Just like Moloko once sang, “Nothing can come close to this familiar feeling”. October is but just days old, yet Everton are already dumped out of the League Cup. It’s an annual autumn saying around Goodison Park.
I fucking hate the League Cup. I hate it’s shit ever-changing name, shit three-handled design, shit midweek draws, yet I would still give my right testicle to win it. 23 years of pain looks almost assured to be 24 by May. It’s only a matter of time before the ‘Tricky Reds’ replicate United’s infamous City trophy ticker banner in the Kop. Well, that’s if they manage to win more than a League Cup on penalties against a Championship side over the next decade.
Our intentions turn to Leicester on Saturday, however it seemed Silva’s eyes were already firmly on the Foxes given his team selection on Wednesday. Seven changes could perhaps point all the fingers to our downfall, but that’s in the past. The hope is they were not all in vein.
Like Villa before their demise at the turn of the decade, Leicester are perhaps their modern-day replacement and our closet league rival. They are a decent side with some good players and they have eyes on a top seven finish. They’re going into the game on the back of three successive wins.
Meanwhile for the Toffees, the comprehensive win against Fulham last weekend has lost some of its shine following the midweek defeat, however there is still a platform to build upon. Team selection will be another key talking point. Sirgurdsson has silenced some of his critics, with three goals in his last three games, however the likes of Davies and Tosun continue to split opinions. Perhaps a spell on the sideline would benefit young Davies who looks desperately low on confidence despite being handed the armband in recent weeks, meanwhile Blues will be hoping Cenk can build upon his first goal of the season last week after he nodded home against Fulham.
The armband situation is a major concern. Everton have fielded five different captains this season and not one has offered anything close to an on-the-field leadership. It’s something Silva will need to address urgently. Talking of addressing urgent issues, Everton’s away record is another. It’s just two away wins in the whole of 2018 so far, both of which came last season against the unimpressive Huddersfield and the relegated Stoke City. Top six will be well beyond the reach of Everton this season, but if the Blues want to cement themselves in the top seven or eight this season, then their away form must improve.
I will be honest, I am a little down beat this week following Wednesday’s result, but it’s nothing we haven’t experienced before. If the Blues can pick up a big win on Saturday, we all might just be smiling again… well until the next time. Anyway, your tea is in the microwave Everton, do the business and we might just let you back in the big bed come Saturday night.
– David
About The Author
