Everton vs Manchester United

The future can then be sorted for next season, I like I imagine, a lot of fans will see who is manager for next season before buying my season ticket, I hope that is decided before the early buy date.

Good luck to all the players tomorrow.

The flaws and weaknesses smarter the floor like landmines now and we have seen the real Martinez laid bare this season after the striptease started last season.

This is now where we are at.

One game left to save our season, one game left to save his arse.

The defining week from hell began with the predictable opening of the gates on Wednesday night...

Tomorrow is our date with the real Red Devils and could be the final time this team and manager is thrown into the fire and never seen again.

Unless....

I just can't see us winning. Man U will want it more, the media don't want to see two crap teams in the final. However, I hope the fans have a good day out.

As for Saturday, Evertonians whether there or in person will be cheering the team on, just like we always do. But nobody is under the illusion anymore, that the status quo, as it is can go on.

How a club with our stature can tolerate Wednesday' nights debacle, without even a cursory inquest, will go down as one of the blackest days in our history. It's the supporters alone who have been left red faced and humiliated. And for that, Kenwright and Martinez should never should never be forgiven.

He's a joke, an amateur playing at being a Premier League manager. I will of course be looking for our result tomorrow but after the debacle on Wednesday I've vowed not to watch my beloved Everton again as long as he is the manager. After 57 years it shouldn't be like thus, but I can't work up any excitement or enthusiasm for the semi with this joker running the pack. And what's all this crap about 'treating Jagielka's feelings?'

Jags is probably also totally demoralised like the rest of the team. God help us!

Martinez out!

So on that score all we can do tomorrow is put the recriminations to one side get behind RM and the team, sing our hearts out and hope that the team before anything else puts some pride back in being a blue! Come on you blues!

If we win....great.

If we lose.....not too bad as that's Martinez gone.

Win win - hopefully it's a nice day and players who start put in a shift for the fans. Afterall, no player knows if they'll get to another semi.

Looking forward to this a lot more than the game last Weds.

Passing the ball around endlessly only puts pressure on Everton defenders when there is a miss hit pass, that allows the opposition to hit Everton on the break. Darren Gibson should play because he can make long accurate passers that are needed to hit united on the break

What I do fear is yet another lifeless toothless directionless performance that we've seen sim the past 6 weeks.

Instead of looking forward to a semi final with the lads and a few beers I'll be staying at home and watching from behind the couch

I would love to lay into the manager for taking away my passion for the game this season as well, but as Daniel@17 says, we should try to keep this thread about the semi final, otherwise every single thread on TW is about Martinez.

So, I do fear we'll lose but not purely because of the manager - partly, yes, but also due to injuries. Oviedo should be nowhere near the Everton first team - I know he's well liked by many but he's really not a great footballer. Awfully one-footed and a terrible defender. Occasional left-winger at best.

Who knows, it could be like the Alamo tomorrow, and we could nick it - football is funny like that.

As the first post on here mentions though, it's a win/win for us. Win and we're in the final, lose and well, maybe the manager goes.

My personal hope is that we win the game AND the manager goes!

(Hows that for being optimistic!)

The fans need a real performance and deserve to be travelling home with a smile on their faces. We have stuck by this team and travelled home and away all season giving them our great support.

We are still hurting from Wednesday and it's up to the 11 players who step on the turf tomorrow to provide us with the tonic to erase the hurt. I'll be singing my heart out tomorrow as I know most of you will be too, just hope it is met by the chosen 11 giving us the performance we deserve.

Come on blue boys, no more hurt tomorrow, make us feel proud to be a blue again.

COYB!!!

Two positives:

(1) Roberto is so confused about our tactics, team and his plans that neither the opposition nor our team have any idea what he's doing. Therefore the opposition cannot plan against it. This total confusion and lack of rationality could just work in our favour.

(2) The Manure are expected to win easily. Since neither they nor their manager will get any credit for the victory, complacency or nervousness could descend.

It's a very common mistake for non-native English speakers to use the 'ing' where it's not required.

Do not play anyone who is not fully fit.
Play everyone in their best positions.
Fuck the open game off and play it tight.

Whatever club you are at next season, keep a settled team. You can't make changes for every game and expect them to perform. It's elementary. You rested players and look what happened. Players got injured.

There's no excuse for not chasing every ball. Oh, and when we have possession bloody keep the ball, not pass it to the nearest red shirt like Weds. Can't blame RM for players not doing things my 8 year old son can do!

However, as for today....

I think it is a huge, huge mistake going with this manager for the game tomorrow (though I hope I am 100% wrong). It is clear the players don't want to play for him and that will detract. People will say that professional players should motivate themselves and yeah, they should. But they should be able to do that for a derby, and they didn't.

Martinez will bring an air of defeat whereas I think just the presence of Unsworth, and Royle for a last hurrah, would have generated a feeling of fight in the dressing room.

Anyway, COYB, and anyone posting on the eve of a SF that they want us to lose to get rid of Martinez should be immediately banned, as per military discipline getting rid of people bad for morale on the eve of a battle!!

