What makes a good manager?

I disagree strongly regarding Moyes, however. It's easy to grasp for an entity you know at times likes these but we really need to move forward and go for an experienced, top-class manager with an unmistakably winning mentality.

There were far too many games under Moyes where you dreaded them because you just knew we were going to get beat. Not as many towards the very end of his tenure, but certainly for most of it – Arsenal (A), Man Utd (A), often Chelsea (A)... all too often those games were write-offs.

Martinez could have learnt and developed his style 2 years ago but has instead persisted with the same old stuff week in and week out and it is an insult to all football fans to suggest otherwise.

Hopefully not long to go until we have a change.

I agree, Moyes, would have achieved much more with this group of players but, with one or two exceptions, the track record for managers returning to their former clubs is not great. I think the majority fan base reaction would be apoplectic.

I still think it's pointless to get rid before we see what happens at Wembley, and IMO David Moyes Mk II is not what we need. Bielsa also doesn't tick all the boxes for me.... Mr Hiddink would be my pick.

Moyes is like a piece of last nights pizza; edible, but I'm sure we could find something better, if we just scrounge around a bit.

You need to get in Kenwright's ear – not that he would know what you were talking about, I fear. His style is to place blind faith in whoever recommends a neighbouring manager and then adopt him as 'a blood brother'.

Sadly, it will have to get worse before it get's better and even then that contract that runs until June 2019 may legislate against change!

Perhaps the advice he got from the departing Scotsman was, shall we say, a little mischievous?

Couldn't agree more with your comments on Moyes's disciplinary structure aiding Martinez first season. Unfortunately his first season is the reason so many held faith for so long. Defensive discipline has gradually disappeared as Martinez's influence has grown. Still wouldn't have Moyes back though.

As for Martinez's free-flowing football not sure we see much of that these days. We've probably had about a dozen games of brilliant football allied with wins during his reign. I suppose the point about real success is you have to show your class week after week.

It applies to players and to teams. Every team and every player has a a handful of brilliant games in them but the very best sustain it. That's why Sir Alex Ferguson was an outstanding manager. Regardless of what he'd won the season before he would demand and motivate his team to want to do it next season.

Martinez can't motivate his teams for two games on the trot and sometimes he can't even manage two halves! Time to save our club. I don't enjoy saying this but I'm now convinced the only way for the board to get real is for them to see more anti-Martinez banners since I assume they're not aficionados of ToffeeWeb.

Time for the club to move on, not only a new manager but a new man at the helm as well. Bill and Roberto need to be consigned to the annals of history.

Sorry, I can't agree about Moyes, he had some good points but there were loads of times I wasn't surprised when we lost.

Your main point in that the present manager doesn't learn from his mistakes, and isn't likely to, will get a nod of approval from many Evertonians.

Your point about Tony Grant makes me think, Tony should have had a much better career than he did.

Tony was very talented but never made that final step up that would have seen him capped and have a great career with Everton, his main fault for me was he was always standing still when he received the ball instead of being mobile and ready to run onto the ball, much like Ross Barkley in today's games.

Among the reasons you outline so clearly is Martinez's inability to assemble any sought of tactical nouse, or even to contemplate changing his tactics; the players must really despair.

He really needs to go now; the energy is being drained out the team week on week.

I agree with Sid that it may be time (perhaps after the cup?) to apply a little more pressure to the board to make the decision they seem loathe to make.

I am not and never have had anything to do with coaching, playing apart as a school kid in the playground, but I posted the following a long time ago and believe it still stands.

To play Everton, the opposition does one of two things, press the goalkeeper and stop him throwing it to be played tip tap from the back or fall back to halfway line let them play tip-tap until about halfway when we give it away or lose it in other ways, quick long ball to fast forward and we are backs to the wall.

This is apart from no one on posts for corners and not being able to defend set-pieces which I will leave to the experts.

As to the manager, not keen on Moyes return but got to a point as other poster said Bugs Bunny could not do worse.

Don't go into a club with a pre conceived idea of tactics, assess the squad and make the style fit the players rather than the other way about. I would give two examples of this first Ranieri at Leicester,

When he took over he said they weren't technically gifted enough to play a possession based game. But they did have pace and energy so he adapted a style to suit.

The other is Guardiola when at Barca he had wonderful technically gifted players in Xavi, Inniesta and Messi. So everything went through midfield. Yet when he took over at Bayern they had pacy wingers in Robben and Ribery so everything was played wide and at pace.

