Interesting comparison.

I think some fans have ' got the willies' now that old faithful Moyesie has gone. After all it's over 11 years since we found ourselves in this position and when Moyes came in the only way was up, whereas now we are keen not to slip back from our relatively stable position in the Top 6 or 7.

But, change can also be a good thing. I share some of the concerns over Martinez's defensive capabilities, but if we stop having 11 men back for corners and play with pace on the break I can see things being not only different, but exciting too.

I guess we'll find out soon enough!

I don't think defence is in Rubbertoor's vocab really. That needs to improve. Hopefully he will sort it out because what's the point in scoring 3 a game when the opposition has got 5?

I've heard lots of Evertonians on here point out that Paul Jewell and Steve Bruce did a better job, at Wigan, than Martinez. Many conclude this proves that Jewell & Bruce must be better managers. What they fail to mention is that Martinez cut Wigan's wage bill by 22%, while keeping them in the Premier League for 3 seasons and winning the FA Cup, before eventually being relegated. I think he also spent £10m less (on transfer fees) than Jewell & Bruce (could one of the ToffeeWeb stat experts confirm this?)

Good posts lads, we need to give him a chance if indeed he is the next manager.

He's only been a manager for 6 or 7 years, but he won a championship with Swansea, and also the FA Cup with Wigan.
I also share the concerns about defensive frailties. I wonder if he would be another Mike Walker? But I do like the way his teams play football, and more importantly, the way he conducts himself. No whingeing, never ranting and raving about the officials. His teams play good football. He can work on a small budget, and keeping Wigan in the top flight for so long is success of sorts - they were always going to go down one day.
I guess all in all, the positives outweigh any negatives. And for me, he conducts himself with dignity and class, like an Everton manager should. He also is young, 39 years old, so he will improve as a manager. I hope he gets it.

What they fail to mention is that Martinez cut Wigan's wage bill by 22%, while keeping them in the Premier League for 3 seasons and winning the FA Cup, before eventually being relegated.
Relegated
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Do you get my drift?
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Yes, Andrew, your point is that Martinez managed a team that was relegated. Does that mean you think that Borussia Dortmund made a bad decision when they appointed Jürgen Klopp as manager? Did Everton make a bad decision when they appointed Joe Royle? Can you honestly not see a correlation between Wigan's wage bill being cut by 22% and them falling from mid-table safety to being in a relegation battle every season? I'm open-minded about whether or not Martinez is good enough to manage Everton. Honestly, I am. No sarcasm intended, but reading a post that does little more than repeat the word "Relegated" ten times has not helped me reach a decision. Thanks for your input though.

I'm praying we get Martinez. He represents hope and the possibility of moving forward in an exciting and positive manner. He's young and ambitious, clearly has a good football brain , recognizes pace and skill, and isn't afraid to attack. He even gives us a psychological edge over the RS, whether he turned them down or not and whether Brenda just rode on his Swansea coat tails or not!
What we absolutely do not need is a sideways/backwards step, which will undoubtedly happen if we end up with Weir or Stubbs....the thought of that just overwhelms me with massive waves of boredom and missed opportunity

Great article. People like Andrew Rimmer use relegation as their one and only arguement against Martinez. I understand that relegation is a massive deal - but he got relegated with Wigan ffs. People are acting like he took down one of the big clubs.

There are countless examples of managers who are now considered to be some of the very best, who have at some stage in their careers had poor spells at smaller clubs with limited resources.

It is far too simplistic to write off Martinez based on Wigan's relegation. You need to look at the bigger picture and I think that if you remove your relegation blinkers, you'll find that Martinez fits the bill quite nicely.

If he does get the job I will completely back him... much like anyone who gets the job. But his attacking flair and general attitude certainly put him up there in terms of some of the names which have previously been bandied about.

I'm just pleased Benitez has gobe elsewhere.

I read in some shitty rag yesterday that if he does come in, he would want to bring up to 5 Wigan players in to change Evertons style of play. If this is true (And odds are it wont be entirely true even if there is a touch of truth!) He would be bringing in 45% of a relegated team to change the playing style of the 6th best place team, a team which this year played exceptional football (Just without the goal return)

I am not for or against his appointment particularly, but not overly convinced by talk of his "changing the style". I would have thought that given the results and performances over the past 12 months that the style needs tweeking as opposed to complete reworking. The wheel isn't actually broken as yet, but could do with some spokes tightening.....

Where's the money coming from for these 5 players?

I hope he's going to be bringing the money for 6 players too.

I hope he's going to be bringing the money for 6 players too.

Brilliant article. We've all at some point moaned about Moyes defending 1-0 leads and drawing!

My first instinct was for Martinez. For a time I liked the idea of Pereira. But Porto fans don't like him, he's won a league lacking in the depth and quality of the Prem and stats don't tell the whole story (Walter Smith - Rangers)

We shouldn't overlook him because Pereira is free and Martinez will cost £2M. You get what you pay for in this world. It will be nice for us to get the right man for the job and not just the best one who cost us nothing!

Martinez impresses me because he's calm, confident and a good tactician. He's not arrogant and will relish The People's Club philosophy. I think the players will love him. Imagine Mirallas and Jelavic being given opportunities to play their game! Yes Wigan's defence was poor but it cost considerably less than Felli!

Remember we are the School of Science: I honestly think Martinez = round peg, round hole. If nothing else, he stuck two fingers up to the Kopites!

