What team should Everton go with at Stoke City?
With Everton’s next Premier League game at Stoke City kicking off today, what team should manager Sam Allardyce pick and how should he set it up to play?
Fans would agree the Everton side that played Brighton last weekend was the right team – after all the Blues took all three points so of course it obviously was!
But critically Allardyce recognised the importance of a positive and attacking side that went after the win rather than one that sought to avoid defeat.
Unlike at Burnley the previous weekend, Everton were on the front foot from the kick off and controlled the match as a result.
This attitude and approach is again the right one against Stoke. The Potters are really up against it fighting for their survival so they will be desperate for a win tomorrow.
They will though probably be nervous and Everton need to remain positive, continue to try to dictate the play and take the game to Stoke.
Anyway given the dreadful defensive record the Blues have this season, there is little alternative as they have not been very successful whenever they have tried to simply avoid defeat!
With the return to fitness of Leighton Baines, Seamus Coleman and Yannick Bolasie and with Theo Walcott apparently fit to play, Everton have the attacking resources to win this match.
The injury to Gylfi Sigurdsson is a blow and will necessitate some re-jigging of the side to make up for his absence. But despite this Everton can cope and should win this game.
Anyway here’s my selection for tomorrow’s team.
Goal: Jordan Pickford (obviously!)
Defence: Seamus Coleman, Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka, Leighton Baines
Midfield: Tom Davies, Wayne Rooney, Idrissa Gueye
Fowards: Theo Walcott, Cenk Tosun, Yannick Bolasie
It’s a 4-3-3 formation although that’s as much a consequence of the strengths of the available players as any specific tactical thoughts.
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I would bring Idrissa back (assuming he’s not still unwell) for this one to provide extra defensive solidity. And although it might be tempting to push Rooney forward with Sigurdsson injured, I’d keep him in midfield.
Keeping hold of the ball will be important to negating Stoke’s strengths and frustrating them. Too often especially away from home Everton have given the ball away cheaply and in dangerous positions.
Another key to this formation requires Davies to play in a disciplined way making sure he doesn’t get caught out too much on the ball leaving his defence exposed.
Next: Who takes Gylfi's place?
Well that’s my team lets see how close it is to the one that plays today.