Uninspired and sloppy Blues fall to defeat again

A unconvincing Everton display ended in a barely warranted win for the home side, with Jagielka denied by the crossbar and De Gea.

Michael Kenrick 03/04/2016 237comments  |  Jump to last
Manchester United 1 - 0 Everton
The Toffees were finally back in action after yet another international break with a trip to Manchester United. Roberto Martinez named a strong starting line-up including Gerard Deulofeu making his first start since January against Swansea City. Ramiro Funes Mori and Mo Besic were the players dropped to the bench, with John Stones reinstated to the Everton defence. Cleverley appeared to be playing in covering mode for Gareth Barry who served the second and final game of his suspension.

With Fellaini of the bench, Man Utd kicked off after the unwelcome distraction of the South Stand being renamed after Sir Bobby, and it was cagey stuff from both sides until Lennon seemed to have released Lukaku but an utterly atrocious first touch saw the big man leave the ball behind him. McCarthy got whacked and needed some attention.

Rashford almost caught out the Everton defence with an audacious backheel and it earned the first corner of the game that the Blues repelled. After some head-tennis, Everton won a free-kick that Baines drove in well enough but the Blue shirts failed to make contact. Barkley fed Deulofeu rather than shooting and the young Spaniard darted infield past Rojo but ran into a cul-de-sac rather than making a telling pass.

Cleverley did brilliantly to regain possession and stride forward, feeding Lukaku who wanted to hold the ball up and hold off Blind, his backheel to Cleverley nowhere near clever enough and far too easily picked off.

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At the other end, Martial got off a fierce shot that flew inches wide, thanks to an unseen deflection off Baines's arse. The Blues slowed the pace of the game down, intent on retaining possession but giving it up far too easily, although the hosts were hardly any better.

Another good run in by Deulofeu saw McCarthy fouled a little closer to the hosts' penalty area, but Baines could only clip the wall with it. He hooked the ensuing corner to Lukaku at the far post but his header bounced out. More poor ball-control saw lots of midfield turnovers.

A Man Utd corner was cleared. Stones did his bit to play out of defence and pick out Lennon but the attack broke down when the ball was fed to Lukaku and, in no time, it was another corner for Man Utd, followed by a lot of scrapy stuff around the edge of the Everton area before a goal-kick was awarded. Utd attacked again but Rashford was dispossessed. He then fired in at an angle on Robles.

Half-hour gone and a pretty even contest, with neither side paying particularly well, with so many switches of possession, Stones with a poor clearance to a Utd player... twice! He then was well positioned as a defender to clear a dangerous cross from Mata.

Utd were suddenly pressing much more effectively, Coleman had to be very smart to deny Rashford a shot with a fantastic block-tackle inside his own area. But with the ball, Everton were trying to pick out Lukaku with punted percentage balls that continually struggled to master.

A brilliant piece of play by the hosts looked to set up a gaol but fantastic defending in a superb scissors move by Stones and Baines together, Stones with a superbly timed defensive tackle in the penalty area, snuffed out the danger brilliantly. More neat Everton possession going forward... but taking far to long to get near the Utd goal.

Barkley tried to give Lukaku a ball to run onto but it was too far ahead of the big man, who had failed to anticipate it. At the other end, Martial tried to break through the Everton defence but handled the ball.

Not a classic, both teams neutralizing each other in the fist half before either side could get sight of the opposing goalkeeper... perhaps some Bobby Charlton-style rocketry from distance could break the deadlock in the second half.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah replaced Rojo before Everton resumed play, pumping the ball pointlessly toward Lukaku. Rashford tried and failed to beat Jagielka out wide. Lukaku held up a free-kick from Stones well and Everton kept the presson , Baines playing a great ball in to Lukaku, his shot blocked just wide of the post, and the corner coming to nought. Proabbly Everton's best spell yet.

Deulofeu was screaming for a foul from Blind, that was evenmtually called by Andre Marriner. Baines again on the set-piece, winning a corner off a defensive header. Baines into the danger area but half-cleared, Coleman's shot blocked by Rashford's arm.

A mix-up at the back for Utd should have seen Lukaku or Deulofeu go for the ball but neither bothered, and Man Utd waltzed up the other end, a clever piece of play and cross to Martial at the far post by the sub was turned in with ease.

Deulofeu tried a text-book cross that deflected to De Gea. Everton won a corner, brilliantly swung in by Deulofeu, and a fantastic bullet header from Jagielka almost broke the crossbar, as he stooped a fraction too low after smartly evading his man. The Bues couldn't clear their lines, though, and suffered some home pressure, Barkley, Stones and others all losing possession. Lingard missed a wicked cross from Mata and Stones cleaned up.

Robles did a nice Stones impression, playing the ball away from Lingard, but the Blues could not get out of their half, as Mirallas replaced Deulofeu... like for like, SOP from Martinez.

Barkley lost possession again under zero pressure but Stones eventually cleared yet another Man Utd attack, the blues still failing to build anything yet again, because every clearance was finding a red shirt, with no-one showing for the ball.

A nice ball from Barkley played to Lukakau's feet after a great knock-down from Mirallas hit the back of his heel. A ball played over the top to Lukaku for him to run onto in typical laboured fashion saw Darmian get in his way and win a free-kick, but at least Everton were no longer under continual pressure, Mirallas trying to shoot but blocked.

Nice play from Baines, Lukaku to Barkley saw the youngster get around the back but fire over a wayward cross rather than shooting in on goal. Lukaku was lazily offside for a good ball forward from Baines. Jagielka was required to halt the next Utd attack as the Red pressure resumed until the ball was lumped forward in the vague direction of Lukaku and out of play.

Baines crossed in lazily from the left, straight to De Gea, as Everton struggled to really threaten. More sideways and backward passing from Everton went nowhere with Barkley ambling around, possibly injured. With time running down, Everton didn't really look like changing the scoreline despite having played their part in another strictly limited display, with the manager incapable or uninterested in doing anything to change the game.

A slightly better move saw Coleman cross, Valencia in front of Lukaku fora corner that again Jagielka could have scored from but he powered his snapshot straight at De Gea. A free-kick played back to Cleverley blocked away, and suddenly Man Utd were storming, five on one, but McCarthy was across ferociously as the game finally came to life.

Everton broke but then stalled as Barkley dithered around but the ball got out to Coleman and a fantastic cross should have been converted by Lukaku, who was a step behind so it wasn't... then Lukaku burst through but could not shoot and Cleverley could do little nore behind him.

Three minutes for the 50-60% man Niasse to show what he could do in place of Barkley. Niasse broke forward but his pass was consummate laziness, straight to a red shirt and Man Utd pressed again. Lingard was carded for a cynical trip on Stones.

Everton made one final push, Niasse trying to force his way past Smalling and failing miserably. Everton had played their part in a poor game, perhaps a little better than the last outing against Arsenal, but a poor result, their second loss away from home, 10th loss of the season.

Scorers: Martial (54')

Manchester United: De Gea, Darmian, Smalling [Y], Blind (81' Valencia), Rojo (46' Fosu-Mensah), Schneiderlin, Carrick (58' Herrera), Lingard [y:82'], Mata, Martial, Rashford.
Subs not Used: Romero,Young, Fellaini, Memphis.

Everton: Robles, Coleman, Stones, Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Cleverley, Deulofeu (62' Mirallas), Lennon, Barkley, (88' Niasse), Lukaku.
Subs not Used: Howard, Funes Mori, Besic, Oviedo, Kone.

Referee: Andre Marriner

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Reader Comments (237)

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Rob Hooton
1 Posted 03/04/2016 at 15:33:15
Well I'll be damned, glad I didn't follow through on my earlier comment of putting all my money on Martinez not playing 2 wingers!

Man Utd team looks weak, reckon we can beat these...

Paul Andrews
3 Posted 03/04/2016 at 16:47:29
Looks like Stones is taking the lesson on board. No sloppy defending. No trying to beat a man in his own box and 100% concentration.

Best player on the pitch first half.

Dave Abrahams
4 Posted 03/04/2016 at 16:51:37
Still only playing one Rob, Lennon is mostly in the centre of the field.
Gareth Clark
7 Posted 03/04/2016 at 16:59:06
Much more attacking with Deulofeu on!

I like the free roam that Lennon and Deulofeu have. I'd like to see Barkley further forward, and because Cleverley isn't very defensive:

I would have Stones and McCarthy holding, Funes Mori and Jags in defense & Barkley roaming the attacking third.

Christy Ring
8 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:15:18
I don't like the formation, he should have Lennon and Deulofeu on both wings, Barkley further forward and Cleverley holding with McCarthy. Lukaku is alone figure upfront. We haven't threatened the United goal, and nearly an hour gone.
Bobby Thomas
9 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:31:10
Was out last night got talking to a lad about footy, he asked me how I thought we'd get on today.

"We'll get beat." was my reply.

Unfortunately, with 20 minutes to go it seems this is how it may work out today, again.

I have had virtually zero expectation of winning matches since about November 2014. We are just a very, very poor side.

Glen Garrett
10 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:32:30
if this game is anything to go buy Everton haven't got a chance in hell of winning anything under Martinez. The team has got no pride. Oh well, they still get paid, time for a change in management.
Steve Bingham
11 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:37:48
80 mins of absolute half-paced dross...
Paul Hughes
12 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:38:59
10 mins to go – bring on a 2nd striker!!!
Gary Woodward
13 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:39:57
Awful, simply awful.

It's as if the players know that Martinez is gone.

No passion, no urgency, players disinterested.

Anto Byrne
14 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:44:03
What a pile of shite, when are they going to call time on this useless gobshite. Oviedo is fit and does not get recalled? Besic should have started with McCarthy at least he offers more going forward. Leave Barkley up front or on the bench. This manager is clueless. Time to go is now.
Colin Hughes
15 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:45:17
The fact that we are two points behind West Brom, who have played seven matches this season were they have not registered a single shot on goal, is a measure how utterly awful we have been in the league.
Ernie Baywood
16 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:52:05
As far as cameos go, was that the worst you've seen from Niasse? Park level would be generous.
Roman Sidey
17 Posted 03/04/2016 at 17:59:50
Ernie, Shandy got a red card in less time than Niasse was on, so I think it's only the second worst cameo.

We have now lost more matches than we've won this season. That really should be the most damning stat for any manager.

Bill is an absolute nutter to think Martinez is earning his cheques. I've only been supporting since 2002, but I am finally starting to understand what the 1990s must have felt like.

Anto Byrne
18 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:00:51
I've no time for this idiot – just sack the prick now. Install a caretaker... the toffee lady is just fine. Our record in the league is abysmal and another poorly defended goal. We lost possession and could not be arsed to get back and support the defence.
Andy Meighan
19 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:00:53
Awful performance from an awful side... but I suppose the clown will put his usual positive spin on things, the phoney fucker. I can't see us winning another game all season and it's just as well we're just about safe – otherwise we'd really be up shit strasse. Best squad in a generation? My fuckin' arse.
Gavin Johnson
20 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:01:25
Ernie, I disagree with your assessment of Niasse's cameo. You can't really say either way from the 8 minutes he was on the pitch. From the little we saw I think there's hope for the lad yet.

I thought we were robbed today. It was a good performance from the capitulation against Arsenal. We were committed and were unlucky not to score.

Sadly, in the wider context Roberto will be slaughtered again this evening, even though we didn't do anything wrong today. At the end of the day it's a results game and we are not delivering, so the manager is accountable.

Tony Hill
21 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:02:30
86 minutes he brings on Niasse who we know is not fit. No third substitute used. There are no words. An unbelievably dire performance, Cleverley and the two centre backs apart.

Never mind, let's not do anything brave or interesting like sacking this manifestly hopeless manager. We are Everton after all and we do things differently. We can perhaps look at it again at Christmas if we can pluck up the courage.

John Louis Jones
22 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:03:18
Martinez has got to go.

He Played with 3 central Midfielders and 2 right wingers with Lennon playing... errr... as a shadow striker??

Lukaku is so Isolated it is unreal, there was no width. I think he has lost the dressing room, I don't think the players understand and buy into his tactics. How many times I seen so much space down the left and there was nobody there!!

Shocking

Martinez Out.

Simon Smith
23 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:03:38
Roberto is slowly but surely killing the passion!
Defeats are feeling less painful as they seem inevitable at present!
Colin Glassar
24 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:04:18
Apart from Jags and Stones everyone else was terrible. Can this man survive the summer?
Jamie Crowley
25 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:04:24
Fucking diabolical. Horrific effort, no passion, no urgency... a complete acceptance of losing.

That was the definition of unacceptable.


Ray Roche
26 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:04:31
I'm lucky. I've seen us win cups, leagues, play great football, with great teams.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I'm unlucky. I'm still alive to see this absolute shite. I've ordered my semi final ticket, but, d'you know what? I'm not sure if I can be arsed going. OK, there's plenty of mates who'll take it off my hands but right now, do I want to put myself through all that again? I don't feel like bothering whilst that clown is still in charge, Will someone please work a brown shoe up his hoop?
James Stewart
27 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:05:00
If that was the 'reaction' performance after the Arsenal surrender then we are well and truly up shit creek. Awful United side who beat us with ease.

All this 'top talent' in our squad is becoming somewhat of a parody because all thats evident on match days is that we are second best to pretty much everyone bar the bottom 3.

Colin Hughes
28 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:07:06
Gavin, are you off your Jaffa? "A good performance"? If any side had put in a good performance there today they would have won comfortably.

United are a poor side these days with no world class players yet the have beaten us twice without really getting out of first gear in either game.

We look no better than Sunderland or Norwich at the moment, it's a good job the games will run out before they can catch us.

