Michael Kenrick 02/09/2023 24comments  |  Jump to last
Match Preview

Everton are in action at lunchtime today when they take on newly promoted Sheffield United at Bramhall Lane with a squad weakened by yesterday's departures on transfer deadline day.

No longer sitting rock bottom of the Premier League thanks to Luton's defeat last night, the task for Everton under Sean Dyche with the limited group of new players he has for selection now set, the biggest obstacle to progress continues to be ongoing injuries. 

Dwight McNeil was back in training on grass this week and may pass a late fitness test along with Dominic Calvert-Lewin who did not need surgery on his fractured cheekbone, while Seamus Coleman and Dele Alli are not expected to be match-fit this month. Vitalii Mykolenko is unlikely to be available after limping off at Doncaster on Wednesday. Jack Harrison is still not fit enough to be considered.

Hopefully Beto has shown Sean Dyche enough to be given his Premier League debut from the start, with his energy and pace coupled with the enterprise shown by Arnaut Danjuma the key ingredients that have been woefully absent from Everton's dismal attack. 

In defence, Sean Dyche continues to call upon his old Burnley favourite, Michael Keane, despite worrying idiosyncrasies from the error-prone centre-back, with Ashley Young not being as effective as was hoped for, and Nathan Patterson continuing to show cause for concern, with the Blues incapable of keeping a clean sheet.  

Demarai Gray and Andre Gomes remain registered as Everton players but their participation in the matchday squad seems doubtful. 

Tom Davies joined Sheffield United after turning down a new contract at Everton but he has yet to appear for The Blades after making the subs bench for just one game so far. 

Kick-off: 12:30 pm, Saturday 2 September 2023
Referee: Anthony Taylor
VAR: Darren England

Last Time: Sheffield United 0 - 1 Everton

 

Reader Comments (24)

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Iain Johnston
1 Posted 02/09/2023 at 09:47:05
Tom Davies to open his account for The Blades then!
Clive Rogers
2 Posted 02/09/2023 at 09:58:06
The back four is the big worry, especially the full backs who are not playing well. Tarks form has been indifferent also.
Colin Glassar
3 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:16:48
Right, transfer window over, let's get down to business.

We need to start picking up points to stay in contention until January when Moshiri will probably disappoint us once more in the transfer market.

I think we should have enough to overcome Sheffield Utd so I'm going with a 1-2 away win for us.

Richard Lyons
4 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:17:12
No predicted line-up?

I'd be happy with a repeat of that "Last Time" score...

Mick Roberts
5 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:19:34
After Wednesdays dismal performance god knows what to expect and if dyche continues with his love affair with calamity Kean then ye really does need fucking off
Denis Richardson
6 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:20:26
Season starts now with the window shut. No more wondering what our squad will be.

Branthwaite and Tarks at the back with Young on the left should be decent enough against Utd even if Patterson is still growing on the right.

Beto and Danjuma needs to be given proper support by the likes of Garner and Duke to get at them. Id consider playing Gray on the right and Danjuma left of Beto. Not sure I'd have Gueye, Onana and Duke in the line up, two out of three but not all three, assuming Gray plays (which I doubt will happen).

Nick Page
7 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:31:11
Wonder how many games before Beto succumbs to the mystery curse of Everton and gets injured?
Joe Digney
8 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:34:20
1.0 Beto winner.
COYB
Clive Rogers
9 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:35:04
Patterson was taken off at Doncaster. I can see Garner playing RB.
Anthony A Hughes
10 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:42:08
Let's get this season started Blues. Let's have a nice attacking set-up and formation Dychey.

And don't pick Doucouré in the No 10 role please. Let's have a front three of Chermiti, Beto and Danjuma.

Garner central with Doucouré and Gueye winning the ball and giving it to the footballers.

Andrew Flanagan
11 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:46:05
2-0 Sheff Utd
Kim Vivian
12 Posted 02/09/2023 at 10:53:59
We'll win this but I don't expect it to be pretty, or see folk on here enthusing post match.
We'll see.
Rob Hooton
13 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:02:25
I can see this being a real scrap; I doubt it will be easy on the eye but it might still be entertaining for other reasons.

I think Tarkowski has had a bad start to the season but would still like to see him and Branthwaite at the back – if Keane starts, this site might explode!

Gueye showed that he is our most important midfield player midweek, so his name is one of the first on the team sheet for me. Onana still offers little, Doucouré needs a goal to get going.

1-2 to the Blues.

John Kavanagh
14 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:10:44
Sheffield Utd have two players likely making a debut, so there's two goals to catch up with. Add to that we have lost each of the last nine league games that Alex Iwobi hasn't played in.

However, I'll optimistically forget all about last Wednesday and go for a 3-2 win, with Beto opening his Premier League account.

COYB

Tony Everan
15 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:18:50
It's going to be a big fight, they'll have watched on Wednesday and will fancy their chances. It's very important that we start well and meet their initial surge and energy head on. See that off and we will have a foothold in the game and we have some threat now to grab a goal or two.

We will have to keep an eye on their pacy winger Traore our full back need to be on it.

Prediction ; a narrow Everton win and we're up and running for the season.

Mark Taylor
16 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:18:56
If we didn't play at all, it is possible we could be out of the bottom 3 in a couple of weeks
Ernie Baywood
17 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:24:38
Assuming that we start Beto, it will be interesting to see what we look like with a centre forward. That's not something we've seen much of in the last couple of years.

My sense is that it will improve us immediately. Which isn't so much progress, as highlighting the deficiencies of the fools that have run us into the ground.

We're not going to be great, but we might at least finally be functional. I'll tip 1-1.

Eddie Dunn
18 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:30:22
I notice that Luke Thomas has joined the Blades from Leicester on loan. This is the shithouse who knackered Seamus.
Andrew Bentley
19 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:33:38
Christ, look at the bench for today after the Transfer Window shuts. Shambles and basically negligent from the club. Still got 2 keepers on the bench!
Eddie Dunn
20 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:34:03
A draw would be a good result.
Andrew Ellams
21 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:35:03
Two keepers on the bench and still can't fill it
Jeff Armstrong
22 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:35:05
So only 7 subs 2 keepers on bench, no Gomes Dobbin or Gray to make up the bench?

Where is Alli at with his fitness?

Are they injured? Who knows no communication from the club or Dyche once again.

From that bench only Chermiti might make a difference when we're getting beat.

Robert Leigh
23 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:35:11
Pickford
Garner - Tarkowski - Branthwaite - Young
Onana - Gana
Danjuma - Doucoure - McNeil/Dobbin
Beto

Virginia, Keane, Godfrey, Patterson, Gomes, Gray, Chermiti, Onyango, McNeil/Dobbin

Our 11 looks capable now, and with DCL, Harrison and Alli to come back we look like we've a decent squad.

Should we look into the Free Agent Market? Of those available I'd look at Tuanzebe (formerly Man Utd) or Nampalys Mendy (Leicester).

Paul Hewitt
24 Posted 02/09/2023 at 11:35:57
That bench is a joke and disgrace.

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