Fast start propels Everton into the last 16

It's like for like and in danger of ending up with the same problems. I hope that Davies offers something different in midfield, who will be in the famed number 10 role?

This team will generate chances, we will have to bury a couple at least.

I will be interested to see how Delph and Tom Davies play together, to see if they can gel. I want to see a mature and disciplined performance from Tom, he is a player I would like to be a regular starter for us, but he has to prove his worth on nights like this to elevate himself.

The changes are obvious.
Coleman has struggled, why not give the World Cup winner a game in the lesser cup?
holgate has yet to start, we lack pace, so why not give him a game?
Sigurdsson needs a rest, why not give Iwobi there.
Calvert-Lewin scored last time out, Kean struggled so that's a no brainier.
As for Davies, he needs a game, so why not this one. We don't need schneiderlin for this one.

Link

Nice run and disguised pass from Bernard into Iwobi, good pull back into the 6 yard box for a sliding tap-in for DCL. See it here:

Link

2-0 up, not bad.

There are many forums in which fans can vent their spleen (Twitter being one that I guarantee players and managers read). TW just happens to be the one favoured by the most discerning fans *cough*.

Richarlison does read twitter though, but he can't speak English so what we say will go over his head. I know he reads twitter because he said he likes to watch the Everton fans singing their songs, particularly ones about him.

Much improvement is needed from this Everton team however to avoid a long arduous winter ahead.

But we must, of course, keep building and looking to win, game after game after game.

I take it most people listened to Radio Merseyside tonight? Tell me, is it just me or does 90 full minutes of Ronny Goodlass's mind-numbing flat-key damble not want to plug your own ears with lead??

I'm not being horrible to 'im but ffs it soon becomes a fuckin torture, he just hogs the fuckin mike and flatlines good footy commentary.

2-0 up and he brings on Walcott and Schneiderlin?

How does this man's brain work?

The result was all important tonight but, having backed us to win 2-0, I was extra happy with the scoreline.

A home draw would be nice.

Jim Bennings, what did you watch the game on? I couldn't find anything. I had to watch SSN and listen to Radio Merseyside.

Thanks for the links Jay, two decent goals, glad for Dominic. Goals, no matter who they are against, give confidence. Dominic takes a lot of stick on here, so take a bow lad and keep on scoring, three in the last two games.

Happy with the win, but why not try second half to increase the lead even further? Think there was one shot on goal from Sidibe, according to the radio, but Wednesday had a few and didn't score.

I understand where you are coming from, but what does Walcott offer.

At least one youngster should have been on the bench tonight – Gordon. Better him getting 15 minutes tonight rather than playing for the youngsters.

Hear chaos at Mordor. With Thomas Cook going under, attendances won't get into double figures.

Now for a good home draw tomorrow, and let's see what happens.

I sense Calvert-Lewin, will start on Saturday, after tonight's game, and I hope we play with a 4-4-2, but Marco Silva will decide.

Hopefully we won't be timid and will have a game plan, which includes no unforced errors and needless free kicks in range.

Man City, arguably the best team in Europe, could do some serious damage. But potentially EFC could do a job with a bear pit crowd and a fair referee.

Now to try and rebuild the confidence and belief and take a grip on this season.

Spot on I ceased to listen to Radio Merseyside Everton commentaries about 4 years ago due to the inane ramblings of Goodlass throughout every bloody game...-and his endless reverent cohort who plays holy every time he speaks to an Everton manager in the “press” slot after a game... totally scared to ever ask a critical pointed question.

Goodlass drones on and on and on... never coming up for air nor making a valid positive comment.Bores the arse off you like the nightmare bugger you get to find that will be sitting behind you all season when you arrive for the first game of the season with your new season ticket with worthless foam from the mouth!!!

Hardly a Everton legend yet another example of a bit part actor from an era of failure strolling around the FanZone before games shaking hands like some sort of failed politician. Another example of the club, and media, employing failure, fresh off Uncle Cyril's Handlebars.

Oh, and after suffering 90 mins plus of this buffoon, we get the “Aftermatch Phone-In” we get callers coming on...they get about 6 seconds to ask question/make their point... only to be shut up and subjected to Right On, Ronnie pontificating yet more shite – exactly what we've had to endure since 4 hours ago!!!! Agghhhh no more.., I'm on one!!!!

6th March 1971 Everton 5 Colchester 0.

