A Changed Man

'Fess up, the manager simply knows far more about football and players than the vast majority of fans.

I was completely ambivalent with RM's appointment. I couldn't be sure he would be a success but I was sure that the overall performance of Wigan was not a sound indicator of what he could do with the squad he inherited. The way Wigan played sporadically gave me hope that he had the something extra that OFM seemingly didn't.

Rather than the penny dropping for the manager (which is the worst statement in this OP), it has dropped for the players - possibly sooner than any of us could have reasonably hoped for. I have seen nothing to suggest that the manager has in any way had to go back to the drawing board so far this season.

I had no single clear favourite candidate (OK I did have a dream list, but couldn't see any of them actually holding a Royal Blue & White scarf aloft)

When Roberto's Wigan dismantled us in the FA Cup I'm afraid that my last lingering scrap of tolerance for dm finally evaporated and I had gone from devotee to a thoroughly convinced MOB'er, I really had had more than enough of his bullshit n bottling

By turns I was just delighted when Wigan won the cup (Peg-Leggy included) and desperately sad when they failed to avoid relegation

When Roberto Martinez was appointed I was happy enough, because as I said at the time one of my criteria was that I just had to like our new manager, simple as that, I had plenty of other boxes to be ticked but liking the new guy was a not for negotiation matter (hence 'arry redkrapp was a definate NO!)

And as we were told that RM wanted a unique and exciting style of football befitting our great traditions I was already beginning to dream, but I also just loved the way Roberto fully immersed himself in the whole ethos of what Everton is to us all

As soon as the ink of his signature was dry I recall saying that I would give him at least six months (meaning really half the season) and that as a first season I'd be content to show in both cups (1/4 finals......) and finish comfortably in the top ten

Thus far against the yardsticks I think:
the League Cup was a disappointment and below what I'd hoped
League position looks like RM is well ahead of acceptable
FA Cup yet to come
And the "just have to like our new manager" criteria ? Top Class could not be happier on that score

But what I really had not been ready for was seeing class football again, fearless positive attacking football

I feel like a pit pony let out into a sunny green pasture and so enjoying the here and now that frankly the dark demons hold no fears

Good man Roberto

"Since that game, I think the penny has dropped with Martinez.."

Call the police.

'Rather than the penny dropping for the manager (which is the worst statement in this OP), it has dropped for the players - possibly sooner than any of us could have reasonably hoped for. I have seen nothing to suggest that the manager has in any way had to go back to the drawing board so far this season.'

Absolutely agree. That particular comment in the OP annoyed me too and you are completely correct in your dissection.

The players were adapting and didn't know how to play the Martinez way. Jags, Distin and Howard saw far too much of the ball and we looked out of ideas at times. Fast forward a few months and the players have simply got much much better at doing what they are asked to do. Distin and Jags have adapted better than I could have hoped given their respective ages. Even Howard, whose distribution I've always criticised, is now looking to spring counter attacks as soon as he fields the ball.

All the credit goes to Martinez and the players. He has stuck to his principles and the players have taken them on to great effect.

First season I thought if he matched the points/position of Moyes I would be satisfied, looks like we may do even better.....fingers crossed.

It seems to me that you are trying to excuse your initial assessment of our manager by saying that "like many other fans" you were sceptical of his appointment and had nightmares about us sinking into oblivion.

You further pointed out that you were, along with many other fans, distinctly underwhelmed by the purchase of Kone and Alcaraz.

The sense of doom apparently magnified itself exponentially throughout the first three games, though it seems now that you have graciously accepted him, having pointed out that "he has now learnt the error of his ways"

There were a large number of strong views expressed against his appointment but whether that was "many other fans" or a smaller number repeatedly arguing against his appointment and, subsequently, his purchases. There were also many other (or again, a smaller number of fans repeatedly arguing in support of his appointment and his subsequent purchases.

As I said, I may have misread your post but it would have made things clearer if you had said "I think I got it wrong" rather than appearing to say " the manager has learnt his lesson."

With respect to Swansea and Wigan supporters, managing Everton Football Club is a different matter.

