Frustrated McCarthy admits Blues need a pre-Wembley win

, 11 April, 28comments  |  Jump to most recent

James McCarthy has echoed the thoughts of supporters and, no doubt, players alike following Saturday's draw at Watford, saying that Everton need to pick up a morale-boosting victory as quickly as possible.

The midfielder's goal in first-half stoppage time wasn't enough to earn a win at Vicarage Road and the Blues fell to 14th in the Premier League table as a result of the 1-1 draw and results elsewhere.

“We should be coming away with three points," the Irish international told the Liverpool Echo. "We've lost it from set-piece, it's frustrating to be honest especially just straight after the goal.

“It was a long ball from them, we had to deal with a lot of their long balls because it was part of their style, it's frustrating not to come away with three points.”

If they weren't already nagging at the back of the players minds, thoughts are turning increasingly towards the FA Cup semi-final in 12 days' time against either Manchester United or West Ham, who play their quarter-final replay at Upton Park on Wednesday evening.

Everton will be in action in the Premier League at Selhurst Park that night and McCarthy acknowledged the importance of picking up victories in the Blues' three matches between now and their date at Wembley.

“Obviously we need a win,” McCarthy said in a nod towards the despondency that is setting in among the fans as the clubs slips down the league table with just one win in their last six fixtures.

“Each and every one of us know that we want to get a win on the board before Wembley but we're not thinking about it too much.

“We'll go to Crystal Palace, we've come here and got a point, but we want to go to Crystal Palace and get three points and we have got a couple of games in between, we've got Southampton and we've got a derby.

“There are a lot of games still to be played before we look too far ahead of ourselves, we'll take one game at a time and, as I say, we want to get a win as soon as possible.”

 

Reader Comments (28)

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Darryl Ritchie
1 Posted 11/04/2016 at 07:37:59
The league is done. A few extra points in the league is meaningless. We do, however, need a win or two, to boost a bit of confidence, get some momentum, before we tackle who ever, at Wembley.

Right now, the cup is all we have left and if we go into the semi in our current form, that will be gone as well.

Palace is the key. If the squad plays well there; not just a win, but actually plays the game like we know they can, then just maybe it will snowball, and we could salvage something from this dismal season.

The players want a win. The fans insist on it.

Allan Board
2 Posted 11/04/2016 at 08:01:26
The latest player rolled out to offer the usual rubbish.
This bunch need to grow a pair! Deary me.
David Donnellan
3 Posted 11/04/2016 at 08:18:00
Palace haven't exactly been tearing up trees lately, but neither have we by any stretch.

Depending on which Everton side show up, a win is more than achievable, but if the side of the last 3 games shows up, it could be a boring draw or even a defeat.

Jim Bennings
4 Posted 11/04/2016 at 08:19:51
More like a pre-Wembley miracle!

Winning becomes a habit, just like not winning.

The simple fact stares us in the face, under Roberto Martinez we have not had the winning habit for more than two years now.

Not many teams that stayed up last season won fewer games than us, 12 out of 38, just enough to survive.

This season we have a paltry 9 wins, it's just not good enough.

Mark Andrews
5 Posted 11/04/2016 at 08:45:06
Perhaps players need to think about when to stick to Roberto's "phenomenal philosophy", and when they need to clear a ball up the field in the final moments play and then defend it from the front, instead of playing it back to the keeper, who's under pressure.

They seem able, during normal play, the lump it up to Lukaku, who's looking like he's so frustrated that he's wondering who he'll be playing for next year already.

Phenomenal Bob's one-dimensional, inflexible doctrine is killing us.

Andy Meighan
6 Posted 11/04/2016 at 09:31:58
They don't half state the obvious – our players of course we need a win. But I, like thousands of others, don't believe we ll get one any time soon.

Morale is lower than a snake's belly amongst the fans and that's transferred itself to the players. The last 3 performances have been abysmal and yet the clown in charge keeps coming out with the usual positive shite. Lies of course.

I can't see any way out of this current mess unless we change managers. But of course while Martinez has Kenwright eating out of his hand, that's unlikely to change. Seems to me Kenwright wants to prove a point to us.

Steve Woods
7 Posted 11/04/2016 at 10:35:34
Should we manage a win at Selhurst Park midweek then that would take us to the heady heights of 11th overtaking the mighty AFC Bournemouth.

Then of course once we have walked our easy game against Southampton this weekend and then the away fixture against our lovable neighbours in the rearranged match on Wednesday, we might have shot up the table, perhaps even into the top half...

Yes, I can see all this building the team's confidence and with the added momentum gained from it we will be more than a match for Manchester United or West Ham in the semi-final less than 72 hours after having played Liverpool on the Wednesday night.

