Blue skies ahead — just need to look up
Over the last few days it's dawned on me that Everton Football Club is about to enter into a period of immense change. Forgetting about the ups and mostly downs of the last few days, weeks, months, even years, the club is likely to not only change ownership in the near future but also change manager and most of the senior playing staff, never mind receiving somewhere around £200m over the next few months (Sky money and transfer receipts). Put together, that is a huge amount of change (and potentially turmoil) in a very short time and it's likely our beloved club is going to have a completely new feel (if not necessarily look) to it come the start of next season.Given the general feel of stagnation, gloom, boredom (take your pick) overhanging the club for the last 6-7 years (Martinez's first season a possible exception) this should be a period of real excitement for most blues. However, this doesn't seem to be coming through in the ToffeeWeb threads and general discussions as I think we're concentrating a little too much on the near term. Try and peel away the disappointment of the semi -final, the derby defeat and the generally disappointing Premier League campaigns and look at the bigger picture, however hard. In the next couple of months we could have a scenario of;
- no more Martinez,
- no more Kenwright (in charge at least),
- a 'decent' manager,
- a massive wage bill and transfer kitty to invest in the playing squad.
For the best part of 15 years, most of us would have gladly accepted just one or two of these 4 things and been very happy – we could now have all 4 within a few weeks. And dare I say it, a plan for Goodison Park that actually exists, is realistic and achievable rather than pie in the sky.
Big times potentially lie ahead for Everton and the next few months will have a massive impact on the performance of the club, on and off the field, for at least the next 5-10 years if not more. Just on the playing staff alone, we have no less than 5 senior players leaving as their contracts expire (or in Howard's case transfer). Added to this I'm struggling to picture either Stones or Lukaku with us come August – personally I'm fine if they both go as long as we receive decent money and it's reinvested wisely. For his own sanity I think Stones needs pastures new and Lukaku has been half out the door since Easter (he may be shocked though at a lack of 'Champions League' clubs queuing up for him after his recent performances). Add in others such as McGeady, Niasse (will he ever play again?) and Mirallas and that's a good 10 members of the senior squad potentially gone this summer. So whatever happens, there will be a huge overhaul of the squad this summer, which brings us onto the appointment of a new manager…
The next managerial appointment is simply HUGE. This is not just someone to 'steady the ship', this is going to be someone who needs / has to replace half the senior squad in a very short space of time whilst putting his ideas in place. Advantages for the new man is that the funds are there to get the players he wants and most of the deadwood are already half out the door, disadvantage is that the squad is going to be completely new come seasons start. Can he get them to 'gel' in time, especially with the distraction of the Euros?
Lots of ifs and buts, but there is going to be a massive amount of change in the coming months whether we like it or not and most of it will surely be for the better. So let's make our feelings known re Martinez in the last few games to ensure he's gone (may be unnecessary if the board take action before) and then enjoy what's to come.
It may not feel like it now but these are very good times to be a Blue… finally!
Reader Comments (33)
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2 Posted 26/04/2016 at 15:01:06
Also, we may not do /aren't used to massive change, but the removal of about 5-6 players from the first tea squad is inevitable. That in itself is a change that I have been looking forward to for a while now.
3 Posted 26/04/2016 at 15:04:29
I use the word deservedly because almost without murmur we have put up with absolute garbage of a kind that would have Kopites on the march.
The difference between both sets of fans can be summed up in how we deal with the Martinez situation situation and that of Brendan Rodgers.
We are begging the board to rid us of an incompetent manager while Kopites DEMANDED that Rodgers be sacked.
They demonstrated with large scale demos against Gillet and Hicks. They invaded the city centre with a marching band, banners, Tshirts and a CD. They inundated talk back radio and newspaper columns and kept it up until their demands were met.
Recently they created such strong opposition to increased gate money the club had to back down.
I do not for one minute begrudge them their success either on or off the field. I only wish our own supporters would show a bit of the same fighting spirit.
4 Posted 26/04/2016 at 15:16:03
We would be the same and in fact the arrival of a Billionaire has probably upped the ante already and has put the pressure on the manager when in years gone by many would have shrugged their shoulders and said well what do you expect from him 'miracles'.
