Quest for cup redemption driving Everton

Lyndon Lloyd , 28 February, 61comments | Jump to most recent

The desire to atone for last season's collapse against Liverpool in the semi-final and the agony of defeat in the Final to Chelsea in 2009 is partly what is driving David Moyes and his players in their quest for a fourth Wembley appearance in the FA Cup in five years.

The Blues know that despite their good home record against the Latics in the Premier League, a home tie against Wigan Athletic will be no formality, but they are also cognisant that it provides a gilt-edged opportunity to get back to the national stadium for another crack at the Final in May.

"I still have the disappointment of the semi-final against Liverpool and nothing would give me more pleasure than to get Everton back to Wembley, to try to reach another final," Moyes says.

"I know the players are very much of the same feeling and, although FA Cup ties are never easy, we will be striving to put right the disappointment from last year."

Goalkeeper Tim Howard, who admits that the team isn't firing on all cylinders but remains confident they'll step up when it matters, feels the same way. "What happened to us last year has given us a real drive to get back there again," he says. "It is always tough to lose to Liverpool - and even more so in those circumstances and on that big occasion."

“We have a home tie," he continues at evertonfc.com, "and if we win we get back to Wembley. We know how good that makes everybody feel so there is a lot of motivation.

“Wigan will be difficult. The way they play their football, they make it tough and pose a different challenge than what we had against Oldham. We will try and match up the best we can."

“We have advanced in the cup and have a home draw. And you look at the league table and we're still in the thick of it.

“We have to start doing the business but we are still in there. We seem to be higher up the league at this stage of the season than we have been in a while."

Quotes or other material sourced from Sky Sports

Reader Comments (61)

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Kase Chow
1 Posted 28/02/2013 at 16:19:58

Too fuckking right. That Liverpool team last season is the worst I've seen and they still beat us 3 times.

Something died in me when we lost to them in the semi-final last season.

Tony Marsh
2 Posted 28/02/2013 at 16:22:47

Please let's not go there. I have no confidence what so ever when in Moyes. When it comes to the crunch Moyes bottles it and that transfers through to his players. Last seasons semi-final v the Shite was an awful surrender job, one which still haunts me.

In 2009, we beat Man Utd's 3rd team on pens after drawing 0-0. During the whole 120 minutes of play, we didn't manage a single effort at goal.

The final against Chelsea was so embarrassing. After taking an early lead, we tried to defend it for 89 minutes.

Deep down I knew last season we would blow it a Wembley when we played the shittest ever Liverpool side I can remember.

Moyes will not change his tactics even in one-off cup games so if we do beat Wigan then expect more heartache at Wembley in April. I think it would be better all round if we didn't make it this time — not with Moyes in charge.

Nick Entwistle
3 Posted 28/02/2013 at 16:54:08

Winning is nice. Losing is bad. And Wembley is also nice. Mmmkay?

Damian Braithwaite
4 Posted 28/02/2013 at 17:00:57

I just hope he goes for it, It's shit or bust time now as playing cagey football and hoping to sneak a win does not pay off. Hope he learns from his mistakes as we never turned up for that semi final. I hope we get past Wigan first and play like we did against Sunderland away last year that for me is what the team should aspire to week in, week out. COYB

Chris Morris
5 Posted 28/02/2013 at 17:12:50

We should go out and win every game. I get tired of hearing fans say we should be pleased with a draw etc. I think if we don't change our attitude then we'll never win anything. I'm talking about fans. players, manager, everyone really. The question I ask myself though is: Whose job is it to motivate who? Should the fans motivate the team or vice-versa?

Lewis Morrison
6 Posted 28/02/2013 at 16:58:21

".....and nothing would give me more pleasure than to actually win the cup' !!!

That's the statement Moyes should be coming out with???

I love Moyes and I don't want to see him go or replaced but I wish he would stop playing everything down.

An achievement with the current squad would be to win the F.A. Cup not come second or reach the semis!

Am I being harsh?

Paul Ellam
7 Posted 28/02/2013 at 17:22:38

Let's get back to the way we played at the start of the season.
The way where we were the most creative side in Europe at one point.
The way which brought results despite sloppy goals.
The players are good enough, they have proved that, so if they get back to what was working I think the cup and a European place are still up for grabs.
I am aching for a trophy, I can't believe it's been so long since the last one!