The other thing that makes a good manager is buying good players as well as improving the existing squad. Martinez has bought some good players, but were I disagree with the original poster I don't believe he has improved too many of his squad. Yes Lukaku has improved his all round game, but he is the only success.

But both Baines and Coleman have gone backwards. Despite some early success with Barkley in his first season the player looks like a shadow of that player. The longer he works with Deulofeu the magic which he started with has diminished. I am not sure McCarthy has improved in the time he has been here.

The other ability as a manager is to get results out of games when not playing well. Martinez seems to lose or draw games when we have played well.

I fully accept that we all have our own opinions on Moyes's tenure at the Club but whatever happened after he left, he did so on good terms. Why therefore anyone (Phil W at 9 above) would try to place blame on him for "mischievously" championing Martinez as his successor is beyond me.

There is always an improvement for a new boss anyway and it may save us from slipping to 17th on the final day after losing the semi final later this month.

If we do nothing we all know the outcome....

Watford's equaliser was resulted from Stones back pass to Robles. Not having a defender covering the back post also played a vital part in the goal. That is another of my long standing criticisms that Roberto in his wisdom has totally ignored.

Other contributors to that calamity were Stones team mates. We could all see that Stones was isolated and coming under pressure but not one of his team mates made any effort to assist. The lad was left with two options, either blast the ball into touch or maintain possession by passing back to Robles. Robles who should have been aware of the possibility of a pass back was caught off guard and made a hash of his kick.

As a footnote, Everton made 9 such pass backs in the first 7 minutes. That was before boredom set in when I stopped counting. The Stones one not included.

I finished reading Brian Clough's book by Jonathan Wilson. The key to building a great side was to find characters who fit the mould and the team. Not all of those players Cloughie had were talented, but they executed what they had to do to a tee.

I accept football has moved on completely since Clough was a manager, but I don't accept that having the right mentality, attitude, work ethic and willingness to follow team orders, which were the pillars of Clough's management template, are out dated concept. The phrase " the greatest sides are also the hardest working sides" applies as much today as it did 30 or 40 years ago.

Furthermore, Clough could be searingly honest, criticising himself, the team, the board and even the supporters. Honesty in appraising performances is fundamental, as you can't win every game and you need to know what you did wrong in order to fix it.

In this regard, I read Gareth Barry's interview in today's Echo with some interest. He sounds like a future manager to me. Perhaps in a few years.

Personally, the tactics he employs just don't do it for me - at least not in the league, it is no surprise the slower build-up worked better in the Europa league.

As stated before, Stoke and everyone else know that they can win the ball and exert pressure by pressing high up where our ball-playing centre-halves (cough) are instructed to fanny about with it. It is painful to see this tactic being preserved with; the other managers must be laughing about it.

When you add to the stubbornness of philosophy, a complete disorganisation of defence and duties and a seemingly inadequate fitness regime that leaves our players breathless after 50 mins, well it all adds up to a recipe for disaster.

Mind you, that is how I call it; others call it the best football they've seen in years....

People say Barkley loves to shirk a tackle; Grant was so brittle-boned he stayed well away.

That said, his performance in the 7-1 demolition of Southampton one fine day showed a glimpse of what a player he could have been. He absolutely dictated the game with a series of intelligent, killer passes. His vision was just exceptional.

Do I want Moyes back, no thanks and I do not think he deserves to have the opportunity to come back.

However ask me if I would prefer him to Martinez then absolutely as Martinez is clueless. Mind you I would let the toffee lady manage us ahead of Martinez.

Koeman for me though. He seems right for Everton.

Against Man City, in the first leg of the League Cup, and Chelsea, they did well and lasted both games as fit as the other teams, even with ten men versus City, so they can do it.

I take your point about Tony Grant, I thought he was a good player, by the way.

Moyes put together a very loyal squad, which was built up over many years. He took the likes of Cahill, Jagielka, Osman, Howard and basically guaranteed them a place in the side, partly due to lack of funds and part loyalty. Once you had gained his trust he would hardly ever drop a player through poor form. The problem with that approach, is that you need to get to know players over a long period of time and no modern manager will have that privilege in the modern Premier League. Nor will they come across a chairman like Kenwright, who basically handed total control of the club over to the manager.

