As West Ham gear up for a must-win Premier League clash on Saturday, under-fire Hammers boss Julen Lopetegui has gained insight into a possible Toffees weakness.
Both Lopetegui and Everton’s Goodison Park manager Sean Dyche are facing mounting pressure after poor starts to the season. Everton are reeling from an embarrassing loss to Southampton, who had not won a game this season until last Saturday’s 1-0 victory.
The winner at the London Stadium on Saturday will move ahead in the league, while the loser is likely to remain in 16th place. Everton midfielder Orel Mangala has suggested that the London Stadium is the ideal setting to get their season back on track. However, these are two struggling teams, each with notable weaknesses, as former Blues player Michael Ball has recently pointed out.
“Vitaliy Mykolenko has had a slow start to the season since his return,” Ball said.
“He had a poor first half against Fulham, and with no pace behind him, he’s been targeted as a weak link by the opposition, who know that if they get beyond the full-back, they’re clear.”
“Last season, if Mykolenko got beaten, he was covered by Jarrad, who would be two or three yards over on that side to make it difficult for the opposition.”
Ashley Young also came under heavy criticism from Ball who left no body in any doubt that he thinks full-back will be a big weakness this weekend.