How do I remember the date?
I got married that day, still with my wife.

We sneaked away from the reception and back to our flat to watch MotD in black and white. My new wife held the indoor aerial to get the picture! True commitment as we are still together, before going to Spain on honeymoon the next day.

Watch us play well against Man City, they won't be defending in numbers obviously, that suits us better.

The thread would have been awash with posts if we had lost!

For example, our results and xG results so far are :
Palace away - actual score: 0-0 - xG score: 0.87 - 1.22
Watford home - actual score: 1-0 - xG score: 0.83 - 1.17
Aston Villa away - actual score: 2-0 - xG score: 0.86 - 1.26
Wolves home - actual score: 3-2 - xG score: 1.49 - 2.00
Bournemouth away - actual score: 3-1 - xG score: 1.42 - 1.51
Sheff Utd home - actual score: 0-2 - xG score: 1.26 - 0.51

So, basically this shows we were lucky to beat Wolves and Watford as they had chances to win. We were unlucky to lose each of the games we lost as we had the better chances in each of the games, although the Bournemouth xG score was only slightly in our favour. I can see how a lot of you can just dismiss this as a load of old bollocks which is why I never posted this stuff on here before.

However, I thought that it might be of interest to some as it also relates to players. So you take your crap, can't hit a barn door with a banjo striker and look at his goals scored v xG. For example, Sergio Aguero has an xG of 6.41, but has scored 8. This reveals a striker who is more than taking his chances. The player with the second best xG this season is Rashford, but his tells a different story, he has scored 3 but should have scored 4.12. Tammy Abraham has scored 7 but his xG is 3.24, so he is another more than taking his chances.

How does it apply to Everton? Well here is a list of players, goals and xG:
1. Richarlison 2 1.61
2. Calvert-Lewin 1 1.35
3. Iwobi 1 0.87
4. Gylfi 0 0.85
5. Kean 0 0.81
9. Bernard 1 0.24

An interesting one is Walcott. 4 appearances, but only 59 minutes and an xG of 0.54 which works out at 0.82 per 90 minutes, showing what we all know which is how he gets chances but wastes them.

Now if you look at Calvert-Lewin's xG over the seasons for the Premier League:
2016-17 11 apps 340 mins 1 goal 1.25 xG 1.85 shots per 90 mins
2017-18 32 apps 1861 mins 4 goals 5.44 xG 2.03 Sp90
2018/19 35 apps 1763 mins 6 goals 6.17 xG 2.65 Sp90
2019-20 5 apps 320 mins 1 goal 1.35 xG 1.69 Sp90

Despite scoring, he got hammered by a few on the live forum. His stats are not showing a wasteful striker, but simply one not getting enough chances. His xG is about level with the goals he scores.

He got hammered for "finding his level" and being a "Championship" striker. What you see is he has 8 goals in 8 games in the League Cup. He's played the following games:
Blackpool R1 2015 won 3-0, scored 1;
Newcastle R2 2015 lost 4-1, scored 0 (played 15 mins as sub);
Crewe R1 2016 won 2-1 AET; scored 0 (played 37 mins as sub);
Sunderland R3 2017 won 3-0, scored 2 (played on the right wing);
Chelsea R4 2017 lost 2-1, scored 1 (played 26 mins as sub);
Rotherham R2 2018 won 3-1, scored 2;
Lincoln R2 2019 won 4-2 (played 16 mins as sub);
Sheff Weds R3 2019 won 2-0, scored 2.

So, yes, I see why some dismiss the goals because it is lower league opposition. But the lad has played 8, scored 8 and only started 4 of those games. Surely this is telling you, and we don't have xG here to help, that Calvert-Lewin is getting better chances, more chances, is shooting more and so is scoring more. If this is indeed the case, then it rubbishes those who say the lad cannot finish. Clearly he can. He just needs to get more chances.

That's not to say he doesn't need to work harder on the training ground. It is not just for him to point to a lack of chances, but it is for him to work on getting those chances. For example, if we played Harry Kane instead, then he would get more chances than Dom. His movement, his runs, and his positioning is far superior. Dom needs to keep working on this. He can improve it. He can get better. And yes, he can finish.

Wednesday are, not to put too finer point on it, shite.

Totally different proposition come the weekend when it will matter to both sides, they cannot afford to lose anymore ground on Liverpool and, if we play at the level we have been, will get battered.

