Costly errors typifying Everton's season so far

But frustratingly and disappointingly it was Blackburn who grabbed the initiative and, without creating many chances, looked sharper, had more possession and, as a result, were the more threatening force throughout.

The goal that settled the tie in some ways typified Everton's problems so far this season. Defensively it was a very poor one to concede with two or three players losing concentration. Jack Rodwell, asked to play a wide midfield role on the night, did not track Martin Olsson and Phil Neville and Joseph Yobo were hesitant in dealing with Olsson and Robbie Fowler. As a result it was game over and even the introduction of Cahill and Yakubu for the lacklustre Marouane Fellaini and Segundo Castillo and a midfield reshuffle failed to spark Everton into life.

With the season's first Merseyside derby fast approaching if there is any comfort to be drawn from the week's football it might be that Liverpool were equally uninspired against Division One outfit Crewe.

So Everton manager David Moyes has plenty of thinking to do between now and Saturday.

For what it's worth I don't think it's fair to ask Rodwell to play on the wide right because I don't feel the youngster is actually equipped to play there.

The half-time withdrawal on Wednesday of Fellaini and Castillo suggests in part a question mark against their readiness for the maelstrom of a Merseyside derby and the other worry for me was that defender Joleon Lescott appears to have been affected by negative press.

Against a young and lively Carlos Villanueva, he looked for the first time since I've watched him both apprehensive and hesitant in his play.

One other inescapable conclusion to be drawn from the week's Carling Cup action is that the squad of players available to Moyes clearly bears little comparison to that of the Premier League's big four.

Despite the addition of what we all hope will eventually prove to be quality acquisitions - Fellaini, Castillo and Louis Saha - they are still some way short on numbers.

We'll see tomorrow whether there has been any hangover from Wednesday's defeat and let's not forget that Everton have a very difficult and demanding UEFA Cup second leg tie to come next Thursday against Standard Liege.