Ducado said:Strangely enough I am quite confident about this game, there was just something about the way we played the other day that showed me that the team had fire in their bellies again.
I am quite sure that Everton will not role over for us, and neither would I want them to, but I beleive we will have the psychological advantage
york away to this! said:So, for any blue scouse on here. Would you rather qualify for the chumps league and pool win the title, or miss out and they miss out too...
Ancient Citizen said:Good post, exactly what I was thinking. We needed Arsenal to win last night, which they did comfortably, so I can't see Martinez whipping up an injury depleted squad to break their collective bollocks trying to beat City, thereby handing their local rivals the title.Chris in London said:Four things for me give us the edge in this one.
First, the possibility of a CL place for Everton has all but gone. After last night Arsenal are 100-1 on to get the 4th CL place. Everton know that. They will be professional and we will need to work hard, but the extra 3% that comes from having a really juicy carrot on offer will be gone from their game. You could see the same thing at Palace on Sunday.
Secondly, the whole of Everton knows what a City defeat means in the title race. When Liverpool play they will know our result. We win at Everton and you can see them slipping up at Palace because their heads have gone down, but if we lose it is in their hands again and they won't make the same mistake twice. So Saturday is hugely important (like Newcastle was two years ago) and because of that Goodison will not be the hostile place we have encountered in recent visits. Without the crowd on the ref's back and with the Everton players giving that bit extra they seemed to against us when Moyes was winding them up, they are not the force we have had to deal with recently.
Thirdly, they are hit heavily by injuries. I can't imagine them rushing either Jagielka or Distin back. Baines is a doubt and they are without Barry. We however have come through our injury nightmare at just the right time, and may even have Merlin back.
Finally, we have the title to play for. The extra few percent missing from Everton will be there for us. I don't think it will be a case of us struggling to cope with the pressure, because we have done this before.
It is a tough ask to go to Goodison needing a win, and I would have hated to do it if Everton were scrapping like mad for points. Had this game come any earlier in the season few would have said we are on course for a win. This time, I think we are.
He is a very astute manager though, and it won't be handed to us on a plate, but I'm pretty confident.
aguero93:20 said:They need 1 point or the scum to fail to take all 9 points available to guarantee EL. They play Hull in the final weekend who will be planning for the FA cup final.willipp said:Chris in London said:Four things for me give us the edge in this one.
First, the possibility of a CL place for Everton has all but gone. After last night Arsenal are 100-1 on to get the 4th CL place. Everton know that. They will be professional and we will need to work hard, but the extra 3% that comes from having a really juicy carrot on offer will be gone from their game. You could see the same thing at Palace on Sunday.
Secondly, the whole of Everton knows what a City defeat means in the title race. When Liverpool play they will know our result. We win at Everton and you can see them slipping up at Palace because their heads have gone down, but if we lose it is in their hands again and they won't make the same mistake twice. So Saturday is hugely important (like Newcastle was two years ago) and because of that Goodison will not be the hostile place we have encountered in recent visits. Without the crowd on the ref's back and with the Everton players giving that bit extra they seemed to against us when Moyes was winding them up, they are not the force we have had to deal with recently.
Thirdly, they are hit heavily by injuries. I can't imagine them rushing either Jagielka or Distin back. Baines is a doubt and they are without Barry. We however have come through our injury nightmare at just the right time, and may even have Merlin back.
Finally, we have the title to play for. The extra few percent missing from Everton will be there for us. I don't think it will be a case of us struggling to cope with the pressure, because we have done this before.
It is a tough ask to go to Goodison needing a win, and I would have hated to do it if Everton were scrapping like mad for points. Had this game come any earlier in the season few would have said we are on course for a win. This time, I think we are.
I know it would seem that CL football is the be all and end all, but what about them needing 5th for Europa League? Everton havent exactly been blessed with season after season of European football, but the thought of ending the season in 6th and therefore nothing to show for it should give them added incentive. I can understand the fans being slightly apprehensive, but i remember exactly the same when we played Leeds back in the 90's and we hammered them 4-0. The fans that day still supported City and loved sticking it up Leeds regardless of the outcome to the title.
I don't think we can expect any favours from Everton fans or their players. I think they will be well up for it to cement their good season with a top 5 finish and also to have an impact on the outcome of the title. I really hope your right as small margins make a big difference, but i just can't see it.
Yep. Doing ourselves a favour with the COC cup win now it seems :).willipp said:aguero93:20 said:They need 1 point or the scum to fail to take all 9 points available to guarantee EL. They play Hull in the final weekend who will be planning for the FA cup final.willipp said:I know it would seem that CL football is the be all and end all, but what about them needing 5th for Europa League? Everton havent exactly been blessed with season after season of European football, but the thought of ending the season in 6th and therefore nothing to show for it should give them added incentive. I can understand the fans being slightly apprehensive, but i remember exactly the same when we played Leeds back in the 90's and we hammered them 4-0. The fans that day still supported City and loved sticking it up Leeds regardless of the outcome to the title.
I don't think we can expect any favours from Everton fans or their players. I think they will be well up for it to cement their good season with a top 5 finish and also to have an impact on the outcome of the title. I really hope your right as small margins make a big difference, but i just can't see it.
Is it 5th and 6th then that qualify? Im guessing thats because we won the league cup and the extra place goes to the league?
aguero93:20 said:Yep. Doing ourselves a favour with the COC cup win now it seems :).willipp said:aguero93:20 said:They need 1 point or the scum to fail to take all 9 points available to guarantee EL. They play Hull in the final weekend who will be planning for the FA cup final.
Is it 5th and 6th then that qualify? Im guessing thats because we won the league cup and the extra place goes to the league?