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2 Posted 01/12/2013 at 08:32:45
I think Martinez has evolved the team ahead of my expectations in terms of time. After only being at the club for a few months, we are at a level I expected us to be at in maybe February?
The way we attack could lead to teams being beaten before the game even starts! (I wanted to say that since the '80s.)
I like the way Martinez is so calm, he doesn't get overly excited for goals scored or conceded. A calm head in sport is crucial for decision-making: make the right decisions and your halfway there.
David Moyes is full of fear, you can see it in his face! I don't think he will sleep much these next couple of days... bet he's dreading playing us on Wednesday.
3 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:11:39
4 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:25:36
However, there is no way on earth that Moyes would have signed Deulofeu or Lukaku on loan. No way would Barkley have had an extended run in the team. When we go behind now, there is no longer a resignation that we are beaten! We actually go for it. We don't take the lead and try to desperately defend a one goal advantage. We try to kill games.
It's so refreshing to have a positive manager. If only we could have beaten Norwich and West Brom we'd be storming it this year!
I've never been more happy to be wrong, I hope MartÃnez stays with us for a very long time.
5 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:49:09
6 Posted 01/12/2013 at 11:08:58
7 Posted 01/12/2013 at 12:30:03
Yes, continuing to be won over. The Palace game was frustrating, and his bullishness about maintaining the passing game I think was misread. He didnt mean keep passing pointlessly, he meant keep playing the passing game but get better at it!! Spells in the second half were quite stunning. Even Jags and Distin had a couple of surges forwards.
8 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:12:22
9 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:53:31
Were only going to get better as the season progresses, barring injuries.
10 Posted 01/12/2013 at 14:22:35
11 Posted 01/12/2013 at 15:32:48
I'm happy with Martinez too, but that particular criticism of Moyes is way off target.
12 Posted 01/12/2013 at 15:56:22
13 Posted 01/12/2013 at 17:14:13
Won over? Well he wouldnt have been my first choice, but hes proved that if something isnt working hes prepared to change it, hes found a way of ditching that awful fucking about at the back without sacrificing his passing philosophy. Hes also lengthening the leash on his full backs. Thatll do me.
Must say victories are so much more enjoyable now, Wed have won this game last season but not in this manner.
14 Posted 02/12/2013 at 07:50:00
Now, Bill... time to get working on the next chapter: How to pay for the future [when loanees go home and we need CL footie..] COYB
15 Posted 02/12/2013 at 17:46:47
It's results that matter and RM has done well.
Top 4 looks there for the taking as, if the RS are contenders, then we surely are.
RM comes across well but I'm always sceptical of talkers. Still, he seems to be backing his words up and not coming up with negative excuses and psychology before we've kicked off.
If a Beatles song could sum things up for me right now, my choice would be "Getting Better". (For ofm it would have to be "Should Have Known Better").
First win away at a "Sky 4" club would be oh so sweet on Wednesday...... :)
16 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:01:25
It will be just as hard this season as ever it was in the past. Looking at the table today, you have to say Arsenal and Chelsea are odds on and it will be a major surprise if the two Mancs don't fill the other two places. After all, they have the players - and resources to get them - regardless of who their managers are.
No, I see us scrapping for 5th with Spurs, Barcodes and, maybe, Saints. My betting money has gone on another 6/7th finish if only because that's where we always finish!
17 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:11:46
That's Moyes Talk.
We're on the up.
18 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:25:36
Reality may be a little more demanding. But we'll get to 40 alright !!!!!
19 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:30:04
But he's definitely exceeding expectations for me.
After a 4-0 win I think we should be positive going up against Man Utd (who'll be bringing a penknife to a gunfight on Wednesday)
20 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:40:49
Expectations have been raised with two consecutive excellent performances. But further weaker performances will probably come.
If we get a win against MU, highly satisfied. A point, still satisfied. We'll need to shore up the left flank defensively Wednesday. They'll attack that.
21 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:47:24
Were 13/2 to be in the top 4 but only 6/4 to finish top 6.
I've not given up all hope on a top 4 spot, but agree its unlikely.
Phil's opinion has definitely mellowed on our esteemed manager though, and hasn't mentioned Wigan once lately!
22 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:56:07
23 Posted 02/12/2013 at 20:41:02
Macca? The loan transfers? Shit judgement, eh.
