Relegation Fight 2014/2015

[efcfanwirral]

In 98 we had Barmby in the hole and Madar and Ferguson pretty much leading the line. You have to also factor in the absolute tosh in other teams back then too. It was a poor division and we were never out of the clutches of the drop zone all season. It was completely dire for about the last 8 months. HK had been let down by Johnson on transfer funds - although I think he agreed to it just to get the job back. It almost cost us.

Madar saved us i think - I remember 2-3 games where he scored in 1-0s. We don't even have that now - the only people chipping in with goals are naismith (stuck out wide), Lukaku (misses loads but doesnt get the service) and Mirallas (bench).

 

[Alex Hindmarsh]

Name me which players actually fight for 'the cause'. Besic potentially is the least capable but he's been benched.
We possess no leaders only players who keep peddling pointless soundbytes that they never back up.
You say we have the best team by a million miles and on paper we do but when was the last time we lived up to that reputation in the league

Every player fights for the cause mate. You can't honestly tell me the players turn up and 'cant be bothered', they give it their all, the tactics are the source of the problem. Even player like Jags who people regularly slate for a lack of effort gives his all every game. We're in a mess, but it's not for a lack of trying on the players part.

 

[ah11984]

We won't go down....thanks to 4 teams who will struggle to get 34/35 points.

But I do worry about what impact the league position could have in the summer, both in terms of players wanting to move on(not the players we want to) and the impact it could have on our transfer budget. We must have budgeted for top 8 or top 10 minimum surely?

 

[royalblue66]

I get the feeling it has only just dawned on Martinez that we are in trouble.

 

[edge]

Even jags has come out and said we're in it at the bottom, but we are all saying the same things we said pre Leicester, wba and expected us to kick on against newcastle, it didn't happen before so no wonder people are starting to panic me included, I have been worried since before Xmas, and if one of the bottom teams gets a bit of a run going , this lot team and manager have yet to show they have the balls for the fight.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Re: the comments about '94 - the prime difference between then and now is back then we went into the season knowing we were likely to be down with the deadmen and in a relegation battle come May.

For it to be happening to us now, when back in July we were focussing on a top 4 place, is taking the piss.

 

[catcherintherye]

In 98 we had Barmby in the hole and Madar and Ferguson pretty much leading the line. You have to also factor in the absolute tosh in other teams back then too. It was a poor division and we were never out of the clutches of the drop zone all season. It was completely dire for about the last 8 months. HK had been let down by Johnson on transfer funds - although I think he agreed to it just to get the job back. It almost cost us.

Yes Madar came in part way through and scored a couple of decent goals. Barmby was in and out and struggled under Kendall really. However we were light years behind where we are now.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Obviously we're only in this because of the tactics etc but I'd have our team over any team in the bottom half if we're getting really desperate. I'd have our manager over any other bottom half team aswell but yeah the blunt attack is a real worry, but that's confidence in my opinion.

I'm not in the "Martinez Out!" camp or anything, but he wouldn't be my first choice for manager in a relegation battle. Pulis is vastly more successful at that aspect of the game

 

[streeky]

Metro newspaper has piece on everton, usually hate this paper because it's so anti everton but this piece hit's every point we have made on this thread.

 

[craigw]

I am feeling so annoyed with our team right now. But I am sure we will not go down. Due to the fact there are at least 3 teams worse than us. Sounds well.

 

[davek]

Yes Madar came in part way through and scored a couple of decent goals. Barmby was in and out and struggled under Kendall really. However we were light years behind where we are now.

Of course. No comparison. We shouldn't be struggling as badly as they were.

The big difference is that back then you knew even if we did survive we'd be back there or thereabouts again next season. With this team we pretty much know it's got potential to achieve because they are the same group essentially as those who played in Martinez's first season.

 

[Alex Hindmarsh]

I'm not in the "Martinez Out!" camp or anything, but he wouldn't be my first choice for manager in a relegation battle. Pulis is vastly more successful at that aspect of the game

Guess so yeah, but he's taken, and I can't think of many better candidates than Bob.

 

[The Esk]

But a few of you are oh so sure we are not even in a relegation dogfight that i assumed you had hard facts for your argument.

People are getting jittery and whilst I can accept that a few of you are staying strong and positive it's too close to comfort for me. But we are all kopites and knee jerkers apparently for being worried about our predicament.

I have never passed comment on what you might or might not be.

We are all entitled to our own opinions and interpretation of events. Noone is a better or worse blue for being positive or negative (within reason) about our prospects. However some are going completely over the top in terms of their reactions to the management, team and fellow supporters.

 

[Khalekan]

i think the crowd atmosphere will be different(i hope) against newcastle, we know now we need a win and we have to get behind the team

I think this is a good point.

Heretofore the attitude was we were faffing around playing crab ball and stuck in mid table limbo.

Reality has now bitten

Now every fan realises relegation is a clear and present danger.

When the Barcodes arrive they will find a very different Goodison to the one Leicester, Baggies, Stoke and Hull found.

But it is no good the fans whipping up a frenzy if we are going to see the same sterility on the pitch.

The atmosphere will just deflate.

We need to play our part on Sunday week......Martinez will need to set the team up to help us to help them.

 

[daz4matty]

I'm not in the "Martinez Out!" camp or anything, but he wouldn't be my first choice for manager in a relegation battle. Pulis is vastly more successful at that aspect of the game

He has form mate.
Look at how wigan flew out of the league