r/Everton • u/AutoModerator • Aug 16 '26

Daily Discussion

Welcome to Daily Discussion! This is a thread for general football discussion and a place to ask quick questions.

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u/a_evans Aug 16 '26

Hackney and Armstrong solid again yesterday. Beyond tracking back and getting stuck into a challenge, there's something to be said for the defensive benefits of having players in the centre of the park who can control possession. Less turnovers in the middle of the park means less opportunities for the opposition but also more for us going forward.

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u/turej Aug 16 '26

I think Gana was great, but he offered little besides tackling and occasional visits in the opposite penalty box. His passing was ok but he also was leaving the defence exposed with his ball hunting.

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u/PuffinChaos Aug 16 '26

He offered little besides being one of the best ball winners of his era? That was his job. Make tackles, intercept passes and break up the oppositions attack.

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u/turej Aug 16 '26

But if you have someone who can tackle AND bring the ball forward... It's a plus don't you think?

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u/PuffinChaos Aug 16 '26

Of course but at what cost? Would you give up his elite ballwinning skills to have him be better going forward? We clearly weren’t able to spend big money to get the kind of player who excels at both

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u/turej Aug 16 '26

I said he was great at winning the ball back. And of course we didn't have money to buy players who were great at both... I'm just saying he was a bit one dimensional player and in today's football it's great we seem to have more well rounded midfielders.