Everton vs Southampton

But how many of us are going into games confident now? Not many, that's for sure!

A tough home game, the derby, and the semi-final... one of the biggest weeks for seasons and we've got no form whatsoever.

I really don't think the injuries will play any part at all. Every single one of our players have been poor in recent weeks and the worrying thing is we are creating nothing. Never mind a win – I can't see us scoring.

I haven't felt this despondent being an Evertonian for many years and can't see no end to the current slump. My prediction is a draw tomorrow, 0-0; defeat over there on Wednesday night, and a comfortable 1-0 win for Man Utd in the semi-final. God, Martinez... I despise you.

For me, it is all about "damage limitation" When I see what happened last night at the other place and what we have been subject too over the last 2 years.... I could cry.

Anyway there is a slight chance we could see the manager who will be leading us into next season's campaign on Saturday, hopefully he isn't Spanish.

But surely we are due a win, aren't we?

Can we please show the same application and determination? Otherwise, I fear we Robles will end up with a bad back.

If you want to follow the money, the bookies have us as marginal favourites at 8/5 whilst Saints are available at 21/11. The most likely outcome of yet another draw has an attraction at 5/2.

No doubt our players will stroll about the pitch looking a quarter interested as per usual, no pressing, no energy, no excitement.

What gets me is soft lad Martinez thinks in the last two months we have been a really good attacking team.

We have failed to score in 5 of our last 7 league games!!

Great when you have got a manager that tells it like it is isn't it?

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway;
Mirallas, Barry, Besic, Oviedo;
Deulofeu;
Niasse.

This would allow Deulofeu the freedom to focus on attack, while having the defensive qualities of Oviedo and Galloway, with Mirallas tracking back.

Will Martinez have the balls to drop Lukaku? I doubt it.

We have no confidence in Martinez and that shows in the way we play. Confidence is shot, players are eyeing their next move (who can blame them?) And the fans are upset.

With the appointment of Martinez, we've squandered our best chance in decades.

Thanks for nothing, phenomenal Bobby brown shoes.

I hope Roberto goes at the end of the season, but I do hope we can have some fantastic results along the way. In some ways the Board will become more important than ever.

If they go for a Klopp type or other proven winner/big name I think it says what our intention is. That will drive whether our recruitment over the summer is successful. If we don't and look at 34-year-olds like Carrick and bargain basement, we will lose our current stars and risk being a mid table side for even longer.

We are losing traction again with the Reds, Man Utd, Chelsea even, when on paper, our squad for the first time in many years is competitive. Let alone struggling against teams who have only just come up! The next few months I think could determine our destiny for the next few years.

Can we just get the guy out now instead of this god awful slow sinking waiting game.

We need a change. That is the only way to get the fans on the players back on side. It doesn't even have to be a permanent replacement. Just get somebody in and get the players playing for their shirts next year.

We might even lift a cup if someone gets him out the door fast enough.

I'm not going to blame Martinez for all the failings of the team, some of the players have not performed to the levels they are capable of, but some times selection could have been better (Kone should never play; Mirallas should always play) and substitutes have been baffling at times.

With the performances of the younger players when called upon we shouldn't feel uneasy about tomorrows game, it's that old cliché, "It depends on which Everton shows up."

But I think bobby brown shoes will put Oviedo at left back & Pienaar at left wing.

No doubt there is frustration but this call for instant action is not likely to be on the menu with the Wembley game so imminent. Kenwright would be seen to have made the wrong decision, whether we win or lose it!

My bet is that Martinez will see out the season regardless of the FA Cup.

Once we get tanned at Anfield and do our usual big game no-show at Wembley, the vast majority of course will have lost heart of interest in even anything remotely to do with Everton.

Can you imagine what the atmosphere will be like at hone to Bournemouth after those two likely expected defeats?? I think the next week will decide whether many Everton fans have been to the last game certainly of this season.

It's all or nothing this next week.

Robles
Coleman
Stones
Funes Mori
Baines
Deulofeu
Besic
Barry
Oviedo
Niasse
Kone

Subs: Howard, Galloway, Holgate, Mirallas, Pienaar, Dowell, Henen.

"The last two performances have been really strong."

We drew against Watford and Pslace so they clearly weren't strong performances.

Here's the biggee:

"Our away record would be top four in the league."
.
To correct you we're 6th in the away table. To fully correct you home and away games count in the league. Defies belief.

If Kone and Niasse start up front there might be more than a few grumbles from the stands, in fact the place would probably go ballistic.

