A look at how our players performed individually against Everton at St Mary's stadium on Saturday lunchtime.

Artur Boruc - Not a lot to do, but what he did do in the main he did well, perhaps the only thing he could be criticised for was his kicking, yes some of it was wayward, but he is being asked to tray and distribute the ball rather than hoof it up field, like any outfield player he wont get every pass to its intended recipient. 8

Nathaniel Clyne - Another good game from Clyne who flourishes in games when he can get forward quickly and put in crosses as he did with the second goal where it was put into an area that causes problems. 8

Luke Shaw - Decent game from Shaw who deserved his nomination for young player of the year and inclusion in the PFA team of the year, we do tend to forget though that he is still young and a has a little more to learn, his distribution is still lacking a little, he gets into some good positions but rarely delivers a killer ball, when he learns to do that he will be England's number 1 left back for many years to come. 7

Dejan Lovren - Was tight for 99% of the game but seems to have developed a rush of blood to the head in recent weeks, dived in on Leon Osman when the ball was going nowhere and could easily have seen a penalty given against him and then on the other side, yes he was initially held down but then hauled the man back, again I have seen them given for less. 7

Jose Fonte - Good solid game from Fonte who in the main left the rushes of blood to Dejan Lovren in this game, it has to be said though that both had a quiet afternoon due to the midfield in front of them. 7

Adam Lallana - Fizzed around at times and the watching Roy Hodgson would have been impressed, sadly though we had little for him to pass to in the final third so he was not as effective as he could have been. 7

Jack Cork - Mauricio Pochettino seems to think that Cork and Wanyama cant play in the same team, Saturday showed that they can and Cork had a stormer of a game and was man of the match alongside Steven Davis, they harrassed and won the ball and moved it quickly to more attacking players 9

Steven Davis - Alongside Cork my man of the match, Davis is very much an unsung hero but he is vital to the team and formed a great partnership with both Cork and Wanyama in what was perhaps the best performance from a midfeield three from us all year. 9

Wanyama - Seemed to benefit from playing with Cork and Davis who are quick and mobile and can move the ball on leaving Wanyama to do what he does best and thats offer a physical presence, Everton failed to spark because our midfield trio did not let them play. 8 1/2

Rickie Lambert - Put in a great cross for the first goal, but from a team perspective i couldnt quite work out where he was actually playing, when he got into the game he did well, but like Lallana he lacked an outlet for the ball when he had it, again for me the formation did not suit him, he is a great player who can do some good things with the ball, I would like to see him do more but through no fault of his own he cant. The few decent chances we actually have came through Rickie. 7

Sam Gallagher - Im sorry to say it but Sam isnt quite ready yet to lead the line, yes it was only his second start, but he looked a little lost, the effort was there and the running, but he didnt seem to know where to make the right run, for both goals he was in the six yard box yet nowhere near the cross, this meant that we had nothing to aim at in the box with Lambert playing deeper. Gallagher will hopefully come good, but he perhaps needs to play a few games out on loan and learn his trade a little, no criticism of him, he is just not ready yet and its too his credit he works hard. 6

Subs.

Ward Prowse (76 mins) We changed shape a little when JWP came on and he did what he does well and made sure the game was closed out. 7

Reed (86 mins) I would have liked to have seen him used a little earlier in the game, but he slotted in well and added some bite to the midfield to help see out the last remaining minutes 7

Guly (90) Ok he was just running down the clock, did nothing wrong but personally I feel that we would have benefited more if we had brought on Matt Targett to give him a taste of first team football. 6

Manager - Was a bit short of options so the team picked itself to a degree, now 8th is nearly assured hopefully he will look at some of our youngsters in the last two games and start to plan for next season. 7

Photo: Action Images

slynch added 10:59 - Apr 28 You forgot to mention it was Gallagher's speed to get into the 6 yard box and his bullish presence therein that caused BOTH goals.
0

Scummer added 12:00 - Apr 28 Clyne was MOTM for me, although as a unit Cork / Davis / Wanyama were superb. Very pleased to see Gallagher start the game. Given our safe position and realistic lack of threat from Newcastle for 8th, then I would like to see more of the academy players get that exposure and experience. Why loan out Gallagher when he can learn his trade a bit more here? We want to be attracting the best young talent here, and Saints are known for giving that route so let's not undermine that. Having said that, I agree that another striker should be a priority this summer to get real competition going.

1

SaintNick added 12:25 - Apr 28 I think with Gallagher he needs to drop down a level and get his confidence up and his game going, if he stays with us then he is going to get 10 mins here and there at best next season, what he could do with is 20-30 games in League 1 or the Championship
0

Scummer added 13:10 - Apr 28 Yeah, perhaps you're right. I would have suggested either Palace or Burnley as they obviously do well themselves with young talent, but as they are now both in the Prem then that doesn't work!! I guess they reinvested that transfer money wisely...
0

Zambucco added 15:59 - Apr 28 Steven Davis has been my man of the match so many times, he's my player of the year. I love everything about him and all done without fuss and under the radar. I visit a lot of other teams forums and so many comment on his contribution. Wanyama a very close second, almost back to his best so far. I say so far, as I really don't think we have seen the best of him yet. Another Toure/Vierra in the making. I thought the team put in a great performance, to reduce a team as good as Everton to a bit part is going some. My concern of late, is the drop in form of Lovren. To me it's though he's become complacent, and possibly believed the hype. Mistakes are common place and as pointed out the unnecessary fouls, it's as though he's been taking lessons from Fonte, who god knows rides his luck. Your analysis of Gallagher is fair, but I'd rather he was blooded in the Prem, thrown in at the deep end he'll learn fast.

0

winchesterbob added 19:17 - Apr 29 Agree with comment about Steven Davis Zambucco, he has been by far our most consistent player this season and he never seems to stop running.
0

Blogs 31 bloggers

Middlesbrough Polls