I'd be very surprised if Moyes made even a third of those changes. I'd say at most three changes to the teams that started Saturday, based more on who is shagged out or carrying knocks from the weekend.

Moyes needs to win a trophy this season. No faffing around!

No judos virtually whatsoever in this cup. Never really has been. Did nothing for Dalgleish.

If we where to win it, it'll be a case of Everton get their first 'mini' trophy for winnin the 'egg and spoon' race, a proper 'ahh' for them. Fuck that. Let's concentrate on winning the league, and blood the Under-21s and the youth who must be gaggin to escape from Stalag Luft Finch Farm by now.

And speaking of which, what the bloody hell's going on with Connor McAleny??

Howard

Coleman
Duffy
Heitinga
Distin

Naismith
Junior
Fellaini
Gueye

Vellios
Mirallas

Should keep the same team and try and win it, if ahead then put on subs? We have never won this cup and winning it would be fantastic.

TD, you and others fall for the media bull and shame on you; we should go in to this to win the cup. Europe qualification and fans seeing us lift a cup at Wembley, what more do you want as a fan? I just don’t get some people on this site!!

It was this competition in 84 which kick-started the belief; yes, we lost to the RS in a replay but we smelt out the path. Get a life and back the team all the way, play your best 11 every game and use the squad when you get injuries.

Leeds, or rather Elland Road, will love to get at any Premiershp team so playing an entire second eleven is too risky.

I suspect...

Howmuch
Coleman Distinga Jagielka Oviedo
Fallaini
Mirallas Osman Gueye
Naismith
Anichebe

Nevbert on the bench with Bainaar with a bunch of kids.

Let's put a reserve team out like Arsenal do, let's go all out for the top 4.

I thought we were great against Swansea, the buzz is really going around.

Tom 578

We'd go nuts if we went to Wembley and won a trophy for Tiddlywinks, it's been too long, we need silverware.

When managers get clever fannying about with team selection thats when it goes tits up, we're too fragile in the confidence dept to be playing silly buggers.

Strongest team wherever possible Mr Moyes and lets go down in flames if we can't win the thing.

Yeah wining a trophy and guaranteeing European football would be terrible for us wouldn't it. If we secured that we could go for broke in the second half of the season to get top 4 without worrying about finishing in the Europa spots. We're not going to go to leeds with half a team and just turn them over, if they went one up we'd have a momentous task on our hands.

For me winning a trophy is irrelevant, the league cup and FA cup have been devalued so much now that winning them would be nothing except for the pot hunters. Where Everton finish in the EPL and how well they play will be the only thing I judge them by.

I agree, a few changes but nothing drastic, centre mid is an issue but I think Moyes will go:

Mucha
Coleman Heitinga Distin Baines
Mirallas Neville Osman Oviedo
Naismith
Anichebe

Subs: Howard, Duffy, Jagielka, Junior, Pienaar, Fellaini, Vellios.

I wouldn't mind winning the League Cup. If watching the scenes from last seasons is anything to go by, then I'm all for it. Even the local paper could put headlines on the front page like "This is just the beginning".

Full strength team Mr Moyes.

Like others, I can't see too many changes... maybe Naismith to get 90 resting Felli and perhaps Oveido for Baines. But that's about all... let's face it, he's already been forced to leave out Gibbson, Hibbert and Jelly, meaning only 6 of your first choice 11 on the pitch.

I agree with some of the changes. I think Oveido, Gueye and Naismith will definitely come in. Not really sure in what positions though. It all depends in Baines and whether he's rested or not. Because I imagine Oveido is new to all this, I think it might be a side something like this:

Mucha
Coleman Heitinga Distin Baines
Naismith Neville/Fellaini Osman Oveido
Gueye
Anichebe

Or maybe Naismith and Gueye can swap positions? The only thing thats worrying me is the centre mid positions. I think Osman needs a rest because he looks like hes nackered after every game. Whether Neville or Fellaini starts, I'm still not sure about.

I agree with you, Nigel, that we need to keep as many players fit and fresh, and therefore play some of our squad players this cup tie.

But playing Neville at MR or Vellios at AMF does not make sense to me.

Put Naismith at AMR and let Vellios play as a striker (which is what he is).

They will be no push overs at their gaffe, took Rooney for us to beat them after 70 odd years.

Good balanced team is what is needed and keep that fecker Mucha on the bench thank you very much Mr Moyes.

Game time for Gueye and Oveido though

I can't see Moyes taking a gamble with a weakened side. I think he will have the attitude there is another 3 games to go before the next international break. Resting Baines et al won't be considered against a team we have struggled against for many years. This game will probably be a chance to get Naismith and Mirallas 90 minute run outs. And another chance for Anichebe to impress and get a goal and further increase his confidence. So it's full strength for me and Naismith to start.

I'd like to see
Howard
Coleman Duffy Distin Oviedo
Naismith Junior Osman Gueye
Vellios Anichebe

Should be enough to see off Leeds.

OS says Jelly man is fit for Leeds. I'd still rest him though.

Winning a trophy is surely a priority after a long barren spell and we have as good a chance this season as we have had in a long time. Leeds are a decent Championship club and Elland Road is not an easy place to go

I reckon minimal changes with maybe Naismith, Distin and Gueye getting starts.

