Everton travel to Aston Villa this weekend, seeking to get their Premier League season up and running by putting a point or three on the board at last.
However, it has arguably been as bad a start to the new campaign as was possible, being hammered at home, hammered away and then crushed by a late collapse at home once again.
Now, fans are restless, and a trip to Villa Park, one of the most successful home grounds throughout last season, will make things no easier.
They must take some hope in the fact that they did win there in the EFL Cup back in September of last year, showing it certainly is possible.
In fact, the international break, which was hoped to be a positive thing for the Toffees, has actually only resulted in more setbacks and unrest.
After all, Vitaliy Mykolenko was pictured arguing with Ukraine fans, whilst Seamus Coleman went off injured against England and failed to play Ireland’s next fixture against Greece.
Armando Broja, who joined on deadline day, is continuing his rehabilitation and will likely only be back fit next month.
The last of the bunch confirmed to be out is Nathan Patterson, and his absence will only add to their key defensive headaches. Fortunately, they do have one man who could now have to play out of position to fix this issue.
Although it might seem farfetched, with the dwindling number of available players at right-back, perhaps starting James Garner there is the best option Sean Dyche has got.
Especially given the strength he does boast in midfield, with Idrissa Gana Gueye and Tim Iroegbunam two of the few who have not seen their form completely decimated by this tough start to the season.
Naturally a central midfielder, he does have some history of featuring in the backline, having shone there for England’s U21s during their run to the European Championships title back in 2023.
With creativity in abundance and a defensive brain too, he might actually thrive in that role, handed more space to find his teammates with cutting passes.
James Garner of Everton during the Carabao Cup Second Round match between Everton and Doncaster Rovers at Goodison Park on August 27, 2024 in Liver…
Last season in the Premier League, the £15m Manchester United academy graduate averaged 1.2 key passes, 2.2 tackles and 4.6 ball recoveries per game, via Sofascore, and was thus branded a ‘baller‘ by Opta data analyst Aaron Barton
Those numbers could be supercharged at right-back, where he will have no pressure to perform given the lack of alternative options
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