Martinez 'expects a performance' at Sunderland

, 9 May, 194comments  |  Jump to most recent

Having criticised his players following their dismal showing at Leicester, Roberto Martinez says they have to react positively at the Stadium of Light on Wednesday night.

Everton lost 3-1 to the new champions on Saturday on the back of a performance that was almost as bad as the one at Anfield last month where they were thrashed 4-0.

Only Kevin Mirallas's fine solo goal at the end put some semblance of respectability on an otherwise dreadful display and the manager refused to defend any of his charges except Matthew Pennington.

Martinez is under inescapable pressure as he prepares for the Toffees' penultimate game of the season, with speculation mounting that he will soon be dismissed from his position at Everton, but he says he expects his players to perform.

"There is a lot riding on the game for us after the performance we had [at Leicester on Saturday]," Martinez is quoted by the Liverpool Echo. "We need to react and we need to perform in the highest possible level.

"It is good that we have a game around the corner but the importance of our performance is as big as you could feel we had in any other day in the season. I expect to have a performance on Wednesday."

Apart from a slim chance of finishing in the top half and the obvious financial implications of dropping any more places in the table, Everton don't have an awful lot to play for except pride but it could be a vital game for Sunderland.

Thanks to their thrilling 3-2 win over Chelsea on Saturday, Norwich City's home defeat to Manchester United and Newcastle United's draw at Aston Villa, the Black Cats know they can secure their place in the Premier League for another season with a victory.

 

Reader Comments (194)

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Christopher Dover
1 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:00:32
Pressure mounting and while I do not like Everton losing if it means he has gone for the last home game I will take it.

And before I get called for saying not a bad thing to lose, it seems no proper protest can be mounted so I will take it if it means I can go to the last game of the season with RM not in charge and start looking forward to next season.

Steve Davies
2 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:00:59
I would love to see a better performance from the manager. Try picking a proper right back and not playing personnel out of position. Occasionally blame yourself you deluded one. It is always someone else's fault.

Banners out on Saturday, this clown must go and I wish King Louie Kenwright would go with him.

Barry Thompson
3 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:01:19
"It is good that we have a game around the corner but the importance of our performance is as big as you could feel we had in any other day in the season".

Could someone please explain what this actually means as I honestly don't understand what he is saying

Anthony Flack
4 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:02:58
Immense, incredible. and please do one...

Chester might be looking for a new manager.....

Pete Ellingham
5 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:05:36
I am sure if we sack the manager he will see a better performance!
Phil Walling
6 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:07:32
I think only full points from these last two games and the mediocre respectability of a mid-table, 50 points finish will save Roberto now. But Kenwright will be factoring in the two cup semi-finals to justify his man's retention.

Moshiri will probably leave the choice of a replacement to Kenwright so expect delay, frustration and ultimate disappointment. What else do you get from following Blue Bill's Everton ?

Kevin Elliott
7 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:12:09
There is a lot riding on the game for us after the performance we had at Leicester on Saturday....
Really ??
Andrew Ellams
8 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:12:51
Soem his nonsense is starting to make Eric Cantona's trawler speech make sense.
James Byrne
9 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:23:26
Please put this man out of his misery!

This can't be helping his family life.

The longer the board keeps this clown in charge the worse it gets for everyone. I want nothing more from the final two games other than defeat and more humiliation if need be.

The fans don't like him, the players don't like him and he lost the plot ages ago.

Guy Hastings
10 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:23:45
If he's watching the game at home on TV so much the better.
Derek Thomas
11 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:26:17
He probably means another performance like Saturday's...it's the only sort he knows how to give now.

We can only hope it's his last one...but we've been hoping that for months now.

Colin Glassar
12 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:28:26
Phil, I think you are overestimating the powers of Svengali or, have you placed a big bet on Roberto (and bk) staying for another season?
Brian Harrison
13 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:30:39
Now RM tells us that this is the most important game of the season. Every week and he keeps moving the goalposts 3 weeks ago the derby and FA Cup semi was a defining week. Mind I suppose if you are in danger of losing a 4/5 million a year job you will say anything to try and save it. He was never the right man to manage this club, his record at previous clubs was average to poor, yet our chairman thought otherwise.
He now is quite prepared to sit back and do nothing, instead he will witness his choice of manager being hounded in our final home game. Any decent chairman would not put him through that and would relieve him before the game. Because of his inaction it will fall on the fans to have to create a toxic atmosphere to make sure the chairman and new investor get the message. I will be interested if he doesnt sack him before the Norwich game, will he and Moshiri attend the last game to witness it all.
John Keating
14 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:31:09
The 37th game of the season and this guy is asking for a performance. Unbelievable !
Phil, it sounds as if you are saying that beating Sunderland and Norwich will be enough to save Martinez ?
Obviously I am misreading your post as winning the last 2 games of the season should have nothing to do with the horror story that has been the last 2 years.
Dick Fearon
15 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:32:25
Any shirking at Sunderland and our players will face an incredible tongue lashing.
Ron Sear
16 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:33:31
Be fair to the man, we can be absolutely sure that The Everton players will put on a 'performance'. The back four will give us a fantastic display of sideways passing to each other and the goalkeeper, the midfield will awe us with the accurate passing back to the defenders and anybody remotely designated as a winger or striker will give a world class exhibition of letting any other players have a chance of placing the ball in the Everton half of the pitch. Phenomenal work indeed.
Nigel Munford
17 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:36:16
Brian, it is the most important game of the season, for the Mackams. If we play like Saturday, or well most of the way we've played all season we'll get a hammering as they are truly up for it.
Winston Williamson
18 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:39:47
Barry:
"It is good that we have a game around the corner but the importance of our performance is as big as you could feel we had in any other day in the season".
Could someone please explain what this actually means as I honestly don't understand what he is saying...

I take that to mean that he expects a performance, no needs a performance, or he's in serious danger of losing his job.

It's always jam tomorrow. Imagine shit he's spun to the board to remain so far. He's got to know that anything but two wins against relegation fodder in the next two games means his perfectly spun yarn to the board will be exposed for what it is: utter poo

Kp Li
19 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:40:18
He wants a performance coz he knows it's his last home game before getting the sack! Let's hope so anyways.
Teddy Bertin
20 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:42:14
Yep that's what I said the other day Phil. I can see him keeping his job regardless of these last two games.

Bill will be parading the semi finals around and the near miss losses/draws that would have seen us much further up the table but the facts remain: the fans are lost, the dressing room is lost and the season is lost.

He'll probably go do a decent job somewhere else but it's not worked out here. Put the poor man out of his misery.

Peter Carpenter
21 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:43:54
'I expect to have a performance on Wednesday'
You might well, but the players couldn't give a shit, Roberto.
It's a bit too late to get tough after you have filled their heads with incredible, phenomenal, 'diamond of English football' crap.
Paul Kennedy
22 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:44:52
The only performance we are going to get is another comic turn from our manager. He should take up a new role as a grifter (con-man) – he has certainly been taking us and the board for a ride for 3 years now!
Len Hawkins
23 Posted 09/05/2016 at 09:51:10
If Martinez had one ounce of decency in him he would realise he has enough ill gotten money to last him the rest of his life and just walk away from football. it is patently obvious to everyone except Darling Luvvie Bill that he is not up to the job of Football Manager. With his unfathomable spiel he should be out conning pensioners of their life savings not ruining the lives of everyone who hold Everton FC in such high esteem.
Chris Williams
25 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:06:52
I expect a performance too- a bloody awful one.

There is now no rhyme or reason to prolong this situation any further for his and his family's sake. No matter how strongly we feel about him we need to focus on his job performance and not attack the person, hard though this is. It sounds a bit pious that but it feels right to me.

If you want to blame someone, blame some of the players. No matter how poor the coaching and witless the management there is no excuse for downing tools like many of this lot have. Supporters forking out good cash to witness displays like those at Leicester, Anfield, Wembley and on many occasions Goodison.

Professionals my arse!

He needs to go now and take his philosophy with him. He is not a charlatan, he believes in it. He's not deceiving anyone but himself. He's deluded and stubborn and never learns.

But finish it before the Norwich game.

