Barry: We need to play through fans' frustrations

I like Barry though, he seems to be as frustrated as the fans that the results, particularly at hone have been abysmal for over 18 months now.

At least he speaks sounding genuinely frustrated and now like some sort of arrogant deluded fool, and we have a few of them involved in our club at the minute...

We are continuously told we have the best crop of young players, we are continuously told we should be challenging for the Champions League, so what set of supporters wouldn’t be frustrated watching this lot, with just THREE wins at Goodison all season???

I tell you what, it gets a lot more vocal at Tottenham or Newcastle when things are going pear shaped, would Spurs put up with this crap home record??

Incidentally, Tottenham have a young team so why are they not making the same schoolboy basic errors as us? And why are they coping easily with the Europa League and assault on the top 4??

I tell you why, because the manager is not a totally deluded fool who ignores vital key factors like physical fitness and defensive set-up.

Until Howard is dropped there will be no change to our league form. He's costing us a goal almost every game and unnerves the entire defense.

It was a bad ball from Stones yesterday but Howard was so slow to react and he's only going to get worse.

Howard has been a good player for the club and Martinez shouldn't be ruining his decent reputation by playing him when he clearly cannot perform at this level anymore.

If the players are as Martinez bizarrely puts it "fearful" of playing at Goodison then my advice for these rather weak willed members is you have no hope of coping in white hot atmospheres which quickly turn nasty, and there is little room for error, places like the Bernabeu, or media scrutinized clubs like Manchester City, United or Chelsea were your every move is put under a microscope, the fans are far from patient at those venues.

So before Stones or whoever starts dreaming of places like that and gesturing the fans to calm down, what you're seeing or hearing at Goodison, John, is nothing compared to those places, fueled with vitriol and bile towards players not performing.

He understands the cardinal rules of fan relations, namely, that the primary onus is on the handsomely PAID players to excite the PAYING fans support, not the other way round, not chicken and egg. If the fans support gees the team up first then that is a bonus - only the players have paid, professional obligation to perform in their job. Fans are customers and, like it or not, critics.

Secondly, once a manager turns on the fans he is finished, end of story, no arguments. How difficult is this for Martinez to understand? It is a resignation letter (fingers crossed). Ask Sam Allardyce and any number of others. The bad thing though, is he seems to have used influence on Barkley and Stones to encourage them to make comments against the crowd too which is, frankly, typical of the vanity and arrogance of this man. For God's sake go, get out of our club and take your third rate coaching staff with you. Barry, clearly, is far more canny than Martinez and realises that you can't fight the crowd. I'd take him as interim player manager right now.

I was at the game yesterday and it was really muted, not bad, poisonous or vitriolic at all. Apathetic and resigned was how I would describe it. This lull won't last though, and if he thinks it is bad now he should brace himself. I've seen Goodison crowds turn very very nasty once their patience is exhausted and Martinez has no clue. If he thinks he has a comparison in Wigan turning on him he is in for a real shock.

PS Jim can you stop trying to apparently get Duncan Ferguson to do something, it is pointless. He works for Martinez in a role which clearly is not in the dressing room at half time since he is always out on the pitch. Martinez freezes out those who disagree with him and Martinez is still, laughably, in charge. Duncan gets a single chance to do what you suggest so probably has decided to identify his time. That's if he disagrees with Martinez at all by the way; he has said nothing to the contrary so far.

Seems to me with what Barry is saying, is that most of the senior players have started to have enough of whatever is happening behind the scenes. It was interesting that despite the boos at the end, that Baines just carried on walking forward to clap the Glawdys St end.

Don’t think Barry is going so deep to receive the ball, since his manager made a cunt out of him with such a stupid statement, and I actually think it’s making him look a better player. Or is it because he’s actually more aware of it than his manager, and he knows what the Goodison crowd really want to see???

He’s lost his nerve and is now a complete liability. He doesn’t care about our fans only himself.

