Joe Thomas takes a closer look at some of the big decisions facing Everton manager Sean Dyche this week
Everton return to action next weekend with Brentford set to visit Goodison Park on Saturday.
Idrissa Gueye finished off his stunning week in April with the goal that secured three points – and Everton’s Premier League survival – in this fixture last season. It ended an incredible six days in L4 during which Gueye also scored in the important win over Nottingham Forest that was followed, days later, by the emphatic Merseyside derby victory that the central midfielder was crucial to.
Two years ago Sean Dyche oversaw another 1-0 win at home to Brentford, who were Everton’s first Premier League victims of last year when they went to the GTech Community Stadium and won 3-1.
As Dyche looks to continue his good record with Everton over his friend and Brentford boss Thomas Frank, here are some key issues for Finch Farm to look at during the build-up.
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Turn the tables on the Brentford from the start
Two seasons ago Dwight McNeil scored the only goal as Everton triumphed over Brentford in what felt like a must-win for a club facing a perilous relegation battle. McNeil opened the scoring in the first minute of that game and the Blues did not look back. Down in Brentford last year Everton also made a powerful start, Abdoulaye Doucoure giving his side the lead inside the first six minutes.
Fast starts have been a characteristic of Everton when they have been at their best under Dyche – big wins against Brighton and Hove Albion and Crystal Palace among other good results built on an early goal.
The Blues have struggled to replicate that this season – though at West Ham United last time out they tried to force an early breakthrough and twice found Doucoure in good positions only for first Aaron Wan-Bissaka and then Crysencio Summerville recovering to thwart him.
Recreating those quick starts would be helpful for Everton, who will have to hit their stride quickly against, in Brentford, a team that has scored inside the first 120 seconds in four Premier League matches this campaign.
Make the right call on Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton’s star man of last year has endured a frustrating campaign to date. Having missed out on pre-season due to his summer being spent recovering from an operation in his groin area, Branthwaite eventually got on the pitch to play 90 minutes in Everton’s win over Crystal Palace.
A quad issue in the days that followed led to another period on the sidelines, with Dyche recently having claimed he was of the opinion the Palace game might have been too soon for the return of the 22-year-old.
He overcame the quad problem to play 90 minutes in the goalless draw at West Ham United last weekend but picked up another groin issue that led to his withdrawal from the senior England camp this week. That withdrawal was said by Everton to be a “precautionary measure”.
Branthwaite is key to Everton and the upcoming days will be important as his issue is further assessed. His presence improves Everton but the club now faces a tricky call as it attempts to gauge the best time for his next comeback.
Consider an ongoing question that could have long-term implications
Ashley Young has found impressive form over recent weeks, including in the less familiar right back role that he had to take up due to injuries in the Blues’ backline. An inauspicious start saw him sent off against Brighton on the first day of the season as he struggled on the right of the defence. But it has been some comeback by the 39-year-old.
Because of his continued impact the question is less about whether or not he starts but where on the pitch he plays. Vitalii Mykolenko has struggled in recent matches and one solution could be to move Young across. That would allow a natural right-sided defender to slot in, with Nathan Patterson now available after hamstring surgery in the summer. Patterson’s Blues career has been blighted by injury but it feels like a decision on whether he could be the long-term replacement for club legend Seamus Coleman, who currently has a hamstring issue, needs to be made this season. This could be the time to give him a chance.
Revamping the forward line
Everton have struggled for goals this season and, in recent weeks, have struggled to fashion chances – save for a late flurry at Southampton before Adam Armstrong struck so devastatingly at the other end. McNeil, operating in a number 10 role, has been at the centre of most of Everton’s best work going forward – he has three goals to his name, some useful assists and would have more had some of the finishing been better.
Yet while McNeil has provided good ‘moments’, Everton are struggling to link up with Dominic Calvert-Lewin and prevent him from becoming isolated during games. One solution could be to move Iliman Ndiaye into the middle, either as a #10 or a support striker. Ndiaye is adept with both feet and has shown his ability to beat players since his summer move. He struggled out on the left against Fulham and Southampton and provided his best flashes at West Ham when he drifted in-field.
Swapping Ndiaye and McNeil could help Everton in both directions. One of the best chances created by Everton since the win at Ipswich Town was from the ball McNeil played from the left flank at St Mary’s, Jack Harrison meeting the cross but shooting wide. McNeil’s return to the left could also help Mykolenko by resurrecting their successful relationship on that side last year.
Avoiding more injuries
This may sound obvious, but Everton have a small squad that has been hit with injuries already this season – they can ill-afford more. It was during the October international break that both James Garner (back) and Tim Iroegbunam (foot) suffered serious injuries, both while still with Everton. They remain out, as does Youssef Chermiti, who suffered his injury during pre-season work.
Chermiti is starting to make progress and Armando Broja, who joined on loan on deadline day with an achilles injury, is now in first team training. Everton will want to see the squad continuing to get stronger and therefore could do with this week passing quietly.