*Sarcasm button now off*

Jim Bailey
8 Posted 11/04/2016 at 10:43:34
James

No shit Sherlock,
* Stating the bleedin obvious button now off *

Steve Alderson
9 Posted 11/04/2016 at 11:01:59
I am dreading the derby game even more than usual. There is no sign of us finding the form or the confidence to take on a Liverpool side who clearly have both of these factors covered at the moment.
Jim Bailey
11 Posted 11/04/2016 at 11:06:44
Steve@9
So am I. Think 5 or 6 and if it's only 3 or 4 we can consider it a moral victory. Weii our deluded, phenomenal one will.

Utterly depressing

Minik Hansen
12 Posted 11/04/2016 at 11:46:12
Am I the only one looking forward to the Crystal Palace game? Onwards and upwards the toffees. COYB!!!
Alan Bodell
13 Posted 11/04/2016 at 11:49:20
McCarthy will get a bollocking then from he who knows all for talking to the press without permission.
Steavey Buckley
15 Posted 11/04/2016 at 13:10:27
Things must be desparate at Everton when players are struggling to think about beating Crystal Palace away and Sothampton at home. So should forget about beating Liverpool away and West Ham or Man United at Wembley.
Andrew Clare
16 Posted 11/04/2016 at 13:39:57
On current form I cannot see where the next win is coming from. If it doesn't happen at Selhurst Park then I really can't see us beating Soton, our neighbours or West Ham/Man Utd in the semifinal.

The players look completely unmotivated and out of sorts.Really the season is over.

I look forward to every game and hope we win but against Watford we just looked completely bereft of ideas, we just aren't opening up opposition defences and creating enough chances. When the few chances that create arrive they are fluffed because of a lack of focus or interest.

A badly managed shambles in actual fact. If only we had a forceful character a person with vision at the club.

James Carroll
17 Posted 11/04/2016 at 13:47:20
Why isn't anyone talking about Barry's comments?:

"There is a lot of negativity around at the moment."

“We don’t want to finish another season in the bottom half of the table."

The most damning part is the use of the word "another"....

Taxi.

Steve Davies
18 Posted 11/04/2016 at 13:49:14
How Martinez is still at the club really does astound me, but the way Kenwright has managed the club suggests that these two fellas really do deserve each other. Spoofers of the highest order. When they both meet up, they must spend most of their time congratulating and complimenting each other.

If we look at both of their records they should both be sacked.

Martinez's premier league record at Everton and Wigan is appalling. Forget his rhetoric, and his excuses (from a man who says he does not give out excuses?), the results are not good enough. To me he is just an arrogant ego-centric bully, hence his treatment of Baines, whose only crime was to tell it as it is. RM just loves the limelight. That is why he struts around the technical area and did not consider himself to be the man to take Wigan back up after he relegated them. It is literally all about him.

Mr Kenwright is another fantasist and his record is no better. Look at our ground. He puts flags up and tells us about our history but he is just another man who loves the attention being the chairman gives him. That is why he never gave it up when Moshri came in. The ground although I love the 'Old Lady' is outdated and the only development was building the Park End and that was before Kenwright took the helm. He has a record of failed ground moves and mediocrity himself.

As long suffering supporters we deserve better than what these two attention seekers have given us.


James Carroll
19 Posted 11/04/2016 at 13:55:47
Superb piece in Mail:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3532345/Roberto-Martinez-lost-Everton-fans-words-running-time-save-job-talks-good-game-damage-pitch.html
Steve Davies
21 Posted 11/04/2016 at 14:26:44
James at 19, you are right, I have just read it. It is a superb article and it probably sums up our season.

Martinez is doomed now as he has lost 9 out of 10 supporters according to recent polls.

The key question is who do we appoint next and when?

Jim Bennings
22 Posted 11/04/2016 at 15:26:58
Our Premier League record over the last two seasons really makes a mockery of the clubs Nil Satis motto.

We have tolerated mediocrity for the last few years, only lifting the Cup will salvage pride this season.

Brian Porter
23 Posted 11/04/2016 at 16:58:13
As well as the Mail, a new indictment of Martinez's tenure as manager has now appeared on Sky Sports which also includes a defence of Leighton Baines's comments. Thank God the mainstream media have now caught on to what they are saying has been the 'under the radar' problems at Everton, in other words, nobody has been bothered until the Martinez Out banner appeared at Watford.

Sky also quoted latest statistics that show that in a list of Premier League defenders who have made multiple mistakes leading directly to goals this season, both Jagielka and Stones are right up at the top. Our most reliable DEFENDER has been Ramiro Funes Mori. Interesting stat for all the Funes Mori knockers, especially as the guy was awesome for Argentina against Chile recently only to be left out and Stones brought back on his return.

Stones went on to make another schoolboy error last week while our Argentine regular sat on the bench. Defence? It's a joke!