Baines will probably be rested along with Lukaku, Barkley and Lennon so we'll need to find a way of introducing one or two youngsters, whilst keeping some experience in the team. It would seem that Roberto has decided, if the 'injured' players recover in time, to play as full a strength team as possible in midweek and hope that the home fans can inspire the youngsters to perform well tomorrow.

Southampton, another of the clubs we used to look forward to playing at Goodison, will probably be added to the growing list of visitors who will relish playing us on our own patch, and will likely return home with at least a point.

He keeps on about the squad but he can't handle a squad of that size; it is too big for him. I am convinced his subs are pre-judged before the game and go in that rigid order at pre set times with total disregard to state of the game. Looks like some of the players not seen for god knows how long will get a run out. Let's hope they do themselves proud because they must be well pissed off.

For 2 seasons we have fallen away and 12th looks likely. There can only be one course of action and that is to remove Martinez from Everton. The next 2 games are critical; after the game at Anfield, if we lose these games, then we need to call time and appoint Joe Royle as caretaker.

Embarrassed and envious by the RedShite across the park leading by example with... Desire, team spirit; heart, players playing for the manager and fans; leadership all over the park and with a fecking average team! And our lot struggle to play with a wimper!

Yes, I blame our manager... we are following his shit boring philosophy – ideas, belief's, vision or total lack of it!...Played, coached and managed all my life....

I've never been involved with a manager who is so weak and up his own arse! How I wish for a gaffer to lead our players and the incredible fans in the right direction without any fecking bullshit!

Totally gutted and fecking embarrassing for so many proud loyal Blues!! He really has messed our club up.

Phil I hope you're wrong.

However, what you say is probably about right.

Anyway back to the team. I think we should promote one or two youngsters like Dowell and Henen to the squad however Galloway has shown an alarming drop in form since his heady days in the first team so I wouldn't consider him.

As Phil says I wouldn't expect any change in Martinez position until the end of the season unless there is an unlikely fans revolt at Goodison Part so I guess we'll have to put up with it for now.

I hope the players put a shift in so at least the supporters can get behind them going into the derby. I also hope Mirallas and Deulofeu are allowed some game time to get fit before the semi.

For this reason alone I think we may get something out of tomorrows game. The likes of Oviedo, Deulofeu and Mirallas will be trying to put in a decent performance to get into the semi-final side. Even Pienaar may be making a late claim for a semi-final farewell appearance.

Southampton can go 5th if they win tomorrow so they're not on the beach just yet. Koeman will have them up for it but I fancy us to not lose at least. If we didn't have the injuries and McCarthy was not suspended, I would not be as confident of getting anything.

And that fucking knob Kenwright still wouldn't sack him.

What a poor excuse, difficult to explain? You would get more credit if you had said you take some responsibility in these results. He's been bashed from pillar to post so will leave it there.

Kone - Niasse strike force, I actually would love to see that, just for the laughs. One cost £13.5m and the other's just gotten a contract extension.

Would be funny if it wasn't all true...

I just bought an Everton chef's hat off the OS. Have no idea why, was in the clearance section – that's another one I'll need to explain to the better half....

Will someone explain to me what's wrong with a plain old fashioned 4-4-2 ?

Played correctly it's the best system around, effective and simple to understand.

Coleman
Oviedo
Funes Mori
Stones

Barry
Besic
Deulofeu

Dowell
Mirallas

Niasse

This is the team I'd like to see... but the team I reckon I will see is:

Robles

Coleman
Galloway
Funes Mori
Stones

Barry
Besic

Deulofeu
Mirallas
Pienaar

Kone

I suggest you take a look across Stanley Park, Bill, to see what we deserve at Everton. He managed to get a phenomenal performance from a bunch of donkeys last night!

Good shout, Anto: Big Joe till end of season and to oversee the recruitment for a new manger and coaching staff. Next season is a rebuild back to basics – how about Big Joe and Alan Stubbs along with Sheedy and Unsworth? We don't know how good big Dunc is... I don't think he has much of a say under Martinez and friends; otherwise, there would be a little bit more fire in their belly.

Because we think we have a few bob, we don't have to go abroad; overseas is only short term... do you think Klipity will be over the park in 3 years time?

Chin up, everybody – we are what we are... good days and bad days will come and go again and again.

Not sure about the next two games, but hope we beat the Mancs. Regardless of the outcome, your time will soon be up, Roberto!