He won’t resign because he would lose a small fortune, and that’s the only thing stopping him, we’re in bad place for sure.

It took a poor refereeing decision to get the crowd off their seats yesterday because attacking football wasn’t going to happen with the Swans having ten men behind the ball and then pushing up on Stones when the ball was in our half. (How easy are we to play against, eh? Just stop the centre backs from pissing about with the ball and we’re stuffed)

Martinez. Sort the defence out, go at teams from the off, and get shut of the baboons you’ve got as a coaching set up and then do one yourself.

Before you relegate us as well.

I'd love to know how else a fan can express themselves!

Look at Man Utd. I know they are sadly on a different level to us but the portrayal of their booing fans is completely different. It's all LVG's fault. The fans have had enough. The manager has to go.

At Everton we should accept our lot, apparently. And anyone questioning that is a moron.

Very frustrating.

It is now up to the senior players to sort the game out for usfans, Bobby Bullshit is not going to do it and he’s not going to drop the goalkeeper either, one of the main reasons we are in this mess.

Would fans at Tottenham, Arsenal, Liverpool, even the likes of Newcastle or West Ham put up with this quietly at their home matches??

NO..

They would be extremely vocal, booing, you name it, they'd be giving it hell.

Why should we be any different??

This season has been totally unacceptable, totally unacceptable.

We are paying fans who have gone to support the team come rain or shine all season, where would there big wages be without the paying public??

Imbeciles.

Things are only going to get worse with Bobby now turning against the fans... how it is our fault? God only knows. We pay our money and have to put up with that crap week after week followed by the same excuse/nonsense each week about what lessons we must learn.

If they could show that they have learned something would be good and some kind of progression was possible but they don’t. You could just write the same thing for the past two seasons now.

The Metro (I know) are reporting that Bobby has 5 days to save his job. The poll taken shows 50% want rid now and 25% at the end of the season. He is out of his depth blaming the young team.

Well, Bobby, stats don’t lie, according to several websites I have checked we have the 8th youngest squad in the Premier League. Blaming the fans for making the team scared, it has been like watching a cross between Under-9s football and paint dry for 18 months, so what do you expect?

It is time for him to go and bring in a interim manager until the end of the season. The £8.5 Million for Naismith should cover the severance payment. Reading on social media, even the people that have always backed him have started to loss faith.

I'm always loathe to go down the lazy 'good old EFC player ' route for next manager, but if we're going down that road, it would be Cahill for me, with Barry playing as long as he can then becoming coach.

RM W08 D09 L08 GF39 GA31 Pts 35
DM W17 D08 L02 GF47 GA19 Pts 57
WS W09 D08 L08 GF35 GA32 Pts 35

So Martinez is closer to Walter Smith’s final 25 home Premier League games than David Moyes’s tally. I think those facts speak for themselves.

I have all but lost any faith in RM after this recent fuck up. A few players need to reassess their ’star’ status as well.

Any team (and I mean any team) will fancy their chances of coming here and winning now because we make it so easy for them. We've dropped points to ordinary teams like Stoke, Swansea & Man Utd (although that result could be excused given the circumstances on the day). Even Man City, who have had their troubles away, never had to get out of 2nd gear!

I wouldn't fancy us against anyone now. And that means Newcastle, Bournemouth, Norwich – all sides that are fighting relegation but will fancy their chances. And that's not the fans' fault.

Martinez has been found out for what he is – a one-trick pony with no Plan B. As for the calls for his head, no-one more than me wants him gone but I'm afraid it won't happen not on Kenwright's watch. Should've gone last Christmas and my choice would've been Bilic who'd have jumped at the chance, so it looks like were stuck with Martinez even if we go out to Man City I'd be massively shocked if he was sacked I really would.

I'm delighted they're there and care enough to speak out. I hope some of the other players actively soon share their point of view too.

If we had any sort of caring board, action would and should have long since been taken to get rid of the problem by way of ultimatum/action-plan to Martinez..........or a P45!

