Questions over Roberto Martinez's tactics as Everton struggle for balance in his second season

, 16 January, 15comments  |  Jump to most recent
At Sky.com, Adam Bate looks at the numbers behind Everton's stuttering form under Roberto Martinez.

» Read the full article at Sky Sports



Reader Comments (15)

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Kevin Tully
1 Posted 16/01/2015 at 12:26:24
This makes painful reading.
Eric Myles
2 Posted 16/01/2015 at 13:09:33
Kevin, what surprised mean with those stats is that in Moyes's last season we had more shots and created more chances than last season.

Who'd have thunk it???

Jay Wood
3 Posted 16/01/2015 at 13:09:53
Kevin Tully
4 Posted 16/01/2015 at 13:25:12
Anyone who doesn’t believe we are in a relegation scrap needs to read that, Jay.

I get the feeling the players have basically dismissed Martinez’s ideas, and gone back to a style they are comfortable with. Watching Jagielka play 60 yard ’passes’ against West Ham on Tuesday confirmed to me they have reverted to type. I would say this makes Martinez’s position untenable.

That’s not say I want to see us play this way, but it’s been clear all season the like of Jagielka is in no way suited to being a ’footballer.’

The sad truth is, mistakes will be punished in this League, and we can’t afford to carry on hoping his methods will somehow come right – even after last season. I also think the players became complacent in their work ethic, believing some of the hype being fed to them by the manager and media.

Phil Rodgers
5 Posted 16/01/2015 at 13:35:16
Looking at these statistics just makes me even more convinced he should have already been sacked.
Ian Burns
6 Posted 16/01/2015 at 14:42:19
Quite an assessment and the re-stating of Rom's declaration they had a meeting to adapt the tactics is interesting including the fact RM is not about to change his strategy.

Me thinks we are coming to the point of shit or bust as media articles such as this on Sky do not go unnoticed!

Nick Entwistle
7 Posted 16/01/2015 at 16:03:13
I'm beginning to forget the stats and simply look at the table. If there's no win in either the WBA or Palace matches then its adios.

I didn't want him at the club but you give everyone their chance. He really needs to dance for his supper now because its critical.

Paul Tran
8 Posted 16/01/2015 at 16:34:17
The tribulations at Anfield have kept the spotlight away form Martinez's poor performance this season. Now that they're scrapping their way up the league, things will change.

I'm not a big fan of statistics as they are constantly manipulated to suit arguments. Like Nick, for me the one stat that counts is the league table. We shouldn't be where we are with this team.

This season for me is a write-off, a failure. I don't think we'll get relegated. I think the first decent team we play in the Europa will knock us out. I think Martinez will keep his job if he wants it. In the absence of strong club management, Martinez will have to decide whether his principles or his job are the most important, - not just now, but also in the summer if he's still here. The best managers make mistakes and learn from them, regardless of what they spout in public. We'll find out in the summer if Martinez learns from his - if he doesn't, I'll be straight to the bookies for the first sacked manager market next season.

Craig Mills
9 Posted 16/01/2015 at 22:14:22
With all this kind of data available to Martinez, surely he must change his ways, we are a defensive disaster, a soft touch, piss poor, call it what you want, facts don't lie.

Sort it Bobby before it's too late

Harold Matthews
10 Posted 17/01/2015 at 00:55:55
Against Wolfsburg away we played an old fashioned flat back four with Hibbo and Garbutt. They couldn't get near us and ended up shooting from long distance.
Victor Jones
11 Posted 17/01/2015 at 03:35:34
I totally agree with Harold Matthews. But it is seeming more likely that young Garbutt will play his better football at a new club and of course Hibbo is pushing on and will not get much game time. Although I always liked him as a defender. Steady and dependable most of the time. I'd sell Coleman and play Browning, with Hibbert as backup (when fit). Also play Garbutt and try to work Baines into left midfield.

About Martinez, how long is it going to take for the penny to drop that his brand of football is not working? You could actually see a few warning signs last season. But because, for the most part, the football was fairly good, the poor performances were not scrutinized. So Martinez was allowed to carry on and he was given a free reign to carry on with his now infamous "philosophy".

The poor performances last season were the defeats against Sunderland, Crystal Palace, Liverpool and Southampton. The warning signs of what was to come this season were there for all to see.

This season is beyond a joke. If players are changing their tactics to suit their game, and if this is actually being done over the head of Martinez, then why exactly is Martinez at Everton Football Club? And what is his deal with Wigan backroom staff doing about the situation. These people are surely not going to stand by and turn Everton into a Wigan Mk 2. Surely Martinez and his staff have learnt lessons. Or have they?

This is one Everton supporter who thinks that Martinez has learnt nothing... and needs to go now. His brand of football this season is woeful. My mind was made up when he changed nothing in the 3-0 defeat to Southampton... and then talked complete gibberish after the match. Real class from our manager that day... it showed me that he hadn't got a clue.

Here's hoping that Kenwright is brave sooner – rather than leaving things too late.

Mike Childs
12 Posted 17/01/2015 at 21:53:46
This has to be it just about everyone below us turn it over to us for a six point weekend against them. If he let Pulis dust him again.....
Mark Andersson
13 Posted 18/01/2015 at 06:39:20
Sack him regardless of the result. He is a smooth-talking bar steward. How did he manage to con the board into buying Lukaku for £28 million, extend the contracts of old players oh good wages.

McGeady should be playing for Wigan... oh, wait a minute, he is.

Victor Jones
14 Posted 18/01/2015 at 22:43:43

I'm sorry for going a little off beam here... but how did Howard Kendall manage to juggle his limited squad in 1984-85 to win the Football League title, win the European Cup Winners Cup, and reach the final of the FA Cup?

Compare that to the present day. Everton go timidly out of the League Cup; also, in two attempts we cannot see off West Ham, struggle in the Premier League, and complain that a few Europa League games is the reason that we are having a bad season.

Far far too many excuses this season. Has football really changed that much that the modern footballer cannot cope with a couple of games a week? I am a firm believer that a settled team (barring injuries) will yield dividends. But Martinez just cannot help himself, he tinkers IMO just to try and be clever and show that he is is a real master of this great game. And of course when he tinkers Everton get beat.

What tinkering did old Harry Catterick ever do? None. I could name his ream in my sleep. Anyhow.... I reminisce. Those days are gone. Back to the present.

Here's hoping that Martinez and Everton can find a settled side until the end of the season. And here's hoping that we can get back into winning ways. And here's hoping that we have no more injuries and that nobody leaves the club this month. Fine margins win football matches in this league. So here's hoping that we also get a little luck coming our way. And a few refereeing decisions for a change.

No more excuses about having to play too many games and that players are tired. Make Martinez and his players watch and learn from the class of 85.

Sid Logan
15 Posted 21/01/2015 at 22:15:29
The most frightening thing about Martinez - and their are plenty to worry about - is his stubbornness in the face of the obvious. Is it ego, is it pride or an amazing but unwarranted self belief!

It's impossible, given our perilous position, to ignore that the fact he must have behaved in exactly the same manner - sticking to his purist principles and explaining how mistaken it would be change one's beliefs - as Wigan were relegated.

Once Wigan were relegated he prsumably consoled himself with the knowledge that he'd nobly stuck to his guns and refused to be influenced by the philistines and non-believers who inhabit the lower reaches of the footballing world. How little they know he must have mused!

Who will tell the Emporer he's Not wearing clothes?Someone has to before it's too late! Is there anyone out there?


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