Roberto Martinez discussion

[Foot Long Hot Dog]

Did you really expect that preseason?

I didn't expect it no. But equally I knew it was now or never in terms of us being able to retain the likes of Stones, Lukaku and maybe Barkley aswell.

With the squad we have and particularly given the openness of the league, and the hash of it that 2 of the traditional nailed on CL qualifiers have made of it i.e. Chelsea and United. We should have been in the running. We've got the best striker in the league ffs. At this point of the season we should still have been in with a shout. Whether it ultimately proved to be just out of grasp is not the point, as at least we could say to these players that we're not far off. That mightn't have been enough to keep them, but 12th and sliding is going to convince no-one that we're going anywhere near the hallowed ground of the top 4 under this fella.

 

[Azza]

Stones - 21
Barkley - 22
Deulofeu - 21
Lukaku - 22
Besic - 23
McCarthy - 25
Mori - 25
Galloway - 19

OKAY MATE. X

Nearly all our young exiting prospects have vast PL experience now. The young age is not an excuse that Martinez can use to be honest.

The 'core' of these players nearly have 100 apps each in the PL.


Barkley - 99 apps
Deulofeu - 46 apps
Lukaku - 135 apps
Besic - 29 apps
McCarthy - 192 apps
Mori - 17 apps (just joined)
Galloway - 17 apps (only breaking through)
Stones - 65 apps
Browning - 7 apps (only breaking through and crocked)
Cleverly - 123 apps
Coleman - 170 apps

 

[bluewally]

He means we are not a team that has learnt how to win yet ,but a developing team of young players. In order to "underachieve" you would have needed to have achieved something first.

I think a team of young players finishing 5th in the league with a record points total is quite an achievment. so yes I think 12th with more or less those same young players (coleman, McCarthy, Barkley, Stones, lukaku, deulofeu) is underachieving

 

[AdamEFC]

He chats so much wham.

 

[MikeH72]

Nearly all our young exiting prospects have vast PL experience now. The young age is not an excuse that Martinez can use to be honest.

The 'core' of these players nearly have 100 apps each in the PL.


Barkley - 99 apps
Deulofeu - 46 apps
Lukaku - 135 apps
Besic - 29 apps
McCarthy - 192 apps
Mori - 17 apps (just joined)
Galloway - 17 apps (only breaking through)
Stones - 65 apps
Browning - 7 apps (only breaking through and crocked)
Cleverly - 123 apps
Coleman - 170 apps

It's also especially funny when you consider that basically the same core of young players finished 5th when they were 2 years younger

 

[bicycleheader]

He chats so much wham.

In fairness I don't think anybody should pay attention to his careless whispers to the press. He is taking the Michael half the time even if do agree that lately it sounds like he is trying to wrigley his way out of taking all the blame.







...sorry

 

[Sennott Street]

That quotes about not underachieving is just the manager protecting his players. The reality is that a proper club sets targets for the season, and I doubt another finish in the bottom 10 would be a realistic target.

 

[kithnou]

I think a team of young players finishing 5th in the league with a record points total is quite an achievment. so yes I think 12th with more or less those same young players (coleman, McCarthy, Barkley, Stones, lukaku, deulofeu) is underachieving

I don't disagree...if we finish 12th

 

[bluewally]

He's gone defensive big time. No more "I'll get you in the Champions League". Now it's "What do you expect we're [I'll remove my own bad language]"

 

[bluewally]

I don't disagree...if we finish 12th

Well last season was also an underachievment

 

[bicycleheader]

It's also especially funny when you consider that basically the same core of young players finished 5th when they were 2 years younger

Its not though Mike. As one of the reasons for being more patient with a young team or a team whose key players are young is that they will be inconsistent. That could be game by game or season by season. So far we have had a boss season and a crap season, and now a middling season performance wise made to look so much worse by stupidly throwing away points. On top of that, our biggest flaw is shipping goals obviously but I wish people would take into account the amount of games that we have had 3 of our key defenders missing along with that extra cover and energy in the shape of McCarthy. Its slightly relevant I think...no? ....its as fair a point as the people saying we would ship goals regardless of personnel because of the tactics.

 

[kithnou]

Well last season was also an underachievment

Getting caught up with the word "underachievement" here. It was rubbish. Let's leave it there.

 

[kithnou]

He's gone defensive big time. No more "I'll get you in the Champions League". Now it's "What do you expect we're [I'll remove my own bad language]"

That's what people do in life, in business, in work. Talk fluff and tell you what you want to hear to get a job. Did you believe Jesus Christ could manage a penniless Everton into the CL, let alone a Wigan Manager?

 

[Kiwi]

That's what people do in life, in business, in work. Talk fluff and tell you what you want to hear to get a job. Did you believe Jesus Christ could manage a penniless Everton into the CL, let alone a Wigan Manager?

I reckon Mourinho could. That's another question entirely though.

 

[kithnou]

I reckon Mourinho could. That's another question entirely though.

I doubt it. We'll never know.