What a difference a week can make.
A week back, Everton were the bogey side rival teams were craving to face. In the space of a few days, the scenario at Goodison looks different.
After an active summer where the club spent a fortune to bring in world famous talents, the club was expected to have a crack at the top six. Things turned horrific as Everton were beaten by sides both above and below their quality.
As their form slumped down through a never-ending spiral, it saw the hammer fall on their ex-boss Ronald Koeman. Koeman’s sacking did little to change the club’s fortunes as they became the league’s bashing boys.
Even in the Europa League, five straight defeats in the group stage condemned the side to a rock bottom finish and European humiliation coupled with domestic crisis meant that the summer that promised so much had faded away into the dark dearth of the desert.
However, as the fans and pundits stood watching last week, everybody anticipated a tough clash once again for the Toffees, when they squared up against fellow struggling side West Ham United.
A Wayne Rooney show was put on display as the Englishman turned back the clock to his former days of glory. A stunning hattrick including a goal from his own half was enough to see Everton demolish the Hammers 4-0 on the night.
As the Toffees were enjoying a rare success story in the league, further good news came bouncing their way in the form of a confirmation by the Everton board that the Toffees had secured the signing of Sam Allardyce as their manager.
Big Sam has become a specialist of sorts in the league when it comes to saving teams from relegation having done it with Sunderland and Crystal Palace in the previous two seasons.
He will be hoping to go one better with Everton and maybe give them a top ten finish.
Here is how he will look to line up his team for his first match in charge against Huddersfield Town.
Formation: 4-4-2
Defence
Jordan Pickford will be expected in goal. The heart of the defence is likely to be marshalled by Phil Jagielka and Michael Keane, with the latter expected to be fit enough after missing out the match with a concussion.
The right-back position will be monitored again by Jonjoe Kenny with Cuco Martina at left back.
Midfield
A midfield quartet of Aaron Lennon on the right, Gylfi Sigurdsson on the left with Tom Davies and Idrissa Gueye in the centre will be expected for Everton
Attack
Wayne Rooney will be expected to start again with his partner likely to be Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