There is a reason Moyes hasn't jumped in at Newcastle, or Villa. He's looking for another Everton. Only a mug would want him back – It won't work again. There is expectation at this club to deliver now, and whilst he may come in a build a solid, workmanlike side, he won't do a Ranieri. He's far too conservative. I would say Hughes, Pardew & Allardyce are all on a par with him talent wise.

Koeman only has 1 year left on his current deal, and he has had many players sold from under him without a fight. He says he will look at his options in the summer and has refused to enter talks on a new deal until then, so he has to be a consideration. Hiddink has publicly said he's leaving Chelsea and retiring; "On the other hand, young people must take over and I must retreat a bit. I will visit Chelsea often next season but I'm not thinking of working elsewhere."

We should be looking at proven Premier League managers like Koeman, or top talent from Europe. We can't afford to take a chance on the likes of Eddie Howe, or current backroom staff. The days of 'knowing the club' are long gone & irrelevant, especially you inherit a squad from the four corners of the globe.

I just hope Moshiri ensures we conduct proper due diligence on any new manager and all the old school methods employed in the past are rightly consigned to history. It's not just the ground that requires modernisation, it's our whole approach, right across the board.

However, I agree with others on here that the article was spoilt (only a little) by the thought of bringing back Moyes as I see this as a step most definitely in the wrong direction – backwards obviously!

You could have finished the article by talking of bringing somebody such as Koeman as that would have created a better discussion on posts that followed as comparisons with Martinez could have been a little more interesting.

However, not to take away from a really good article.

The key for me is synergy and to make up a team of "old" players and classy "junior" players does not bode well for any team. They have totally different interests and opinions and will not harmonize well.It is also about synergy in the management team and a good manager will surround himself with good people with a common purpose.

Youngsters have to be groomed and integrated slowly into an existing unit to enable team spirit and harmony to prevail and have and gain respect for and from the seniors in the squad.

Fitness and organisation should be a gimme for any manager but, as some have already said, the ability to provoke players into running through brick walls for you is paramount to any success.

The game these days is constantly evolving even over 90 minutes and so to study the opposition, prepare the team well and practice routines for every game is essential but not enough.

The game has to be managed over 90 minutes. How many times have we been in the lead and thrown the game away under the current manager? That is a sure sign of inadequate preparation and poor game management.

I think enough has been said of the current regime and now we need to identify the right manager to correct the current issues and take the club forward.

we already know the no-hopers and steady Eddies and there are few world class managers like Guardiola, Conte and Simeone that we almost certainly will not go for nor attract.

However the likes of Koeman, Blanc, De Boer and one that is not often touted, Unai Emery, who has performed very well with Seville, should offer a significant improvement with the current team and with the money to reconstruct.

What makes a good manager? someone who serves up entertaining, winning football. What tends to define great managers are people who actually win trophies as well as achieving the former. If as seems likely we appoint a new manager we need to find someone who can satisfy both criteria and not gamble on potential.

In complete contrast to Martinez, who spoke about Barkley not being able to extend his knee being in pain, whilst lauding the team performance against Watford and whitewashing over our league position.

Many TW observers have pointed out the mental fragility of the current side. This has to be corrected by the manager.

Reading Barry's post match analysis vs that of Martinez, I know who I'd back to sort this out.

What's more, Barry speaks with the authority of someone who has been there, seen it and done it. He does say the team should be doing better. I doubt Martinez will be asking him to apologise if Barry's remarks are misinterpreted!

What makes a good manager?

Someone who creates a Winning environment that the players respect and enjoy would be a good start.

Certainly, ZILCH MOTIVATIONAL SKILLS are in effect, which when it comes down to it, is simply means nothing will EVER change that much, sadly, as the players just aren't, nor will ever be, fired up to go that extra yard or pull something out of the hat that ALL winning teams need.

As for Moyes, he's clearly shot now anyhow, but he never seemed that much of a motivator to me, anyway, (which really is what we need!!), but was just a well organised defensive coach in his day. Some days, that was taken on and we'd suddenly start to really play, score a few ourselves, suddenly, but I always felt that was more of a natural kick-in with the players we had, having 'earned their right to play' and then throwing the shackles off.

We need a whole team of motivators, leaders, certainly in the boot-room, led by someone who actually knows how to mix up a genuinely progressive playing style with the motivational skills to keep our lads fired up to win it back and not succumb to every counter-attack the opposition seemingly even thinks about at times. Anyone out there? Really?

