Solutions staring Everton in the face were finally spotted on Thursday
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For years, Everton’s struggles and failures have been excused. How can they compete against such riches in the Premier League? How can the club attract players when we can’t offer European football? What more do you expect when the team has battled relegation and dealt with so many issues in recent times?
All the points made are relevant to certain degrees.
But football is a simple game.
And so it’s little surprise Everton beat Newcastle 3-1 to reach the League Cup quarter-finals on Thursday night when you look at the line-up.
Hayden Hackney started. Tyler Dibling started. Jake O’Brien started.
Everton won.
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All three have been on the sidelines too often this season. So much so that a number of fans have called on David Moyes to give them a chance, questioning why they can’t get proper game-time?
Given an opportunity from the off and Hackney, Dibling and O’Brien helped the Blues get the job done.
Were they world beaters? No. Did they contribute and aid an improved showing? Yes.
It’s true, the squad is small. It lacks quality in certain areas. But Thursday evening emphasised that there are solutions. There was energy in the showing and a freshness to the play.
Everton aren’t going to win every game this season by simply picking the ‘right’ team supporters shout for down the pub and on social media. They may not win the League Cup. But making sound decisions when it comes to the starting eleven means that the campaign could be more productive and enjoyable than the opening months suggested.
Hackney, for instance, got a goal and an assist. Confidence will be high and another start on Monday must be granted to keep that feeling going. Build the momentum, set the positive narrative and watch the club thrive.
So often, the Blues have been up against it over the last decade as a mass of dysfunction curtailed any chance of progression. Just this summer, the owners have admitted they want out and the recruitment was horrendous, with gaping issues still so glaring.
However, the biggest problem that has most dented results, league standings and cup progress has been simple decision-making from the dugout.
Too often, the wrong choices have been made on matchday. Players who ship goals have started. Names who don’t offer enough have been preferred to those who dare try to make things happen. And veterans lacking match fitness have been given the nod over younger alternatives.
The outcome? The same as always. Poor performances, dropped points and a real malaise and feeling of boredom.
So many solutions stare Everton in the face and are missed. They weren’t missed tonight however.
Stick with Hackney. Keep the faith in Dibling. Back O’Brien at centre-back.
See where it takes us.
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