Blues draw City in the semi-finals

, 2 December, 257comments  |  Jump to most recent
Updated Everton will face Manchester City in their two-legged semi-final of the Capital One Cup, with the home leg first at 8pm on 6th January.

The draw paired the Blues with Manuel Pellegrini's men after they beat Hull City 4-1 in the quarter finals.

The second leg will take place on 27th January at 7.45pm.

Stoke will host Liverpool first in the other semi-final.

The draw means that Everton will play the current Premier League leaders three times next month – twice in the League Cup and once in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.  



Reader Comments (257)

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Jim Bennings
1 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:05:43
Ahh well, good while it lasted.
Mark Frere
2 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:06:42
Fuck! Last team we wanted to face.
Øystein Heggelund
3 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:07:24
Was hoping for Stoke, but still think we can beat City over two legs. COYB!
Craig Fletcher
4 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:07:49
If we win this cup, we certainly would have earned it. Will have to beat Man City and most likely the Reds.
Colin Glassar
5 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:08:08
Hopefully Man City will have other things on their minds but, saying that, they are beatable.
Tony Hill
6 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:08:39
I see no reason at all why we cannot beat them. They are a good side but so are we.
Brian Williams
7 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:09:44
Like we didn’t expect those Red twats to get the "easy" draw!
Carl Taylor
8 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:09:58
Toughest draw, though I’m glad we avoided the shite as we can beat them at Goodison or Wembley; but never at Anfield!! Winners to play Stoke?!!!
Dave Ganley
9 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:10:39
If we play for a full 90 minutes in both games then we definitely have a chance.
Gerry Quinn
10 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:10:44
We will beat them if we turn up for both halves of each match; they can be vulnerable – as proven recently.
Clive Lewis
11 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:10:57
Sadly don’t have a manager that is good enough, we will have to be extremely fortunate like Wigan. They will not be playing Champions League until March.

I don’t expect they will fear us and all that passing around the defence.

Andy Meighan
12 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:11:13
What a shock. Wouldn’t be us getting Stoke would it? Every other season, there’s a Championship or League One side in the draw. The season we get there, it’s City, them and Stoke, not forgetting the last time we got there, we got the best side in the league.

After us getting a few good results against them, City have got the measure of us now. Still, one saving grace is we won’t have to go through two more derbies.
Mike Powell
13 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:11:31
Absolute cert, that draw... the Sky tools want an RS –City final. Let's throw a spanner in the works and beat the Mancs, and hope to turn the RS over. COYB
Denis Richardson
14 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:12:00
Unfortunately, Colin, I don’t think they will; it may be the 4th trophy they’re after but it’s still a trophy. (Never mind that their second team would probably still finish top six.)

Knowing our luck, we’ll beat Man City and then lose to the RS in the final for Corporal Klopp's first trophy.

Semi not till January, lots of games to get through in December first... still a semi, tho.

Peter Laing
15 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:12:16
What’s with the pessimism, guys? – Onwards, Evertonians!!
Gerry Quinn
16 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:12:23
I’m just glad we avoided the RedShite – the media already has them winning it, and their fans have them winning the league for the 18th season on the trot!
Paul Mackie
17 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:12:33
City aren't unbeatable and this cup is certainly not their main focus for the season. We can just about do it but our defence needs to stop leaking goals.
Harold Matthews
18 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:12:40
Is our name written on the Cup?
Steve Roomes
19 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:13:50
Shit draw. I would have prefered Stoke or at least to play away first leg.
Ian Riley
20 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:13:55
I believe over two legs we have a chance. As long as we take a lead to City!
Gerry Morrison
21 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:14:08
I'd rather beat the Shite at Wembley than knock them out over two legs.
Patrick Murphy
22 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:14:09
Should be a good final then Everton v Stoke.

I’m just glad it isn’t the other lot because this site would have been full of how great they are and how we would get rolled over by them in any game due to our manager and naive defence.

It was fun while it lasted; we may as well play the kids and let the two Premier League giants battle it out at Wembley.

Ste Traverse
24 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:14:44
Let's face it, this will be a derby final if we get through as no way will Stoke knock those twats out.

Gerry Quinn
25 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:14:49
The Capital One Clopp winners – please Stoke, Mark Hughes and Shawcross, get your heavier clogs on as before and dump them!
Kevin Hudson
26 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:15:21
Hate to be a cynic but the fix is in... Said so to my (Kopite) wife earlier.

Two night-time Merseyside derbies to police...? No chance.

A lucrative Man City – Liverpool final. Yes please!

Even the fact we’re drawn at home in the first leg smacks of meddling.

Knew we’d get Man City.

Mike Owen
27 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:15:50
Could be set up for a heck of a week.

Spurs on the Sunday, City on (probably) the Wednesday and FA Cup the following weekend. Draw is next Monday night.

Could be three games in a week at home.

And after that week, there is City away in the league. All in 11 days!

Frank McGregor
28 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:16:03
They will probably buy Lukaku and Deulofeu on 2nd January to even things up a bit.
John Keating
29 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:17:01
Everton v Stoke final.

Brilliant day out and hopefully put a few past our future goalie.
Dave Abrahams
30 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:17:37
As already stated, if we focus for 90 minutes in each game, of course we have a chance. If we sit back, we will make it harder for ourselves.
Gerry Quinn
32 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:17:45
I remember the Spurs - Man Utd Final in 95 that they all predicted... wrong!

I hope it’s the same this time round: Stoke v Everton – a media shut-out!

Ian Williams
33 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:17:46
We’ve got them in the league on the 14th Jan too...3 times in 3 weeks!
Colin Glassar
34 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:20:04
So it’s Man City. It’s weeks away and in football, anything can happen. Let’s not fret over it.
Dave Southword
35 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:20:27
They might not televise it, Gerry!
Mark Frere
36 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:20:59
Trouble is, we’re going (let's be honest) toe to toe with a better side over two legs.

I remember the game earlier on this season, we didn’t particularly play bad... but they were just a class above us.

It would have been better to play them at Wembley in a one-off game where form usually goes out of the window because of the occasion, a la Wigan’s encounter with them in the FA Cup final.

Chris Corn
37 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:22:42
Fuck it... Let’s piss on their dream final, like we did in 95...
Jim Bennings
38 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:23:37
I don’t think it’s so much as pessimism but more realism.

Yes, City are beatable but only if you do what Klopp has got the redshite doing. I hate to admit it but the high energy pressing game is paying dividends.

I just think we are too weak defensively to beat City over two legs. We stand off top class players too much; do that against the likes of Silva, Aguero, De Bruyne, and they’ll kill us dead!

Martinez has a shite record against Manchester City too, can’t we rent Moyes for those games?

I’m still to be convinced that Martinez has a good enough solid enough plan in place for us to regularly beat the best team’s, we’ve beaten Chelsea, lost to Man Utd, Man City, Arsenal and drew with Liverpool and Spurs so far, it’s pretty average really.

On a plus point, at least soft arse Howard won’t be in goal like he was in August against City when he made a prat of himself on both their goals, getting beat on his near post and lobbed in the six-yard box!!!

Sam Hoare
39 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:24:21
Hmmm... I don’t fancy our chances vs City over two legs. Especially if they have the likes of Kompany, Silva and Aguero back.

Still... nothing to lose and we have goals in us.

Matthew Salem
40 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:24:36
Worst possible draw, not because I fear City, but because the shite will be in the final with their easy draw. Yes, I am being negative, but I don't believe we will ever beat them in a cup final.
Mike Benjamin
41 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:25:23
If we are going to win the cup then we would need to beat City at some point. 8,000 blues at the Etihad...we’ll win!
Peter Cummings
42 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:25:36
What a surprise draw...
Danny Broderick
43 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:26:45
We will be up against it, but they have got a casualness about them. They are capable of having a bad night in the 2nd game, so let's just hope we get a decent result in the 1st game....
Stephen Brown
44 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:28:32
Do City have any Champions League fixtures around that time?
Mike Hughes
45 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:28:37
Look at it this way:

City also wanted Stoke, not us in the semis. This is not City’s biggest target this season. It IS now our biggest target given we are in the semis and haven’t won the trophy before.

City have been doddery lately.... We can beat them. We are the form side.

Stoke should have no fear with a recent 6-1 win over that lot. Mark Hughes will have them fired up. It won’t be a walk at St Mary’s for the RS.

Tony Abrahams
46 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:29:51
Harold, I hope so mate! Patrick, I'm going soft in my old age, because if we can get past City, for the first time in my life, I will hope Liverpool win.

We might be a top midfielder away from being a top side, but our biggest enemy, is STILL ourselves. The only difference between Everton and Liverpool at the minute, is they play for ninety minutes, whereas we take our foot off the pedal.

SORT THIS OUT AND WE CAN BEAT ANYBODY.

Colin Glassar
47 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:30:10
Nah, I'm going with an Everton - Stoke final. We could call it 'The People's Final'. Two genuine, venerable football clubs rather than the mega rich upstart twats like the other two. Let's get it on Blue Boys!!
Barry Pearce
48 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:30:21
Don’t worry, lads... a Everton - Stoke final.
Kevin Fitzsimons
49 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:30:35
And if we had drawn Stoke the doom merchants would have us slipping on that banana skin.... Remember the consensus on here was that we wouldn’t beat Boro ....

