Everton analysis - O'Brien may not be enough as experiment falls flat

Analysis from Connor O'Neill after Everton's friendly clash with Salford City on Saturday from the Peninsula Stadium

Everton analysis - Jake O'Brien may not be enough as Sean Dyche experiment falls flat again

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It was Luton Town in the FA Cup last season when Sean Dyche appeared to listen to what supporters wanted to see. Both Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Beto were named in the starting line-up and Everton went 4-4-2.

But the experiment didn’t work. Everton were dreadful that afternoon and were deservedly dumped out of the cup after Cauley Woodrow scored a last-gasp header to secure the Hatters a 2-1 win. After that game, the general consensus was that we wouldn’t see 4-4-2 again, and we didn’t.

But when team news dropped at the Peninsula Stadium on Saturday afternoon, Beto and Calvert-Lewin were paired back together, and the Blues were back playing 4-4-2. Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner were the two men picked in midfield.

As pre-season experiments go, this was a very hit-and-miss one. In another world, both Calvert-Lewin and Beto could be heading home with at least a goal each, but the reality is that they are not.

Beto was the first to fluff his lines in front of goal. You could say he was leaning back when he connected with a pin-point cross into the box, but he should have at least hit the target; the fact he headed over was not a great look.

Just minutes later, Calvert-Lewin was presented with a gilt-edged opportunity to open the scoring. Sent in the clear with just Jamie Jones to beat, the England international somehow managed to fire wide.

However, there were some positives to the Blues playing two up top. The two combined to tee up Doucoure, but just like his team-mates he failed to hit the target and fired over.

But those good moments felt very few and far between. Instead, the good moments in Everton’s attacking play often came when either Calvert-Lewin or Beto would come short and take on the lone striker role.

Beto was replaced at the break before Calvert-Lewin was withdrawn just before the hour mark. The fact both have managed to get more minutes in the bank will be a boost for Dyche, who spent last summer playing friendlies without a natural number nine.

But on this evidence, it is hard to see how the Blues can play 4-4-2 on the opening day of the season. Beto and Calvert-Lewin, as a pair, just don't work.

Life without Amadou Onana starts with transfer message

Life without Amadou Onana has officially got underway for Everton - although some might argue it actually started back in April. The midfielder officially completed his move to Aston Villa on Monday.

But no one was surprised that the Belgium international had left Everton. In fact, you could say his transfer had been months in the making, especially when you consider Everton’s best performances in the second half of last season came when he was watching on from the bench.

Idrissa Gueye, James Garner and Abdoulaye Doucoure formed a considerable trio during the run, which produced the results required to ensure Everton would be playing Premier League football this season. Something that was thrown into doubt when the club were hit with two separate point deductions.

The above three are all back to do it again this season, and they will be joined by new boys Tim Iroegbunam and Iliman Ndiaye. Both have joined the club on a permanent basis, unlike other new recruits Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom.

There is no doubt that Onana has the ability to do something out of nothing and have a real influence on games. But he also still showcases flashes of naivety. He very much remains a work in progress and is nowhere near the finished article.

That probably explains why most supporters were not exactly devastated to see him depart earlier this week. However, as life without Onana got underway here, the Blues were served with something of a transfer warning.

Idrissa Gueye missed the game due to an injury, while Ndiaye and Lindstrom were also absent. Playing 4-4-2, Garner and Doucoure were the two tasked with forming a two-man midfield partnership.

Doucoure should have scored, and Garner was neat and tidy on the ball. Iroegbunam came off the bench, but he still looks like he needs time to get up to full fitness.

Which leaves the Blues somewhat short in the middle of the pitch as we head into August. Especially if you factor in injuries, which happen every season, and have already started for Dyche’s side before a competitive ball has been kicked.

All eyes might be on Jake O’Brien in the coming days as the Blues look to get a deal over the line for the centre-back, but one suspects that Everton might just also start to be linked with central midfielders as Dyche and Kevin Thelwell work to ensure their side don’t end up getting caught cold.

New name enters right-back debate

When Sean Dyche names his side for the opening day of the season game against Brighton & Hove Albion, a number of players will pick themselves. One suspects that the side that starts at Goodison Park will be very similar to the one that finished last season.

But there is one area of the pitch where Dyche has something of a conundrum on his hands. Right-back is in an area in which the Blues didn't have a regular starter last season.

And who should be given the nod to start there remains a hot topic of conversation. On one hand there is Seamus Coleman, and on the other there is Nathan Patterson. There are plenty of reasons as to why both should be given the nod.

There is, of course, Ashley Young as well. But it is safe to say that most Blues supporters would be disappointed if the England international was selected over Coleman and Patterson to start at right-back on the opening day, given it is the natural position of both.

The experience of Coleman is often seen as a major advantage in the battle. He is someone who those in the Everton dressing room listen to, and he also showed on a number of occasions last season that he is still more than up for the job.

Coleman’s contract extension in the summer was also the clearest indication yet that he still believes he is capable of performing at the highest level. Put simply, the 35-year-old would not have put pen to paper if he didn’t believe he was up to the task.

But this also feels like the season where Patterson really needs a run of games to show he is more than capable of being the club’s number one right-back. He has so far been unable to build-up a real head of steam.

Injuries have of course not helped the Scotland international since his move from Rangers, but this feels like the campaign when Blues supporters need to see a full and firing Nathan Patterson.

However, against Salford here, a new name emerged into the fray. Roman Dixon came off the bench at the break, replacing Coleman, and he certainly caught the eye.

One break away midway through the second half from a Salford corner should have resulted in at least a chance for Everton, but Neal Maupay and Yousef Chermiti fluffed their lines.

The 19-year-old was constantly trying to get forward, and the turn of pace he showed on a number of occasions was something that has long been missing from this Everton side. He also showed he can defend when called upon.

No one suspects that Dixon will be given the nod on the opening day of the season against the Seagulls, and with Patterson still yet to feature this pre-season, Coleman looks like he will be the man tasked with starting at right-back.

But on this evidence here, Coleman and Patterson could soon find themselves fending off competition from Dixon.

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