Martinez to get “ample transfer funds”

Perhaps the players have all decided to buckle down and give it another go next season, who knows? But it also looks like there will be no wholesale changes in the summer either.

Seriously though, it is nice to know that our squad is still all on the same page, so to speak.

So far so good.

Martinez had prompted some concern among supporters when, speaking after Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Swansea City, he responded to a question about possible funds this summer by responding tongue-in-cheek: "When you haven’t got too much money, it’s about being creative."

However, the Echo understands the Blues boss will have ample funds at his disposal during the forthcoming window.

A free signing and ٤m for Lennon... unless Barkley or Stones are sold. We have the club we deserve.

Does this mean that more of the kids will figure next season? IÂ’d like Henen to be kept on. IÂ’ve heard good things about him.

Is Howard going to get any better?

Is Gibson going to play a part in 30-35 squad selections?

If we also snap up a couple of quality free signings, IÂ’d be satisfied. ItÂ’s not that long back that we signed Jan Mucha and Jermaine Beckford one summer. So, yes, itÂ’s all relative I suppose.

Link

Last summer, our spending was amongst the best of the rest. So if we spend again like that this summer I donÂ’t think any of us can really complain. That said, theyÂ’ll be a lot of conjecture whether weÂ’ve got the right man at the helm to spend the summer budget.

ItÂ’s always the same.

Also, as already said we will get the takeover/ground talk next week.

Fool me once... etc.

Like Ross says, the Echo is the boardÂ’s mouthpiece, but IÂ’ve never read the adjective Â’ampleÂ’ there before. So I should imagine the budget will be better than what weÂ’ve used to. But youÂ’ve got to take into consideration that all the other clubs around us will have had the bumper sky money... So weÂ’ll have to wait and see.

Our young midfielders are a mediocre lot IMO and we have little up front unless Henen improves. We need to spend at least 㿀 million on a midfield general unless Roberto has a loan prospect up his sleeve from Spain.

However, IÂ’m encouraged at least that a creative centre-mid is a target given we havenÂ’t had a proper one since Arteta left (and he was constantly played out wide!).

I could easily see a scenario were Coleman, Mirallas and Stones could leave and I wouldnÂ’t rule out either Barkley or Lukaku leaving. So I think this will be an interesting window, and while fans will point out that most are under contract that has no bearing on anything when the player says the immortal words I want to leave.

He has to go. Give whatever funds are available to the new guy.

The Wigan players that he got relegated and then brought with him here have flopped with the expensive exception of McCarthy. I am actually dreading the transfer window with this joker in charge. Will he take an active interest in it and the pre-season this time around or just leave it to his magnificent Wigan backroom staff again while he is off on another paid jolly?

I donÂ’t trust him with any of the above. I fear ItÂ’s going to be an even more painful transfer window than usual. This guy fills me with more dread for the future of our club than any of the managers that we had when the abyss beckoned. This one I fear has the genuine and proven credentials to take us down into it and as we sink he will continue spouting his usual absolute bullshit footballing psychobabble.

*Rant Key now Off*

When the polar opposite, Van Gaal, comes knocking, the price rises from the sheer speculation as to the size of his "Save our pride at any price" budget.

Of course that doesn’t include the wages or bonus payments but we are and have been for the last five years a club that is treading water in real terms in relation to paying out money for permanent transfers – regardless whether it was Moyes or Martinez. It doesn’t excuse this season’s poor performances but it has to be taken into consideration.

All of those dreaming of big stars arriving or even top players will have a long wait for that to happen. Everton, despite the money from TV, are not going to be competing with most Premier League clubs for players; they will target specific types of players whose wage demands arenÂ’t astronomical and Roberto will have to do better with the squad next season than he has this.

It might also answer the question as to why Roberto was taken on in the first place and why he will remain the manager at Everton for the foreseeable future.

We used to have an advantage over these clubs because we we could pay decent wages due to larger gates and our name still meant something.

Once all these other clubs start to match our wage structure, which they now can, what will we have left to offer?

IÂ’m all for people pointing to the ridiculously small amount of Money Kenwright and his cronies have made available for players, especially when itÂ’s done to draw peopleÂ’s attention to their inadaquacies.

What I canÂ’t have is people trying to hide behind the boardÂ’s shortcomings in a desperate attempt to exonerate Martinez.

What your analysis will not show is the talent Martinez inherited.

How many other managers inherited EnglandÂ’s center half?

How many other managers inherited a real talent like Mirallas?

How many other managers inherited the best pair of attacking full-backs possibly in Europe?

How many inherited what many believe to be the best ball playing center-half since Bobby Moore?

How many inherited a Ross Barkley? ... vastly experienced back up like Osman and Pienaar. ... A defence that had averaged 40 a season against?

How do you throw those fantastic advantages into your analysis? Some of the managers of teams above us would have killed for such a starting position.

Martinez may only have spent 㿢 million, but that doesnÂ’t begin to cover what he has squandered.

Distin
Alcaraz
Atsu
Mirallas
McGeady
Lennon??
Garbutt??

Plus the following players having no or minimal impact with age catching up on them
Osman
Pienaar
Barry
Gibson
Hibbert

My opinion is that a major overhaul is needed so Bill better dig deep!

Deffo no requirement for ’ample funds’... You’d better let Bill know – we’re sorted!

You do the idolising around here.

