Two games into the season and it’s safe to say we haven’t seen the Everton that finished last season so strongly in the face of adversity. Instead we’ve reverted to the same side that began under manager Sean Dyche last season. Failing to win in our opening two league games and conceding seven goals without reply. An ever growing injury list, alongside heightening hostility towards the manager and player, Tuesday night under the lights at Goodison could prove to be a long night for all involved.
If You Know Your History… Everton v Doncaster Through the Years
Everton and Doncaster have only faced off a total of nine times in their competitive history. Last season saw a 2-1 win away from home in the same competition. Before then you have to go back to 1985 for the 2-0 home win in the FA Cup. It’s then a case of several meetings in the old Second Division back in the 1950’s. Everton have lost 2 of those 9 meetings, neither of which happened at Goodison Park.
Team News
Everton will remain without the likes of Jarred Branthwaite, Nathan Patterson and Youssef Chermitti. Elsewhere Seamus Coleman, James Garner and James Tarkowski are likely not to be risked.
What the Managers Say
Dyche on what has to change after Spurs – “You make bad decisions if you’re not focused, not concentrating. We’re certainly not going to start crying about luck. We’ve got to be more clinical ourselves”.
Everton Key Player
Jesper Lindstrom – The Dane looked lively when he came on against Spurs at the weekend. Testing the keeper with his first few touches. Given his creativity in his Premier League debut and flashes of brilliance in pre-season, I can see Lindstrom being key to progressing in the cup on Tuesday night. Dyche has made it clear his new signings need to get up to speed and this game will certainly be the option to do just that.
One to Watch for Doncaster:
Luke Molyneux – The 26-year old forward has 3 goals in 4 games already this season. The creative midfielder will look to cause a fragile Everton defense problems at Goodison on Tuesday. Likely playing off the experienced Billy Sharp, Molyneux will certainly be one to watch when it comes to the opposition getting on the score sheet.
Final Thoughts
The positive of having a small squad is that we shouldn’t expect much in the way of rotation in the cup. Dyche will likely use this as a chance to get minutes in the legs of those yet to start in the Premier League but aside from that we’ll likely see familiar faces. It means we are forced to take the cup seriously, it means we put these players in a position to correct the errors of the opening two games and it means that we will likely progress into the next round. The downside however is that we run the risk of injuries we can ill afford and we also could see a group of players already short on confidence fall to a cupset…
Prediction
2-1. It’s not going to be pretty but I expect Everton to just about get the job done. The toffees are in desperate need of a win and a break from league action at home in the cup might be just what the doctor ordered. I expect Dyche to factor in many, if not all, of his new summer signings and would also expect to see Pickford dropped to the bench with Virginia set to continue as the club’s cup keeper.
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