Nick Waters
8 Posted 28/02/2013 at 17:21:20

Why would any Evertonian — players especially — not want to go to Wembley in any year? I know the context of last year's shameful exit is probably still raw, or should be, but I didn't see too much evidence of the team's burning desire to atone in the Bolton or first Oldham games. To my eye they were disappointing performances.

I know the OS puts rallying cries like this OP on its pages (a new one today called, 'Outstanding Osman') but I'd have thought it was a bit lowbrow for the mighty ToffeeWeb.

Barry Rathbone
9 Posted 28/02/2013 at 17:16:53

Thing is we get sucked in, even me; when things changed from hoofball and results flowed I remember thinking "careful", playing at full chat with nothing on it is par for the course under Moyes.

The tests are away at the old Sky 4, any Liverpool game and pressure cup games.

The lunacy of Anfield last year and the basketcase display at Wembley confirmed Moyes really doesn't change.

Same this year, we started well then the cup game at Leeds and Moyes goes nuts again — bang, out we go. Roll on to the Goodison derby Liverpool are effectively playing like a relegation outfit and what happens we give them a two-nil start.

I have no faith in more platitudes from these bottlers — stop talking, start doing.

James Morgan
10 Posted 28/02/2013 at 17:36:30

Lewis, Moyes plays everything down!

"David, how does it feel to win the Euro millions jackpot?"

"Aye, ok, but wah sharing it weth two other people!"

Paul Andrews
11 Posted 28/02/2013 at 18:06:04

"I still have the disappointment of losing the semi-final against Liverpool." Not as much as the disappointment Evertonians had watching the team you prepared mentality-wise and tactically-wise go out and lay down in front of our biggest enemy.

Andy Peers
12 Posted 28/02/2013 at 18:36:41

James #440, He won the millions jackpot when he signed his Everton contracts.

Denis Richardson
13 Posted 28/02/2013 at 18:48:38

Cheltenham, Bolton, Oldham – Everton's ties in the 3rd, 4th and 5th rounds of the FA Cup this year so far, to get to the quarter final. You can only beat the team in front of you but it's not exactly been a tough draw for us so far this year, thankfully.

Wigan at home in the quarters next, the first Premier League side we've yet to face. Result is all that matters at this stage, name in the hat for next round etc but please please STOP TALKING ABOUT WEMBLEY! We need to get past Wigan first!

What happened to the usual one game at a time, next game is the most important mantra?

FOCUS – Reading next, nothing else matters until that game is done!

Chris Morris
14 Posted 28/02/2013 at 19:07:02

PAUL SCHARNER

That's who we need to stop if we want to get to Wembley. His record against us is quite impressive. If he's eligible that is, but I don't see how he wouldn't be.

Colin Glassar
15 Posted 28/02/2013 at 19:29:13

Moyes owes us a cup. He said he'd win something within 5 years so I, along with BK, will be watching this space.

James Stewart
16 Posted 28/02/2013 at 20:41:48

So it should. The Liverpool semi was an utter disgrace. A large part of that was down to Moyes's defeatist tactics that got what they deserved, nothing. Let's hope he has learnt his lesson.

Andrew James
17 Posted 28/02/2013 at 21:28:21

What always disappoints me is that the players don't seize the opportunity by having a worldy against the top teams in key matches.

Fellaini, Baines, Pienaar, Osman... our best creative / destructive players always seem to go quiet rather than showing a "fuck you" will to win. In the 2009 FA Cup Final, I just wanted to see somebody go on a run, go for the jugular... same last year when RS scored the equaliser. Nobody puts their foot on the ball, hurts the opposition and drives those around him on with sheer will power.

Richard Dodd
18 Posted 28/02/2013 at 21:26:57

After an absence of five months,I have decided to return to active participation on Toffeeweb albeit that because of `my excesses`,my posts will now be `moderated`

Tomorrow is 1st March and rarely have I felt so comfortable about our situation as I do this season. Sixth in the Prem and in the Sixth Round of the FA Cup! None too often have been in this exalted state at this point in the calendar and with the team playing the best football we have seen in all the Premier League years we can think positively about our future.

Even the prospect of losing the excellent David Moyes should not faze us as their is a surfeit of good young managers about at present. If it becomes necessary, all we can ask is that Blue Bill applies the same sound judgement in appointing Davey`s successor as he did in bringing in the man himself.

There was a real buzz about Goodison as we left the ground on Tuesday and I confidently predict a resounding win over Reading...

