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Post by Cumbrian Toffee on Dec 31, 2014 15:55:28 GMT
In Defence of Roberto Martinez
 What puzzles me is why people are even considering Martinez's departure. I suppose it's the world we live in where the quick fix is the answer for everything, record points haul last season, add in a successful Europa campaign with two wins against Wolfsburg who are currently 2nd in the German Bundesliga. Also a new found mentality playing away against the so called top 4 and given we are only 7 points off the likes of Liverpool and Swansea is there any justification in giving this any airtime? I will get straight to the point and say I feel slightly embarrassed by it all, maybe more so that people honestly have considered this and actually believe that changing the Manager is the way forward for our team. I also have to question the football intelligence of a minority of supporters that seem to suffer from amnesia after forgetting Roberto's first season at the helm. During this season I have questioned certain aspects, we all have opinions on how we would do things, but ultimately apart from Roberto, coaching staff and the players our insight and knowledge is very limited in to what is currently going on. The only thing that comes out of this predicament is a media frenzy aimed solely at the club and damage will be done with high valve assets such as Barkley, Stones & Coleman linked with other clubs, giving agents an excuse to explore the possibility of cashing in on their clients. What is also worrying is the players will be suffocated in a pressure cooker situation that spills over onto the pitch and then dictates not only the players decision making mechanism but fuels the fire of apprehension amongst the Goodision faithful that at times has vocally displayed their displeasure in what they have seen, is this a valid reason for booing the players? I don't think so, it is something I have never done and never will and it certainly doesn't help matters, support the Manager and back the players is what's required and definitely needed, now is not the time to panic but maybe to realise that it is best to judge this season when it's over and not after 19 games. Another gripe of mine is the criticism regarding Roberto been too positive during after match interviews, I want him him to stay positive what's the point in telling the whole world we were shocking, tell us something we don't know!! You can bet it's a different matter in the confines of the dressing room and that's where it should stay. I very much doubt he's pampering the players, more to do with protecting them and that's his job and lets be fair all Managers do the same. I totally agree with Souness and Carragher with their versions on what is going wrong and most of the blame must be directed at the players not the Manager, Carraghers feature on the MNF was spot on, showing time after time during this season our back-line is too deep and practically on top of the keeper during free kicks and corners. This is a major problem for us and identifies another problem - we have no leaders on the pitch that can be vocal in pushing the back-line out, someone of Distin's experience should know this and marshall the defence accordingly. There needs to be a siege mentality instilled into the players and quickly in challenging the officials especially at Goodison Park, the amount of poor decisions against us this season is alarming and hurting us and it's about time some passion was shown by the players with every injustice dished out by the officials. I think Souness hit the nail on the head and it's something I have been consistent in saying all season regarding how uncomfortable our defenders are in possession, it is producing error after error this season, 10 errors have led to goals scored in 19 matches. If Roberto is unwilling to change his playing style, then he needs to seriously look at bringing defenders in that are naturally comfortable playing with the ball from the back. January Transfer Window is going to be interesting, maybe a new keeper or a Centre Back will be signed, hopefully someone that will generate some much needed excitement we all enjoyed last season and lets be honest we need something to help us push up the table and move on. So I wish you all a Happy New Year and lets all get behind the Manager and Players and realise that we are on a journey like most clubs and expect highs and lows, but now is not the time for panic but more for calmness looking forward to what we can all achieve together as one. #COYB Cumbrian Toffee Follow me on Twitter @bluetoffee72 |
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Post by Avinalaff on Dec 31, 2014 16:55:17 GMT
Interesting blog mate.  I don't know if I agree with it all, but it's not too far off the mark. Firstly, I don't listen too much to other forums or social media sites as such, as a lot of it is bandwagon kneejerking seldom based on anything other than who got in first with the particular thread. Most Everton fans I know personally show concern, but not defeat, and we've rarely been a fanbase that didn't consider all angles, hence why most pundits out there accept us as 'intelligent supporters' as opposed to many. Personally, I am very much on the fence with Martinez, and was a little more reserved in my appliance of praise last season whilst thousands of giddy fans were swept cleanly off their feet, including our Chairman Bill Kenwright, who couldn't wait to rush in with a new contract. I looked upon last season as a failure to reach top 4, where others looked upon it as a successful top 5 spot. It isn't particularly negative nor positive from either side, depending on how we view things, but last season, we were 4th in January, and only 5 points behind the league leaders Arsenal, and only 4 points behind eventual winners Manchester City. By rights, we should have said 'balls' to buying Lukaku in the summer, and holding back funds, and gone full out in January to win the league.We didn't strengthen, and much worse, we sold players. I personally look upon our January transfer window as a blatant lack of belief from not just Martinez, but from our club as a whole, and we basically sacrificed the whole of last season to purchase Lukaku in the summer. Had we bought players in January, who knows what might have been? We only finished 14 points behind the league winners.  