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

[Ferguson1878]

seems to be coming a yearly thing this

 

[Ring master]

There is enough time between games in January to be able to field a strong 11 and not jeopardise our PL games.

That being said, we are not going to win the cup so going out to early avoids the headaches of selection in later rounds when there will be less time off.

We basically if knocked out v Palace, only play that Cup game and Villa till the 30th Jan. If we get through v Palace - the next round is Jan 27th - there is well enough time for rest - as we would only play 3 games Max till Fulham on the 30th Jan

 

[Titus Shambles]

Hodgon is apparently in line for the axe so he's going to put out his strongest team and look to win the game to keep his position, and the idea that Dyche would put out a weakened team makes no sense.

Dyche is on a bit of a losing run, he's going to want to get the winning feeling back and confidence flowing ahead of a difficult game against a very good Villa side. No doubt there will be a couple of changes, but all in all, I expect it'll be 2 strong line ups from 2 managers both needing -and going for- the win for different reasons.

 

[UltraVires]

We basically if knocked out v Palace, only play that Cup game and Villa till the 30th Jan. If we get through v Palace - the next round is Jan 27th - there is well enough time for rest - as we would only play 3 games Max till Fulham on the 30th Jan

I am talking later in the season really. We need to accept that our squad is going to be on the thin side this year so what’s the point of getting to an FA cup quarter final and having those extra games when we will likely have to play City or the RS who we are very unlikely to beat anyway

 

[judge]

I am talking later in the season really. We need to accept that our squad is going to be on the thin side this year so what’s the point of getting to an FA cup quarter final and having those extra games when we will likely have to play City or the RS who we are very unlikely to beat anyway

If we accept that we will lose to City and/or the RS, then why bother to enter any cup competition ever? Just abdicate like Man U did years ago and concentrate on spending season after season finishing 16th. If we exist like that then what is the point of the club existing at all?

 

[hallamblue]

My hope is that if Dyche does put out a full team we don't get any injuries. Palace aren't a dirty team but we've looked so tired I would worry about muscle injuries.

 

[Quadvod]

If we accept that we will lose to City and/or the RS, then why bother to enter any cup competition ever? Just abdicate like Man U did years ago and concentrate on spending season after season finishing 16th. If we exist like that then what is the point of the club existing at all?

Always thought moyes team grew in stature and confidence from the uefa cup run in 2007/8 even though it meant loads more games. The thought of the season being over (bar hopefully a non existent relegation scrap) in the first week in jan is damn depressing.

 

[Mrbluenose]

Always thought moyes team grew in stature and confidence from the uefa cup run in 2007/8 even though it meant loads more games. The thought of the season being over (bar hopefully a non existent relegation scrap) in the first week in jan is damn depressing.

That may well be true.

The problem is injuries/fatigue/red cards picked up on a cup run then affect our league performance. And for what? So, we can at best crumble in a semi final?

We just don't have the squad to risk it.

 

[davek]

I fear that Dyche will field a strong starting line up because he doesn't want to fall foul of 4,000 travelling Evertonians.

He needs to show some leadership and bravery to face that down.

Cut your cloth according to your means.

 

[Quadvod]

That may well be true.

The problem is injuries/fatigue/red cards picked up on a cup run then affect our league performance. And for what? So, we can at best crumble in a semi final?

We just don't have the squad to risk it.

Understand the pragmatic argument - don’t see any need to rotate for palace given we’ve only got two other games in jan. if we got through we could always reassess dependent on league position etc…

 

[matty1878]

The idea that going out of the Carabao quarters was good for us was another of Dave's genius nuggets, wasn't it?

How's it gone since? Morale has tanked and we're 0 from 9 in the league. Momentum is massive. Get it at any cost.

there’s a 2 week break after it

i’m glad to hope it helps

 

[Mowri]

Field the strongest team available and go for it.

 

[UltraVires]

If we accept that we will lose to City and/or the RS, then why bother to enter any cup competition ever? Just abdicate like Man U did years ago and concentrate on spending season after season finishing 16th. If we exist like that then what is the point of the club existing at all?

Im not saying every year we throw it in but this is not a normal scenario

 

[Groucho]

Always field the strongest team

 

[Mrbluenose]

Im not saying every year we throw it in but this is not a normal scenario

The ironic thing is if we were a solid mid table club we would perhaps prioritise the cups as they would be our best chance of wining something. Certainly better than some long winded third tier Uefa comp.