Expect to have more time later tho'. Sure I'll have something to say.

Do think we might nick it tho' tomorrow - in spite of RM, not because of him. Though BK and RM will spin it differently.

Lyndon hit the nail on the head with the line 'forlorn hope', but to be honest I won't even watch this match.

I fail to see how the players are going to respond from Wednesday night's debacle, a defeat that shuddered the foundations of an already falling fragile framework.

If it is true that the players have lost respect for Martinez, and it looks true at the minute, then what is the overall response to any team talk from the manager going to be like?.

I suggest these players man up and take responsibility for their own actions tomorrow evening and realise this could be the last chance for many of them to collect silverware and win a medal.

If they can't at least amongst themselves rise to the occasion and put in a bit of passion heart and desire tomorrow then to be honest, I don't want to see many of them at the club next season along with Martinez.

Personal pride tomorrow is at stake not just the massive dangling carrot of an F.A Cup Final and possible trophy.

BK may have said to RM, "You haven't got a chance of being in this job next season lad, but if you win me the cup, I can have my last hurrah in front of the cameras and you can add this to your CV, and perhaps set yourself set up for your next post"

RM may have told the players " Let us play 4.4.2, go for it, forget the tip, tap stuff, put some defenders on the posts at corners, and pressure them. Just win the game lads as I don't care about possession. Stones, Lukaku, stop thinking about yourself and think about the 30k Evertonians at Wembley and the 10K who followed you across Europe. Show some backbone lads."

Do you think these conversations happened? Neither do I.....that would take a degree of honesty wouldn't it?

The spirit of Burnden Park in 66 and Wembley 09 can descend once more on the blue shirts tomorrow and make it a hat trick of Manchester United semi final roll overs. Hope springs eternal.

Lyndon, I take up a point in your article in that Wednesday's performance was not only the worst in a Merseyside derby, for me it was the worst I can remember watching the blues since the 1959 season because of the opposition and the complete embarrassment having to watch almost 40 shots on our goal to 3 off target at the other end.

My other fear for tomorrow is the old adage that you simply cannot just turn form on.

Man United will start with two kids up top and we should be prepared to play ours. Connolly has to play in his natural position, this square pegs in round holes lark seldom works.

Look, its only a few short weeks ago when we produced a performance against Chelsea. There is a performance in this group of players and we the fans have to try to get it out of them.

I'm over Wednesday. I'd drive myself crazy if I dwell on it any longer. I'll be down there early tomorrow and I'm desperately hoping for a win.

Tomorrow is another day

On the team, maybe I'm cracking up, but I would play Lennon at RB, CB's a mix of what available Stones, Jags, Mori, Pend, Gibson (if needed), LB Baines, McCarty, Besic or Barry with McCarty if fit. Ahead of them I would just throw pace at them with Del and Oviado (right and left) Mirallas number 10 with Lukaku in his normal role of tree trunk.

It might not work, but what has lately.

WERE ON THE MARCH WITH MOSHIRIS ARMY......

Lennon will get back and defend, so no need for Deulofeu to track back (which he doesn't do anyway).

I'm guessing Barry will be fit, so Mirallas on the left, Barry, McCarthy, Deulofeu. Ross playing just behind Lukaku.

If Barry doesn't make it then play Gibson, and make him captain.

Oh, and Robles in goal, of course.

Tomorrow is one match away from picking up a medal; rest assured those players will put a shift in, put it on their CV, then their agents will be bigging them up.

Naff all to play for in the Premier League but I have no doubt, whatever the result, you will see a different Everton tomorrow.

You never know. I can't see it myself... but you never know!!!!!

Let's put all the mayhem to one side and enjoy the day... up to kick-off at least!!! COYB

Can it get any worse????! Well this is Everton.

He does no more of that than anyone else and spent a lot of time on Wednesday at walking pace when he lost the ball or it went past him.

Stange that no-one mentioned the fantastic Jagielka-style block by Kevin Mirallas on the edge of the area in the first half. And he's twice the player Lennon is going forward too.

STOP this Wigan-esque thinking and give us a team that is designed to make the opposition defend - instead of vice-versa.

Lennon is no more a full back than I am and even with our current threadbare squad should not even be considered for the role.

Personally, I would more advocate Oviedo as wing back, giving Baines vital support and bringing him into the game to pose a threat down the left. It used to be a consistent avenue of attack for us. Now it just sees Leighton left in no-man's land, trying to do two jobs at once.

Attack is unquestionably the best form of defence tomorrow, particularly as we are unable to defend even when everybody is fit.

Has no one - and particularly Martinez - noticed that we are at our best when we play quick, direct, forward-passing, attacking football?

Think about the way we score a lot, if not most of our goals: on the rampage with Barkley, Mirallas, Lukaku, Deulofeu etc marauding forward going route one to goal.

Sadly, we will almost certainly try and shore things up tomorrow though, which will crash and burn spectacularly in front of millions of people on live TV. Completely the wrong strategy in my opinion.

