Everton v Norwich City - EFL Cup - Tuesday 20 Sept, 19.45 KO

[davek]

With the new sky and bt deals virtually all premier league clubs are, in cash terms, now rich enough to afford most players even if other restrictions put limits on spending.

Stoke (and others) have surprised many with the type and quality of player they've been able to bring in. Although currently struggling badly, they have enjoyed two realtively strong premiership finishes by their standards and together with Europe and cup runs have given the impression of being a club with much better prospects than they've had in a long time.

From being a basement club they have recently looked a club on the up by a sustained improvement in their premiership results with two successive top half finishes and this as much as their cup runs has made them attractive. The cash is crucial but these days teams at the bottom have cash too, its Stoke's better prospects that have helped.

We're starting from a much higher base with all the advantages of a strong history, large supporter base and wealthier backers, we have all Stoke can offer but a lot more too.

Recently however foreign players would have just seen a club who are under performing with very mediocre finishes in the league and obviously on the slide with possibly years of struggle ahead. I wouldn't have blamed them if taking only a cursory look to have even thought Stoke a better prospect.

Moshiri has changed all this and brought the cash, new manager and improved prospects. We're not a City, Utd or Chelsea yet by any means but we have moved up significantly. We have a limited time to match this ambition with a vastly improved league position as, as we have seen this summer cash alone is not enough to attract the type of players who are a step above the likes of Bojan, good player that he can be.

I think you can argue that Koemans presence will sell Everton to players. However, no player looking on at this summers events will be seeing Moshiris influence in the transfer market as a magnet. Everton were a shambles. If it had happened under Kenwright people would have been getting together mass protests at the ineptitude of it all.

 

[Mickey]

It's actually a dangerous game in that I think it's a must win to continue our momentum. Resting too many players will give Norwich a fighting chance so I expect close to an unchanged side, maybe Rom but if he's fit I expect he'll start. Early in the season don't think too many players will be feeling jaded.

 

[joey_macmo]

Good luck fellers, but all I'll see is the score. No coverage here in Melbourne, not even a replay.

We'll win this if we're at all interested.

It will be available online mate

 

[bignev23]

Just put a strong team out that wins the game. This is 50% of our season. The PL is nothing to us other than a respectable finish outside the CL places. This LC and the FA Cup are our only hope of success.

The first sentence I agree with the rest may be realistic but after watching Leicester last season and the start we've had this one I certainly hope our players and coaching staff don't ever adopt this attitude.

 

[davek]

The first sentence I agree with the rest may be realistic but after watching Leicester last season and the start we've had this one I certainly hope our players and coaching staff don't ever adopt this attitude.

Koeman has already adopted that attitude. He's stated that a Leicester situation "won't happen again".

 

[bignev23]

Koeman has already adopted that attitude. He's stated that a Leicester situation "won't happen again".

I think he may of been playing down a stupid question from a journo about the possibility of Everton winning the league this season when he responded with your quote, Has he written off champions league places already as well? it's all very depressing isn't it.

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

Just done Print At Home.

Dead easy, and of course, I printed at work!

 

[brieverton]

It's actually a dangerous game in that I think it's a must win to continue our momentum. Resting too many players will give Norwich a fighting chance so I expect close to an unchanged side, maybe Rom but if he's fit I expect he'll start. Early in the season don't think too many players will be feeling jaded.

I agree with this, a defeat could potentially have bad repercusions. Without European games, we should still have more than enough in our locker to manage progress in the LC and maintain the excellent start made in the league. If we were in the EL this season, that would necessitate use of the whole playing squad to a far greater degree for the LC, but as it stands, we should not have to make huge team changes to cope.

I know the LC is not seen in the same prestige as it might have been 20 years ago, and qualifying for the Champions League would trump it in terms of longer-term benefit. The thrill of lifting a trophy though, particularly after such a long time, would be great for everyone at the club, and would be enormously significant for Koeman at Everton.

 

[Bagpuss]

Think Koeman will name a pretty strong line up if the Yeovil game is anything to go by - have a feeling people hoping for mass changes are going to be sorely disappointed but my starting 11 would be:

Steklenberg
Holgate Williams Funes Mori Baines
Lennon Gueye Davies Geri
Ross
Valencia

Keeps the majority of the spine in but keeps the youngsters in and around the first team picture. Believe the U23s play tonight so if Davies doesn't play tonight expect him to have some part tomorrow.

Lets just win Everton and go about it in a quietly efficient way.

 

[USABlue]

They gave us 8 million pound for Naismith. I'll always have a soft spot for them.



Smash the sister fingering mutants please Everton. Thanks.

Seems like everyone we play has sister fingerings mutant fans...is this a wide spread issue in england?

 

[Pienaar's gloves]

Seems like everyone we play has sister fingerings mutant fans...is this a wide spread issue in england?

Norwich, Tranmere and Burnley mate.

All dirty like that.

 

[mightymoyes]

I think you can argue that Koemans presence will sell Everton to players. However, no player looking on at this summers events will be seeing Moshiris influence in the transfer market as a magnet. Everton were a shambles. If it had happened under Kenwright people would have been getting together mass protests at the ineptitude of it all.

good one, we had near 20 yrs of ineptitude under him with barely a peep

 

[CahillsCornerFlag]

I'd quite like to see Ross named as captain for all the cup matches.

 

[ijjysmith]

Played @Jamo Martinez

I ain't got no time for this.

8-0 Ev - Enner Valencia

 

[tommye]

Seems like everyone we play has sister fingerings mutant fans...is this a wide spread issue in england?

Definitely in Norfolk, the Wirral and St Helens.

And all of Wales.