Paul Merson and Jeff Stelling consider if Everton have the worst starting XI in the Premier League live on Sky Sports
Paul Merson predicted that Everton would get relegated before they beat Leeds United because they might have the worst starting XI in the league.
The Toffees recorded a vital 1-0 win over their fellow relegation strugglers on Saturday (18 February), despite the apparent shortcomings in their line-up.
The result lifted the club up to 16th but heading into the game there was little confidence in the Sky Sports studio as Jeff Stelling put the question to the Soccer Saturday pundit about the quality of Sean Dyche’s players.
Speaking on Sky Sports Soccer Saturday Stelling asked: “Is this the worst starting XI in the Premier League then?”
“Could be. It could be,” replied Merson.
“I felt for the kid [Ellis Simms] last week. “He’s been on loan at Sunderland, you’ve got to give him a chance and play him up front with someone. They are thin. They are thin, Jeff.
“I think they’re in trouble. I think they’ll get relegated. I think this is a prime game today that Sean Dyche has to win. I think the last two games were perfect for him, sit 10 behind the ball, get a set piece here or there and we might nick the game.
“Now they’ve got to go out and win this football match.”
Response
The win was a huge boost and the fact that the Toffees had the better of the game throughout undercuts Merson’s point about the weakness of the XI.
But while it is easy to look back and laugh with the benefit of hindsight, without more wins still he could still be proven right, as Everton are just a point outside the relegation zone, and the failures in the January transfer window have shown how bare the squad is in attack.
It was a special strike this time, but Dyche won’t want to be relying on Seamus Coleman to fire in unlikely wonder-goals from surprise angles to pick up further wins.
Neal Maupay, for all his detractors, did have a header cleared off the line in the first half, but it was James Tarkowski who came closest to finding the net otherwise.
There is clearly a weakness up front in this side, and without the captain coming up with a crucial piece of magic it would have been laid bare this weekend.
The three points and a strong performances make Merson eat his words to some extent, but the concerns he voiced prior to this game will remain relevant until there is significant breathing space between Everton and the bottom three.
If Simms or Maupay can find some form, or Dominic Calvert-Lewin some fitness, it changes the outlook greatly, but until then Dyche is going to have to hope others can step up and find the net because there is plenty of danger to avoid yet.