We all have a good idea about what's up and what needs to change but let's go to Wembley as fighters, not a bunch of know-all gobshites. We can spend the summer moaning if we want but now is the time to wear blue with attitude and pride.

http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/everton-manager-roberto-martinez-admits-11191518

Stuff fed up, it doesn't mean anything. Let's get behind the players again. Midway through the second half at Palace Lukaku beckoned us to get behind the team. I thought "I know what to do – but are you giving everything?"

But we're in it together, at least until the night of Saturday 23 April (and possibly beyond). Come on, you Blues!

Keep the players as fresh as possible for the semi-final. Motivation will not be a problem for that so Martinez not required to do something not within his compass.

When the times arrives (probably in next fortnight) for Martinez to go then I agree with a few here in that Big Joe be given a caretaker role to tide us over. Even better if he could take over now as his Big personality and blue blood could see us win the semi final and even final.

One thing is for sure. Big Joe is at least Klopp's equal on the motivational front. Every club Joe managed or played for loved him. In my humble opinion, Joe Royle is the greatest living Evertonian.

The result is unimportant. What is important is our display. Surely the prospect of a semi-final will inspire the lads.

I know we will be playing at our bogey ground (Goodison Park), but just give us something to cheer!! COYB

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Oviedo;
Barry, Besic, Pienaar
Deulofeu, Mirallas;
Niasse

I think we need to take a longer look at Niasse because what bit I've seen so far fills me with dread. I would also rest our so-called big players for the derby (which I'm dreading again) but next Saturday is the main focus.

By the way, at 2/1, Southampton have got to be the bet of the weekend.

Martinez will be definitely here until after the semi, at least, depending on the result. My money is on him seeing the season out unless something is really rotten in the dressing room and the Chairman / Owner has to take immediate drastic action.

I want us to win the FA Cup regardless of whether we keep Roberto or not, we're too close to it to cut our noses off to spite our face, it gets more agonising the closer you get, do what we have to do to get our hands on the FA Cup, be as pragmatic or flukey as much as we need to. I'm not in the camp of losing in the semi is ok to get rid of Roberto. We're playing Man Utd for God's sake, lose to them or Liverpool just to get rid of a manager, never, we're better than that, don't give them the pleasure, just win at all costs, I don't care how, just win it and then the Final too.

We'll lose the Derby, that one game gives me a stomach ulcer every year and watching it costs me a new TV every season (yeah, I've got anger issues because of that lot LOL, goes back to the Moyes era of perpetual capitulation through fear before we even got out of the tunnel). I fear a real brutal beating, could be worse than the 4-0 a couple of years ago.

Christ what i'd do for a Joe Royle type of manager for the coming games, get them fit, organised, never say die and tackle anything that moves mentality added to the quality and skill the players have.

Next season, it's Koeman for me, worst case scenario Mark Hughes to come in and sort the malaise out for a couple of years to steady the ship before getting a better manager. Koeman at all costs, even if just for a few seasons to bring us back into regular top 7 contention again. Sadly I think Koeman will be eyeing a bigger job than ours.

Another year of Roberto? Can't even think of that as a reality, this has gone too far past the point of no return with Roberto and that's with 2 huge games next week. He's going nowhere at least until after the semi final, it's too late for his removal now.

If we lose the semi right after the Derby the next home game, that's when the fans must vent their anger and frustration, think there's only 2 games left at home after the semi. Bill and Mr Moshiri must know the score without any doubt if it's worst case scenario and we lose the derby and the semi. Time is running out on that.

Lose the derby and the semi and Goodison will be toxic for it's next game, rightly so in my opinion. You pay your money to attend –you're right to voice your opinion...

Difficult 9 days ahead, folks...

For 4-4-2 to work you need very good midfielders as you're often one short against teams playing 5 men. Nobody really plays it in modern football.

4-3-3 and a flexible 4-5-1 are very much the same thing, it was how the late 60's and 1970 Everton played with a notional 4-3-3 but mostly 4-5-1 with Royle as the target man and Husband and Morrissey playing deeper. Wonderful fluid formation though because Wright and Wilson were very good overlapping full backs.

The funny thing was that we were usurped by the double winning Arsenal who played a very strong 4-4-2 with Radford and Kennedy up front and a strong midfield of Storey, Armstrong, Charlie George and George Graham. They were a great side.

I am sure some will argue we not beat Man Utc with our players fresh but we may not beat Southampton or Liverpool with a full team (ex suspensions and injuries).

I believe the doubts for tomorrow have a huge whiff of him resting the big players but not having the bottle to admit!

Maybe the likes of Pienaar and Mirallas, if played will show up. Pienaar probably only needs to play one decent game to get another 3 years!
Hoping for a win... the wife is a Southy fan... the weekend could go be looong!
COYB

But Dowell and Holgate, my word they're going to be good and they're ours. They should be given a try asap.

