From My Seat: Arsenal (H)

Something is wrong. Will the new owner notice we are going backwards with such talent and perhaps determine to find out why?

Ken Buckley 19/03/2016 73comments  |  Jump to last

After the euphoria of the Chelsea win and the recovery from a night's singing and dancing down Walton Road and County Road – not to mention the odd glass of the inebriating liquid – we gathered again in the Room of Nonsense looking forward to the continuation of our cup form. And with Besic for Barry being the only change we were confident that we could muster another home win.

The walk up was on the quiet side but the numbers making that journey seemed to suggest a full house from fans full of confidence and taking in the magic that is matchday down Goodison Way. We had Lukaku and Barkley starting and Stones and Deulofeu in reserve so what could go wrong?

Z Cars rang out. The handshake was completed and off we went. Now, for all the fine words from last week whether from Chairman, new owner, manager, fans or players we proceeded to produce a performance that was, quite frankly, second best. Arsenal were the better team from first to last and for the first time ever our present manager could offer no words other than to entirely agree.

As early as the first couple of minutes saw us gain a corner that was fired in low and Coleman got part of his foot to it and the ball clipped the outside of the post. A positive start that well interested the crowd but, alas, it was a touch downhill from there. Arsenal went up the other end and put a good joined-up one together that saw Welbeck come along the by-line and a desperate effort from Besic saw the ball fly from his foot, hit Welbeck and divert on to the outside of our post for a goal-kick so we are even in the hard luck stakes.

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However Arsenal kicked on where we didn’t. They were sharp and incisive while we were hesitant and unsure. Just five minutes after us hitting their post they proved the point when an incisive move that jetted the ball across the green sward ended with Welbeck looking in an offside position (yet he wasn’t due to the speed of the move) leaving him with the simple task of rounding our keeper and slotting. It looked easy but I wished we could show that methodology and awareness and understanding from time to time. Wenger has been getting some stick of late which must show how high he has raised expectations down North London way.

This was to be the way of the first half where we had one shot on target from, I believe, Besic who along with Barkley and McCarthy had become the butt of the crowd’s ire yet I believed they were trying their best but today the function of the team helped no player.

Meanwhile Arsenal were playing a patient passing game that gave little away yet maintained a dangerous presence up front. We were looking a little desperate at times and were our own worst enemies by giving the ball away cheaply after playing it out. Just a few minutes to half time and with me praying to go in just one down to allow changes that were surely necessary disaster struck. A back-to-front move was constructed from our attack at pace and the debutant Iwobi was put in down our right and he outpaced Mori, drew Robles and slotted past him with ease. Not yet halftime but somehow even a diehard Blue just knew we lacked the wherewithal today to rescue even a point.

H/T 0-2

The half time chat was not for publication but we did have a live pop group that royally entertained us. It was a reincarnation of ‘The Drifters’, a quartet that topped our pop charts in 1960 with ‘Save the Last Dance for Me’ followed by ‘Stand by Me’. While they were singing and harmonising the junior ‘Drifters’ quartet danced to the songs in some style. It’s a bit of a bugger when you come to follow your beloved team and a pop group steals the show.

The second half got under way and our present manager replaced Besic with Stones and changed our shape to three at the back with fullbacks roaring on. Trouble was not much changed except for the fuses of many a speccy, to such an extent that you can forget ‘get behind your team’ as individual players and manager were fair game as balls went astray.

Arsenal were comfortable now and were showing being more than capable of seeing the game out. Attacks for us are hard to find to report on. 30 minutes left and Jags headed just over from a corner. It was sad to hear fans yell for Barkley to be taken off. Yes, I agree he had not been at his best but to me he did look our only player who just might create something, but with fifteen to go the manager relented and swopped Ross for Deulofeu who never looked like creating anything.

John Stones was looking like he was not too bothered and produced a couple of fancy flicks in our defensive third which looked to me like no more than two fingers to the Park End. I really, really hope I am totally wrong with that observation.

The clock ticking down and if anything it was Arsenal having a last hurrah as a speedy counter set up their sub Giroud who netted, only to be called back for a foul on Jags. With the ground emptying like a giant sieve ,Giroud set a mighty roar from the travelling Gunners who thought he had scored but his shot had rippled the wrong side of the net. Such had been our performance todays ref one Clattenberg was able to leave the pitch with no verbal assault with all the boos being directed to our own.

MotM – Jags

Overall that was disappointing but if anything it shows how much we rely on a 35-year-old and that is just not good enough. Many a pundit ridicules us fans for having a go at our present manager but it needs bearing in mind that after many of us shelling out for a season ticket and to date be walking off the ground after our EIGHTH DEFEAT and just FOUR wins to celebrate, is it any wonder considering the same pundits tell us what great players we have? Something is wrong. Will the new owner notice we are going backwards with such talent and perhaps determine to find out why?