Moyes had his failings, there's no denying that, and I wouldn't want to go back to him but there is also no denying that over the majority of his time, he built the fairly solid foundation on making Goodison a really hard place for opponents to visit. The fortress that was once Goodison has now completely gone. Teams come here arguably believing they are favourites to win.

If Martinez wants to talk about learning how to play at home, here's some advice...

Send your men out pumped up from the first whistle, pressing, pushing, firing shots at goal and putting in the odd firm but fair tackle.

This is why season after season we never win at Anfield, because Liverpool always hit us like an express train in the first 20 minutes and even if it doesn't always result in a goal, it lays down a marker as though to say "your at our place now and your going to feel the heat".

When do we ever start our home games with any real gusto?

I said this a couple of weeks ago and got ripped apart. This was the Everton team back then.

No. Position Player
1 England GK Paul Gerrard
2 England MF Steve Watson
3 Italy DF Alessandro Pistone
4 England DF Alan Stubbs
5 Scotland DF David Weir
6 England DF David Unsworth
7 Sweden MF Niclas Alexandersson
8 Canada FW Tomasz Radzinski
9 England FW Kevin Campbell
10 Scotland FW Duncan Ferguson
11 Wales MF Mark Pembridge
12 Sweden MF Jesper Blomqvist
13 England GK Steve Simonsen
14 Israel MF Idan Tal
No. Position Player
15 Scotland DF Gary Naysmith
16 Denmark MF Thomas Gravesen
17 Scotland MF Scot Gemmill
18 England FW Wayne Rooney
19 United States FW Joe-Max Moore
20 Scotland DF Alec Cleland
22 Sweden MF Tobias Linderoth
24 France MF David Ginola
25 England GK Andrew Pettinger
26 Republic of Ireland MF Lee Carsley
27 England DF Peter Clarke
28 England DF Tony Hibbert
29 England MF Kevin McLeod
30 England MF Nick Chadwick

Jesus Christ.
Bobby should hang his head in shame.

I have to say you always produce some great stats, where you get them from I don't know but they are always very interesting. When you see the figures for the home performances they really do make you wonder how Martinez can retain his position. He has the same points as Walter Smith's side who were destined for relegation till Moyes came in.

When you consider that Walter had very little money to spend, then there was an excuse for him. But as many have said, this is our best squad for a very long time, and to think this team has only got the same number of points as Smith's side is unbelievable.

I have to admit to being shocked at those figures I provided earlier.

Playing at home has without doubt become more difficult in the last couple of years for most teams; however, Everton’s record is not good enough. The better teams in the division make up for home failings by winning more points away from home, which Everton also fail to do, even if they don’t lose many.

The Board, Manager and players should all examine the figures and try and thrash out a road map to stop the rot. People who say Everton will not become embroiled in a dog-fight at the bottom are probably correct but the situation needs addressing and soon.

By the way due to my miscalculations Roberto is actually two points worse than Walter for those 25 home matches.... shiver, shiver.

I don't believe that we should promote inexperienced coaches from within the club but that we must go for proven experience. Not proven championship management like Moyes and not proven relegation material like RM but an experienced head coach who can steady the ship and to start to get results from what I still see as a good squad.

You needn’t worry, there’s scant chance of winning at City on Wednesday night mate!

We could score three goals there and still lose.

I think most of us fear another Kiev night rather than a Villa Park 1984 night, I can’t remember a run-up to such a big game being blighted by so much doubt and the match in the context of the season has become somewhat meaningless, when just a month ago, many of us were looking forward to the challenge. Being an Evertonian is sometimes an incredibly surreal experience.

Very true, Patrick, why can’t we just be a normal team that generally plays to norms.

Sorry but a 1-0 defeat AET means we go out, 2-1 AET means penalties. Any other single goal defeat and you are correct.

Sadly, I can’t help thinking we are due a hammering. Hopefully not...