Kevin Gillen
26 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:13:56
I think I would rather resign than let that team go out and represent me in an important game and all Premier League games are important. Doesn't he realise they don't believe in him? Clearly not. Roberto sees a different game than most of us. All the baying for his neck however hides the fact that these players have let down the fans and the shirt. Evertonians have short memories mind, we were as bad as this under Smith and others in the 90's.
James Hughes
27 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:18:45
The Mackems must be rubbing their hands at the thought of playing us on Wednesday instead of fretting. That's how bad we are
Craig Walker
28 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:19:27
That performance on Saturday reminded me of when we went to Highbury and they were about to be crowned champions. They had Overmars. We had John Oster. They hammered us and got their hands on the Premier League. Tony Adams scored their 4th. That was a low point in my 35 years of supporting the Blues. There were so many things wrong on Saturday that I don't have the energy to go through them all. I've read rumours today that Chelsea want to offer £40 million for Stones. Snatch their hands off. For £60 million, throw in Barkley as well. Sums it up when a lad who looked shaky, gave a penalty away and made quite a few mistakes was the only player to gain any credit. What annoyed me was Robles poking fun at Vardy for that penalty miss. We were 3-0 down at the time Joel. Hang your head in shame mate. Can't stand seeing players laughing and smiling as they come off the pitch. I'm not laughing or smiling all weekend after such a performance but then I haven't got the 50k a week wage have I?
Dave Lynch
29 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:21:59
Excuse me for being picky Roberto.

But I have expected a performance EVERY FUCKING WEEK!!!

Remove your head out of your arse and admit you are not a decent football coach/manager at this level, go and manage in the lower leagues of whatever country suits but please just fuckoff out of our football club.

I am having 20 quid on Sunderland beating us by 3 or more clear goals on Wednesday.

That's how much faith I have in you, your tactics and your team...phenomenal.

Richard Lyons
30 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:22:32
Dead man talking...
Phil Sammon
31 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:25:46
Well, I think I can speak for every single Everton fan when I say that a good performance against Sunderland will completely reverse any ill-feeling towards the manager and actually set us up for a very commendable end to the season.
Peter Carpenter
32 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:34:52
Agreed Phil, it's time for some love.
Actually, I am beginning to feel sorry for him. If the deteriorating performances and having the entire away contingent chanting for him to go on Saturday weren't enough for the board to act and put him out of his misery, then nothing will be.
If they let him step out at Goodison next Sunday to be slaughtered, they deserve nothing but contempt.
Announce that he is going now and I will be happy to applaud him on Sunday if only as a 'thanks for trying'.
Dave Lynch
33 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:39:35
Phil.

Please tell me that was sarcasm...

Dave Lynch
34 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:41:13
Your right Peter.

I would "Love" to see him relieved of his duties, if only to save his embarrassment.

Chris Pitchford
35 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:51:40
Four wins out of eighteen league games in 2016. There's little more to say really...
Steve Woods
36 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:51:55
"I expect to have a performance on Wednesday." I assume he means a good performance in which case that would make a bloody change wouldn't it!

I can't wait to see the back of this joker I can't stand hearing him, reading his blurt or looking at him while he destroys our club.

James Marshall
37 Posted 09/05/2016 at 10:53:15
Every day I logon hoping to read the happy news of his demise......and it feels as though it's edging ever closer....

Joe Edwards
38 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:02:00
It's verging on pathetic listening to this man's drivelling rhetoric. It's like sitting on the bus next to some poor bugger with mental health issues who's gibbering nonsense. You're not interested in what he's saying, you just wish he would shut the fuck up and leave you in peace, but you know you're stuck with him to the last stop.

I personally cannot envisage any scenario where Kenwright can justify leaving Martinez in situ; he has lost the crowd, lost the players, and lost any credibility he may have had.

One can only hope that this interim period is being used wisely to negotiate a contract with a top manager such as Koemann or Pellegrini and not another Johnny-come-lately with a Championship pedigree.

Lenny Kingman
39 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:17:35
The players will send out their own message.

4-0 to Sunderland and the phenomenal, incredible and well liked Martinez potted. Mission accomplished.

Peter Carpenter
40 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:24:56
Oh, and Rafa, we'll do our best for you on Wednesday. By the way, what was that you said about a 'small club'?
Roy Noon
41 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:36:42
I just wonder what's going through Kenwright's and Moshiri's minds at this moment? Surely, it must be When rather than If we get rid of Martinez?

The Leicester result and performance was absolutely predictable; the only caveat was that I expected us to concede a few more. I expect the Sunderland game to follow a similar path. I am sure many will think the same; Kenwright and Moshiri will too, I reckon.

To avoid embarrassment and allow Martinez a little dignity, surely it would make sense to thank him for his efforts, show him the door, tell him his compensation package will be sorted in the next month or so, and put Unsy in charge for the last 2 games.

Otherwise, I suspect the vitriol raining down on him on Saturday will be hate-filled and cruel. He doesnt deserve that, we have at times played some sparkling football. Sadly Martinez has now completely lost his way, the players and any last dregs of support. Act now Kenwright... just do it, will yeh!

Phil Jeffries
42 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:41:09
I'm expecting a performance alright! One team has heart, fight and a real will to survive. The other is a selection of 11 players (not a team) with no desire, no direction and no chance!

MARTINEZ OUT!

Frank Wade
43 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:41:23
As Steve in 2 above says. You cant 'expect' a performance when you play a left back at right back, who has proven in the past, that he is not able to produce a performance there. What must the other players think, when they see the team sheet go up.

You can't expect a performance when in the 36th league game, you try a different system with 2 strikers. When one of the strikers, maybe two, has shown in the past few games to be out of his depth, the performance is not going to happen, especially against the league leaders.

You can't expect a performance when you play your phenomenal no 10 deeper, (2nd time this season?) and he cannot even come close to matching the work rate of a player like Andy King, who has played for Leicester in League 1 and is making the most of his limited opportunities now.

We could go on and on, no Mirallas, no Dowell, no Connolly etc etc. Mismanagement leads to poor performance. Thinking that Leicester's success is just down to having a few exceptional players is a total tactical misread. Not understanding what Leighton Baines means by chemistry is bad enough, but not seeing the chemistry in the Leicester set up just shows his unsuitability for the Everton manager job or any football manager job for that matter.

If Bill Kenwright was a big Everton fan, he would have acted long ago. This is embarrassing. The current regime reminds me of a far eastern country who graced Goodison Park 50 years ago.

Joe McMahon
44 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:58:06
Peter (40) and others please can we leave the small club Rafa comment in the past. It was nearly 10 years ago. I wouldn't mind but he was right.

EFC = won nothing since an FA Cup one off in 1995, pathetic stadium, managers recruited from Preston and Wigan. Here and now (Premier League era) Everton are nothing (a small club), thanks to the biggest blue in the world being it's Chairman.

Leicester's owners weren't Leicester fans prior to 2010, I don't think anyone in Leicester cares. Kenwright has fucked this club good and proper.

Anthony Flack
45 Posted 09/05/2016 at 11:58:42
Thinking about this, Lyndon, you should move this article to the Rumours section and give it a probability rating of 1.

Joe Clitherow
46 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:04:08
"Martinez 'expects a performance' At Sunderland"

What are the chances of that then?

Teddy B Rather than sympathy for the 'poor' man's misery (the man is anything but poor given the millions he has fraudulently taken from Everton Football Club over the last three years whilst he masquerades as a competent football manager), I'd rather you were sympathetic to the long suffering Evertonians who have both bankrolled and been subjected to a great deal of misery inflicted entirely by the aforementioned incompetent.

I know where my sympathies lay.

Peter Carpenter
47 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:05:48
Joe, true but revenge is a dish best served cold and in this case congealed and with mould growing all over it!

Call me bitter but, to misquote another manager of that club, 'I would love it, just love it if.......'

Bob Cumiskey
48 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:07:26
There is a lot riding on this Game for us Bobby I agree!! The travelling supporters deserve a performance, unlike Saturday. 3000 turned up at Leicester and you and your over-hyped, over-paid stars gave us nothing!!

However, it's over, Bobby... and I for one hope that the board see sense and move you on before the game kicks off on Wednesday night.

Come on, EFC Board, sort this out ASAP and put him and us out of our misery and let us both move on in different directions.

