Dwight McNeil could hold the key to Everton victory vs West Ham
Dwight McNeil may be the key piece in Everton's clash with West Ham on Saturday.
The winger has not been in the best form lately, with calls for David Moyes to play Tyrique George instead increasing in recent weeks.
However, the former Burnley star's contributions go far beyond his attacking output, and that will be crucial for the Blues against the relegation-threatened Hammers at the London Stadium on 24 April.
The frustration surrounding his failures in front of goal are understandable, but he brings a much-needed defensive work rate.
Everton need a win to keep their European ambitions alive, and McNeil should be named in the starting line-up.
How did McNeil perform in Everton's defeat to Liverpool?
McNeil did not have his finest day in Everton's loss to Liverpool, he had a poor showing, especially on the offensive front.
He had three shots, with none on target and an expected goals value of just 0.1, per Sofascore, suggesting they were low-quality efforts.
McNeil was sloppy in possession, as he lost the ball 10 times despite only having 36 touches of the ball and completed just one of his five cross attempts, for a 20 per cent success rate.
| McNeil's stats vs Liverpool | |
| Shots (on target) | 3(0) |
| Touches (lost possession) | 36(10) |
| Cross success | 1/5(20%) |
| Tackles | 1 |
| Interceptions | 2 |
| Recoveries | 4 |
| Ground duels won | 2/3(67%) |
However, his defensive performance was brilliant, as he made one tackle, two interceptions, one clearance and four recoveries.
He also won two of the three aerial duels that he attempted against the Reds.
Why McNeil could be vital vs West Ham
Crysencio Summerville will likely line-up on the Hammers' left wing, and he caused problems for Jake O'Brien the last time the sides met.
McNeil could be vital for this reason, with his defensive abilities from the wing, he could help out the Irishman and help keep the Dutchman quiet.
Summerville has been in brilliant form this season, with seven goals and four assists in 29 matches, and he will be the key danger man for the Irons.
| Summerville's stats this season | All competitions |
| Matches | 29 |
| Goals | 7 |
| Assists | 4 |
Supporters may be frustrated if they see McNeil named in the line-up when the teams are announced, but it may be necessary to stop the 24-year-old from tormenting the defence.
That could be the difference between the L3 outfit taking all three points and taking nothing, so it may be the best choice for Moyes.