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From the outset Everton looked nervous. We could not keep the ball for more that three passes, and whatever bizarre tactics WS was trying to inflict on the squad were not working.
Everton started out playing a 4-4-2 with Blomqvist on the right wing. However, after about 5 minutes Blomqvist was moved to the left, but seemingly not replaced on the right. This left Peter Clarke woefully exposed on the right flank, and he will no doubt receive ridicule for the first goal, which he in no way deserves.
The first goal was a typical Ipswich goal, and I mean that in a complimentary way. They passed patiently and when an opportunity arose, the few quick passes, a low cross from their left wing and the ball was side footed perfectly in by Peralta from twelve yards out. The goal was allowed to be scored because Clarke found himself two against one on the right, with the Everton midfield not seeming to be bothered about covering him. I feel for Clarke, he has been dropped in at the deep end and should be helped by his team mates, but on too many occasions they abandoned him for fear of being caught out of position.
There is no excuse for this kind of lax marking, we have the same number of players as they do, so every single man should be covered, no excuses.
So, after the visitors took the lead on 11 minutes, Everton's heads dropped as they always do. There was no invention, no finesse, no attempt at creative play. We seemed only too happy to punt the ball upfield at every available opportunity. When will the everton players realise that Duncan Ferguson has two very good feet, which he is excellent at using.
Ipswich continued to be the better side, and Simonsen was called into action more than once to block efforts from outside the box. Everton's defence was actually doing quite well, bar the odd moment of hesitation from Unsworth, who despite his awful distribution, actually played quite well.
Everton were totally out of ideas when they were handed a lifeline on 27 minutes. Campbell was felled by Marshall inside the box and a penalty was quite rightly awarded. David Unsworth converted, and for all of 10 minutes afterwards, Everton were looking better, working and covering for each other.
It was not to be however. Just before half time Weir gave away a silly free kick on the edge of the box and Matt Holland drilled home a screamer past Simonsen.
The second half was a none event, so I won't write too much about it, lest I bore you to tears.
The only bright spark was an excellent 20 yard volley from Ferguson on 50 minutes which was saved by Marshall. We need to make better use of him. New signing Tobias Linderoth, on as a second half substitute for Peter Clarke, drilled in a 30-yarder on 62 minutes which Marshall was able to save comfortably.
Apart from that, nothing else of note happened. Gazza tried to be creative but could find no way through the excellent defending of Ipswich, who were more than happy to sit on their lead until the final whistle.
A truly awful peformance, and WS will have to make changes if we are to have a hope in hell against Arsenal next Sunday.