I noticed you or the other fellow Martinez fan don’t deny he inherited the list I made – that’s because you can’t... but you are invited to try.

He was then given 㿞 million quid to take us on further, buy that striker we never had.

Apologise all you want for him, but Â’failureÂ’ doesnÂ’t begin to cover it.

True, he inherited a good bunch of players but players imbued with a loser mentality. ItÂ’s not only about money, until we change this Â’knife to a gunfightÂ’ mentality, we are going nowhere fast.

The following players are all on frees in the summer:
Vlaar & Schaar - defenders
Konoplyanka & Ayew - wingers
Gignac - striker

While I accept weÂ’ve got no chance with Konoplanka, the others I think are worth considering.

Personally think Mirallas is off in the summer, seemingly so is Garbutt, which IÂ’m more gutted about to be honest.

I also think weÂ’ll lose one key player in the summer with a club putting a big bid in, who that will be I donÂ’t know, Stones, McCarthy, Coleman or Barkley.

Let the fun & games begin come July 1st!!

Martinez has turned an old, successful but seasoned club into an older, less useful and now impotent one. Anyone expecting "ample" funds to mean something substantial that catapults us into the top 4 hasnÂ’t paid attention for the past 15 years...

Of course an overhaul is needed as half our team is over 30 and is sliding downhill. Of course Martinez is not the man for it as heÂ’s mostly picked up ex-Wiganers (despite all of our hopes that heÂ’d scour the Spanish/Portuguese divisions for unearthed gems). The Board will do just enough to keep us mid-table and not a pound more. No word on Garbutt or any other youngster that could actually help the team for "free." At MOST we can expect another Europa League finish as that tournament is the death cycle for all wannabee teams setup by the fat cat CL teams to not overtake them.

Martinez is even more cautious, even more miserable than TGT in his approach to the game, consequently so are the players.

These are good players, but a team will always reflect their manager.

Get rid.

Oh that Bobby Moore playing centre-half — Martinez wanted him but he came to the bigger club.

You do have a hatred for Martinez but what you forget to mention is that in his first season with all those players he was left with he broke all records — and he still won’t finish 17th in his second season.

LetÂ’s be honest with this squad 12th, 4 points behind Palace is bad enough in my view and a sackable offence.

But IÂ’ve accepted that RM will be here next season. Him and HowardÂ’s rhetoric this week is that weÂ’ve learned from this season and weÂ’ll be a lot more competitive next season. If he wants to keep his job, we have to start well.

It’s no different to the situation Moyes found himself when he sold Lescott and the players he brought in weren’t all good signings – Bilyaletdinov was shite. Heitinga was good for one season. Only Distin proved to be a decent signing.

if the team was so good under OFM, why didnÂ’t he buy a 20-goal striker with the 㿀-odd million we got from Lescott??

Under OFM it took him about 7-8 seasons before any of his teams could string together more than 3 passes without either hoofing it or heading the sodding ball!!

IÂ’d like us to keep Mirallas but I can see him going to boost our kitty. And I think Lennon could come in and replace him but I still think we need another quality winger.

And I hope itÂ’s true that a CB is going to be a priority as we need a really good third choice, someone who in time could take JagielkaÂ’s place in the team with no fuss.

And we do need a playmaking CM. Whether that be a true CM or a player at No 10 but we need someone to make us tick, someone to unlock doors and create, give us that magic in the final third!

But for me we also need a new, up and coming keeper thatÂ’s gonna be pushing for the No 1 spot within a year with Joel and we need another striker, a reliable 2nd choice that can come in and do the business when Lukaku is out.

Add to all that a couple of loans as squad fillers, Garbutt a new deal and weÂ’ll of had a good summer imo!

Not sure about your accounting, though. He may have been Â’given 㿢 millionÂ’, but heÂ’s recouped 㿌 million of it. Or is he the only manager whoÂ’s sales donÂ’t count?

The serious issue is the amount of over-30s in our squad who will need replacing soon. Regardless of who is manager, weÂ’ll be gambling on cheaper players. WeÂ’ll have to stomach the odd dud, though IÂ’m sure thereÂ’s no chance of some accepting this with Martinez in charge!

I bowed to no one in my criticism of the later Moyes years but always acknowledged that his transfer record was good; at Everton this is vital for any coach. I believe that Martinez has been a little unlucky with Kone, spot on with McCarthy and Lukaku and wrong with Alcaraz. Overall, probably just about average.

YouÂ’re right, the last guy didnÂ’t blood many youngsters. Neither has Martinez and I expected far more from him. HeÂ’s even reluctant to play some of the players heÂ’s bought! I suspect IÂ’m not the only one who expected more, hence the vitriol on here.

So if we now assume nobody leaves other than Distin and Alcaraz. And we bought in 3 players. I think realistically weÂ’ll be looking at spending ٤M on Lennon and around the same amount again on a quality CB and a creative midfielder, if reports are to be believed, Diego would fit the bill and price for this kind of midfielder.

If we could also grab a couple of free signings in the shape of Ings to complement Rom, and Ayew to replace Atsu. I think weÂ’d be sorted, and have a very strong team next season.

My Concern is the guy spending it not the amount. Martinez has a dreadful record in the players he has brought into this club. Lennon was his best signing in my opinion so maybe there is hope. Moyes and his team pulled some real rabbits out of the hat time after time and IÂ’ve no faith that Martinez has the ability to do the same and find a Stones, Arteta or a Coleman.

