Wembley failure caps Martinez's 'defining week'
By his own admission, football is a results-based business. The Catalan's horribilis sabbati should be his final curtain call.
Everton 1 - 2 Manchester United
In Roberto Martinez's own words, this week, with its two massive games, promised to be a “defining week” for him and his players: A Merseyside derby that Everton dared not lose and an FA Cup semi-final that offered the only remaining route to redemption in a season that has very much followed the route to disappointment trodden by the last.
A “pivotal week” is probably closer to what he intended to say but his comments ended up being unfortunately prescient — humiliation on the back of defensive vulnerability and suspect mentality at the hands of Liverpool, the giving up of an injury time goal at Wembley to Manchester United, and failure just when a crack at glory were in his team's hands have, sadly, come to define the Catalan's tenure.
After Wednesday's galling collapse at Anfield, Martinez needed a big performance and the kind of backs-against-the-wall underdog spirit that lifted Everton teams of the past over United at Wembley in 1995 and 2012. He eventually got something akin to it, whether by his own powers of motivation or, perhaps more likely, through a response from the players to the desperation pouring out of stands from 30-odd thousand Evertonians and the realisation that their entire season was circling the drain.
Following 45 minutes of tentative, defensive football that was lacking cohesion and organisation and during which time they fell behind to Maroune Fellaini's 34th-minute goal, the Blues suddenly discovered the intensity and drive that has been wholly lacking through a run of what is now seven games without a win in all competitions and had Louis van Gaal's Red Devils on the ropes at times in the second half.
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It yielded a penalty, won by the otherwise disappointing Ross Barkley when he was felled in the box by Tim Fosu-Mensah, that was taken well enough by Romelu Lukaku but saved by David de Gea, a goalkeeper who has made a habit of bringing his best form into meetings with Everton over the past couple of seasons. Then, after Phil Jagielka had denied Fellaini a second goal with an unseen handball almost on the goal-line, Everton levelled and threatened to turn the tie on its head with more pressure but, sadly, it didn't ultimately tell.
Instead, there was the latest in a succession of stings in the "tale" that Blues fans have had to deal with as Martinez's defence was sliced open one final time and Anthony Martial swept through the breach to plant a cruel winner beyond Joel Robles.
Little of what Martinez said in the aftermath of another crushing loss will have resonated with fed up Evertonians but he was right that, on balance, Everton probably deserved to get to extra time. Their first-half display had been massively disappointing, an echo of the lifeless and unimaginative fare that has characterised a sequence of three draws and, now, four defeats since that potentially catalytic victory over Chelsea last month.
It would be easier to blame the loss of Seamus Coleman, the need to use Muhamed Besic as an emergency fullback, and Jagielka's injury if the second half from Martinez's side hadn't been so much better. Jagielka played — very effectively it has to be said — despite his hamstring strain but Besic was targeted often by the reds down their left and Darron Gibson's deployment as a deep-lying defensive midfielder bordering on a third centre-half robbed Everton of numbers going forward.
The Blues ceded the ball and territory to United to an unsettling degree and Van Gaal's men took up the invitation, playing in Marcus Rashford, foiled by blocks from John Stones and Joel Robles; Fellaini, also foiled by Stones; and Jessie Lingard who was denied brilliantly in a one-on-one by the Everton goalkeeper. All that after Martial had lit the touch paper on an open and entertaining game following a pedestrian opening with a slaloming run with the ball towards goal that he couldn't convert from a tight angle.
And yet the Blues' tactic of trying to catch United cold with a quick ball behind their defence for Lukaku to chase almost paid dividends on two occasions. First, he rounded Daley Blind to latch onto Robles' booming kick forward and advance on goal but a heavy touch took him wider of de Gea than he would have liked and his shot into the turf kicked lacked the power to beat Rooney who had tracked all the way back to his goal-line.
Then, on the quarter-hour mark, Cleverley sent him away for another showdown with De Gea but, again, a bobble off his knee took the ball away from him and the angle was too acute by the time he got the shot off and the United keeper saved.
Unfortunately, Besic was ruthlessly exposed for the opening goal, as Rashford accelerated past him to the byline and cut it back to Fellaini to bobble the ball past Robles 11 minutes before half time.
That there was no response from Everton between then and the interval spoke volumes of their performance in that first half but they were a different proposition in the second period, even if they were let down to a degree by their star men.
Lukaku was arguably the biggest reason why the Blues were in the semi-final in the first place given how he almost single-handedly won the quarter final but he came up short just when his team needed him today. And Barkley looked a far cry from the player who had looked earlier in the season like he was back to being the brightest young midfield talent in the country.
The fightback, when it came, wasn't led by Martinez's self-proclaimed “style” of possession-based football; it was a last-ditch effort to raise the tempo by a group of players who were willed on by the masses of Evertonians banked in their thousands around one half of Wembley and elimination from the cup rapidly closing in on them.
Lingard made a mess of a left-shot off Martial's back-heel 10 minutes after the break but Everton then took control and within a couple more they had the chance to level. Lennon and Barkley caught United short-handed at the back, the winger crossed low and Tim Fosu-Mensah chopped the latter down inside the box. After a moment's reflection, referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot, Lukaku took responsibility for the kick but De Gea guessed right and palmed it away.
Fans have criticised Everton for their mentality at times this season but their immediate reaction to that set-back could only have been better if it had resulted in an equaliser. Tom Cleverley shanked a chance at the back post well wide and air-kicked another cross from a central position, James McCarthy volleyed into the turf making for a routine save for the ‘keeper and a magnificent turn by Cleverley to skin his marker ended with a teasing cross that Lukaku headed over, unaware of Besic behind him who was probably better placed to head home from close range.
By the time Gerard Deulofeu was introduced for Lennon with 20 minutes to go, Gibson had dropped almost entirely back alongside Jagielka and Stones was being given license to maraud forward in mostly impressive fashion to help build attacks. It was Deulofeu who made the difference just five minutes after coming on, though, crossing low looking for Lukaku in the middle but prompting Chris Smalling into slicing into his own net instead.
1-1 but Everton weren't done and they continued to press for a second. Deulofeu's placed, side-foot shot was a little tame but it nicked off a defender and the keeper almost pushed the ball straight to the feet of Lukaku. The Belgian then failed to make proper contact on a gilt-edged chance as a cross bounced through from the left flank, and one of the Blues' best moves of the game ended with Fellaini denying his compatriot with a last-ditch tackle, deflecting Lukaku's shot behind.