Did anyone else notice Calvert-Lewin winding up the Sheffield Wednesday fans after the first goal? Were they giving him a load of dogs?

Glad Calvert Lewin scored twice it will do his confidence the world of good. I hope he continues to do so.

A nod to Darren Hind who has displayed commendable restraint on this thread considering recent exchanges. Well played.

Ray # 48 – that is true love – no wonder you two have stuck together - long may it continue.

Jay – thanks for the links – two great passes for each of the goals. If you saw the whole game can you let's us know how Holgate and Sidibé played.

That first goal was sick. Great touch and finish by Calvert-Lewin.

A flying start by the Blues but could have been an even quicker start by Wednesday only for a fine save by Pickford following a horrendous howler by Tom Davies. 2 good finished by Calvert-Lewin and bang, within 10 minutes we're 2 up.

Chances by both sides in the first half, but probably the best chance fell to Calvert-Lewin to complete a hat trick, but for a fine save by their keeper down at the post.

I think we settled for the 2-0 scoreline early in the second half. Plenty of possession football played between the back line and midfield. I suppose that's okay, even it does sometimes get infuriating, it's when we are losing, like last Saturday for example, when we still play possession football, that it gets really annoying.

Chances at either end could have produced more goals, possibly the best chance falling to Wednesday when a header from a free-kick wide on our right, was headed just over. Could have made for a nervy last few minutes but, in the end, was probably a fairly comfortable win.

I'm made up for Calvert-Lewin tonight.

This xG is awfully interesting. I like the concept of tracking goals that should have been / good chances vs. converting. It's an interesting metric.

My only question - who in the world puts the numerical value on the chance? How do you quantify that value? Seems very subjective to me?

As long as the person who places the number on the xG, isn't the same guy drawing the offside line for VAR in the Spurs game last weekend, it's interesting.

I'm not knocking it at all. I actually like the premise. But how does one derive the xG value, and who does that?

Good for Calvert-Lewin, after being dropped, even after scoring against the Cherries.

I will be interested to see what line-up to play against Man City. Will he have the guts to keep Davies and Iwobi in?

Made up for him to get the goals, I'd like to think we'd all wish he kicks on from this. Now we need Kean to bag a couple for his own confidence.

Understat you might find it interesting.

While I am very happy we are in the draw for the next round, it was frustrating our players did not take the opportunity to put on a better attacking display and score a couple of goals in the second half. I felt an opportunity to build confidence among our forwards was missed.

Like (some!) I'm made up for Calvert-Lewin. ANY goal - especially an Everton goal, and all the more so in the run we on - should be celebrated and enjoyed. It seems there are some Blues who are incapable of it even when we win, especially when it is scored by a player they don't rate.

Yes, he had the space for his 1st goal he perhaps wouldn't get in the Premier League, but his control of Sidibe's dinked cross was excellent and his finish an exocet.

I wonder how many noticed his work for his second goal also? Yes, Bernard picks up a clearance and plays in a lovely disguised pass for Iwobi to cross and it looks an easy finish for Calvert-Lewin, which it was.

But also notice when Bernard is on the ball that Calvert-Lewin never takes his eyes off Bernard and starts making a run into the box right to left to the near post where the ball is.

We have bemoaned the lack of movement in and around the penalty to offer midfielders an option to play to. Well, Calvert-Lewin offers Bernard an option with his movement,

Simultaneously of course Iwobi makes a straighter run into the penalty area and that is the pass Bernard plays for the former to make the cut back. But Calvert-Lewin is very smart. That right to left run to the near post draws the centre-back out with him, but when he sees Iwobi is going to gather the ball, Calvert-Lewin checks his run and steps backwards – always watching the ball. His marking centre-back doesn't show the same awareness and charges towards Iwobi. The space and angle Calvert-Lewin's movement creates makes Iwobi's job simple: get it in to Calvert-Lewin and he has time and space to finish, which he did.

That's not the first time I've seen Calvert-Lewin making that 'checking run' in which the centre back runs back to cover him, but doesn't check his own run when Calvert-Lewin does to buy him time and space. He did the same for England at the back end of last season.

That's the play of a smart footballer (dare I say, striker?).

How he didn't play in the starting XI vs the 3 centre-backs of Sheffield United (his former team, of course. Who doesn't get a lift playing against a former club?), still bemuses me.