Martinez out out out.

As you know IÂ’ve stated my position several times about RM. But heÂ’ll be here next season. He needs to start next season well otherwise he will definitely have to go.

If you keep Barry, Osman, and Pienaar, with Alcaraz and Distin out the door, the three elder statesman that stay shouldnÂ’t be in our "top 11" starting lineup. They need to accept they are squad players, or capable subs / back ups.

I think this team is very promising:

Robles
Coleman Stones Jagielka Garbutt (Jesus, sign this kid)
McCarthy Besic
Lennon Barkley New signing (young with pace!)
Lukaku

Subs:- Baines, Barry, Pienaar, Osman, Gibson, Naismith, Henen.

When I say Â’subsÂ’, I obviously donÂ’t mean 5 on the bench, I mean players that can come in when called upon to change a game / provide depth and make a serious Cup run.

We need to go young. We need a young pacy winger. We have an excellent base of young talent and itÂ’s time Martinez, as the wise sage Harold Matthews points out is his habit, stops playing "experience" and looks towards a bright, young, energetic team for the future. If Roberto can add a creative playmaker in the middle and provide depth at CB heÂ’s identified two areas we are in need / will improve us.

If he makes the move towards youth, shows some balls and plays for the future and plays the "kids", weÂ’re in for an exciting season in 2015-16. If Roberto doesnÂ’t do this, I think we will languish in mid-table obscurity and he needs to find the door. IÂ’m rooting for the man and I for one am glad heÂ’ll be given another season to right the ship.

In Garbutt, Browning, Galloway, Pennington, Kenny we should have enough cover at the back, with Barry( eeek!) also able to provide back up. Add injury free Oviedo and Gibson plus Ledson as DFM cover and that looks to be well covered. IÂ’d therefore spend what money we have on a couple of goal scoring midfielders plus a decent back up for Lukaku . A risky policy relying on youngsters with only Garbutt having decent PL experience, but IÂ’d rather see us take some risks than end up with another season of mid table mediocrity, breathing a sigh of relief when we get 38 points.

He wonÂ’t be sacked so I am with you in hoping - against my expectation - that he gets the team on side and then starts to develop our youth. I donÂ’t really think heÂ’ll manage any of that, but we have no choice except to pray that it happens; everything else is a waste of breath.

IÂ’m not for sacking Martinez, but I share your trepidation in whatÂ’s to come...

ThereÂ’s too many TWers that know a hell of a lot more than I do calling for the manÂ’s head. And that concerns me in an honest moment.

It could all go to shit. ThereÂ’s no question. RobertoÂ’s standing on a precipice.

I will say that IÂ’m very, very glad I support a conservative, stable Club that gives their managers a ton of rope. The knee-jerk reactionary sackings of so many managers in this league is laughable.

Roberto has the backing to right the ship. IÂ’m glad heÂ’s being given the opportunity to do so. If he fucks it up as so many on here predict... HeÂ’s got to be out the door by my American Thanksgiving if heÂ’s shitting the bed again.

If you mean that he has used some psychology to re-motivate the players and his captain on his behalf let some players know that they are not immune from the axe, I would tend to be in agreement with you.

If you also mean that lowering the expectations of the club and its fan-base, and that is clever for him in managing to keep his job, then, once again, I would tend to be in agreement.

I would also argue that at times Roberto has been far too clever for his own good and at times he forgot the basics or at least from the outside he looked as if he did.

Roberto is a bit like his team, there is something there waiting to be unleashed but it gets lost in a fog of words and inaction and as mere supporters we are only ever interested in what we witness on the pitch. That is where he will be judged from the start of next season and the patience of the fans wonÂ’t be as forgiving (if thatÂ’s the right word) as it has been to a point this season. If his team serves up good and winning football, that will be the cleverest thing he could do as far as IÂ’m concerned.

I would love to believe, like some kind souls on here, that he will sort out his squad and improve next season. However, this is not logical, as he has screwed-up so many times, with teams, unmotivated, lacking fight, lacking balance, and of course, lacking confidence.

Add to this the Distin/EtoÂ’o business, and rumours of player unrest, and the recent improvement in results fades into meaninglessness.

Martinez, though, I think realised that we were not good enough to get into the top 4, and prioritised the Europa League as a way to get into the Champions League. If he had pulled it off, he would have been hailed as a genius, by all on here, and the media tossers.

His plan did unravel though, and it was a long shot in any case, but it did keep us interested and gave us hope.

On 606 the other night the pundits were considering whether Spurs or Liverpool would be better off going for 5th and Europa or preferring 6th and a shot next season of top 4.

Someone said that 5th would give an easier route to Champs League than getting top 4, which is probably true, as the winners now qualify for it.

However, Martinez is also looking after his own high profile and doing well in the Europa League was always a better career move than getting 6th in the Prem, or a FA Cup semi-final loss or even a League Cup win!

He is, like his players, in a fickle industry and aware that this seasonÂ’s "Have-a-go" heros very quickly become next seasonÂ’s "relegation heart-break".

I can not see us getting anyone even vaguely good in on the playing staff this summer, I think we will wait and wait, as usual and be underwhelmed at our meagre shopping bag in comparison to our competitors.