A breathless second half was heading into extra time when United carved Everton's tiring defence open one last, decisive time, however. Ander Herrera, on for just a few minutes as a substitute and the recipient of a yellow card straight away for a cynical tug on Barkley's jersey, managed to prod the ball through to Martial who did the rest with just the ‘keeper to beat with less than a minute of stoppage time to go.
In contrast to the manner in which they threw away the initiative in the Capital One Cup semi-final in January, albeit also in controversial circumstances, the “valiant loser” aspect to Everton's failure plays right into the “unlucky” narrative that will fool some into continuing to back Martinez as Everton's manager. The reality is, however, that the team was ultimately undone by its failure to turn up for 50-odd minutes, its consistent failings at the back and the leaking of yet another injury-time goal.
“It comes to a point where we have to achieve and this season is very, very important for that.”
Those were the words of Martinez in November last year when he first started gathering the rhetorical rope by which he has now hanged himself. This was back when Everton had a League Cup quarter final ahead of them and were about to move back into seventh place with a win over Aston Villa, one of only four they have managed in the Premier League so far this season.
Since then, with every set-back, every blown lead, and every concession of a painful last-minute goal, Martinez has repeated his assertion that the Toffees are “very close to being a winning team”; the rhetoric shifting from insisting that Everton's “young” team had to “achieve” this term to a constant readjustment of the timeline. Maà±ana, Maà±ana. It's always just around the corner which is, of course, very convenient if you're trying to preserve your job.
The Anfield disgrace was the straw that broke the camel's back. Giving Martinez a shot at redemption with an FA Cup semi-final was either a show of loyalty and integrity, a desperate last shot, an unwillingness to make a hard decision, or simply blind faith on the part of Bill Kenwright and the Everton board. This latest failure should be the absolute final straw for the hierarchy; as painful as it is, the situation calls for ruthlessness with swift action so that the wheels can be set in motion for the next era at Goodison Park with a bolder, higher-profile appointment.
As a tweet from a frustrated supporter implored of the Chairman this evening, does your loyalty lie with one man or the thousands of Blues who deserve better than what they have been put through this season? On the back of a horrible week, crestfallen Evertonians are speaking loudly and in their thousands this evening but is anybody listening?
Reader Comments (139)
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2 Posted 24/04/2016 at 07:21:16
I personally have not posted since the Southampton debacle. I got into words condemning some who again blamed the support as contributing to the teams shite performances.
I was asked why – if I wasn't happy – I continue to watch them. My answer was simple, I am an Evertonian.
I was asked to basically keep schtum and just support the whole lot of these wasters in this our most important week of the season.
Well I didn't go to Anfield and it was bloody difficult to keep quiet believe me.
Anyway now I'm back home.
Yesterday was another, in my opinion, load of shite.
I cannot remember one single game since Martinez arrived where we have played 90 plus minutes of all out footy. I've seen Leicester, spurs and our near neighbours maintain high levels of consistency where we are completely knackered by half time if we put the effort in first half, and 75 minutes if we decide to show up for the second half.
Same yesterday. No way we were unlucky, in fact, again in my opinion United were by far the better team over the piece – hate to say that !
Every week the team go out to a game plan that is outdated and easy to play against – if anyone disagrees then just look at the results. Yesterday was no different. The first half was 100% Martinez without a shadow of a doubt. I reckon the players just came out the second half and just said bollocks to this and got on with it. Martinez has never changed his philosophy so why would he do so yesterday.
And for any of our posters who have in the past in any way suggested that we are in any way shape or form responsible for our dire performances over the last 2 years, just remember that those you blamed were exactly the same supporters who backed OUR club 1000% yesterday.
My voice is hoarse. Mainly from the 94th minute on shouting for the Catalan Clown to fuck off!!
3 Posted 24/04/2016 at 07:27:27
Instead on Wednesday he picked a man out of position (Oviedo)who was duly exposed. Though he had injuries and defensive problems, he picked a bench without recognised defenders. That's not planning or tactical awareness, it's idiocy.
As for yesterday, he allowed Lukaku to indulge his belief that he is a penalty king. The man's record is pathetic, when he scores it is usually, because the keeper commits himself and the ball goes where the keeper was. This is allowed though we have in Baines an excellent penalty taker.
Besic could be many things, to me, probably mistakenly, he is the equal of McCarthy in the defensive midfield role, but he is not and never will be quick enough to be a right back, yet that is where he was asked to play. His positional play was poor and his lack of pace was constantly exposed.
His handling of Deulofeu this season is another example of Martinez's inability to use and get the best out of a talented individual. Lennon works harder defensively and is a good player, but just look at the assists Deulofeu has provided, particularly for Lukaku. In a pivotal game, Deulofeu ought to have started.
For Martinez, his inability to read situations and to change tactics, is his main fault. He hopes things will happen, he doesn't really have a plan and he certainly doesn't have a Plan B when things go wrong.
Your recent articles, Lyndon, have summed up our club's problems and pointed out what needs to be done. There is almost universal support on this site for what you've said; I just hope the Board are reading your words.
4 Posted 24/04/2016 at 07:34:06
5 Posted 24/04/2016 at 07:50:59
The first half was a disaster, we let Man Utd walk all over us, retreating into our own half and exploiting the odd breakaway.
Obviously missing key personnel, hampered our game plan but I would like to know one thing, does our Under-21 side not have a right back?
Please don't come up with the answer that he may be only 18 or so because the player turning Besic inside out is around the same age.
The second half was different and offered us something to cling to and if Lukaku had taken any of the chances, including the penalty, the result could have been so different.
In the end it comes down to this: Martinez and his coaches have failed their own players, they have failed the directors and most certainly, failed the fans and I think it's overdue that we wish them all the best and send them packing.
It would allow time for the new management to assess the players and put in the shopping list for next season. We have to move forward and we won't with Martinez still here.
6 Posted 24/04/2016 at 07:53:10
7 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:03:50
it wasn't missing "key personnel" that hampered our game plan.
It's the fucking game plan that hampers us !!!
Every week it is exactly the same - failed - game plan and this moron doesn't have another one to replace it when it doesn't work
The result could have been different if if if if ? United should have been out of sight first half.
We got exactly what we deserved. Yes we came back into it half way through the second half but believe me if we had got a result yesterday we would have been on here laughing today that we'd got away with it.
Totally agree with you that the whole management has let our Club down.
The biggest culprit is Kenwright. That idiot calls himself a Blue ! If he really was he would have binned this clown last season
8 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:10:17
10 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:12:27
The defining week from hell was just that!!
I predicted the no-show at Anfield, even predicted that we would be too scared of having a shot on target , and predicted the obvious heavy defeat.
Then we all just knew yesterday would be the trademark Everton hard luck tale.
We could have written this so called defining week and all been correct to virtually every small detail even right down to the man sent off at Anfield.