Dean Peamum
49 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:09:15
I think 94% of fans should do what the team does and not turn up for the Norwich game and let the 6% applaud their hero manager and players on their lap of honour. (Lap of honour?? FFS) Should look like the Emptyhad yesterday.
Joe Clitherow
50 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:10:44
Peter

Personally, I would love it, just love it if Newcastle/Rafa were relegated but I can't ever wish anyone to beat or even score against Everton. Negatives for any other club pale by comparison with positives for Everton and that's my definition of an Evertonian.

I think it is fine to find silver linings after the event though...

Brian Porter
51 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:12:33
I'm seriously hoping he's gone before Wednesday. Nothing but his immediate dismissal will possibly give us any hope of defeating Sunderland.

Today is my granddaughter's second birthday and it would be the icing on the cake 🎂 if we could celebrate him leaving the club today. His position is surely untenable now and the board should be able to see that and act accordingly.

If they don't and they allow it to drag on, I seriously will be dreading the atmosphere at Goodison if he's still in charge for the Norwich game.

Peter Carpenter
52 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:14:10
Other Joe, also true. I can't help looking for the silver linings in advance.
Joe McMahon
53 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:23:42
Peter, let just hope that Mr Moshiri see's through Kenwright and drags us back into the 21st century. First step getting rid of the Wigan manager, and then seeing beyond Moyes. De Boer et al has to be the aim.
Paul Jones
54 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:23:46
Coming out with this is a fairly strong indication that he will be in charge on Wednesday.

No matter how inept or ineffective the board are, he wouldn't be given the opportunity to make these statements if they were Uber-ing him out of Finch Farm before kick off.

Damian Wilde
55 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:28:41
The players confidence looks shot. Can't see much of a change in perfoormance while this man is in-charge.

PS Phil Walling, are you serious? As if two wins would save him, he's gone.

Tom Bowers
56 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:30:12
Apart from Villa, Norwich and Barcodes there isn't a team in the Premier League who has played more dismally than Everton this season and given the so-called quality of Everton's squad the finger points squarely at one factor and one factor only. That factor should be gone after this next weekend.

No good thinking things will be any different on Wednesday. Sunderland have every incentive to get points whilst Everton play like Muppets.

Peter Carpenter
57 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:34:41
A few weeks ago the decent thing to do would be to let him finish the season then make the change in a dignified manner. Now the decent thing to do is to NOT put him through the horrible experience that could be coming up on Sunday.

If the board have any guts they will do it before that happens.

Iain Latchford
58 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:39:49
Peter, I believe with the right statement released by the club, he could still have a dignified send off. "He's worked tirelessly, agrees it's best for someone else to take the club forward etc etc).

Without that I dread to think what the atmosphere will be like.

Mark Daley
59 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:47:34
Nobody is enjoying this miserable end-game.
Anto Byrne
60 Posted 09/05/2016 at 12:49:59
The 750+ home fans in the away enclosure joined in the Martinez out chant. Given our away support has been so fantastic and virtually trouble-free, there wasn't much to worry about. I suppose those travelling enjoyed Foxes fans in party mood? Well done to those blues for showing restraint while enduring the most insipid uninspired display for decades. Kevin Mirallas was the lone exception and perhaps Joel Robles for showing a bit of fight.

Sunderland have just beaten Chelsea and will be on a high as they try to avoid relegation and 3 points will do it. I can't see our players being up for a blood-and-guts fight and fully expect them to roll over while sending a message to Martinez that they have no respect for him as a manager.

I hope it doesn't come to this and he is put out of this misery sooner than later, makes no sense to keep him any longer. Any manager worth his salt would simply drop those players who didn't turn up and go with youth but as most of these players have been going thru the motions since January it's all too late for Roberto.

It's been everyone fault but his own yet the buck stops with the manager and no-one gives a toss. They look at the results and they are not good enough and it's been for 2 and a bit seasons. FFS, Bill, call Uber or KingKabs.

Charlie Lloyd
62 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:01:13
Even if we are treated to a performance at Sunderland it shouldn't hide what's gone before.

I want the board to come to an amicable agreement to remove Martinez before the Norwich game.

I can live in hope but this situation is good for nobody.

Phil Walling
64 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:06:39
'Heads down, Moshy, it will blow over, it always does. It's what being an Everton Director is all about. Give Roberto the money for a few new players and come next season it will be as if 15-16 never happened. It's been like that ever since the days of the Cannonball Kid!'

Chairman's Induction speech for Moshiri.

Brian Williams
65 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:11:01
Lads, you have to accept that, no matter what happens in the Sunderland game, he won't get the bullet (if at all) until the season finishes.

I have a horrible, sick feeling in my stomach that he'll still be here next season. The only upside to that is that he'll save me over £500 of hard earned cash by not buying a season ticket.

Andrew Clare
66 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:15:31
You can put your house on a Sunderland win. Everton don't do surprises.

When we do appoint a new manager,I hope only aim for the best.

Joe#44, You are dead right. Kenwright really has been a total disaster as a Chairman.

Rick Tarleton
67 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:30:31
Checked Sports' News at one o'clock: amazingly he hasn't resigned or been sacked. We are a tolerant club, at least Kenwright is!
Steve Barr
68 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:32:22
Deluded seems to fit Martinez.

One can expect a response to a previous uncharacteristically bad performance but when the norm is poor, disorganised, shapeless, lack lustre, inept etc. etc. then "to expect a performance" all of a suddden is deluded.

James McPherson
69 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:32:53
As has been said, it is now the board's responsibility to do the right thing by Everton. Theirs and indeed the players' lamentable conduct over the recent weeks ought not to be forgotten. Martinez can't be expected to sack himself. The board's inactivity serves as a timely reminder of the longer running issues that blight our club. I am deeply disappointed by Martinez's performance this season and he should go. As is the norm, Martinez will most likely be accompanied by his wife and family on Sunday.

If the board decide that his removal is to be in the summer then Martinez and his family should not be subjected to abuse. His family are not responsible for our demise. That's nothing to do with on-going "Kopite behaviour v Everton Way" – just what is decent and fair. Let's hope the board show some leadership and character... yes, I know... some hope...

Daniel A Johnson
71 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:35:59
Decent and fair would have been sacking him after the Anfield nightmare........

The Everton way is doing nothing and handing him £200M in the summer.

Dont foget....... Hes a nice guy..........what a manager

Martin O'Sullivan
72 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:38:20
So... Poor game after poor game we get positive spin from Bobby, now his heads on the block he finally turns it back on the players! This is the sign of a dead man walking.

He is so self obsessed he even used Howard and the youths debuts at the last home game for cheers knowing protests were afoot in my opinion. This is not acceptable carry on from a manager. Just please go now and stop all this rubbish football and positive spin.

He has clearly lost players, fans and it's a shame he had to lose all that and drag the club down before he may Lose his job. We are a laughing stock of bad management from top to bottom. Just bonkers!!!!

Les Martin
73 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:39:18
I expect a performance too but its likely to be from Sunderland!!

Sadly I don't think we will beat Norwich on Saturday either, our side is totally deflated and shambolic.

I hope you left your desk nice and tidy for the new occupier. Nice man, lousy Manager.

Colin Glassar
74 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:42:14
Despite never wanting us to lose a game, a loss on Wednesday would just about be bearable for the following reasons:

1) FSW gets relegated,
2) Deluded Geordies get relegated;
3) USW gets sacked;
4) Big Sam gets another crack at the English job.

Iain Latchford
75 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:44:45
Well said James. This is an on going car crash, and we should not allow its painful conclusion to be played out at Goodison on Sunday. For a number of reasons RM's time at Everton hasn't worked out. I'm sure he's tried his best (and has been well paid for it), but this is the end.

The decent thing to do is to release a statement before Sunday's game. Having thousands of people screaming at him (in front of his family) during the lap of "honour" isn't going to help anyone.

Kenwright should never have let it get this far. Please Everton, do the right thing.