To win a cup you have to beat every team you are drawn against AND WE CAN!!!! COYB I’m dreamin of a BLUE Christmas and a derby final victory.

John Keating
50 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:31:27
As I said in my post #24, it will be a great day out and all the charabancs leaving Liverpool will have a good run down the M6 until we hit Junction 15 and meet the Stoke mob...
Clive Lewis
51 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:32:14
No champions league until March which will be a help to RS if City beat us.
Gordon Crawford
52 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:32:55
We better flipping win it, it’s got to be our time, long long overdue.

If that other shower can beat City and comfortably, then we can do the same. Their first team isn’t any better than us, but their manager seems to be far better than than ours.

I do really hate saying it, but I loving listening to Klopp, a more humble red you couldn’t meet.

John Malone
53 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:32:58
What a load of false hope. Redshite - Stoke was the easiest draw, hands down.

We’ve just drawn the Champs with an array of talent in every position. I’m not saying we can’t beat them but it will be very difficult over two legs!

Gavin Johnson
54 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:33:15
I so wanted to draw Stoke but knew we’d get City or Liverpool.
Christy Ring
55 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:35:21
Well done with the draw, Andy!! The RedShite lucky again.

On the positive side, with the Xmas fixtures and City going for the title, they might mix it up, and Bob will have signed 3 top players in the Window.

Adolf Ng
56 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:36:01
Referring back to what Joe Royal said 20 years ago "let's ruin the dream final!!!!"
Colin Glassar
57 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:36:22
Clive, the RS aren’t in the Champions League.
John Atkins
58 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:37:02
Haha fucking FA wanted this draw.

Red Shite v Citeh Final!!! You wankers!!!

I would absolutely love it if it was us v Stoke in the final and piss them off!!!!

Christopher Marston
59 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:37:18
It always seems that whenever we get close to the final, every time the clubs left in it are the dominant teams. Other teams seem to be able to win this competition by having championship teams to play in every round. Just never seems to fall our way.
Rob Halligan
60 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:40:35
At least with Man City they will let you play. Stoke will kick shit out of the RS in an attempt to do anything to get to the final.
Mike Price
61 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:42:07
If we both make it to the final, which I think is quite likely, then their natural, obnoxious arrogance will disgust the world as per and we will finally ram it down their throats.

If not then we still haven't beaten them in a final, so nothing's changed. We've everything to gain if we make it to the final and if we don't, at least City will be out for vengeance.

Brian Garside
62 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:42:17
Utterly predictable. Ourselves and Stoke City drawn at home for the first match, whilst media favourites get to play at home in the decider.

I suspect the cubes were heated to provide the opportunity to charge maximum advertising prices etc for the final. Surprising this as I understand we have a larger worldwide following than Citeh.

Colin Gee
63 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:42:22
Like everyone else, I would have preferred Stoke in the Semi, but it’s going to be tough. I think we can do it, just need that bit of luck.

We also play City in the League in January as well, so that’s three times in less than a month, let's hope we don’t draw them in the 3rd Round of the FA Cup. That would mean playing them 3 times in a week!

Kevin McNerney
64 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:43:39
We can have these twats.

I fancy Stoke to bend over the red shite an all.

Jamie Sweet
65 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:43:52
So when we draw City in the FA Cup and take it to a replay, we will have played them 5 times in January!
David Donnellan
66 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:43:57
No weakened side for the semi, strongest 11 available for this one. We haven’t won a trophy for 20 years, let's take this semi seriously & go for it! Tough draw though!
Karl Jones
67 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:46:20
Why is everyone so scared of the RS? They’re a poor side. Most of their results come from intimidated referees who are scared to make decisions against them, and they always get sides when they are on on a bad run due to their pact with the devil. Who do they play next? ...It wouldn’t be Newcastle would it!
Patrick Murphy
68 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:47:24
It wasn’t long ago that they had a genius as their manager and now they have another. Guess what: they still have to beat Stoke to reach the final... or are they that unbeatable that I should be putting loads on them to win every trophy available to them?

I don’t know what Klippety is like because I don’t care about him or them. I support Everton and am not concerned with what any other club achieves unless it is at our expense.

Mike Owen
69 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:47:56
Oh no, we've also got Chelsea away the Saturday after the midweek Man City league game.

This is where we’ll really know the strength of our squad,

Clive Lewis
70 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:48:18
Colin, if Liverpool get to the final in March, Man City likely to.be playing Champions League in March. However, we might win, but I've not got any confidence in Roberto style of play.
Paul Hewitt
71 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:49:30
Why worry about City? They ain’t been great this season.
Patrick Murphy
72 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:50:07
The final is scheduled for the same Sunday as the Merseyside league derby so if either side makes it to Wembley the derby game will have to be re-scheduled.
Paul Tran
73 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:50:29
Darren, where's your certainty when we need it? If we're going to win it, we knew we'd have to beat a good side at some point. If we're at our best we can do it, can't we?
Rob Halligan
74 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:50:53
At least Man City will let us play. Stoke will do everything in their power to get to the final, and will probably kick lumps out of the RS.
Bob Parrington
75 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:51:57
So it's an Everton vs Stoke final, then! Great!
Colin Glassar
76 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:53:41
Let’s play the derby at Wembley then, Patrick.
Clive Lewis
77 Posted 02/12/2015 at 22:56:45
Passing it around the back, then forward then back again, in-out, in-out, shake it all about, we do the Roberto hokey-kokey and play it around, that’s what it's all about.

No, City will more than likely pick us off again. Why don’t we do the passing in midfield? Reason: because we are not Barcelona, but it's the nearest thing that Roberto can do to make it look like we are. Piddle around at the back with no challengers.

Patrick Murphy
78 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:02:29
Clive (65) We’re not perfect, far from it, but is it really that bad?

Is it just possible that we are on the right track and we’ll get better with time, or should we just revert to that tried and tested way we used to play, which if my memory serves didn’t really achieve a great deal.

Mark Andersson
79 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:04:29
I don’t get the negative attitude. The fans need to believe but too many of you simply roll over and give up even before a ball has been kicked.

We have a very young talented, hungry bunch of players, who can beat anyone on there day.

Get ya Wembley scarfs out, lads, and enjoy the first cup in years.

Ste Traverse
80 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:04:29
Reminds me a bit like the year we played the Shite in the final. We got Villa in the semis (2 years after they were European Champions), while their semi was against fucking Walsall!!!
Armando Canaj
81 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:09:11
Perfect for us. LFC will be affected by Europa; MCFC affected by Champions League. So I'd rather play City. EFC v Stoke final COYB



Dave Williams
82 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:09:32
I see no reason why we can’t win this. Roberto is building one of the most exciting young teams in the country and provided we attack these games head-on we can win.

OK we are not yet the finished article but we are getting there and we have players who can do a lot of damage to City. Lets get behind our boys and drive them on to have a real go – we might just do it!

Jon Withey
83 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:10:32
Stoke aren’t that bad – they will be tough for the reds and Hughes is no Kopite is he?

Man City is the worst possible draw, out of every Premier League team – but we have to earn the cup.

There has been talk of them replacing the manager though so hopefully they aren’t too stable right now.

John Raftery
84 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:13:20
I am happy we did not get Stoke City. We would have gone into it as favourites and the atmosphere would have been flat for a first leg at Goodison.

For Man City our fans should be up for it so hopefully the old ground will be rocking and our players will respond accordingly with a 90-minute performance. There is a lot of football to be played between now and the first leg and both teams will be affected by injuries and suspensions.

Also we have a league game to play at Man City on 13th January so by the time the second leg comes round they will be sick of the sight of us. I am quietly optimistic about this tie.

Lev Vellene
85 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:13:41
Four left, and I'd rather croak to Shitty than to LFC at the semi-finals, as if that silly thing could happen! Let's face it, they're either shivering (righteously) or deluding themselves! :D

Only EFC can defeat ourselves by not believing we WILL win it!

David Booth
86 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:15:52
Such negativity.

For me, we avoided the gobshites, which was the main thing, as we have a quite appalling record against them. In the last five years it reads: W0 D6 L4.

We certainly have the beating of Citeh and have nothing to fear at all. It’s a very even contest between them and us, especially if their focus is split four ways. Stats for the last 10 games against them are: W4 L4 D2.

Stoke might have been the popular choice, but that preference is misplaced. We have an inferior record against them compared to the Mancs: W3 D3 L4. So one could reasonably argue that we have the best draw possible.

Certainly doesn’t phase me. Nothing to fear and we are more than capable of putting them out. And if Aguero, Silva and Kompany continue to be injury-prone, they need to worry about us more than we do about them.

The pessimism already prevalent in this thread is massively out of order. All four semi-finalists are good enough to win it. The one that wants it the most will do. If our players believe in themselves, with the collective talent they possess, that could be us as easily as any of the other three.

And if we do go on to win it, it might be stimulate this young and great-looking squad to start living up to their potential. For years to come. So stop worrying about who we have to play. Instead, believe (on and off the pitch) and make them worry about us.

COYB!


Clive Lewis
87 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:18:06
Patrick, we are still doing the same thing and not learning from it. It can be easy to play against us because the better sides know that we are not going anywhere. It's predictable and, as long as you hold the midfield, the ball will just go back, forward and back again.

