Everton aren’t any better, they’re just luckier

[Del]

A lot of glee has been emanating from Goodison Park as Evertonians discuss Roberto Martinez firing Everton above Manchester United and David Moyes.

Although Moyes’ departure was on good terms, a single transfer window saw most of the goodwill evaporate and now even the most loyal of Moyes fans are enjoying United’s difficulties. The assumption, of course, is that Roberto Martinez has Everton doing even better than last year, but that is far from the truth.

Instead Everton only have two more points than last year after nine matches. In 2012/13 the squad had four wins, four draws and one defeat for 16 points, while this year has yielded 18 points off five wins, three draws and, again, just one loss. Better yes – but nothing to write home about.

The real reason for the difference in points this season has more to do with luck than anything

On the offensive front, goals are actually down for Everton – from 17 to 14. The defence is slightly improved, conceding 10 goals to last year’s 11, but that leads to a goal difference of four this year as opposed to six.

The real reason for the difference in points this season has more to do with luck than anything. Last year Everton had a stretch of draws where the tying goal seemed to come late in the game for the opposing side.

A few high-profile mistakes from Tim Howard and Seamus Coleman saw Everton drop six points early on last year. This year the defence has done better by keeping four clean sheets as opposed to only two in the first quarter of last season. While two of these clean sheets came in draws, the old adage of never losing when you never concede rings true.

This could indicate an improved defense, but in four of the other five matches, the Toffees conceded two or more goals – not exactly the best evidence. Rather, it seems like Everton are just continuing with the same defence, but the distribution of goals is a little more bunched up.

That said, all that matters is points. If Everton continue with a two-points-per-game average they will get 76 points this season. For those interested, that would have been enough to finish third last year and, with so many of the big teams dropping points early, it could be enough for an even better result this time around.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/10/29/evert...bring-champions-league-qualification-4164815/

 

[Bungle]

 

[Del]

Are they the African Ghost Busters ?

 

[Bungle]

Are they the African Ghost Busters ?

Hahaha you know what that's a great spot.

 

[neil999]

why are late goals lucky? never understood this...unlesss ref adds on unneccesary injury time

 

[Pabbers]

Such a bitter article.

 

[Matelot]

The writer of that piece doesn't take into account that historically Everton are slow starters in the league. Last seasons start was the exception not the norm.

 

[ijjysmith]

Are they the African Ghost Busters ?

I'd watch that.

 

[EFC78]

Piss poor article written by someone very bitter. I'm starting to get the feeling people are really pissed off that we have done so well under Martinez so far. Who knows if we can keep it up but it's probably the same people who predicted us to come 10th and below at the start of the season and are now feeling a bit daft at their ****e predictions.

The media seems to be targeting us to get our players sent off as well as going over decisions that have gone for us, despite way more going against us.

If i'm being honest, then I would say we have rode our luck at times this season but as everyone knows, the two main reasons why we are doing so well is down to Lukaku, and Martinez' ability to change games for the better with his substitutions. Something Moyes could rarely do.

 

[MickM86]

It's articles like this that spur us on.

 

[BlueLlama]

Metro though. The free paper that shows you get what you pay for

 

[AdamEFC]

why are late goals lucky? never understood this...unlesss ref adds on unneccesary injury time

I agree, it's not luck to score inside the allocated time that game is played in.

 

[nigelcoyb]

Just desperate stuff the writer comes over as one of the misguided remnants of the Moyes FC lobby

We are better without Moyes but so many theorists bluffed their way along with bollocky stats about why the end was nigh if Moyes went.

Looking idiotic is never nice but these people were wrong and fair play most put their hands up but this tool is a perfect representation of the one or two who simply can't cope.

 

[EFC78]

It baffled me how the so called experts thought that the same squad of players that came 6th last season were just going to crumble when Moyes left. Internationals such as Jagielka and Baines, players like Mirallas who could win games on his own with individual brilliance against Stoke and Tottenham etc. Suddenly we would just turn in to a mid table team behind the Stokes and West Broms.

All that despite the fact that Martinez showed he was a good manager with Wigan.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Total bilge - no wonder they didn't put their name to it!

Written by either a plastic kopite or an armchair Manc - nailed on.