I think each of them managers has utilised their resources and squads to a better level than Martinez is capable of.
Just because Southampton and Stoke are below us in the league, doesn't make their positions comparable. We have spent more and generate more income than those two teams. We have never been out of the Premier League and can thus attract a higher quality of player than the two mentioned.
We get Martinez coming out every week saying how strong his squad is, how Lukaku, Stones, McCarthy, Coleman, Barkley, Deulofeu, etc are so brilliant.
If they are so brilliant, then why did he finish 11th last season and this season we've only managed six wins in eighteen games?
Answers on a postcard, please.
Someone earlier mentioned the effect of the 'new' TV money and the extent it really has equipped all teams to get top quality talent that can win games on their day. This seems to have increasingly flattened the Prem this season (a good thing), but Everton's stop-start progress partly owes to this, too.
Interestingly, the Prem's extra games and poor CL showing means the world's top talents are as likely to choose Germany, Spain, France, Italy (lifestyle etc) vs PL, especially in major tournament seasons. I hate to say that since Suarez I haven't seen much of a world beater in any team, not consistently at least. So the good for Everton is that the potential is there for squads that stick together and develop. Can't really put my finger on why we slipped last year, I watched the 3rd goal versus Lille and thought we looked like a CL team!
So the point about above Stoke, Southampton (and others like West Ham, Palace etc) is fair. Everton are bigger, more consistent and generally produce better results over time than those clubs we're around at the clubs who've yo-yo'd. We were dreadfully unlucky the 72 points didn't have us in CL.
My only hope (/ gross frustration ) is that poor concentration - a hallmark of Martinez's previous teams - doesn't start to blunt this side's potential. Mirallas has to go, Lennon needs to score more, Barkley & Del be less wasteful. Barry, Rom and maybe Del are great signings but I really hope we draw more on the grit, concentration and drive that Jags, Baines, Coleman, SN (who gets a a bad press I notice), and now Galloway, McCarthy add too - which is what sorts out this League between Jan and March.
We press well but the 1st hour against Geordies was repeatedly flinging the ball to RL and lacked guile - and defensively ever since the Bournemouth debacle teams fancy us at the back. Don't chuck the baby out with the bath water RM! Hopefully TC's last minute winner ( a player I've criticized ) sparks the change in luck to push us on. CL is only a good run away.