Did the Players Have a Word?

He is clearly going through a difficult time at the moment, and his confidence is shot. The swashbuckling runs through the middle are gone, as he looks to play the safe ball, which hopefully will appease the cretins in the crowd.

What, may I ask, is to be gained by slaughtering one of our own? He will come good again, and is an outstanding prospect, but the expectations on him to rescue a faltering team over the last few weeks are unfair.

We showed an awful lot of spirit today, against a very very good side, who will take most teams apart this season.

Hopefully, we have seen the green shoots of recovery.

My take is that the senior players have tuned him out in pursuit of garnering points. We’ll see how that goes. Just as long as the lads stop playing "possession" football.

Since Roberto doesn’t practice defending on the training pitch, who knows how it will play out. But, I’d rather we defend and hit on the break. For me, there’s where points are.

The fans must stick with the players as staying in the league is a must. The manager is not going and he has finally realised via the players that plan b is required or play 48 games in the championship next season. Other teams such as burnley have a nothing to lose approach so can play their game without fear. The point today will be vital come the end of the season.

Hold on tight it could be a bumpy ride!

That means putting behind us the rumours of discontent and where that may leave RM longer term. I was concerned by the Lukaku remarks this week but today has convinced me to shut all of that out and concentrate on getting ourselves safe and having one or two cup runs.

Everything else can wait and a successful second half of the season would banish the sort of navel gazing to which we’re all inclined at the moment.

I accept, of course, that things could still go wrong but let’s enjoy the happier signs for now.

They were fed up taking the flak from the supporters and the media for poor team selection and preparation.

Why would Lukaku come out in the mediaand say the players had a meeting with the manager and requested a change in tactics.

That in itself indicates a total lack of respect.

Now I realise that a number of players are not comfortable with that nonsense tippy tappy game that Martinez championed. I don’t blame them. So maybe, just maybe someone at Everton has come to their senses – and that includes the main man, Martinez. Let the players play to their strengths. It ain’t rocket science.

Good point today... but can that group of players and Martinez produce even more over the next couple of months.

Now on to Barkley: I’d give him a run of games in the centre of midfield; no loose play.... no tippy tappy nonsense... everything goes forward. See how he performs, because on his day this kid is a class act.

Also when a fit McCarthy is back, Everton will tighten up. But knowing that Martinez likes to tinker, and not always in a way that us supporters like. I half expect to see Stones rested and Alcatraz in. McCarthy back in and Basic dropped. But McGeady seems to be the teachers pet.

It’s a funny old game, and this is one hell of a funny old season. So let’s get a smile back for all the right reasons. Last comment: I think also that a fit Oviedo deserves a run of games

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We have Kieran claiming "inside info" whereby many-years-respected players Distin and Jags are the problem. . . . . somehow.

Rather, Roberto’s been told, "Change or be changed" by management. And if he’s been told based on input from our senior players, good on them.

The players may well have had a word, but then the stats make it obvious that we are not doing as well as last season. We have stopped crossing the ball - we are 19th in the Prem for crosses into the box, we are having more possession but less shots.

It seems the manager has cottoned on that we can still play good football, while mixing it up occasionally. We need a pacy winger, because since last year, Pienaar and Mirallas have never been fit together, and Del Boy has gone back to Barça. A few more crosses and a few more shots and goals, and we’ll come good again.

So how long did Martinez think that that style would be a success in the Premier League? I was getting pissed off with Everton having 70% possession and getting nothing from the game. And of course so must the players. Players always have gripes about something, but at Everton i’s usually kept to minimum and sorted without much fuss.

Should this reported unrest be down to Martinez’s tactics and also rotating and playing some players out of position, the last couple of results give me the impression that maybe the manager can be reasoned with and can be flexible.

I’ve seen slumps before (as we all have). And if Martinez insists on tippy tappy possession football, then I fear we will go the same as Wigan. That cannot be allowed to happen, and I am sure that it won’t be allowed to happen. But TBH, I really am worried.

And, should everything work out OK, do we want to go through all this next season? Changes need to be made, and that does not necessarily mean sacking Martinez, but how about getting everything right in the pre-season, and maybe a decent assistant manager who can challenge Martinez. Sorry for wandering, but this season can’t end soon enough. It’s tough work supporting Everton FC.

I’d be fuckin mortified if between the entire playing staff, managerial and coaching entourage there wasn’t a single remark over the last few weeks.

"So, how’s things ? Wife n kids looking forward to Xmas ?"
"Yep, good......and you ?"
"Yep, not bad"
"Fancy a spot of keepie uppy ?"
"Sounds good, sod that set piece malarkey, eh !"
"Ha Ha ! Too right."

Just think how a certain soon-to-be-departed player from across Stanley Park would have reacted to that tackle. I won’t make any puns... cause we’ve heard them all. I digress from the main topic but once again fair play to Silva for not trying to cheat... Plenty would..

Maybe our luck is changing... just maybe.

There is allways the case that the chairman and the board have told the manager that his job is on the line unless he can do something to turn the season around

He came more into the game second half but even if the lad wants a move away which I really hope isn’t the case then he needs to do more on the pitch to get himself noticed.

For me I thought the best performances today were from Stones and Besic, Stones offering a far more assured defensive display and Besic getting stuck in and chasing their midfielders constantly. Naismith deserved a goal and again he put himself about on the pitch and shouted the other players to get stuck in too, wouldn’t be a bad shout as a captain on those type of things, when that arsehole of a ref was having a word with Stones over a nonsense booking Jags was nowhere to be seen as Captain coming to his defence.

I’m certain the players ’have had a word’ and Martinez would be an idiot if he hadn’t realised his stance was showing him for an idealistic fool. But whatever occurred, yesterday was an improvement.

Whether it will carry over to the rest of the season is debateable but for now the Spaniard is out of gaol.

If we believe Lukaku, it was the players who instigated the change in tactics that we have witnessed the last 2 games - hope to God it continues. Can we accept a reversion to Martinez’s preferred method of play that we have witnessed so far this season?

I have no doubt that the next few games will determine whether Martinez stays or goes next season. If we continue with our recent improved play and start getting results, he accepts his tippy-tappy, possession-at-all-costs football is not the only way of playing, I can see him staying. If he reverts to style after we get out of trouble, then I think his future could be in doubt.

I would say obvious to those who can see. If one or two players are playing badly, it is a loss of form or they are carrying a knock. When the whole squad looks disinterested and disillusioned, there has to be a question mark over the manager.

IMO that is logic.

Strange the fans love Mirallas – did nothing against West Ham and did nothing yesterday except mishit a good chance. He could not get off the pitch quick enough at the final whistle, he was first off. It always amazes me how some players can do no wrong.

We will need team players in the days ahead, not players who only play for themselves.

He can be infuriating when he fails to release the ball after getting himself into a great position, but never hides, and always looking for the ball.

Mirallas has offered nothing for the last few games and if we get into a scrap, I know who my money would be on to Â’put a shift inÂ’.

Just check out his body language when the going gets tough, he doesnÂ’t want to know.

Still, McGeady remains an easy target for the boo boys.

If you are happy with RM then so be it.

For me the coincidence between the number of goals shipped by Wigan and the number of goals shipped by the blues combined with the number of hamstring injuries both clubs have had makes a huge statement about preparation and tactics..

The change in the last 2 games has been down to the players. The manager may have been coerced but it was obviously not his decision.