Seasons » 2015-16 » Everton News
Everton vs Dagenham & Redbridge

Everton embark on a second road to Wembley this weekend with the visit of Dagenham & Redbridge in the FA Cup Third Round.
A home tie against the team currently occupying 90th position in England's top four leagues, while not to be taken lightly, was always going to provide Roberto Martinez an opportunity to rest some weary legs and hand some playing time to up-and-coming or fringe playersbut the manager will also get to welcome two senior players back from injury.
Phil Jagielka will be in the starting XI following two and a half months out of action with medial knee ligament damage while Steven Pienaar is also in line to make his latest comeback from his own catalogue or injury problems.
Jagielka has made the bench for the past two games but his manager has confirmed that the captain will be in the side. Pienaar, meanwhile, has had a number of setbacks in his bid to remain fully fit but he came through 90 minutes of a behind-closed-doors practice game this week and will be included in the squad.
With a busy January programme perpetuating the packed festive schedule, Martinez will make further changes for the visit of the Daggers but injuries from Wednesday to three key players will force his hand where they are concerned. Tom Cleverley, Romelu Lukaku and Seamus Coleman are all ruled out and that could provide opportunities for up-and-coming members of the squad or players who have been battling to hopld down regular first-team spots.
Mason Holgate is a potential starter at right back, and striker Leandro Rodriguez who the manager indicated could make the squad. The two summer signings have featured at Under-21 level, although the Uruguayan was sidelined for a time with a hamstring problem which he has now overcome.
Then there are players like Kevin Mirallas, Aaron Lennon, Leon Osman and Gerard Deulofeu who could all benefit either from more game time or the confidence-booster that could come from playing against – and possibly scoring aainst – a lower-division.
Furthermore, the manager was asked about the futures of Aiden McGeady and Darron Gibson, two players who under normal circumstances would be viewed as pime candidates for a game like this, but the interest he confirmed in both Irishmen from other clubs in their services – whether on loan or a permanent transfer – could preclude their involvement tomorrow lest they pick up injuries.
Meanwhile, Martinez has yet to make a decision over whether Joel Robles or Tim Howard will get the nod to play in goal. The Spanish 'keeper has been the designated first-choice stopper for Everton's League Cup run and he was the man between the posts for last season's abortive FA Cup campaign because of injury to Howard.
As the League Cup ties against Barnsley and Reading demonstated, shuffling the pack too much can have a destablising effect on the side. On both occasions, Martinez was able to rectify the situation with targeted second-half substitutions but any Everton side playing at home against League Two opposition should have enough quality to progress to the next round.
Kick-off: 3pm
Possible line-up: Robles, Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway, Besic, Osman, Pienaar, Deulofeu, Mirallas, Kone
Note: The game is not being carried by any of the main global broadcasters
Full coverage: ToffeeWeb Match Report
Reader Comments (72)
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2 Posted 08/01/2016 at 17:44:31
I would start with:-
Robles
Pennington, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway
Lennon, Gibson, Besic, Pienaar
Mirallas
Naismith
On the bench I would have U21 players, plus Deulofeu. (Just in case!)
3 Posted 08/01/2016 at 18:13:11
My XI would be 4-2-3-1:
Robles
Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Oviedo (if fit) or Galloway
Besic, Osman
Lennon, Mirallas, Dowell
Kone
4 Posted 08/01/2016 at 18:49:58
The team that Bob picked to play Man City, apart from injuries, had shape and tactics correct, for a change. So don't ruin the good work, by bringing Tim and Kone back.
5 Posted 08/01/2016 at 18:50:49
This visiting team will be playing the game of their lives. Remember Krasnodar last season, with lots of the youngsters playing.
We don't want to lose the momentum of the last two games, by blooding too many players.
7 Posted 08/01/2016 at 18:55:38
8 Posted 08/01/2016 at 19:00:18
Any ten others from 46 should see us safely into the fourth round.
9 Posted 08/01/2016 at 19:01:33
I understand your point but if our youngsters and/or fringe players cant beat Dagenham at home we should get rid of them all. I would give virtually the whole first 11 a day off bearing in mind Man City midweek and Chelsea next Saturday.
I would go with:
Robles;
Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori;
Lennon, Gibson, Osman, Galloway;
Dowell, Kone (Naismith), Mirallas.
10 Posted 08/01/2016 at 19:17:55
I agree that D&G are rubbish but they wear the most stylish kit. This season's is to die for.
11 Posted 08/01/2016 at 19:23:14
Barkley, Lukaku. Stones, Coleman, Deulofeu, Besic and... Bainaar.
12 Posted 08/01/2016 at 19:29:19
Robles;
Holgate, Jagielka, Pennington, Galloway;
Osman, Gibson;
Lennon, Naismith, Dowell;
Mirallas/Rodriguez
I do think Phil Wailing could be correct re Howard.