Patrick Murphy
29 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:07:59
At no stage did Everton look as if they would take all three points and only in a five minute flurry did they look as if they would score, on another day we might have got a point, but realistically we are a very poor team with little or nothing to help cheer us up. We need a root and branch clear-out of the whole squad and probably a new manager and staff, just as well the new owner has a few bob.

I can't see this current team somehow overcoming hungrier teams in the FA Cup and I really can't see too many points being put on the board in the last few league games – there is something rotten in the state of Denmark and it needs sorting and quickly.

Joe Clitherow
30 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:08:37
It's difficult even to get worked up when you know it is utterly pointless to do so.

Without any doubt the worst manager I have ever seen at Everton in 45 years of watching and he is seemingly under no pressure to perform or achieve.

What is the point when that is the situation?

John Louis Jones
31 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:09:18
Game 30 and as we stand West Brom, West Ham, Southampton and Stoke are above us. With Liverpool, Watford and Southampton next 3 games were is the next win coming from?
Sean Roberts
32 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:10:03
Okay, Lukaku, you stated this week your ready for Champions League next season. We as Everton fans are hurt but understand. Today you had a chance to show a prospective employer what you are about. You were dogshit.

How many of the United fans would have looked at you today and thought "Yes, let's go for this lad"? None. Not good enough.

Yet again, bizzare substitutions. Time for a change or we are in real trouble next season. And as for that 13.5 million quid striker Niasse!!! Oh, lol, lol, lol!

Anthony Manning
33 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:10:24
Martinez needs to go tonight,.

The tactics, the formation, the confusion... it seems pretty clear to me he has lost the dressing room, I can't even be arsed knocking out the seasons stats as we all know how depressing they are.

We need to install a caretaker to inject a bit of pride before the semi-final.

Roman Sidey
34 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:11:08
Gavin, you are a bit right, inasmuch as we didn't do much wrong until they scored. After they scored, we played as if we were protecting a lead, and that has happened almost every time we've gone behind this season. That is down to the manager.
Stewart Lowe
35 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:11:36
It scares me to death where we would be without the Lukaku goals? Take him out of the team and we don't seem to have a lot left. We rely on him to score or assist. That is one of the worst performances I have seen and that really does say something.

We made a poor Man Utd team look like world beaters.

I had no idea what formation we were playing?

I had no idea where certain players were playing?

My heart was in my mouth with every corner or ball into our box.

This surely can't get any worse, can it?

I was sure the board didn't want to sack Martinez now whilst we still have a chance of a cup, but I'm not sure now.

Julian Exshaw
36 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:12:10
Those of you who may have read my previous posts will know that I have supported Martinez this season. I have felt that our performances were always better than the results and that sooner or later we would reap our rewards.

This now looks like a forlorn hope and one thing that I hate to witness, is our beloved Everton playing without fire and imagination. They were going through the motions today and that is inexcusable!

Andy Ellis
37 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:12:15
Two efforts from Jags was our only threat. That gobshite Lakaku was piss poor, Blind had him in his pocket. Champions League? You're having a laugh, lad.

That was an ordinary Man U there for the taking, only Mata played well for them, but still too good for us. No belief in that team, all stems from the manager. That Niasse is a dud, no doubt about that, £13.5m, ffs!

Jamie Crowley
38 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:12:43
I've been holding to hope. I like the way Roberto is building the Club. I like his signings (Niasse excluded). I like his approach to the game philosophically.

He can't motivate these men – it's so obvious.

This was the tipping point. Maybe it took me a bit longer than most, but there's no turning back after today.

It's time for him to go. The Club, for the good of the Club, simply must make a change.

One of the last Roberto backers has been pushed over the edge today.

TY for your service Roberto. It's time, for everyone involved, for you to move on.

Colin Glassar
41 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:14:39
We obviously set up for a draw but once we went behind we had no Plan B, no reaction even though we had a few chances.

The spirit has gone, the players were arguing amongst each other and you can see we are a broken team. It used to be a case of taking a knife to a gunfight now, it's more like taking a dildo to a gun fight!!

It's got to such a point I don't care anymore. My spirit, and enthusiasm, has also gone down the bog.

Jim Bailey
42 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:14:50
So this is how players perform when told that they must play for their places? Utter rubbish. I have finally lost it with Barkley, I have a two-year-old granddaughter that could tackle with more intent. He's slow, lazy and ineffective.

Are there still any blues out there that seriously think we can beat these or West Ham? I noticed the face of our phenomenal one as he trudged off after the final whistle, he had the expression of a man who knows finally that his game is over.

This was so embarrassing to watch. For God's sake get shut now. There will be a huge exodus from Goodison in the summer with or without Martinez, so why not someone as a stand in until then? It couldn't be any worse.

Mark Andrews
43 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:15:33
Dreadful... just dreadful. That was an offensive pile of turgid dung from an inept manager who's stealing his wages whilst pretending to be a Premier League coach.

No idea, no plans on how to mix it up. Just what formation was he playing midway through the second half? I couldn't see it and the players didn't seem to know either. How long can he get away with this? The media give him such an easy ride, locally the press are worse.

There just doesn't seem to be an end to this total garbage. It's a painful time to watch us knowing how safe this clown is in his job.

Rahul Sreekumar
44 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:15:38
We're in April and not yet at 40 points. Tell me again how "we're really really close" or "how our aim is to reach the Champions League spots"; or "the final third is the most important phase of the league campaign".

Or "now that we got through the tough games, the next 12 games will be crucial"; or how "we fucked up those crucial games, but that's okay, the next 8 games are crucial" or how "we were unlucky, linesman, referee, missed penalty, grass was wet, his wife wasn't......

I'm an infant in blue years compared to most over here, but that can not be the best squad/team in a generation!

Nev Renshaw
45 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:15:43
Lost again. We've got some of the best individual players in the premier league, we just don't gel as a team. I mean, just look at what Leicester City are doing with a mostly 'ordinary' squad of players (Vardy excepted). They play as a team with conviction and belief. I hope they go on to become Champions.

We on the other hand are lucky we're not fighting relegation, particularly with our home form letting us down badly. Hopefully we'll lift the FA Cup, but as far as this Premier League season goes, I can't wait for the final whistle.

Gavin Johnson
46 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:16:57
There was nothing between the sides barring the goal. We were unlucky today. That doesn't detract from the bigger picture that we need to make changes in the summer.

But I'm not buying the uninspired performance. We played a lot better than the 1-2 defeat there last season. If we play them in the FA Cup semi-final, we can and should get a result.

Stewart Lowe
47 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:17:32
Martinez interview just now: "There were two games within a game. Up until the goal, we were the team with a better tempo and we always looked a threat." – I watched the whole match and this is a lie, what game was he watching?).

"The goal was a very soft action, it’s not up to our standards. The performances were very, very level" – No, they were not level and even if they were, aren’t we supposed to be better than this poor poor Man Utd team?

"... and we shouldn’t have lost the game. It’s that sort of game that came down to small margins – the ball hitting the crossbar is the difference between us getting something out of the game." – Yet another lie, we had little going forward and our one moment had to come from our central defender.

"We are a young group with great potential but our home form hasn’t been anywhere near good enough." – Martinez full of shit spiel again.

Patrick Murphy
48 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:17:40
I wonder if the travelling fans will be held responsible for the performance by the Everton team? Thought not... and neither should they, today was a proper reflection of where this team stands both mentally and physically.
Tony Hill
49 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:19:56
We need to ask ourselves if we have a better chance of winning the semi-final with a new manager and the answer must be "yes". These players want Martinez out, you can smell it.

A test for Mr Moshiri which I pray he is going to pass.

Jamie Crowley
50 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:20:00
And Patrick @48 it's the "mentally" part of the equation that is by far the most disturbing for me.

Dead duck of a team. On the beach April 3rd before we've even reached 40 points.

They'll try to focus for the FA Cup but you can't just switch intensity on and off. Doesn't work that way.

Ray Jacques
51 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:20:24
Barkley is a lazy bastard and a liability. He doesn't support Lukaku and can never be arsed to track back or press the ball. Once in the second half, Martial was running towards our goal with the ball and he is gently trotting the other way and wrong side of the ball yet again.

All our young players are regressing, eg, Coleman for their goal... pitiful.

Neil Lawson
52 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:20:51
I have just put the bins out for collection tomorrow. I might have forgotten but watching 95 minutes of rubbish served as a timely reminder.

One shot on target. No passion. No drive. No heart. No proper organisation. Of course the players must take some blame, but only one man is responsible for selecting the line-up and determining the tactics. I suspect that, if he were responsible for collecting my bins, the likelihood is that they will still be on my drive on Tuesday!

Good to see John Stones back and doing quite well, and you have to love Jags. He is a true blue Corinthian who always gives 100%. A few more like him might make a difference.

I watched impassively. Barely a flicker of emotion. Can't even get angry any more. The only thing left to look forward to today (The Night Manager having finished and the bins being out already) is the drivel to be spouted from our esteemed leader soon to appear on this site. No point in watching MOTD2. Babestation for me. At least something might stir!!

Chris Owens
53 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:22:29
Tactical genius!
Lump it up to Lukaku.
If that doesn't work, lump it up to Lukaku.
Colin Glassar
54 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:22:38
Ross looks like he's got the weight of the world on his shoulders. I've said it countless times and I'll say it again, I don't think he knows what his role in the team is. He looks constantly confused and unsure where he's supposed to be at any given time so he wanders around aimlessly.

He's also stopped shooting on sight as he's probably under strict orders to pass the ball. Like Stonesy his career isn't progressing under this regime. We either make the changes now or lose these players.

Meiz Jones
55 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:24:07
There is a number of issues with this club, it is in fact beyond believe, and Martinez is in fact taking us back (and not forwards).

First of all, our formation simply does not work (in terms of the players we have at our disposal), Lukaku is too isolated and there is huge gaps between the midfield and the defence (despite having two defence centre mid's?), added to that we get the ball in the final third and the person with the ball doesn't seem to know where to go? or what to do?

However, maybe a bigger issue (and has been all season) is our stamina or energy levels, who is our fitness coach? do we have one? we never seem to press the ball (excluding Lennon) and again we seemed knackered with 10 minutes to go.

We have a number of fringe players on our radar, Hibbert, Gibson, Peanuts, Osman, Kone, Howards (would any of these get into a top 6-8 team?) why we keeping them on?

Martinez substitutions were yet again bizarre to say the least, why bring on 'Niasse' with 4 minutes to go? I've seen people writing him off already? but he cant be that bad if he's knocking them in for Senegal, added to that I felt he was trying too hard to make an impression today!

On a positive note: I was thoroughly impressed with Stones today there was a through ball he did in the second half which was just word class!

Where do we go from here? let Martinez have till the end of the season? give him another year? but from what I can see there doesn't seem to be any preparation or plan A (let alone B)
Amit Vithlani
56 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:25:26
For 55 mins we did okay, restricted United, although we looked like we would never score. We came to play for a point like so many of our performances under Moyes at Old Trafford.

After we conceded, we had a couple of chances and perhaps unlucky not to equalise but truthfully there was no urgency or energy.

Martinez's one supposed positive trait, marking him out from Moyes and our previous manager, was that his teams would pass the ball, and go to grounds such as Old Trafford and play without fear.

Today we sat deep and played direct. Lukaku was isolated. Our best chances were from set pieces. Lennon and Cleverley were played out of position. We had less of the ball.

The supposed building job Martinez is doing must be with invisible bricks, because I cannot see what he is constructing.

Nigel Rickman
58 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:26:10
Like many others on here, I have watched the blues for over 50 years, good times but truthfully, mostly disappointing times,

At the moment it is very hard to take what is going on, on the pitch. On paper this is a good strong squad, but for whatever reason they just can't play as a team together.

Lukaku looks lost and disinterested, Barkley is way way off the finished article, there is no balance, no ideas and no other tactics go wrong, which is in most games.

I've given up on this season, I don't think we'll win the cup, other teams left in will want it more and have a pre-planned game plan.

It's just not working under Martinez; for me, I'd go for Koeman. He's got one year left on his contract and with the money that should be available, he might be tempted.

John Louis Jones
59 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:26:11
Gavin #46

Unlucky? is that a new way of saying Tactically Inept and without idea's?

We played with a winger as a second striker (Lennon) he was running around the pitch in the first half not knowing what to do. We had Nobody down the left at all.

The only player on the pitch who looked like he had any fight was Jags.

If you are happy with that performance and standard then Martinez is lucky to have you as a fan.

Jason Thomas
60 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:26:37
He picks two wingers and we all go... About bloody time! Then, to fuck with us all, he STILL chucks Cleverley on the left!!! Ross in a deep role and Lennon as a 10.

I've been a supporter of Martinez for too long. Today is the day I've given up on him and by the looks of it, so have a lot of the players.

He has to go before the Semi-final. Because if by some fluke we win it, there is no way the board will get rid of him.

We have a billionaire. Ambition is critical!

John Keating
61 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:29:15
Well what can you say about that? Seems the players were already on their summer holidays preparing to get unfit for next season. No motivation, little effort and really just an inevitability about it all.

That's the manager and players looking forward to the last few games of the season, well a great start. That must be the worst Man Utd team for years and I think we managed one shot on target. No doubt we will get the apologists on making more excuses and more optimistic comments about us almost being there.

So predictable and slow. On paper we had a good team out but there was no fucking effort. Before the game we talked about crap teams and managers, still reckon this clown is top of the list.

Andrew Presly
62 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:29:37
Extremely difficult to defend the manager or any players bar maybe the CBs after that.

Very insipid, timid, boring stuff against useless opposition there for the taking.

The 2 penalty shouts and a nasty foul on Baines in the second half were met by meek half hearted appeals from us. No edge, no energy. That's this lot all over. There's no life in the fuckers.

