This evening Everton take on Newcastle United in the Monday night Premier League game and so we put together a possible Blues eleven for the match.
Although many Everton fans are probably not exactly getting excited about another apparently meaningless league game, this match does have some significance for the Blues.
The Magpies are only a place and a point below Everton and while it may not seem very important whether the Blues finish eighth, ninth or tenth each place in the Premier League means more prize money.
Plus to be honest there is also the pride of not wishing to see Everton finish dead mid-table or even in the bottom half, they’ve done that too many times in recent years.
And finally as always it would be good to put one over on a former Liverpool manager, Rafael Benitez, currently the Newcastle boss of course.
So let’s have a look at the starting eleven I would pick.
Goalkeeper:
Once again it’s the easiest of decisions; Jordan Pickford of course.
Last Saturday Pickford was at his best pulling off some fine saves to ensure the Blues took an underserved point away from the game at Swansea.
I think he must be a shoo-in for Everton Player of the Season, although when the keeper is your best performer it’s a rather telling indictment of the poverty of the team’s football this season.
Defenders:
Here we go with a back four of Seamus Coleman, Phil Jagielka, Michael Keane and Leighton Baines.
Again it’s an Everton defence that picks itself at the moment, especially given the lack of alternatives.
Centre-back Keane has steadily improved this past few months and has developed a good understanding with Jagielka.
In the most recent game against Swansea right-back Coleman, (along with most of the team), seemed subdued and well below his best but he is always capable of producing a barnstorming display, let’s hope its tonight.
Baines has been below-par too recently but again he is obviously a far better choice at left-back than the alternative Cuco Martina, who is actually better suited to playing right-back.
Midfield:
I’m going with a three-man midfield of Beni Baningime, Wayne Rooney and (assuming he’s fully fit) Idrissa Gueye.
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions
Although it’s nominally a three I would anticipate Rooney playing in a free role and pushing further forward.
Rooney lacks the legs to do a lot of running he’s more likely to influence a game playing further forward getting on the ball. Also given his excellent scoring record against Newcastle you want him as close to the goal as possible.
Manager Sam Allardyce has experimented with playing Baningime in the last few games and I think he deserves a start. He offers real energy and commitment and he uses the ball well too.
It’s true he’s a young player who’s had only a few games in the first team but I think he’s done enough recently to merit a chance to start.
Tom Davies has been below his best recently and so I think Baningime would be a good choice in the middle alongside the reliable and hard-working Gueye.
Forwards:
Up front I would go with a three of Theo Walcott, Cenk Tosun and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Bolasie has been very disappointing in the last two matches, especially in the derby. So I would give Calvert-Lewin another start He offers pace, physicality and a genuine goal threat.
Next: Possible Blues transfer targets?
Tosun was a frustrated figure last weekend he worked hard as usual but lacked decent service. Hopefully he can get that service and grab Everton a goal or two in tonight’s match.