Sunday’s match against Tottenham looms and for Everton defeat is surely unthinkable after three disasterous and morale-sapping losses.
It’s with a due sense of dread that I write this match preview as it’s very difficult to find any reasons to be optimistic about whether Everton can get anything from this game.
A defeat at the weekend would pile huge pressure on Rafa Benitez and if we see a performance like the first half at Wolves, it might lead to the season unravalling very quickly.
The news from the training ground this week is as usual mixed. It looks like Lucas Digne is fit again to play, although given his indifferent form recently that’s hardly a massive boost.
On the downside (and it’s Everton so there’s always a downside) Yerry Mina didn’t train and of course there’s still no sign of Abdoulaye Doucoure or Dominic Calvert-Lewin returning.
So, as Rafa Benitez contemplates his limited options he has to contend with these hugely frustrating continuing absences that severely constrain what he can do.
The Toffees’ manager is missing the central spine of his side and is without his best defender, key midfielder and his spearhead centre-foward.
The only possibilities apart from the players who have so often let the club and the fans down, are the youth team players who have by necessity been drafted into the first-team squad recently.
Players such as Anthony Gordon, Ellis Simms and Lewis Dobbin. All three are available with Simms having recovered from injury along with another young defender signed by the Blues’ last January; Jarrad Branthwaite.
Will Benitez be tempted to give any of these young players a chance, after all can they show any less focus and commitment than most of the senior players who have so badly let down Evertonians in the last few games?
I certainly think Gordon should start and while I expect Benitez will cotinue with Salomon Rondon again alongide Richarlison why not give one of the young strikers a chance at least later on in the match?
And, Branthwaite while I’m sure he won’t start, does at least give the manager another option at the back now where the senior players have conceded so many soft goals recently.
While the London club and it’s supporters will I’m sure be feeling revitilised by Conte’s appointment, it’s hard to know for sure whether this is a good or bad time to play Spurs. They have a hugely experienced and decorated coach in Antonio Conte, who was tentatively linked with the Everton job in the summer.
Conte has an excellent track record and if he’s given time and resources then he’ll likely prove a success at Tottenham, although he rarely stays very long anywhere.
But, this is his first game in charge and so tryng to be optimistic he might still be getting the measure of his players and be unsure of his best team. Perhaps that will prove an opportunity for a savvy coach like Benitez who has a good past track record against him.
However, very often a side with a new manager gets that initial bounce of course and after the underwhelming start they’ve made to the season, the Spurs players will no doubt be lifted by having a coach of Conte’s calibre in charge.
With that and the Toffees’ unique ability to be ever-obliging opponents, this could mean Sunday’s opponents could be in for a good afternoon.
Although I’m not feeling any optimism or to be honest enthusiasm for this fixture, there must now be a reaction from this group of players and at least a point gained or else I fear this season could spiral out of control.