This is my second article on ToffeeWeb. I wrote one before the season started called Next Season and the Future; for that article all I really needed to write was employ Roberto Martinez!

I have to admit Roberto was my third choice before the season, 1 and 2 being Jurgen Klopp and Mario Bielsa however likely they were. As soon as I heard we were likely to get Roberto I started reading as much as possible about him and soon realised what a great job he had done to keep Wigan up for so long – with cutting budgets having to sell the best player practically every year and the season Wigan went down they had lots of injuries to key defenders including our Alcaraz.

So, although I still had a few concerns over the amount of goals Wigan conceded I thought this was more due to bad players and some bad luck. The win over Man City in the FA Cup final and how Wigan tore us apart made me see his qualities, how he could turn us in to the great attacking side we are becoming, and how we will improve again next year whoever stays or comes in as Martinez will find the right mix.

I think after about 3 minutes of his first interview I was completely sold and felt we have the right man. I think he could make a speech about paint drying "Phenomenal" and keep people on the edge of their seats. A slight exaggeration but I’m sure you know what I mean.

Basically, I wouldn’t want to swap Martinez for anyone. Now i’m not saying he is necessarily the best manager in the world (yet). I just wouldn’t want anyone else at this time. The reason why? Martinez gets the fans, he gets our history, he gets the school of Science and wants it back, he gets what Everton is to the community and what the community is to Everton. In short I feel Martinez gets EVERTON and is the perfect man for us as we are for him. He has made us all believe again, we can challenge home or away against anyone.

I used to read articles and comments of people saying they won’t come to Goodison again while either OFM or Bill are around. I bet most have come this season.

I think if the Manc Scum come knocking he will be saying no. If money bags City do he will say no. I even think if Real or even Barca, with his Catalan connections, come in for him he would say no, at this time, at least. Maybe not forever, but I feel Martinez wants to build a dynasty here at Everton. He is changing everything about the club, internal and external. The community Christmas was great, and if you haven’t seen the videos of the deserving supporters yet... well worth a watch. The Christmas video never would have happened before, you probably wouldn’t see anyone smile at the club last season no matter how well we were doing. He has brought life back to the club. All of this to me means he won’t leave until his dynasty is complete or he realises he has taken us as far as he can. I’m hoping the former.

This has been an incredible season so far and am hoping we can make 4th but for the first time in years if we don’t I wont be that concerned. I’ll be a gutted but not for long as I have such faith in what Martinez is doing. I know we will have a great summer and come back stronger next year and be better and more prepared for the season ahead. And a Europa League win and at least 4th will do for next season, then lets think about the title as I now believe. I believe in Martinez, I believe in our players, I believe we are in a position to achieve with Roberto, Ross, Coleman, McCarthy, Stones to name a few who will only get better. And all with us, no one else no matter what the papers want.

Basically, in a long winded way, I’m asking: would you swap Martinez for anyone and if so who and why?

For me its no way as IMWT

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Reader Comments (49)

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Ross Edwards
1 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:04:29
The only manager in world football that I would swap Bobby for would be Mourinho if we are playing a game of fantasy football. I know his football is poles apart but he is a winner.

But, back in the real world, Bobby was the perfect choice. I know that one week we’d be favouring Laudrup, the next Bielsa, but I had no doubt thst we’d do well this season when he was appointed.

The Cup win swung me, but like you I still had a small doubt, but he totally won me over in his first press conference. I have no doubt that we have a future Barcelona manager in our ranks, but hopefully not until he has finished with us.

Paul Niklas
2 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:23:15
Thank Bill Kenwright for doing a superb job in getting him, he had the conviction to do it and should be applauded, as he should for employing Moyes at the right time.

We needed to move on and move on we have the Chairman needs a Thank you from the support don’t you think.???

Patrick Murphy
3 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:24:51
The only problem I have with Roberto is the same one I had with David Moyes - ultimately Barcelona is his destination and it will not be a case of if he goes, but when he does. Which means once again Everton as a club will be relying on the Barca timetable rather than its own. Don’t get me wrong as I think that Roberto will see out his current contract - if things go well - but if Barca tip him the wink and we are doing OK he might not extend it. The longer he remains at Everton the better as I think he will leave a fine legacy for years to come.
Keith Simmonds
4 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:32:16
Bielsa is who I want when Martinez leaves for Arsenal. Thought his Bilbao side a couple of seasons back combined keepball and more direct football perfectly. Pretty much loked like how the Germans play which is my particular favourite to watch. It’s obviously successful but the Spanish style is dull.
Iain Love
5 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:36:38
Patrick if he does that well Barca come knocking then that’ll do for me.
Ian Bennett
6 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:36:20
Patrick - We have as much financial clout as Steptoe and Sons, whilst the ground resembles their yard.