UP THE BLUES

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Reader Comments (73)

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Ian Brandes
1 Posted 19/03/2016 at 20:59:58
Great report, Ken, on a dismal disgraceful day.

If only our present manager can transform himself into our FORMER manager!

Michael Evans
2 Posted 19/03/2016 at 21:06:18
Thank you, Ken, for, as ever, an excellent report for those who can’t get to see the game.

I think the greatest crime any manager can commit is to send out a team of players who play without heart, spirit, grit, determination, blood and guts etc.

This great club and the fans deserve so much better!

Peter Mills
3 Posted 19/03/2016 at 21:12:19
Ken, I agree. The Drifters stole the show.
Christopher Dover
4 Posted 19/03/2016 at 21:16:42
Good report Ken. You very nicely put the points without shouting or abuse, and after today's game that takes some doing.

The themes on all the threads, Martinez Out Now.

Mike Hughes
5 Posted 19/03/2016 at 21:47:29
Unsurprisingly low word count compared to your usual report, Ken. Your typical restraint was there but it’s difficult to hide the fact that RM has fewer and fewer supporters now.

(An image of Adolph Hitler in April 1945 just came to mind...)

I’ve said it consistently since January 2015 that he has to go – he is clearly not the right man for the job. It’s been glaringly obvious for so long now that I can’t believe he has any backers.

The calendar years of 2015 (throw in Christmas 2014 as well) and also 2016 (to date) have been a total disgrace for Everton FC on so many levels. There’s no sign of any lessons learned – quite the opposite.

If RM stays beyond May 2016, then it is both a dereliction of duty as well a sign of weakness and / or mediocrity by the Board. That potentially will adversely affect ticket sales, TV money etc.

I’m hoping for a brave new dawn with Mr Moshiri. A signal of intent – sacking this fraudulent employee – would be a good starting point.

Mr Moshiri – don’t give him any funds. Before considering it, think of which other Premier League team would employee RM. I’d suggest there is no other club in the top flight that would consider him. He’s destined for the lower leagues or TV / radio punditry after this shambles.

(And before someone posts, "So who would you replace him with?" – I have no idea. But I – like every other normal Everton fan – have no bearing on who gets the job so it’s an unfair question. That’s no reason to keep him. He’s taking us backwards, so cut the losses at the end of this season.)

"Oh, wait for the next 12 games, then the next etc." A snake oil salesman if ever there was one. I can’t wait to see the back of him.

Gerard Carey
6 Posted 19/03/2016 at 21:57:16
Thanks again, Ken. I find it hard to understand how we could not carry over a bit of last Saturday's fire to today. We just seemed so lethargic today.
Dave Ganley
8 Posted 19/03/2016 at 22:25:53
Thanks for the report, Ken. After staying at the ground to the bitter end, I understand how hard it must have been to write this.

If Everton don’t get rid of this man as soon as, or at least at the end of the season, then it will show exactly the zero ambition at the club. The RS soon got rid of Rodgers, Chelski got rid of Maureen, Man City rid of Pellegrini and Man Utd rid of Moyes when it was apparent it wasn't working.

Martinez is making us a laughing stock and has a much worse record than any of those clubs and yet he is still here. Before anybody brings the amount of money the other clubs spend, save your breath. We have spent more money than we have ever done and performed woefully on par with the dismal days of the mid 90s.

8 defeats at home!! Crikey, say what you like about Moyes but I always expected to win at home with him in charge. I read a stat earlier that Moyes only lost 5 of his last 90 home games!! Martinez really does make Moyes look like a football genius compared to him. No more. Enough is definitely enough. He can win every game between now and the end of the season for all I care, I still want him gone.

It's up to the board to show some common sense and ambition and get rid. The words pitiful, pathetic, spineless, gutless, weak... I could go on... spring to mind. I despair if he doesn’t get the sack. Cup win or not, his time was up 12 months ago – let alone now.

Ian Smitham
9 Posted 19/03/2016 at 22:57:25
Ken, I almost feel and taste your feelings. I note also the shorter report than usual and the reference to "present Manager". Your report is always well balanced and, for me, reflects the game and the mood around the Ground. Thanks,
Ian
Phil Walling
11 Posted 19/03/2016 at 23:50:13
Hardly needs saying that I've never had time for Martinez but his players let him down badly today. In so doing, they let down themselves as well as those of you who pay to watch them.

I suspect the fate of OPM is tied to the FA Cup but – if we continue to slide down the league – even to win it would leave a very sour taste.

Andy Crooks
12 Posted 20/03/2016 at 00:13:08
Phil, the FA Cup should not be enough.