Shocking statistics with arguably our best set out outfield players in 20 years at his disposal.

It's staggering that we don’t practice defending set pieces because they only account to a small percentage of the game (if Osman is to believed).

Wednesday could be bad – especially as Man City will be seething from the 0-0 earlier this month.

Which are?

There’s a cup final appearance at stake which for me means Man City will take this seriously. After failing to win on Saturday, they’ll also be out to give something back to the fans. However, it's 11 v 11 and our players won’t be ’scared’ apparently as its an away match, and Kompany is out.

Hoping for a result but I can see a comfortable win for City. For us to have any chance, our midfield needs to play a blinder because City will have about 60-70% possession. Closing down and pressing the opposition has not been our strong point this season (if ever under RM) but we’re going to need to do this to have any chance. Robles is going to have a busy night.

(If I expect the worst, I won’t be that disappointed... hopefully.)

As I see it, Barry’s comments are intended to counterbalance any (perceived) critique of the paying fans which might have been implied by the manager. I greatly admire the player, but I suspect a lot of this is media guff designed to allay discontent, as Barry is currently one of the few players out there who is performing to his capability, so he has some currency.

What with the rumors around Blue Bill and a possible takeover, I smell a whiff of change in the air. A further adverse result (home to Newcastle Utd?) could be the catalyst for the crowd to turn in earnest, and if that happens, I see no way back for Bobby and his coaching team.

For the last few years, the atmosphere has been ugly at times and the opposite of supportive with players getting stick just for staying on the ball too long. I wouldn’t want to play in that and I think it’s sad.

There is no set piece practice and so we have no threat at any set piece. Neither do we seem to practice set piece defensive systems and so concede regularly.

We could end up at Wembley with a cup win and relegation, just like Wigan. This great club doesn’t sack managers on a whim but it is time for him to go and stop the rot.

The Toffees have won just three of their last 14 home matches and were beaten 2-1 by Swansea on Sunday.

"We were looking forward to coming to Goodison and enjoying our football, but we can't find a way to do that," said Martinez, whose side have not won a home league game since November.

"We have become fearful and expect the worst."

Everton have won at Goodison in both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup this year, but are without a home victory since beating Aston Villa 4-0 on 21 November.

Since then, they have drawn against Crystal Palace and Tottenham and lost to Leicester, Stoke and now Swansea.

And here I was thinking that the man in charge is responsible for the way the team plays and that it sucks out confidence when it clearly isn't working.

Roberto the team is responsible for defending and if that means everyone back when we don't have possession then so be it. The team can play that is without argument so why the fuck are they so inept at the back. An old rule I was taught many moons ago was when in doubt hack it out, a corner a throw or a hump down the middle. Rocket science this game is not!!!!!!

I am still reasonably confident that we will not go down. At the start of the season, even at Christmas, I would have said there was no chance of us going down. Things have reached a new low after yesterday.

At least they knew how to defend and I would have Gerrard ahead of Howard as I've never rated him that highly.

This team doesn't possess the mentality, characters or backbone to win a Cup.

Eventual relegation you might be right about though.

Joe @9 – so Ferguson stays on the pitch to warm up the subs because he’s been banished from the dressing room in case he says something Martinez doesn’t agree with!! Laughable really considering he is a coach and there to well coach, I’m guessing – and we all know when someone apparently disagrees with Martinez they aren’t around at all for long!

The biggest plus that we have seen this season is in attack mainly due to the creative skills of Gerard Deulofeu. The Everton coaching staff can’t take any credit for that.

It’s a combination of terrible writing and poor eyesight. The figures for David Moyes should read: P25 W17 D06 L02 GF47 GA19 Pts 57.

Well spotted.

This is a backs-to-the-wall, no fucking prisoners, no free gifts, and a Gatling gun to this gunfight. After the Swansea debacle, we have to put away those chances. We should have won 5-2 except for impotent finishing.

