The Opposition – Norwich City
A club quickly developing a reputation as a yo-yo side, the Canaries returned to the top flight this season after a year’s absence. They find themselves in 16th place in the league, with 9 points from 10 games. They seem pretty handy going forward, albeit lacking a significant goal scoring threat and they move the ball about quite well. Defensively though they leave a lot to be desired, highlighted by the fact they concede 6 against Newcastle.
They possess some half decent players. Nathan Redmond is a talent and is definitely someone who looks set to stay in the Premier League, whether it’s with Norwich or somewhere else in the seasons to come.
Evertonians will be pleased to know one-goal wonder Ricky Van Wolfswinkel remains away on loan.
Alex Neil has made no secret that the priority for them is Premier League survival, so expect multiple changes.
What the managers say
Roberto Martinez – “I don’t think they [Norwich] are a team worried about results, They have an incredible belief in what they do and that is why they got promoted.
“Norwich are an attacking team, built to score goals and win football matches – but that is similar to ourselves. We can expect a team coming to Goodison, defending well when they have to, but who will attack with numbers and with a lot of pace when they have got the ball.
“So expect an open game, and we will have to be at our very best if we want to be able to get into the draw for the quarter finals.
“I don’t think I have seen a League Cup competition as competitive as we have seen this season,” he added. “There are 16 teams left, 13 of those are Premier League sides, and that shows you how competitive it is going to be.
“It shows that it’s not a case of managers or clubs taking the Capital One Cup more seriously but that squads are built to be stronger. They are built to be able to have more changes to the starting line-up. That means you can cope with more than one competition.
“As you can imagine, fighting for a trophy, and the League Cup as a competition, is an attraction for any football club.”
Alex Neil – “In recent weeks in terms of results, they haven’t been as good as we’d hope or expect.
“Some of the other lads will get an opportunity and hopefully stake a claim, and then we can see what happens from there.
“I don’t think we will make total changes. With the guys you’re putting into the team, you don’t want to be putting them into a bit-part team. You’ve got to give them a fair opportunity.
“They’ll be in and around guys who have been playing for us, and hopefully they’ll put in a good performance.”
Team News
Phil Jagielka starts his lengthy spell on the side lines after picking up an injury at the Emirates.
Gareth Barry is suspended.
Martinez has confirmed Joel will play in goal.
Previous Meetings
Norwich were the opponents for Roberto Martinez’s first competitive game as Everton manager, a 2-2 draw at Carrow Road in 2013.
Everton won the return fixture at Goodison 2-0, the latest meeting between the two sides.
Expected Starting XI: (4-2-3-1) – Joel; Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Oviedo; McCarthy, Cleverley; Mirallas, Naismith, Kone; Lukaku