13 Posted 08/01/2016 at 19:36:25
14 Posted 08/01/2016 at 20:36:00
And I know that times are different, but keep in mind what a very poor Shrewsbury Town did to the mighty toffees. Take no chances. Let's get safely into the next round.
15 Posted 08/01/2016 at 20:41:11
He is a good professional player and even at his age he must be closely watched. I might have a small wager on him scoring.
16 Posted 08/01/2016 at 20:58:27
17 Posted 08/01/2016 at 21:11:56
No matter what team the incredible one picks we should have this won by half-time providing the players on the field do as they should and take nothing for granted.
Come on, Exeter!
18 Posted 08/01/2016 at 21:12:57
Robles;
Pennington, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway;
McGeady, Gibson, Osman, Mirallas;
Kone, Naismith;
Subs: Howard, Stones, Baines, Besic, Pienaar, McAleny, Rodriquez.
19 Posted 08/01/2016 at 21:25:47
When a much younger player comes in and starts out-performing a 36-year-old, surely it's a no-brainer to look to the future and play the young lad. Good reliable keepers are hard to come by. Let's not throw away this opportunity for the sake of flapper Howard.
20 Posted 08/01/2016 at 21:30:54
To the rest of you guys who will be at the game: please join us singing happy birthday to a special young man on 12 mins. To read more about Noel, see his story down the list of articles on the site. Cheers guys COYB. Let's get into two cup finals this year.
21 Posted 08/01/2016 at 21:35:27
22 Posted 08/01/2016 at 22:01:23
23 Posted 08/01/2016 at 22:10:08
24 Posted 08/01/2016 at 22:15:27
25 Posted 08/01/2016 at 22:37:12
Pick any one from five wide men, cause he won't play with two!
26 Posted 08/01/2016 at 23:06:07
Robles;
Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway;
Lennon, Besic, Gibson, Pienaar;
Mirallas, Kone / Naismith.
That team will surely have enough to win.
27 Posted 08/01/2016 at 23:17:14
We need that Besic type enthusiasm and urgency to dictate the the pace of the game from the first whistle and be ruthless. But, whatever the starting eleven, don't give Kone the chance to look good; if Martinez persists in playing him, please God change the number on his back to anything but the number 9.
28 Posted 08/01/2016 at 23:21:28
29 Posted 08/01/2016 at 23:28:08
Also, if things go tits-up in the second leg of the semi, the FA Cup will be high on our list of priorities, and therefore we should not encourage a shock stranger things have happened. Put the Daggers to the sword!
30 Posted 08/01/2016 at 23:40:28
31 Posted 08/01/2016 at 00:04:10
As I have said on another thread, I think we have a rare crop of young players behind the first team, I just wish I had more confidence in RM to manage the unity and transition of the whole thing.
32 Posted 09/01/2016 at 00:08:34
33 Posted 09/01/2016 at 00:11:48
35 Posted 09/01/2016 at 05:55:10
On the bench: Naismith (unless sold), McAleny, Oviedo, perhaps Tony Hibbert or Pennington. Probably unwise to make too many changes. Of course, if Baines is fit, I would play him to link up with Pienaar.
36 Posted 09/01/2016 at 07:39:02
37 Posted 09/01/2016 at 08:27:17
Holgate, Dowell and all the other talented lads are very carefully guided, coached and monitored in their later stages by Unsy and Joe Royle. Two experienced men who don't miss a trick.
RM is a big admirer of the way John Toshack ran the youth system at Real Sociedad and he might well be trying similar methods with our own boys. The two men probably met while Martinez was with Swansea and I'll bet they had many chats about La Liga as well as various managerial issues. Personally, I think our boya are in good hands but they're all free to go the way of Long if the opportunity arises.
38 Posted 09/01/2016 at 08:42:22
I'd go for:
Robles;
Holgate, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway;
Gibson, Besic;
Lennon, Osman, Mirallas;
Kone.
Depending on score, give Pienaar, Dowell and Leandro a run 2nd half!
We need a good win to create some momentum!
39 Posted 09/01/2016 at 08:45:46
40 Posted 09/01/2016 at 08:50:20
41 Posted 09/01/2016 at 09:09:54
I actually don't know for '95, 16th possibly??
42 Posted 09/01/2016 at 09:38:09
43 Posted 09/01/2016 at 09:49:23
Anyway, Stephen Brown (#36) gets my vote for manager.
Robles needs competitive game time if he lets us down badly, at least it answers a question.
That said, it's my birthday and I'm impatient to see Henen, Dowell, Holgate and Rodriguez play proper games.
At the very least, we need to look into our right-back slot as there doesn't seem to be a natural successor to Coleman right now.
44 Posted 09/01/2016 at 09:56:49
45 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:01:16
Although he's been proved right, this cup was and always will be the greatest cup competition in the world to me. I can close my eyes and still picture Elton John, with tears in his eyes, and the flag that was saying sorry... BUT I GUESS THAT''S WHY THEY CALL US THE BLUES!