They in my opinion just hold and wait for a stray pass and then the opposition can attack. I've seen this so many times against both Boro, second half and also Bournemouth.

Ciaran Duff
88 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:18:31
Maybe we can sign Tim Cahill on a one month loan in January just for these games. :-) He always seemed to score against City (and RS).

I think that an Everton v RS final would be great. It would make it a bigger occasion for supporters and give it more media focus than it normally gets. COYB we can do it.

Dave Williams
89 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:21:35
We criticise our players for not believing we can beat these teams but as fans we tend to be no different.

I realise that we have been made this way by the team letting us down – I was at Wembley to witness the dreadful capitulation in 2012 – but we have youth and more quality now and if the Cahill/Neville team could consistently beat City then why can’t this new, younger and better version do likewise?

We need to find a lot of fight and determination but the team needs us to be positive and it might just filter through to them.

Ian Ravello
90 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:21:37
I think we’re all missing an obvious here - if we’d been drawn against Stoke we’d have blown it in weight of expectation.

This is the best draw we could have hoped for as Klopp's flops will lose to Stoke, and we’ll raise our game to blow Man City away.

Ste Traverse
91 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:27:10
Armando Canaj #70

How can City be affected by the Champions League for the semi-final when the CL doesn’t get back under way until mid- to late-February??


Answers on a postcard...

Colin Metcalfe
92 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:29:37
Just imagine, with that new injection of cash, they may have Messi in the side come January!! Jesus... Just the thought it... Messi, David Silva and Aguero!! Pardon my French but – fuck me!!!
Patrick Murphy
93 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:35:26
Clive (#76).

I'm not arguing that we are still a work in progress but how many top sides have we knocked out of cup competitions in the last 20 years?

I remember beating the other lot at Goodison, Chelsea and Manchester United both on penalties and now I’m struggling to think of any more.

At the same token, we have been knocked out of the cup quite regularly by the richer clubs – Chelsea in particular – in the last couple of decades.

Gavin Johnson
94 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:37:09
After just watching the highlights of the RS, I’m glad we’ve swerved them in all honesty. They’re looking a different side under Klopp and, seeing as we couldn’t beat them when they were shite a couple of months back, I think that City seem the lesser of the two evils.
Armando Canaj
95 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:37:42
Ste (#80),

We’ll be in the final, trust me. City will get fighting on many fronts, distracted by the Premier League, preparation for the Champions League, FA Cup etc.

We’ll face Stoke in final. And I’ll be there screaming my head off to the final whistle.. Ha... COYBs

Timothy Morris
96 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:43:27
I read ToffeeWeb every day. I have the live feed going as I watch the matches every week. I made my pilgimage to Goodison Park this year.

As an American, I am shocked at the pessimism that pervades this site. Granted, I do not have the life long attachment to the club that most of you do but I have discovered and love the entire concept and ethos of what Everton FC is about.

So we drew Man City. Would I have rather drawn Stoke City? Of course. Yet this is an opportunity to finally put to bed the conception that Everton are "has-beens" or not a big club. The talent that exists at EFC now is the best I have seen in my 7/8 years of discovering this club. We have a core of young players that, if we can continue to let them "enjoy their football" and be successful, can lead us to amazing places. If we defeat Man City, we all know that this is a major statement. The shiteheads (aka pundits) will say that this is a minor competition and it doesn’t really amount to much. We know that it could be the start to great things.

Just as we were proud that "money can’t buy you Stones", let’s look at this tie as an opportunity to show that money can’t buy you silverware. How brilliant would it be to win this cup over the RS? If we lose, then we lose. I only hope that we win or lose with the grace and passion that is Everton FC. COYB.

Mike Hughes
97 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:45:35
I really don’t think anyone – including the Mighty Blues – can be written off in the semi-finals.

It would be highly ironic (albeit unlikely) if Stoke went on and won this given how easily they’ve been dismissed. If Birmingham can beat Arsenal in the final, anything can happen. In fact, Birmingham, Norwich and Leicester are multiple winners of this.

At this stage (and I haven’t peeked on any websites) if I was a bookie I’d have it:

Man City - evens (given their squad)
The RS - 2/1 (given they’re jammy)
The Mighty, Mighty Blues - 9/2 (given we’re scoring goals)
Stoke City - 9/1 (given they are no push-overs)

So it’s a close 4 horse race IMHO.

Tony Marsh
98 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:47:25
Man City without Silva or Aguero are no great shakes and the two of them are injury prone.

We must win first leg at home and hope they get injuries and take us lightly.

I can see Everton vs Stoke in the final. I can’t see us beating the RedShite at Wembley. We never beat them when it really matters. This would matter.

Mike Hughes
99 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:49:04
Just checked on Betfair and I’m not that far out:

Man City: 6/5
The RedShite: 13/8
The Mighty Blues: 11/2
Stoke City: 8/1

Terence Leong
100 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:49:31
We need the "Bayern Effect" and the "Bayern attitude".
After beating Bayern, Rapid was a weaker team...
Likewise, Man City is the strongest left in the competition. If we can beat them, it will give us confidence to go all the way.

I want an all-Merseyside final. Much as I think Stoke is more manageable, but I prefer people to be talking about how Everton is a worthy winner, rather than a 2nd tier cup final.

It’s time to bring the attention back to Merseyside. The city of two powerful clubs dominated the 70s and 80s. Wembley was the Merseyside teams’ second home in the 80s.

And then I want us to beat the Reds at the cup final; what better way to overcome the psychological barrier than to win it over them.

We’ve won Charity Shields over them, shared it with them, but never beat them for a proper cup.
It’s time we do it and do it in style.

Our turn to do a 3-1 or 3-2 over them.

Yes, lots of wishful thinking, but why not.

Danny Lizars
101 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:55:29
Will this change the kick-off for the game on the 3rd against Spurs? I’m flying back from Las Vegas and was planning on booking tickets for the Spurs game.
Terence Leong
102 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:57:17
At TeamTalk’s website, the title of one article was "Merseyside rivals kept apart..." It wasn’t "City and 'Pool kept apart..."

That should be the mentality. The big boys are kept apart for the dream final; the rest are supporting cast.

We gotta start talking and believing like we want the cup bad enough. And then it can translate to the support all around, on the grounds etc. People want us to win it.

Michael Williams
103 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:58:04
The negativity here is depressing and I am not referring to those expressing trepidation about facing City. They are a quality step above no doubt.

I am writing about those who keep ripping RM. Is he the best ever, certainly not. However, he has built a very young and very exciting team that actually made a semi-final. He brought in or promoted and kept so many young talented young players and they are actually developing.

With 5-6 players on the pitch under 23 and you are going to have a team that makes crucial mistakes. That's what young teams do before they mature. I hope RM can keep this team together one more year.

As far as those ripping the back-passing do you not remember the 28 passes that lead to a goal last game? The purpose of passing it around at the back when being pressed is to open up the opposition defense. RM plays a European/Spanish style and that's what they do. That's what over half the teams in league do now as well. Like it or not football has moved away from long punts and chase up the field.

Finally, we have a team that is exciting to watch. I watched this team under Moyes and it was one of the most boring sides to watch - almost as boring as Stoke 5 years ago.

I was reading the quotes from Boro fans after game (Echo) and they appreciate this Everton team more than many of the fans on this board.

Patrick Murphy
104 Posted 02/12/2015 at 23:58:41
Bring the attention back to Merseyside, Terence (#86)? As far as I can see, the attention for one half of the city has never been greater and hasn’t been away for them since the 80s.

I want Everton to be in the limelight for winning trophies but it matters not what the other lot might do. If we beat Stoke or the other lot in a final, it also matters not, although I agree that beating the other lot would be nice.

I would much prefer a day for Evertonians and Evertonians alone to enjoy – not to be shared by those from across the park.

Gerry Quinn
106 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:06:43
Chris Corn, 33, let’s piss on their dream final – ditto.

It’s what Everton have done well in the past – and will do again. That’s the right attitude...

Joe O'Brien
107 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:15:42
Positive thinking, fellow Blues. City are beatable, over two legs I think we’ll take them.

I was thinking at the start that I would have preferred a home draw in the second leg but now I’m thinking that playing them away is better. Get a home win and lead, then Man City will have most of the possession and we’ll hit them on the counter.

We’re probably the best team in the league playing counter attack. That’s the way we’ll beat City to face more than likely that other lot in the final.

COME ON YOU BLUES

Don Alexander
108 Posted 02/12/2015 at 00:19:50
We had a team in 69-70 that was awesome to every opponent, unlike now, but it lasted for one season only. In the mid '80s, we had a similar team.... for a season or two, but Liverpool at least matched us.

So by now I recognise the blind faith of those imagining League Cup success (for the first time in 50+ attempts, if you’re interested). I have to say that I will occupy centre stage at the top of the Town Hall steps, kecks removed in the time honoured fashion, if under this Calatonian Clown we this year win the least significant trophy available to us.

Colin Glassar
109 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:23:11
We have the Fab Four (Rom, Ross, Del and Stonesy) so let the other teams worry about us.
Eddie Dunn
110 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:40:29
I am delighted with the draw. We avoided the Reds, who are on a roll at the moment. Stoke can be very dangerous and could put the RS out.

I saw City at Spurs and defensively they are far from impregnable. Both them and the RS are in Europe too.
I would be happy to draw at home and go there playing on the counter, which would suit us. We should not fear anyone.

