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Everton vs Stevenage

Lyndon Lloyd , 28 August, 0comments  |  Jump to most recent
Capital One Cup Second Round Preview

Roberto Martinez steps onto the road to Wembley for the first time as Everton manager as the Blues take on Stevenage at Goodison Park in the Capital One Cup second round.

The Spaniard becomes the latest Toffees boss to attempt to win the one major domestic trophy that Everton have yet to win; his predecessor, David Moyes, got as far as the semi-final stage in 2008 but, as would be the case in the FA Cup Final the following year, he couldn't push his team past Chelsea.

It was a frustrating loss at Leeds last September that stained Moyes's last season with the Blues, a game in which he shot himself in the foot with a raft of changes from his regular League line-ups.

Perhaps emboldened by an emphatic win over Leyton Orient in the second round at Goodison, Moyes introduced of a number of young players from the start of the match who couldn't cope with a spirited and energetic performance by the home side. The result was 2-1 defeat and a premature exit from the competition.

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With the luxury of a home tie, Martinez is expected to ring some changes as well, but probably not to the same extent. Gerard Deulofeu is in line for his first competitive start after watching the first two games of the season from the bench and his manager admitted that the Spaniard has been frustrated at being left out to this point.

An outing against lower-division opposition provides the Spanish teenager a safer introduction to the English game and, after an unrevealing performance in the heat of Miami against Valencia in the International Champions Cup earlier this month, Evertonians will be looking forward to getting their first proper look at him.

Another player expected to make his first start of the campaign is Victor Anichebe, who could get the nod ahead of Arouna Kone, while John Stones might also get some game time after impressing so much on the pre-season tour of the United States and John Heitinga could figure, too.

Stevenage have made a chequered start to the new season, losing two and winning two of their first four League One fixtures but it was a home victory over Championship side Ipswich Town that earned them passage to the second round of the League Cup.

Sensibly, Martinez says he won't be underestimating the visitors as he looks for his first victory since assuming the Everton hotseat. With Blues expectant that the new man can land a first trophy for the club in 19 years, there will be no room for error against inferior opposition.

 

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