Martinez: Bad defending, not systemic weakness, to blame for Hammers loss

If previous quotes got him compared to Hitler, god knows what this will do!

Please be quiet. That's not a demand. It's a request. Just ride it out until Saturday when the talk turns to the FA Cup and Chelsea. You've blamed Lukaku twice in the press. Now you're blaming the defenders.

Behind closed doors with just the team? Hey, have at it. But in public, just take it on the chin and be quiet.

I think it's getting to the stage where people are just going to ignore most of his musings on matches his team have contrived to throw away.

For months now, it seems to have been a repetitive cycle of Roberto holding a press-conference, letting rip with a load of surreal comments that are way off beam and everyone posting to point out he's seemingly taken Hunter S Thompson's advice about finding 'the edge' to heart ("The Edge...there is no honest way to explain it because the only people who really know where it is are the ones who have gone over").

I'm actually starting to feel a bit sorry for him, the way he keeps hanging himself out to dry, because it does genuinely seem like he hasn't got a Scooby what everyone else is seeing.

At this point continuing to pick holes in every naive statement he comes out with feels about as redudnant as stumping out fags on the crispy fried skin of Edward Woodward if he'd managed to crawl out from The Wicker Man. He's dying a slow and painful public death regardless.

Late game: Chelsea, three headers then the 3rd goal. Baines beaten, Funes Mori beaten, Jagielka beaten by Oscar (WTF).

Villa: Gestede comes on for the last 15 minutes, scores a header, and seems to win every cross.

West Ham: its all been said...

They've not replaced Distin, a fast and physical defender. Even at 48 he still looks faster than the Everton back 4.

Of course. There's a whole load of other factors involved in the loss.

Also, how is this the main news when the important "all clear" for Moshiri get second fiddle treatment. Change is coming!!!

"We've grown as a team, but we have periods where we can't defend", well coach them how to then!!

"On Saturday we were good for 78 minutes", well you need to be good for 90 minutes plus added time, Señor Quixote.

This guy has probably kept his job by telling Bill how wonderful him and his theatre productions are and Bill has fallen for the bull. I think it would make an excellent mockumentary in the mould of the BBC mocking programme W1A we could even get Hugh Bonneville to play Bill!!!

This defensive problem is his big battle. If he can't win it he'll never make it as the world class manager he wants to be. Im starting to fear he hasn't got the tools to remedy that problem.

Time to move on Roberto, Everton have a bright future with the makings of a great squad and a new owner with some money, but we need someone in charge who can hone the individual skills of players (you don't – you continually play people out of position), read and manage a game by making the correct team selections and using substitutes (you are pathetic at this) and not sugar-coating all your failings in ridiculous press conferences like you do after every game. Stop blaming everyone else, players, bad referees, the opposition.

The above article is a pathetic attempt to save your own face. This quote gets to me the most:

"They had two crosses and scored two goals, that's bad defending rather than having a (specific) weakness."

Errrr. Roberto if it happened once a season, yes. Maybe the defence had one poor game. But this happens week-in and week-out. It IS a weakness, you do NOT see it and it is (has) cost us dearly this season. The four obvious games – Bournemouth, Chelsea, Stoke and West Ham – points thrown away. All the games lost a Goodison (pitiful – only Palace and Villa have worse home records than us). Add those lost points to our total so far this season and we would be challenging for the title this year.

Please leave. Everton are at a crossroads in their history. With the right manager and coaching staff in charge we have a really good opportunity to progress and to challenge for top four places. You are not the person to take us forward.

I cannot enjoy a match at home anymore because you just want it to be over – especially the last 10 minutes.

Randomly, could there be a slight chance we could eventually end up with Mourinho? Now bear with me:

He did say in an interview that the only English clubs he would Manage if Chelsea was not an option were Arsenal, Tottenham, Man Utd and Everton, and he said this 5 years ago in an interview before we had a wealthy billionaire, or even the great squad we currently have.

For me, it looks as though Man Utd are just not keen otherwise they would have snapped him up long ago and looking at giving Giggs a go. Tottenham have already found a diamond in Pochettino, and that leaves Everton within England.

Juventus aside the Italian league is now quite poor and certainly not the league it once was. He has already won the title with Inter Milan so probably wouldn't want to end up back in Italy.

He wont end up at Barcelona because of his rivalry as a Real Madrid player, and the latter wont have him back as he ruffled far too many feathers, as well as only recently appointing Zidane, so that rules out Spain.

He wont go to PSG as they already have a Manager that has taken them clear at the top by a whopping 22 points, and the weak French league is a one horse race anyway.