Can't honestly see us doing it when the pressure's really on in the semi either. I'm a Martinez fan but there's a spinelessness that has carried over from Moyes and has polluted the whole team.

The cricket was a kick in the nuts too.

Barry Stevens
63 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:30:07
Martinez out
Miles Jordan
64 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:32:22
Can someone explain to me what our tactics were today please. I'm not a physiotherapist.

And why did I enjoy watching Leicester more than us today? Oh yes, they look like they know what they're supposed to be doing. How I wish Ranieri was our manager.

Steve Davies
65 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:34:47
Lukaku was isolated up front. He got absolutely no support. All strikers need service and from what I saw he didn't get a decent ball.

RM bought a striker for £13m who wasn't fit and just runs about like a headless chicken. Early days but I can't see him getting any better.

As Schmeical just declared winning the FA Cup is a nice day out for the fans but it is the leagues that matters (Mr Martinez please take note).

Just watched the Martinez post match interview. What can I say? Is he now to be judged on the first 12 games of next season now and not the last 12 games of this season as he declared the other week. Will Bobby Bullshit move the goal posts again? He talks about performing instead of winning. We need to re-group he says. What is he talking about. He is just an excuse merchant of the highest order.

I despair with this manager. If he is still in charge next season god help us. Will the Board please just sack him now.

Terence Tyler
66 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:35:01
It will be a shame if we win the cup with this man in charge, as he will take some of the credit. Get rid now
Peter Jansson
67 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:36:06
I wonder why I really put som much energy in following Everton as I do. It is a total waste of time.

More fun to follow Leicester than watching Everton. That sums it up.

Joe Foster
68 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:37:48
It's just becoming embarrassing now. We are a laughing stock.
Andy Crooks
69 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:39:27
Truly awful stuff. No motivation, guile, guts or inspiration, just abysmal. Robert Martinez is, in my view, the worst that has ever happened to our club. If he remains he will relegate us. He is as bad as any professional coach I have ever seen. His continued employment is shameful and an indictment of Bill Kenwright.
Jamie Barlow
70 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:39:51
Yeah, it will be gutting won't it Terence?

Awful effort again. We must be the thickest team in the league. No fuckin clue what so ever and far too many bottlers.

Can't wait for the season to end to be honest.

John Louis Jones
71 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:39:59
Colin (#54)

You're right, everyone is on Barkley's back, but he has no out balls there is one width. At one point in the he broke free and Del Boy had 2 players on him and Lukaku had 2 players on him there was nobody out left and everyone else was behind him. He was stuck, he is a good player but what the hell is he meant to do?

Then again in the second half he turned and was away. Mirallas, Coleman and Lennon were all down the right and Rom was crowd by 3 players. Again nothing to open the play up. He had to go back to Baines the Camera panned to Barkley's face and he look down, done, pissed off.

Barkley could with the right system and players around him ripped teams apart, But under Martinez he has never been played same position or been given the same role to grow into. We all know Moyes was a Square Peg in round hole manager but that was down to small squad. Martinez has the players but insists on playing players out of position.

Peter Jansson
72 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:40:17
If Martinez don't quit soon, I will start to look for a new club to follow. At this point I don't give a shit who the new manager is as long it is not Martinez. Right now even Moyes would be better.
Paul Setter
73 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:40:35
Everything about Everton is a joke at the moment, I was talking to a group of mates in the pub yesterday. 1 Pompey fan, 2 West Ham fans, 1 Plymouth Argyle fan, a Gooner and a Man City fan and not one of them thinks we are any good and we are where we are in the league.

And apart from Lukaku not one of those fans thinks they are decent and I include Stones and Barkley in that... Says it all when 2 of those clubs are League 2. Until Mickey Mouse is shown the door then this is normal.
Jon Cox
74 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:40:45
Last season I wanted Bilic. We didn't get him. Look at the state of us compared to WHU.

Our club is a shambles and is in need of some serious surgery.

If we don't get rid of this fraudster we'll end up a cross between Wigan and Bolton.

A time of great apprehension ahead, that's for sure.

Andy Ellis
75 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:41:21
Andrew Presley, Moyes has been gone 3 years now, surely it's been Martinez's responsibility to change that spinelessness you mention?
Joe Clitherow
76 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:42:28
Are you for real Andrew P? A spinelessness carried over from Moyes' team? You are watching vintage Martinez lack of backbone here. This is *his* team and his trademark after 3 seasons, make no mistake about it.

The "project" progresses and next year will reach its ultimate and inevitable fruition unless Martinez is stopped, make no mistake.

As I feared when he was appointed though, the severe damage is done and the solid Top 6/7/8 team he inherited, with its discipline, rigour, fitness and team spirit is clearly already dismantled and it will take more than 3 seasons to reconstruct back to the level we were.

Martinez Out!!!

Tony Rutherford
77 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:43:28
Gavin, just sitting in the car coming back from that shambles of a performance and saw your post. Either you are referring to the cricket or watched 30 second highlights on YouTube! Apart from Jags and Stones very poor performance and severely lacking in effort.

Tactically we where naive against a very average Man Utd team. Stats don't lie and we have played 30 and marooned on 38 points for weeks now! Martinez is clueless and the players work rate is an embarrassment. Get the joker out now!

Peter Jansson
78 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:43:32
#71 the Martinez system is a joke and his management is a shame.
Stewart Lowe
79 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:43:38
The look on Martinez's face at the final whistle was of someone who could possibly have been warned his days are numbered.

How bad would it be to win the cup and the euphoria from that force our board to give him another season. I can't believe I could say this but I hope West Ham or Man Utd batter us for all that we are not and all we pretend to be.

Ian McDowell
80 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:45:13
For the first time today I felt no emotion listening to an Everton game. I listened on 5Live heading back to work and felt nothing. No anger, no disappointment, nothing.
Stephen Brown
81 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:45:19
Did any of the players in between the back 4 and Lukaku have a set position and instructions to follow? Shapeless is not the word!

I think a parks manager could send out a big standard 4-4-2 and the players would have more idea!

Where were they supposed to be playing?

Kunal Desai
82 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:45:28
Fell asleep for most of the match, caught the last 10 mins and instead switched over to the cricket which was far more interesting and exciting. I'm simply becoming dis-interested in our league games.

That feeling where you can't be bothered anymore. By the looks of it neither can Martinez or the players be bothered.

Kevin Elliott
83 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:45:48
Totally disillusioned to the point of thinking that every time we cross the white line at the start of every match we will cross it the opposite way at the end defeated.

Pissed off. Martinez out now.

Eddie Dunn
84 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:46:39
Jason, spot on mate. What on Earth was Martinez thinking. The team sheet, at last 2 wingers, balance, a supply line for Lukaku. Alas, no Cleverley running on the left, Lennon drifting all over the place, poor Ross stuck too deep. A total waste of talent.

Rom looked so far off Champs league, more like Employ Me. No thanks mate teflon feet, out-jumped by a dwarf and generally out thought throughout. Good to see Jags tear a strip off him when he failed to go far post on a corner. At least Jags can hold his head up- he led by example.

The fact is though, that this is a distinctly average United side, and they had to make 3 changes during the game and we still failed to put them under pressure. Once behind, it was clear that the formation lacked the ability to open them up. Niasse got on in the 85th minute. Some chance to get involved!

This game shows that we really are on the road to nowhere. Martinez has learned nothing, and our much lauded most talented squad in ages flatters to deceive yet again.

The commentary hit the nail on the head when they said that we lacked precision. This is the difference between good teams and average teams... we are a very average team.

Paul Conway
85 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:47:35
Wigan! I will take the comparison anytime over this. This was Wimbledon of the nineties. alehouse shit.

For long periods of this game, it looked like the underfoot conditions were heavy. almost like as if we were playing in a bog! Both teams made heavy weather of it, except Man U weathered it better, with a little help from us. This was an embarassing victory for MU and a degrading defeat for us.

Although Niasse didn't get enough playing time, the little time he got, I amused myself looking at his off the ball movement. He ran around like he was playing musical chairs. in fact, that was probably incorporated into his intense fitness program..... musical chairs!
David Mosses
86 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:47:55
Just watched the game, sorry I only watched the second half, but what I saw was total shit. Selling Lukaku won't be a big deal totally shit today, Barkley just doesn't tackle, he can be sold too, Stones from what I saw couldn't be blamed, but I have problems with Colman for the goal as well as Robles.

The subs again rubbish, Mirallas should never play for Everton again, he can't be trusted, and as for Niasse what a waste of money. For a professional footballer to only be 50 or 60% fit is a disgrace. He just doesn't look the part. In fact I'm so pissed off that I'm seriously thinking of not going to Wembley.

So I'm afraid this team needs to be reconstructed, players need to be sold and players brought in that can play as a team and not a team of individuals, in fact rip up the script and start again.
Christy Ring
87 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:48:43
A poor poor dismal performance. I thought I was watching Aston Villa, no passion, no effort, whatsoever.

Martinez has totally lost the plot. What formation was he playing today. We had two right wingers, no one on the left, where was Lennon supposed to be playing? And Lukaku isolated upfront, even though he wasn't even trying.

We are 12th in the table, below West Brom, and lucky the bottom 3 are so bad. He's totally lost the dressing room, Bill has to come to his senses, and get rid of him, before our Wembley date.

Mark Andersson
88 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:48:44
Well blow me down, it must be bad if Jamie Crowley has finally lost it with Roberto.

Surprised no one has posted about Stones and his many back passes to the goalie. Play it safe John boy we have a £35 million offer for you don't fuck it up now.

Oh, Mr big mouth I want Champions League football, you where shite today, but of course you didn't have the service your talent deserves.

William Cartwright
89 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:51:04
What a load of crap.

Seriously, the whole team were directionless, running around seemingly without a clue. If that is what happens when the manager has lost the dressing room then the sooner he goes the better. Simply dreadful to watch.

What are our chances of relegation, if not this season, then next? This has gone beyond a joke.

Ray Said
93 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:51:05
Just how bad does it have to get before the board take action?

Being stuck on 38 points for what seems like forever?
Dropping down the table every week and could end up 17th?
Cant win at home ?
Have only won 4 away?
The manager blaming the fans?
The manager proclaiming we have some of the best talent in Europe but he cant buy a win?
The manager stating we can compete financially with any club which is unhinged from reality?
Just what does it take??

Colin Glassar
95 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:51:19
JL Jones, absolutely agree. Whenever Ross is on the ball there's no movement around him, everyone standing like statues waiting for the perfect pass.

The passing was awful in the final third, either too far forward or behind the player. Do these mugs talk to each other? How many of our players are caught in possession? What happened to "Man On!!"?

So before you blame Ross, Lukaku or JS look at the players around them first, look at the passing, the movement etc....and you will see there isn't any.

#72, good luck finding another club to support mate.

John Keating
96 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:51:29
Eddie,

I think Martinez puts Niasse on to help the opposition close out the game.

Martin Berry
97 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:52:46
I've lost count how many times this season instead of being glued to the match started texting or going on Facebook and even washing the fucking dishes while the game continues. That I think speaks volumes to many of our displays this season.
Craig Walker
98 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:54:10
Lukaku was woeful today making his Champions League aspirations look ridiculous. Barkley is possibly the most overrated Everton player I can remember. He frustrates the life out of me. I think only Jagielka can hold his head up after that performance. Baines is a shadow of his former self, as is Coleman. Cleverley offers nothing.

I've was a fan of Martinez but I've lost patience now. We were beaten today by the worst United team that I can remember. It does not augur well for a semi-final at Wembley should we face them.

Barry Connor
99 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:54:32
Miles #64. You may not be a "physiotherapist" but what we really need is a sports psychiatrist to explain why a team with so much latent talent cannot put it together.

I have supported the club for 55 years (my first game at age 10) and have been fortunate enough to see the greatest years in the club's history plus lots of dross.

I tend to fall into the camp that when it comes down to it, it is up to the players to perform to the best of their ability and beyond.

Moyes wasn't a great manager by any means but he was great at getting the best out of limited resources and finding the occasional gem. Martinez does not seem capable of inspiring the players and that is why they are under-performing compared to much less talented teams in our relatively recent past.

Having said that, I wouldn't be surprised if we reach the Cup Final and fluke a win. Martinez will then once again be the media's darling and Kenwright's favourite, so we will have to suffer more of the same next season.

Phil Walling
100 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:55:44
LVG has just admitted on Sky that United 'stole' today's match. He almost seemed guilty that his side took all the points. And he was right. It was a poor game in which a draw would have been just to both sides.

But we are here to see it from our Everton fans' perspective and I don't believe that Martinez sends the team out to be so unimaginative as that. Of course, it may well be that this 'best squad for xx years' are not quite as talented as they are made out to be. Or, indeed, don't believe in the manager or his tactics.

But for all that they earn film stars' salaries and must have some pride in their personal performances. If they have, it was extremely difficult to see it this afternoon.

So Martinez out? Yes, but some of these guys should hang their heads in shame at how they have served him.

Joe O'Brien
101 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:56:28
Awful display. Such boring stuff to watch. Looks like we've given up trying in the league. Wouldn't mind finishing as low as we can so Martinez will definitely be sacked. I just know who we can get in?

I don't think he'll be moved before the end of the season, and I just hope and pray that of we win the cup he's not given another year. I don't think the new owner will put up with him, bill probably would but the new owner, no way

Dean Peamum
102 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:56:46
Anyone else noticed that if you take all the letters in Roberto Martinez, jumble them up, take some away and add some others, it spells 'phenomenal clueless twat'.
John Keating
103 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:57:03
Colin,

I am a big fan of Ross and with the right manager he will thrive. However, today he was shite. No excuses.

Andy Meighan
105 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:58:03
Gavin (#46) "we played better than in the 2-1 defeat there last season."

Did we really? De Gea made world class save after world class that game and we also missed a penalty. If you're going to post something get your facts right.

