovely piece of skills and intellect. Distin have doe great job as well!
The downside to our season is losing against Sunderland, Liverpool and Arsenal! Those 3 losses were the ones that hurt the most. Especially since there was so much we at stakes in all those matches which brings me to the very point: That we still have to learn how to cope with pressure, that is my disappointment of the year. Previously we have also come close to something great only to bottle it up. However, this year, its even more disappointing that we had a clear aim and drive, yet, those mentality still prevailed considering that we demolished the idea of inferiority against the big teams and negative football. Hope we demolish that as well next season!
Overall, its been a magnificent season that have been hampered by the end run. Few have disappointed, and the ones who have been, were all injured!
Top 3 players:
1- James McCarthy
2- Seamus Coleman
3- Bryan Oviedo
Best Win of the season:
Everton 3 - 0 Arsenal
Worst Loss:
Liverpool 4 - 0 Everton
Most Exciting Match:
Everton 2 - 2 Liverpool
Most boring Match:
Sunderland 0 - 1 Everton
Top 3 goals of the season:
Barkley v Man City
Coleman v Swansea
Barkley v Newcastle