So that just leaves Germany as the only decent league that could offer Mourinho his next challenge. Bayern Munich have just signed up Carlo Anchelotti, and Dortmund are doing extremely well currently in 2nd and managed by Thomas Tuchel.

So dare I suggest we could possibly offer Mourinho a sleeping giant as a project that hasn't won a league title in 30 years? He will be well aware that we have good young players in Coleman, Stones, McCarthy, Besic, Barkley, Deulofeu, Funes Mori and Lukaku. He will also know that adding 4-5 players in the mould of Yarmolenko and Slimani could see us as genuine title contenders with his guidance and structure.

It's only a suggestion!!

On his comments, well they are just rubbish as usual. Examination of his record would suggest that "bad defending" is a recurring feature of his management. So that's either unprecedented horrendous and constant bad luck (not possible), failure to coach or replace players guilty of bad defending (clearly down to Martinez) or a fundamental problem with the rigid system he insists on playing without fail (clearly down to Martinez).

Whilst there may be elements of bad luck he (and we) can all identify in individual games, this must level out over three years with Everton, and seven years including Wigan, and, lo and behold, the stats are spookily consistent. It is absolutely clear to me that the last two reasons (coaching and strategy) are the reasons for our underperforming team, and they indicate ineptitude and inability to adapt.

All of which is a buck that stops with our inadequate manager, however much he bleats that it isn't his fault time and again.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p03lv187

The sooner he goes the better !!

The guy needs help!

Is there a shrink on TW?

If so please offer your assistance in finding this poor deluded soul a padded cell so he can't harm himself any further.

He should be gagged by the board from speaking on behalf of the club!!!

Anyway lads, Chelsea this afternoon so . . . . . . . . . . .

However, not enough fans are prepared to see what he might achieve next season - if– he stays – as he's had over two years, watching on, as his players make similar errors game after game which has led to his team dropping point after point, particularly at Goodison.

Bill Kenwright is a massive Evertonian but he couldn't provide the money that the new shareholder can, likewise with Roberto, due to his own shortcomings he is unable to get the balance right and therefore the results will remain inconsistent, regardless of performances or personnel.

Older readers will correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't Harry Catterick take over a decent group of players and got them achieving better results than his predecessor Johnny Carey, although some would argue that Carey's team was the more entertaining to watch.

Everton FC has to get back in the business of picking the best man for the job, the person who will give his team an edge in games, one who can tip the balance more often than not. Martinez has many positive qualities but he does not have that special ingredient that makes a winner and sadly there's nothing he or anybody else can do about that.

Yeh, maybe if that was a one off game but "for fuck's sake" man it's happening loads of times.

He's getting desperate and embarrassing now.

He has to go, he simply HAS to.

We don't get beat in the air every game because of the system. We get beat in the air every game because OUR DEFENDERS SUCK IN THE AIR. Only one of our guys regularly wins contested headers, and that's Jags... and he can't do it all the team because he's giving away 4-5 inches to many opposing strikers. Funes Mori and Stones have the height, but neither knows how to use his body to move the opponent out of the path of the ball as it comes down. If Funes Mori can't outjump the opponent, he loses. And Stones can't (or won't) jump. At all. Add in the fact that our FBs are munchkins, and you've got a ticket to disaster.

HOWEVER... where Roberto is full of crap is that his system IS responsible for the uncontested crosses. Give any good crosser a free look and some time, and he'll put the ball on target. And Roberto doesn't insist that his FBs and midfielders emphasize pressuring the cross. They're too afraid of getting beaten off the dribble.

And after all these losses the same way, Roberto's "freak result" comment is the dumbest thing I have ever heard him say. There is no excuse for that stupidity... or the repeated idiocy of being beaten in the air every... single... fucking... game.

Finally, my prediction... the new owner will NOT replace him this summer. I don't know why, I just think so.

It would only be a tragedy for Martinez but I know what you mean and I agree. If he wasn't so stubborn, he could have a great team here. He just can't or doesn't want to see it.

I'd like him to do it, stay and make us a top team again but I think quite a few have made their minds up and want him gone whatever happens. They just don't like him anymore. That's when the name calling starts.

Andy @32 or Joe@22, what happened with Distin? Wasn't he going to spill the beans when he left?

Now, I just love it!!

The more he comes out with these imbecilic remarks the more the National press and media will pick up.

There's only one way to influence Bill and that's bad publicity.

Just hastens the end! Brilliant!!

As for "nice guy" there are too many feuds with players and blame placing for this to be true.

And, by the way, Ged, I thought Martinez was a breath of fresh air in his 1st season, and was vocal in my praise of him, but now he is stinking the place out with all aspects of his management on and off the field, so logic dictates he must go.

Let us hope, for the sake of this great club, that it happens soon.

