Mr Nice Guy, Please No More

Mark Finnegan 27/04/2016 22comments  |  Jump to last
I haven't felt this low about Everton for nearly 15 years. I haven't felt this down in footballing terms, probably since that horrific afternoon at the Riverside as Walter Smith's dire reign came to a crushing end in 2002. Yes, it's that bad.

Since then and as a 30-year-old supporter of this Club, I have not felt this vacant and unenthused as an Evertonian considering the highs and lows we face supporting Everton, I'd say that is a massive statement. Yes we endured some disappointments during Moyes's tenure, and post our FA Cup victory era in '95, the fact that we never won silverware either side of that being the main focus, but nowadays I expect so much more from Everton, I expected much more from this current crop of players, and I expected so much more from Roberto Martinez.

If waking up on Thursday after Wednesday night's horror show was bad enough, waking up this morning after Saturday's developments at Wembley was gutting. I've lost interest, I've lost hope, and whilst I'll always support this Club – I've lost of the fire I once felt for Everton FC.

And why do I have these feelings? It is because of one man and how his Everton team has under performed, it is because how us as fans have been undermined, it is the manner in which both of the above have unfolded in front of my glory-hungry and ambitious eyes which has hurt most.

The Liverpool game was appalling, and the United game sums up Martinez' tenure to a tee; it was full of hope, promise, opportunity – but it wasn't full of content, we went close but nothing more – a summary I'd make of Everton for some time now.

No leaders. No Plan B. No admitting you are wrong. No willingness to adapt and grind out results. No straight talking, no honesty – just constant waffle. Last minute conceding. Hardly any wins at Goodison. Players unhappy and speaking out. Protests, banners. Conceding goals left, right and centre. No confidence. No playing to players' strengths. Players looking to leave. The list is endless. And this isn't just one season – yet apparently we have so much to look forward to, we have the best squad we've had in years with so much potential – why is all of this happening then?

I'll be the first to say I wanted Roberto Martinez to succeed at Everton; when he first took charge at Goodison Park it was difficult to not get carried away with his persona, his ideas for the Club and the way he put himself across – there was a vibrancy about him and Evertonians extended that onto the terraces and his team expressed it onto the pitch. His style in front of the camera and his fashionable brown shoes added to the excitement we felt as a group of supporters and, although some did have their doubts, what we witnessed during his initial 12 months at the helm made us feel hugely positive about what might lie ahead.

I'll be the first to admit I got carried away; I was in dreamland.

We made some exciting signings (albeit many on loan, many of which eventually joined permanently – this he does deserve credit for) and we went about our business with a swagger and spring in our step, as Martinez's maiden season got the pulses racing amongst Evertonians.

That season, Everton finished 5th with 72 points in total. We thought this would be the start of a memorable future under the Spaniard, we thought we would go from strength to strength. Yet instead we've gone backwards, and over the course of the past 18 months to two years we've wobbled between disappointment after disappointment.

Evertonians have been left confused and full of questions, but nobody is giving us the answers, on the pitch or off it. Apart from much-needed investment, there hasn't been any positivity to shout about this season, or the past two seasons in fact. Bringing in quality players has been impressive, but managing them and getting the best out of them is another thing.

Everything we tend to do comes to an abrupt halt. Finally things have come to a head. Surely now something has got to give.

We massively under performed in the League last season -– finishing in the bottom half for the first time in over a decade – we crashed out of Europe in embarrassing fashion after such a decent run in the Europa League – the in-fighting and cracks began to appear – Distin, Eto'o and Mirallas to name but a few - and rather than address the common issues we were all seeing week in week out, Martinez refused to budge, even though we all knew what the problems were.

It was horrible to watch, from so much promise to so many questions within the space of a year. Blues couldn't fathom how our fortunes could change so rapidly. Would we allow last season to be a write off because of Europa involvement – many probably would, I was willing to give Martinez another shot – but what has happened since has seen Evertonian's patience not only ware thin, but eventually reach breaking point.

Then came the John Stones farce. This helped nobody and since then I don't think his head has been there. It unsettled the beginning of our season, and although it wasn't Martinez' fault, the inconsistency and erratic behaviour of players, manager and results has continued.

As for this season, a chance to put things behind us, right the wrongs of the last campaign and kick on again. But again we've gone backwards.