Ken, you always take a balanced view, so, what do you say, Martinez Out?

Phil Sammon
13 Posted 20/03/2016 at 00:16:45
The FA Cup will not be enough in my opinion.

However, I feel Evertonians will soon be suffering the worst of both worlds. Knocked out of the Cup and Martinez still not getting the boot.

Kenwright has very publicly told Moshiri that Everton are not a sacking club.

Andy McNabb
14 Posted 20/03/2016 at 00:47:14
Can't even comment, except to express my sympathy to those of you with season tickets.

I took the coward's way out - saw the writing on the wall and switched off the TV 5 seconds after the start of the match. When I woke in the middle of the night, I was relieved to find I hadn't wasted precious sleep time watching that.

Brian Dagnall
16 Posted 20/03/2016 at 02:02:08
Thanks, Ken.

When a man of your normally gentle words says so plainly "he has to go" then that is evidence enough for the rest of us. I think the man adds nothing to the team or club style and is just a waste of our time.

My only disagreement with you was "Arsenal playing a patient passing game". I think we sometimes play a patient passing game across and back. What Arsenal have is speedy midfielders who can play a good pass and keep moving forward to receive one back. How I wish our team could do that and make those exciting forward runs. Never see it.

Arsenal were technically better than us by a country mile. Men and boys and with RM in charge I feel we will always be boys relying on the individual brilliance of one or two great players. Even their backs play better passes than our Cleverley and McCarthy. We need to update and upgrade our playing style.

Anto Byrne
17 Posted 20/03/2016 at 04:12:20
We are 12th and effectively our season in the league was over whereas Arsenal needed to keep going and try to catch Leicester. So, other than an FA Cup tie coming up, it seemed to me the players weren't that interested, gave them space, and let them play and dictate the game.

It was a nicely worked goal from Arsenal but, as we gifted them space and time to play, no-one took responsibility to win the ball back and hence one-nil. The second was a fiasco with Baines so far out of position it was criminal and then to watch his half-hearted attempt to get back just about summed up this team. Game over as we saw a master class in defending a two-nil lead.

I am more than happy to forgo the FA Cup in exchange for a proper manager with a balanced team who know how to defend, win matches with a bit of passion, grit and determination. We have now conceded the most goals and losing eight home games is relegation form, only won 9 games out of 29 – that's a joke.
Derek Thomas
18 Posted 20/03/2016 at 06:44:09
OPM couldn’t have picked a worse game to bollocks up than Arsenal... just imagine, Mr Moshiri having to go back to the board room at full time and smile hospitably through gritted teeth to his former ’associates’... really getting on the new bosses good side there, Bobby.

I stepped away from the live forum for a few mins at the end for a pee... well, you get the picture. I came back glass refilled with something stronger in the pain deadening line and saw ’Martinez out’. I held the scroll down button until my finger went numb, all I got was variations on the same theme until I got fed up and went to bed.

Got to be ’When, not if’ now surely.

The thing is though, the ’Acolytes and Disciples’ and there are many, they’re just keeping a low profile, will, unless the new guy hits the ground running, will always remain convinced that he would’ve got it right given more time.

No lads (and lasses), he wouldn’t; it is/has and will get worse.

Dick Fearon
19 Posted 20/03/2016 at 07:18:13
In comparing our squad’s fitness with that of other PL sides we are quite clearly lacking in that department.

Is that something else to be sacrificed at the altar of possession at all cost?

Ernie Baywood
20 Posted 20/03/2016 at 07:22:32
I'm going to look on the bright side. If you wanted to convince a new boy that the squad needs investment, that performance would have done it.
Christopher Dover
21 Posted 20/03/2016 at 07:53:21
Following on from Ernie 20 looking on the bright side, if that performance does not convince Moshiri that the team needs a new manager then nothing will.

I hope someone puts a league table in his kitchen so he can see many times a day what he has bought into and start the ruthless streak straight away not the end of the season.

Ian Bennett
22 Posted 20/03/2016 at 08:49:57
Some players should be embarrassed to pick up their wages this week. A totally gutless performance in defence and attack, totally flat of any intelligence, skill or commitment. Besic, McCarthy, Funes Mori and Barkley were all dreadful.

Some have been calling for a team without Gareth Barry – we’ll there you go. This team is clueless without a 35-year-old midfielder, golden generation or not. Blame Martinez, and blame the rest of the senior squad on that pitch yesterday, leadership....

David Greenwood
23 Posted 20/03/2016 at 08:57:48
Great report as always, Ken.

There are so many excellent points made across all the threads relating to yesterday’s game. It’s difficult to know where to start. I’ll have a go though.