Sean Patton
76 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:53:40
Why would Kenwright sack him now? He agonised over letting Walter Smith go and worshiped at the altar of David Moyes... he is as deluded as Martinez.
James Stewart
77 Posted 09/05/2016 at 13:59:33
One of the slowest managerial deaths in history.
James McPherson
78 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:07:29
James (77) - do you not think it mirrors the slow death of our club under Kenwright?
Nigel Munford
79 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:07:46
Has he not been sacked yet!
Jay Griffiths
80 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:25:20
I think of the players. We pull our hair out listening to his bullshit after another mauling. Imagine the mental condition of the players after being traumatised with his spiel 6 days a week! They're going to need heavy duty debriefing, and reconditioning like an American pow after 3 years in the bamboo cage. Messy.
Martin Mason
81 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:26:49
James@78

To be fair the club has improved considerably since BK took the reigns apart from the inexplicable lunacy of taking on and not firing RM. This is especially so if you consider finding an investor to take the club forward in these financially troubled times. You can say many things about Kenwright but a slow death of the club there has not been in any way. Not taking us forward to the irrational expectations of us fans isn't the same as a slow death.

Andrew Clare
82 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:31:10
Blaming Martinez is like blaming the branch manager at BHS for their downfall while all along some slimy character in the back ground is the reason for their demise.
Vent your anger at Kenwright not Martinez.
Christine Foster
83 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:35:22
If the man is truly on the brink then do not prolong the pain, it is disrespectful to him. If it your intent to keep him then say so, so we can all move on.
Do not hang him out to dry on the last day of the season without saying or doing anything. That would be a disgrace as Goodison Park will be an angry place to be and despite all our frustration with the manager the fact is we all wish he could manage our team to play the exciting free flowing football he visualised and we hoped for. He tried, he failed. But there is no need to humiliate.
Please let us move on, better for all concerned.

Of course we are all assuming Bill Kenwright will do the right thing and part company. But this is Bill Kenwright we are talking about. Don't hold your breath, if Martinez in still in place at the end of the season then prepare for another season...

Brent Stephens
84 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:35:58
Andrew #82, BHS is an interesting comparison. I assume by "slimy character in the background" you mean Green once of BHS and Bill's mate!
Kim Vivian
85 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:37:35
On Sunday, if he is still here, even if not, it would be lamentable for abuse to be handed down on the squad and their families. That would just heap more disgrace on a disgraceful season.

Far better that the stadium just empties on 90mins and leave it to the to the minority to applaud the season's "achievements".

Phil Peterson
86 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:38:21
I was at the Leicester game on Saturday - zero passion from the players - just going through the motions of fulfilling the fixture. They really did not want to be there.

What does the deluded one think will change before Wednesday? Perhaps he knows he will get the boot before then !!!!

Brent Stephens
87 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:40:59
Kim #85. My preference would be for a 3.15 entrance by all fans. An empty stadium until then would shout volumes. And we could still be there for the players' lap of whatever-you'd-now-call-it.
Steve Barr
88 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:41:09
Kenwright, the Board, Martinez and the players are all to blame. They've all be called out at various times on this web site.

The manager rightly carries the brunt of the criticism as the manager. He'd get all the plaudits if we were winning stuff...he therefore must take the blame for the performances when we are losing.

At least he's had the last two years to put right whatever it is he is coaching the team to do each matchday.

Notwithstanding, I'm afraid this club needs a complete shake up from top to bottom.

Whoever we get in to repalce Martinez will have to be one hell of a character.

Kim Vivian
89 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:48:07
Brent - I'd agree with that. If I was able to be there which I can't (Grandsons birthday, Peppa Pig and the Tunbridge Wells/Eridge steam railway beckon!) I would want to be there for the 'parade' lap. There are certainly some reasons for applause - Luka's goals if not his effort, some quite good individual displays from time to time and for giving me a win to watch vs Man City semi 1st leg. (I'm struggling to think of many other reasons tbh.)

Empty stadium at kick off would be a loud shout.

Kim Vivian
90 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:53:00
I thought it might be quite a good opportunity to tap Peppa Pig for the manager's job, actually.
Steve Woods
91 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:53:53
Well, its 14:53 and after a quick look around t'internet I can see no sign of him having being sacked today, it looks as though the board intend to continue inflicting this torture on the fans and the players, right to the bitter end of the season. Is this the Everton way?

In my mind I assumed that if he wasn't gone by today (lunchtime) then BK and his motley crew of merry makers intend to brazen it out and let Martinez and his family face the wrath of Goodison Park at the weekend. What a shower, what a shambles they have made us. They make the club so very difficult to like anymore, this and the apathy that Martinez breeds have made the past couple of years in particular a very difficult time to be an Evertonian.

Paul Thompson
92 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:55:04
'Expectations' are one thing, realities another. The team is leaderless and lacking confidence and that is highly unlikely to change on Wednesday. Sunderland and 40000+ fans will be up for it. Will we be? Thought not.
Colin Gee
93 Posted 09/05/2016 at 14:58:51
Martinez expects a performance on Wednesday?

Well every time I buy a Lottery ticket I expect to win the jackpot, that never happens either....

John Keating
94 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:02:31
If I were a Sunderland fan I'd be made up having to play Everton in the penultimate game of the season having to win it.
They must think all their Christmas' have come in one go.
On the other hand if I were a Newcastle supporter............well at least next season in general they'll have less distance to travel to away matches.
Francis Gibson
95 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:03:38
If I was able to be there Saturday, I reckon the only player I'd feel like applauding would be Steven Naismith.

The rest, not really.

Mat McConville
96 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:27:49
Even the most ardent Martinez supporter must acknowledge that the Team's lack of effort (which is unforgivable btw!) has to signal the end of his tenure. That aside, I remain staggered that a man with his level of coaching experience continues to plod the same path without making ANY tactical adjustments to address the weaknesses.

Citing just one example, (from many!!) the number of Everton players who demand possession behind the ball staggers me. You look at Spurs and Leicester their success is founded on one of the three midfielders behind the lone striker making a run from wide to central past the ball and the striker. Kane offers short to bring out a central defender and the space is cleared behind. It doesn't help that Lukaku's first touch is more than often a ricochet, but Lennon and Barkley should be running beyond and not wanting it short and behind the ball every time. We simply don't get players past Lukaku with the ball.

The team look unfit. (Shattered after 20 mins of pressing at Anfield and something Liverpool maintain for 90 minutes) We over-commit players in attack, particularly at home, then the opposition has an overload on the counter and we are punished. Furthermore, camping out your fullbacks in opposition territory invites teams to sit back and you only serve to suffocate you own pitch space potential for predictable, pedestrian football.

I have lost faith in Martinez to admonish his players for consistently poor tactical discipline. Stones not marking properly, wide opposition players not being closed down, players wandering past Barkley in dangerous areas. Even more worryingly, I don't see Teammates screaming at each other for the errors. It looks like we are missing a few key individuals on the pitch who aren't afraid to administer the old firework up the backside routine when they aren't doing their job.

I hope for his own sake Martinez is removed and spared the potentially toxic atmosphere of the home game v Norwich. My choice of replacement would be Koeman. His playing record demands respect and will attract players. The job at Southampton has been impressive, particularly that first season when they were one of the bookies favs to go down after losing half their team to Liverpool and United.

Iain Latchford
97 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:29:08
Allardyce has given his press conference for the game this afternoon. Is it usually the case that we should give ours on the same day? If not then tomorrow could be a defining day for Everton one way or another.

Paul Kossoff
98 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:38:39
Well Roberto, what exactly are you going to do if you don't get a performance? Throw a hissy fit? Drop your favourites? Oh, I've got a suggestion for you, 'RESIGN! That's the the right thing to do if you had any backbone, if you had any gratitude to the fans and club, walk away and say 'I'm sorry it didn't work out.'
Joe Clitherow
99 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:39:58
"lamentable for abuse to be handed down on the squad and their families."

Agreed. The Everton equivalent of Saddam Hussein's human shield to go with our own version of Comical Ali.

Anyone know where I can get some playing cards made up?

Neil Pickering
100 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:41:02
It's amazing how some of you on here were saying you hope Everton lose so Martinez gets the sack!

I said the same thing on here and got absolutely slaughtered not a month ago...

Jamie Barlow
102 Posted 09/05/2016 at 15:53:58
And rightly so.
James Stewart
104 Posted 09/05/2016 at 16:20:33
@78 No because Kenwright was at the wheel during the Moyes reign which was a success if you consider where we were when he took over and where he left us.
Jay Wood
105 Posted 09/05/2016 at 16:22:03
After the Wembley defeat, I said there was no longer any rational reason to retain Roberto as manager. The further rapid deterioration in performances and results support that view.

