Joe Thomas - Garner gets the nod in bolstered midfield
Decisions, decisions, decisions. Sean Dyche has decisions to make. And he gave little away about where he was leaning at Thursday’s press conference.
He got it wrong at Old Trafford. I write that with the benefit of hindsight of course. But the way that game played out saw his side abandon some of the principles that have been so important during his reign.
For me, today would be a return to 4-5-1. I would bring in James Garner to the centre of midfield and hope his vision and creativity could help him move Everton up the pitch through his supply to Demarai Gray and the wide men. Dyche was cryptic on the other outstanding issue - how to replace the injured Seamus Coleman. It can only be Nathan Patterson.
Finally, Ben Godfrey was pulled off at half time at Manchester United. Does Dyche stick with him or bring back Vitalii Mykolenko. My instinct is to stick with Godfrey today and put last week’s struggle down to tactics more than individuals.
My team (4-5-1): Pickford; Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Godfrey; Iwobi, Garner, Onana, Gueye, McNeil; Gray
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Chris Beesley - Straight swap at right-back
Everton captain Seamus Coleman has been one of the main men so far under Sean Dyche but while his absence against Fulham with a hamstring injury ensures the Blues boss is forced to make at least one change, will there be others?
Scotland international Nathan Patterson who came on for Coleman late on at Old Trafford looks like a natural replacement so he just slots in at right-back. Dyche's dilemma is on the other flank of his defence though having given Ben Godfrey the hook at half-time after Manchester United ran him ragged.
Vitalii Mykolenko offers a more natural left-footed option in the position and helped stem the tide somewhat after the break last weekend but fortunately for Everton - and Godfrey - few opponents possess the same levels of attacking pace as Erik ten Hag's men and given the extra physicality and athleticism that the former Norwich City player brings, I'd actually retain him in the position given the battling displays he showed in the team's previous four-game unbeaten spell.
The Abdoulaye Doucoure-enforced switch from 4-5-1 to 4-4-2 also proved a dismal failure against United but as already outlined, this is a rather different challenge and with both a need and expectation to win, retaining an extra attacking player in the team could be a necessity so Ellis Simms retains his place too... unless Dominic Calvert-Lewin is going to shock us all and finally return to lead the line.
My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Patterson, Godfrey, Keane, Tarkowski; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, McNeil; Gray, Simms.
Jack Holmes - Godfrey shifts across for Mykolenko
Everton play host to an Alexander Mitrovic-less Fulham at 3 pm on Saturday. The absence of Fulham's main man will give some reprise to an Everton side that look to continue their turnaround, but the Toffees have some absences of their own to deal with.
On the right side of the defence club captain, Seamus Coleman was forced off with an injury at Old Trafford, with Nathan Patterson coming on to replace him, and he looks to be the most viable replacement come Saturday.
Don't expect any changes at centre-half for Fulham, but Dyche could, and maybe should, replace Godfrey from the start with Ukrainian left-back Vitalii Mykolenko instead. Both the Ukrainian's offensive and defensive numbers make for significantly better reading. Plus, the bonus of a natural left footer on that side gives the defence and attack a better balance.
Alex Iwobi and Dwight McNeil retain their places out wide, despite a disappointing showing from the former Burnley man last time out. Likewise, Idrissa Gueye and Amadou Onana should keep their spot in midfield in order to contain the Cottager's midfield.
Finally, unless Dominic Calvert-Lewin miraculously recovers in time to play on Saturday, it has to be Ellis Simms and Demarai Gray upfront. Granted, neither one is a natural goal scorer, but Neal Maupay is not the player you want to turn to if your side needs goals.
My team (4-4-2): Pickford; Patterson, Keane, Tarkowski, Mykolenko; Gueye, Onana, Iwobi, McNeil; Gray, Simms
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