I want him back to get some fear in the dressing room.

Well, hands up I was wrong, wrong by a million miles. We have got, in my view, the worst coach in our history. A man so inept and utterly laughable that he actually he shames our club.

I think Moyes might be back, and I don't like the idea much. I bow to no one in my contempt for his contempt of our club. But, Bill likes him, he has learned a lot. He is humbled and unemployed (not broke). So, could he, with money to come, with the tantalising hints of good football backed with solid defence, come back?

I would like a bold appointment when Martinez goes, I think Bill likes the familiar, however, and if it is Moyes again then I would be gutted but take it as better than Martinez.

Ranieri is paid half of what Martinez gets; wish Everton was half as good.

The likes of Huth was out for the longest time and thought his career was over but what a season he has had. They had Ulloa up top for a majority of last season but since they went with 3 quick, skilful attackers they have been unstoppable so one thinks why Everton have persisted with one lone target man who is not that quick.

Having said that Lukaku has done amazingly well but his supporting cast has failed him miserably since Christmas. Deulofeu could have been the key to kickstarting the Blues again but he like Barkley is playing poorly. The end product is just not there any more and barring a miracle it is hard to see them advancing in the Cup.

Any link to this South American manager seems banal. Taking a man who cannot communicate in English would be a real problem unless Funes Mori becomes a part time interpreter or he signs a whole load of Spanish personnel.

I agreed with nearly everything but I would not have Moyes back. There are better managers out there. After he plotted to go to Man Utd, we should have shown him the door immediately. We got no compensation as he didn't sign a contract and Kenwright's tears were embarrassing. Thanks Moyesie but you do not deserve a second chance.

Martinez has been found out and will be sacked. I would personally sack him before the semi-final. I wanted him to be sacked 12 months ago but as they say, we are where we are.

At the moment, he is like a desperate man pleading to keep his well paid job but he really doesn't understand where it all went wrong and that is the sad part (for us anyway!).

He doesn't even do the basics like putting defenders on posts. He has turned on Baines and he will go the same way as Ian Holloway. I do not even know which club he is at now? Answers on a postcard.

Whoever would come in next season if Martinez goes is going to have a huge rebuilding job on their hands. With the likes of Lukaku, Stones and possibly Barkley leaving with the vultures lurking and Howard definitely gone. Plus players like Osman, Pienear, Hibbert and Gibson all coming to a contract or playing career end, its going to leave a threadbare squad.

There's also players like Funes Mori, Mirallas and Coleman who both have had interest from clubs from home and abroad. Whoever is in-charge at the start of next season is going to have a huge war chest to play with. I personally don't trust Martinez with that amount of money, nor would I trust Moyes.

I think we're going to be in a right mess come the summer time and, hopefully being Martinez-less, I would go for a Hiddink/Ranieri type manager/character who would be able to steady the ship. With them being in the position for maybe a year, this would allow the club to make plans for a top manager the following season, who wouldn't be coming into a complete mess.

Is it really possible that we could get Mourinho? Could Moshiri persuade the board to really go for it and get him in? In terms of points per pound spent, Mourhino must return more than any player and would attract other players who would want to play for him. That's the only way the likes of Rom and John will stay – would you stay with boss who you knew could not deliver success?

If Man Utd keep LVG and Man City are sorted who else is there with the potential that would enable him to rebuild his reputation? I suppose I should be apologising for my lack of ambition.

We are at a real crossroads with the club. We are about to lose our stars of the future OR we are about to build a 10 year legacy – maybe it is time to go for broke? We have some tremendous young players – I've seen Dowell and Walsh since they were 11 – both could be internationals.

I understand the calls for Barry or Dunc as manager but return to my original point; as in all walks of life you get better with practice and learn by your mistakes. To put a novice in charge of a Premier League team would be like putting Gary Neville in charge of a team he couldn't speak to – a good idea after a few sangrias but destined to fail.

Regarding Tony Grant he was as brave as any player Ive seen and got kicked to pieces from the age of 11. I heard that his career at EFC ended when he turned up on crutches but was ordered to play after several injections and some strapping – he lasted 15 minutes and hardly played for us again. It made me defend players like Rooney – when given the chance to earn big money he must have had older players reminding him that it could all end with one bad tackle. At the end of the day they are treated like pieces of meat – expensive meat – but loyalty only goes one way

Enjoyed the debate thank you. Great website

Also worth a note, I've heard Eddie Howe will fast become the favourite to take over at Goodison, I've heard this twice from the same source in the last few weeks. Kenwright is on the look out for a new manager and he thinks Howe is the man...