I take, with a large pinch of salt, the claims of posters on here who tell us their 'inside informant' is certain RM will still be here next season, or is a goner 'within the hour-day-week, end of the season, whenever,' or that BK still remains the key decision maker on such matters.

Not all such contradictory rumours can be true, so I take a blanket decision on all of them and dismiss them all as simply 'false.'

Rumours also abound that the board was holding off until 1 June to reduce the amount of severance pay RM would be due.

Whilst possibly more feasible, if that is the case it is proving a completely false economizing on many levels.

Firstly, the club is losing out in hard cash. Every place lost in a club's final PL finishing position equates to a loss of £1.3 million in prize money. From being 8th in the league as recently as the game against Stoke, we have now slipped 4 places to 12th, a potential loss of £5.2 million. We are more likely to lose further prize money and slip further down the table (as low as 16th), rather than the inverse.

By retaining RM's services after the semi-final defeat, the once-famed closeness and team spirit at Everton is rapidly deteriorating and players are simply not playing to the standard they are capable of.

This has two consequences: firstly, again monetary, the elevated transfer values of some players may have considerable diminished.

Secondly, the damage down to morale in the dressing room could well be beyond redemption in some cases. The trust and belief in some players' dedication to the Everton cause has possibly been exposed and their continuation at the club - not matter how talented - is more detrimental than healthy for those who remain.

Suddenly, from being a squad with huge potential, we are being exposed as a denuded one with many issues and a serious shortfall across many positions.

The longer the board delay taking the necessary action, the more damaging it is for the club in the short, medium and long term.

Steavey Buckley
106 Posted 09/05/2016 at 16:34:39
Martinez 'expects a performance' at Sunderland......with the same players with Oviedo at right back, who performed so abysmally at Leicester?
Terence Tyler
107 Posted 09/05/2016 at 16:36:11
To be fair, he should not go until Sunderland and Norwich have had the benefit of playing against a team managed by Martinez.
Colin Glassar
108 Posted 09/05/2016 at 16:45:12
The 'logical' step would be to dismiss him after the Sunderland game if only to avoid a disastrous PR farce against Norwich.

We are already the Premier League laughing stock, do we really need any more embarrassment? I hope BK's got enough sense of shame to recognise this.

Joe McMahon
109 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:03:15
Terence (107) it doesn't work like that some teams have played a Rodgers Liverpool and the Klopp version is a lot different. This is another reason we need Moshiri to drag us forward, they have Klopp, stadium development and no doubt, another european trophy and CL football next season.

Christ just imagine if the next appintment is another Kenwright one and no plans for Woodison.

David Edwards
110 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:23:37
Groundhog Day again - back home from work and scanning the Internet to see those magical words "Martinez Leaves' somewhere - but once again disappointed. Looking like he'll be there for the Sunderland game, and so the nightmare scenario of him being at Goodison on Sunday still exists! What is the board doing! Are they really going to let Martinez face the wrath of us all, with his family looking on. Surely not?! They shoot horses don't they?
Kieran Kinsella
111 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:24:56
Colin

Kenshite has no sense. He's lost the plot and is akin to Joaquin Phoenix in Gladiator. I can see him holding his thumb out sideways on Saturday while the crowd roar before he gives the thumbs down and sets the lions loose on Martinez.

Brian Williams
112 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:28:11
David 110. Do you think there'll be anything to face though?
We, as a group of supporters don't seem to have the (whatever it is) that's needed for a decent protest.
Is that a good thing, a bad thing, or are people as generally "not arsed" as they are about showing their displeasure anyway?
Iain Latchford
113 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:34:28
Martinez should tell his family to stay away from Goodison on Sunday. He shouldn't have to do that but it's the lesser of two evils as far as I can see.

We're turning into Newcastle. I don't think I can be more scathing than that.

David Edwards
114 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:37:54
Brian, fair point – apathy does tend to dominate when we have reason to protest. I'm obviously hoping that the dam has to burst this Sunday... but maybe that is what Bill and the board are hoping for in delaying, in a hope that we'll all sit down and mutter 'mustn't grumble – at least we're not going down'.

Let's hope our motto reminds them that we have higher expectations that mid-table mediocrity!

Dan Davies
115 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:49:46
Back him or SACK him!
Joe Foster
116 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:50:50
Watched Toffee saying plans are in place to get rid of Kenwright.
Jay Harris
117 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:51:34
Jay
A very commonsense overview but unfortunately out Luvvie chairman has no commonsense and a hide of tough leather.

He is even more stubborn than Martinez.

I believe RM should have gone after the excruciating Xmas we had last season and fully expected he would be shown the door during various episodes this season.The Derby and handling of Baines and Mirallas and the none handling of "CL" Lukaku were all serious enough to merit action with the manager but hey remember the smoke and mirrors man is in charge.

The other lot got rid of King Kenny and the yanks yet we cant even get rid of a shambolic manager.

If we cannot orchestrate a campaign to get this man out of the club we deserve all we get.

Eugene Ruane
118 Posted 09/05/2016 at 17:58:29
Sack him or..um..fire him!
Eugene Ruane
119 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:06:05
Jay (117) - 'The other lot got rid of King Kenny and the yanks yet we cant even get rid of a shambolic manager.'

And Martinez doesn't even have violent criminal, drug-dealer gangster friends like Dalglish Link

Brian Williams
120 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:14:08
Fucking tennis balls (with Martinez out on them) after 20 minutes then at least if the game gets abandoned we've only had to watch 20 minutes of utter shite!
Mark Stone
121 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:21:33
Why tennis balls? I don't understand the inference. Please excuse my ignorance
Brian Williams
122 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:25:21
Mark. Dortmund fans threw tennis balls onto the pitch to protest against planned ticket price rises.

There were enough thrown onto the pitch to stop the game and when the game stopped the fans unfurled a banner highlighting their protest. Outcome? No price rise!

Damian Wilde
123 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:28:36
Jay (117) - good post, agree with all of your points.
Brian Williams
124 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:28:45
Or we could just moan to the person sitting next to us and watch Bobby bring us down even further next season.
Martin Mason
125 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:29:02
I liked the article in the Sunday supplement where it said that the ground demonstrations and plane stunts were totally ineffective, staged looking, not spontaneous and naive showing a clear minority of dissatisfied fans when that isn't really true now. It's failing miserably at the Emirates where the protesters are made to look like the idiots.

As they say in the article the visual impact of empty seats has no equal especially when it is preceded by people walking out of the ground from them. That protest by Liverpool fans was fantastic although I doubt the effect can be repeated. The maximum impact now for me would be no fans turning up for the game. We won't do it though and that is the fact.

Mark Burton
126 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:34:57
Big Sam guaranteed premiership next year. Bad luck to the bar codes but luck of the draw, Sunderland got to play Martinez's phenomenal motivated team. Sorry bar codes.
Damian Wilde
127 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:40:22
Good point, Martin. Why I've decided not to attend. Had enough. That and hating going to the match because it so boring and annoying.
Patrick Murphy
128 Posted 09/05/2016 at 18:48:43
Having paid £42 some weeks ago, for the dubious honour of being at the game on Sunday, my seat won't be empty, besides which, it matters little at that point as to whether Roberto is still here or not. Now if the board decide to leave things as they are and tries to retain Roberto's services, beyond the beginning of the European Championships, then I will support and join in whatever protests are organised to help change the Board's mind.
Jeremy Jansen
130 Posted 09/05/2016 at 19:00:18
@Craig#28
Joel reacted that way due to the way Vardy reacting similarly when he converted his earlier penalty. Vardy's reaction seemed pretty classless to me so fair play to Joel as far as I'm concerned.

Martinez's position should be untenable at this point. I had high hopes for the man, that he'd be able to get things back on track for the end of the season but it seems as of the opposite has happened and we've fallen completely off the rails. I hope we do find the right manager to move us forward before the start of next season – it seems pretty clear that Martinez is not that person.

I'm in agreement with the folks who wouldn't mind seeing Stones and/or Barkley go for large sums of money. We've been polishing that gem Barkley for a while now but haven't been able to get him to consistently shine. The effort he displays most of the time is infuriating – like he can't be bothered. If he was having an excellent season then it wouldn't be as maddening. But the lad consistently slows play down in the final third of the pitch and usually displays poor decision making. Sometimes he pulls it off to great effect but those times are getting fewer and further between. To be fair to Ross, most of the team didn't put on much of a display versus the Foxes but Barkley is consistent in that regard.

