Evening Blues, tomorrow night we face a tough trip to Goodison - a place where we've struggled in the past against strong resiliant Everton sides. Times have changed since last season and without Arteta (or Saha), Everton only look a mere shadow of their former selves. This is a great oppertunity for the younger (and older) Blues to get a good run out and prove themselves throughout this competition. Here is the team news gathered from BBC for both sides: I reckon if Cahill, Coleman and Saha play we could struggle depending on the defence we play. We all know how deadly Saha is against us! It will be excellent to see Josh get a full game, I feel if things went the right way round at QPR he may have came on late in the game had we scored a few goals. Same with Oriol, his performance against Genk were something to behold and will be a key part in this fixture along with Bertrand who has a lovely cross and with Lukaku up top we should be taking full advantage. We could take the fact Everton don't have the youth or 2nd squad like we have so there will be some fatigue on their part as I predict a pretty strong line up for them judging by that team preview! Score predictions everyone? I usually wait to see the line ups before making a proper decision on mine but I'll go 2-1 or 1-0 to us and I'd love to see Lukaku grab his first for us as I'm sure you all would. I did a team line up in my "Bosingwa" thread but I'll give another here: Hilario Ivanovic Luiz Alex Bertrand Oriol Josh Meireles Anelka Lukaku Malouda/Kalou KTBFFH
I reckon it will be one of them games where it's either 0-0 then goes to penalties or were win about 3-0/4-0
Everton will be treating this seriously as the only trophy they can win this year. For us, its letting the reserves show what they can do! Realisticly we cant expect a win and most likely we'll lose. But, it will be a nice pick me up after Sunday, if the boys can snatch it!
I'm hoping Josh can really really star in this game and make a name for himself, don't get me wrong his been great in every game his played with the big boys in my opinion but i'd love to see a 10/10 match rating performance a bit like Romeus last week, same with Lukaku as well hope he can get a few goals
I am more confident than you Bluemoon. We got the monkey off our back against Everton the other week, and I can only see a win for us tomorrow. Being forced to play some of our second line due to the suspensions, may prove to be a blessing in disguise. For me Josh and Lukaku are on the teamsheet already as is Romeu. That said I posted a thread looking forward to being second in the Prem' on Saturday...Should have kept my gob shut. Carefree....
I'm confident we CAN win it, but I won't be upset if we don't. Be a good run out for the youth and they will get more in the FA cup aswell I'm sure . I agree with lcooper about Josh.
Oh ****, I've put Meireles in and he's cup tied . Should really read what I put on here ... so instead of Meireles I have no idea who will play, I hear Lamps is getting a rest. Is Ramires back?
Don't think his back yet mate, i reckon avb will play malouda as he will have no interest in playing him on saturday
Should be good, hopefully I'm free to watch it. Be a nice change to be able to see more of the youth playing, granted they're put on the pitch. Would love to see Lukaku kick off his scoring for us.
Always tough at Goodison, they are a loud bunch and get right on the Refs back if they aren't happy with him. Should be a good game though, hoping that Josh, Romeu and Lukaku all get some game time although I reckon Luka will need to get a little bit mor pace under his belt for the English game Luiz can sit this one out for me, he needs to mature a little bit...
I'd like Luiz to play, he can only get better with experience and it's only the carling cup so if he does make a error it's not going to cost us too dearly. I'm hoping for Alex & Luiz because i'm hoping we go for Alex vs arsenal on saturday, i know his out of favour and i don't quite know why considering his a quality defender and is a great threat ( free kicks and corners ), and against arsenal we could do with ivanovic at RB and alex at CB. Not forgetting Alex's free kick vs arsenal
Could go either way this one but I fancy our chances as long as we put out a good blend of youth and experience. I'd be tempted to give Torres an hour to keep him sharp for the weekend and then bring on Lukaku. Kalou is almost certain to start and i'd think Malouda probably as well.
