Everton FC - The View From My Seat
2/3 isn't bad, but 3/3 is better!
A big week lies ahead for Everton, starting with Swansea City in a Premier League fixture, followed by Manchester City in the Carling Cup Semi-Final 2nd Leg. Then finishing with an away trip to Carlisle United in the FA Cup.
January was always looking like it could be a frustrating month for us, with matches against Tottenham, Chelsea, Man City THREE times, then throw in Dagenham and Redbridge, Swansea and Carlisle just to add to the fixture list! However, I don't think we've been out-performed by a long way in any of the fixtures so far. A draw with Spurs who at that point were on an amazing run of form. A win against City in the first leg of the Carling Cup Semi-Final. D&R was a standard professional outing in the cup, followed by decent performances against City again 0-0 and went to Chelsea only to be in my opinion (And pretty much everyone elses) absolutely robbed of a 3-2 win and drew 3-3.
The Swansea fixture is game 1/3 in a week where Everton really need to turn their promising performances into actual results. Swansea have just appointed a new manager, with this usually comes a run of good form where players are trying to impress the new guy and get themselves back in the team. Hopefully from our point of view however, we will still have a bee in our bonnet about conceding "that" goal in our last match against Chelsea and will repeat the performance we put in against Aston Villa when Remi Garde had only been appointed a week. So odds on 4-0 Everton win right?
We're at the stage now where even I, as positive as I try to remain, need us to start putting 3 points on the board. I've spoken before about the positives at Everton and the potential this squad has to be a real force. I really believe that, however, a mid-table finish and a failed attempt at the cup competitions will most certainly seal the fate of our prized possessions Stones, Barkley and Lukaku. They will be playing European football next season and that's why this week is massive. If we want these players to be playing European football with us, we simply have to win a cup!
I think these players will give Everton another season if we end this one with a decent run in and climb the table a good few places and qualify for the Europa League via winning the Carling Cup and/or the FA Cup. Winning a trophy could convince this group of players that maybe they should stick around and have another good go at breaking into that top 4 next season.
So game 2/3 is away at Manchester City for leg 2. Currently leading 2-1 means a draw would be all we need. But, you can't play for a draw and Martinez certainly will not. I think if we can get the first goal then we're well and truly in the driving seat. Their away goal would be cancelled out and they'd have no choice but to come at us leaving space in behind. A goal fest could be on the cards. You'd expect they will score at their place, but even if they get one back it doesn't change too much really as every goal we score past the first gives us the away goal advantage that comes into play after extra time. A draw is OK, a win would be better.
Game 3/3 is the away trip to Carlisle United. Possible giant killing? I can't see it. Especially if we've just booked a place at Wembley for the final of the Carling Cup a few days prior. The confidence should flow through the entire squad and I'd expect us to overcome Carlisle with ease.
So, 2 wins from these 3 and a draw sets us up nicely for February, but 3 wins from 3 could be a season defining moment. The confidence could rocket and see us start flying up the table! I HOPE!
Any defeats would really be unacceptable and if things don't go as I've hoped throughout this article then we may see a very different Everton squad come next season. The effects of finishing mid-table and not getting to Wembley in either cup could seriously damage our club, especially after so much promise this youthful squad looks to have.
Thanks again for reading, I'm on all the usual social media...
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