And when we are 3-0 down by half-time, I'd put Stones up front in place of Lukaku and swap Funes Mori in for Mirallas... but thank god I'm not Roberto. COYB!!!!

Plus utter bollocks Bobby is renowned for giving youngsters a chance. In his own mind, that is.

For me it doesn't matter who we start with, today will be a draw/loss, followed by a hammering at Anfield and an easy win for Man Utd at Wembley. Many have said on this post already but it's clear the team have lost interest in Martinez's ways, he'll be gone by the end of the season.

I'm not going to make any effort to watch the derby and may or may not watch the cup game, even though it's on BBC and I don't even have to get up off the couch.

Meanwhile, Martinez continues to talk utter rubbish most of the time completely unchecked by anyone at the club, I'd say his job is safe. No matter how much we protest.

As for today, I think the poor form will continue and we will scape a draw 1-1.

Biggest concern must be the centrebacks, we only have two fit.

Players are also desperate to continue playing, for their own reasons. Hope that if Rom is rested (as it could be more cloak and daggers), that he shows up for the Semi.

Soton favourites at 6/4 ish

Have a feeling my despairing 'for fuck's sake Everton' record (437 times v Leicester) could go today.

Up the Toffees!

Robles;
Holgate, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines;
Besic, Barry;
Deulofeu, Dowell, Mirallas;
Niasse.

Dowell... Start him.... Give him a chance to shine but with a buffer saying that if you happen to have a shit game don't worry about it. Express yourself, do what you can do and earn yourself a regular spot. What on earth have we got to lose?

The only thing I am looking forward to is Mr Moshiri putting us all out of our misery by packing Mr Martinez and his team of Muppets off and bringing in a manager who can inspire and organise our talented team and get the defending and attacking in equally exiting measure – something Martinez seems to have completely coached out of our team.

Today's game should be an opportunity for the brown-shoed buffoon to blood young and fringe players and ascertain whether they can step up to the plate. If Kone starts ahead of Niasse, then that is confirmation for me that he is a dud and Martinez doesn't want to expose himself to even more criticism for buying an expensive donkey.

Other than that, today's game for me is an excuse to do the garden.

As it is, the usual suspects will probably come into the equation – by that, I mean the fringe players Gibson, Pienaar, Osman, Oviedo, Howard etc. Sorry but we've been there and done that.

I can't personally see us getting much change out of an in-form Southampton. So why not try something different?

If they were to give us a hiding and the board decided enough is enough (I know, I know), my ideal scenario would be to give it to Royle and Unsworth until the end of the season. Imagine Big Joe's team talk before the derby and the semi. We might not win both but, by god, they'd know they'd been in a game!

As it is, regardless of today's result, he's not going anywhere.

The reason why I am asking is, the fringe teams are doing well, I know it's not the same as the Premier League.

I don't go to these games, but I would like to know, do the fringe teams play the Martinez way?

I think we need to capture Kenwright and start to pull his fingernails out one by one, and if this fails, we then start to remove his fingers. Just leave him a few to sign the dismissal paperwork. Sadly, it is the only way.

Lose games and we finish bottom half and fail in the cup.....but maybe get rid of the manager.... Hmm.

Bollocks!

I want Everton to do well because I love Everton.

What I do not want is a manager who does 'just enough' to keep his job.

This man is taking us nowhere and whether we give him one match, one month or one year, it will not change.

I love Everton and I don't want us to waste our time with this guy in charge.

What I wish for is a board that accepts no less than myself. Sadly, that isn't the case. Therefore I wish for the only other way Martinez is going to fuck off before the end of the year.

It's 'bollocks' to suggest that supporting Everton has to include supporting Martinez.

Some of us have the prospect of supporting Everton for the next 60 years and, yes, would take another nail in RM's coffin if it meant a new manager and a better season next year.

Under this manager we are going nowhere but down.

"Some of us have the prospect of supporting Everton for the next 60 years and, yes, would take another nail in RM's coffin if it meant a new manager and a better season next year."

Does that mean you wouldn't mind us losing so Martinez gets sacked?

If so, that's where me and you differ. I can't want us to get beat. It just doesn't work for me. I want Roberto to win the FA cup. I want him to go on and win every game we have left this season. If he is here next season and I think he will be if we win the FA cup, I want him to win every game next season too.

If he doesn't improve drastically and he does get the sack, so be it. I won't lose any sleep over it.