It might seem impossible, but Everton must put Monday night’s terrible performance behind them instantly, as they already have far more pressing matters to deal with.
After all, that clash was admittedly a free hit, given results had gone their way over the weekend, and a trip to Stamford Bridge is never easy.
However, that does not excuse the shambolic showing from Sean Dyche’s men, who downed tools against a Chelsea side who have not looked convincing at all this season.
There are so many names who could therefore be dropped after that performance, but two spring to mind in order to refresh the side against Nottingham Forest.
Amadou Onana and James Garner cannot be allowed to put in another anonymous showing against relegation rivals.
Amadou Onana and James Garner were awful vs Chelsea
Whilst it might seem dramatic and reactionary to completely overhaul the midfield, Everton are blessed with a relative amount of depth in the engine room to facilitate such changes.
After all, the youthful naivety of that aforementioned duo was woefully exposed on Monday, as they went missing and surrendered the midfield to the hosts.
This allowed Cole Palmer to pick up dangerous pockets of space wherever he wanted, and he ran the Toffees ragged. Not to mention it felt like they didn’t pick up a single second ball all night.
Although the back four were hardly sparkling, they were afforded virtually no protection by Onana and Garner, who managed just two defensive interactions between them all night.
By replacing them with Andre Gomes and Idrissa Gana Gueye, they are unlikely to see a dramatic drop-off, as these two arguably boast the same energy levels, an increase in technical quality, and far more experience to hopefully guide Dyche’s men to an integral victory.
Everton cannot afford to lose to Nottingham Forest
Whilst fans will want to claim victory this Sunday, as they welcome 17th-placed Forest to Goodison Park, in reality, it is a must-not-lose match.
After all, as long as they can keep one of the Tricky Trees or Luton Town below them, thus alleviating the visual pressure that being in the relegation zone would provide, it is likely they will stay up.
Hopefully, after the tactical gaffe made on Monday, Dyche has learnt his lesson and will return to his more conservative style.
This is likely to frustrate Forest, and with their poor record of defending set pieces, that might be how the game is won.
They must be conservative and clinical, punishing the visitors when the chance arises.
But more than anything, they have to put the effort in, because Monday night was not good enough. That mediocrity started with the midfield’s anonymity though.