For once, Everton fans have been willing on their next fixture, seeking to capitalise on their fine run of form before the international break neutralises their momentum.
The Toffees have seemingly found their rhythm at last under Sean Dyche, as a side resolute out of possession, and cutthroat with it.
They counter with incision and pace, with a style that will frustrate the footballing purists, but has left Goodison Park delighted with recent results.
Just two losses in their last eight games denote a remarkable turnaround, which they will hope to maintain today as they travel to face Crystal Palace.
However, if they are to keep up their unbeaten run, which was extended to three games last Saturday, the 52-year-old boss will have to be equally cutthroat in his team selection.
No longer can he allow games to pass by with one glaring weakness, as he remains determined to persist with Ashley Young.
However, with Seamus Coleman once again in contention, he surely has no choice but to make the switch.
How has Ashley Young been playing?
As their current longest-serving player and club captain, already what the Ireland international is set to offer them on the pitch is evident.
However, despite his age, he remains fit enough to go toe-to-toe with the Premier League’s finest wingers, having impressed for the bulk of last season.
Young, on the other hand, has shown his age horribly this campaign, despite also offering that same experience.
And yet, he is not nearly as calming a presence as Coleman, and at 38 years of age, should not be trusted to start every single game.
Especially when his form has been so lacking, with the £40k-per-week full-back having disappointed across his ten league starts.
After all, making two errors directly leading to a goal already is bad enough, without him being dribbled past 1.3 times per game too, via Sofascore.
Sky Sports’ commentary team would even seek to outline one of those dreadful moments, as one moment of madness in Everton‘s Villa Park thrashing saw him lambasted by Andy Hinchcliffe live on Sky Sports Main Event (20 August, 3.40 pm): ‘The throw-in from Ashley Young is diabolical! Michael Keane wasn’t ready for it…it’s just appalling, it’s disgraceful defending.’
Nathan Patterson can feel hard done by that he has been omitted for so long, but with Coleman having starred in mid-week, surely it is time for his return from the start, even if he can only manage 60 minutes.
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