To stand any chance of success, we have to do something completely different. Not shoehorn whoever's available into a template that has failed miserably for the last two seasons.

Sadly, being brave has long since been Martinez' trademark, even when he must know he has nothing to lose.

And he must surely not be thinking he can eke it out to penalties, as we look collectively knackered after 75/80 minutes.

We must go for broke and try to spring a surprise. Conceding goals seems to be a foregone conclusion tomorrow - so let's try and ensure we score one at least more than they do. After all, their defence (with the exception of De Gea), looked as vulnerable as ours at OT a few weeks ago.

As soon as we see the team sheet, we'll know the outcome.

Be brave Martinez. Apply that cliched Spanish 'motto' of yours.

Pick a team to win. Win back some respect.

See you there...

COYB!

Asparagus for manager!!

Hadn't thought of it like that. I was dreading another humiliation tomorrow but will now try to look on the Brightside, whichever way it goes. Thank you

Tempting as it is to respond in kind by calling call you childish names, I will, again, just give my opinion: you, I and virtually every other Evertonian who goes tomorrow will instinctively have gut feeling about how the game will go as soon as the team is announced.

That is all I was saying.

Why you saw fit to personally insult me for that is beyond me?

Lennon stones besic baines

Deulofeu McCarthy Gibson Mirallas

Barkley

Lukaku

No playing players who are not 100 % fit. Don't go all out attacking but break quickly when the time is right. Coleman is a big miss but still have belief we can get to final. coyb

Robles
Coleman Stones Jagielka Baines
Lennon Barry Oviedo
Deulofeu
Lukaku Barkley

If not, Connolly at right back.

Getting into the oppos faces, chasing down every ball?????

Have you seen how unfit this team is?

They are usually pulling for tugs after the 50th minute - the 22nd if your name is Deulofayooooo.

there is no way our players could keep up a high tempo defence and attack for 90 minutes, they can just about manage one half.

Dreading the game but hoping for the best (and no that doesn't mean the head of Martinez, it means beating the manc twats)

I think that's the best prediction we're going to get.

Get rid of the 4-2-3-1, it's stale and we haven't got the players to fit the system.

Play 4-3-3 and attack the back four with Barkley joining in from deep.

If we are to achieve anything tomorrow, there must be a shape to the team with everybody understanding their roles and positions. Otherwise another shambles is on the cards like Wednesday night, despite what the asparagus predicts.

In life stranger things have happened. So COYB.

High fitness levels are essential in the modern game – just look at managers like Klopp and Pochettino and how important it is to them.

As Kyle Walker said, Spurs are running every team they play off the park. Whereas our guys after 60 minutes look like lads in the kebab shop at 2am on a drunken night out.

What I find staggering about Martinez is that he dosen't even attend to the basics. Build a solid defence first used to be the footballing mantra. I'm not sure what Martinez's plan is – anyone who figures it out please explain it!

Besic in if either Jagielka or Barry don't make it. It's too big a game to throw Connolly or Pennington in, in my opinion.

But whatever happens, we must play with pride. This team owes the fans that and quite frankly Martinez's presence is irrelevant to me as the players should literally run until they drop for the 32k blues who are there. If they do that, that will do for me.

Reminds me of the wee daughter of a friend of ours years ago who said they had sparrow guts for tea. You can guess the rest!

I'm looking forward to this about as much as root canal work at the dentist.

I never bet but I might do something I've never done before and put a bet on us to lose. There's no chance of a draw.

Has 'the faithful' ever travelled with as much trepidation and concern for the result of such a big game as they will do over the next 24 hours?

Whoever the 14 players are (assuming RM will utilize his full contingent of subs) who cross the line to play at Wembley, they have got to fight tooth and claw to have any chance of victory, or some kind of redemption in the eyes of Evertonians for this season and the abysmal capitulation at Analfield.

Some how, from somewhere, the players have to dredge up a performance that - too frequently under RM - they have not been capable of: winning by any means possible, with no regard to philosophical niceties or aesthetics.

I'm a hopeless romantic and optimist when it comes to the Blues. As the faithful showed with their support at Mordor, as they have shown with the take up of tickets for tomorrow, the supporters want this.

Just do it lads. Just WIN and get us to the final. The manager situation can wait for another day.

It is likely Man Utd will win the day with their superior defence and quicker offence but at least we may get a bigger effort from the replacements.

For God's sake I hope he doesn't play the likes of Osman and Gibson which would serve no purpose at all. Putting Mo in the back four would be risky with his tackling... but hey, the back four has been shaky all season.

You are right attack is our best form of defence in the last Man Utd game we could have won but we did not take our chances. I have to disagree about putting Lennon in defence. He has performed better when he stays well above the defence line.

Man Utd is suspect when faced with fast attackers so Lennon and Mirallas will play an important part in this game but they need to have space to run into the box so - drop Rom until the second half.

Based on injuries we should NOT play people who are only 50% fit they will be have to be replaced before 75 mins in this game.