Colin Wainwright
19 Posted 28/02/2013 at 21:50:08

The Pope resigns. Richard Dodd re-appears.

Coincidence?

Dave Lynch
20 Posted 28/02/2013 at 21:52:40

Michael/ Lyndon.

FFS ban him again! Welcome back Richard .

Andrew James
21 Posted 28/02/2013 at 22:01:41

Flipping heck Doddy! You are back and badder than before.

Peter Cummings
22 Posted 28/02/2013 at 21:49:49

Until the suicidal back pass by Distin last year, we were in full control of the game but fell apart after it. Like myself, most Evertonians would love to go to Wembley again in the greatest cup competition in the world...

But we must be realistic as, even IF we get past Wigan, it's odds on we'll get the winner of the Man Utd/Chelsea game so it's vital we get our act together soon — starting on Saturday.

Sam Hoare
23 Posted 28/02/2013 at 22:19:37

Welcome back, Doddy. Try and be a bit more upbeat about things this time round.

Peter Warren
24 Posted 28/02/2013 at 22:22:17

Welcome back doddy you miserable git

Kevin Tully
25 Posted 28/02/2013 at 22:33:15

Who d'ya fancy as our next manager, Doddy?

(That's to Richard, not Ken!)

Eugene Ruane
26 Posted 28/02/2013 at 22:29:38

Let's see if Richard Dodd's 'sabbatical' has made him any more realistic.

"...rarely have I felt so comfortable about our situation as I do this season... exalted state at this point in the calendar...playing the best football we have seen in all the Premier years... Blue Bill applies the same sound judgement in appointing Davey's successor... a real buzz about Goodison as we left the ground on Tuesday... confidently predict a resounding win over Reading..."

Wow — it has!

Si Cooper
27 Posted 28/02/2013 at 22:45:07

Am I alone in thinking that the buzz Doddy references may be artificially enhanced?

Are they serving 'coffee and cakes' in the Freshy these days?

Richard Dodd
28 Posted 28/02/2013 at 23:07:25

Thanks for the reception, guys! I`m sure you are all as proud of the season the lads are having as I am. Wembley and Europe could both be round the corner!

Andrew James
29 Posted 28/02/2013 at 23:29:26

Okay, somebody has hacked his account and is being incredibly optimistic to try copying him.

It happened that time Tony Marsh told us we'd get relegated in 2 years back in 2008. Or that time the bad Eugene impersonator didn't use capitals for key points...(or was that because Eugene's CAPS LOCK key wasn't working that day?)

Jackie Barry
30 Posted 01/03/2013 at 01:42:34

Well it isn't going to happen if we keep playing the way we have been recently. Just saying like....

John Pendleton
31 Posted 01/03/2013 at 05:51:49

So Moyes said: "I still have the disappointment of the FA Cup semi-final last year against Liverpool and nothing would give me more pleasure than to get Everton back to Wembley to try and reach another final."

Nothing? Really? How about winning the fucking thing? Jeez, we're even 'best of the rest' in his dreams!

Thomas Windsor
32 Posted 01/03/2013 at 07:54:26

If we do beat Wigan I wouldn't fancy playing Man City, Man Utd or even Chelsea in a semi-final, and if we did beat one of them, we would have to beat another one in the final — Moyes would be like the rabbit caught in the headlights. Time for a change of manager — over to you, Kenwright!

Gavin Ramejkis
33 Posted 01/03/2013 at 08:26:10

Welcome back Doddy, at least debating with you doesn't go around in circles looking for cast iron evidence which is still denied when you present it.

Richard Dodd
34 Posted 01/03/2013 at 09:55:55

Thanks for that, Gavram. I don`t think we`ve ever fallen out over the facts. It`s on the interpretation of them that we differ!

Kevin Tully
35 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:26:31

I find it amazing how many blues are now seeing Moyes as an average manager now he may be leaving.

Talk about fickle. If you look on Bluekipper, they have finally acknowledged his disgraceful record at certain grounds.

Mention this a few months ago, and his supporters gave you a million reasons why he was the greatest manager in recent memory.

His negativity is also mentioned regularly on radio phone-in's and in the local press.

None of the Moyesophiles will admit it, but his supporters are not even as vocal on this site.

The truth hurts sometimes, and some of our support loved to hear him being touted as the next Man Utd boss - now he won't sign, fans are actually looking at the facts, and that he plays not to lose first and foremost.

