In his press conference today the Gaffer seemed to imply that Cairney was available - in that he didn't mention him. Whereas, he said Kebano is stll out, Mawson has a back problem and Ream "is in a good way. He has started working with us and played an hour against Millwall. He needs a little more time to be at his best level, but he'll be available soon." Of Everton, arguably they are underachieving this year given the outlay by Marco Silva. The issue seems to be the backfiring front men but they have the threat of Sigurdsson in the middle and Richarlison and Walcott out wide. They could be strengthened at the back with the return of Coleman and a debut for Mina. Bit of a bogey ground of course. The last time we won at Goodison was 1975. Mind you that year was the first time we went to Wembley and 2018 was the second so if you believe in karma ..... !! For us, the big question is how to strengthen our defence. Very much doubt that Jokanovic will revert to the 3-5-2 played against Millwall - that seemed more of an 'on the night' decision and ensuring available fringe player (including Ream) got some game time. So, if he sticks to four at the back, a start would be to select a midfield that gives them more protection. But which four? His CBs available are becoming limited again, although Odoi can probably be inked in as one of them. Christie had a stormer on Tuesday night and hinted very strongly after the game he'd be unhappy if not selected. He still can't cross the ball though. And Bryan was equally good. Indeed has he had a bad game? Don't believe so. However, prior to Tuesday night Ryan Sessegnon has played in 60 successive League and Cup games - the last one he missed was the first leg play off against Reading back in May 2017. The Gaffer likes him, be it LB or wherever. Slightly surprised that Cairney is fit to play but if he is, he will. So, going for: ................................Bettinelli.......... .Fosu-Mensah...Odoi....Le Marchand...Sessegnon.. ..................................Anguissa... ................Cairney.........................Seri... .......Vietto..................Mitrovic............Shurrle..
I suspect Bryan is a victim of Shurlle and Vietto settling in quickly - Jokanovic wants to keep them both in the team, and the easiest way to do that is to move Sessegnon to left back. From the little I've seen of him I suspect he's a better defensive option than Ryan so I think it's a bit of a shame. I'd rather see him starting even if it means Ryan (or Schurrle, or Vietto) starting on the bench - it would be handy to have someone with that kind of quality to come on as an impact sub. I know that Sessegnon is our golden boy, but it won't do him any harm to fight for his place rather than start automatically.
The man in the middle today is Roger East. The last time we saw the Wiltshire Whistler was in the first leg play off against Derby in May. Shortly after that match the 53 year old failed his annual fitness test. But here he is in his first big game of the season. So far all he's done is act as 4th Official in a couple of games. Although he did get a run out on Tuesday night in the Carabao Cup match Oxford v Man City. Apart from booking 3 players all he had to do that night was fend off a very large yellow balloon. Wonder who he will be out to impress this afternoon?
With a magic wand this is probably the team most would have wanted: ...........................Bettinelli.......... .Fosu-Mensah...Odoi....Ream...Bryan.. ..................Anguissa...Seri..... .......Vietto.........Schurrle......Sessegnon... ........................Mitrovic........ Subs: Rico, Christie, Le Marchand, McDonald, Cairney, Johansen and Ayite
Goodison rains on us again. Having both full backs go off injured - possibly long term as well - adds to the misery. Okay the defence will get a kicking on social media but at the root of it there were no leader(s) out there today and the front lot just didn't click. No shots on target, although two easy chances missed, which you can't do in this League. However, going to argue the penalty decision made a significant difference. On the hour and with the score at 0-0 ref Roger East changes his mind and awards it - wrongly .... Yes Sigurdsson missed. But, the game seemed to sway heavily from then on; we were rattled and Everton simply became more determined. Probably clutching at straws, but why on earth didn't East have the power of his conviction. Surely it couldn't be because he'd been criticised as lacking confidence during last season, on top of his fitness problems? If he'd had stuck to his original decision who knows, we may well have stayed cool and held out.
I thought Saturdays original line-up was close to being our strongest team on paper with maybe Cairney being the player in for one of the 3 in the middle. Bettinelli - Fosu-Mensah Odoi Ream Bryan - Angussia Seri - Schurrle Vietto Sessegnon - Mitrovic But it didn't seem to work that way, a first half where they needed to take the chances, that could have put pressure on Everton. But second half failure to raise the game, along with Mitrovic having a quiet game and few clear chances, the penalty although missed seemed to give Everton the boost. With injuries to Fosu Mensah & Bryan that sound as if they may miss a few games, the defence will now be a bit of a puzzle in the next few games.