I’d love to see us hold onto Mirallas and Garbutt, the rest would be better moving; add either one of Joel or Howard and Kone to that list an that’s 12 players need ousting.

Options with Cleverly and Milner being on frees could be a god send plus hopefully the emergence of Ledson, Browning, Galloway and Chris Long plus the fact we have Besic to call upon more often.

With that in mind, I’d say we will need at least the 㿏M we had last year to get ourselves a main creative threat, a goalkeeper, and a centre-half.
By my estimation, this is an overhaul!

Every time Martinez is discussed, his acolytes can’t drag Moyes into the argument quick enough. He left two years ago and they are still trying to hide MartinezÂ’s shortcomings behind MoyesÂ’s unpopularity.

In a debate about whats available to Martinez, I don’t care how much Moyes had to spend in 2004-05-06-07-08. I donÂ’t care where he finished, it has nothing to do with whatÂ’s available to Martinez. I don’t even care if he is never mentioned again – although Colin and Kevin would struggle for any sort of defence then.

Paul T

I don’t get this argument about MartinezÂ’s gross/net spend. IÂ’m happy to talk net spend and include the 㿑M Martinez has recovered, just as long as you agree that what he inherited was nearer 𧵎M worth of players than the 𧴜M I spoke about earlier.

A player is worth what another club is prepared to pay for him and if the club has recovered 㿑M for players that were already here, that 㿑M has to be added to the value of what he inherited. Right? ... or is that "free" money we shouldnÂ’t bring into the equation?

I won’t say Martinez/Moyes = Frying pan/fire any more. (I’m sick of saying it anyway.) For some people, it clearly means you don’t like Martinez because you were a Moyes fan. I guess it’s beyond the comprehension of some not to have a foot in either camp.

And when we play more direct Â’hoofing and headingÂ’ football we get points.

Everyone could see Martinez’s Â’philosophyÂ’ wasnÂ’t working except the man himself who still refuses to accept his mistakes.

I will often mention the players Martinez inherited, but I go out of my way to avoid talking about the guy he inherited them from

I was critical of him when he was here, but (for me at least) he stopped counting 18 months ago

So... any chance we could set aside the Martinez Out campaign on here? I think itÂ’s blown itself out for this season, and is getting just a little boringly repetitive... donÂ’t you think? LetÂ’s face it (as I used to say repeatedly about OFM): HeÂ’s really not going anywhere just yet.

YouÂ’re so right: whatever any one of us thinks, Bobby will be our gaffer in say September. YouÂ’re not saying therefore get fully behind him, MK, I get it, but you are saying get realistic and then discuss.

A real positive and constructive step forward IMO.

IÂ’ve also read on here that we have some players in their thirties... really? And a number of them, so we are told, should/must move on. The list gets repeated a few time a day, it seems.

HereÂ’s a thought: I donÂ’t think anyone is going anywhere for at least another month or so... could we just hold off perhaps ... you know, wait and see who actually does move on? In May, June or even July...

We have not won one game comfortably this season. It would require some player to revitalise this current squad for next season. Not going to happen, so itÂ’s going to be more of the same next season.

Happy debating.

Can we talk about what needs doing next season to avoid another catastrophe like this one? WhatÂ’s happening on the Â’new stadiumÂ’ front? WhereÂ’s all the sky money going? Which players need to be bought and sold? These are far more important issues to deal with right now than the future of El Bob donÂ’t you think?

I follow on from the "Besic" article yesterday and say that I believe in him we have a ready made CB that can step in. After all, that is him position! Why not play him there and bring him in to the DCM man marking duties when needed? And then with Fabien Shaar available on a free we have our CBÂ’s sorted for ٞ spent. I believe Browning is a right-back and not a centre-back and should be given more game time as with Garbutt on the other side (sign him) and then Galloway brings more cover at centre-back.

In the midfield, I believe we should sign Cleverley to partner McCarthy and Barkley to complete the triangle. Controversial as lots of you donÂ’t like him but I believe Martinez may get something out of him and heÂ’s an England International free agent. He must have something about him. Diego while not the youngest of midfielders would be a great addition and could easily teach Ross a thing or two in that No 10 position. Barry and Gibson complete the midfield (when fit).

In my eyes, the money needs to be spent on the wings. Deulofeu and Lennon would be great additions. Ayew has just stated today that heÂ’s a Redshite fan so not sure about that and Konoplyanko wonÂ’t join us. If he did choose us, IÂ’d be made up as heÂ’s a quality player on a free also. Oviedo shifted further forward offers more options as does Osman and Naismith but IÂ’d like to see the back of Pienaar and McGeady in that area of the park. Kone should be moved on and Henen given a chance next season.

A lot has been said about this ample amount of funds but spent wisely quality and quantity is possible. Ambitious attempt above at building a squad for next season and I know this isnÂ’t FM but these are all players that have been linked with possible moves and I believe would be the foundations of very good squad moving forwards.

The Toffees I mix with are not in favour of sacking managers willy nilly so weÂ’d rather see Relegated Roberto get things right and stop us all chewing his balls off. It is obvious we need another striker to play with Romelu and probably 2 decent midfielders and a goalie.I think Martinez will try for another winger to replace Mirallas who is obviously on his way.

The really good news for the rest of this season and next is the re-appearance in top form of Pienaar. If youÂ’d seen him at Swansea, youÂ’d have been very pleased with him. Watch him Saturday!

