REALISTIC EXPECTANCIES FOR THE SEASON UNDER MARTNEZ

[BoysInBlue]

Top 7, good cup run, nothing will change that much.

Not knocking what Moyes 'achieved', but maybe then the people who had us down as 'David Moyes Football Club' will realise we are 'Everton Football Club'.

 

[Chang Elephant]

Finishing 4th with more wins, more defeats, less draws. A derby win, and a win at one of the "top 4" clubs. Less Osman, even less Hibbert, and no Neville. No headsets worn on the bench.

 

[Tony Hibbert's 3rd leg]

While I realistically believe we'll finish around 7th I hold Martinez to his Champions League ambition. Last season showed we can beat any of the top four on our day, and I think Martinez can boost our away form by going at the opponent throughout. You only have to look at Laudrup at Swansea to see how it is possible to have a successful first season although granted we've higher expectations. If this is Moyes's best team he's had (his view) and if we can bolster it, I'd still have us hovering around 4th spot. Only time will tell.

 

[Aidey9]

First season of trying to change the philosophy and methods at Everton, probs losing an influential player in Felli and bringing players in of the mould of himself and of the style he likes his teams to play, it will be a tough season and one of transition IMO.

Think we'll do well to get top 6 again but if, and its a big IF, he buys well in the right areas needed, and we get off to a flyer, then who knows as we dont have a bad team at all, we just need a few tweaks to make us better, can he find us those missing links to improve on last season?!.

For his first season, i'd be happy with top 8-7 and a good cup run, possibly winning the carling cup, think that would be a good start for him cos it will be tough to try and change things and bed in his style and new players all in one season!.

 

[bluestevon]

Can just see those first two games in December being so massive, if we've had a good start and are in and around the top 7 AND win vs either utd or arsenal away, think that will be a massive confidence boost to the squad and the fans, could change the mentality of the players and fans in one game for the rest of the season

 

[Marco Materazzi]

Top half, decent cup run and maybe a win at Analfield.

 

[mkrudden]

With the money that is being spent at the moment by those around us, I would have to say that we will probably be where we are. I think Spurs may be the ones to crumble a little, and unfortunately the kopites will more of a challenge to us and the top 5 than they did last season.

Top 7 will fight it out, and I expect us to be in there. I cannot see which of the teams outside of the top 7 is suddenly going to find 10 points or whatever it was last year to knock us further down.

Martinez's Champions League shout will not show any signs of reality I dont think inside the first few years, we need to feel the benefit of a few years TV money (merely reducing the debt) and hopefully in the next 3 to 4 years the kitty might get a little bigger because the banks pressures will subside....

Who knows though eh?!

 

[Jags..class]

He does seem to say the right words. I do love his positive ways. "We need to be in a position where we can keep the ball well and where we can break things down"
Would love us to tackle this part of our football by being able to keep the ball so this would be great news, how many times were we under the cosh and couldn't keep hold of the ball

 

[BoysInBlue]

I really don't think our footballing philosophy will change that much.

Anyone would think we played Stoke City hoofball last season - we definitely didn't. Last season was the best football we've played in many seasons, on the floor, to feet, using pace and both wings.

 

[hktoffee]

7th the very least. Anything below 7th is a failure. He inherited a top 6 side.

 

[ianefc]

Needs a top striker and then who knows, Bale dug spurs out of the **** so much, Walcott did well for le arse and Suarez was stunning for the RS yet our best player was out LB lb, if we get a top proven striker without selling then we can compete, if we get one with selling then we need to get equal's to the players sold also, most likely felliani

 

[Ihaters]

To be fair mate, he said it took Moyes 10 years to achieve 63 points not 6th. That's how I read it anyway

Nah that doesn't add up mate,
2007/2008 season he got 65
2008/2009 season he got the 63 points you mention and repeated that this season.

There is no decade gap there for him.
Only thing I can make work is if Dave is assuming its going to take over 65 points to get 6th, which would be unlikely. Moyes has had several 4th, 5th's or 6's at less than that score point, and it nearly always.. if not, it always.. provides you at least 6th. Normally better.

 

[TippEverton]

I'l be disappointed if we don't finish in the top 7 next season, bar them that finished below us last year I don't see too many other teams improving enough to mount a serious challenge on the top 6.

If we finish below 7th it might be a case of bad management, or a case of a bad transfer window.

 

[Silentwitness]

Agree with most of the sentiments here. Top 7 is a must, and is perfectly doable with our squad and ambitions.

We finished 14 points ahead of 8th place last season, and to lose 14 points next season on the team 2 places below us would be a case of something not being right at all. Seriously, if we had a striker banging them in this year we would have been in Europe.

I'd also like a win away to one of the big clubs, and a derby win.

 

[Ihaters]

I think he has lee-way for anywhere in the top 10 , the transition from decent football to free flowing attacking football, playing out of defense or whatever would have to be noticeable though, as the change in play would be a valid reason. If however we play very similar football, you have to say the manager should be able to achieve similar results.
We'll see what the difference is, I am still optimistic he can see us nearly holding position this season and pushing on next. As long as he doesn't slip enough to be detrimental to the financing of the team, I'll be happy.