David Moyes may have to rearrange his Everton team for the Toffees to see a stronger run of results.
At the beginning of the season, there was a great sense of optimism amongst Everton fans, who saw their team move into the new Hill Dickinson Stadium and enjoy a first summer transfer window under the ownership of the Friedkin Group. This optimism remains, though a better start to the campaign may have been expected.
Everton won two of their opening three league games, though have only picked up one victory in their following six. Questions have been asked about some of Everton's first-team options following their encounter against Tottenham Hotspur, who condemned them to their first defeat at their new home, it might be that Moyes needs to adjust his starting XI.
Should Moyes Make Changes to the Everton First Team?
David Moyes
Ahead of kick-off against Tottenham, numerous Everton fans suggested that they would have liked to see James Garner start at right-back. A natural midfielder who has been dubbed a "wonderful" player, Garner has played on the right-hand side of Everton's defence in the past and such a positional change could allow further adjustments to the team.
Jake O'Brien, the towering defender who signed for the club in the summer of 2024, has been predominantly used as a right-back in recent months, with injuries hampering other options such as Nathan Patterson and the aging Seamus Coleman.
Were Garner to be played there, then O'Brien could be moved into central defence, replacing someone like Michael Keane in the starting line-up. With losing Jarrad Branthwaite to injury once again, O'Brien would be a closer match to the Englishman's quality. To replace the void left by Garner in midfield, the Toffees could call on options such as Merlin Rohl.
The 23-year-old signed on loan from Freiburg late in the transfer window, but has seen few minutes in the first team since arriving on Merseyside. Alternatively, Moyes could opt to play Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall slightly deeper and bring fellow summer signing Tyler Dibling into the first team.
Seemingly, there are several changes Moyes could make, in theory, that would benefit Everton with the current options in their squad. Whether the Scot makes such alterations, however, remains to be seen.