Bill gave Roberto a new five-year contract in June 2014 so he still has over three years left on his contract. I don't know whether he got a pay rise at the same time but I would be surprised if he didn't.

He won't sack him if we win the cup, someone may think that is unlikely but it's just two games.

It will be a brave and, perhaps a churlish Evertonian, who celebrates a joyous cup win and starts a "Martinez Out" thread next day.

In the cold light of day, I believe he must go, yet, if we win the cup, It will be a while before I experience the cold light of day.

Eddie Howe is being talked about but I think we are going back to hiring a manager because of one good season in the league, this reminds me of the hype Ian Holloway had with Blackpool and look what happened to them.

I have no idea who will be available to bring in but I hope this time due diligence is taken and not hire someone because he won a cup, his chairman recommends him and he talks a good game.

Winning the cup is no scenario to keeping a manager. we play over 40 games in a year including two cups, one we have already be knocked out of, and we are now returning quickly to the bottom half team we were when Moyes took over. The excitement we had in Martinez's first season is simply looking like a 1 off performance, and is rapidly being replaced with the fear that this manager is way out of his depth in the Premier League.

Living on past glories is no way to succeed in the Premier League as a number of managers who have had I good season and a poor 1 the next have found out, Martinez is struggling to find a solution, but the solution is he has to make changes in his philosophy, and is to stubborn to either see this or change it.

This board should no longer sit on their hands hoping things will change, it is their responsibility to make changes. Supporters since the end of Martinez's, first season when their were signs of his defensive frailties, up to even today, want to give him more time. I would like to ask them how much more time do you need after 2 years of declining performances.?

I believe Martinez was appointed on £1.5M a year plus a bonus if he got Champions League.

After that first season, Bill wet himself and gave him a new five-year contract at £4M a year.

And your analogy of the Chelsea game was spot on a drab affair brought to life when lazy arse Lukaku got his shit together.

I'm like everyone else, apart from the few still supporting him: he's got to go. But it won't be this season... believe me.

Agree with this post. Any plans for Saturday? Unfortunately I'm going to the match.

As for Moyes, do people not remember how desperate we were for him to go? Rigid system, playing players out of position, sticking with favourites (Neville!?!), poor use of subs. He was great for years, but was not up to it towards the end.

All the comments on tactics, styles, philosophies are as a result of frustration at our team not being successful over a long, long time.

Moyes never achieved satisfaction level because he won nowt and never really looked like doing so. His successor promised much and has delivered nothing either.

The next bugger they come up with will doubtless follow the same pattern. Everton are now firmly amongst 'the also-rans', sad to say!

Much as I want Martinez gone, I think we are stuck with him for a while. However, despite my newly found calm, a defeat against Liverpool will bring on the red mist.

Yes I'm with you, we have to keep on protesting at the way the club is run at the moment, we all deserve better than this.

Phil we do not know who is going to take over the club and were we will be after a new manager takes over, we might be blessed with a manager who knows the game and can take the club and team to places we have longed to be.

The next bugger might be some one like the best manager we have ever had, Harry Catterick, who didn't give a shite about the way anyone thought of him but produced teams that won and entertained the fans who watched the Blues. Football goes in cycles and if Mr Moshiri is the man who can instill the pride and passion into the next manager and team then we supporters can more than match that pride and passion.

I never say we are the best supporters in the world but we are as good any other group of supporters in the world, give us a team that shows the will to have a go and we will back every step of the way.

Phil I honestly enjoy your posts and you have seen great days with Everton but you are now ground down and don't expect any more good days at Goodison. Phil, for fuck's sake, pull yourself together, we will come back and be a team to be proud of, those days are not far away.

If you don't believe or can't believe that you might as well spew it now. Renew your season ticket for next season you won't be disappointed.

That's a good seven pints worth anyway.

All we've done is changed from a seemingly on the surface, 'dour' – but who might not have been, when you worked with him day in day out – inflexible manager. To another seemingly 'personable' – who when you got on his bad side was a top draw vindictive grudge holder – inflexible manager.

