Big problems for Ronald Koeman as one-paced Everton lack fight and other things we learned from Europa League defeat to Atalanta

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  • It was Everton's second successive 3-0 defeat.

    Everton boss Ronald Koeman rallied his troops and asked his players to fight against Atalanta following the 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham last weekend – but the Blues showed the opposite at the Stadio Atleti Azzurri d’Italia.

    The Dutchman said he was taking the Europa League “very seriously” and after a “too nice” display against Spurs, Everton displayed nothing to suggest their recent early season slump is going to halt anytime soon.

    Here, we look at the key things we learned from the match.

    Did you watch Everton? Let us know your thoughts on the game.

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    BIG-MONEY SIGNINGS INEFFECTIVE

    It isn’t a knee-jerk reaction to say that the bulk of Everton’s big-money new signings have been average but best so far this season. The Toffees’ spending was great but was generally relative to the inflated prices and the rest of the huge cash spent by the top six in the Premier League.

    Gylfi Sigurdsson had an off-night and now, when Everton’s highest-quality player does just that, there is a lack of inspiration and forward-thinking from 10 other players in grey shirts.

    Sandro and Davy Klaassen, the pair signed for over £30m, were introduced as a double substitution after 67 minutes and were again ineffective. Both have struggled to adapt to life in England and worryingly have failed to cope with the physicality of a different kind of football.

    Michael Keane, who has been impressive for the most part this season, battled but was poor alongside Phil Jagielka – who really looked all of his 35 years of age.

    Koeman wished for a dominant striker in the transfer window (more on that later), he didn’t get it – but you have to question some of his incomings.

    Indeed, these are the 54-year-old’s picks, with club owner Farhad Moshiri saying that he had backed him enough. Does this result leave Koeman under pressure? His post-match comments seem to suggest all is not well with his management style at the club.

    REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Andrea Masiello ( L ) of Atalanta scores the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Atalanta and Everton FC at Stadio Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2017 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Everton were all over the place at the back.

    DEFENSIVELY AT SEA

    Everton were on the ropes early on against the Serie A side and never looked like landing blows of any note. Defensively, the Blues were an open door – offering Atalanta a free pass to the opener after 27 minutes.

    Non-existent marking at the back post which followed an awkward miscue by skipper Jagielka allowed Andrea Masiello to sweep home and make the Toffees look like Sunday league material.

    While they could do nothing really to stop Alejandro Gomez rattling in a screamer for the second, apart from the possibility of new man Nikola Vlasic bursting more of a gut to close him down, the hosts’ third was comical stuff.

    Misplaced Everton passes and some seriously bad positional play allowed Bryan Cristante to drive through the middle at will to slot home. Nightmarish.

    Resting Jordan Pickford – the young goalkeeper who has easily been Everton’s best player this season to give Dutch veteran Maarten Stekelenburg a run-out – was the wrong decision, too.

    A defence, that has looked unsettled anyway with chopping and changing from back fives to fours, seemed to have very little confidence in what was lying behind them.

    REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Andrea Masiello #5 of Atalanta celebrates the opening goal during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Atalanta and Everton FC at Stadio Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2017 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Everton were all at sea.

    NO PLAN A OR B, OR PACE

    Like against Tottenham, Koeman’s Everton had little structure or game plan to go about their business.

    The former Southampton manager likes his players to get about the pitch, press and play at a high tempo – and that’s all well and good when you have some speed to work with – but Everton were one-paced throughout and have been for a while.

    Whether it’s Mo Besic, Idrissa Gueye (unused sub) or Tom Davies (not in squad) – Everton’s squad is packed with similar midfield players and a real lack of speed and creativity. On Thursday, players looked out of position and didn’t have any sense where they were meant to be.

    You could argue, in the entire squad, the only player who has something a little different is Kevin Mirallas.

    But after his publicised falling out with Koeman and failed attempt to leave Goodison before the window closure, it’s hard to see him being a major part of things things this season despite coming on as a late substitute.

    The Thursday-Sunday argument is the classic Europa debate but six changes were made by Everton for this one – but yet again – the players looked devoid of energy, appetite and willingness to leave it all out there.

    WHAT HAS HAPPENED TO MORGAN?

    The former Southampton and Manchester United man has had some injuries to contend with in recent times but he hasn’t for a long while, since his early days joining the Goodison Park club, looked anywhere near the player we know he can be.

    He was combative against Manchester City in the 1-1 draw earlier this season, in which he unluckily saw red late on, but he has generally lacked the bite, aggression and tenacity we have long associated him with.

    The Frenchman has admitted to not reaching his best level and it will worry Koeman the 27-year-old looks a shadow of his former self.

    Subbed after 67 minutes.

    REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Morgan Schneiderlin (R) of Everton FC competes for the ball whit Marten de Roon of Atalanta during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Atalanta and Everton FC at Stadio Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2017 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Not at his best: Schneiderlin.

    FAILURE TO SIGN STRIKER EVIDENT

    Evertonians will have welcomed Dominic Calvert-Lewin starting up top, pace and youth – something the Blues have been lacking with Wayne Rooney playing as the frontman.

    Calvert-Lewin was left to make things happen on his own with little support around him.

    Koeman needs to give the young England star a concrete run of games, as well as call upon the likes of Ademola Lookman, fresh from a superb goal in the under-23s a few days ago.

    While these two options are bright, the others are becoming mediocre. Rooney began his fairytale comeback well but has since struggled – adding to his off-the-pitch troubles.

    As mentioned, the jury is still well and truly out for Sandro and the fact Koeman swallowed some of his famous Dutch pride and brought Oumar Niasse – a player he previously derided – back into the first-team fold really says it all.

    Vlasic, a deadline-day signing from Hajduk Split who made his first start, was not the dream acquisition the Blues were looking for either.

    Everton knew long ago Romelu Lukaku was leaving the club in the summer and plans should have been in place to sign a suitable replacement way ahead of time, particularly as there was money in the bank to splash on a forward option.

    Everton have failed to score a goal in 314 minutes and haven’t registered a win in their last five matches, the stats paint a bleak picture. In the same period, they have mustered just two shots on target.

    REGGIO NELL'EMILIA, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 14: Wayne Rooney of Everton Fc in action Remo Freuler of Atalanta during the UEFA Europa League group E match between Atalanta and Everton FC at Stadio Citta del Tricolore on September 14, 2017 in Reggio nell'Emilia, Italy. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images)

    Rooney was anonymous.

    WHAT NEXT?

    A daunting trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United on Sunday awaits – and Everton won’t be favourites there. A difficult run of fixtures just gets tougher and on this display, there’s no evidence they will test Jose Mourinho’s men.

    The drink-driving case for Rooney, who is due in court the day after his match against his former club, is probably hanging over him. Judging by his performances – he hasn’t been able to focus on his football.

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