Secondly, Tony. He has dismantled everything that Moyes built, you are right. He has taken us from a club with lowered expectations that achieved or bettered those expectations nearly every season and built a new club with higher expectations and lower finishes. Great Job!!!

Got a bulletin for you.... Oviedo is the starter ON MERIT. He's our best left back at the moment. No doubt that's at least partly due to Baines's ongoing ankle issues, but until Saturday our recent defensive form had been much improved by the two lineup changes, and I say Oviedo had a lot more to do with that improvement than Robles.

Your support amongst the fans is disappearing fast and soon it will start to turn nasty on the terraces. Once that happens you are doomed so stop making feeble excuses, try and sort out our obvious failings and, most importantly for you, try and convince your new boss that you are still the man for the job.

Good luck Roberto because if you are successful the team is successful but personally, I can't see you surviving beyond the summer.

I suppose that when Chelsea beat us in the Cup, it will be down to bad luck or more inexplicable bad defending.

Martinez has a degree in Physiotherapy as some people may well know. I also studied Physiotherapy and the whole ethos around how you treat patients is based on evidence based practice. In a nutshell, a physiotherapist would never treat a patient by any method that hasn't been proven by rigorous research to have a beneficial effect on a patient.

This smacks in the face all that he is doing at Everton. He repetitively makes the same errors whilst we all bang our heads and ask why. He has already admitted in an interview that he does not set aside any training that involves taking corners or defending them. He also stated that no time is spent on taking or defending set pieces either, as his ethos is purely on the offensive side of the game.

My heart is in my mouth every time a cross or corner comes into our box and this has not changed in the last two years.

Well thank god he Manages a Premier league football team rather than practising as a Physiotherapist as he could get struck off the register for continuously administering the same treatment that was hazardous to patient or ineffective at best.

I loved Johnny Carey's style of football and was shattered at his abrupt dismissal. The Cat wore a load of angst from that episode and it took him a year to implement his own less fancy but definitely more practical methods.

My original disappointment switched to one of fulsome praise.

Mike G @ 35, I agree where you say our FBs do not pressurise enough to stop crosses coming in. Yet I believe that is all part of RM's game plan.

I like to think that Everton FC is not the most important thing in my life, and, strangely enough, it isn't.

Every time we lose, especially in circumstances when we have a good lead, I say " Well it won't effect my life."

But guess what? It does!

As for the manager, I would still like him to take us to the FA Cup Final, and win it, and I would praise him for doing it because this team is more than capable.

But, for the way he has destroyed our Premier League aspirations over the past two seasons, I would still support his sacking.

Best post so far. Almost ashamed for liking it so much.

I also want us to finish in the higher reaches of the Premier as befits a club of great status and a team of no little ability.

By the same reasoning if Martinez can't deliver on my expectations, I'll want him gone .

But he's looking out of his depth.

The national media are on to him and he is getting desperate. His record barring a cup win for the most part is appalling.

He will be gone by the end of the season and will join the likes of Ian Holloway. I can see RM at Leeds funnily enough, or some other club who will buy all his bullshit.

Catterick was left with a good nucleus of a team but the players Harry brought in gave them that bite and will to win: a better goalkeeper West; a proven ball-winner and tackler in Tony Kay; and the skill, fight and dribbling ability of Johnny Morrissey. Alex Scott was an improvement on Billy Bingham – they all combined with those left from Carey's team to provide a wonderful Championship winning side, ably supported by one of the best hardworking but vital member of the side. Dennis Stevens.

I am not sure about this, Patrick, but you are very good on facts but I don't think Johnny Carey's team were really good playing away from home; I don't think they won a great many of their away games... Nevertheless, they were a marvellous side to watch, without the killer instinct.

I always like reading your posts and agree with much of what you say, and while I can totally understand you want Martinez out, as do most Evertonians I always find your hateful vernacular about Martinez bizarre, as you are normally more measured on everything else.

It just seems so personal with Martinez. It's like you caught him having a bunk-up with your missus or something.

You always say he's the worst manager in Everton's history. Do you really believe that, or are you being dramatic to serve a point?

I honestly don't see how he can be worse than Mike Walker and Walter Smith, or even Howard in his 3rd spell. We were hovering around the bottom 3 every season with the aforementioned.

Yes, the brand of football is looking systematically flawed and we look like a mid-table Newcastle United under Kevin Keegan. But you cannot even say one good thing about Martinez's transfer acumen or what's happening with our youth academy??

For those 2 reasons he's surely better than Smith who put way past it stars on massive contracts, like Gazza, Ginola and Mark Hughes, and Mike Walker who hadn't won a league game by October when he was sacked.

