From My Seat: QPR (A)

Today was ugly. But it was three points. That is all that matters. I have seen this type of win and performance under D. Moyes. And TBH I never appreciated those wins. I wanted more. How times have changed. I am now appreciating an ugly win. Maybe Moyes was right all along. "lets get 40 points first, and see what happens". Martinez needs to put the League first, and not sacrifice everything on a pie in the sky European campaign. That will come to Everton with better management and a better squad. But not under this manager. I fear that he is only a one trick pony.

Lets now try and get back that winning mentality, especially at GP. Or at least try to be hard to beat. Heres hoping that (for now) Martinez has dropped that stupid passing game. It does not work. We are not Barcelona. We still need a few points to be certain of PL football next season. And how about restoring some much needed pride to the club. A few wins over the likes of Southampton and Man Utd would help. Heres hoping that we don't return to type, and lose these games. Heres hoping that Martinez has learnt from this season, cause he learnt nothing at Wigan. Heres hoping that he holds on to our better players. Heres hoping that he can bring in a few talented players who will strengthen the squad for next season. And heres hoping that he has a good pre-season. And has these players fighting fit for next season.

A lot of hoping there. And I'm not that sure or confidant that Martinez can deliver. But we are stuck with him. And I never really bought into his footballing philosophy. But this is Everton. Nobody said things would be easy. But for once, I wish it bloody well was. FOREVER EVERTON.

On the subject of the manager, I believe he will see the season out and be given a chance to turn things around in the new season. That being the case, I believe the board should have a contingency plan in place with a short list of preferred candidates for the job in the event that, after 8 games the same situation prevails, a new manager is put in place.

Ken, I'd like to propose Stones as the MoM!

Onward and upwards!

But for me that is where we desperately, desperately need a new player - creative midfield. Above all else (above Howard, above any defensive frailties, above any weaknesses in wingers etc). If it takes money, that's where it should all go. Osman's (and Gibbo's) contribution in this way shows how it takes pressure off the defence and increases our goal-scoring chances. A new Osman, please.

We were second best yesterday for most of the game, in my view. Every time that QPR had the ball, they seemed to have time on the ball and a QPR shirt to pass to. Nearly every time we cleared the ball, the ball came straight back again. Part of the problem was that Kone (despite playing a role in both goals) had a stinker and didn't hold the ball up at all. Lukaku wasn't a lot better.

Also, we were effectively playing with only 3 in the midfield because McCarthy was often part of a back 5 in reality. Gibson had a good game but I was surprised that Ken had Ossie down for Man of the Match because I thought most of the game passed him by. He was good on the ball when he had it, but he was part of the missing midfield. While I think that both he and Lennon worked hard, why was there so much space in the middle of the park?

I don't want to quibble too much because 3 points are 3 points and they are vital at this stage, but that performance, albeit very good in huff and puff, was poor when it comes to class.

I had my reservations at the end of last season that we had the depth to juggle a Europa League campaign with the dreaded second-season syndrome that has afflicted Roberto. Don't forget that in our second season under DM, we finished 17th with 39 points. He then went on to earn 3 League Manager of the Year awards from his peer group despite what a lot of contributors of ToffeeWeb thought of his style and tactics.

I really hope that Roberto will learn and move us onwards and upwards. If he was ever under any doubt about what its like to manage Everton, he is firmly in the picture now. The biggest Diva (Eto'o) was thankfully moved on, but I think Mirallas is still a marmite character within the camp. They may not be blessed with the natural talent of others but, for me, Ossie, Gibbo and Naismith are exactly what I am looking for when I want to see passion, grit and determination and are pivotal characters when bringing a team together.

Next game for me is the Villa away on 2nd May - My favourite away ground. Onwards and upwards COYB!!

Howard 6 – Difficult to see if he was at fault at all for the goal. Came for a few crosses and made one good save. Still lacks presence and authority and was lucky not to concede more.

Coleman 8 – Hard to argue with a goal and an assist though he still doesn't seem to be his old self and turned down may opportunities to run at them. Him and Lennon were pretty solid defensively.

Stones 8 – Had a tough day dealing with Zamora who is a real unit but did well for the most part and got in some crucial blocks and headers.

Jagielka 9 – MotM. Won the three points for us with a series of tackles, headers and blocks when we were under pressure. Meant a lot to him and all the players ran to him at final whistle to congratulate him.