He'll start against Man City on Saturday, I'm sure.

I also didn't see the game, but other than Calvert-Lewin's goals, the other takeaway from the Sky Sports Highlights is Sidibe. As you say, he makes the first, he's involved in the second, but did you also see him run past Calvert-Lewin to go through on goal and shoot narrowly wide from inside the box?

Now this is the Sidibe I saw marauding forwards for Monaco. Surely, he also has to start against Man City? Actually, on second thoughts, he'll leave loads of space in behind and get murdered! Let's bring him in against Burnley away.

Jay #76, I noted that late adjustment on the second goal as well. First time I have seen him do it.

And now, switching off from the subject of Calvert-Lewin, I resume staring at the ceiling in disbelief that Silva simply cannot address the issue of defending set-pieces. It is idiotic to me, and ultimately suicidal, that this club cannot defend the most basic and anticipated attack. And we're going nowhere until we can.

Now let's keep this going!

Silva is trying to work on set pieces and perfect them, he does know what he is doing, but some players are simply not putting the effort in on the training pitch and so mistakes are being made in the game?

Which I'm sure someone else will then point to this as a direct example of Silva failing to motivate his players.

Speaking to some of the Everton journos who have closer access the players and club, they say that any such rift or notion that Silva is "losing the dressing room" is news to them. Most of the players speak in glowing terms about him and it was the same at Hull but there could be the odd exception, perhaps someone not getting the game time they want.

As well there should be!

But! [always a but, forwarded by a butt, that'd be me]

The proof in the pudding for me is how we do on the weekend. Beating Sheffield Wednesday is a good thing, but not a game-changer.

I want to win this tournament. I'm thrilled we progressed. But before we start all happy balls, let's see how we look against Man City.

If we come out with intent, create opportunities, and approach the game looking to score and win, opposed to not conceding and playing flaccid football, then I'll start dropping the confetti and partying like it's 1999.

Glad people aren't clamouring to see Kean play and maybe realise he needs time. So far, his touch and hold-up play has been awful. So let's give him the time he needs and hope Calvert-Lewin takes the confidence into the next game.

I hope Coleman, Schneiderlin and Keane return but who will he drop for the expected return of Sigurdsson?

Can anyone who saw the entire game add more to describe his overall performance?

Loved your post but why on earth did you arrange to get married during the season? We were married in July of the same year! First date was at Maine Road, on a freezing Boxing Day in 1968. We won 3-1.

Back to tonight's game and very pleased for Calvert-Lewin, as I'm one of his greatest critics, but we rode our luck, defensively, on quite a few occasions.

Man City should give us more space to counter but will take full advantage if we continue making silly errors at the back.

I was at the game and thought Davies had a pretty decent first half (apart from that early error). He adds a lot to the fluidity and forward movement of the team.

In the second half, he was much less adventurous (maybe under orders?) and made a lot of sideways and backwards passes. His overall game became a little sloppy, too. Mind you, he wasn't alone in that and the amount of misplaced passes continues to be a concern.

The second half was a disappointment and I can't recall their goalkeeper having to deal with any direct shot on goal. I suspect Silva had told them not to take any chances and to hold what we had.

I like Davies and think he has real potential but he really needs to cut out the sloppy mistakes. I think he'll make way for Sideways Bob vs Man City.

Fair dos on the changes which gave much-needed change of energy to the side. He removed the players who slow us down either through lack of pace or tempo with the ball.

Sadly he opted to stay with the formation which he will need to ditch sooner or later, if he is to stay in a job.

As coverage was limited, I can't say too much more really.

Let's hope for Crawley or Colchester. 😃

I agree on Goodlass. TBH, he was before my time but given the reverence his co-commentators show him, I assumed he was a Dave Hickson type. Finally looked him up. 32 games in the glorious Billy Bingham era. Seriously? We may as well get Mitch Ward or Mike Milligan to replace him.

It will be a totally different game against Man City and I just hope Gomes is fit. If I see Shneiderlin's name on the first 11 team sheet I know we will be in for a drubbing. Hopefully not 8 like last weekend against Watford. I cannot believe folk are advocating for his reinstatement into the side.

I am glad Silva tried Iwobi tonight in the #10 position which seemed to have some success but I think Bernard can do a good job there as he is technically very good and somewhat like the diminutive Silva who pulls the strings for City. That would allow Iwobi and Richi to play on the wing in the infamous 4-2-3-1 system and give license to Bernard to feed the front runners. I would also like to see Calvert-Lewin and Kean to start up top together but maybe it is best not to experiment too much this weekend.

