Early must-win match for Everton against Bournemouth

Usually, Everton face so-called 'six-pointers' late in the campaign as relegation threatens, but already Saturday's game at the Grand Old Lady feels like a must-win and surely only three points will do.

The Blues have begun the 2024-25 season dismally with an opening day defeat to Brighton followed by a dreadfully limp and depressing capitulation at Spurs last weekend.

Then on Tuesday night the Toffees managed their first win and goals of the new campaign with a 3-0 victory over League Two Doncaster Rovers in the EFL Cup.

Although the performance was again laboured and far from convincing - especially in the first half - there were a few encouraging signs for Sean Dyche to draw upon.

Most of all the continuing excellence of Tim Iroegbunam in midfield and a decent cameo from Iliman Ndiaye who added some much-needed class and creativity to the Everton side and scored a fine second goal.

Jake O'Brien also got his first start since joining this summer and acquitted himself decently too.

Those were the positives. On the other hand, the Blues were again sluggish and disjointed in possession going forward, and took far too long to get hold of the match on Tuesday and dominate their lower league opponents.

Bournemouth on Saturday are unlikely to be as forgiving of a slow and lethargic beginning, and are certainly better equipped to punish the Toffees for any lapses at the back, of which there have been plenty so far this season.

With Jarrad Branthwaite's continued absence, I would be tempted to give O'Brien another start - rather than Micheal Keane - alongside James Tarkowski, assuming he is fit.

The other big issue in a defence, which has gone from being the team's strength to a weakness since the campaign opened - largely due to injury of course - is who will start at right-back?

Seamus Coleman has recovered from his latest injury and presumably will be Dyche's first-choice, although Roman Dixon did well enough when dropped in the deep end and given an unexpected Premier League debut at Tottenham.

It is a difficult one because while Dixon had a decent game last weekend and looks promising, Coleman's experience will perhaps be critical, especially if O'Brien plays.

I suspect Coleman - if fit enough - and Keane will start as we all know how loath the manager is to trust youth too much.

Everton appear to be close to adding one more player to their squad before the transfer window shuts at 11 pm tonight, with midfielder Orel Mangala apparently close to joining on loan.

Mangala will not be eligible to play tomorrow - even if he does sign before the window closes - and so I hope Iroegbunam continues in the centre of the park, as he has been the one bright light in a dismal opening few weeks of the season.

Another area of concern and where Dyche must make some big decisions, is whether Ndiaye and or his other new forward Jesper Lindstrom will get the nod tomorrow.

I think Ndiaye has certainly made a case for starting and the Everton boss needs to make more positive selection decisions and add much-needed pace and attacking flair to his side

Finally, one other selection uncertainty remains as I write this: will Dominic Calvert-Lewin be leading the line on Saturday afternoon or not?

Rumours of his departure are still floating around with five hours or so to go of the transfer window and it is possible that if a really substantial bid comes in late, he might still depart.

As we all know, that would be a big gamble by the club given that unless there is some sort of swap involved in a transfer - surely a must - then there might not be time to get a replacement thorough the doors at Finch Farm.

Well we will know soon enough how this will all pan out. Regardless, tomorrow the home team need to be really up for the fight and determined to take control of the game right from the kick-off.

A strong, energetic and positive performance as well as the always elusive goals to secure a win, are all needed on Saturday and the Goodison fathful deserve it too.

With an international break coming up next as well, a win would be the perfect way for Everton to go into that period and take stock before the Premier League hurly-burly begins again in earnest.