He's not "the special one", more the "just a little bit above average one."

Mark Murphy
36 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:32:20

Marsh and Dodd – the two ends of the spectrum. Somewhere in the middle lies reality.

Trouble is, as much as I respect Moyes and the job he has done with limited resources, I am beginning to drift to the Marsh end of the rainbow.

A damp squib semi and 8th spot will be hailed at the end of this season as a good performance and Moyes will go with Bills blessing and a round of applause from our faithful at Chelsea as we whimper to Rafa's swansong.

Could've, should've, might've

But it's all downhill after Moyes I'm afraid.

Richard Dodd
37 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:13:41

"As with everything else, opinions differ widely on David Moyes. However, when The Book of Everton is writ, I am sure he will go down as an outstanding manager who gave the Club long and loyal service. Not too many of his profession survive to serve 11 years at a Premier League club and – whilst there are those who will say that`s only down to the special relationship he forged with his chairman – his record bears witness to his very considerable ability.

I`m constantly reminded that I know little about the `old days` but looking through the record books only Catterick and Kendall Mk 1 can hold a candle to him.

Richard Tarleton
38 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:53:14

I'm afraid, Richard, it depends on who writes the book. Objective truth does not exist, it is all subjective. Anyhow, In my sixty years watching the club, Moyes is fourth amongst the managers. Catterick, Kendall, Carey were all better managers. But do remember that's only an opinion.

Andrew Ellams
39 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:00:01

Richard Tarleton, I would have to rate Royle above Moyes.

Patrick Murphy
40 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:07:02

It's nearly five years since our unfortunate exit at the hands of Florientina at Goodison in 2008 and it is a stark reminder of how things were compared to how they are now. It's little wonder that David Moyes is considering his future at Goodison. Many of the present team (five years older) - were here but many others have left the club. Do we still think that the players at our disposal at the moment are the best we have had during Moyes' time at the club?

Howard Neville ; Yobo ;Jagielka; Lescott ;Pienaar Anichebe ;Arteta;Carsley;Osman
Johnson Gravesen Yakubu
Subs not used
Wessels Baines Valente Hibbert Rodwell
Unavailable Cahill (injured) Fernandes (injured) Valente (injured) Vaughan(injured)
Van der Meyde (injured) Turner (injured)

It just goes to show how little backing DM has had during the last five years.

Richard Tarleton
41 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:34:42

Fair enough Andrew, Royle did win something

Eugene Ruane
42 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:31:54

Andrew James (535) - "Or that time the bad Eugene impersonator didn't use capitals for key points...(or was that because Eugene's CAPS LOCK key wasn't working that day?)"

I'm predicting the new satire boom starts here.

Nick Entwistle
43 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:37:41

Patrick - Van Der Meyde "Injured".

Patrick Murphy
44 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:56:57

That's the official line Nick as per TW line-up, but he was probably tired and emotional really.

Richard Dodd
45 Posted 01/03/2013 at 11:59:29

Yes, we won something under Royle and that holds a special memory for me. But the football was `dog awful` for much of his short tenure — far more basic than than the alleged `hoof -ball days` of early Moyes.

As far as Carey is concerned, that was more than 50 years ago and you can hardly compare the quality of those days to these. I do have to say, however, that my old man still rates `Gentleman Johnny` as the founder of `The School of Science`and names Gabriel, Vernon and Young amongst his all-time heroes. He believes Everton were not best served by his dismissal and, strangely, has little time for Catterick in spite of his achievements.

We`re all a bit odd, us Dodds!

Joe McMahon
46 Posted 01/03/2013 at 13:06:45

Welcome back Richard! I was beginning to think the Freshy had locked in all the patients.

You talk about the football under Royle being dog awful? How about a 2 -1 victory at Anfield with Kanchelskis and Limpar (thats 2 wingers) pulling the strings.

Your Man Moyes has won how many times at their place in 11 years?

Paul Andrews
47 Posted 01/03/2013 at 14:02:40

Joe @ 629

He has won the same amount of league games at Anfield as he has won at Old Trafford.... Stamford Bridge... Emirates...

Richard Dodd
48 Posted 01/03/2013 at 14:16:46

I`ll give you that one, Joe,but that`s hardly a stick to beat Moyes with,surely?
We`ve only won half a dozen league games at Anfield in the FIFTY years since they came back from the Second Division and even Catterick and Kendall only managed a couple of wins each in about 20 years service between them.

