Everton will have been really disappointed with the manner of their 3-0 defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion last Saturday.
After all, it marked a real chance to start the season off well, and given how the game began, they threatened to do just that.
But, lacking that cutting edge which they have gone without for years now, it once again proved pivotal, as the visitors exhibited exactly what they lacked to race into a lead.
The reaction to the result has been as explosive as one might imagine, with one high-profile pundit hardly aiding the firestorm with his recent comments.
Richard Keys begs Sean Dyche to make big Everton change
Writing on his blog, just days after Richard Keys and Andy Gray clashed over Everton’s defeat, the former once again was cutting in his analysis of the Toffees.
And rightly so, with a 3-0 opening-day defeat deserving little praise despite enjoying a spirited opening 45 minutes.
In reviewing the match, in which the Seagulls’ pace and directness completely dumbfounded Sean Dyche’s men as the game went on, Keys settled on a few outstanding issues that he felt the Toffees were facing.
He wrote: ‘But Everton? Wow. They looked so bad. They’ve got all the same problems as last season. Where are the goals going to come from? Where’s the energy? There’s no youth. No legs. Young’s sending-off was an accident waiting to happen. He’s a terrific pro who’s had a wonderful career – but playing at full-back at 39?
‘I’m genuinely worried for the Toffees. There’s so much s*** still to come down the line off the field I don’t know where they turn for answers on it.’
Should Everton start Roman Dixon vs Spurs?
Keys’ call for youth is one echoed throughout large portions of Everton’s fanbase, who lambasted Dyche for his decision to leave Jake O’Brien, Iliman Ndiaye and Jesper Lindstrom all out of the starting lineup on Saturday.
He explained it as giving them more time to bed in due to their lack of Premier League experience, yet the 21-year-old Tim Iroegbunam, who has just two starts at that level under his belt, got the nod in midfield.
And yet, despite the 53-year-old’s reluctance to throw stars in at the deep end, the lack of options at right-back has had many calling for the rapid introduction of Roman Dixon into the starting side for their trip to Tottenham Hotspur this weekend.
After all, Dyche has confirmed they will be without Ashley Young, who was sent off, as well as Seamus Coleman, Nathan Patterson and James Garner.
The 19-year-old, who signed a new deal with the club this very summer, is highly rated on Merseyside, and has pace to burn.
It is this physical attribute that has proven enough for many fans to champion his integration, but perhaps throwing him in this Saturday would be harsh.
After all, for a player with no senior experience to have his first be defending Heung-min Son all game could be catastrophic.
Dixon will no doubt have a bright future, hopefully at Everton, but these things take time. There is no rush, and with the season having just started, such a risk seems hugely unlikely for a manager like Dyche.
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