Ernie Baywood
111 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:48:50
As nice as a day out at Wembley would be, I think this draw might be our best chance of winning the cup.

Get a lead to defend from the home leg, and play a counter-attacking game in the second leg. Final against Stoke City or Liverpool less frightening than playing Man City there.

Am I being a touch optimistic?

Colin Hughes
112 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:56:59
Are Everton jinxed? Every time we get to a cup semi-final and ultimately a final, we always have to play the top sides in the country. From 1995 with Spurs and Man Utd to 2009 Man Utd and Chelsea or 2008 Chelsea again in the League Cup.

Compare this with some of the RedShite's last four opponents this millennium: Wycombe, Birmingham, Cardiff, West Ham (in the Championship at the time) and Villa last year. The footballing gods do not like us for some reason.

Gordon Crawford
113 Posted 03/12/2015 at 01:11:48
I just hope that the players don’t read this website, so much negativity. How can our great club ever win anything, if the majority of the fans don’t fully believe in them?

Fear and negativity has crippled our club for years; it's time for a change. We have some of the very best players in the Premier League. We don’t have anything to fear from the other teams, we are Everton, they need to fear us.

We are going to win this tournament!

Peter Gorman
114 Posted 03/12/2015 at 01:16:01
Steady on, chaps, our draws in this competition have been pretty generous so far so we can’t exactly complain. We've got to face the last few standing at some point.

Avoiding the RS was crucial for me and Man City are certainly beatable. Give it a go and I’ll be happy.

Steve Carse
115 Posted 03/12/2015 at 01:18:00
We score goals away from home. Win the first leg and we’re home and dry. And we will. On form this season, only Hart, De Bruyne and Silva would definitely be guaranteed a place in our XI.
Aaron Underwood
116 Posted 03/12/2015 at 01:34:10
I fancy us to go on and win this; it's cup games... much lesser teams than us have made it to the final before – in my eyes, it;s a one-in-four chance.

At the moment, we're showing some magical stuff on the attack; if the defence can find the same consistency, then we're as good as anyone on our day.

Also, we're going into this significantly more comfortable knowing I’m not gonna see Howard get lobbed in his six-yard box again... thank fuck for Robles!

Jack Cross
117 Posted 03/12/2015 at 01:41:03
Liverpool have definitely improved under Klopp, but last night they put 6 goals past a very bad defence. They won’t it find that easy against Stoke. Remember they're only two points behind us. And have a better goals against than us, shite and equal City. Hughes will have them well organised against shite. I think they're just the team to frustrate and beat the Red Shite.

As for us and City, I really think we will beat them. Just like us, they’ve lost 3 Premier League games. So they're hardly unbeatable. And over two legs, I more than fancy our chances.

Is Robles, definitely playing in goal or is everyone just surmising that he will be?

William Cartwright
118 Posted 03/12/2015 at 03:57:02
Kevin Hudson (23) absolutely spot on. Also the away tie first usually favors the home team so according to the interested parties there is your draw. Also watch out for the selection of the referee for the final "Redshite Clattenberg" nailed on.

Interesting that the BBC premier League had no recorded interest in the League Cup results until the Redshite participation. Then the match report gets top headline billing. When oh when is the BBC support for them going to be acknowledged and struck off!

By the way, very, very impressed with Klippety Klopp! Give him his due, he has produced some remarkable stuff in a short space of time and shown Brenda up as a real plonker!
Peter Barry
119 Posted 03/12/2015 at 03:59:51
"How can our great club ever win anything, if the majority of the fans don’t fully believe in them?" writes Gordon Crawford (#97).

Well how about I fix it for you: "How can our great club win anything with Martinez as the manager?"

John Daley
120 Posted 03/12/2015 at 04:05:53
"How can our great club ever win anything, if the majority of the fans don’t fully believe in them?" writes Gordon Crawford (#97).

Well how about I fix it for you: "How can our great club win anything with Martinez as the manager?"

By winning three games. Not exactly beyond the realms of possibility is it? We’re into the semi-final yet you talk like we’re a million fucking miles away.

Andy Osborne
121 Posted 03/12/2015 at 04:08:21
To win a cup, we have to beat the good teams at some point. So City in the semis, or the final, we would have had to beat them anyway. If we play to our ability, we are a match for any team... (As long as Robles is in goal!!)
Gordon Crawford
122 Posted 03/12/2015 at 04:39:16
Peter (#100),

So what are you saying, just forget about the trophy as we have a dud manager?

Maybe he is a dud and not the right manager for the job, but let’s face it, we have been without a trophy for 20 years. We have lost our winning mentality, for almost three decades; that’s something that needs to be addressed, but it won’t happen overnight.

But, at the end of the day, us the fans have a big part to play in the lifting of this club. I don’t know about you, but I’ve always performed better in life when someone believed in me.

Wilbur Wilcock
124 Posted 03/12/2015 at 05:00:55
Liverpool in the Final! COYB’s!

Let’s get Vardy in the January window. :)

Nitesh Kanchan
125 Posted 03/12/2015 at 05:43:15
If we continue with Robles and everyone remains fit, we will be fine. There is nothing to worry about City. Our trophy drought will finally end.
Nitesh Kanchan
126 Posted 03/12/2015 at 05:57:01
Nothing to worry about with Liverpool either, in fact that kind of football is going to play straight into our hands. The more they do pressing, the more we will be attacking their goal.

It's the teams sitting back we have had problems dealing with.

Nicholas Randall
127 Posted 03/12/2015 at 05:59:03
I have just read that Stoke will no way knock Liverpool out although it wasn’t worded like that.

I think that Stoke have a better chance of reaching the final than Everton as I can’t see Everton beating Manchester City. I may have divided loyalties as I am from Stoke and want them to do well but I support Everton.

Terry Downes
128 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:01:57
Peter Barry,

Funny that Wigan won a trophy with Martinez in charge???

Ian Hollingworth
129 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:04:09
Guys, realism does not mean negativity

Realistically, we do not have the manager who I trust to get us past City over two legs. One leg you can have a good game, get lucky etc... but two legs is a different story.

On a positive note, we have some fantastic players who, if hungry enough, are capable – if City have a bad night. I just wish we had a manager capable of doing it.

Brian Porter
130 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:18:14
Forget the other lot for now. We can’t change the draw so have to go all out to beat City and then think about the final.

My only reservation is that I honestly don’t see Martinez as a motivator of men. On our day, we are good enough to beat City; my fear is a narrow first leg lead then being slaughtered in the second leg, à la Kiev, because Martinez cannot set out a team to hold on to a lead.

We need to hit them hard and fast, no tippy-tappy rubbish which will play right into their hands. Put them under pressure from Del Boy, Rom, Ross and Kone and let them do the defending.

I hope Funes Mori retains his place because he at least has the sense to hoof it into Row Z if necessary instead of being suicidal at the back.

We can do it but Martinez has to prove his mettle as a manager if we’re to have a fighting chance.

Paul Jeronovich
131 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:29:11
Glad we avoided the RS. Two extra derbies is good for no-one.

I hate to say it but they are looking good under Klopp; I can only hope the wheels fall off soon!!!

Robert Workman
132 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:35:35
What a nightmare to wake up to! Worst possible draw for Everton, best possible draw for the Redshite!
Duncan McDine
133 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:36:52
Jammy feckin Kopites.
David Donnellan
134 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:52:39
We need to put out the strongest available 11 now that we have got this far. We can win this tie but we need our strongest 11 for both games to have half a chance. City will probably not field their best team if their previous ties are anything to go by.

It has been 20 years without a trophy; let's take it seriously now that we are in the semi-final.

Ernie Baywood
135 Posted 03/12/2015 at 06:59:41
Before the draw we were going to have to beat Man City at some point to win the cup.

Same after the draw, except now we get first crack at them at Goodison.

Bring it on.

James Marshall
137 Posted 03/12/2015 at 07:05:56
I'm happy we got City - I just wish we had the second leg at home.

I also hope the RS beat Stoke and we stuff them in the final.

Fuck the short-cuts, I want blood and I want it to be red.

John Atkins
138 Posted 03/12/2015 at 07:36:47
Spot-on, Ernie (#125),

To lift the cup, we would have to have beat City at some point. If we can get to the final, then I really would love to play the RS and finally do them.

Surely for once we can have our day!


Dick Fearon
139 Posted 03/12/2015 at 07:48:01
Where’s that old Everton optimism?

It's been the only thing that kept me going all these years.

Aidan Wade
140 Posted 03/12/2015 at 07:52:56
Seems to me to come down to whether Kompany is playing; City are different team, with and without him.

We definitely have a chance... and City will be thinking more about the title than the League Cup perhaps.

Chris Corn
141 Posted 03/12/2015 at 07:58:14
Having read some of the comments here, they reflect the attitude of the club as a whole. We need to shake off this defeatist ’punching above our weight’ attitude and stand toe to toe with these fuckers and big mouths.

We have an exciting young team, we have a good young manager, and we have good support. We need to believe we can do it. Unfortunately on here there are too many naysayers who cry after games like Saturday and call for the manager's head although plenty of contenders drew at the weekend.

Liverpool and Spurs are now alleged title contenders. Wtf??!?! The only difference between us and these teams is a winning mentality. That’s been this club's problem for years.

