Adam VIRGO
CAN Boreham Wood beat Premier League Everton at Goodison Park on Thursday night?
NLP columnist and BT Sport pundit Adam Virgo takes a look at the key areas if Luke Garrard’s side are to produce the greatest result in their history…
RUB OF THE GREEN
There is no getting away from it, you need things to go your way. As I always say, you need ‘Moments’. What I mean by that is; Everton’s first chance on goal, does it go in or does it go wide? If it flies into the net, it’s game over.
For parts of games, these players can hold their own. It’s over the 90 minutes it becomes the problem. I remember when Lincoln City played Burnley and manager Danny Cowley explained his approach of breaking the game down into six stages of 15 minutes. It’s more manageable.
They will also need keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond to have the game of his life. He made an unbelievable double save in the previous round against Bournemouth. I know the second was eventually given as offside but he wouldn’t have known that.
They need that again – as well as the rest of the starters and subs putting in 9/10 performances. If you’re thinking of having a punt on the game check out this exclusive betting bonus.
DON’T GET CLEVER
You’ve got to keep to the principles that have brought you success in your season. I covered an FA Cup game a couple of years ago where the manager before the game explained that he didn’t want to use their long-throw specialists because they didn’t want to be seen as that type of team.
If it’s a weapon use it! They went 1-0 down after a minute and they were soon launching it into the box.
So you’ve got to stand by the things that have put you in this position. I have no doubt Luke Garrard will do exactly that.
THE WING-BACKS
Kane Smith and Jacob Mendy have been outstanding for Boreham Wood this season. At Everton they can both be a fantastic out-ball to get into dangerous areas.
Josh Rees’ midfield role will probably be slightly different in terms of when he can and when he can’t go forward but he is also part of a key trio.
Boreham Wood play with a solid back three who will l be disciplined and direct. They will have two midfielders sitting and we wait to see how Luke sets up the forwards. But Smith and Mendy in the channels will be crucial.
SET PLAYS
They are everything. For ners and free-kicks into the cor- area, the odds even up.
Boreham Wood’s deliveryery into the box has to be spot on. You’ve got to give yourself a chance. Scott Boden is great at winning free-kicks and I expect he will do that all game. So even set pieces from the halfway line, the ball has to be hit right.
That will be vital – as well as how they defend them. You have to make Everton’s only way of scoring to be from good play. If Frank Lampard’s side get the ball to the byline with some neat interplay, before cutting it back for a sharp finish, you respect the calibre of opponent.
LUKE GARRARD
I spoke to him before the Bournemouth game and he was convinced they would win. He’s got good, experienced, players. The bench has been a bit light because of injuries but subs will be important.
They are very, very good at staying disciplined without the ball. He will say to his players, just don’t get overawed and don’t leave anything out there. Don’t force it. If you lose doing the right things, you hold your hands up.