I think Martinez has been a revelation in how he wants to build the club from the bottom up, in wanting an Ajax, Barca type academy so we can have long-term success. His problem is that there seems to be no deviation from his tactics, and its now got to the stage where the BS detectors are going off the chart whenever he does an interview like this one.

I've said before that Dennis Lawrence being sacked last summer and bringing in someone more independent of Martinez could have been the intervention to make changes. That is, if Martinez was willing to bend and learn from last seasons mistakes. He hasn't, Instead he has continued to employ his Wigan cronies who look like 'yes' men.

If it was fantasy football, David Moyes would be defensive coach and we would probably again see the idealism and prudence married together like in Martinez's 1st season. A realistic option would be someone like David Weir. Unfortunately its too little to late now and Martinez has run out of time and goodwill, barring a miracle.

Take responsibility, sort it out. It's a basic requirement for a manager to identify failings and attempt to put right. This is not about shielding players this is about taking responsibility for team selection and method of playing. Football is all about cut and thrust, attacking AND defending. One without the other is failure and whether you like it or not you are failing, again, with a different club, again. Change or Change will happen.

It's one of those situations again isn't it. Desperately want to win the cup, more than anything in the world. But winning it would make Martinez look great (to everyone except the fans of course) and he will get a stay of execution.

I stopped him and asked for an autograph for my lad. At this point you could not blame anyone for saying not now I just want to go home but he put all his bags down asked my lads name and as he was signing it I said I hope you succeed as I think you are a good young manager he stopped THANKED ME for saying this and signed "Enjoy the Everton Family".

He is just like on the telly no sides to him so based on just this I really hope the man takes us further because as some have said he has made some great signings and as the away form shows (which is the hard bit) he is not that far away from a Great team.

Never mind what he says he is Spanish just give him the start of next season and then if not he will go.

We will still be here(hopefully) next season debating the pros and cons of future games and the performance of our new manager and his/her signings.

Bobby will be managing at a lower level, perhaps Bournemouth? He, despite all of the bullshit about EFC is as transient a presence as Lukaku or Stones. We are but a stepping stone for those with high ambition, and a comfy rest home for those whose best days are now behind them.

The Catalan spin-master is now preparing the ground for his future employers, who will be attracted to his attacking football and the fact that he is one of the few affordable managers out there who are both available and have actually won an English trophy.

He must emphasise how he is not to blame, and his systems are fine things. The poor man has been thwarted by referees, bad defending and Lady Luck herself.

Next time give me someone who just tells it as it is... someone like Nigel Pearson, Sean Dyche or Tony Pulis, yes, I did say Pulis!

Comparisons to Hitler, every media soundbite being dissected and offered as some kind of proof by the same posters day after day that he's deluded, urban myths perpetuated that Baines is somehow being ostracised, history being rewritten that Distin was some kind of impregnable aerial colossus at the back and the latest offering that Martinez is a "sad, demented, specimen" because he said we defended crosses poorly.

We get it. Some of you can't stand the guy, want him out and think he's useless but good god, does every article on here have to have the same people shouting just how much they dislike him.

Yes I know, if you don't like it, you don't have to read it etc but the point is that there are a lot of very valid, analytical, thought provoking and witty posts getting lost among the gnashing of teeth.

Honestly it's becoming depressing having to read this same "Martinez is shit" stuff every day. So I'll brace myself now for a "fuck off then and don't log on" reply...

Hoping we can have the best of both world's, win the cup please God and then send Roberto packing.

The new owner would have shown his ruthless streak, then appoint a tactically astute coach, with European experience perfect!

As Jags used to be a defensive midfielder which he was when we signed him I believe Funes Mori was as well before getting moved back and Stones was a right back and is not experienced enough yet anyways. I think we need a Shawcross or Cahill type to attack everything in and around the box and do not much else.

John 76, if we sack him now vs. end of season, pool of good candidates will be larger end of season. OR we can sack him now, have a caretaker for a few games (or the kids can play whatever they like) and confirm, much like City with Pep and United with OFM, sign a manager who will only take over after the season. The only problem I see is whether the board wants to come up with the severance for both our and someone else's manager.

I just Wiki'd him: he just turned 30, the experience we need and all.

I accept that Mike Walker was worse (he was, though despatched when needed). However I believe, and this will no doubt invite mighty ridicule, that Walter Smith handled a shit hand pretty well and is a superior man and coach to Roberto Martinez.

I don't know what age you are ,Gavin, but I have seen us win stuff and be great and I would like the young supporters to enjoy the same. I think we have good enough players and therefore I suspect I overreact when I think we underachieve. It is not personal against Roberto, thought at times the red mist might make it appear so.

