Richmondfox

And then passes to no one when given 30 seconds to line up a shot in front of goal.

I agree. We missed Skipp taking hold of the ball and moving up the pitch. The first half stunk out every time Faes tries to make it all about himself. Everton in the first half could find their wingers and pass it around with ease. We miss someone who can turn with the ball like Maddison could rather than adding a pass back and sideways before going forwards again. What is annoying is we go gung ho when everyone is tired rather than bringing on 3 subs to bring some energy to the team.

While it’s only 5 games, it’s enough to see a trend forming. From what you have seen so far, do you actually think Cooper has it in him to work out what to do and execute it?

He’s taking the place of someone that can add value to the team.

All wax, no wick. Sums up his whole career. Holds onto the ball for too long and does little with it.

Again Ndidi needs to be hooked off at 60 mins as his decision making is poor. Had two great chances but as always when he has time to think rather than react, he messes it up. Negative and boring football.

What will his excuse be this week?

Another brain freeze from Ndidi. He can only handle 60 mins.

How long till Coady and Hamza?

Time to get Ndidi off as he’s gone into useless mode now.

Ayew holds onto the ball for too long and comes to absolutely nothing.

Stinks everything out. Faes and Winks are slowing any attack down too much. Skipp makes things happen and wants to go forward.

Foul but outside

They would be better if Faes pings them first time rather than walking and letting them get back in position.

Justin again

It would make more sense to have Fatawu attacking him straight away as Young is more likely to make a rash challenge on him. Ayew will just turn back and fall over to win a free kick that we will waste.

I would rather have McNeill than Ayew, he’s contributed more already than Ayew will all season.

If McNeil is playing on the same side as Justin then he is going to love it today. He will get so much time and space to cross in to DCL.

Don’t worry I don’t take it as that. What I mean is the two goal situations that Ndidi created were in moments of chaos. When Ndidi has all the time in the world the decision usually is the wrong one because he hasn’t got the finesse and ability that is required. He might have an intelligent footballing brain but his body and ability doesn’t match it. He makes countless mistakes that puts others under pressures, so maybe he isn’t playing smart. Regarding those examples, they were two things that Enzo drilled into him, and what I’ve commented on him being good at.

I would leave Wilf out for this game. He just floats around too much watching players run by when high up the pitch. He is good when things are falling apart and he doesn’t have to think. We have enough young skilled players to take long shots which at worst will force a save for whoever we have upfront to pounce on. Ayew has shown why he peaked at Palace. Cooper will already have the excuse’s lined up. I’m sure he will start defensive in selection and any change will be reactive 10mins too late. No point being so defensive yet getting JJ or VK to double up on a forward leaving a winger with all the space to put the ball in a dangerous area.

He’s an excuse maker because he isn’t smart as a manager or tactician. It’s always someone else’s fault. The tactics of JJ leaving so much space for the Palace wingers wasn’t addressed, the lack of subs at 60 mins when Ndidi and Ayew were battered and making mistakes wasn’t addressed. Parking the bus and letting Palace attack for 20 mins was his choice.

He will play the same team in exactly the same style. Two teams stinking each other out. Cooper needs to address the space JJ is leaving which constantly puts the defence under pressure, if this is the case Everton will have countless chances. At Palace their goal could’ve been avoided if he was closer to make a block/tackle not keeping (allegedly) them onside by a last ditch stretch. Also our 2nd goal came from JJ playing like he used to before he became boring and scared to cross the halfway line. We need to attack constantly otherwise the crowd will turn quickly if Cooper stinks it out. We can’t be relying on Ndidi to be creative and feed the wingers if we have more of the ball, which you would expect in this game. He seems to be great at creating when it’s chaos but if he has to think about then the ball is wasted. I’ve seen enough of Ayew to know why he peaked at Palace, the same for Reid. He has got the excuses out of the way from the last game, he has none for this.

This would be my line up. Hit them hard and fast and don’t let up all game. Make a statement for once but I’m not expecting anything different. I wouldn’t put it past him to start the same team.

Not having a dig but willing to hear an alternate view to mine. From his track record at Forest, preseason and now the first 4 games, what do you think he will do differently in that time frame to Christmas? To me, his lack of footballing nous and in game management are clear for all to see. Giving him till Christmas I believe would make relegation a fait accompli. If was in a regular job and performed to the equivalent standard, I’m sure he wouldn’t pass his probation.