My team would be as follows

Robles
Connolly Stones Pennington Baines

Deulofeu Barkley Gibson ( Lukaku 65) Cleverly

Lennon Mirallas

This would leave running space. Recently our attackers have been so far forward there is nowhere for anybody to run directly into.
However gut feeling is he has to play Niasse instead of Mirallas.

Finally Roberto motivate them tell them - if they win every EVERY player plays in the Final no matter which players recover for the final.

It does matter one jot who is fit or not, as the whole team has been unfit all... season.

Do we really expect the team to miraculousely improve enough from what we have seen this season to deserve a place in the final? Nothing though would give me greater satisfaction than to be wrong!! COYBs

Maybe the team should have some for their pre-match meal and do a poll on who's wee smells afterwards for a bit of fun. Settle the nerves.

A couple of the youngsters have played at RB and I would go with one of them, although I wouldn't throw too many into the starting line up. Assuming Coleman, Barry and Jags are all out and Stones will be in plus RM will never deviate from 4231, then I'd expect/hope for;

Robles
Connolly/Stones/Besic/Baines
Gibson/McCarthy
Lennon/Barkley/Mirralas
Lukaku

Would put Lennon in instead of Deulofeu as he'd provide more cover for Connolly. With Deulofeu, Pienaar and Oviedo on the bench, we have options in midfield as subs.

Personally I cannot see how we're going to stop them scoring. Rashford and Martial have pace to burn, nevermind the likes of Mata, Depay, Rooney and Fellaini. Also Gibson and Pienaar cannot be anywhere near match fit.

It's going to take one hell of a performance to get something tomorrow but at least we have enough on the pitch to score. As usual the key will be if we can stop them. The likes of Mirallas, Barkely and Lukaku are going to have to be up for it.

He might be centre half tomorrow, marginally better than the proposed asparagus, but certainly better than the cabbage of a manager

What I have seen of Man Unt. this season indicates they are decidedly average - and their windbag manager is no genius, either, for all his honours in the distant past !

Likely outcome ? A 1-1 draw with Connelly slotting home the winning AET pen !

COYB !

Forget the injuries, the lack of form and everything else, we have to get behind the team like only Evertonians know how to. Remember 2009 and 1995, remember Wimbledon at home in a far more important match for the club. We might fail but don't let us hand the game to United before a ball is kicked in earnest, get behind every player tomorrow and if we give of our best as supporters there is a chance that the players will do the same and in the circumstances they need that blue wall of noise to urge them on more than ever before - we can do it. I don't want Norwich at home to be the last match of our season I want to be at Wembley cheering the team on a week later - we should all want that, regardless of the ramifications relating to the manager.

COYB NSNO

I know it's the stick to pummel Roberto with, but this game should see us playing wide, wide open no fear fuck defending football.

Our back line is decimated and one of the available defenders is more likely to cop a squat rather than play for his team.

This one single game it makes perfect sense - throw the kitchen sink at them. 7-6 is a great score line!

I have supported my beloved Blues since 1969, seen us lose merseyside cups finals, semi finals, the list is endless. I have seen this fraud of a manager spoofing it for two years, watched over paid unfit players stroll about the pitch this season, and BK spouting 'What a manager!'

The fact is I don't care if our over hyped mercenary of a centre forward who cannot trap a bag of cement and the over-hyped young centre half who has limitations as a defender go next season. As long as we get good money for them, bye bye lads. If you don't want to play for us, good riddance. Life goes on, I will still love the Blues. Nobody is irreplaceable (Mr Lineker!).

We need to bring in a top drawer proven manager, with preferably premier league experience, and start again. The manager is the most important person at the club, to have a poor one only holds you back. Martinez will not be here next season. I actually think Rooney will be and will be club captain. We will have a new chairman too.

Anyway, I have got my provisions in and will be heading back home tonight to Liverpool and will be on the coach with a terrific bunch of Evertonians tomorrow. Friends, family and hopefully new friends I have yet to meet. We all know what Brian Labone quoted.

I would like to wish all toffee webbers and Blues a safe and pleasant journey down to Wembley and back home. As they say "Win, lose we will be on the booze". Apart from the coach driver, stay on the orange bus lad. I have a pan of scouse on the boil as I write this.

Have a good one fellas......

COYB

If you can dream - and not make dreams your master;
If you can think - and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you've spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build 'em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: 'Hold on!'

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
' Or walk with Kings - nor lose the common touch,
if neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds' worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that's in it,
And - which is more - you'll be a Man, my son!

It's up to you now lads.
You can go out and play like men......or.

COYB

Deulofeu has the speed, he has the creativity and he isn't afraid of taking on his man. I'm not knocking Barkley's ability, but he still has issues with his decision making.

Deulofeu has more skill on the ball and is the more creative and more complete player. His pace will worry any central defensive pairing that already has the strength of Lukaku to deal with. With Mirallas and Lennon on the wings the team is hardly weakened.

Deulofeu instead of Barkley... why not indeed?

