Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
Everton pair James McCarthy and Seamus Coleman have returned to training but the visit of Swansea may come too soon.
McCarthy has played just once since late November because of a groin problem, while Coleman has missed three matches with a calf injury.
Swansea have no new injury concerns ahead of new head coach Francesco Guidolin’s first game in charge.
The Italian may keep faith with the side that earned a much-needed win against Watford on Monday night.
Editor’s Note: Everton were nearly home and hosed at Stamford Bridge but again fell victim to a 98th Minute equaliser for the second time this season. John Terry’s Offside goal would have been a real sucker punch and Roberto Martinez would have been rightfully fuming but his Everton side have got to put that behind themselves as they play host to Swansea.
Everton haven’t won in their last 4 league matches albeit with the last 3 being draws but the fact that Everton find themselves 12th in the table this morning doesn’t make for particularly good reading. For all their attacking prowess in the form of players such as Romelu Lukakua and Ross Barkley they’ve been time and time again been let down by their backline
Roberto Martinez has to be admired I guess for sticking to his philosophy but 2-0 up away at Chelsea last Saturday would have been the perfect time to shut up shop but he stuck to his guns and ultimately it proves costly not once but twice as Chelsea managed to repeatedly find a way back into the game and ultimately get a share of the points.
A win today would take them into the top half of the table but it seems as if Everton where to get into Europe next season it would have to be through the cup route with a 2-1 lead over Manchester City in the Capital One Cup Semi Finals, Martinez may feel that is their best way of obtaining European Football.
They play host to a Swansea side who have made some changes at the top, Francesco Guidolin watched from the stands during Monday’s win over Watford and now he takes charge of the South Wales club for the first time this Afternoon.
Thanks to Newcastle’s failure to win Yesterday they find themselves on the right side of the dreaded dropzone and any points they can pick up on their travels today will be a welcome bonus and create more of a buffer between themselves and The Magpies in 18th.
Their win over Watford in the week was their first in 4 matches but their will still be concern as to where the goals are coming from. It was doing to a Captain Marvel performance from Ashley Williams on Monday but they can’t expect him to drag them to victory each week. Will they manage to get a new Forward in before the end of the window, I feel if they have any chance of staying up they might have to.
The Swans have kept 4 clean sheets out of their last 6 but I think they will have their work cut out if they are going to make it 5 out of 7 at Goodison Park this Afternoon. There are slight grumblings at Goodison Park as the team has been deemed to have underachieved so far, I think Roberto Martinez would like to get one over his former club and see his side return to the top half of the table. I think Everton will have too much going forward, whereas Swansea will struggle in that department. A home win for me.