There now seems be, anecdotally at least, a substantial list of those who were young enough to know no better or old enough not to give a real fuck, who have been shunned and/or on numerous occasions marked down as 'carrying a training knock'.

Some people are asking on here how can 800+in the poll still support him. I think the majority of those a voting in support of yes in theory playing the (unattainable dream) of 'Uber Barca' is technically right rather than belief that it will all come good soon if the man is left to follow his dream... on our dime.

It would need a book of biblical proportions to answer Tony P's query of what makes a good manager.

A good start would be to take junior coaching courses that concentrate on technique. From there the candidate can progress through the levels up to senior pro licence. Ancillary courses involve football related fitness and injuries.

Other topics to be covered include a historical development of the game plus its many variations of tactics. Candidates will be judged on all the above theoretically and practically.

Least mentioned yet a most important segment is man management and psychology. At the elite level a coach is dealing with highly paid individuals who from childhood had their every whim catered and never held an 'ordinary' job.

The candidate coach has usually come through the same system and possibly has similar flaws in his make up.

Anyone or anything, including family pets.

Except this is mindset is no more enlightened than any teenage football fan clinging to the odd good results and games his team have had previously and simply ignores that, in the 'bigger picture' it just isn't happening NOW. When, occasionally, it does SEEM to be happening again, then all is well and good and no work, no real improvements need to be made. Certainly, ZILCH MOTIVATIONAL SKILLS are in effect, which when it comes down to it, is simply means nothing will EVER change that much, sadly, as the players just aren't, nor will ever be fired up to go that extra yard or pull something out of the hat that ALL winning teams need.

As for Moyes, he's clearly shot now anyhow, but he never seemed that much of a motivator to me either, (which really is what we need!!), but was just a well organised defensive coach in his time with us. Some days, admittedly, that was taken on and we'd suddenly start to really play, score a few ourselves, maybe, but I always felt that was more of a natural kick-in with the players we had, having 'earned their right to play' and then throwing the shackles off (notably against Man Utd, occasionally).

Right now, for next season leastways, We need a whole team of motivators, leaders, certainly in the boot-room, over-lorded by someone who actually knows how to mix up a genuinely progressive playing style with the motivational skills to keep our lads fired up and 'on the edge' and with some personnel capable of 'thinking out the box' when needed, whilst ALL keep pressing to win the ball back and, especially, not succumb to every counter attack the opposition seemingly even thinks about at times.

Okay, I want something, someone, special. Don't we all (we deserve it again, by now!!) Martinez, for all his niceness, apparent love of our club, and even an (aesthetically) decent footballing philosophy has already proved he isn't any sort of a 'special one' as he just isn't equipped to send our lads out raring to go. They either click or they don't, game after game (after game!).. too often clearly not very much at all, 'no chemistry' a'la the words of Baines.

Martinez, in all his 'I still see the sun rising' post-match denial, is correct, for me, only in that we really aren't that far away, or at least shouldn't or don't have to be.. before the groaning and expletives come my way, by this I mean I feel we are so close (and yet so far!) simply because the missing ingredient is a pretty vital one: the right manager. Couple of players wouldn't go amiss, too, of course, but we need someone to really get the lads up for it.

Conundrum will be should we really get shot of Martinez if we win the FA Cup? I get the dissent totally, but we are Everton and we want that trophy, and for now that has to be our aim... but, then, how do we cheer the team to victory if that happens then boo the manager instantly out of the club? After all, if we're (rightfully) knocking him for our failings, we surely have to give him credit where its due, when we do well. Fair's fair, after all. And sometimes we do do well, and so the cup may well prove this again. Not sure I could cheer the team to glory then boo out the triumphant manager, like it had nothing to do with him, with any dignity.

However, it is a backward step to suggest having him back. He could undoubtedly do more with this squad than Martinez, but then again, so could the tea lady.

I would like to see Koeman approached, nothing ventured and all that. Not at all sure about Biesla but Unai Emery is a good shout too.

Just as a side issue, I'm not sure where some people get the idea that Martinez did okay in the Europa either. The only decent game we played in the group game was Lille at home and then Young Boys was okay. Hardly inspiring stuff. I'm still not sure how we came away from the Wolfsburg games with wins as we were torn apart by them in both games.