Left back is a bit up in the air until Garbutt decides what heÂ’s doing. My ideal scenario would be he signs we extend OviedoÂ’s contract and cash in on Baines as this is probably our last chance. If we get Garbutt to sign but no sensible offers for Baines, loan him out to a promoted team so he can gain experience. If Garbutt leaves (which is now the most likely outcome) make sure we extend OviedoÂ’s contract and weÂ’ll still have two decent left backs.

Goalkeeper and right back I expect to stay as they are but I personally would replace Howard but I canÂ’t see Martinez doing it.

Centre-midfield we ideally need someone creative to come in but I think we need someone to move on first so hopefully Barry will leave but unfortunately I canÂ’t see it.

In the attacking midfield areas weÂ’ve got enough options at Number 10; however, on the wings, we need one or two if Mirallas leaves. The only way I would sign Lennon is if McGeady leaves as well. He is a slight upgrade on him and would make a better back up but isnÂ’t good enough for first choice. Keep Pienaar as 4th choice. The new winger (or two, depending on Mirallas) needs to be of a quality that they improve the overall team. I would sign Henen permanently to takeover from Pienaar when his contract runs out at the end of next season.

Upfront we need another striker to provide genuine competition for Lukaku and also allow us to rest him or have the option of 2 up top.

Crucial summer needed with a creative AMC, a creative DMC, a back up CB and a winger (possibly Lennon) the priorities as well as replacing any outgoing first team members.

Henen should be signed as has scored as many as anyone in the U21s and Galloway and Ledson will be on the fringes next season.

To go all Champ Manager for a moment, I think we could do worse than Fabian Schaar on a free, Lennon for ٣M, Sergi Roberto on loan and 㾶-15M to spend on a really top creative midfielder. (Roberto Firmino is a long held pipe dream of mine but someone similar.) Then replace any outgoings (such as Mirallas) and if thereÂ’s money left over maybe bring in a GK to replace Tim Howard who I have slightly lost faith in despite his recent upturn in form.

Here is my take on what the squad should be next season:

Goalkeepers To Stay:
Joel Robles
New keeper

Defenders To Stay:
Leighton Banes
Phil Jagielka
Seamus Coleman
John Stones
Tyias Browning – Give him a go/cover for Coleman
Luke Garbutt – New contract needed/cover for left back
Brendan Galloway – Cover for Jags and Stones
New Central Defender

Midfielders To Stay:
Darron Gibson – Useful Squad Player/One more season
Aiden McGeady - Useful squad player/One more season
Bryan Oviedo
James McCarthy
Mo Besic
Ross Barkley
Leon Osman – Useful squad player/One more season
Steven Pienaar – Useful squad player/One more season
Aaron Lennon – Get him signed
Kevin Mirallas – New contract as once done he will perform
New Playmaker midfielder

Forwards To Stay:
Romelu Lukaku
Arouna Kone – Good pre-season maybe/ one more season
New Striker
New Striker

Academy Players I think should be in the squad next season:
Brendan Galloway – already above
Tyias Browning – already above
George Green
Ryan Ledson – Midfield
Sam Byrne – Striker

So that makes me think that we need 5 new players next season.
Players that I think should leave are:
Sylvain Distin
Christian Atsu
Steven Naismith
Tim Howard
Tony Hibbert
Antolin Alcaraz
Gareth Barry

Thanks!!

Catchy...

Â’RM Air - On A Wing And A Prayer’

Even catchier...

So thatÂ’s a loan and Lennon? Probably.

Klopp to Man City? He says heÂ’s taking some time out. So maybe in the summer heÂ’ll show up there. Probably.

Agree on toning down the vehemence and invective rained down constantly on RM. It reminds me of the posts over the last 18 months of Moyes. I didn’t even support hiring Roberto but it is getting tedious frankly.

Should read, Cleverley and Lennon, certainty

Certainly there will be changes and some players will be let go and some others who should go will still be here next season. If the two major loanees are not kept for whatever reason then that will free up wage space for new acquisitions but I think an offer should be made for both.

Speed and skill are essential in all areas but although Mirallas has speed he has been disappointing this season and should be sold. Everton are crying out for another top class striker to compliment Lukaku along with another commanding centre-back to compliment Stones. With all due respect to the magnificent Jagielka, he is past his best and Alcaraz is not an option in my opinion.

Robles should be given some starts in the remaining games and RM may also want to consider a commanding, attacking midfielder in the event Barkley is snatched away.

This is the reason that many of Bill KenwrightÂ’s critics have so many issues with his tenure, itÂ’s not just about the board not putting in the money itÂ’s about how they have failed to build the business side of the club over 15 years.

Building the business doesnÂ’t have to cost a great deal of money but it would require dedicated people who keep their eye on the ball at all times not some group of amateur enthusiasts who believe that keeping the club afloat from a playing and financial point of view is sufficient.

We all realise that life and football moves on quickly and it wonÂ’t take another decade to see the results of the inertia that has gripped Everton FC for so long, perhaps, the ground move if it ever happens can be the catalyst for change, it doesnÂ’t have to be a change of owner but it does need a new way of operating and perhaps the hiring of professional people who can really take the club forward, even if it is a slow process at least that would be a move in the right direction.

What other discussion was going to occur other than whatÂ’s been posted? Why allow it to be put up on the Board at all?