During the warm-up, the players were given green bands for their ankles and spent three or four minutes stretching. Not Besic, he stood and chatted to Baines the entire time. For the remaining warm-up, he went through the motions, putting in a half-hearted attempt.

McCarthy came out the dressing room 7 minutes after the warm-up started and joined the others. I wonder if there is any correlation between their lack of pre-match professionalism and the muscle injuries both suffer from?

Jones and Lawrence stood and watched this warm-up. Neither dug both players out and it did get me wondering if the players have a lack of respect for our management team and know that there will be no consequences to their actions.

Why were the Arsenal players quicker, fitter, sharper, more interested, more motivated, better organised, more tactically aware than ours? What do our players do at their work all week?

Two-nil down and needing to score? If only we had a £ 13 million centre-forward we could have brought on. Why did we sign Niasse? He is doing what Naismith did except at £5 million and £30k a week higher cost to the club.

I’ve only skimmed the surface, there are many more questions and points that could be made.

Finally, not even an FA Cup win should save Bobby. I desperately hope we win it, and if Bobby is still in charge he gets the open top bus on the Sunday and is clearing out his desk on the Monday. Our Premier League form and more importantly results are not good enough.

Dave Abrahams
24 Posted 20/03/2016 at 09:08:40
Thanks once again for your patient take on the Blues, we really and truly are the "Blues" now.

I’ve had a go on another thread so will follow your gentle appraisal of our team and just hope that Mr Moshiri knows enough about football to do what needs to be done, and I think about 90 per cent of us know what that is.

Geoff Williams
25 Posted 19/03/2016 at 09:09:13
I don’t know what is wrong; that was the best team available and we were hopeless. I think those out there who see Besic as Barry’s natural successor are wrong.
I have no faith in Martinez or his coaching staff. I would be tempted to make Gareth Barry player manager til the end of the season.
Niall McIlhone
26 Posted 20/03/2016 at 09:10:39
I read your report on my iPad yesterday evening, Ken, before anyone had posted a comment. I myself refrained from commenting, because I was so angry at that performance, I thought I’d just rant. Seeing what others are saying on here, the reaction is pretty much the same as mine.

The point Dick (#19) makes is a good one – we just don’t look ready to compete at the level required; the conditioning of the players appears poor, and that is, for me, a damning indictment of this regime.

The fitness of the team is a fundamental that Moyes ALWAYS got right, but under OPM and his coaches, the performances are all over the place, week-on-week – hence the "chalk and cheese" outputs vs Chelsea and Arsenal. Unacceptable.

Steavey Buckley
27 Posted 20/03/2016 at 09:27:48
Everton still want to isolate Lukaku even when playing at home. That's down to Martinez's tactics not the players. Everton would be more effective if they played 4-3-3 and play to Lukaku's strengths, which is getting the ball forward and wide as quickly as possible, instead of waiting for the opposition to get players behind the ball as Everton keep passing in front of them.

Anto Byrne
28 Posted 20/03/2016 at 09:35:17
Here is a thought: Jose Mourhino – not everyone’s cup of tea but, if Man Utd want him, why not Everton? We have the players in Stones and Lukaku, even Funes Mori and Barkley, we have Deulofeu and we have Mirallas, even a few kids knocking on the door. I would be showing Martinez the door and offering Jose a job until the summer to see out the season and maybe lift the FA Cup.

Maybe he would stay on as we then have some investment to strengthen some key areas and address weaknesses in the team. With Mourhino, we could get Rooney back and give him the captain's job. Rooney, Barkley, Deulofeu, Lukaku, Stones, Jagielka, Galloway, Oviedo and Lennon.

I’m not a fan of overlapping fullbacks leaving the team exposed at the back, especially when their end-product is non existent. Leave it to the specialist wingmen. I think Cleverley is a good player and would thrive under a Mourhino. There is the makings of a very good side; with the right man at the helm, they could become a real top four team.

Yes, I know he wouldn’t take no for Stones but someone offering me £38 million for a 21-year-old who is good on the ball but weak in the air – that is good business. There is also a rumor that Man Utd are prepared to pay £64 million for Rom. Two players on the books worth £100 million – for that money, we can't get decent replacements?

I would be listening to offers for Baines and Coleman and, as I don’t rate McCarthy that highly, he can go to. Yes, we have Barry... but we still concede lots of goals, so I would let him go to enjoy America with Howard.

I want defenders who can defend, a keeper worth 20 points a season, and someone in the middle directing play and making everyone accountable. First things first – it's time to give Roberto a taxi from Goodison Park before he does any more damage.

Phil Walling
29 Posted 20/03/2016 at 10:17:14
Sky Sunday Supplement: Panel agree Everton are 'massively under-achieving' and 'Martinez is a myth'.

Custis says 'Word is out that Moyes is on his way back and his team organization would be welcomed.'

