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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 01/12/2013 at 06:12:43
Great report, Paul. Sorry you paid such a terrible price for that early pint, but you saw plenty of goals in the second half. A bit surprised you described the first as "drab"... watching on TV, I found it very enjoyable.

Deulofeu is incredibly exciting to watch, and finished one of his chances excellently, but he also had a couple of odd choices in the area. In addition to the best goal of the day, Oviedo also set up Lukaku's goal to perfection, and he added in an elegant backheel pass. So he shaded MOTM for me. On the live board, I also saw deserved nominations for Delo, McCarthy, Barry, Pienaar and Osman..

Obviously a wonderful day.

Scott Jones
2 Posted 01/12/2013 at 08:32:45
Good article, pretty much sums the game up.

I think Martinez has evolved the team ahead of my expectations in terms of time. After only being at the club for a few months, we are at a level I expected us to be at in maybe February?

The way we attack could lead to teams being beaten before the game even starts! (I wanted to say that since the '80s.)

I like the way Martinez is so calm, he doesn't get overly excited for goals scored or conceded. A calm head in sport is crucial for decision-making: make the right decisions and your halfway there.

David Moyes is full of fear, you can see it in his face! I don't think he will sleep much these next couple of days... bet he's dreading playing us on Wednesday.

Kevin Thompson
3 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:11:39
I am won over by Martinez and Co, but not by you leaving the 1st half early for for a pint. The 1st half wasn't that bad and we should of scored at least one more goal. I do not understand the so called fans obsession with trying to get a pint in before the match or half time and missing some of the match and disturbing others in the process by arriving late and blocking the view of other fans. Surely there is enough time after the match to drink as much as you like.
James Newcombe
4 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:25:36
Yes, absolutely won over! I was afraid we were going to be found out when Moyes left; and I was highly sceptical that the just relegated Martínez was an adequate replacement.
However, there is no way on earth that Moyes would have signed Deulofeu or Lukaku on loan. No way would Barkley have had an extended run in the team. When we go behind now, there is no longer a resignation that we are beaten! We actually go for it. We don't take the lead and try to desperately defend a one goal advantage. We try to kill games.
It's so refreshing to have a positive manager. If only we could have beaten Norwich and West Brom we'd be storming it this year!
I've never been more happy to be wrong, I hope Martínez stays with us for a very long time.
Barry Rathbone
5 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:49:09
Yep, about 2008/9 I think it was.
Andrew Clare
6 Posted 01/12/2013 at 11:08:58
I have been hoping for a new manager for five or six years. At first I was sceptical as I wanted a manager from Europe, but now I am very happy we hired Roberto. Attacking football instead of OFM’s negative approach. Great stuff.
Jim Harrison
7 Posted 01/12/2013 at 12:30:03
Good report, but I reckon you have been a bit lean on Osman and Pienaars ratings!! Solid 8 for each of them from me, as too for Macarthy, who had a great game.

Yes, continuing to be won over. The Palace game was frustrating, and his bullishness about maintaining the passing game I think was misread. He didnt mean keep passing pointlessly, he meant keep playing the passing game but get better at it!! Spells in the second half were quite stunning. Even Jags and Distin had a couple of surges forwards.

David Price
8 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:12:22
Stunning performance. Breathtaking passing moves with an end product. An honour to be at Goodison for that.
Raymond Fox
9 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:53:31
I imagine RM's is thinking 'you ain't seen nothing yet'
Were only going to get better as the season progresses, barring injuries.
Jackie Barry
10 Posted 01/12/2013 at 14:22:35
Little bit harsh many of those ratings, also the first half was far from drab. However yes I am won over and think exciting times lay ahead, if we can keep Martinez that is.
Mike Gaynes
11 Posted 01/12/2013 at 15:32:48
James (404), what side have you been watching all these years? Certainly wasn't Everton. We have never had "resignation that we are beaten"... Moyes' sides always had a fierce fighting heart and a remarkable ability to score late from behind. Cahill exemplified that never-say-die spirit. Those teams never gave up.

I'm happy with Martinez too, but that particular criticism of Moyes is way off target.

Sam Higgins
12 Posted 01/12/2013 at 15:56:22
The weekend's results just keep getting better and better...
Darren Hind
13 Posted 01/12/2013 at 17:14:13
Deulofeu could be anything, he does frustrate with his decision making, but that will come. Stoke were simply terrified of him and retreated to the edge of their area. What pleased me most was the way we exploited the gap between their defence and midfield. I loved the way our players took the ball right up to their exposed defenders, I lost count of the number of time our boys went past defenders.

