4 Questions Everton Manager Roberto Martinez Must Address Before Derby
Everton are in the worst state of Roberto Martinez's 51-game tenure.
After an imposing first season, full of regular highs and very few lows, the Catalan's second campaign has begun in erratic fashion.
His side are haemorrhaging goals, throwing away leads and generally appearing far more fallible than at any time under his charge.
To make matters worse, they now face their most gruelling week on the schedule, crammed with three daunting away trips in just eight days. Before travelling to Russia and Old Trafford, Everton start the week on the road against near-neighbours and bitter rivals, Liverpool.
Here's a look at some key problems Martinez must solve before that game.
How to Fix a Beleaguered Back Four
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Plainly and simply, Martinez must find a way to plug an alarmingly leaky defence.
Another three goals conceded in the Capital One Cup take Everton's overall total to 17 in seven games, while the 13 shipped in five Premier League games remain three more than any other side.
There could not be a worse time to face one of this year's most prolific attacking teams—albeit, deprived of the services of a certain Luis Suarez.
The Reds hit 101 goals last season and won the corresponding fixture 4-0, which remains the worst result under Martinez's watch. In Everton's current condition, fans will fear a repeat scenario.
Who Starts in Defence
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The best way to fix an ailing defence is to select the right personnel.
Phil Jagielka and Sylvain Distin have been committing a high number of errors this season and seem a long way from their usual standard of play. That partnership cannot continue in this game.
Everton's sole clean sheet of the season came against West Brom, and reverting to that selection makes the most sense at this time. That would involve Distin making way for John Stones, providing Seamus Coleman is fit enough to return at right-back.
Persevering with Jagielka and Distin is far too much of a risk at this juncture. Another heavy loss would erode any lingering confidence in the pair and seriously destabilise their reputations among fans.
How to Cut out the Individual Mistakes
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Analysing all of the goals Everton have conceded this season isn't pretty viewing. That said, there have been numerous errors and unfortunate incidents which have bloated the overall total.
All three goals conceded against Crystal Palace were a result of individual errors, while goals against Leicester and Swansea highlight an element of bad luck in certain situations.
Statistically, Squawka have categorised five defensive errors as leading directly to a goal, the most in the Premier League and just one short of the Toffees' overall total last season.
Going up against a Liverpool side who already hold the mental edge over the Toffees, unbeaten in the past 15 derby games at Anfield, this is something Martinez must work hard to solve.
What Is the Toffees' Best Attacking Combination?
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Finally, further up the pitch, one place is very much up for grabs. On current form, and at full fitness, Romelu Lukaku, Kevin Mirallas and Steven Naismith are all first-choice selections.
Lukaku will generally start as the striker, while Mirallas and Naismith will play in two of the three positions behind him, ahead of Gareth Barry and James McCarthy.
Who fills the final position is as yet unclear.
Over previous years, it would have been Steven Pienaar. The South African started the season but has once again been affected by injuries. Aiden McGeady has been inconsistent when replacing him, while Ross Barkley remains sidelined and Christian Atsu is still settling into life at Everton.
Starting Samuel Eto'o and shifting Lukaku over to the left would be one way of filling the gap, giving Everton an especially attacking XI. Another way would be to start a central midfielder alongside Barry and McCarthy in more of a conservative 4-3-3.
Either way, Martinez must find the best balance to his side for Saturday's game.
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