Martinez sets sights on 40-point goal

We have to change the manager before we are relegated. Today we will lose 2-3, IÂ’m afraid

"Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory, there is no survival."

"However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results." — Winston Churchill.

I will be looking tomorrow for 2 banks of 4 and hit em on the counter. ThatÂ’s our way to 40 points. Certainly will work against CP. Jesus, how did Palace become a team weÂ’re worrying about?

I will be seriously pissed off if we donÂ’t get 3 points tomorrow and donÂ’t bring in any new players come transfer deadline! What worries me though, is that I fully expect us to lose or get a draw against Palace, and then sign no-one, or at best, sign an unknown prospect who will be nowhere near ready for the first team squad. Even after enduring all that, IÂ’ll still make the effort to read and write posts on here.. but God knows why! The joys of being an Evertonian eh?!

MartinezÂ’s take on this is different in the sense that he looks beyond the 40 points.

Of course, the fact that heÂ’s finally mentioned the magic figure of 40 points itself is a sad indication of the state of affairs.

Not that I am oblivious to the fact that weÂ’ve fallen far from last season. Just that the optimist (a realistic optimist) am still look for that final push for this season, with a view that we can still end this season with something (not just not being relegated) to cheer about.

I have refrained from taking part in this debate about weather Roberto is good enough to manage our club. However this comment takes the biscuit.

Like many Evertonians, I was prepared to give Roberto the benefit of the doubt and last season, I was happy that my reservations were clearly proved wrong as we played some great football.

At the beginning of the season we were pretty much unanimous in saying we had the strongest squad in years with a proven goal scorer up front, now we have a bunch of old crocks and an overpaid show pony.

For what it is worth, my opinion is that the manager has lost the plot. Baines and Coleman no longer get forward. Barry, despite numerous games looking (and passing) like shit consistently gets a game. Besic gets subbed after doing much right and little wrong. Barkley gets played out of position and looks lost and low on confidence. The list goes on.

if there is a bright spot to our season it is the Europa League. Despite mediocre performances we won our group and got a very favorable draw against young boys.

We are flirting with relegation, that much is clear. My fear is that we will do well (hell even win the fucking thing) in the Europa League and go down. Unacceptable.

Roberto has shown his true colours with the way he has tried to make us play, IÂ’ll not dress it up, itÂ’s a shit way of playing and it doesnÂ’t get good results.

I gave up booze for January but crumbled tonight, 6 Stellas and a couple of glasses of wine later I am annoyed.

But not as annoyed as I will be if this manager takes us down.

There has been a lot going wrong this season. Teams have learnt how to stop us playing football, Roberto needs to think about doing something about it.

Talk that missing Osman and Pienaar are the reasons for the performances is woefully misguided - Roberto said in his press conference that these two were the reason for our problems. Pienaar does offer something to out play (bringing baines into dangerous areas), but we've bigger problems..

Every club now knows tight on Baines, Barkley, Barry and Coleman, and Everton will do nothing.

I hope McCarthy is fit and Barry can be "rested". Might be a catalyst.

We desperately need 3 points and that's what happens if you don't win your home games against sides in the bottom half of the table and let too many other teams walk off with 3 points. Regardless of what it means regarding Roberto's future let's start winning some games.

COYB

As a couple of others have said 3 points today will make some difference, but if we lose which is what I think will happen, then adios Martinez (if only)....

I wonder if Kenwright will say anything...have I missed an eloquent liturgy about his appointment?

If we don't win I'm off to Goodison later to rip that stupid picture of Martinez down, or at least severely deface it!

COYB

Lets hope the 40 point comment means the penny has finally dropped to our leader and he will make changes to the way he wants the team to play- hears hoping.

This guy is becoming Moyes Lite.

First when it comes to transfers - "we're not desperate to get players in... There's no one out there available to replace the likes of Pienaar & Osman... We don't need to replace Eto'o!"

Now it's the good old "we need to get to the 40 points Mark and take it from there... Treat every game as a cup final".

Naa, being serious, we do need to treat every game that we play from now on as a cup final and give our all to try and pick up as many points we need to start climbing the table.

Let's just start by picking up 3 points today at Palace ahead of a tough Derby coming up!

I think we need to draw a line under this season once we have avoided relegation, I think the struggle is going to last for a few more games yet until we get Chelsea and Liverpool out of the way but March/April is when we should finally move up the table and get a run of wins. Any points before the end of Feb will be a bonus in my eyes.

I will be avoiding all internet sites this afternoon as we never do well at Selhurst Park and I don't expect that to change today.

His record speaks for itself; unless there is some kind of football fucking miracle we are destined for relegation.

How many more defeats and shocking performances have to be recorded for the club heirarchy to hit the big red alarm bell?

It is a manager's first duty to see Premier status secured - all the bluff about aiming for Europe is just that- bluff. Yes, Moyes was pragmatic and realistic as he left the dreaming to us on TW. Only once in 11 years did he toy with relegation and, perhaps now, he will begin to be appreciated.