Be careful what you wish for people. Lets give him at least until the weekend or end of season to see where we end up before we continue with the bile.

He never, ever left his knackered team so vulnerable with his own substitutions and then dug out players afterwards.

In Jagielka's interview, our captain mentioned we weren't clearing the ball away. To me that sounds like a swipe at the midfield, the part of the pitch which RM had weakened with the sub. The defence rely on the midfield to cut things out before play gets deeper and they are directly attacked. I don't think Jags was blaming those on the pitch.

RM meanwhile has dug out his defenders and his best striker. He'll probably blame the midfield next. Then it will be the Toffee Ladies, the Mascot, the coach driver, the grounds men, the fact the Moon wasn't in Uranus, Daesh, Lord Lucan, Jimmy Savile and the Greek economy.

It's like the guy who is really sick after drinking 10 pints but doesn't show up for work blaming the "freak case of food poisoning". Man up RM and take responsibility.

Now how Kenwright has set this new owner up and not a Vinny Tan or the like. And as a regards to Martinez, Moyes had his off seasons... so just 6 months more.

Andrew, agree and he has been doing it forever now, just that now ESPN ran out of people to make fun of, so he became their piñata.

I was old enough and fortunate to have seen the tail-end of the glory years losing the 1st derby FA cup final before coming back the next season, after selling Lineker and winning the title. I wish I'd have been old enough to witness the 83-84 & 84-85 seasons. It all ended to quickly after the Heysel ban.

Poor decisions at board level and lack of foresight about how big football would become in the Premier League era with the Park End development see us where we are today.

I hope we win on Saturday and we go onto win the FA Cup. it would be the perfect beginning of a new era.. It's a big ask though, because Martinez looks done.

To think, some people blame the procession of shite signings and dodgy managerial appointments for the decline.

Clueless bastards. *rolls eyes*

First in 2003-04 when he had players like Linderoth, a loaned back Francis Jeffers, and an ageing Super Kev (Campbell) on the books.

Then came 2005-06 when we finished 11th with players like Krøldrup, Davies and Pistone in the ranks. Plus there was an injury crisis which one match saw us deploying Jimmy McFadden and Ossie up front.

Martinez has somewhat superior personnel but it's looking like another bottom half finish is coming.

It was the bollock crisis that saw him routinely pick teams with 8 or 9 defensive players that finally did for me during his reign. Shame we have a fella that doesn't believe In any sort of defensive act now instead. Out of the frying pan....

"He has shown nothing but genuine respect for the fans."

Are you mad!

I think you're being a bit facetious there mate. I'm not entirely sure the point you're trying to make. Are you criticising my post because I've stated the obvious?

I don't see how the Park End development alone would have seen us dominate English football for the next 20 years, but we certainly would have been in a better position if the foundations of the stand could take another tier built on top. A total lack of foresight from our board.

Yes, the manager has a big part to play with signings and tactics. And with a more level playing field which we're starting to see with the extra TV income we've missed a golden opportunity this season. That said, our board has been incompetent since the late 80's which is way before Martinez and Moyes.

As history is not on Martinez's side, hopefully he can rewrite the history book starting Saturday.

By comparison our current manager has been in charge for 51 games, W18 D17 L16, his team has scored 66 and conceded 62 away from home.

At Goodison Carey's record reads W33 D10 L12 scoring 120 goals and conceding 61.

Roberto has taken charge of 53 matches W24 D14 L15 scoring 94 and conceding 66.

Overall record
J Carey P111 W45 D21 L45 GF201 GA192
Roberto P104 W42 D31 L31 GF160 GA128

And the only time you are likely to see a team that looks as if it doesn't have a clue how to defend corners is when you watch a non-league team in the 3rd round of the Cup.

Either our multitude of international players are completely clueless, lack fundamental abilities, and can't follow instructions, or they are following instructions that amount to suicide.

Weird/hare-brained substitutions aside, I'm actually not sure which it is. The fact that it's claimed that we have two centre-backs who can't jump does make you wonder, though. How did they get this far, if that's the case? And what other basic requirements are other players lacking?

And Moyes came to us without four previous seasons working as a PL manager, unlike our Catalonian Clown.

And yet some of us still clamour for Bobby Bullshit to be given even more of OUR time and money?

That is incredible and phenomenal!

But denying we have systematic issues with conceding goals? Absolute nonsense... just look at the goals against column.

Claiming this was a freak result? Rubbish... it's happened too many times to be a freak occurrence.

He's put some bad statements out there but this might be his worst moment.

In life most people assume there are certain rules, petrol goes up, house prices go up and TV revenue goes up. We know that is not true.