If he brings McArhur, McManaman and Kone, I won't be complaining. I highly rate the three of them.

"The Case for Roberto Martinez" will be a coffin if people don't give the poor bastard a break (IF he gets the job).

As this draws out and other teams are spending and selling and already building for next season, we are still managerless and all the indications are an internal appointment. Got a really bad feeling its going to be Neville, god help us. Just don't think BK is arsed enough to get off his own arse and do something better!

Get Martinez in, then I wont have to change my IMWT t-shirt!

Andy @ 697.

What are you trying to say mate ?

I am though in total agreement with you, Under rubbertoe it will be train carsh football, get a result at analfield one week and get walloped by WBA and the like next week.

Very intersting time ahead me thinks.

Anton, I must admit to being rather offended at your original post, in particular the first paragraph. It seems you believe anyone with a viewpoint differing to yours to be both fickle and clueless.

Far better to draw a parallel with one successful coach who achieved similar failure once and, therefore, it is a given that this particular failure whom you favour will also be a success when joining us because, let's face it, we are as rich as Bayern Munich aren't we? Surely this is 'apples with apples' isn't it? Preposterous

For the record, I am not against Martinez but cannot deny I would be disappointed in his appointment, merely because I hugely prefer Pereira. Then again, I must be wrong as he has never failed domestically has he? On the contrary.

However, I have the capacity to acknowledge this is merely my opinion. That said, if Martinez gets the position I will wholeheartedly support him and pray that your logic of his record reflecting that of Klopp's meaning he is destined to follow precisely the same path whilst steering our rudder.

As far as Martinez goes, he seems a nice guy but I have my doubts as to whether he is up to the task of managing Everton. If he is chosen though I think we should all give him a fair chance.

What does concern me though is why would any club in the Premier League hire a man who has left his job because he doesn't think he's up to getting his relegated club back up from the Championship? If he is appointed, it's one heck of a gamble but, saying that, if we go for a foreign manager, it's a gamble also. Glad it's not me having to make the decision.

Personally I would go for Pereira with the German guy as Director of Football. Radical I know but that's the way I would go. Whoever is appointed should be given the time to make their stamp on the club.

Good post Anton. Been saying this myself about Martinez for a while now.

I agree with the original article: Martinez is the man for me – a perfect match of club (with limited resources) and a manager (capable of working under constraints), but both wanting to achieve higher.

It is funny how the 'favour of the day' manager keeps changing on the forums – Laudrup, Bilic, Poyet, Pereira, Bielsa, Rangnick, etc, etc. Martinez is stable, loyal, honest, dignified, smart, articulate and most importantly, likes to play attractive football. I am really praying that Bill makes the right decision – IMIT!

IMWR (In Martinez We Relegated)... Oooh please Everton!

A Martinez for me please, shaken not stirred.

Even Sir Bobby Robson suffered relegation with Fulham, but to be fair he only took over with 24 games played and he couldn't save them. What is remarkable is that he only purchased 14 players in his 13 year career at Ipswich. Most of his players came through the ranks, how Everton could do with a man like Sir Bobby.

Jim Harrison 779
You asked whichWigan players RM might bring in. Well that is purely press speculation and I doubt he would be that cynical in raiding his old team for five, but for arguments sake:

- Ali Al-Habsi would be a decent backup for Howard if he was available at a reasonable price.
-Maynor Figueroa on a free would be a versatile RB or CB and wouldn't demand a ridiculous wage.
-James McCarthy the midfield metronome that makes Wigan tick. Say £6m.
-Callum McManaman who's FA Cup final performance versus Clichy showed what potential he has.
-Arouna Koné who looks like a handful up front, but only if he was available at a reasonable price.

I'm not suggesting we should sign any / all of them, but I think all five would improve our current squad in their own way. Hopefully if RM comes in he will have a shortlist of new talent he has already scouted.

Just to clarify, I suggested Maynor Figueroa as he is on a free and be a good squad player, not necessarily a first choice starter. The rest of their defence I would leave alone, for obvious reasons.

I think Martinez would be a good choice. Yes of course there is the " Blackmark" of relegation against him. But I wonder at how many clubs that are struggling against the drop do the fans turn against the manager ? A good number I would reckon. Did that happen at Wigan? The fans were solidly behind him - perhaps they realised that with possibly the smallest transfer budget in the PL, just keeping Wigan there was an acheivement.

We may not exactly be flushed with money - but Martinez will find himself with more to spend in the transfer market then he has ever had before.He always comes across well in interviews and even when questioning a decision by a Referee, does so without ranting and raving.

I have seen the title of an article/interview with Neville Southall poring scorn on Martinez - claiming it a lack of ambition. Remind me what is Neville Soutall's managerial record ?

For those doubting his ability, well it's always been obvious to most people that he would go on to a bigger club. Why not Everton?

I like Martinez and think he can do a good job at Everton. He was the one who got Swansea playing decent and effective football. He encourages football to be played in the correct way and has fostered a good team spirit at Wigan. I think he would do well with a better calibre of player to work with. The defensive frailties are a concern but his team were hit wth many injuries this season.

I'd take Maloney, Kone. McManaman and McArthy any day and think they could be good additions to our squad.

Maybe we can actually look forward to am Everton team going to Anfield, OT, Emirates, Stamford Bridge etc. and not being in awe of our opponents.

I for one would welcome his appointment at Goodison.

IMWT