To those who found him boring, I say 'Welcome to excitement' !

"I still think he is a very good manager"

Think you need to look around the forums Robbie lad because there are plenty who are wondering where our next win is coming from.

Pains me to say it but we should just concentrate on keeping it tight and try and grind out a 1-0 win somehow.

This is not the time for pretty football, we need a result, even a point will get us a little bit towards safety.

Good job west ham sacked allerdice. Oh, wait....

" Don't forget we had some yo-yo seasons under David Moyes "

The difference is that, under Moyes, we struggled for a real goalscorer, hence the commonly held belief that Moyes "ruined" strikers. Marcus Bent? Run all day but not a top striker.But Moyes teams could defend. Martinez, and what we laughably refer to his defensive coaches, are completely and utterly useless at getting a team to defend properly. Which is why our defensive stats for this season are as bad as any in the Premier League.

On another point, I think he'll leave Barry out today. If Barry receives one more booking he faces a two match ban and I rather think Martinez will want his blue eyed boy for the Derby game.

IMO the glue that held the system together was Barry/McCarthy, and this season its hasn't had a chance to get going because McCarthy hasn't looked fit all season, BUT this is where a good manager should be able to adjust and compensate.

I don't know where I stand on Martinez; on one hand I think clubs that sack managers at the drop of a hat generally don't do very well, on the other hand he came in with a promise to bring CL football, inherited a great squad, and added to it with record signings, and here we are with February around the corner on our knees praying for 40 points.

I'm dreading the next month, but who knows it might turn out like the February of a couple of seasons ago where we beat Man U, Citteh & Chelsea and drew with Arsenal at the Emirates when Donovan joined us. But at the moment its a case of, with respects to Bob Geldof; "tell me why, I don't like sat dees"

Yes,top players who, collectively, have a value that would pay off the Gross National Debt of some banana republic. Comparing Chelsea and most Premier sides,at least, in that respect, won't work. It's easier to suss out an average team with no plan B than it is a team of super stars who can change things during a game. Martinez doesn't appear to know how to change his kecks. Like you, I really hoped Martinez would be the guy to propel us forward but he just seems to be a one trick pony that's gone lame. As for sacking him, Christ, who would we be able to bring in? Talk about Duncan Ferguson or Sheedy are just ridiculous.

We need to get through this season and still be in the Premier League in summer - then we can re-think Roberto if he is still there.

There was always a chance this was going to happen when Moyes left, the transition wasn't going to be easy - a year delayed maybe.

The West Brom match was an improvement on a pretty low benchmark - but we have to score goals to win matches too Roberto.

Such ambition!

And how will we make it to 40 points? With tippy-tappy passing, or with grit, determination and fighting spirit? I think the two are mutually exclusive, and I don't think RM knows how to do the latter any more (if he ever did)...

What happened to the promise to get us in the top 4 Roberto? Admit it, it was the talk of a dreamer.

I think he's finally realised that he is two or three games away from the sack if we lose today, the Derby and at Stamford Bridge.

Almost leaving Martinez out of the equasion (how I wish we could !) our lads should be good enough to beat this lot and their noisy supporters will meet their match today.

If not, Everton will certainly have those 25-1 against relegation odds slashed by c10 points !

Anyway, big question is what it all means today for tactics. I'm getting sorted of scared-excited as 3.00 pm approaches. Ever the optimist.

Think about it, BK cannot/will not be accused of taking any action because the blame will then be lain firmly on his shoulders.

His ego will not allow for that and his kudos with his disciples will be shot to bits. God forbid Blue Kipper may even turn on him.

EFC fans are some of the most knowledgeable out there. We have class. We don't toss managers aside on a whim. However, we will not tolerate chancers who put themselves above the club.

It's our club. Manager's are invited to manage for a period of time. He's been the architect of his own sorry demise. I have little sympathy.

We can still win the EL and get in the top 10, but we need reinforcements like 3 loans like last season.

Just add options to our pitiful squad!!!!

Today we play Pardew's Palace. Not Barca. Palace. Not Mourinho. Pardew. They're missing key players through injuries and Africa's Cup'. We've got a full squad, rested and holidayed. Indeed, we're so strong a unit that our manager feels we don't need to buy anyone. 㿎-million in strikers, the best-defence in 2013-14, a potentially superb defensive midfield, a potentially world-class number 10, Super Kevin and, errr, McGeady. All against Palace.

We need a performance today and, with that team, there is no excuse whatsoever not to be given one. One-nil is not going to salve the issues. It has to be convincing to even begin to act as the platform of confidence to move forward from.

If we fail today, coming back with a loss, draw or even a narrow win, then we have real problems.

This is he ideal opportunity to stop the rot – I hope our boys seize it. COYB!

No seriously, he was on his way there today after parking his car in the front, he is still fully involved with the local scene, a lot of charity etc, not my favourite on the pitch but as level as they come off it.

However RM has to be concerned for his position if it goes tits up in the next 7 days, in my view; Teflon BK won't want anything coming his way.

