Everton are currently on a run of one win in six – are their any key factors behind your poor run of form?
It’s basically down to player availability- or lack of. The squad is small even when we have a full
complement of players, add in injuries to Branthwaite, Dewsbury-Hall, Alcaraz and Coleman, plus suspensions and both Ndiaye and Gana at Afcon, and this is what happens.
The quality beyond starting XI is slim. We are operating with the very bare bones.
Like Sunderland, Everton are within a cluster of clubs with an outside chance of Europe and well clear of relegation. Do fans view that as a satisfying season?
It would be a massive over achievement if we did qualify. In my opinion, it would come too early for a side literally one transfer window into a rebuild, after constant turmoil and squad destruction for years.
We certainly wouldn’t turn down the opportunity, but realism has to be applied. Important not to run before we can walk.
West Ham fans are currently sat thinking they’d never wanted David Moyes to leave the club given how things have turned out since. Is there a feeling at Everton that he’s the person to provide stability and reliability in what is such a tough league?
It depends who you ask. He has certainly provided stability, along with the owners. He was brought in to provide exactly that.
Fans always want more and despite a much calmer season than what we have experienced in recent times, there always appears to be an expectation of wanting more. When we win, he’s incredible. When we lose, he should be sacked. The life of a football manager, ‘ey.
We’re now a third of the way through the January transfer window. Do you expect Everton to be very active and which positions do you need to strengthen?
Where do I start? We need players and we need an increase in quality. It certainly won’t be a busy window, but I still expect one or two through the Finch Farm doors.
The full back positions are key for me. Right back just ahead of left back. We’ve had a centre half playing there for 12 months and it shows. Mykolenko on the other side isn’t much better in terms of attacking and that’s exactly what this side needs.
If we can get a quality right back in this month, it will go a long way to appeasing the fan base.
As long as he avoids injury, it seems certain that Jordan Pickford will be England’s starting goalkeeper at this summer’s World Cup. How has he performed this season?
He is his typical high level self. Some fabulous saves and he has won us points as he so often has in the past. His finger tip save against Wolves was one of many examples of that this season.
It seems that neither Beto or Thierno Barry can find the net regularly for Everton. Is this a creativity issue or more a case you need a higher quality striker?
Probably a combination of the two, but both are guilty of missing big chances. Neither have proved to be prolific, with Beto often linked to other clubs.
Barry needs patience and time. He’s a young player who is only just showing signs of settling since his summer move. I do think it’s an area that will still be looked at either this month or the summer, as we also need competition for places.
Who would you say have been Everton’s best players so far this season and who are the unsung heroes?
The obvious is Jack Grealish. Even with a dip in form, he still carries a threat and can create something from nothing.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is another one who has really settled well and has become a real standout prior to his injury. We have missed him massively.
James Garner has probably gone from unsung hero to simply being appreciated. His flexibility to be able to play in a variety of roles has been vital for us this season.
Everton had quite a youthful bench against Wolves and have lost two further players to suspension. Do you think Moyes should go full strength or play a much-rotated side?
There isn’t a great deal the manager can do. With the suspensions of both Keane and Grealish, I can only see Patterson and Dibling coming on, with the rest exactly the same as the Wolves match.
The bench will be a mixture of goalkeepers, inexperienced kids and a couple of the matchday stewards…
Are any players missing and what would your predicted starting XI be?
Absolutely loads. Keane, Coleman, Branthwaite, Gana, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye, Alcaraz and Grealish. Some quality there.
The XI should be:
(4-2-3-1) Pickford (GK), Patterson, O’Brien, Tarkowski, Mykolenko, Iroegbunam, Garner, Armstrong, McNeil, Dibling, Barry.
It will be Sunderland’s first visit to the Hill Dickinson stadium – how have fans found the transition and the atmosphere so far?
It’s not been without it’s challenges from a transport perspective, but as someone who drives there and walks about a mile, it’s been fine.
Atmosphere is very much like Goodison was for years – erratic. When its loud, it’s unreal. There have been plenty of quiet moments though. Some put it down to increased hospitality, but time will tell. Personally, I love the place and expect and great atmosphere.
Lastly, which team is going into the hat for the fourth round draw?
Everton after extra time.
