AliousMichael Dawson’s observation about the upcoming Everton-Forest match highlights an amusing tactical conundrum.
With the two teams having the Premier League’s lowest possession stats (Everton 38%, Forest 40%), there’s a humorous possibility of each team trying to let the other have the ball, as both are most comfortable playing on the counter.
The context is particularly interesting given both teams’ current situations.
Forest sit in fourth place under Nuno, while Everton under Dyche have shown impressive resilience in their recent fixtures, drawing with Arsenal, Chelsea, and Manchester City while conceding just one goal across those matches.
Everton’s transformation is notable – they’re now displaying the same defensive solidity that helped them avoid relegation last season, rather than the struggling form they showed early in this campaign.
Under The Friedkin Group’s ownership, keeping Dyche at the helm appears to be providing crucial stability as they look ahead to their move to Bramley-Moore Dock.
Everton’s challenging fixture list continues beyond this match, with a postponed Merseyside derby (called off due to weather on December 7) still to be rescheduled and a meeting with Bournemouth looming – the team that previously came back from two goals down to win at Goodison.
The key difference for Everton compared to other teams in similar league positions is their defensive resilience and ability to “shut up shop” – qualities that might be particularly relevant in this unusual tactical matchup where neither team particularly wants possession.
Alious
