Martinez’s promise of bright tomorrow for Everton in danger

, 13 March, 5comments | Jump to most recent

Andy Hunter takes a considered look at Everton's problems on the domestic front this season and touches on all the relevant gripes that many supporters have had with Roberto Martinez's approach.

All of which makes this season's intransigence, tactically and in his refusal to consider dropping Howard or Barry (hugely influential against Dynamo in fairness), the dramatic deterioration in the effectiveness of his substitutions, the mis-use and regression of Barkley and the increasing reliance on Lukaku all the more mystifying to the Goodison faithful.
Martànez must produce a repeat of the final hour against Dynamo in the remaining 10 league games to restore confidence in his tenure. Otherwise, the fear will grow at Everton that it is Wigan Athletic all over again, only with better players and no excuses.

» Read the full article at The Guardian

Reader Comments (5)

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Frank Crewe
1 Posted 14/03/2015 at 12:40:09

He's reliant on Lukaku because he's almost the only player besides Naismith we have who can score a goal. Our goal return from midfield is pathetic.

McCarthy has scored one goal in his entire time at the club.

Barry has scored a miserable three goals in his time at the club..

Besic hasn't scored any goals at all.

Barkley hasn't scored this season.

Every club knows that our midfield players never get anywhere near their goal so they don't have to worry about them. The golden rule when playing Everton. Stop the fullbacks getting forward and you stop Everton.

Until we get some decent attacking midfielders in our side who can get ahead of the strikers and score some goals in tight games, our present predicament will continue.

Colin Glassar
2 Posted 14/03/2015 at 13:06:46

An excellent article. If I was Martinez I'd send Ross Barkley on holiday until June-July. The lad is shot and he needs to get away as far as possible from GP until he gets his head together. The more he plays the bigger the hole he's digging himself into, whatever he tries isn't coming off and that must be damaging his confidence.

Mike Allison
3 Posted 14/03/2015 at 13:19:24

Frank, the players aren't the problem, the instructions and tactics they're playing to are.

Karl Jones
4 Posted 14/03/2015 at 13:18:58

Frank (#1),

To be fair to Barkley, he scored a brilliant, but slightly deflected goal v QPR. I wouldn't take that off him.

Frank Crewe
5 Posted 14/03/2015 at 14:08:58

@Mike Allison

So you are saying that there is a Cazorla, Coutinho, Silva, Hazard, etc inside our midfielders just bursting to get out given the right tactics? Somehow I doubt that very much.

I don't think our midfield would score any more goals playing for City, Arsenal, Chelsea than they do playing for us.

Karl I stand corrected. Barkley has scored one goal this season.

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