If Barca want to send us their best up and coming, I think we’d happily accept Bobby taking on a new challenge in the future. The Everton job could look pretty attractive

Garry Corgan
7 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:29:01
@287 Ross.

I appreciate your sentiment, but I wouldn’t touch Mourinho with a barge pole even if we were guaranteed we’d win the treble every year for the next ten.

I believe Everton, for all its faults, is still a grounded, fans’ and real football club and these are elements I personally value even more than success.

Mourinho’s general attitude and demeanour is poor and his times, while often successful, do not play great football either.

Everton still has class and that man has none.

Ross Edwards
8 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:45:44
I accept that view Garry. The charismatic, engaging Mourinho of earlier in the season has gone unfortunately.

Then again, the only way we’d ever attract the man is if we got a billionaire on board, but even then I’d keep Bobby if that was to happen. The prospect of new owners(if we ever got one) giving Martinez £50m-£100m would really excite me.

You’re spot on about class and grace because Roberto has it in bundles. I hope we can have him for 10, 11 years because we will achieve something special under him.

Harold Matthews
9 Posted 24/04/2014 at 19:37:46
No good going for fancy names. They wouldn’t work on our budget. The Saints guy seems ok but the lad pulling up all the trees is Tony Pulis. He murdered us on our own ground and it wasn’t all kick and rush stuff either. Palace had 4 points and a sorry squad when he arrived. Look at them now.
Trevor Lynes
10 Posted 24/04/2014 at 20:01:40
Mourinho would not work for Everton!
Brian Denton
11 Posted 24/04/2014 at 20:14:25
Have I got to swap him for another manager? I was thinking of swapping him for a multi-billionaire new owner. Said new owner could then go head to head with City for players, and appoint Guardiola as manager.

But if for another manager with our club in its present state.......nah.

Alan McGuffog
12 Posted 24/04/2014 at 20:32:45
I like the cut of Roberto’s jib. A fine coach, great communicator and, from what I can see, an all round good chap.

Let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves here. He has transformed the way that the team plays, and, as a result, has lifted the gloom that has enveloped many of us over the last few years.

This does not mean that the leading European clubs are falling over themselves to acquire his services.....at least as yet. There is no need to think that we shan’t have another good season come August but he will be judged in two or three seasons as to how big a success he has been.

To bring Mr Dylan into it ( Roberto ) " you ain’t goin’ nowhere"

Dick Brady
13 Posted 24/04/2014 at 20:36:22
Bobby has done a great job but lets remember we finished 6th last season and we’ll probably finish 5th this season. So its a solid start but lets hope there’s more to come.

In terms of managers who have done wonders this year I don’t think you can look past Brendan Rodgers. I hate saying that because I hate the RS but has any team ever gone from 7th to Champions?

Jose Mourinho is a born winner and if he doesn’t win the Champions League this year I’ll be surprised. He’ll win things with Chelsea over the next few years.

Mauricio Pochettino has done some great stuff with Southampton. They will finish in the Top 10 but more importantly they have a young largely British side full of homegrown talent. I hope Bobby Martinez can follow Southampton’s lead and build a team around Everton’s Academy kids.

Tony Pulis has work wonders at Crystal Palace. They have won the last 5 games on the trot including beating Chelsea and us. Their relegation troubles are behind them and they are now chasing a Top 10 finish.

All of these managers have had great seasons and Bobby Martinez is certainly in and amongst them.

Would I swap any of the above for Martinez? Mourinho probably because he’s such a character and will undoubtedly deliver trophies. Maybe Rodgers because Liverpool finished below us last season and they are about to be Champions this season.

But I’m very happy with Bobby Martinez and look forward to seeing how much further he can take us. Can he do a Rodgers next season and take us from 5th to Champions? Wouldn’t that be wonderful.

Keith Simmonds
14 Posted 24/04/2014 at 20:54:36
Dick re: Rodgers going from 7th to (for now at least) 1st

I’ve thought for years now that the League has got so bad (or exciting Premier League as media tells us each day) that it was wide open for anyone to have a go. Honestly thought we could even have done it till we lost 4-0 to that shower. Really annoying.