So the 㿄M lost last year in final position payment would have been useful it was offset by a small income from Europa. If we lose another 㿄M+ this year it becomes a serious problem. We need more revenue to help keep ticket prices lower.

Roberto is a nice gentleman I was informed by some of the support staff at the club. He loves the club. He inherited a good set of players and nobody should doubt Moyes would not have bought Rom. However the youth system was here before Roberto and will be improved after him whenever he leaves. He is a loyal manager who has been left down by some of his signing. Kone should have been practising day and night but from his play he has not done so. Others like Lennon have realised how close they were to earning nothing every week and are determined to work hard and prosper here.

Roberto wants to turn us into an English equivalent of Barcelona but he has failed to realise that when the opposition attack Barcelona retreat into two lines of 4 with the attackers helping to try and win the ball back. They do it so well it means they do lots and lot of practice.

Now Roberto has boxed himself into a corner "the FA Cup is not our main aim" he said it may now be our main hope of getting into Europe and securing his job for another season.

1. Defensive blunder when Hull were holding their own leads to Arsenal scoring, leads to;

2. Wenger's game management experience allows 8 of their men to spend most of the 2nd half in there own half, soaking up pressure and scoring 2nd goal on the break, leading to;

3. 15 from time Wenger realises it's in the bag so allows his side to push on and get goals 3 & 4.

Quiz question: Which of these steps does Roberto have no clue about?

Pretty sure we've scored after being let in by a defensive blunder.

Roberto has little clue about point 2 unless we are playing at Wolfsburg, or similar (now that's the weird thing; he gets the tactics absolutely spot-on, on occasion).

I don't know how to respond to point 3. Have we ever had it in the bag when 2-0 up with 15 minutes to go?

Thanks for that. Now, in my head, I can see the defensive unit walking over to RM on the other side of the pitch partway through the practice. RM has just ended an intense drill of passing the ball around the perimeter of the box without ever actually entering it.

They circle around him and he points to the now all-alone defensive coach near the far goal and says, "Everything that mug just told you is a lie!" "Defender is just a term not a position." "Now let's practice Cruyff turns, and backwards passing for the next 30 minutes lads. Stones, show em how!"

He has one way of doing things. Every now and then, like a stopped watch, it will be correct.

If it is any consolation when I on NBC Live extra over here to use the overhead tactical cam (as I have mentioned before) it is so frustrating to see how open and disorganized we are in our third. Worse is watching Everton players walking or standing close to an opposing player but not closing him down when they see no one else is. There is no commitment to defending as a team and until that happens the crosses will keep on raining in and goals will be conceded even if Cech was in goal. But to read RM's comments, literally puts me in fear that my head will truly explode.

I cannot imagine the frustration of the game results which then must be tripled by idiotic comments like those RM made about defending. This made me realize that I might have touched too raw a nerve with my comments too soon after the game on another thread which truly were to prove a point about the defending.

To Gavin and Darren and others, I will moderate my comments to allow sufficient time for the anger over games like West Ham to fade. Without your posts and the others, being an Everton supporter over here would be no worse than ripping off a bandage from a small cut whereas over there it must be like pulling your brain out through your nose every time RM speaks.

Here is hoping for a run of better results in spite of the manager. COYB!

And no I have not been drinking, yet!

I also think a sleeping giant with major backing would be an attraction to Mourhinio... what do people think with my suggestion?

I really think we are unlucky to have a manager that is really out of his depth in this league. It's really unlucky that our neighbours now have a manager that is turning them around and, as per usual, it seems they always have an abundance of that thing called luck.

Maybe luck is just another word for self-belief and – given we are so unlucky – perhaps it's just self-belief is the missing ingredient. It's tough being and Evertonian... or maybe I'm just unlucky.

1. Robbie is such a bullshitter, he'll be very convincing in terms of how this is all a part of his plan and – just wait & see what we do next season.

2. Bill has a reputation of giving managers time. From what I've read about Mourinho's, if he doesn't have a better offer and the timing is right, I think it's exactly the kind of challenge he relishes and perhaps couldn't resist.

In fact, we are so talented that were it not for our lack of talent in the defensive areas, we would be a very good team, hence we are close to being a very good team. All makes complete sense now eh!?!?!

"Out of the frying pan . . .. "

I bet I've posted that little saying at least 20 times since Martinez took over. Couldn't agree more.

I agree with Andy Crooks, Martinez is being humiliated

Best case scenario . . We win a cup and Martinez can walks away with his dignity in tact.

I don't really see Jose coming to us. I think it's nailed-on that he's going to Man Utd.

But I did have the same thought as you. I was almost tempted to put a cheeky fiver on it. I'd quite happily see us get Hiddink though.