Its so horrible to always be right about this predictable boring club.
Now its down to the board to re-awaken the supporters interest in what is a club on its knees and one the majority has lost faith and interest in to put it bluntly.
Martinez has been lucky to get another 12 month's in the job after last seasons pathetic form and performance levels.
Don't make it last any longer.
11 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:20:46
It didn't work out and we lost to a Man U team that is not nearly as bad as many make out.
If Everton had played like they did yesterday all season I would have fewer complaints, there was fight, urgency, tempo and spirit evident. Sadly Martinez and his team seem unable to find those essential qualities on a regular basis; he never has to my knowledge for any team he has managed and for that reason alone it must be time to call an end to the tenure of our cup manager.
12 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:21:43
Perhaps some chants will break out too!
13 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:22:49
It goes without saying: season over. People were wishing us good luck at work but I knew deep down it may be the same old same old. In the first half, I wasn't disappointed.
After the own goal, we seemed to change into a different team – at one point, I actually thought we could win this! But the old Everton curse reared its head which we have seen all too frequently this season.
In the pre-match interview with Martinez. I spent more time shouting at him than I spend shouting at Rob in The Archers! (and that's a lot).
If he has a career change – and I certainly hope he does – has he considered politics? Another line of work with people completely out of touch with what's happening.
As for our Champions League striker, perhaps he should stay a bit longer and learn his trade on that showing, although the money would come in useful!
"I will get you Champions League" – Fine words, Martinez, fine words... at least you're good at something. Do try politics, try anything... try opening your office door and closing it behind you for the last time PLEASE, so we can move on – we all deserve better.
14 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:23:07
Not so much the older ones but all the kids. Every single one crying their eyes out !!
Maybe these overpaid unfit tossers would possibly - though I doubt it - understand what it meant to those kids to watch their "heroes" play less than half a game every week. To see them underperform in a semi final.
I've seen the 60's onwards. I remember as a kid in the 50's crying when we got beat but it's far worse now watching todays youngsters seeing that shit.
You don't mind us getting beat by anyone if we can say we gave everything but that doesn't apply to this team and hasn't for 2 years.
Like a bunch of divvy's we will be back next week, including the kids.
Just wish those wasters could have seen them yesterday though
15 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:29:10
Unless, of course, we on here are the vocal minority and the majority want to perpetuate the 'we do things different' Everton way.
17 Posted 24/04/2016 at 08:42:49
It will be our lowest crowd for a good few years but let's hope the ones who go get the point across that this club is simply not living up to its motto..
18 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:01:47
19 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:13:49
As I write Leicester are on the verge of winning their THIRD major trophy (2 league cup aswell) since we last won silverware despite in 2009 being in the 3rd tier of English football.
Not only do we need to move stadium ASAP to attempt to keep up with the West Hams and Southamptons etc I would also suggest a kit change to all blue or even all white in attempt to make the team look more imposing, isn't that what Shankly did over there when they used to play in white shorts and he didn't get much wrong did he?
Far too much sentiment and hogging traditions at our club and all that it has achieved is to give us 50 years in LFCs shadow.
Remember the mottos School of science and nothing but the best is good enough? We can't even win a local derby match home or away and give me other club that goes 20 years ( and counting) without a victory at Arsenal or 22 without one at Chelsea when we play there every season ? Even Bournemouth and Hull managed 3 points on there first ever visits at either venue.
Massive Changes are required as failure is currently carved into the walls of Goodison park.
20 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:14:40
Our supporters were nothing short of magnificent and I firmly believe it was they with their consistent attempts at lifting the players who had the greatest influence on the final 35 minutes. This had nothing to do with RM.
The players responded to the fans and put pride back into EFC in front of millions - at least for 35 minutes.
21 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:31:15
22 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:31:39
23 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:33:17
I can't find it online but I read it on another forum.
24 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:39:12
His penalty record is excellent, lukaku missed his last one so what the hell is going on? He has regressed since Pienaar stopped playing on a regular basis.I also thinkColeman,Stones,Mcarthy,are all less effective than they used to be. Barkley is a slow, ponderous lump who looks totally at sea, not the skilfull, powerful and direct talent he once appeared to be. Even Funes Mori has started to make regular mistakes.
Regarding Lukaku his biggest weakness has always been a bad first touch and this hasn't been improved in his 3 years at the club and cost us yesterday in the first half. Only positives yesterday are we may have a long term goalkeeper to replace Howard, Gibson who will always be injury prone showed how poor a footballer Mcarthy is and at least we made a game of it 2nd half after sleepwalking for the first.
I feel sorry for Jags who gave his all yesterday especially as he missed the last final at Wembley and yesterday may have been his last chance.
One final thought, only Everton could make Fellaini look like a world beater as he outplayed our midfield in the first half.
25 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:40:16
The ball is firmly in your court Mr Moshiri, use it wisely.
26 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:47:57
They are 3 points ahead of us with a game in hand.
27 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:49:49
28 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:52:52
This from Kenwright straight after yesterday's game.
Bill Kenwright on Roberto Martinez after Everton were knocked out of the FA Cup. #EFC pic.twitter.com/CMjEqNjVCy
— Premier League Zone (@ThePLZone) 24 April 2016
29 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:57:21
There is no way these players are up for the last 4 games, if they haven't turned up for the majority of this season. If he is still here by next weekend then I expect to see numbers and numbers of empty seats.
Our fans need to start acting and it should be by doing something alternative for 90 mins for two more weekends.
30 Posted 24/04/2016 at 09:57:53
31 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:01:36
32 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:01:38
33 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:07:45
The fact I see nothing to say he's going anywhere shows me that this guy is still in charge. I'm beginning to feel like Moshiri is yet another Bill stunt. The master snake oil salesman likes the apprentice one - surprise, surprise!
Time to redirect anger away from Bobby brown shoes, for now. #kenwrightout
34 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:07:45
35 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:08:12
36 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:08:51
If you really want change, Martinez and Kenwright out, an empty ground will solve the problem in DAYS.
Banners, chanting or name calling will NOT.
If you want to be heard, vote with your feet, don't renew season tickets, boycott games and blank this shambles from your mind.
The club will be soon be onto you about why you haven't renewed or "have we upset you in anyway?" Then you tell them why! Let them chase us for a change!
It will put you in a better place – honest!
37 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:13:39
Also, someone should show Barkley this line from Lyndon's article
"lacked the power to beat Rooney who had tracked all the way back to his goal-line" - yet another game where I watched Ross watch players running past him like it was a testimonial game. Was he even fit yesterday? Looks overweight to me and out of condition.