Agree that central mid is tricky and that Osman and Neville are not going to be able to play every match without tiring. Not sure what options we have though as not sure this is the game to hand junior a start.

Bragging rights up for grabs against the Brother in law, a good side please Moysie

I would like to see Baines given a rest on Tues at Leeds, besides being one of our major outlets, he has played a good quota of matches, including two games for England.
And at home Leeds, will be no pushover, having watched a couple of their games, they can be a bit physical, and Neil Warnock will have them fired up.

I read Michael's first response and came straight down to the bottom so apologies if I'm repeating what some have said.

Basically I agree with our esteemed editor, something which is quite rare in itself. A home game against Leyton Orient was not the same thing as an away game at Leeds. I think we need to try to win this competition, and stay close to full strength to do so. A couple of tinkering's might be acceptable, and a couple of players on the bench in the hope of keeping them out of harm's way maybe.

However, I get the feeling Moyes has told Mucha he'll play these games in order to keep him sweet, so I still expect to see him. I could understand if Distin plays, and possibly Duffy too as an expression of Moyes' trust and a clear signal that we have four good centre backs. Its also not hard to make the case for giving Naismith playing time to recover his sharpness (I think we forget he's been out since last October until our pre-season) and if there's ever a match to have an early look at Oviedo before we're forced to its this one.

That looks like I've talked myself into possibly five changes, whilst trying to remain near full strength. I certainly don't see Francisco Junior being thrown in or Garbutt getting another game.

A few people have asked about Connor Mcaleny, he,s been injured and is getting back to fitness, hope that helps.
As for tomorrow at Leeds I'd bring in Oviedo, DIstin, Naismith and Junior.
Leeds are nothing special and as long as we concentrate on our strengths we should win without much drama.
Has anyone else noticed lately how vitriolic Leeds fans have become towards Everton lately I wonder what their problem is.

I would keep the same back four to get some understanding & continuity (sub Baines if we are a couple of goals up). Like others, I'd give Naismith, Gueye & Junior a run resting Neville, Fellaini & Pienaar, keeping Jelavic, Pienaar & Fellaini on the bench just in case.

Interesting to see that Duffy, Garbutt and Vellios all starting for U21s tonight but Junior is not in the squad. Don't think he's injured so maybe a sign that he will be involved tomorrow in some way...

I remember reading a biography of Brian Clough, written, I think, by a reporter from a local Nottingham paper, around the late 70's/early 80's. He insisted that Clough always believed, that the main reason for the rapid development of that double European Cup winning side, was their victory in some forgotten competition in 1975/6 (the Northern Counties Cup, or something. Can't remember).

Main point being that, a successful cup run, that gives players a taste of victory and sense of achievement, no matter how experienced they are individually, can be a catalyst towards even greater things, no matter what the competition.

I say, go and win the fuckin' thing.

Good book btw.

Hope we play a near full-strength team for this one, keep the momentum going as winning is a good habit to have.
Didn't Baines get injured in his next game after being rested last season?

I suspect Moysie will play a strong team, and I hope he does. I don't like this tournament, but we have a trophy monkey to get off our backs!
Mucha
Neville Heitinga Distin Oviedo

Coleman Osman Naismith Junior Pienaar

Anichebe

(I'm not saying this is the team I would play, but I suspect he will want to rest Fellaini, Baines, Mirallas and Howard...)

I've heard it all now, Martin Mason (#603).

Winning either of the two domestic cup competitions is irrelevant is it? Notwithstanding the extra much needed income it brings to the club – the FA Cup Final in particular still gets a worldwide audience measured in the billions, and brings with it massive exposure of the club to potential new fans.

Success on the pitch is the only proven formula to attract new non-local support, which in terms of increasing revenue streams, is vitally important for the club.

We should always aim to win the League Cup because it's a route into Europe and because we've never won it, and the FA Cup for reasons mentioned above.

Word on the street is that Junior will start tomorrow.

Watch this space.

Without doubt I'd rather win the League Cup (or FA Cup) than qualify for the Champions League.

With you all the way Steve - those of us who've seen triumphs ( and I'm sure most who haven't) were gutted at Wembley against Chelsea
The locals couldn't believe the support we showed in bitter defeat: when we win the FA Cup again it'll be the biggest street party N London's ever seen

Mucha
Coleman Duffy Heitinger Oviedo
MirallesJunior Neville Gueye
Naismith
Anichebe

Miralles, Jonny & Naismith need gametime, and Pip to organise, should have more than enough to win

Barry Rathbone all the way back @ 600

Amen! Don't mess around with the lineup too much! If we sit a few starters fine – they need rest and we may want to protect them especially at Leeds.

Anyone remember Villa blowing off the Europa Cup / League / whatever the hell it was called to chase top 4?

Win a trophy! 5 games in and we are thinking scrap the Cup run for top 4?!

Really?

Mickey Mouse Cup is still silverware. Win it – we can and we need to win something!

For me this is the best squad we have had in years. The best chance we have of keeping it together is to qualify for the champion's league. Players will want to stay with us for at least another season as they will want to play champions league football. This will increase our chances of doing well with a great squad next year. The injection of a large sum of champions league money will more than keep the wolves at bay and decrease the chance of us having to sell players or them being poached.

As much as I would want to see us win something, if you made me chose I would pick the champions league purely on the benefits of it. On saying that though, wanting to see us win something is a very deep rooted itch with most everton fans.