The ECHO looks at how David Moyes might look to change his Everton line-up at Bournemouth as he seeks a reaction to the Newcastle United disaster
David Moyes may look to change what he can after Everton’s miserable loss to Newcastle United(Image: Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
David Moyes will not be able to count on Idrissa Gueye for another match when he takes Everton down to Bournemouth on Tuesday. But he may still look to make a change in midfield.
With Merlin Rohl injured, Tim Iroegbunam looked set to be the main beneficiary of the Senegal international’s suspension. That proved to be the case as Everton lined up against Newcastle United with the 22-year-old in the starting XI.
But on a tough day for the Blues, Iroegbunam was the first casualty as Moyes opted to replace him at half-time with his side already trailing 3-0 to the Magpies.
READ MORE: Eddie Howe game plan hit Everton where it hurt as Anthony Gordon reaction heardREAD MORE: ‘Ultimate humiliation’ – Everton spared no blushes as national react to Newcastle loss
That call, and the extent to which Everton were exposed in the middle during that opening 45 minutes, will likely give Moyes pause for thought on how to set up on the south coast.
If the Blues boss is to make any changes at the Vitality Stadium, that is likely to be the one. Options are thin on the ground but he could do what he did at half-time against Newcastle and introduce Carlos Alcaraz, whose loan move from Flamengo was made permanent at the end of last season.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has a history of playing in the middle – and he impressed Moyes in the deeper lying role he took on after Gueye was sent off at Manchester United.
Alcaraz, too, while more naturally an attacking player has shown glimpses of quality in central midfield, most notably when he led Everton’s win at Crystal Palace from that position back in February.
There is potential, therefore, for Moyes to either operate with Alcaraz or maybe Dwight McNeil as a number 10 ahead of Dewsbury-Hall and James Garner – or for Alcaraz to drop back into a flatter midfield three.
Elsewhere, Jake O’Brien is likely to stay at right back given Seamus Coleman’s injury and the need for Garner in central midfield.
Moyes may be tempted to start Beto after four consecutive starts for Thierno Barry have failed to yield his first shot on target in the Premier League.
But the France youth international has made progress in those performances and was rewarded with another good ovation when he left the pitch against Newcastle – a game in which he had a goal disallowed for the second home match in a row.
For the latest Everton FCnews and breaking news, visit https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/all-about/everton-fc. Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you.
Follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @LivEchoEFC – the official Liverpool ECHO Everton Twitter account – real news in real time.
We’re also on Facebook/LiverpoolEchoEFC – your must-see RFC news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.
Listen to our podcasts by searching for ‘Royal Blue’ wherever you get your podcasts.
Sign up for one of the Liverpool Echo’s free daily and weekly newsletters on Everton by clicking here.