Jim Lloyd
142 Posted 03/12/2015 at 08:19:51
Patrick (101) well said.
Chris Corn (130) excellent post

City have some wonderful players, but so do we. Let's see how we get on in what could be, two classic games.

Les Martin
143 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:00:22
Cant believe the some of spineless doomsayer comments on here!

We are Everton and we are coming to get you!

As for City.... Humbug!

Christopher Timmins
144 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:07:31
We have no need to fear City. I would like to have Jags back for the tie but with Rom, Del and Ross we have as good a front 3 as anyone in England.

Jim Bennings
145 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:15:31
I actually believe having the home leg first is no bad thing with it being against City, the last thing we wanted is a second leg at Goodison chasing a two or three goal deficit if it goes wrong.

We need that atmosphere at Goodison to be truly terrifying for City that night, none of this sitting waiting for things to happen, the Old Lady needs to be full to the rafters 20 minutes before kick off and we need an absolute wall of noise and aggression.

If we start approaching the City game like we have started to approach too many of these matches against the top sides again then sadly there's nothing down for us!

It started well under Martinez's reign again st the top sides but over the last 18 months it's tailed off again, the "toe to toe" mentality he brought in his early months has lost its edge, we need it spot on full on against the Mancs.

David Hallwood
146 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:30:49
If ya wanna be the best ya gotta beat the best. City as we've seen are beatable; a full strength Citteh team is obviously much harder to beat, but take away Silva the permemantly injured Aquero and Kompany and they don't look like half the team.

So perhaps they'll put out a side in the 'lesser ' competition that won't have them in it. But even so we must be ready to beat anyone

Eddie Dunn
147 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:34:53
If we had drawn Stoke, lots of people on here would have expected us to win, to face City or Liverpool in the Final. The players and fans would not be quite as fuelled-up seeing the Potters running out at Goodison, as the most expensive team in the land. Also, imagine an away game at the Britannia, with so much at stake, for a club that has had nothing to shout about and makes our trophy drought look like we just skipped lunch.

I think this is a good draw for us. No expectation from the media, and the fans all know what a tough task lies ahead for the team. So no additional pressure. Also we avoid all of the extra emotion of a semi with those lucky twats from across the park. Who knows what the respective form of the sides will be like come the matches, and which players will be available.

We can do it.

Scott Hamilton
148 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:40:17
Let me guess: Pierluigi Collina brought out of retirement to referee the 2nd leg against City. Lukaku heads home our winner which is scandalously disallowed in dubious circumstances...
Brent Stephens
149 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:43:54
I’m with Chris #30. As a team and as fans (and each feeds off the other) we’ve got to start believing we can slug it out with the (rest of the) best. So what if we go out to City or RS, in the semi or the final, or indeed go out to Stoke at either point. If we go out, it tells us a bit more about where we are on the journey.

Personally I think we can compete with any of the three but will need to be at our best. Bring it on.

Tony Dove
150 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:52:36
It's a double whammy, City and first leg at home. They say you never know and that’s about as optimistic as I can get.
Jim Lloyd
151 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:54:03
We do Jim, we do need the atmosphere to be as intimidating as the proverbial "Bear Pit".

I think we have on this occasion to forget about whether it's seen as tippy-tappy or not. Let's just have a bit of faith in our lads and create that wall of noise that’ll scare the hell out of City.

If we had an Andy Gray and Peter Reid to get stuck into the opposition, like in then Bayern Munich game, we’d be on our way but we haven’t. So really, we’ve got to let our lads know we’re behind them, right from the kick off.

I know it’s a massive debating point about whether the team are supposed to give us something to cheer about or whether we give the team spirit. All I’d say is, in this home match, we don’t wait for anyone, we just kick off with the noise and keep on with it.

Peter Bell
152 Posted 03/12/2015 at 09:57:57
Initially I wasn’t happy with the draw... but, as time has moved on, I'm actually feeling very optimistic about it now. As Jim has said, I like the idea of the first leg being at home. We are capable of taking a lead to the Etihad and getting a result.

In the space of 12 hours, I have gone from despondency to ultra-confident. Wembley beckons for the mighty Blues!

Liam Reilly
153 Posted 03/12/2015 at 10:58:13
If we’d have drawn Stoke, we’d no doubt reverted to type; been over confident and royally screwed it up.

This will be a tough ask, as City won’t be poor in both legs, but I don’t buy into this ’easier to play at home in the second leg’ nonsense either.

We need a handsome advantage from the first leg and anything is possible.

I for one am looking forward to it.

Jim Potter
154 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:01:59
Well said Timothy (#93). Forgive the pessimistic Brits.

So, as I see it, we have to knock City out now rather than beat them in the final. Okay, it’s tough, but that’s life. City will not be thinking "Everton – that’s a great draw".

Then we have an easier final v two more average teams.

Bring it on. We’re Everton – and we’re pretty damn good.

Aitch Diamond
155 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:02:52
I’d get Moyes back as a defensive advisor. We might have Stones but we leak loads of daft goals that aren’t his fault but are the fault of our defensive set-up. Or at least get someone in who can help with it because good teams will always score against us. We’ll need 3 or 4 to beat Palace on Monday for instance...

Klopp has been at Anfield 5 minutes and they’re better than us already.

Terry Aylward
156 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:10:20
Liverpool would have had no qualms if they had drawn City so why should we? It's this defeatist attitude that we have to get rid of.

The Mancs won't be doing cartwheels at the prospect of facing Everton. Our players are as good as any in the Premier League and they will definitely be up for these games. Remember, it’s against the lesser teams that our standards fall. It won’t be the case against City.

David Torpey
157 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:15:35
Actually I feel Man City is the BEST draw for us in this situation.

If not now then it would likely be in the final (supposing progression in the semi). So good to play City now – a win will give us the total confidence and belief to defeat whoever’s in the final.

So victory now vs City and I fancy we take an psychological advantage to the final. Plus, if we lose to City I’d prefer it to happen in the semis than at Wembley. And two legs is possibly better scope to beat them too.

Harold Matthews
158 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:19:38
I have no intention of devoting more than two seconds thinking time to the Capital One Cup till it happens. One game at a time and a peaceful Christmas will do me fine.
Clive Rogers
159 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:20:16
We can definitely beat them over 2 legs as long as we pick our strongest team with Robles in goal.
Shane Corcoran
160 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:22:41
Some classics on here.

The way I hear it is that Capital One wanted a City v Liverpool final from Round 1. Southampton were paid off to throw last night's game and Arsenal, Chelsea and United just agreed it was a good idea. Everton were notified but as they're the unluckiest team EVER, the letter never arrived.

Colina is reffing the semi-final too I hear.

Jim Bennings
161 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:30:31
Terry

I don’t think we have madly excelled against the so-called top teams since Martinez’s first season in charge. Last season, we failed to beat Man City home or away, Liverpool home or away, Arsenal home or away, lost twice to Spurs and twice to Chelsea, the only win coming at home to Manchester United, but we failed away to them last season also.

That’s one win in 12!

This season ,we have played 6 so-called top teams: Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Arsenal and Spurs. We have won just the one, against a below par Chelsea.

All together, that’s 2 wins from 18 against the "top bunch".

Maybe that’s why over two legs we feel apprehensive; we’d love to see it change but I believe we need a substantial win in the home leg to have a good chance as we are not the type of team that looks capable of "keeping it really tight " when under the cosh and backs to the wall.

We need at least 2-0 from the first leg!

Dan Aspinall
162 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:32:00
Let’s hope Silva is injured, we couldn’t cope with him at home in the league. If we go into the 2nd leg a goal or two up, I’ll be confident.

What’s this comment about getting Moyes back as a defensive advisor? As if!

Dean Peamum
163 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:43:44
I’m not a conspiracy theorist but I wonder what the odds were in Andy pulling out the four balls in numerical order, one, two, three and then four. Any statisticians on here work out those odds? Maybe Sky had the balls weighted to keep Citeh and RS apart. Only jest.

I know some will say it’s as much chance of happening as it’s random but I’ve never seen it before.

BTW, have you ever tried to open a dictionary at random? Very hard, the closest I got was at ramshackle.

Steve Alderson
164 Posted 03/12/2015 at 11:59:21
I think it's time Besic came back into the side. Barry is fine against the likes of Boro but when we face the quicker sides like City or the shite mistakes in the middle will find us out.
Peter Gorman
165 Posted 03/12/2015 at 12:00:22
I am a conspiracy theorist now, just look at the evidence to date;

Man City - drawn 3 Prem teams so far
Liverpool - drawn 3
Stoke - drawn 2
Everton - drawn 2

THE FA CLEARLY WANT AN EVERTON-STOKE FINAL!!

Eugene Kearney
166 Posted 03/12/2015 at 12:18:30
I agree with Bob at #73

Everton v Stoke final... and we win 2-1!!!!

Tony J Williams
167 Posted 03/12/2015 at 12:44:48
I am desperately trying to be optimistic... I just can’t be. What are our results against Citteh under Martinez? 4 defeats and 1 draw... Form books would then indicate that we are stuffed.

"Stats for the last 10 games against them are: W4 L4 D2" A little misleading, as the 4 wins and the other draw was before Martinez.

Please prove me wrong and give me another visit to Wembley... against Stoke.

