Contributions from our editorial team, featured columnists and readers.
A conservative approach in finding Roberto Martinez's successor is the wrong one. Everton need someone to motivate the squad and enliven a fanbase that’s been dulled by the multitude of galling moments in recent years.
The Catalan breezed into Everton on a wave of positivity and with an identifiable plan to take the club back to the top. Three years on, he has sadly lost his way and much of the belief in this vision from the players and fans is long gone.
The ingredients for success in cup football are a few shades removed from what’s required to thrive in the domestic, week-to-week grind of the Premier League and it's on the latter score that the manager has struggled for two seasons.
If the 21-year-old can recapture the form that made him the most sought-after young defender in the country, he could improve Martinez's struggling team.
Roberto Martinez needs to look closer to home to amend some clear systemic problems that are producing games like Saturday's defeat.
The Belgian is a special talent and while heÂ’s already one of the finest goalscorers in the English game, the potential is there for him to become so much more.
Having fine young players isnÂ’t inextricably linked to success at this level; footballers need to be guided, organised, nurtured and motivated. While Tottenham and Leicester are showing the way, that process doesnÂ’t seem to be in motion at Everton.
If Roberto Martinez continues to set Everton up in the style which worked so effectively against Stoke City, then the the swell of angst against him in recent weeks will quickly dissipate.
Ultimately, the type of football on show will be mirrored in the fanbase and at the moment the fans have a right to be unhappy as the Toffees are languishing in 12th position in the Premier League.
As long as mental frailties continue to blemish performances, Everton will continue to falter. Given the shelf life of this side, potentially very short if European juggernauts come calling in the the summer, itÂ’s imperative a consistent defensive focus is discovered.
Ross Barkley's Everton career is back on track after a difficult second season in 2014-15 but he continues to attract criticism from some supporters who are frustrated with the Blues' lack of progress overall.
ThereÂ’s a sense that support for MartinezÂ’s utopian vision has seeped away lately and unless some uncharacteristically decisive action is taken in the weeks to come, the swell against the manager will only gather more momentum.
Everton are far too nice at this juncture and if this team is to progress as we all hope it does, Martinez and his players must show some backbone.
Recent results where Everton have thrown away vital points have shown that changes in approach are needed lest a chance to capitalise in a wide open Premier League passes the Blues by.
EvertonÂ’s style has gone from bereft of impetus to breathless. ItÂ’s not perfect, as was evident against Palace; thereÂ’s clear progress to be made which makes it a little easier to look beyond frustrating results and at the bigger picture.
Everton's young attacking side had been thrilling supporters in recent weeks but a lack of leadership and communication was exposed at Bournemouth in the 3-3 draw.
A result that represents another surefire sign that this is a young team and a young manager who have recognised their errors and are slowly starting to set them right.
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* Everton deducted 8 pts; †Forest deducted 4 pts for PSR breachView full table
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