The real problem is Bill Kenwrong. Just wants to be in control of the club for personal prestige and won't ever admit he's made a mistake, needs to be ousted. Seen him outside Wembley trying to push a fans camera away like a prima donna pianist with a celebrity injunction. The old yellow pricked toad.
38 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:15:31
Excellent article as ever Lyndon, pretty much says it all. I think there's 100% agreement that Martinez needs to be replaced for the reasons we drone on about daily. But will the hierarchy see it this way? will they see 2 semi finals for a team that hasn't won silverware for 20 years as progress, and see the 19 pts dropped from winning positions as a sign that the team is nearly the finished article?
We are all waiting for the day for the 'Martinez sacked' headlines, but the bookies would have to offering generous odds for me to part with my money on a Martinez sacking. It really all depends on the influence Kenwright still wields because he does have previous in backing a manager when the team's going through tough times.
BTW don't scream and shout at me that I'm a Bill & Bob apologist; I want to see the man gone as much as everyone else but it isn't a gimme.
39 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:22:45
http://www.nsno.co.uk/Everton-news/2016/04/kenwright-says-Martinez-safe-job/
40 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:31:46
Numerous people have highlighted the size of Barkley, who looks enormous.
He is also not affecting the game & generally doing nowhere near enough to justify playing the "10" role.
He needs a good pre-season & an end to the me culture this manager has perpetuated where coasting about and playing with "arrogance" is code for doing fuck all. Stones is another who is suffering from poor coaching & having his head filled with shit.
41 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:32:51
42 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:40:41
But why did we not try to win the game until after the penalty miss. The introduction of Deulofeo changed the game but was made 10 minutes too late. It seemed that the players had decided to change bobbys game plan by themselves.
Lets hope for good news monday morning, OUT OUT OUT.
44 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:46:43
The squad overhaul of out of contract players, players who think they're better than they are, and gaps in the squad is just a massive exercise this summer. Any decision on manager needs to be quick so that we can get first choice targets in. A rumour from yesterday that he wouldn't be sacked until after 30th June to reduce severance payments, but I don't know how true that is...
He still needs to go though. His loyalty to a Wigan back room has cost him his £3m a year job. He's a nice guy, but clearly is do constrained by his beliefs that we have repeatedly seen. We have been worked out, and a bad start next season will put us in serious trouble. A new manager needs to crack on now. I'd put Sheedy in charge for the next game.
Barkley is a talent. But if his decision making has to improve, and if he's going to trot around the pitch not putting a shift in he either needs to be an impact sub or the first lad to come off. The standard of the rest means we can't afford to carry a luxury player like him.
Gutted yesterday. First half booed off, 2nd half is the best we played in ages.
45 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:50:19
46 Posted 24/04/2016 at 10:54:17
The second half was something entirely different, and in my view was the result of the turnaround of John Stones who went from sensibly hitting a few Row Zs in the first half to suddenly dominating the game. If he had managed to beat one more player in one of his runs, he'd have scored one of the best FA Cup goals ever. When Stones began to play with confidence the game was absolutely transformed, which goes even more to the point that the manager has ruined possibly his finest asset.
By contrast, Lukaku managed to out do Brett Angell, Bakayoko and Shandy Andy in putting on the "Worst ever performance by an Everton forward". To my count he missed 7 easy chances (assuming a penalty to be an easy chance, which Lukaku's statistics seem to question). Since he missed a penalty and had the anticipation of a dead sloth for most of the game (not to mention the ball-controlling skills of a concrete bollard), it could not possibly have been worse if he had been subbed for Mirallas at any point before the 90th minute.
As a point of levity, however, the Sunday Times' player assessments this morning were: Stones - 5; Lukaku - 6. But then they also gave Rooney 9, and I didn't realise he was on the pitch. As my father used to say "He must have phoned the report in from the pub."
47 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:03:57
Oddly enough, we didn't hear any celebrations on overground from Wembley back to Marylebone - at one point an Everton fan piped up;
"Are there ANY fucking Man United fans on this train?" On the tube the only fans you could hear were singing "If you know yer history...."
Reminds me of the aftermath of the 2009 cup final against Chelsea; Evertons fans still singing, Chelsea fans moaning that they were out of the Champions League.
I suppose success and money breeds this kind of smug arrogance - they think winning is their birthright.
Hope Watford win the Cup but only because I can't stand Pardew.
Mind you if ManUre win the Cup maybe they'll be saddled with Van Gobshite for another season...
Anyhow, it wasn't the abject capitulation I was expecting and on the plus side Martinez will be gone by the end of the season.
48 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:14:39
For what it's worth, which could be fuck all,thought I'd throw a rumour out there, voice from inside the club reckons he's gone June, because they'll have to pay him off less.
Thought I'd share with yer, probably total bollocks, but hey, it's give me a glimmer hope.
49 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:27:52
50 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:28:01
At one point in the game I watched on bewildered. We had Jagielka at LB. Baines and Gibson CB. Stones CM and Deulofeu at LM with nobody near Besic on the right. I'm all for a bit of swapping position to keep the opposition guessing but we were just disorganised. A trait of the Martinez style of management.
I thought Stones had a fairly good game , one of his better ones recently. However Both goals Man U scored he was the closest defender though who hadn't quite anticipated danger quickly enough. I'm not trying to hammer the young man I just want a decent defensive coach to work on this part of his game to improve him.
The current regime just don't that and that's another reason why the time is overdue to change the manager and his elected staff.
Martinez and co out and Unsworth caretaker till we appoint for me. Let Unsworth introduce some of the younger lads.
53 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:32:42
54 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:35:29
55 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:37:37
Or do we have to take a gamble on some unproven young manager like Eddie Howe? Does Moyes have any chance of coming back? I hear all this talk of Martinez gone but who can we realistically get to replace him.
56 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:41:18
First of all this is NOT a poor MU team. They had four youngsters yesterday who played with great skill and tremendous pace supported by a masterclass of attacking midfield play by Rooney who showed Ross how it's done by actually tracking back to clear one off the line!!
But to us- didn't turn up in the first half and could have been three down at the break. That said we could have been two up had Rom been playing like he was a month ago. Bad control from someone who really does appear to think rather too much of himself- swap him for Rooney plus cash!!
The whole team was transformed after half time and gave it a real go for the whole half. Stones was immense and on this form we need to keep him- marvellous second half and decent defensively. Jags likewise- gutsy and covered like a demon. Gibbo did well and if only he could stay fit! Cleverly got into the game and made headway down the left whilst we hunted them down in packs rather than stand off and invite them to pick their way through us like we did in the first half.
