I hope nobody take this as a knee jerk reaction to last nights game (Chelsea 1-0 12/02/15), but i think i have finally had enough of our Manager Roberto Martinez.
First of all apologies for the upcoming University essay i am about to type but here goes, since Martinez was at Swansea as manager, i always thought he was going to go far in the game, the man conducted himself in a class manner, never any doom and gloom, has a style of play that on paper seems a positive way of playing football, a young man with a love for the game that is infectious.
I personally was delighted like most other Everton fans when Everton announced Martinez was to be our next manager after 'OFM' hit the road to Manchester. My grandfather less so.
Since the arrival of Bobby my grandfather who has a few Wigan fans as friends, in which one alerted me to the possibility Bobby was a one trick pony (for me Bobby is Wigans greatest manager he won us the fa cup which has only ever happened in our wildest dreams, but we all knew he only had one way of playing win lose or draw), his first season was a great one, showing his doubters that his philosophy could work given time. (Guess what ? i hope he is right because if Bobby is right and this thread is wrong, then it can only make for a succesful Everton). A entertaining yet unlucky draw away to Norwich had glimpses of what could be, followed by a similair game at Cardiff, then that tedious draw at home to West Brom, my grandfather sitting next to me with that 'I told you so' Look, back and forth, side to side, possession is all that matters.
He also said the same for our trip to Southampton (2-0 own goals) were they battered us leaving us void of any ideas, to be fair i excused martinez for that, we cant win them all can we. For the main though last season was one of joy, refreshing and alot of relief, finally there was no more knife to a gun fight mentality. Substitutions were precise, accurate and timed well, the football in the main was exciting, Barkley & stones were given a chance, Mccarthy and Lukaku were young exciting prospects, coupled with the signing of a wise Gareth Barry to guide these young naive heads and the enigma that was Gerard Delefeloueuioupetisfilous - delboy to those not fluent in the language of espana.
The refusal to lie down to Arsenal away in the league (1-1 delboy), the United victory (1-0 Oviedo), and the in your face attitude against Liverpool (3-3 Lukaku) were welcomed and remembered by all.
The final result was the return of European football and a PL high of league points accumulated, the dawning of a new era was upon us.
The excitement and anticipation for the 2014-2015 season was at a all time high at that point. The world cup may well have come at a bad time in the summer for Everton, pre season was shocking, players coming back in bits and bobs, relaying the goodison turf meaning the old lady never got much action (stop giggling at the back), pre season seemed a mix up to say the least. We did get some positives though, Lukaku and Barry signed, (for £28 million maybe nobody else in the champions league wanted him, and barry was offered at least one year too many) but hey, Martinez was staring at the 'dammed if you do, dammed if you dont' scenario, we all wanted them signed and he did just that. The signing of the world wide star known as samuel Eto'o was a added bonus (in his latter years also noted), the crest of a wave of positivity was rising again. Surely we would wash away many teams this season. So here we are, 12th in the league, certaintly in a dog fight, out of both english cups but flying in the europa (we still have something to cling on to), the season isnt over but many probably wish it was, so what has happened to the positivity of Martinez and the arrogance of the boys in blue ? The style of play is no longer exciting drowned in a veil of pace and fluidity, but more tedious sprinkled with a hint of doubt. Players like Barkley, Lukaku, Mirallas, Coleman all look a little drained of confidence and belief, injuries certainly havent helped. Mirallas may well follow Eto'o out of the door, rumours of United looking at Coleman and McCarthy being chased by anybody with aspirations to win trophies at the top, are just rumours but certaintly a possibility. Substitutions are now too late, no change in formation (the infamous plan B) and dare i say it - negative, anybody managed to understand Alcaraz for Besic in the derby yet ? The Chelsea game was typical of that, we played well dont get me wrong but bobby had a chance to take off barry and bring Mirallas on to stretch chelsea and go for the win, something he may well have done last season, show no respect, hell even play dirty if needs be.
Given the current run of form two wins in twelve or maybe sixteen - god both sound awful, im beginning to think that maybe at the end of the season it is best for both parties if we part ways, on paper it seems a match made in heaven given bobby and Everton want the school of science to reopen for business, we crave to be respected again at the very top, were we belong. However Bobby fails to realise his philosophy only works with players like Messi, iniesta, Xavi et al. We are nowhere near the level Barcelona have set, many of us would just be happy to have the moyes defence with the attacking skill set of a Martinez team, slowly but surely we will get there. Right now i fear bobby's reluctance to drop the likes of barry in favour of a less fancied but winning formula is doing nothing but holding us back, Moyes was lynched for Martinez and his recent decisions/mentality.
Again i dont want to lose Martinez in terms of his class and persona believe me or not but i am a fan of boby and his brown shoes, but for the first time in a long time, i am bored of watching Everton, it has become a household chore and not a luxury, i feel that given the players at his disposal, Everton should be achieving much more and not worrying about a relegation fight and losing some of our key players. Unfortunately the manager is always first in the firing line and at the end of this season it may be time to pull the trigger. A story of what ifs may be the outcome in this book.
Please Bobby prove me wrong. <3
