Our Everton jury have their say on the big talking points from Goodison Park
Everton return to Premier League action this weekend when they take on Brentford at Goodison Park. The Blues come into the game having been held to a 0-0 draw at West Ham United before the international break.
Everton currently find themselves three points above the drop zone, despite only losing one of their last five league games. Brentford, on the other hand, are six points above Sean Dyche’s side and beat Bournemouth last time out.
And with the Blues manager’s pre-match comments, the takeover saga, and the game against Thomas Frank’s team all in mind, our Everton jury has returned to have their say.
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Daniel Smith
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing when Sean Dyche suggested that there was no evidence to suggest that Iliman Ndiaye should be playing in the number 10 role for Everton. Sometimes he really doesn’t help himself.
If this is the case, then what evidence is there to suggest that Dwight McNeil has what it takes to play in the No.10 role, given that he has played most of his career on the wing? Everyone can see that Ndiaye has what it takes to play behind the forward, especially given he has played there in the past.
If Dyche doesn’t believe that is his best position, then, fair enough, he is the manager after all. But he should be honest and admit that he prefers Ndiaye on the left rather than in the middle. Don’t start making wild claims about there being no evidence to support what a lot of fans would like to see.
It is comments like this that really don’t help Dyche in regards to his relationship with Blues supporters. Speaking of supporters, many will be making their return to Goodison Park this weekend when Everton return to action against Brentford.
Make no mistake, this is a huge game for the Blues. With the fixtures we have in December, it is vital we pick up all three points this weekend. Failure to do so will leave us once again nervously looking over our shoulders.
Alex McMonnies
As winter approaches, the British weather over the last few days has been bitterly cold. However, it’s the upcoming fixture list that will be sending a shiver down the spine of most Evertonians.
Many supporters would have expected the Toffees to have acquired more points by this point in the season, and with December just on the horizon, Sean Dyche’s side still only have two league wins to their name so far. He has undoubtedly made the Blues tougher to beat over the last few weeks, but their fixtures over the Christmas period will provide a huge test to this newly-discovered defensive rigidity.
In December, Everton will play at Old Trafford, the Emirates, and the Etihad, as well as hosting both Liverpool and Chelsea. The Toffees’ record against most of these top sides is extremely poor, and points will be tremendously hard for the club to come by during this period, meaning they could well find themselves in a perilous position come the turn of the year.
With all that said, it’s very important that the Blues manage to carve out a positive result against Brentford on Saturday. Even with their eight-point deduction, Everton still managed to finish ahead of the Bees in the table last campaign, but Thomas Frank’s side look far stronger this term, with only Tottenham bettering their total of 22 goals scored so far this season.
Given this offensive threat, the Goodison faithful will be hoping that Jarrad Branthwaite will be able to start a second consecutive match for the first time this season, having spent the international break working on his fitness at Finch Farm, in spite of another call-up to the England senior squad. In the two matches the Cumbrian has managed to start this campaign, the Blues have won one and kept a clean sheet in the other, which demonstrates the quality the 22-year-old brings to the team.
Evertonians will be hoping for an early Christmas present in December in the shape of The Friedkin Group takeover finally reaching completion, but in the meantime, three points this weekend ahead of a sticky run of fixtures would also greatly help in raising morale.
