In all seriousness, Lukaku has been overdone by both me and everyone else so I’ll keep it to a minimum and focus on the actual reason we’re here. Football. There’s too much attention elsewhere recently.
There’s nothing new with us now, we beat the teams we’re better than and don’t beat the teams that are better than us, and that’s the summary of 2017.
And yet somehow, with this tag coupled with an abhorrent record away from home against the big boys, we’re fighting with them for the top 5. We’re right in the thick of the race as the season comes to an end.
We have a first team as good as any, but our depth lets us down. It’s now that we’ll see the resilience of Koeman’s boys come through.
However, onto the game at hand.
We’re still one of the form teams in the league, and we’re better than West Ham. So by the current formula, we’ll win.
But it’s never that easy.
Joel Robles
Nothing new.
Mason Holgate (RB)
After a run of sketchy performances, some good, some less so, Mason needs to impress Koeman before the summer, as a new Right Back is looking likely.
Ashley Williams (CB)
It’s been a weird season for Williams, as he’s been solid but shaky also. I don’t think any of us have felt fully confident with him at the back, but we’ve never been overly concerned either.
Regardless, he’s probably not good enough to be first choice next season.
Phil Jagielka (CB)
A certainly resurgent Phil Jagielka has put an end to our defensive worries after both Funes Mori and Coleman were injured on international duty.
Who would’ve thought that after he was dropped all those months ago?
Leighton Baines (LB)
Dignified performances from Leighton Baines have done nothing to suggest that we need a new Left Back to replace the Everton legend anytime soon.
Idrissa Gana Gueye (CM)
I named him my Player of the Season – above Romelu Lukaku – and that’s no small feat.
He has been truly astonishing this season and I expect no less this week.
Tom Davies (CM)
Another who has exceeded expectations this season is Tom Davies, who is establishing his place in Koeman’s Everton quicker than anyone else.
At the moment, he is irreplaceable.
Morgan Schneiderlin (CM)
We only truly see the value of Schneiderlin when he doesn’t play. He offers so much in terms of passing and defensive ability in our team that it’s amazing to think that he’s only been here for a few months.
Ademola Lookman (LW)
It’s about time Lookman gets another run.
Not that Mirallas has been poor, far from it, but West Ham aren’t a good side and Lookman needs a chance against lesser teams.
Ross Barkley (RW)
Now that everything is sorted, it’s time for Ross to get knuckled down again and focus on having a good end to a good season.
Romelu Lukaku (ST)
Who knows what’s going to happen with Rom. There’s my two cents on it.
Let’s just enjoy the fact that one of the best strikers in the world plays for Everton.