The End of Season Martinez Poll

[samZ]

This time last year we finished the season with a huge amount of optimism. Sine then a number of things should be factored in which has contributed to a disappointing campaign this time around.

World Cup 2014 - we had a number of players involved in the tournament and at the end of a successful season last time some of our players had to prepare for a World Cup. The outcome of the tournament for many of these plays was disappointing with England being eliminated at the group stage. Players then coming home deflated that things have not gone well.

Pre Season - we played 5 games and didn't win any of them. Not ideal for building confidence to start the season.

Fixture Congestion - this season we had the extra fixtures by being involved in the Europa League. Without domestic league and cup competitions and international fixtures this added an even greater strain our our player resources. This was not an issue in the 2013/2014 season.

Player Injuries - Stones had an injury against Man U in October and did not play again in 2014. We found it hard to adjust to him not being in the defence. Also injuries to Distan, Barkley, Baines, Pienaar etc at various important parts of the season.

Left Side of Team - with Piennar ruled out through injury, Martinez tried a number of options in the outside left position. Barkley was put in that position too and was less effective. He is our most talented player and we did not get the best from him in that position.

Team selection - when there was a dip in results and form then Besic, Osman, Piennar, Garbutt etc may have been given opportunities to get back in the team to create that competitiveness in team selection.

Game Management - the confusion over who takes penalties. Repeatedly poor delivery from corners but the corner takers not being rotated. The team unable to change from a one paced game, too predictable with far too many short passes. There is nothing wrong with playing the occasional long ball or diagonal ball to change the strategy going forward. Perhaps greater leadership from senior players needed during game time maybe.

I honestly believe that Martinez and the players will benefit from this seasons experience and hope Martinez gets at least another season with us and then let's see where both he and the Club see as the next stage in the development. I am still optimistic for the new season and hopefully if we can keep our key players at the club and add to the squad with some new signings. I would really like us to bring in a decent left sided footballer to play on the left of midfield the very least.

 

[Woolly Blue]

That's too general and prompted by a poor final day performance.

The truth is that this season we blew hot and cold. The same players that tipped up their and surrendered yesterday were the team that blitzed United 3-0 a month ago.

Baby, bathwater etc....

Not quite that simple mate.

I was at West Ham last week, we won, but looked lost for large parts of that match. I was at Villa and a 3-2 scoreline made it look much closer than it really was. The Britannia in March, we were clueless. Hull on New Years Day, clueless. Burnley away, we won 3-1, but really that massively flattered us.

Countless other matches that we've got points from have been like that too. I've come away from very few games this season thinking we really either came away with less than we deserved or, if we won, the scoreline didn't reflect how superior we were. Off-hand, only Arsenal at home springs to mind as being a game where we were largely boss and the result didn't really reflect that.

Compare that to the previous season where, though we rarely totally turned people over, we often should have done and came away feeling we'd totally dominated teams, and not just in possession stats. It's changed. In his first season, he's shown he can take our squad and do well with it, but it's gone very badly wrong this season. Despite his words in public, I suspect he's lost confidence in himself and that's fed through to the players.

At Christmas, I was all for giving him this season and all of next season too. Now, I'm not too sure about giving him all next season. If he can't turn it round then he'll be looking like a pretty average manager. We need better than bang average and, though I don't know anyone who might be available who'll do a better job, it'd be naive and a little stupid to just carry on regardless without considering alteratives.

 

[The Esk]

Fair enough.

Genuinely surprised at that, tbh.

I'm surprised too to be honest, but yesterday in particular really shocked me - will return to it later

 

[davek]

Which season was it where we got hammered 1-6 in the final game? Don't think it had anything riding on it either.

Can't remember, but yeah, that underlines the point.

Too much being read into a 1-0 defeat in an unimportant game.

 

[davek]

Not quite that simple mate.

I was at West Ham last week, we won, but looked lost for large parts of that match. I was at Villa and a 3-2 scoreline made it look much closer than it really was. The Britannia in March, we were clueless. Hull on New Years Day, clueless. Burnley away, we won 3-1, but really that massively flattered us.

Countless other matches that we've got points from have been like that too. I've come away from very few games this season thinking we really either came away with less than we deserved or, if we won, the scoreline didn't reflect how superior we were. Off-hand, only Arsenal at home springs to mind as being a game where we were largely boss and the result didn't really reflect that.

Compare that to the previous season where, though we rarely totally turned people over, we often should have done and came away feeling we'd totally dominated teams, and not just in possession stats. It's changed. In his first season, he's shown he can take our squad and do well with it, but it's gone very badly wrong this season. Despite his words in public, I suspect he's lost confidence in himself and that's fed through to the players.

At Christmas, I was all for giving him this season and all of next season too. Now, I'm not too sure about giving him all next season. If he can't turn it round then he'll be looking like a pretty average manager. We need better than bang average and, though I don't know anyone who might be available who'll do a better job, it'd be naive and a little stupid to just carry on regardless without considering alteratives.

It balances out over the course of this season. How many times did we pin teams back and get nothing? Loads of times.

As said, this season = swings and roundabouts.

