Bigger problem than Johnson: Everton duo must not start together again

Angus Sinclair of Football FanCast argues that Everton manager David Moyes should not continue pairing Jarrad Branthwaite and Ainsley Maitland-Niles as full-backs. Despite Everton sitting fifth and unbeaten after six Premier League matches, Sinclair believes playing Branthwaite out of position at left-back alongside Maitland-Niles at right-back exposes critical defensive flaws.

Branthwaite was forced into the left-back role against Hull due to Vitalii Mykolenko's hamstring injury, while Maitland-Niles struggled defensively despite setting up a goal. While Brennan Johnson has faced scrutiny for his attacking form, Sinclair contends that Everton's makeshift full-back pairing poses a much more urgent problem for the team's European ambitions.