The Tim Howard saga – so damaging that it was – eventually Martinez realised he had to be dropped but the damage had already been done, Tim's legacy will be that of him being dropped and replaced by Robles rather than years of service. The failure to address the problems of the season before, results at Goodison absolutely shocking, our playing style continually biting us on the arse, the last-gasp equalisers we were conceding, our consistent failure to see out games... shall I continue?

Baines and Barry speaking out, the Baines apology, what about the games at Norwich, Swansea, we should have won by a country mile but we didn't, that's not to mention the sheer ridiculousness of Bournemouth and Chelsea away. More recently, the loss at Man United in the League sums us up, we looked lifeless and our fans deserve better. Looking at our home games, thinking back to the Stoke game – beaten 3-4, then Swansea, a dire display sees us beaten 1-2. You think it can't get worse... then West Brom turn up. Not to mention the recent episodes against West Ham and Arsenal. It's spiralled from one atrocity to the next. The Merseyside Derby last week – never more have I felt so sick after a defeat. We've been woeful at times and it more than hurts.

Some blues have said there is no place for hysteria, no need for panic... trouble is, I'm not jumping to conclusions, I'm not being reactive, I am being honest and real and it's the manner in which we are heading for a bottom half finish again that angers me most. I can forgive people for giving their all, apart from one or two in that side none of them have, and Martinez I don't feel has given his all to turn this round. I don't think he should be given more time to either, too much has gone before.

Admittedly Martinez has led us to two Semi-Finals but to those fans who claim this is some sort of an achievement – isn't winning the thing the achievement? Call me picky, call me dramatic, but we crashed out of both the City (League Cup) and United (FA Cup) Semi's and Evertonians should not see this as acceptable. 'Ah well we had a go' – wonder if you'll be saying the same in another 21 years. Another 21 years without a trophy because the Club needs grabbing by the balls and instilling a winning belief and mentality.

There's an acceptance around Everton and to me it stinks, I'd compare it with a "It's the taking part that counts" mentality. With Farhad Moshiri on board I do hope things change but whilst Kenwright is still involved I can only see 'yes men' being given the Manager's job – and other roles at the Club. Will Kenwright swallow his pride and sack Martinez, admit that the appointment has not worked out - the scary thing is – he might not!

'What a Manager' – 'You won't meet a nicer guy' what do you take us for Kenwright? Nobody is saying Martinez is a horrible man, I'm not sitting here disrespecting him, but he's out of his depth.

Guess what, Bill – being nice doesn't always get you success. I'm sick of seeing kids crying in the away end at Anfield... I'm sick of seeing Ross Barkley with his head down, wanting to win the lot for us but not being allowed to do so... I'm sick of walking away from Wembley defeated – none of us are getting younger and the next generation deserve success.

Martinez needs to admit his mantra might not be suitable at this Club - it may have clicked for the past three years but it simply hasn't and he has to go. Was as simply on a crest of a wave when he first arrived? I'm not going to refuse to give him credit for certain aspects but I do believe he has been found out massively.

Sacking Martinez has a financial aspect to it but it is my opinion that, for the good of Roberto Martinez, for the good of Bill Kenwright, before this turns even sourer than it already is, and most importantly for the good of Everton FC and our brilliant supporters, the Spaniard needs to be relieved from his duties this week, or walk away before this gets nasty. Only then can we all move on from the ridiculous habit of inconsistency, small-mindedness and lack of leadership. Admit our faults and move on. Clear the decks. Let's build again.

Will our ownership be ambitious and make a move for a big name, or will they revert to type. Moyes, Howe, Dyche, forgive me for raising my eyebrows at this type of talk. Be bold for once. Let me sit here and praise our ambition for once. I'd be the first to do so.

If Martinez is left in charge for our game against Bournemouth this weekend, then I dread to think how bad Goodison will be. For me that is him being hung out to dry. Unless the Club come out an back him wholeheartedly, or sack him, then this weekend is going to be a sticky situation.

People are angry, supporters have had enough, and it's time for the Club to make the relevant changes in personnel so we can move forward and progress, because at the moment, we are going nowhere and everyone is laughing at us.

You don't even have to be a decent side to beat Everton anymore.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum.

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Reader Comments (22)

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Jay Woods
1 Posted 28/04/2016 at 19:25:01
You do know that Martinez is merely the symptom. The underlying pathology is a combination of Bill Kenwright's stewardship and the fans' perennial unwillingness to take affirmative action for fear of appearing like LFC fans. While the main causes of our club's decline remain as they are, absurdities such as Martinez being retained as manager will go on. And on. And on.