Really?

Peter Barry
30 Posted 20/03/2016 at 10:37:57
Yes, the players were gutless; yes, they passed more to Arsenal shirts than Everton ones; yes, the game plan – what game plan? – was useless; yes, we had almost no shots at all on target; yes, the players looked knackered long before full time; yes, the WRONG substitutes at the WRONG time were used AGAIN.

But there is only one common denominator in all of that – Martinez and I am pleased to say it was me that started the MARTINEZ OUT meme on the TW Live Forum.

Gary Woodward
31 Posted 20/03/2016 at 10:41:09
Oh no... please not Moyes.
Dave Williams
32 Posted 20/03/2016 at 11:32:34
All Moyes ever did wrong was pave the way for a move to MU. He worked wonders with not much money, knows how to organise and galvanise a team and takes no messing from players or indeed other managers.

Yes, he had a defeatist attitude in big games but I doubt he would with this squad. A debate not for this thread perhaps but I d have him back, Phil.

(That said, I returned to my first wife once before realising what a mistake that was so who am I to opine on this!!)

Ray Roche
33 Posted 20/03/2016 at 11:47:36
Good report Ken, and it just shows how far we’ve fallen when we have a manager using the omission of a 35-year-old as the excuse for yet another home defeat. If that is the case, why hasn’t the fool brought in a player who can do that job and isn’t of pensionable age?

(Incidentally, I thought Ben E King had left the Drifters when he released Stand By Me.... The Drifters...one of my favourites ever. My mate went to see a group claiming to be the "original" Drifters... two of them were white!)

Terence Tyler
34 Posted 20/03/2016 at 11:58:49
Lost count of the times I said to myself over the Moyes tenure, if only this manager had more financial backing, we would've achieved a lot more. I think he would be more wise, and appreciative, if he was to return. Still not sure though.
John Audsley
35 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:04:02
Moyes back would be the wrong move.

We need a world class manager who will have time and money to take us forward.

Moyes had his time and this would be a backwards step.

Colin Glassar
36 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:09:51
Behave Phil, I didn’t hear fat boy (LVG words, not mine) Custiss say that and, can we please put to bed once and for all this urban myth about OFM's defensive prowess? I believe (correct me if I’m wrong) that we suffered some of our heaviest defeats in our history under ginger e.g. Arsenal, Bucharest, Benfica etc... plus some pathetic defensive blunders like Yobo tying his laces and Pip Neville scoring some cracking oggies.

Yes, his defence was slightly better than the current one but his substitutions, tactics and general play were just as shite as they are today and he’d never have gotten the likes of Lukaku, Gerri and Besic to sign for him, with or without money.

Kevin Johnson
37 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:13:31
Moyes is a distant memory, Everton have moved on. We need a World class manager to get us to the next level. That Whelan from Wigan is laughing his head off. He will be calling agent Martinez back soon as mission is accomplished.
Paul Tran
38 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:25:29
If we welcome Moyes back, we'd hit the top eight every season, win nothing and prove to the world we're the small club we believe we aren't.

With the alleged investment to come, surely we can find a manager who has won and will win trophies?

Tony Cheek
39 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:42:47
How can we expect to compete with teams like Arsenal with the most boring central midfield trio I think we have ever had. What do McCarthy and Cleverley do really? Run around tackling, win the ball and then either give it sidewards or backwards. They use to take the piss out of Rodwell for his lack of forward passes, but he was bleeding Messi compared to these two. Surely these kind of players are becoming more and more redundant in the modern game.

As for Barkley, yes, he can be a diamond. But how many games this season have you said afterwards "Barkley was great today"? He is a very overrated player at the moment, and for all his skill, gets very little out of it!

Where are the slide rule passes that Lukaku needs? He must dream of playing in front of an Ozil or a Silva, or a Coutinho. What does he get to work with? The only through balls he got yesterday were played outside the full backs. He had to run out to the side lines to collect!

Personally I would rather see Osman, Pienaar and Co. At least they can see an opening when it appears.

Kevin Tully
40 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:51:22
I can't believe what I'm reading. Get rid of a failing manager and bring one in who has been unceremoniously SACKED from his last two jobs.

This site baffles me sometimes.

Dan Davies
41 Posted 20/03/2016 at 12:51:23
David Moyes, as much as l liked him, is the past we have a chance of looking forward to a bright future. I wouldn’t mind Moyes back at the club in some capacity but not as manager.

With the new investment, the sky is the limit. Let’s go and get the best man for the job, whoever that may be. I would like the club to bring in somebody who is a proven winner, a big name to make the rest of the Premier League sit up and take notice.

