da fezbet： Since confirming Sam Allardyce as their new manager, Everton have kept two clean sheets – their first two of the Premier League season.
da brwin： But whether or not you can credit their new manager with either is up for debate: he wasn’t officially in charge yet for the victory over West Ham, and Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Huddersfield perhaps came slightly too soon for any real material changes to have been made. And yet, there has been a mentality shift.
When Allardyce comes into any club, the first thing you’d expect to find would be a new-found solidity in defence. And with Everton’s squad, that might not be the most difficult job the former Crystal Palace and Sunderland manager has ever had. He’s already had an impact on one particular player already.
Since his arrival at the club, Ashley Williams has struggled somewhat with life at Goodison Park. What looked like a very shrewd move from the Toffees two summers ago turned into something of a disaster as the Wales captain couldn’t replicate the sort of form which saw him make his name in the Premier League at Swansea, and beyond that at Euro 2016. This season, he has been part of one of the leakiest defences in the league.
But after scoring against West Ham last midweek before facing Huddersfield at the weekend, Williams has seen something of an upturn in form. His 13 clearances was a higher tally than any other player on the pitch, whilst he showed something approaching the aerial prowess he was known for in south Wales, winning nine aerial duels. Only Dominic Calvert-Lewin won more – which, in itself, may well be another hint as to the difference Allardyce will make at Everton.
Indeed, Williams’ own pass accuracy dropped from a season-average of over 85% before the Huddersfield game to just 79% during it, which is surely down to managerial instructions rather than anything else.
Williams’ game has always been on the more muscular side of the centre-back spectrum, but with pronounced stats which quite clearly focus on winning duels and clearing the ball over holding positions and making interceptions, Allardyce is taking a safety-first approach. It might not be the worst idea in the world, especially during a season which has already gone pear-shaped.