With plenty of criticisms capable of being thrown around after Everton’s defeat to West Ham United on Sunday, it’s fair to say less than a handful of players actually covered themselves in glory and depending on presumed favourites with the playing staff, some will get more leeway than others.
Reacting in the moment whilst the red mist descends, fans can often presume a very good and unexpected showing from an opposition naturally had to mean our own players didn’t turn up and at least for me, I think there’s a sense of that with those who railed against youngster Mason Holgate.
He didn’t have a great game, but he was far from alone and in matches like that you need the experienced heads to step up – and few did.
A dreadful performance from front to back from #Everton
Only Digne, Bernard & Walcott at a push can emerge with any credit today.
DCL’s touch isn’t good enough, Holgate was abysmal & Sigurdsson other than the goal was anonymous. No leaders on the pitch. #COYB #UTFT #EFC— Mike Peters (@djmikepeters) September 16, 2018
Honest review
Pickford: Dodgy
Kenny: Poor
Holgate: Embarrassing
Zouma: Dozey
Digne: Ok
Gueye: average
Bernard: Ok
Sigurdsson: Mostly a passenger
Walcott: Lacks a final product
Calvert-Lewin: All round, one of the worst players I have ever seen play for us
Tosun: Awful#EFC— Callum Dumbell (@CalDumbell) September 16, 2018
Sooner Holgate and DCL are away from that starting 11 the better #efc #Everton
— neil martin (@neilo_m) September 16, 2018
Abhorrent day all round from the players and manager.
DCL – Completely ineffectual
Walcott – Clearly not fit
Gueye – MIA
Tosun – Confidence looks shot
Holgate – Utter nightmare.
Pickford – Laughable mistake
Silva – Made tactical decisions so bad it bordered on inept. #EFC— Paul McAllister (@p_mcallister123) September 16, 2018
Never seen a centre half lose more battles than Holgate either, it's embarrassing
— Graeme Dodson (@hammyefc) September 16, 2018
Don’t think Zouma is good enough, prefer Keane and Mina
— joey burrowes (@burrowes6joey) September 16, 2018
Holgate was awful simple as
— Steven Roche (@StevenRoche2) September 16, 2018
Holgate is good at what Zouma isn’t good at and vice versa
— Ben???? (@BenJamo13) September 16, 2018
Some really poor performances today from Holgate, Gueye, DCL and Tosun, we made it far too easy for them and gifted goals thankfully we have first team players to come back in
— mark van marle (@markvanmarle) September 16, 2018
I’m not saying the above reactions are wrong, I’m just pointing out youngsters who have consistency issues of their own shouldn’t necessarily be the ones to take the flak when seniors are also having a bad day.
Football and social media mean that a hero on Saturday is suddenly non-league level at best in midweek – the truth is very much in between.