Just another reason why I hate The Premier League: it's like our left side of the pitch, so fucking unbalanced, and it's ruined The FA Cup!!!!
46 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:26:04
I'd go with an experienced team such as...
Robles;
Lennon, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Galloway;
Osman, Gibson;
Pienaar, Mirallas, Oviedo;
Kone.
47 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:27:29
With regard the team selection, please Martinez give us a chance of winning the competition and plays Robles, after all he knows what's needed to win it! Picking Howard for this competition would be a disaster waiting to happen.
49 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:29:52
Robles;
Holgate
Jagielka
Funes Mori (Galloway if Garbutt fit)
Galloway (Garbutt if fit)
Lennon
Osman
Besic
Oviedo (Pienaar if Oviedo not fit)
Mirallas (free to roam)
Leandro (Kone if Leandro not fit)
Subs
Dowell
Foulds
Pennington
If Naismith, Gibson and McGeady are going to be shipped out in this window, it makes no sense to me to cup tie them until their suitors have exited the Cup...
50 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:35:48
You only need to look at the demand for tickets when we've been drawn at the Emirates, or The SOL in recent seasons, Evertonians have a real affinity with this cup.
Oliver,
Having seen Holgate 4-5 times I have to agree with you. He does have the Stones mentality AND ability. I think he is being groomed to replace Stones when/if he does leave, but I would love to see them have a couple of seasons as a partnership... Though we'd need to set up a special coronary unit for The Park End Panic Merchants.
51 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:47:59
52 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:51:15
Garbutt is on loan to Fulham for the season, isn't he???
53 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:53:24
The only way the FA Cup will regain its standing is if a sponsor was to put up a 㾶m+ prize money for the winners. I'm surprised this hasn't happened yet, given the amounts the leading blue chip multinationals plough into individual clubs like Man Utd.
54 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:53:43
55 Posted 09/01/2016 at 10:56:59
I doubt very much Stones will be here next season, but there is no doubt that those two lads playing together (if possible) would get your heart pumping!
57 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:09:33
Robles
Stones
Jagielka
Funes Mori
Baines
Besic
Gibson
Osman
Mirallas
Kone
Lennon
Subs: Howard, Galloway, Barry, Holgate, Pienaar, Barkley, Leandro.
58 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:12:02
If the club wins the FA Cup, then it will receive almost £3.4 million from the Prize fund (not including other sorts of income). Is this enough to be attractive even from financial side?
59 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:19:14
The FA wanted Man Utd to play in World Club competition to help England's World Cup bid;- They moved the semis to get more money for Wembley;
- They moved two finals because they wanted the Champions League finals;
- They moved the time to 5:15 because they wanted to get a bigger TV audience;
- They've had it sponsored and renamed The Emirates FA Cup;
- They reduced the number of tickets to fans for the final.
60 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:21:02
I agree with your team selection, but surely Hibbert must play if not now, when will he ever play?
Also would you not play Naismith up front in what may be his final game? Mind maybe the prospect of him getting injured might be a deterrent, especially if Norwich meet the asking price.
61 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:24:19
Hibbert
Jagielka
Funes Mori
Galloway
McGeady
Gibson
Osman
Pienaar
Mirallas
Kone
62 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:28:15
63 Posted 09/01/2016 at 11:29:12
FFS, Martinez. What the hell is your problem? Is Robles unable to tend the goal in back-to-back games?
64 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:05:44
The usual gang I go to the match with are not going today, all for valid reasons (work, cash, forthcoming matches) but it's 3rd Round day so I'm going, with great memories of Sunderland in '66, Stoke in '84, the day out at Scunthorpe 5 years ago, and many more. And seeking revenge for Marine 3 - Dagenham 4 in the Amateur Cup in 1967!
Ognjen (#54), I've been at 5 of those Cup Final defeats and I don't think any of them were due to lack of character.
66 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:13:39
67 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:16:06
68 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:18:43
Who put the "T" in Britain?
69 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:19:19
70 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:33:46
71 Posted 09/01/2016 at 12:37:27
Dave (#65), I hope Junior enjoys his day.
72 Posted 09/01/2016 at 13:08:39
73 Posted 09/01/2016 at 14:02:37
Robles
Stones, Jagielka, Funes Mori
Lennon, Galloway
Osman, Besic, Barry
Barkley
Naismith
I'd not go with this team, but I think RM will...
74 Posted 09/01/2016 at 14:19:16
75 Posted 09/01/2016 at 14:20:19
Pienaar will play #10 role like he did internationally as he isn't up to speed to bounce up and down a line.
76 Posted 09/01/2016 at 14:30:46
77 Posted 09/01/2016 at 14:31:56
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1 Posted 08/01/2016 at 17:36:14
Surely it's a no brainer it's got to be Robles, the lad needs games for Christ sake!
I'm a little worried by one too many newbies coming into the team at once, yes it's Dagenham, they are virtually non-league but this is the FA Cup, it's made its name out of shock results.
Good to see Jagielka back as well.