You see Stones on the pitch shaking his head at the reaction of the fans. Says a lot. He is gone. But he is replaceable and especially for the money we will get for him.

Martinez is being let down by the players... and to some extent the players are being let down by the fans. We are all aware that we need another striker to put pressure on Lukaku... and we are also aware that we do have very good players that should be further up the league.

If Leicester can do it with that squad then we can do it with ours. I like the way RM has us playing... we need to build team confidence and spirit up not destroy it. Its not about defending... it's about controlling the game and keeping our heads. That starts with the keeper for me. Howard can still do a very good job but he seems to lose concentration at defining moments.... such as at Chelsea when he ran past the ball.

I’m guessing that the next few weeks will decide the fate of our manager. If we get knocked out on Wednesday and our league form doesn’t show remarkable improvement the terraces will force BK’s hand.

I can just imagine the outcry from our neighbours support and the media if their manager or fellow supporters blamed them for their player’s inadequacies. These players are professionals not some local lads who have been asked to do a job that is beyond their capabilities. They should be able to perform in an empty stadium or in front of a hostile crowd in Athens.

The fact that our manager has even mentioned the supporters is not really acceptable, because he has now planted an even bigger seed of doubt in his younger, inexperienced players heads which might lead to even more stilted performances than we have already witnessed.

I have said on another thread I cannot get my head around the stats that this collection of players and our manager are generating. I have not been a vociferous RM basher and have remained optimistic but the more I see, read and hear the more half empty my glass is becoming.

With the professionalism which should be evident at our level something is clearly wrong behind the scenes. The absence of leadership is evident from top to bottom, and it seems any one who contests anything appears to get shat upon.

Are all our players actually frightened of RM?The body language I witness might suggest so.

We are one of the most successful teams in England yet we always just settle, I was one of those who have supported RM as I like the exciting footy (at times); however we have 3 massive games and we could be out of the cup and in a relegation fight. Yesterday was horrible to watch, we looked out of sorts.

It’s a pathetic excuse, for a pathetic record, going on about playing at Goodison Park. If the players have a good go, then the fans will respond accordingly. It’s never been any different, and to try and say it has, really just insults our intelligence.

I’m certain they will score 1 or 2, even 3 on Wednesday but if, with some divine help, we can grab a couple... we just need to peg them back to less than 4 goals which is what they would need. And I do reckon we’ve got two in us.

Our style of play starts slow and ponderous, and only improves if we go a goal down. We have as many have said our best squad for years, yet 11th last season and sitting 12th at present.

Now if this was Spurs or heaven forbid the other lot, there would be uproar both in the National papers and ring in programmes. But we have sunk so low that its only Everton, not worth more than the odd mention that they seem to be under performing.

Martinez if you think Sunday the crowd was nervous then lose heavily to City and unthinkably draw or lose our next home game to Newcastle and it wont be a nervous crowd that you will have to worry about. It will be a very hostile crowd and believe me having seen every manager since 1956 you don't want to see them when the manager is the one they are venting their anger at.

He has had enough of the pressure of management.

I went to my first match in 1961 and have seen some great Everton teams and some pretty poor ones too. I haven't been a regular match-goer since the '80s but went to the Hull game last season, which was the worst football match I’ve ever seen. I have never been so bored in my life.

Yes, we can look good when attacking but this tippy-tappy and slow build-up is dreadful and that’s the reason the crowd is quiet and then get frustrated. Barry at least realises it’s up to the players to get the crowd going – not the other way round.

If our current Manager really believes the home crowd is a problem then I have an idea. Our fans should stay away, then the only spectators there will be the visiting fans and the players can treat it like an away game!!

Maybe with the ensuing loss of income, our board (I’m assuming we have one!) will finally take notice as to what's going on and make our current Manager our former Manager.

To get people to buy a product you must make it attractive, value for money and satisfy the customer. It is not up to the customer to prove they like what you're offering. People may complain, not buy a particular item and if the total package is not top notch, they will go elsewhere.