I tend to agree with those that say that for the club to move forward the Bill Kenwright era has to come to a swift end, he can stay as a life president or some such but he has to have his hand removed from the tiller and let those who are willing to invest do so as they see fit. If the new owners look as if they're getting it wrong, the fans won't be quite as patient as they have been in the last couple of decades and they will demand positive change - just like most other fans at most other clubs.
5 Posted 26/04/2016 at 15:30:08
See we're quick to point a finger on here while being equally as guilty as those who we're pointing the finger at.
I've suggested the tennis ball demo on Saturday.
I don't do social media, facebook, twitter etc...but maybe the suggestion will be picked up and spread!
6 Posted 26/04/2016 at 15:50:23
Like you, I don't do social media but I know a hell of a lot of people who do. I can assure you your tennis ball demo is gathering a lot of pace with the suggested time of launching the balls in the 21st minute. Dortmund did this and it was effective in driving home the point.
7 Posted 26/04/2016 at 16:54:42
Really? Oh I'd really like it to go ahead, if he's not already gone by then!
8 Posted 26/04/2016 at 16:58:22
Just wish it didn't rain as much as it does at Goodison.
9 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:10:14
Or are we only looking at a couple of hundred, or is it just one big wind up?
10 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:13:55
....and if you you couldn't get a tennis ball into Goodison then I despair.
If as few as two thousand people took one each, that would be more than enough to make the point!
...or shall we just moan on here some more?
11 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:18:03
12 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:20:14
13 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:23:49
14 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:30:34
15 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:51:52
We have to make clubs aware that enough is enough," Marc Quambusch, spokesman of the "Kein Zwanni" group that organized the protest, told CNN.
"Many supporters joined us and it made for good viewing on the television channels. It's been recognized all over Germany and all over the world. We've had news coverage as far as Argentina, it's been great.
"But it's a permanent conflict. It was a victory for us with public opinion and awareness, but we have to do this again and again and again or we won't achieve victory."
Could be worth a go then. Let the whole world know we need to get Martinez out.
New balls required!!
16 Posted 26/04/2016 at 17:55:44
No evidence yet that much has changed here so even more time in the wilderness is indicated !
17 Posted 26/04/2016 at 18:30:00
18 Posted 26/04/2016 at 18:47:06
19 Posted 26/04/2016 at 18:49:35
Why on earth would you want to waste your hard-earned money! !!
I personally think that everyone knows we have had enough of him now.
20 Posted 26/04/2016 at 19:18:08
Knowing our luck they would miss the target.
Fans present at the ground could do an ironic protest and cheer Martinez's every move throughout the game. That would confuse everyone !
Getting back to the original topic. I generally agree with the content. We could be close to something special happening at the club. Too late for this season but the next one is round the corner. If there is no change in management, I agree that Stones and a few others should go for their own sanity. We bank the money and move on.
I don't get to the games these days but it would be great to give the players a good reception in the last 4 games. We may not see some of them at Goodison next season and whatever we think of the players performance, I can only assume that the lazy, disinterested approach some of them take onto the pitch and some poor performances are all down to Martinez and his ways. If the likes of John Stones do go, it would be good for them to remember the Everton fans for being the best in the world. I saw enough on Saturday in the 2nd half and when Stones celebrated the goal we scored and the way he looked when we conceded to suggest he's still an Everton player....just looking for direction!
Of course, if Martinez was to go and we were to appoint a decent enough manager soon, it may just be enough to persuade John to stay. The later any change in management, the worse it becomes. The less chance we have.
As for Romelu. Will no doubt be devastating elsewhere and score goals but I would prefer to see some more mobility up front. Shane Long is not necessarily the answer but he moves around the pitch taking defenders with him making gaps etc. 2 or 3 of that style of player would help the Players like a fit Gibson enjoy that, even Stones in midfield would possibly benefit.
