We have to appreciate that other teams are good sides and not expect to win every game. Yes, we are miles behind where we should be in the league and everybody knows that but David Moyes had a few bad seasons too and as long as we remain safe
we can put what we've learnt towards next year.Yes but will RM's appraisal match anyone else's?
I can tell you what I've learned:
Howard - his best is behind him plus he's getting more erratic and making folk nervous. Picked for reasons that are nothing to do with his form.
Robles - 3 clean sheets proves that he can do it. Needs games to convince everyone. The man is huge, which is worth remembering and young, which excuses some blunders.
Baines - now there's a question. Back too soon from injury maybe? Everyone knows he is class but not at the moment, not giving 100%.
Jagielka - is not a Captain and certainly not in the Everton tradition of Captains. Good Full Back though.
Stones - hype is winning over performance. But he's young and he's got the ability. Will only get better in a settled defence though. Errors will be made but can be learned from.
Coleman - just needs to get forward more.
Distin, Alcaraz, Osman, Pienaar - all past it. Emergancy back up at best. Sell.
Hibbert - surprisingly usefull when played, age is a problem though.
Oviedo - earns his keep, is versatile and an intelligent user of the ball.
McCarthy - let down by injury and the performances of those around him. Basically a good PL defensive/central midfielder who'd improve in a settled midfield.
Barry - a liability discipline wise. Rare good games but too many less than impressive games this year and ordinarily would struggle to get in a first team....gets picked for reasons other than form.
Besic - continues to impress in his first PL season. Again, needs to play in a settled midfield but as a defensive barrier in front of the back 4, he's one of the best I've seen lately, he can carry the ball well, keep it well and pass with more adventure than most.
Barkley - hyped to oblivion. Obvious ability, often miss-used positionally. Needs a rest from 1st team football to get his head sraight.
Naismith - badly affected by the team's slump. Looks like he could do with a change. Perhaps a stint as a striker would sort him out.
Mirallas - has done nobody any favours this season. THAT penalty exposed too many home-truths about the whole team. Probably completely disenchanted with his lot now. Got talent and ability to spare...and that's what he's doing.
Kone - it's a mystery. Simple as that. Not injured, not playing. Deserves to.
Lukaku - £28m. For someone who plays like an overgrown schoolboy at times. Tactics don't suit him, he'd be devastating ( even if still missing a shed load) in the right team.
Martinez - is not cutting the mustard at Goodison. Inflexible, unimaginative, unable to use press conferences positively, prone to undermining his own team, also prone to over-hyping young players with the usual sorry consequences. Incredible mis-match between aspiration and achievement tactically. Does not tailor tactics to his players abilities nor to the opposition. No real success in the transfer market. Does not inspire confidence. Does not appear to trust youth. Selects teams based on largely unfathomable grounds, if it's not form or ability, what is it?