Roberto Martinez discussion

[davek]

I posted a thread some time ago about our team being in a developmental stage and I think that is still true.

I think recent weeks however have highlighted a couple of issues.
1. The absolute importance to us of Phil Jagielka being in the team, hugely underrated for club and country. John Stones also looks a far better player when Jagielka is in the team.

2. The absolute importance to us of James McCarthy being in the team, as above hugely underrated and is vital to our team.

Both of those players missing has left our core of talented youngsters a little exposed.

Some of our play is excellent but defensively we have become shambolic. Stones is not yet experienced enough to be a leader in the back four and Funes Mori needs more time to get used to our league , players with bucketloads of potential but at the moment they need a rock like Jakielka to play alongside.
Having a goalkeeper whose form is questionable at times is not helping either.

I'm of the opinion that Stones is a fair weather player: great on the eye when we have game's under control; goes missing or cracks under pressure when the game is tight.

I recognise he has a great talent, I doubt his fortitude though.

 

[ilikecheese]

I'm of the opinion that Stones is a fair weather player: great on the eye when we have game's under control; goes missing or cracks under pressure when the game is tight.

I recognise he has a great talent, I doubt his fortitude though.

I think it's lack of experience myself.

 

[davek]

I think it's lack of experience myself.

Maybe. But he's feted for his composure, so his mental game is up for debate. I think he goes missing when backbone is required.

 

[ilikecheese]

I mean he's got buckets of talent...everyone can see that.

But he's a kid playing a old man's position.

 

[bitter-no-better]

I'm of the opinion that Stones is a fair weather player: great on the eye when we have game's under control; goes missing or cracks under pressure when the game is tight.

I recognise he has a great talent, I doubt his fortitude though.

I would say this applies more to coleman than to stones. In my opinion coleman does not get criticised enough. his final ball and crossing is amateurish.

 

[davek]

I would say this applies more to coleman than to stones. In my opinion coleman does not get criticised enough. his final ball and crossing is amateurish.

I haven't been impressed with Coleman for a while, tbh.

I honestly think the best back four we've had all season was when we had Browning Stones Jagielka Galloway in it for 4 games from the Swansea away game through to the Derby. Browning's injury has not really been emphasised, but I think it may have been influential.

 

[bitter-no-better]

I haven't been impressed with Coleman for a while, tbh.

I honestly think the best back four we've had all season was when we had Browning Stones Jagielka Galloway in it for 4 games from the Swansea away game through to the Derby. Browning's injury has not really been emphasised, but I think it may have been influential.

agree with this. personally I am a fan of defenders playing to solely defend. like a Gary stevens/neville type. Baines has offered more offensively but I have concerns about seamus.

 

[Ihaters]

Yes, it's all to play for points and position wise.

I actually think we are much more advanced than the first season Martinez was here. The football we play is far superior and only one position is truly letting the whole system down: GK.

There's definite progression here and only super-empiricists cant work that out because they're busy laying statistical traps for the team and manager to fall over and to undermine them.

This team is within a player of a breakthrough. No question of that.

I'm close to agreeing, I think we are much better than season one where luck was on our side, but I think there is more than just Howard to blame, the whole team when the opposition has the ball is poor currently.

We don't close down enough and we back off and back off until its too late

 

[squonk]

I haven't been impressed with Coleman for a while, tbh.

I honestly think the best back four we've had all season was when we had Browning Stones Jagielka Galloway in it for 4 games from the Swansea away game through to the Derby. Browning's injury has not really been emphasised, but I think it may have been influential.

doubt you'll be happy until the club has been ethnically cleansed of every Moyes signing, including Baines, Coleman, Jagielka and Mirallas.

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Yes, it's all to play for points and position wise.

I actually think we are much more advanced than the first season Martinez was here. The football we play is far superior and only one position is truly letting the whole system down: GK.

There's definite progression here and only super-empiricists cant work that out because they're busy laying statistical traps for the team and manager to fall over and to undermine them.

This team is within a player of a breakthrough. No question of that.

I agree, apart from I think the entire defensive unit lacks the discipline that it had in that first season. I still think he should bring in a defensive specialist coach to assist him in the likes of set piece defending etc.

The issue we have is that without that breakthrough happening this season, then we face the very real prospect of losing our crown jewels next summer and being back to square one facing another rebuilding project.

That's football I suppose.

However, overall there's no question that Martinez has improved (and changed) in the last 12 months, it's chalk and cheese.

 

[Blues Harp]

Agree about Stones....for all his composure I think he needs to cut out lapses of concentration in his play.....on Saturday Vardy skinned him and was brought down by Howard...other times he looks world class. Despite the fact he has played for his country(who hasn't?) he is still relatively inexperienced. Be interesting to see what happens when Jags is back. Anyone think that Galloway could be picked in his natural position ie centre half? The defence needs to be made more secure - whether Roberto does anything about it remains to be seen

 

[Saint Domingo]

You could ask why professional footballers who have made a career out of playing in defence need to be coached the basics of defending as well

By this logic you wouldn't need a manager at all, but you do as coaching is everything.

 

[Titus Bramble]

Agree about Stones....for all his composure I think he needs to cut out lapses of concentration in his play.....on Saturday Vardy skinned him and was brought down by Howard...other times he looks world class. Despite the fact he has played for his country(who hasn't?) he is still relatively inexperienced. Be interesting to see what happens when Jags is back. Anyone think that Galloway could be picked in his natural position ie centre half? The defence needs to be made more secure - whether Roberto does anything about it remains to be seen

I can't see Galloway coming in for the same reason you make about stones

 

[kenada_blue]

Maybe. But he's feted for his composure, so his mental game is up for debate. I think he goes missing when backbone is required.

Nah, its experience and reading the game. He switches off a fair amount.

Having him and Mori marshalling the defence at 22 years old, isn't gonna pull you through games under the cosh.

Jags. Massive miss.

 

[Cork Evertonian]

This manager has a 30% win percentage since August 2014 just saying like.It's also nice to see Michael Ball turning the screw on Martinez in the Echo.The man is getting a really easy ride off the media in general.The same media that think mid table mediocrity is good enough for plucky little Everton.