Brent Stephens
168 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:02:32
Peter #151 - nice one.
Antony Matthews
169 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:07:01
Nobody gave us a chance in the Man Utd semi either. Jags sorted that out and I’m sure the boys will take it to the wire. Just hope we put our chances away.
Eugene Ruane
170 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:10:00
Antony (#155) – ’Nobody gave us a chance in the Man Utd semi either.’

Let’s hope Man City play their reserves too.

Antony Matthews
171 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:11:35
I’m sure they will, Eugene .:)
Nitesh Kanchan
172 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:16:26
Fixture list is favoring us . Man City playing three away games on the bounce, including the first leg. We get to face them at The Etihad in a league game right after the first leg so we can improve from the performance in that game before the second leg.
Franny Porter
173 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:20:22
Some unbelivable negativity here. Man City have looked shite at times this season. We can do anyone at home during this ’moment’, plus, we tend to score every week. A cheeky away goal or two and Bob's your auntie's live-in lover.
Keith Meakin
174 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:20:47
Haven’t read all the posts so apologies if already mentioned. The FA has well stitched us up. Man City get an extra day's rest before each game.
Anthony Flack
175 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:39:44
Dean (#149) the odds are the same as pulling the 4 balls out in any other order.... - I scraped O-Level Maths and I am not a statistician.
Chris Corn
176 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:40:35
Aitch at 143: your last sentence is shocking. Just sums my first post up. I take it John Stones is a favourite of yours and is absolved from blame for any defensive errors whatsoever?!!
Thomas Surgenor
177 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:46:06
Yea, we got the toughest draw.

The optimist in me thinks that this is Robles's time to shine. He will see a lot more action against City (if selected) and those two games should be enough for us to see if he is as good as many of us believe.

Jay Harris
178 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:57:52
The RS ran City ragged recently so let's hope they are still inconsistent in January.

We will have to be in a good "moment" in both games.

Graham Mockford
179 Posted 03/12/2015 at 13:58:59
Dean

1 in 24, the same as the other 23 variations possible.

Unless of course they put the 1 and 2 balls on the radiator before they put them in the bag!

Liam Reilly
180 Posted 03/12/2015 at 14:06:32
Thomas # 162
Q - Robles howler and Everton bow out.

Seriously though; weighted balls, Sky conspiracy theories; all nonsense. That’s saying that Sky wouldn’t have been happy with an RS v City Semi. Two bankers for viewing figures and advertising revenue as opposed to one in the final.

I’d expect us to score against City but will need a rock solid defense to keep them out. The irony here is that City don’t whip balls into the box for target men so Howard may not be as exposed, so who is going to start in goal?

Oliver Molloy
181 Posted 03/12/2015 at 14:32:24
Liam.

Robles of course!

Dean Peamum
182 Posted 03/12/2015 at 14:43:59
Graham M and Anthony F,

Thanks guys, numbers not my strong point. I failed maths so many times in school, I can’t even count.

Dave Pritchard
183 Posted 03/12/2015 at 14:48:18
Some madness on here. Of course 1,2,3,4 was just as possible in the draw as 4,2,3,1 which was just as possible as 2,1,3,4 etc.

In the National Lottery you have the same chance of winning the jackpot if you do 1,2,3,4,5,6 as if you do 10,15,19,43,44,55 etc etc.

Matthew Williams
184 Posted 03/12/2015 at 14:58:29
Our recent record verses Stoke ain’t great... and as for the RS even worse. City are beatable, we must be positive and believe!
Dave Pritchard
185 Posted 03/12/2015 at 15:02:32
Our January fixtures are incredible. Spurs, Chelsea, Swansea and City 3 times and that is before the 3rd round of the FA Cup is included. 7 matches in 24 days. Also both legs of the semi are on Tuesdays after we play league games on the Sunday. Exciting times. Squad strength will be seriously tested.
Brent Stephens
186 Posted 03/12/2015 at 15:54:18
Dean (#177) – so you failed three times?
Leighton Cooper
187 Posted 03/12/2015 at 16:08:35
My annoyance of the draw might have clouded my memory. Did they actually drop the balls into the pot or were they already in there when the draw program started?

And I’m sure the pot wasn’t see-through either. Normally you can see a hand swirling around the numbered balls. I just think the fact City and the RedShite came out 2 and 4 just doesn’t sit right.

Patrick Murphy
188 Posted 03/12/2015 at 16:12:54
Everton tweeted:

"Our Capital One Cup semi-final 1st leg v MCFC takes place at Goodison on Weds 6 Jan (8pm).

2nd leg at the Etihad - Weds 27 Jan, 7:45pm."

Ray Robinson
189 Posted 03/12/2015 at 16:16:14
The odds of the balls coming out in 1-2-3-4 order were 1 in 24 but in the 24 possibilities of order, there are 8 combinations of balls 1 and 2, meaning that the chances of drawing City were 1 in 3.

But enough of this already! We’re in the hat. The landscape will change before January – what with teams losing / picking up form, injuries, suspensions etc.

Like Harold said earlier on the thread, let’s just enjoy being in the draw, have a great Christmas and New Year and then start fretting again nearer the time.

And also time to ditch the negativity which can pervade the club on occasions so that it becomes a self-fulfilling prophesy. On our day, we’re capable of beating anyone!

Ray Robinson
190 Posted 03/12/2015 at 16:18:39
http://www.Evertonfc.com/news/2015/12/03/semi-final-capital-one-cup-draw
Ray Roche
191 Posted 03/12/2015 at 16:24:24
In view of the fact that we have so many games in January it will be interesting to see how our fitness levels hold up. In today’s Echo rag, the ex-Everton youngster Chris Long explains why he left Everton. What is illuminating are his comments about Martinez’s training regime. This has been debated on here before following Osman saying that a Martinez hard session on a Tuesday was not as hard as a Moyes Friday warm down session. Long says,

"After every training session (at Burnley) you felt like you were getting somewhere whereas under Roberto Martinez at Everton there wasn’t as much running.

"It was nothing at Everton compared to what we do here and I think that’s why we bring what we do into the game, because we train as we play."

Maybe that is why we start the season slowly and why we’ve tended to take things easier in the second half in these last two games, possible fatigue. We’ll need to be on our mettle to complete the difficult run of games in January, that’s for sure.

Any thoughts?

Dean Peamum
193 Posted 03/12/2015 at 16:39:58
Brent S

Very close, I failed five out of the four exams I took.

Ray Roche
194 Posted 03/12/2015 at 17:02:56
Dean, in a survey taken today it states that 63% of Evertonian's thought that the Cup draw was rigged, 28% thought it was straight and 25% didn't know....
Dave Pritchard
195 Posted 03/12/2015 at 17:10:46
Ray, what about the other 31% ?
Nitesh Kanchan
196 Posted 03/12/2015 at 17:28:50
The draw being rigged is not something new. It happens in the Champions League every year where Bayern, Barca and Real never get drawn against each other in the quarters.

It has been said those 3 balls are quite hot in the draw whereas others are cooled. These 3 teams bring maximum viewership in the final stages and more money to the organizers, so it's not a surprise if it happened.
Rob Halligan
197 Posted 03/12/2015 at 17:35:43
Does anyone have a link to a video of the draw? I was convinced the numbers were Everton 1, Liverpool 2, Stoke 3 and Man City 4.

When the draw was made, number 2 suddenly became Man City. I thought straight away when number 2 came out we’d drawn Liverpool, but no, suddenly become Man City.

Ray Roche
198 Posted 03/12/2015 at 17:42:27
They didn't answer Dave.
Michael Williams
199 Posted 03/12/2015 at 17:46:20
Ray (#187).

Yes, Moyes ran the club harder in training. He also caught a lot of flak for that at Man Utd because Fergie would work more on technical skills and tactics.

RM comes from Spain where they do less running and almost all five-a-side. Spain imported their training style from Holland and that’s how most clubs in Europe train. England’s players can already run with anyone in Europe but it’s technical skills they lack.

You may have a point that this could cause a slow start at the beginning of the season but I thought they did well enough through the first ten tough games.

Ray Roche
200 Posted 03/12/2015 at 18:15:12
Michael, yes, it’s true what you say about European sides having a more skill based regime; however, I recall the old adage that "Fitness makes an average player good, lack of it makes a good player average".

I also think that a player needs to be fit enough to do something with the ball once he gets it. Most top teams, Barcelona for one, are extremely fit with more to their game than just a good technique.

No team has enjoyed success without being supremely fit. And technically excellent. I also think that last season we we were as unfit an Everton side as I can recall.

Brent Stephens
201 Posted 03/12/2015 at 18:29:03
Dean (#185) – so 120%...
Michael Williams
202 Posted 03/12/2015 at 18:36:08
Ray (#191).

I agree with much of what you say. Last season’s team looked unfit. Part may be due to the training regimen, as you say, and part was surely the injuries and Europe taking it’s toll on a short squad.

Perhaps the team could be more fit but in the end skill will win out – of course strength/fitness is important. If you look at the winners of the EPL, it was talent and skill these teams featured.

Now that I continue to ponder the matter, it appears the EPL features a lot more running around than the top leagues in Europe which feature slower technical play instead. Maybe a bit more running in training would do the team some good. Point for you.