Baines 7 – Still seems to let in a lot of crosses without closing down his man. Had some pretty play on the left but with little end effect.

McCarthy 6 – Seemed like he was playing centre back for a lot of the game. Lost the ball a few times but was usually quick to close down. Did very little with the ball.

Gibson 7 – Seemed okay but his passing was mixed and he was second to a lot of 50/50s. Clearly has an intelligence and speed of thought that only Osman can match but wish he was a bit more mobile.

Osman 7 – Those quick feet. Passed and dribbled well for the most part. Was guilty along with Baines of letting a lot of crosses in from our left flank. No doubt we look more creative with him in the team. Was knackered by 60 mins.

Lennon 8 – Very decent showing. What a difference pace makes. He was heavily involved in the first goal and scored the second. Also did a lot of tracking back and showed a great work rate. Playing for a contract I guess... wonder if he'd try so hard if we bought him?

Lukaku 7 – Not up to his high recent standard but still holding the ball up a lot better than earlier this season. Had quite a few breaks without managing to really create chances for himself or anyone else.

Kone 6 – Put the effort in but was sadly lacking in finesse and fortune. His passing was even worse than Lukaku's and had quite a few breaks that were not made great use of.

Barkley 6 – Did not have a lot of ball – and certainly did not have any balls, if you know what I mean. Someone needs to put some fire in this boy or he will end up all Adel Taarabt... undeniable talent wasted by lack of intensity and application.

Naismith 5 – Did very little. I like the guy but becoming less and less a fan of him in our team as I'm afraid he lacks so many necessary qualities such as pace, touch and passing. Was unable to keep the ball at all.

Difficult to see any pattern to our play, but a win is a win, and both of our goals were good. I have no faith in Kone, though. He is just not good enough for this level.

Why is it that people like myself and lots of other supporters have been writing about the need for a younger quality midfielder for a number of years yet we never hear of the club making a genuine attempt to bring one in? It is no use having a striker like Lukaku if you have no-one to supply him when he makes runs in-between the defense.

Stones and Jags were very good and get my vote. Jags in particular was really up for it. Strange that they didn't play in the way Martinez seemingly demands – very little short passing to feet, just lots of misplaced passes!

I thought Barkley did okay – you can tell he still is lacking in confidence as at the end, with Naismith running at the angle, he could have taken it on himself by rounding the defender rather trying the pass – last season he might have done so.

Agree Barry is overdue a nice long rest – three of Barkley, Gibson, Besic or McCarthy in midfield for me. Lennon looked lively if not a world beater.

Let's just hope they give us something to shout about between now and the end of the season... but who knows with Martinez in charge.

Would it surprise you to know that Ossie has played 8 PL games as a starter this season (I have included the one where he came on after 10 minutes)

Our record in those games W5 D2 L1.

Strange eh!

As for those who say he should come on in the latter stages of the match, it is a good job he didn't at QPR, as he was rather instrumental in our opening goal!

Age may be catching up with him, and, in this era of big Premier League players, he may be lightweight, but in physique and stature only. He has a spirit some of our other players might like to emulate sometime.

What baffles me about Our Bob is why didn't he take this pragmatism to Kiev, as 4-4-2 is a lot more solid defensively (4-5-1 even better), and protect the lead like every other manager in a similar position.

Who was is that said, "Football is a simple game ruined by coaches"?

I feel sorry for the centre-backs as Howard is not willing to commit to anything further out than a couple of yards and this puts a lot of pressure on them. It has to be remembered that the last two wins have been unimpressive, one against ten men and the other against one of the worst teams in the EPL, so let’s not go overboard just yet.

Let's face it, we were lucky to concede only one at QPR. No matter how we set up our defence, it has big holes in it. We don't close down crosses or shots. In fact, we can't jump out of the way quick enough. We're always out of position and are very poor in the air. We're too easily out-muscled, we ball-watch and the keeper flaps around like a wounded octopus.

The coach is the main culprit of course but the players have been operating well below the required standard. All of them.

Mike Lyons must be licking his chops with the money he's going to make on Ayloze Perez – what gifted feet.

Martinez must continue with two men upfront no matter who is unfit. Play Barkley there. He's a big lad, over 6ft, strong build with good pace. It'll add another aspect to his development and you never know he could be a success!!