How Joel Robles can improve to become Everton’s long-term goalkeeper Three losses in 16 games does not indicate Ronald Koeman’s Everton are suffering from a defensive crisis. Far from it. […]

Three losses in 16 games does not indicate Ronald Koeman’s Everton are suffering from a defensive crisis. Far from it.

The fact that two of those losses came from local rivals Liverpool probably smarts a bit, but other than that, it isn’t a bad record.

In that same period, they have managed to keep eight clean sheets. More than any other side, with Burnley behind them in second place with six. So where’s the problem then?

The i newsletter cut through the noise Email address is invalid Email address is invalid Thank you for subscribing! Sorry, there was a problem with your subscription.

Well, since Maarten Stekelenburg relinquished his starting place due to injury in the Merseyside derby in December, Joel Robles has been their number one, taking over in that game and subsequently holding down his spot on the Dutchman’s return to fitness. On the surface, deservedly so, it would seem.

There has previously been optimism around Robles’s future, but never a real belief that he could convince everyone he could be the long-term number one at Goodison.

Taking his chance

His first real opportunity came when he replaced the depleted powers of Tim Howard last season but when Koeman brought in a familiar face in Stekelenburg, his role was again reduced to that of spectator from the bench.

“Robles is very quick around his box but the problem is that he is always moving, which makes the more simple saves look more dramatic than they need to be, and the difficult saves harder still”

Yet it was clear Stekelenburg was not the keeper that excelled in the 2010 World Cup and was once a target of Manchester United. Injury struck and Robles took his chance behind what has become a side showing the resoluteness so lacking under Roberto Martinez.

But there is something that is threatening to undermine Everton’s solidity under Koeman and it has proved costly in those three defeats. Despite the good run, there are question marks appearing over the ease at which some of the goals conceded have occurred.

At fault against Liverpool

The initial signs were there in that substitute appearance, replacing Stekelenburg in the derby. As Daniel Sturridge worked his way in from the right, 22 yards from goal, Robles began to creep to the edge of his six yard box and then took a two-footed jump forward a split second after Sturridge strikes the ball.

The shot was mishit back across Robles’s left hand with no great pace, but because the Spaniard had come out so far he had reduced his reaction time and couldn’t move his feet to step to his left before diving.

The small jump had taken up more precious time. As he planted his feet, he was anchored momentarily, making the next movement more difficult, as he needed to absorb his landing and then generate more power to push off again. By this time the ball is past him. Hitting the post and rebounding to Sadio Mane.

Robles is very quick around his box but the problem is that he is always moving, which makes the more simple saves look more dramatic than they need to be, and the difficult saves harder still. His attraction out towards the ball means shots he should be looking to hold can only be palmed away, sometimes back into dangerous areas.

Moving too soon

It’s a trait that counted in subsequent games. Some games he got away with it, some games he was punished.

Harry Kane’s long range effort at White Hart Lane was an excellent strike but it went over the line a full yard inside the post. Should he have held back and set himself in a deeper position no more than two yards from his line, he would have the extra second to move his feet and get something on the ball.

“Whenever he starts advancing and goes into his jump set, he opens himself up to a chipped shot as he roots himself momentarily, six yards from his line”

It was Origi’s goal in the derby a couple of weeks ago that really showed up his errancy. Not only did he keep in motion towards the ball as the shot was taken, he pre-empted the ball by leaning to his left. When the ball went in just to his right at head height, it didn’t look good.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFsRXetYY2g

Then came Marc Albrighton’s free kick for Leicester. Instead of holding his position and waiting to judge the flight of the ball and deal with it, he again steps towards the ball and takes jump into his set position, squaring his body to the taker and killing any chance he has of dealing with the cross-come-shot. There’s no way he could recover and move his feet backwards to tip away the shot.

His movements are erratic and it’s something that could be picked on by the opposition. Whenever he starts advancing and goes into his jump set, he opens himself up to a chipped shot as he roots himself momentarily, six yards from his line.

Perhaps the strike from Albrighton was premeditated in the knowledge that part of the goal would be opened up due to Robles’s positioning.

A lack of composure

It’s also worth noting that in one v one situations he has taken to rushing opponents without apparent thought, making it an easier finish for composed strikers.

The ill-judged throw to Schneiderlin and resulting turnover resulted in a panicked closing down of Kane who slipped the ball beyond him as he continued to come forward.

“To keep his decision-making clear and consistently correct requires a calm, more relaxed mind”

Even this weekend, whilst chasing after a ball when Vokes was going away from goal followed by Jagielka, Robles needlessly conceded a penalty. Luckily, it proved insignificant to the result.

This all indicates a lack of composure not evident during his nine-game stint at Wigan where he was part of an FA Cup winning side.

Martinez originally took him on loan at Wigan for his assured ability with the ball at his feet, but even that has waned as his pass completion falls below 50%, whereas the likes of De Gea, Courtois and Lloris are up in the 60s and 70s.

Robles needs to trust himself if he wants to be Everton’s long-term keeper

His body movements mirror the obvious insecurity bouncing around inside his head, and are evidence of a lack of trust in himself under pressure. The quick, jerking motions make him look nervy and rash.

He has to work on holding deeper positions in these situations. Have the confidence to wait patiently and deal with what comes, rather than anticipate or be drawn out towards the ball, thinking he has to be proactive. In some situations that can pay dividends but certainly not with shots from outside the box.

To keep his decision-making clear and consistently correct requires a calm, more relaxed mind, and both this and his positions can be worked on in training and using relaxation techniques in his pre-match routine.

When we see a more relaxed Robles holding better positions, his trust in himself will increase, and we will then see a keeper looking like the long-term answer to Everton, post-Tim Howard.