Time For Goodison Turnaround?
The situation at Goodison Park is not a full-blown crisis, at least not yet. It can’t be denied that a run of just one win in thirteen games in all competitions (and that came at home to QPR, who aren’t known for their quality on the road) represents something of a slump. But recent weeks should give Roberto Martinez and the Toffees’ faithful some hope.
Defensive Frailty
Everton held one of the Premier League’s most impressive defensive records last season and were notoriously well structured and hard to break down. On the back of this defensive display and their concerted push for Champions League football in 2013-14, they were well fancied by the betting experts at blue sq and others to finish well up the table this season. Having conceded 34 goals already this season, just five short of their total for the whole of last year, it is clear to see why Everton are down in 12th place in the league this time round.
Looking Up
Having lost four straight Premier League games over the Christmas period, Everton have drawn their last four games including coming back from a goal down to hold Manchester City 1-1 and managing to keep a clean sheet against West Brom. There is no doubt that the Christmas period has hit Everton’s confidence but with the likes of Muhamed Besic and John Stones coming into form, and Seamus Coleman and Leighton Baines looking to defend on the front foot, Everton look more solid at the back.
Golden Opportunity
In recent weeks Everton have also looked to bring Romelu Lukaku into the game more quickly and to play to his strengths. Roberto Martinez seems to be slowly realising that playing pretty possession football may be pleasing on the eye but it does not necessarily win football matches. This weekend offers a golden opportunity for Everton to prove that they have genuinely turned a corner. A win over Crystal Palace on Saturday would help to reassure fans that Everton are still capable of achieving a top-half finish and would help to relieve some of the pressure that is mounting on Martinez.
Posted on January 29th, 2015 by scott
Filed under: Article
He’s lost the plot, he needs to sell McGeady, Alcaraz and Gibson and stop telling us that everyone is phenomenal.
I think it is a full blown crisis already. The draw against West Brom was as bad as a defeat, and showed how Martinez hasn’t really changed his approach from what has dragged us to the verge of a relegation battle. I have no faith left in his methods – we don’t even look like starting to get out the mess we’re in. It was a gamble hiring him, and it’s failed. Time to sack him and move on. COYB!
I saw a lot more of McGeady when at Celtic and he was very inconsistent.
Wrote a few weeks ago about Martinez need to learn from Wigan mistakes and improve defence. He seemed to get lucky last season with Moyes defensive legacy and now paying for not improving this summer.
So would you both get rid of the manager? Bring in who?