Roberto Martinez: Re-introducing the School of Science

I'm a big admirer of Stones and have high hopes of him becoming an Everton legend; however, unlike me, when Robbie speaks, the football world listens.

In a country where kids are built up for the sole purpose of publically knocking them down again, I don't think that sort of prediction does young Stones any favours at all.

Cracking read though, Paul. Sounds like Roberto (and everyone else) has really looked after you.

I love that he even knows the lyrics, let alone approves!

The comment about Stones is on the money in my opinion. My mate and I just kept looking at eachother everytime he touched the ball (against Southampton)... and despite the poor team performance, we both agreed that Stonsey looks a different class.

"I love that the School of Science has re-opened".

For me, that tops the "People's Club" sound-bite in terms of its significance.

Good read Paul, and you lucky bastard!

It's just a pity the ToffeeWeb expenses account didn't stretch to buying you a company car Paul. Remember Paul, always get a receipt.

I listened to the whole thing, and apart from the poor sound quality it was a highly engaging experience. I don't know if other clubs and other managers do this sort of thing but as a fan it really makes you feel like the club, or perhaps the particular manager, cares about you at least enough to explain some things.

I know it was a very pleasant experience for the interviewers, and you don't want to rock up and be awkward with someone who's had a great season, but for me there have been two major frustrations in our play this season and only one was asked about. Roberto agreed that in fact, sometimes we were too slow in possession and allowed the other team to set up defensively, and he seems aware of the need to play quick transition football at times. He constantly refers to being adaptable, so while possession is clearly his favoured style, I am hopeful that we won't be a team who constantly passes for passing's sake and is unable to find a different gear. Even excellent sides like Barcelona and Bayern Munich have been found wanting in recent years because they're too one-dimensional. His answer was exactly what I would have wanted to hear, and our performance in beating Man United at home showed we were able and willing to change style to suit the situation.

However, with the amount of possession and dominance we have, we win a lot of set pieces near the opposition's goal, including corners. This has been the worst season I can remember for us taking corners, and I don't feel like we have any chance of scoring off one when we got one. In fact, against the better counter-attacking teams, I feel that we're more likely to concede a goal than score one when we've got an attacking corner.

I know Roberto doesn't prioritise set pieces but I don't see what harm it would do to make sure five of our players could hit the right spot every time taking them, and another five of our players were capable of making a run and winning a header. Surely he could assign this to another coach for 30 minutes once a week or something. It wouldn't take much to be better at it than we are now.

All-in-all, for anyone who hasn't listened yet, I recommend you do. Roberto talks openly about the players, and the improvements he expects us to make next season. This year was like a Stage One and he expects us to be able to develop further tactically. He also mentions Aiden McGeady, and how the fact that he wasn't here in pre-season and missed some tactical work which led to him being used less. We should expect a lot more from him next season once he's been through a pre-season with the rest of the squad and understands his role within the team more.

He talks about something which was always a strength under Moyes, which is the quality of the character of our players. We don't have difficult, awkward or selfish players who cause unrest, and the senior players almost seem like Sergeants to his General maintaining this positive and constructive atmosphere. It's clear that, when Roberto scouts then signs a player, he does so on far more than just ability alone. He even mentioned things like looking for clues in how a player celebrates a goal.

Whilst just occasionally the cynic in me wonders if Roberto is an excellent politician who has figured out exactly what we want to hear, it's hard not to be swept up in the positivity of his outlook and the genuine affection for, and connection with, Everton he seems to have developed in such a short space of time. He talks about our history and uses 'we' as he refers to the nine league titles that go back to way before he was born, in a different country. It's got me looking forward to the summer, and transfer activity (when's the last time you felt like that as an Everton fan?) and especially next season, where current players, new players and our crop of young players could all be exciting us and competing on four fronts.

Very positive article especially on Europa not compromising the Premier League focus next season.

I liked his comment on tracking World Cup players who he hoped would have a shocker so we could afford them.

I'll look forward to next season in good time. I hope Man City win it tomorrow, then happy for the break with a great season completed.

Onwards and upwards.