Not traditionally in the Martinez out camp but – if he is unable or unwilling to recognise his own weaknesses and take measures to address them – then I'm sorry but he's not the guy to be trusted to take us forward. How gutted will we all be next season if he has blown through 𧴜million and we are still turning winning positions into fantastic defeats!

I'll be apocalyptic!

I love some of his signings but tactically he just does not have it. I can only watch on TV but it is the first time in over 50 years I have heard opposing fans chanting "2-0 and you fucked it up."

What else can you say? They knew what was coming. I am now firmly in the Martinez out camp.

Jim (#116), very good common sense post, which confirms to me, that you only come on toffee web, to argue!!

Darren (#123), Everton win a cup? have you been drinking Jim's bevy?!!

ps: For all our shortcomings, it's the first time in a long time I actually don't fear playing anyone. I know results haven't been great, but we can give anyone a game, if everyone is doing their job. A clever manager, could really get so much more out of this present Everton squad. "Let's just pray for a win on Saturday"!

Your statement makes no sense.

If you think that we defended well for 78 minutes and then for some inexplicable reason, did't for the last twelve, then I think you have overlooked something.

I think you've overlooked the reason why West Ham suddenly found enough space to come charging down the pitch with gay abandon in the last quarter of an hour.

Would it possibly have anything to do with the substitutions made, late in the game?

I've consistently supported your attempt to bring classy, attractive football into the team; and to a degree, I still do.

But you seem to me to be using excuses to respond to failures, and not addressing those failures.

That should stop.

We do struggle with crosses into the box so you would think stopping the cross coming in would be a start but our fullbacks stand off the opposition so far that it's virtually a free-kick every time they get the ball wide.

The man is making our club a laughing stock; as much as I would love to win the FA Cup, if it takes being knocked out on Saturday to force him out, then I would settle for that because nothing will change if he stays – even if we manage to keep hold of Lukaku etc for next season.

Man City and Arsenal, were both better than us early in the season, but since then, our downfall has definitely been ourselves.

If it hasn't been our tactics, it's been our stupid subs. Surely the equivalent of playing poker with a mirror on your chest!!

As much as I want him gone I don't think the board have the bottle to end his "project".

Jose doesn't deal with mere billionaires, they must have the prefix 'Multi-'...

Is that English humour again? I admit I have failed to understand it in the past.

Now I cannot respond to you that I try to make observational or illustrative comments backed by facts or stats to support the point made, because such a response would appear to be arguing with you. Well played Sir!

He had the likes of one-paced work horses like Beattie and Bent, a quicker player like Johnston and then Timmie who excelled in the air.

Most of the time they were left to plough a lone furrow whilst the other 10 were in their own half.

RM whilst having the attacking options is just too gung-ho for 90 minutes and doesn't seem to grasp that it's alright to park the bus after you have scored, even at home.

Your analysis of the Mourhino position is not merely a suggestion, it is a very good logical analysis. It puts into perspective what we could be capable of achieving under the dynamic guidance and drive of Moshiri. It really is a game changing situation that we haven't yet come to terms with judging by some of the comments on here.

It has quickly become apparent in the last couple of seasons how critical the manager's role is compared to the 'star' players. Moyes and Van Gaal have cocked up big time. Klippety Klop seems to be doing OK. Poxytino too. The damage that McClaren has done to Newcastle for example is another example of sheer fiscal calamity which successful and driven businessmen will not accept.

If Martinez would quietly accept his own shortcomings and appreciate the patience that everyone has shown him, then he might survive. But his ego won't let him. Classic stupidity of the failed genius syndrome.

Mourihno would sense the challenge. He would also I think ensure the current team stars remained unless he sees better elsewhere. My only concern is I personally would not like the man because of his general attitude and arrogance. But there you go, that's exactly what we need to become a hardened winning team, and it is so hard for Evertonians to digest it!

I see where he has now changed his reason for Lennon's substitution. It wasn't fatigue, 'a tight hamstring'!!

Chris Sutton is spot on...

I can help you with that !

I think people would question your judgement, because of comments made in the past – like judging a goalkeepers performance on how may "successful long throws" he has made.

Trying to tell us he didn't make any saves when we all saw him make them... and defying the evidence of your own eyes to defend the performances of a guy whose having a complete Weston, simply because he was born in the same country as you.

BTW

I very really comment on what Martinez says... His actions are enough to have me blowing my stack

His teams have always leaked goals like a sieve.

People defending him saying he is a nice guy need to look at the way he has treated the current players, past players and his past club.

Thanks very much for the information on Johnny Carey's record when manager of Everton, just come across it now. Thanks again for taking the time to look it up.

