"Two things have unarguably changed since Martinez took over"

[Steve0]

Yes, because the match stats demonstrated that Everton played the greater amount of football on the ground in that game.

Yes but i reckon neither the criticism nor our refutation was concerned solely with that match.

 

[davek]

Yes but i reckon neither the criticism nor our refutation was concerned solely with that match.

Maybe, but I think we leapt to Everton's defence because Gerrard was saying we were a team 'like Stoke'. That was a ridiculous appraisal because we were nowhere near that one-dimensional under Moyes. We weren't fantastic week in, week out, but never in that lowly bracket.

 

[Gwladys St. Glory]

Under little or no pressure we resorted to the punt from within our own half an unforgivable amount of times.

BOOM! Sums up a massive gripe for me...it wasn't confident management or football.

Bang on, sourpuss.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Although stats will state otherwise, I don't think the style of football has changed drastically. Last season at times we played some great stuff particularly early on in the season against united, Newcastle, Fulham away. What has undoubtedly changed is the following.
1. Lukaku a striker who puts the fear of god in defences instead of Jelavic who was devoid of confidence last year.
2. An experienced ex England international who can retain possession Barry and one that couldn't Neville.
3. Martinez who is pro active with his subs and Moyes who would only make changes after 70 mins invariably negative ones.
4. Lastly we all pray to god that this will happen is that Martinez will go into the derby to win as opposed to Moyes who went into the derby not to lose

 

[toffeestillidie]

More than just making changes in the game. Martinez played Osman several times in midfield, and it wasn't working well, so he stopped playing him deeper and today he played superbly in his preferred position.

The first 10 to 15 minutes against Villa, I thought we looked a lot like a Moyes team. I remember Distin specifically going forward or hoofing it a few times. Pienaar and Baines also weren't linking up very well (or not as well as they normally do). Martinez switched Pienaar and Mirallas, and Villa immediately had a hard time adjusting to the change.

These subtle adjustments I think are the biggest difference. Martinez creates the next phase of play instead of reacting to it. The style is much more dynamic, and I think most of the articles I've read have failed to capture the breadth of our approach. Early in the game we were very Moyes-esque, and Mirallas nearly put us ahead early on because of it. As the game changed our approach did as well. It was fantastic to watch us swing the ball around Villa's box in the end to see out the game. Not the usual frenetic nail-biting and repeated corners that I've come to normally associate with closing out a game.

Something that we shouldn't ignore though, we were incredibly lucky that the game didn't go differently. We were very exposed in the back several times, and Howard made the sort of saves we can't depend on every weak. I'm glad we got out of it on saturday and came away with an important 3 points, but I hope that those frailties that Villa could have exploited will be addressed on the training ground this week.

 

[Azzurri]

Played good football under Moyes towards the end.

 

[rochdaleblue]

Something that we shouldn't ignore though, we were incredibly lucky that the game didn't go differently. We were very exposed in the back several times, and Howard made the sort of saves we can't depend on every weak. I'm glad we got out of it on saturday and came away with an important 3 points, but I hope that those frailties that Villa could have exploited will be addressed on the training ground this week.

That is a great point, but I supposed that was always going to be the case as the players have adapted to a new manager. I don't think Jags and Distin have been as solid this year, but then again you would think with McCarthy and Barry sat in front of the back 4 they would offer us better protection. Those frailties that you refer too have got to be ironed out if we are to beat the likesof Spurs and the RS over the next couple of weeks. Soldado, Sturridge and Suaraz won't be as wasteful as Benteke and Weissman, that is for sure.

 

[rochdaleblue]

More than just making changes in the game. Martinez played Osman several times in midfield, and it wasn't working well, so he stopped playing him deeper and today he played superbly in his preferred position.

The first 10 to 15 minutes against Villa, I thought we looked a lot like a Moyes team. I remember Distin specifically going forward or hoofing it a few times. Pienaar and Baines also weren't linking up very well (or not as well as they normally do). Martinez switched Pienaar and Mirallas, and Villa immediately had a hard time adjusting to the change.

These subtle adjustments I think are the biggest difference. Martinez creates the next phase of play instead of reacting to it. The style is much more dynamic, and I think most of the articles I've read have failed to capture the breadth of our approach. Early in the game we were very Moyes-esque, and Mirallas nearly put us ahead early on because of it. As the game changed our approach did as well. It was fantastic to watch us swing the ball around Villa's box in the end to see out the game. Not the usual frenetic nail-biting and repeated corners that I've come to normally associate with closing out a game.

Something that we shouldn't ignore though, we were incredibly lucky that the game didn't go differently. We were very exposed in the back several times, and Howard made the sort of saves we can't depend on every weak. I'm glad we got out of it on saturday and came away with an important 3 points, but I hope that those frailties that Villa could have exploited will be addressed on the training ground this week.

That is a great point, but I supposed that was always going to be the case as the players have adapted to a new manager. I don't think Jags and Distin have been as solid this year, but then again you would think with McCarthy and Barry sat in front of the back 4 they would offer us better protection. Those frailties that you refer too have got to be ironed out if we are to beat the likes of Spurs and the RS over the next couple of weeks. Soldado, Sturridge and Suaraz won't be as wasteful as Benteke and Weissman, that is for sure.

 

[Essex Blue]

I think Barry has made a big difference as well, a player who actually knows how to protect his back four.

 

[dholliday]

Who's quote was that?

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.

I linked it, lids. It's The Guardian. The writer, after a bit of top googling by yours truly, appears to be a Hull fan.

 

[Deleted member 28206]

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!

those sub notes make me laugh, whilst it's boss to note. In our previous managers tenures are we suggesting he never made a sub that made an impact? Or are we simply praising his will to change?

( which in made up with btw)

 

[HibbertsLeftFoot]

Off the pitch but Martinez standing up to Moyes over his 'Fellaini & Baines should join United' comment was a key moment. That and the subsequent 'derisory & insulting' statement by EFC.

Moyes certainly became very defeatist in the press in his latter days. 'Knife to a gunfight' etc.. It was pure boss to think that the manager & club were standing up for themselves for once!

Allez Allez Allez Ohh ad infinitum..

 

[lmurkder]

No Neville or Steve Round.

 

[evertony]

Two unmistakable changes that have made us a significantly better and more positive team......Round ( peg in a square hole) and Woods ( who couldn't see himself for the trees) both upped sticks and slid under the gravy train track to Old Trafford. That was one massive pair of muppettss.

 

[uknightbreed]

the halftime team talks have defo changed for the better. under moyes we would played well until the break and come out worse in the second half. under martinez the half times seem much better and we come out with more of a solid direction/gamplan.

the substitutions seem to be more thought out , positive and made at the right moments under martinez too.

to me martinez is more intricate in his understanding of tactics and whats actually going on in matches.

side note : have to say i love the element of commodant lassard in his comments . he says things twice many many times and is very very extremely positive .