It's not great but it's not something I'd immediately come to the conclusion and think "next season's going to go this way too". We have a transfer window to put matters right. Let's see how that goes and how next season goes too.

 

[dholliday]

Can't remember, but yeah, that underlines the point.

Too much being read into a 1-0 defeat in an unimportant game.

Just found it: was the 1-5 vs Man City in the 03/04 season where we finished 17th on 39 points (tho' no relegation danger before the game if I recall). The season after we famously got top 4.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

It was "more than just a poor performance"? You'll have to elaborate.

It was an end of season non event. Can you remember a tub thumping end to the season when nothing's been at stake? Spurs had 5th to secure. They were motivated to get the result.

I'm surprised at that view of yours because it's makes no sense to me. Maybe you can read body language or something!

When the last game of the season is at home, especially after you've spent the last couple of months admitting how crap the season's been, I'm reluctant to call it a non-event. Where's professional pride...

 

[davek]

Just found it: was the 1-5 vs Man City in the 03/04 season where we finished 17th on 39 points (tho' no relegation danger before the game if I recall). The season after we famously got top 4.

Moyes last game against Chelsea they were hopeless. It happens. Last match = no ones arsed.

 

[dholliday]

When the last game of the season is at home, especially after you've spent the last couple of months admitting how crap the season's been, I'm reluctant to call it a non-event. Where's professional pride...

myth.

 

[TheFinnFan]

"I'd die for liverpool" caller...

talking about cultists.

 

[Yorkie]

This time last year we finished the season with a huge amount of optimism. Sine then a number of things should be factored in which has contributed to a disappointing campaign this time around.

World Cup 2014 - we had a number of players involved in the tournament and at the end of a successful season last time some of our players had to prepare for a World Cup. The outcome of the tournament for many of these plays was disappointing with England being eliminated at the group stage. Players then coming home deflated that things have not gone well.

Pre Season - we played 5 games and didn't win any of them. Not ideal for building confidence to start the season.

Fixture Congestion - this season we had the extra fixtures by being involved in the Europa League. Without domestic league and cup competitions and international fixtures this added an even greater strain our our player resources. This was not an issue in the 2013/2014 season.

Player Injuries - Stones had an injury against Man U in October and did not play again in 2014. We found it hard to adjust to him not being in the defence. Also injuries to Distan, Barkley, Baines, Pienaar etc at various important parts of the season.

Left Side of Team - with Piennar ruled out through injury, Martinez tried a number of options in the outside left position. Barkley was put in that position too and was less effective. He is our most talented player and we did not get the best from him in that position.

Team selection - when there was a dip in results and form then Besic, Osman, Piennar, Garbutt etc may have been given opportunities to get back in the team to create that competitiveness in team selection.

Game Management - the confusion over who takes penalties. Repeatedly poor delivery from corners but the corner takers not being rotated. The team unable to change from a one paced game, too predictable with far too many short passes. There is nothing wrong with playing the occasional long ball or diagonal ball to change the strategy going forward. Perhaps greater leadership from senior players needed during game time maybe.

I honestly believe that Martinez and the players will benefit from this seasons experience and hope Martinez gets at least another season with us and then let's see where both he and the Club see as the next stage in the development. I am still optimistic for the new season and hopefully if we can keep our key players at the club and add to the squad with some new signings. I would really like us to bring in a decent left sided footballer to play on the left of midfield the very least.

All very true, but if the season looks incredibly poor coming up to christmas why not then instead of the rest of the season?

 

[Woolly Blue]

How many times did we pin teams back and get nothing? Loads of times

True, but for the majority of those games, though we had lots of the ball, we got nothing because we didn't threaten, so we didn't really deserve anything. Too much is made of the fact that teams have "worked us out" and either park the bus or press our back four high.

Last season we moved the ball quicker, forward and with more purpose, something which hasn't happened anywhere near as much this season. If you don't move the ball forward quickly then teams have got time to not only park the bus, but they can reverse it slowly into place and make sure anyone getting past has a valid ticket.

 

[marty mcfly]

That's too general and prompted by a poor final day performance.

The truth is that this season we blew hot and cold. The same players that tipped up their and surrendered yesterday were the team that blitzed United 3-0 a month ago.

Baby, bathwater etc....

We blew luke warm and cold.

We countered Utd to death like we did to many teams in Europe. This year when we've tried to play Martinez' way it's almost always been a boring lackluster defeat.

A few signings in the summer hopefully will change that but unlike you I won't be giving him the benefit of doubt for as long as this year.

I just hope we have a good transfer window.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

True, but for the majority of those games, though we had lots of the ball, we got nothing because we didn't threaten, so we didn't really deserve anything. Too much is made of the fact that teams have "worked us out" and either park the bus or press our back four high.

Last season we moved the ball quicker, forward and with more purpose, something which hasn't happened anywhere near as much this season. If you don't move the ball forward quickly then teams have got time to not only park the bus, but they can reverse it slowly into place and make sure anyone getting past has a valid ticket.

The consistency, or lack thereof, of this...is a big, BIG issue. Whether you want to put it down to tactics or players is the question.

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

He'll have learnt a lot from this season, and I've got loads of faith in him getting us clicking again.