From my seat: Real Betis (H)

I'm sure Martinez wants Barkley to do the job, but he's still got to learn that you just cannot give the ball away cheaply, particularly in your own half.

Really think he'll need a clear out of Shankly proportions to change things for the better.

Quicker we conclude outgoings including Felli and Baines the better, just arsing round in limbo at the moment.

Okay, the players were probably tired. But this was a worrying performance.

Hopefully we will see an improvement when the season starts next week but if we are to make Europe next year the players have to start taking on opposition players more often and finding our players at a higher percentage rate than seen today.

I would've played Oviedo as well seeing how Baines will play 90 mins for England on Wednesday night. No panic yet though.

We badly need a central midfielder who can find space and keep things moving. Even Joey Barton would have made us tick today, the others were that off the pace.

Regarding the pessimism here... guys, what did you expect?

The equation is simple. New system + same players = a lengthy adjustment period for both manager and team.

I long ago predicted we wouldn't see the True New Everton until November.

All supporters are aware from last year that a priority with Everton was signing a quality midfielder but now it seems we would have to sell our best players to do this.

I must confess that the style we are trying to impose just does not suit our players but it is way too early to make any meaningful conclusions.

Norwich?... will be difficult. That pitch of theirs is a pocket handkerchief (or it seems to be with the spectators so close). Difficult game.

There's first that the players aren't technically good enough for the system, and then there is that they are, but aren't used to it yet.

To me, it's more the second than the first, although players like Distin and an ageing Osman do apply to the first.

I think we'll crack it, I think Gibson is capable of controlling a game, I think Pienaar and Mirallas are capable of causing more problems up front.

And to try and prove this theory, look on paper at Wigan and on our best team, and see who's better. I would suggest we are, but Wigan have been coached a certain way. Same as Swansea, they've had years and years of the same coaching.

Basically long story short, it's gonna take a lot of time, this season is going to be frustrating, but I do genuinely believe Martinez will come good in 2/3 seasons.

It might be, a case of how long we (the fans) and the board (wankas) will put up with it should it go pear shaped.

I know I'll be on here venting my spleen at the first opportunity if it does, hope it never comes to that.

Roll on saturday,

COYB

This system will suck other teams into our half as we keep the ball, the lump up the middle to a packed defence was the Moyes tactic and well that hardly worked that well. Lots of half chances no cutting edge. At least we saw what RM is on about with Real Betis. Im sure that's what he has in mind for us. We don't have the cattle on the paddock to play this yet so Osman and Gibson giving the ball away and the team panicking at the back and Howard lumping it forward.

With this system we have to be patient, keep the ball and try and unlock the defence with careful passing and to pick out Jelavic in the box.

I just couldn`t bear to see our very talented side implode in the same way.

We just do not have the players in my view. Neither did Wigan. He did not change there...I hope he's more open minded...he will soon know that the fans have more expectation than the board!

What`s clever – or attractive – about that ?

I agree with the majority that we are lacking a play maker in MF, hopefully Fellaini can fill that role as Gibson is too injury-prone IMO.

Once again this shows the major problem with Everton — the board, who once again are failing to supply funds after BK stated that funds will be made available for new players... unless the paltry amount that has been spent is all the manager is getting.

First half Baines never got passed the half way line, Pienaar... well!!!!! Likewise, Coleman did not pass the halfway line. Apart from a couple of nice moves in both halves, we struggled to even keep any shape although you could not really tell what formation we were trying to play.

We need to improve dramatically before next week or play like we did at the beginning of last season and then try introducing a style that suits us progressively instead of doing it all at once. The players need to be confident of what they can do first and foremost.

Is it asking too much of our (Moyes) players that they would be comfortable on the ball and would be able to play the ball through the midfield?

What Martinez has to do is dismantle and de-construct in order to rebuild. It wont happen over night.Surely being rid of the Grinch is worth it? A little bit of time for the new manager to intergrate his ideas isn't to much to ask is it? You gave DM over a decade.

Martinez has to change and re-habilitate the entire squad from doing all the nonesense that became second nature to them. We must escape the punting game we used to play for a possesion-retention style which we have never played before. Is will be hard but proffesional footballers should be able to adapt or the shouldnt be in the game.

I and many others grew sick to death of watching 60 yard Hoofballs down the channel to the isolated striker who then in turn crossed it in to an empty six yard box for yet another wave of attacks from the opposistion. Let's face it, we very rarely scored more than 2 goals in a game in 11 years did we? Did you really want more of that Crap? Clinging on for dear life versus the minnows and rolling over and dying versus the Big Boys thats all we consisted of all those wasted years.

Give the new Boss 6 months to get things moving then pass judgement. We may well slip a few places in the League, we may not... but, as long as we get value for money and try to win games, it can only be a good thing long term.

Get off Roberto's back FFS.

You are absolutely right. It is simply not possible that the summer outlay so far, which even allowing for wages / signing on fees etc cannot be more than £8-10m, is all there is to spend, in the year of this bumper new TV deal.

I say again, never mind the moneyed elite, Norwich, Sunderland, Cardiff, Southampton and others have all spent big. That can only be as a result of the TV money. I believe Cardiff's owner is wealthy but the others do not have owners with a track record of pumping money into their clubs to my knowledge.

Midfield reinforcements are needed urgently on yesterday's evidence. This has to be, and should be, accomplished without selling anyone. If it is not, serious questions have to be asked, perhaps at another EGM, as to where the influx of tv money has gone.

All the talk is about selling Fellaini and Baines to raise money for players. To me, this would be a disaster as both players are the best in the league as (a) a defensive midfielder and (b) attaking fullback.

My problem if this happened is very little of the money that came in will be made available to the manager and we will become weak in those areas.

I am willing to give the new manager a chance as his system may take time... but if the board are not willing to help in areas we are and have been weak in for a long period, I hope supporters wiil attatch the blame to the right people (ie, the board) if we struggle.

It is Ok highlighting Ossie, Gibbo and Felli's weaknesses but with only 2 of them in there under pressure from the opposition they are going to get caught on the ball.

In terms of a new MF signing I believe Manny Fernandes is available and would love to see him back in a blue shirt.

Yet, didn't top this one for originality/stupidity.
:

http://deadspin.com/goalie-completely-whiffs-on-clear-out-kick-gives-up-ea-1110253797

Doesn't the money always disappear at EFC? It's like a black hole. There will never be any progress in terms of team building while this board is in place. The best we can hope for is mid table. That was a worrying performance against Real.

I'm all for giving Martinez his chance but, as in DM's case, money promised never showed up. Unfortunately I feel pessimistic about the coming season, especially if we lose our only assets to the billionaires... I just hope I'm wrong.

Are there still blacksmiths in England today?

In the first half none of our midfielders seemed comfortable taking the ball from the defenders and starting a move, often giving away possession in our own half.

I wondered whether a 4-2-3-1 formation would work better, allowing our two attacking minded full backs to get more involved in the game. I guess we'll just have to sit tight, be patient and see what happens over the season.