Patrick Murphy
43 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:06:40
This is a critical moment in the history of Everton Football Club and the hierarchy had better wake up and smell the coffee, I don’t want a managerial change that involves any former employees of the club – no matter how well they did in the past. The club has been living in the past for far too long and has somehow managed to get though without too much damage being done; however, now is the time for brave and visionary leadership not the make-do and mend mentality that has pervaded in the Premier League era.

I’m not asking for the club to bounce straight into the Champions League or a title challenge given our budget in comparison to the really rich clubs but surely we can have a manager and a team who can entertain and gain points on a regular basis, without the need to stick to a particular philosophy over another.

Is it too much to ask that the eleven players on the pitch at any given time are fit and able to compete with our opponents? Is it too much to ask that the team are well-drilled in the art of defence and have a purpose when they actually do have the ball?

We don’t need Moyes, we don’t need Martinez – we need a manager who can get the best of whichever players are available to him, a manager who can enthuse his players in every minute of every game. We need a manager who lets his players do the talking where it matters out on the pitch. We need a manager whose sole purpose is to win as many games as possible. We need a manager who does not allow the club’s PR department to interfere with his time with his players.

Football is and always has been about what is done on the pitch and until Everton FC realise as a club, that it’s sole purpose is to win football matches and the rest of it, no matter how laudable, is secondary.

Colin Glassar
44 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:19:08
Totally agree with Kevin and Patrick. Kevin.

I would also add, believe it or not, the likes of Pellegrini and Wenger being mentioned. To misquote Christanne Amanpour (CNN) "Really Mr Evertonian? Manuel Pellegrini?" A man who has spent over £300m in two seasons to end up with a Micky Mouse cup and a league title. I would prefer a younger, hungrier manager than him

As for Wenger, well he inherited a fantastic defence and in all fairness (like Martinez) added a bit of flair and steel with the likes of Viera, Petit, Henry, Pires, Bergkamp etc....but once that invincible team came to an end what has he done? Two FA cups in ten years and top 4 finishes. He's looked clueless ever since.

Their cycle has come to an end and we should be looking elsewhere not at these two.

Andy Crooks
46 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:39:09
Surely no one could contemplate the return of Moyes. I know I said anyone but Martinez but not Moyes. We pay good money, we have a record of supporting a manager. This is a great club with the chance of investment. We can surely attract the very best.
Barry Pearce
47 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:48:38
Most people on this site want Martinez out, me included. I have since December 2014.

This is a results-driven business, and our results are way below par.

Are the hierarchy waiting for Martinez to wave a magic wand, and it will suddenly change? Martinez is clueless.

Anthony Garvey
48 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:50:02
Niasse, he’s super fit, a fighter, never gives up? Will we ever find out? Not while Martinez is our manager. Barkley’s our diamond according to RM, he still doesn't know were to play him.

Relegation out of the question? Not with Martinez. Sooner or later.

Kenwright – don't be taken in with his bullshit like you were with Walter Smith.
Kevin Tully
49 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:51:28
If we offer enough money, we can attract nearly any manager we want. Who would have thought Benitez would go to Newcastle, or Klopp to Liverpool?

With our new owner, and an attractive transfer kitty, we should be aiming for the very best. Diego Simeone would be my choice.

Phil Walling
50 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:53:12
Colin; don't call me a liar. That is exactly what the man said. Doesn't mean it will happen, though!
Michael Penley
51 Posted 20/03/2016 at 13:58:57
It should be obvious to anyone that Martinez has no idea what he is doing. He said after the game that it was the worst we had played this season. But that should have been obvious after the first half. And yet we went back out and played exactly the same.

If the players are not in a passing ’moment’ that day, don’t send them out to pass endlessly sideways. Change the tactics to give us a chance of scoring. I don’t care what it is. Send a player up next to Rom when Jags has the ball for a long ball and knock down.

It’s clear he doesn’t know how to analyse problems, doesn’t know how to fix them. That is the least we should be able to ask from a manager.

Andrew Ellams
52 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:05:48
Andy Dunne was on MotD Extra this morning and claimed the inside word was Martinez was going nowhere this summer.
Phil Walling
53 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:08:34
Truth is, nobody can know how a particular manager will perform at any given time.

Had Kenwright replaced Martinez with Ranieri last summer, this forum would have gone into orbit.

And it wouldn't have been with joy, either!

Tore Fredlund
54 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:14:50
Only read From My Seat on ToffeeWeb after games like that. Fair, and tells it like it is.
Colin Glassar
55 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:22:47
I’ve got Sunday Supplement recorded, Phil, so I’ll listen to it again. I didn’t hear Custiss mention OFM but if he did I’m sure he was only joking.

Andrew, if that’s true then next season could be either magic or tragic. Who knows, maybe managers do need three seasons minimum to change things around. I can’t see Moshiri keeping Martinez on tbh.

