At the beginning of the season, David Moyes' lineup was fairly easy to predict. Match after match, the Everton manager ran with more or less the same group. Part of that was because it was working fairly well, sure, but also because he tends to be a manager who sticks to his preferred players unless he's forced to.
In recent weeks, that predictability has gone out the window. Be it due to injuries to important players like Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jarrad Branthwaite or the departure of Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gana Gueye for the Africa Cup of Nations, Moyes' options have worn thin in recent weeks.
So rather than try and predict what the Everton manager will choose to do with his lineup when Wolves visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium later today, we're going to take a shot at the ideal XI given Moyes' current options.
The difference should hopefully be clear enough.
Everton's ideal starting XI vs Wolves (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper & Defenders
Jordan Pickford (GK): Easy enough. He's one of the better 'keepers in the Premier League.
Adam Aznou (LB): Sure, he hasn't played a single minute with the senior side since joining in the summer, but his time needs to come. Against the bottom-feeders of the current table, why not now?
James Tarkowski (CB): Michael Keane has fallen off and is clearly not 100%. Until Branthwaite returns, Tark is a solid option next to a more athletic partner.
Jake O'Brien (CB): The Ireland international has been immense when called upon to play in his natural position, and is clearly growing less and less comfortable at right back. His skill and athleticism next to Tarkowski makes the duo work better (although we cannot wait until O'Brien can line up next to Branthwaite).
Merlin Röhl (RB): James Garner would be another option here, but he's been excellent in midfield recently, so the German youngster gets the call. Whether Moyes actually trusts him to go a full 90 at fullback remains to be seen, but he's been unsettled when asked to play further forward.
Midfielders
Tim Iroegbunam (CDM): He's still not Gana, and this is an area that Everton should look to improve, likely in the summer. For now, if Iroegbunam can maintain his discipline, he's a decent option.
James Garner (CM): In the conversation for Everton's Player of the Season at the year's halfway point, Garner has looked increasingly more comfortable in midfield as his role has firmed up.
Jack Grealish (CAM): The Manchester City loanee isn't a permanent option here, but he's likely to be much more dynamic than other choices at the moment.
Forwards
Dwight McNeil (LW): The attempts at playing on the right and centrally haven't worked. He's two one-footed and lacks pace. If he can use the touchline to his advantage, he can function on the left.
Tyler Dibling (RW): The teenager is growing into his role as Ndiaye's absence continues. This is vital, given the investment the club made in the player.
Thierno Barry (CF): Finally scored against a team that wasn't Forest, although smashing them in against teams in red won't make any Everton supporter too upset.