Halfway through and God are we feeling the blue. 19 games in. Won 6, Drew 8 and lost 5. With a goal difference of +7. Placed 11th in the table.
Simply not good enough.
It really baffles me,we had so many games where we were simply brilliant. Southampton,Chelsea,Sunderland and West Brom. Despite these wonderful displays we simply aren't good enough this season. And for me and for most Everton fans,we all know simple errors have cost us and no one else has made more mistakes than Tim Howard.
Tim has been a great keeper for us but I think it's time he hung his boots up.
Uncertainty at the back, no demanding , no presence and simply not good enough anymore. This also, hadn't been helped by the defence, as they have been equally as poor. Baines and Coleman are nothing compared to what they were two seasons ago; they lack confidence and look scared at the back.
The defence is where for me, in January, we need to strengthen.
In our 'easy' run and I repeat 'easy' run, we won 1 out of 6. Conceding 10 goals against Bournemouth, Stoke and Leicester. This tactic or philosophy that Martinez is trying to play just reminds me of Wigan when Martinez was there, amazing in attack and simply poor at the back.
Some actual positives : Romelu Lukaku has been the best striker in the league and has showed that with being joint top goal scorer in the league with Vardy. Despite fading away towards November, Ross Barkley has been tremendous along with another young star Gerard Deulofeu, who has excited the Everton fans and give us something to cheer about.
Normally at this point I would mention Kevin Mirallas but I am disheartened that I cannot write about how he has performed. For a player of Kev's quality to be sitting on the bench and getting 5 minutes every now and then is an insult to the lad. If he moves on in January I don't blame him, especially that waste of space Arouna Kone is starting ahead of him.
I think the only reason Martinez hasn't got any pressure of a sack or pressure off media on him is because of our League Cup run.
This must be our focus.
In my 15 years not once have I seen silverware at the football club, not once. If we can just pull through against City which would be remarkable over two legs, I really think we could beat either Liverpool or Stoke. Let's just hope for the best and see some silverware.
Thanks for reading, and have a happy New Year.
Jay Rimmer