Phil Walling
56 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:22:56
Roberto is 20/1 – eighth favourite to be sacked next. If I bet at all it will be on him starting next season still in the hotseat.

Bill is still calling the shots on all football matters, I feel.

Andrew Ellams
57 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:29:18
If Moshiri thinks Kenwright and Martinez are the right men for Everton then my faith in his judgement starts off pretty low.
Kev Wood
58 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:34:36
I thought we fell into Arsenal’s trap too easily yesterday. Like ’em or loathe 'em they are a very skilful team who play the tight passing triangle game very well. We lost out to this. My neighbour in Top Balcony told his Mrs that we were playing them too tight – trouble is don’t know if backing off would have helped.

The brute in me suggests that kicking them up in the air a few times would have changed things – but you wouldn’t want me to replace Roberto so I won’t push that here. Anyway, let’s win what we can in the league but nail things down in the cup. Like all true Evertonians, I’ll renew my ST and look forward to better days.

Onwards and upwards!

Colin Glassar
59 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:38:01
I think Moshiri will bide his time Andrew until May. By then he will know who is who. He will be able to see who is the real deal and who are the bullshitters. We are not in relegation trouble and still have a chance of silverware but the league position will be the deciding factor and possible transfer requests.

I can see a repeat of The night of the long knives before the end of May. Heads will roll, I hope.

Joe Duffin
60 Posted 20/03/2016 at 14:54:05
Hello Ken,

I watched the game from a different seat I normally get, back in Row NN of the Main Stand. I had a friend and his sons (who are Arsenal fans), and I told them at the start of the game to watch Besic (he is one of my favourite players, told him how well he had marked Messi at the World Cup, and of previous games for EFC). I had been expecting an exhilarating defensive display of hard tackles and nice tight passing – from the off, he seemed ill and off the pace.

I know what you are saying about the general midfield, but I genuinely belief that Besic was played when he was either injured or had an illness – he didn't run, he didn't track players, seem devoid of energy.

I am not saying this is the sole reason we lost, but two of the goals come from mistakes from him. Also, it's not like Martinez to take off a player, so he must have had something wrong.

Did anyone else think this?

ps: Thanks for your reports.

Dan Davies
61 Posted 20/03/2016 at 15:18:02
Kevin (#49). Exactly. I read somewhere Moshiri said he wants to bring back success to the club like we had in the 80s; if that’s the case, we should go and get the best manager possible to achieve that goal.

Everton have been starved of success for too long so let’s make a big statement managerial wise to show Moshiri means business and have the Sky Sports presenters choking on their cornflakes!

Trevor Peers
62 Posted 20/03/2016 at 16:14:39
If Roberto stays it will generate years of total despair equal to when Agent Johnson refused to sell the club, before Bill Kenwright took over.

Proving that despite having a new owner we will have remained exactly where we have been for decades in deep shit. What will of been the point of Farhad Moshiri buying his shares?

He must offload Martinez to earn our respect.

Julian Wait
63 Posted 20/03/2016 at 16:47:33
There has to be a better choice than Martinez, given the money coming in next season. I would think the fella who replaced Klopp in Germany or the River Plate manager could both be a surprise – and young – choice, but realistically we need someone with EPL experience and that means Hiddink, Koeman or even Howe for me, in that order of preference (and experience).

I like the way that Howe handles himself in interviews, and has dealt with injury setbacks, and I like the way Koeman came back to beat the RS today .... and of course Hiddink has done a great job sorting out Chelsea’s stinking league form and getting them organized.

Tony Hill
64 Posted 20/03/2016 at 18:55:15
I have a sinking feeling that absolutely nothing is going to happen. If I could, I think I would try to sever my allegiance to the club but of course I can't and never will. And yet I don't think I have ever felt so low about Everton nor have I ever felt so disconnected from the owners, the management and the players.

I have never thought about not renewing my season ticket but I won't this time round on the assumption that this disaster remains in charge. I go to the game now because of memories and our tradition and because it's always been part of my life but I'm going through the motions and the match experience at Goodison is generally excruciating.

I saw Martinez in the crowd at the Manchester derby today and I thought, fucking hell we're stuck with him. I know this is a grumpy, miserable post but it's what I feel at the moment.

Jay Harris
65 Posted 20/03/2016 at 19:53:39
In these days of young overpaid prima donnas that don't give a fig about the fans we need a really strong and capable manager.

Martinez is obviously not the answer and never was.

Moshiri is no mug and although he may be a gentleman he has already set his stall out in demanding success.

Expect a major overhaul in the summer with Lukaku, Stones and others going and hopefully a bright new dawn with the likes of Hiddink, Mourhino, Simeone etc being tapped up for our managerial vacancy..