Patrick Murphy
15 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:11:27
Off the top of my head Dick - the answer is yes a long time ago admittedly but Howard Kendall’s FA Cup winners finished in seventh place and went on to win the Title the following season. I most certainly wouldn’t swap Martinez for Rogers I would swap their budget for Everton’s but that would be it. I also think it is getting more difficult to keep up with the money clubs and have you seen the gap between the top 7 and the rest this season it’s quite significant and tells you how hard it is for Everton to keep in the top 5 or 6.
Peter Warren
16 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:08:30
He’s only just started the job and is impressive and so I would back him to the hilt presently. After a few years review it but no I would not swap him for anybody at present
Colin Glassar
17 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:16:14
Roberto was the one I wanted as soon as the other fella announced his decision to defect. Tbh, I was a bit nervous when ginger made his announcement as he’d been around for so long. It was like a marriage that had gone stale I.e. there’s no love left, but you’re just used to seeing the old bag every bleeding day!

But I was chuffed to bits when Bobby was named manager and I just get happier each day.

Peter Bell
18 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:17:32
Dick Brady, using the league placings for progress is not a good benchmark. Yes, we finished 6th and are now 5th, but that desnt tell the full story. We could possibly finish with 13 points more than last season and only finish 5th.

I prefer to look at the points total, improvements in goal difference and standard of football played on the pitch.

I believe there has been phenomenal progress this year. We could possibly be the team to hold the recordpoints total who did not qualify for the CL by the end of the season

Dan Brierley
19 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:09:32
I wouldn’t swop him for anyone at this point in time, as I think Martinez has definitely earned himself a new season with us. He has built a good footballing philosophy foundation, it now remains to be seen if he can improve his ability in the transfer market and ensure we have the players capable of playing his brand of football on a consistent basis, and getting us into the Champions League.

This season we have spent between 5-10 million on loan fees depending on the source you believe, and it looks like we will fall short of the CL by a whisker. We are not going to have 30 million + each season in incoming transfer fees as we did this season, so next season I hope to see more longer term strategy on developing our own youth players instead of loaning expensive ’ready made’ players. I am eager to see his strategy over the close season.

The bandwidth has definitely been widened by Martinez, I have seen some breath taking, exciting football, and also some of the worst I can remember seeing. Nevertheless, his first season has definitely been a success as we are back in Europe, and I for one can’t wait for those away days to start again.

Patrick Murphy
20 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:34:45
I’m just watching Juve play at Benfica and realised that three of the teams we took on in pre-season are in the semi-finals of the two European competitions. Real Madrid and Juve both have a good chance of getting to the final of each of the tournaments and the third Valencia are in the other Europa semi-final although they were behind last time I heard. More of the same this pre-season Roberto?
Kevin Tully
21 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:35:27
Peter # 354 - record points total, record goal difference, record number of wins, closest we’ve ever been to the eventual winners, sold out games, record season ticket renewals. Completely new style of play.

Some say it doesn’t matter if we ’only’ finish 5th. I’ll say no more.

Dan’s watched some of the worst football he’s ever seen!

I won’t be replying, but the desperate are STILL clinging to the side of the boat.

Patrick Murphy
22 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:42:57
Desperate Dan is an Evertonian!
Dennis Stevens
23 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:28:26
Martinez may win a bit of silverware with Everton & then move to the likes of Barcelona & achieve greater success, for a while. However, if he wants to write himself into football history he’ll stay at Everton & really build the club - awaken the sleeping giant! Then he’ll rank alongside the likes of Chapman, Busby, Shankly/Paisley, Ferguson - men who’s standing is based on more than just the trophies they won. I think Martinez has that capability but unfortunately such a course of action would be quite surprising in the modern football world. Perhaps Martinez will buck the trend - let’s hope so!
Colin Glassar
24 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:46:46
We could end up on 78 points and still miss out on CL football. How cruel would that be?
Paul Mackie
25 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:45:07
Dick Brady #333: "any team ever gone from 7th to Champions?"

Not sure, but I do know of a team that’s gone from Champions to 7th...

Phil Sammon
26 Posted 24/04/2014 at 21:49:59
Harold,

I was waiting for someone to heap praise on Pulis...but I never thought anyone would suggest him as the next Everton manager!

Pulis is basically David Moyes Mk 2. Solid defence but relies on individuals to make anything happen in the final third. Pulis’s tactics stop at the halfway line. Thats fine when you need to grind out results. It’s fine when you have individuals on form (Bolaise, Puncheon) but there is no Plan B.

It’s also worth pointing out that while Palace did play well against us, they did start time-wasting after 25 minutes. That’s what we used to do when we got a goal under David Moyes. Now we look for a second goal and continue trying to play football. I want Everton to get as many points on the board as we can... but now that I’ve seen ’style’ I’m reluctant to trade it for ’functionality’.