The headline at the top of this page will tell you all you need to know about the turgid shite that was served up today. But, then again, it's becoming the norm under this false fucker.

I really cant believe there's posters still defending the clown. But the likes of me and thousands more wishing him gone are pissing in the wind. Were stuck with it.

Mick Davies
106 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:58:10
For what it's worth (just a release of anger and despair) here's my assessment of our players

Robles – Not sure, jury still out, but should have been in the side a long time before he was finally picked.

Coleman – Great player up until 2 years ago... loses concentration and dithers too much nowadays. Looks like he needs guiding back to his old self. He's been going backwards these last 18 months.

Stones – An enigma wrapped in a puzzle... he can have one great game, then go to pieces in the next. Needs to be made aware of the danger of holding onto the ball too long and work on his heading.

Jagielka – He's been a great servant and still solid in the tackle but needs someone powerful in the air alongside. Also, not captain material, but apart from Barry, can't think of anyone who is.

Baines – Still a great player but his defensive attributes are looking a tad more frail since he returned. Always needs an outlet to work with but the likes of Cleverley, Barkley etc are not the right options out wide.

McCarthy – Another who hasn't improved since 2013-14. Brilliant defensive mid but offers nothing in the attacking 3rd. Would proper coaching help his development?

Cleverley – He's been a victim of the manager not knowing where to play him. Fills in all over the park and until he gets a run in his best position (?) we'll never see him achieve his potential.

Barkley – Possibly the laziest player I've seen in a blue shirt. He has the potential but it looks like the management don't know where he should be playing, or how to turn that potential into a top player.

Lennon – A hard working player who – like some of the above – seems to be moved around the pitch by a manager who, after 3 years, doesn't know how to set up his team. Not a world beater but again, until he has a sustained run in one position, we may never know how important he can be to Everton.

Deulofeu – With Barkley and Lukaku, it's difficult to fit another flair player who neglects the defensive side into the team. He is an exciting and positive distraction from the turgid tripe on offer this season but I would rather see him take Barkley's place if it means the side being better balanced.

Lukaku – Looked more a Scottish Premier League player than a Champions League player today, but, as Souness correctly stated, without his goals, we'd be 'looking over our shoulders' this season. I think it would be worse than that to be honest, and if we are relying on Niasse next season, our long stay in the top flight could be in jeopardy. Rom's game could be improved with the proper coaching, as he still hasn't learned the art of trapping/holding the ball up, or being in the correct scoring positions instead of stuck out on the wing when the ball is fizzed across the six-yard box. He has the potential (familiar?) to be one of the greats, but something seems to be holding back his development. His first goal for us was uncharacteristically brave and resulted in him being knocked out but he wouldn't go off the pitch: these days he looks like he doesn't want to be on the pitch and bravely challenging for headers in the box is rare. Dixie had a life threatening head injury but came back even stronger in the air, so if there's a psychological problem affecting his game, the management should be aware of this and get the professional help to rectify it.

The problems I have mentioned (only my opinion of course) mostly seem to have one common denominator: the (mis)management of the players.

Kev Johnson
107 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:58:18
I don't want to sound all doom and gloom, but if this fraud of a manager is still in charge next season, minus Rom, we're down. If I am proved wrong, I'll stand in the centre circle and show my arse to the four corners of the ground.

I am starting to get very worried now. Like Mike Walker worried. The guy is a goon. Get gone from this great club. .

Joe Foster
108 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:59:05
Kids don't want to watch us no more. He has to go... he is becoming the most hated manager ever.
John Campbell
109 Posted 03/04/2016 at 18:59:36
Complete and utter crap; sack the bloody idiot. Totally fed up.
Julian Exshaw
110 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:00:20
There is never ANYTHING bad about Everton winning a trophy!! So if Martinez delivers the FA Cup this season, then that creates a dilemma for the board.
Colin Glassar
111 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:01:53
Time for Mr Moshiri to take control. If I was him, I'd get Barkley, Lukaku Deulofeu and Stones together and tell them I'm going to build a new team around them. No sentimentality (Hibbo, Ossie, Pienaar etc... all out), just ruthless pragmatism.

I'd also tell some of our regulars that they either shape up or ship out (Baines, Coleman, Jagielka, Cleverley etc...) and get rid of deadbeats like Gibson, Mirallas and Kone and tell them to start looking for another club.

It's time for radical change and that includes the manager. We either do this now or drift aimlessly for another few seasons. Get on it, Moshiri.

Jim Bailey
112 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:02:29
Dean@102, I needed that it... made me laugh, cheers.
Phil Rodgers
113 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:04:33
Gutless display again. Manager should have gone over a year ago.
Steve Bingham
114 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:04:38
We are all just numb!! How can one man just suck out the life of me? I've loved and lived this club now for 43 years and I felt more in my gut when Mike Walker nearly took us down. I can't think of one good thing to say...

The board HAS to acknowledge, accept and act NOW!! Even Davey Unsworth in the caretaker role MIGHT give the players a slight lift... And who knows, they might even want to try and play!!!

Frank Crewe
115 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:07:28
We should change our nickname from the "Toffees" to the "Origamis" because we're experts at folding.

We have nothing to lose yet they played like weight of the world was on their shoulders. We have a supposedly £3.5M forward there. Stick him up front with Lukaku and let's see what he can do. Yet right through the game Rom was on his own and starved of service.

Martinez has persisted in playing this 4-2-3-1 formation for the last two seasons even though it's obviously not working. We have defensive midfielders that don't support the attacks or protect the defense. Two useless players who don't add a anything to our play. It's like playing with 9 men.

Now Martinez wants us to judge him by the first 12 games of next season. FFS what is it with him and "the next 12 games" ? He's already had 139 games. Why does he think the next 12 will change things?

The fact is we are drifting. If it hadn't been for our early season form we would be truly in the shit right now. We need a new manager with a new approach and if the look on Roberto's face as he trudged off is anything to go by he knows that is what is going to be happening. Roll on the end of the season and we can get rid of Martinez and bring in a manager who knows what he's doing before we become the next Aston Villa.

John Keating
116 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:07:29
Julian, you are correct regarding the Board. However, as much as I would love us to lift the Cup the league is our bread and butter. Winning the Cup should not give Martinez a free pass to continue as our manager another season.

This fool will never change, with or without Lukaku believe me we will really struggle next season if he remains and I truly fear for our survival in the big league. If we do win the Cup, I would let Martinez get on the open top bus for the tour and the next day order a mini bus for him and his staff. If there's a spare seat then it'll save us a taxi for Elstone.

I reckon if we get to the final, the players will take over anyway. I reckon no way would they play to the clown's instructions. It'll be a case of a one chance in a lifetime – go for it!

Terry McLavey
117 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:07:36
At least we can't be accused of having anything to do with that performance-enhancing drugs, Doctor!
Steve Harris
118 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:08:36
How can you play a passing game when we have fuck all movement??? There's no running off the ball and trying to make space, every pass has to be made to someone with a defender up their ass which means they either lose it or give it back to whoever gave it to em!

Barkley gets slated on here, sometimes rightly, but with the lack of movement in front of him, he's invariably got fuck all on, that's why our so-called passing game has to be sideways and backwards! Zinadine Zidane would look fucking ordinary in our midfield!

Brian Harrison
119 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:09:21
I thought Jagielka's interview after the game was of a player who knows the man in charge is not up to the task. He was very down and did the whole interview looking at the floor. He was one of the very few who put in a shift today.

As Souness said, take away the goals Lukaku has scored and this team is a relegation team. Kenwright said a couple of weeks back that he thought Martinez had come under unfair criticism; well, if he still thinks that, then we are in serious trouble.

Maybe us fans need to let Mr Moshiri know exactly what we think of Martinez at the next home game – otherwise, he might think the fans are in agreement with Kenwright's view.

He has ripped the heart out of this team with his possession based, boring side who make more passes in their own half than in their opponent's.

Stewart Lowe
120 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:09:31
I am really struggling to find positives at all from the Martinez situation but I have actually come up with a couple. Now I know it won't change anybody's opinions but this is food for thought.

Firstly, we have seen many Managers come and go in this league since it began and there have not been many managers where us fans can consistently look at their signings and think "He makes good sense to that squad" or "I can see what he brings to that football club".

We have been very fortunate to have had Moyes and Martinez who have both had a good record of bringing in good players that have a role at Everton. So many managers in this league have spent big on absolute dross and you only have to think about Villas Boas and Pellegrini as perfect examples.

So, although none of us want Martinez to remain, he has at least bought players that have the potential to make us a top 4 team with whoever the next Manager will be. It's just that Martinez doesn't know how to make them top 4 as he has a flawed system. So at least any incoming Manager will have a great squad to add to. That is the first positive.

Secondly, our defence is the worst I have seen in the many many years I have been watching Everton. However, Jagielka, Funes Mori, Stones, Baines and Coleman are all very exceptional defenders but for the last 3 years they have had the defender dragged out of them by a flawed Martinez system. So my suggestion is that whoever takes over from Martinez will have a great squad as a base to start from, and also a fantastic defence who will be allowed to defend as defenders are supposed to. The new Manager that comes in will get back the clean sheets because that is what defenders strive for.

Richard Farrington
121 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:10:36
GROUNDHOG DAY

GROUNDHOG DAY

GROUNDHOG DAY....

Gavin Johnson
122 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:11:39
Tony (#77)

I'm just going on what I saw and don't believe there was anything between the sides. LVG has said as much in his interview after the game.

Now maybe I'm giving Man Utd too much respect and looking at an even game at Old Trafford for more than it's worth. Admittedly the same performance at the Stadium of Light and I'd have been fuming, so I am just trying to give the most balanced view of the game as an isolated result.

Of course most fans will look at the wider context and what's gone before and I don't blame them. We need to bring in a new manager with fresh ideas. It's time for Roberto to go.

Kim Vivian
123 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:13:47
Neil Steele......Hellooo! - You out there?
John Keating
124 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:16:29
Gavin,

What do you mean "isolated result"?

That's a normal result for the past 2 years.

Defeat.

Check it out.

David Edwards
125 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:17:07
I am so annoyed that Martinez's future seems to be linked to any FA Cup success (however unlikely, based on recent performances). We win the cup and have our day in the sun, but we'll be lumbered with him next season!

No way would I not want cup success, although I know several who would take a loss as a price worth paying for longer-term league success!!! The thought of a grinning clown smiling upon the team as they collect the cup would seriously get me gagging! The only solution is to get rid now!

I'd love the new owner to stand up to Blue Bill at this stage – what a great signal it would send out! Sadly, I fear business as usual for the remainder of the season. April 3rd and still not at 40 points – disgraceful!

John Keating
126 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:18:56
Kim

Don't please.

The day is shite enough with that guy, and his few disciples, coming on.

Colin Glassar
127 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:19:06
For the first time ever, I saw a totally defeated Martinez. He knows his time is coming to an end... unless Uncle Bill pulls off one of his theatre tricks, he's a gonner.

There's no chance that Moshiri will pump millions into the club if he thinks the man in charge isn't up to the task. So it's thanks for the first season, Roberto, but adios.

Tony Hill
128 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:19:17
The only reason for not getting rid of Martinez now is if we have someone truly excellent lined up who can't join before the end of the season. Even then, I'd fire him and put Sheedy in as an interim manager.

That said, I agree with Phil Walling (#100) about some of our players, there is never an excuse for not trying.

I still find it difficult to forgive Kenwright for his idiotic interview after the Chelsea game and the difficulties it has created in making the fundamental changes that we need.

Jim Lloyd
129 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:19:56
Yep, no heart in today's performance. For whatever reason, the team looked dispirited and uninterested. Well I shouldn't say 'looked' as I only listened to it on the radio.

But the commentator and Ronnie G were both commenting on the missed passes, the look of puzzlement on some of the players faces and the sheer lack of bite, oomph, and energy running (no – walking) throughout the team.

Well, I believed in Roberto's vision of attractive football but it is just that... a dream.

I didn't particularly expect us to get into Europe and the Champions League. In fact, I thought we would be progressing if we finished 6th this season... and perhaps a cup victory.

But, in the end, the game is about getting results, and we're not getting anything like enough. If we begun fighting snarling, scratching for every point (Tim Cahill, Phil Neville style) then grafted on the football when the performance levels were peak, then we might have got somewhere (we might still do so). But it doesn't look remotely like we have either at the moment.

Something is wrong in the House of Denmark – or the Hammer House of Horrors – and it needs radical overall in double-quick time.

Andy Meighan
130 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:20:14
Colin (#111) – hasn't Martinez tried to build a side around the four you mentioned? And it's patently clear it hasn't worked. The best manager in the world wouldn't be able to build a side around them because they're really not that good.

Lukaku has had his moments but most of the time looks uninterested and lazy. Barkley and Deulofeu haven't got a brain cell between them – their decision-making is fucking atrocious and they're a pair of cowards to boot.

As for Stones... yes, he played well today, for an hour. But looks like he's always got a mistake in him.

They could sell the four of them and I wouldn't bat an eyelid. Our results, even with your Fab Four in the team, have been shocking and the Premier League table clearly doesn't lie.

I said after the 2nd game of the season (Southampton away) we wouldn't finish in the top half of the table and by god I took some stick over that remark. It doesn't give me any pleasure whatsoever to see us languishing where we are. But I expected it under this fraud.

Oh, I've just seen his post-match interview. Was he watching the same game as me? Obviously not because he thinks we played well, and there was nothing between the teams?!?

Untrue: Man Utd didn't even have to work hard for the win and that's what hurts. I can't wait to see the back of him and he can take the Beatles with him. Honest, it wouldn't make a blind bit of fucking difference.

Richard Farrington
131 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:23:24
We will be in a relegation scrap next season if Martinez is in charge.