The sight of Roberto leading the lads out turns my guts over though, he just doesn't deserve that honour at all.

As for which team he puts out, it wouldn't surprise me to see Howard in goal. Me personally I would play the two young kids who made their debuts against Southampton Callum Connelly and Tom Davis from the start tomorrow, two young lads with bright futures might just be what the team need to shake out of the malaise they've been in for the last 2 years.

P.S. I see we've recalled another young defender Matthew Pennington from loan. Where's Brendan Galloway disappeared to?

It's a big IF, but if Jags and Stones both play then Besic and McCarthy can do the donkey work. Right back worries me. Clearly Utd will target this area if Oviedo plays there.

Alternatively, maybe play Stones, Jags and Besic in a three, with Baines and A.N Other as wing backs. Just a thought. A lot is going to depend on who's available obviously.

On the positive side we cannot play any worse than the derby.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/football/2016/04/22/kyle-walker-at-first-it-was-horrible-under-mauricio-pochettino-b/

Was similar under Moyes, probably minus the tactics and talent.

I wanted Martinez to be gone way back but even sacking him this week wouldn't remove one of THE major problems he's repeatedly organised for us, and that's the lack of fitness of the entire squad. That'd never be cured in a week, and nor would any rallying cry from a temp manager have achieved it either. Wembley is a very big pitch therefore "pressing" demands even more effort than normal (and we're poor at that on a smaller pitch) so it'll all be down to our defence to remain resolute and trust/hope/pray that someone somehow gets a goal in summat like the last minute.

I really want a win but sad to say if they raise their performance levels to achieve one it'll show the players in a fairly grim light and, God forbid, may encourage the board to let the muppet continue.

Here's hoping tomorrow we see a change in this, if certain players turn up we have a chance, this is not a great Man Utd team and I doubt they are expecting much of a challenge from us.

How we set up for the game is essential.

Oviedo is not a right back, Collonoly should be given a chance....he will certainly be motivated. Hopefully Stones will be fit, and with the extra responsibility (being the senior) he may up his game, especially as all eyes will be on him. Pennington and Baines make up a rather experimental back-four. But no way should Besic be risked there, he just ain't a defender.

Then Lennon, and maybe Oviedo out wide. If not Oviedo on the left, Osman could well provide one of his once every 2 months motm games. Then midfield of McCarthey and Besic, and one of Mirallas, Gerry or Barkley behind Lukaku.

Our team and squad really ain't all that when alaysed, but the cup is the cup.

Coyb

5 mins Stones passes to Rashford, Jags chases pulls his hammy, Rash scores. Pienaar on for Jags, Mc drops to Central Defense

20 mins Pienaar injured replaced by Kone

30 mins Robles accidentally clothes lines Oviedo ball bounces of Mcs ass into goal. 2-0, Osman on for Oviedo.

45 mins Mirallas pulls down his shorts. Red carded for streaking.

60 mins Stones poops his pants after fans boo his six yard box dribbling. Leaves field Everton down to nine.

65 mins Lukaku spots his agent and Laurent Blanc in crowd and leaves the game to negotiate a contract.

70 mins Lennon red carded for no reason at all.

80 - 90 mins Man UTD score five more goals.

Post match. RM hails phenomenal Barry performance. Says league is most important and we need to deliver to keep fans happy. The return of Hibbert will bring a real goal scoring threat to the team.

Next day. Kenwright says "what a manager"

Perhaps if Chelsea could A Spare Us Guus Hiddink

Brilliant.

Everton (East Team)
The Torch - 1-5 Bridge Road, Wembley, HA9 9AB
Crock of Gold - 23 Bridge Road, Wembley, HA9 9AB
Watkins Folly - 1 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0EW
Blue Check Cafe - 12-13 Empire Way, Wembley, HA9 0RQ
Crystal Club (Silverspoon) - South Way, Wembley
The Parish - 120 Wembley Park Drive, Wembley, HA9 8HP
First Class Sports Bar - 125 Wembley Park Drive, HA9 8HG
The Wembley Tavern - 121 Wembley Park Drive, HA9 8HG
Flyers Last Stand - 45 Blackbird Hill, NW9 8RS

Manchester United (West Team)
The Green Man - Dagmar Avenue, Wembley, HA9 8DF
Blue Room - 53 Wembley Hill Road, Wembley, HA9 8BE
JJ Moons - 397 High Road, Wembley, HA9 7DT
Thirsty Eddie’s - 412 High Road, Wembley, HA9 6AH
Flannery’s - 610 High Road, Wembley, HA0 2AF
Innisfree - 30 - 32 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA9 6PG
Mannions - 313 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA9 6BA
The Copper Jug - 10 The Broadway, Wembley, HA9 8JU
Fusilier - 652 Harrow Road, Wembley, HA0 2HA
Powerleague - Olympic Way, Wembley
Moore Spice - Wembley Retail Park, Unit 2, Engineers Way, HA9 0EH
The Arch, 324 Harrow Rd, Wembley
Station 31, 299-301 Harrow Rd, Wembley
The Corner House
The Liquor Station, 397a High Rd, Wembley

Shameful... it's the Spanish syndrome

l will be watching in my local surrounded by United fans, but I am well up for it and suprisingly optimistic.