For me, Martinez has been a dud from start to finish. That first season I still assert that Moyes's work ethic and organisation got him through and since then (well since the derby/Arsenal in the cup that first season) it has been one disaster after another. He has destroyed all the good work that Moyes did in making us competetive and making the rest of the league respect Everton FC again. Now we are just a joke again.

Why can Kenwright not see we are slowly being destroyed by this idiot Martinez? "Death by a thousand cuts" springs to mind.

Nevertheless, your explanation of the basic requirements to be a decent manager sounds right to me. I think on top of that, there are some things that are less definable (to me anyway!) but there are some managers who are over and above good and I'd call them great managers.

I put David Moyes in the "good" bracket along with Sam Alladyce, Tony Pulis, and there's plenty more who have a good careers over the years in the old First Division and now the Premier League.

I thought that Roberto Martinez would prove to be a good manager and I thought he added to the team that Moyes left and made us an exciting team to watch.

Well, if the proof a manager being good is to continue to at least produce similar success as the first season, in the second and third season, Roberto is not proving to be a good manager, as he seems unable to adapt and change his team selection and tactics, as teams find out our team's weaknesses.

Bilic looks like he is proving to be a top class manager, Klopp, Koeman, Potechino, Ranieri as well; and there's Mourinho and Pep Guardiola and others.

I look at the Great Managers, who have this "something" over and above the good. Jock Stein, Bill Shankley, Brian Clough, Bob Paisley and Alex Ferguson and possibly Arsene Wenger were/are great managers. Perhaps they were great men and that is the difference but they built dynasties of extremely successful teams

I look at Harry Catterick as a good manager, not a great one and even Howard Kendall, once he left Everton, could not replicate the success he achieved from '84 to '88.

How Kenwright handles the situation is probably the most important decision he will make, or at least as important as the decision to sack Walter Smith and bring in Moyes.

Well, hopefully, he won't be the one who makes the decision as now we have the means to reach for a top class manager and not gambling on a "prospect". If we can at least get a top class professional manager in, then maybe that will provide a platform for Everton to build on.

I remember going into lots of games expecting to lose eg every Man Utd game, Arsenal away, Chelsea away and Liverpool home and away.

I think it is a measure of how hapless our current leader is that people even mention Moyes as being our manager again.

It's similar to being teary-eyed over an ex-girlfriend who at the time you couldn't stand, but is preferable to the current one!!!!!! (Hope the wife doesn't see this.)

We've done the young up and coming manager twice and it hasn't worked. Lets aim higher this time at an established coach who will get us playing as a team unit, not a bunch of individuals making schoolboy errors every week who don't learn from their mistakes.

Now of course managers will make decisions which split the fan base, fair enough. But when virtually every fan questions numerous decisions loudly, that's when you think 'time for you to fuck off now'.

For example, Moyes constantly playing players out of position (Rodwell right mid, anyone), persisting with players in dreadful form (Heitinga, Neville)... and Martinez, well I don't have to say do I. So we don't expect brilliance, but we don't expect utter stupidity.

I hope you're wrong Andy! And Dave, yes, we all do deserve better. I don't like going to the match anymore (the past two seasons) and that saddens me.

Martinez Out.

However, your question about how many times did Moyes take Everton to Arsenal and fans expected us to get beat has a simple answer: every time.

Similarly at Old Trafford, Anfield or Arsenal. I always thought we would do okay at Goodison against Man City and Chelsea but other than that, I expected Everton to lose to all of the top teams during his tenure.

Moyes was good at getting points at home and against the teams around us. He bought some excellent players in Baines, Martyn, Lescott, Jagielka, Arteta and Cahill. He did less well when he spent big.

Moyes was good for Everton FC and I think history will look on him kindly as somebody who saved us and gave us back our respect. However, the game has moved on and Moyes is too defensive-minded as he showed at Man Utd.

We may have a new investor but I fear Kenwright is still going to be pulling the strings and I just don't see him sacking the manager, especially when it will cost a big pay off. Hope to be proved wrong on this but I'm the eternal pessimist, I guess.

As for all the names bandied about if we do replace the manager, I'm afraid nearly all of them are wishful thinking; we almost certainly not get the big name manager most think we will.

One thing is certain in my mind: I desperately want us to win this FA Cup!

From the BBC Sportsday Live stream 12 April at 12.06..

Everton manager Roberto Martinez is about to speak to the media to preview his side's Premier League game with Crystal Palace on Wednesday.
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