An insight into tomorrow's opponents with Kee from the Love Everton forum
Ahead of tomorrow's clash at Goodison Park, Bluemoon caught up with Kee from the Love Everton forum to get the lowdown on the opposition...
What are your expectations for this season?
I think we must be realistic from now on in, and attempt to make the best of a bad first half of the season. A cup run would be wonderful, but let's not kid ourselves; league safety has to be priority.
Are you happy with the manager?
I'm still sat on the proverbial fence regarding Roberto Martinez, and he will always have my support, but now is the time for him to really prove his worth. I'm more annoyed at the club if anything, for turning his appointment into a theatrical pantomime, and all eyes need to get back on the job.
Who are your key players?
John Stones, James McCarthy, Muhamed Besic, Ross Barkley, Kevin Mirallas, and Romelu Lukaku. If these players find form, everything else will fall into place.
Were you happy with the business conducted during the transfer window? Will you do any business this window?
At the time, you would have to be happy when a club like ours sign Lukaku, Eto'o, Barry, Besic, Atsu on loan, and Galloway (young defender from MK Dons) so yes, but hindsight is a wonderful thing, and nobody expected our season to be poor. We need another defender, and a keeper, and maybe a wide player, but January isn't a good time to buy long term players cheaply, so I'm not holding my breath.
Are there any rising stars in the squad that we might not have heard of?
Luke Garbutt and Tyias Browning are on the verge of breaking into the first team, and lesser known are Chris Long (striker) and Ryan Ledson (midfield).
Your Achilles heel?
Definitely our defending. We were concerned that could be a problem when Martinez arrived, and it remains a concern.
If you could have any City player in your team who would you choose?
It's easy to shout out names like Aguero, Silva, and Toure etc, but I would actually take James Milner.
What is your perception of City as a club?
Love and hate for the most part. I'm 46 so have a good knowledge of their timeline, and like everybody else, my nose was put out a little when they were invested in, but I'm quite enjoying United's fall from grace as a result, and it's eased the pain a touch.
Likely starting XI for the game, and score prediction?
Robles, Stones, Jagielka, Baines, Coleman, Barry, Besic, Barkley, Naismith, Mirallas, Lukaku will probably be the starting eleven, and if we can't get our adrenaline going for the visit of the title holders, then when can we, so I will go for a 2-0 victory to Everton. Good luck to City for the rest of the season.