Roberto Martinez discussion

[davek]

In the latest interview on the OS, Martinez says that we've lacked that bit of luck we needed when we played Spurs and Chelsea away. He went on to say that he feels that football just can't go on to be that unlucky for Everton.

He clearly does not know Everton lol

No, we needed an attacker to finish the moves off. That was his job to push Billy Liar to get an attacker in during the window and not release a striker before getting his replacement in.

Again: Martinez is the cat's pyjamas, yes, and we all respect him. But he's not getting off with stuff like that.

 

[Furey1878]

No, we needed an attacker to finish the job off. That was his job to push Billy Liar to get that attacker in during the window and not release a striker before getting his replacement in.

Again: Martinez is the cat's pyjamas, yes, and we all respect him. But he's not getting off with stuff like that.

I think he's referring to being denied a stonewall penalty, spurs being able to make their own freekick rules, and Chelsea awarding themselves freekicks in dangerous areas.

But of course, the striker fiasco has been pretty rough for the last couple of months.

 

[davek]

I think he's referring to being denied a stonewall penalty, spurs being able to make their own freekick rules, and Chelsea awarding themselves freekicks in dangerous areas.

But of course, the striker fiasco has been pretty rough for the last couple of months.

We had hard luck, no question. Some cutting edge though and it wouldn't have mattered.

 

[bluemangroup]

We had hard luck, no question. Some cutting edge though and it wouldn't have mattered.

Plus a lack of options....we've had to play players woefully out of form at times this season, wereas those around us can ring the changes and get quality, hungry players on the pitch, rather than stop gaps. Squad competition isnt great either. There arent many players who arent guaranteed a start for the most part.

 

[Mikey_Fitzgerald]

Hes a wingback.

Its not 1985 anymore.

Oh, be nice Goat

 

[davek]

Plus an lack of options....we've had to play players woefully out of form at times this season, wereas those around us can ring the changes and get quality, hungry players on the pitch, rather than stop gaps. Squad competition isnt great either. There arent many players who arent guaranteed a start for the most part.

Out wide and centre midfield we're ok(ish). CB (with Alcarez never available and Stones not quite there yet) and striker-wise we have the options of a Stoke or West Ham.

Nowhere near good enough to maintain a challenge when injuries strike.

 

[SerenityNigh]

I would say they think about defense first and would only go when they are covered, whereas a midfielder or attacking player wouldn't do this, they will constantly be concerned about the gap behind them and are therefore defensive minded because of the importance of the hole they vacate.
That's not to say they are not brave and use their quality to push back the opponent defense and look to go forwards, but I would be very concerned if they didn't think about what was behind them before thinking about what was in front given their position on the pitch.

This hearts my head and soul

 

[bicycleheader]

d d

I would say they think about defense first and would only go when they are covered, whereas a midfielder or attacking player wouldn't do this, they will constantly be concerned about the gap behind them and are therefore defensive minded because of the importance of the hole they vacate.
That's not to say they are not brave and use their quality to push back the opponent defense and look to go forwards, but I would be very concerned if they didn't think about what was behind them before thinking about what was in front given their position on the pitch.

I would argue we have only four players whose primary role in the vast majority of their time on the field this season could be defined as defensive in the traditional sense...ie a unit protecting our final third. Tim, Jags, Distin and Barry.

Instead of having two stay at home fbs who occasionally support the attack we have two extra wide attackers who get covered.by the cbs spreading out and barry covering the middle.

Even McCarthy does not simply roam in front of the back two like Barry. He has licence to push right upfield and pressure where he sees fit. In fact Barry also does this.

So for me instead of a back four with one mid covering the back two we have for the most part a back three and a whole load of attacking players. Especially as we dominate possession in most games.

So basically stating we have that many defensively minded players is suggesting something that doesnt represent in any way how we tactically set up and play the game.

 

[bluemangroup]

Out wide and centre midfield we're ok(ish). CB (with Alcarez never available and Stones not quite there yet) and striker-wise we have the options of a Stoke or West Ham.

Nowhere near good enough to maintain a challenge when injuries strike.

As they inevitably do. I think also that players run out of steam mentally a bit. We've battered at the door of a lot of teams without carving out clear chances and without changing it round all that much we expect them to think of new and inventive ways of finding their way through teams when they've been trying it for 35 or so games at this point. Thats bound to leave you mentally fatigued if youve played the majority of the games. Thats my theory at least.

 

[Carlito]

Strange thing to say. He'll get what he deserves if he selects the right targets.

It's not usually down to luck when a manager finds a bargain who turns out to be a brilliant player.

I think there's quite a bit of luck involved when you're operating at the lower end of the market.

Players as talented as Arteta and Pienaar don't often find themselves rotting away in reserve teams.

 

[RFUS]

Got it badly wrong here on a few accounts. I like Joel but in our biggest game of the season, leaving out our number one keeper is a bizarre move.

The subs were late and poor, and we just generally looks nothing like the team that went to the Emirates and felt hard done by with a point.

 

[Pabbers]

Think this site is best swerved today.

Night Blues.

 

[arminisgod]

Got it badly wrong here on a few accounts. I like Joel but in our biggest game of the season, leaving out our number one keeper is a bizarre move.

The subs were late and poor, and we just generally looks nothing like the team that went to the Emirates and felt hard done by with a point.

Joel has had notjhing to do with todays loss. I cant blame him for Barry's stupidity

 

[RFUS]

Joel has had notjhing to do with todays loss. I cant blame him for Barry's stupidity

Having a keeper flap at everything doesn't help the defence. They become unsure and untrustworthy -- certainly not what the 19 year old Stones needs. Also think Howard is a top penalty saver and he might have had a better chance there.

 

[arminisgod]

nah, him flapping had nothing to do with the goals. 2 break aways and a stupid penalty