Sean Dyche’s decision to leave out Demarai Gray from the starting lineup for Everton’s defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday has left Gabriel Agbonlahor puzzled.
The Toffees suffered their first home defeat under Dyche’s management, slipping back into the relegation zone as they failed to score in the Premier League once again. Agbonlahor expressed his concerns for Everton’s future and raised questions about the manager’s tactics, as well as his choice to not play their top player from the outset.
He said: “Having Demarai Gray on the bench didn’t make sense to me. I do like Dwight McNeil, but having Iwobi on the right?”
“Demarai Gray is your best player,” Agbonlahor added. “He’s your best player. Some of the performances he’s put in.. he’s their best player I’d say.
“Going forward he’s the one who’s going to get at a man, with speed. He can get past a player. You can play Dwight McNeil but play Gray on the opposite wing, or play him as a false 9. Neal Maupay isn’t going to give you anything.
“For me, he’s got to look at his tactics Sean Dyche. Everton are in trouble mate.
“Calvert-Lewin, they really, really rely on him and today showed it.
“Aston Villa had a top striker, five in five, five goals in five games for Ollie Watkins he’s got. Everton have got nobody. Nothing up front.”