Cup run or Table run?

[Bullet_Rain]

So, we're half way down the season, and the "notorious slow starters" did not show up this time.

At the moment I write this, we are 2 (virtually 3 points - Chelsea has a game in hand) points behind a top-4 spot.

I believe Moyes will have to make choices soon, starting this Monday against Cheltenham. I don't think our squad is wide enough to withstand both cup and competition, so what do you prefer? A decent cup run, or trying to get the hands on "The Holy Grail" of 4th place?

I still lean towards cup run.

 

[Allezfan]

I think our squad is capable of challenging on both fronts, tbh.

 

[Bullet_Rain]

I think our squad is capable of challenging on both fronts, tbh.

For now, yes. Well, for at least a few rounds. But still, when it really comes down to it, we will need our strongest squad to get to a next round, I think

 

[electricblue]

While I would always take a trophy over a good league position, that win against the Nukes has got me thinking we really can do this 4th spot business. In the end it would be an even greater achievement considering the opposition and the financial benefits. I'd take 4th in the league now like, but that might change if we get to the quarter-finals of the cup...

 

[Tubey]

My opinion is already known, but I'll restate it here anyway.

Our squad is far too thin on the ground in terms of numbers. We're at the bare bones now without an additional competition.

You're talking about between six to ten extra games between now and May.

There's little to no chance of maintaining an FA Cup run to the latter stages and staying in the running for 4th.

If it were me, I'd be playing the youth team against Cheltenham and resting key players to give us a better chance of avoiding fatigue.

 

[Allezfan]

For now, yes. Well, for at least a few rounds. But still, when it really comes down to it, we will need our strongest squad to get to a next round, I think

True but I think we've proved we can win three games a week too.

Even if we reach the final, we're still playing about 2/3rds of the games Arsenald and Chelsea etc are.

 

[Steven Naismith]

1st and the FA Cup, its f*cking on

 

[MartSlinger]

Whats good about the FA Cup is that at first it completely replaces the Premier League on weekends so there really is no difference in the amount of games players play, just another match.

Both. And there is no reason why we cant.

 

[edever]

3rd place, FA cup win and a multi billionare to fund our assault on europe.
I'll settle for nothing less

 

[Tubey]

Whats good about the FA Cup is that at first it completely replaces the Premier League on weekends so there really is no difference in the amount of games players play, just another match.

Both. And there is no reason why we cant.

That's just not true. There's no way you can spin the fact we'd be playing between six to ten extra games if we made the final.

To put that into perspective, we play three to four Premier League games a month. An FA Cup run would be the equivalent to play between one and a half to two extra months of football.

 

[Bigmaclad]

BOTH.

 

[EFC Si]

I think our squad is capable of challenging on both fronts, tbh.

They should be...we do actually have some options too; especially against lower league oppostion. Although we know no-one should be underestimated this time. Even if we got to the final, it could potentially be only what 4 or 5 extra games from the league? That's obviously without any replays.

 

[Carl J]

Got to the semi-final last year with a threadbare squad and still had a good second half of the season, so don't really see why we could'nt again, and maybe go one step further and still be in the hunt for 4th

 

[Allezfan]

That's just not true. There's no way you can spin the fact we'd be playing between six to ten extra games if we made the final.

To put that into perspective, we play three to four Premier League games a month. An FA Cup run would be the equivalent to play between one and a half to two extra months of football.

Except all our rivals are playing in europe and the world club cup and the league cup and the fa cup etc.

We can afford those six games because we're already about ten games ahead. And winning leads to more winning. A good cup win can raise the whole club which is way our best league form under Moyes has often conincided with our best cup runs.

If you can prove a link between winning cup games and losing the following league games in Moyes everton I will be shocked.

 

[eagleowl]

Got to the semi-final last year with a threadbare squad and still had a good second half of the season, so don't really see why we could'nt again, and maybe go one step further and still be in the hunt for 4th

Also players like Mirallas and Gibson are due an injury free run. They should be fresher than some others.