In the end however, I would lean more towards RM than Moyes when it comes to training. RM trains and encourages skills and offensive aggression in young players while it seems to me Moyes’s teams played a very constrained yet physical game. Not saying Moyes’s way was bad, just saying the players coming up under RM will be much better – but perhaps tire quicker. How’s that. :)

Peter Bell
203 Posted 03/12/2015 at 19:02:10
Rob, the QF draw came out as:

Middlesboro v Everton,
Southampton v Liverpool,
Stoke v Sheff Wed,
Man City v Hull.

So the numbers should have been:

1 Everton
2 Liverpool
3 Stoke
4 Man City

Rob Halligan
204 Posted 03/12/2015 at 19:25:32
That’s what I’m saying, Peter. I’m sure those same numbers were allocated to each team, so why suddenly did Man City become number 2 when that number was pulled out?
Peter Bell
205 Posted 03/12/2015 at 19:33:16
Rob, they appeared on Sky TV screen in that order but with no numbers next to them, then the next time they came on screen they appeared in a different order with the numbers now next to them, and City and Liverpool had both changed places
Patrick Murphy
206 Posted 03/12/2015 at 19:45:07
Rob (#195), I knew that Everton were No 1 in the draw via the Echo sometime before the game kicked-off last night but I didn’t see what number was allocated to our neighbours.

Perhaps someone can look at yesterday's Echo webpage to find out – please don’t ask me to look there.

Terry Aylward
207 Posted 03/12/2015 at 19:45:12
On the issue of fitness, if you have decent players, being extra fit can make them look better. But Liverpool are proving that very good players can look great if they are prepared to run and work hard for 90 minutes and not settle and try to preserve a lead.

These are the same players who looked so ordinary under Rogers.Just imagine how good our players would look if they were fitter because, man for man, we are a better team than Liverpool; it just seems that we can’t sustain the pace for 90 minutes.

Brent Stephens
208 Posted 03/12/2015 at 19:52:03
In yesterday’s Mirror, 1,2,3,4 were EFCV, City, Stoke and one other. See the follwoing link and scroll down:

Link

Colin Glassar
209 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:02:01
Brent, even Klopp said it came out in numerical order. What are the odds of that happening?
Stephen Brown
210 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:04:46
The draw was done by Andy Hinchcliffe! Surely he would prefer an Everton - Man City final!!!
Peter Bell
211 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:07:16
Colin, the facts don’t lie, and the fact is that, in the previous draw, the Southampton v Liverpool game was match 2 and Man City v Hull was match 4 so why where they changed for the next draw?

Everton as Match 1 and Stoke as match 3 were unchanged for the SF draw.

Ray Roche
212 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:07:43
Michael (#193),

If, as you say, the EPL "features a lot more running around than the top leagues in Europe" how does that pan out when we factor in the number of foreign players who play in it?

Do they now train harder than before? If so, surely it makes sense to increase the training that we have at Finch Farm, to at least, the levels that made us such a difficult side to beat under Moyes? (Apart from the Sky 4, 5, 6, that is!)

How often do we hear that players from abroad are given time to adjust to the pace of the EPL? To me, that just underlines the lack of fitness, if not technique, that is prevalent in Continental leagues.

What we really need is Roberto Moyes, Martinez and his positive outlook and emphasis on technique, and Moyes to make sure we’re not blowing for tugs after 70 minutes.

Brent Stephens
213 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:08:50
Colin, not sure what point you're making beyond the teams came out in the order 1,2,3,4 (EFC, City, Stoke and one other).
Dave Lynch
214 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:13:10
They weren't balls, they where cubes.

If that makes any difference...

Colin Glassar
215 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:17:52
Doesn’t it sound strange to you, Brent? It’s like the lottery numbers coming out 1,2,3,4,5,6.
Brent Stephens
216 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:21:39
Colin, 1,2,3,4 in that order might sound strange but not massively long odds against it. Our resident maths teacher, Ray, has set it out above.

Can’t say I’m suspicious about any of this. I’m sure there would have been conspiracy theories if we’d been draw against rs or against Stoke. I’d have been slightly more concerned if they had announced last night that the finalists were RS and Citeh.

Rob Halligan
217 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:23:56
As Peter says. Depending on what match number you are drawn for each round, you have that number in the next round. Liverpool came out match number 2 in the quarters, so should be number 2 in the semi. Definitely sounds fishy to me.
Brent Stephens
218 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:26:53
Why is it fishy? We knew the numbers (it seems) before the draw was made.
Jacqui Moore
219 Posted 03/12/2015 at 20:46:47
Everton to win the cup, definitely having a bet.

1983-1994 – season ticket holder.
1995 – skint hence no renewal; spent all night at Goodison no ticket win the FA cup.
1996-2015 –season ticket holder;
2015-16 – skint, no renewal became an Everton steward.

That’s my omen. Everton to win the cup.
COYB

Rob Halligan
220 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:05:18
Lad in work, a Liverpool fan by the way, thought there was something odd about the draw. He said the numbers weren’t being shown as they were pulled out the hat, or vase, or whatever it was.

Anyway, I didn’t notice that, but if they wanted to pull the numbers out in numerical order, it would have meant changing Liverpool's and Man City's numbers. That make sense?

Phil Williams
221 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:11:44
I do not get all the anti RM comments on this and other threads. We have far more chance of winning trophies under this manager than the last. This team scores goals and goals win games. Yes, there are defensive blunders but I’d rather watch what we are getting served up now than some of the turgid dross over previous years.

Oh and by the way, what have Lukaku, Deulofeu, McCarthy, Barry, Funes Mori, Kone, Cleverley and Robles got in common? Answer – they make most people’s starting team or sub and they are all Martinez signings. Not bad for shit manager!
Brent Stephens
222 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:12:58
If they'd wanted to fix the draw, why bother to change the numbering from what we might expect it to be based on previous rounds? That would only draw to it. Surely they'd just make sure they pulled out together the two teams they wanted to meet each other.
Brent Stephens
223 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:15:34
Rob, the numbers were shown as they were drawn. It’s on YouTube.
Rob Halligan
224 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:17:58
You’re probably right, Brent. It’s all bollocks. Besides, could we bear the thought of the RS knocking us out again, or getting kicked to shit by Stoke, which is what I’m sure they will try and do to get through.

So no, Man City is probably the best draw for us. Bring 'em on!!

Graham Mockford
225 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:21:28
Ray (#182),

I suspect even a self professed non mathematician like Dean might have worked out that with three others teams in the hat the chances of drawing any one of them was 1 in 3.

Coincidentally I have calculated the chances of Howard being at fault for a goal in the remainder of the season is ABSOLUTELY FUCKING CERTAIN.

Andy Crooks
226 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:42:04
I would expect that over two legs we will be up to our very best from coach and players. Our very 100% best. This will mean more to us and we will win.

It is the chance for our players to do something special. Not to look for a snide move but to actually fucking achieve something. We will win this cup.

Clive Lewis
227 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:43:12
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PiVYB6RNJIY

The video looks legit to me.

Dave Pritchard
228 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:43:38
Colin, re lottery coming out as 1,2,3,4,5,6 –I said in an earlier post that there is exactly the same chance of this happening as any other list of six numbers you care to choose. This is a mathematical fact.
Rob Halligan
229 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:48:50
Cheers Clive. That's what I asked for about four hours ago.
Dick Fearon
230 Posted 03/12/2015 at 21:50:24
My hope is the result vs City or the RS does not hinge on managerial tactics.
Bob Parrington
231 Posted 03/12/2015 at 00:05:18
Eugene (#161). Yup! 2-1 win for us vs Stoke in the final!
Andy Crooks
232 Posted 04/12/2015 at 00:22:25
Dave, You have melted my brain here but, is it not the case that when five numbers between one and ten have been picked there are only five to choose from. However, there are still ten numbers between every other group of ten up to sixty. In which case the likelihood of six coming up is reduced.

The fact that there are now six variants of ten makes the possibility of six in a row almost impossible. Also, the fact that it has not been remotely close in 20 years suggests that even four from one decade is enough to win a jackpot.

Dave Southword
233 Posted 04/12/2015 at 00:31:35
Andy, any ball remaining in the machine, regardless of what has been drawn before, has an equal chance of being next out. All possible combinations therefore have an equal chance of being drawn.
Patrick Murphy
234 Posted 04/12/2015 at 01:25:14
The gambler’s fallacy involves beliefs about sequences of independent events. By definition, if two events are independent, the occurrence of one event does not affect the occurrence of the second.
Gambler’s Fallacy

If Romelu scores a hat-trick at Wembley and Kone gets a brace will that be enough to lift the cup or will the defence allow the opponents to score more than the five we scored in the opening 25 minutes. Given that rain is expected on that day, how much will it cost for a six-pack from the local off-licence?

If anyone has the answer to this question, keep the answer to yourselves or enrol in Mensa.


Saegaran Kana
236 Posted 04/12/2015 at 02:57:04
I, for one am thrilled we’ve got two chances over City and I’m absolutely confident we’ll be in the final. The players look up for it and RM has the track record to back his run in cup tournaments. COYB!!
Graham Mockford
237 Posted 04/12/2015 at 05:19:21
Andy

Probability is one of those exact things governed by scientific law as opposed to TW opinion, which is a good thing right.

Probability is just the number of events divided by the number of outcomes. For a consecutive series of probabilities you just multiply them together.