Tony J Williams
49 Posted 01/03/2013 at 14:49:35

Richard, how many times have I told you, we don't do "logic"?

Paul Andrews
50 Posted 01/03/2013 at 17:46:47

Logically speaking.
How many games did we win at the other 3 stadiums in the last 50 years ?

Richard Dodd
51 Posted 01/03/2013 at 20:30:27

Logically, Paul, I think the answer to your poser is that during the last 50 years, Everton have won 6 away league games v both Man Uutd and Arsenal and 7 at Chelsea.

During those 50 years the Mancs spent two seasons outside the old First Division and Chelsea seven. All those figures tell us is that NO Everton manager has found meetings with these teams on their middens easy pickings.

David Cornmell
52 Posted 01/03/2013 at 20:42:30

Welcome back Doddy!!!

You cite those win numbers... that adds up to twenty five wins from one hundred ninety one attempts. A win percentage of over 12.5 %...

Seeing Moyes win percentage is 0% in the same fixtures - and indeed, he is responsible for lowering the overall percentage greatly - you might be able to see why some of us are a little disappointed.

Patrick Murphy
53 Posted 01/03/2013 at 20:49:41

Richard, I would wager we have lost more times on those grounds in the modern era, but I wouldn't put a lot of money on it. Arsenal and the other place have always been bad places for Everton, but I honestly thought our record at OT would be not too bad and Chelsea have had some pretty awful teams in the last 50 years so again would have imagined a better record there.
Old Trafford is beginning to take on Elland Road proportions in the modern era.

Phil Walling
54 Posted 01/03/2013 at 10:38:12

Drop the bugger then and give someone else a go, Moyes! Neither Mirallas nor Vellios could be any worse, surely?

Under this manager, Everton has been the graveyard for proven scorers. Don`t they all score plenty to start but finish up tearing about and defending corners.

I swear I`ve seen Jelavic clear more off his own goal line this season than he`s scored at t`other end!

Phil Walling
55 Posted 01/03/2013 at 21:01:20

Sorry,post was a reply to Moyes`Jelavic rant.

Paul Andrews
56 Posted 01/03/2013 at 21:44:39

Richard,
Those wins would have been in the 39 years before the last 11 of course.

Richard Dodd
57 Posted 02/03/2013 at 11:15:02

Of course, you are correct in that assumption, Paul.

Comparing like with like, Everton managed 6 victories `at those places` in the ten Premier years before Moyes's arrival. Joe Royle is the undisputed champion with away victories against Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea, Kendall the Second beat United and Chelsea and Smith outwitted the Shite on one occasion.

The real tester is,of course, finishing positions, and in those ten early Premier League seasons our average was 14th against Moyes's 7½th. Only Big Joe managed a top half finish-6th in 95/6-so things have definitely improved under Davey`s guidance.Case closed.

Max Murphy
58 Posted 02/03/2013 at 11:39:46

Moyes lost us the final in 2009. Lars Jacobsen had been outstanding up to then, and he drops him to the bench and brings on a woefully out of form Hibbert. Malouda ran rings round him that first half, which led to their first goal. Moyes' other love child, Phil Neville was selected in CM and failed to deal with Lampard who scored the winner. I expect nothing different from Moyes this season as he has shown in his dreadful team selections in the Premiership. The sooner he's out the door the better.

Robbie Shields
59 Posted 03/03/2013 at 05:56:48

Doddy #811, could I argue that the previous managers results away at the big clubs is even more impressive given that their teams were shite! They managed to win away when as a club we could only average 14th as you say, Moyes has managed to achieve a genuinely credible 7 1/2 average but hasn't won at any of those grounds.

My take on it is that it is yet further evidence of Moyes being negative, bottling it and showing too much respect to the opposition with his legendary 'Knife to a gun fight' being the single most disgraceful quote ever to come out of an Everton managers mouth.

Nice to see you back BTW

Neil Pickering
60 Posted 03/03/2013 at 06:28:22

No chance of us winning it whilst Man Utd, Chelsea, or Man City are still in it. We may get to a semi-final or even the final, but in the end we will be left heartbroken.

Standard.

Paul Andrews
61 Posted 03/03/2013 at 20:00:24

Richard,

Would that 7 (and a half) be considered to be over achieving?

The discussion was about his inability, or indeed, lack of courage to prepare a team capable of beating one of the teams mentioned.

Case reopened.

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