When did Everton lose their way?

Like many fans of other clubs I quite like the way Everton play. They have some great players and the attacking style assures goals, but there has been a problem in defending their own goal and with the possibility of them finishing outside the top 10 it will be considered a poor season for Everton even if they have made two Cup semi-finals.

I think a lot of their problems started over the summer with the constant attention that John Stones was getting from Chelsea. He's just not come close to the form he had last season and with Jagielka and Baines missing a lot of the season, Everton did not find a solid platform from which to build some strong home form. Who thought we'd be in April and Everton would still only have four home wins? And look at those sides who they have beaten at Goodison - Chelsea in September, Sunderland and Aston Villa in November, and Newcastle in February. It's pretty poor return of wins for such a side that is full of international players.

One of Everton's headaches came at Dean Court earlier in the season
when they were 2-3 up in time added on, only to then find they
would leave the south coast with only a point.  

The form is even more staggering when you consider that Lukaku as scored 18 Premier League goals this season. It must be worrying for Evertonians hearing rumours that he could be on his way this summer. Ross Barkley (8 goals), Arouna Kone (5 goals) and Aaron Lennon (5 goals) are the next leading scorers and perhaps teams have worked out that if you starve Lukaku of service then Everton start to look a more average side.

Against Liverpool at Anfield there was only one team in the game. Funes Mori was red carded in that game so has a suspension to serve, while Gareth Barry was feeling an injury and Stones had a stomach problem. Eddie Howe will be clear in telling his players that this is a game they can win and even Roberto Martinez will know that another home defeat could spell trouble for him.

Everton Home Form
WLLLD

AFCB Away Form
WDWLW

The Cherry Chimes Newsletter will be out tomorrow.

Cherry Chimes' May Newsletter brings you the best stories on the blog and the thoughts behind them from last month, plus there is a special Newsletter article entitled: Will we see Juan Iturbe play for AFCB again?

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Everton are big favourites to reach the FA Cup quarter-finals

No one should be fooled by Everton's league recent slip up against WBA. They are a side that can open up teams and play some sparkling football. As a cup side they are used to reaching the latter stages of competitions and playing away from home probably sits easier with Roberto Martinez' side than if they had been drawn at Goodison Park where the crowd can get on their backs.

Everton will see this draw as a good one to progress in the competition.

Everton reached the Fifth round of the FA Cup having beaten Dagenham & Redbridge 2-0 at hime and Carlise 0-3 away from home. Martinez has experimented with his line ups in the cup with Arouna Kone and Pienaar more often getting starts. Aaron Lennon has used the cup games to force his way into the main side and the speedy England winger could feature again against the Cherries. 

Everton will know what to expect when they visit
Dean Court for the second time this season.

AFCB have to be mindful of the attacking strength of Everton as they could play virtually a first team side for this game with Romelo Lukaku and Ross Barkley on show. They managed 35 shots against WBA in their last league game and will not be shy coming forward at Dean Court. Lukaku is actually having a quiet spell having not added to his penalty kick against Stoke a couple of weeks ago. But the striker has 20 goals in league and cup this season and will be the chief danger for the Cherries if he plays. While new signing Oumar Niasse has a wrist injury he will be assessed and could make the team playing with a soft cast.

Everton will be keen to do well in the FA Cup having got so close to Wembley in the Capital One Cup. But Everton are the draw specialists and that has hindered their season. They do concede goals and usually after they have been ahead. It is a competition that the Toffees know they can win and it is a last chance saloon for them to pick up silverware just like it is for AFCB so I expect a very brisk game with both sides going all out for early goals.

Possible Everton team
Robles, Galloway, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Coleman, Duelofeu, Cleverly, McCarthy, Lennon, Barkley, Lukaku

Everton Subs: Howard, Baines, Pienaar, Mirallas, Barry, Kone, Niasse, 

Possible AFCB team

Federici, Francis, Elphick, Distin, Daniels, Surman, Iturbe, Arter, Gosling, Stanislas, King

AFCB Subs: Boruc, Cook, Smith, Ritchie, O'Kane, Grabban, Afobe 


Give me the Minute of the First Goal Scored!
This week we are having a slight change to the usual score prediction challenge. Now we are asking you in what minute will the first goal be scored between AFCB and Everton - also put down the goal scorer, if you really feel that you know it all! For a chance to win Tweet me, before Saturday morning, the predicted minute of the first goal to @PeterBell19

The closest minute time to the actual goal going in will win the prize no matter which team the goal goes in for. If we have more than one winner we will draw the winner from a hat.

The prize this week is the AFC Bournemouth sweat bands that no one was able to walk off with last week!