As far as the media tittle-tattle is concerned, my information is that the Press Box has been watching Kenwright's body language ever since Christmas and hardly a smile has creased his face. Apparently, he would have acted if we had gone out of the Cup in the home match but was persuaded to give it until the end of January.

A very local journo used 'the dead man walking' analogy to me on Wednesday but Bill hesitates even over his procrastination!

The anger on here that you say resembles foxhunting is entirely due to Martinez's arrogance. He's alienated the fans and really been quite derisory of our collective football intelligence with his pre- and post-match summations. Had we seen a character who's having a bad run, earnestly acknowledging flaws, showing humility and demonstrating awareness of concern then after last season's achievements he would still have many on his side. But has he done that Dave?

He's been his own architect here. People see the aloofness that he exuded when Wigan went down and they see it repeating itself here. Have you seen the post match interview at the Emirates the night Wigan went down? Worth a look. Disgraceful disassociation from his responsibility. That's why his arrival here was not universally welcome.

Yes, you are right, of course he's had a very poor season, no-one can deny that, it's the personal names he's been called, to do this and to to do that in names that shouldn't be used on here when he has no way to answer back.

If it gets any worse, which it obviously could, then he will have to pay the consequences but to carry on like some have is over the top, IMHO.

What on earth has selling Fellaini for 㿈 million got to do with that? Because that's the only significant sale since he's been here – and if you can find me anyone that thinks that wasn't a sublimely brilliant bit of business, then I'm a cucumber. And as for Bill not backing this poor manager who is being 'torn to shreds', have you seen the contracts that are being handed out like toffee at the moment?

Sorry, BK has many questions to answer, but causing Martinez downfall is not one. Roberto did that all by himself.

Where is the abuse?

Only things I've read are of concerned fans venting frustrations nothing more.

He won't want to risk it. I'm sure he is thinking about the possible circumstances.

However, with Martinez, if Kenwright does take that stance, then he's effectively playing Russian Roulette with the very future of this club.

If we go down this club is dead in the water, with no Sky money and a couple of years out in the wilderness we could well be the next Leeds, Notts Forest, Blackburn having a lengthy spell out in the wilderness whilst Goodison crumbles around us.

Personally, I hope that he does get things sorted and has us climb the table by the end of the season, perfom well in the EL and go on to seriously improve again next season. I'd be saying that about anyone who was currently the Everton manager.

Somehow, I don't think that will happen. What I think will happen is that we'll be erratic, hit and miss until the end of the season; that other clubs will volunteer for the "Trap Door Club" ahead of us; that BK will be afforded the luxury of time to think things through.

I'm not expecting miracles, just hoping for them.

If yer know yer ’istory, ’n all that ...

BK sacked Walter Smith and very quickly installed Moyes, showing he had contingency plans in place if things got bad.

If BK and the board have not already considered contingency plans for continued bad results under RM, then IMO that represents a serious dereliction of duty.

We are rapidly reaching the tipping point whereby BK cannot afford to "give Martinez, at the very least, until November to see what he’s made of." — BK will prioritize the club’s future over the manager EVERY TIME.

The squad has had a long break to re-gather and re-focus. There has at least been some acknowledgement from within the club that we are vulnerable. No more excuses.

We cannot afford a defeat today. A draw maybe staves off a decision in the short term. A victory would bring much relief to all.

I’m sure I’m not alone in feel very, very queasy about this arvo’s game...

No, James, I thought your remarks were justified and you didn't use any personnel attacks on the manager. I understand Martinez getting stick, he will, or should acknowledge that himself; it's the personnel abuse which I think is out of order.

There are real problems with the ageing squad and a stubborn refusal to change formation and gameplay that is getting us nowhere.

At what point do we start respecting the next manager, giving him time to act, instead of over-respecting someone who is going? Everton are bigger than Martinez and attempts to assuage his ego.

That type of half-measured dancing around the pin-head is exactly how Wigan went down. He cannot turn around this mess, because he IS the mess. Leave it till March? Sign our relegation warrant...

He has recently spoke about deciding his future in the next 18 months, about whether it's in coaching or the media. Well, let's make him decide in the next 18 days.

Think about it, he has learned off the best coach in the history of modern football, he talks absolute sense on his commentary, he knows how to prepare for a game, whether it's Shrewsbury away in an FA Cup tie or European cup final.

This lad could make a great manager, as long as he leaves his "busy cunt"of a brother on MotD!

Dreading next week because we just know that we won't play the game like a derby match, we all know we will persist with the snail-paced slow passing football and no doubt kill ourselves with a self-destruct job.

I'm dreading next but, then again, I'm dreading the closure of the transfer window tomorrow with the prospect of seeing this tired jaded team struggling through games.

In the real world there are bumps in the road and this season is one of them. Moyes's second full season was another. Even Wenger has people calling for his head so I suppose I should not be surprised, but guys where is your perspective? I would gladly take your money if you want to bet that Everton will be relegated.