Why has Everton struggled so much at home this season?

Question

Accepted Answer

Everton's Home Struggles Stem from Tactical Difficulties and Player Discomfort

Everton has experienced a significant disparity in performance between home and away matches this season, largely attributed to tactical challenges and a perceived comfort with a more direct style of play that proves less effective at Goodison Park. Manager Carlo Ancelotti has described the team's home form as "really bad" in contrast to their "fantastic results" away, labelling it a "double face." This inconsistency has led to their worst home record in nearly three decades, with nine defeats at Goodison Park, underscoring a deeper issue beyond simple results.
Tactical Inflexibility at Goodison Park

Ancelotti has indicated that when the team attempts to implement a more possession-based game, building attacks from the back, they encounter greater difficulties on home turf. This suggests a struggle to translate tactical instructions into effective on-field execution in front of their own supporters. The team appears more comfortable adopting a direct approach, a style Ancelotti himself acknowledges is not ideal for long-term success or aesthetic appeal.
Psychological and Tactical Home vs. Away Disparity

The psychological impact of playing at home versus away can often influence team performance. While many teams find a boost from their home crowd, Everton seems to perform better when playing away, amassing 11 wins, their highest tally since the 1984-85 season. This suggests an underlying tactical setup or player mentality that is more suited to absorbing pressure and playing on the counter-attack, which can be more effective in away fixtures. Conversely, the expectation and pressure at home may hinder their ability to play their preferred style.
A Historically Poor Home Season

The nine home defeats Everton has suffered this season is their most at Goodison Park since the 1993-94 campaign, a period where the club narrowly avoided relegation. Furthermore, their return of only six points at home in 2021 places them among the worst home records in the league for that calendar year. This historical context highlights the severity of their current home form issues, which have significantly impacted their European qualification hopes.

Reading history

Hide →

This history is cleared when the page is closed.

Why has Everton struggled so much at home this season?

Loading

Was this article helpful?

Helpful

Not helpful

Report an issue

1

0

0

Share with friends