It was a frustrating afternoon on Sunday as Everton fell to a 3-0 defeat to Spurs, our first loss on home soil.
Indeed, after a decent start to the season, progress has stalled somewhat. Consecutive defeats and a misfiring forward line have handed us a reality check.
It was always going to be a season of transition, and January could be a make or break month.
However, there are some alterations Moyes could make in the short term to address current issues.
For the first time in a long time, we have creativity within the squad. Jack Grealish and Iliman Ndiaye continue to impress, while Charley Alcaraz looks promising.
However, their effectiveness in the final third is stunted by our situation at full-back. Neither O’Brien or Mykolenko offer much if anything in the way of an overlap.
This allows opposition teams to double up on our wide players, marking them out of the game.
MOYES MUST MAKE CHANGES TO STARTING XI AGAINST SUNDERLAND ON MONDAY NIGHT
Jake O’Brien has done well while playing out of position, but it’s time for Moyes to move him inside.
This would of course leave Moyes with a decision to make; who plays at right-back against Sunderland.
If Coleman is available, he could be the obvious choice – at least until January when ideally we would recruit.
Alternatively, James Garner’s versatility could provide the Everton boss with a solution. He’s done a job there previously, and would offer more than O’Brien currently does in attack.
Merlin Rohl could slot into Midfield in Garner’s absence, with the German already putting in some impressive cameos.
However, Moyes would then have a second decision to make. Who drops to the bench from the current centre-back pairing?
Michael Keane has been excellent since returning to the starting XI, and also offers a goal threat from set pieces.
James Tarkowski’s performances meanwhile have been suspect in recent weeks. His timing and decision making have been poor, and his leadership as captain has been below par.
Spurs bullied referee Craig Pawson last weekend, and Tarks allowed that to happen. If Coleman plays, he of course takes the armband, otherwise it belongs to Jordan Pickford.
O’Brien’s pace might also allow us to defend a little higher up the pitch, supporting the midfield in transition.
It’s time to see what he can do in his natural position and try something new down the right.