Fielding a weakened team and/or wanting Everton to go out of the cup early.

[Drico]

When did this become a thing for some Evertonians? I get a points deduction has put us in the mire again, but wanting to sacrifice our one slight chance of a pot? Here's the league table mid January 1984.


View attachment 240200

We were nine points clear of the drop in 1984. We weren't going down. Struggling, yes. Relegated? Nope.

We had our chance of a serious cup tilt earlier this month - and Onana royally blew it. We've lost all momentum as a result. Full focus should, in my view, be on the league now as playing one game a week is more than enough for what is a very thin squad. I don't think we'll be relegated as things stand - but a few injuries to key players and that could all change sharpish.

 

[ToffeeTim]

Anyone with any sort of knock, even relatively minor ones, should be left out. Other than that, play the strongest team from whoever is available and fit. We have over a week of prep time for Villa and then another week off.

 

[MACCA75]

Chelsea, rs, Man United, Leicester, Man City twice and Arsenal 4 times are the FA Cup winners in the last 10 years. They've all won the Premier League and they were all top 6 teams when they won it. What makes people think that we have a chance to break that sequence?

Not winning it - understandable.
Not trying to win it - unforgivable.

 

[bhillblue]

10 days between Palace and our next game. Strongest team.

 

[Osamabindiesel]

There is no reason not to field a strong team with a 10 day break. Go ahead

 

[duncs pigeon]

Im going so want to see our strongest team, esp with 10 day break to the Villa game.

 

[MisterJ]

When did this become a thing for some Evertonians? I get a points deduction has put us in the mire again, but wanting to sacrifice our one slight chance of a pot? Here's the league table mid January 1984.


View attachment 240200

Never. Look to win every game otherwise what's the point?

 

[NathDogg]

I didn’t realise we had only two league games in January, due to the carabao cup exit.

Dyche should have been rotating the team already, so we could definitely rotate for the fa cup.
Danjuma, chermiti, Beto, Godfrey, dobbin and Gomes should all start v palace - we should have a go at it with the gaps to the league games.

 

[ForestBlue]

Would love to win the F A Cup again but the League Cup is defo the poor relation and just really doesn't do it for me.

Would expect nothing less than our best available team for any F A Cup game against Premier League opposition.

 

[Iana]

That's not a real league table. Football didn't start til 1992. There was never a time when MASSIVE all-conquering teams like spurs, arsenal and Chelsea weren't in the top 6. Is this a different game?

Chelsea and City were not even in that division that season…oh my days!

 

[davek]

I bet Hodgson has the academy players out.

He knows its a poison chalice. Let's hope Dyche does.

 

[John from Bootle]

I bet Hodgson has the academy players out.

How many are you predicting Dave, and how much do you want to bet on it?

 

[billybadger]

Let’s be honest we have no chance of winning this competition so I won’t lose much sleep if we lose on Thursday, don’t want anymore injuries and suspensions.. i desperately want us to stay up so we can stick two fingers up to the premier league more than anything else!!

 

[tommytowne]

Is the correct nswer! We have a break after this game anyway dont we? So why ease up for this game. Best possible side, try and progress, then, let them all sod off to somewhere warm for. Couple of weeks to recharge their batteries.

I'm seeing there's a blank weekend after the Villa game either due to possibly FA Cup games or international break. Would be ace if we went into that with three points under our belts.

 

[davek]

How many are you predicting Dave, and how much do you want to bet on it?

I think he'll rest at least 4 starters. We should be resting more given our predicament.