Big Dunc formation returns for second spell
Chris Beesley: Duncan Ferguson went 4-4-2 for his first game in charge as Everton caretaker manager back in 2019 and even though the Blues used a similar old school formation at Norwich City last weekend and hardly threatened, I'd expect them to line-up that way again.
I would imagine there will be a very different approach in terms of playing on the front foot though - you'd certainly hope so - with training footage from Finch Farm in recent days showing Big Dunc telling the players to up the tempo.
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As Ferguson has already alluded, there will also be changes in personnel with nobody's place safe following the capitulation at Carrow Road against a side who went into the fixture bottom of the table and having lost six games on the bounce without a goal in the Premier League since November.
So starting from up front and working backwards, Rafa Benitez flop Salomon Rondon, typically anonymous against the Canaries is dropped and goalscoring substitute Richarlison takes his place.
Andre Gomes who got overrun in the engine room makes away for Allan, Michael Keane misses out to Yerry Mina and at right-back, Seamus Coleman steps aside to give Nathan Patterson his debut with the youngster tasked with taking care of returning Everton old boy Lucas Digne.
My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Patterson, Mykolenko, Godfrey, Mina; Gordon, Allan, Doucoure, Gray; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
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Paul Wheelock: Make no mistake, had Rafa Benitez still been in charge for the visit of Steven Gerrard, Lucas Digne and Aston Villa, it had the potential to turn toxic if there was any repeat of the pitiful display in the defeat at Norwich City.
Rafa rightly paid the price with his job but now is the time for the players to perform. They’ve certainly been reminded of their responsibilities this week by Duncan Ferguson, who like Leighton Baines, will be given a hero’s reception when he steps out onto the touchline at lunchtime today.
There should be no question that Ferguson will have the team motivated but it will be interesting to see how he sets up tactically. I think it’s safe to assume there’ll be no repeat of Benitez’s disastrous five-at-the-back formation, and behind the impressive Jordan Pickford, I’d go with Seamus Coleman, Yerry Mina, Michael Keane and, at left-back, Ben Godfrey.
Midfield is the interesting one. Too often this season the Blues have been overrun in the centre of the park but if Ferguson’s first caretaker spell in charge tells us anything, he will be going for it. So I’ll go with a four of Anthony Gordon, Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and Demarai Gray, but that could easily become a five if Richarlison drops deeper.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose affection and admiration for Ferguson is clear, starts up front. Do not bet against him getting a goal.
My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Coleman, Mina, Keane, Godfrey; Gordon, Allan, Doucoure, Gray; Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin.
Patterson and Mykolenko get the nod
Connor O'Neill: If ever there was a time to go back to basics, then it is now.
One win in 13 Premier League games has seen Rafa Benitez sacked and Duncan Ferguson brought in on a temporary basis.
Ferguson even admitted himself on Friday afternoon that changes will happen due to the Blues’ poor run of form.
Jordan Pickford will no doubt start in goal, while Yerry Mina should start alongside Ben Godfrey at the heart of the Blues’ defence.
Nathan Patterson should also come in a right-back for his first start for the club, with Vitalii Mykolenko continuing at left-back.
Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure should start in the middle, with Demarai Gray operating in front of them.
Andros Townsend should start on the right, Richarlison should be given the nod on the left, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin should lead the line.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Patterson, Mina, Godfrey, Mykolenko; Allan, Doucoure; Townsend, Gray, Richarlison; Calvert-Lewin.