Lastly, I really want to see Niasse be successful as I could've sworn there were some positive glimpses in his play the previous game. Sadly, he was woeful this game and screwed up at almost every opportunity.

Clive Lewis
131 Posted 09/05/2016 at 19:13:01
Well time to make our feeling well and truly heard at the weekend. Silence from the board is deafening. Do they care what the supporters think. BK always said he would listen to the fans.
Well things could get embarrassing and they should act. If the June 1st thing is valid, make statement to the press so that we all know.
Ian Cowhig
132 Posted 09/05/2016 at 19:14:43
The club should do the right thing. The writing is on the wall for Martinez. And keeping him in charge for Sunday's game is not good in any circumstance.

Any demonstration by the fans will not be beneficial to the club brand going forward. And neither will another performance like the apathetic ones of late.

I understand that Everton want to act in way that is seen as correct. But football and brand names do not function in that way anymore.

If Moshiri has serious designs on moving the club forward, and capitalising on his investment. Then he needs to forget any saving on a Martinez pay off. Because damage to the brand and the ability of the club to attract a manager with pedigree, and players as well will be affected in a far greater way.

Alan Bodell
134 Posted 09/05/2016 at 19:50:35
After seeing their Thai counterparts winning the big one I wonder what Chang are thinking after pumping us up for many years now.
Oliver Molloy
135 Posted 09/05/2016 at 19:58:31
Moshiri to Bill.

" Ok Bill , I will invest in Everton, but if Martinez doesn't cut the mustard by the end of this season, I want him gone and any pay off / compensation due to him you will pay out of your own pocket , it will not come from investment ( if you can't convince to resign of course - ha ha ) deal !

Bill to Moshiri as he shakes on it.

" Absolute deal Moshi,m I can do that , because I know my Roberto will deliver "

Does anyone think this could be possible - could BK still be trying to convince Moshiri ?

John Davies
136 Posted 09/05/2016 at 20:20:45
The phenomenal one expects the players to put in a performance against Sunderland does he? The guy cracks me up. Still no recognition of the fact that he hasn't turned up this season, or last for that matter. Demented and delusional. I'll have a snort of whatever it is he is shoving up his nose. Life must be very special on planet Martinez !!!
Steve Woods
137 Posted 09/05/2016 at 20:24:10
Good article over on GOT suggesting mediocrity is now an Everton disease.

https://www.grandoldteam.com/2016/05/08/mediocrity-disease-Everton-fans-arent-allowed-think-big/

Eric Myles
138 Posted 09/05/2016 at 20:24:35
Alan #132, there's a bit of a difference in the degree of control of a club between the Thai company that owns Leicester, and the Thai company that only sponsors our shirts
Mike Benjamin
139 Posted 09/05/2016 at 20:39:00
A new rule change has just been announced. At a kick off the ball does not need to go forward. This will undoubtedly suit RM down to the ground as now we can go even longer without getting in the opponents half, even when we kick off. Sorry but I need to have a laugh to bring me out of depression.
Damian Wilde
140 Posted 09/05/2016 at 20:46:15
Fantastic article Steve, fully agree with it. We need to change the whole mind set of the clubs, fans included.
Martin Mason
141 Posted 09/05/2016 at 20:54:54
I've just watched the BBC2 documentary on Hillsborough that was on last night. The injustice that the clown Martinez is still at Everton is nothing compared to the injustice those people received from the establishment that should be there to protect the rights of victims.

Mind you, if that buffoon is still at Everton after Saturday they will lose me and my family as fans. unfortunately BK is guilty by association and must go but why did Moshiri take over the club and still allow him operational control. Something smells fishy to me.

Jay Harris
142 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:10:05
Very interesting that link Eugene.

I had heard that Dalglish had a few dodgy connections but didnt know it had escalated to that level.

Just another nail in the coffin of integrity that used to be football.

Xavier Spencer
143 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:20:06
Jay that news is 12 years old. Get a grip what has it got to with anything?
Tony Abrahams
144 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:25:31
Martin, maybe it was going to cost more money to sack Martinez, early, and Moshiri, already has someone lined up for the summer?

What a manager, might even have been a secret code for this new manager?

Kenwright, guilty by association Martin? That's Fucking brilliant that mate!

This has now become a real ToffeeWeb, dilemma. If Martinez, stays, THE DUKE goes. Please get Martinez, out of our club, for Tonto....I mean Pronto!

Clive Lewis
145 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:43:44
Beach balls would be better than tennis balls, with messages on them , however cannot for the life of me think what I would write on it.

Maybe the words Nil Satis Nisi Optimum or the Latin for Martinez get out of our club.
Ut De Club de Martinez

Martin Mason
146 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:45:51
How about a managerial performance worthy of the club? How about a coherent shape and not 3 at the back against a top class side playing 4-4-2. It was his plan B when he struggled to find a RB, play without one, phenomenal tactics. Oh no, I'm becoming Martinez
Stew Marsland
147 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:50:27
Why is Martinept still here?
Colin Glassar
148 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:56:00
Jesus, it's like Groundhog Day on here with the same question. It'll happen when it happens and will break first on social media, then on ssn and two months later on the OS.
Alan Tarr
149 Posted 09/05/2016 at 21:59:52
I welcomed Martinez's appointment 3 years ago, but now accept his time is up. Whilst he has left himself open to deserved criticism, we must not overlook the players' role during these last two terrible seasons.

As much as I would love to see an Everton team performing on a regular basis similar to Real Madrid or Barcelona or Bayern etc, I accept we don't have their level of quality; however, they should be able to do the basics – pass to each other, run around, tackle, track back, cover and mark... but they don't. It is so infuriating having to watch Lukaku and Barkley strolling around, and so-called experts go on about 'their potential'.

Yes, we need a new manager, but we should also move most of the squad on, to be replaced by players who care, show determination, work for 90 minutes, and do the basics. If such a team gets beaten, fair enough, but at least as fans we would know they have done their best.

David Edwards
150 Posted 09/05/2016 at 22:05:14
I quite like that, Stew! - but will it catch in time for Sunday's banners?
Damian Wilde
151 Posted 09/05/2016 at 22:16:11
Protest from St George's Hall Thur. evening so Twitter says
Clive Lewis
152 Posted 09/05/2016 at 22:17:32
If he hasn't gone by the weekend then its is this with an obscene message.

https://www.beachballs.com/images/AD_16_RedYellow_x.png

As a side note I have seen the beach ball look more threatening than Niasse in the box, you never know it might just score.

m.youtube.com/watch?v=j6Yd6jxhch0

Kieran Kinsella
154 Posted 09/05/2016 at 23:11:21
I just saw a headline "Kone return gives Sunderland boost" and for a second I thought they meant Arouna.
John Davies
155 Posted 09/05/2016 at 23:36:41
I fully agree with all the comments recommending NOT hurling abuse at players and staff if they have the nerve to do a "lap of honour" after the game against Norwich. (Why would Martinez wind his neck in now? He hasn't done all season.)

Instead, we should all just leave the ground at the final whistle and make it quite clear by doing so that this has been the most painful, pathetic, embarrassing, under achieving season.

That said, an exit on 78 minutes (1878) as suggested by others is a bloody good shout. LAUNCH OPERATION EXIT GOODISON.

Tony Stanley
156 Posted 10/05/2016 at 00:18:00
It really has become ludicrous for EVERTON supporters watching this shambles taking place at our club. If Mr Moshiri wants to protect his investment then he needs to act now.
Barry Jones
157 Posted 10/05/2016 at 01:17:13
Roy #41. The only way you will find out what's going through Kenwright's mind is if he can find it first.
Barry Jones
158 Posted 10/05/2016 at 01:31:53
....and Christine #83, I am still not convinced that Martinez is as you say, " on the brink", if you mean in terms of being sacked. I am totally convinced though that he is on the brink of insanity.
Phil Jeffries
160 Posted 10/05/2016 at 05:41:16
Exit on 78 minutes sounds a superb idea. Just leave. To be honest, after the Spurs game last season, we just left anyway and didn't stay for the lap of dishonour.