If itÂ’s tedium regarding "Martinez bashing", no quarrel from me. Not sure how we prevent that on a Everton discussion board. Shut down the site, perhaps? HeÂ’s the manager, of course he gets bashed. HeÂ’s earned a fair bit of it on merit, hasnÂ’t he?

So, bashing the manager? "Enough already." Transfer talk? "Wait until the window opens." OK then, what do we discuss?

Guide us, Senior Editor.

Now if we were debating what heÂ’s done with who he inherited, thatÂ’s another story!

I simply donÂ’t trust Martinez with a transfer kitty. His record is appalling !

Discussion — Good.

Repetition — Boring.

Hope that helps.

If You were to become manager of Burnley and you were given 㿞M to spend, nobody would point the finger if you didn't challenged for Europe. However, if you were to become the manager of Man City and were given 㿞M to spend, then people would expect you to be challenging for the Title – why? Because you will have inherited some of the most talented players in the country.

People slaughter Man City for not dominating They murdered Moyes because he turned the champs to chumps, they point the finger at Pochettino because his players are cost over 𧵎M and they still won't challenge for a CL place.

Every manager will be judge from his starting position. if you inherit the champions. you will be judged harshly if you spend 㿞M and fall down the league (ask TGT) ... If you inherit Sunderland and spend 㿞M ,you will be hailed a hero for keeping them up.

Spurs + Man City will be savaged by the critics this year, but how much of the mega bucks did Pellegrini and Pochettino spend? A pittance in comparison to the value of the players they inherited.

Martinez inherited a more valuable team than the overwhelming majority of other managers. For a couple of years they had shown improvement in both points accumulated and in the way they played. They were clearly on an upward curve and Martinez knew he had landed himself a fantastic gig.

This is not a "new one" on you Paul. Year after year, you see managers judged on performances of teams they have inherited. Martinez is not being singled out here. He may not have been in pole position, but he was in a better position than most.

How can anybody say if a manager has failed or succeeded without first looking at what he started with?

Michael, the statement leading this thread is that Martinez has been given ample funds. As much as you may think itÂ’s repetitive to keep talking about Martinez, if a short statement includes his name, he is by definition part of the discussion, that is, it is Martinez who is being give ample funds and his credibility must be considered if a discussion of the statement is to be had. In other words whoever has decided to provide ample funds (whatever that means) has defined that in the context of Martinez being given the money to spend.

If our manager had been someone else, it may well have been a different word other than Â’ampleÂ’ used. We donÂ’t of course know this but it canÂ’t be dismissed as a possibility, so the validity and worth of Martinez is an inherent part of the discussion.

I donÂ’t want to preach, but it seems common sense to me. In my opinion we canÂ’t be told what we should be discussing, IÂ’m sure you would agree, but your comment didnÂ’t read right to me.

But saying that, heÂ’s not alone is he? Look at our illustrious neighbours. The cash theyÂ’ve blown on the likes on Lovren, Balotelli etc... laughable scratching around for 4th with the other big spenders Man City. When you look at their squad with the likes of Navas, Jovetic, Fernando, Mangala et al who, quite honestly, are just average players yet cost an arm and a leg. Now compare those two with Southampton who lost half their squad, brought in a manager who knows the game inside out who played at the top talks sense and bought hardly what youÂ’d call household names and yet look whoÂ’s challenging the two clubs I mentioned. Just because a player costs zillions doesnÂ’t mean heÂ’ll be a success.

On another note, itÂ’s obvious what we need. A creative midfielder is a must and I mean creative, not Tom f**king Cleverley as he ll soon be known if we sign him. A centre half, a striker and a winger. And on the subject of centre halves, I do hope he gives Distin a chance to say goodbye by giving him a run out before the season ends. This player has been a magnificent servant for our club and to think we only paid 6 mil for him. A top top player in my view and deserves to play one more time at home at least. Knowing Martinez though, I wonÂ’t hold my breath

Last season when we were in and around the top 4, challenging for Champions League, recording a record points total, all you did is moan!

This season has been a shambles... but even when things are rosy, thereÂ’s no pleasing you it would seem. Furthermore, the rival teams IÂ’ve mentioned above have massively out spent us which makes this Â’Martinez has spent 㿞 million argument redundant... especially when you discard the net spend altogether!

ItÂ’s an interesting line of argument, your idea of diminishing player value. Certainly applies to our manager this season. Inherits a good squad, improves it and then crashes it. If I played devilÂ’s advocate, I could open the argument up with the idea that he inherited a good squad with too many ageing players that need replacing. ThatÂ’s probably the reason why he was appointed and will be retained. ThatÂ’s why heÂ’s been allowed to exacerbate this situation by bringing in more ageing players with little or no resale value. HeÂ’s happy to live in the short-term freakonomics that is Everton.

Like I keep saying, IÂ’d sack Martinez at the end of the season. The only evidence I need is the league table and the dreadful football served up this season. If people want to throw stats around and selectively misinterpret what he says (not accusing you of that, Darren), thatÂ’s fine, but I donÂ’t think it adds to the simple argument for his dismissal.

Is there a manager out there that can find quality players of value and build a team that can keep the ball and attack? I hope so, because thatÂ’s what we need.

IÂ’m usually reluctant to respond to post that will contain the phrase "I know this season has been a shambles BUT"... However, I am usually interested in what you have to say, so in your case I will do so.