The player I was astounded by was Ross. I am a fan but I was shocked at his appearance looking very heavy and unfit- almost dishevelled. In the first half he kept losing the ball and refused to track back to tackle or cover leaving us with only 8 outfield players for them to pick through and thus they found the gaps. He was a bit better in the second half but needs to watch how Rooney played that role and learn from him. To be honest I would have subbed him at half time as I can't recall a worse half by a midfield player than that. Something is wrong with him either personal stuff or the confidence has gone but why the increase in weight?
Intriguing to consider who changed the tactics. Duncan was on the pitch with the subs ( no Niasse!!) so nothing to do with him. It is sad to see how Baines has declined and he was also anonymous in the first half and not that great in the second. Geri looked better than of late but Rom could have had 5.
I am proud of the effort they showed after half time and wouldn't blame anyone for the winning goal- Robles played very well and I think can be number 1 going forward. Jim Bennings has banged on all season about how we are at our best playing high tempo and this game proved yet again that Jim is spot on. No one fears a team with a slow tempo and which doesn't press. We completely dominated them after half time because they couldn't build due to our dynamism-. HKs great team hunted in packs in an incessant search for possession and would then give the ball to Sheedy and Steven so we could play. Klopp is doing this across the park to some effect and it has to be the way forward.
Question is who will be in charge?
57 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:44:48
IT'S NOT ABOUT TAKING THE CHANCES SOMETIMES. !
Keep on talking the utter rubbish Roberto.
He deserves the sack and he will get the sack.
59 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:48:41
60 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:52:03
61 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:52:31
I like your comment about players in different positions. It's called Total Football where each player is comfortable playing in different positions....
:)
General comment about tracking back. Ross and other players should look at the distance Fellaini made up in getting back to block Lukaku's shot with minutes to go. Incredible...who knew Fellaini had that in him
62 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:53:26
I don't know if there is apathy at Goodison. It seems unlikely that a man who has just bought half the club would not have a plan. But we see no evidence of anything. Since one of the most humiliating days in our history last Wednesday we have heard nothing, only the drip drip drivel of our manager. It is quite disgraceful, especially given that during those days since Wednesday supporters have been spending large quantities of cash to get to the semi-final only to end up defeated and deflated again.
Maybe something will happen this week that will provide us with some hope for the future. If not, we can only conclude there is apathy, and if that is so we must make our feelings absolutely clear at the match next weekend. I hate Goodison when it is toxic, it's the complete opposite of why we go, but if that's what it takes, so be it. Enough is enough.
63 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:55:05
64 Posted 24/04/2016 at 11:56:54
Lukaku got a 6, praised for his performance but penalised for his penalty miss.
Really goes to show what a funny old game it is.
65 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:05:40
EFC has been around for a long, long time, established in 1878 (if y'know your history!) so maybe on 78 minutes it's time for action.....'Out The Gates On 78'.
Surely the Club don't want this kind of publicity (especially so near the Season Ticket Early Bird deadline?) They have to get rid of Martinez this coming week. To keep him and ignore thousands and thousands of true fans is a complete dereliction of duty.....and that is unforgivable.
66 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:07:01
67 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:11:19
I took my place in the red end. What blew me away was the extent to the blue support. There were quite a few occasions, especially in the second half, where the blue end erupted and the volume of the singing completely silenced those reds around me. I felt that the reds were almost embarrassed that the sheer intensity our fans showed could not be matched. All we need now is a team to match the fantastic level of support they get.
When the winning goal went in, I got away from my seat and moved to the exit. When the whistle went I then got out quick. What staggered me was the number of reds who were sprinting out of the stadium (faster than I can run), as if there was a bomb scare. I know trains need to be caught, but I had a valid reason for wanting to be out. They had just won a semi yet thousands couldn't be bothered to stay and celebrate. Compare these fans to the magnificent blues who were at Wembley yesterday and, frankly, there is no comparison.
One a final point, when I got home later, my wife said they had watched it in TV, and the impression she had was that the stadium was predominantly red. Who would have thought?
68 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:17:56
70 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:19:57
You have been told, the board are waiting until June, as sacking him then will cost them less.
FFS, that well and truly indicates Kenwright is in charge.
71 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:20:10
This pulling the names out of a hat of people who shouldn't be a million miles near Everton is really quite pathetic and sad and shows just how desperate some of us are. To continue this sad, sad theme can I throw some names into the hat then? Fletch and Sav? Owen and Ferdinand? Kammy and Paul Merson? Warnock and Carra? As managers they'd have about the same degree of success as the originally named.
If we want to progress we need to go out and get the best available not some fat twat who's just got a team into the SPL or two gormless mancs who've won fuck all as managers/coaches.
72 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:25:56
So the truth of the matter becomes clear. Martinez is not the real problem; he's just a symptom. The real problem is that loveable idiot, Bill Kenwright.
73 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:27:27
(5 or 6 nil) against a hopeless side who will probably finish 16th. Bobby's skin will be saved and the saga continue.
If, by some miracle, the Seasiders should win then BK will immediately offer Howe the manager's job and we can all go off and support Marine !
74 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:28:17
The finale, with them dancing through our knackered defence(poor Jags had given everything) was so typical of our performances in the closing minutes of so many games this season.
Has nothing been learned?
This game will be remembered for the over-rated Lukaku proving that he is far from the finished article. A heavy touch, and ponderous, lumpen movement do not make a great striker. Around the world the modern strikers that cut the mustard are lean, fit and quick in thought and deed. Vardy, Aguero, Kane, Suarez, Messi, Neymar.
The United defence is fallible, and we should have opened them up and scored more goals, but we just were not good enough. No time for hard luck stories, this was a big chance and we blew it.
75 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:30:04
I am a huge Barks fan but even I thought playing him when he was so clearly unfit was a mistake.
76 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:31:05
Bit harsh on the fat twat . Is that supposed to be Warburton on Weir?
Out of interest, who would be your ideal replacement...just in case Martinez does leave before the end of his 5 year project
I suggested Warburton/Weir sometime ago. Would be an interesting choice. They seem to work well together. Anyway I assume they would want to see their project through in Scotland
77 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:32:21
78 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:35:49
79 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:40:12
Neil Lennon won shitloads on the SPL, so did MON, wtf did they do down in England? Sweet FA because it's chalk and cheese, night and day, there's no comparison. Scottish football is shite!!
Surely a club of our size, repute, and now, finances can do better than some no-mark manager from the Scottish 2nd division. So my ideal replacement would be Simeone (which won't happen) or Koeman.
80 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:42:24
They tell me Howe got homesick after a month or so at Burnley and ran home to his family on the south coast. Then he signed Gosling ffs !
