Dugout Discussion

Digne reverts to left-back in attacking Everton line-up

After a brief stint at left midfield, Lucas Digne (£6.0m) returns to full-back in an attacking line-up from Carlo Ancelotti.

At his pre-match press conference on Friday, the Toffees chief spoke about his team needing to get the best out of James Rodriguez (£7.7m), Richarlison (£7.8m) and Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£7.6m).

“We have more consistency now defensively and it’s true most of the game [against Leicester] we defended instead of attacking. We want to attack more but to be able to defend well is important. One of the qualities of a team is to read the situations.

When we have the defensive line deep, James [Rodriguez], [Dominic] Calvert-Lewin, Richarlison have difficulty showing their quality, they are not defenders. We have to give them more opportunity to have the ball and use their quality.” – Carlo Ancelotti

Ancelotti looks to have followed through on his pre-game assertion, with Seamus Coleman (£4.8m) regaining the right-back spot ahead of Mason Holgate (£4.8m).

“We have two full-backs that can push. It’s true that we want to win, to attack but we also want to have balance in the team.” – Carlo Ancelotti to BT ahead of kick off

In midfield, Gylfi Sigurdsson (£6.8m) partners Abdoulaye Doucouré (£5.2m), who returns from a one-game ban having collected five yellow cards.

That could be in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-4-2 set-up, with Richarlison either set to operate from the left of an attacking midfield trio or partner Calvert-Lewin up front.

Alex Iwobi (£5.9m) should operate from the right-hand side in either scenario, while Rodriguez could play centrally or on the flank.

Newcastle’s formation will also be one to monitor, with the official team graphic suggesting Isaac Hayden (£4.7m) will be part of a back three.

The ex-Arsenal man could also operate in his defined midfield role as part of a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3.

In any case, Callum Wilson (£6.6m) will lead the Magpies line. Allan Saint-Maximin (£5.1m) is on the Newcastle bench.

“Basically he’s been idle for the best part of eight weeks. We’ve just got to gently ease him in. The one thing we don’t want to do is risk him and he pulls a muscle or whatever.” – Steve Bruce to BT on Allan Saint-Maximin

Everton XI: Pickford; Digne, Keane, Mina, Coleman; Doucouré, Sigurdsson; Richarlison, James Rodriguez, Iwobi; Calvert-Lewin.

Newcastle United XI: Darlow; Lewis, Schar, Lascelles, Hayden, Manquillo; Fraser, Shelvey, Hendrick, Almiron; Wilson.

1,545 Comments Post a Comment
  1. Digital-Real
    • 7 Years
    3 years, 1 month ago

    Can Gundo do it again?

    1. F_Ivanovic
      • 8 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      He better not

    2. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        YES

      • DandyDon
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        No chance. He'll have to play deeper today with that lineup. Assist at best. Foden on the otherhand I am hoping for more luck this week...

    3. Tommy Tynans Left Shin Pad
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Note to self - don't captain City!

    4. Big boy Bowen
      • 7 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Any warm up injuries?

      Sterling on before halftime hopefully

      1. Essan
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Sterling not even on the bench 😮

        1. Essan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Sorry, he is - just not listed on Fantasyfootballfix

        2. DandyDon
          • 5 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          He is I think

        3. Utopsis
          • 4 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Look again

        4. FFSbet.com
          • 8 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          ?

      2. tinear
        • 4 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Stones / Cancelo please

    5. Essan
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 12 Years
      3 years, 1 month ago

      Just seen the Man City squad - have I missed something? Where is Sterling?! Not that I have him, just surprised.

      1. Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Why are you surprised, it's Pep?

        1. Essan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          True!

          But looking further, he is listed in BBC, just not in fantasyfootballfix

    6. Party time
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Come on Gündoğan. Haul like a beast!

      • Traction Engine Foot
        • 6 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        What an awful game that was. At least I was correct that DCL would outscore Digne.

      • sminkypinky
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 12 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Dias is pretty set and forget.

        1. Nomar
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 14 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Till I get him in.

          1. sminkypinky
            • Fantasy Football Scout Member
            • 12 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            😀

      • casual69
        • Fantasy Football Scout Member
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        1 goal conceded in 10 games - stones and dias - he rotates and laporte comes in...could 2 wins against a manchester teams be the defining moment for sheff. Utd lol

      • Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Pep finally finds what’s working and POOF, bald fraud

      • Hulk Smash
        • 8 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        If you have no bench, 5 of your players will be rotated.

        If you have a strong bench, your first sub will outscore half your team.

        Pick your poison.

        1. Essan
          • Fantasy Football Scout Member
          • 12 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          damned if you do, damned if you don't

      • Threat Level Midnight
        • 5 Years
        3 years, 1 month ago

        Boy was Flair right about Dias.Ike 12 weeks ago. Sheesh

        1. ivantys
          • 3 Years
          3 years, 1 month ago

          Too expensive for one who doesn't get attacking returns.

          1. Threat Level Midnight
            • 5 Years
            3 years, 1 month ago

            You’re so incorrect. Lol

            1. ivantys
              • 3 Years
              3 years, 1 month ago

              A 4.5-5 is also capable of getting CS points alone.

              1. Threat Level Midnight
                • 5 Years
                3 years, 1 month ago

                Yes but they’re not consistently starting for arguably the best defensive team in the league. Your logic is very very flawed IMO

                1. ivantys
                  • 3 Years
                  3 years, 1 month ago

                  Well he needs 2-3 games to beat Cancelo's haul last week. I rather just get Cancelo, unless you double up with both then fair play.

                  1. Threat Level Midnight
                    • 5 Years
                    3 years, 1 month ago

                    Well yeah I agree. I have both