Chris Beesley - Lampard simply has to go strong
After sparking their current downward spiral in form by taking the unprecedented step of changing his entire starting 11 for the Carabao Cup humiliation at Bournemouth, surely struggling Everton manager Frank Lampard daren't name anything other than his strongest available side for the FA Cup third round tie at Manchester United.
As loyal but long-suffering fans arrived at the Vitality Stadium for the first time, travelling over a thousand miles by trekking down from Merseyside to Dorset and back twice in the space of just four days, Lampard's selection against the Cherries proved a major let down.
The Blues were promptly dumped out of one domestic cup competition 4-1 and then despatched 3-0 by the same - albeit much-changed - opponents in their final pre-World Cup Premier League fixture the following Saturday. For the record, these brace of victories are the only games Bournemouth haven't lost out of their last 10.
Everton's last major trophy, the FA Cup, won by defeating Manchester United at Wembley almost 28 years ago - the longest silverware drought in the club's history - was secured by a team who had only just secured their Premier League status in dramatic fashion at the end of the previous season but while Joe Royle's 'Dogs of War' possessed character in abundance, lamentably you cannot see the current under-achieving crop having either the ability, consistency or spirit to mount a similar run to glory.
Nevertheless, they owe it to beleaguered Blues supporters - who have sold out their 9,000 allocation at Old Trafford despite hefty ticket prices, a Friday night kick-off and live television coverage on a terrestrial channel to at least give it their best shot and go with their best team, whatever that actually is at the moment and I'd revert to the formation that earned a point across Manchester at the Etihad rather than the one that imploded against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.
My team (5-3-2): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gray, Calvert-Lewin.
OPINION: No time for silence: Everton fans are right to demand answers from the top
READ MORE: Dele Alli loan from Everton to Besiktas could take 'new twist'
Connor O’Neill - It has to be as strong as possible
Following Tuesday’s hammering at the hands of Brighton, in no way can Frank Lampard make the level of changes he did against Bournemouth in the League Cup back in November.
Blues boss Lampard should also return to the five at the back formation he operated against Manchester City last Saturday.
Jordan Pickford should start in goal, with Seamus Coleman, James Tarkowski, Conor Coady, Ben Godfrey and Vitalii Mykolenko making up the back five.
In midfield, Amdou Onana should be joined in the middle by Alex Iwobi, with Anthony Gordon and Demarai Gray operating on either flank.
Even though he has been suffering with fatigue, should he be fit, then Dominic Calvert-Lewin has to start up top.
My team (5-4-1): Pickford; Coleman, Tarkowski, Coady, Godfrey, Mykolenko; Gray, Iwobi, Onana, Gordon; Calvert-Lewin.
Sean Bradbury - DCL leads the line as formation switches back
Let's start with the most obvious bit: Everton have to switch from four at the back. Serious problems were exposed against Brighton and that cannot be repeated.
The template for tonight, clearly, should be the resolute and spirited display away to Manchester City recently.
With Nathan Patterson absent through injury, Seamus Coleman takes his place on the right. Otherwise the defence picks itself.
As does the midfield and attack, really. There is a case for Anthony Gordon, but he can provide ammo from the bench.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin leads the line again from the start with plenty of time to hopefully recover and go again for Southampton next weekend.
My team (5-4-1): Pickford; Coleman, Godfrey, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, Gray; Calvert-Lewin.
Rich Garnett - No case for a weakened Everton side
You'd have to be almost as old as me to remember Everton's greatest FA Cup tie with Manchester United, but we are light years away from that now.
The cup does, however, provide Frank Lampard with a temporary departure from Premier League troubles and an opportunity to boost the morale of his troops with what would be an unexpected victory over in-form Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Plenty of top-flight sides will field weakened teams this weekend but it is difficult to see why Everton would be one of them.
Lampard did away with his three central defenders system - that worked so well against Man City - when Brighton came to town, and it's fair to say that the switch didn't work. So with Jordan Pickford in goal, we're reverting to a back five of sorts here, with Mason Holgate partnering Conor Coady and James Tarkowski in the heart of defence. Nathan Patterson is in the treatment room so veteran Seamus Coleman returns as a right wing-back, with Vitalii Mykolenko on the opposite flank.
Idrissa Gueye did not exactly cover himself in glory against the Seagulls, but he retains his midfield berth here alongside Alex Iwobi and there's a return for Amadou Onana, could do with choosing now to demonstrate a greater return on Everton's investment in him at the start of the season.
Up top, fitness questions are still being asked about Dominic Calvert-Lewin, but I would partner him here with Demarai Gray, assuming that the former is good to go.
My team (5-3-2): Pickford; Coleman, Holgate, Coady, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi; Gray, Calvert-Lewin.
READ NEXT:
- Farhad Moshiri and Bill Kenwright must find answer to scathing Neville Southall Everton question
- Danny Ings Aston Villa transfer stance confirmed amid Everton links
- Farhad Moshiri's Everton admission comes back to haunt him as transfer failings painfully exposed
- Every word of Alan Stubbs said on Everton's board, Frank Lampard, transfers and relegation
Frank Lampard addresses Everton fans' concerns over transfer backing after Ellis Simms recall
