A look at some of the big questions that stand between Everton and a place in Europe
David Moyes applauds the fans following during the Premier League win over Burnley. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
David Moyes applauds the fans following during the Premier League win over Burnley. Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
View Image
Everton are well-positioned to battle for Europe as the Premier League season approaches the final stretch.
After warm weather training in the break afforded by the FA Cup, the Blues will head to Arsenal for an evening match in north London against the side that looks favourite to win the title. They snatched a point at the Emirates last season and were unfortunate not to get a draw there the season before when a controversial late handball call helped the Gunners snatch three points.
That may well be the toughest game in Everton’s run-in but giventhe number of clubs in the hunt for Europe - which could extend down to eighth this season - it is by no means a ‘free-hit’. As the season heads towards its climax, here are some of the issues David Moyes must contend with.
Managing his defence
Moyes has rotated through his options at the back over recent weeks. He started four centre backs away at Brighton, playing Jarrad Branthwaite ahead of Vitalii Mykolenko on the left that day and then against Manchester United at home. Branthwaite and Michael Keane have both partnered James Tarkowski in the middle while Jake O’Brien, who has impressed when he has moved to centre back, has largely returned to right back - apart from against Man Utd when James Garner had a stint there. And then there is Nathan Patterson, who last started as Everton kept a clean sheet in the win at Aston Villa in January and is keen for minutes so he can push for a World Cup call-up with Scotland.
Through recent tough years, Everton have survived by relying on a solid, settled back four in front of Jordan Pickford but this season Moyes has chopped and changed in response to injuries and suspensions. Working out his best backline and managing the team accordingly will be crucial in the coming weeks, including with Jarrad Branthwaite who was withdrawn just before the end against Burnley, after which Moyes spoke of his “fatigue” over the workload after returning from a lengthy injury.
Who will be his front man?
It seems clear Moyes wants to continue playing one up front and, at Newcastle United and against Burnley, Beto returned to the starting line-up - scoring to top off a positive performance at St James’ Park. He and Thierno Barry now have 10 Premier League goals between them but both have also endured costly misses. With so much at stake in the coming weeks - and chances likely to be at a premium as Everton face some of the best defences in the league - Moyes will have to find the right time to rotate two players for whom confidence is clearly important.
Can Moyes bring the best from his squad?
Moyes clearly has faith in a core group of players within his squad and that approach has served him well so far. But there are several stars in his ranks who appear to be on the periphery of his plans. In a small squad, the contribution of every player matters. One positive about this situation is that Everton sit in eighth and yet it feels as though there is still so much more to come from some really talented players. Tyrique George, Tyler Dibling and Merlin Rohl are just a few players who could be difference-makers in coming weeks with Tim Iroegbunam, Adam Aznou, Harrison Armstrong also possessing the ability to have an impact.
Everton do not have to worry too much about overloading players now, with the exception of those who have had serious injuries like Branthwaite and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, or busy, stressful campaigns to date - like Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye after their Africa Cup of Nations success with Senegal. With the Blues out of the cups there are no midweek games scheduled for the rest of the season and there is another healthy break at the end of March and start of April. But making better use of his squad could be crucial to Moyes meeting his ambition of taking Everton back into Europe.
Building up the home form
Everton ended the seven game winless home streak with that win over Burnley. The atmosphere was positive at the start of that match and held firm up to the release that greeted James Tarkowski’s opener around 30 minutes in.
In some respects it felt as though the previous game, against Man Utd, might have been a turning point. Everton lost that game but the atmosphere was great and some supporters stayed late to clap their players off the pitch.
As good as Everton’s away form has been, they will need more wins at home if they are to reach Europe and will need some good results against the likes of Liverpool, Chelsea and Man City, all of whom look set to arrive at Hill Dickinson Stadium with plenty to play for. How the Champions League plays out could be crucial, with some of those games coming around their opponents' commitments in Europe.