Shocking News:Sean Dyche has give up signed his resignation letter few minutes ago
Sean Dyche must hook Abdoulaye Doucoure at half-time if Everton are to overturn their one-goal deficit against Crystal Palace on Saturday (28 September).
The Toffees got off to the worst start at Goodison Park as Marc Guehi steered home the opener from a corner, making the most of some slack defending in the penalty area.
While the Toffees’ downfall this season is impossible to pin on one single player, there is no doubt Dyche’s side would be better off without Doucoure on the pitch against the Eagles.
With the attack consisting of Jesper Lindstrom, Dwight McNeil, Iliman Ndiaye and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Dyche has squeezed the Mali international into defensive midfield, which is just not working.
He has been far too sloppy in possession, losing far too many battles in the middle of the park and was, arguably, at fault for Guehi’s opener after being beaten in the air at the back post.
Sean Dyche to replace Abdoulaye Doucoure with Tim Iroegbunam in Everton v Crystal Palace?
Both Idrissa Gana Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam have impressed for the Toffees, though the latter will feel hard done by after being left out of the starting XI on Saturday.
Of course, Dyche has a positive headache with so many talents to choose from in the middle of the park, but Doucoure is clearly the wrong choice against the Eagles, especially in a deeper position.
Moving the 31-year-old further forward could be an option, though that would mean removing McNeil at half-time, which does not seem like a suitable option given his recent displays in the final third.
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Everton Abdoulaye Doucoure
Abdoulaye Doucoure, Everton midfielder
Doucoure is most effective in the final third, which was clear after grabbing seven goals and two assists in the league last season, but his confidence looks at an all-time low during that first half.
The Toffees cannot afford another league defeat, especially at Goodison Park in front of the home crowd, so Dyche needs to bite the bullet and hook one of his stars off during the break.
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