Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
David Moyes is looking to get Everton back to winning ways against Fulham – and his backline of choice will be particularly interesting.
Everton took a point against Brighton last weekend, with Beto scoring right at the death for the Toffees.
It was a much improved second-half performance from Everton, as was the case against Leeds United.
A custom graphic showing recent Everton results vs Fulham.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
It has been positive to see Everton show character to come from behind in the past two games. But ideally, Everton now need to be getting back to winning ways.
Fulham should provide a stern test, and Opta feel Everton have a 27.8% of winning the game.
Moyes has a near full squad of players to choose from this weekend. Jack Grealish is out for the foreseeable, but Vitaliy Mykolenko is the only other player with a question mark over him at the moment.
For Alan Stubbs, the Ukrainian should play against Fulham if he’s fit, as he shared the backline he’d go with.
Alan Stubbs suggests he’d drop James Tarkowski for Everton against Fulham
Everton are in a much better place now with player injuries.
So Moyes has the luxury of going a few different ways with his team against Fulham.
James Tarkowski playing for Everton.
Photo by Steve Bardens/Getty Images
But the defence will be particularly interesting, especially after the manager fielded purely centre-backs last weekend against Brighton.
Jarrad Branthwaite played at left-back against the Seagulls, covering the absence of Mykolenko.
For Alan Stubbs, Mykolenko should play if he’s fit, and the former Everton defender suggested he would actually drop James Tarkowski.
Speaking on BBC Radio Merseyside earlier this week, he said: “I think if Mykolenko is fit, you would think he’d come straight back into the team.
“For me, I would go, Branthwaite, O’Brien and Patterson.”
There is no doubt that Tarkowski hasn’t quite looked as strong this season as he has in previous campaigns.
The star has historically been a brilliant servant and a consistent performer for the Toffees. But that consistency hasn’t quite been there as much this season. Indeed, recently Michael Ball said Tarkowski has been ‘overzealous’ at times for Everton, suggesting his starting spot shouldn’t be guaranteed.
Branthwaite returning is a big boost for Everton and you would think he’ll be playing regularly in the middle again very soon.
O’Brien has had a few games in his preferred central position this season impressed every time.
David Moyes chats with James Tarkowski ad Michael Keane in the warm-up.
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
And in the first half of the season, Michael Keane did extremely well to his credit.
So given all these factors, Tarkowski will need to up his game otherwise he may find his position under serious threat.
He’s played every single minute this season so it would be a real shock if Moyes did drop him all of a sudden.
But the manager does have consider everyone’s performances. Tarkowski – who, granted, is a very good leader – can’t remain in the team if others are playing better.