Kim Vivian
24 Posted 11/04/2016 at 18:18:03
Minik – I am (looking forward to it that is) because I will be there. Hoping that our 'Southampton away' team turn up and offer some much needed cheer. 3-1 the Blues I predict.
Jon Cox
25 Posted 11/04/2016 at 20:31:52
Frustrated fans admit McCarthy should be scoring more goals per season than he does!


Les Netherwood
26 Posted 11/04/2016 at 22:19:16
The time has surely come for some sort of action; the idiot has got to go... and why wait until the end of the season?

I notice nobody has mentioned Stones ridiculous backpass –another two points gone due to his playing out of defence as instilled by the idiot. Stones is a liability in the penalty area (and in this case outside of it) and should be dropped to the bench again; we were not giving so many goals away when he was not starting.

More banners, more chanting, and lots more booing is needed. It's as though nobody has noticed the discontent among the supporters. Martinez OUT NOW!!!

Paul Conway
27 Posted 11/04/2016 at 23:35:59
Brian Porter @ 23.

I read your post twice and went, gulp! each time. These are damning statistics and only lend credence to the fact that EFC need a complete overhauling.

Statistics don't lie, be it contra Martinez or any team member. Every man has to stand up and take responsibility for his respective role. We are in for a rough time and I only hope it all gets sorted by the start of 2016-17.

Nip it all in the bud right now. We have got to get rid of Martinez so the evolution can start sooner, rather than later! Let the new manager experiment with the end of the already lost season. Let it be a pre-season pre-season.

COYB!

Paul Conway
28 Posted 11/04/2016 at 23:50:21
One thing that really frustrates me, apart from the Martinez rhetoric and the players unharmonious attitudes, is the Niasse affair! what the fuck is really going on? Is RM really pissing on our heads and telling us 'It's raining".'

Just when we need fresh blood in the team, we get told all sorts of shite. We all know there's something amiss, so come on and be frank... and if you cant be frank, at least be Earnest!!

Michael Long
29 Posted 12/04/2016 at 01:24:00
I look at our team right now and the coaching staff and I just think how excited can you get? As depressing as it sounds, I'm saying it as it is

Martinez is just a utter liability, a fraud who uses too many excuses to try get himself of the hook. Hate to say it, look at Klopp, He has turned a bang average Liverpool team into fighters. That is called motivation and gaining fight. Same as Leicester and West Ham with Bilic and Ranieri respectively.

It is a case of 50/50 why our team has capitulated this season. The players have to take responsibility too. But at the same time you can tell right now he has lost the dressing room.

Joel – not his fault for goals, yet not the long term number one
Baines – hasn't been fit since the World Cup 2014
Jagielka – not a leader in a million years. Watson, Stubbs, Ratcliffe and even though he wasn't the best footballer, Phil Neville knew how to shout at players and get in ref's faces.
Stones – believing in his own hype thinking he is Beckenbauer. When he should go using on becoming Adams or Terry.
Oviedo – good but never fit
Kone – awful just god awful
Lukaku – want's ambition. I accept that, yet the splash his mouth off mid season is just a tit of a move.
Mirallas – Plays does something so naive and stupidity that proves he is fed up
Niasse – will he ever be fit or just £13.5 million wasted.
Cleverley – works hard, doesn't know where he is playing at times
McCarthy-– headless chicken
Barkley – like Stones believes in his own hype. Talent yet decision making is still just second to none as bone idol.
Coleman – bombs forward, but can't defend to save his life
Howard –why????
Deulofeu-looks as though he only has half an hour in him.

Simple as this proves more than one change is needed this summer at Goodison otherwise we'll continue to be heading down and underachieving constantly before it is too late. No leaders, no fight and poor tactics from the coaching staff. Big change needed. Time we went ambitious and go for it and have the man who has the right mentality, right ambition and leadership to get the best out of these players.

Laurie Hartley
30 Posted 12/04/2016 at 05:58:09
Fortunately, last season, Lukaku bundled in a winner in this fixture which prevented us entering a relegation dog fight.

Palace are very good on the flanks. Both fullbacks will need cover. Sako is a real danger man.

Les Netherwood
32 Posted 12/04/2016 at 17:10:43
Brian Porter (#23),

At last someone has noticed how Jagielka is a liability in the penalty area... he always has been but somehow always gets away with it. He is referred to as "Jags" and always get a good press... plays for England etc...but is hopeless in the air and along with Stones provides "heart in the mouth moments" in every game.

Funes Mori has been the most reliable of our central defenders all season but never seems to get any credit for it. When Martinez and Kenwright have gone perhaps we will get a decent center-half again.

Who will we get for manager Brian... how about Pochetino? Or Keoman maybe? Dream on, eh!!


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