Thought this quote might be relevant: “We’ve got four games left, and we’re still running almost every other team off the pitch,” Walker says. “The only team close to us, if I remember correctly, is Bournemouth.

He wouldn't be my first or even second or third pick but if we did end up with Eddie Howe I think he would certainly make us a hell of a lot fitter and more competitive.

Might be easier for you to watch the match tomorrow rather than follow the live forum. I've managed to ensure I'll be roughly half way through a 24 hour trip back to my outpost in the Middle East. There's a small chance a barman in one of the airports en route who knows me will mention it to me, but I might even swerve his bar.

Seriously though, let us try to enjoy a great day tomorrow, give the players the greatest support possible, and,for once, forget about RM.

We can win this!

"Our team has always been very responsible, with an incredible, incredible focus for working hard and I think we will always face adversity, in different moments in the right way.
"To get into the semi final of the FA cup is not something we have been drawn into or found, we have had to work really hard for 10 months.
"Even looking at the success we had in the Capital One Cup, wouldn't allow us to get to Wembley so that droves us to get into Wembley.
"Now is focusing on what we can achieve in this occasion. It is as simple as that"
Nurse hurry up with the medication trolley.

I really do hope that we can get a result tomorrow. But if we don't; I can at least take some consolation in that Roberto won't be able to reference "F.A. Cup Semi-Final" in almost every sentence in every interview he has given since beating Chelsea, as proof that he is doing such a great job.

Oh, who am I kidding. If we lose and he's STILL our manager afterwards; he'll continue to wave that over our heads as a demonstration of the talent and potential that only HE sees and that which gets him "very excited".

COYB we can do this, lets win this semi and bring home the cup in May.

I won't get to watch the game until the evening so I'm hoping my Likely Lads routine works once more (it did for the Chelsea game) and I'm sat here quietly chuckling to myself rather then kicking the telly. COYB!!!

Work commitments stopped me attending the last three.

Every Evertonian is having a shit week, but the beauty of football is we all wake up tomorrow and hope. Maybe it will be another fucking horror show, maybe I'll be going wild in Camden tomorrow night.

But if you are superstitious I'm wearing my 80s bobble hat that I wore for each of the four winning semis in the 80s, so what can go wrong.

We are far off but we will be with you in spirit.

United are bang average and we have to attack. 3-1

What have we got...

They are led by a manager who talks total shit & who the players stopped playing for months ago. Do you think this bunch, a team with no leaders, have the character to lift themselves for this?

An early goal will result in a twatting.

Anyone stopping in Hemel Hempstead after the game?

Sadly.

Others have mentioned this many times, but BK falls in love with his managers. They're mates (even Smith, who he did eventually sack). No matter how valid your points, was never gonna happen.

If Bobby's (#172) prediction comes to pass, you might get your wish before the end of the season - but true to form with BK, it'll be too little too late.

Come on man, it's 90 minutes.

Stop being a wuss. Pull your self together man.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uXIeXb7uok&feature=youtu.be

To @Everton fans I met online/in person over last 7yrs,Wembley is only a place 4 winners,not a day out. See u Wembley Way or Terminal 5 #EFC

— Tony I'Anson (@tonyianson) April 22, 2016

If we get battered though, then let's let Martinez know what we really think of him, it will be very be unpleasant.
I do think he'll resign after the game if it's a really bad result.

However, I have to say that this is the very first time when a defeat in a cup game has a silver lining...with Roberto going, if we lose. "Blue Bill" - please get rid of the clown even if we win it! That is the real win-win scenario!

Looking for Barkley to come of age tomorrow. He looked gutted when he was taken off the other night, so let's hope he's still hurting and angry, and instead of thinking too much, just goes out and plays his natural game, full of aggressive forward running. I live in hope!

Agree with Craig, and hope it's still nil, nil, after 70 minutes. We have got to keep it tight tomorrow, just be hard to beat, and hopefully the crowd will do the rest, Fingers X!

Man Utd will score but if we go with the correct attitude from the beginning then a positive result is possible.

In the long run, Martinez is not the man. He seems to emanate a childish view of positivity with little realism. A gentleman though.

I LOVE EVERTON.

Come on you blues, we can do this!

Tell me Ma, me Ma, to put the champagne on ice...

Despite the chaotic build-up we can win this game providing we turn up with eleven players plus three substitutes who are 100% fit. Our players must show professional pride in their performance, dig in and try to give something back to the fans who have supported them through thin and thin over the past 18 months. Is that too much to ask?

Win or lose if every player comes off the pitch demonstrably having given their very best I will have no complaints about their performance. I remain very unhappy the manager has failed to give us the best chance of winning the game by risking key players in three meaningless league fixtures over the past ten days. There is however nothing that can be done about that now. We are where we are and it will now be down to the players who step out tomorrow to show they are winners. With 100% backing from the east side of Wembley Stadium they can do that.

