Journalist predicts role for Everton duo Tom Davies and James Garner amid Abdoulaye Doucoure absence
Neither Tom Davies nor James Garner are “anything close” to being a suitable replacement for Abdoulaye Doucoure at Everton, according to journalist Chris Beesley.
Doucoure is set to miss Everton’s next three matches following his straight red card for violent conduct in the draw against Tottenham on Monday (3 April).
And his absence could lead to a tactical rethink, with his potential replacements reportedly not up to the task of starting for the Toffees.
“When Sean Dyche first came in, he was widely expected to replicate the 4-4-2 formation he’d deployed extensively throughout almost a decade in charge at Burnley but instead it’s been 4-5-1 all the way so far at Everton with Doucoure – frozen out during the final weeks of Frank Lampard’s reign – crucially providing the extra legs in the centre of the park that have made the Blues more resolute while also chipping in with a couple of headed goals,” Beesley wrote for the Liverpool Echo.
“While Dyche has alternative options at his disposal in the shape of Tom Davies and James Garner who both came off the bench here, neither are anything close to resembling like-for-like replacements to the Mali international’s leggy style and his absence could now necessitate a significant rethink in tactics.”
Massive miss
Doucoure failed to control himself with his reckless aggression against Spurs, with the midfielder lashing out at Harry Kane just before the hour mark at Goodison.
His actions did not help his teammates on the night, and his absence will now be felt massively going forward.
The Mali midfielder, who had been a regular under Dyche alongside Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye, will now miss the matches against Manchester United, Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Garner and Davies both featured from the bench against Spurs, and that has largely been their role this season, but it could change for one of them in the coming matches.
Dyche could, however, revert to his favoured 4-4-2 formation from his Burnley days, although it seems unlikely given how much success his 4-5-1 formation has enjoyed in his brief spell at Goodison so far.
If the boss does switch things up, it would be a huge blow to Garner and Davies, with the duo desperate for an opportunity to impress their new manager.