If you don't believe that, please explain how the corner can be turned?

We need a new keeper, at least one dominant centre-half, a creative midfield player, probably two new strikers, a holding midfielder at least, probably just scratching the surface their.

If you were a serious businessman, who has made his money by being a good one, would you seriously even consider for more than ten seconds to give a warchest to Roberto Martinez?

Martinez looks to me that he does not like confrontation and ignoring and not speaking to players appears to be his method of informing a player that they are no longer in his plans.

The players look like they have given up on his "philosophy". When Martinez walked back to the dugout from the corner players' tunnel at OT today, he looked very unhappy indeed – Lukaku was very late back onto the field as well – I strongly sense a bust up.

My two sons keep telling me, he's not getting sacked as nobody has the balls to do it. I disagree, if the club allows this terrible situation to continue, Goodison will see a whole new level of toxic vibes.

MARTINEZ OUT NOW.

Kim Vivian
132 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:23:50
Brian Harrison – I agree and I know you are right about the importance of Rom's goals this season (or any season) but I am sick of this soundbite particularly from pundits who say "take away Lukaku's goals.... blah blah blah..."

For fucks sake – take away Vardy's goals and where would Leicester be? You could say the same about the top scorer at any club, any season. It's a fucking stupid phrase.

Back on topic, I have just said on the forum that it was with foreboding that I watched the misery of those Villa fans when you consider where they were a short time ago.

We have got to stop the rot now and make a serious statement of intent by at least trying to and hopefully succeeding in getting a fucking seriously good manager in.

Martin Mason
133 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:26:19
Tony, could any of the staff at the club do worse than him if he does go?

Today was a worry because we probably played as well as we can and in the interviews afterwards Jagielka looked depressed and Martinez looked like he knows that he's been found out. I'm not sure how you identify the point when you enter the crisis stage but we may be there.

Good to see Stones back and playing well, Ross wasn't bad in fact as individuals they all looked OK but as a team they are not at the races.

Trevor Lynes
134 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:26:20
Who was the scout who 'found' Niassie and thought he was worth £13.5 million?

Okay, so the manager is poor but so are the players. They have been seriously over-rated and must be believing the hype.

Our defenders carried us today and Lukaku had absolutely no support at all. If Niasse is not fit then put Kone on the bench.

James Byrne
135 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:29:11
Is it just me or are we starting to see the manager lose the players; the body language today from the players was obvious. Surely his days are numbered.
Tony Hill
137 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:32:31
Yes, Martin, I thought Stones's performance was the only real bright spot. That tackle on Martial and his pass late on to Coleman were just magnificent.

The tackle was particularly pleasing because it was a purely defensive act and a beautifully timed one. If only we can hold on to him – again, over to Mr Moshiri.

Jim Bennings
138 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:33:03
Kim

Take away Vardy's goals at Leicester and you would still have Mahrez, plus an extremely well drilled team that quite simply work their socks off for eachother and seem to hate conceding a goal.

We look like a disjointed schoolboy team and this is a plain fact, without Lukaku's goals we would be where Norwich City are...

Stewart Lowe
139 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:34:19
Just to make you all feel worse, I have looked at where our only 9 wins out of 30 games have come from and it does make good reading:

We beat bottom placed Aston Villa twice (2)

We beat second bottom Newcastle twice (2)

We beat West Brom once but only after a 84th minute goal (1)

We beat a Chelsea that didn't want to play for Mourinho (1)

Which means the only credible wins we can take credit for were Southampton and Stoke (2).

How bad does that look?

Phil Barry
140 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:37:43
Players look uninterested, passionless, clueless and some look unfit! What goes on in training because it certainly isn't improving anything!

Two seasons now of the same mind-numbingly predictable dross. Going backwards with our supposedly (best squad in a generation). You don't need world class players and loads of money to make a run of a good season... Leicester City? West Ham Utd? Southampton? even Man Utd? Hard work, fight and passion plus proper coaching, tactics and in-game management can go a long way; we seem to be lacking in every department.

For me, our problems all boil down to poor management. The man is clueless and has well out-stayed his welcome. We should begin protests to remove this charlatan before he does irreparable damage.

Dennis Ng
141 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:38:02
Stewart @ 139, not to rain on the credible wins left but Southampton was in the rut during that stretch of the season before coming back to life. The table doesn't lie and we'll continue to fall under Martinez.
Jim Bailey
142 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:38:45
Stewart

Bloody fantastic, I have no idea why people are getting on our managers back. A truly phenomenal record.

Peter Cummings
143 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:40:52
This on paper was probably the best team we have put out under this moron, but for some reason, Martinez apart, most of them played well under their usual form, even making things worse by enhancing the usual garbage which has highlighted our season so far, unable to win 50/50 tackles, losing possession, and suicidal passing, plus zero attempts on goal allied by the tippy tap sideways and back passing made this game a mockery of professional football

The main culprit in the Fiasco was Lukaku who lost every tackle to a defender around 6 inches shorter than him , was caught offside several times, and very poor ball control, a prolific scorer he is, but a far from 'world class' performer, the only players who emerged with any credit from a dire afternoon were Jagielka, Stones and to a less extent McCarthy and Baines; can't include Robles because he had nothing to fear from and equally poor home team, who we should have put to the sword if we had turned up,

As it stands, we are still technically unsafe being still two points short of the recognised 'safety target' of 40 points, maybe if we were in relegation danger we would see more fight and passion than we saw today, is it any wonder Evertonians brought up on a diet of class play and players, including a 'School of Science' definition, want to see those times returned to Goodison; after all our proud motto reads 'Nothing But The Best', and it will again be the case when Señor Martinez finally gets his comeuppance ASAP

Stewart Lowe
144 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:41:09
Jim,

Very dry comment but very funny too.

Kim Vivian
145 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:41:41
I didn't say I didn't agree or wasn't true. I just said it's a fucking stupid phrase.
We do look a shambles and next year we won't have Rom's goals so who will be leading the line is anyone's guess..

Rom is destined for greatness barring injury or much more managerial incompetence, and I regret it will not be in an Everton shirt.

I know this thread is not about Lukaku but I am sure in the future I will be able to say I was privileged on a very few occasions to be able to watch him play (distance and time prevent more than a couple of games a season). So far I haven't watched one of his stinkers live.

Brian Harrison
146 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:42:16
Kim,

Jim beat me to it; I think Vardy has got 19 and Mahrez 17 so certainly not a one-man team. I just wish more pundits were like Souness and Collymore in pointing to Martinez's deficiencies. But we are only plucky Everton and most pundits couldn't give a toss about us.

Could you imagine if this was Liverpool or Spurs in our position in the league? They would spend every hour on Sky discussing how their manager could survive being so low in the league.

Ian Brandes
147 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:43:54
He is flushing us down the S-Bend to oblivion. God help us if muppet Martinez remains in charge for much longer.
.
Martinez Out!
Julian Wait
148 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:44:39
@Stewart 139 - I think that just about sums it up. I happened to be at the Saints away game and it was so, so promising to see that performance, especially after an unexpected draw (shades of things to come) in the first game of the season (the only other game I attended).

We weren't horrible today, barring the goal itself, but we've been average at best the rest of the season to be honest, and lacking much spark of late.

Len Gowing
149 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:46:37
I don't think the margins were that great today: Man Utd were not much better than us; however, as alluded to in other posts, all does not seem well (in the house of Denmark).

I was told a couple of weeks ago about an incident before the Arsenal game where the first team left training as a unit and went to the gym instead; "embarrassing" was the term used when they upped and left training.

In the current climate, they have to show a united front to deflect any weakness the opposition can exploit, but it seems to be pretty obvious to the casual observer that all is not well.

Martin Mason
150 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:47:35
Spot on, Tony. My house would be on losing Stones and Lukaku though with perhaps even Ross Barkley deciding he's had enough. I feel so sorry for Ross in that he is good enough for England and recognised as an amazing talent everywhere except at his own club. It's a crisis really and, while I normally support Kenwright, I believe he's got it wrong about Martinez.
Chris James
151 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:50:59
There's got to be some fan action/demonstration now surely.

The home form in particular has been a joke -– "Martinez Out" chants before the Liverpool game?

Tony Twist
152 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:55:15
It is scary that whoever is in charge at Goodison don't realise how close they are to success. All it would take is bringing in a short-term solution and getting rid of this clown of a manager.

We really are at the crossroads for future success, it is so obvious, a new manager, new belief, a new honeymoon period with the best squad that we could hope to have for the next year or so (that's if the stories become reality and we lose three of our "star" players in the summer).

We do have good players, unfortunately they have flaws. A clown of a manager just highlights how good the players are at the good things and rests on those laurels, a good manager concentrates on making good the weaknesses and therefore improving the players overall.

I just hope that the one who has the say at Goodison acts now and removes Martinez and shows everyone that making do, doing nothing, is not acceptable.

Stew Marsland
153 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:56:37
I watched the cricket instead, the first time I have neglected a Blues match for a long time. I fucking hate what Martinept has done to my club and how he makes me feel; it's like he is in a completely different mindset to all us supporters. I hope this prick is soon sacked so we can all resume our passion.
Stewart Lowe
154 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:58:32
I am reading one or two comments on various sites regarding who should potentially come in when the inevitable happens. I can't for the life of me work out why Villas Boas and Pellegrini are consistently being mentioned?

Pellegrini has spent £100s of millions and players like Mangala, Fernando, Fernandinho, Navas and they are all dross, let alone Pellegrini looking half dead in interviews.

Villas Boas spent £120m including the Bale money on 12 players and then got sacked because most of them were bang average.

For me it has to be one from Jose Mourinho, Marcelo Bielsa, Thomas Tuchel, or Diego Simeone.

Paul Holmes
155 Posted 03/04/2016 at 19:59:04
I wish I never watched the Liverpool v Spurs game on Sky yesterday, because we are miles behind. Liverpool have got players like Milner, Henderson etc who are shite when they play for the national team but Klopp gets the best out of them because his TEAM are well drilled in tactics and motivation (like Leicester) City.

We have a team of individuals under Martinez with no organisation, no motivation and certainly no leadership! If, by a miracle we win the FA Cup, we still need a top class manager to take us forward (and spend the money wisely) because, let's face it, this clown is out of his depth.

Gary Reeves
156 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:00:53
One simple summary point!

If Martinez still thinks that Ross Barkley is capable of playing as an out-and-out central midfielder (despite the overwhelming evidence, to the contrary), I'm afraid he's signed his own P45!

James Marshall
157 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:02:14
Much like the team, I watched disinterested. Not one post on here lamenting the miss Barry is.

We're useless without him. And that's saying something.

Inept. Dull. Lifeless.

Joe Green
158 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:02:28
Moshiri bought in at just the right time. No threat of relegation nor any serious pressing decisions to be made. Time to let him size-up the club at all levels. Sign of a smart operator (I hope).

He's confirmed to himself that there's lot of room for improvement (a good business to buy is one that is under-priced but has upside) and is making plans for change.

No need to sack Martinez while we are still in the Cup. But he will. Martinez knows it too.

I get the feeling that off the field Martinez has been good in developing our facilities, squads, social and media presence, etc... But, on field, we are now Wigan and will go down next season without change.

Christopher Marston
159 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:03:44
Why is it only our club that ever puts up with this dross?!!! Why is he not gone?!!!!!!
Sid Logan
160 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:04:01
It would be ridiculous to dump Martinez before the end of the season and it's not going to happen anyway.

In the first place I'm going to Wembley on 23rd April and Everton are hoping to go through to the final.

Secondly, we are going to win the cup quite simply because our name is on it. This will be Martinez's limited but important legacy to our club!

Once that happens, he will then be replaced by the manager he will beat at Wembley – Slaven Bilic. Remember... you heard it here first.

How do I know this? For two reasons:

Number One – because there can be no other reason why some higher authority has inflicted this likeable but calamitous man on our club.

Number Two – I've had this feeling for some weeks now and, the worse we play, the more likely it seems!

Intuition! Just wait and see!

Dave Abrahams
161 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:04:01
I think it is now down to Mr Moshiri and his mate on the Board. We are going nowhere while Martinez is the manager. I's a fact the players are not happy and have been airing their views to each other; it's time for the owner to sort it all out – the chairman is too weak. He must go as soon as possible, he looked like something had gone when he walked to the dug out after half-time.

Things cannot be allowed to go on like this – it is helping nobody, especially us the fans who are the lifeblood of the club and who are being drained of any hope while this situation is not being sorted.

Christopher Marston
162 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:05:47
If he's lost the players, then the press would be all over it – they're not all over it.
Andy Thompson
163 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:05:59
Dear Mr Moshiri,

Please end this nightmare. Martinez is killing this club ...it feels like death by a thousand cuts! I hate to say it but I'd quite happily swap the FA Cup now if it means this clown would depart....!

Mr Moshiri, I am sure you will do what is needed but I urge you to make it quick as there is absolutely no point in prolonging this agony!

Danny Broderick
164 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:08:51
I don't know if fan action is required. How about just a flag? Adios Martinez, y gracías?

I don't think any of us dislike the man, but we are permanently scratching our heads regarding his team selections and game management.

I thought the team sheet looked good today – 2 wingers, finally! Except that he plays Lennon at Number 10, and Cleverley on the left?

We are then getting beat – Mirallas comes on, but why even bother bringing Niasse on in the 86th minute? Give him 20 minutes or so, or nothing at all.

I fear Martinez has lost the dressing room. I don't think the team spirit looks great. I saw the usual suspects giving their all – Jagielka, Baines, McCarthy, Cleverley, Lennon and Coleman. I saw some of them getting frustrated with Lukaku and gesticulating at him – I saw him gesticulating at his team mates to get forward.

