This article may have been recategorised and is therefore no longer available at this URL.

You can try to find the updated link in the article archive.

Share article:

Reader Comments (26)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Patrick Murphy
1 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:34:20
Paul I don't think many would have had us in 4th spot going into the New Year and we could have been a little higher - but let's hope we keep it going in 2014.

There are also some that think it's a flash in the pan and it will all turn to dust and are waiting in the wings to see it all crumble...blah blah blah Ex-Wigan manager took them down, signing no mark players who were relegated. blah blah blah dodgy keeper...blah blah blah....see what happens next season when the loanees have left..blah blah blah. If only to shut them types up I hope we finish in the top 3 and win the FA Cup, but they'll still probably find fault and tell us that we are sycophantic Roberto fans who fail to see the blindingly obvious.

Ross Kerry
2 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:42:47
I'd have thought it Paul. In fact I did predict we'd finish in the top four back in September.

What was your prediction Patrick?

Patrick Murphy
3 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:47:49
I don't think I predicted anything but I might have said due to the change in manager that top 6 would be a decent achievement - I hope we can get top 4 but it is still a big ask, not impossible but it will take an extraordinary effort and the old problem of failing to beat the 'also-rans' could end up costing us.
Ross Kerry
4 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:50:39
I think to finish in the top 4 we would need an outstanding manager, a cut above the ordinary football man. I think we might have one and I hope he will prove me right.
Dennis Ng
5 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:57:02
Were you thinking we'll be 4th because OFM will bring manu below us?
Peter Jones
6 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:53:07
Pretty sure every optimist on ToffeeWeb that wanted Moyes out and Martinez in believed this was possible. Our "lack of depth" is being proved a myth because we actually give our bench players a chance to step up when there is an opportunity. Martinez analyzed our weaknesses in key areas and made great signings. Barry & McCarthy are miles better than Neville & Osman. Most people that couldn't stand Moyes were screaming for Barkley. Now he's in the team every week. And then Lukaku is in another realm to Jelavic. Our back 5 is the exact same, but our core has strengthened significantly. Simples. Combine this with the power vacuum left from SAF leaving Manchester United and the great managers that have taken over this season and you get what is happening now. The real question is "Why didn't you think this could happen?"
Bill Gall
7 Posted 30/12/2013 at 18:49:59
Patrick #257

How do those people who think we are just a flash in the pan explain that out of the top 10 teams in the Premier League only 1 has beaten us, 5 we have beaten, and 4 we drew against.

I think a lot of Everton supporters with the change of the manager were a little apprehensive on how we would do at the start and now, halfway through the season, are pleasantly surprised how well we are doing.

As for the rest of the season, I can not see us moving out of the top 6 unless we have a rash of injuries or suspensions and BK and his cronies do not back the manager in January by selling our top players or not providing finance for future players.

Let's all remember in regards to our chairman he has not always backed up his talk with action.

Dennis Ng
8 Posted 30/12/2013 at 19:04:20
Peter, he did come from relegated Wigan, with the FA Cup in hand. But credit to RM, he is showing that resources we allow him, much more than what Wigan could have given him, he can do much more than what we're told to expect for the past decade.
Gerry Quinn
9 Posted 30/12/2013 at 19:16:10
Ross, you quoted, "I think to finish in the top 4 we would need an outstanding manager, a cut above the ordinary football man. I think we might have one and I hope he will prove me right."

You have said it all in such a simplistic statement - nice one, son, take a bow!

Tom Bowers
10 Posted 30/12/2013 at 20:37:31
It's a great position for the Blues and thoroughly deserved.
Still the hardest team to beat.
A few hiccups along the way but they have something to build on now and should not become complacent in upcoming games against Stoke and Norwich.
Mick Davies
11 Posted 30/12/2013 at 22:30:32
I think you were a bit harsh on Mirallas, he played better than of late and in his limited appearance time, set up a couple of chances.

This has got to be the best side we've had since the late 80's, and if we don't win anything/achieve European qualification, it's still been an amazing turn around in terms of the football being played and the optimism of everyone connected with the club. I posted months ago for us all to be patient; Rome took a lot longer than one season. So we can look forward to a brighter future now we have a man in control who knows what he's doing

Harold Matthews
12 Posted 31/12/2013 at 00:25:40
Paul. He didn't spit into someone's face. He was a couple of metres away and it was almost half-hearted. That said, it's not something I condone.

I think you owe Oviedo an apology.

Ross Kerry
13 Posted 31/12/2013 at 00:43:55
A half-hearted spit in the face from a couple of metres?

This boy should be up front.

Eric Myles
14 Posted 31/12/2013 at 04:38:29
Didn't we start 2013 in fourth too?

Let's hope our board finally learn from their past mistakes and don't repeat them again.

Paul Paxton
15 Posted 31/12/2013 at 06:12:54
I'll admit I was quite apprehensive when we first appointed Martinez but he has definitely taken us to the next level in terms of the quality of football we now see on a regular basis. Perhaps I was listening to the whole "he relegated Wigan" argument but I am happy to be proved wrong. Something the commentator on MOTD mentioned struck a chord, we now have almost the same points total as Wigan did in the whole of last season.