Our chance has now gone, as teams that were there for the taking last year, such as Man United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, have strengthened, and what of Everton? Everton signed the same Gareth Barry, paid a huge amount for the same Romelu Lukaku, which let's face it, probably used up our entire budget for the next 7 centuries, and what looks to be a decent signing in Muhamed Besic. We messed about over a few hundred grand regarding David Hennen, and took a loan for Atsu, which hasn't worked out ...... oh, and I almost forgot .......... we signed Samuel Eto'o, before declaring him a 'gift from God' after one good performance, and he's been ineffective since. I haven't even gotten to 'this season' yet, and it's fair to say there was much to be concerned about before we kicked a ball around in anger.There was our shockingly mediocre pre-season, and our preparations for the season were in itself cause for debate.If I can dare to summarize so far :1. We credited Martinez far too quickly for what was for the most part the work of David Moyes.2. We became all luvvy duvvy overnight3. We saw the slightest bit of football, and declared Martinez the next Barcelona coach.4. We chose to turn a blind eye to the 'bad' signings Martinez had made.5. We were far too quick to pat ourselves on the back, and as a result we took our eye off the game.6. We set ourselves up for a fall, and then as soon as we tumble, we kneejerk, and call for Martinez' head.The club are responsible for their own hype, and only have themselves to blame for getting carried away, and bigging everything up, and sensationalizing things, instead of remaining calm, calculated, and professional. We took a young manager who had just experienced relegation, and put him on a huge pedestal, worshipping his brown shoes, and shouting to the world how wonderful he was.All a bit theatrical for my liking. That isn't Martinez' fault though, and as much as I resent a lot of it, I don't blame Martinez.This season has been a lesson, for everybody, and as long as we all learn from it, and attempt to salvage it in some way, we can still turn it into a good season, by doing something different, such as a cup win, or by giving fringe players much needed experience that will prove vital next season.Positivity is great, as long as it is not arrogance.
People moaned at David Moyes, accusing him of being 'too realistic' and not positive enough, but one thing about Moyes is he didn't 'pretend' to be a top 4 club, and didn't spend the entire season declaring we could still achieve top 4, despite being nearer the bottom of the table.
At present, we are 16 pts behind our position last year, and last year we 'still' didn't make it to a top 4 place, so it is high time our press officers, and whoever it is that convinces our club to declare we are still within reach, to shut the heck up, or go get another job, as we don't do pantomime at Everton, we do hard work, and do our talking on the pitch, not in the press room.
It's not time for Martinez to leave, as he can learn, and still become a fantastic manager, and he must stick to his vision, even if he must re-address the steps to see it come to fruition, but we can't afford to take our eye off the important goal, and in the mind-set of David Moyes, get the 40 points, then, look ahead.
Time to cut the crap at our club, and roll our sleeves up.
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3in11
Monster Midfielder
No easy games in this league.
Posts: 1,773
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Post by 3in11 on Dec 31, 2014 17:10:48 GMT
I agree pretty much with the thoughts of both Cumbrian Toffee & Avinalaff. What really makes me dubious about Martinez's ability to learn (and he is still a young manager in a senior position) is his complete failure to build on what we saw in the QPR game. A large part of the answer to your woes was there on a plate for him and he went back to the menu..........  |
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Post by jimmy on Dec 31, 2014 17:56:26 GMT
I agree pretty much with the thoughts of both Cumbrian Toffee & Avinalaff. What really makes me dubious about Martinez's ability to learn (and he is still a young manager in a senior position) is his complete failure to build on what we saw in the QPR game. A large part of the answer to your woes was there on a plate for him and he went back to the menu.......... I'm just off to get me Cocoa and slippers and then I can have a gander at the war mongers and peace makers.  |
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Post by Avinalaff on Dec 31, 2014 18:26:54 GMT
I agree pretty much with the thoughts of both Cumbrian Toffee & Avinalaff. What really makes me dubious about Martinez's ability to learn (and he is still a young manager in a senior position) is his complete failure to build on what we saw in the QPR game. A large part of the answer to your woes was there on a plate for him and he went back to the menu.......... We are catering for players based upon reputation. Besic was doing really well and then disappears, presumed sick, as nothing on the clubs notice board. Actually, I can't believe how bad our club website news offerings are - truly poor. |
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