How much should we focus on the cup?

Ashtonian · January 7, 2016

In a heartbeat i would give the first choice 11 all the time off they want before the second leg.

We should have enough experience to get results, and by playing a different team next week, city cannot adapt to the best 11 as they would like to, giving them no clue as to who is playing on 27th.

LydiateLee · January 7, 2016

League has gone in terms of top 4, too many silly points thrown in the bin.

It is our number 1 priority.

markDee · January 7, 2016

bluesteak said:
Do you think we could beat the shyte at Wembley,I for one don't,it's just our luck that their waiting to rub our noses in it yet again,when we're so close to silverware,that's Everton that

It's more our style that Stoke turn it round, we beat city and then lose to stoke in the final haha.

I'd put everything into the league cup, top four has never been on this season because of our poor home form. A trophey and top 10 would be a great season

bluesteak · January 7, 2016

Boss_Blue said:
That's the spirit mate.

Long in the tooth mate,followed us since the 70s,seen it all befor,even in the 80s with our best ever side,they got the better of us in the big games

davek · January 7, 2016

bluesteak said:
Long in the tooth mate,followed us since the 70s,seen it all befor,even in the 80s with our best ever side,they got the better of us in the big games

Roberto doesnt give a flying one about that. He gets them in a final he'll sort them.

Tubey · January 7, 2016

Normally, no focus at all, especially the League Cup which I don't give a toss about.

However, given the season is now effectively dead in the league already, with little to no chance of either European qualification or relegation, then it's now a case of focussing on the competitions you're still in.

Boss_Blue · January 7, 2016

bluesteak said:
Long in the tooth mate,followed us since the 70s,seen it all befor,even in the 80s with our best ever side,they got the better of us in the big games

Time to right that wrong then mate should the opportunity arise.

Whistlin' Dixie · January 7, 2016

I don't even like the competition; but while we're one game from the final, and two from winning it...

And the bonus is the FAC draw's been very kind to us, so there's the opportunity.

But we've been here before, and we can say: "Let's concentrate on the LC" all we like. There's no guarantee we'll get to the final. And all the concentrating & preparation you like doesn't mean you'll do it.

The league's where it's at. That should always be the priority. If we can win a trophy, sound, but please don't get ahead of ourselves, eh?

11th with or without a trophy simply isn't good enough.

davek · January 7, 2016

Tubey said:
Normally, no focus at all, especially the League Cup which I don't give a toss about.

However, given the season is now effectively dead in the league already, with little to no chance of either European qualification or relegation, then it's now a case of focussing on the competitions you're still in.

The season was always dead. No chance of a CL spot and the rest of the places below it dont matter.

Until we get major investment we have to remain in and about midtable to retain our status and players, but throw absolutely everything at the two domestic cups. That's the way this season is heading and I'm happy with that.

davek · January 7, 2016

Whistlin' Dixie said:
I don't even like the competition; but while we're one game from the final, and two from winning it...
And the bonus is the FAC draw's been very kind to us, so there's the opportunity.
But we've been here before, and we can say: "Let's concentrate on the LC" all we like. There's no guarantee we'll get to the final. And all the concentrating & preparation you like doesn't mean you'll do it.
The league's where it's at. That should always be the priority. If we can win a trophy, sound, but please don't get ahead of ourselves, eh? 11th with or without a trophy simply isn't good enough.

Pfffft!

Have you ever witnessed a trophy win? If you haven't you'll be eating those words if/when it happens. It's what it's all about. Silverware.

Tubey · January 7, 2016

davek said:
The season was lways dead. No chance of a CL spot and the rest of the places below it dont matter.

Until we get major investment we have to remain in and about midtable to retain our status and players, but throw absolutely everything at the two domestic cups. That's the way this season is heading and I'm happy with that.

With the talent in that squad, as seen last night, we are capable of the top four without major investment. It is a black mark on Martinez that we're nowhere near, whether you like to admit it or not.

The cups are only a priority now because of underperformance in the first half of the season.

bluesteak · January 7, 2016

Boss_Blue said:
Time to right that wrong then mate should the opportunity arise.

I know,positive thinking FTRS,

l4toffee · January 7, 2016

I want Everton to give me financial problems and force me to go to Wembley 4 times in 2016.

davek · January 7, 2016

Tubey said:
With the talent in that squad, as seen last night, we are capable of the top four without major investment. It is a black mark on Martinez that we're nowhere near, whether you like to admit it or not.

The cups are only a priority now because of underperformance in the first half of the season.

Nonsense. This squad is good (and a credit to the manager that put it together, that quilt in the commentary box last night wouldn't have been able to, that's for sure) but not at the races over a whole season with the squads the financial elite have. Just look at the injuries we have piling up now. If that happens to the elite they just reach back into the squad or buy more players.

CL spots are a chimera. The cups allow us a chance to get silverware.