So in a four-ball draw the chances of 1,2,3,4 being drawn consecutively is 1/4 x 1/3 x 1/2 x 1 which is 1/24.

When it’s a 60-ball draw and you were looking to draw 1,2,3,4 in exact order as the first four balls, it would be 1/60 x 1/ 59 x 1/58 x 1/57 which is 1 in 11 million.

1,2,3,4,5,6 in consecutive order would be about 1 in 30,000,000,000 or once every 690 millions years in a weekly draw.

Lesson you better backing a horse than doing the lottery.

Laurie Hartley
238 Posted 04/12/2015 at 06:53:21
This is not an arithmetic question – Do away goals count double in this competition in the event of a tie after both legs?
Peter Bell
239 Posted 04/12/2015 at 07:15:53
Laurie, this is a strange but true answer, away goals don’t count after 90 minutes but they do after a further 30 minutes of extra time. It's one of the advantages of the second leg being away.
Peter Bell
240 Posted 04/12/2015 at 07:17:35
If the first game ends 0-0 and the second game is level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, they play extra time. If it's still 1-1 after 120 minutes, we would go through.
Laurie Hartley
241 Posted 04/12/2015 at 09:23:05
Thanks Peter.
Ray Robinson
242 Posted 04/12/2015 at 09:39:19
The odds on qualifying for the Champions League depend on you finishing 1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th (in any order). Finishing 5th means you have absolutely no chance. Wait a minute...
Dave Pritchard
243 Posted 04/12/2015 at 11:04:50
Andy (#226), there are a lot of misconceptions.

My point is/was that, if you and I pick 6 numbers for the lottery, we both have exactly the same chance of winning the jackpot, even if I pick 1,2,3,4,5,6 and you pick any other set of six numbers.

The lottery example is actually not a perfect match anyway because I would win if the numbers came out in a different order eg 6,1,3,4,5,2

In relation to the semi draw 1,2,3,4 was just as likely as 2,1,4,3 (which would still have seen us paired with City) which was just as likely as 1,4,2,3 (which would have seen us paired with Liverpool) etc etc

The above refers to the situation before any numbers were drawn.

As soon as one number was drawn, all the above considerations change because something has already happened. So, after we were drawn out first and before the second number was drawn, it was then equally likely that we would draw City, Stoke or Liverpool.

Better shut up now or I’ll get some flack (probably will anyway). Let’s just batter City over the two legs.

Terry Aylward
244 Posted 04/12/2015 at 11:24:22
I'm getting fed up with all these conspiracy theories surrounding the draw... I wonder if the Stoke message boards are going on about it as much as us?

All it does is give the impression of 'poor Everton' – everything is against us...

We are capable of beating any team – all we need is the belief.

Graham Mockford
245 Posted 04/12/2015 at 11:45:57
Dave

I am aware we are boring the pants off most people but it has never stopped me before.

You are right in a random draw of numbers any combination of numbers are equally probable. So the numbers coming out 1,2,3,4 means nothing in particular other than it was just one of the 24 sequences available.

However I don’t follow your fourth paragraph. So when the first number comes out the only thing that has changed is that the chances of another number being drawn has reduced from 1 in 4 to 1 in 3. The probability of who Everton were going to draw once they came out first were still the same as before the draw, that is 1 in 3.

As it happens, the probability of picking six lottery numbers is about 1 in 13 million. However should you chose 1,2,3,4,5,6 whilst it is equally probable you will have the winning combination you are significantly decreasing the chances of how much money you will collect. About 10,000 people every week choose those numbers which means in a standard jackpot pot of £5m you you would win £500. Now that would piss you right off.

I blame my maths teacher!

Clive Rogers
246 Posted 04/12/2015 at 12:07:39
I am definitely more confident about this tie with Martinez as manager than I would be with Moyes.

I have criticised the tippy-tappy style in the past but there are signs it is coming good. Some of the passing against Boro was brilliant. COYB

Dave Pritchard
247 Posted 04/12/2015 at 12:16:22
We’ll be in the naughty corner soon Graham.

I agree with what you say that we had a probability of 1/3 of drawing any 1 of the other 3 clubs and that this was still the case after we were drawn first and the second ball hadn’t been drawn.

What I was trying to get across was that, when considering probability, it can change depending on what has already happened. A better example would have been that the chance of 1,2,3,4 in that order before the draw started was 1/24. After 1 and 2 had come out there was then only a probability of 1/2 that it would be 1,2,3,4

Good discussion.

Simon Jones
248 Posted 04/12/2015 at 13:00:09
I read loads of these comments while waiting for my missus on a Xmas shopping trip. I’m amazed at the massive hang up loads of Blues have about our closest neighbours or the belief in a media plot / witchhunt / backlash.

I’m delighted with the draw; I fancy us over two legs against Man City; I’d love to see a derby final AND I think the media would love one too.

I also think Stoke will provide very stiff opposition and I wouldn’t be surprised to see them in the final either. They won’t be pushing for a Champions League place and might put their full weight into progressing.

I don’t believe you would get past a two-legged semi-final against Stoke without suffering the odd two-legged challenge and escaping without injuries during the business end of the season.

Gerry Quinn
249 Posted 04/12/2015 at 14:40:13
How's this for our form book?

Draw both matches and then win on penalties! That'll do me

Mike Gwyer
250 Posted 04/12/2015 at 14:55:52

Simon Jones.

One of the most realistic posts on the thread. With doubt, you would have to fancy Stoke to put Deulofeu into the local A&E and our CB’s would be in all sorts of trouble with their continuous set-piece play.

Yep, I’m glad we have avoided Stoke, for me the RS will not come out of those two games with Sturridge still in one piece.

Man City are definitely beatable and I feel with the first game at Goodison, it's game on.

Nitesh Kanchan
251 Posted 04/12/2015 at 18:00:22
The way some people are scared of City over here, we might have to call Rocky Balboa to give words of encouragement to the player. No fear! Eye of the Tiger!
Karl Masters
252 Posted 04/12/2015 at 22:42:30
Haven’t read all the 240 plus posts on here, gave up after 50 or 60, the majority of which were defeatist and some were almost cowardly.

Time some people grew a pair and got behind the team in the semi. (And the final!)

Robert Workman
254 Posted 05/12/2015 at 08:13:15
I find the conspiracy theory plausible. However, is it not feasible that the Redshite were switched to 4 because their game was the 4th played? I am basing that observation on the allocation of numbers referred to earlier.
Ste Traverse
255 Posted 05/12/2015 at 14:22:54
Stoke giving Man City the run around. For the money the Mancs have spent they are nothing special.

Perhaps we’ve got the better draw after all.

Rob Newling
256 Posted 05/12/2015 at 15:00:51
Reckon some people are suffering premature interjection – we'll deffo need extra time when we beat Stoke in the Final!! COYB
Si Cooper
257 Posted 05/12/2015 at 16:47:04
Man City have some real game changers but the supporting cast is much less impressive. You would really fancy Rom and Geri against Demichaelis and Otamendi.

I have seen some very poor performances from City this season, with Stoke much the better team today without needing to be particularly robust. The fitness of Silva, Aguero and Toure will be key as De Bruyne can’t do it all himself and Sterling is wildly erratic.

Will Firstbrook
258 Posted 05/12/2015 at 18:04:57
Stoke’s approach today was simple and effective – ball pressure all over the park. Stoke played a full 90 mins and didn’t let off once during today’s match. Something we’ve failed to do too many times this year.

I would expect that the return of Kompany to the lineup will minimize some of the horrible gaffs made by the City centre-backs today. However, I’m confident Geri and Rom can do what the Alpine Messi and Arnautovic did today if given the opportunity.

Andy Crooks
259 Posted 05/12/2015 at 20:36:11
Karl (#245), you are right; we need fear no team. Our best is good enough.
Andy Walker
260 Posted 06/12/2015 at 08:24:57
Mark Hughes has just shown how to set up a team to beat Man City. Over to you now RM: no excuses – just earn your money.
Paul Tran
261 Posted 06/12/2015 at 08:41:38
Everyone in this league is beatable. We need to approach this semi-final with the genuine view that we’re going to win it.

I think we’re good enough, if Martinez is as bold as he thinks he is. The question is; can he convince himself and his players that they are winners?

Andy Walker
262 Posted 06/12/2015 at 12:28:58
Spot-on, Paul Tran, City are nothing special; paying them too much respect is the last thing we should do. We need to concentrate on our performance, not what they might do. It’s in Martinez’s hands.
Geoff Williams
263 Posted 06/12/2015 at 19:02:40
Having watched the games over the weekend, missing out on Stoke could be a blessing. We can’t beat the RS when it matters so Man City are the perfect team to play.
Bill Baker
264 Posted 19/12/2015 at 07:10:48
We are drawn against Stoke in the Capital One Cup in January. This reminded me of my first game as an 8-year-old with my dad soon after the war had ended. I recall Stoke City's pair of wingers were Matthews and Antonio.

The final score was 2-2. I would really like to know the date of this game. I remember the crowd singing "Oh, Oh, Antonio" which was a song from the war years. I hope somebody can help, so thanks in advance COYB

Michael Kenrick
265 Posted 19/12/2015 at 07:16:26
Bill,

Yes, we drew City but not Stoke City. They are playing the other lot.

As for the date of that match, looks like it was 29 March 1947.


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