I do think you were a bit hard on the Neville Brothers, though. I'm sure they got Salford City promoted last year. Must look at their managerial CVs.
82 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:48:29
Warburton was doing well at Brentford and agree with Vinny. He could do well in the Premier League. He seems to think about what he's doing and assume he brought in Weir for his defensive knowledge.
Also taking your comment about Scottish football. Agreed. Not so great and probably wasn't in a different era such as the late 80s when Alex Ferguson did so well in Scotland before coming down south.
83 Posted 24/04/2016 at 12:59:41
There is one Scottish manager for sure who I don't want to see at Everton.....
84 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:03:23
85 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:13:17
If he was manager of the RS he would be long gone. We don't owe this guy anything.
86 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:14:45
I just hope BK and Moshiri do the decent thing and release Martinez tomorrow. It's actually unfair on Roberto, giving him false hope because his position is untenable after failing in these defining games.
BK needs to admit he was wrong and do the right thing for the club and supporters. There's nothing wrong with admitting you're wrong, I can vouch for that personally and admit I was one of the people on this forum that thought Martinez would turn things around up until earlier in the season. The Swansea and West Ham home games were defining for me but I would have even given Martinez the start of next season if it meant we won a cup this season. But he hasn't, and the new deadlines for the re-emergence of Martinez's first seasons form have all been and gone. Yesterday was the defining week, the last throw of the dice. Martinez has nowhere else to go now except exiting L4.
87 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:24:01
He's achieved more in 3 years then Moyes in 11, with near enough the same spend and squad. The squad isn't as strong as we're hyped to believe.
• Coleman has no left foot, can't head;
• Stones is learning, and improving;
• Barkley will continue to develop, but needs to start proving he's not lazy!
• Lukaku is 22 and as per Ross needs to keep improving.
• Cleverley should move on...
Second half proves the players are with the manager. Should have started the game with that intensity and confidence. We would have battered Man Utd.
Why on earth would we want Moyes back or Eddie Howe from Bournemouth? Moyes should have achieved more with the squad he left. Eddie Howe isn't proven and is still learning. He's never managed BIG players.
If we are to change, give me a proven manager. I'm willing to give Martinez next season with money. We need to back them all. Not believe media hype.
COYB
88 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:24:07
It's come to something when I'm more interested in whether Leicester win today. Sad.
89 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:28:20
90 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:29:29
91 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:32:45
92 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:36:17
We are at a crossroads and if we get it wrong then we could indeed become the next Villa. We need a to drawer manager who can attract top draw talent and I can't see any British managers who could fill that role currently.
Moshiri either gets this right or we could be in big, big trouble. I think a manager who has the players in awe of him and not the other way round is crucial. A manager who will motivate, instruct and and demand the highest standards is a must, not someone trying to make his name in the game.
So please no more talk of Warburton, Dyche, Howe, Neville, OFM, Weir, Unsy etc.... Let's reach for the stars and get us one ourselves. No more potentials please, but the real deal.
93 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:41:40
From the first game when they couldn't start off on the right foot by beating Watford at Goodison to this last seven days of misery we have as loyal fans been generally subjected to lacadaisical performances by players showing a total lack of urgency until it was too late.
The highlights only being the win at Soton, 3 decent games against Chelski and Rom's goal against Chelski.
Outside of those the team has inexplicably failed to win many games they were minutes away from winning and generally showing the defensive qualities of the Back Entry Diddlers (anyone remember them in the Echo?)
Surely BK has now gotten the picture and will act accordingly soon.
RM (a nice guy) is not the man to take Everton to the next level unless that level is downwards.
94 Posted 24/04/2016 at 13:54:58
I get that he has a lot of unpleasant baggage about him, but we're looking for someone who can change the mentality at Everton, and really shake things up. Not a future Son in law.
Moshiri has to get this right and should be aiming as high as he can. This is not the time for a young unproven manager.
95 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:01:15
If Jose only sticks around for three years, so what. Martinez has had three years, and done sweet FA.
Hopefully we would win a cup or two during Jose's tenure, maybe even qualify for CL.
Get him in now!
96 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:04:41
97 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:04:52
98 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:12:29
99 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:14:41
100 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:20:08
101 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:25:38
102 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:31:20
Read the thing about the 78 min walkout to try and show the board what the fans think but for the first time I'm not sure I want to make the 112 mile journey while he's still in charge. Not sure they care what we think anymore....talk about the people's club is all a front.
Hope he doesn't last too long we need a change and soon otherwise we could end up like villa.
103 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:32:02
104 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:43:04
105 Posted 24/04/2016 at 14:46:55
We are hoping Mr Morishi has vision but I am starting to fear he is a Philip Green friend of the baord only they have had to admit he is there.
106 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:10:10
None of the directors, or even the manager, use social media so no direct way the fans can raise any concerns with them. We can shout as much as we like, but when those in charge are not listening - what good will it do? The only way to show our feelings is direct action - at Goodison on a match day. Sitting in silence does nothing, a couple of banners displayed for a couple of minutes when the team walk out does nothing. The only way these people will "hear" our voices is either by being vocal - and being vocal as one - at Goodison. Either that or a planned walkout during a match, or a planned no-show with the team playing in front of an empty stadium.
I'm at my wits end now with this clown. Supporting Everton has become a chore for me now, rather than a pleasure as it used to be.
107 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:15:59
108 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:17:48
Mr Moshiri has not invested his millions to prolong the years of mismanagement under Blue Bill. There are a number of high profile managers already or imminently available who can be attracted and any talk of signing another Martinez or Moyes must surely be discounted.
109 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:18:38
Would command player respect and is proven in the EPL.
I just don't want to see the likes of Howe or Koeman rock up at Goodison.
And yes I know he called Everton a small club, so what.
Everton need a radical shake up. Anyway that's my two penneth.
110 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:29:48
111 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:44:00
112 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:47:32
114 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:50:47
Once again a perfect summation of the game.
A sickener of a first half when we played without pace, passion or tempo. Second half a lot better when I believe the players took it on themselves to change our pattern.
At the risk of repeating myself, when Gibson dropped deep allowing Stones to move into midfield, Stones looked absolute class.
He showed his fragility in defence on a couple of occasions again. This boy, if played there, would develop into the best holding midfielder in the Premier League.
115 Posted 24/04/2016 at 15:54:22
Had a quick chat with Tony Bellew in the fan zone, but had the misfortune to see BK mooching into the stadium a bit earlier.
The sooner the club puts an end to the Martinez era the better. He just doesn't learn from his mistakes, and has us playing in an entirely predictable way.
His bizarre comments about not working on defence or set-pieces and not being interested in clean sheets are the words of a total madman. All 3 of these aspects are vital if you want to be successful.
