Opposition Opinion: Everton vs Newcastle - "Win tonight, without a doubt"

Everton supporter Harry would take a cup win over three points against Newcastle on Monday, backing his side to edge tonight's tie on penalties after a 1-1 draw.

For today's Opposition Opinion, we spoke to Harry from The Toffee Blues ahead of the first of our two meetings in four days. With Fleetwood Town awaiting the winners in the quarter-finals, he's clear about which game matters most to him. He also discusses frustration among Everton fans, their defensive weaknesses and why Lewis Hall is the Newcastle player he'd love to sign.

How would you assess Everton's start, and what would make this a successful season?

To an outsider, it might feel like Everton have made a solid start to the season, with Moyes' side only losing to Chelsea and Arsenal. However, the reality inside the fan-base is much different. A poor end to last season and a woeful transfer window has left large portions of the fan-base feeling frustrated and impatient.

Compounded by the recent news that TFG are already looking to sell, Evertonians are once again feeling tested and the ambition of trying to reach Europe last season seems to have been replaced with 'just existing' while we wait for another new dawn.

Who's been your standout player, and who's your unsung hero?

This is a tough one because it feels as though there have been very few consistently good players so far this season. Thierno Barry feels the most improved on last season. Fuelled by necessity and a lack of choice up front, Moyes has had to trust him and despite not always being the most clinical, you can see he has adapted to life in the Premier League.

I'd probably get some stick for this but I think Tarkowski hasn't had his flowers during the more positive spells of this season. He got us a last-minute equaliser against Bournemouth and also got the assist in our last win against Ipswich. When the dust settles on his career, I am sure he will be seen as one of the best free agent signings Everton have made.

Where can Everton hurt Newcastle tonight, and where are you vulnerable?

It's hard to say, having not seen too much of Newcastle this season. From an outside perspective, it feels as though there is a lot of 'new' at Newcastle right now. New manager, new players after a few years of stability. Everton will have to hope that things still haven't fully clicked for the Magpies.

As for the vulnerabilities of Everton, how long have you got? Despite playing very defensive football, Everton have been defensively poor these past few weeks. A worrying trend of conceding just after half-time and also not being able to defend set-pieces would leave any opposition with competent tactics licking their lips.

Would you go full strength tonight with Newcastle away coming up on Monday?

David Moyes has gone almost full strength in the cup so far this season and the reality is, he has to. Partly because he isn't exactly spoilt for choice and partly because Everton were so poor in both cups last season.

Pickford has remained between the sticks for cup games this season, which we know will delight the travelling Newcastle fans this evening. Aside from injuries, I expect Everton to field their strongest XI.

With Fleetwood awaiting the winners, would you rather win tonight or take three points on Monday?

Win tonight, without a doubt. Everton are in no danger of going down this season. Moyes will 100% get enough points on the board, regardless of what is happening off the pitch.

With that in mind, a cup run is what every Evertonian is crying out for. Many will have looked at the recent successes of Aston Villa and Crystal Palace in Europe and even Newcastle's League Cup win a couple of years ago and will be desperate to imitate that.

Which Newcastle player would you most like at Everton, and why?

Lewis Hall. When you've watched Vitalii Mykolenko play over 150 games at LB for Everton, you deserve a nice treat. I was surprised more clubs were not after Hall in the summer.

He feels like he'll be a regular for England by the time the EUROs come around. Regardless of how unrealistic it might be, he'd look amazing in royal blue alongside Branthwaite.

What's your prediction for tonight?

I think every Evertonian has already read the script ahead of tonight's game. It feels like it will be scrappy and it is almost certainly going to penalties. I'll go 1-1 after 90 minutes and Everton just edging it in a shoot-out.

Harry's concerns about defending set-pieces give us something to target, but he's expecting a strong Everton side with plenty of motivation to progress. Hopefully we can settle it before Pickford gets his chance to be a hero in a penalty shoot-out.

Thanks to Harry for his time. For more Everton coverage, head over to The Toffee Blues.