Everton

Everton: David Prentice discusses the Toffees’ lack of consistency in defence

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Image for Everton: David Prentice discusses the Toffees’ lack of consistency in defence

The Liverpool Echo’s head of sport David Prentice has recently discussed Everton’s lack of consistency in their defensive selection.

Over the duration of the season so far, Carlo Ancelotti has altered his defensive line on a number of occasions, having switched from four-back formations to three-back formations before going back to a defensive line of four again (per Transfermarkt).

That, primarily, has been facilitated by issues with two of Everton’s key players in full-backs Seamus Coleman and Lucas Digne.

Earlier this season, the Frenchman missed one game through suspension and is currently out injured, meanwhile, Coleman has also recently been out of action for a number of weeks.

During the latest episode of the Liverpool Echo’s Royal Blue: The Everton FC Podcast, Prentice discussed the lack of stability in the Merseyside outfit’s defensive line.

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To kick off this quiz on Seamus Coleman, what squad number does the right-back currently wear for the Toffees?

He said: “I think there’s an awful lot to be said just for defensive consistency. We’ve been preaching it so many times on this podcast, I don’t like to see chopping and changing of back fours.

“Good defences get to know each other’s games inside out, and that includes having the same goalkeeper behind you as well.

“You think back to the famous Arsenal back four that everybody can rattle off because they were so good week in, week out – and we wanted that at Everton.

“Unfortunately, the players that were selected for the back four weren’t producing consistent enough performances to warrant it. So, Carlo felt obliged to change things because people were making mistakes.”

TIF Thoughts on what David Prentice said about Everton’s defensive line…

As can be seen in what the journalist had to say, he believes that, ideally, the Toffees would not change their backline frequently, however, Ancelotti has been “obliged” to do so.

Should Carlo Ancelotti stick with the current four players he's been playing in defence for the foreseeable future?

No, need to keep it fresh

No, need to keep it fresh

Yes, we need stability

Yes, we need stability

Over their previous three games in the top flight, Everton have kept the same defensive line in place against Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal.

In those three matches, too, the Toffees have picked up three wins and managed to keep two clean sheets in the process.

So, it certainly seems like the proof was in the pudding for having consistency in the defensive selection, so, hopefully, Ancelotti can continue to pick the same back four.

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