We need something that will send a CLEAR message to the manager, media and most importantly the BOARD. The Media would be all over this...

Richard Lyons
161 Posted 10/05/2016 at 06:25:06
Oh dear... Tuesday morning and he's still manager.
Christopher Dover
162 Posted 10/05/2016 at 08:16:29
Another depressing day, he's still here.

Why is he not put out of his misery? This would give the fans a big boost for Sunday.

Ralph Basnett
163 Posted 10/05/2016 at 09:18:58
I would like to suggest that Mr Moshiri successfully steering himself to a position of Billionaire has a little bit about himself.

With this in mind, I believe the talk has already taken place and that HE is gone at the end of the season.

As lots before me have already suggested, Martinez probably has something written in his contract that states that if he is relieved of his duties whilst the season is in place he will get extra compensation hence him still being with us.

In his favour he will leave under mutual consent, has not dissed the club in his last few games which may improve his opportunities of some other sucker getting stuck with him and this gives the powers that be opportunity to approach potential new managers.

We will no doubt lose to Sunderland and probably Norwich at home before he is 'relieved' but this will not stop us as supporters winding ourselves up at our inactive board not doing anything – they probably have already and saving a few bob as well.

Otherwise, although already paid, my season ticket and probably lots more will not be getting much use next season.

As already stated, Moshiri cannot be that stupid that he would keep him, but worse decisions have been made, don't want to be wishing my life away but roll on 16 May and newspaper headlines!!!!!!

Pete Bridson
165 Posted 10/05/2016 at 09:24:14
Ok, just checking the usual sites and he's still there.
Let's face it, he's going nowhere until the season's over.... at least.
Les Netherwood
166 Posted 10/05/2016 at 09:45:53
We have to see what happens tomorrow at The Stadium of Light; is he really going to survive until the week-end? Will BK see the light at last?

Don't bank on it... I think the season's end is most likely the time for him, or them, both to go... I really do hope so.

Paul Conway
167 Posted 10/05/2016 at 09:55:15
Why not simply balloons blown up with the words 'Adios Martinez' printed on them? The blue and white balloons would be representative of everything 'Everton'.

A, they are cheaper;
B, they are full of hot air, that the board and Martinez has been emitting;
C, the lifespan of a balloon floating around in the air would be longer than Everton's survival next year in the Premier League!

Iain Latchford
168 Posted 10/05/2016 at 09:55:31
Usual pre match press conference is scheduled for 12pm, so nothing happening. Groundhog day.
Rob Halligan
169 Posted 10/05/2016 at 10:17:39
Phil Jeffries #160. See where you're coming from. However if we all left before the final whistle, would this send a message that we don't care whether Martinez stays or goes?

By everyone staying for the players walk around (I won't use Lap of Honour) 37,000 voices can give Martinez dog's abuse. For me, this would clearly show the board how we feel about him.

I was at Leicester last Saturday and the abuse from over 3,000 was toxic towards him. I will be at Sunderland tomorrow and hopefully he gets the same. Imagine that 10 fold?

I would recommend everyone to stay on Sunday if he is still in charge.

Iain Latchford
170 Posted 10/05/2016 at 10:45:51
Rob,

Surely directing any form of "abuse" at RM, whilst he's walking around the pitch with his family isn't really the answer. Any protest should be directed at the board (namely Kenwright). It is their responsibility to make the big decisions and do what is in the best interests of the club. They haven't done that.

For all RM's faults I'm sure he's trying his best, it just isn't good enough. The players need to have a good look at themselves too.

It's a collective mess, and Martinez is the one in the firing line. Where is Kenwright??? Hiding in his ivory towers in London saying absolutely nothing. What a Chairman.

Frank Thomas
171 Posted 10/05/2016 at 10:46:25
Time to stop the hysteria and start thinking.

The current top 9 teams in the Premier League have managers with European experience. The managers of the top 3 have also had several years experience in the top flight of English leagues. So that should be a pointer to who to hire next. When we hire the next manager.

Lets look at the board who hire the managers. They are both self made millionaires who have a high regard and respect for each other. Both have learnt 'act in haste repent at your leisure'. Mr Moshiri comes from a club that has the longest standing Manager in the football league and he realises that only time and guidance produces a football manager that will produce long term results. Mr Kenwirght is a lifetime supporter of Everton and also has similar experiences in the theatre world so I think he also will grant Roberto more time. Both however will be looking at alternatives; neither will be rushed into it by fans who are overcome by their passions and desires. Successful business is not run that way.

These last 3 seasons we have produced some delightful and attractive football. This has been tinged with baffling rotations and substitutions and these will raise question that Roberto will have to answer at the end of the season. Take last week's game when he sought a replication of the previous weeks win yet he changed a defender, midfielder and an attacker.

Rotations are needed. This is a game of really fit athletes facing each other even Arsenal and Leicester have rotated players but in a different way to Roberto another point that Mr Moshiri will be asking him based on his Arsenal experience. However before we forget this rotational system that Roberto has been using was also used by Rafa and Rodgers and in both cases it destroyed the successful team leading to dismissal of the managers.

The defence has been badly hit by this rotational dogma. Look again at Leicester: they have left the back 4 apart from injury problems. The goals we are leaking are due to poor communication and trust between the defenders. We have all played football; those who are defenders know when you move forward you depend on your mate to cover you. No communication, no cover.

The purchase of players seems confused. Take Niasse he is a great at providing assists but Lukaku is too slow and needs the ball at his feet. Just look at the MotD Leicester game – he was too slow to the ball and the defender cleared maybe that is what Mourinho saw. Playing Niasse and Dowell tomorrow may provide an interesting partnership.

I said often Roberto may get until next year but that might change if the next two results are shockingly bad. I think hints have been dropped with Roberto hence the playing of members of the youth team. I was not one of the 600 who voted for Roberto to stay in the recent poll.

John Louis Jones
172 Posted 10/05/2016 at 10:52:32
I Think the away fans should sing "are you Ted Bundy in disguise"

The guy is a pure sociopath.

John Davies
173 Posted 10/05/2016 at 11:52:44
Frank Thomas: An eloquent script but three points:

1. There is no hysteria going on here from supporters – just an anger at parting with our hard earned money week in and week out to watch the level of our teams' performance rapidly decline.

2. Successful businesses do not report rapidly declining results three years running without shareholders taking decisive action to reverse the trend.

3. Now is not the time to be asking the manager to explain his and his team's appalling run of results. That should have been done over a year ago. No, it's time for the manager and chairman to be shipped out before this "successful business" goes bust.

John Critchley
174 Posted 10/05/2016 at 12:03:20
78th minute walk-out for me on Sunday, I'm afraid.

40 years I've supported my beloved blues, but I won't set foot in the old lady till that "What a manager!" is gone, I've had enough.

And I want Kenwright gone too! The man is a charlatan, didn't I read a quote from him "I don't want to be here when I'm 70"? Well, you are 70 Bill, so what's keeping you there?

My guess is you don't want to give your little plaything up, you want someone to bankroll your dream, then you can say, in your best theatre luvvie voice "Look at me darlings, look what I'VE done!" Now all adore me.

It's got to the point that I'm disillusioned with the blues now, it's not just the last two seasons, but a culmination of the last decade or so, why are we so inept in all departments, finance, marketing, sponsorships, ground moves or redevelopment? In my humble opinion that comes down to one person the chairman, he should oversee all of those things, isn't that a chairman's Job?? or have I got it wrong.

As I've said it's only my opinion, but I think he has failed in his job, 20+yrs worth of failure.

Kunal Desai
175 Posted 10/05/2016 at 12:20:00
He just gave his usual waffle of a press conference. Only wanted to discuss the Sunderland game and wasn't prepared to talk about the summer. He knows he's leaving – just a case of when. The last couple of press conferences have been very very short.

David Edwards
176 Posted 10/05/2016 at 12:31:00
Did any journalist have the guts to ask him directly about his future position and whether he was aware of any meetings to discuss this etc...? The BBC implied he fielded some questions about future transfer possibilities (indirectly hinting at whether he'd be around in the summer) but was there no direct question!

Pitiful journalism, if that is the case! That's why we need to take action ourselves this Sunday!

Phil Sammon
177 Posted 10/05/2016 at 12:43:18
6 minute press conference. Very out of character.

