Everton line-ups for Bournemouth as Carlos Alcaraz and Jordan Pickford decisions made
After successive victories in the Premier League, Everton switch their attention to the FA Cup on Saturday and their fourth-round tie at home to Bournemouth. And, for Blues supporters at least, there is more than just progression at take.
As, let's face, Evertonians are sick of the sight of Bournemouth. They won 1-0 when the teams met at the Vitality Stadium last month with the atrocious manner of the Blues' display leading to the downfall of manager Sean Dyche.
And Everton do not need reminding of what happened in the corresponding Premier League fixture back in August when the Cherries came from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with less than three minutes of normal time remaining.
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But, let's be positive, the Blues are in a different place under David Moyes, who as well as being intent on guaranteeing the club's top-flight survival, may well have one eye on leading it back to a Wembley final for the first time since 2009.
Moyes, of course, was the Everton manager back then. But first things first, his side have to get past a Bournemouth team who has been incredibly impressive this season under Andoni Iraola.
So how should Moyes line-up? Our Blues writers have their say...
Joe Thomas
I want Everton to keep on winning. Goodison wants Everton to keep on winning. David Moyes wants Everton to keep on winning.
Winning is something we have experienced too little of for too long and it is an addictive feeling. The Grand Old Lady was a different place last weekend and my life - like I'm sure was the same for most of you reading this - felt far different this week off the back of a third win in a row.
The biggest game coming up is clearly the last Goodison derby and I want Everton to be in the best shape possible for it. I don't think that comes from resting players though, I think it comes from building confidence with the group that has pulled the Blues nine points clear of trouble.
There is risk in that, of course. Moyes has a side already decimated by injuries and the struggle to add much depth in the latter stages of the transfer window means he can ill-afford many more. But while I see Bournemouth as a deeply talented side, this is the FA Cup and I think Everton should take it seriously. If they can come through a tough but winnable home game then perhaps the draw might open up for the Blues - wouldn't that be nice?
I am loathe to change a winning formula. I would therefore keep the same starting line-up and just be quicker to make changes depending on the state of the game. I would love to see Carlos Alcaraz get minutes, but they should be from the bench.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; Mykolenko, Branthwaite, Tarkowski, O'Brien; Ndiaye, Doucoure, Garner, Gueye, Lindstrom; Beto
Chris Beesley
Everton’s biggest potential weapon going into Wednesday night’s historic final Premier League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park is momentum. With no replays against Bournemouth, the Blues are either going to be facing Liverpool on the back of four consecutive victories or knocked out of the FA Cup.
A hat-trick of successes against Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion and Leicester City have put clear daylight between David Moyes’ side and those in the relegation zone with a nine-point cushion and vastly superior goal difference and that upturn in form enables Everton to take the world’s oldest football competition seriously in Goodison’s final season. I’ve said this several times before but while unfortunately, the Blues are no longer in a position where they can compete for titles, if they’re not at least trying to win cups, then what is their raison d’etre?
Everton need to get some recompense for their brace of Premier League defeats to Bournemouth this season and the chastening late horror show at Goodison Park on August 31 when a seemingly comfortable 2-0 lead in the latter stages somehow became a 3-2 collapse. Don’t give the Cherries an inch.
Anyone who advocates cup keepers has been duped. Jordan Pickford has saved at least one penalty in every shoot-out he’s been involved with as England’s number one, but understudy Joao Virginia didn’t get near any of Southampton’s efforts in the Carabao Cup exit on home turf earlier this campaign.
Moyes says deadline day signing Carlos Alcaraz is fit and ready to play so it would be nice to see the on-loan Argentinian midfielder at some stage, but make sure you’re going through to the last 16 first. There’s not much scope for tinkering with the side anyway so the Blues need to go big or go home.
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O’Brien, Mykolenko, Tarkowski, Branthwaite; Gueye, Garner; Lindstrom, Doucoure, Ndiaye; Beto.
Paul Wheelock
It shouldn't be a tricky selection for David Moyes. But in reality it will be.
The easy option would be to stick with the same XI that started and blew away Leicester City 4-0 last weekend. But while that victory has moved the Blues nine points clear of the relegation places, Premier League survival must remain Moyes' main aim.
So with the little matter of the last ever Merseyside league derby at Goodison Park on Wednesday to come, followed by a tricky trip to Crystal Palace next Saturday teatime, the Everton boss is well within his rights to make changes.
Personally, I would keep the goalkeeper and defence as it is, though. But I would make changes in midfield. Idrissa Gueye is playing incredibly well and, with Oriel Mangala sidelined for the rest of the season, it is vitally important to keep the veteran fit.
Therefore, I would drop Abdoulaye Doucoure back into the centre of the park alongside James Garner, with Carlos Alcaraz coming in for his debut in his favoured No.10 position.
Iliman Ndiaye keeps his spot on the left but on the right Jack Harrison is given the chance to impress Moyes with Jesper Lindstrom dropping to the bench.
Beto is the Blues' only fit and available striker and so he gets the chance to build on his double strike against Leicester.
But in an ideal world, Everton would be comfortably in front going into the latter stages, giving Moyes the chance to bring the Guinea-Bissau international off and, who knows, even giving Michael Keane a go up front.
But then again, we all remember what happened the last time Bournemouth visited Goodison...
My team (4-2-3-1): Pickford; O'Brien, Tarkowski, Branthwaite, Mykolenko; Garner, Doucoure; Harrison, Alcaraz, Ndiaye; Beto.