Everton Women have had a decent start to the season and at the halfway point find themselves fifth in the FAWSL standings keeping pace with Manchester United Women. The Blues have been inconsistent with five losses to their name having conceded 15 goals an scoring 17 in the process across 11 games. Its been over a year since Willie Kirk was announced as the new manager of Everton, leaving his role as an assistant coach at Manchester United. The Scotsman has completely transformed his Everton side from a team who were fighting relegation last season to a team competing for top four this season.
However, Everton were in need of reinforcements during the January transfer window and were looking for players to make an instant impact. The signing of Izzy Christiansen from Olympique Lyon and Hayley Raso from W-League team Brisbane Roar could give Everton a lift and what they need to cement a place in the top four.
This tactical analysis scout report will understand and detail the strengths the new signings bring to the team and how they fit into the tactics at Everton Women. We will use analysis to determine whether or not they can make an impact and if they are a good long term fit for the club.
Everton Women’s Style of Play
Everton’s style of play has been interesting to watch over the course of the season. Kirk has set the side up in a 4-5-1 or 4-2-3-1 formation throughout the season. Chloe Kelly has been Everton’s star player and top scorer with her energetic wide play a highlight of the side so far this season.
Everton out of possession are a well-drilled outfit who use their midfield dominant shape to press semi aggressively. Depending on the opposition they will look to slightly alter their tactics which is indicative of their pressing strategy. Against more possession dominant sides, they will look to sit deeper and press as the opposition move into their defensive third. Against teams they feel they can match or are favourites against, they try setting the press high up the pitch. Their pressing system is based around a man-oriented press which is triggered based on the player on the ball at the time.
From front to back, the team works hard to ensure the opposition can’t easily penetrate through by holding a compact shape. Midfield plays a critical role in keeping Everton’s structure by remaining disciplined when their strikers look to press further forward. The opposition full-backs are put under immense pressure by the wingers which causes the opposition wingers to track back and provide extra cover and support. The defenders maintain their line and usually stay in their shape to track any runners that could run in behind and allow the midfield to provide the first line of protection centrally.
In possession, Everton’s main source of attack comes from the wide areas. As I’ve mentioned earlier, Kelly is the team’s key player and getting the ball to her becomes their primary objective when trying to attack and score goals. Her ability to cut inside or stay out wide is what makes her such a talismanic figure. While Kelly has been consistent in her performances for Everton, Kirk needs more from his team and strengthening an area that is his strongest point of attack makes sense.
The signing of Raso signals their intent to make a push for the top four and strengthens their wide options. They have a number of methods to try and get the wingers into attacking positions primarily through their striker. Possession starts with the full-backs whose task is to find the forward players. They are supported by at least one central midfielder who acts as a link and passing option for the full-back when transitioning into the final third.
The problem, however, lies wherein Everton do not possess the passing quality to make penetrative or pin-point accurate passes into the final third. The arrival of Christiansen helps to alleviate the issue by being able to bring a calm presence in the middle of the park where she can use her exquisite passing range and intelligence both in offensive and defensive scenarios. Everton average 349.82 (73.4%) passes per 90 whilst their opponents out pass them by averaging 434.09 passes per 90 (78%). This can signify two results: Everton pass the ball in a more direct style to the forwards or they aren’t able to hold enough possession against opponents because they need a tempo controller in midfield.
