Good thread, mate.
For me, it was after losing to Reading in the cup which was the point he should've gone (well, at the end of that season...no need to go during the actual season).
Summer of 2011 who would've been our candidates? No idea, maybe even still Martinez (wasn't he critically-acclaimed at Swansea then?).
On 31st March 2011, an article on thesackrace.com listed a number of potential successors:
Martin O Neill 3/1
Slaven Bilic 7/1
Alex McLeish 8/1
Sam Allardyce 8/1
Steve McClaren 8/1
I think we'd have plumped for O Neill personally. By that time we were mathematically safe.
WHAT IF:
David Moyes leaves Everton on 26th May 2011 after the blues failed to achieve European qualification in 2010/11. The club is looking back on another season of relative steadiness, but with no evident upward direction.
Martin O Neill is appointed on 1st July 2011 and our history pans out thus:
2011-12
- Instills a new confidence, but the overall style of play remains the same
- Pienaar moves to Newcastle, despite strong links back to Everton
- Jelavic signs for Moyes-led Aston Villa
- A quiet season of transition, but with a lack of presence down the wings and only loan signings an option, Everton can finish no higher than 10th
2012-13
- M.ON Signs Danny Rose and brings out the best in him, forming an effective partnership with Baines
- Mavrias signs but proves less effective, as does the signing of Altidore, who does little to overcome Everton's lack of firepower
- John Stones signs for Liverpool on 31st January 2013
- Everton manage to finish 7th courtesy of the ability to "win ugly"
- Everton win 1-0 at Anfield on 5th May 2013, finally ending their 14 year hoodoo
2013-14
- Everton get off to a disappointing start, and languish in 16th after a 3-0 defeat to Mourinho's Man Utd at Old Trafford on 4th December 2013.
- M.ON is sacked, making way for Gus Poyet who steadies the ship, introduces a new playing style and drives Everton to safety. However, Everton are not as ace as....
- .....Tottenham, who finish 3rd under Roberto Martinez in his first full season, leading Everton fans to think of what might have been!
Drivel yes, but I'm BORED!