Mark Dunford
27 Posted 24/04/2014 at 22:02:27
Dick (333), I think you’ll find we finished 7th in 1984, as Patrick (341) points out. Part of the folklore. Difference is that the team had a real energy at the end of the ’84 season and were a joy to watch. You could feel the belief and the cup final gave them momentum.

Peter (354) is right — this team also has momentum. It isn’t the same as times have moved on, but the excitement is back...

Dennis Stevens
28 Posted 24/04/2014 at 22:41:55
Crikey, Dick – "Know yer ’istory"??

Everton won the Title the season after being promoted from the Second Division - other clubs have too, eg, Alf Ramsey with Ipswich & Brian Clough with Forest.

Also, we finished 7th in ’84 & were champions ’85. Same for Villa in ’80 & ’81. Brian Clough took Derby from 9th in ’71 to champions in ’72. Arsenal finished 12th in ’70 & did the Double the following season.

Manchester City were champions in ’68 after finishing 15th the season before. The title went to Liverpool in ’66 after finishing 7th in ’65 & they were champions in ’64 after finishing 8th in ’63.Chelsea champions in ’55 after finishing 8th in ’54.

Pompey also finished 8th in ’48 before taking the title in’49.

Arsenal went from 13th in ’47 to champions in ’48.

Dan Brierley
29 Posted 24/04/2014 at 23:21:22
Kev 365, you have forgotten ’best match day police’ in your list of plaudits.

But I have to admit, this one is a pearler: ’closest we’ve ever been to the eventual winners’. I can see all the auld fellas shedding tears at this phenomenal achievement. I hope they make a commemorative scarf to celebrate the occasion, so that you can hang it below your Martinez portrait above the mantle piece.

Tamhas Woods
30 Posted 25/04/2014 at 00:29:18
Wouldn’t swap for anyone - I know Rodgers has finally done the unthinkable over the park, but while Liverpool may have the best strikeforce possibly in Europe, our playing style is easier on the eye.

In time, I feel this will be a great asset to us.

I was at the Palace game and though we lost, the way we played was still better than some dross wins we’ve seen under Moyes (think Watford 2006 or Blackburn away 2011 to name a couple!)

Mark Taylor
31 Posted 25/04/2014 at 01:20:38
Obviously you would not swap Martinez with anyone right now. Not only has he made a fine start in terms of results, implemented a better style of play and improved our younger players but I think it is a fair comment to say he has made a big connection with the club and its history.

The big challenge is to come. It is one hell of a challenge to keep doing this year’s performance, year after year, let alone improve on this and become regular CL participants.

I still say that goal is impossible without a very different funding position to the one we have now. All the stats suggest so. This if I were able to swap anyone, it would be the owners and board with someone who had the wherewithal to provide the necessary investment but actually cared about the football club.

A smart version of Mike Ashley would fit the bill...

John Daley
32 Posted 25/04/2014 at 08:17:36
"A smart version of Mike Ashley would fit the bill..."

Don’t see how Private Duane Doberman who used to get bossed about by Bilko is going to be of any help?

David Ellis
33 Posted 25/04/2014 at 11:38:31
No I would not swap him for anyone at the moment.
Mark Taylor
34 Posted 25/04/2014 at 11:54:17
John, I mean someone with proper money, which Ashley certainly has(albeit not of Abramovich/ Abu Dhabi levels), with a genuine support for his club, which he also has (as does BK to be fair), but who isn’t a complete idiot as Ashley is and can put the football and management decisions in the hands of people who know what they’re doing.

At the moment we have BK who, even if he fulfils the latter two criteria, is basically skint by EPL owner standards and his fellow shareholders, while somewhat richer, clearly don’t give a toss about the club beyond making a buck from it.

Malcolm Joyner
35 Posted 25/04/2014 at 12:11:27
Love the guy to bits and would certainly agree with you AT THE MOMENT.

The trouble is that familiarity breeds contempt - as it did with Moyes - and if he stays for any length of time but fails to break into the Top Four, his stock will diminish.

I have a sneaky feeling he will not be long enough with us for that to happen and, in any event, I feel five years at one club is long enough for any manager.

John Daley
36 Posted 25/04/2014 at 12:37:27
Mark,

I know. I was just taking the piss out of his likeness (both physical and intellectual) to the

tubby simpleton from the Phil Silvers show.

The likeness with Steve Foulkes is Uncanny>

Malcolm Joyner
37 Posted 25/04/2014 at 12:43:39
Since writing earlier, just came across these stats. Now I know figures can be adjusted to uphold any case but these certainly show Our Bobby in a good light!

