Brentford vs Everton preview

Posted Tuesday, September 21, 2010 by sportinglife.aol.co.uk

Brentford vs Everton preview CARLING CUP: GRIFFIN PARK, TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 21, 2010. KICK-OFF: 1945 BST

Not since 1995 have Everton had added anything significant to the Goodison trophy cabinet yet the Carling Cup represents David Moyes's best opportunity of ending that long wait for silverware.

First, though, the Merseyside club must negotiate an awkward third round tie away to League One Brentford, who have not conceded a goal in almost six-and-a-half-hours of action, if they are to progress in the competition.

And manager Moyes has good reason not to take Brentford lightly. The manager might boast an impressive Premier League record during his eight-and-a-half years in charge, but Moyes has twice come unstuck against lower league opposition in knockout competitions.

Shrewsbury and Oldham have both inflicted embarrassing defeats on Everton in the FA Cup in recent seasons so this is by no means a forgone conclusion.

Add Everton's erratic start to the Premier League campaign - a battling 3-3 draw with Manchester United followed by a disappointing 1-0 home defeat to Newcastle - and there are enough ingredients to suggest that this could be an uncomfortable night in west London for Moyes and his players.

Key Match-up: Charlie MacDonald v Jan Mucha: Having helped Everton overcome Huddersfield 5-1 in the previous round, Mucha will be hoping for another appearance. The Slovakian keeper has not had much chance to impress since arriving from Legia Warsaw in the summer but is expected to feature in place of the rested Tim Howard. If he does then Mucha could have his work cut out keeping the much travelled MacDonald, 33 goals in 85 league appearances since arriving from Southend in July 2008, at bay.

Form Guide: This game could be just what the doctor ordered for Everton. Winless in five attempts in the league, Moyes's team can forget their top flight troubles and concentrate on embarking on a decent cup run. On the other hand, the trip to Brentford could turn the club's worrying early season form into a full scale crisis. Brentford have also had a sluggish start to the campaign but have already defeated Championship side Hull in the competition.

Odds: Brentford 11-2, Everton 8-13, Draw 14-5.

EVERTON:
Moyes has threatened to get tough with his side after a poor start to the season that continued with the weekend defeat to Newcastle and left them one place off the bottom with just three points from five games.

"Maybe I need to get tougher with them. Maybe I need to go back to some of the old ways. We'll soon see what they're like then," said Moyes.

"I've been telling them for a long time that they are good players and a good team. Maybe I need to change what I am telling them.

"They have to earn the right to play for this team. Newcastle went about their job in a way we didn't.

"We're capable of so much more and it's in times like this that the lead comes from the manager. So I have to be the one who has to change my outlook in what I expect from them from now on."

Strategy: victories breed confidence and Moyes will be desperate his side march into fourth round - however scrappy or ugly the performance. With another tough trip to London on Saturday to face Fulham, it remains to be seen what sort of team the manager decides to field. But given the circumstances, it is expected to be one full of experience. Yakubu could make a rare start while Magaye Gueye is also hoping to make an appearance after being limited to just one start since joining from Strasbourg in the summer.

Injury Update: Long-term casualties Louis Saha (calf), Jack Rodwell (ankle) and Victor Anichebe (knee) remain sidelined. Rodwell scored one in the previous round but is not expected back in action until mid-November.

BRENTFORD:
Andy Scott's side are currently 19th in League One, but Michael Spillane insists their 2-1 win over Hull in the previous round shows they are capable of causing an upset. "We are a good team and better than our league position suggests," said former Norwich player Spillane. "It is not going to be easy, but I think we can win if we play how we have been. "When Hull came down here it wasn't one-sided. We gave as good as we got and got the win."