Good luck to all those travelling tomorrow, be safe and have a fantastic day. COYB.

We can't sleepwalk through this game and expect a result. United are healthy and hungry, while we are patchwork and tentative, at best.

It'll take a miracle!

I will be going down tomorrow and will sing and shout my head off, I will expect Everton to play like they did in the last round versus Chelsea and I think Chelsea are better than United and I know Everton are much better than they have been playing.

No excuses about a weakened team, the players tomorrow will be playing for themselves and their pride, they will be out to win for US and the club – that's what I believe and I hope we win.

The Chelsea game could have gone either way but we were giving them a game and we came through. We have a definite chance tomorrow if we don't think that there is no point in going down.

No bravado, we will be out to win.

Yes, Martinez will be gone at the end of the season and a new era will begin for EFC. I always loved Semi-Final day, especially at Villa Park. Do us proud you Blue boys and girls in the stands and hopefully you will get a performance that your fantastic support deserves.
Maybe tomorrow will be the day so that some of these players realize how privileged they are to wear the royal blue jersey. Legendary status awaits. COYB..

Tomorrow, the team must put a proper shift in and more to make up for the tripe we have been watching of late. Gonna go for us to win in normal time. I've not had a drink, saving it for the game, but this is a great chance to save this season.

Have a ball, all those on the road today, through the night and tomorrow, enjoy the day... "What's Our Name?"

It's the only song we can sing tomorrow – out of reverence to our greatest manager and to show the complete lack of respect we have for our current one.

You know it's an occasion and all that goes with it but you're not buzzing for it like you normally would be; that excitement just isn't there!

Sad it's come to this really. I'm sure in the morning when the sun breaks through and the first drink goes down, we'll be flying all the way to Wembley!

Up the toffees! Keep the faith!

The press and manager have built them up all season but the league doesn't lie. Safe journey all. Those who have watched the dross at home this season deserve a win.

Come on, you Blues, you are playing for the fans, not the manager, and they are 100% behind you. Remember, it's not over till the fat lady sings.

Our views and hopes for tomorrow could not be more diametrically opposed.

Glory beckons. Heroes can be born. We can win and reach the final.

And unlike Mr WOODS, I'm sure the overwhelming bulk of the faithful making the trip believe and desire the same and will be in awesome, full throttle voice in support of the Blues.

Really not looking forward to this. I live on the connecting routes to Wembley and will have to see lots of Man United fans tomorrow. I am hoping to see lots of very happy Blues.

I seriously don't think we will win and have consigned it to being lost. But I did the same in the QF.

All I know is that in '95 you always fancied us because we fought hard. This lot are not of that ilk.

Please boys...prove me wrong!

But whether we win or lose, RM must be removed. It's been poor this season.

I would like to see Gibson in the side.

As far as the back four is concerned and in particular the right back spot I would say this - I do not ever remember an Everton "youngster" come into the first and let the club down. Whoever plays right back for the under 21's should be given the nod to start.

Good point yet I reckon he'll pick the knackered / bordering on injury side.

He doesn't seem to like Gibson because Gibson has let himself down but also he plays balls straight through the middle into strikers.

Wembley; 115 x 75 yds = 8625 sq. yds.

Goodison; 112 x 78 yds = 8736 sq. yds.

Nobody - what ever their reputation, who isn't 100% for 120mins should be putting on a shirt.

Sq. pegs only - none of this Lennon at FB shite...Kids not Crocks if we have to.

Most of all I don't want us to be a Future Cup Final Eve trivia question; In the Infamous St George's Day Massacre, who scored Everton's only goal.

It's a only a load of fuckin Mancs lads, these are shite, get into them and sort it...for once.

I just went into the bathroom to admire my superbly honed body and guess what ? My chest has developed a mind of its own. Its all puffed out, proud and ready for a fight. I look like a white Anthony Joshua . . honest !

Hope I can get me shirt on, we're going in a minute

Anyone parking up at West Ruislip station?

COYB

Some of us who will be there can have some influence, and we will do our absolute best, but lay off the negativity as it is depressing and indirectly influences the influencers.

For one day.

I hope that some of these players are getting hyped up for the game of their lives. Ross, John, James, Rom... I'm looking at you.

Come on you blue boys!

They are no great shakes. Time for the players to stand up and be counted.

We don't even have to win today to get through. Penalties would be enough. I hope we have been practising them.

Can't wait to share in the glory of victory but whatever happens, do yourselves, your club and your city proud. Enjoy it, the glory days are just around the corner. COYB..

I'm going to have a few drinks and watch some old clips. Spurs 95 will be a good starter.

"We shall not We shall not We shall not, we shall not be moved Altogether We shall not--------stop the music I've just had a horrible thought, will every season ticket holder get a ticket for the final, ah never mind I can worry about that in a couple of weeks. "We shall not------etc etc etc

Our tattered remnants of a team couldn't have had a worse build up to this day; but this day is the day for them to show up and play for the shirt and the fans.