I don't think the players' fitness is great. We looked knackered after 75 minutes. I don't think we can play Lukaku and Barkley in the same team – it was like playing with 9 men at times today. Barkley's mobility for a young midfielder is shocking. I don't think he can play there – we have no option other than to morph him into a Le Tissier or a Sheringham, playing up front dropping deep. He needs a whippet up there with him – like a Vardy – not Lukaku, who is another trotter blowing for tugs after 20 minutes.

I am left with more questions than answers after today, and fear the time is coming for Roberto to be given the Spanish archer.

Stewart Lowe
165 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:09:16
I actually think that Lukaku, Stones and Barkley could all remain at Everton next season but ONLY if Martinez has gone. You have to give them credit that for 3 years they have bought into the Martinez way as we all have done and they obviously don't buy into it any longer.

If we can convince them to stay with the addition of a top top Manager that has won lefts of things, and add £100-150m of quality players then we could argue that the grass isn't greener at another club. Martinez stay and I am positive Stones and Lukaku will go, with Barkley only staying for one more season out of loyalty.

Brent Stephens
166 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:09:20
I suspect there's nothing new being said on the many threads the last few, and the next few, weeks, re our team, performances, results, manager. I doubt anybody is going to change their mind in the short-medium term on these matters. I'm dying for a semi, as you might say.
Peter Laffey
167 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:11:06
As well as Martinez's slide for the past 18-24 months.... What the fuck does McCarthy do? And before people tell me he's one of those players you appreciate doing the work you don't notice, yes the reason you don't notice is because he doesn't do fuck all.

Just to think Eric Dier of Spurs, we had him in our youth set-up, he can pass a ball and protects his defence, even Barry does the occasional forward pass.

And as for Barkley, so predictable, receive the ball, do a little turn back a yard or dilly-dally on it... For those who say world class, he might be a blue, one of us, but like fans were saying at the start of the season, the myth about this being the best squad for decades, I think you can say the same about Ross, sorry.

David Donnellan
168 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:15:30
In reality neither side deserved to win that game, it was a pile of shit of a game all round. Two poor sides. We never looked like scoring & Coleman should have dealt with that cross a lot better than he did.

Usually we let teams stick two banks of four in front of us & pass around to death in front of them aimlessly. Instead today, we were trying to hit direct balls to Lukaku early & aimlessly, the amount of balls that were fired up around his neck to control was unreal & as already stated he was totally isolated up there & was dealt with comfortably by their defence. Yes, he was poor today but the rest of the team didn't do him any favours either.

I have tended not to make any knee-jerk reactions as far as Martinez goes, but I am losing patience now & this simply can't go on as it is!

One other thing, I know we have just lost, but some of the posts on here are truly shocking, just a couple of snippets below:-

"If Martinez don't quit soon I will start to look for a new club to follow." – Tala! If you can change allegiance so easily, good luck to you; personally, I am a lifelong Evertonian & always will be regardless of who is in the hot seat!

"I can't believe I could say this but I hope West Ham or Man Utd batter us for all that we are not and all we pretend to be." – Shocking! No matter how bad things are, I would never wish Everton to lose any game, let alone a cup semi-final!


Eugene Ruane
169 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:17:32
I watched in the alehouse with mates and though I'm programmed to narkily 'ffs!!' at every misplaced pass and bit of..er..dumb-as-fuck play, I couldn't get properly worked up.

Despite United being dead ordinary, I expected us to lose and I'm aware that I've basically been watching our recent games with this same attitude for weeks - ie: we'll fart-arse around and... not win.

I think I went past fuming months back and now I'm relatively calm - having kind of out-of-body Evertonian experiences.

The fellers I was watching with appeared to be in a similar frame of mind.

I think many blues are thinking the same way right now, basically – 'this is all so fucking horrible, can we just get the semi-final out the way (one way or another – hopefully the other) get over the 40 pts mark and end this season of unbelievable frustration and let-down.'

Positives?

Stones did well as did Lennon, but as I've said before, our problems, imo, go waaaaay beyond Stones instead of Mori (or whoever instead of that feller etc).

This is a mentally weak squad and until someone (nb: who will be listened to) screams 'the king is bollocko!' we're only going in one direction.

Up the Toffees?

I doubt it.

Jim Bailey
170 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:19:23
David,

Agree entirely with your last sentence; however, you say that you are "losing patience now". Just out of interest... what would it take or how bad would things have to be before you finally lost your patience?

Stewart Lowe
171 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:21:22
I have just this second had information from a very credible source (a sports reporter that I went to school with and have trusted for many years) that he is 90% certain Martinez has recently as today had the tap on the shoulder telling him he will not be required beyond the final game of the season but will be allowed the opportunity to make the FA Cup his swansong before he goes.

Now I never expected that today. I'm smiling already :)

Martin Mason
172 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:21:37
Peter,

He's an automatic pick in the National squad and the rumoured target of a high bid from Man Utd. He cost us nothing.

I think I'll believe what me and the rest of the football world says about him. Sorry. Have you thought about Spec Savers?

Dave Abrahams
173 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:23:56
Sid (160) if our name is on the cup it will make no difference who the manager is. I also believe Everton will win the cup because the Chelsea game proved to me the players want to win the cup, they don't look arsed about the league, although you can't switch on and off at will.
Joe Foster
174 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:24:20
Stewart (#171) – you have made me the happiest man on earth.
Colin Gee
175 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:24:43
Hard to describe that 'performance' against the worst United side I have seen in a long time. Several words that I could describe it with will would upset the mods and probably get me banned.

I'll just use two.

Martinez out.

Henrik Lyngsie
176 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:25:30
Patrick (#29), I can report that the state of Denmark is in much better shape than Everton these days. It is just so depressing to watch Everton right now. Where is the passion, the fighting spirit and the leadership?
Patrick Murphy
177 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:31:21
Henrik (176) I'm glad to hear it, as I have very fond memories of Denmark and Copenhagen in particular. If you happen to find those missing ingredients near to where you live, could you please send them back to L4 ASAP many thanks.
Frank Thomas
178 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:32:35
The problem now is confidence our lack of it and the confidence that both Man Utd and WHU gained beating us. So which ever team we lose to in the semi-finals of the FA Cup we can proudly say once again that we lost to the eventual winners. Oh and that we had a really good first half and over 50% possession.

I can also see us losing to LFC by about six goals to nil. If we lose the semi-final surely we will say goodbye to Roberto.

Sid Logan
179 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:33:52
Dave (#173)

My gut feeling is that not only is our name on the cup but so is Martinez's. That doesn't bother me one bit providing he is not here next season.

This season – apart from the little matter of winning the Cup – is over as far as I'm concerned. My feelings when watching Everton right now are pretty close to to those described by Eugene above (#169).

Bill Gall
180 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:34:43
Last time we fired a manager, our average home gate was just over 14,000. Our average home gate this season is over 38,000... so Martinez's job is safe.
David Donnellan
181 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:36:06
Hi Jim (#170),

I have liked the way we have scored freely under Martinez this season & a forward on 25 goals is testament to that. However, we have conceded freely as well unfortunately; I have always told myself that if he can get the defensive aspect of the side right,we may have something special on the horizon.

Too many false dawns this season: 2-goal leads dropped, the League Cup semi defeat (from a winning position), the West Ham defeat, and now two dire defeats on the trot without are usual goal threat in either match... Yes, my patience has worn thin & it won't be a bad thing to install a new gaffer in the summer!

Gregory Kelly
182 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:36:49
I may be the last to do it but I have given up on Martinez, the team can no longer even do what was his trademark – pass the ball to each other.

And the long ball? Saints preserve us, surely the point of playing effectively 5 in midfield is that you work the ball through that area to give time to get support up for the striker? If the tactic is long ball then need two strikers; I felt sorry for Lukaku today.

Agree with Eugene, I watched it all in a state of resigned apathy. Somehow we have morphed into a bad team all under Matinez's watch. Somebody download Uber onto Bill's phone.

James Marshall
183 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:37:07
It's amazing having the passion knocked out of you. I've never experienced this before and I've been doing this for getting on for 40 years. Never before have I watched games without feeling involved, or really feeling anything.

When they scored, I didn't even flinch. When we hit the bar, I jumped up, but that was the one and only time I got in to it today.

There's a weird void surrounding watching us play at the moment. I thought it was my age, but evidently many of you feel the same way. Sad times.

Dave Abrahams
184 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:38:24
Sid (179) regarding your first paragraph, if that happens then we will both be happy. I'm going to Wembley too; hope we both enjoy it, the semi and the final.
Mike Hughes
185 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:40:15
Stewart (#171)

Your credible source isn't Anon Blue, is it?

Why bother giving Martinez notice to leave via a tap on the shoulder? Just sack him when the time is right which could be now or at any point until the day after the Cup Final. If I could time travel the 'right time' would have been January 2015.

Sid Logan
186 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:40:58
Dave,

I have no doubt we both will!

Stephen Brown
187 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:43:31
Ditto James Marshall #183. I felt exactly the same! It's horrible!

Another thing I feel is I don't care much for any of the players! It used to be if a player was linked away I was worried about it! I couldn't care less if any of these left for the right money!

Stewart Lowe
188 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:45:01
We could be 15th this time next week if results go against us – or even for us for all those wanting Martinez out.
Christopher Dover
189 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:45:59
Dean (#102). You have saved my day... Thanks; brilliant.
Paul Taylor
190 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:46:41
Here we go again! Mostly crap on the pitch and all crap off it! Another depressing performance from our "team" and analysis from our "manager".

Quite simply, he has to go now. We need to:-

1) Finish as high as possible, to get more income the higher the place in the league we finish. (Does anyone know how it is divided up?)
2) To give us the BEST chance of winning the FA Cup.
3) To keep our good players as a core to our expected revival in the following seasons.
4) To attract high quality and fit players who are under instruction from a high quality and respected manager.

Because achieving all the above would be immense steps forward. But I want change now... so how do we do it?

John Codling
191 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:48:57
Enough is enough, this Spanish twat has got to go. He pays £13.5 mill for a player and again gives him a 4-minute run-out. No closing down, no marking, no fucking idea.

Evertonians on this website having a go at Rom are you living the real world? Long balls from deep with the man on his own... No wonder he wants to get the fuck out of the club.

After the last cup game, I was brought down to Earth when our Chairman, Bullshit Bill told everyone on TV "What a manager" this twat is. We have a go at Kopites but they would not put up with the shite we put up with.

A worse record than Steve McClaren and Brendan Rogers, and they got sacked; we still put up with this shite.

Frank Thomas
192 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:53:45
Jim (#183), I totally agree with you; even the season we were nearly relegated, I still thought "We will win this game"... but now I am starting to be fearful in every game.
John Codling
193 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:54:15
Everton manager Roberto Martinez: "There were two games within a game. Up until the goal, we were the team with a better tempo and we always looked a threat.

"The goal was a very soft action, it's not up to our standards. The performances were very, very level and we shouldn't have lost the game. It's that sort of game that came down to small margins – the ball hitting the crossbar is the difference between us getting something out of the game.

"We are a young group with great potential, but our home form hasn't been anywhere near good enough."
Do you believe this shit? The man needs to go, now!

Tim O'Connell
194 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:56:58
This has to be the most frustrating season in my 55 years. I genuinely believe we have one of the best squads we have had, but the number of errors is unacceptable and clearly El Bob is an extremely poor defensive coach.

Although we have played some great football this season, it is a results business and, in such an open season, to have the results we have had is appalling. He has to go if we are to compete!

Today was yet another example of complete frustration. His final decision if only giving Niasse only 5 minutes to get the pace of the match and make an impression is just stupid! Rant over!

Stewart Lowe
195 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:57:31
John Codling

Bobby bullshit at his best :)

He must have been watching the Leicester game.

Don Alexander
196 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:57:40
Just a comment on Stewart Lowe's "wins" post at #139; the Southampton win was the second match of the season. Half their team had first met each other in the close season, they had won just five points from the previous 24 available and their no. 1 keeper, Fraser Forster, was unable to play because of injury. Apart from that it was a phenomenal performance, the second time in 18 previous away games we kept a clean sheet. It was also the first time in his career that Ross Barkley scored and made a goal in the same match.

And I'd only be happy with Danny Broderick's banner (#164) if it said "Adios Martinez, usted es una mierda."

Cos he is.

Tony Abrahams
197 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:59:01
You are my Everton, my only Everton, you make me happy, when the clouds are grey, you'll never know just, how much I love you, so please don't take, my Everton away.

ROBERTO MARTINEZ, HAS TOOK OUR EVERTON AWAY.

Craig Mills
198 Posted 03/04/2016 at 20:59:40
James @ 183, how very true, I've just got home from the game and I have to say it was another tepid performance from the a Blues, the truth is we were beaten by a very poor Utd side and if Martinez was looking for a reaction to the pathetic Arsenal showing a few weeks ago - this wasn't it.
Another thing I must note is that I haven't been at an away game when the atmosphere was so poor from the travelling fans, it appears the lack of effort on the pitch is transferring to the fans too, and as James@183 says, I don't think anyone is too bothered anymore
Peter Mills
199 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:01:09
Driving home from the midlands this afternoon I had the choice of listening to our match, or Johnnie Walker on Radio 2.

John Prine, Dobie Gray and the Ozark Mountain Daredevils still sound great.


Kim Vivian
200 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:01:16
I have the gist of a similar rumour, Stewart...cryptically.

....Anyone know what Roberto Mancini's up to?

Christy Ring
201 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:02:11
The team Martinez sent out today, was a complete shambles, and showed exactly why he should be sacked immediately. We had no shape whatsoever. I felt sorry for Barkley, he played him so deep, and when he got the ball, there was no movement whatsoever. There was no-one showing for the ball, we had no shape, we had 2 right wingers, no one on the left, Lukaku on his own, and the players hadn't a clue, it was a complete shambles. We have good players, what we need is a manager who knows what he's doing.

