Over the last few years, Everton have often fielded benches that were not helpful in making the team better. There were plenty of matches that featured two goalkeepers, even at times this season, or several academy players who were unlikely to make an impact as substitutes.
But the recent return to near full strength for the squad means that manager David Moyes actually has choices when it comes to building his bench, so much so that some senior players, like Adam Aznou and Dwight McNeil, have been left out of the mix altogether.
This is a stark contrast to the earlier days of Moyes' return to the dugout on Merseyside, and it provides the Scot with plenty of opportunities to impact the game by making subs. And yet Moyes has made just 85 substitutions across all competitions this season, while Everton have seen their opponents make 101.
When the bench was a vast wasteland of players who couldn't be counted on, that type of restraint makes sense. But now that the squad is back to full strength (minus Jack Grealish, who will miss the rest of the season), Moyes must utilize the matchday bench better.
This means two things, of course.
For one, Moyes must choose benches that allow for quality substitutes that can change the game, in one way or another, when called upon. Obvious needs like a backup centerback, the second striker, and depth in midfield aside, the opportunities provided by each player must be accounted for.
The second meaning is that Moyes must remember he has five subs to work with and must be more strategic with how he makes those changes throughout the game.
A recent Everton case study
Take Tuesday's loss to Bournemouth for both of the above ways of considering the bench.
Moyes named four midfielders (Harrison Armstrong, Charly Alcaraz, Merlin Rohl, and Tim Iroegbunam), Beto, Michael Keane, Nathan Patterson, Tyler Dibling, and backup keeper Mark Travers to the bench. The aforementioned Aznou and McNeil missed out, along with Seamus Coleman and Tom King on the senior squad.
The problem is less about point one, although the continued misuse of Aznou is perplexing, and more focused on point two.
Moyes used just three subs -- Armstrong, Beto, and Keane -- the last of which came in the final moments of the game with Everton chasing an equalizer. Yes, in the last minutes, Moyes's last-ditch effort to get a goal was not one of his attacking options like Alcaraz or Dibling, but his third center back.
Even if you think Keane is more likely to score than those other two, it came too late, especially since he opted for no changes when Jake O'Brien was sent off 20 minutes earlier.
Not an isolated incident
Unfortunately, this isn't an isolated incident for Moyes.
Sure, he can be forgiven for not trusting his bench in those matches where the group was diabolical, but now, the excuses are gone. When the game needs chasing or a lead needs securing, Moyes must use his bench more efficiently.
Not only for the sake of that particular match, although that matters. But also because those periods provide opportunities for players who aren't starting to show their mettle. And that has an impact on the squad, not only in the short term, but possibly for the months and years to come.