Get rid now.
116 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:08:08
In terms of attacking play, I don't think that Martinez is clueless. In his 'famous fifth' season, he inherited Moyes's fit and defensively capable squad. And coupled with his attacking style, we did well. The holes in his (and also his staff's) coaching methods weren't highlighted straight away.
Seasons 2 and 3 however, and our defence has begun to look less and less capable (with on paper an extremely good first choice back four) and our whole squad has begun to look less fit, shipping late goals left right and centre.
I think we have two options – a new manager (obviously) although I would rather bring a 'top class' manager down to our currently mid table level than give an 'unproven' manager an opportunity. The other option is to make some changes to Bobby's back room staff, bring in defensive coaches and improve squad fitness. If we get those two attributes nailed down, then perhaps Martinez's 'style' wouldn't look so flimsy.
You need good foundations before you build anything fancy on top!
117 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:24:50
118 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:32:48
Have had time to calm down (or come out of depression) after shouting myself hoarse yesterday. It's the hope that kills you as they say and that 90 minutes, in a nut shell, pretty much summed up what it's like to be an Evertonian.
First 45 minutes I really could not believe what I was seeing. I sat there in the stadium thinking to myself my old uni side would have given this lot a game. I'm 100% sure I did more running playing for my uni side than our sorry excuse for midfielders did in that first half. Everybody stood like statues when we're on the ball, no one pressing when they had the ball. Passes just going sideways in our half waiting to either lose possession being tackled or a lump up the pitch, hoping that Lukaku would then do something. We were lucky to come off only 1 down at the break, score should have been 3-1 (if Lukaky had remembered to bring his first touch and shooting boots). The boos at half time were fully deserved and I joined in in full - it was a cup semi FFS and these twats produce THAT??
Second half comes and after a few mins the players suddenly seem to remember they are professional footballers playing in a cup semi final in front of 86,000 odd people. The drive and passion that we've been screaming for all season suddenly made an apperance and low and behold we look better, score the equaliser and should have scored at least another two times, not even including the missed pen. I honestly thought we'd make it to extra time and then who knows.......
But no, the injury time routine returns and just when you think we've got another 30 mins we concede another late soft goal. Poor poor defending again, lack of concentration etc.
I don't really have the strenght to bother dicussing tactics, players or formations as it's all a bit irrelevant now. Especially as our manager will be gone in a few days time (presumably). Although I find it laughable that the Sunday Times had Barkely down as our best player!
We have 4 meaningless league games left (other than league position prize money), use them to give some youngsters experience and allow the old heads to wave goodbye. Otheriwse see you all in July, when we've hopefully gotten a new manager and Kenwright has also pissed off.
This sorry excuse for a season is finally over - will enjoy the Leicester story and look forward to the Euros.
Ciao!
119 Posted 24/04/2016 at 16:59:16
Yes, the first half was a bit pedestrian to say the least but we did come alive second half. Must agree with all about Rom, he is a lazy friggin' lump who couldn't trap a bag of cement with the touch of a baby elephant; get rid to some Champions League team. Yeah as if he's ready.
Felt sorry for Besic, he was there to be exposed and he was. Jags was great considering. Kenwright looks totally ill and I send my best to him.
I have a sneaky feeling Martinez will be manager at the start of next season but time will tell. For now, well done all who made so much noise there yesterday, at least we made the best of it and came home minus a voice.
120 Posted 24/04/2016 at 18:07:52
121 Posted 24/04/2016 at 18:10:38
122 Posted 24/04/2016 at 18:45:05
123 Posted 24/04/2016 at 18:56:56
To be fair, he did on two occasions make something out of nothing and having done the hard work should have converted at least one of the two excellent chances. The rest of the first half was "don't give anything away", and it was pretty much defence against attack for the rest of the half.
Whether it was right to boo them off at half time, I don't know but you could feel the frustration amongst the crowd. Second half started much like the first, but, with 30 minutes to go, things changed. I don't know if it was the players who instigated the change or the manager. But they at last began to realize this was a semi-final that they were losing quite easily. When the penalty was awarded, Baines picked the ball up and seemed he was going to take it, but Lukaku made the gesture as to say I take the penalties so Baines handed him the ball.
Even though we missed the penalty, it didn't dampen our new-found confidence, and we went at them even harder, the inclusion of Deulofeu certainly helped. But it just wasn't enough but at least for the last 30 minutes they had a go.
So the week that was to define our season, which resulted in two defeats, so now the speculation will begin. I don't know when Everton will release RM but if we have any resemblance of a club wanting to get back into the top 6 then this must be a given.
I see some papers are speculating as to who our new manager might be; some have mentioned Eddie Howe. I hope the men in charge at our club will look a bit higher than that, I don't want another maybe manager – I want someone who has won trophies and over a period, not a one-trophy wonder.
If Farhad Moshiri really is here to take us back to the top then we need a top manager. There are many in football around the world, and I agree we don't look an attractive proposition but, like Abramovich, if you throw enough money at the problem, the top boys will come.
124 Posted 24/04/2016 at 19:51:39
125 Posted 24/04/2016 at 20:15:02
Time and time again he intercepted balls and strode into midfield instantly turning defence into attack. His performance was the biggest single reason for our battling second-half performance, He was immense, head and shoulders above everybody else.
Our defeat was down to Lukaku squandering chance after chance. This guy's first touch was appalling. It has always been appalling and those who insist he has improved it have had their claims well and truly exposed.
There is a clear difference between learning how to use your body to shield a ball and "learning" how to have a good first touch.
One's do-able... the other aint
126 Posted 24/04/2016 at 20:22:46
He let Fellaini make the run to the near post for their first goal; he didn't react quickly enough.
I also think he left too wide a space for Martial to run into; he should have been narrower.
127 Posted 24/04/2016 at 22:23:12
Ross has no direction from the manager. If he played for another club, with the talent he has got, he would be getting a fucking big kick up the backside. Which clearly shows Martinez is not doing to any of the players. He is too nice a man to manage a club like Everton.
Would a change of a right-hand man be positive? Yes. Not an Archie Knox with his baseball bat. Maybe Peter Reid or Andy Gray could be Roberto's missing catalyst to success with Everton Football Club.
128 Posted 24/04/2016 at 22:26:04
How about Good Cop Pellegrini, Bad Cop Duncan Ferguson?
129 Posted 24/04/2016 at 22:36:41
130 Posted 24/04/2016 at 23:51:50
Don't mention the record points total in his first season as that was achieved with Moyes's defensive set up still influencing our play. By the time spring came round and we lost at home to Palace the Martinez effect had taken hold and we have gone steadily downhill ever since.
