Real Football Man All of the Football, All of the time
For both Managers it seems like it is Cup or Bust as they bid to hold on to their respective jobs. For one of those though this Evening will edge them a step closer to the Job Centre come the end of the season.
Both sides have had relatively disappointing seasons with United outside the Top 4 and Everton way below the Europa League places, it’s The F.A. Cup which has bought salvation but they can’t both win the competition so something has to give.
The outlook looks slightly brighter in Manchester as United find themselves only 2 points behind City but even 4th might not be enough if they get caught in the pincer movement of doom which would see City finish 5th and win The Champions League while Liverpool subsequently win The Europa League.
Last time out they breezed past a Crystal Palace side who had one eye on a Semi Final of their own. If Palace had one eye on theirs then Everton had two eyes and a nose on theirs
They were nothing short of awful on Wednesday as they were thumped 4-0 in the Merseyside Derby. Roberto Martinez is now obviously focusing solely on the Cup win but it’s a risky strategy if that’s the kind of offerings your League games will bring.
Truth be told if you were to ask me right now whose job status is the most precarious I would say it’s the Spaniard. Is he being found out so to speak, even trying to talk a good game after a 4-0 Derby defeat will have the most placid of Everton fans irate.
Today is where we find out if the gamble pays off, United come into the game in much better form and will no doubt be the favourites. How much can Everton raise their game and pick themselves up from Wednesday?
I don’t think they will have enough and I reckon it will be United who move on to another Wembley visit in May. Defeat for Everton and Martinez and then the real inquest starts as to whether he is the man to be in charge of the club at the start of next season.
Papa Johns – If your team scores twice then it’s half price
