It is to the point in the season where there have been several recurring themes. Fabian Delph has been the best player all season. Andi Wiemann hasn’t kicked on from last year the way we had hoped. The team has struggled to create chances unless they’re on the counter. The center-backs have been better across the board than last season.
Last week against Spurs we saw several of those themes. Most clubs outside of the top five or six have issues of their own. It could be a lot worse, Sunderland look like they might struggle to surpass Derby County’s paltry tally of 11 points. I feel much better about our medium-term future than almost all of the clubs around us. I’d surely rather be in our spot than Fulham or Stoke, with their aging squads that will need to be replenished soon. Every club in the bottom half should be relieved that Sunderland and Palace are as buried as a club can be in October.
After the last few seasons we all would’ve taken a relatively uneventful, mid-table finish. The club currently sit 13th. Given that they have had the hardest schedule in the league to this point that’s certainly respectable. If the club can play the same way as they face the soft underbelly of the league we should be looking up at the table and not down.
Which isn’t to say that makes for an overly exciting experience. Arsenal and Man City were over-the-top awesome. The rest of the season, meh. Last week the club played about as well as a team could play without creating a quality scoring chance. Whether it’s softer opposition, or changes in personnel and tactics I’m hoping that changes soon. It could be worse, but I’m still hoping for better.
I am curious to see how we do against Everton. Roberto Martinez was linked to us on numerous occasions, and his supporters in the media keep telling me that he has built on the base built by David Moyes and installed his passing ethos. It is hard to argue with the results so far.
Everton has been a bit of a measuring stick for us. Two of the three years we finished sixth, they finished fifth. Going forward the Toffees’ success, sustainable approach, and stability is something to aspire to. Beating Everton on Sunday will be a statement of sorts. With any luck there will be a bit of excitement too.
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