The season has indeed been a complete Titus, but for me, there can be no "BUTS". I knew in pre-season that by failing to prepare, Martinez was most definitely preparing to fail. That's not hindsight. I screamed the house down at the time.

I don't buy into the claim that we were "fantastic" last season. Yes, I know we played some fantastic stuff on half-a-dozen occasions – notably Arsenal (H) and Newcastle (A) – but these performances were inspired by individual brilliance. RM’s tactics often ensured our games were drab affairs, our wins often of an attritional nature. For every entertaining game you could name, I could name you four that ... err, weren’t.

You're not exactly a John Daley – who once had my lads pissing themselves laughing by dubbing me as a "miserable arl Get" – but you’re still right, I am a moaner. I don't have allegiance to any chairmen or managers, but I love this club and when I see it being mismanaged, I can't bring myself to look the other way.

Michael Kenrick not only gives up his time to share the workload with Lyndon to provide us with this unique platform, he puts up some fantastic stuff of his own. His call-it-as-he-sees-it approach is a breath of fresh air ... but I think he is wrong to suggest Martinez is a given for next season. This is Premier League football, even clubs like the Shite and the Mancs who traditionally "don't sack managers" are now prepared to do the dirty. The stakes have never been higher.

The reluctance to back their manager publicly when his back was to the wall said an awful lot about our leaders. They will be keeping a watchful eye on ST sales. Their ears will be close to the ground. Money talks... and if Martinez stops being a commercial asset, heÂ’s toast.

For plucky Everton we donÂ’t compare and one of our attractions to managers is we give them time.

As such, Martinez is also safe as:
1. It would cost a lot to get rid of him;
2. I think Bill thinks he could do a good job (I do too);
3. An attraction of managing Everton is you get time – unlike most of our peers.

Starting to look like relegation already for next season.

My apologies. I was supposed to put David Henen. As I was studying the reserves, I put that by mistake. He has come on leaps and bounds, so I hear, so think we should give him a go. What do you think of the rest?

I'm not sure about Browning; since his two cameos versus Liverpool and Man Utd, he has rarely played for the first eleven. He seems to lack confidence in himself, but I hope he can progress and become part of the squad.

I pray he will really take a critical eye to his style and correct his mistakes of playing square pegs and injured players or out-of-form players to heart. He must also grow a pair.

As an Yank with only 5 years of vested interest in the game, you would think it would be easy to just say, "Hey, I made a mistake; from now on, IÂ’m a so-&-so fan." But the passion and love of this club that you folks have shown me makes that an impossibility. For that I say Thank You and long live Everton!

For all MoyesÂ’s moaning about not being able to afford a 20-goal-a-season striker and fears about losing his crown jewels, RM came in, moved on some squad players and got top dollar for the one asset we could afford to lose in Fellaini and replaced him with a better player for less in McCarthy and one of the best young, proven strikers in the League.

I know the TV money helped but we got Lukaku on ٣m a year which the manager and the board deserve credit for. These were the moves Everton fans were crying out for and Moyes had been too myopic and set in his ways to be creative in that way (for all his good points).

I would venture the manager is again making the right noises about what the squad needs in the lead-up to this transfer window, with a playmaker and centre back being top of the agenda, which is refreshing candour after the previous regime, and I for one would trust him again with a transfer kitty.

For those anti-RM posters who will cite the Wigan contingent; Alcaraz for Heitinga probably saved us ٟm last year in wages alone.

He was unlucky with Kone but that could happen to anyone and when he bought him that was what we could afford and we needed a striker – I for one thought he was a good, intelligent player in his Wigan days.

You want your manager to bring the best players from his old club, Martinez did that and he and the board prevented Moyes from doing the same.

I have been euphoric in the transfer windows as an Everton fan under Roberto Martinez when all I remember is pessimism prior to that. I am similarly enthused, based on these comments, about this summer.

COYB!

That is a very good post. Let us hope Mr Chairman keeps to his word re a decent transfer budget this season. Martinez indicated he wanted 6-7 players; obviously given the recruits he was told the money wasnÂ’t there.

Saying that Klopp has done "worse than Martinez"... Now IÂ’ve heard it all. Colin has to be really be Green, Kenwright or Planet Hollywood, oh lord.

㿊M minimum needed. end of. Play youngsters the rest of the way, understand what you have and what you need, Martinez. Simple. DonÂ’t give us "Alcaraz is playing for next year" blah, blah. Get rid of most of the oldies and anyone over 34. Bring out the sword and we move on.

Yes, I definitely agree with George Green, Ledson and Galloway. And I do know what you mean about Browning lacking confidence... but hopefully that will come with time. The worrying thing for me was they were the only ones that I think could make a step up.

The other players I put in for one season, like Pienaar, is thinking along the lines we are not going to have any more than 㿀 million to spend so I'm hoping we will get one good season out of them. The other side of me agrees with most posts on here and that it could be worrying times as I could actually name about 8 or 9 players that really need replacing.

Paul Tran (#147) – Don’t worry mate, Darren is the poet and spinner of rhyming slang in the Scottie Road area and he’s boss at it: caught me out yesterday. Just keep a list PT, they’ll come round again.

