Decisive month for Everton coming up
As the latest international break winds down, Everton face a decisive month in December, one that could make or break their season.
One of the most frustrating things abut the poor start Everton have made yet again to this season, is the fact that they have had such a relatively easy opening set of fixtures.
The Blues haven’t played anyone considered to be a pre-season contender for the top six, apart from champions Manchester City since the start of the season.
Games against sides such as Crystal Palace, Watford, Bournemouth and Sheffield United should have given Everton a chance to build real momentum to their campaign early on.
The fact that the Toffees have failed to do so and delivered such an anaemic set of performances and results in the majority of these matches, has left Everton languishing in 15th place. Even more depressing the Blues are already a massive 20 points adrift of leaders Liverpool.
Now, the Blues have one more match that might be considered very winnable, as they play Norwich City at Goodison Park this weekend. It is essential that the Toffees take all three points.
Because when December rolls round, the Toffees have a run of fixtures that at least on paper is daunting, starting with a trip to second placed Leicester City on the 1 December.
That is followed by the first Merseyside derby of the season as the Toffees travel to Anfield to take on their high-flying neighbours.
Next up after that, a revitalised young Chelsea side under new manager Frank Lampard are the visitors to Goodison Park.
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Given Leicester’s start to the campaign and the quality of Liverpool and Chelsea, it would not be unthinkable for the Blues to come out of that run with no points gained.
However as fans know, the Blues have delivered better performances when taking on teams like these than they do especially when going away to places they might be expected to win.
Last season’s run of wins against the top sides at Goodison Park, underlined the potential of this Toffees team but its form that havsn’t been sustained this term.
This schizophrenic form has got to be tackled if the Toffees are to ever make any progress. December’s fixtures are a great chance to do so and how Everton respond to the challenge, could make or break this campaign.