John Steadman
66 Posted 20/03/2016 at 20:05:01
Taxi time – no ifs, no buts. How can he stand on the touchline, arms across his chest with his brown shoes on, not giving the players any verbal stick or gestures???

The man is not good enough for us, two Semi-Finals or not, teams have us worked out, press high and we still don't have a Plan B!

2-0 down at home and we bring on a defender, who now looks short of confidence.

Give me strength... NO, GIVE ME A NEW MANAGER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dave Abrahams
67 Posted 20/03/2016 at 20:06:08
Tony (#65),

I can’t speak for anyone else, but the way you feel is exactly the way I feel, and I wouldn’t be surprised if there wasn’t plenty of Blues who feel the same way.

It is mostly down to the fact the way Martinez is running the club, or ruining it would be a better description.

Barry McNally
68 Posted 20/03/2016 at 20:36:11
I hope Bobby still has the receipt for Niasse, what's he saving him for / from.
Geoff Williams
70 Posted 20/03/2016 at 21:41:50
I thought Besic looked overweight. He looked much heavier than Barkley. This could be one of the reasons why he was so off the pace of the game. Mind it wouldn't account for his poor passing. Based on Saturday's game we need three top class midfielders.

Still hurting after such an inept performance.

Terence Tyler
71 Posted 20/03/2016 at 22:25:08
From one or two snippets coming from Finch Farm: Playing Niasse would be like putting a nail in his own coffin. Apparently he’s that bad.
Colin Glassar
72 Posted 20/03/2016 at 22:35:38
Krøldrup bad, Terence?
Clive Mitchell
73 Posted 20/03/2016 at 22:42:12
Great report, Ken – we looked mediocre and to have several sub-standard players, but Ross Barkley wasn’t and never could be one of them. Worrying times.

Phil (#53) – best comment on this thread. I don’t for example remember people clamouring that Howard Kendall or Alex Ferguson were about to rip up trees just before ’it’ started. And no-one said that Spurs chap (replaced by Redknapp) would be a disaster before he was. But as for Moyes second time around...

Patrick Murphy
74 Posted 20/03/2016 at 22:45:10
Clive (#74),

Did any of those managers oversee a nine-game league run at home that yielded just one win and two draws and six defeats – just saying!

Terence Tyler
75 Posted 20/03/2016 at 23:07:54
We were two-down yesterday, and he preferred to bring a centre half on before a £13 million striker... tells it's own story for me.

I watched his YouTube clips before we bought him, they are usually flattering; his were not.

Dave Abrahams
76 Posted 21/03/2016 at 00:14:33
Clive (#74) Besic was very poor yesterday and was replaced at half-time, Barkley was mediocre and substandard yesterday and in plenty of games this season.

He will continue to be mediocre as long as he is allowed to play his non-tackling game; great with the ball, non-existent without it and makes no attempt to try and win the ball. That is mostly down to the manager but the lad himself should realise he is letting his team mates down through this lethargic style.

I will get some stick off some people for this post but that will not deter me from repeating it every time I see Ross play in this way.

Dan Davies
77 Posted 21/03/2016 at 00:48:57
Just watched MotD2 – what the fuck does it take for pundits to question the management at EFC???

It’s a joke... like they want us to be wallowing in our own shit! 20 years of doing fuck all. Wake the fuck up, Everton!!!

Dave Ganley
78 Posted 22/03/2016 at 14:24:07
Spot on, Dave (#76). Ross Barkley has all the tools to be a top player yet, week after week, he is allowed to drift in games doing precisely not a lot. I got slaughtered some weeks ago when I said he was lazy, doesn't tackle or compete for 50/50 balls and rarely sees the obvious through ball for a killer pass. I accept he has somewhere in the region of 8 assists but given that there is absolutely no-one else to see a pass, he should be at least approaching 15 assists rather than single figures.

I would love to see a proper coach get hold of him and show him exactly what it takes to play that position. He has been in and around the first team for 5 years or so now so he should be doing it week after week. Instead he gets to do almost what he wants. Very rarely harassing the opposition, jogging after players who have just waltzed passed him and turning back on himself when he has the ball to kill off any chance of an attack on the break.

It gives me no pleasure whatsoever to say this as we all want Ross to be a success but, until we get a manager who doesn't let him get away with hiding on the pitch, then I fear he will never realise his potential.

Ivan Varghese
79 Posted 25/03/2016 at 05:19:14
Arsenal's 2nd goal was a result of Funes Mori loosing the ball in Arsenal's half. Nobody could stop Arsenal's speedy counter strike. I think it showed FM's bad decision making skills to venture up so far and also take on opposing players while you are the last line of defense. Arsenal's work rate was incredible, Everton were on cruise control

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