2013-14 TRANSFER SPEND PER POINT.
Roberto £18M 69 = £0.26M
Brenda £ 44.8 M 80 = £0.56M
Arsen £ 43M 70 = £0.61M
OFM £ 64.6M 57 = £1.13 M
Pello £ 91M 74 = £1.23M
Jose £ 108.5M 75 = £1.45M
Spurs £ 105M 63 = £1.67M

These figures do not include loan costs but BK is certainly getting bang for his buck!

Bill Gall
38 Posted 25/04/2014 at 14:14:11
Allthough he was not my first choice I really appreciate the work he is doing at Everton not only with the first team but with the club from the junior players to the tea lady.

There may be other managers who may have the same tactical knowledge but most of them need finacial support to replace players and have a large squad to fall back on to maintain their image.

The reason not to replace Mr. Martinez is that he is simply transforming the whole club from recognizing its history to implamenting his philosophy how he believes the game should be played and involving everyone in the club and the community that allthough it is a results driven sport it should be done in a enjoyable manner.

Regarding B.K. I think he just got lucky that Wigan got relagated when ofm manager resigned. As I don’t believe a word that comes out of his mouth his statement at the time that he had interviewed a lot of people in the football world but Mr.Martinez was his first choice. As Wigan as far as I can remember was the only club that gave Everton permission to speak to their manager and unless you were brainless (no comments about B.K.please) if he expressed himself and his philosophy,s in the interview with B.K. even the chairman must have realised that he had an exeptional individual and better sign him.

Malcolm Joyner
39 Posted 25/04/2014 at 16:20:18
One thing for which we can never criticise BK is his choice of managers. And as most of us are far more focussed on the performance of the team than on the politics of shareholdings and ground shenanigans,long may his judgement continue.
Si Cooper
40 Posted 25/04/2014 at 16:28:30
I fancied Bielsa but wasn’t disheartened when Roberto got the nod and told others they were worrying about Wigan’s fate unnecessarily.

There may be a few who could have matched / exceeded what he has done with the squad this season, but I like everything I have witnessed and it seems a pointless exercise now.

I just hope he can keep it up and even take it further so that he becomes another managerial legend.

Mike Gaynes
41 Posted 25/04/2014 at 18:06:47
Malcolm, right on the button. And where did you get those statistics? That’s a beautiful picture, painted with numbers.
Ross Edwards
42 Posted 25/04/2014 at 18:08:51
Speaking of Bielsa, he’s agreed to take the Marseille job. Good appointment.
Peter Bell
43 Posted 25/04/2014 at 18:19:22
Malcolm, Kenwright never chose Moyes, Walter Smith did, then Smith went to Man Utd, DM fell out with WR and sold him to MU, WS left MU when mission accomplished and 10 years later OFM got the job he was promised as part of the deal.
Peter Bell
44 Posted 25/04/2014 at 18:26:06
WS, SAF and OFM played BK for what he is — a buffoon.
Colin Glassar
45 Posted 25/04/2014 at 18:50:00
Absolutely nothing to do with this but, RIP, Tito V. Football has lost a great man.
Harold Matthews
46 Posted 25/04/2014 at 19:11:41
Phil. Yes, you could be right about Pulis but, to be honest, I haven’t studied him too much. Would Moyes have managed to do the same kind of job with Palace? I very much doubt it. He doesn’t have the same level of football knowledge.

An ex-player was discussing Pulis on the radio last week. He says he has such a presence, that right from the very first minute you know he’s the boss. Every player is treated the same. He has no time for prima donnas or superstars. Everyone pulls for the team or else. He also gets his team to always give 100%. Even the previously shot-shy ex-Arsenal striker whose name I cannot spell.

No, I wouldn’t want him as a mate but he’s a better than average manager and if the Palace board give him their full support, they could be a team to be reckoned with next season.

Tony Draper
48 Posted 25/04/2014 at 22:57:17
Nope, I wouldn’t

And I wouldn’t because I’ve really enjoyed EVERYTHING that Roberto’s started here
FULL of style, hope & dignity

And oddly, when we were ALL having the debate about who we would/would not like as incoming manager, I did say that (amongst other factors) I wanted someone that I LIKED as our manager

I really do like Roberto
I believe that he really does like Everton FC
I believe

Brian Denton
49 Posted 25/04/2014 at 23:35:13
Andy 678 - that was an incredible post. I don’t think Eugene in one of his more literary stream of consciousness posts could have bettered it.

I love ToffeeWeb!!

Malcolm Joyner
50 Posted 26/04/2014 at 09:28:03
Peter @ 625. Sure WS may have RECOMMENDED Moyes but it was certainly Kenwright who APPOINTED him.

Credit where credit is due. He hasn't got too much else right !


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