My overall impression of him from watching games is that he does miss easy chances or chances where he should have at least hit the target. Similar to Walcott. Last night was one of the rare occasions where he got all but one on target.

In my opinion this problem is caused by Silva's ridiculously stubborn adherence to a defensive set-piece system his players are not well-suited to execute. A manager's job is to put his players in a position to succeed, and Silva clearly cannot do that here, and he refuses to see it. If you work on a strategy for a few months and it fails, sure, you can blame the players for not doing their jobs. But when you've been working on the same system for 15 months now, with the players you've personally chosen, and you're still giving up wide-open chances on every fucking set-piece -- even to lower-league competition like Lincoln and Wednesday -- there is no one to blame but the manager.

If Wednesday could finish their dead ball chances, we'd be out of the Cup tonight. The results clearly show that Silva does NOT know what he's doing in this area, any more than Roberto did. And it is going to cost us.

Although the result last night has got us into the hat for the next round, I don't think it exonerates Silva, when you take into account that Sheffield Wednesday made eight changes, so they were not that keen to progress really.

Like the radio commentary and many who attended have confirmed, Wednesday created quite a few chances of their own, but for woeful finishing and a couple of good saves from Pickford, the result could have been a lot worse.

For Calvert-Lewin's second goal that left channel is literally Iwobi's favourite place to play and for Digne's chance in the second half that angled pass behind the defence is what he is so good at. Had that been to Richarlison then the chances of that being a goal increase massively.

Furthermore were we to play 4-3-3 then he would be equally dangerous on the left side of the midfield 3. Whatever happens, we have to build the side around this guy!

First time Everton broke my heart. At least Charlie George in the final had our family dancing in the street again!!!

We allowed Sheffield United 2 shots the whole game and only 1 was on target but we lost 2-0. Watford got battered 8-0 but still had more shots on target than we did. You make out like Pickford preventing the other team from scoring is a bad thing!

I have no doubt that Silva is a competent, qualified coach that 'knows what he's doing' on the training pitch.

If the players 'arent putting effort in', or aren't getting his ideas, I'd argue that it's the manager's job to be understood and to motivate the players.

Back in the day, it was often said you had to 'earn the right to play'. That's all the chasing down, pressing, purpose and intensity that we don't do often enough.

My impression of Silva is that he may be a good coach, but I'm unconvinced about him as a manager. Nothing to do with jumping up and down on the touchline, more to do with the sluggish aimlessness of much of our play.

It's in his hands to turn it around.

I think Calvert-Lewin's movement for the second goal is good but, for me, it is Iwobi's movement that makes it. He does something Sigurdsson does not do enough (or at all) in making a pacy run beyond the defenders. This creates a good passing opportunity for Bernard and draws 2 defenders to Iwobi which is what creates the space for Calvert-Lewin.

It's this type of run and pace from the 10 which is why I've been advocating Iwobi to play more central; a position he is far more comfortable and experienced in than Bernard for those suggesting he play there.

His forward run left their central defender in two minds, and that's something I haven't seen Everton do so far this season.

We play the same way, constantly getting the ball wide and looking for little pullbacks, but with only one striker in the box, and not enough midfielders pouring forward, it's just too easy for defenders to defend, simply because they usually have a massive numerical advantage, and surely another reason to do away with one of our holding midfielders for most games?

Not only the Colchester game, I also missed the next two games!
Panakinaithos 1-1 David Johnson, and Stoke 2-0 Alan Whittle, Joe Royle.

If you saw the size of my father-in-law, you would have got married on 6th March, lovely man, but a Gooner.

I presumed that Kean and Iwobi were bought to join Richarlison in running at the opposition. I'm fine with two 'holding' midfielders as long as at least one of them can get forward to support the attack.

Davies has energy and purpose in spades. In the absence of Gbamin, surely we can use it?

We had the two, early pieces of really good teamwork and movement leading to our goals, promising a rout – but after that it was a pretty boring game. Anyway, job done.

I ALWAYS want us to win, regardless of the opposition, but am not convinced that despite having a better squad and players we don't seem to be making any discernable signs of progress.

