Oldham Athletic vs Everton

Michael Kenrick and Lyndon Lloyd , 16 February, 28comments | Jump to most recent

FA Cup 5th Round — Match Preview

The relentless quest for silverware continues on Saturday with Everton visiting Boundary Park in the 5th Round of the FA Cup, the highest league ground in England, to take on Oldham Athletic.

The inevitable fear of a banana skin lying in wait is balanced by the knowledge that Everton should have enough to bring home the bacon against League 1 opposition. But this is the FA Cup, anything can happen; that's why we play the games...

If the events of last weekend — ominous victories for all of the Blues' rivals for fourth place in the Premier League, coupled with the fairly impotent manner in which Everton went down to defeat at Manchester United — are any indication, Everton's fortunes, and by consequence their ambitions for the season, appear to have shifted.

With 12 games left and 36 points to play for, it would be premature to declare the chase for Champions League football over — Chelsea have been remarkably fallible as they lurch through yet another managerial bedding-in period; though improving, inconsistent Arsenal have yet to find any real rhythm; and while Tottenham have developed an annoying habit of winning, they could be due for another rough spell any week now — but the performance at Old Trafford, coming a week after the near-calamity against Aston Villa, illustrated that a top-four finish might be too big an ask for a core squad lacking numbers and sufficient quality.

That brings the FA Cup into sharper focus for David Moyes as he prepares for a clash with Oldham Athletic, Everton's fourth successive away cup tie, that will reward the victor with a place in the quarter finals. Though the field is strong this year — both Manchester clubs, Chelsea and Arsenal remain — the competition offers Moyes the chance to end his 11-year wait for silverware and, with no guarantees that sixth place in the League will be good enough, it could be the Blues' best route into Europe next season.

It also provides the Blues with an opportunity to succeed where Liverpool failed; Oldham stormed into a 3-1 lead over Brendan Rogers' men in the previous round, held on for 3-2 victory, and then drew Everton immediately afterwards. As famous a victory it was for the League One side, it was not enough to save Paul Dickov's job. Already under fire for poor results in the League, the Latics' manager was sacked the week before last. Moyes will be hoping to exploit the upheaval and see his team through with the minimum of fuss.

He may have inadvertently sown a seed of doubt amongst fans and players alike in terms of one of his primary strengths through the years: the constancy of his long-term commitment to the cause and name of Everton Football Club.

Yesterday, he appeared to substantiate the fears many have expressed, that he is seriously thinking of ending his 11-year stint as Manager — primarily, it is claimed, because of the incomprehensible failure of the Everton Board to support his desire to strengthen the side in a final bid for 4th place.

That honest statement about not deciding on his future until the summer, until he sees how his team has performed by the end of the season, could ironically crack the fragile edifice of confidence and belief that holds his threadbare side together and has had them "punching above their weight" while hovering consistently between 4th and 6th in the Premier League since early October.

Moyes has said this week that preparation is the key but confidence and self-belief are perhaps Everton's least resilient qualities — yet those most needed on a trip to the home of feisty lower leaguers keen to notch up their second successive giant-killing exploit against Merseyside opposition.

Sylain Distin is expected to return after pulling out of of last week's league game at the last minute due to illness, but Victor Anichebe is a doubt due to injury that could force Moyes to bring back misfiring striker Nikica Jelavic, with the height of Fellaini likely to remain a key part of the attack.

In midfield, young protegé Ross Barkley is back from loan at Leeds, but few expect him to play in this crucial game where a mistake could gift the opposition a goal.

In defence, it's assumed that Distin will displace Johnny Heitinga, whose performances have been shockingly poor... but not poor enough for young Shane Duffy to be risked in his place. Duffy expressed frustration this week at not having played a league game for a full calendar year, but seems just as unlikely to break that duck any time soon as Moyes resolutely insists none of his young/academy players are good enough to displace his tried and trusted senior pros. Seamus Coleman and the now almost forgotten Tony Hibbert remain out with injuries.