Meanwhile, Klopp will guide LFC to more glory.

Tony Hill
2 Posted 28/04/2016 at 19:44:27
The other major danger is that people think that the risk of relegation next season is not a real one and that it just won't happen to us, that somehow it will all come right. But the signs are clear and the trajectory of the team is clear.

A rotten manager and a rotten board point in only one direction.

Ian Robert
3 Posted 28/04/2016 at 19:47:18
So the team playing shite is the fans fault?
Dave Abrahams
4 Posted 28/04/2016 at 20:30:23
No Ian, it is a large section of the fans putting up with the team playing shite that is at fault.

We all should have reacted before now at the state the club is in, but when the plane flew over at an away ground ( forget which one) with a remark about Kenwright and he should go.plenty didn't like that or the banners at Watford with Martinez OuT on them, some didn't like that.

What a lot of fans are saying now and have been for a couple of months enough is enough, if the board, or Kenwright in particular will not act then it is up to the majority of the crowd to make our feelings known, loudly, at the match on Saturday and the following home game.the club is dying before our eyes, let's try and revive it before the light goes out.

Lee Whitehead
5 Posted 28/04/2016 at 20:38:00
Mark, what a brilliant summary of our great club's present issues! Couldn't agree more with every word. Hopefully Mr Moshiri will have seen through RM for what he really is, "a nice man but totally out of his depth", and finally put him and us out of our misery. COYB
Kim Vivian
6 Posted 28/04/2016 at 21:21:12
That is a really, really damn good article and I could not add to it other than to say the same but in a different way.

Absolutely sums it up for me especially the "...never felt more vacant and un-enthused..." bit.

I do not read many long pieces like that through to the end but made an exception for this one.

Good on yer.

Christopher Dover
7 Posted 28/04/2016 at 21:49:06
Agree fully with article, the problem in trying to unite 30-40 thousand people to protest as we are all individual coming from different parts of the city and country, have paid good money for the ticket be it a season or one off one.

If say the last match was to be boycotted would it work or would most turn up to support the team (which is what we all want to do).

I have said on a number of forums that if he stays then we will be relegated, if the manager is to go then he will go with no notice, not officially given time of say a month, and the board will not comment to say he will go only to say they have confidence in him.

That is why me and many others look at ToffeeWeb and sites like BBC sport many times a day hoping to see the headlines that Martinez is sacked.

Jay Woods
8 Posted 28/04/2016 at 21:50:25
Ian Robert - well, yes. For applauding Bill when he should have been horse-whipped (metaphorically, of course) out of Goodison. And for doing the square root of sod all when year after year of mediocrity was served up to us. We simply must bear as much blame for our acts of omission as Kenwright has in his acts of commission (e.g. appointing and sticking with Martinez).
Clive Rogers
9 Posted 28/04/2016 at 22:41:07
Jay, it's difficult for the fans to do anything other than protest. The team have been booed off countless times after poor performances, even at Wembley last week.

Talking of doing sod all, Kenwright has sat there for 20 years and I can't think off a single thing he has done to take the club forward. Three failed ground moves, all botched.

He even made a mess of building a shop on the car park. Both the managers he appointed were second rate. Kenwright is the worst chairman in EFC's history.

Don Alexander
10 Posted 28/04/2016 at 00:03:43
A brilliant article, said it all for me. Thanks.
James Kirrane
11 Posted 29/04/2016 at 00:48:54
Great article, Mark, sums up the feelings of so many. I really hope there there is strong action on Saturday and the message gets through to Bill Kenwright, Farhad Moshiri and the media that the Everton fans will not tolerate mediocrity.
Maynard Hanna
12 Posted 29/04/2016 at 01:02:51
Agree with you, totally. A thoughtful and well written piece.

On Saturday last, as I was making my way out of Wembley, I saw a youngster (aged maybe 6 or 7) with his mum and dad. The wee man was crying his heart out. I just had to stop and say "Come on wee fella, cheer up, there are better days ahead."

In truth, I said it more in hope than belief. But surely the board will act and act soon. It looks as though I may not be around to see Everton make Wembley again in my lifetime but I certainly hope for that wee man that he will get the chance to see Everton win a Trophy at Wembley and hopefully before he is a teenager.

Mark Stone
14 Posted 29/04/2016 at 09:20:43
I wouldn't have a problem with Eddie Howe, he demands a high level of fitness and commitment from his players and knows how to organise his side. So he's a better bet than the current clown.