Silva still has his admirers despite the poor form we have shown this season and will clutch at any straw, like last night's welcomed victory, is evidence that we have turned the corner and we are on the way to the promised land.

There's a lot of tough fixtures coming up that will give us a better idea of how the season and Silva is progressing. I can see more problems than answers, especially in defence and attack.

An old saying, but very profound in it's simplicity and meaning, the same adage basically applies to Football, results determine positions in the Table, or progression to the next round in a Cup.

Okay as fans we want to be entertained as well, they are getting paid enough, and we are paying enough in one way or another to watch them. At the moment in the bread and butter World of the Prem, we are neither being entertained or getting the expected results with better players having been brought in.

I think we all know why, and as you so succinctly said the next few games will tell us a lot, I have to be careful and not upset too many people God Forbid.

Silva is a winner in as much that he will be generously compensated, mind you he has previous in that respect but I don't believe that anyone should be rewarded for abject failure.

Kunal. You would really play Davies over Schneidelin?

Schneiderlin is a player who I really don't like and I think we need better in our team but I'm not convinced he has been the problem this season. I would like to see Davies get more time but to start him against City would feel very risky. Maybe its a risk worth taking but him and Delph would make for a quite porous centre in my eyes as neither is great at holding position.

Liverpool, Spurs, they get players pouring forward into their opponents box, but other than Davies and Iwobi, (good point Sam, although he was our number 10) last night, when do you see Everton's midfield players getting forward to join the attack?

That stems from the culture, which comes from the manager. That's the culture I'd like to see in blue.

Of course there's not too many Klopps out there, Kendall was a better man manager and ruthless.

Personally if we are to be playing in mediocre fashion I would rather do so knowing that the manager is out there working his balls off to try and fix it (a la Silva) rather than clocking off early for a quick 18 (a la Koeman and Allardyce).

I just looked it up, I posted it on my Twitter page then (02/09/17), a real Everton goal with a very good assist by Ademola Lookman.

On this whole set piece practicing. Given the hours spent on it, how is it we can neither defend a corner nor score from one. If we are practicing defending them then presumably our attackers are the ones taking them. So are we still crap at defending them because our attackers are so crap at taking corners that we never really have a chance to practice defending them? I remember in high school we'd practice corners but the kid (teacher's pet taking them) was useless so we all watched one kick after another either fly 50 feet over everyone or drift behind before it reached the near goal post. Maybe this is what happens at Finch Farm. Maybe people are bored because after hours, there's never a successfully taken kick to defend? I am being sarcastic of course but I am puzzled how for so much practice we are so terrible on both sides of the corner situation.

Shankly started with Melwood, binned all the deadwood, Got the coaches, Paisley and Bennett on side and more importantly got the support on side.

Unfortunately, the rest is history.

I actually felt sorry for Shankly when he left. It was totally his decision, which he later regretted. By that time The RS were so professional and upward when Shankly tried to get back in he was politely told to piss off.

Remember he was all up for replacing Bingham.

Klopp inherited a Club with a culture and only needed Klippety to tweak it back on

He needn't have bothered. He only needed to come on TW and the Wednesday experts could have told him that the players he was looking at are not good enough (even though he has stated some impressed him).

Either Monk was really keen to impress his new bosses and fans by deliberately fielding a weakened team and making an immediate exit from the cup. . or he was doing exactly what he promised.

Still; Sky sports ignored the fact that he has only just got there and reported he was "resting" most of his first choice team.. . so it must be true

A way to go in this competition but is it a sign. Can the Blues go on to glory once more?

We have a sporting chance I would suggest. The bookies rate us a 14/1 shot.

You need to know how your colleague prefers a pass and where he expects it.

I don't think there's much wrong with our passing. The issue seems to be about players making runs and receiving it so if the passer is not aware of that he turns all defensive and passes it sideways or backwards in an effort to retain possession.

Looking at the 2 goals last night the anticipation and passing was spot on. Now that may be due to the standard of defending but the principle remains the same. Make the right run and receive the pass.

Maybe we have to show more patience to allow the players to understand each others game more.

On the other hand the defending of set pieces is down to concentration and application which seems to be a major issue for us once again.

I would ban all headsets from FF. Leave them in the car lads until training is over. I would drill these routines day in day out until the message is received loud and clear.

We got ourselves into the next round though which is the most important thing.

Seems a reasonable post from Lenny.

Fair enough for those who stayed at home. For you? Zzzz?