The only arrival during the ultimately dismal transfer window, fullback John Stones, is cup-tied, having already played in the competition this season for his home club, Barnsley.

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Reader Comments (28)

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Brent Stephens
2 Posted 16/02/2013 at 07:36:15

I thought WBA was the highest ground in England?

John Maxwell
3 Posted 16/02/2013 at 08:17:15

Yep The Hawthorns is the highest in England, Oldham is 2nd.

Back to the game....We need to get Jelavic scoring again.

I remember very well the games in the early nighties, specifically a game when a ref called Tony Ward. had a shocking game sending off Whiteside in the Goodson replay.

Nothing but a win is good enough!!

Brent Stephens
4 Posted 16/02/2013 at 08:27:22

John "I remember very well the games in the early nighties". Must have been a sight to be behold! Mere slips of lads then.

Nick Entwistle
5 Posted 16/02/2013 at 08:48:10

In the least rest Baines, Pienaar, Osman. They need it.

Steven Astley
6 Posted 16/02/2013 at 09:01:41

Paul Dickov wasn't sacked, he walked away.

Kev Johnson
7 Posted 16/02/2013 at 09:52:08

The question is: will we wear the second kit (black) or the third one (white/blue)?

I hope Jimmy Martin's on top of this. It could make the difference between glorious victory and ignominious defeat.

Come On You Non-Blues!

Kunal Desai
8 Posted 16/02/2013 at 10:26:24

Make or break game. Lose and the season is over. Knock on effect on the league as well.

Steve Guy
9 Posted 16/02/2013 at 11:06:19

Lose and Moyes has effectively handed in his resignation?

Phil Sammon
10 Posted 16/02/2013 at 11:12:59

Kev

Apparently we're wearing all white. I can't recall Everton ever doing that. Although, to be fair, I can't recall what I had for breakfast.

It's a tough one here for Moyes. I wouldn't wish for wholesale changes like we made at Leeds. Throwing youngsters into games like this, you need to surround them with experience. I'm sure he will 'use his squad', I just hope it's younger lads rather than Naismith and The Hammer (who I actually think is a good player).

Howard
Stones
Jagielka (Duffy 56')
Distin
Baines
Mirallas
Gibson
Barkley
Fellaini
Pienaar (Kennedy 67')
Jelavić (McAleny 75')

There you go, Moyes, take the evening off.

Ray Roche
11 Posted 16/02/2013 at 11:24:36

Phil Sammon @743

Phil, we wore all white kit on numerous times in the 60s. Stones is cup-tied so you'd better get on to Moyes and tell him to cancel his trip to see Les Miserables, a show/film in which he was born to appear. In addition, the substitutions are FAR too early and you had cornflakes for breakfast.

Take the evening off...

Kev Johnson
12 Posted 16/02/2013 at 11:28:53

All white? Are you sure, Phil? Jimmy Martin has gone bonkers!

Maybe we'll start playing like the sublime all-white Real Madrid side of 1960, with Puskas and Di Stefano. Who can forget their classic European Cup final against Eintracht Frankfurt? (Me, for a start, I wasn't born.) One of the greatest games ever.

Inspired by that great Madrid side, I predict the score will be: Oldham 3 v 7 Everton

Paul Kelly
13 Posted 16/02/2013 at 11:36:43

Let's put this one to bed and twat these fuckers.

I expect a pretty much unchanged side from the last game so it's time to stand up and be counted to all the under-performers.

Last chance at getting something this season. A win today may kick start our push for Europe.

Richard Reeves
14 Posted 16/02/2013 at 12:12:11

Kev, surely it will be the white kit as their blue is very dark and too close in contrast to the black kit.....

That's right,I'm bored.

Eugene Ruane
15 Posted 16/02/2013 at 12:20:56

I think with it being the cup and knowing strange things can happen, the most important thing is not to say anything that might tempt fate.

