Our TTT writers discuss the selection dilemmas facing Roberto Martinez this weekend, and offer their opinions on how the Blues should line up:
Paddy’s Everton team for Swansea: (4-3-3) Howard, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Barkley, Osman, Lennon, Mirallas, Lukaku. My team reflects a desire for continuity in key areas- particularly in the defensive third. Tim Howard has come in for much criticism in recent weeks, but his performance against Southampton was a step in the right direction: the American made several outstanding stops and commanded his area in a way that brought confidence to a previously fragile backline. Few would debate the selection of Stones and Jagielka at the heart of the defence- indeed, this is a partnership that shows real potential, particularly since Jagielka has stepped up his form dramatically over the last few months- and Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines in the full-back positions, while in midfield, I’ve opted for a narrow 3 to mirror Swansea’s system. Ball retention will, of course, be key in South Wales, and with this in mind, the nous of Leon Osman is likely to be crucial- Everton simply perform better with the veteran in the team, as he brings superior know-how to the table. Elsewhere, James McCarthy is a must-have in any Everton 11 and Ross Barkley provides a threat on the counter from deep, along with Lennon and the exiled Kevin Mirallas. The Belgian is the surprise inclusion in this side, but that fact remains that he’s still one of the most talented attacking players in the squad, and must contribute to some extent before the end of the season. Up front, there’s only one real option if Romelu Lukaku is passed fit- although this is looking increasingly unlikely given Martinez’s pre-match rhetoric. If the big former Chelsea player indeed fails to make it, then I’d pick Naismith to feature in my fluid attacking triumverate over Kone for his goal threat and overall work-rate.
Sean’s team for Swansea: I’d go with Howard, Baines, Jagielka, Stones, Coleman; Osman, Barry, McCarthy, Lennon; Barkley, Kone. Yes, that is the same team that started against Southampton. Yes, it includes Howard and Barry. Both have rightly come in for criticism, but both appeared to show something like the form they showed last season. Howard made two terrific saves and Barry protected the back four well. In the absence of Darron Gibson, I think he is now the best option to go alongside McCarthy. Having now seen Besic and McCarthy play together as a two, it’s clear that whilst they are slightly different players, they essentially do the same job, and unless one of them can prove they have a decent range of passing, as a pair it won’t work. The back four speaks for itself. I have advocated the use of two wingers many times this season, but Mirallas’ indifferent form and his recent come back from injury means I don’t think you can justify putting him over Lennon or Osman, both of whom are in good form. Assuming Lukaku is still injured, I’m also prepared to give Kone another shot. He was poor against Southampton, especially in the second half, but he is still working his way back from injury, and he is also the only other out and out striker we have in the senior squad. I’m not convinced about putting Naismith or Mirallas up there from the start.
Jacob’s team: Howard; Coleman ,Stones, Jagielka(C), Baines, Besic, McCarthy, Lennon, Barkley, Pienaar, Lukaku. I think that if you ask any Evertonian what defence they would like to see, it will be the same as the one I have chosen, despite many horrifying defensive performances this season, I believe that this all British defence is our strongest back four, and it will need to be against Gomis who seems to be adapting to English football well, with Stones and Jagielka forming a formidable partnership, the England duo both flaunt some impressive statistics. The only choice I had to really think on was the Garbutt/ Baines debate. I have a lot of faith in Garbutt to give consistent performances, after he impressively stepped up to the plate during Baines’ absence, and I think that Martinez flushed him out of the team too swiftly upon Baines return. But my decision was based on who would be playing in front of our LB- Pienaar, in hope that the two can return to their dynamic ways during the Moyes era, a time when we boasted perhaps the best left side in British football. I selected Coleman as he simply is our best RB and when we see those glimpses of how he played last season it is a joy to watch.
As for our CDM’s there is only one dispute for me and that’s Besic or Barry, as anyone would be foolish to leave McCarthy out of the team, the sixteen million pound signing has been consistent since joining us from Wigan and alongside Howard should be the first name on the team sheet every week. I have chosen Besic for this game, simply because I prefer to watch him than Barry, Barry has disappointed this season after proving he still had ‘it’ last season, and I have found myself frustrated at times with Barry who seems sluggish in the way he plays, giving the ball away in poor positions and giving minimal effort to win it back. Besic however shows flair and aggression and I think this is what we deserve to see after sitting through too many frustrating, boring performances, despite sometimes seeming to be a bit of a liability, Besic improves with every game he plays. I also enjoy to watch him try, quite frankly outrageous skill for a CDM and when it pays off not only is it entertaining it is useful, and if he loses the ball the youngster will run the length of the pitch to make a crunching challenge and I think this is the devotion we all want to see from our players and what has lacked this season.
As for our attack my decisions were pretty easy, in my eyes if Barkely and Lukaku are both fit there should be no question if they should start, and are played in the positions I’ve put them in, as Martinez needs to make the most of the potential they both show and nurture our hypothetically world class youngsters. My choice of wingers is the only thing that would raise some eyebrows, on the right I have chosen Lennon over Mirallas, merely because I do not have time for the Belgian anymore, after he took the ball from consistent penalty taker Baines and cost us three points I lost all respect for the player, I think that he was a good servant to the club but now believes he is too big for the club, and we all know that there is no such thing, despite his talent I would like to see him transfer listed and sold this summer as our historic club does not need players with attitude . Also Lennon has eased his way in to the team and has impressed thus far and I would enjoy if Martinez moved for a permanent deal for the winger in the summer. I chose Pienaar, as explained before in hope that now the South African is back from injury a spark can be ignited between him and Baines.