We may even have these players at rhe club in the U21s etc. Seems to work for Man U
21 Posted 26/04/2016 at 21:04:49
22 Posted 26/04/2016 at 22:07:13
It was in the 50s I was the lad holding aloft a banner as an admittedly small group circled Goodison.
Emblazoned on the banner was, IF DAVY GOES I GO!
Sadly, that small demo did not have its desired affect.
Davy Hickson went but I stayed.
23 Posted 26/04/2016 at 22:25:51
24 Posted 27/04/2016 at 01:07:50
I feel Moyes was 1 player away from Champions league in most of his last 5 seasons.
Give Moyes a Lukaku, or any £20m striker and we would have been in the Champions league most of the time.
I agree that we now look closer to relegation fodder than Champions league contenders, I agree that it's all down to Robertos management.
Bill has to shoulder blame too as he's the boss of Roberto and he's failed us in keeping Roberto this long.
25 Posted 27/04/2016 at 04:49:08
26 Posted 27/04/2016 at 05:18:08
While I'm with both of you in saying Moyes is probably just 1-2 players away from UCL, I have to point out that Moyes, well, is Moyes, and whatever his strengths are, his shortfall comes in that he can't attract the talent that makes his team whole. A ceiling as you might say. e.g. United where he failed horribly, yet at Sociedad he was able to overachieve again for a short period of time.
Compared to Martinez, I would take him any day, grudgingly due to his posturing after he left for United. But given the riches of Moshiri, sure he will not spend as much as we like, I rather we try more ambitious targets like Simeone (dream pick yea, but have to aim for dream catches) or Emery or Tuchel. Less for Koeman and De Boer but you get my drift.
Why should we pay players ridiculous amounts of money for them to have speak out the way Lukaku did, or play with the zombie level of energy our highly paid team did over the past few weeks (it felt like months).
I want a fairly young ambitious manager who has already achieved some level of glory and wants to be at a place that works with him to reach the next level. Act like the "big" clubs that we want to beat, find the manager you believe in and give him a salary comparable to our best players (Like Athletico). Go out of our way to get the man, like Spurs did for Pochettino (dream man we missed). And if that doesn't attract our top candidates, then we can move on to smaller targets like Moyes who is probably bound for Celtic.
27 Posted 27/04/2016 at 06:34:25
28 Posted 27/04/2016 at 11:50:38
Yet, in Fellaini, Everton had a player who could dominate both penalty areas, score goals and defend. The other player needed to make the top 4 was a striker. Now, Everton as a team are in disarray.
30 Posted 27/04/2016 at 18:57:19
Martinez should go for sure as he has more comfort than ever and the players are snuggling up to him. We need a top,top manager, not Howe et al. Our players look like slugs compared to Leicester, Spurs etc so we need motivation in a big way.
If it's the hope that kills you... I AM NOW IMMORTAL!!
31 Posted 27/04/2016 at 23:26:20
Moyes only won 11 games out of 38 at Sociedad. His over achieving period must have been short.
32 Posted 28/04/2016 at 02:42:00
33 Posted 28/04/2016 at 08:01:09
We need someone who cares more about winning than losing. We need the club's hierarchy to make a statement of intent by getting a world class manager. And we need them to get rid of Martinez asap.
34 Posted 29/04/2016 at 08:54:22
Only question is how we deal with it and the eventual replacement of Martinez is a massive part of that. As long as Kenwrong doesn't have final say in that I am hopeful it will be a good one.
As for the tennis balls, it will certainly get attention in the press (which is good) and if there's one thing the Everton board hate it's negative press.
Martinez is a dead man walking and hopefully he'll be gone very soon, not just because I've put money on him to be the next manager in the prem canned. If they decide today to get rid, they should do it immediately and not wait until the end of the season to at least give the players a lift.
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1 Posted 26/04/2016 at 14:22:54
And it could work out as suggested / hoped.
But:
–Do Everton FC do fast-paced change?
–Do Everton FC drive the change agenda ?
There's not much evidence of either these past 20 years. (I feel we largely react to events).
The current situation could disintegrate into erosion rather than evolution.
Let's hope for the latter starting with an urgent management change and an ambitious appointment.