Getting a 'bigger' name in doesn't guarantee success, either. Van Gaal arrived to great fanfare but hasn't done any better at Man Utd than Moyes would have.

And who would have predicted that Ranieri would guide Leicester to the title? And who would have had Pochettino as their first choice back in 2013, after he'd just been sacked from Espanyol having picked up only 9 points in the first 13 games of the season?

Mark Stone
15 Posted 29/04/2016 at 09:26:10
Tony #2 I agree, if Martinez stays the writing is on the wall for next year. If you can't defend in the premier league, eventually you go down. In the late nineties we were awful, but at least we had some grit and determination which was able to keep us in the division. Under the current manager this bunch are slipping into Aston Villa/Newcastle mode. Spineless.
Damian Wilde
17 Posted 29/04/2016 at 11:52:21
Good article and subsequent comments. I know people who go to the match and if RM stayed and finished 16th the next five seasons on the bounce would politely clap and say he's a 'decent man', etc. Them staying silent is part of the problem. We have to make some serious noise on Saturday (those who have the balls anyway). Also agree with Jay, BK being weak, etc.
Dick Fearon
18 Posted 29/04/2016 at 12:17:01
Kevin Ratcliff hopes there is no demo at Saturdays game. He says we are not like supporters of 'Other' clubs.

Kevin, it is correct to say we are not like supporters of 'Other' clubs. Our docile acceptance of decades which for the most part has been absolute dross is an illustration of our being different.

If anything we have been badly let down by the likes of yourself who like the rest of main stream media tarts have done nothing but club sycophants.
Instead of toadying up to Moyes, Kenwright and now Martinez you and your lick spittle mates should have been a bit more honest by pushing the long sufferin fans point of view.

I will be far distant from my old Gwladys St home yet whatever the fans do they have my full support.

As for yourself Kevin and the rest of your ilk you should contemplate your part in the years of cover ups that led to this situation.

Jay Woods
20 Posted 29/04/2016 at 16:28:14
In other words, Ratcliffe's definition of Evertonian is "not a Kopite".

Pathetic.

Joe McMahon
21 Posted 29/04/2016 at 16:42:37
Dick Fearon - spot on. The likes of Ratcliffe and Sharpe have made me sick these last few years. The one and only time I’ve had hospitality at GP was in 2006 and yet another 0-0 (Moyes) home score against Birmingham. I tried to speak to Graeme about our shocking lack of goals in the whole season and was more or less ignored. Sharp was sat at my table. At least the likes of Peter Reid, Andy Gray and Tim Cahill are one of us. And yes you are correct fans of other clubs (as big as Everton?) do not and would npu put up with the 20 odd years of total mismanagement and decay from top to bottom.
Karl Parsons
22 Posted 29/04/2016 at 17:47:03
Well crafted, emotional, sincere, factural.
I echo every single word of it. Absolutely superb Mark.
Colin Metcalfe
23 Posted 30/04/2016 at 15:06:42
Great article Mark , I wonder if The Echo would print it as an open letter to Everton FC !
Just tuning in now to the Bournmouth game but I am not really arsed ! Such a shame a talented squad has so underperformed in the last 2 seasons .
A manager is judged by results and Martinez has had plenty of time to put his stamp on things and he has without doubt failed ... time to go .
Anton Garvey
24 Posted 02/05/2016 at 16:20:17
Great article, Mark. I've wached and followed Everton since 1958, nothing will change. It's just the way it is at the Club we were born to follow. No investment by the board, ground falling apart, shopping in pound stretchers for star players, free meals and drinks for directors and friends at home games.
Bill playing the violin while Goodison burns. Carter given a knighthood for not insisting we were given our rightful place in the European Cup after the five year ban that had fuck all to do with Everton.

I could go on Mark, but we would run out of ink. I'm not renewing my seat until this bullshitting Spaniard has gone.
Jack Cross
26 Posted 03/05/2016 at 04:54:21
Well I'm fully behind whatever act of protest is taken.

I said a few weeks back that I wouldn't watch the blues under Martinez, again so I haven't and won't untill he is replaced.

Those of you that have or will be renewing your season tickets for next season, well hopefully there will be a new coach in place. But I prefare to wait and see.

However that doesn't mean you can't stay away from one or all of the remaining matches.

I only wish I had done it sooner. So come on fellow blues lets show BK and his cronies, that were not just talker's and stay away if only for one game.

Money not everything, but princibles are.


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