Chris Beesley - Gray gets the nod in attack
The last time Brentford came to Goodison Park, Everton knew a win would secure their Premier League status but the Blues promptly had two players sent off as they crashed to a 3-2 defeat despite taking the lead twice. Last time out against Nottingham Forest, Everton also went ahead on two occasions only to be denied victory on the first occasion they'd netted more than once in a game since October.
Sean Dyche should look to the positives from that game at the City Ground - which could still be a point gained rather than two lost - if Everton were to defeat Brentford but it won't be easy against a side who are unbeaten in their last 12 Premier League matches. The Blues need this one more though so it should be same again from the manager in terms of personnel in the hope they can make it an unlucky 13 for Thomas Frank.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Tarkowski; Gueye, Doucoure, Onana, Iwobi, McNeil; Gray.
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Joe Thomas - Gray sticks but Keane twists
I liked Demarai Gray up top at Forest. He added a different type of threat and was able to bring other players into the game in the opposition half in a way Maupay has struggled to do. I will stick with him.
The other interesting decision last week was Keane continuing his run in the side. Dyche explained the initial decision of him replacing Coady at Arsenal as being to manage players through a three game week. If he keeps his place today then it is surely more. If the decision has been made to break up the Coady/Tarkowski partnership though my instinct would be leaning towards giving Mina a chance.
Yes, he has injury issues, but he’s a good, solid defender who is a threat in the opposition box and could wind up Ivan Toney today in a manner that could be helpful given his impressive form. When fully fit Mina is probably Everton’s best centre back. Beyond that, it is the same for me - including Godfrey getting another opportunity at left back.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Godfrey, Mina, Tarkowski, Coleman; McNeil, Onana, Gueye, Doucoure, Iwobi; Gray
Matt Jones - Mina worth the gamble
It's difficult to see Sean Dyche making too many changes - both due to lack of options and a decent display last time out at Nottingham Forest.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks like he'll be on the bench at best, leaving Demarai Gray to lead the line again. Elsewhere, the midfield will stay the same as that which started at the City Ground, although James Garner is surely edging closer to getting some minutes after his return.
It's at the back where Everton should make the major change - it's time to roll the Yerry Mina dice again. Now the Tarwkowski-Coady axis has been broken up, the Colombian should be drafted in to try and tackle Ivan Toney.
Of course, there's a decent chance he breaks down with an injury, but he's still Everton's best defender, there will be at least three more centre-backs on the bench and given there is no depth in attacking areas, it's unlikely Dyche would be too concerned about potentially burning a change early.
The prospect of a clearly jittery and jaded Michael Keane going up against a strong Brentford attacking trio doesn't really bear thinking about.
Vitalii Mykolenko may also be fit again, but Ben Godfrey did just enough to keep his spot with a decent outing at Forest.
My Team (4-1-4-1): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Tarkowski, Godfrey; Gueye; Iwobi, Onana, Doucoure, McNeil; Gray.
Connor O’Neill - Time for Mina and 4-4-2
Make no mistake about it, this afternoon’s game is huge for Everton. Forget must not lose, this a must-win for Sean Dyche’s side.
And because of that it is time for Blues boss Dyche to freshen things up, both in terms of personnel and formation. Changes must be made.
At the back, Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, but Yerry Mina should be given the nod to start in place of Michael Keane, with James Tarkowski, Seamus Coleman and Ben Godfrey making up the back four.
In midfield, Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwboi should start on either flank, with Idrissa Gueye partnering Abdoulaye Doucoure in the middle of the pitch. That might seem harsh on Amadou Onana, but I don’t think the midfielder has done enough in recent weeks.
While up top, one suspects the game might have come too soon for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, despite him returning to training this week, so Demarai Gray should lead the line with Ellis Simms.
My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Mina, Godfrey; Iwobi, Gueye, Doucoure, McNeil; Gray, Simms.
Luke Davies - Gray deserves another chance
A lack of attacking options has continually frustrated the Blues over the course of this season with Neal Maupay providing just one goal this term. Dominic Calvert-Lewin has featured just 11 times this season with 35% of showings coming from the start, registering one goal in a win against Crystal Palace. So the big questions for today: Stick with Demarai Gray? Reintroduce Maupay? Play both?
Personally, starting Gray is a no-brainer after a goal paired with an industrious performance last Sunday. He warrants another go. Gray would be my choice with Amadou Onana possibly helping by pushing up the pitch providing late runs into the penalty area. Ellis Simms is another option from the bench, depending on the state of the game.
In terms of defence, Ben Godfrey looked a solid figure at full-back last time out, so I would not be opposed to him keeping his place. Moreover, Everton have options at centre-back with James Tarkowski, Michael Keane, Conor Coady, Mason Holgate and Yerry Mina all available and able to play. Dyche has favoured Tarkowski so far, pairing him with Michael Keane in the last two games at the expense of Conor Coady. I see no harm in keeping Keane in the side but also wouldn’t be against Mina or Coady returning. Coleman will start at right-back with this game possibly coming to soon for a Nathan Patterson return.
Moving onto the midfield which has been Everton’s most settled part of the pitch, I would stick with the usual three of Onana, Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucoure. Changing this would be difficult with the only other options in the centre being Tom Davies and James Garner, who hasn’t started a league game this season. Alex Iwobi may take up his usual position of right midfield with Dwight McNeil featuring on the left.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Keane, Tarkowski; Gueye, Doucoure, Onana, Iwobi, McNeil; Gray.
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