I think there's a lot of politics involved also. Managers like Moyes always stuck by his older established players because he knew he had to keep them onside. Martinez has done this with Howard recently and it's not a trait I especially like. Understandable, yes, but if a manager is confident enough he gives the shirt to Robles until he loses form.
Stones: he's learned on the job maybe a bit too much, imo. At clubs with more resources his appearances would have been dosed a bit more sparingly than he's had here. It's cost us along the way, but he's done more good than harm on the pitch because he can slot in more than any other CB to Martinez's system. We do need to buy another dominant type of distributing CB this summer, no question.
Garbutt; he's effectively made his case for a shout at the first team now. That has to be enough of a development for him this season, especially when Baines comes back in. He's had a good opportunity and it's up to him to repay the faith in him. Unfortunately, I think he's looking after number one and will be out of the club in the summer if he gets an offer from a decent PL club.
Yes I agree entirely. You saw with Moyes how that changed over time too. Fergusan (the best manager ever arguably) knew how to be ruthless and cut people who had been very loyal to him. In many ways it's a horrible trait and completely sociopathic but to build the best team you do have to fight the conservatism that creeps in, and the idea that people who have always done the job are better than newer members of a team. A Good manager can do this.
I too am worried about signs from Martinez on this. Forget our league position, I expected us to have a transition season. What worries me more is that he is slowly starting to develop favourites in the way Moyes did. The decision to put Howard back in was his worst mistake so far. It struck me as the mistake of a man who is slightly wavering in having confidence in his abilities. I sense this summer he will either grasp the mantle and get rid of the last remnants of the Moyes regime, or it will be his biggest mistake if he doesn't. Another season relying on the Howards, Distins, Osmans, Peinaars (and to a degree Naismith) will not turn us around now.
In the end that sums up the difference between those willing to give him time and those not. He should be given this summer to put his stamp on the team. After a season of failure from his players he has no better excuse. He needs to grasp that metal or in all likelihood even his supporters patience will wear thin.
Stones has learned too much on the job. But given the state of our finances it's the best we can hope for. The benefit is we now have a top class centre half suited to Martinez's system. We have the luxury with Garbutt to do it more steadily.
And yes we need to get more height into the team. I said that to my old man after the Arsenal game. We lose too many goals in key games from crosses and particularly corners. We need to try and find a Vidic like Centre half who will head balls away for us. Good luck Roberto! (Again I wouldn't mind us picking up a younger centre half and moulding them, as in all likelihood we won't be able to afford the real deal).
As you've said we will require people to learn on the job, as we don't have the money to buy ready made replacements. I think Martinez and his upbeat positive (not always win obsessed) manner is the bets person we have to do that job.
Garbutt has made a case for himself. I hope he will stay. For a while I thought he was off too. But given his and Martinez's comments about him staying and playing for England coinciding with a new contract being issued I sense things might have shifted. I hope so as Martinez seems to like him.