Colin Glassar
202 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:06:03
Stewart #171, which shoulder was tapped? According to La Cosa Nostra law, a tap on the left shoulder means -you will soon be sleeping with the fishes. A tap on the right shoulder is more of a, "you're in deep shit, wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more".
Ashley Roberts
203 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:07:19
I cannot believe how slow and pedestrian we are. I watched them over the park yesterday and Leicester City earlier and these guys have got so much energy in comparison.

How many times did Barkley get caught in possession today?Did you see Lukaku chase the ball down like Rashford or Martial? We are just so slow and there is just no movement off the ball. Nobody comes close to the player on the ball for a pass like Arsenal.

These guys just need to get fitter. what do they get up to in training? Deulofeu was finished after 60 mins and Baines and Coleman did not get up and down the wings like they used to.

The goal was just a comedy of errors from Baines to Coleman and, other than two set pieces from Jags, we never looked like scoring. If we have to play this bunch at Wembley, I hold out no hope.

Tony Dove
204 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:10:44
Shameful display, not worthy of any detailed analysis.
Ian Riley
205 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:11:07
Our problem is expectation. Coming into the season, a top ten place would have been a little disappointing. As fans we have different thoughts of a successful season. Two semi finals and top fifteen place may be fine to some fans.

Our manner of our play is not changing. I cannot get angry anymore because we are playing how the manager wants. Ten years ago, staying in the league and cup runs were great because I had no expectation. The hunger and desire we showed then with half the ability we have now is the problem.

My biggest concern is next season. I don't see a run of wins coming up or performances getting better. Leaving this season with no form will creep over into next season. How can we be disappointed with this season. On last season's performance, it was expected.

I am in the acceptance phase that Martinez will be here next season but my expectation will change. Staying in the league is our priority and if we do that, happy days!

As a fan it's the hope that kills you.

Brian Hennessy
206 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:14:13
Two average teams with two well below average managers.

The most painful bit is United will get rid of their inept Val Gal while we will have to suffer on with Martinez until he brings us to the brink of relegation.

David Edwards
207 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:24:33
Bill #180 - struggling with your stats or relevance. When Walter Smith was sacked our average home attendance that season was well in the 30,000+ mark. Can't see which season you are looking at the 14,000 mark, as our low level at the start of the EPL was still above that level and by the time Mike Walker was sacked we were still well up - due the EPL/Sky effect, a couple of seasons later.

In any event, what has the unwavering support of our loyal fans got to do with the quality of our current manager? If we wait to drop down to your quoted level before we move against Roberto - we can wait another decade and our slide into the National League! Even then, we'll still be there in numbers.

Please put me right if I'm missing something.

Chris Kelly
208 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:28:29
Tactics by RM do not seem to help Everton overcome the other manager and team. United were very ordinary but we looked like we could huff and puff all day without dominating. If Ranieri can take an ordinary team of players and make them play above expectations all season, then this shows the weaknesses with our manager. We have quality players right across the team, but each individual seems to be playing below par, getting frustrated and we the fans start to criticise. This is not good for our club. Instead of building on our widely recognised good crop of players, we are potentially going to lose them, either through frustration of things not going well or from teams with clearly better prospects, given our current position. He has to go, and quickly otherwise we lose them all. You can already see our friends in the media stoking the fire, with the time to move to a big club rhetoric. RM has lost the fans I think, yes we have had some bad luck in games, but as they say the season doesn't lie and we have had 30 games and are closer to the bottom than the top. Time for the club to be decisive if we are to turn it around, keep our best players and have chance of getting some big names for next year. The telling statistic for me is Roberto's past premier league form m and frankly it doesn't say winner to me.
Steve Pugh
209 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:36:50
When was the last time a manager won FA Cups with successive clubs and had to leave the same season?
Chris Scully
210 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:37:56
Dean (#102), I'm putting your post up on my wall at work! :O)
Ray Roche
211 Posted 03/04/2016 at 21:41:48
Steve, hopefully this year.
Bill Gall
212 Posted 03/04/2016 at 22:11:48
Dave # 207 My apologies I had to reread my post as I was not sure what you were talking about .. My only excuses are it was either I was so mad I after watching that display or old age is catching up to me (75) that I made a typo as I was referring to
W.Smiths record from 1998-2002 who's average home gate should have read 34000.
Les Martin
213 Posted 03/04/2016 at 22:43:34
Lukaku isolated, no support, no one within 15 yards of him, aimless balls pumped up and lost, no midfield, what a mess. I have come to the conclusion that not only has Martinez no idea how to set us up.

He also has a team that is just not fit enough, is this the reason for Ross huffing and Deulofeu not able to do more than 75 minutes?

Additionally closing down and off the ball movement, options to the player in possession is not there.

As I have said before, it would be frightening to think where we would be without Lukaku's goals this season, he has masked so many deficiencies, think about that!

Oliver Molloy
214 Posted 03/04/2016 at 22:54:30
Why all the fuss?

It's not like we were 2-0 up and lost!

Bun McGale
215 Posted 03/04/2016 at 22:54:36
I can't believe some of the comments. For some to actually believe that Martinez will deliver the FA cup is 'phenomenal', as he would say. He has a strong squad and has not rotated the players successfully.

Out of position, out of form, out of ideas... and I'm not even annoyed by Martinez anymore – I got off that train at Bournemouth. I am now more annoyed with Bill Kenwright who has come out recently saying "What a manager" – which in my opinion is disrespectful to the majority of the supporters who see him as a Grade A twat.

The lack of ambition being shown by the club by insisting on keeping this muppet in place makes me feel sick. I can't even listen to him anymore. If the club don't have this idiot replaced by the summer, then I'm not going to any more games. Depressing and everyone knows it except Bill and Bob.

They also must show real ambition and appoint a proven pedigree manager in the summer and not (as some suggest) Duncan Ferguson, David Moyes or Eddie Howe. If they really can compete with the top clubs now financially, then they must also compete for a top coach.

Clive Lewis
216 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:15:43
I am not going to try and analyze anything. The results have not been good enough and momentum suggests deteriorating results, a downward trajectory... the Jon Snow Everton swingometer is suggesting possible landslide relegation next season.

Therefore there should be a leadership challenge. Booing and banners at the ready, people.

Dan Davies
217 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:21:13
Martinez Out!

There's more life in a graveyard than in this team.

Colin Gee
218 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:23:20
Don't know if this has been posted on not, but it's just appeared on my Twitter Feed. Makes grim reading:

Since the start of October, Everton have won 6 games out of 23.

5 of them were 20th-placed Villa, twice.
19th-placed Newcastle, twice.
And-18th placed Sunderland.

Nick Armitage
219 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:23:25
Bob the knob looked a beaten man in post match today. He knows his time is up. He's lost the team and the fans and that's gotta be the end of him, thank God. Bullshit Bill doesn't call the shots now and Moshiri isn't gonna sign cheques for that dickhead to waste. Can't see where the next goal is coming from so they may as well sack him in the morning.
Chris Corn
220 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:48:42
He's got to go. End of.
Mike Hughes
221 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:50:42
On Paddy Power, the relegation odds are provided for only 7 teams.

One of them happens to be Bournemouth (80/1) who, having played 2 games more than us, are on the same number of points (38).

In fact, 7 of the bottom 8 have relegation odds quoted (Villa are not listed being considered 'already gone'.)

We are one place above that lot – obviously with games to spare – and I'm not suggesting we're going down this season. But those games to spare don't necessarily bring any additional points.

There is a clear trend here. Only those too blind to see don't get it. This loser is taking us one way – and spending money to boot.

Get rid now. Or at least make a very serious replacement search as soon as possible.

My challenge. Can any sane, long-standing Evertonian provide a case for keeping Martinez into next season based on the evidence on or off the pitch, pre-or post match waffle, bullshit-tolerant or resistant. (I've even made the goal posts wider.)

Anybody out there?

Jay Wood
222 Posted 03/04/2016 at 23:53:19
Why can't I get the closing lines of Talking Head's 'Once In A Lifetime' out of my head..?

Into the blue again
After the money's gone
Once in a lifetime
...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Same as it ever was...
Yeah, the twister comes
Here comes the twister
Same as it ever was...

There really wasn't a great deal to separate two very ordinary sides today, but Everton inevitably gave up a soft goal with poor defending. First, stopping the cross coming into the box, then Seamus's lack of awareness and failure to stop the ball getting to Martial.

Like many in this thread, I too often feel a numbness watching Everton these days, with a sense of resignation that the team will fail to animate or excite me or achieve a positive result.

We won't be relegated (we should NEVER be relegated!). We could yet win a much desired trophy. In all likelihood, Martinez won't be sacked before the season's end, though he might be dispensed with early with a defeat in the semi-final.

But if the board are not seriously reviewing the manager's position and the team's performance under his tutelage, they damn well should be.

To end on a positive note: John Stones was back to his imperious best. Best player on the park by a country mile.

Dan Davies
223 Posted 04/04/2016 at 00:08:43
The vultures have to be circling above. Surely??
Mark Wilson
224 Posted 03/04/2016 at 00:15:30
This is incredibly sad for me, a grown man, old actually, sitting watching the team that up until 10 years ago was life itself to me, or so I thought, and feeling, nothing much really. The poorest Man Utd squad I've seen for 30 years were beating us comfortably. They were playing shite, but were still good enough to beat a listless, disorganised Martinez team going through the motions of tippy-tappy in the first half, or slightly more direct but terrible service to the attack in the second.

It just felt like I'd been sedated and was vaguely aware of the lack of urgency, ineffective tactics, poor shape etc etc but somehow it was so familiar it didn't register so you were left with this feeling of, well, nothing... empty... That's what Martinez has done to this squad: he's made it okay to lose, frequently, to believe that winning 9 games so far this season is okay, that we are often unlucky, so don't fret.

Bill with his arm around Moshiri declaring how good our manager was after beating Chelsea in the FA Cup. How does he row back from that without losing face? He can't, can he... and he knows it and won't save the idiot running the team.

Moshiri? I just don't see him forcing things for £12M; he's too invested in the whole People's Club thing, the club that does things properly. I'd love to be wrong but don't think I am.

Despite all this, I do think it's crazy to write off a cup win as a nothing achievement by Martinez, as some are now doing. We haven't won a thing for decades so how can it be nothing? Unless, of course, the fool takes us down – which looks highly unlikely though until we get three more points... no, the cup would help ease the pain, just a little, of this dire pathetic season and even the often tortuous and damaging Europa League would be fun.

Martinez will be here at the start of next season so it's no good saying that the cup is keeping him in his job. He's in it until at least January 2017. So a trophy would be nice anyway. But then, after the last three games, does anyone think we can actually perform well enough to win the cup? Depressing stuff.

Don Alexander
225 Posted 04/04/2016 at 00:38:48
I have never ever believed Martinez has any sort of credibility. I always thought him a better player than manager, and he was only a bog standard defensive (don't laugh, it's true) midfielder.

Kenwright is a pseud. We're asked to believe he re-mortgaged his house etc etc but there's always been a ginormous spin of undeclared, unknown "business" to allegedly "save" our club, to the cost of progress as any normal fan understands that term.

Unaccountable tens of millions have left us by "virtue" of accountancy waffle for year after year after year. He and the other shits on the board even flicked the fingers at us fans by failing to even convene AGMs or, when they did convene, failing to attend them. It's gone on for years. Kenwright and his shithouse associates have done a major number on all of us... and we've basically accepted it.

The incredibly loyal attendances on match days prove it to be so.

On the positive side, Kenwright and his associates, and whoever they leave their dosh to, are made for life at our expense.

Mr Moshiri can hopefully do it better than Bill Bullshit.


Steve Barr
226 Posted 04/04/2016 at 00:39:26
Paul@190.

Starting next season the cash distribution based on final league position will be in £2m increments per position. Top gets £40m and bottom gets £2m.

If we finish 12th, we'd get £18m.

This season, top gets £24m and bottom gets £1.2m

See this link for total distributions.
http://www.totalsportek.com/money/premier-league-tv-rights-money-distribution/

Alex Moore
227 Posted 04/04/2016 at 01:07:40
A few points:

1) Lukaku on being ready for Champions League. Obviously one game is not a season, but he looked bad today (part tactics and service and part my second point which leads us to....)

2) This team is garbage off the ball. Spacing on defense, anticipating passing lanes, making supporting runs, it has all been especially bad (for me, that's mostly on the players).

3) Our guys are quitting; I'm especially annoyed with Ross's effort. Play both sides of the ball! You can be a good attacking player, even an offensive virtuoso, but we need players who are at least willing to clog passing lanes and apply pressure as well as attack (you can do both, they're not mutually exclusive, and when you're side is struggling you absolutely must fight on both sides).

Ernie Baywood
228 Posted 04/04/2016 at 01:29:24
I disagree with most of the comments here. I didn't see it as gutless, I thought they came out really fired up. Our two wingers gave them a hard time and Lukaku was a menacing presence in his contest with Blind. My thoughts after about 10 minutes were that this isn't a team who have lost faith and aren't playing for their manager.

Unfortunately, as the game went on, we lost a lot of our individual battles. Lukaku didn't get support and Blind did a great job on him. We went direct far too early – which, if it had worked, would have been leapt on as a sign of the players ignoring Roberto.

I couldn't really pick any bad performances, it was just a bit short in all departments. And ultimately they created one chance with an unfortunate error from Seamus while we were only slightly more threatening. Did they have another shot all day?

In any other season, I wouldn't have been so disappointed with that performance. It really wasn't that bad. But, in the context of this season, it's not showing any great improvement.

