There is an argument to say that the game with Newcastle United is as good a moment as any for David Moyes to drop James Tarkowski for Everton.
Everton fell to a 1-0 defeat against Manchester United on Monday, as the struggles at the Hill Dickinson Stadium continued.
What would your message to David Moyes be after the loss to United? 😡
He cannot find the answer at the Hill Dickinson…
David Moyes reacts during Burnley vs Everton at Turf Moor.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport
The Toffees were undone by a clinical counter-attack by United, with Benjamin Sesko providing the finish.
It was a goal that most definitely exposed the lack of pace in the two centre-halves, and with Newcastle up next, James Tarkowski should be considered for the axe.
James Tarkowski needs benching for Everton against Newcastle
Tarkowski has been a fantastic player and servant for Everton, there is no doubt about that.
But the Englishman has not been at his best this season, and it’s time his starting berth came under some scrutiny.
He’s been erratic, and lacked the consistency he’s had in previous seasons as a Toffee.
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Former Everton defender Michael Ball recently insisted Tarkowski has been ‘overzealous’ at times this season, and has not been his usual solid self.
James Tarkowski playing for Everton.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
And against United, his lack of pace was brutally exposed, as Sesko left him for dead to get up with Bryan Mbeumo to finish off the attack.
Granted, Sesko is fast. But Tarkowski had a big head start and was quickly overtaken by the United striker.
Everton have Newcastle next, and the Magpies boast some of the quickest players in the Premier League in Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga. Yoane Wissa is no slouch and Nick Woltemade can also move despite being a giant, with the official UEFA website clocking his top speed at 31.99 km/h.
There’s been a lot of talk recently about Gueye needing to be dropped for poor performances.
But Tarkowski is certainly another Moyes favourite who may benefit from a rotation
Moyes must deploy Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien
This is an opportune moment to drop Tarkowski for the first time this season, as reluctant as Moyes will be to do that. But it really could be for the best.
Ideally, Moyes will go with Jarrad Branthwaite and Jake O’Brien in the middle, with both having much more recovery pace than Tarkowski and Michael Keane.
Would you make any changes to this team or is that the best XI possible? 🧐
Everton's best XI.
Moyes is stubborn. So Tarkowski actually being dropped is probably unlikely.
But it simply has to be a consideration for Moyes. His form just hasn’t been that good, and then we saw his big weakness fully on display.
We saw the damage United did on Monday, and Newcastle most definitely have the capacity to inflict similar misery.
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