There's no way to paint it as a successful period. We were 2 points off the top of the league at xmas. Where are we now?
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BoysInBlue
Player Valuation: £50m
Agreed, in hindsight that was poor. Although it was towards the start of Martinez' reign, so maybe he deserves a benefit of the doubt for that one too. Take your point though.
Where many of us would have been very happy to be, if you told us we'd be there last June when Martinez took over.
As quickly as it has changed since Christmas, it can change again, the league has been like that this year. Look at City, world-beaters 2 weeks ago, now they haven't scored in 2 games. Arsenal seem to be imploding. Look Spurs - dead and buried, now on the rise. No reason that can't be us - we've got 3 massively winnable home league games in March, with potentially a 4th vs Palace as well. 2 major strikers to come back in Traore and Lukaku. Deulofeu is back as well. There is loads to be positive about.
deipnosophist
Player Valuation: £80m
In fairness, we have been absolutely nailed by injury
I've just been looking at the fixture wallchart I have at my desk, apart from Chelsea next weekend (but with a bit of luck who knows), every game we have is winnable.
Of course, we won't win them all and I'm not going to try and predict which ones we will and which ones we won't, but there is a very real possibility that we could get another 30 points, especially when you consider the players we have coming back.
Teams are now going to sit back and defend against RS meaning that their tactic of park the bus and hoof it to Suarez will become useless, Spurs can't keep playing poor and winning 1-0 and Arsenal will succumb to their annual plummet.
Can't see Chelsea and City dropping enough points for us to overtake then though, so 3rd it is
Of course, we won't win them all and I'm not going to try and predict which ones we will and which ones we won't, but there is a very real possibility that we could get another 30 points, especially when you consider the players we have coming back.
Teams are now going to sit back and defend against RS meaning that their tactic of park the bus and hoof it to Suarez will become useless, Spurs can't keep playing poor and winning 1-0 and Arsenal will succumb to their annual plummet.
Can't see Chelsea and City dropping enough points for us to overtake then though, so 3rd it is
artetas_biggest_fan
Player Valuation: £6m
Although we have taken 11 from 24, i wouldn't be as gloomy as previous seasons. From being a hoofball team for 20 odd years Roberto has introduced passing in midfield which has been refreshing. The problem is though we lack cutting edge. It's ok flooding the midfield and pushing the fullbacks forward to essentially have seven players available across the middle meaning more possession, but the lack of quality in attack, both scoring and providing, costs us against the better teams. We lack a provider and two finishers. These players (difference makers) are the most costly. Miralles is probably the best attacking player we have, he just needs to lift his head up more and pass to someone in a better position. Same applies to Barkley. Having both Barry and McCarthy is pretty negative as neither will contribute much going forward, so one should be sacrificed for a forward...the question is do we want to have more goal chances or more possession. The answer is obvious but having said that we don't have the attacking personnel to make that happen. This will be Roberto's biggest challenge.
TraffordBlue
Player Valuation: £30m
People are letting the RS cloud their judgement of our season. As has been mentioned already, if we were offered 5th/6th at the start of the season and a chance of winning the FA Cup, we'd have all been delighted! Realistically, 4th is pretty much gone but we have a great chance of 5th and I can't see Man United finishing ahead of us. Most likely that will mean we will have some decent European trips next season, which is what the fans want.
I feel like we have a much better chance of winning the FA Cup this season, than we did last season as well.
As I said, the RS doing so well is causing people to feel frustrated that we aren't up there in 4th. It's them who have improved though and it's not a reflection on Everton.
People should wait and see what happens at the end of the season. If we don't win the FA Cup and finish 7th/8th then I would fully agree with all this depression.
I feel like we have a much better chance of winning the FA Cup this season, than we did last season as well.
As I said, the RS doing so well is causing people to feel frustrated that we aren't up there in 4th. It's them who have improved though and it's not a reflection on Everton.
People should wait and see what happens at the end of the season. If we don't win the FA Cup and finish 7th/8th then I would fully agree with all this depression.
royalblue66
Player Valuation: £70m
The thought of playing in the Thursday cup just leaves me cold, an awful compitition IMO.
Jags..class
Player Valuation: £70m
Its great training and a great platform for Martinez to learn. Don't the winners play in the CL from next season? plus Martinez would use our kids more, Stones for example needs to play more to come on.
royalblue66
Player Valuation: £70m
What I am getting at is. IMO too many teams participating and I just hate us playing our league games on a Sunday and the Europa games on a Thursday, I would take it if we got in because we had won the F A cup, otherwise no thanks.
Yes, our injuries have been rather devastating. It's too bad there hasn't been a transfer window during this time where we could have got cover.
arminisgod
Player Valuation: £35m
Win our game in hand and we are 5 points off 4th? Spurs and liverpool play each so points will be dropped.
Get a grip ffs
Get a grip ffs
arminisgod
Player Valuation: £35m
Its a fantastic competition. What is wrong with people???
An awful competition that we've not even been good enough to qualify for.
We shouldn't be turning our noses up at anything with our trophy history.
Top post.
And there seems to be a mood on here at the moment that Chelsea next week is a forlorn hope.
FFS they couldn't beat West Ham down there.
No reason we can't take something from that game.
It's not over yet.
Del
Ric Wee fan club member 2014
Draw if we are lucky, Jose has not been beaten at home for over 70 games
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