Please don't blame the fans, don't blame the officials. The players and the boss, that’s where it starts and ends.

So the manager tells the team to play in a set way, tempo and style. The players as a group don't comply the boss should make changes. The players don’t like the way, tempo and style of the manager they must put the effort and work in to try and make it happen. A club captain is the voice of the boss and the voice of the players, so if the players are not happy with the style of the manager, talk to the captain.

So let’s not have a go at the fans, they (the ones that pay) have a right to voice their disapproval and dissatisfaction, via their feet or vocally. Everton fan are respected and treated well at most grounds throughout Britain and Europe. They will sing and cheer their hearts for the blues there is not a better ground than Goodison Park when they are giving their all. Earn the fans adoration love our club like we do.

Certainly can't be worse than Martinez.

We were pretty lucky last year to get out of it with some fortunate wins. A few more loses and we will be in the mire I'm afraid.

The fans are so anxious at Goodison as a consequence of the terrible defensive displays, this is now affecting the players. It's a viscous circle that could drag us down.

The apprehension of the fans as to the style and substance of the current team is understandable given results and the fans are entirely allowed to vent their feelings about this. They pay the money after all. What I see now is a group of talented players that have effectively given up. Where were the players attacking the ball in the box in the last 10 mins on Sunday? Hiding I would say, scared to take responsibility and pop off a shot or put their head in where they might get hurt. Much easier to faff about on the edge of the penalty area and pass sideways and backwards to a another player who might take that responsibility.

Body language, like last season, is now deplorable, and to be honest I see more fight in Norwich, Swansea, Newcastle and Bournemouth. Too good to go down? I don't think so.

In my humble opinion the manager has lost the players and now has lost the fans. I'm afraid that means only one thing generally. Time to go Roberto. Doing nothing until end of season may be too late. I would rather he went now and gave a new man 10 matches or so to safeguard premiership status. Lots of talk today about Barry as interim. Maybe not bad idea.

Signs have been on the wall for sometime and now is time for action. COYB.

Goodison Park used to be a fortress under Moyes, who had a team with less ability, but would be in your face for the 90 mins, snapping at your heels, fighting for every ball, and the fans went home, win or lose, that the players gave everything for the blue jersey. That will never happen with Bob’s philosophy. Has to go now.

Having listened to Radio 5 tonight, we are all dickheads and it's our fault. So just stop it!!!!

No club is beyond relegation but the similarities between our defending and that at Wigan is frightening. The biggest mistake Martinez made joining Everton was bringing his backroom staff from Wigan. Our fitness levels and defensive approach have been lacking. The team are easy to beat and seriously lacking organisation. Responsibility and leadership has been lacking since the Moyes era.

How we play, is the Martinez way and it is not working. Our casual approach to our football will lead to more losses than wins. Let's hope the board act before its to late.

I am 76 years old and these performances are the most unbelievable (not the worst team) I have seen. It has to be down to the coaching ideas.

Yes, the atmosphere at Goodison has become nervous and edgy, but no way can players and management infer that the atmosphere is the cause of these performances. From my seat, it’s the repeated self-inflicted wounds caused by the players’ own inadequacies, and from which they have failed to learn time and time again, which has transferred over to the terraces and has got people tearing their hair out, and who can blame them?

RM and the bloody lot of them need to lock themselves away in room full of mirrors and have a good hard look at what comes back, because that’s where the responsibility lies!

Unfortunately, too many nice, pretty boys who wouldn't run through a brick wall for the royal blue jersey.

Giggs, Scholes and Cantona were all skillfull but could also mix it up and get nasty to earn the right to play.

Kevin Sheedy used to cop some awful stick from the paddock for being a lazy so and so, but even he through the foot in more than the boyhood blue Barkley.

If Martinez can't motivate them or play a more dogs of war game (at times) it's time to cut our losses.

