Newcastle duo could miss crucial clash v Everton
Everton will face Newcastle United in the Premier League on Thursday (17 March) at Goodison Park.
It’s a must-win game for the Toffees, and they will be boosted by the news coming out of St James’ Park.
Ahead of the match, Eddie Howe has confirmed that Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton are doubtful, with the former being a “bigger concern”.
Howe said, as quoted by The Chronicle: “Jonjo Shelvey we are waiting to see, he hasn’t trained yet he’s a slightly bigger concern. Joelinton is going to be touch and go.
“We have a decision to make on whether we look after him with the break we have afterwards or whether we push him back out there. We will have to make our mind up.”
Midfield
Everton must focus on what they can do with their team rather than who Newcastle are missing at the moment.
The Toffees are perilously close to relegation and they have to win this game. With the fans behind, they must come up with a solid plan to beat the Magpies.
The confidence is fragile at the moment, and the Toffees look clueless once they concede a goal.
So, the first priority will be to grab a goal at the earliest and let the momentum take over as the game goes on.
Having said that, Frank Lampard will have to be spot on with his tactics.
In the 1-0 defeat against Wolves, he must have noticed that the midfield duo of Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure doesn’t work. It lacks balance and stability.
Lampard must consider a 4-3-3 system using Donny van de Beek in middle somewhere. If they can control the midfield, the job will get easier.
In other Everton news, Richard Keys wants the Blues to build a squad around this up-and-coming youngster.
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