David Barks
229 Posted 04/04/2016 at 01:48:43
How can this be allowed to continue? It's only by the luck of how poor a few sides are that we're not in fear of being relegated. Everton, with so many saying at least we're not threatened by relegation.

I'll say it again, the reason why we're not up competing with the likes of Spurs is because we don't demand the same. If their manager was struggling at the bottom of the table, he'd already be gone. We've let our clown do so for two seasons, and we're talking about him getting yet another season.

To hell with what the Board would do, we should be demanding the change, just like Spurs, Liverpool, and even fucking West Ham did. But no, we continue to accept it and that's why we're an afterthought and the media doesn't respect us. Why should they, we accept this shit season after season?

Mark Rimmer
230 Posted 04/04/2016 at 01:56:41
I gave up my season ticket a long time ago. I watch the blues now mainly on the TV. I got a ticket for today's match, unfortunately sitting in the east end of Old Trafford with the Manc/Northern Irish clueless twats.

Just to my left there was a section of the greatest fans in the world all dressed in royal blue.... my Spanish girlfriend, who's never been to football match before, asked me why they were so quiet... says it all to me, somethings got to change.


Jay Harris
231 Posted 04/04/2016 at 03:54:10
I cant believe how poor we have become under this clown and for him to make the statement: "We have a lot of talented youngsters who are still learning the game" and "We are progressing well because 1984 was the last time we were in 2 semi finals" smacks to me of a Dead Man Walking.

Please, Mr Moshiri – take no notice of Bill and sack this idiot before he puts us in terminal decline.

Peter Barry
233 Posted 04/04/2016 at 04:25:01
No desire, no passion, no pride, no game plan and very little skill on display this is a Martinez team.

Can anybody please tell me the point of a defender passing a ball back to the Keeper who then immediately rolls it back to him while he stands still in the same place? Sometimes this pointless exercise is repeated a number of times too.
Allan Hough
234 Posted 04/04/2016 at 04:36:58
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has described his team's 1-0 Premier League win over Everton as a "stolen victory".

"Everton are a very good team, much stronger away than at home, and it was a very tight game. We were the lucky team today."

John Malone
235 Posted 04/04/2016 at 04:49:52
It need's some "Martinez Out" banners at the game as I don't think the board fully understand how the fans feel!

I think because of Martinez's "nice" manner, he keep's people on side for the wrong reasons; the fact's are plain to see – we are a poor team under this guy!

The lack of organisation and understanding of people's jobs on the pitch is plain to see; there are gaps everywhere and no method to our play. It's as if the players have just met and, as said above, are not afraid to lose or make mistakes for fear of reprimand!

I really think as fans we need to rock the "Martinez Out" boat as soon possible before he get's another season in charge, regardless of the inevitable FA Cup capitulation which will no doubt end up in with some type of piss-poor Martinez bullshit excuse!

I can't stand the man and his hollow bullshit statements and it is honestly going to make me give up going the game after 20 consecutive years as a season ticket holder!

Robert Johnson
236 Posted 04/04/2016 at 05:46:32
I don't get this 'worst Man Utd in X years' thing at all! They may not be as good as they were under Fergie, but they clearly aren't as bad as they are depicted here. They are in 5th position, 1 point behind the 4th for a reason. They also have lost only two home games this whole season, against Southampton and Norwich.

They struggle against bottom table teams but their record against the bigger teams is among the best in the league. You don't have to take my word for it, just have a look at their results against other teams in the Premier League this season:

Tottenham – Win (home)
Leicester – Draw (away)
Arsenal – Win (home), Loss (away)
Man City – Draw (home), Win (away)
Chelsea – Draw (home & away)
Liverpool – Win (home & away)

So expecting us to go to Old Trafford and win at a canter is ridiculous to say the least! Winning at Old Trafford, The Emirates, Stamford Bridge etc has never been easy for any team.

This is not to defend Martinez as I have been in the "Martinez Out" camp since last year. But I think sometimes we make a big deal out of the losses that aren't totally unexpected.
My problem with Martinez isn't losing at Old Trafford, The Emirates, Stamford Bridge etc but being unable to beat teams that we should be beating at home. My problem with Martinez is that the man talks a good game but has absolutely no clue about it. My problem with Martinez is that he talks about one thing then does the exact opposite, showing he has no clue about what he wants or or what he's doing.

Case in point today's game:

1. He talks about playing from the back, building the attack from the back, yet what did we see today? As soon as we had possession, we were lumping hopeful balls up to Lukaku! Even when after half-an-hour it was clear as daylight that this tactic won't work, we still persisted on this direct approach. He may have tried to isolate Blind but what happened instead was it was Lukaku who became isolated! Master tactician!

2. Deulofeu was having a field day against Rojo early in the game. Why didn't we try to replicate it on the other wing? Why didn't we unleash rapid Lennon against a not-so-rapid Darmian? Both Mata&Darmian are slow and they sure would have struggled against Lennon. Instead he kept on playing Lennon in a position where he doesn't have the tactical awareness or skill set to have an impact on the game.

3. Barkley has been playing so well in no.10 position this season so what did our master tactician do? Drop him deep! And even after when every man and his dog could see Barkley was not only struggling to have an impact on the game but also getting caught in possession in dangerous positions, he didn't change Barkley's position.

These are the little things that are coasting games. And it's all down to the inept manager that we have!

The best squad in years with a striker who has scored more than most in the league, yet we are 2 points behind Tony Pulis's West Brom!

With the current squad and the current state of the Premier League, I'm more than sure that the much maligned Moyes would have us in top 4.

Antony Matthews
237 Posted 04/04/2016 at 06:57:41
Does anyone think Moshri can demand a refund? Bill's next job is a car salesman that's for sure!
Paul Kennedy
238 Posted 04/04/2016 at 07:13:18
It kills me to say it but as long as we do not get relegated then whatever it takes for the clown at the helm to go!!! I will not even watch us live I am so fed up over the apathetic lackluster performances I've watched.

Liverpool v Spurs... yes, there were mistakes from both sides but the drive, determination, stamina and strength that both teams displayed makes you wonder do we do any fitness training?

I have been a blue standing in the Boys Pen through the 60s, money was tight then but I always stuck with them no matter... But I really cannot take the clown speaking utter garbage and driving us closer and closer to being Aston Villa of the next couple of seasons. He must go.

Andy Walker
239 Posted 04/04/2016 at 07:48:21
Remember the 4-4 draw we had at OT 4 years ago? Passion, speed and skill from a really good team with a really good manager.

Get Davey back, give him the financial backing he never enjoyed at our club. He'll sort the defence (he did buy them all) and bring back solidity, allied to style.

The gambler in charge is only half way through his project. As I have been boring everyone on here for 3 years, this guy has a track record of taking over an EPL team that had consolidated its position in the league for years prior to his appointment. Then he changes their style and over a period of a few seasons takes them lower and lower until he relegates them.

The popular narrative on this site that Martinez is good at Everton based on the record points total in his first season, should surely now be blown out of the water. The legacy of Moyes was strong and it took more than a year for Martinez to break it.

I have faith that once Moshiri gets his feet under the table, change will follow over the summer. As I say we could do a damn site worse than Moyes, oh and he hasn't even got ginger hair anymore which was such a big deal for some during his tenure, so they wouldnt have to worry about this critical issue anymore.

Andy Thompson
241 Posted 04/04/2016 at 10:16:41
Get this clown out now for good of our great club. It is absolutely clear this particular "project" is dead in the water.
Barb Ellis
242 Posted 04/04/2016 at 10:35:40
Andy, I don't think Moyes is the answer. In a newspaper article, he said he was very hurt by the reception he received when returning to Goodison. Also it didn't work for Howard Kendall (God bless him) the last time he returned. The chosen one didn't have much success at Chelsea on his return either.
Zahir Jaffer
243 Posted 04/04/2016 at 10:52:49
First season, Martinez put fear in the opposition, nearly achieving that Champions League spot.

This season, hopefully his last, he has instilled fear into us, the fans, that we might actually get relegated. If that's not enough to show the dramatic decline of his reign, than I'm not sure what is.

Kim Vivian
244 Posted 04/04/2016 at 11:06:12
I'm with you Andy. Always was a Moyes supporter, predicted years ago that he would be next at Utd after AF, and the guy got a real bum deal at Man U (was always going to be a no-win gig for whoever went there) and in Spain. Consider that his 9 month spell with Utd was no worse, I believe, than LVG's.

Our first year with RM was very much off the back of DM's legacy. It was when RM's crusade started to take over that we began the slide in to our current mediocrity (ie the final qtr of RM's first season), since when we have gone steadily backward despite the strengthening assets.

I'm not advocating the return of DM but really we could do a hell of a lot worse. Already have, actually. Everyone bangs on about RM's recruitment success but remember - Stones, Jags, Coleman, Baines, Howard (defo ok before advancing years took hold), Piennaar, Oviedo, Distin, Mirallas, and I could go on, not to mention youngsters Barkley and Garbutt were all inherited from DM. Tim Cahill another Moyes diamond.

Sure he hade his bummers over the years, but which manager doesn't? And it's not like RM has an exclusive Midas touch. I give you Kone, Alcaraz, Traore, Niasse...about whom we may be proved wrong but I do struggle to think of a raft of good players who have come from Russia - which also, incidentally, leaves me in two minds about Yarmolenko. It will be interesting if the shite nab him as is rumoured and how it turns out.

As far as DM is concerned, as I say, I do not think he would worsen our predicament and failing all else I would see him in tomorrow rather than our current incubent, even if only an interim a la Hiddink. But sooner rather than later. Let him win the FA cup with us. I reckon he deserves it more than Bobby.

Nick Page
245 Posted 04/04/2016 at 11:09:56
Pos W D L F A GD Pts
RM 2012/13 18 9 9 20 47 73 -26 36
RM 2011/12 15 11 10 17 42 62 -20 43
RM 2010/11 16 9 15 14 40 61 -21 42
RM 2009/10 16 9 9 20 37 79 -42 36
SB 2008/09 11 12 9 17 34 45 -11 45
SB 2007/08 14 10 10 18 34 51 -17 40
PJ 2006/07 17 10 8 20 37 59 -22 38
PJ 2005/06 10 15 6 17 45 52 -7 51

Records at Wigan (hopefully this pasted ok). Easy to see how he took them down!!!

Amit Vithlani
246 Posted 04/04/2016 at 11:36:06
Thank you for digging this up Nick, it certainly makes for worrying reading.

I recall the same stats were posted on TW when he was appointed, but at the time many posters (rightly) thought it was only fair to give the man an opportunity.

These statistics show 174 points garnered in the 4 seasons before his arrival and 157 points garnered in the 4 seasons he took charge of Wigan. A differential of 17 points, or put it another way on average Wigan were around 4 points worse off under Martinez.

At the bottom end of the table that is a huge margin - especially as they went down with 36 points, 4 points below the magical 40 point mark.

These statistics are starting to look rather prescient, although that said I still do not (yet) subscribe to the theories that we will be relegated next season, as I do anticipate a summer of major transfer activity, even with Martinez still in charge, and he has had more hits than misses so far when he has been given cash to spend.

Sadly, his points per game ratio over the last 68 games (1.25) point to another lower half finish.

Paul Smith
247 Posted 04/04/2016 at 11:45:24
Can't believe the shouts for OFM. Has our current plight relieved us of our senses? He turned us over with his fawning all over Man Utd, get a grip.

During yesterday's match one of the commentators, (Beglin) I think, mentioned the link between us winning at Old Trafford and Fergie fucking off, nothing to do with the fact that Moyes had also jogged on with knife to a gunfight bollocks.

No thanks, not a chance I want to revisit the Moyes years. Jesus, what a mess!

Tony J Williams
248 Posted 04/04/2016 at 13:12:13
I remember my attitude when most were baying for Moyes's blood. Saying I would support Everton no matter who was in charge.

I would like to thank Señor Martinez for giving me a glimpse into the psyche of these posters. I simply don't care anymore. I turned the channel over and went back to talking to the family and wife.

It was over, gone, no emotion at all, not even the Walter Smith disappointment. I toyed with the idea of not renewing last year but the missus persuaded me to have one last hurrah, as my daughter was still too young to realise I wasn't there many weekends.

I toyed with the idea of renewing this year... until the West Ham game. How that dozy fecker in charge, who has now stated Niasse is not fit, can bring him on for 20 minutes in a game where we are are down to 10 men and yet only bring him in on for a couple of minutes here and there since, simply defies any logic at all.

(New advert) Take two wingers into the game, not me, I take two and then use one as a false number 69 etc.

Daft twat needs to go.

We also need to give P45s to the fitness team, as I have never seen a more unfit team in all my 30+ years of watching Everton.

Brain (#119) had it right. Jags looked like a broken man in that interview.

There is always a first for anything... here goes: Martinez Out!!

Nick Page
249 Posted 04/04/2016 at 14:07:35
A very very interesting read which goes along with "Why we are too nice" under the incumbent fraud. And why it gets you nowhere in professional sport.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/35955616

Dan Davies
250 Posted 04/04/2016 at 14:29:04
Fair play to Kevin Kilbane for speaking out on MotD. At last a pundit to tell the truth of the situation. Thank you Kevin!

Mr Moshiri surely cannot be happy with this mess. This needs sorting out now or we risk becoming a laughing stock if we ain't already.

Paul Tran
251 Posted 06/04/2016 at 19:24:28
For me, Man Utd are an expensive version of us two seasons ago.

I hope Moshri will sit Martinez down and get him to explain the difference between his first and subsequent seasons. I hope he sits down Jagielka, Baines and Barry and asks them the same.

Then I hope they give the information to the next guy, who will hopefully be a proven manager, rather than the any ex Everton player with a pulse people keep asking for on here.

The choice of the next manager is more important than sacking the current one.


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