Let’s pretend this is the first match we’ve played this week. Nothing at all football related has happened in the past seven days.

Got that? Good, let’s move on.

Everton travel to the lowest ranked team remaining in this years FA Cup to play Carlisle United at Brunton Park, which not long ago was an outdoor municipal swimming pool. It’s a credit to the staff and supporters of Carlisle that this game is going to be played at their own ground.

Team News

United will be without their captain Danny Grainger for the game, who is out with an ankle injury. Luke Joyce is also missing, this time due to suspension rather than injury.

Everton are still without Mo Besic and Kev Mirallas will have a fitness test to prove his readiness, though quite why we would need to rush him back for this game is beyond me.

Joel is to continue in goal as he does for the cups.

I would expect a very strong Everton side to be named as this is a must win game to try and get our season back on track.

Recent Problems

With the greatest respect to Carlisle  they are not going to come and pass us to pieces, they are going to be all thunder and directness. In some ways I would prefer to be playing a team that tried to pass through us as it’s blood and thunder style attacking that we don’t seem to be able to deal with.

Given the defensive shakiness recently I would suggest that resting John Stones for this game would be good for both the club and for the lad himself. Much like Rom, John is looking tired from playing so many games in a short period. Given the return of Jagielka and Coleman this would be a perfect opportunity to give John a break both from playing and from the spotlight.

Midfield is also a place where some players could use a rest. Both Barkley and Barry have played almost every minute of this season, and are also starting to look jaded. This could be a game to get McCarthey back in with Osman replacing Barkley.

Potential Line Up

Robles, Coleman, Baines, Mori, Jagielka, McCarthey, Cleverley, Mirallas, Deulefeu, Osman, Kone

Prediction

The Blues should have this one in the bag even if we change every position. However recent form could have an effect on this. I can still see us coming away with a comfortable win though.

Carlisle 1 – 4 Everton