Luke Davies - Focus on stopping Brentford or take the game to them?
It may be easy to convince yourself that Everton should be winning home games against mid-table opposition, but Brentford are not your average mid-table side.
Thomas Frank’s team are unbeaten since a four-goal defeat against Aston Villa, way back in late October. During this run the Bees have amassed wins over Man City and Liverpool.
Sean Dyche also faces a number of selection dilemmas this weekend, with a quantity of centre-backs at his disposal. Last time out, James Tarkowski partnered Michael Keane at the heart of the defence, with Ben Godfrey replacing Vitali Mykolenko.
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It will be intriguing to see if the Ukrainian comes back into the fold, or will Godfrey warrant another start after a familiar powerful performance? The Everton manager’s selection must consider the attacking threat Brentford pose in the form of Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo and star man Ivan Toney who slotted a signature penalty during a win over Fulham last time out.
The Blues are yet to register a win over the Londoners in three games since their promotion to the Premier League in 2021. Everton must win this one; they cannot afford any more slip-ups like the recent Aston Villa game if they want to survive.
Does Dyche stick with Demarai Gray up top? Does he play with two forwards and take the game to Brentford? They are the two pressing questions Dyche must answer before the game.
To summarise, Everton may scrape past Brentford with goals most likely from a set-piece, similar to James Tarkowski’s winner against Arsenal. Everton must win this game, especially having played one more game than fellow strugglers Leeds United, Southampton, and Bournemouth.
Ben Crawford - A disappointing draw
Despite avoiding defeat away from home on Sunday the feeling remains that it was an opportunity missed for Everton.
Leading 2-1 with a quarter of an hour to go, it took a smart finish from Brennan Johnson to send the Blues back home with just a measly point.
The games are running out quickly and with a truly terrifying run of fixtures up after this weekend, the mood around Goodison Park becomes more tense and nervous with each passing day. Sean Dyche has improved us without doubt, but my worry however is that it may be too late.
Anything other than three points against Brentford on Saturday would spell disaster, or I fear that season ticket holders like myself, that have already renewed for next season, may get 23 games for the price of 19.
Paul McParlan - A point gained?
At times the match against relegation rivals Nottingham Forest seemed set to end with the same outcome as last April’s visit to Turf Moor.
In that game, Everton also took the lead with a penalty and scored twice but somehow allowed Burnley to sneak a victory, courtesy of some calamitous defensive mistakes. In contrast at the City Ground, Everton were able to hang on for a well-deserved draw and score their first away goals under Sean Dyche’s tenure.
The Tricky Trees were unbeaten in their last nine home games , so it was arguably a point gained. The ’Ginger Mourinho’ has only been in charge for six weeks and still dealing with the woeful legacy left to him by Frank Lampard.
He has collected seven points from his first six games, whereas Lampard delivered one from his last six. It might not be spectacular, but it is progress. A team that seemed petrified of possession are now looking far more confident on the ball.
There is an organisational structure and game plan, and everyone knows what is required of them. Certain players have thrived under the new regime.
Aboulaye Doucoure, who had been seemingly discarded, is a player reborn. His non-stop running and ability to launch rapid counter attacks has revitalised the midfield.
Dwight McNeil is showing that he can beat defenders and deliver a stream of quality crosses. The team is creating far more chances and is playing with a passion and intensity that seemed to have evaporated.
Without Dominic Calvert Lewin upfront , goals must come from other members of the team. Demarai Gray may have finally convinced his manager that he is an upgrade on Neal Maupay and that there is a reason why he is Everton’s top scorer. He merits an extended run in the striker role.
Individual defensive lapses have cost Everton dearly in recent matches and need to be remedied before Saturday’s fixture against Brentford. The Bees are unbeaten in their last 12 games and won 3-2 here last May.
In Ivan Toney they have a potent goal threat and the Blues defence cannot allow him the time and space they gave to Brennan Johnson on Sunday. Both Wolverhampton Wanderers and Southampton have shown the value of grinding out 1-0 home wins recently.
Everton need to do something similar on Saturday. It is so congested around the relegation zone that a win would see Everton climb to 15th while a defeat may see them bottom of the table.
There are 12 fixtures remaining, if Everton can maintain their current ratio of 7 points per 6 games for the remainder of the season, they will end up with 36 points. That has been enough to avoid the drop in the last six seasons. Three points on Saturday, please.
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