Unfortunately, I was only a small boy when we were revelling in the glory days of the eighties and so grew up amongst the dark days of the nineties. Even though we had some good times under Moyes I can say this is the most optimistic I have ever been as a blue and finally feel we can shake the annoying tag of "over-achievers" (which drives me mental).

Brian Garside
16 Posted 31/12/2013 at 12:12:03
Our second goal started with Baines at LB who passed it to Pienaar. An almost copy of Mirallas goal away at Swansea last season when Neville to Coleman to Fellaini to Pienaar to Mirallas down the right-hand side.

Naismith won nearly all heading duells. A solid squad player, the kind who is is asked to do a job and does it right. Baines was off the pace and caught in possession but will come good again so long as he is not disappointed by not moving to Manure. Alcaraz looked calm and classy.

Looking good I think... Quiet optimism. Let the BBC and Sky ignore us for now. No pressure. Remember. He who laughs last..............:-)))

Ross Edwards
17 Posted 31/12/2013 at 16:00:43
Last season at New Year we were 6th with 33 points, 3 points off 4th, 16 off top.

This season at New Year we are 4th with 37 points, 5 off top.

I certainly think the Scottish manager was holding us back.

Harold Matthews
18 Posted 31/12/2013 at 16:14:43
I looked at their goal half a dozen times last night. It's hardly noticable but from one particular angle the ball appears to accelerate twice.
Dennis Ng
19 Posted 31/12/2013 at 16:26:49
Does anyone know a place to see the points growth year over year and games?
Steve Pugh
20 Posted 31/12/2013 at 16:48:34
When was the last time somebody actually came out and said anything critical about Martinez, I can't recall anything for weeks.
Dennis Ng
21 Posted 31/12/2013 at 16:58:42
Steve, I remembered a discussion just yesterday on how much he sucked at Wigan, but I think its the New Year and things are going too smoothly. I'm sure that will crank up when things go wrong. But I'll be one to watch from the sidelines silently and hope for more magic.
Paul Tran
22 Posted 31/12/2013 at 17:04:51
Steve, how about, 'he's too bloody positive', or 'he smiles too much'? You see that a lot.

The problem is that all the people who said he was going to get us relegated got it wrong. Then they said the players weren't good enough to pass the ball...oh dear. Now that we're fourth people are saying 'its too early to judge.' There's nothing left for now.

Wait till we lose a couple. It'll be open season then!

Linda Morrison
23 Posted 31/12/2013 at 17:15:37
I agree with Paul and we will lose some games but so will the rest of the league.

Some managers, in any field, are great at getting the best out of all their staff and I think Roberto falls into that group.

The main difference to OFM is that he struggled when people's form dipped or they made a mistake.They were just left out and their confidence dropped through the floor

It's easy with a big squad of very capable and expensive players. The pressures on OFM are different as they are from a business perspective.Despite all the rhetoric if MU don't get into the Champions League I think that will be a very short appointment.

I've just seen the interview with Roberto over Barkley, he made me laugh and shows he respects this clu8b of ours. Well done.
I have no doubt BK will back Roberto with cash for players, he did for Moyes

Barry Rathbone
24 Posted 31/12/2013 at 17:23:12
I just don't believe football ever changes the fundamentals being a creative and skilful team will beat a less creative and skilled outfit if the fitness is equal.

The dreadful mindset of points gained at certain matches being a bonus is just cowardly, sure it gives leeway to pack the place full of journeymen and compete with those around but absolutely nothing more.

Roberto is a completely different animal courageous and intelligent he's milked the system to get real footballers - Barry, Mcarthy and Lukaku down the spine of the team - it has absolutely transformed things.

Add in the unshackling of existing talents like Oviedo and Barkley not to mention Deleufeu and others in the wings and I wouldn't swap our manager or set up for any in the league.

What has happened at GP (irrespective of league placings) outranks anything the money boys are doing because it's so cavalier and unexpected.

I knew we'd challenge if Roberto come along I just didn't think so quickly.

Dennis Ng
25 Posted 31/12/2013 at 18:39:33
Barry, coincidentally, Barry is a big difference maker though. I would have loved him here instead of manc earlier but now is equally fine. He is an upgrade to pretty much ALL we had in that position for the past 10+ years.

The other side is as you mentioned, tactics. RM is playing more towards the strength of each player. As much as I hate OFM since he dug back at us for Baines and felli, he assembled a great team. BUT he could not harness them. It was simply not his gameplan. I continue to rate OFM as a coach. Manager...nah...

The pieces have to fit. OFM had the pieces fitted in a slightly dysfunctional way and RM merely adjusted it. Be it luck or talent, I hope it continues for many decades to come. He's just slightly older than me, so we have a long time to watch things to unfold!

Eric Myles
26 Posted 01/01/2014 at 14:38:47
Ross #630, but last season the league leaders had 49 points, this year only 44.

Do you think it's because of other managers holding back their teams this year?


Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads


, placement: 'Below Article Thumbnails', target_type: 'mix' });