No I'm not. Fantastic retort and dissemination of my comments though. Look, I'm not saying Roberto is a nice man so keep him. I'm simply saying he may lack management abilities (depending on your stance to a varying degree) but he does not deserve the vitriol and personal attacks.

Some managers may deserve it or don't do themselves any favours because of their attitude to fans but Martinez is not one of them. Harry Redknapp has always been quick to have a pop at supporters and I'm reliably informed that even Moyes's programme notes had to be rewritten often cos he was more or less having a go at the lack of vocal support.

Martinez has shown absolute respect for us and the heritage of our club. Does this alone mean we can't criticise him or replace him – NO OF COURSE NOT but I'm old enough to remember Kendall finally sorting out our defence whilst getting similar abuse from some fans and the rest was history.

This is the best squad I've seen since the '80s and Martinez has largely built it. If he can learn, listen and change his approach slightly in terms to increasing focus on shutting up shop, we could be genuinely on the cusp of something. Will he? Let's see.

Great managers change, learn and adapt. And great clubs and fans give a reasonable amount of time for this to happen. If it doesn't them change – but with acknowledging some of the fantastic work done.

"Obviously we've conceded far too many goals this season. Especially in the later periods of games. And especially from crosses. I'm not such a fool as to argue with clear facts! As a result we are working very hard on the training ground on the whole defensive side of our game".

Just trying to be helpful Roberto...

Why do referees always take everything so personal, mate?

So when you said you don't fear playing anyone I asked my self which fixture if any, causes me the most pre match anxiety and sad to say, I came up with the usual answer.

I wish it wasn't so and I think it could be remedied if we could find a big, ugly, tough centre half of the Vidic type and get our stamina / fitness levels up.

From my point of view the raw talent in our current squad shines through DESPITE the poor tactics, substitutions and fitness levels. This group of players are capable of so much more.

These guys are coaches now and most have no substantial say over who is recruited. Many have no say whatsoever. I'll give Bill Kenwright the credit for buying the players – not RM.

I have said many times I would love Martinez to succeed but he's just not up for change, and my opinion is he is not capable of taking us where we as Everton supporters want to be.

The more he opens his mouth the more ridiculous he becomes. It is just talk talk talk talk for the sake of talking. It's never his fault, he has NEVER held his hands up and admitted he made an error, and he has made many.

Neil @ 155 nails it.

I would agree that he has signed some decent players and given your admiration for the squad he has assembled, you would agree that we should not be in 11 position in the league!
It's not all bad luck Tony.

His continued philosophy to play football for 90 minutes no matter what the score, his failure to address our defending and tactics when under pressure shows he is a stubborn man, more worrying is the ignorance of the man who proclaims, "I know what it takes".

This type of comment makes me angry because it takes the piss out of all of us fans in my opinion, and it is becoming all to familiar with Martinez.

I used to call this guy "the incredible one"! Can you show me any evidence to date that he is learning and adapting ?

Bill Kenwright put this team together?

One of the reasons that the Everton job remains attractive to many coaches is the fact that they are left to their own devices with regard to how they run the football side of things.

Of course the board will have a say about the amount of money paid for a transfer and what the wage ceilings should be, but they only help the manager to purchase the targets that the manager has asked for.

Remember Howard Kendall, he wanted to buy Dion Dublin, the board said no on financial grounds and Howard left Everton. The Board at every club has the right to supply or deny their managers the funds for transfers but very few impose players upon their manager.

Why was Roberto allowed to bring in his own backroom staff, which I assume includes scouts from Wigan? Why was David Moyes allowed to take his cohorts to Manchester United when he departed Goodison, if as you say both Roberto and David were only at Everton to coach?

That's why I personally don't think a defensive coach is the answer, because when you tighten us up, we are not the same team going forward. Maybe the manager can rectify this given time but I doubt that very much now.

I can't even believe I'm watching a premier lge, team sometimes, the way we are set up to defend.

I often think of the Peter Gabriel classic, "San Jacinto" and the words, "hold the line". Something which is impossible, the way we are presently set up to defend.

Your reluctance didn't last long there though Mart, because to say he doesn't approve who we buy, just didn't make sense, whatever way you look at it.

Had enough. If he was a man who was earning £20k a year and needed this job to pay his mortgage he would have changed. Arrogance, pure and simple.

What's his title btw? Not a trick question, I'm just interested

Can you please stop posting about whether we should or shouldn't have a defensive coach.

WE HAVE A DEFENSIVE COACH!! Albeit a shit one.

It is Wrexham 'Legend' Dennis Lawrence. It doesn't give your posts – which actually have some good points – much weight that you don't actually know that Martinez already employs a specialist defence coach.

Unbelievable as this may seem.