Andy Walker - 138 - canÂ’t speak for MK needless to say but I think that his point was that this repetitive Martinez out refrain is (1) boring and (2) utterly unrealistic coz he aint going anywhere soon and therefore - maybe - debate might move on as it has in some circles.

Unless I missed something subtle I didn’t read anything anywhere near the lines of what you suggest – that one of the eds was saying what or not we ought to be discussing (although they absolutely have the right to offer things for debate quite frankly and set agendas) or whether we could say something or not but simply saying this is so boring ......

Make of that what you will.

I decided that it meant that it was so boring .......

Come on lads, twat these Hovis munching cobble street habitues tomorrow. 11th will be our lowest finish this season but we might still nick a top 10 place with SamÂ’s lads going backwards and Stoke drawing or losing not winning.

When the curtain falls on this topsy-turvy angst-inducing season, 10th would not be too bad at all.

There are too many pointers that indicate that there will be serious ins and outs this summer.

Distin: HasnÂ’t played in over two months. Rumours of a fallout with RM. It doesnÂ’t look good for him. Going.

McGeady. HasnÂ’t played in long while. Will the fans ever forgive the red card? HeÂ’s going to leave.

Mirallas: Not getting his game. WonÂ’t sign a new contract with 12 months left. Everton do not have deep enough pockets to say, "No worries, see out your contract and then go for free." We will have to cash in this summer.

Lukaku: Why does everyone think he has signed with a new agent??? He already has a long contract. He already has his move. He wants Champions League football. The agent will be looking everywhere to get a big move. And if someone comes in with a big cheque BK will open the door for him. I for one, will be gutted.

Osman: Had a number of injuries. Will he call it a day?

Gibson: Too many injuries. Probably end up a Sunderland?

Oviedo: Still not getting game time. Garbutt preferred as cover at LB. I can see him moving on.

Naismith: For all his hard work, he doesnÂ’t quite do it for me. Possibly end up back at Rangers.

Kone: Not a fans' favourite. He may not get another club and end up staying, warming the bench.

Alcaraz: Antolin has had a number of poor performances. Not a patch on Jagielka & Stones. Rumours of another CB coming in. HeÂ’s going.

Barkley: The media are dying for him to go to Man Utd or Man City. The future England "star" at one of the Sky 5. Again, IÂ’d be gutted.

Howard: For the first time since he came, Tim has had the fans on his back this year. I can see a new keeper coming in.

Coleman: Man Utd still keeping tabs on him. Big money offer comes in for a player who cost, how much was it again.....! We donÂ’t really have any cover for Seamus. That could be one of the reasons we wouldnÂ’t sell.

Besic: HasnÂ’t played anywhere near the number of games that he was expecting. A World Cup player. He wants to be a first team regular. IÂ’m not saying that he should be. He may look to go to a lesser team and try to establish himself. I wouldnÂ’t blame him either. IÂ’d be gutted to see Gareth Barry get into the first team ahead of me!!

McCarthy: The rumours still rumble on about a move. Personally I think he is an excellent player. Possibly our best player. IÂ’d hate to see him leave.

Stones: All the big clubs are monitoring him. Arsenal would love him. HeÂ’s a real player. Very comfortable on the ball. Again, IÂ’d hate to see him leave.

Baines: If a decent offer came in now that Garbutt could step in, maybe the board and the manager would have a different view to last year?

So, for me, when I look at the squad and then hear people saying 3 in and 3 out I think: "Are you joking? Effectively our whole squad is being mooted for moves." Certainly they wonÂ’t all happen but I can see 6 in and 6 out.

The likes of Distin, Alcaraz... who cares how they go? TheyÂ’re gone. Barry might be a special case and end up staying. Kone? HavenÂ’t got a clue, maybe heÂ’s destined to play out his days as (hopefully) 3rd striker unless someone is silly enough to offer good money.

Osman, Gibson, Pienaar, Naismith, Howard. Decent servants and if they hung around another year would probably still offer something to the squad.

Garbutt would be a real shame. A loss of potential but no loss to the current XI. IÂ’d imagine whether Oviedo stays is in GarbuttÂ’s hands.

I still have an feeling that McGeady can offer something if used well.

What the above tells me is the outs donÂ’t necessarily dictate the ins required. WeÂ’re low on players youÂ’d actually care about keeping... So there are probably 5 or 6 needed regardless of who or how we get rid of players.

Keeper
Spare CB
Both wings (I guess Lennon is one)
Striker (backup as minimum)
Creative midfielder

WhatÂ’s that? About 㿞M? Dream on, Ernie.

I didnÂ’t forget Tony Hibbert. I just think he is Everton through and through and that he has one year left on his contract. Where is he going to go and get the same money? No one will take a chance on him given his recent injury record. Besides all of that, he will see out the year and become a coach (probably).

6 outs (in my opinion)
Mirallas; one year left and wants CL football. HeÂ’s 27
Lukaku; agent already talking to CL clubs. PSG have deep pockets!
Distin; no contract. FREE
Alcaraz; no contract. FREE
McGeady; back to Celtic. HasnÂ’t what it takes in this league.
Oviedo; real shame. He is 3rd choice LB.

6 ins
Goalkeeper (first choice)
Centre back (cover)
Midfield (cover) - possibly Cleverley?
Winger (right) - possibly Lennon?
Winger (left)
Striker (first choice)

Certainly I hope that the club makes a stand against Lukaku going. But we have seen player/agent power before.....