Anyway, I'm off to see if I can find any interesting online articles.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/oldham-vs-everton-preview-phil-1712329

Harold Matthews
16 Posted 16/02/2013 at 12:58:00

Jelavic and Naismith is a proven partnership which managed to cause trouble at Old Trafford. With Jelavic running from left to right, trying to set up a shot, Naismith crossed the penalty area in the opposite direction, distracting one centre back before deliberately colliding with the other. Quick thinking clever stuff.

Peter Cummings
17 Posted 16/02/2013 at 13:46:26

We all know what a great leveller the cup is but today we face a team without a manager and in a relegation battle so even a draw would be disappointing. Attack must be our only aim; give our fantastic away following something to sing about as well as the thousands of Blues here in Canada.

Phil Sammon
18 Posted 16/02/2013 at 14:04:04

Ray

I had Crunchy Nut, the subs are fine, Jags forced off a little early due to a minor thigh strain - fit for next week, 'Stones' was a typo, I meant Neville but fell asleep typing his name.

Colin Glassar
19 Posted 16/02/2013 at 14:17:52

Nick Entwistle (#715), absolutely agree. I would rest Bainaar and Ossie. They look tired and devoid of ideas.

Lose this today and our season is effectively over.

Amit Vithlani
20 Posted 16/02/2013 at 14:32:00

Could be a horrible game. Dodgy pitch, lower league side with abit of giant-killing form and our tired lads. I'd happily take a scruffy 1-0, Jelly bundling one in off his backside.

Paul Kelly
21 Posted 16/02/2013 at 14:49:35

Davie ain't going to rest Osman, Pienaar or Baines. It's a 'do or die' situation and he won't even toy with the idea. Same old, same old.

Tom Bowers
22 Posted 16/02/2013 at 15:06:28

Every game is important to the fans and we expect victory in them all.
However, in reality it wont happen but in this one it may a back up trail to Europe and so Moyes will put out a full strength team as at Cheltenham.
The benchwarmers will probably only see time near the end as usual.
The game will be physical and our lightweight players may struggle.
I think they may have to struggle for a draw.

Ray Roche
23 Posted 16/02/2013 at 15:55:50

As 4th is slipping away I think Moyes will see this as a last chance to rescue a season where everyone expected a "better second half, as usual" campaign to propel us into a CL place and, onwards and upwards, Rodney. I can't see him ringing the changes without injuries forcing him to do so. We all thought a weakened team could do the business at Leeds but it backfired on him (and us) so the likes of Oviedo, Barkley, poor sod, Vellios, Duffy et al can expect another dose of Splinter Bum, I fear.

Phil Sammon @774

Crunchy nut? Are you sure?

Max Murphy
24 Posted 16/02/2013 at 16:07:21

I've just heard that for this evening's cup-tie clash against Oldham, David Moyes has recalled Kevin Campbell from last night's Question of Sport, as a replacement for the injured Victor Anichebe.

When questioned by Liverpool Echo sports' journalists on this decision, Moyes replied:

"Och, aye the noo. Kevin looks a lot like Victor, and to be honest, I don't think the fans will know the difference."

Jay Harris
25 Posted 16/02/2013 at 16:05:16

Due to the condition of their pitch and the way they play it will be a physical long ball game.

With that in mind I would rest Ossie and possibly Mirallas and would have put Vic and Jelly up front with Felli Gibbo Oviedo and Pienaar in MF.

I wouldnt even have JH on the bench as he is a waste of a shirt right now.

If Vic is injured Nais should be OK at this level and probably needs a run out.

I don't want to tempt providence but we're due a clean sheet so Blues to win uncomfortably 2-0.

John Gant
26 Posted 16/02/2013 at 16:52:26

The Arse are out!

Max Murphy
27 Posted 16/02/2013 at 16:54:16

Get in Blackburn! The Arse are out!

Max Murphy
28 Posted 16/02/2013 at 17:08:06

The 3 cup games today have all ended in away victories. Please Everton, don't spoil it!

Andy Walker
29 Posted 16/02/2013 at 17:36:08

Max Murphy 794, do you actually think the stereotypical Scottish/black attempts at humour are remotely funny? You are deluded and living in the 80s.

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