Everton at Fulham: Blogger Q&A

On Tuesday Everton takes on Premier League side Fulham in the Capital One Cup as Roberto Martinez continues his quest for a trophy. We were able to talk to Cottagers Confidential, SB Nation's Fulham blog to get the skinny on just how the club is doing ahead of the match. A big thanks to them for taking the time to talk with us. You can read our answers to their questions at Cottager's Confidential.

RBM: How's your start to the season been?

CC: When you take a step back and look at the season it's going about how you would expect. Playing away at Sunderland, away at Newcastle, home against Arsenal and West Bromwich Albion, and then away at Chelsea. At best you would hope to have 5 points from that set of fixtures and Fulham got four. However, the way they've played hasn't exactly endeared the team to the supporters.

RBM: Are you happy with Martin Jol's ‘entertainers'? Is the balance of the team right?

CC: No one is really sure what Jol is doing. The squad already had Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov, so who does Jol sign? Adel Taarabt. That's basically another of the same type of player. Yet over a year later we're still waiting for a replacement in the midfield of Moussa Dembele. The squad is crying out for a midfield player who can link defense to attack. As good as Scott Parker is, I don't think that's his forte.

RBM: We don't have a great record at Craven Cottage, will that change on Tuesday?

CC: Considering the game is at the Cottage, I would normally say we have the advantage. However, over the last year Fulham have actually earned about as many points on the road than at home. When did you ever think you'd hear that about Fulham?

RBM: And how do you see the team lining up, kids or 1st team?

CC: I hope to see a lot of kids play. Especially since the team had a very tiring match against Chelsea just on Saturday. Fulham has an impressive youth academy. Their U-18 squad is one of the best in the world and their U-21 squad is also fairly stacked. Both are currently top of the table in the competitions. The problem is that Jol seems very hesitant to actually bring players forward from the squads. Unless they force the issue, they seem to stall or get sent out on unproductive loans. I'd love to see a mix of young players and a few of the players who were subs and on the bench on Saturday. If you see any of Buomesca Tue Na Bangna (Mesca), Chris David, Jack Grimmer, and Pajtim Kasami; I'll be quite happy.

RBM: Who is the best player currently at Fulham?

CC: Trying to pick our best players is difficult. Berbatov is obviously the most talented but he hasn't had a great start to the season and is unlikely to play. Our right back Sascha Riether is also a great player but will probably take a break for this match. Parker has been great, but not very flashy; and again he might not be selected. If I had to pick one player who's had a great year so far it was Kasami. Which was a bit of a surprise as he was expected to be loaned out and it looked like his career was going to end as another promising youth player that Jol could never work into the squad. He's been give a chance this year and has performed admirably.