Luke Davies - It is do or die time
Last weekend was a strange performance. Flat, lacking in urgency, not really looking at all like a team fighting for their lives. But somehow, Everton nicked a point, leaving it as late as they possibly could.
Never simple, is it? The main takeaway from that game, though, is that once again away from home, we got a point, that point being one more than Leeds took from their game, and one Leicester couldn't better.
The Wolves game was a carbon copy of many games this season: injury troubles, short of options, short of ideas. Dominic Calvert-Lewin once again departed through injury alongside right-back Nathan Patterson, who has continually struggled since his move from Rangers last summer.
READ MORE: Bournemouth may have just given Everton hope but it's imperative they capitalise
READ MORE: What Sean Dyche is doing at Finch Farm as Everton prepare for crucial Bournemouth clash
Moving on, Everton welcome (if you can use that word) Bournemouth to Goodison on the final day. As the title says, ‘do or die’. Every player who enters the fray must give all of themselves, the same way the fans have done every week after continually going home disappointed.
The fans can only do so much, though; I’m sure Goodison Park will be crackling, but the players must stay composed, play with their heads, and not solely off emotion. I suppose it is in our hands; we win the game, we stay up. It sounds simple, doesn’t it?
In terms of selection, Jordan Pickford starts in goal. Once again, Yerry Mina must start accompanying James Tarkowski at the heart of defence. For me, they look solid, and Mina also offers a threat from set-pieces. I would go with Holgate at right-back, and I suppose you must bring Vitali Mykolenko back in on the left, too.
Progressing into the midfield, I would give Amadou Onana a start with James Garner dropping out and maybe featuring later in the game, hopefully defending a lead and not the opposite. Additionally, I would keep Alex Iwobi on the right; he offers a lot more defensively than Demarai Grey, who could be impactful if we are chasing the game.
On the topic of Gray, he could start upfront, as we have yet to hear news on the fitness of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Regarding Calvert-Lewin, maybe he could play through the pain, but only the man himself knows whether that is a viable option.
Next, on the left wing, McNeil starts for me, a player who puts his all into every game and can never be faulted for lack of effort, an asset greatly appreciated by Evertonians. As mentioned, the striker's position hangs on news of Calvert-Lewin’s fitness; however, I can confidently say I do not want to see a lonesome Neal Maupay up top alone if we are chasing the game. Both Ellis Simms and Gray are better options; surely Dyche must realise this by now too.
Finally, it would be idiotic to assume this day will be relaxed, no doubt filled with twists and turns. Everton must score first, not only to relax the ground but also to cancel out any other results.
We do not want to be relying on other teams; I dread to imagine the stress levels. All we can do is get behind the times; we’ve done it before, and we will do it again (I hope)!
Ben Crawford - This is it
Sean Dyche would have 'bitten your arm off at the shoulder' for Everton’s fate to be in their own hands going into the last game of the season, or so is suggested by respected broadcasters; whether I believe that to be true is another thing.
Yes, I do believe that having it in our own hands would have been a seismic benefit, but context is required. We have no fit full-backs, we have no Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and we play a team that will not only finish above us in the league regardless of any result but a team with an aggregate score of 7-1 against us this season.
Quite how Everton score goals is still a constant terror. Whether it is Demarai Gray, Ellis Simms, or even Neal Maupay in the XI on Sunday, the prospect of us scoring more than one seems fanciful. We will need Goodison to work its magic again as we continue to swirl around the relegation plug hole.
Potential takeovers and investments are positive and welcome news, but all could descend into irrelevance if Everton are relegated this weekend. A game that is as important as any in the clubs history and I hope I am proven wrong for suspecting we don’t have enough to get us over the line.
By hook or by crook, we must still be a Premier League club come this time next week. Over to you Everton, FIGHT FOR US!
Paul McParlan - Groundhog Day
Last weekend, I, like most Everton fans, experienced the full range of emotions. First, the despair of falling one behind at Molineux was replaced by the joy of Yerry Mina’s unexpected 99th-minute equaliser.
Then, on Sunday, the spectre of relegation loomed large when Leeds United scored at the London Stadium until the Hammers smashed home three to calm our nerves. On Monday, Evertonians watched paralysed with fear when Leicester City almost snatched a last-minute winner at Newcastle United.
So, once again, on Sunday, it is relegation Groundhog Day. Everton face another date with destiny. Just like they did last season and in 1994 and 1998.
A win will guarantee a 70th consecutive season of top-flight football. Surely that is possible. Or is it? Last November, in the space of four calamitous days, Everton conceded seven goals at Bournemouth in two matches.
They will not be the pushovers many in the media think they are. It looks likely that the Blues will start without a recognised full-back and their best striker, which is hardly grounds for optimism. If Dwight McNeil, our top scorer, is forced to operate as a defensive wing-back and if Neal Maupay starts the game, where on earth are the goals coming from?
Bournemouth have conceded 27 times from set-pieces this season, more than any team in the Premier League. Corners and free-kicks will undoubtedly form a part of Sean Dyche’s game plan, and this may be our best way to create chances.
These relegation deciders often throw up an unlikely hero. In 1994, it was Barry Horne; in 1998, Gareth Farrelly, and last year, Michael Keane. There may never be a better time for Ellis Simms to come off the bench and save the season with his first goal at Goodison.
It will be 90 minutes of nerve-wracking torture for supporters on Sunday. If Everton win, it will not be an occasion for a raucous celebration or dancing on the pitch. Sheer relief will be the overriding emotion. I dread to think what mood will envelop The Old Lady if we go down.
Whatever the outcome, this cannot ever happen again; the fans have suffered enough. Our motto is 'Nil Satis Nisi Optimum', but nobody believes that the invisible man, aka Farhad Moshiri, is capable of delivering that success.
There needs to be seismic change at every level of the club this summer. Let’s get behind the team on Sunday; nobody wants the final season at Goodison Park to be hosting Championship football.
READ NEXT:
- I was held up by my throat in the dressing room after Everton's last final-day relegation decider
Gary O’Neil makes relegation admission before Everton and explains Bournemouth approach
Everton confirm Abdoulaye Doucoure contract decision after transfer speculation
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Nathan Patterson injury latest ahead of Everton v Bournemouth
Join the ECHO's Everton transfer news and top stories WhatsApp community
