THE media no-show from the Everton ranks after Saturday’s defeat to West Brom was fully in keeping with what had unfolded earlier on the pitch.
Quite where the Blues backline had vanished to in the opening quarter of the lunch-time clash at the Hawthorns is anybody’s guess.
And having been punished by a lively Peter Odemwingie – who set up Youssuf Mulumbu for the game’s solitary strike – Everton were virtually non-existent as an attacking threat for the remainder of their final away game of the season.
If the impressive victory over Manchester City was a reminder of what this group of players are capable of on their day, then Saturday’s loss once again reaffirmed the inconsistent nature of this side and its startling limitations.
What makes the defeat worse is the fact we were playing a team who had kept only one clean sheet prior to the weekend, and had shipped in more goals than any other Premier League team with the exception of Blackpool.
Hardly the most resolute of opposition but, aside from a smart Victor Anichebe turn and shot in the first half, Everton never looked like breaching Scott Carson’s goal.
This was an all too familiar defeat and yet another classic example of the type of displays that have plagued our season.
Everton dominated possession but lacked the necessary guile to open up the West Brom rearguard. Aimless crosses and corners bore no fruit, and defensively we looked vulnerable and error-prone.
How David Moyes solves these problems over the summer remains to be seen. Everton need to strengthen in every outfield department. A top-class centre half, a natural wide man, a playmaker and a prolific goalscorer would give us a chance of challenging.
But that is simply not going to happen.
I just pray that Moyes can find someone who is capable of unlocking a defence, whether that be in the form of a winger or central midfielder, and giving us an extra dimension when we’re faced with trying to break down stubborn opposition.
If it hadn’t been for the youthful exuberance of Seamus Coleman and a series of probing displays from Leon Osman, our play would have looked even more painfully predictable than it has during the majority of a frustrating campaign. Another must is a striker. We don’t have the cash to sign a proven marksman but, without sounding too harsh, we must be able to find someone who can offer more than Jermaine Beckford and Victor Anichebe.
The reality is we’re going to have to sell to make any of that possible.
Jack Rodwell seems to be the most likely departure if rumours of a Manchester City bid are to be believed.
As much as it pains me to say it, if that’s the only option available to us in order to find the cutting edge we’re so desperately craving, then so be it.
