With Everton playing in their first Capital One Cup game - in the second round - against Barnsley on Wednesday night, here are five points to keep an eye on during the game.
1. How serious is Roberto Martinez taking this?
Everton have never won the Capital One Cup - or even the League Cup - and with it being a guaranteed way into Europe, it is something Roberto Martinez should look at seriously.
Historically, Everton don’t do well in the tournament and go out after a round or two, while other sides around them go on a lengthy run. In previous years, Swansea City, Aston Villa, Cardiff City and even Bradford City have made it to the final.
Everton are now also 20 years without a trophy. The League Cup represents a winnable competition and with a talented squad, Martinez has the opportunity to bring silverware back to Goodison Park.
2. Which fringe players take their opportunity ?
With a few key Everton players injured and others out of form, the players that are given an opportunity in this game could nail down a starting spot for upcoming games.
With Leighton Baines and now Brendan Galloway injured, left back Bryan Oviedo has a chance to nail down the starting left back role. Oviedo has always been impressive when filling in for Everton and with Baines out until December, he could find himself as first choice.
Joel Robles could also get a chance in goal and could make a case to become Everton’s number one choice. Tim Howard has been less than impressive since last season and could find himself in danger of losing his starting spot with a good performance from Robles.
Muhammed Besic could also work his way into Everton’s first team with a good performance. Both Gareth Barry and James McCarthy have struggled to start the season and could find themselves on the bench should Besic take his chance.
Besic has impressed in spells for Everton since joining last summer but is yet to make the impact assistant manager Graeme Jones backed him to make.
3. Will Martinez experiment with a new system?
In the first few weeks of the new Premier League season, Roberto Martinez has already altered his system. Everton usually line up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, and that was the case against Watford, but after Arouna Kone chipped in with a goal, the Blues have gone to more of a 4-1-4-1 formation.
Kone allows Romelu Lukaku to operate one on one with a defender instead of being isolated in a two on one situation. This worked greatly against Southampton as the Toffees ran out 3-0 winners, but didn’t work so much against Manchester City.
With Kone still looking to win over a number of the Everton fans, Martinez may opt to rest Lukaku and see if Kone can lead the line, likely with someone such as Kevin Mirallas or Steven Naismith for support.
4. Will Everton be able to rebuild their momentum?
After the Southampton win, everything had been looking like Everton were back on track but, after the defeat to Manchester City, Everton will be looking to bounce back and rebuild their momentum.
A comfortable win for Everton could be hugely beneficial because of the majority of confidence players within their squad. Key players including Ross Barkley, Romelu Lukaku and Kevin Mirallas all thrive after a good performance or a goal scored.
Mirallas should feature after not playing in any of Everton’s Premier League games so far, even after he signed a new contract with the Blues. A good performance could see him back in the team for saturdays game away at Tottenham Hotspur.
5. Will Everton’s Barnsley boys get a homecoming return?
Everton have plucked two defensive talents from Barnsley in recent years and both could get a return during this game.
John Stones who has been heavily linked with a move away from Merseyside has a chance to start to carry his own personal momentum into the game. The youngster, 20, has been on top form in Everton’s Premier League campaign so far and will be looking for a successful homecoming.
Meanwhile new recruit Mason Holgate has an outside chance of making the travelling squad. Holgate made his debut for Everton’s U21 side against Liverpool and put in an impressive performance after a shaky start, giving away a penalty.