As Everton prepare to face Sunderland at Goodison Park this Sunday, here are five things to look out for ahead of the game.
How will Everton deal with crosses?
Sam Allardyce has gained a reputation for his style of play and tactics, with many - including Jose Mourinho considering them old fashioned.
His sides are typically built on a physical style, including a lot of pressure coming from percentage balls into the box from open crosses and corners.
One major thing Everton struggle with, are balls into and around the box. Tim Howard finds himself unable to deal with crosses and there is a breakdown in communication with his defenders in front.
Everton are going to be without captain Phil Jagielka for a while, and he will be a big miss against physical teams. Jagielka is more than capable dealing with balls into the box and putting himself in positions to deal with them even without communication.
John Stones and Ramiro Funes Mori will have to develop a partnership quickly and find out who is going to deal with the first ball into the box behind them.
Funes Mori already looks like a player capable of winning a header against physical players, shown in his substitute appearance against Chelsea where he frustrated Diego Costa in the air.
The returning Tom Cleverley
The return of Tom Cleverley comes at time where Everton find themselves light in midfield. Gareth Barry is out through suspension, James McCarthy played 120 minutes in the week and Muhammed Besic has just returned to training.
Cleverley had found himself predominately playing on the left earlier in the season but Roberto Martinez may opt to play him in a more natural central role.
The England international has a good passing range and is full of energy which will be needed against a Sunderland side with physical and high energy players in their midfield.
Martinez, however, has the option of playing Ross Barkley next to McCarthy, which allows Barkley to make bursting runs but his lack of defensive awareness against Sunderland could hinder Everton in the middle.
Is there a Capital Once Cup hangover?
It took 120 minutes and penalties for Everton to see off Norwich City in the Capital One Cup but key players for the Toffees may find themselves a little off the pace on Sunday afternoon.
John Stones, Ramiro Funes Mori, James McCarthy and Romelu Lukaku played all of the tie and may not be fully ready to face Sunderland.
Roberto Martinez tried to rest Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu but after a poor performance where Everton found themselves trailing, Martinez opted to bring the young pair on to change the game.
Kevin Mirallas finally got a meaningful amount of playing time for the first time this season and could find himself needed in this game. Martinez had said the winger lacked match sharpness but he looked sharp against Norwich.
Conceding the first goal
Roberto Martinez addressed a question about Everton conceding the first goal more often than not and responded that he couldn’t care less.
Everton have found themselves behind in nine of their 13 games this season but Martinez believes his side have the character to bounce back and get back into the game.
Conceding the first goal more often than not is worrying for fans who find themselves questioning Everton's ability to break down stubborn defences. The Blues find themselves unable to pick a pass behind defences who sit 10 yards deeper with a lead to defend.
Martinez did say he would prefer if his side didn’t go behind and have to continually chase games but in the end, alls that matters is that his side come away with the three points.
Can Kevin Mirallas kick on?
Kevin Mirallas has found himself in a bit of a rut to start the season with a lack of game time and even an early suspension following a red card away to Swansea City.
The Belgian winger gives Everton another dimension to their game because he is able to beat defences with a bit of skill, he can score goals in bunches and can assist numerous times.
Mirallas had been a key player for the Toffees until last January when rumours circulated about him moving on from Merseyside. Mirallas eventually signed a new contract this summer but is now looking to kick on.
After a solid performance against Norwich City, Mirallas again showed he can be trusted and will now cause a selection headache for Roberto Martinez.
Kevin Mirallas alongside the creative talents of Ross Barkley and Gerard Deulofeu - supplying Romelu Lukaku is a salivating thought for the Everton faithful.