Won over? Well he wouldn’t have been my first choice, but he’s proved that if something isn’t working he’s prepared to change it, he’s found a way of ditching that awful fucking about at the back without sacrificing his passing philosophy. He’s also lengthening the leash on his full backs. That’ll do me.

Must say victories are so much more enjoyable now, We’d have won this game last season but not in this manner.

Kevin O'Regan
14 Posted 02/12/2013 at 07:50:00
Andrew, you wanted a manager from Europe? Where is Roberto from again? Yes, Europe, and let's get used to the idea of Continental style, long overdue in the EPL – long overdue at Goodison. I'm thrilled by RM. Another masterstroke by Bill I'm afraid to say.

Now, Bill... time to get working on the next chapter: How to pay for the future [when loanees go home and we need CL footie..] COYB

Mike Hughes
15 Posted 02/12/2013 at 17:46:47
Anyone else won over? Well, I'm getting there.
It's results that matter and RM has done well.
Top 4 looks there for the taking as, if the RS are contenders, then we surely are.

RM comes across well but I'm always sceptical of talkers. Still, he seems to be backing his words up and not coming up with negative excuses and psychology before we've kicked off.

If a Beatles song could sum things up for me right now, my choice would be "Getting Better". (For ofm it would have to be "Should Have Known Better").

First win away at a "Sky 4" club would be oh so sweet on Wednesday...... :)


Phil Walling
16 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:01:25
Top Four there for the taking, Mike? You gotta be kidding !

It will be just as hard this season as ever it was in the past. Looking at the table today, you have to say Arsenal and Chelsea are odds on and it will be a major surprise if the two Mancs don't fill the other two places. After all, they have the players - and resources to get them - regardless of who their managers are.

No, I see us scrapping for 5th with Spurs, Barcodes and, maybe, Saints. My betting money has gone on another 6/7th finish if only because that's where we always finish!

Mike Hughes
17 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:11:46
Phil,

That's Moyes Talk.

We're on the up.

Phil Walling
18 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:25:36
Well, if you believe all the Spaniard's hype, we wouldn't need to actually play the matches - the points would be our's.

Reality may be a little more demanding. But we'll get to 40 alright !!!!!

Mike Hughes
19 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:30:04
Phil, I know what you mean - that's why I stated I don't like talkers.

But he's definitely exceeding expectations for me.

After a 4-0 win I think we should be positive going up against Man Utd (who'll be bringing a penknife to a gunfight on Wednesday)

Brent Stephens
20 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:40:49
I don't think we'll get 4th. Don't expect to. And no shame in not getting 4th or 5th or even 6th this season.

Expectations have been raised with two consecutive excellent performances. But further weaker performances will probably come.

If we get a win against MU, highly satisfied. A point, still satisfied. We'll need to shore up the left flank defensively Wednesday. They'll attack that.

Raymond Fox
21 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:47:24
Have to agree with Phil on this one, miracles sometimes happen though, the bookies still have us to finish 7th.
Were 13/2 to be in the top 4 but only 6/4 to finish top 6.
I've not given up all hope on a top 4 spot, but agree its unlikely.

Phil's opinion has definitely mellowed on our esteemed manager though, and hasn't mentioned Wigan once lately!

John Zapa
22 Posted 02/12/2013 at 18:56:07
Too early to be convinced of anything yet. I don't trust his judgment in the transfer market. I worry what damage will be done given a couple more transfer windows.
Brent Stephens
23 Posted 02/12/2013 at 20:41:02
John #"I don't trust his judgment in the transfer market. I worry what damage will be done given a couple more transfer windows."

Macca? The loan transfers? Shit judgement, eh.

John Zapa
24 Posted 02/12/2013 at 20:57:04
Brent,

Kone, Alcaraz, Over paying on macca, so yes, shit judgement on 50% of the outfield players he has signed in his first transfer window.

Mike Gaynes
25 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:15:41
Since when do injuries constitute "shit judgement"? And after the last few brilliant performances, he overpaid for McCarthy?

Ridiculous.

I'll take as much more of his "shit judgement" as we can get.

Colin Glassar
26 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:20:47
John Zapa, are you for real?
Raymond Fox
27 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:14:53
John, I would suggest you have the shit judgement if you think McCarthy is not worth £13m and increasing.

As far as buying Kone and Alcaraz, he knew exactly what these players could do on the field, if not seeing into the future is a fault as far as the injuries are concerned I would think he's in the majority there.

Notice you didn't mention his faults when making loan signings, very convenient omission!

Paul Andrews
28 Posted 02/12/2013 at 21:29:58
John Zapa,

Kone is settling in to a new team and now has a bad injury.
How many times have you watched Alcaraz to consider him a shit signing?

