We all know the Bournemouth game is going to be really tough. They will be buzzing after their incredible win against Luton so we will need to be on it right from the off.
Their weakness is obviously defensive so we must somehow take the game to them when we can but clam up the midfield and stop them playing.
The much-maligned Gueye is a must for me. We have missed him badly when he has not been available and no coincidence that our drop in results has coincided with him not playing in many games since the Fulham cup game. All the 7 goals conceded in the last 4 games were when Gueye was not on the pitch. And of course we have had both Gueye and Doucoure missing for some of the games in the winless run of 11 games.
We have had some tough games in this winless run though, Man City twice, Spurs twice, Man Utd, Aston Villa, Brighton away and we have had some creditable draws. (The Wolves game was lost before we started because of the change in formation.)
And fact is when we play Man City, Man Utd and Spurs, you can forget it. No matter how the games go, a win would now be a minor miracle. There will always be one or more decisions to take the game away from us.
The West Ham collapse is a worry but I feel this would not have happened with Gueye in the team. He would have been able to deal with the counter-attacks towards the end of the game.
I do not think the Bournemouth game suits Onana and he should be left on the bench. He leaves too many holes in midfield for the opposition to exploit and I think we will be more solid with Gueye, Garner and Doucoure filling the centre midfield positions.
I would love to see Coleman back in the team, and maybe at right midfield, but after 2 games in quick succession (where he has proved he is now back to full fitness) maybe after the Bournemouth game. Seamus is our captain and he can give the team that extra bit of inspiration that we now need. And I would have no problem playing him at right-midfield. With Patterson at right-back (or Godfrey), I think we would be solid defensively and still have a lot of attacking strength on the right flank. Harrison can then be used as a useful substitute.
We have to hope that the Dyche – Patterson incident is now water under the bridge, no hard feelings, and that Dyche has not lost the confidence of the players.
Bournemouth was a graveyard for Lampard. And after a footballing break last season, Everton got off to a poor start. Dyche must not let history repeat itself.
We need another good little run, maybe after the Bournemouth and Newcastle games, but maybe a couple of draws in these games could see the confidence growing again.
We all must stick together now, players and supporters. We do need a slice of luck and good and fair refereeing. If Calvert-Lewin and McNeil can start firing again, there is no reason why we can get a few wins and Dyche must start using Dobbin and Danjuma, if fit more and more and players like Onyango and Okoronkwo should now be on the bench.
Make these independent commission hearings irrelevant, Everton. COYB!