Anfield, Liverpool, Britain - February 13, 2023. Liverpool's Joe Gomez in action with Everton's Ellis Simms.
Tony Scott believes if Sean Dyche starts Ellis Simms this weekend then Everton will lose once again.
The Lowdown: Crucial six-pointer coming up
It was a big surprise to many people when Dyche handed a first Premier League start of the season to youngster Simms on Monday night against Liverpool and to say it backfired would be putting it lightly as the striker touched the ball just 19 times in 60 minutes.
Simms was recalled by then-manager Frank Lampard after the enjoyed a successful first half of the season out on loan in the Championship with Sunderland but after his Merseyside derby cameo, he could well be out of his depth in the top flight.
Everton have an even bigger game this weekend as they welcome Leeds United to Goodison Park with the visitors sitting just one point and one place above the Toffees in the Premier League so Dyche must get his tactics and team lineup spot on.
The Latest: Simms shouldn’t be starting
Despite Dominic Calvert-Lewin being ruled out for this weekend’s game Scott has claimed on the All Together Now podcast that Simms can’t start this weekend as the Toffees will lose.
He said: (25:25) “If he plays Ellis Simms I think we’ll get beat and I think he will, I think he’ll play Ellis Simms and we’ll get beat.”
The Verdict: Dyche can’t make take any risks
In what is certainly a must-win game for Everton Dyche simply can’t be taking any risks and looking to experiment with his team as he appeared to do on Monday by starting an inexperienced Simms.
However, he is certainly picking a forward line with one hand tied behind his back as Simms is inexperienced, Neal Maupay has one goal in 15 appearances and Calvert-Lewin is out injured so his options are both not of great quality or very deep.
Dyche must ensure that the team he picks is capable of providing service and getting the most out of whoever is deployed in the centre-forward role otherwise it could well be a long afternoon against Leeds.
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