It was fitting that over the course of Easter our saviour was resurrected. Yes, Dominic Calvert Lewin, believe it or not is (actually off the grass) fit! Throw in some more good news with the stadium selection for the Euro’s and Blues fans will start to feel a bit giddy! A few days later it was announced gambling sponsors will be outlawed, with new legislations banning gambling advertising on shirts. What did you expect with Everton, three positives?!

There’s a great danger of over confidence which is apparent amongst many social media Toffees. I have witnessed several rather balmy predictions of a Fulham mauling. If you know ‘the Everton way’ it never quite turns out like that.

Fulham may indeed be without Referee rager Alexander Mitrovic, chief wing worrier, William and their manager (ex blues boss) Marco Silva, but despite a dip in form, Fulham have given some decent teams a run for their money this season.

Everton will need to start quick and be direct, with the crowd right on top of Fulham from the get go.There will be calls for DCL to start, a major risk if he pulls up after a couple of minutes. Is the wasted sub worth the risk? Not that Everton exactly have a plethora of options off the bench but it is clear DCL needs to gain some match sharpness and will do well to last half an hour. Of course this is very dependent on the course of the game. If Everton by some miracle are cruising, then certainly bring him on for the last 20. Of course this is the best case scenario and fingers crossed there isn’t a need to call on him too early in the game. It is a concern that Seamus Coleman misses out. Club and Irish captain Coleman has been outstanding since Dyche took over the helm (United aside) and his replacement is a concern.

Nathan Patterson’s Everton career has been very stop start and blighted by injury. Patterson is still very young and inexperienced at Premier League Level, and has been found wanting in many of the games he has played e.g. Brighton at home. On the opposite side, Ben Godfrey had a torrid time against Anthony, being hauled off at half time. There are calls for Mykolenko to be drafted back into the starting line up. It’s a tough choice for Dyche, given one is a more natural leftback (Mykolenko) however one thing that Godfrey does have in abundance is pace. Mykolenko has been guilty of not only poor defensive positioning this season but also slowing down attacks on the counter. Perhaps for the Fulham game, Godfrey gets the nod?

Without a great deal of options one would imagine the usual midfield with the exception of Doucoure. Home games are a completely different kettle of fish and whilst not effective at Old Trafford, Dyche will be tempted to stick with Simms and Gray with the rest of the Midfield, as you were.

Everton must beat Fulham. It’s as simple as that. With vital away games against relegation rivals, it’s imperative that Everton pick up maximum points at Goodison between now and the end of the season. As teams around the blues have all taken points off each other, Everton have failed to seize the opportunity to move away from the chasing pack. 3 points will do, whatever way necessary. At stages this season Everton have looked doomed. Dyche ‘has’ instilled some hope. Let’s hope for our own second coming!

Written by our columnist Simon Barry, who has his personal site which can be found here.

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