A Case for the Defence

[davek]

The same Mori that was at fault for the first two on Saturday

Jesus wept

Doesn't matter. The lad makes mistakes, but he has a lot of passion for the shirt and the club by the looks of it. Jagielka looks like he cant even summon up the courage for a post match interview.

 

[The Equaliser]

 

[davek]

Doesn't know how to get a result on the pitch you said. Wins a cup against megabucks City and runs up a 21 wins out of 38 match season.

He doesn't know how to get wins like he doesn't know how to get his teams to score.

 

[The Equaliser]

Doesn't know how to get a result on the pitch you said. Wins a cup against megabucks City and runs up a 21 wins out of 38 match season.

He doesn't know how to get wins like he doesn't know how to get his teams to score.

A summary from the prosecution:

Very good coach, terrible manager, i.e. his ideas on how the game should be played will work well on the training ground but he can't be trusted to make the right decisions during the game. In addition our team spirit is a shambles as that's down to him. There is no backbone.

Most of all though there is no defending his indefensible record in the Premier League.

Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, the evidence is overwhelming. You should find the defendant guilty as charged.

No matter how many times I re-read my post I still can't see where I said that. Weird.

 

[Toffeelover]

Despite what some of Roberto’s more stalwart supporters (davek) might say, I don’t think it can be denied that there is real pressure on him between now and the end of the season. After almost 2 seasons of poor results, I couldn’t blame anyone for casting their eyes elsewhere for a manager who could unlock the reserves of potential we have undoubtedly accumulated.

I’m in a growing minority now, and it’s not the usual white noise of post-loss kneejerkism shouting us down in the match threads, but a stereo blast of genuine, consistently held concerns about Martinez’ stewardship.

For my part, I was close to wanting him out around January last season, when our poor run of results was compounded by a seemingly unending sequence of dour performances. I wanted to give him until Christmas this season, and while we continued to chalk up way too many numbers in the draw column, I felt we were tangibly closer to something special, as our performances yielded goals and an exciting vision of our on-field potential. But that promise still hasn’t delivered.

Realistically, all our hopes are belong to the FA Cup. Win it, he buys some time, lose it and he may well be walking, barring a serious upturn of form between now and season’s end. Even winning it won’t be good enough for some.

Personally, I think calls to sack him now are insane. Even detractors have to admit that he has strengthened the squad considerably and, in my mind, has laid some incredible groundwork for a unified, attractive style of football that could very well outlast his tenure here. For his signings, his impeccable conduct and, yes, that first season, I think he has bought himself the right to at least finish what he started in this year’s FA Cup. By April, I might well be flexible enough to add my voice to the choir if we fall short in both our remaining journeys.

But until then, I really believe we can achieve something under this manager, and it saddens me to see that so many people have effectively given up, demanding blood after every single poor result and seemingly revelling in the plight of their own team if it pushes Martinez closer to the exit door. Some can’t even bring themselves to credit a good performance if the result is anything less than a win. We’re morphing into indulged Geordies at a rate that brings tears to a glass eye. Get behind your team for the remainder of the season because, at the very least, he won’t be going anywhere before then.

To close, I’d like to pose a question, and I’ll paraphrase the American Republican party a few years ago. Disregarding results and table place (I know there’s some who can’t), and speaking only in terms of long-term indicators like structure, finances, squad development, new talent and a lasting impact on the character and style of our football...

Are we better off now than we were 4 seasons ago?

In what way do you think we are better off - players- performance, please clarify.

 

[Furey1878]

I've heard the creators of Making a Murderer are writing a new series about both sides of the Martinez arguments.

 

[Toffeelover]

Doesn't know how to get a result on the pitch you said. Wins a cup against megabucks City and runs up a 21 wins out of 38 match season.

He doesn't know how to get wins like he doesn't know how to get his teams to score.

But that is history just like when the English National team beat the French National team in 1415, England had a great manager but it is history. Stick to the present.

 

[bring the ghost on]

In what way do you think we are better off - players- performance, please clarify.

I think he alluded to it in the immediately preceding paragraph, i.e. structure, finances, squad development, new talent and a lasting impact on the character and style of our football.

There is some truth in that, Martinez has undoubtedly built upon some of the talent we had in the latter Moyes days and created a very good footballing side. Youngsters (Barkley, Stones, Deulefeu, Rom) have been given a chance to shine.

However, I still have to question whether he has the tactical nous required to propel us into the top 4.

 

[DualityNSNO]

Doesn't matter. The lad makes mistakes, but he has a lot of passion for the shirt and the club by the looks of it. Jagielka looks like he cant even summon up the courage for a post match interview.

I'd say it does Dave - in fact, it's vital. The fact he has a lot of passion is fantastic, so do I, but no one will let me play for Everton based on that alone.

Bet Osman and Hibbert have a lot of passion for the shirt and the club, and both will make mistakes, but oddly enough we don't play them?

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Doesn't know how to get a result on the pitch you said. Wins a cup against megabucks City and runs up a 21 wins out of 38 match season.

He doesn't know how to get wins like he doesn't know how to get his teams to score.

A season where he finished 5th. Something that Moyes did twice. Moyes actually bettered that if you've forgotten in 2005 when he finished 5th.

 

[bluewally]

Doesn't matter. The lad makes mistakes, but he has a lot of passion for the shirt and the club by the looks of it. Jagielka looks like he cant even summon up the courage for a post match interview.

I can't believe it Dave we agree on something.

In fact I think I suggested mori as captain a few weeks ago and you said he wouldn't have the respect of the players yet (or something to that effect)

Nice to see we do eventually see eye to eye the odd time though

 

[blulouie]

A season where he finished 5th. Something that Moyes did twice. Moyes actually bettered that if you've forgotten in 2005 when he finished 5th.

Moyes had 11years mate , this fella's being hung drawn and quarted before he's even done 3 . Catch a grip will ya.

 

[Eric Djemba-Djemba]

Moyes had 11years mate , this fella's being hung drawn and quarted before he's even done 3 . Catch a grip will ya.

Because 2 of those have been crap.

 

[blulouie]

Because 2 of those have been crap.

There were a lot more than 2 crap seasons in that 11 or do you have a selective memory.

 

[dannyboy]

In terms of talent within the team we are definitely in a far better place. The squad has strength in depth and quality players who've had to sit around for large parts of the season, something I can't ever remember in my lifetime as an Evertonian.

In terms of results there has been a doubtless regression.You can tolerate that for a short period of time, but 2 years of it is just too much for me.