Macca? What we overpaid?
You won't get many backing you on that one.

Paul Holden
29 Posted 02/12/2013 at 22:30:00
The next two games - Mancs and the Arse - will show if we've got a chance this season.
Tom Bowers
30 Posted 02/12/2013 at 22:49:31
I think it's safe to say that most of the fans are won over by RM and his way of playing. After all only one defeat in 13 is unmatched by any other club.

The only concern still is the defensive steel that is needed when necessary. However there are signs that this is coming along despite the set piece goals conceded against Redshite.
Everton have a real chance of beating Manure on Wednesday especially with the great form of Pienaar, Barry and McCarthy.

Whilst the only loss was at City, Everton had the lead and couldn't defend it but I believe they are a better co-ordinated side now.

They need to be patient and frustrate Rooney as he is Manure's inspiration at present. Now is the perfect time for the Blues to show the world they have ''arrived'' on the big stage by winning at the ''Theatre of Dreams''.
Andy Boyer
31 Posted 03/12/2013 at 12:10:40
In regards to McCarthy, I think if people were truly honest they would admit that when we paid £13m the first thought through their heads was "we've overpaid" or something along those lines.

I thought it although I tempered that thought with the knowledge that Martinez knew what the lad could do and I decided to run with his judgement and he is being proven correct, McCarthy is getting better and better and we are starting to see the benefits.

Kone and Alcaraz are players that Martinez knows extremely well too and as said earlier, without the benefit of clairvoyance no one saw the injuries coming, the good news however is that Alcaraz is back up and running and I am looking forward to seeing him in action, a few friends in work are Wigan fans and they rated him extremely highly, even going so far as to say that he would have kept them up if he hadn;t gotten injured, as for Kone, well shit happens and it did to him, I have faith he'll be class once he's fit again.

Martinez is exceeding my expectations so far, I was at Goodison for the Chelsea and Newcastle games and I am hoping to get to more before the season is out, the gloom I always felt during the latter years of OFM's tenure is gone and in it's place is a wonderful and cheery atmosphere, a genuine sense that the fans are enjoying things, almost party like at times.

I remember the glory days of the 80's, the misery by and large of the 90's with 95 being a notable exception, and I am hoping against all hope that we can recapture some of that 80's magic again and with Martinez I really think we can, let's not forget that he's done what he's done so far with OFM's team in the majority, wonder what will happen when he gets the chance to shape it more to his liking......?

As a final note, to those saying we can't make the top 4 nor win the league, let's not forget that a certain Mr Brian Clough acheived something remarkably similar with Nottinghan Forest by having an actual team of player who would literally break bones for each other, that in the long term is worth o much more than money, team spirit will always win out over the mercenary individuals that populate the Sky 4 teams, shit I'm gonna call it, a 2-1 win for the blues at the theatre of knobs, I called a 4-0 win over Stoke last Friday and I got that right didn't I....?

Keep the faith, COYB....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Greg Mckerracher
32 Posted 03/12/2013 at 16:26:18
Absolutely love the psychological mind games going on between the two managers ahead of the clash tomorrow night.

Martinez starting it off by having a crack at Big Daves record at the big grounds and the lack of a win in 11 years. He specifically used the exact timescale of ginger balls tenure at Everton to ensure there was no confusion with previous managers.

Then Moyes comes back with a few of the most belittling and condescending statements. This was the pick of the bunch.

Moyes - “He is doing a very good job. He has very good players there. I always told them they could play without a manager because they are very well organised. But Roberto is doing a really good job keeping it going."

Andy Boyer
34 Posted 03/12/2013 at 17:09:58
That statement just underlines the arrogance and sheer lack of class that OFM has been displaying of late, if they could play without a manager why didn't they sack the dour bastard.......
Stuart O'Malley
35 Posted 03/12/2013 at 16:45:08
Greg ( 084 ). DM has really lowered himself with statements like the one you have just posted. I really believed that he had intergrity and humility, but since he has gone to MU he has shown a different side to his true nature. Ah well, he is MU's problem now, not ours. I genuinely think we can turn them over on Weds night, but hope is a cruel mistress when one is an Everton fan! So ill wait until the final whistle on the night to get excited. Also, I was one of the few on transfer deadline day hoping we would do whatever was needed to get young J McCarthy, as I think he will be one of the top mids in the country come 3yrs. And so far, he is proving it just getting better and better. And with RM at EFC and Roy Keane guiding him with Ireland, the sky is the limin for that kid. Great signing, a steal at 13m. COYB

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