Kieran #126, last season the issue on our attacking corners was getting the ball over the first man. This season the kicks have been quite good but our attackers are almost never the first to them. The reason, to my eyes, is disorganization. Watch our opponents make choreographed, timed runs like Solanke did a couple of weeks ago with that flick on. We have no similar plan, just "put the tall guys in the middle and everybody jump." No matter how many hours are spent practicing set pieces in training, they are wasted hours if what's being practiced doesn't work. And Silva's system doesn't work. Ever.

Maybe the TV and Media have Mystic Meg working for them now, and predicted that it wouldn't be worth the cameras turning up. One thing they can never accuse our loyal travelling blues of not playing their part.

Started the season as their #1. Manager bought in a more experienced keeper who took his place. In the last round of this cup the third choice keeper was preferred to JV. Now back in the side tonight v Reading, this has just happened (as described by BBC text commentary):

Premier League side Wolves are in front but what a howler from the Reading goalkeeper.

Portuguese Bruno Jordao picks the ball up 30 yards out and lashes a low shot which is straight at compatriot Joao Virginia, but he shows misjudges it and ends up palming the ball into his own net.

A real howler.

Time to bring him back to Finch Farm...?

We were never in any danger as Wednesday were poor and didn't really put us under any pressure.

After the goals went in we had a few more chances but then after about 30 minutes we just started to be sloppy and gave the ball away and started passing it sideways and backwards.

There were a few who just seemed half asleep in the second half. Iwobi was probably the main culprit of this he just had one of those 45 minutes were it looked like he had never played before.

Sidibe was quite impressive though and I can see him starting in the league very soon.

Ask those two sets of supporters, and they'll tell you that the win is all that matters. We won.

And by the way, the next time we go fishing for talent in the lower divisions, we could do worse than Matheson, the 16-year-old who just scored against ManUtd.

Everton v Everton! John Ruddy in goal for Wolves, Joao for Reading.

BTW guys, Wolves ownership reported in big trouble. They also own a big chunk of a certain travel agency.

Quite a few Prem teams playing each other.

Liverpool - Arsenal that will do.

Guarantees quite a few of the lesser teams will be in the next round.

That's a decent enough draw and four big teams drawn against each other to further thin down the competition.

You've got to feel for both Crawley and Colchester, though. Cruel to be drawn against each other rather than both getting a plum draw.

Don't worry, I am currently looking at the possibilities, where's, Barry Venison when we need him?

Hi Ho Silva! You're in the Last Chance Saloon you varmint. Either put your knitting down and fight!

Silva replies, but I like knitting, I am making socks for all of my players, and hats too for the winter, I am hoping, while in the dug-out I have enough time to, embroider them too with their Names on each hat, a personal touch!

But Marco, we are (Everton) playing Man City next game. No problem, I will concentrate less on my handicrafts if they score more than three against us.

If they play well (Man City) I will make hats for them too, no embroidery, no names, and no socks!

"Say it out loud, I'm black and I'm proud."

The words of the great James Brown.

I hated the way Moyes was in bed with Kenwright, and I hated the way they both turned my historic football club into “plucky little Everton”, and can still not believe that an Everton manager could still be in a job after not winning a fucking thing in 11 years.

Granted we are not playing very well and there is plenty of improvement required before we approach Watford with the confidence we should have but sometimes you need a bit of luck, win scruffily and get a decent draw.

I see Saturday as important- ok we should lose this one but I am intrigued as to whether we lie down and let them score at will or do we fight, scrap, chase, press, tackle anything that moves and come out of it with some pride.

I think Saturday will tell us a lot about Silva and his players and, make no mistake, we need some points before the “R- word starts getting thrown around and the doom-mongers come out in force.

Big news coming out of Finch Farm is that Gomes is having a late fitness test for Man City, but the echo are reporting he's already out of that game and likely to be on the sidelines until mid-October. So that's our (presumed) first choice midfield pairing out injured for a prolonged period.

Bring back those days where we had something to look forward to in May, albeit the must win to stay up last 3 games.

Moyes may frustrate because he did not bring back the days of Catterick and Kendall Mk1 but he did turn the turn the ship around and perhaps built the foundation for today's frustrations because we are not improving on where he left us.

Nothing we don't know but it is sobering to see it in print. It is for us to turn this stark narrative on its head. Starting tomorrow.