He appears to have made the jump.

It was Robbie who had his fullbacks staying at home up until the Palace game, Baines, Coleman and indeed Oviedo were always attacking full backs. It was also Martinez who had the two central defenders trying to be something they are not. There is a very stark difference between the fast incisive football were are seeing now and the purposeless dross we saw earlier in the season.

Of course Martinez has changed, the center halves have stopped that heart stopping pass the parcel they were so obviously uncomfortable with and although they are hoofing it far less, they now look the accomplished defenders they always were. Pienaar looks rejuvinated too, he’s a different player when he knows the full back is allowed to support, even go past him.

Martinez had to change, it wasnt working, the crowds reaction at several games was evidence of that. . . But after years of having a manager that was either unable or unwilling to change, is that not a good thing ?

To say he has changed things isn’t an insult, its a compliment, an acknowledgement that he is capable of change.

As one of his earlier critics I think he’s now doing a fantastic job, the players are loving it because not only is he now playing to their strengths he is encouraging them to take the next step, to develop their game - Jagielka racing beyond Lukaku . . .wtf?

I was, however, though a bit sceptical, ready to give him a chance. At first I was just happy that we were picking up points, whilst secretly not really enjoying the football.

Now we have both points and good football I couldn't be happier. Obviously the odds are against him winning anything here, but there's something about RM and you never know. Coyb

I think the Palace game was the tipping point

OFM, TGT (and others) bleated on about having the best squad for 'xx' yrs. but wouldn't let them off the KITAP1 wagon and actually play a bit (which was all I ever wanted as a MOBista).

Martinez seems to have done this, keeping the 'good' Moyes aspects of teamwork, team spirit etc. Which in all honesty NO team should be without and hope to do stuff.

By the simple (but at the same time complicated) method of 'playing to win, not playing not to lose'.

We are where we are... cup from half-empty to half-full at a stroke.

AND ISN'T IT GOOD

Keep being brave and flexible Bobby.

A decent window and it might be... Champions League... and we WILL be have a laugh then!

Well, after a couple of shrewd moves in the transfer market and stamping his philosophy on the team, he's exceeded my expectations; I thought it would take a year or two before we got to see the positive, attractive football we're becoming accustomed to and, if he repeats his success in the January window, I think we're in for a rip-roaring second half this season. Our excitement may be raising expectation or adding to pressure, but whatever happens, it's been one hell of a ride so far and I'd just like to thank our boss for showing us once again, what it's like to feel like the greatest club in England once again.

Not content after a 4-1 win! Pride has returned, Sin Miedo!

Martinez said something recently along the lines that it took his Swansea side 7 months to get playing how he wanted, the Wigan side 5 transfer windows, and this Everton side 7 weeks. From my perspective, last season I saw Jagielka playing a completely different style when he broke into the England team than he did for EFC, so I was convinced these highly paid professional players could adapt, and if not, would be left on the fringes (squad's too small to simply discard them).

I thought RM was our only realistic target in the summer. Given that he had turned down other approaches as he wanted more control, it was likely to be a more seamless transition than if we'd gone for an untried (in EPL terms) foreign manager.

The beginnigns didn't augur well, but a frenetic last day of the transfer window has been pivotal to our season. Fine lines, but I think RM is surpassing this Evertonian's expectations so far.

We have played some very good football at times over the years but always seemed to be missing something. The one time I felt the team wasn't missing something was very short-lived when we had Yakubu in form and injury free, banging them in and the very under-rated Lee Carsley covering the back 4. However, Carsley was quickly ageing and Yakubu was getting fatter and lazier by the day and then eventually had a horrendous injury which was pretty much ended his career at Everton. In all that time since, we have never been able to replace them sufficiently. Neville, Gibson, Rodwell and Heitinga have all done a job at times in midfield and Jelavic and Saha have done it in short spells upfront but it never seemed to last an entire season because of injuries or loss of form.

