What I find most frustrating in everything is that we havent been soundly beaten in any game, except UTD at home, which I think can be put to one side.
Were vastly superior than most team's we have played this year in each game. Our problem is gifting teams goals.
Take all four goals yesterday; four individual errors. Stones , Barry, Galloway & Howard all were at fault for a goal.
What annoys me most is that teams arent 'earning' there goals against us; they are being gifted them.
Stoke were [Poor language removed] yesterday; Leicester and Palace were the weeks before. But we have gifted the teams opportunities and goals. We battered all three teams; created chances/tested goalies/hit the woodwork, but each time we have come away with nothing.
Its very difficult to judge as the fact remains we are playing some teams off the park but not getting points. We need to do better defensively as were not good enough to have a one goal lead; our fabulous trio of Geri, Rom & Barkley were dead on there feet when that 4th went in yesterday. Geri was nearly in tears from my view. Rom couldnt watch the penalty.
Where does the blame lie?
For me, we have two guys in the defensive pack who should be doing more; Stones & Howard.
Howard is an utter joke situation right now; his position is becoming further untenable with every game. I actually think Martinez is being hugely unfair on him now as the pressure is a joke on him and hes clearly not good enough. Martinez really should take him out the limelight for both there sakes.
Stones isnt improving his defensive capabilities whatsoever and is showing no sign of the leadership/snide side which he needs to develop to become 'Everton & England captain' (his words). Its all well and good being great going forward, and I think we all know he is going to be superb. But we were saying the same thing last year, and when he first broke in. Now, this season, is the time where he needs to develop further. I dont see it currently.
I also attach blame at Martinez roundly. He needs to somehow get more out of this team; he needs to find a way to get us defending better and carrying on the purple patch we have of scoring as we simply are a joy to watch going forward, especially when Barkley, Rom & Geri are in tandem like they are. Absolutely blow teams away they are, but right now, there manager is letting them down. He isnt giving them a chance for their skills and goals to earn the wins those three in particular deserve.
His treatment of Robles and Howard is also very stubborn and will cost him his job eventually.
I say he has the rest of this season and if we finish 8th or below, I would seek a new manager. I feel if we keep him in charge, without substantial investment in the playing squad, the likes of Rom & Ross will feel that they need a change. Whilst not ideal, a new manager may give them the impetus to stay for one more year, as will the substantial squad investment. Without either, I think they will feel its time to move on as Martinez will no longer be able to get anything more out of them, in particular those two.
