Manchester City v Everton

[Goaljira]

Just to defend Kone a bit as I realise he is a boo boy, but when he does play Lukaku seems to be a lot more involved and a lot more likely to score

Though there are obviously flaws to having him on the pitch, and I realise we aren't just going there tomorrow trying to make the game open with loads of chances. Can we really trust our defence to do their job and keep them out though?

I've got my doubts

This may seem alien, but we need the defence to go out tomorrow night and just defend.  Stay solid - keep your shape.  No bombing up and down for 90 minutes, just sit and let the attackers do their job.

[Evertonian in NC]

This may seem alien, but we need the defence to go out tomorrow night and just defend.  Stay solid - keep your shape.  No bombing up and down for 90 minutes, just sit and let the attackers do their job.

In other words, Jags and Funes Mori.

[Cereal Killer]

                   Robles
         Stones Jags Funes
Coleman                       Baines
        McCarthy Barry Cleverley
                     Barkley
                     Lukaku

Solid back...8... less space for City to work in down the middle, Lukaku will get bored however...

[blargins]

Surely not.  That would require the league or whoever is playing fixture god this week to have an inkling of common sense!

Amd it didn't stop them scheduling a game two days after another game earlier in the month.

[TheRam]

I like kone. Not assed

[kramer0]

This has been posted before but it's worth another look:

https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/3z2a7c/video_analysis_of_evertons_defense_and_how_to_fix/

There are plenty of examples in here where (1) Kone drifts infield or to the right, and (2) Galloway pushes up the field at fullback, as we know our fullbacks are instructed to do when in possession. Every time we lose the ball in this alignment, the opposing right winger has an acre of space to run into. Shaqiri slaughtered us with this movement -- Navas, Sterling, or De Bruyne can easily do the same.

Assuming all of these players are fit, I think we'd do best if we set up like this:

Coleman   Stones/Jags   Jags/Funes Mori   Baines

                   McCarthy   Barry
                                                           Cleverley
Lennon                  Barkley

                             Lukaku

This formation will give us two solid banks of four in defense as Lennon/Cleverley are reliable in performing their defensive duties. When we win the ball back, we can look to counter quickly through Barkley/Lennon/Lukaku. If we concede and end up chasing the game, we have the option to introduce Deulofeu/Kone for Lennon/Cleverley.

It's a bit negative, but Barkley/Lennon/Lukaku have the pace and/or power to ask questions of City, especially since they ask their two CBs to cover a lot of space when they're attacking. I think we should look to exploit them on the break first and, failing that, introduce our more dangerous attackers to go after their tired defense.

And, for what it's worth, I like Kone too, but I hate him on the wing because he's not diligent enough with his defensive duties (see the above link or recall how apathetic he was tracking back when we brought him on for the end of the last league game against City). If he plays, he has to be allowed to get close to Lukaku and someone else needs to cover the flank.

[Lxxx]

Play Kone in a game like this and we will get rinsed down his side. They have top drawer players with brains to quickly work out that if one side is completely exposed then we'll have De Bruyne drifting out to support Sagna and running rings round Baines. It needs discipline and Cleverley/Pienaar can both offer something going both ways, whereas Kone will only offer anything if we have possession and the ball is played to within a 5 yard radius of him.

[kramer0]

Play Kone in a game like this and we will get rinsed down his side. They have top drawer players with brains to quickly work out that if one side is completely exposed then we'll have De Bruyne drifting out to support Sagna and running rings round Baines. It needs discipline and Cleverley/Pienaar can both offer something going both ways, whereas Kone will only offer anything if we have possession and the ball is played to within a 5 yard radius of him.

I feel like a moron for forgetting about Pienaar! It would be great if he's fit enough to give us even just 45 minutes.

[pjk]

We're going to need a team of hero's to get through tomorrow. Blocking shots, going into 50-50 tackles and no shortage of luck. He's going to need a proper game plan like we did in the 0-0 in the league game. We'll have to take all, or most of our opportunities and chances, which I'm sure we'll get. This is going to be a really tough game to get anything out of though. At least we've got to a semi final. It's an opportunity to get closer to our first bit of silverware for 25-26 years. Have faith. "Come on you mighty blues"!!!

[Evertonian in NC]

We're going to need a team of hero's to get through tomorrow. Blocking shots, going into 50-50 tackles and no shortage of luck. He's going to need a proper game plan like we did in the 0-0 in the league game. We'll have to take all, or most of our opportunities and chances, which I'm sure we'll get. This is going to be a really tough game to get anything out of though. At least we've got to a semi final. It's an opportunity to get closer to our first bit of silverware for 25-26 years. Have faith. "Come on you mighty blues"!!!

Want to get the home crowd back on your side?  MAKE IT HAPPEN TOMORROW.  We will be completely united for a Cup final triumph over the Shite, without question.  Winning a two-legged semi-final over this strong of a City side would be an impressive feat indeed.  Then we NEED to have it kick start our League form, as it's almost too late.

[april]

I feel like a moron for forgetting about Pienaar! It would be great if he's fit enough to give us even just 45 minutes.

I've said for ages that Pienaar improves our ball retention considerably. We need to get the ball and keep it, and he's the best at keeping possession.

[brap2]

A final against Liverpool has the potential for most sour atmosphere of any game ever.

[Lxxx]

A final against Liverpool has the potential for most sour atmosphere of any game ever.

The thought of seeing them hare out of the blocks closing down our defenders and goalkeeper until they make the inevitable mistake and we go behind makes me feel sick already.

[Toddacelli]

I'm out on my days. For some reason I thought this was on today.

Hope there were no speeding tickets involved!

Hey @Shogun - what tv channel is this on please bud?

[Jimmywhack]

Hope there were no speeding tickets involved!

Hey @Shogun - what tv channel is this on please bud?

Sky