Martinez has to go if our club holds out any hope of progression to better things. Also, why are some people saying we should make our thoughts known at the Norwich game? We must start this week at the Bournemouth game as after that we only have Norwich left so we have two games in which to let Kenwright and the board know how we feel.
Perhaps a half-empty stadium might have some effect. Moshiri won't be too chuffed with his investment if he realises the fans are staying away from the 'product' in droves. Money and the making of it is certainly something he understands. Hit the club where it hurts and someone will have to sit up and take notice.
132 Posted 25/04/2016 at 05:38:31
I`m sure John Stones will be deeply concerned by your determination to blame him for every single goal Everton concede. It was only a few short weeks ago that you were coming on here telling people who had long since seen through your hero Martinez, that they were totally wrong; "He has raised your expectations too high" you told us.
For three years you`ve spouted this nonsense.
Next, you are on here gloating that all those who claimed Lukaku`s first touch was awful had been proved wrong – wrong again, He can still control it further than most of us can kick it, as painfully demonstrated recently.
Now you`re on here challenging every bit of praise raised about John Stones. Are you really so determined to one day be proved right?
Did you not see the ease with which Besic was being beaten? did you not know that Jagielka was miles away from being 100%? Do you not understand that Baines was the one who could clearly see Fellaini and Should have gone with him? Do you get the fact that 21-year-old Stones (who made top class tackle after top class tackle) was trying to hold together a back four consisting of two crocks and one out of position? The answer to all those questions will be no, of course it will be no.
The clamour for Stones`s signature will be intense this summer and guess what? Not one of those who are prepared to part with a king`s ransom will be looking to sign a Holding midfield player.
People like you who have been taken in by Martinez's pie-in-the-sky bollocks, are the reason he is still here. You're also one of the main reasons the finest footballing center-half seen for half a century wants out.
"School of Science"? How can we ever be that again when our footballers are hounded by people who don't even understand the concept?
133 Posted 25/04/2016 at 06:33:03
I use what I see to form my opinion. Maybe I need the benefit of the coaching experience you have to understand the situation.
Whilst you are no Pep, as you mentioned in a previous post, your coach's eye is obvious.
134 Posted 25/04/2016 at 06:45:54
135 Posted 25/04/2016 at 14:27:03
After seeing John Stones's performance at Wembley on Saturday, it jumped out at me and maybe thousands others, why not play him in centre midfield? I think he could handle this with ease and it may even help him long term.
He is so comfortable on the ball and is always looking to drive forward or play a forward pass (the complete opposite to most of our midfielders). He is also not afraid to put a tackle in and is handy in the air, which would be ideal in the middle.
By having him further forward, he could take the risks on the ball and then still have a line behind him to cover. In defence he can look unreal one minute and then frustratingly amateur the next, as he lacks the positional sense and strength in the air of top, top centre backs.
Look at what Spurs have done with Eric Dier this year, who will probably be England's holding mid in Euro 2016, and in my opinion Stones is twice the footballer he is.
137 Posted 25/04/2016 at 19:13:23
To blame John Stones for every goal we concede is vindictive, to blame him for Martial's goal is just plane Moronic.
The guy who tackled Jagielka initially lost the challenge, but stuck out a foot and was able to toe poke it. That toe poke could have gone anywhere, quite literally anywhere. The defender who could have read where it was going still hasn't been born yet, never will be.
The ball ran straight into the path of a £50m striker who duly buried it.
You would have to be cockeyed, malicious or completely stupid to even attempt to lay the blame for that goal at John Stones's doorstep.
Of course those who are all three, will be on here blaming him every time we concede a goal... they'll even try to pass it off as opinion.
139 Posted 25/04/2016 at 19:34:48
143 Posted 25/04/2016 at 19:46:49
144 Posted 25/04/2016 at 19:47:22
145 Posted 25/04/2016 at 20:35:06
There have been hundreds of reports and thousands of comments about this game, I have not seen any report or comment anywhere that even mentions Stones part in this goal . .now the regular critics think they have something to hang their hats onto.
When a player gets a toe poke to a ball and has no control over where it goes. a lurking attacker has the luxury of being able Gamble and sprint flat out, it doesnt matter if he gets it wrong. it happens 100 tmes in every game. The DEFENDER on the other hand . . . . Na, dya know what I cant be arsed having this debate with the same people every game.
The worlds top coaches can save themselves the indignity of fighting over the lads signature ,they merely need to consult the footballing Einstien's on here who think that goal was his fault
147 Posted 25/04/2016 at 21:32:04
"There have been hundreds of reports and thousands of comments about this game, I have not seen any report or comment anywhere that even mentions Stones part in this goal . .."
Here are 2 reports I found without much effort that mention Stones part in the second goal:
Jonathan Northcroft in the Sunday Times
"John Stones was drawn out of position and Anthony Martial charged into the space he vacated"
And from the Independent
" Herrera got the better of Jagielka before slipping through a pass that Martial, running away from Stones, clinically despatched. Watford or Crystal Palace, who meet at Wembley on Sunday await. "
And what is the significance of 48 hours? Is there a time limit on posting comments on events from the previous game?
150 Posted 25/04/2016 at 21:55:02
Stones had a great second half, for the first time in a long time.
I hope he builds on it and is not knocked down by this sort of incorrect (in my opinion) criticism,
151 Posted 25/04/2016 at 22:06:37
"Herrera got the better of "Jagielka" . .you do understand that don't you ? . . . He say's jagielka.
The 48 hours has no significance to you at all, it wasnt directed at you
153 Posted 25/04/2016 at 22:39:55
154 Posted 25/04/2016 at 22:51:44
Please no, not Moyes, ffs, I couldn't handle it - an absolute car crash if it happens.
Can you imagine BK fawning all over him " what a guy, I was distraught when David left the Everton family....I always said the door was open for a return .....blah blah fawn,yada.
What a nightmare!
155 Posted 25/04/2016 at 22:53:23
156 Posted 25/04/2016 at 22:56:23
157 Posted 25/04/2016 at 23:00:46
160 Posted 25/04/2016 at 23:20:33
This group only exists in your head.
When Stones fucks up defending, he gets pulled up for it. Same as Jags, Baines, Mori, Howard, Coleman, Robles, Barry and McCarthy. Do we need to go into how Delboy and Barkley get torn to shreds over their lack of defending?
He's a young man who needs coaching for the position he plays. Not the "Go get'em boys.", he's played under for 3 seasons.
". . . blame Stones for every goal we concede." Made-up nonsense.
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1 Posted 24/04/2016 at 05:57:58
Cracking support from all the blues who were at Wembley!!