Match Thread Everton v Salford City, Preview, Match Report and MotM Poll

[Rudolf Hucker]

Look forward to seeing how Ancelotti handles these cup games.

Personally, I would say the priority is to get our key players up to full fitness ASAP. 2 preseason games won’t have done that & the 3 new signings didn’t even get that.

Don’t think he’ll pick any of the surplus if there’s a possibility they’ll get be sold in England

 

[Ruairi77]

We are all absolutely buzzing with the start to the season by winning at Spurs, everyone, buzzing to a man, put the seconds out tonight and they lose and all that positivity goes right out the window, obviously it will if the first team lose but you can't say you didn't put your best foot forward at least.

As a team with only a possible 2 trophies to win, I cannot fathom why we'd just chuck one in the bin.

what if we put the first team out and Allan pulls a hammy and James gets stamped on, both out injured. Mina pulls up with god knows what, Pickford concedes a clanger...
I get it's negative thinking but why risk it when our second string have a chance to prove their worth against a 4th tier side.

 

[Nymzee]

If we do make a few changes I hope we still play the same formation/style as Sunday just to see if the back-up options can even operate in it.

 

[Terrarian]

It's Salford. Any combination of 11 players from our senior squad should put them away.

We should minimise risk of injuries/burnout to top players where we can. Kicking off the season with 3 games in 6 days, and not/barely rotating because we're petrified of losing to Salford is a bit silly, for me.

Not putting out your strongest available side in one of the 2 realistic chances of a pot is even sillier to be fair. We aren't a club in a position to be turning our noses up at a trophy.

Don't get me wrong I fully understand where you are coming from but I've had enough of this barren spell now, we have manager who wins stuff why half his chances off the bat.

 

[Nymzee]

Not putting out your strongest available side in one of the 2 realistic chances of a pot is even sillier to be fair. We aren't a club in a position to be turning our noses up at a trophy.

Don't get me wrong I fully understand where you are coming from but I've had enough of this barren spell now, we have manager who wins stuff why half his chances off the bat.

Whatever happened to the new positive Everton mindset if we think we need a full strength XI just to beat Salford at Goodison?

 

[Terrarian]

what if we put the first team out and Allan pulls a hammy and James gets stamped on, both out injured. Mina pulls up with god knows what, Pickford concedes a clanger...
I get it's negative thinking but why risk it when our second string have a chance to prove their worth against a 4th tier side.

What if they get injured in training, you don't run a football team like that, you put the strongest side out when you can.

Again I see where you're coming from, it's what's been the done thing for Premiership clubs for years but we shouldn't.

Agree to disagree here I think mate haha

 

[HappyJack]

Is there a chance of a stream for tonights game?

 

[Terrarian]

Whatever happened to the new positive Everton mindset if we think we need a full strength XI just to beat Salford at Goodison?

I'm just thinking of the backlash should a second string get beat, that would certainly wipe the positivity away. I'm not being negative the opposite, i want us to win the whole thing and not take anyone lightly.

 

[Nymzee]

I'm just thinking of the backlash should a second string get beat, that would certainly wipe the positivity away. I'm not being negative the opposite, i want us to win the whole thing and not take anyone lightly.

I'm not saying switch the whole XI out but protecting the more vulnerable players like Rodriguez is just smart.

 

[HappyJack]

I would put a blended team out but without James, Allan, Doucoure. Play Pickford, Braithwaite, Nkounko( cant remember his name) , Walcott, Iwobi, Davies, Siggy ,Kean etc. They should easily beat Salford.

 

[Terrarian]

I'm not saying switch the whole XI out but protecting the more vulnerable players like Rodriguez is just smart.

I think people are of the mindset that league two players don't know how to play football without breaking a mans legs. James needs matches for fitness and sharpness.

Let's see who turns out I guess. I just want us taking this seriously, playing a second string is not doing that.

 

[ricer10]

Has there ever been this much discussion about an Everton line up in any early round Cup play ever !? Great start last week ... hopefully continues through tonight and Sat. No injuries and a win ! I’ll trust Carlo to make the immediate and big picture calls to keep us ticking over .
COYB !

 

[MrGrumpy]

I’ve said I don’t want James to play tonight but as we are getting closer to kick off I’ve changed my mind. Get James on the pitch I wanna watch him play.. let’s hammer them

 

[jazzy]

Is there a chance of a stream for tonights game?

Yes it's on Sky

 

[UptheTofees]

You simply don't play your top players in games like this

1. Logging in extra minutes that they don't need. I know the season just started but players need rest to be fresh throughout the season. Especially since there is not a lot of depth and quality on the bench.


2. There is a risk of injury like in any game. But the opposition is a 2nd division team and those are known to rely more on physicality then on skill. Off the top of my head Falcao tore his ACL in a cup game vs a 3rd division team after a foul. Missed the WC and his career went to hell after that.

3. The bench needs to play. Players need to get minutes to stay fit and in form should the be called upon later on in an important and tough game. 3 new signings have come and pushed starters to the bench and bench players further down the bench. Psychologically, you need to play these guys in these type of games or you are going to lose them completely.

All in all, just not worth the risk to t he starters' health or the impact in the locker room to play the top players in a game like this.