"Two things have unarguably changed since Martinez took over"

[dholliday]

The extent to which Everton have changed under Roberto Martínez is a subject of much enjoyable debate amongst the club's supporters. While acknowledging the considerable impact being made by additions Romelu Lukaku, Gareth Barry and James McCarthy, some maintain that in terms of style the Toffees are not so very different from the David Moyes era. Two things have unarguably changed however. Firstly, when Everton go in front they now appear far more eager, willing and able to make the most of the space left by an opposition forced to commit numbers in attack. And secondly, Martínez makes substitutions that change games. Just as Steven Pienaar scored with his first touch in the previous game against Hull City, so the introduction of Leon Osman made a crucial difference against Aston Villa on Saturday. Against West Ham in September, it was Lukaku. Luck or acuity, the result is Everton's best start to the season for nine years

I completely agree with this analysis. Eager to attack rather than defend a lead + more effective substitions could make a significant difference by the end of the season. Might even mean the difference between finishing 7th and finishing 4th (and winning a cup final instead of losing one).


Good that the non-Evertonians are appreciating the Martinez-era.

Early days...but still optimism ahead!

 

[BlueLlama]

1 - we are less ginger

2 - We don't immediately sit on 1 - 0 leads

 

[Librarian]

1 - we are less ginger

2 - We don't immediately sit on 1 - 0 leads

3 - Phil Neville

 

[wiggum23]

4 - Our manager smiles and not in a freaky eye bulging way

 

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Who's quote was that?

I think they're right, as it's a definitive fact that Martinez has made subs that have changed games - something that Moyes rarely achieved.

It's also encouraging to see us trying to close games out by scoring again, as opposed to 'shutting up shop'.

 

[Groucho]

Good read. Oh, and;

5/ he embraces the clubs history and wants to add to it, rather than being intimidated by it.

6/ he was visibly offended by the very suggestion of playing for anything less than a win. Eeeeee, it's been a while!

 

[deipnosophist]

Who's quote was that?

I think they're right, as it's a definitive fact that Martinez has made subs that have changed games - something that Moyes rarely achieved.

It's also encouraging to see us trying to close games out by scoring again, as opposed to 'shutting up shop'.

...disagree. Swapping Rooney for Smalling last week changed the game...to a 1-1 draw!

 

[davek]

The main point that Martinez is active rather than a reactive manager like Moyes is correct. But...

some maintain that in terms of style the Toffees are not so very different from the David Moyes era.

...I cant agree with that. The stats I read lately concerning us shortening our passing range and getting more people on the ball for dribbles backs up the perception we've left one playing style behind and taken up another. If by the above quote it's meant that we're as competitive as we were under Moyes, then fine.

 

[evilwebby]

If you use your substitutes to defend your position then by definition nothing is going to happen.

 

[deipnosophist]

PS: I wasn't anti-Moyes until he came back to the house he rebuilt and tried to take its foundations...**** him

 

[tsubaki]

The OP makes some good points, but the biggest difference between last year and this is Lukaku.

 

[ScouseBlueBoy]

The main point that Martinez is active rather than a reactive manager like Moyes is correct. But...



...I cant agree with that. The stats I read lately concerning us shortening our passing range and getting more people on the ball for dribbles backs up the perception we've left one playing style behind and taken up another. If by the above quote it's meant that we're as competitive as we were under Moyes, then fine.

I don't know where the original quote came from, but if the claim is that the playing style is the same, it's probably one of those rare animals in the meeja - a condescending koppite.

 

[Librarian]

The OP makes some good points, but the biggest difference between last year and this is Lukaku.

A player who wanted to come here due to the perceived new playing style.

 

[paulbefc]

A player who wanted to come here due to the perceived new playing style.

Wasn't it Kevin Mirallas getting him in a room and not letting him leave until he agreed to join?

 

[Librarian]

Wasn't it Kevin Mirallas getting him in a room and not letting him leave until he agreed to join?

bit of both maybe...

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/chelseas-romelu-lukaku-praises-everton-2251518

“For my development and with the World Cup coming up at the end of the season, I cannot afford to stay on the bench,” said the 20-year-old. “At Everton, I can continue my progress in a club that likes to play beautiful football."