Despite all that, bizarrely, I still think we'll go through on Wednesday as the star players will turn up and put a shift in with Wembley looming , irrespective of Martinez's or Graeme whatshisname team talk.

I can't wait for the day when he calls him "our former manager"!!!

I think we all want RM to be a success – we don’t want to be a Chelsea or the RS changing managers, we want stability. I didn’t think RM could come back from last season but he got the players back on side and to some degree the fans.

Now however our home record speaks for itself. I can't remember the last time we were so soft at Goodison. We need a good showing on Wednesday, to get through in the FA Cup, and a good solid home win vs Newcastle. If not, then I think BK will finally call time on the manager.

Who is available though?? Oh yes... ’HE’ is!!! Stranger things have happened.

The stats and results are there for all to see. Why we are different from other clubs is beyond me? The majority of the other clubs would have long got rid, but no, not our lot.

For the future and progress of Everton FC, the big picture far outweighs a final appearance. The sooner he goes the better. We can't hang onto to this useless, clueless guy a second longer. He has added some quality but it is pointless when he is rigid with his philosophy and team selections. Adios, man!

This terrible run would be enough to see most managers dismissed, but it’s clearly not going to be enough to see Martinez out the door. It really is going to take a 5-0 pounding on Wednesday or a huge derby defeat. Both are horrible thoughts but I fear it has to get worse before it gets better.

I hope we go through on Wednesday if only to give the players and supporters a boost.

Bullshit Bobby can fall down a drain for all I care.

How many times do we see Stones and Funes Mori creeping forward looking for an outlet? Some players can disappear for 15 minutes and get rave reviews.

Put simply, nothing I going to improve until this charlatan is gone. Even a win on Wednesday, or the required draw, cannot paper over the cracks. He is a spent force, if he ever was a force to begin with.

Looking back, the first half of his first season saw him benefit from David Moyes's defensive set up and with his attacking philosophy added to the mix we did okay. Look closely at the second half of the season, however, and the signs were there. From the home defeat to Palace to the end of the season, our defence was out of sorts, lacking in confidence and direction (sound familiar), and having worked hard to get ourselves into the top 4 we proceeded to blow it, much as we now do on a weekly basis.

It might not be popular but I honestly think there was as much Moyes as Martinez in the beginning but, by the time his philosophy kicked in and Moyes's methods were totally discarded, the rot had set in and we have now basically become was meat for the opposition ever since. Whoever holds the purse strings nowadays must look at the big picture and see this man is leading us nowhere but down.

There's a poll on Royal Blue Mersey at present asking a variety of questions as to the best way for Everton to put things right. Guess which answer is leading the poll by a country mile? Surprise, surprise: sack Roberto Martinez.

I just wish the board could understand the depth of feeling among the fans. I've supported This great club since I was six years old back in 1959 and, in all those years, I have never witnessed such shambolic football or felt such a wave of discontent from the fans, the real life blood of the club. It really is time to say goodbye to Martinez and his Muttley crew of so-called coaches.

Oh, one last thing: how many of us wished Steven Naismith could gave been in the box when those crosses were being whipped in by Deulofeu? Lukaku looks knackered, needs a rest, and who do we have in reserve? Arouna bloody Kone.

So much so, that I'm surprised how many people have bought into the lie, he should of been shown the door last January. It would take a manager of Alex Ferguson's calibre to deliver such an ambitious plan, manager's like that only come along once in a lifetime. I'm afraid Roberto looks like a complete amateur in comparison, unfortunately BK is either too ill or has lost all his enthusiasm to react to the situation. The longer it goes on the harder it will become to sort the whole mess out when he goes, this can only end one way, badly.

One guy in particular suggested that Martinez was the most media savvy manager in the business, but that he was, essentially, full of shit. My mate was really surprised at this... I wasn’t, and I don’t think there are many Evertonians who would be, with the exception of Kenwright.