I've just found a photo of Howard and the lads coming down County Road with the Cup, hope it's an omen!

Anyway, I just hope the players can give a performance that does credit to the lads and lasses of all ages who'll be roaring them on.

Come on you Blues!

Stones needs to defend / win the ball, and give it – no fucking about across the back four today. Besic, McCarthy or Cleverley (I was told yesterday that Barry is out for the season) need to be on the front foot, terrorising the midfield and letting them know we are up for it.

Barkley, Mirallas and Lukaku need to put their egos to one side and put in a team performance today, showing us what we know they are capable of.

I hope someone has banged heads at Finch Farm since Wednesday and drummed home to these over-rated, over-paid pricks what today means to us and for once they give us what we deserve,

Oh and at the end when we are celebrating, please keep that idiot chairman away from any post-match interviews – he has embarrassed us enough.

Mind you our number 4 lifted our 4th.

What number is our captain again?

Name on the cup I'm telling you!

Enjoy your day, hope we win.

Hope all the blues travelling down today have a safe journey and manage to enjoy themselves.

COYB!!!!

We ARE gonna win today. I'm not a betting person but as a matter of interest I think somewhere you can get 11-1 on us to win on pens.

A couple of the young lads should start today - put Pennington or Conolly in at RB and I would play Besic alongside stones if jags misses out as expected. Davies in alongside McCarthy and Barkley with Dowell and Gerry behind Lukaku. Most likely RM will "play it safe" and put three injured, unfit players in though.....

Regardless, got to get behind the boys today and a win would mayb salvage the season to some extent. Despite a win, RM still has to go as he is clearly not the man to take the team forward.
COYB!

I have only one piece of advice to our massively unfit players and that is what we were told many moons ago.

If you can't run. let the ball do the work.

It may be the only thing we will have at our disposal at the end of the day.

COYB

If it was Evertonians V Manc supporters we would win hands down all day every day - but hey - maybe that is what it will really come down to today.

One game - get behind them - we can win this.

UP THE BLUES!!!!

Safe journey to our fans today, hope the team do you proud!

Best not, eh?

Stones, Barkley and Mirallas to have MONSTER games for us to win today!

COYB BEAUTIES!!!!

Safe travels to all those on their way to Wembley. COYB!

So come on you players you owe us today.

I can only hope our best ever manager Howard Kendall is looking down on us today!!!!

Coyb good luck we need it.

I've dipped out of commenting when we first signed Lukaku and ToffeeWeb went into meltdown. Then the times we have not forgotten all of Kenwright's painful disappointments. The derby hurt – never seen such an embarrassing display but still didn't comment.

So why post now?

It feels different...

Forget Martinez for today. Forget what he has done to us and what Kenwright hasn't done or promised – focus on today.

Reading all the comments from the States, Japan and further afield struck a cord... I'm working here in Cape Town and we are a global team.

It's full of Manure fans here and little old me but I have a good feeling about today if we turn up!!!

Enjoy the day to all of you going, be safe and get right behind the team!!!!! COYB!!!!

1-0 Lukaku (with a nervous last 20 minutes!)

I remember back to 2009 and I was at Wembley with three other mates from Australia to watch the lads in the final v Chelski. Result aside, it was brilliant. The memories are giving me chills as I recall the feeling of the blue flood pouring in from the train stations and pubs and the chants beginning.

That amazing support is going to be there again today for the semi. Let's forget for 90 minutes what has been going on this season and lift the lads for this game. Come On You Blues! 2-0 Lukaku and Lennon!

I have mixed feelings regarding today's result. If a win even slightly increases the chance RM is at the helm for another season, I'd rather we loose. The well-being of the club beyond today is my concern. I'm beyond disappointed that the board have created this conflict for me and potentially other supporters.

It's obvious that he's lost the players. Going into today's game with a caretaker manager would have at least provided a feeling of new horizons, ambition and an injection of hope on a big stage.

As it stands, I can't be arsed. Beyond deflated. I admire fellow blues who can move beyond this mental block and support without reservation. I hope the best supporters in the world enjoy a grand day out at Wembley and witness some fight.

We've been through some dark times; and it hasn't helped having a Chairman who's worse than Del Boy (at least Del Boy was funny)

Well, hopefully we can perhaps look forward to some better times...starting today would be great! But surely Kenwright has to pack up and go home now and Mr Moshiri take charge.

Anyway, if Rom does the business it would make up a bit for the dire times.

My old rugby skipper would go round the dressing room and slap everyone round the chops, just to make them angry, it usually worked... over to you, big Dunc.

No watching the game from behind the sofa or cursing the players, just get behind the boys in blue.

If you are religious then please pray, I'm not so I may adopt a muiti-faith stance for today.

Get us to the final blue boys COYB

Paul. Can well understand you but today we go for it (hopefully) – I don't think Mr Moshiri will allow an incompetent Chairman to make any more decisions affecting this club.

Come on Blues!