That is the new yardstick I've been reliably informed. No I dont understand it either. Apparently he's supposed to do what all other Everton manager in the past 20 years have never been asked to do and on the usual 10 bob.
I get what you are saying and do agree there is a lofty expectations of the fanbase.
I do think Moyes was judged to similar standards though, even when he was finishing 5/6th people would say it wasn't good enough and we should be in the top 4. I think there is a layer of the fanbase who have an arguably loftily high ambition that isn't always based in reality.
I always said of Moyes and the same is true with martinez, that they are the victims of their success in that they have lifted that expectation. Before Moyes came I couldn't imagine us not fighting relegation. Before Martinez left I could never see us winning anything. Both have lifted expectation but neither were given an awful lot of credit for doing so.
I don't think it's just Martinez judged to that standard though, though that doesn't make it anymore realistic.
I am not saying the is my view but it is a view. With the 10/11th biggest wage budget, similar net and real terms spend, maybe we are a club that should be around 10th 11th every season. Maybe Moyes overachieved in the league and did about par in the cups? Maybe Martinez has over achieved in the cups and about par in the league?
Think of it this way, currently the perception is we have a world class but inconsistent squad. However maybe it's not inconsistent but it is performing above itself thanks to good management. In reality how much have any of our players done away from Everton to deserve such credit?
McCarthy is top class? Whats he done apart from one good game V Germany? Barkley? Well he has flattered to deceive for England. Jagielka, a bit of a liability for England. Deulofeu, moved on by Barca and a failure at Sevilla. Peinaar? A reserve at Spurs. Even Lukaku has only recently overtaken Benteke as Belgiums striker.
I am not saying the above is true. However it is an interesting comparison to the general blue tinted specs we can all have. Maybe our squad of waifs, strays an caste aways are just that.
The thing I will criticise Martinez for is he has boosted their ego's to an unrealistic level. Per from Toffee TV said "who is Martinez" but to me the question should be, outside of Barry, who are our players to think they are world beaters? I think a few home truths are needed.
I can;t stand that Saggers on TalkSport, but after the Swansea game he was right when he said "a few of this Everton squad think they are better than what they are". I do wonder if the fans pre-occupation with us being a top 4 team hasn't helped that. I definitely don't think some of Martinez's praise albeit in a different language to his home tongue has helped either.
As you can tell I do think the players need a rocket. Some of them don't seem to think they need to work hard (and that includes the star names and the untouchables, in fact probably more so).