Now we have an upgraded and less injury-prone version of Gibson in the form of Barry and a youthful, more athletic and complete midfielder in McCarthy playing instead of Neville, and (compared to last season) a more mature and confident Barkley playing instead of the ageing and diminishing Osman. We have a striker with the ability and quality of Saha or Yakubu but also the youth and hunger to want to prove himself in Lukaku. The team finally seems to be complete.

However, it is still early days in the season and injuries and loss of form can happen at any time, we have already lost Deulofeu and Baines. Just like in previous year, we still don't have the squad depth and quality to match the top 4 over the course of the season unless we get very lucky with injuries, but we do at last have a first 11 or 12 to match them if all fit.

I thought Roberto would change us with his style of play. But I didn't think the change would be quite as resounding as it has been. He's completely transformed the club, not just on the field but off it. The blue chrimbo videos, the way he talks to the media about Everton, the gradual shift of opinion of the media.

I was always proud to be a blue. But this now feels like he's giving the club back it's identity. The feel good factor is permeating everywhere. I don't think I have ever seen TW or GOT members in such agreeance, there are hardly any arguments anymore.

It's still early days, but long may this revolution continue.

COYB

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/everton-fc-boss-Roberto-Martinez-6437289?

The man is pure class !!...unlike that miserable arrogant fucker he took over from....

"Everton FC boss Roberto Martinez drops in on 93-year-old Evertonian Annie"

IMO Roberto is doing us all proud

then scroll down to...

"Everton FC boss Roberto Martinez drops in on 93-year-old Evertonian Annie"

As I’ve said ...pure class !!

Viva Roberto.

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Instrumental in that regard has been Marti­nez, the manager who paid £14m to continue his association with the midfielder and who describes him as a perfect fit for Everton. "He could become a great," the new Everton manager says. "I haven't seen anyone who is such a sponge in football terms as James. He soaks up all the good things of the people around him – he's a top footballer in that respect. The fans here are passionate, they like a good character and a good footballer, and they are going to get that combination with James.

"He has not come through the easy way or the quick way, he has not taken three steps forward and then two back, he has always taken slow steps forward. He is very solid. I am very excited about James because he is incredibly experienced and mature with his best years still ahead of him. I know him inside out as a character. Sometimes in football you sign someone and it's only after a while you learn about the human being. In this case, I know the human being and he is a 10. You can bank on him."

Like Selby I was also underwhelmed by the appointment. Like Selby I am more than happy to be proved a complete ignoramus in this respect. I can't remember the last time I looked forward to games as much as I do now.

Its as plain as the nose on your face, that our biggest problem will be keeping him at Everton!

It's official, I need a glossary of terms for this website. COYB is about my limit! ;-)

This team he inherited he has moulded into a side capable of great things. His measure of a great manager will be how he puts things right when things don't go exactly as we would like. Perhaps that was the Palace game and we could have easily lost that 3-0 if we are honest.

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/dec/21/steven-Pienaar-Roberto-Martinez-everton

Personally, I would like to believe that Martinez will achieve something significant with Everton before he moves on. Whether that achievement is Champions League, a Cup or the League title itself, I don’t know. He just doesn’t seem like a ’short-term’ kind of guy.

Barkley's treatment is the key indicator of the new braver philosophy. Under Moyes he had a stunning debut against QPR and then disappeared from view, Moyes was protecting him as he did Rooney, much to the latter's disgust, Martinez has played him and given him the role of a classic Continental number 10 and the boy has thrived. Coleman too, who I thought was our best player today, has thrived by being made into a right back and not a right sided midfield player.

I just hope Martinez does not get taken by Man Utd or a top European side.

Before Moyes, our average finishing position was 15th-16th which went up to 6th in his tenure. I was of the opinion that RM would be forced to sell most of our better players with little given to him to replace them.

Of course, all this has been proved wrong and indeed his ability as a coach/tactician has been something of a revelation. I still think that we owe a massive debt of gratitude to Moyes. He dragged us kicking and screaming into the 21st century starting with Finch Farm, still one of the best training facilities in the country, but the appointment of Roberto is a big step forward and believe me, 12 months ago, if I'd said that, then most of my closest friends would have thought I was cracking up. ;)