24 Posted 02/12/2013 at 20:57:04
Kone, Alcaraz, Over paying on macca, so yes, shit judgement on 50% of the outfield players he has signed in his first transfer window.
25 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:15:41
Ridiculous.
I'll take as much more of his "shit judgement" as we can get.
26 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:20:47
27 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:14:53
As far as buying Kone and Alcaraz, he knew exactly what these players could do on the field, if not seeing into the future is a fault as far as the injuries are concerned I would think he's in the majority there.
Notice you didn't mention his faults when making loan signings, very convenient omission!
28 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:29:58
Kone is settling in to a new team and now has a bad injury.
How many times have you watched Alcaraz to consider him a shit signing?
Macca? What we overpaid?
You won't get many backing you on that one.
29 Posted 02/12/2013 at 22:30:00
30 Posted 02/12/2013 at 22:49:31
The only concern still is the defensive steel that is needed when necessary. However there are signs that this is coming along despite the set piece goals conceded against Redshite.
Everton have a real chance of beating Manure on Wednesday especially with the great form of Pienaar, Barry and McCarthy.
Whilst the only loss was at City, Everton had the lead and couldn't defend it but I believe they are a better co-ordinated side now.
They need to be patient and frustrate Rooney as he is Manure's inspiration at present. Now is the perfect time for the Blues to show the world they have ''arrived'' on the big stage by winning at the ''Theatre of Dreams''.
31 Posted 03/12/2013 at 12:10:40
I thought it although I tempered that thought with the knowledge that Martinez knew what the lad could do and I decided to run with his judgement and he is being proven correct, McCarthy is getting better and better and we are starting to see the benefits.
Kone and Alcaraz are players that Martinez knows extremely well too and as said earlier, without the benefit of clairvoyance no one saw the injuries coming, the good news however is that Alcaraz is back up and running and I am looking forward to seeing him in action, a few friends in work are Wigan fans and they rated him extremely highly, even going so far as to say that he would have kept them up if he hadn;t gotten injured, as for Kone, well shit happens and it did to him, I have faith he'll be class once he's fit again.
Martinez is exceeding my expectations so far, I was at Goodison for the Chelsea and Newcastle games and I am hoping to get to more before the season is out, the gloom I always felt during the latter years of OFM's tenure is gone and in it's place is a wonderful and cheery atmosphere, a genuine sense that the fans are enjoying things, almost party like at times.
I remember the glory days of the 80's, the misery by and large of the 90's with 95 being a notable exception, and I am hoping against all hope that we can recapture some of that 80's magic again and with Martinez I really think we can, let's not forget that he's done what he's done so far with OFM's team in the majority, wonder what will happen when he gets the chance to shape it more to his liking......?
As a final note, to those saying we can't make the top 4 nor win the league, let's not forget that a certain Mr Brian Clough acheived something remarkably similar with Nottinghan Forest by having an actual team of player who would literally break bones for each other, that in the long term is worth o much more than money, team spirit will always win out over the mercenary individuals that populate the Sky 4 teams, shit I'm gonna call it, a 2-1 win for the blues at the theatre of knobs, I called a 4-0 win over Stoke last Friday and I got that right didn't I....?
Keep the faith, COYB....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
32 Posted 03/12/2013 at 16:26:18
Martinez starting it off by having a crack at Big Daves record at the big grounds and the lack of a win in 11 years. He specifically used the exact timescale of ginger balls tenure at Everton to ensure there was no confusion with previous managers.
Then Moyes comes back with a few of the most belittling and condescending statements. This was the pick of the bunch.
Moyes - “He is doing a very good job. He has very good players there. I always told them they could play without a manager because they are very well organised. But Roberto is doing a really good job keeping it going."
34 Posted 03/12/2013 at 17:09:58
35 Posted 03/12/2013 at 16:45:08
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1 Posted 01/12/2013 at 06:12:43
Deulofeu is incredibly exciting to watch, and finished one of his chances excellently, but he also had a couple of odd choices in the area. In addition to the best goal of the day, Oviedo also set up Lukaku's goal to perfection, and he added in an elegant backheel pass. So he shaded MOTM for me. On the live board, I also saw deserved nominations for Delo, McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar and Osman..
Obviously a wonderful day.