Everton should have endured a tough week of reflection following Monday night’s annihilation.
Hopefully, it will have provided the spark needed to kick these players into action, with Sunday’s clash with Nottingham Forest a crucial one.
Welcoming the 17th-placed side to Goodison Park, a defeat to Nuno Espirito Santo’s side would see them leapfrog the Toffees and further plunge Sean Dyche’s men into disarray.
A win for the hosts, however, might be enough to secure safety.
However, following such an abhorrent showing against Chelsea last time out, plus the numerous injuries suffered, the 52-year-old will not have an easy time picking his side…
Predicted Everton XI for their Premier League match vs Nottingham Forest…
We are expecting Dyche to make a whopping six changes from their last match; some enforced, and others performance-based.
However, one man who will surely survive despite shipping six goals is Jordan Pickford, simply because not only is he by far their best goalkeeper, but he has also been a key player in escaping the drop in the last two seasons.
He was hardly aided by his backline last time out, which is expected to be forced into one outstanding change due to an injury sustained on Monday.
Jarrad Branthwaite was forced off in the 57th minute, with the score at 4-0. His replacement on the day, Michael Keane, is the obvious favourite to replace him.
He will start beside James Tarkowski, with these domineering but sluggish centre-backs flanked by Vitaliy Mykolenko and Seamus Coleman.
That is, unless the new midfield pairing of Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye can provide the necessary coverage, with their energy and defensive work rate sure to be an improvement on the lightweight and frankly invisible showing on Monday.
Another change to be made in the engine room will hopefully see Abdoulaye Doucoure dropped, with the midfielder having struggled since his return from injury.
He should be replaced by Andre Gomes, with the £112k-a-week maestro having impressed every time he’s played lately.
This trio will seek to offer stability for a front three that simply has to show up on Sunday.
As such, all of those who started against Chelsea should be replaced, with Dwight McNeil and Ashley Young making way for the pace and dynamism of Arnaut Danjuma and Jack Harrison.
They will seek to supply Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who Dyche will pray is fit enough to replace Beto.
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