The switch from Goodison Park to the Hill Dickinson Stadium has undoubtedly been tough for Everton.
David Moyes has overseen just five wins from 16 games at the new ground, and is without a win in the last seven matches at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Us here at Everton News have already shown how the larger pitch is impacting Michael Keane and James Tarkowski – who were both exposed significantly when Benjamin Sesko struck the winner for Manchester United last time out.
That goal was perhaps avoidable had the speedier Jarrad Branthwaite been playing in central defence rather than left-back, but in terms of the overall shape at Everton, Arsene Wenger has already told Moyes how a 4-3-3 formation could change everything.
Forget the transport issues, if you could change one thing about the Hill Dickinson, what would it be? 🤔
Gary Lineker's comments on Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Credit: Getty Images/David Ramos/Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA.
Why David Moyes needs to consider a 4-3-3 formation at Everton
There are obvious parallels between Arsenal leaving Highbury for the Emirates Stadium in 2006, and Everton swapping Goodison Park for the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Highbury, like Goodison Park, was a compact, tight venue with a smaller pitch, which allowed Wenger to play a 4-4-2 shape to great effect.
The Frenchman memorably told FIFA on YouTube: “I think 4-4-2 is simply the most rational formation in most cases… With a 4-4-2, 60% of your players are occupying 60% of the pitch. No other formation is as efficient in covering space.”
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However, in a press conference ahead of the 2009/10 campaign, Wenger spoke about why he had decided to change to a 4-3-3 after analysing the differences between Highbury and the Emirates Stadium.
The Arsenal legend said (via Arsenal Column): “At Highbury, you could get the ball back much quicker. At the Emirates, the recovery distance – the distance you have to run to get back into position or to close down an opponent – is much higher. This means you need more technical security. You cannot afford to lose the ball in the wrong areas because the pitch is too big to cover the gaps.”
That last sentence is directly applicable to the situation which led Sesko to score last time out, as one long ball from Matheus Cunha completely caught Everton out.
Wenger continued: “We have switched to a 4-3-3 because it gives us more triangles in the pass… I wanted to play high up the pitch. In a 4-4-2, you can be a bit more vulnerable in the centre if the opposition plays three (midfielders).”
Of course, Moyes is unable to call upon the level of quality Wenger could, such as Cesc Fabregas and Samir Nasri, but with his preferred 4-2-3-1 formation currently failing at the larger Hill Dickinson Stadium, there is no harm in trying a 4-3-3 shape instead.
It may even help Idrissa Gueye look more effective. The 36-year-old has been criticised by some Everton fans lately for looking “tired” in the centre, where he may no longer be able to play in a two-man midfield as he nears his 37th birthday.
However, putting an extra body next to the Senegal international in midfield in a 4-3-3 formation could make life a lot simpler for the man from Dakar.
David Moyes already hinted that he knows 4-2-3-1 is not working
There was an interesting moment during the recent 1-1 draw against Leeds, as Moyes changed his shape to a 3-4-2-1 formation for the second half, adopting three central defenders and wing-backs.
It seemed to suit Everton as Thierno Barry found an equaliser, and the Toffees almost fought back to win as Gueye hit the bar shortly after that goal.
However, Moyes then reverted back to the 4-2-3-1 formation for the next match, the 1-1 draw at Brighton, and the 3-4-2-1 shape is yet to be seen since.
Should David Moyes play with a back three and wing-backs more regularly for Everton?
Here's an XI the manager could go with after the switch-up vs Leeds… 🤔
A custom graphic showing Everton in a 3-4-2-1 formation.
Credit: GRV Media
Nevertheless, it suggested the Glaswegian knows there are issues with his preferred formation at the new ground, and with Everton really struggling at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, it is time for a change.
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