Martinez has to go but the way the board have dragged this out has been almost sadistic. He has annoyed me no end with his media waffle, but he doesn't deserve utter humiliation when he could have left with at least some respect intact.

What a sorry season all round.

Jim Hardin
178 Posted 10/05/2016 at 12:43:42
Kunai,

In all fairness to Martinez, isn't the prematch presser supposed to focus on the upcoming game? This one has significance to the teams fighting relegation and so rightly, one should expect the press to focus on the game and the health of the squad. There are enough questions about the young players, the injuries, etc. to fill the press conference.

Sure, it is okay to ask a couple of questions about the summer or Martinez's future, but if he declines to answer, or indicates he will not address those questions, then move on. If someone in the press cannot think of any game-related questions, then what are they doing there in the first place?

Kev Johnson
179 Posted 10/05/2016 at 13:31:00
Who cares, Roberto, just leave now. Your time is done.
John Louis Jones
180 Posted 10/05/2016 at 13:42:00
Watched the Presser and he completely avoided questions about the summer and a indirect question if he had lost the Players. In both instances he waffled on about the team. He looked like a dead man walking.

I still can not believe people still think he is a nice man. Hung Baines out to dry and 4 weeks later says the exact same thing as Baines.

Read this and tell me if I am wrong: http://www.mcafee.cc/Bin/sb.html

Colin Oakes
181 Posted 10/05/2016 at 13:42:18
The whole club needs a clear out down from the arse-lickers like Sharp, Snodin, Stuart & Ferguson up to Kenwright, Elstone etc. It's long over due that the club be run as a proper football business and not like some ex-servicemen's club.
Rick Tarleton
182 Posted 10/05/2016 at 13:51:17
Checked again on Sky Sports' News. he's still there. Why?
Patrick Carty
183 Posted 10/05/2016 at 13:55:31
Ray (#182),

He got us to both semi-finals this year, so apparently this is deemed as a successful year.

Terence Tyler
184 Posted 10/05/2016 at 13:57:53
He will not be sacked on the eve of important game. Chairman Bill will not want to be implicated in either the downfall of Sunderland or Newcastle. Once the relegation issue is sorted, which could be tomorrow evening, he will be gone.
Matthew Williams
185 Posted 10/05/2016 at 14:00:31
I fucking don't... 3-1 to the Mackems!
James Highet
186 Posted 10/05/2016 at 14:08:57
I think everyone is in agreement about Martinez and our need for him to leave or be replaced. What I don't want as a fan is seeing us hurl abuse at him at the end of season lap of honour. That is not what a club of our stature should be doing; we have more class than that.

The fact of the matter is the players are just as much to blame, they go to work everyday and get paid a handsome amount to do so. I can't see an awful lot of effort coming from them apart from maybe 35 mins during an FA Cup semi Final and that is it.

The board will have their idea's unfortunately we just have to wait until the end of what has been an awful season to see.

Frank Thomas
187 Posted 10/05/2016 at 14:18:18
John (#173),

I was trying to indicate what I think the board will do regarding Roberto's future. The board will not be thinking in terms of 3 seasons. They want to build a new stadium – that will take nearly two years. As for profit we are still increasing our income thanks to television deals.

Look at Leicester's manager Ranieri – he said this years earnings from the EPL will be used to guarantee the future of the club. The TV money may not last forever.

However, if the board does change manager, Frank De Boer looks the best manager. To win any league for 4 years on the run is not easy. Celtic has not done that even with the absence of Rangers. Though De Boer might not do anything special within 3 years, so a club with patience will be something he needs.

Kieran Kinsella
188 Posted 10/05/2016 at 14:22:45
Everyone expects Martinez to be sacked so the board decide to pull some stunt to get the eyes of the world at Goodison on Thursday... to launch a new kit. That won't be uncomfortable at all will it?

We can hear Oviedo talking about the great game at Leicester while Martinez dodges questions about whether he will ever send out a side wearing the new kit. Never miss a chance to look like an idiot, eh, Bill?

Paul Corbett
189 Posted 10/05/2016 at 14:26:29
Here's how I see the rest of this week playing out:

1. Martinez is in control for the Sunderland game.
2. An announcement is made prior to the Norwich game (possibly at the awards) that Martinez will be relieved of his duties after the Norwich game and that Kenwright will be stepping down as Chairman.
3. The atmosphere at Goodison turns from being toxic to one of relief and optimism.
4. Kenwright is paraded on the pitch before the game and receives polite applause (we are Evertonians after all)
5. Martinez is afforded the same during the lap of honour.
6. We then all realise this was Kenwright's plan all along to end his time with Everton with a theatrical flourish.

Or we may wake up on Monday morning checking Twitter every two minutes asking "Has he gone yet?"

Oliver Molloy
190 Posted 10/05/2016 at 15:08:31
I don't know what we are all surprised at; this is typical Everton under Kenwright – everything is dragged out till the bitter end... the bitter end, I say!
Gavin Johnson
191 Posted 10/05/2016 at 15:16:34
I never want Everton to lose but, to be honest, I'm pretty indifferent to the result of tomorrows game. It's a dead rubber fixture. If we win, we win. If we lose, it should be the unequivocal result that shows BK he needs to swallow his pride and act.

This should have been resolved after the semi. If we lose, it also means Newcastle will go down, and I'll be happy about that.

David Edwards
192 Posted 10/05/2016 at 15:23:52
Paul (#189) – I could live with that (correct outcome – albeit very late!) I could just stretch to a touch of polite clapping if it meant never seeing them again next season!
Clive Rogers
193 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:26:15
Joe#44
You are right.
Clive Rogers
194 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:48:51
James #104,
A success, Moyes had 11 years to achieve something. Compare that with Ranieri.
Clive Rogers
195 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:56:47
Frank #187,
Celtic have won the league 5 seasons on the trot.
Kim Vivian
196 Posted 10/05/2016 at 16:58:17
Who ever remembers a losing semi finalist? Pathetic!
Jay Harris
197 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:10:17
3000 away diehards cant be wrong can they Bill?

https://youtu.be/bGdrxdIlVtk

Clive Rogers
198 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:11:42
John #174,

Well said. Kenwright has almost destroyed EFC.. When I watch MOTD its embarrassing seeing every other club with a sparkling stadium. Kenwright is the worst thing to happen to EFC in my lifetime. If he was s man of honour he would resign. No chance of that then.

Frank Thomas
199 Posted 10/05/2016 at 17:49:36
Clive (195) yes they have but with two different managers Lennon and Deila. But you are correct thanks for info. I don't think De Boer won the 5th title in 2015 ?
Clive Rogers
200 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:15:36
Frank,
PSV have won the two since.
Tom Bowers
201 Posted 10/05/2016 at 18:49:37
Many of us agree he should have been canned 4 or 5 months ago and we cannot understand why he is still around.
The season didn't really start that well and not beating a promoted team at home inn the first game should have given us a hint but somehow they dodged bullets at Soton and won.
The inconsistency set in and the inability to beat another promoted team in that weird game at Bournemouth spoke volumes about the defensive weaknesses which just got worse and worse.
He was probably kept on only due to a run in both cup competitions which only came about due to the luck of the draw.
As the defensive woes continued to go downhill so did the early season promise of Barklay's support of Rom. and they had quickly become an easy mark for most other teams.
The lack of games for Mirallas and the Niasse fiasco gave Everton a very impotent attack option and the results have spoken for themselves since.
Goodbye Robbie and enjoy your retirement Bill !!!
Patrick Carty
202 Posted 10/05/2016 at 19:15:07
Kim # 196,
I was been sarcastic, I think Martinez is the one who spouted that bullshit!!!
Robin Gomme
203 Posted 10/05/2016 at 22:23:04

“The manager and the players are all together. When you create a team, you create an aspiration and our aspiration is to win as many games as we can for our football club and to bring silverware."

That's alright then

Dave Abrahams
204 Posted 11/05/2016 at 09:29:34
"Martinez expects a performance against Sunderland" Well Bobby your motivation, tactics, team selection and substitutions are going to be a massive help towards this.
Rick Tarleton
205 Posted 11/05/2016 at 13:55:33
He's still not been sacked. Will he still bein charge for the Norwich game. Poor Newcastle, they have no game with Martinez's Everton left.

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