Martinez encompasses the whole club and gets everyone on board pulling in the same direction. We need to keep him at Everton for as long as possible because, if any manager can overcome our lack of the folding stuff, it's this guy.

It'll be a very sad day for Everton when he leaves.

Why is Martinez downplaying Barkley's chance of selection by suggesting England should not overplay Ross's contribution to the squad?

In both of the above cases, Sylvain and Roberto could very well be telling it as it is but try saying that to these two ambitious young fellows. With the vagaries of the game, this could turn out to be their only opportunity on the world stage.

When managers and players the world over are promoting the World Cup merits of their players and team mates, I wonder how our two feel about feel about a public take-down from their own club.

Maybe trying to keep their feet on the ground!

Roberto Martinez on Ross Barkley and the World Cup:

"I don't think there is another English player that can do what Ross does. Will we expect to win the World Cup because of Ross? No.

"That is what we need to be clear on. He has the potential to be one of the best midfielders in world football at the age of 25, 26, 27 but not now.

"If the role in the World Cup is to carry England, that is not Ross. But if it is someone that will be ready to help the team, someone who will be ready mentally and nothing will phase him; yes, he has that character. He will be 100 per cent behind the team.

"We need to protect a young man who is the best young English talent I've seen and worked with. I hope we can fulfil his potential and give him what he needs over the years." 

How is he 'downplaying' him, Dick? He basically says England and its fickle red-top influenced fans shouldn't overburden the boy with unrealistic expectations only to turn and slate him when he doesn't produce fucking miracles. We've all seen it before, many a time, with the English national team. We've seen it with some of our own support dismissing any sub-par performances as 'a disgrace' or 'shite' like a 20-year-old still learning the game is not permitted to have an off day.

To suggest Martinez is somehow angling for Ross not to make the cut for the World Cup squad is utter crap when you take into consideration the fact that he's been his biggest cheerleader all season. He's effusive in his praise for the ability Barkley possesses and what he could bring to the world stage. All he's saying is be realistic about it.  

Come to think of it, what does Distin even know about what it takes to perform at the World Cup considering he's never come anywhere near himself?

Let's hope Roberto decides to stay until he wins a trophy at least....

By the way, did you know Dave Whelan once broke his leg in a cup final?

True!

Also, in case anyone doesn't know, I'm Roberto's long lost uncle, and his greatest admirer who will support him for evermore up hill and down dale!

Long may he continue!

Just hope Roberto isn't rumbled when he is mixing the Temazepam into the Yerba mate!

I am interested to find out how interviews like this are coming about. Did the fan sites get together and request it, or were they contacted by the club and individually invited? Does this mean the latest Communications Director is in the same mould as his predecessor or is this RM's influence permeating the club?

Isn't that what a section felt about the former manager? Managers, like players, and (please!!!) owners come and go: the only constant is the fans.

That said, I hope RM is here for a long time.

I think you will find Distin did not say that Stones was not good enough for the World Cup; he did say that Stones was very young and only just made it into the first team and should not have too much pressure put on him, or be thrown in at the deep end.

Next season will be very interesting. The amount of dosh teams will have is going to be far higher than any previous season. This season's bottom club will get more than £60 million — more than what Man Utd received for finishing first last season. I hope, whatever he gets, Martinez spends it wisely; then who knows where we will end up?

Happy Days!!!

Saw you lose to Paul Pender in the early sixties. Great bout.

EFC to rule next season. COYB !!!

Bit punchy nowadays but I'm told I was quite useful in my prime?

Polite, approachable, erudite, intelligent but most of all Roberto makes decisions. Having learned a modicum of basic psychology, I know that this much is true.

"When someone whom you hold in esteem regularly reinforces you, the moment when they withdraw their approval is a powerful influence upon your behaviour, and you will endeavour to regain their approval."

Roberto is NOT just a nice guy, he's a leader, a BLOODY strong leader.

Link

That's it isn't it? The penny has dropped! I get YOU!

Intelligent. Well Versed. Driven. Classical.

And the WORLD will be better...... !

Cervantes!

Roberto, Lord of "Acre de Dios"...

To reach the unreachable! — "Para alcanzar lo inalcanzable!"